I miss my blog.  Last  year was such a crazy year that I dropped the ball.  I look back on my paltry few posts from 2009 and I see that I didn't even scratch the surface of the year.  I will say, I doubt there was ever a year in which an entire family was so excited to kiss good-bye.

January started off with a bang with Darren's brain tumor.  You can read the entire story here: 
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/darrengallup.  We are still praising God for the fact that there is no sign of the tumor, and he is still recovering so well.  For all intents and purposes, he's the same guy he's always been.  I think he has a better appreciation for life, though, and he's a lot more demonstrative in his love and appreciation of people.  He doesn't take much for granted anymore.

In April, Mikey fell off the swing at school, breaking his nose and sinus bone.  This was just as baseball season was getting under way, so he had to start the season with the impediment of a face mask.  He ended the season well, and there are  no after effects of the breaks.  He does like to tell people he broke his face, though!  Goofy boy...He has started piano, and is really good at it.  He played "Let It Snow," along with 5 other pianists, at the school's winter concert.  He's a WEBELOS now, and working on his Arrows.

In July, Matt was officially diagnosed with Tourette's and OCD. He's adjusting very well, but it appears that the diagnosis freed him from keeping the tics hidden.  We see a new tic every couple of weeks.  He moved to middle school, and is really succeeding in the social and active aspect.  The organizational aspect is lagging, but his team of teachers is working really hard to help with that. He started percussion, and we have his marimba in the new music room in our house.  He's also discovered acting, and has had a part in, "Romeo and Juliet, a Comedy," and is now working on the musical, "OKLAHOMA!"  He started dancing ballet and is still taking tap and hip hop. The ballet is really helping him handle his tics. 

In December, Emily was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.  That's a big word for a digestive disorder where she produces too many white eosinophilic blood cells, causing severe pain and bloating along with a terrible rash.  She's working on controling the physical symptoms with medication and is working on pain management through biofeedback. Never think she lets that get her down, though!  She has started debate and has lettered! She is on the broadcasting team, too.  She's taking advanced comm arts and advanced biology. She has her schedule figured for the rest of high school, and intends to finish her senior year with a Certified Nursing Assistant certification.  Her Girl Scout troop just finished their Silver Award, and she's already brainstorming for her Gold. She is still in dance, taking ballet, pointe and jazz.

As for me, well, I'm still working on my certification.  I have passed the Professional Teaching Knowledge exam and hope to pass the English Language Arts by May.  I have done two long term sub assignments; one in French and one in the therapeutic learning center at the high school.  I hope to have another LTS by the end of the school year.

We have welcomed two new family members.  Toby the Cat joined us just a few days before Darren got sick.  He has become Emily's cat, preferring to snuggle her at night, and playing with her at all times. In September, we adopted Cruiser the Yorkie. He's MY dog, and makes sure everybody knows it.  Our family is DEFINITELY complete!

God bless.  Thank you for reading.

        

This is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai.

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December  2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of   Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula.  Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

 

PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands.  PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®.  The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.

 

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning.  “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

 

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10^th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM's infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition."  The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM's store brand infant formula.  

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

 

·      http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf

·      http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

 

The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development.  Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil. 

 

PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil.  PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®. 

 

This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products.  It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.

 

“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning.  “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”

 

“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®.  It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.   

 

The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.

 

All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980.  This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies. For more information, visit this FDA link.

 

PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.  Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.  

 

About PBM

PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA.  PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.

 

Enfamil® LIPIL® are registered trademarks of Mead Johnson & Co.

 

        

This has been one of those weeks that you look on and wonder, "Did I really do all of THAT?!?"

Monday, I shadowed the teacher for my new long term sub assignment.  I got a surprise call last week that a high school special needs class needed an immediate long term sub; was I interested?  I had worked in this class before and I know the special issues these kiddoes need, so I said yes.  Friday and Monday, I followed the teacher, taking numerous notes, getting my class schedule in order, learning more about IEP information needed, and working with the students.  I am so excited about this classroom!

Tuesday, I took off work.  I had lunch with my cousin, Joyce, and my great aunt, Elva.  Ginger Sue's...MMMMmmmmmmm!  Lisa brought the two youngest kiddoes in, and I got to see how adorable they are.  After that, I left for the Drury Inn by the sports stadiums, so I could be close to the testing center, and have a few QUIET, uninterrupted hours of STUDY.  Why?......

Wednesday was my English Language Arts certification exam.  It's reportedly the hardest exam in the ABCTE certification process.  Considering the year we've had, and the months spent away from studying while Darren was so sick, I honestly thought I was going to bomb the test.  Imagine my surprise when I saw my score! No...I didn't pass, but I came VERY CLOSE to passing!  I've started this new position, which will last until December, so I don't plan on taking the repeat until January or February. I did find out I need to become really good friends with Mr. Cliff and Mr. Sparks, though!

