Last Day for FREE Shipping and 20% off Online Purchase!

Get your orders in TODAY to take advantage of FREE shipping and 20% off your entire order!!! Not to mention! It benefits Santana! Below is an email that Kerry has put out to past and current customers. Please, copy it and email it to everyone you know! Thanks for your support. If you have NOT heard of Gold Canyon Candles. You are REALLY missing out! These are the BEST smelling candles I have EVER lit. Your whole house fills with the aroma of your choice! Thanks guys and God Bless!

From Kerry:

Your response to this promotion has been outstanding!
As an added BONUS, proceeds from ALL online sales from this promotion will be donated to my friend Lindsey’s little boy Santana. We were planning a December online fundraiser, but decided to start a few days early to take advantage of this AWESOME promotion. . .

20% OFF your ENTIRE ONLINE order (no minimum) + FREE shipping

Santana is the victim of a terrible accident while in the care of a babysitter. Long story short, he slipped out of sight and into a backyard pool.Now, each day is a struggle for his family as they work to provide what he needs to make sure he has the best quality of life possible under the circumstances. To read more about Santana’s story, visit www.prayforsantana.org

To take advantage of this offer and help Santana, Simply visit my website at www.mygc.com/busybees

Enter PROMO CODE: NOV35

Hurry! Offer expires November 30th!  Thank you in advance for your support!

P.S. Please forward this e-mail on to anyone you know who LOVES great candles! Help us help Santana by spreading the word! 

  

I am Thankful!

With a full tummy, I am going to try to update after being MIA. First, I hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a good day. We thought it was going to be just us, but my dad and Lorili came over. The only problem is we made enough food for 20 people and now I am stuck eating left overs…gag… =D

While somedays, we wonder why we go through this and seem bitter, Thanksgiving is a reminder of what we really have to be thankful for. Santana is amazing. While he started having seizures again, he hasn’t slid back too much. Haven’t seen as much eye contact. But it will come back. Santana’s pediatrician walked in for a check up on Tuesday and right out his mouth said, “That is not the same child!” I said, “Yup, Tyree is walking now.” She corrected me and stated she was talking about Santana. When she walked in the door, Santana looked right at her. Plus he has gotten SO big. I told her… “Really!?” I was bringing him in because he was SO lethargic and sleeping a lot. So I guess if she thinks he looks good on his bad days, he must be making some improvements that I don’t see. Our biggest concern besides him being junky, is he had 2 pimples. One got really big and pussed out green junk. It started drying up on its own, but his doctor is treating it like MRSA (staph infection) without swabbing for it. So, just another battle for Santana. I am going to keep believing they are just pimples. I am ok with that.

We continue to get a good stretch in his feet so we are NOT doing surgery. We see his orthopedic Doc on the 10th and we will se what he thinks. Just another PRAISE GOD moment.

Another thing to be thankful for! We got our tickets from Miracle Flights! That is awesome because we get to save money so we can get our room and rental car. I just had to buy my moms ticket and it was less than $300 round trip! I was shocked about that. In fact, I think it was less than $250. The only thing I worry about is we have to change planes in Dallas. But we have almost 2 hours so I am not afraid of missing a plane, but I am worried about our luggage. But my angels will keep an eye on it. I will just make sure I carry on a few days of his cans of food and meds…and diapers. I am so excited. I do think it will be tough to get him on the plane. But we will make it! One thing I am going to work on is finding a smaller car seat. It is just for a few weeks and my mom and support his head sitting in the back. His car seat I don’t think can even fit down the aisle of a plane. I sure wish we could have had a front seat. But so goes the story. At least we can board first. So Another PRAISE GOD moment for airline tickets!

Ya know…it just doesn’t stop! So we get a call from the founders of the Halo Foundation and the Arizona Chapter of Pepperdine University alumni’s chose us as an adopt-a-family for Christmas. That was amazing as we didn’t know that this even existed or that we were nominated. What a blessing this is as we don’t know what is going to happen with the loan for the house as we may need to make up a difference of the appraisal as house prices keep on dropping. They have no idea what a blessing this is. GOD BLESS PEPPERDINE ALUMNI’S and the HALO FOUNDATION! You guys are such a blessing! YAY GOD for connecting us!

I know last year people wrote rude stuff on our guest book about us getting any help after James was off work for 4 months. I know that the average family struggles too. But Trust me! I rather give you everything in trade for a healthy and whole child. We have everyday struggles physically, emotionally, and financially. So please, don’t judge us. God led these people to us. We had no idea this organization even existed and we are more than grateful to them and to God. What a blessing. GOD IS GOOD!

