tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33428406869952849602023-11-16T09:51:13.395-08:00Sanity"All of these line across my face Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been And how I got to where I am.." B.C.Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-16727865663165078512012-09-18T06:57:00.001-07:002012-09-18T06:57:31.540-07:00BusyDo you ever sit down at the end of the day and say, "I'm so tired and I can't even remember what I did today because I did SO much?" That's how I have been ending my days the last few nights. <br />
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I am so glad that my kids are in school. It gives me the chance to get things done that I haven't been able to do in awhile.<br />
It's given me the chance to apply for jobs. I have been applying for full time paraprofessional jobs in the school district so I can be on the same schedule as the kids. If nothing pans out, I will continue with my para subbing that I have been doing. <br />
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Our busy schedule started in full force this past week. It goes like this:<br />
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Mondays: Girl scouts, and Swimming lessons. <br />
Tuesday: I work the home swim meets for Appleton West. <br />
Wednesday: Religion<br />
Thursday: Ballet <br />
Friday: Nothing<br />
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Some weeks I enjoy the busy schedule because it makes the week go by faster, but other times I just want to crash at 6pm. <br />
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Besides all the hustle and bustle, we've been busy with our doctor appointments as well. Carson had a appointment with Urology yesterday in Milwaukee. They did a VCUG to make sure that the kidney reflux that she had a few years ago had not come back. Everything looked great. BUT, we know Carson has a tiny bladder. At this point, it is smaller than where is should be for her age. She is still having accidents at night and we are now concerned that its because he bladder is too small and can't hold that urine that is being produced. Dr. K wants to watch her for 1 more year to see if her bladder will catch up. There is nothing we can do to speed up the process, all we can do is and watch and wait. If her bladder does not catch up or falls further behind, we will have some serious thinking to do........would she benefit from a bladder augmentation? So.... all we can do is wait and see. <br />
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Carson also has had some memory issues the last couple of months. Our neurosurgeon recommended that she have some neuropsych testing done. One of the medication she is on can cause memory loss, so we are in the process of trying to get her off it and onto something else that will work for her bladder just as well. <br />
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So, that's what's been going on the last few days. I will try and update at least once a week. Thanks for checking in. :-)Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-89262584581548286122012-09-04T08:18:00.004-07:002012-09-04T08:18:45.070-07:00First day of 4th and 1st gradeIt's a bitter sweet feeling that my kids are back in school. Bitter being that the summer went way too fast and that my kids are growing up so fast. 4th and 1st grades already. WOW. It just seems like Riley and Keegan were just learning how to write their names and tie their shoes. Its seems like Carson and Cooper were just learning to walk and talk. What happened to my babies? The sweetness of it all is that the fighting has seized! FINALLY! But most of all, these years are going by so fast. I need to step back, take a deep breath and enjoy what I have, because I'm going to miss this if I don't. (If you haven't heard the song, You're gonna miss this by Trace Adkins...Grab a box of kleenex and be ready to shed a few tears.)<br />
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Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-10376081916244092382012-08-29T08:02:00.002-07:002012-08-29T08:03:43.928-07:00A little over a year<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its amazing how time flies. Its been over a year since I took a break from blogging, and I've truly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> missed it. So much has gone on in the last year with kids, family, medical, travel, and jobs. It's</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> obviously going to take ome time to get back into the swing of this again, but I am up for the</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> challange and I am looking forward to it. My blog has always been a good stress outlet for me. Time </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">for me to either sit and reflect on the past or curse the future. </span>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-26078340859669831742011-07-25T19:29:00.000-07:002011-07-25T19:29:18.469-07:00The light at the end of the tunnel is no more.Carson had a Urology appointment last Friday and things didn't go as well as planned. It's come to that point to let you all know that Carson is going to be having surgery here in the next month or so. <br />
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Carson has been having difficulties with her bladder and bowels. Our urologist (who works hand in hand with our Neurosurgeon ) is 100% sure that it is nerve damage caused by her Chiari Malformation Type 1. <br />
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The nerves from her brain to her bladder/bowels are not working correctly and is showing signs of damage. <br />
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The 2 procedures that they will be performing during the surgery are called: the MACE procedure (for her bowels) and the Mitrofanoff procedure (for her bladder) <br />
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Here is a little info on both procedures. <br />
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Bladder: <br />
Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy, also known as the Mitrofanoff procedure, is a surgical procedure in which the appendix is used to create a conduit between the skin surface and the urinary bladder.<br />
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In the procedure, the surgeon separates the appendix from its attachment to the cecum, while maintaining its blood supply. Then he creates an opening at its blind end and washes it. One end is connected by surgical sutures to the urinary bladder and the other is connected to the skin to form a stoma. Generally, an incision is made into the umbilicus so that it may serve as the canal for the catheter. <br />
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Urine is typically drained several times a day by use of a catheter inserted into the Mitrofanoff canal. The Mitrofanoff procedure allows the individual to self-catheterise so that he or she is not dependent on a family member or a medical professional to catheterize him or her. <br />
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The Mitrofanoff procedure has been found to improve the life of people with spinal cord injuries, by increasing their independence. <br />
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Bowel: <br />
A Malone antegrade continence enema, also known as Malone procedure and by the abbreviation MACE, is a surgical procedure used to create a continent pathway proximal to the anus that facilitates fecal evacuation using enemas. <br />
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The operation involves connecting the appendix to the abdominal wall and fashioning a valve mechanism that allows catheterization of the appendix, but avoids leakage of stool through it. If the appendix was previously removed or is unusable, a neoappendix can be created with a cecal flap. <br />
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The surgery will take anywhere from 4 - 6 hours. Her hospital stay will be anywhere from 5 - 7 day and recovery is just about 6 weeks. <br />
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I have a feeling this will be a hardest surgery yet. As Carson gets older she will learn how the cath both stomas and become very independent but in the mean time, Matt and I will have our work cut out for us. <br />
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Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and prayers.Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-90376220550916488862011-07-20T07:35:00.000-07:002011-07-20T07:35:35.835-07:00Is it HOT enough for you Wisconsin?Holy Smokes....I can not believe how HOT it has been here in Northeast Wisconsin the last few days. Temps up into the high 90's with the heat index reaching 105 - 110. Did I mention that is with 100% humidity? It is so hot, that going to the pool isn't even enjoyable unless you are in the water up to your nose. It's crazy, and many Wisconsinites are NOT use to it. It could go away any day now!<br />
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I guess I shouldn't complain. 6 months from now, Wisconsin will most likely hit it's all time cold temps of the year at around -20 below WITHOUT the windshield factor. <br />
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So I guess the kids and I will get a good movie (or a book) and hunker down for the day until it cools off. <br />
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Happy sweating my friends!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-58401130594381583122011-04-03T12:35:00.000-07:002011-04-03T12:38:11.777-07:00Spring Break 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mt. Olympus, Wisconsin Dells</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids had a great time, but the big water slides were way to much for my little guys to handle. They had a great time playing in the little kid area with Kenzie. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I think everyone is ready to head back to school tomorrow!!</div>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-88871994316440554212011-03-24T08:31:00.000-07:002011-03-24T12:14:13.688-07:00LifeOh gosh, I have been away for so long I can't even remember how to blog. As I was sitting here trying to figure out how to title this post, nothing was coming to mind. I have been away for so long, that I had even forgotten my login and password combo. How crazy is that? <br />
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Most of you that follow me here also follow on Facebook so you aren't totally out of the loop with my life. For you that don't follow on FB, so much has gone on that I can't even imagine trying to figure out how to catch you up, so I will have to make a very long story short. <br />
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As you know I have kiddos with medical conditions. Since December, Keegan and Carson have been my struggles. Keegan with his Chiari Malformation and Carson with her Chiari and neurogenic bladder. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Keegan</strong> has been struggling with big time leg pain since July 2010. In September of '10, our NS placed Keegan in a hard cervical collar to see if we could figure out his pain. He has been in and out of the cervical collar since September. It is now March and we are still playing with his symptoms. When Keegan is in the collar, his leg pains go away, when he is out of it for sometime, the leg pains come back. Again, it has been like this since September, but our team can't figure it out. He has symptoms of cranial instability, but his scans look OK. So it has been a big mystery. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PIVjpKhmOQDxeqg-ZnBrM7B1Olv5BmsNa53BG16_zz4yX-oiVtusED2oGpRoeowtgLCNAa9QghwxMKMC8RBStFPPAw4wJ9GB2r5iPfXKkVcLttIjtNzgY-3BhDe7iDLYxsvpUAYt8Vw/s1600/craniocervical+fusion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PIVjpKhmOQDxeqg-ZnBrM7B1Olv5BmsNa53BG16_zz4yX-oiVtusED2oGpRoeowtgLCNAa9QghwxMKMC8RBStFPPAw4wJ9GB2r5iPfXKkVcLttIjtNzgY-3BhDe7iDLYxsvpUAYt8Vw/s1600/craniocervical+fusion.jpg" /></a>As our last NS appointment, Dr. I was almost certain Keegan will need a craniocervical fusion. They would use rib graft and fuse the skull, c1, c2, and c3. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I am not sure when this will happen. Because there is no concrete diagnosis of cranial instability, we need to make sure 100 % that the fusion will help Keegan. So at this point, only time with tell.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Little Miss Carson</strong>! Oh, its been a wild ride with Carson. In the month of February alone, we were admitted to the hospital on 3 different occasions. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This poor little girl has been complaining of stomachs since the end of November and no one can figure it out. We know that she has a tendency to became constipated fairly quickly. During one of our Urology appointments, we were advised to see GI at Children's. We got in with GI, and Carson stumped them as well. We have done numerous clean outs, we were even admitted to the hospital to have a clean out done there. They placed an NG tube in and she was hooked up to Golytely. This girl went through 4 - 4 litter containers of fluid before she was all cleaned out. It was insane! She also has had an upper GI and an upper scope done. Still, nothing was found. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We went back to our Urologist for an appointment a few weeks ago and told him about the issues Carson is having. Because Carson has neurogenic bladder and now bowels we were advised to stop treatment with the GI team and instead be treated solely by Urology. <br />
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At this point in time we are doing cone enemas. It seems to be working fairly well, and so far no complaints from the patient. It is, however looking like she will have to have a procedure called the MACE procedure done:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>(A cecostomy or MACE (Malone Antegrade Colonic Enema) surgical procedure is performed when other therapy techniques have not helped <u>severe constipation</u> or fecal incontinence, the loss of bowel control. These procedures are usually only performed after other techniques to manage constipation or fecal incontinence have proven unsuccessful. This procedure gives the child, or caregiver, the ability to completely empty the colon by giving him or herself an enema through a small opening in the side of the abdomen.</em></div><em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><em>MACE Procedure</em><br />
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<em>The MACE procedure is similar to the cecostomy in that a small portal is made at the beginning of the large intestine. Instead of using a catheter as the passageway for the enema to flow through, the MACE procedure uses the appendix. The appendix is brought to the surface of the skin where a small opening, or stoma, is made)</em><br />
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This is a huge reconstruction procedure that will be permanent. its about a 9 hour surgery and takes 6 - 8 weeks to recover. So. We will see what happens. I have talked to a few parents who's children have Spina bifida who have had this procedure and everyone loves it. I am hoping that we love it as well.<br />
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So, that has been my life the last few months, besides all the other daily stuff that goes on with a family of 6.<br />
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Sorry for being away so long, but I just didn't have the spare time to write.Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-58731264792910609202010-12-01T21:22:00.000-08:002010-12-01T21:22:25.841-08:00So far behind..no time for computerOh, I am so far behind in my blogging. To be honest, I haven't had much time to be on the computer. Its sort of funny, but my 40 minute a day job sort of screw up my day. Crazy, I know. Since I am here, lets recap all that has been going on. <br />
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1. My babies turned 5 on Nov 15th.<br />
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2. My 7 yr olds are preparing to receive their First Reconciliation, so we have been studying, memorizing prayers, going to special classes, studying some more......<br />
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3. I was diagnosed with being pre diabetic.<br />
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4. I am on the school PTA and in charge of the Reflections program; Dec 14th.<br />
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5. Working noon supervision at one of Appleton's finest Jr. Highs<br />
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6. Found out I will be having bladder surgery on Dec 27th<br />
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7. Doing homework with kids.<br />
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8. Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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9. Dieting and exercising so I can kick the "pre diabetic" thing to the curb - NO TIME to deal with that!<br />
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10. Making hats for all the kids in Carson and Cooper's class<br />
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11. Mentoring a mom who's daughter has craniosynostosis and will be having surgery on Dec 30th. <br />
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12. Dealing with sick kids<br />
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13. Christmas shopping<br />
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14. Trying to help Riley through a slump.<br />
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OK, So you get the picture...... <br />
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Calgon, take me away!!!!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-82415787069109153252010-11-08T04:43:00.000-08:002010-11-08T04:44:41.727-08:00A hard weekIts been a hard week in the Cole house. This past Thursday, Riley and Keegan's teacher passed away from surgery complications. She had been fighting cancer for a few years and was scheduled for a hysterectomy. She came through surgery fine, but then had a brain aneurysm and passed away unexpectedly. I went to school with the kids on Friday, and oh what a sad place school was. I was totally amazed at all the support that was around for the kids and staff. I am so thankful for being in such a fantastic school district!! <br />
