My Teen's Cell Phone Pt 2

courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net 'mobile phone' by teemarun 

There never really was a part 1 to this post. But, about a year ago I did publish a post about how I took my teenager's cell phone away (I know, crazy right?). In the post I mentioned that she might never get it back. (Even crazier for sure-how would any of us survive?)

Well, she's 15 1/2 now and this past Christmas I gave her another phone.

No texting, no Instagram, no internet. It's a phone for emergencies and if she wants to talk to family or friends she has that capability.

She's doing great with it and still doesn't miss the buzzing of the old one (when she could text).

In between the old cell phone this one, we had something else happen...

A parent's worst fear...

That will have to be 'My Teen's Cell Phone Pt 3'

For now, check out these links regarding teens and cell phones and rest easy knowing that if you need an angle on discipline, you can go for the phone.

Should teens have cell phones?

When  a teen should be given a cell phone (with reasons why GPS apps could backfire)

An article about why your teen should have a cell phone (and vote on what age you think is right).

Teens: sleeping with their cellphones

Cells Phones & Teens: are addiction & depression related?

Fun Friday: Good Moms Vs Great Moms

More Funny Quotes For Mom

Leukodystrophy and Krabbe Disease (Video interview with Natasha Spencer Witczak)

If you read my first post about Kenan Spencer Witczak, you might want to know more about Krabbe Disease. You may also want to understand what Leukodystrophy is.

My hope this month is to help raise more awareness about what is happening to Kenan and for people to spread the word about the disease and the need for required testing. Please learn more about Kenan's family at Kisses for Kenan.

Kenan and his big sister Tamsen

The following is an overview of what happens to a child with Krabbe Disease

(this information is from the Hunter's Hope website):

Amercian College of Medical Genetics Krabbe Disease ACT SHEET for Medical Professionals

Signs & Symptoms (Infantile)
Symptoms usually begin at two to six months of age. The average age of death is 13 months. 

-Kenan showed signs at 6 mos. with regression in milestones)

Stage One: 
General irritability (excessive crying), stiffness, arrest of motor and mental development, loss of previously attained milestones, difficulty in feeding, and seizures.

Many babies in Stage One Krabbe Disease are misdiagnosed with colic, reflux, food/milk allergy, or even cerebral palsy. 
-He was officially diagnosed at 8 mos.

Stage Two: 
Children may have severe arching of the back, jerking of the arms and/or legs, more severe and rapid deterioration of mental and motor function, generally fed through a tube. 

-Read about Kenan's life experiences and current stages on Natasha's blog

Stage Three: 
Children lose mental and motor function, become deaf and blind, unable to move or speak. 

-Kenan cannot see, but he can hear

Later onset Krabbe Disease, while less common, delays the onset of neurological symptoms until middle childhood, adolescence or adulthood. 

-Kenan was given one year to live. He is now two.

Hear Natasha speak during a July 20, 2012, Chicago abc7 news interview.

Read my Lake County Kids News-Herald column about 

how Kenan's mother, Natasha Spencer, inspires me.

Thank you for reading and please share this post with someone you know.

What My Mother's Day Looked Like (Video)

I hope that you took some time for yourself to rejuvenate this Mother's Day.
I did, and this is what mine looked like:

Each Mother's Day I have a few things which are routine- I try to plant flowers, spend the day with my kids and scrapbook. What made this Mother's Day unique was that my sweet children worked very hard to add lot's more wonderful elements into the day. It was one of the best Mother's Days. I actually sat down and watched TV for the first time since the Superbowl...

(Album made with My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software- try it- go to the Family Matters with Amber home page and click on the coupon link to get $10.00 off! These pages were made today, they are super simple, very basic. I love the program because it's easy and has many more options I haven't even tried yet- it's all customizable!)

A FREE MOTHER'S DAY CARD FOR YOUR MOM! (PLUS A FREEBIE FOR HER!)

You changed my diapers

You drove me to games

You went through some lists

To pick out my name!

You bathed me and fed me

From the time I was small

 I’m so grateful to you

You’ve sure done it all!

From cooking and cleaning

To nursing my cuts

You’re truly the best

No “ifs” “ands” or “buts”!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom

I cherish each minute

And feel lucky in life

That I’ve got you in it!

In lieu of Mother's Day, I have partnered with a friend of mine who writes personalized poems.
Her name is Deb Solyan from Iambicchic.com and she wrote this one for you to share with your mom!

The best part about this? 

The 1st 3 moms who contact her, 

she will make a FREE Personalized Poem (signed, sealed AND delivered) 

to whomever they choose!

Send this to your mom, tell her to contact Iambicchic via e-mail, order her card online, then receive a confirmation and a full refund for their card once the card is sent!