Tour Arkansas

We went for a family drive today. It was a really nice day, but it was a bit warmer than it has been--glad we weren't doing in hiking or anything. Wouldn't want to actually break a sweat! :) So for those of you who don't live around here and wonder what Arkansas looks like, I took these pictures for you. (It was a bit hazy, but you can get a general idea). These were taken at the top of Petit Jean Mountain, which is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Only about a 30 minute drive from our house. We also went to Mt. Nebo which is a little farther northwest, and it's quite a bit steeper than Petit Jean. Now to people who have seen the Rocky Mountains, these really only qualify as hills, but for us, they will do. It really is refreshing to get out and drive in the country. I can't wait to go back when the leaves are actually changing. Driving through the Ozarks during the fall is beautiful. Hoping we get a chance to go back soon.

Time for a Roll Call!!!

I've been blogging for several months now and I've noticed my readership has grown by leaps and bounds!!! Never thought I'd be that interesting! Let me know you're out there by leaving me a short comment . . . just a quick shout out!

On My Own

I must pat myself on the back--I've been completely free of anti-depressants for over a month now and I'm doing pretty well. I was scared I couldn't make it without a crutch, but these past weeks have been very stressful with starting the magazine and I'm still not breaking down. Feels good to be half way normal now. This beautiful weather helps TONS too!

Actually Scrapped!

Here's one of my newest layouts:

Exciting News!

Our website for the magazine went live today!

Check it out!

Classy Scrapper Magazine

We got to sit outside today because it was absolutely beautiful! The temperature was great and the sun was shining. The only wild thing was that we were almost blown away by all the wind!!! It was a wonderful change since Clayton hasn't really been able to go anywhere lately--his lungs just aren't any better. He acts fine, but his oxygen levels aren't fine at all. He is still requiring way more oxygen than usual. He's at my parents' house tonight for a change of scenery. I can't wait until he's a little better so we can at least venture out a bit.

Nothing Happening

Nothing going on here except breathing treatments and chest physiotherapy. Also lots of necessary paperwork for Classy Scrapper Magazine--I love looking at everyone's submissions. Lots of inspiration for when I scrap myself!

Report from Doctor's Visit

Clayton has a small amount of atelectasis in his lower left lobe--small area of collapsed lung with some mucus to boot. His bloodwork was normal.

The doctor seems to agree with me and Brian that this was probably due to overstimulation and his seizure medication probably prevented another seizure, but his brain reacted in a different manner just by totally being lethargic in the breathing area. Goes along with the whole fact that he stops breathing totally during a seizure. Maybe we had a near miss??

He gave them a heck of a fight in radiology during the chest x-ray. I'm going to have to start bringing a team with me to help hold him still. I had to take the poor little guy to the restroom afterwards for a wipedown with a cool washcloth. He was so hot and mad and covered in sweat. So we have steriods for three days, CPT (chest physiotherapy), and lots of inhalers. FUN. FUN. I'm just so thankful we didn't end up staying at the hospital. I was not looking forward to that! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!

Clayton's Lungs are BIPOLAR!

Yesterday, Clayton struggled all day long with his oxygen levels. I suppose he's just had way to much excitement with all the walking he's been doing. We are going to see the pulmonologist tomorrow morning for a chest x-ray and bloodwork to see if anything's going on. But in the meantime, when I got out of the shower this morning, he was lying in bed with his cannula off and he had a decent oxygen reading. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

Talk about wishy-washy! There is never any rhyme or reason to what's going on with his lungs. All I know is he just can't deal with a lot of stimulation without having lots of down time afterwards. I suppose we'll just have to get used to taking life in spurts in order to keep his little body from overdoing it.

New Layout

I actually got to scrap today! I already had most of this layout put together, but I added the ribbon as the finishing touch. I wish the pics were better, there's just no way to catch the full amount of cuteness when he blows a kiss!

Checking In

Don't have much time to blog, but I realized I hadn't done so in a few days, so I thought I would check in. Everything's going well--Clayton's still a walkin' fool and Classy Scrapper is going full force! With that being said, I've got to get off here and go to work!!!

What Happened to Customer Service?

Well, I've spent the last 24 hours trying to print my business cards on my awesome Epson R1800 printer. We paid a pretty penny for that thing, and until yesterday, I've had not one complaint. For some reason it does not like these business cards. I've printed the documents on my other printers and it worked fine. But I keep getting the same paper source error everytime I try to print on the Epson. It's got the best quality of printing, so I really want to use it. So anyway, after trying everything I knew to do, I finally called Epson for help. And you know what they told me? That it would cost me $9.95 for them to troubleshoot for me and there was no guarantee they could fix the problem. WHAT?! What happened to helping a paying customer out with you product? I really can't believe they won't try to help you. I even explained the basics of the problem and he asked me again if I wanted to pay $9.95 for his help. Um, NO. I'll suppose I'll just hang out here to dry why you keep all your knowledge to yourself!

Random Thoughts on Scrapbooking

Well, with the latest manufacturing design team calls over, I suppose I can breathe a sigh of relief. When I applied for them, I only had the idea for Classy Scrapper Magazine, and had not plunged full force into my plans. As time went on and I started seriously working on the publication, I started to worry about actually getting picked for the Scenic Route team or the Piggy Tales team. It's definitely a blessing in disguise that I didn't get chosen, as it would have probably been a huge conflict of interest if my layouts for them ended up in other publications. But although I know it's a good thing, I still can't help but wonder what the heck was wrong with my work! These are two of the layouts I did for the SR call and I did my best to work with as much of their product as possible and I honestly took on the assignment as if I was already creating an ad layout for them. Guess that approach didn't work well. What the heck was wrong with these layouts?