Thank you for being such a fantstic Teacher, and a wonderful woman!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9IOrQv0al0EcodHPb8xxor26TaEVgztdFfoGSjK910d9ax9HcvQJOjSCI1ixM33j29TFRktcZFF9pYEW6ccB3DrYhLc9x8o5lTRDlGQrJae5-tTrEcDiywAOkpUohs_VJrLXGFfvo_A/s1600/Mrs.+Oppelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9IOrQv0al0EcodHPb8xxor26TaEVgztdFfoGSjK910d9ax9HcvQJOjSCI1ixM33j29TFRktcZFF9pYEW6ccB3DrYhLc9x8o5lTRDlGQrJae5-tTrEcDiywAOkpUohs_VJrLXGFfvo_A/s1600/Mrs.+Oppelt.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Rest in peace Andera Oppelt! </div><div align="center"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Riley and Keegan miss you!!</div>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-33084417396394618512010-10-21T08:42:00.000-07:002010-10-21T08:43:03.163-07:00After 8 years... I am employed again!! I am not sure how I really feel about it, but its 1 hour a day working at one of the Middle schools in town. If anything, its a foot in the door for the future. That's a good start, right?<br />
<br />
I know I promised to blog at least twice a week, and I am still trying to do that, but I started another blog that is private to chat about my life since I have been reunited with my birth family. I needed a place to vent with only a few of my closest friends. Its been great to get stuff off my chest without the "judgement". <br />
Everyone hears about the biological family, but nobody ever hears how hard it is being the adoptee. I needed a place to call my own, and now I have one.Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-77082031022110849492010-10-03T07:20:00.000-07:002010-10-03T07:34:49.545-07:00I knowAgain, I know I start my entries with..." I know its been awhile since I have blogged", but g<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ees</span>, Its about time that I blogged!<br /><br />I used to use my blog time as ME time, and for some funny reason my ME time has been slipping away from me, and I miss it. I have lost all focus of finding ME, and it has all turned to my hubby and the kids.<br /><br />I hate inside who I have become, the wife, the mother, the person... I hate it all. I feel like I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> even know who I am anymore, and that scares me.<br /><br />I am finding myself doing things that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wouldn't</span> normally do.<br /><br />I am finding that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">haven't</span> been in contact with the most of the people who I used to have daily contact with.<br /><br />I am finding I am not in contact with the people I love most....<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">I HATE IT!</span><br /><br />I need to turn my life clock back about 6 months and start over again.<br /><br />As many of you know I have been in contact with my biological family. Most parts are great and some things are not so good. It was consuming my life for most of the summer and I think that is when I truly started slipping away from myself. I used to like who I was, the mother that I was, the wife I was, and now.... eh!.<br /><br />Maybe if I start with baby steps...like getting my ME timeback, I will begin to "like" me again.<br /><br />So, blogging world... I am back.<br /><br />I vow to post <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">at least</span> twice a week!!<br /><br />Lets see where this takes me!!<br /><br />Anyone willing to help?Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-37807751900559833272010-08-26T09:43:00.000-07:002010-08-26T09:49:51.776-07:00LOST A.....Do you ever feel like you life is slipping away from you so fast that you have no idea which way to turn first?Have you ever felt like you've lost your best friend or that you are stuck in the middle of a corn field and cant find your way out?Ever feel like all the people who are important in your life are no longer just an arms reach away?Or that your scale is playing a nasty trick on you but you know deep down you need to do something about it?Ever feel like you are about to bungie jump and instead of stopping,you keep flying up and down?<br /><br />I do.Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-49100217104027276222010-08-06T04:34:00.001-07:002010-08-06T05:15:04.254-07:00Trip<div align="center">Let me first start out by saying....It is so good to be home! What is it about vacations? Why are we always so excited to leave, but we are always more excited to be home afterwards?</div><div align="center">Ummm. </div><div align="center">My parents, the kids, and I drove out to New Jersey in July to see my mom's family. My gram is in a nursing home and is not very excited to be there, but let me tell you, her face lit up when she saw my kiddos. She was so proud to have her great grandchildren there with her! It was a beautiful thing!!</div><div align="center">On top of visiting with family, we did a few fun things as well! My highlight from this trip was being able to get to a New York Yankee game! It was fantastic to say the least!!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ge1D_9UdW950bTy_16GVSNOAHGkgfgXkeGxuAo_YyT2KWLApefsZWa4qGay-Jep1dONdryJwIF6ShkP1jqk0k24ApJkMIjpSVGc4xROQgMl1lZoQrz0a77NWztkwQO7STwexdg_Zbj4/s1600/Yankees+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260709903964402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ge1D_9UdW950bTy_16GVSNOAHGkgfgXkeGxuAo_YyT2KWLApefsZWa4qGay-Jep1dONdryJwIF6ShkP1jqk0k24ApJkMIjpSVGc4xROQgMl1lZoQrz0a77NWztkwQO7STwexdg_Zbj4/s400/Yankees+2.JPG" /></a> It was HOT! </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjs0wRlX5FKKh9ADlUReM4Q_uqjO7gdKxanpDkyEk0fvLAWM3Ts0aET3K9ZzBxtzAXaKKhnFViiwYRjuvDjg3g012n9yNyRqlz8kxNzJU8PKAIcqLW3MsVgvhOs74Yr8ANt3zYi3hgNw/s1600/Yankees+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260700018689506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjs0wRlX5FKKh9ADlUReM4Q_uqjO7gdKxanpDkyEk0fvLAWM3Ts0aET3K9ZzBxtzAXaKKhnFViiwYRjuvDjg3g012n9yNyRqlz8kxNzJU8PKAIcqLW3MsVgvhOs74Yr8ANt3zYi3hgNw/s400/Yankees+1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My "main" guy ~ Jorge Posada! If you guys dont know this man, you need too! He is not just a fantastic player, but a fantastic human being! Jorge and Laura also have a child with <a href="http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/21810/router.asp">Craniosynostosis</a> . Jorge jr. has been through 10 different surgeries to correct his skull.