One Crafty Christmas!

So, as some of you might know...I am an occupational therapist at a pediatric hospital in Dallas! I love my job! Not everyone knows what an occupational therapist does though! I find it interesting to ask the kiddos what they think my job is during the initial evaluation. Here are some of the answers that I have heard:
1. To make kids feel better!
2. To help them ride a bike!
3. To make their arms and legs work!
4. To help them have fun!

In some ways, all of these are right, but there is more to it! Here's my simplified explanation of what I do. An occupational therapist helps a person learn or relearn how to use their arms and hands for functional tasks that they need to or want to complete throughout their day! And, for those who cannot use their arms/hands, then I help teach them adaptive ways for functioning through adaptive techniques and/or equipment.

Most of the kiddos that I treat have some sort of fine motor delay; therefore, their treatment plan includes a goal requiring drawing/writing, cutting, buttoning/unbuttoning, and Theraputty (which is similar to what you might get if you mixed Play-doh and silly putty). With goals like these, I try to come up with crafty ideas that are themed with the time of the year. Infact, Halloween was a blast. Our clinic did a "Super Kids" theme. Each therapist dressed in our custom made super OT, PT, ST shirt (depending on their title), and we wore capes and masks. In order to help incorporate the kids, I took large trash bags and cut them down the seams. This gave me to capes our of each bag. The kids were allowed to use construction paper, scissors, crayons/markers, and glue to decorate their cape. As an added bonus, I drew up some masks (Spiderman and Batman) for the children to add to their homemade "superhero" costume.

With Christmas around the corner, I have already made many many crafty plans. For each week, I have come up with one or two activities for the kids to complete. I have listed each idea below. Please remember that most of these activities can be adapted for any child of any age. Just be creative!

Frosty the Snowman!
On white construction paper, have the child draw or trace 3 circles (1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large).
Using black/brown/ or the color of their choice, draw a top hat, gloves, scarf, two eyes, and a nose.
Cut out each item and glue them together on a whole sheet of construction paper.
Have the child personalize their snowman by naming him/her and writing the name at the top or bottom of the paper!
**Another cute idea is to use paper plates (1 dessert size, 1 dinner size) instead of the paper, but I am trying to teach most of my patients to draw shapes, so I use the circle idea!

Reindeer Craft
Trace the child's hands on construction paper.
One another piece of construction paper, trace one of the child's feet.
Cut out each hand and foot.
Glue the two hands to the top of the foot.
Using the foot to serve as the reindeer's face, have the child draw the eyes, nose, and mouth.
**You can use fun squiggly eyes, draw in a bell collar, or some holly to add a little character to reindeer if you wish!

Santa Face
Trace your child's hands on 2-3 pieces of white construction paper.
Using manilla construction paper, have your child draw/trace a large circle.
Cut out the hands and glue them in an overlapping pattern around the base of the circle (making Santa's beard)
Using a pencil, curl the finger portions of the hands to add some "curl" to Santa's beard.
Have the child draw and large triangle on a red piece of construction paper.
Cut the triangle out and glue to the top of Santa's head.
Using cotton balls, add some "fur" around the base of Santa's hat and the tip.
Have the child draw Santa's face.
**Again, you can give Santa some character by using squiggly eyes!

For more wonderful and cute Holiday craft ideas, go to www.enchantedlearning.com!

This is also a wonderful time of year to do for others! So, I came across some interesting information and decided that I would get my patients involved and encourage anyone and everyone to participate. Macy's department store is donating $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation for every Santa letter "mailed" in their special mailboxes located in their stores!

I had already planned to ask each child to write a letter to Santa, so I was thrilled to hear that I could actually "mail"/donate them to a good cause! Anyone of any age, size, or shape can participate. You can use any paper, or you can download their specialized stationary from the website. If you go to www.macysbelieve.com, you can find out all of the information about this holiday donation. Just think, by writing a letter to Santa, you are helping to donate $1 to a wonderful foundation that just happens to grant wishes of many the children that I treat! And, it is at no cost to you! It truly is a gift that keeps on giving!

