Be Your Child's Advocate

Now, full disclosure, I am a teacher.  I have been for 15 years (dang, when did I get old?) But, I have been a mom for 12 of those years.  I am not saying that you should always take your child at full face value.  There are details that kids often hide to keep from getting into trouble.  But, you know how YOU know there is something wrong with your kids, but no one will listen to you, that is what I am talking about.  Be the squeaky wheel.


Our Kindgartener is in Speech.  That was quite a task to get to where we are.  In K3, they declined services and told us there was nothing wrong with her speech, she was young.  Ummm, yeah about that, I am her MOM and I was having a hard time understanding her, 50-60% of the time, out of context.  I should be able to translate FOR other people.  But, when she came running into the room, telling me about something that I could not look at to see what she was referring to, I struggled.  I needed a translator. I could understand her 2 year-old sister more clearly most times.  J and I both sat in that meeting with our jaws wide open.  Really?  He was an elementary teacher. <sigh> So, we switched her to Daddy's school for K4.  D had my childhood babysitter as her teacher and a wonderful speech teacher, she was receiving services by Thanksgiving.  That is AMAZING considering how long it takes to go from referral to services in the public schools.  And the difference was noted.


Come this year, she started at the private school I teach at.  We do not provide the services, they come from the public schools. I sent her IEP in on the 2nd day, hoping to avoid it getting lost in the first day of school chaos.  Six weeks later, several phone calls to the school (remember, I teacher in the other building) no speech services and you could hear her slipping back.  So, I took things in my own hands, contacted the head of Speech and Language, explained the situation, we had a quick meeting that following Friday and services began.  Now she is doing beautifully.  Squeak, squeak.

I have friends, in real life and in Facebook.  That have concerns about their kids and take everything at face value.  If you don't agree with the opinions you receive or your gut tells you otherwise, go for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion. Be your child's biggest and best advocate.  If you have an IEP or 504 in place and you feel your child's needs have changed, all for a re-evaluation.  It is your right.  It is our responsibility to do whatever is in our power to give our kids the best start we can.

Those Dang Tones

We were on our way home from Milwaukee, just getting off on our exit when I heard the Muppets theme song coming from my purse.  J has the "house" phone since he can't find his.  The ring explains itself.  By the time I got it out, I missed him.  So, I quickly called him back.  We got about 45 seconds into our conversation, when that well known noise in the background went off - the tones.  I think it gets both of our hearts pumping, for very different reasons.  "Bye honey. Love you."




After so temper tantrums and tears (and not from the girls), we got everyone to bed.  Uniforms and clothes for school laid out.  Pups fed and convinced to come back into the house.  I got my syllabis taken care of and my Moodle pages set up.  I watched some TV and dosed during the news.  I turned off the TV around 11pm.  I jumped to awake at 3:56am.  


Did I miss his call?  Where is my phone?  Is everything okay?  Dang, now I have to go to the bathroom.  


And I am awake.


Find my phone, no missed calls.  But, I don't know if he is going to work at the Montessori or if he is going to the house in Milwaukee.  I don't know how his day and or night went.  We talk.  A lot and about everything.  I hate not knowing.


Damn tones.

Temptations

Lent is upon us.  I have helped my kids, both at home and at work, decide what they are willing to sacrifice to help prepare them for the celebrations of the Resurrection.  We have discussed the 40 days of fasting and meditation that took place in the desert.  We also discussed the temptations of Christ while on that very spiritual journey.  I met mine head-on today...and succeeded!


We are in the midst of finals week.  Ash Wednesday being yesterday, makes it very difficult for me to get through the stress of this week.  My Lenten sacrifices, while trivial, are very real sacrifices for me.  I am giving up soda and sugary food - candy, sweets, cereal with anything other than grains, you get the idea. I am a sugar junkie.  I can moderate, beautifully.  But, Cold Turkey, that's rough.  I am also sticking VERY true to the 2 small  meals (protein shakes), less than a full meal combined, and a full meal.  I am pretty proud of that on Day 2 of Lent.  (Don't make fun of my small milestones.)