<br /><br />10 yrs ago, Jorge and Laura Posada started the <a href="http://www.jorgeposadafoundation.org/">Jorge Posada Foundation</a> to help support families who had been touched with craniosynostosis. Last year Carson and Cooper were invited to the <a href="http://www.jorgeposadafoundation.org/files/slideshow/gala09/">Jorge Posada foundation Gala </a>in New York City and and we had blast. We chatted with Jorge, Laura, and many other families who has been touched with this condition. It was a very nice evening. Something I will always remember.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260692608594946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZAl5Qiw3Kon_JiuBrXoWD-FrJY8t_AhIzEIMYUWVF3J5iPGd-TS8WV3Oqkn_etODsccOd7nzKPNiIiiRrlLeLWXAxXrmayyJAe9uoxjWxuykw6jsFMQClFGvxCRoAYdvc6bBZhBplt0/s400/Posada+1.JPG" /><br /><div>Derek (clap, clap, clap), Jetter (clap, clap,clap)</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502259556560686930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f2ykgAEDv3m576wzhZkled6JPrkpxYPYNTY_DHORDlHUNiUmpYWwqtVmVebuaqm3hIjkiBWmHyBwELMsTXnd9oANm0Aww5YpWE2fHtQps9O0RzCualh-69R9scVPyUC1BULNkm9iRQY/s400/Jetter.JPG" /></div><div></div><div>A -Rod hit 599 while we were out in NY, but decided to wait a bit longer on 600! </div><div>Congrats Alex! </div><div>For you that may not know, Alex started his career right here in my home town with the Appleton Foxes!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502259523790195794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt1jXdIb_PecqZLtc1IpF26a6KQsOkMWDFwpN66C29zFdGp3g2iwm9FpOwNZSbfdpm-sxHiodt_TqQEvzQyzicr2AheRWkW7uLieR0-6y5gRtUm0xqJ0vSwVn170qDDd8DXwDsYOUIYY/s400/A-Rod.JPG" /><br /><br />We took the kids (Joe too) to the Statue of Liberty<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260149337335154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNeUZ7-w1Y1QzKtbgJkd0ZNTsjX1elIjmNXlaxPELCGUWN2jyGS4hmiQJE8N3sPayQaVoUNikIXpoHcPpLJ2OhCBk8XfiPDMmyxjjwVriA-6AeHiSUHke3JvaTkk4BI5bju82Wp5Yekg/s400/NY+4.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260134104819394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_pAOiyjvZVZIzuRvngZwp5iaWbokQmPayEpIAUSDukQwTF_5eM2H53p8-FgOZiqGGW0xe45ywtcMUDjl-D-VgYH4xFxIjJI_0hrm6N5Y0dH7q5T-UhwW6rLoT4qgKNF0OMHv7SxrS0Q/s400/NY+1.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260140929763874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQaH_1sgJxJAurbSAwF-V4ADQ7Crd507AssgFwCVV-cJQl_7bnYEPfjHeGhk0PNAQpwu3mBKoMNjiqkISk6jk5Lt8ZyLR2K74sLjxyllmT5lLpJHUFawl8P7_og5voiVytO2Xd2EiIp0/s400/NY+3+SoL..JPG" /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260681547904402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4cySokcu598jLIieEoBTyMQEjqXi36oQM1JxJz8Pgtt3xDGi4h3K-foeqJhUI-KpucNwbI2xYnMDxdYZkbF62qkCNsT5YnquoBDht0skSah3KmSVQe3GdM3l9Lwh-bpRKia5Kq_rHx4/s400/NY+6+Riley.JPG" /><br /></div><div>And it was HOT!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260673466849394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NQqYDJ3T7CGGF7B1Psi9T-fHcrsfVWT5Difa2ezKNpKWTKckXZGhO51mvvcml7TpZtYz93zWqPJd328CHdOYnPrFKozmSdXsmZvkY6Ea_eIj8rbWHWMnrv_032RQrmCYb8wG0c0MpzA/s400/NY+5+Riley.JPG" /><br /><br />We took them to the Empire State Building<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502259568485083858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIDnhpU300QsHC6F7A2vXK_2I78NvGxIJrgP9sNRLgaiodd4qs4Wm-bqtD55LaXRUXHq8v2uIiOl-ep6wdE7ynBlSQcA3_nRcYsNwTlgLor1Zx_DCgLWcZU3QQy9o6MluSwviWRINCMY/s400/Kids+Empire+state.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502259534450023538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKozViPyKugsdoacLAVLEX68VisJ4u6Pkp3c5mjca5zgJhTyMLWgkxLvciPAOkkjpoO2d_Ycd6xZv24UtiumA_-u7EjXNUUY0GtCD_0kSVBkvEO-lV7e2vkFtQkCyrWdStI2PObeqRF4/s400/empire+state+building.JPG" /><br /><div>We walked around NYC - you just never know who you will meet on the street!<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260125947036274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qx7pnUswYFqtvu_hEEtoXLLRR6rbWcX4N5EzyR7gElkM1ktJmmxbiNU6vFlOnnh2z1t8GFYUT2FM4Y11a-ymzB-0EKuA_MHCB1Ok3_P3NFFBL7SyAef5owuYQneOSR15aM_hc9Gke0M/s400/New+York+Elmo.JPG" /><br /><br />And we had a bit a play time too! Did I mention it was HOT?</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502260116584348290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9-1o3etZC6hqb2TAcQwBygqHofIECA7QrZvJtIj9KXN1BCCk6h9yZBYlwUnYHLmdcXpsZKV5GKB-G6JBSceAjszRghCPC_ZpE7bfhUG0AU4NTPHge0HUWLcPz0oMVOAL3GD_YPh_1yQ/s400/mama+and+kids+in+pool.JPG" /><br /><div>We had a fantastic time and we can wait to get back out there again soon!</div><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-77979665241151102272010-07-27T05:56:00.000-07:002010-07-27T05:59:56.160-07:00AwayOh, I have so much to blog about and so little time right now! The kids and I are away in New Jersey with my parents visiting my granny in the nursing home.<br /><br />We've left my poor hubby at home to fend off all the dangerous storms that have come through our home town. What a mess that has been!! Matt, we miss you!!<br /><br />Anyhow.... I cant wait to get home to blog about our journey out East. Its been a fantastic trip!<br /><br />See you when I get home!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-39207699529248080602010-06-21T07:38:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:46:25.709-07:00"Adopting one child will not change the world, but for that one child, the world will change"Congrats to my friend Michelle and her husband, Brian!! They have now officially ADOPTED Lilya!! We can not wait to meet her!! Safe travels my friend!!