Throw Back Thursday

I have NO IDEA what we were thinking, but this picture makes me laugh SO HARD!

I literally laugh ... EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.I.LOOK.AT.THIS.PICTURE!!!

A madam and her "workers" hahaha My mom's expression is priceless! Its so fuzzy, but HELLO!! We surely weren't going to BUY these pics!!! haha

 

At least in this picture of us three, we don't look like my mom's trying to put us up for sale!

 

And I'm still missing my crazy, mama-drama family!!

Hoping to get a new family picture in a few years. :)

Flashback Friday

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my brothers and my sister. If you didn't know, I have three brothers:

• Fred (oldest),
• Jon (2nd oldest) and
• Matt

I have one sister -- Cindy -- who is the middle child. Don't feel sorry for her ... she totally does not have "middle-child syndrome!" You'd think SHE was the "baby." ;)

My family tease about how with me being the "baby" of the family, that I couldn't wait for all of the other kids to hurry up and get out of the house. Regardless of what they say, they are wrong.

I loved having a lot of siblings. If my dad wouldn't have remarried, I would have never had a sister and I would've been short a very important brother. We've been a family since I was 6 years-old. I could not imagine my life without them and very grateful that God gave me the family I needed.

I miss them a lot and I think about them every.single.day!

We are all pretty spread out these days (Michigan, Florida, Virginia) and we simply do not see each other like I wish we could. Distance, along with having our own families, careers and sometimes just the petty stuff ... tend to keep family apart. If you let it, it can make you pretty sad.

I always pray for them and hope they know how much their baby sister loves and misses them.

Old pictures make me smile and bring back some of the best memories. Nowadays, pictures of all of us together are far and few between. When/If it happens ... they are treasured.

I look at these pictures -- remember what hellions we were -- and think "I have NO IDEA how my parents survived!!!"

 

Naughty Nurses BBQ

Within the past two weeks, Jocie has gotten to stop by for not one, but for two of the Naughty Nurses BBQ competitions and see the cooks themselves ... her grandma Kristi and papa Greg.

Don'tcha just love their name?
     Naughty Nurses BBQ
          -- "No one injects butts like we do!"

I think I seriously smile and laugh every time I say their slogan. Cute and catchy for sure.
And yes, they are highly trained nurses, with over 40 years of combined service, most of which has been in the critical care areas. :)

They of course have their own Facebook page: Naughty Nurses BBQ
And they even have their own blog: http://naughtynursesbbq.com/blog/

They crack me up!

We really are very proud of them. They took something that was fun ... something that they loved and are good at ... and turned it into something so much more. They not only enter and win many awards at their competitions, but they also cater for weddings, parties and other events. I know my own parents buy smoked briskets from them and always wish they had more.

 

One of the things that Naughty Nurses BBQ use their talents for that I feel like is completely selfless and noteworthy, is their participation in a program called Operation BBQ Relief. They have offered their time, service and skills for three different natural disasters with Moore, OK being their most recent. You can read about it here.

So proud of them!

Back towards the end of July, the three of us drove out to Burlington, KS on a Saturday to spend a little bit of time with them. We devoured some of the best ribs around -- no joke! You would've thought I'd never eaten before. I always make myself sick. No self control -- none!

Saturdays are typically the "serious" time of the BBQ competitions as most everyone has spent the evening prepping and smoking their food because come mid-afternoon on Saturday, its game on to present their food and all its glory to the judges.

I'm glad I got to see them in action because it was a real eye-opener. I really didn't have a clue how much goes into a BBQ competition. I was tired just watching them. The prepping alone for plating the food takes forever as they bend and fold and twist romaine lettuce into little spiral designs only to have it mostly covered by meat. They ensure each cut of meat is precisely placed for the best presentation possible, and they even do a "finishing spritz" of the BBQ with their own concoction to make the meat look like its glistening. Its all visually appealing and after all, we eat with our eyes first right? :) They are very detailed and I think it makes all the difference.

Even though that was a busy Saturday for them, we still managed to snap a picture.

Since Saturdays are so intense, the grandparents asked us to join them this past Friday night over in Rossville, KS. Jocelyn and I drove the 30 minutes to Rossville and spent the evening chilling outside and enjoying grandma and papa's company.

It was such a nice area with music, vendors and an amazing park that Jocie was able to play at. This park was built for EVERYONE ya'll!!