Another teacher came to me this AM, absolutely in tears over a very sensitive issue.  So, after exams, I invited her to lunch.  I figured since my FF was on shift today and my nerves are shot after the events of his last shift, I would not be hungry tonight.  We visited the Golden Arches, N picked.  I ordered my quarter pounder with cheese meal, ketchup only.  Shamrock shakes are upon us, yum, but my waistline does not need them. Got my cup and my fries.  Went to full up my cup with some ice-cold Coca-Cola and I remembered.  <sigh>  I filled my cup with water, as Ms. M and N filled theirs with sweet yummy pop.  As we left, I filled it up again - with water. <double sigh>  Totally worth it, but still so hard.  I think I know how smokers must feel when they are stressed and longing for a cigarette.  It is a sacrifice and it is good for my health.  I can make it the next 45 days. But...wow.



What are you giving up this Lent?

One of Those Scary Nights

We all know what can happen to our FFs on the job.  When we think about it, we shove it to the back of our minds.  But, we forget about what can happen at home while our FFs are on shift.  I have talked about the curse of the Blue Shift quite a bit.  It is the holiday shift.  My daughter has had to be taken to the hospital.  You name it, it always seems to happen on a Blue Shift.


But, they are all inconveniences.  Things that annoy us because HE is not here to help deal with the headaches, but they are just that...headaches.


Tonight was different.  I went to bed early, I wasn't feeling good.  I sent a text to my hubby.  When he got back in, I saw that left me a feel better message.


I fell asleep watching last night's  Smash.  I have no idea what time it was.  The next thing I know, there is an all dog alert.  My boys go running and barking like crazy down the stairs.  A key...in the door.  Someone was futzing with the lock and the kitchen door opened.  


My dogs are big, loud and protective and got out the door. My purse from the island is the only loss. AND for some reason my wallet was upstairs.  I think one of the kids may have taken it upstairs to my room when we cleared the table for dinner, it must have fallen out. I let them chase whomever it was out my back door.  They are lucky they got the gate to close, my boys would have followed them forever to protect their flock.  It is the nature of the breed.  I found my phone in the mud, when I went back out just to check to make sure the gate was locked.


So, I am here at 4:23 am.  I called into work, sleeplessness and stress lead to seizures.  I need to get the locks changed and probably talk to the management company about who has keys.  I thought we had them change the locks when we moved in. I need to get the kids off to school with some sense of normalcy. I have every light on downstairs.  Bear is following me everywhere, literally laying across the bathroom door when I have to go potty.  I wish my FF was here.  The kids slept through the chaos.  I have to decide how much to tell them and how much to leave out.  I have to stress not only closing the gate so the boys don't get out, but locking it...all without alarming them.  


And I have to make myself feel safe in my own home again.  How do I do that?  Especially when every 48 hours, I a responsible for keeping my kids safe and secure.

Starting Over

After having a student, instead of a firefighter, after 5 months, we finally jumped back into the crazy fire life.


And it was easy, actually easier than having him home day in and day out.  I thought I was going to like having him home, and I did...from about 11pm until 4:30am.  I find him to be a distraction.  I stay in bed too long, I expect him to help with the kids and it is actually easier if I do it myself.  I got my groove back in one day.

 The morning was amazingly easy.  I got the FF and O out by 6 AM.  I got the other 3 muppets out the door with me ten minutes later.  I got out the door ON TIME.  Now, in my defense, I am always out the door "on time", never later for work.  But, I like to get to school around 6:30am in order to get some work done.  I am on overload this term and I have to run the kids over to the lower campus in the morning.  If I get to work "on time", that is 7:05, I leave to take the kids to the LC between ten and quarter after.  Kinda silly to unload everyone just to get them back in the car 5 minutes later.  AND when I get back to the Upper Campus, it is 7:25 and my kids start straggling into my class, demanding as much of my attention as my preschoolers. So NOTHING would get done if I came, on time.

Hubby had a crazy day for his first day in a med unit (and that was before the witching hour), but I think it helped pass the time and he really enjoyed himself.  I am curious to hear if he got any sleep. 



Speaking of sleep, I forgot that I don't much of it while he is at work.  We went to Red Robin with grandpa last night, watched Harry Potter and I think I got the boys to bed when my dad left at 10 pm.  I started going through my DVR, which I have missed doing, may I just say. And at some point I dozed...until the sirens went off.  My hubby's ringtone, shockingly, is indeed the siren for a fire engine.  (I know it is him without having too look.  Although it has scared the bejeezus out of complete strangers in the middle of Target before!) It was only 11pm.  So, I chatted with him for a bit and planned to go back to sleep.  But, once I got the pack upstairs and got settled in, I was now wide awake.