<br /><a href="http://ahomeforlily.blogspot.com/2010/06/few-more-pics-from-adoption-day.html">http://ahomeforlily.blogspot.com/2010/06/few-more-pics-from-adoption-day.html</a>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-77070617337874991282010-06-21T06:51:00.001-07:002010-06-21T07:17:55.362-07:00Life lately<div align="center">A little taste of our life lately.....</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The Lake</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228929896545314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiRgm7TpOPGRKD639-r0rkdkFkrGHtSaiCLsmmJzsKqTDicya8OZ6OZDIG5l-M3ojKjv4pbifMU8VP3fIfp1RmGhIvDh_Fn42w3v4mWcM4Sw_TA_9ycEqTe4RQQUrP21syUHbONeNcL4/s400/Lake+sunset+6+2010.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228938459495618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCqvj31vmtfXJjdeDMLktbUAtpBeRBWUCTyvo6dSXBF8XRFYtfHtGjQyasVd90IZf_YJsKjo1IWueQCgK-g1adw48yuZs7ThyRMVRFYoXWsSMl0-gcukif3vD_6Xd77dxw8tRmB2tGHw/s400/Memorial+day+weekend+1.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228920999953378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wTJZAAA8pfUeBCPUcTTEjhaopjSiyiHNBU6PA6H8pSI-P7N4V8oGDLmcszGBybbZXEPOPFLCdioVFG2P1ivOy4vZt3vijjr9DPbWmi7WZzGwgfrYcrcCKjF8mpVjrCNiVlb7HI3hnBw/s400/Carson+s%27more.JPG" /><br />New Family<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228615436700178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKfTh0-FB4qoe5QMqMW-uIYiP0ZtXn4TyphiqQRPsZ0hcowF3dABUV8FaKaW_pl1ZLcGM4VYUlFduSh7_G1ygbc_7HYU0MBpyWOmDso4I164mNX__iYAHBRvw3WT9Sm0dp-RY5xQu40k/s400/me+belinda+and+tanya.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228611790034386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlgCxtToSr_6XGy86CXtU67kQObabcaaK8hU6FqJfRY5BDesFQUjXmkpfZj2fhx0WXgIrLOrgbSnCh1bTHgFEKN4a2cb7oDdbODpxbvvQqkqEQffp2hL4QGkz1iYdX-WQMJxaBCdXy0g/s400/Skyler+Cindy+Becky.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228235248950850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvly4ZlxPE0pBQxIJI9HXFGDgnxlkJslWFBChyphenhyphen-QM679DWxndRFXLpI7lXs1QQ7c-MkVu-qKSogSpPTG3dxOdZffTYU9PMuMP07BdvNBr9m2kmBKmorCaY26mXkgPLJ2SUO_-DDwYpAg/s400/Tanya+and+kids.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228227152619026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaDPDbHLY2_HJZjdbuBuuioSRDy102cHz5duKk_eYpByy1zhYISx5SuT59daPr0nlrjP-Q7oUdv9DWKYpmvEK1lc5EBHp1Gg8uoaskCPGUZ-WPH-bZ8UQoeLfnqnZtUdkEdFSe_PQFVA/s400/Keegan+at+Beckys.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485228218457119506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77KmeLodCmiL6crMDplTsDK6oXly_ZSATn6HPGQdhj70zPR9D2tj0DxHyrDNnMXJ9cl33CplJZjSkjwHbqRDd6Dt61chBTahG4avP0tHfl0k1bf1qGetRVXeqpFIKWS9zHNorqHZTt9Y/s400/carson+girl.jpg" /><br /><div>Devil's Lake<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227717227372530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5ez-NKaZhKXt6Hfqwn4ISK4Z2k_ILM-2ZhtU80K6ySdnAJeECUVZLg4scXbvbfBXk4hYQRRoINOI8TLuHlYb7iXB67ZD30JqXobV7myF4wDMEWMkovmE9Pco3m5bayMuP-iiDLJ1Hxw/s400/DL4.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227707900903266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5h9DuakE8DqfS7N3VZImqF3W5P2d1nnYtUN7qFzfyVs4MitWNkjkC3iME1-AEaFUdDAlf8bYUOsrQqgdApqm4eB87RoR4RothkfvmxMI96jhpdz3xwIq8a6bivT-IsrP1EQo3uX8cfc/s400/DL3.JPG" /><br />Wisconsin Dells<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227703971839426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidayqoy7QlXJfyFEwLWbxL7lnhNFqI0mcNBuZEboMcWv_OjmqlcqKhVelZyoruYwNuB5lbv2aGAi4c3PDvcQZyV_LPN831XYpTD80hV-DXu4ncCmcSaxGptvQu9rKsj0W3gjFd7AvnulM/s400/Dells+11.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227692593463426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2zexsVrygUWTo3Ifyflt9TpdLSpL5yKclDoxM4KWljipvi-VQH5voDplDw2RKhu2YEjW_yl8n_NDifCZzQnix8lK4OX05zt9sq6386lxkoOuu3R_-0fzVDnnjdLjHRGGHpufUrnVZ4M/s400/dells7.JPG" /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227684637834706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Nr__crYv9no0E27K0C-Ms5ItJGVkQUTpDdZfoaryMzmFY8ixr8BEIaOkITRtSBHYJSVBJztS5B-NlEIe8hg_Quhklk7sHMtV1YZJ37YV8XjjgkDp_OOGvgWzdK5jQenjby5Ylc-ECI/s400/Dells1.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Donald Driver Softball game<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485226566126442850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFZuWGh67-e7aOZm2nvV5GC71bqmJHBpPA7RnxJ4saMOtCEgHL2Sv6YqKR3qB2-97EnLothWXjrYiuraF1SnU8oklpHQr7bjroc-cW_AIaIBPKaD28o15fOBjTasf3PHr68vEFsGIdc0/s400/DD1.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485227021131525506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G6xye6jTOuVk10ZGgF3feECTnE-KwdBu47oIYJSM1inVxElPt-4wQWb4EQRAKxTZdp8dWdmfKjBTHv0xjl8hzVUuP8uPBBYIfswevKqxtZYKqna132eJQDe6m2DKob1-zR2vnmY1SXw/s400/DD+softball+2.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485226603655628930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltEnTe4KRJ3xcdsIQnjWhHucydW1MluiPao6DR4rMWW7sRRrleIaqfQnXD0WNG8sJAF-ovxZCTbYDlluLUSQ4NXo87qW1ODUX9h6x20FamrRlLAvJodeWJMagujLxY9o_sUOiqYS1chM/s400/DD+softball+3.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485226585377601650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CGURQ-wFkOGsBodZeZ_O1anyiaTdDdtndlVgDjDyWKqnz7J3naiLLVN7yertBMQYlP5w55H5CBuP_MN20Rxs51W4pYJFqfhqRD3zrUwZ3ZH0ORW-FCchoA9c7IHPON75ZZEgVsa4Phg/s400/Riley+and+Donald+Driver.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485226578139485314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5vuW_X1hqC1WnpvE3nCxkx3E5kEDgVTrYhXNrcrRamRqb4V3h_vSYGS8lyoCLXNimDNa_VrEQcBW4641-TAY_3tX3o56e1YpCv00DwmszHUCorYH7TEh9OuYYiO9cTa2cCVN2N6t6I4/s400/DD4.JPG" /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-76841570791802790542010-06-20T16:41:00.000-07:002010-06-20T16:51:35.719-07:00Happy Father's Day<div align="center">Happy Father's Day!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We had a great time at the local pool this afternoon and then a fantastic steak dinner from the grill!