So, today, I encourage you to find a way to do for some one else during this holiday season. Whether you adopt an angel, donate to a food drive, or write a letter to Santa and mail it at Macy's, remember the true meaning of Christmas! Merry Christmas to you and yours! May God bless you this Holiday season and provide you with happiness, joy, and cheer to last you throughout your year!

Tis the Season to be Merry!

If you haven't met me, then I should start off by saying that Christmas is my favorite time of year! Why? Well, let me make a list...

1. Chistmas music on the radio
2. Fun with family and friends
3. Santa
4. Food...food...and more food!
5. Christmas lights!
6. Giving gifts!
7. The nostalgia in the air!
8. Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks! Party in my mouth!
9. Shopping!
10. Making Memories!
11. Cold weather!
12. Fun wrapping paper!
13. Christmas decorations! (I, typically, decorate the weekend after Halloween! Try it...it's fun!)
14. Making Christmas crafts with my patients!
15. Letters to Santa!
16. The smiles you receive from strangers just because it is Christmas!
17. Fun Christmas movies! (See my list of favorites below!)
18. Holiday Sales!
19. Time off of Work!
20. After dinner naps!
21. Christmas Dishes!

I could keep going, but well...by the time you finished reading, Christmas would have come and gone! I have to give my parents the credit for instilling in me this love and appreciation for Christmas! First of, I should say, that luckily...I do know the true meaning of Christmas! Our family has always loved celebrating the birth of Jesus, and we have always celebrated in many many BIG ways!

First, my Dad is referred to as "Clark Griswald" around the holidays because of the amount of lights that he used to decorate our home with! Let's just say, there was a reason why we were on the front page of the town newspaper, not once, but twice! It was awesome! I didn't particularly care for staying out until dark and freezing my rear off while helping decorate, but the end result always made it worth it!

Mom always made decorating the inside of the house fun, too! She would always put on some Christmas music or put in a Christmas movie, and then we would bust out the tree, garland, white twinkly lights, stockings, and Santa pictures! Mom and Dad did a great job of filling our home with Christmas cheer!

As I have moved out on my own, I have enjoyed decorating our home and continuing family traditions! One tradition that Brent and I have continued is watching a Christmas classic: Christmas Vacation! While it isn't a family friendly movie, it is enjoyable for adults!

Here are a few other Christmas movies to try out!
1. Christmas Vacation! (Our family enjoys quoting this one year around!)
2. A Christmas Story!
3. Burl Ives' Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the old claymation is fun! I used to watch this every year on CBS!)
4. Home Alone
5. Elf
6. Miracle on 34th street (new and old)
7. Family Man
8. The Family Stone
9. The Santa Clause
10. It's a Wonderful Life!

There are so many! To get started, try these! And...stay tuned! For December, I am going to try to post some fun Christmas activities and tips for places to shop and find fun deals after the holidays!

My Little Man!

Me and Aiden cuddling on the couch!

First, I would like to apologize for taking a long brake from blogging! This past month has been a whirlwind... good, but a whirlwind! First, as stated in the previous blog, we found out that Kelcie and Taylor are having a boy. Secondly, Brent celebrated his 29th birthday! Happy Birthday, Sweetie! And, thirdly, we found out that Brandon (Brent's brother) and Mandy are having a boy, too! We are still so excited about these two beautiful boys that will be entering our lives come the spring!

I am so excited about being an aunt again! And, as I have been thinking about these two little ones, I have been reminiscing about another little man in my life!.....Aiden! Aiden is my almost (come Dec.) 5 yr old nephew! For the past 5 years, Aiden has been the "little man" in my life! While Brent and I have been blessed with several kiddos to love, spoil, and play with, Aiden has been our little man!

For fun, I decided to post some pictures of Aiden through the years! Aiden is going to be a big brother come March, and everyone seems to be a little concerned as to how he is going to react to the change in dynamics with the family! However, I know what it is like to be the older sibling, and I think that Aiden is going to be a pro!