I thank God everyday for the means of being able to do these extra therapies with Santana. While we go through something I would never wish on anything, God keeps showing his glory and letting us know he is here. So during these Holidays, I take away the snowmen and Santa Clause and remember what it is truly about. God’s grace and mercy is evident everyday in our life. Somedays I am not grateful enough, but know that I give God all the glory! He is the one person who really understands what it is like to see your son suffer.

Thanks for all who have checked in on us. Sorry to those I have not responded too. I have been off the computer for a while trying to get stuff done. I love you all!

OH!!!  Have I got an idea for you to buy for someone you don’t know what to get!  It also Benefits SANTANA! (THANKS KERRY!)  You can’t go wrong with YUMMY smelling GOLD CANYON CANDLES!  Read Below to see the recent email Kerry has sent me!  Go to the website below!  This is great for In-laws, Grandma’s, ANYONE!  I love these.  My house is always smelling like these!  

Hello All!

Just wanted to pass on this AMAZING deal from Gold Canyon Candles. . .right in time for the holdiay shopping! 20% OFF your entire ONLINE order, NO minimum + FREE shipping! 

(That’s actually a better deal than I get on my demonstrtaor orders!)
Visit my websit at www.mygc.com/busybees
Enter PROMO CODE: NOV35
Hurry! Offer expires November 30th
 

Whew…

In the last 2 days, we have had 7…count them…7 people come to the house and work on Santana. I am so pooped. But I am sure Santana is more tired than I am. He started vision therapy today and he did good! His vision has improved so much in the last week or 2. It has just amazed me!

Jett has been in a mood of his own this week. His counselor we have been seeing is moving on from other issues to Santana. She gave us a book to bring home and read and after Jett and I read it, he got really quiet. He has been in a bad mood since and he didn’t want to talk about the book or Santana. He has not had a good week at school at all, well, this whole month. Pray for Jett. He has been through SO MUCH and he feels the pressure of other stuff that he is acting out really bad. I feel so bad for him. My boys are my world and I feel bad when they are upset or angry.

Santana has OT tomorrow and Horse Therapy and Vision on Friday. So our busy week is NOT over. I am not complaining. I love him getting all this. He gets about 8 hours of therapists coming in here…but a lot more from his nurse. I am really starting to see more improvements! I think home school was a good choice for now. Although…it is difficult to focus when Tyree is up. He likes to get into everything but his toys.

Videos soon…I promise…

Annoyed…

I am seconds from finding a new nursing company cause apparently the one we have hires dishonest or unorganized nurses. My Blood Pressure Cuff, which I fought VERY hard to get and argued 2 Medical Equipment houses that a pediatric cuff DOES exist, is missing. How can a machine be missing!?!?! I have looked everywhere, another nurse has looked everywhere I have looked. It is NO WHERE. I have even looked in their fridge and where we keep the medicines. Funny how it was missing since the day this one nurse left, and NEVER to return, as did she. Hmmmmm. I am really REALLY mad. Especially when there is nothing they can do about it. I can’t believe this stuff. So tomorrow…I will be making a call to the state nurse to find a new company because this REALLY has me upset.

Now that I have dumped out EVERY drawer and cleaned Santana’s closet out, I have a mess to go clean up. Whew…I had to get that out.

One more time

Santana did a new amazing thing yesterday!!!! He stuck his tongue out on command 4 times after speech therapy! His therapist and nurse and I were so excited! The 4th time before he did it, I told him I promise not to ask him again. Of course he rolled his eyes and did it. Then I said. I am not asking you but if you want to do it again you can, no pressure, you don’t have to but really, if you want to…I just kept saying that stuff over again and he closed his eyes. Ha ha. Is is a smarty. He, without a doubt understands EVERYTHING that is going on! One baby step at a time and he will get there!!!! HA HA! I love it when stuff like this that the doctors said would be impossible happens. It shows how big my God is!

Santana is busy with all sorts of therapies coming in and out. There are 7 people who come in and work with Santana, one 2 times a week, another working on getting 2 times a week. Plus his nurse. So we have constant traffic coming in and out of this house. Not to mention Doctor appointments and all that jazz. Needless to say I have a VERY busy schedule. I feel like I can’t get anything done. If I can, I feel too exhausted to do so. It gets pretty stressful.