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Thanks Daddy for all that you do!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We LOVE you!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485005466292960146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Meu1PZRKPOVEmuHs15M6tsgj25g25UXrmNnVR5ul4UYYteTtkXjdAp5iagNOwR8JBNWBQ96Pnh6bV_YE5K7AJyXvec4gUzS7L-HECgMJQ9dRaJsN7BG1EuUQ_c4jGKX3q3qqM7kqEC8/s400/Fathers+day+1.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485007021679136610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIjU15SaFjG58LUCbA5AxPajVTPWNGv4XNARhwixGcR_H6mEWV_yR62elxkQq9pbchAitZVumYIDshwR8vX5nrqd1zknsMcHoZShbVRlj34Z8HFlggDfjgKsrqcPiaZRcXQfdwm2xGDM/s400/Fathers+day+5.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485006996816963410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5UI1oYrFoTkrSR2mkQk6Ad941l2X5VtFdC0YLM1efdVrLNy_nQsibjsWvYM2gDo8dBhiYc57LmZjBxKISKo9cgh98M969hyphenhyphenwBHKMjW8bgZ_irC-YtNR0zKpw0f6MGDortJlElsOYgeM/s400/Fathers+day+4.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485006985453956562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1ZbF3Vz9iCx2gP2fFUAaqTfEPjHHWuxFjRT_s5EmxhCSKBIsibepX83_55TJSlRjuwr87GQSzjnydtK4533j7dzhvRhn00V3-mRpCvYlPW9AuMliaxuXZvg-2TiIY-HtaJnNSLcCZII/s400/Fathers+day+3.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485006966990153954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVGsjuszujNkknZ5NmLgiMcwOntxBRldC5C7B-jSU6SwXwkVU1S4kgjdp1podlCCz9cT5oqkZpMHzcIbNDayTjknh_TvmIUd2Ne4lDXuEVY2oKW6_UX9Basy6aKCAcQYjCxsa2RKQ7ZE/s400/Fathers+day+2.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"> </div></div></div><br /></div>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-4151881251719596492010-06-08T12:39:00.000-07:002010-06-20T05:47:50.751-07:00Lifephoto.com review and FREE giveaway<div align="center">A few of my favorite things........<br /><br />A few weeks ago I decided that I was in need of a new day planner. I wasn't looking for just any day planner, but one that I could design all on my own. I wanted to add my own personal dates, my own personal pictures, and I wanted the option to add my own comments, borders, backgrounds, and such. After a little bit of searching I found <a href="http://www.lifephoto.com/">Lifephoto.com</a>. It is a fantastic site which is surprisingly very easy to use. I was able to browse through a bunch of different items and I finally found the <a href="http://www.lifephoto.com/catalog/day-planners/">Day Planner</a> items.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629599532207026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy820bjVXVbd1sAzive3xYzd0RpKR5HPvl5iL8vvzqSG-jgN_zvGuN5Wx8U9KxZBJFHyn-KGM7Ld1pV28BqnJm1XSOvBcqg_i1LCT0HuxlTx0BOtmagu4Bwy-ybs-v5LmJdsl7mz7S-UA/s400/Planner+1.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">There are 2 sizes to choose from - (mini) 4.4 x 6 or 8 x 11. You may also add the number of picture pages you would like. </div><br /><div align="center">I chose the 8 x 11 with 54 picture pages. </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480520777267747138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa56FI-n7sRgLcaGqd20S4_HJhNb66pU4JlORcDNCa7sVH2b7rb4l1EOnP5D-MzF0dK0KP-28s2XMCZeH4tSHSEs4FJE0drR325PEajQJZbx84bHfIwcYYUI5x-dIHewsPNUWiu3ouvE/s400/planner1.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">After I had selected my item and size, I was able to uploaded pictures very easily by taking the pictures I have saved on my computer and uploading them to the day planner site. I was also able to arrange them as I wanted which was a huge bonus for me because I wanted certain pictures on certain weeks of the year.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480520802398681634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLIyNLYvBhln8Uh-3_Wqr-9OAMt2VFt7h6gF90Kw-YkrXDW3VLFEfUf7r0krxvBErB2n4uAeoHWRGYGtDDsJcpyP-rmGI5gGGU099bj2kS6_LfN5gw2-qnEqExW_sVnvQgnGR6xW6pjY/s400/planner4.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">I was able to add my own birth dates, special appointments, things I needed to remember to do.</div><div align="center">I was able to make my pictures full paged, or if I wanted portrait style, and add words, I could have it that way too.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629619288353170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoDVRYfsM0BcwpimiFqcXWEvpUQZ0EbYNzwpGI65w7OdjMtraWU6URaUufpbOOsZTte7fD34-KH0vNSar5QH3duvLFHwafRJ_ViITL6_q2uAcyN7zfpdquxF_a4vqRtkdDhXMbwgfwjA/s400/planner+2.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480520784865779474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg_xkvBOgBg3o8uRvnHbAz29bM7GnWvnBHqmYcu02Yif3XtYRHi0PAmH6k7oJAn0QRDm1bikER6ka4oPvzckWa4aVAThSCeChN2Ls0dZMLmk_rAdk6SiKwiciofl88lsV6uIaJUPKElM/s400/planner2.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480520789957292962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjMJ4_mGH39XR8THkCZIPhP9oEQCfLvQ3J4jimEfC2ab7uwOJg-4NtPSQajdBsMbdLkVtvdIODfQMGBnENRhRorrmhyphenhyphenPTSrCqPD3M7O-qclPZxO-POyEAYjU8JA85MxTNBTNHSapvpY/s400/planner3.JPG" /><br />I have to say I was extremely happy with the whole process of making this planner! I could not believe how easy it was!! Thanks <a href="http://www.lifephoto.com/">Lifephoto.com</a> for a fantastic product!!<br /><br />Now, the exciting part!! Want to <strong>WIN</strong> your own personalized DAY PLANNER from Lifephoto?<br /><br />Go to <a href="http://www.simplephotogifts.com/">Simplephotogifts.com </a>and sign up to follow Tish's blog (blog for Lifephoto) via e-mail notification or by RSS feed. Tish will be selecting the winner!! </p><p><strong>The link to sign up is in the upper right hand side of my blog.</strong> Dont miss out on this great giveaway!</p><p>This would make a fantastic gift, or if you are a busy mother like I am, you can use it for yourself!!</p><p>Good luck and have fun!!</p>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-85076437441948509762010-05-24T04:11:00.000-07:002010-05-24T04:22:19.823-07:00Measurement MondayGood Monday Morning! I have so much exciting news to share! First, my weigh in...