Oh well, I've got bigger fish to fry, as they say. Starting the magazine has actually been good for my scrapping. I'm wanting to scrap like mad, with no care for trying to achieve a certain look for getting published. I just want my pages to have good design, look great, and really record the memories for Clayton. Isn't that what it's all about anyway?

Weight Check

According to the GI doctor's scale, Clayton lost a little more weight. But he sure doesn't look like it, and he certainly doesn't feel like it! But considering he cries and screams and basically throws a fit while he's on the scale, that weight might not be accurate. The more important news is she has been researching a natural supplement that may help his lungs heal. Even though that's not her area of expertise, she's just as sick of the oxygen as we are. The pulmonologists are just giving us no answers and no specific plan. And his lungs aren't getting any better with growth, which is what they originally said would help them heal. Well, he's GROWN, but his lungs are still the same. And at this point, we are willing to try anything. Hopefully we can get that started soon, and maybe we'll see results even sooner!

Brighter Side of Life

Clayton seems to have a sixth sense about when Momma's feeling bad. Maybe that's why he chose Monday to start WALKING LIKE A MANIAC!!! He got his new braces in (the others were too small) and as soon as his P.T. put them on him and stood him up, he was high steppin'! Of course, she was holding him under the shoulders, but at least his legs were moving! She put him in the walker (that he never moves in--just sits and grins) and he walked the length of the couch in it. I was so proud! And yesterday the other therapist got him to walk the length of the couch and almost the entire length of the kitchen. Man, he's glad he got some new shoes that fit! His left leg still has major trouble--it wraps around his right leg constantly. We're hoping to try another walker that will help separate his legs better. We've also got to see the Orthopedic doctor about Botox injections for his muscles. That will be interesting.

I taught my class last night at the LSS. It went great--I had nine people there and it was busy! But the pages were easy to complete so it seemed to go fast. I wasn't going to do anymore for a while, but the money is just so easy to make, so I'm thinking I'll do another in October. Lisa is also having classes every Tuesday in November for Christmas related stuff, so I'll probably do two of those. Need to put my thinking cap on!

Still plugging along on the magazine. If you haven't signed up for your free copy, shoot me an email to get your name on the list. See the blog for details.

My Forever Baby

Today marks the third anniversary of Shawn Phillip's death. When he was born, he was considered the healthier of the two boys. He moved around in the bed and a couple of times almost acted like he wanted to crawl right out of it. He even opened his right eye for me and Brian three days before he died. Maybe he was just saying a quick hello before he had to say goodbye. But darn that MRSA infection--his little immune system just couldn't handle it. I don't even really know what I want to say in this post. I want to honor him in such a wonderful and unique way, and all I can think to say is "darn that MRSA." ??? I don't know, in my mind, nothing will ever measure up. I just hope that he knows I love him and I miss seeing who he would have become. Even saying all this, it still seems absolutely unreal that my baby actually died. I wouldn't wish this hurt on my worst enemy.

Another Working Weekend

Shella and I met again yesterday and we got a whole lot done--I'm so glad we are working so well together. I'm also glad she doesn't mind Clayton "helping." He seems to like our important papers. :)

Brian went fourwheel riding today--major guy thing that I do not get, but to each his own. I'm working on paperwork while my parents are here to hold Clayton. He's enjoying the change in playmates.

Step Up Your Scrapbooking with Ribbon is this Tuesday at the local scrapbook store for you here in town--don't forget to sign up by tomorrow!

Other than all that, nothing doing here. Hope you all had a good weekend yourselves . . .I'll be checking in tomorrow!

Diaper Dilemma

Hey all! I'm actually pretty busy these days and it's such a welcome change! The magazine is really taking off as I'm sure you all well know. Clayton's therapy schedule changed this week and it's already hard to get used to. I even think he is confused. I'm frustrated to no end with his diaper situation. He has been wearing size 6 from the store for the longest time even though they were really too small. Now that he's three, insurance will pay for his diapers. But even though I know there are a gazillion kids out there in his same situation, no one can seem to locate a diaper that fits him! Even at the hospital they brought us adult small. ??? We had a choice of size 5 or adult small. You would think a Children's Hospital would have more choices. And now the medical supply guy is on a search for some and he finally sent some today. Guess what? They would fit me! Ugh. I don't know why these things are such a mystery! I'm sure hoping we'll find something soon as Clayton is probably tired of tight diapers.

I've really got to jet for now--lots of stuff going on . . . busy signing everyone up for their FREE copy of Classy Scrapper!

Reminder to Myself . . .

. . . to remember the lyrics to the second verse of a song by Selah:

Some midnight hour if you should find

You're in a prison of your mind

Reach out and praise, defy those chains

And they will fall in Jesus' name

I bless your name, I bless your name

I give you honor, give you praise

You are the life, the truth, the way

I bless your name

Dog Days of Summer

Man, it's hot. And I suppose it's human nature to always want what you don't have, so of course I'm really ready for fall weather. In January, I'll probably be blogging about how I wish it was 100 degrees! At any rate, I would love it if we just actually had a fall season here. It seems like it only lasts two or three days. Maybe this year will be different.

Isn't our Katie pretty? As you can tell, she loves to pose for the camera. Actually, she doesn't like it, which is why we always get a side view of her--she refuses to look at the camera straight on. Weird, but my Mom and Dad's dog is the same way. Must be a dog thing.

Don't have much of anything else to blog about, so I'll go for now. Have a great day everyone!