I watched totally useless TV, which is a nice distraction.  But I watched totally useless TV until at least 3:34 am.  The pitter patter of little feet to the bathroom started at 6am, which means I have to go through this crazy day on 2 1/2 hours of sleep.  <sigh>  I am as bad as the kids.  I stay up way too late, just because I  can.


So, I am looking forward to hearing from my hubby, I am going to be meeting him, rather than him coming home.  But, it is nice for the first day back to be a Friday, it is a nice way to shake off the dust.  I was so happy to hear the excitement in his voice come back.  Some of the politics and being a cub, took some of that away.  

I Love My Attitude

But sometimes, I wish I had a more mild personality.  I have a big mouth and a strong personality.  Both are definitely assets, but both can be detrimental.  I am finding at home and at work, politics and my persona are clashing.  I am biting my tongue, but it truly is eating me alive inside.  

Say what you need to say.  My motto.  Plain and simple.  However, not everyone lives by that or can handle that.  Not everyone can handle me.  Sometimes I live up to the name of this blog.  

But, I try.  I try to be politically correct, I try to say things nicely instead of bluntly.  I do.  I really do.  


But it eats at me.  I feel like I lose part of me.  I feel like I am disappointing people.


To thine own self be true.


Sometimes it SUCKS to be a grown up.

Valentine's Day, Geek Style

Okay, after last Valentine's Day, we decided to not make a big deal at all about the day.  We agreed no gifts, I do think it is indeed a Hallmark holiday.  I much prefer the just because types of flowers.  


So, we had lunch together, not because of me, but because of our oldest.  On V-day, our middle school has a special luncheon with kids and their parents.  Unfortunately, being a high school teacher, our lunch hours are different.  My hubby is helping out at the Montessori this week at the other campus, so he could not make it.  So, he ran to Rocky's and picked up a Heart Shaped pizza with some breadsticks and the three of us had lunch in my room.  It was such a nice lunch.


After school, my hubby went on a mission with me and after we ran some errands.  We grabbed some cargo netting to make a pet net for the girls and I wandered over to the bead section.  I miss making jewelry.  I have not made anything since O was born.  So we are talking over 4 years.  So, my hubby is pushing me a bit.  So, he bought me things to make a few rings and now... I have the bug again.  Then we ran to the office supply store, it is science fair time again.  He picked up a board and suggested we get a clicker for my class.  I was in heaven!

See, I told you I was a geek.  I suppose the proper term is a Presentation Tool.  All I know, is my laptop is tied to my desk due to the lack of outlets in my room.  I teach for 5 1/2 hours straight and my battery life just can't keep up.  Which makes for constant trips to my desk during a lecture.  Now, I have a laser pointer and I can move about my room.  Can you say heaven???


Oh yeah, after my geek tool, he took me to Applebee's, sans muppets.  He then came home and did the submarine experiment with N, helped him write it up and create the chart.  Ahhh, I could get used to this!!


I am so easy to please.  Sometimes it is just the simple things that make life easier! 


Friday we go back into the fire world and my hubby goes back on shift.  Wish me luck on getting my groove back.

Oh Barbara

So, I read through Once Upon a Secret by Mimi Alford this morning, as I said I would in yesterday's post.  Oh, Barbara, what are you getting your panties in a twist over?  What I read was a heartfelt reflection, a coming of age story.  It was how a girl became a woman under extraordinary circumstances.  Once Upon a Secret takes a look at how politics and charm pave ways that no one could ever imagine and yet new construction requires that some pieces be destroyed in the process.  Her whole adult life was changed by this one man.  We all have these people, good or bad, that shape our lives forever.


I give Mimi props for telling her story.  Sometimes secrets that are kept for so long eat away at your soul, destroying who you truly are, simply so you can keep your secret.  Mimi's secret ultimately lends itself to her first marriage slowly crumbling before her eyes.  The foundation was one of betrayal and secrets, pain and fear.  None of which lends itself to any sort of stable footing that a happy and successful marriage requires.  Such a start simply leaves the door open for the disintegration that was seen through Mrs. Alford's words.  


Why can she not share her story?  Is it really wrong?  Why is not simply seen for what it is - part of the healing process - acceptance?


