Volunteering and Day 6...

Today marks day 6 of the build. When Tony and I went there to drop off the "Welcome Home Anderson Family" banner, we got to view the house up close! Very, very beautiful! The Anderson family will be overjoyed tomorrow for the reveal! I was almost in tears just looking at what they have done in just 6 short days! Oh yeah...tomorrow...the tears are going to flow!!!
Marous Brothers, EMHE and all the volunteers and donation companies have really made this build one of the best and fastest builds! They are actually going to be moving in all the furniture at 5 this evening! They were putting in the landscaping and doing the finishing touched on the inside of the house...they even had a window cleaning company there to clean all the windows!

One of the banners that Tony made is right across the street, in front of the house...we HAD to get a picture with it...LOL...we have officially become official volunteers today...

with prayers that they come back next year...for us *wink*!

join us on our Facebook Fan Page to support EMHE to come back to the Cleveland area soon!!!

Tomorrow...the reveal...stay tuned!

Sarcastic Saturday

I feel like making this post a very sarcastic one...its just the way today has been going. I woke up with a horrible sinus migraine and an ear infection that is just about the best you can get (see, sarcastic). The kids have been perfect angels, no fighting, helping me with keeping the house clean, just being very good (yep, again...sarcasm is dripping from this post). You'd think with all the religious medals I have hanging from my key ring, that I should be protected from all forms of evil and non good...beep...wrong. I still love them and wont part with any of them. Today it really hit me that after everything that we've been through, we weren't going to be getting the makeover.

I never felt that we were "owed" it...but I just thought with all that has gone on, that maybe some good would come out of it.

We haven't lost anything by not getting the makeover...because who knows...there is always next year...so I will count my blessings and be thankful for the roof over our heads, food on our table and the asbestos, rotting wood, insect infestation, flooding, mold, and lack of space...that surrounds us daily. I actually wouldn't have much to write about if it wasn't for this house.

On brighter news of the day, the headache and ear ache still have not subsided which has brought on a feeling of nausea and off balances (if thats a word) that has lasted all day and into the nighttime.

I decided to finally make Sydnie's birthday dinner of City Chicken, mashed potatoes and corn for dinner...I think I made it juuuust right...the corn...was cooked to a nice dark brown color which had a scent of burnt skin to it...

this is the pan sitting in the sink afterwards

The city chicken quickly followed suit, with a leathery...er..uh...rock texture that tasted like ashtray...
The only thing that was worth eating was the boxed mashed potatoes! Oh yeah...my kind of dinner! *yep, you guessed it...sarcasm again.

Before dinner, I had to take the girls to their football game so they could cheer. All the while, I waited in the car with 2 very talkative toddlers *their talking was that of screams by the halftime cheer*
Syd and Kay were sugared up on candy from the concession stand not wanting to use the port 0 potty when they needed too...and now I know why I stayed home with the other kids last year while Tony just took them.

On another note...our new refrigerator is working out just beautifully! And the price? Just pennies to what larger, upscale ones with ice machines cost...and everything is right at our fingertips! (please...no calling child services on us because of this...no one got hurt during the picture taking and everyone has a bed to sleep in)...yep...you guessed correct again...sarcasm..gotta love it!


So their you have it...my sarcastic Saturday...

oh...and I forgot one thing... yes...I did call my son Kenny....Nick. WHICH SUCKED!
So as you see, not everyday is all smiles, blessings and positive thinking/doing...some days life bites ya in the butt and reality strikes. I am just having one of those days...Tony took Tony camping with the boy scouts, so I got to deal with all of this by myself today...and tonight with Kenny and his feeds...not going good at all.

I am allowed to have good days and bad. Mine just was bad all around. I am sure tomorrow will be better, but for now, at least it made for an interesting post :)

Have a good night everyone...and remember...


Life is full of challenges...but these challenges are only given to you because God knows your faith is strong enough to get through them!


and one more...just because I need the encouragement...


Don't be known for your "things" as things can and will break. But be known for your soul, for that will be with you forever.

Good night everyone, and God bless.

Extreme rally for a family in need.