Last weekend, Brent and I were at his parent's house! Aiden had just woken up from his nap and decided that he needed a Capri Sun with Uncle B (Brent)! When they came into the living room, Aiden walked over to me with his arms open wide! I was sitting on the couch, so naturally, I picked him up and squeezed him for a bit. We were sitting there, and I said to him,

"Aiden, you are going to be the best big brother the baby could ever ask for!"
And, he responded (in his sigh-like, most calm voice) "I know!"
This is Aiden! So very matter of fact and honest!

So, here is to Aiden...my "little man!" Thanks for always being a wonderful playmate, making me smile and laugh, for being a strong wrestler, and for always eating Oreos with me! I love you, little man!

Aiden about 14 mos! Isn't he precious!

Aiden and me snuggling! He has always been so squeezable!

Uncle B feeding Aiden lime! Those Gartrell boys love limes!

Aiden looking at himself on the camera screen! He was always facinated by this!

Aiden and me wrestling on my bed! He is so tickelish!

Aiden and me taking a break to smile for the camera!

Aiden and me making pancakes! It facinated me that he could tell me everything that we needed in order to make them from scratch! He is so smart!

Aiden drinking milk during one of our "Oreo" dates!

Aiden and Uncle B sharing some ice cream at May Fest!

Aiden and Uncle B laying in the fort they built during our sleepover!

Aiden being goofy! I love this face!

One Proud Aunt!

So, for those of you who know me, know that I am anxiously awaiting for the Spring for 2 BIG reasons! Well...actually...they're little reasons! 2 Babies! I am having a nephew (for sure...we found out this week!) and another baby! My nephew, Easton/Eastin Reid (I heard the spelling is still being decided!) is due the first week of April, and the other baby is due mid March!

Brent and I are thrilled about the two little ones entering our lives, and we look forward to loving them, playing with them, and spoiling them!

Taylor sent me a pic of the sonogram that he and Kelcie received on Wednesday when they found out they were having a boy! While it is hard to make out everything, you can see this very distinctive foot! It is the most precious foot I have ever seen! I believe my response to the text message was "I'm in love!" and I am.

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore children. Heck, I work with children of all ages and most with special needs. But, nothing compares to the children that I am blessed to call family. I already have several kiddos in my life that I love to spend time with and spoil, so adding to the bunch thrills me!

For every child that is in my life, I pray that God watch over them, keep them safe, and bless them for all their days! And, since we now know that I will be for sure having a nephew, I pray this:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this miracle that you have provided our family! Thank you for blessing us with his life and all that he will be! We know that because of your love and dedication to us as your children, you will provide him with all that he needs...your love! We ask that you keep him safe and out of harm. We ask that you use us to do Your will in his life!
Lord, we thank you for all that you do for each of us and our growing family! We ask that you watch over Kelcie and Taylor throughout the remainder of the pregnancy and help them as the prepare for this bundle of joy! Lord, please use me in any way to help them as they prepare for his arrival and throughout his life, whether it be emotional support or free babysitting (which I am completely happy to do!)
Thank you again, Lord for allowing me to be an Aunt, again! This truly is one of my happiest joys in life!
Amen!

Easton/Eastin Reid, I cannot wait to see your face, hold you in my arms, kiss you, love you, and eventually, tell you all kinds of stories about the trouble your Daddy used to get into! I know that you and I are going to be the best of friends! I love you and thank God for you each day!

Happy 80th Birthday, Pawpaw!

Last Saturday was a really fun time! On October 2, my Pawpaw turned 80! Last Saturday our family (most of us), gathered at Mom and Dad's house for a birthday party! It was so much fun! To begin, I should give a little bit of a family tree for those of you who may not know!

My Nanny and Pawpaw have been married 56 years come this December! They have 4 children: Diane, Pattie, Gary (my Dad), and Rickey! Diane is married to Kevin and they have 3 children: Kyle, Julie, and Heather. Kyle is married to Dana. Julie is married to Ben, and they have 2 kids: Cason and Kinley. Heather is married to Grayson, and they have 2 girls: Avery and Emere.