At first, Jocelyn wasn't too sure about the "Big Princess Chair" (thats what I was calling it), but she quickly made herself at home and enjoyed the ride.

She also got plenty of play time in with grandma. Apparently a BBQ windchime is mesmorizing and has magical powers.

When we are able to meet up with the grandparents at one of the BBQ competitions, although the time is often short, we are always thankful for the invite and the little bit of time we get with each other. Sometimes just showing up, making the time and BEING together means everything.

Hippity-Hips

Last week I took Jocelyn to see an orthopaedic specialist for a second opinion regarding her hips and the pain that she's been experiencing.

We currently see Dr. Gupta, and we have been relatively pleased with him, but sometimes when you feel like a person is not taking the time to really LISTEN or feel like the problem isn't being fully addressed, you have to do whats necessary until you're satisfied.

During our visit, we saw both Dr. Roge (a physiologist) and Dr. De Roode (an orthopaedic surgeon), whom both evaluated Jocelyn simultaneously. I liked this approach because they both come from different backgrounds and therefore, they both took a different approach. I felt like the initial assessment was thorough and complete. We were there for about an hour and the ladies actually made the appointment enjoyable -- if that's possible?

They asked me what my goals were for the visit and then almost seemed surprised that I actually had some. I think its weird that they thought it was weird. Or maybe they were just caught off guard?

Anyways, my goals for the visit were the following:

1. A second opinion regarding Jocelyn's hips,
2. To find and treat the source of Jocelyn's pain rather than continually treating the symptoms, and
3. Develop &/or change her current plan of care to enhance her quality of life.

Maybe it was the way I worded things? Can't help it -- I know what I want.

They spent quite a while going over every limb, evaluating degree of flexibility versus spasticity along with measuring, assessing how she moves, reviewing past xrays, looking at the creases of her skin when in different positions and so forth.

{These are an example of what/how the doctors assessed Jocelyn.
These images are actually how Jocelyn clinically presents as well}

I kept wanting to ask questions during their assessment, but I've learned there is a time to talk and a time to zip my lip. If I want people to be able to critically THINK and effectively do their job; then I need to give them the chance to do that. They can't do that successfully, if I'm asking questions or talking to them.

We didn't take any new hip xrays as their assessment didn't lead to believe that she needed additional ones at this time. They concurred that from the February xrays, the head of her left femoral is approximately 50% subluxed laterally (which means partially dislocated off to the side) when her legs are straight and together. This means that when Jocie sits straight-legged, standing with feet together or on all-fours, her left hip is 50% out of the socket.

Kinda sucks doesn't it? We HAVE to be in those positions throughout the day to get stronger, develop and simply not regress. And seriously, I don't like being the person to do this all the time because helloooo, I know it hurts. :(

When Jocelyn is in a frog-legged position, the position of the left femoral head improves and is covered by the roof of the pelvis. This is the most "hip-protective" position for her to be in, so I'm please that this just so happens to be the easiest position to put her in. The condition of the right hip is similar, but not to the degree of the left.

One of the things that the team pointed out, that I wasn't expecting, was her limb length discrepancies. I mentioned to them how we try to accommodate the short leg as to not throw the hips, spine, shoulders ... all of the above ... out of whack. Made me want to start singing that song "... the leg bone's connected to the hip bone ..." but I didn't want them to think I was crazy.

What they told me was that even though Jocelyn had grade IV bleeds on both sides of her brain, her left side is more affected (I of course already knew this), but what I didn't know, was that since the right side of Jocelyn's brain was a little bit worse, that was the reason the left side of her body was so much shorter. The two are correlated.

I didn't realize prior to this appoinment that the ENTIRE left side of Jocelyn's body is noticeably shorter. They showed me the measurements. I just thought it was her leg because of her hip. As her left leg travels up towards her abdomen, it pushes the right leg down and out of the socket. So what you get is a "shorter" left leg and "longer" right leg. But this wasn't the only reason for the length discrepancy. The actual bones in her arm, hand, femur, tibia ... even her foot ... are all smaller. Come to find out, with the left side of her body being more affected, not only will her left limbs be smaller & shorter, but so will the girth of both the bones and muscles.

Well that's just shitty.

I asked them what happens if it becomes even more of problem (couldn't help myself but had to ask) and I assumed they would use a halo to elongate those bones/muscles on the left, shorter side.

