Speaking Up for Those Who Can't Speak for Themselves.

 

Today is a day I've been excited for for weeks

It's the First Annual Apraxia Awareness Day!

 

As I've said before Kolton was diagnosed with Childhood

Apraxia of Speech a few years back.  Basically this means

that he understands perfectly what anyone says to him,

he just can't always make the words come out right for a response.

Like sometimes when you know exactly what you're

trying to say but can't make the words make sense to whoever

you're talking to--now imagine that feeling all day everyday.

It would be pretty frustrating, right?  This is what Kolton and

countless other kids with Apraxia have to deal with

each and every day.

 

Thanks to some excellent Speech Therapists (one in

particular I can't wait to get back to in San Antonio

-shout out to Ms. Hofmockle) Kolton has come so far

in the past three years we've been dealing with

Apraxia.  And as his Mommy, I'm so proud and excited

for each step he takes.  Our journey hasn't been with out

obstacles, of course.  Any mom of a child with a physical

or mental disablility will tell you that us Momma Bears are

our baby's biggest advocates.  I've had to put my foot down

several times and demand what I know is best for him,

be it with our insurance company, or even with his school.

 

What I've found the most heart breaking to me is when other kids

will come ask me at the playground or something, "Why

does he talk like that?", "How do you understand what he's

saying?"  I always just smile and say his brain works a little

differently than yours and he has trouble talking sometimes,

and I understand him because I'm his mommy.

I know most of the time these kids don't mean to offend, and

are really just asking, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

I hurts because I know how hard he works at talking

while most people just take it for granted. 

 

 CASANA (an Apraxia Awareness group) has a facebook

group for parents with childen with Apraxia and while

looking at it today I found one mom had posted this:

"I heard it explained somewhere how there is like a road between

the brain and the mouth, and the words are like cars. 

However, in kids with apraxia, that road is really windy and twisty,

with lots of deadends, so the cars/words take longer to get to the

mouth and some of them even get lost."

 

I like that, I might start using it myself.

 

A recurring theme amoung us Apraxia Mom's and Dad's

today on this first Apraxia Awareness Day is this:

Kolton is a face of Apraxia,

but it doesn't define him.

Kolton is

handsome

funny

caring

energetic

sweet

loving

silly

I could go on and on, but

"Don't nobody got enough time for that."

(a direct Kolton quote,

channeling his inner

Sweet Brown haha)

Basically what I'm saying is apraxia is one part of

what makes Kolton the boy he is,

 but it's not the only thing.

 

To any of you out there who are just starting this journey,

let me tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I can't tell you how many times I've sat and cried my

eyes out wishing and hoping that one day all this work

he does would make a difference. The first time your baby

(even if he's 4, 6, even 10 years old)

tells you he loves you, will make it all worth it.

 

On this, the first Apraxia Awareness Day,

I will speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.

Will you?

A tribute to a very special military spouse.

My grandmother, with my lovely Aunt Patty and my beautiful Mom.

Every year the Friday before Mother's Day is celebrated (at least 

in military circles) as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

While I certainly appreciate all Mil Spouses, and think you are all 

ninja rockstars for being both Mom and Dad to your kids when your

service member is deployed, today I'm taking a minute to introduce

you to my Grandmother.

My grandma was a military spouse for most of her life,

made the countless moves that come with military life,

made the sacrifices that we all have to face.

Yesterday, May 9, 2013 she was diagnosed with 

Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

This is the third, yes third different type of cancer she's had.  

It's been a pretty devastating 24 hours for our family

as you can well imagine.  We run the gamut of emotions

from why is this happening again, to how are we going

to do this again, to lets kick this cancer's butt too.

Momo, I want to tell you that I'm so lucky to 

be able to call you my grandmother--we all are.

We know you can pull through this just like you have 

the last two times.  We know you are a fighter.

Just remember when you're feeling bad and

the chemo has you down that you have so much

to live for- Your three daughter's, nine grandkids, 

and all your great grandkids.  We need you, so stay strong.

I love you.

 

Military Children.

April is celebrated as

The Month of The Military Child

throughout all the services.

As April winds down I want to take a few minutes

to tell you why military children are so special.

They're resilient.

Most kids don't go 6-15 months without seeing one of 

their parents.  Military kids do this many times before they're

grown.  They learn to adapt to mom/dad being gone.  They

know that what their parent is doing is important, so they go with it.

Of course there is an adjustment period and they definitely 

shed a few tears when mom/dad leaves, but they will make it.

They make friends anywhere they go.

On average military kids change schools 6-9

times before they graduate.  We're well on our way,

as Kolton is on his third school and not even in Kindergarten.

Military kids make friends quickly but know that they

won't be growing up with these kids.  Many of them will stay

friends throughout life, but with as much moving as our families

do, they'll be lucky to attend two or three grades with each other.

They're patriotic.

My kids were taught from a very young age to be still,

pay attention, and put their little hands on their hearts when the

national anthem plays. 

Kolton still waits for it to start at 

movie theaters :)

(at theaters on base they play it before every movie)

These kids know to respect our flag and our country.