Pattie is married to Bill. They have two children: Craig and Benay. Craig is a teacher/coach in Howe, TX and is dating Macy! Benay is living in Tennesse and pursuing her dreams in music production.

My Dad, Gary, is married to Carol, and they have an angel of a daughter....okay...just kidding! Obviously, they have me as a daughter, and I am married to Brent. Taylor is their son, who is married to Kelcie. Taylor and Kelcie have baby due in April.

Rickey lives in Granbury, and like my Dad, works for AT&T.

Most of us were able to come in for the party, but with our family continuously growing and living in several states, it is becoming harder and harder for us all to get together at one time! We are shooting for Christmas this year! Here's our attempts at a family photo!


From Left to Right: (Front Row) Kevin, Diane, Pawpaw, Dad, Nanny, Mom, Pattie, and Bill. (Back Row) Dana, Kyle, Emere, Heather, Grayson, Avery, Kelcie, Taylor, Me, Craig, Brent, and Macy!

We ate burgers/hot dogs and cake (of course!)! Here are a few pics from the day!

Nanny holding Emere!

Brent and Avery take a brake from playing!

Pawpaw feeding Emere!

Dad (Gary) reading a book with Avery!

Pawpaw blowing out his birthday candles!

Mom (Carol) holding Avery as she licks the icing off of the candles! This is my kind of girl!

Heather and Diane!

Dana and Kyle!

Heather and Grayson!

Pattie, Bill, Macy, Craig, and Diane!

Macy, Taylor holding Avery, Kelcie, and Dana!

Avery and her Papa!

Emere and Me!

It was such a great day! As we all sat in my parent's living room, watching Pawpaw open his gifts/cards, I started thinking about all of the many memories I have of this man! First of all, there are several things that you should know about him. Pawpaw has always been a hard worker, he loves anything technical (especially computers and cameras), and his love for his family has always been apparent through his actions and his words!

As a child, we lived in Granbury, and Nanny and Pawpaw lived next door! For a while, they had a garden, and I remember Pawpaw tending to the garden and mowing his lawn! He still mowes his yard, which I find enduring and inspiring! There are men 20 years younger than him who can't mow their yards. While I hated the days that Mom and Dad would wake us up to go help mow the yard, I liked it because I knew that at the end of the day, I could walk over to Nanny and Pawpaw's house and have a bowl of ice cream with Pawpaw!

Growing up at any family function, Pawpaw was the guy behind the camera! Whether he was taking pictures or videoing, he was the guy behind the camera, capturing a moment to remember! Infact, I think this might have been the first family gathering in history where Pawpaw didn't have a camera in his hand! (Of course, there were two great granddaughters to be holding instead! So, you can't really blame the guy!)

And, finally, all my life, my Nanny has told me that I am stubborn like my Pawpaw! I'll take that! Pawpaw may be stubborn, but he is the same man today that he was yesterday! He still believes and lives by his Christian morals and values. No one talks poorly about his friends or family without Pawpaw standing up to defend them! To me that is honorable, not stubborn!

So, this blog is dedicated to Pawpaw! Happy Birthday, Pawpaw! May every man and woman live their life for the Lord and be blessed with 80 years! Here's to many, many more!

Hair Cut!

So, I finally did it! I cut it all off! My hair that is! I am 8" shorter and about a 100lbs. lighter! Okay, maybe not 100lbs, but a huge weight has been lifted off of my head! It was amazing how almost immediately I felt relief! I have been planning on cutting off my hair for some time now! I have worn it long for the past 6+ years for several reasons!

1. I was in college and couldn't afford a hair cut every 6 weeks to keep a cute short style.
2. I was getting my masters and was too lazy to care for my hair properly.
3. I decided to start caring for my long hair in preparation for donating it!