     WRONG!

The orthopaedic doctor told me they shorten the bones on the longer side of the body.

Uhm, say what the what!!!
Sounds so barbaric doesn't it??

She said that sometimes they have to cut and remove portions of the bone, or they can temporarily stop growth on the right side by manipulating the growth plates.

I'd rather go with option two than sawing Jocelyn's bones off. :( But I have to be honest, I did not know you could temporarily stop the growth of the bones at the growth plate. I of course don't know what that all involves and how its done and so on (hopefully I won't need to know), but its kind of cool that the treatment exists. The doctors told me if there began to be too much of a difference in bone length (as in, the left side is simply not growing), then they would permanently destroy the growth plates.

I wanted to say "whoa, whoa, whoa ... lets not but the cart before the horse." but I listened and absorbed as much as I could with an open mind.

Even though they thought Jocie was a bit bizarre (apparently she is not put together, or physically demonstrating/presenting, like a typical kid with her diagnosis does), and even though they commented several times that things seemed backwards or wired differently, they thought Jocelyn was "extraordinary" which come on, what parent doesn't love to hear that?

Structurally, the doctors could not find where Jocelyn's pain could be coming from. In fact, they were pleased that even though the bones aren't shaped exactly how they should be (this is because weigh-bearing doesn't come naturally for Jocelyn), that they do have nice rounded edges, fit well with one another and there is not bone-on-bone.

Regarding their remarks about the structure of everything? That's a relief.

What's not a relief, is not know why Jocelyn has so much pain. My next plan is to see a chiropractor &/or a massage therapist that works with kids like Jocelyn as perhaps this is a nerve thing and they can help. I can't just quit trying or ignore it.

But for now, we DO NOT NEED HIP SURGERY!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!!

These doctors, as well as Dr. Gupta, both are in agreement that they can't guarantee that Jocelyn will never need hip surgery. Unfortunately there's no crystal ball that will give a definite answer to how she will grow and develop, but as for now, we are looking like we shouldn't need anything until she's around 6-9 years-old. If at all. These doctors also made the comment that "we would not be shocked if Jocelyn even walks one day."

Oh yea, I tried not to let my heart leap but that was inevitable. They are not the first doctor to say this to us, so their affirmation of this possibility is always so encouraging. I reassured them that her walking is not my ultimate goal. Of course Jocelyn walking would be wonderful for everyone ... her especially ... but for now, I need her to be able to get up from lying to sitting and be able to stand and pivot. Everything else is icing on the cake!

Either way, I'm bummed we couldn't find the source of Jocie's pain. I know she's going to have some regardless ... that's just one of many crappy parts to having cerebral palsy ... but to hurt all the time? Where do you find motivation to MOVE when you hurt? Makes this mamas heart hurt.

They told me that whatever I am doing, whatever Dr. Gupta and I are doing, to stick with it. Although they disagreed with the sites he chooses to inject with Botox, they said they couldn't dispute the results they had in front of them. Many of the muscles Dr. Gupta injects, these doctors simply will not perform. Not sure if that is good or bad, but I thought highly of them for suggesting that we stay with our current doctor rather than try to lure us to them. I truly appreciate honesty.

I'm pleased to have gotten a second opinion, appreciate their positivity and I LOVE that we don't need hip surgery!!

Life at the moment ...

Things have been pretty busy lately and can you believe it ... summers almost over!

Where the heck has the last 2 months gone??

Yesterday marked 200 days of using MyFitnessPal to both loose weight, track progress and maintain my motivation.

I had a lot of pictures to keep me motivated in the right direction!

I'm 32lbs down & a heck of a lot more healthy. Not healthy because I WEIGH less, but the way I eat and live is healither which has caused the weight loss.

I'm not going to feel bad about the weight I put on in the past. I was stressed with lots of changes (ie moving, having a premature baby, endless appointments, scary surgeries, etc) ... I allowed my stress and worries to consume me. My body reflected it.
     I've learned. I've grown. I've evolved.
          No shame in that.
               Thankful for God's saving grace. In all areas of my life.

With Justin being gone at Annual Training right now, Jocelyn and I have been getting down and dirty, working hard and filling the days with lots of good stuff.

Even though he's only been gone a few days so far, I have managed to complete my preschool ideas for Jocelyn for the next year.