I dont usually post this late at night, but I just had to write about the most amazing experience that my family and I had this evening at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition pep rally here in Cleveland. It started with us bringing non perishable food items to the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. We brought 2 big bags of tons of stuff for the Cleveland food bank. Then we go in and they have tables set up with t-shirts, bandannas, wrist bands and hats...all proceeds going to the family that gets the build. Of course Tony and I got one each...Morgan and Taylor were wearing them the whole evening. We also got 3 wristbands for Tony, Sydnie and Kayleigh.
Kenny got to meet some of the Cleveland Browns players...he was actually playing with them...lol. There were cheerleaders, bands...they went all out for this pep rally. Then it got down to the nitty gritty. The builders introduced themselves...I have such a new respect for these people...WOW...they are donating their time and supplies to build a beautiful house for some very special family who probably went through a great tragedy or are struggling because of one. I honestly felt that even though we were nominated...we probably didn't get picked for one reason or another...but that is soooo OK. I really mean it. I really want to help with this build in some way...painting a wall, drawing or painting a picture, maybe even just give money...I really want to help in some way. When they were showing the videos and talking about the build...Taylor and I were sitting next to each other and we both looked at each other and...yes...we were both crying!!! HAHA! I know, lame...but it was THAT emotional. We really felt that deeply about this whole thing. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes for a build to take place...there are not other words than...amazing! Everyone in the community should help...its such a great feeling to be part of such a great thing...the gift of happiness. To make a family that has been through so much...have so little to worry about. I wish I were a millionaire, because honestly...I'd end up giving so much away.
You know, right before we went to this rally, I had Kenny at his Comprehensive care appt. where we are concerned that Kenny, even though he has this feeding tube, is not gaining weight. he is just maintaining. At that appointment. I was just looking at Kenny and the way he was acting....his typical self. opening and shutting the drawers and door to the room, yelling like he always does...not in a mean way, but the only way he knows how to communicate. He was smiling and just being cute. I asked the doctor if he sees this a lot. The way he acts. What I really wanted to ask was...is my child...um...retarded(not being politically correct here, sorry)? I know that sounds cruel...but it has run through Tony's and my head. I mean...really. I am being honest. We haven't gotten a true diagnosis...almost like the elephant in the middle of the living room thing...but is it that he is mentally disabled or is it this being a "micro preemie" thing? I see other moms of micros on their blogs writing and to me, their kids are almost normal. I mean...there are some with CP, but that is not what I was getting at. I know Kenny has some form of CP...his walk is really off and his one arm curls under when he walks...he's got tight muscles and weak muscles as well. I am talking about developmentally. He is waaay behind in this area, I see it so much because of Gina...and other kids that are Kenny's age. I want my son to be normal. I dont want him to have to deal with this the rest of his life. He's had to deal with so much in these last 3.5 years...its not fair to him. Anyhow...the doctor never gave me an answer. Do I really want that answer? ah...who knows. I know Kenny and as long as it is not bothering him...I will try my best to not let it bother me (in front of him any how), but it will always break my heart.
He is going to have to be hospitalized again if he continues to not gain weight though. The doctor wants to run several tests to rule things out as to why he's not gaining. Yes...another thing to worry about. Its almost too much after this week we've had...
So that is about all.
We had such fun at the rally...it took my mind off of his doctor appt.

So please...all of you that feel that life is getting the best of you (kinda like me)...help someone. Do something nice for a neighbor or something...or maybe even a stranger. It makes you feel so much better inside. What a beautiful thing EMHE and the builders...oh...and all the sponsors and people that donate...do for a family...just beautiful...Everyone should be so helpful and generous to strangers all the time, because honestly, no one really knows what has gone on in someone's life to make them what they are. And no one should judge!

Happy Birthday to our Sydnie!