They're so very proud of their parents

 and proud to be Americans.

They're citizens of the world.

My daughter was born in England, my niece in Japan.

My friend Katrina's daughter has been to more countries

in her eight year life than most people will visit their entire lives.

Another friend, Amanda has two kids born in different countries,

neither of which were the United States.

Military kids are respectful of other peoples cultures because

they've lived it for themselves.  They have a unique opportunity to

get to know people from all over the world, 3 years at a time.

These are just a few reasons why I know military kids are special.

I want to tell all of you how proud I am of you,

and to celebrate military kids all over the world-- You are truly amazing.

    

DIY Road Trip Trays

Woot-Woot, for our first DIY tutorial!

Today I'm going to show you how to make these awesome

Road Trip Trays!

I made these last week for my big kids, about once a month or

so we take a 5-6 hour road trip to our parents house, in this case

it was from my parents' to San Antonio for house hunting.

Any how, Kolton and Kaylee have always been great travelers.

They've been taking cross-atlantic flights since they were babies and

we lived in England--but I'm always very prepared with activities, snacks,

etc. to keep them occupied.  This is just a way to make it easier.

 I got these sheet cake pans at Walmart (on clearance!) and thought 

they fit the bill perfectly.  You'll also need Chalkboard paint, since I was
going to use it for a small project I just got a four ounce bottle of this

DecoArt Chalkboard paint.

Start out with a clean and dry surface and go to town with the paint.
Your going to do one coat of it, let it dry for an hour, and then
start your second coat.

After you finish both coats you have to let it
set for a full day (not a quick project, but easy!)

After you've let it dry and completely set up you need 

to prime your new chalkboard by running a stick of chalk

over the whole surface.  Wipe it off and you're good to go.

Here's Kolton's activity bag.

New Chalkboard

Coloring book

Color Wonder Book and Loose Paper

Color Wonder finger paint

(Color Wonder is your friend in the car)

New Box of Crayons and Chalk

(in plastic container, the box will get trashed!)

Also a few snacks and a bottle of water.

I got the blue bag in a 3 pack at Walmart, it came 

with pink, blue, and green so it was perfect for us.

They worked out so well, no yelling in the car, no lost crayons.

They even used them to eat their dinner, it kept their drink and

food level so no spills!      

        

Introductions.

Hello and thanks for stopping by Life of Verde's!  

This is going to be my new blog for family updates,

 diy's/crafts, and maybe a recipe or two.

I get asked a lot about my craft projects and how to

do them so I thought this would be a great way to share

them with my family and friends as well as with 

the world (haha, big aspirations huh)!

Anyhow, a little background on me:

My name is Sarah Green and I am a military wife from 

Texas.  I've been married to my husband, Eddie, for

almost seven years.  We have three beautiful babies

Kolton-5, Kaylee-4, and Karter-2 Months.

I love crafting, always have.  I also love birthday parties,

probably too much.  I spend all year thinking of little cute details 

that will make my babies feel like they're is the most important

thing in the world to me-and they are.  I also like to make them 

bento style lunches (check out my bento blog, 

www.greenlunchesgreenkids.blogspot.com)

Little things that make them smile make me happy so why

wouldn't I do it for them.

We're currently experiencing our first deployment-boo!

(I won't say where he is, out of concern for OPSEC,

so please don't ask okay?)

To answer your next question, yes, Eddie did miss

Karter's birth, and yes it did suck--big time.

A little about my sweet Kolton:

Kolton has been diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Basically, he understands everything you say

and he knows what he wants to say, but sometimes

when he tries to say something the connection from brain

to mouth the words get jumbled, and he can be hard to understand.

I first noticed a problem when he was 18 months.  We took him to the 

doctor for a routine well baby, and when they asked me what words

he was saying I had to say "none".  I thought this was quite normal

I quickly found out it was not.  After hearing exams, Early Intervention

services, and three years in speech therapy, he is doing much better.

I understand 100% of what he says, but I'm his mommy.  Strangers 

have a hard time understanding him, but he's on his way.

He's been in school since he was three and is gearing up to start 

kindergarten next year.

He's funny, handsome, and sweet.  

He loves superheroes and playing games.

A bit about my beautiful Kaylee:

I found out we were expecting Kaylee when Kolton was four months

old.  (Yeah, I know.)  She has been doing things her own way forever.  

She's strong willed, funny, sweet and caring, but she can be a handful.  She's

proving to be a great big sister, even when everyone thought she would be jealous

of the new baby.  She's my girly girl, and loves to play make up and have her 

fingernails painted.  She's currently in her first year of pre-k and doing great.

What can I say about Karter:

We thought our family was finished, but we were wrong.  Now, I can't imagine

my life without my little guy.  He's just the best baby ever.  He's just starting

to develop his personality, and just smiles all the time.  He's the happiest 

little man.  I can't wait for Daddy to get to meet him.  

We also have one fur baby, Harley Boo, our black lab.

That's about it for now, hope you enjoy Life of Verde's!