It is hard to balance life. You guys only get to see a small piece. Usually the good…sometimes what doesn’t appear to be good is the good for that moment. This is a constant struggle. Yesterday was a tough day for me when it comes to Santana’s situation. I ran to the calendar and I should have known. My mood started on Sunday…the 16th…one month away from being 2 years post accident. Sometimes it is good to cry it out and be frustrated. More or less I was frustrated I had to drive up to St. Joe’s for meds. I don’t like that drive with a passion. But just once. JUST ONCE, I want someone to put their arm around me and tell me it is going to be okay…WE will get through this. I don’t need to be told to get over myself and get stuff done around the house that there is nothing I can do about it. The last of my closest support is gone. Although it has been gone for 1 year 11 months and 2 days. So now I stay positive and Thank GOD for my 3 beautiful boys. It was worth it for them. God is my source. I can make it.

Nothing POORe about her Spirit.

As Christ hung on the cross in his final moments, he was not alone. There were 2 criminals put to death for their actions right along with Jesus. While a sad moment, there is a lesson to be learned here. While they were all suffering the same pain, although Jesus was beaten unrecognizable and far more than the others, Jesus shows grace and mercy in a way only few can do. One of the criminals asks Jesus to remember him in when Jesus enters his Kingdom. Jesus, with barely a breath to breathe tells him, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:43. That is amazing. While he can be focused on his own problems and questions, he takes the time to comfort the men that once denied him.

This is amazing to me. I am reading from a book called Hope for a Hopeless Day. Above is my paraphrase of what I read a few nights ago. I felt I needed to write this because I know a few people who are TRUE Christians. Which means to be Christ-like. I have to give total credit to Izak Poore’s mom, Jami (www.caringbridge.org/visit/izakpoore). She goes through the same thing I do everyday and she is so positive and is always leaving me uplifting and positive comments. She believes in the power of healing and her sweet spirit shows in her blogs. I love you Jami! You are a true woman of God! I can’t thank you enough for walking through this with me when you have your own head to hold up. May God Bless you!

I can’t leave out Luke’s mom Stacey(www.ourgladiator.com). She has amazing ideas and everytime she hears something new she is always sure to send me some information. I have been able to open up some VERY personal stuff to her and it is because she is a trusting person who holds no judgement. Again…another example of being Christ-like.

You two are amazing. I thank you for walking the Christian path and think of your sister in Christ and lift me up along the way. You truly have no idea what a blessing you guys are in my life.

And I thank Zane’s mom Jennifer also (www.caringbridge.org/visit/zanetreguboff). She too always leaves comments that are positive. She has little Zane to worry about, not Santana. But yet she takes the time to lift me up. (We will do lunch soon!!!) And Makenzie’s mom Pam (www.makenziesmiracle.blogspot.com) is always someone I can call and be frustrated with. She is like a live Google. She knows everything from research. And has her opinion… =D

After reading the chapter, Help others who are experiencing your same struggle, I couldn’t get you guys out of my mind and it made me realize that I have not been walking the walk of righteousness. Instead of stumbling all over I need to get up and walk along with you guys and pick you up. I have tried. But I must have tried with the wrong people. I thank you guys for not leaving me behind but by telling me your here for me in your own way. I thank you from turning from your problems to help lift me up. I can’t tell you how blessed I am. I just want to say THANK YOU!

Santana…he didn’t do so good in horse therapy today. He cried a lot. I have no idea what that was about. But he did track good this morning!!!!! He is loving his fish mobile! I need to find more things he can lay under and see cool things. We were supposed to have vision therapy start this week but that and school speech never showed this week. Weird. Pay back I guess. I am always forgetting about appointments.

I promise this weekend I will put up the horse therapy video on youtube.com.

Didn’t think it out…

Sometimes I wonder what I get myself into. I don’t mind the buko bucks I spent for this therapy in Florida. What they don’t tell you is how expensive the stay will be! The place they recommend is an average of $131 a night. We need 13 nights! Holy cow! Did I mention we need to rent an suv?! It has to be an SUV to fit his wheelchair. We are going to try him in the strollers here. But I truly think he is WAY too big. We will see. But either way, his medical car seat is huge. So I need a big enough car for that. Oh… and still need the flight! I can’t believe this. There are some $65 a night. But Then I fear that it is in a bad area. The more expensive ones have kitchens which is nice. But I don’t know yet. If you know anyone that knows the St. Petersbug area/Treasure Island, can you find out which areas I should avoid?!

Santana continues to have AMAZING eye contact. He TRACKED his mobile! I thought he was going into a seizure when I saw his eyes roll back, but then I realized that he was looking for the next fish to go by. He watched it go until he saw the next one come in his line of vision and looked up to begin following that. He is amazing!

Speaking of those dreams… My mom had a good one too! I guess it was post surgery and there was a bit of blood on the blanket and the therapist was working with him and he just turned his head at her and said NO! With his little stink face he used to give…the one I see on Tyree everyday.