Happy 7th Birthday to Sydnie

Today is my forth child's birthday...little Miss Sydnie. What a little miracle she is. When she was born, she had a true knot in her cord so she could have easily have passed away if she would have stayed inside of me any longer than the 34 weeks. The doctor was amazed when he saw it....come to think of it, Kayleigh also had a true knot, luckily she was a c-section baby. Anyhow, Sydnie has been such a fun little girl to have part of our family. With her huge eyes and her little duck lips. She is good natured and doesn't care that we have a million nicknames for her...including...Chicken Little, City Chicken (which is her request for dinner tonight), Beverly D'Angelo(because she totally looks like her) and Monkey.
So tonight we will have City chicken for dinner and a teeny tiny ice cream cake (her request) for her birthday dinner. I also have to take donuts to her class today. lol.
A little story that I'd love to share on how my morning had gone so far...
I've been battling a bad cold, you know, sore throat,cough, runny nose and my ears infected, but I have been holding off going the doctor. I just have way too much going on and so does Tony. Well, I woke up this morning, with my right ear hearing everything like it is up to a fan. Double sounds of high pitched and low pitched sounds...so I really think its that time to get to a doctor. So as I am ironing clothes and getting the kids ready for school, Kay asks me for a glass of milk. I get it out and pour it...ITS LUMPY!!! I looked on the expiration date...9/28...ok..so that's not the problem. I'm thinking to myself, boy the fridge is kinda...um...room temperature with a slight chill to it...OMG!!! My refrigerator is dying. Its on the highest setting possible and it is not cold...yet my freezer (which is on the bottom) has "snow" all over everything. Now, grant it, it is 13 years old, so I think that we will be saying goodbye to our beloved fridge. Can you say...time to look on Craigslist for a used one? LOL
I may be LOL-ing on my blog, but deep down inside I am saying "what the heck are we going to do?" I have to throw everything out. It sucks. We have a whole refrigerator full of stuff...all of which are bad now. When it rains it pours, I guess. This bad luck has got to change around...

Thursday is the pep rally for the EMHE build that is coming to the Cleveland area. We are planning on going to it because how many times do you get an opportunity to attend an EMHE pep rally! It should be lots of fun. And you know me, I'll be taking tons of pictures for all to see! My hopes have been quickly diminishing for them to pick us because we have not heard ANYTHING...not one word about anything. No phone call saying that we are one of the 5 finalist...nothing. So its pretty safe to say that we are out of the running for it. I cant deny being a bit...ok...extremely disappointed, especially after my fridge died and my dining room patio door is leaking from the rain this morning...but such is life. I am very happy for the family that will be receiving such a gift from heaven...and would love to help out, even if its to bring snacks or red bull to the site. We even signed up ARTPro Graphics (my husbands sign company) to help with decals and signs...but again...they haven't called him. *sigh* Ok...enough of wallowing in self pitty...LOL...Kenny ate 12 goldfish crackers at school yesterday! WOOT WOOT! I am so happy for my little guy for trying! Now, if anyone can tell me how to keep Kenny from getting wrapped up in his feeding tube at night...I'd love to know the secret to that!
I guess that is all I have to say for today...
May God bless you all with a very productive day.

EMHE coming to Ohio!!!

Please keep your fingers crossed. I know its a long shot, but it would be sush a blessing!

EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION COMING TO THE CLEVELAND, OHIO AREA!!!
(Click on the link above to get all the details)


*please God...but if not us, then at least I know that someone from the Cleveland area is going to get a HUGE blessing and some help!!! YAY!

Thank you EMHE for picking the Cleveland area to help a family!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Update!!!!

Please, everyone....please help us!

We already sent our nomination in for Extreme Makeover Home Edition....
we now need EVERYONE's HELP!!!!
PLEASE!!!
Go to the e-mail and NOMINATE US, PLEASE!!!
The deadline is JUNE 9

The more people that sent in our nomination via e-mail....the better chance we have!

http://www.newsnet5.com/station/19633435/detail.html

This is the actual nomination...not the petition!!!!

Please send an e-mail with ages, and why to:

emheohio@gmail.com.

Also....pass this on to all of your friends!
Thank you so very, very much!!

Michele, Tony and kids

A dear friend pointed out that you all need the names and ages of all in the house...

Anthony (Tony) Sr. 43

Michele (me) 39 (shhhh.)

Tony Jr. 11

Taylor 9

Morgan 8

Sydnie 5

Kayleigh 3

Kenny 2 (surviving twin to Nick)

Gina 10 months

This is what we sent for the nomination...

