Cabarrus County Special Olympics

Wow! What an incredible day. From opening ceremonies to the end of the day we had a great time!!!! This was my first experience at a Special Olympics event and it was pretty special. Not just because Brandon won two gold medals and a silver medal. For many of you that have special needs kids or can appreciate it just the same, it's a great feeling to walk around and not feel like all eyes are on your child, intentionally or unintentionally. To see people not be phased when a child pops up on your hip from out of nowhere and just wants a hug. To see people, more often than not strangers, give those hugs. I really appreciated the volunteers that came out to set up events, run events, be assigned to athletes and clean up. Many of the volunteers assigned to athletes were high school kids from area schools. Brandon was assigned to Addison Warden, a freshman at Hickory Ridge High School. Addison got to hang out with Brandon and even ended up chasing Brandon down as he took off with a different group of kids. He was very respectful and Brandon enjoyed his company. Thanks Addison!!!!!

Mrs Alexander's fourth grade class came out to cheer on the Odell athletes. In the opening ceremonies WR Odell Athletes got the biggest cheer from the crowd thanks to these kids!!!

Jeremy had fun running around the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center grounds, it was hard to keep up with him sometimes. He enjoyed petting the Police K-9 officer Bowie that brought her partner Master Police Officer Atwell.

These good days sure do make up for the bad ones!!!!!!!

Basket Party Friday night

Wow!!!!! What a fun event. Thank you to everyone that made this night possible. We can't thank Pam Barnard enough for all the work she put in to make it work. She has been tireless. Also thank you to all the AIG kids and their families for the sacrifices they put into this event as well. We had something like 60 baskets and numerous door prizes. All told we raised over $1750.00 for the BDSRA. Our next fundraiser is on Wednesday May 7th 5-7pm at Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Concord. All you can Eat Spaghetti Supper sponsored by the United Methodist Men of Forest Hill. They have graciously agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds for this night. Where else can you get spaghetti, salad, a drink and dessert for $5???? We hope to see you there!

Novacaine, will it work for my pain?

Got a filling today, I wonder if Novacaine will help with the pain I feel sometimes.

I sometimes have little tolerance for the brotherly "love" things that happen in any household, but particularly mine. I have a newfound appreciation of how my mother and father put up with Mike and I because we were 10 times worse than what my boys are(and if I am admitting that we were 10 times worse that probably means we were 20 times worse) Tonight was one of those nights, Brandon laying on the floor and then faking being hurt when Jeremy steps on him. Jeremy going out of his way the next time around to kick Brandon even harder. Fighting over one of the dogs chew toys, punching each other. The dog running around jumping up on me, the boys chasing the dog while Wendy and I are cooking dinner. Being the waitstaff at dinner while our food gets cold. My tooth is pounding because it was a deep filling. Keep in mind that during this whole 30-45 minutes that this happens in, Brandon and Jeremy babble, sing, talk, yell incessantly.......sometimes we call it making noise but not saying any words.

I finally blow my gasket, and yell at them at the top of my lungs.......any of you that know how loud I can be understand that this is realllllllly loud. Brandon goes storming up to his room, Jeremy cries for a few minutes and then it is quiet......AHHHHHHH. I should feel better right???
NOPE, feel guilty as crap and unbelievably painful. Why can't I deal with this better? I know that I shouldn't yell, it doesn't accomplish much, but I still do it.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day, I just pray for the strength to do a better job next time.

Somebody pass the Novacaine!!!!

Fundraising Update

There is still time to make a basket or attend the Spring Basket Party on Friday April 18th from 6:30-9:00pm at WR Odell Elementary in Concord. We have some great Door and Grand Prizes including a BMX bike, a Wii game system and a Bosch Table Saw. Baskets will be accepted all the way up to the 18th, but we must receive them by the 10th to be included in the program for the evening. Please contact us at 704-262-9396 or Pam Barnard at 704-305-6291 with questions about baskets or tickets.

****NEW FUNDRAISING EVENT********
Wednesday May 7 from 5-7pm. Please join us at Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Concord for a Spaghetti Supper. The Methodist Men's group has agreed to share proceeds from this event to help support us in our fundraising. $5 will get you all you can eat homemade spaghetti, salad, drink, and dessert. Big thanks to the church and our friend Monica Hughes for helping arrange this!!!!! I did tell them that we will need to keep an eye on Brandon to keep him from eating up all the profits!!!!!


ourboys 5k festival is coming togethe nicely for us. We have picked up several sponsors that we would like to recognize. Please stand and applaud our friends at J and B Development, University Pediatrics, Nomad Aquatics Center and Advanced Health and Pain Relief Center. Also providing support are WSOC and WFNZ radio stations. Join us from 9am-12pm at Harris Rd Middle School for this event where you are sure to have a great time!