It was a quick read.  It is a human face to the king of Camelot, devoid of the politics of the era.  The only mention of the Cuban Missile Crisis or the speech at the Berlin wall is from the point of view of a person, as opposed to the political agenda or possible ramifications.  Once Upon a Secret  is a moment of clarity that was put to paper.  Isn't that what I am doing here?  Is that not what most non-fiction truly is, although sometimes it has less emotional attachments to it, to be certain.  


So, Ms. Walters, I admire much of the work you have done over your amazing career, I truly do. But this is one of those times when I must follow a quote from Abraham Lincoln that I keep in my room, a sort of "practice what you preach" moment for me.  Directly across the room from my desk, I have one of the most non-nondescript posters in my classroom (especially when you consider that some are pictures of street graffiti).  Simply says, “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”  Barbara, as much as I am in awe of the lives you have touched and the people you have influenced, this is one of those moments when I must separate from you, not that you will ever even know I posted this.  I must say I disagree with you.  Mimi has the right to speak about her experiences and her pain.  She has the right to heal.  She suffered many losses - her virginity, her youth, her marriage, all because of her meeting with JFK and was never allowed to properly grieve.  I am sorry if members of the Kennedy family are uncomfortable with discussions of the President's indiscretions.  I am sorry if you are uncomfortable with such discussions.  None-the-less, history happens.  It is our job to discuss history and learn from it, including the ugliest of moments.  I am a history teacher after all, we must learn from the mistakes of the past.  They brought us to where we are today and will lead us to where we go tomorrow.  

Time magazine, 1961

Peace to you Mimi.  You have earned it.

Once Upon a Secret

I am a history buff.  Probably why I love teaching history so much.  History is full of sex, lies, intrigue.  History is full of heroes and villians.  Plots and plans.  Your history book is the best soap opera you will ever encounter.  Eat your heart out Susan Lucci, Erica Kane has nothin' on Cleopatra.


And so, I often find myself involved in different periods.  I LOVE the Renaissance and Middle Ages.  My Church History class is perfect, because so much takes place during that period.  But, I bounce around with various eras for periods of time.  I love the World Wars.  I am continually drawn to the French Revolution and all of the contradictions that come with that period.  For a while it was the ancient world, Biblical period.  I loved aligning the tales from the different regions to find the consistent pieces.  One constant love of mine is conspiracy.  Now, I am not a nutcase that is always looking for a conspiracy, sometimes things are just as they seem.  But, other times, you know things are not as they appear on the surface and the "what-ifs" take over.  


Which brings me to my newest Nook download.  Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath by Mimi Alford.  I will tell you that I am not sure about the Grassy Knoll or if it was the Russians or the mob, but there are somethings in my mind that just don't line up.  But this is not about the assassination, that is for another day.  I am fascinated by our country's lasting fascination with Camelot.  In our day and age of moral outrage with our public officials, it amazes me that we still hold JFK in such high regard.  I feel for Jackie Kennedy, seeing that little pair of wet foot prints leading away from the pool, alongside her husband's.  Knowing that there are people watching just to give him a heads up that you are walking down the hall, just breaks my heart.  I do not condone any of the affairs.  But, I do not hold it against any of his mistresses when they tell their story.  Do they have to continue to push away what happened to them, in their lives, just because it might upset the family to hear that their martyred member was a Playboy?  Umm, I think they already know.  


This morning while my kids played Wii and on their DSes, I watched this week's Rock Center with Brian Williams. (What else is there to do when it is so cold out your snot freezes inside your nose?)  My husband had recorded it for himself earlier and told me I could delete it if I wanted.  Ehh, I kept it.  And I became intrigued with Mimi Alford.  


After watching it and hearing her story, after 50 years, I decided to do what I always do when something catches my attention and headed to Google.  I came across a clip from The View and it made me buy the book.  Barbara kind of attacked, saying, "I know, but you must know it hurts that family."  Really?  You aren't upset that the 43 year-old leader of the free world did not know it was inappropriate to take advantage of a 19 year-old intern?  Mind you, I will reserve judgment until I have read it.  But now, I need to take a look at this story behind the story.  Yes, I am aware that there are going to be missing pieces, the other side will never be known.  But, for Barbara Wawa to attack her because she opted to tell her tale??  Isn't that the right of all of us?  Isn't that was  this very blog is, sans the million dollar publishing contract?  I am very sorry he was assassinated.  I love teaching Camelot, the missile crisis, the mob ties.  I would lose a dimension of my teaching if it was not for this tragic life being cut short and the nation that mourned because of it.  Sad as that is, it is indeed true.  BUT, that does not mean that select parts of the truth needs to be squashed.  It does not mean that the surviving actors in that scene of life are not allowed to tell about their role.  