I am hoping that someone could help us. My name is Michele. My husband Tony and I had a set of twins in May of 2007. They were born at 23 weeks gestation...that's 17 weeks early. The doctors told us that if they came just a day prior, they would not be able to try to resuscitate them...but to Gods grace, they both made it into this world...for two days we were the proud parents of twin boys...both weighing just 1 lb. 7 oz....2 days later, our world came crashing down all around us. We watch as the doctors and nurses in the NICU at MetroHealth tried to work a miracle and keep our precious son, Nick from dying. With all the praying, wishing and hoping, he passed away...on May 4, 2007. We will always have a hole in our hearts and feel an emptiness that no parent should ever feel. Our surviving twin, Kenny is doing as well as he can. He is such a little miracle! He has very bad lung disease caused by months of being on the ventilator, which require oxygen and meds several times a day, so every time he gets sick, he usually ends up in the hospital. He also has developmental delays, feeding issues and moderate bilateral hearing loss and now a diagnosis of autism and Cerebral Palsy. He doesnt walk, talk (words), eat solids, hear or communicate very well. He bangs his head on everything! It is beyond comprehension. A mom should be able to help their child, and I cant. We are a family with many children...7 (living) to be exact...We love it and wouldnt trade it for the world. Our family includes... Myself 39, Tony my husband 43, Tony Jr. 11, Taylor 9, Morgan 8, Sydnie 5, Kayleigh 3, Kenny 2 and Gina 10 months. It a chaotic house, but I love the challenge! LOLOn top of juggling all of Kenny's doctor appts., PT/OT and his daily life routine of meds, We don't really get to do much as a family because Kenny cant be around too many people because of RSV season. So that is why most of the time, I am stuck in the house with the little ones, while Tony takes the older kids to things. It is a life that we never dreamed of having...nor wish upon anyone. Tony has his own sign business that he works out of our detached garage...he has been in business for about 10 years now. He has done work for the malls, police departments in several cities (our house is the one on Snow with the signs for the fallen police officers and the one to thank a police officer), the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Assoc., local churches and schools and many, many local businesses. He puts his heart and soul into all his jobs and his clients. He is such a great guy. He is always thinking of others before himself. That is what made me fall in love with him! He has taken time to do things with the kids, go shopping, stay at the hospital when Kenny needs to be hospitalized, etc...on top of trying to make his sign business succeed. The economy and taking time for Kenny's appts, is taking a toll on his business. When I get a chance, I volunteer with the March Of Dimes at their events and help out at our school and church.So...now you kinda know the background...WE WANT TO NOMINATE OUR FAMILY for the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Our house is a little 1100 sq. ft. 3 bdrm home here in Parma, Ohio, that is in need of repairs and more space. It's just not very healthy for Kenny who needs space and special needs...not to mention how crammed we all are. He has a Gait Trainer that is helping him learn to use his leg muscles and between that and Gina's walker...it feels like bumper car central. His oxygen tanks are thrown in the front door area. There just isnt any space.We have used everything. The house is old and drafty, the walls are not insulated, the plumbing is cooroded, the wood on the outside of the house is rotted, the windows have mold and are broken, the floors inside are all broken, so we get splinters from the wood floors and cuts from the ceramic tiles that are shot. The lot floods in the spring and during rain storms, which mean his business (the garage) gets flooded all the time, on top of many other problems. The kids share bedrooms...2 bunk bed in one room a bed and a crib in another. In our room there is a crib and our bed. There is no where for our kids to have their own space or a place to play. Because we are on top of each other, they continually pass colds back and forth which could be life threatening for Kenny. We want the best for our kids, and because of the hospital bills and the constant care of our micro preemie, it is a tough thing to do.I sometimes wonder if the daily struggles are worth it, then I look at my son, who beat the odds, and think to myself that if he can do it, we can!

Please read our family's blog, the whole twin story with pictures...well, pretty much our life story is on there. What we go through day in and day out.

There is a petition online going to try to get our story on Extreme Makeover Home Edition (I know some say that it doesn't make a difference, but to see what others in the community and from all over have written, has to help in some way). It has over 800 signatures on it including the Mayor of Parma and many others.

We also have already filled out the application. We are hoping...well praying for a miracle!

Thank you very much for your help!

HTTP://MTOMECKO.BLOGSPOT.COM/

We just want to get the story out to let others in our community know that we are trying to get on EMHE and to let people know that micro preemies that are born at 23 weeks CAN and DO survive. the doctors say that it is not how much a micro preemie weighs, but their gestational age...that makes it so dangerous and poor outcomes. But there are a lot of special needs, devotion, time, clean and healthy conditions, and much more that is needed...and in these times, raising a family with 7 kids, keeping a small business going and making sure our sick baby, who was was only given a 17% chance of survival (if that) has the best chances of having a healthy normal life, is very hard to do..Finacially, emotionally and physically!

Please read the blog and help.

We are in real need!