The idea of donating my hair is a courageous and inspiring story (not about me, but someone else I find very special!) But, to begin, I should say that several years ago I heard about Locks of Love. It is a hair donation charity, that accepts hair donations to be made into real hair wigs for people with cancer who have lost their hair. I always thought it was such a wonderful and simple way for anyone and everyone to give back and help another person! I started researching Locks of Love in 2007 when my aunt, Pattie, was diagnosed with breast cancer! Pattie had such a difficult experience through her surgeries and treatments! As a result of chemotherapy, she lost her hair and decided to purchase wigs.

At Christmas, Pattie and I were talking about everything that she had experienced thus far and she explained that loosing her hair was one of the worst things for her! She explained that she realized that loosing her hair may seem petty to others, but that she felt a true loss. I explained that I didn't find it petty at all because I feel that for most (myself included) our hair is a large character in our physical identity! From that moment, I decided that I had to do something! I didn't think that finding the cure of cancer was likely to come from me, so I decided that I was going to start caring for my hair in preparation of donating it!

Locks of Love requires 10". That is a lot of hair for someone with a head of hair like me! But, I wasn't too concerned about growing it because luckily my hair grows fast. But, I was dreading having to care for all of that hair up until I cut it. But, not to worry, Brent saved the day! He had heard about Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This is another hair donation charity that accepts 8" for the same exact cause as Locks of Love. I felt relieved!

Now, if you know me, you know that I have a ton of hair! To say that it is thick is an understatement, plus when you grow it out, it starts affecting your lifestyle! Before cutting it, I was spending 1 1/2 hrs. washing, blow drying, straightening, and styling it! Actually, I had started wearing it curly because it was taking so long to care for it!

So, on Monday, September 8, I cut it all off! I decided that this was a way to give back and help those like Pattie enduring the pain of chemo and loosing her hair in the process! So, here is to Pattie! I donate my hair in honor of you and your courageous and fight against cancer. You are not just a survivor, but a conqueror because of your hard earned efforts!

For an update....Pattie's cancer is gone and her hair is growing back!

And the two became One!

Saturday, Aug. 30,2008 was a special day for two reasons!

1. It was my mom's birthday! No, I won't reveal her age, although it is nothing to be ashamed of! I believe that the only thing to be ashamed of as you age is not your age, but neglecting to live your life to the fullest!

2. My little brother, Taylor got married! He married a beautiful and sweet girl....Kelcie! They had a beautiful summer wedding (indoors....thank you, God!) I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid...and thank you, Kelcie for choosing a dress that granted me many compliments!

It is hard to believe that Taylor is married! Not because he isn't old enough or mature enough, but because he's Taylor! I remember the day he was born! That was a great day! I got a little brother and a real life doll to play with! What 4 (almost 5) year old girl doesn't want a real life doll to play with! What they don't tell you is that the baby grows and starts talking (or more like talking back!) Taylor and I had your typical sibling spats, but what I am discovering as I talk to others is that we don't have a typical sibling relationship now! You see, Mom and Dad used to fret that Taylor and I wouldn't be close because I was nearly 5 years older and we are of the opposite sex, but I think it has worked in our favor! You see, we have provided one another with an understanding of the opposite sex, we respect one another, and we have fun together! We don't always agree, but we do have the ability to get through it and work it out! I think that Taylor and I are fortunate (or at least I know I am) that I am able to call him my friend as well as my brother!

His wife is great, too! I never had a sister before, so to have a sister-in-law is fun! The more time I spend with her the more I realize how much she and I have in common! She and Taylor compliment each other really well, and I couldn't be happier that Taylor chose her to be his wife!

Congratulations to the happy couple! May God continue to bless you and your relationship as you grow in Him and in love! I love you and wish you all the best!

On another note...when Brent and I got married, Taylor snitched and told where we had hidden my car! So, instead of having one car to clean up, we had two! Brent and I have always promised to payback the "favor!" So, Brent found Kelcie's car hidden at her Grandmother's house, but we decided to provide a little extra "fun!" We decorated their bedroom and left many surprises! Hope they enjoy the many surprises to come! Love`Ash