<br /><br />Last week I hit a wall and lost practically nothing. I was hoping that this week wasnt going to be the same.<br /><br />This weeks loss - 4 lbs<br /><br />Total loss: 16 lbs and another 2 inches from my waist! WAHOO!<br /><br />This coming week is going to be a bit harder, because I have of alot going on! I guess I can only do the best that I can!<br /><br />The other exciting news - I have been reconnected with my birth mother! Its been an overwhelming situation, but none the less, FUN!<br /><br />I have an uncle who had been activly searching for me, and an aunt who has been my uncles biggest cheerleader and many other family memebers who remember me. My mother is the oldest of 3 girls and she has 2 - 1/2 brothers. I also found out that I have a 1/2 sister!! I have always wanted a sister!! She is 29 and married.<br /><br />This coming weekend will be the moment of truth! I will be getting to meet my birth mother, her father, and a bunch of other "new' family members! I am so excited and I just cant wait!!<br /><br />Stay tuned....I will post as things progress!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-33096418034570728682010-05-17T08:09:00.000-07:002010-05-17T08:13:46.165-07:00Measurement MondayWell folks, we've all watch Biggest Loser, and we all know what happens by the 2nd and or 3rd week, RIGHT? You hit a BRICK wall! Week 3 was my wall.<br /><br />Weight loss: .03 lbs<br /><br /> I also lost another 1/2 inch off my waist. So even though it was a tough weight loss week, I am happy that another 1/2 inch is gone!<br /><br />No news on the adoption front yet this week. Hoping for good news!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-7051301809107643532010-05-11T13:26:00.000-07:002010-05-11T13:27:56.595-07:00Adoption infoToday I was told that there is legal paternity established. My Social worker found my birth father and left him a voice mail. He has to agree to a reunion before I can get my birth mothers info. IF he says "NO", I wont be able to have any contact with my birth Mother, but will still get the updated family history. If he says YES, there is a possiblity that I will get to meet BOTH of my biological parents! It may be another couple weeks (if it goes my way) before I have any contact with them. <br /><br />Also found out that when (or IF) the social worker gets a hold of my birth father she will give him the OPTION - If he doesnt want anything to do with me, he can say "NO", but if he agrees to my birth mother and I meeting- he can agree to that too. So, NO on his part, can also mean YES for my birth mom and I. Does that make any sense? I also found ... See Moreout something interesting...HE requested 2 paternity test. He did NOT want to believe he was my birth father so they went to court twice for paternity. Im hoping he doesnt still have a "sour" taste in his mouth over my birth mother getting pregnant!! <br /><br />AND, the social worker mentioned to my birth mom that we have 2 sets of twins....Maybe that moved her? Maybe it will touch my birth father???Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-35822931380229049412010-05-10T07:08:00.000-07:002010-05-17T08:15:41.161-07:00Measurement Monday and more infoWell, week 2 of being on WW went almost as well as week 1!<br /><br />Todays weight loss: -5lbs!!<br /><br />Toal weight lost: 12 lbs!!<br /><br />Plus, 2 inches gone from my waist!! Not to shabby!!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Birth mom info</strong>: My social worker from the state found and contacted my birth Mother last week. She still live in Wisconsin and is "THRILLED" that they found her and "would love to be in touch with me!"<br />They contacted her on Wed, and the consent form( to share info) was sent out that same day. Now we wait for her to return the consent form which will hopefully be sometime this week!!! I am hoping by Friday, at the latest, that I will have more info about her!!<br />I will keep you posted!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-43621553592076051412010-05-04T07:13:00.001-07:002010-05-04T07:16:43.951-07:00Measurement Monday!Ok, I totally forgot to post yesterday about my loss!<br /><br />My first week on - 7lbs!! WAHOO!!!<br /><br />It feels so good to be back on. I just cant believe how much easier it is to do when you are ready to diet and not forcing yourself to do it.<br /><br />I also have some adoption info -<br /><br />INFO: MOTHER - oldest of 3 siblings, 16 yrs old, finished 10th grade, parents divorced and remarried, 5'7 / 160 lbs. FATHER: oldest of 2 sons, 18/19 yrs old, HS graduate, blond hair, blue eyes, 5'9 / 180 stocky build.<br /><br />I will post more when I have it!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-54049740444541429592010-05-01T15:07:00.000-07:002010-05-01T15:14:16.646-07:00Measurement Monday'sHey everyone~<br /><br />After battling another surgery this past March, I decided that it is FINALLY time for me to take a step back and work on "me". So, I have hit the weight loss road AGAIN with my old and dear friend, Becky.<br /><br />I started back on my Weight watchers and this week has been fantastic. I cant believe how easy it was this time to get started. I guess when you know you are ready, YOU'RE READY!<br /><br />So, besides being honest with Becky every Monday (and every other week day that ends in "Y") I've decided to share my progress with you all. I think the more people that ride my tail, the better I will do.<br /><br />So, watch for an update this coming Monday morning, and everyone after that.<br /><br />Happy weight loss!Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342840686995284960.post-90560502939689829982010-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:002010-04-25T09:02:10.781-07:00KeeganHere is the video of Keegan's Chiari surgery.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=ad025c614b437b83ae0dc3&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url">http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=ad025c614b437b83ae0dc3&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url</a>Cole Twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07690465674351682129noreply@blogger.com0