Good Fortune

I take the health of my children for granted ... I try not to but I do. I try hard to remind myself their health is a blessing BUT ... I get busy working, cleaning, helping with homework, living and it slips down the list of things for which I express gratitude for. 

I know that not every family has this luxury. 

The Dziekan Family lives the flip side of the coin.   Almost 12 years ago, at just a few weeks old their daughter, Brianna, had her first open heart surgery.

She would endure 3 more - the most recent in the Spring of 2011.  Sprinkled in between 3 Cardiac Catheterizations and countless other procedures and tests. 

Things that I don't give another thought are challenges.  It took some doing to find an orthodontist who would take her as a patient because of her complicated health history.  If Obama's Health Care plan  gets repealed she will, no doubt, max out her lifetime medical benefit before she turns 18.  Other injuries that most kids rebound quickly from don't heal properly.  Activity has to be monitored so she doesn't over exert herself.  She has to be mindful to keep hydrated. Then there are the migraines, the pain, the insomnia .... it is an awful lot for a kid to process.  As her mom, Carol, is constantly researching new advances in treatments in addition to networking with organizations that provide support to special kids like Brianna.  Oh and did I mention that Brianna has a sister and 2 brothers ... something else Carol has to manage, the rest of the family.

There will be additional surgeries.  There are bills. There is uncertainty.  

On March 17, a benefit is being held in Brianna's honor.  The hope is that the funds raised from ticket sales, raffles and other donations will make a dent in the expenses that have amassed over the last 12 years and that there might be some to cover the next surgery.  Tickets are still available and raffle items still being are still accepted.

You can read more about Brianna at her Carepages Website

If you need tickets, have something for the raffle, or would like to make a cash donation, please contact Brianna's Mom, Carol at caroldziekan@yahoo.com or her Aunt Laurie at lsavino@charter.net

Good fortune, yes, we at Romanskiville are so thankful for it.

Best Valentine's Day Present ....EVER

 On Sunday, Feb 12 we saw Shrek the Musical at the Garde in New London.  I should tell you all that my family has a love affair with Shrek.  We have all four dvds, yes, there are FOUR.  We love it so much that the girls and I bought the The Final Chapter for Paul for Christmas and he bought it for us... thankfully the grown-ups in this house are pretty good with receipts.

We parked and made our way to the theater and collected our tickets.  We asked Brooke to read what the ticket said .. that was our big reveal.  "Shrek the ...." "Musical" (We help her out on that word) and we explain that we are going to see real people perform the story -- she seems intrigued and is filled with anticipation.  Kristen says "Shrek the Musical" and gets a big smile on her face.

We get down to business and purchase our souvenirs ... Princess Fiona ears and crown for Brooke.

And a Gingy - the Gingerbread Puppet for Kristen (editors note - the kid now HATES getting her picture taken and generally protests. The face = annoyed not scared to death... really!)

We take our seats and the show starts.  Kristen sits with her eyes and her mouth wide open in awe.  Brooke sings and dances in her seat the whole time.  At intermission, Kristen declares "It is SO awesome."

As we are backing out of our parking spot in the garage she says "It was so, SO good"

Today they are telling anyone who will listen to them about the show and the "best Valentines Day present EVER"

You can buy your kids expensive toys, clothes, and things and they love them and use them and then forget them.  When you invest in an experience, you give them a memory.  I'll cherish the time we spent together yesterday and look forward to the next big thing.

100th Day

Today was the 100th day of school.  Apparently it is a bit of a holiday.  I don't remember it being a big deal when I was in elementary school, but if you ask my dear daughter that was "a long, long time ago." Brooke was filled with anticipation for the whole thing and could not stop talking about the crown she would make and place 100 stickers on as part of the day.  I arrived at daycare this afternoon and she was at the table proudly wearing that crown.  When we arrived home, she promptly stripped down and donned her Rapunzel dress up garb to complete the outfit.

I'm not really sure I understand all the hoopla behind "100th day" ... but hey it didn't require gifts, goodie bags or mean any time off from school.  Yay!  I am just thrilled she loves school and is excelling. I visibly smile each morning that she wakes and eagerly dresses in some form of blue and khaki without any fighting, yelling, threatening, etc ... I know this WILL change.  For now, I am going to ride the wave.


Secretly, I was rejoicing inside that there was a note in the backpack that "Collections of 100 things" were optional and NOT required.  Thank you Mrs. Bosse, we working parents salute you !!!