The weird thing about that dream is, Jett was walking up from behind his wheelchair this morning and Santana TURNED his head towards where he was coming from! Jett says, “Whoa! I thought he was gonna start talking to me!” Why is this so amazing?! Santana DOES NOT move his head on his own…AT ALL.

Horse Therapy again tomorrow! I fixed my video camera so I can get some good footage to put up. The other one was yucky. It will be worth the wait…trust me!

Ever read this and think BLAH BLAH BLAH?

Today was another long day. I didn’t have a nurse and I was ok with that. But Jett was out of school so he was stuck at home all day cause we couldn’t go anywhere. I don’t think we could have anyway. Another migraine hit me fierce! I took some heavy duty stuff and it took over 2 hours to kick in. I was just sick all over and thought I was gonna puke. TMI? However, I made it.

Santana’s eye contact has been AWESOME! I am not at all saying it is the Ambien. But for real…It keeps getting better. Last night he had his teacher and PT come from school and he did excellent! Today was even better in music therapy. He didn’t want much to do with it and shut his eyes a lot. But she has this bug thing with bells as feet at the bottom of springs that bounce around. He kept finding it in different places. Then tonight I was cuddling with him and he would watch my lips as I sang to him and then I wiggled my eyebrows at him and he looked up. I can’t wait to start vision therapy. I really think this will help regain his vision.

Apparently a lot of things are being regained. This is sad, but I put Tyree down, with my keys in had, while I ran out and grabbed my groceries.  Santana and his nurse was hanging out on the floor practicing on head control. As I am emptying a bag, Santana start crying REALLY loud. Tyree went up to him and whacked

him with my keys, and a thick metal heart key chain. Santana cried tears out both eyes for a long time. It broke my heart! Then the little stink Tyree. I put him by Santana to give kisses to and he whacks him again…I already took the keys away. So needless to say, Tyree bought himself a ticket to nap time.

Last night I had the MOST incredible dream again. Santana was taking steps for the first time. Just a few at a time but it blew us all away. I never want to wake up those nights. Which reminds me, I need to call my friend back who had an amazing dream about Santana but I had to go cause therapy was here and the doctor office from Florida was calling me so I had to go and got busy…so goes the story. I forget to get back to a lot of people and emails. I apologize in advance and for the past. I am VERY forgetful.

James took James to the Nascar race on Sunday. They had a blast. If there is one thing that kid LOVES, it is 

cars. The neighbors were laughing cause when they take him to school, he names off the make and model of all the cars he passes. He doesn’t know all models, but the make for sure…even without an emblem. I fear he is going to be one of those kids on the news who stole his parents car. He is SO into cars. Jett Black. That makes a good Nascar Driver name.

I absolutely CAN NOT WAIT until horse therapy again. That was the best ever. I love the smell of the barns, I love the beauty of the horses. It is so peaceful there. Oh…I can’t wait until we move over there!!! (hmmm…not sure why Nascar made me think of that… ha ha…I ain’t mad at cha [that just means I ain't hatin' the country folk]) But seriously. We went to a BBQ on our soon to be street we will live on. It was so awesome to meet some people. I got to learn about horses quick so I can fit in. I am a city slicker… But I am from Iowa…it is in my roots somewhere. I will have to at least have a goat or a pig or something to fit in on that street. Hey…free lawn care with a goat or sheep!

Thank you to those who have claimed quilts. We still have the ducks and the bears left. Put down your stakes before they go. Thanks for those who contributed in the cause and THANK you Brenda!

I better stop while I am a head. I am wound up and I fear I will only get more goofy as I go. I guess That migraine knocked some good mood into me. Whatever works! Bring it on!

More quilts you can say are from SANTAna…

Buy a Christmas Gift…Help Santana!

Below are some more Snuggle up for Santana quilts done by our friend Brenda. I have some more I will add when I can get some pics of them. But these have beautiful Christmas prints. They are $25 plus shipping. These will help with Santana’s Horse Therapy. So when you are making your Christmas list, add this for someone and at the same time you help Santana! Christmas…can you believe it! It is coming fast!

So basically… first come first serve. Claim your quilt by clicking on it to enlarge (when the new page opens you can click the top one and see it even larger again). Add a comment to it. Then I will email you with the information you need. Remember, it is the first comment left. If you have never posted on the new site, I have to add it but if your time stamp is before someone else who may have posted before and their claim shows up before you, don’t worry. Once I approve all new comments, it will show who was first.

Also, please note, there are a few that are close ups. So do NOT claim on the close ups. Just the full quilts. Check back later and I will add the other few quilts I have.

Thanks for all your support and prayers! God Bless you!