I've been working on it here and there, pulling ideas from the Internet, other homeschooling mamas, etc to make things our own (which no joke, is harder than it looks ... well, at first). I don't have the entire year exactly planned, but I have August done solid and a game plan for the other months.

I even came up with a stellar name for our homeschool that makes it seem more official and I smile every time I say it.

"POWERful Beginnings Academy"

Has a nice little ring to it doesn't it?
It OF COURSE had to have a portion of our last name it?
I'm mean ... duh right?!? :)

A few weeks back my friend Peggy, which is Jocelyn's Hippotherapist who just so happens to have homeschooled her own daughter, came to our house for nearly THREE HOURS to observe what we've been doing, offer advice, show me ways to tweak things for Jocelyn's skill level and basically encourage me that I'm on the right track.

          Sometimes you just need to HEAR that.

I managed to make and complete all my forms to help me stay focused, on track and be able to look back and see "Wow, we really have done a lot." I'm sure my forms will change as we do, but for now, I won't have to feel scattered-brained and try to figure out what to do on the spot.

I came up with measurable, focused objectives.
A quarterly academic planner.
     (This will be for a quick glance at what our focus is regarding colors, shapes, letters, numbers, personal information, memory verse, manners/self-care, books for the week, etc)
A monthly & weekly academic planner.
     (This is more detailed with hands-on/art projects, Ipad activities, gross & fine motor tasks, therapies, songs/music, field trips, etc)
And I also made sure I have slots for things for me: workouts, blogging, appointments, etc.
     (I have to continue to provide for me, so I can provide for Jocelyn and Justin)

I also figured out a way to make getting our reading material easier. I found out this past Saturday morning that a book mobile comes right near our house and all I have to do is reserve books to that location ... hellooooo EASY! Now I can ensure I have the books we'll need a month in advance!! I've even ordered a few starter supplies on-line to make things a tad easier than having to make/print everything. On occasion, its just easier to buy things. :)

Needless to say, I feel empowered, motivated, excited and positively focused on our new adventure. NO MORE wasting time thinking this isn't best, listening to others that Jocelyn NEEDS public school. I don't have to fight that fight anymore and all my energy can be focused in the RIGHT direction.

BY GOD I FEEL AMAZING!

 

Make no mistake, I KNOW this is an adventure that will at times seem like a struggle, but its an adventure I'm welcoming with an open mind and open arms. We will adapt, adjust, learn, grow, love, live and thrive through it all.

 

That's a promise!

 

Seriously, I could just burst with my plan -- so stinking EXCITED!

Oh, if any of my teacher friends:
     Emily Gibson, Carrie Raymer, Sabrina McAdoo, Melissa Tanking, Nikki Moody, Kirby McDowell, Sadie Camac, Ceri Goulter, Laura Piland, Kim Riffel, Karen Trible, Rebecca Sander, Kimberly Donathen, Catherine Smith, Jane Hoff, Maggie Vinduska

or my therapy friends:
     Tamara Dody, Sarah Dahlstrom, Joyce Trower, Allison Krone, Erin Schneweis, Jami Merlau, Kim Coker

(These were off the top of my head, so if I forgot anyone, so sorry -- but as a side note -- hot dang I know a lot of people who are teachers &/or therapists!!)

But if ANY of you, have ANY ideas, suggestions, websites, pointers etc that you think might be useful -- I'm all ears :)

 

On a different note, somehow, someway, I've managed to complete all this, still take care of the house, be a wife and mother, workout and read not one, but TWO books in the last two weeks!!!

I don't know where all this good mojo's coming from, but I don't ever want it to stop!

When Justin is so busy with work, it makes having reading/alone time much easier. Television can really get on my nerves (its more the noise than the shows I think), but when Justin's not here, I get more time for me which has allowed lots of read time. Don't get me wrong, I like a good show or movie (I watched the Titanic yesterday on TV ... I can't help it ... I fell in love with that movie a long time ago ... the love story behind it ... can't help myself).

The books have been SO GOOD!

The first one: "Hungry Like a Wolf" by Christine Warren
The second one: "Witch & Wizard: The Fire" by James Patterson & Jill Dembowski

First, I love books about vampire, wolves, witches and all things mystical.
          Always have.
It's the best escape and a way to let my mind go crazy!

My parents use to try to deter me because they thought I'd be a little weirdo or not believe, love and follow God, but sorry folks, you can have a love for this kind of stuff and still be a believer in Christ.

