Decisions.

So, i have been given a lot to think about lately. I inquired about some information on stem cell treatment in China. Well, there are treatment centers in Mexico and China. We chose China to inquire about. Through a fellow spina bifida mama, i gathered some info and went forth with contacting a representative, Keith. Yes, Keith is a nice guy, very informative and quick to answer emails. So i went ahead and did some more research and filled out the medical info and forms to see if Samantha would even qualify. They haven't done stem cell treatments on very many spina bifida kids, but just in the past year, there have been a few. I have a few emotions right now. I am nervous, happy, and excited all at once. I am nervous   1. because i don't like to fly, 2. possible side effects or long term problems from the treatments 3. going to a foreign country 4. putting Samantha thru something that may not work at all!
Well, did some research on side effects, no one has had any trouble beside less than 1% having a fever or headache, and the most part 96% of over 12,000 people who have gotten stem cell treatment had no adverse reactions at all. Hey! thats pretty good. Also, everyone i have seen that has been treated with spina bifida have seen positive results! Thats pretty good too!!
Well, another concern is the cost! Hmmm, Hmmm yeah, i have to find ways to raise nearly $30,000! That's just for 6 treatments, more if we get more treatments. So I have started on that, but am just waiting and making sure Samantha gets accepted. So if she does, i have made my mind up, in concurrence with my husband, that we will proceed with fundraising and go to China for a month!
Yeah, i could look at is as, i could just accept Samantha the way she is, which i do, of course. But, what if. . . . What if i just sit back and do nothing. . . . then we make just our regular progress, still not much movement in her feet! I dream of her walkig without braces and wiggling her toes! Most of all, i think what if she could feel to go to the bathroom all by herself! I am my child's biggest advocate, through hours of therapy, she and i, she can walk with her pink crutches and her afo braces. Without those 2 important items, she crawls around the house. Yes, she can pull up and balance a while without holding onto anything, but those 2 items she depends on to keep her upright and mobile! Wouldn't it be awesome to hang those scratched up stickered up crutches as a momento of something Sam use to have to use! Not something she has to use. . .             Just sayin'

How sweet it is.

Family time. I love it! There is nothing like it.



It took a little bit of time to figure out how to haul everything. Over the past couple years, I think we have mastered it. Having a child who can't walk on her own is difficult at times, but i wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love them!



Yeah, this is my Sammy, aka Dirt Dobber!  She ain't happy unless she is dirty from head to toe!



They want to help and I just let them. We might have a funky garden this summer, and have stuff growing here and there, but just to watch them involved and enjoying themselves is priceless.
James is so big with his wheelbarrow. I told him to pick up the trash that we left behind and put it in his wheelbarrow, you know, the empty plant containers and seed bags. He said, no! I'm not doin' it! I took that as:  That was not what his wheelbarrow was for, it was for hauling the good things around, not the trash mom!



This little boy loves his Daddy. Follows him everywhere he goes.


Can't anybody say that smile isn't proud to be helping out mom and dad!


Here are our potted plants. I am trying some tomatoes, cukes, straight neck yellow squash and herbs in pots to see how they do. 




I am loving the flowers  and foliage this year. They are looking pretty. My azaleas are getting ready to bloom.
Sitting on the front porch was great today as will many days to come. . . .

Helping Others! Kijabe, Kenya!

Ok, here is a link to my shop blog site. I am trying to get the word out about sending handmade clothing, blankets,ect... Also any catheter supplies or medical supplies, they could use also. So if you know anyone who sews and likes crafts, spread the word. Thank you!

http://jennylynnbowtique.blogspot.com/

Crochet Flowers and Pillowcase dresses.

This is the latest pillowcase dress. This dress has a fabric ribbon tie.  The ribbon can be made longer if you like.

Also a new product is the handmade crochet flower with gem center. 

 These crochet flowers come in an assortment of colors, not all colors shown. Can be clipped on headwrap, headband, or hat. I do have some crochet beanies availabel.

 This pin comes in the letters above. A, B, D, H, M, N, P, S.

I have every letter of the alphabet in this monogrammed pin.  I can use it as the center of a crochet flower or as a fluffy clip as above. 

I am going to be making Valentines Dresses this month. 

Email me at jlbowtique@gmail.com with any questions or inquiries.

Caterpillar.

I was dashing around the house today cleaning up, you know, sweeping, sorting, organizing, etc.....
I walk by Sammy's door and spotted her peacefully playing by herself with her ponies and dollies.  It just made my day hearing her soft little voice say "jacket", as she dressed her little pony with some baby doll clothes and "sippy" as she pointed at the dollies play sippy cup. I could have ate her up with a spoon.  She is growing up so fast, my little caterpillar, and becoming a butterfly way too soon!







I love this little girl!  She is the sunshine of my day.  The first thing in the morning she hollers is "Mommy" so I can hear her from the other room  and it just melts my heart and when I push open her door she just smiles from ear to ear.  Love you Sammy! Just keep being sweet ok! Spread your wings and fly pretty girl!

On a whim.

Don't you just love to do something spontaneous! I all of the sudden remembered I had some white chocolate and chocolate morsels and had to use them in something. 






It was much fun and the kids really enjoyed helping and then eating.


There is nothing like a rainbow of sprinkles left for Mama to clean up. That's what Mama's are for Right!!



Earlier before we played with chocolate and sprinkles I tried to capture some of the beautiful Fall colors. I was a little disappointed because I forgot how fast it gets dark in the evening here in North Carolina after the time change. Well, I got some good shots despite the darkness falling. We took a trip up our road to see what we could find.

















This is a big oak tree behind my house.  The sun was setting, it looked like it was on fire as goldish orange as it was.  I Love Fall!!!!! Going out in the morning to see if I can get anymore beautiful colors caught on camera.

Costumes, Food, and Fun.

I finally got around to uploading pics of the Halloween party we had Friday night. The kids had a great time.  Before we had people over I had to decorate and that took some preparation and most of all time. We made some homemade Halloween decorations which I believe turned out really cute! We spent the whole week making these.

Glittery Bats.......


A huge trash bag tarantula.........


Milk Carton Ghosts......... Which by the way look really cute at night.

Check out the scary cemetery




We had some really good food.


Yummy Halloween cupcakes.....


and chocolate covered marshmallow spiders.



We played games like pumpkin bowling.....


The kids wore some really cute costumes........






Let's see... We had a race car driver, a fairy, a butterfly, a princess, a punk rock star, bumblebee transformer, a policeman, a ninja warrior, a pirate, spider man, a cat, a skeleton, and think that is all, not sure. The funny thing is the kids loved the hay the most. When all else fails, get a bale of hay, lol! They love that stuff. They jump off of it, sit on it, jump from one to the other, and rearrange it. 

I will have to say it turned out pretty well and I was exhausted for like 2 days afterwards after all of the preparation, but it was definitely worth it.