Giving Back

Anyone who reads this blog knows my passion is Animal Rescue. Since 2004 I have been heavily involved in giant breed animal rescue. And when I learn of a cause in need, my heart always goes out to them...especially if it is an organization started by "an average joe".

I think anyone can give monetarily....and Brian and I do as well...Parkinsons, Cancer, Epilepsy, Down Syndrome.....but I think everyone else should ask themselves, what else can I do?

I hear excuses all the time...kids, husband, weekend plans, too far of a drive, don't want to get up that early, busy work week, too tired.....but if it was your child that was sick or your dog you had to give up due to the economy, or your husband that suddenly fell ill, I think it would be a different story. I think time would be found to give back.

Being part of a non for profit, I can tell you that no effort is too small. There are so many things that can be done and you don't even need to leave your house. If everyone does something small, it adds up.

I realize I can't always be asking for help for BDHPI without giving back in my own way when other non for profits have a call for help, so this weekend I had the pleasure of working with The Stink Bug Project. This organization was started by 9 yr old Allison after she battled cancer. She credits her dog Coco with helping her through the tough time and now raises money to pay for dogs to be trained in the Colorado prison systems and than matched with kids with cancer.


I wonder all the time how I will instill in my children the gift of giving back. Will they understand that they've been given the world on a silver platter and there are so many others who struggle? How will they learn that? But than I realize they will learn from me. They will learn from my example. I hope the sense of pride and accomplishment fills them as it does me when I leave a dog rescue event or spend the day helping a childhood cancer organization.

Allison is a perfect example that kids are never too young to learn the lesson.

Meds

Dear Fertility Meds,

I am going to cut to the chase, I hate you. I mean, I really hate you.

In no particular order, here is why

**Nightly shots in the stomach, need I say more?

**The development of needle phobia from above said nightly shots.

** Heartburn, like from the depths of my soul, awful horrible heartburn.

**Pre Natals that taste like dead fish and only exasperate above mentioned heartburn

**Daily headaches that pound behind my eyes

**Estrogen patches that upon application to my stomach I can feel burn through my body.

**24/7 nausea from above said estrogen patches.

**Insomnia, at which point when I wake up at approx 1am EVERY FREAKING night, the heartburn kicks in

*Exhaustion. I barely have the ability to talk on the phone after a long day at work (apologies to anyone who I owe a phone call to)

The thought of dealing with you for a few more weeks actually brought a tear to my eye this week. I don't think I would wish you on my worst enemy.

My mom called you "a means to an end" this week. I told her she better be right.

Good Bye 35

Hasta La Vista my 35th year. Not too sad to see you go, I am anxious to start another year and see what it may bring.

We celebrated my birthday the entire weekend. I was spoiled rotten. I have a great family, best friends and an incredible husband.

Birthday Weekend

I love a good birthday...mine is Sunday! We have some fun plans for the weekend, including date night tonight (since dinner plans with friends were canceled), than a fun party at Mikuni's tomorrow, followed by a family party on Sunday.

I am turning 36. I cannot believe it...I am on the downhill slide to 40. Am I really mature enough to be 36? Typing those numbers makes me cringe.

34 was a pretty good year, it's when I became Mrs. Dew. I hope 36 is when I can add Mommy to my name. That is my biggest birthday wish.

Nella

I can't even remember who turned me onto Kelle Hampton's blog, but I love it.

Written by Kelle, a super cool mom who is gorgeous, artsy and pretty damn funny. She has two adorable little girls. She is a fantastic photographer to boot.

Nella, her second daughter who turns 1 on 1.22.11, was born with Down Syndrome. The diagnosis was a surprise to entire family. Her honesty and raw post about the birth of Nella is here:

http://www.kellehampton.com/p/nellas-birth-story.html

I am excited each day to go to the blog. I always leave wondering how one person can be so creative?

She clearly loves her daughters more than life itself and it is so refreshing to read.

As Nella approaches her 1st birthday they have decided to raise money for the National Down Syndrome Society..this one woman has raised over $65,000 (last time I checked). How amazing is that?

So, if you are looking for an uplifting blog to read, check our Kelly and her girls!

Cooper

When someone sends me a picture to my phone it shows up as "9000-New Picture Mail". So, all I can do is when I open the text is to hope I can recognize who the picture is from. The senders phone number is embedded, but that means I need to remember everyone's phone number by site and since the invention the of the address book, I don't have the desire to do so.


Anyhoo, on Saturday I received a picture text of this:

As soon as I opened it, my heart sank. I knew Nik, Mike and the kids were skiing. I frantically began to try to figure out whose phone sent it to me....Nik or Mike. I finally realize it's Niks, so process of elimination tells me she is fine. The problem, however, is there is no note attached to give any explanation WHO SENDS THIS KIND OF PICTURE WITHOUT A NOTE???? ( Apparently a mom who is chasing her hurt kid down the mountain, is who, I later learn!)

As any good daughter does, I call my mom and send her into a panic. When I get off the phone with our Mom, there is text from Nik telling me that Cooper had what they thought was a broken leg.

Well, hours later, filled with multiple texts and worried phone calls, they confirmed sweet Coop did break both bones in his lower leg (tib/fib) and had to be taken to the hospital to have them set and re-aligned.

This is how Cooper felt about his bones being re-aligned.

I tell ya what, there is nothing worse than knowing one of the things you love most in this world is hurting. My chest hurt all Saturday night.

I used my day off today to go visit my boy. He is still getting used to his pediatric walker (cutest thing in the world) and isn't really happy about being laid up. We got him a new pillow pet and I brought down some of the movies that Uncle Brian bought for them....he was watching Goonies when I left.

Full House

Happy Birthday to Babycakes

Bri's birthday was Wednesday...he was a mere 29 years old when I robbed that cradle...how time flies! Welcome to 34!

ps-Yes, I wrap birthday gifts in xmas wrapping. Who doesn't??

Ushering in 2011

We hosted New Year's. Mr. Dew had his second ankle surgery so we thought it would be easier if everyone came to us.
I wish we could have invited you all, but while darling, the BDew is also very petite! It's walls can only hold so much love.

Maggiano's was kind enough to cook us a killer dinner. I wondered if I should have bought some games to play, but hanging out and catching up seemed to be just fine. I looked around the house several times to find myself smiling at the awesome group of friends we have.

We are excited for 2011. We are excited for the hope that is brings.