Had this been President Obama, having mistresses while Michelle is running around with the girls, trying help the health of our nation's children, we would be up in arms that our President is such a dog, demanding impeachment (I think I've seen this one before).  And yet here we are with case after case after case of infidelity and we don't want to discuss it?  Jackie O is no longer among us, she is no longer exposed to the infidelity of her husband.  So everyone else is far enough removed from the situation, that I cannot fault Ms. Alford one bit.  A) She was not the first to speak of it, another biographer mentioned the affair first, even if it was only a single paragraph.  B) Secrets eat away at the soul. She was 19, a virgin and as optimistic and wide eyed at the opportunity she had been granted as humanly possible.  Why aren't we upset with Jack?  Because he's dead?  Early exit does excuse us from our actions in life, no matter the length of our existence.  

So, I am off to read my book.  I will let you know what my opinion is.  Mimi, thank Barbara for the royalties from my purchase.  Her comment, especially given her affair in the 70s, led me to a purchase I was not otherwise inclined to make.

The End is in Sight

Paramedic school is over.  My hubby is taking the practical portion of his National Boards today.  After a week of going through the stations and practicing for today, it is here.  He is confident and ready to go.  And I am so excited.  I called to be sure I wished him luck.  I couldn't remember if I had before he left or not.  So, after he rocks his exam today, he begins 9 weeks in the field (on the BLUE shift, again, UGH!) before the written in April.  After the written portion of his boards, he goes back to Truck 1, until the results come in and he is assigned to a med house. 

It has been a long haul here.  Since he took the test to be admitted into the Paramedic program, he has taken some heat.  Some superiors have given him some flack for not being a "real" firefighter.  He took that very personally.  He questioned, and might still continue now to question if he has had enough experience in the fire world to come out of it.  Others above him, however, have really encouraged him to take this route.  Paramedics can make Lt. a year earlier than their peers.  He has really been pulled in two different directions. But, he made it.  Some of it was hard, but my FF pushed through.  I can't imagine such an intensive program with four kids and a out-going wife.  He did great.

©2009-2012 ~vonStrago

©2009-2012 ~vonStrago

And now we move on to the next portion of our journey.  I have to adjust to sleeping alone, again.  Mornings when J is on shift are actually easier, as odd as that sounds.  I am less tempted to stay in bed for that extra snooze.  I tend to get everything set up the night before and we get out of the house earlier, than when I have my FF to help me. But, I have to get used to sleeping alone.  Not that I ever sleep alone.  The pyrs always join me when he is gone.  Being out of his cub year will make it easier on the kids.  Easier for J to help with homework through Skype.  Easier for the kids to be able to tell Daddy about their day when he's on a 48.   J has to adjust to the idea that he will not be fighting fires for a while, that is hard.  He knows that this is best for his career.  But, I remember how much he loved his time in his ride alongs while in EMT school.  I am hoping that he finds that excitement again.  We will have to adjust, again.

There will still be more studying as we make our way to the exam.  But, it can be while the kids and I are at school. When he is home, he can be home with us.  He can pick up the kids when I have a meeting after school, so I am not terrified that my muppets are running wild or killing each other up in my classroom.  I can go to mass before school, without having to watch the clock to see about taking the 3 stooges to the lower campus.  I can breathe again.  I am looking forward to it. 

Wish my FF  luck as he goes through the first part of his boards.  Wish us all luck as we find our way back to normal.

Countdown Begins...

Eight days until pitchers and catchers report.


Who knows how long before we know about Ryan Braun...how long has it been?


Anyway, spring training is on the horizon, which means summer is most assuredly on her way!


No rush, but hurry up!