I started my position today, and I think it's a good fit.  I'm excited about some of the education objectives I'm planning to reach.  There are a few glitches here and there, but all in all, I'm pleased with the flow of the class, and the lessons.  I think I'll be more on my game tomorrow, and it should just improve from this point forward.

So here I sit tonight, basking in the successes of the week.  I've read my Bible daily.  I've nearly passed a difficult test. I began wok in a position that, a year ago, I would have had no chance to get. And I've enjoyed my family.

Life's so grand!

        

This has been a wonderfully busy weekend.  One of those weekends that I wasn't sure would happen way back when Darren was so sick.  I count my blessings daily, and I have many right now.

1.  Scout Camporee—Matt, as a Tenderfoot in Boy Scouts, got to enjoy a weekend of camping and fun at Smithville Lake.  Apparently this is a big deal campout, with troops from all over KC there to enjoy some fun.  Matt got to tent with the Barrett twins, and he designed a skit and actually asked Mikey to be involved.  EARLY Saturday morning, Darren and Mikey left for the second day and night of Camporee.  As a WEBELOS, Mikey is now qualified to do this campout on the second night.  Darren's felt guilty because he wasn't well enough to go to WEBELOS camp with Mikey over the summer, so they went.  I guess Mikey tried to catch a catapulted crabapple;  a nearly hand breaking experience. They slept out in the ICE cold (although Matt said they had bonfires throughout camp, as well as hot chocolate available at all times...Darren said the cold ground is STILL a cold ground).  They had a blast, and came home smelling of campfire and cold.

2.  Friday night, we went to the Grain Valley football game to see Trace play.  He was amazing, as always.  I am sad that my precious nephew is growing up so fast, but I'm so proud of the young man he's become!  It will be interesting to see where he signs for college next year.  MIZZOU...ARE YOU LISTENING!?!?!  Just sayin'...It was just me, Mikey and Darren at the game.  We took Cruiser, too, and he had a BLAST!  Got to see my sister; a rare and wonderful treat.

3.  Saturday—Emily had another competitive softball tryout. She doesn't feel very confident about this one.  I am really concerned that she won't find a team.  She isn't the greatest because she hasn't been coached in 2 seasons.  She needs a team where the coaches will teach and enhance what the players know.  It's hard to find that.  The coaches, understandably, are looking for the best of the best.  It's been a frustrating experience, but when we find the RIGHT team, it will be worth the effort.  After tryouts, she and I went to lunch, then shopping at World Marketplace.  I love that place!  We bought a Whirleypopper and when we got home, we made homemade kettle corn.  The stuff at the fairs is good...homemade is even better.  I'll have the recipe on the Domestic Greatness blog sometime soon.  I have to dust the cobwebs off of that one, too!  We ended up at the Hart's house last night so the lovebirds could spend time together, and so Mike, Lesli and I watched KU lose, then we watched MU lose.  Yeah...not the greatest night.  When Em and I got home, we snuggled and had a sleepover, just the two of us girls (and Cruiser LOL).

4.  Today, we welcomed the boys home.  It was so good seeing them again!  Emily had a walkabout for her Silver Award in Girl Scouts, then she had her Court of Awards.  She earned the Dreams to Reality award, an IPs in Understanding Yourself, Camping, Sports for Life, Games for Life and Your Own Business.  Unfortunately, I couldn't go to the Court of Awards, because the boys and I had Praise in Motion.  We finished choreographing everything (finally) and are now down to the business of making it even more amazing than it already is.  We have an incredible group of dancers this year.

So there are many things I learned this weekend.

* Family is precious, and we should celebrate each other daily.
* Time spent with loved ones is time worth spending.
* What your children learn as Scouts will carry them through anything.

Isn't life sweet?

        

Yesterday, I took the first test toward my certification in secondary English Language Arts.  Last November, i began the program with ABCTE (American Board for Certification of Teaching Excellence).  It's been a crazy year, and I wasn't sure I'd make it through the program. But if yesterday is any indication, I will be good to go!

I passed the multiple choice section of the test.  I still have the essay portion of the test left to grade.  I'm pretty sure I did okay on it, but essay writing can be subjective.  It's out of my hands now, though, so all I can do is pray.

I will be taking the English Language Arts portion of the test November 11.  I need to brush up big time on this. 

        

The time has come.  On October 14, I am taking the Professional Teaching Knowledge portion of the ABCTE Teacher's Certification program.  I've been in the program almost a year, studying teaching secondary English Language Arts.  It is a program where mid lifers with a 4 year degree can get their teaching certification in a timely and cost effective manner using online studies and tools. It's designed to be a 12 month program.  With the year I've had (between Darren's brain tumor, my Barrett's and my 2 1/2 month teaching position), I just didn't study as much as I had hoped. 