Anyways, I won't get on that soapbox! ha! Just goes to show that what a child is interested in at a young age, often times follows them through adulthood.

So, the first book was pretty good but the author didn't really have an extensive vocab or develop the characters as well as I would've liked. She repeated herself a lot. Seemed a bit lacking, but better than the Twilight series in that department. It was a love story about two Lupines, Honor & Logan (which are both wolves), from two different packs, their love quarrel, leadership, loyalty and so forth. It had a few steamy scenes which caught me off guard because I don't really read those kinds of books, but ah well. A different change of pace and spiciness never hurt anyone :) Besides, its my imagination anyway.

The second book. Totally up my alley. Love the way Patterson writes. Its like the words jump off the page ... seriously like a movie ... only better! It was about a brother and sister, Whit & Wisty (the brother is a wizard and the sister is a witch), how they are trying to build a resistance against "The One" who has banned books, music, art ... everything found enjoyable in life. They face a lot of battles, death and victories. The chapters are short too, there were a lot of them, but it makes stopping and starting easy. The only problem? This is the 3rd book of the trilogy -- dang! Wish I would've know that.

And I'm not a book junky or anything, just haven't gotten to read in a while, and man ... I enjoy it so much!

Okay, so I'm feeling awfully chatty, but I must go because well, nap time won't last long. I'm sure there is laundry to be folded & put away, rooms to be cleaned and soon I've got a little girl waiting to be played with and her mind enriched! :)

Off I go!

My Grandma

My grandma, Dolores Schneweis, passed over a week ago now, and somehow that is all I continue to think about. Oddly enough, even though she is constantly on my mind, I'm having a really hard time talking and blogging about her.

I keep thinking about her, the memories, my grandpa, my dad, her other sons, her other sisters (my grandma was actually a twin) ... family in general.

Once a person is gone, you always wish you had more time with them. Or I should say, that you MADE more time for them. Called more often. Had more lunch dates. Had more family gatherings. The list is endless.

The truth is ... there will "never be enough time" with a person you love.

I've been pretty fortunate to have went this long in my life without losing anyone really close to me.
          Many are not so lucky.
                   
I realize, without a doubt, that we are ALL going to past away. Eventually we do. Of course we do. But for some reason, its always a shock.
          A surprise.
And even though I know in my heart, I truly know in my heart, that I will see her again in heaven ... those thoughts or statements made by others rarely bring anyone any comfort.
          Or at least not much to me.

My grandma passed away on Saturday, July 13th, early in the morning while sleeping comfortably in her favorite recliner. It was her birthday. She turned 84 years-old.

Her and my grandpa, who is still alive, and both hurting and lost, were married May 27, 1953 in Great Bend, KS. They've been married FOREVER!! I pray this will be true for my own husband and I.

I simply can not imagine living each of my days with my husband. The million memories made, all the laughter, struggles and children created; then wake up one morning, and my beloved is simply gone.
         Gone forever.

My grandparents had eight children.
         Seven Boys: Leon, Richard (my daddy), Mark, Alan, Paul, Tony and Mike
         One Daughter: Bernadette (who passed as an infant)

My grandparents were blessed with a large family of their own kids and as a result, were further blessed with seventeen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

My grandma loved everyone so much, and she indeed was loved in return.

My grandma always wanted the family together for holidays, events, etc. What grandma doesn't? I think it makes ANY grandma's heart soar to see her children, their spouses, their grandchildren, all laughing, eating, talking and enjoying themselves together as a family.

I always loved how much my grandma spoiled me when I was a child. I don't know if it was because of all the dirty, stinky boys she raised; if it was because she loved a house full of chaos and laughter; or if it was because she missed her own daughter so much and displayed that with and through me.
          Perhaps all of the above.

My grandma was a phenomenal cook. Her cooking skills later declined as typical when we grow older, but I clearly remember her delicious cinnamon rolls, kolaches, plum coogan and many other recipes. During the vigil service, many of the boys talked about how hard grandma worked to ensure there was food on the table for all of them and how much they would miss her good cooking.

There were a lot of wonderful stories told about my grandma during the vigil service, and I so badly wanted to get up there and talk about her from my perspective, but it was hard to even think about actual words coming out of my mouth.