I Make a Horrible Girl

My ringtone is the ESPN baseball theme.  For certain people, I have the "Lucky Couch" ringtone.  I would rather watch football or hockey than go shopping.  I grew up at the Milwaukee Mile. I planned my wedding based on race schedules and Lambeau Field (not that that worked very well, the Packers played in Tokyo that year).  I start with the sports page and my Twitter is almost all sports related, with some firefighters and their wives thrown in for balance.  I have learned to dress like a lady, although I prefer jeans, my Chucks and a jersey.  Speaking of jerseys, my hubby buys me a hockey jersey for Christmas almost every year.  The SI comes in my name.  I would have loved a small wedding with a BBQ.  I am just not a very good girl.  I think I was born a tomboy and will always be a tomboy.


But, I wear make-up, almost every day.  I have NO color, even my eyebrows and eyelashes are "invisible", with the exception of ONE black hair in my left eyebrow.  (I have become comfortable enough in my own skin that I go out on the weekends without it.)  And I like how my hands look when my nails are done.  Unfortunately, neither the time nor the money are readily available at this moment, so I took matters into my own hands, so to speak.


I remember giggling at the Lee Press on Nails as a kid.  I never thought that I would ever consider entering that world.  However, tonight I decided I needed a pick me up.  So, I bought some.  It was not a total failure, but let's just say, I have no future as a manicurist.  My sweet hubby even said, "You know, I can help you with that."  I will probably take you up on that offer, my love.  I suck at this girl thing.  He may be big and tough and wear turn out gear, but he makes a better girl than I do.

I promise, I will do grown-up nails next time. 
These are very much NOT the norm for a theology teacher, 
but I love fun nails!

I would love to show you decent pictures, but my hubby called me a dork and made come sit down and finish watching Smash.  So, I snuck one while watching with the pups at my feet.  (Doncha just LOVE my flannel PJ pants!) 


Thanks for listening to my trivial ramblings.  My firefighter is simply shaking his head at me right now.  Good night and God bless.

Pictures in My Mind

I see pictures, everywhere.  When I take pictures, sometimes it is to preserve memories.  Sometimes it is because I see something.  Something I think will look cool.  I can see it in b&w or maybe sepia.  Sometimes it is the rays from the sun or the shadows.  Sometimes it is the twinkle in one of the kids' eyes.  Sometimes it is just because.  But I literally see pictures.  I might see a piece of a building or a date in the cornerstone.  Maybe the sun coming through the trees or the beautiful sunrises over Lake Michigan every morning. Maybe it is simply something I find funny...or ironic.  I was cleaning off some of the photos on my phone, just my go to camera that I find I cannot live without.  All because I see pictures everywhere.  Enjoy a look into my world and maybe a piece of my mind.  Be warned, it can be a scary place.

Political Commentary?

Whose office is it?

My old lady finding a bit of youthful energy this past summer.

Inside my medicine cabinet on a Blue Shift

Smiles and happiness

Careful calibration 

The Grandpa Tree

My old man enjoying the sun.  I so miss that guy.

Honor, courage, integrity

Smell that?

 

Sometimes innocence is refreshing to see at such a somber moment.

   

I tear up when I see this picture of my hubby's gear.

 

One of my favorites pictures of all time.

Caroling for Kyle Update

As you may recall around Christmas, I told you a bit about Kyle McGetrick.  Cliff Note's version, he is the son of a NJ firefighter who LOVES fire department patches.  Unfortunately, he has cancer and the doctor's have done what they can.  He is in God's hands when it comes to his time left with us.  I was so moved by this story.  Probably due to the fact that I was a mom of an 11 year-old and know at any moment this could be any on of us.  So, I went to as many local departments and collected patches as I went.  Some were gracious.  Some were not.  MFD was amazing, of course.  But that is all a tale for another day.

Some of   the patches I sent to Kyle last month.

I was not the only one moved by his story.  Last month, there was a parade of motorcycles who rode by in his honor.  The patches, shirts and helmets have flooded the family.  You can hear Kyle and his dad talk about the response they have received here. He was mayor of the day.  It has been amazing.


But, they still need your help.  There is a fund set up to help off set the costs of his treatment.

If you would like to help, here is a link to donate $5 through PayPal.  In return, you will receive a Courage for Kyle bracelet.  Please consider donating.  He has been sick most of his life.  We all know what it is like to deal with insurance companies, imagine the bills.  I will be ordering 2 this evening.  Please join me.  We are all one big fire family.  Let's help one of our own.