We have a year to take the test.  I'll be taking the PTK portion on the 14th.  I am confident, but I understand that I have only studied about 8 months out of the 12 month program.  I hope I've learned what I need, but I am glad to know that if I don't pass the first time, I can always take it again.

Once I'm finished with the PTK test, I'll work on organizing my thoughts for the ELA portion of the test. I feel a bit more confident in that, but again, i don't know what to expect, and I didn't study as much as I had hoped. 

Now, it's in God's hands, and my hands.  I look forward to seeing where I'll go with this!  After spending more time in the classroom the last couple of weeks, I am excited about what the teaching future holds for me.

        

We added to our family Friday.  He's a tiny little bundle of joy named Cruiser.  He's a Yorkie that I adopted from our animal shelter.

My friend has a Yorkie named Cooper, and I am completely in love with that dog.  He is full of energy and life, and he has a big dog's heart in a tiny little body. He's cuddly one second, and en garde the next.  I admire that!  I have wanted a purse dog for several years, so I started looking at Petfinder.com to see if I could find one at a local shelter.  I didn't see any, but I went to a couple of shelters to look at the dogs they have.

When I went to the Liberty shelter, they were closed, but one of the officers was there playing with and taking care of the dogs.  She invited me to take a look.  At first, I didn't see the little face peeking out at me from behind the wooden gate.  Then Emily's boyfriend said, "Oh!  It's Cooper!"  Sure enough, out pops the cutest, most adorable little Yorkie face I'd seen.  It was love at first site.  I was allowed to love on him, and I took advantage of that.  I learned that he would be up for adoption in 5 days.  In the meantime, i went to the shelter daily and played with and bonded with him. 

Thursday, the adoption became final, and Friday, I picked him up at the vet after his shots and neuter.  It's been a constant love fest since then.  He's definitely MY dog. I'm sure he's struggling today, because I'm working for the first time since he's joined the family.  Friday night, I'm taking him out to get him a sweater because it's getting cool outside.  He gets along great with Daisy and Toby.  He keeps me safe from all the boogeymen in the house.  He cuddles me 24/7.

        

In Stray Affections, the last thing that Cassandra expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some shopping time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home—even if means wrestling another shopper for it!

            The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child, and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, “Bad Betty” Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw, Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange—flurrious, as Cassie deems it—moment happens with the remarkable snowglobe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey. 

This fictional story is a vivid example on how memories and events from our past can have an impact on our lives today. It shows us the grace of God in allowing us to handle our past disappointments and grudges with a Christian heart. We see Cassie's struggles in dealing with the hurt and pain of her past, through memories ofher father's suicide, to her mother's seemingly harsh behavior toward Cassie, and the guilt of the part she played in the death of her beloved dog. The snowglobe was a reminder that God has forgiven the past and wiped the slate clean. It is up to Cassie to heal her heart and move forward.  When she's able to forgive and heal, she reaps rewards she never would have experienced otherwise.  As a reviewer, I recommend this book for anybody who needs a sweet and gentle reminder of how God's grace wipes our slate clean. 

            “As a believer, I know the power of forgiveness and new beginnings, and of a God, and family and friends, who love me the way I am,” Charlene Ann Baumbich says.  “The heartbeat of change flows through those wonderful gifts.”

            With the quirky, close-knit Midwestern small-town feel that made Charlene Ann Baumbich’s acclaimed Dearest Dorothy novels so popular, Stray Affections invites readers to experience the laughter and the healing of second chances.

Cover art:

Author Bio:

Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author and speaker and an award-winning journalist. In addition to her Dearest Dorothy series of novels, she has written seven nonfiction books of humor and inspiration. A bungee-jumping, once motorcycle-owning grandma and unabashed dog lover, Charlene lives with her husband and rescued dog Kornflake in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She loves telling stories, laughing whenever possible, and considers herself a Wild Child of God.

 

We’re also including a video link of Charlene introducing the book to readers. Please post this clip on your blog in addition to your review. The video is available on facebook and/or YouTube.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=101927788491

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWwya52SkjU

        

Last night, we went to a shrimp and seafood boil at our friends' house. It was so much fun!  Lots of good pinot, lots of shrimp, crab legs, grilled veggies, brownies with raspberry sauce, lots of berries, Mmmmmmmmm  The food was amazing.

But the companionship was better. These are people who have become special to us over the last couple of years. It was a blast listening to good music, dancing a little, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Darren was pretty exhausted and zonked out in one of the wooden adirondack chairs. We ended up leaving earlier than planned. It's going to take a while for him to regain his energy, I'm sure. He slept until 11:00 today.

        

This little girl is too cute!  Look how she's absolutely communicating with her daddy. *I* think she's telling on Mommy. Listen to her say, "MOMMA," in just the most tattle talish way!  Anyway...enjoy!