I loved how my grandma seemed to have endless patience with me. I clearly remember running amuck in her house and she never seemed to yell at me. She would let me help her cook and bake which was a total messy disaster yet she never acted annoyed or inconvenienced. I always felt loved, wanted and never like a nuisance. She let me get into everything. I was a tornado with the toys she kept upstairs, she let me bang on the piano for hours because "I wanted to practice," she tirelessly put those little pink foam curlers in my hair so I could have the cute perfect little curls even though I screamed and cried the whole time (I wanted the dang things, but I was inpatient as any kid, and they weren't comfortable!), she would let me play with her embroidery stuff and use these fancy paint sticks to color my own tea-towels ... and although I am no longer a practicing Catholic, we even said the rosary together which I loved. She got me my very own rosary and we would spend what felt like hours cuddling next to one another simply reciting the verses. I know that sounds awfully boring, but at the time, it seemed so special.
         ... She simply embodied everything a grandma should be.

How lucky I knew my grandma ... that she was MY grandma!

Here's a picture of those curls I just haaaaad to have!

I wish I could find more old pictures with my grandma. Here's one of my sister and I with her and grandpa when we were younger.

I'm thankful that my grandma had the chance to meet my own daughter.

 

I've learned through the years and when I was working for the Kansas Department on Aging, that as a person ages, its easy for the people around them to forget that they once were in their 20's and 30's. That they were once wild and crazy. Had dreams. Made them come true. That they drove cars, had opinions, were flexible and agile ... that at one point in their lives they weren't so dependent, didn't hurt so much, didn't sleep so much ... didn't have their memory fail them.

 

My grandma suffered from Alzheimer's which was worsening and deteriorating her overall health. Alzheimer's is a horrible thing for the person that has it, the care-takers and the family around them. I know over the years my grandma's personality and demeanor were changing, but I will ALWAYS remember the woman she truly was.

 

I love you SO MUCH grandma -- what a God-fearing, faithful, beautiful woman you are!

 

Even though my grandma's passing has been painful, it was nice getting together and seeing everyone at her funeral to celebrate her life.

 

I got to see my sister, Cindy, and my brother, Jon, as they drove up from Florida together.

 

And I was even fortunate enough to see my nephews, Donnell and Tristen!

{I can't believe Donnell is taller than me!! They grow too fast!}

After my grandma's funeral, we all managed to remember to get photos together.

 

{We even managed to get a picture with my mama and soda pop! We also were able to steal my other brother, Matt, long enough to actually get him in the picture as well. I'm missing a brother here though, him being in the pic would've made it perfect. Well, that and if my grandma was in it. I know you couldn't come brother, but we missed you and please know we love you so very much!!!}

And maybe my favorite picture ...
My grandpa with his seven sons and my grandma's twin, Sister Mary Lawrence.

 

Thank you grandma for loving all of us like you did. For loving me. For being a tremendous example to everyone.

 

I love you dearly!!

First Garden

Some time ago, Justin and I used miniature "greenhouses," a plain cardboard box lined with a trash bag and silk cartons to get a jump on our first garden.

Hahaha yes, we used those things -- don't judge! ;)

While Justin was in Alabama at another school for his military career; our seedlings grew wonderfully. Once the weather was right, I transplanted them into our garden outside.

I made perfect little rows of everything. Watered them. Gave them lots of love. Sunshine. Then waited.

Sadly, I did something wrong. We all concluded I planted everything too deep into the ground. Everything died.
          EVERYTHING!
                    Oops! haha

When the in-laws came to visit over a month ago now, Kathy and I went shopping for herbs and more plant supplies. With her help, we re-planted the garden. She's got a green thumb for sure. Her words of advice were the following:

"Its not rocket science ... plants will grow in nearly anything."
"It doesn't have to be perfect"

(I'm not sure if she was saying I try too hard, or that I'm making things too difficult? Hmmmm)

And since I didn't want to use pesticides, she said to "Plant extra. Enough for the ones that won't grow or will die, enough for the bugs and enough for us."

Genius! :)

My herbs took off instantly and are still growing strong. I use them nearly everyday and have become totally hooked!

With watering once a day, this garden (I guess you could say this is our "second" garden) grew with ease.

Today at lunch, we enjoyed our FIRST veggie!!!

It.was.DELICIOUS!

 

I was a little excited to say the least! What can I say -- It doesn't take much to make me happy & I got nothing but love for all things good! :)

 

Can't wait for more!!!