Wal-Mart

I finally figured out today how Wal-Mart makes their money. So you find a great shirt..and it's only $5.00! So, instead of buying 1 shirt for S, I end up buying 3 shirts and a pair of shoes for her because the first shirt was only 5 bucks. I still end up spending and arm and a leg in the store. UGH!

Vacation

We are presently enjoying an eagerly anticipated vacation at Long Beach Island, Nj. We arrived on the 22nd and will be here until the 5th. We have been keeping so busy that today I had a fleeting thought about going home to rest. : ) The weather has been great with just one day of intermittant storms and rain so far. But even that couldn't keep us home. We spent that day climbing Barnegat Lighthouse. I think we are all a bit tired but life is good.

The only downfall to this vacation thing is having to board our two dogs. We've never left them for this long before and I am missing them. They are hopefully, being well taken care of at the Petsmart Pet Hotel. Today, though I got a call that the two had a small fight with each other. We have them in two large, back -to- back cages with the middle separation opened so they can be with each other and walk into each other's cages. They are separated only during feedings. Apparently they finally got annoyed with each other and JD nipped Buddy's ear. Needless to say they're separated now.

Enjoy the pictures.

J

A Butterfly in our Heart

On August 8th, The Katie Elise Lambert Foundation held a Memorial Butterfly Release in Philadelphia. Over 300 people joined us that afternoon and over 100 butterflies were released in memory of our loved ones. During the weeks prior to the event we invited the public to join us in remembering those whose spirits remain in our hearts but are no longer with us physically. I received many butterfly requests...from parents who had lost children, children who had lost parents, friends who lost friends, wives who lost husbands and the list goes on.

I prayed that the event would touch and comfort those who were still grieving.

We were so blessed to have had several organizations present sharing their expertise including:

http://www.safekids.org/, http://www.luluslullaby.com/, The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Autism Society, Burholme Ambulance and The Philadelphia Fire Department, Engine 56. I thank them all for participating in our event. They were all wonderful. I also want to extend a huge thank you to http://www.jeanes.com/ ( Jeanes Hospital) for giving us this wonderful opportunity and allowing us to use their campus for this event.

How lucky we were to have had State Representative Josh Shapiro speak about furniture tip-over and The Katie Elise Lambert Safety Task Force in Pennsylvania. We are truly blessed to have him as our governmental representative. Also on hand was Joey Fortman from 97.5 FM and MyPhl17. She spoke from the heart how she had been touch by Katie's story and how her son will now be safer because of her.

When it was time for the butterflies to be handed out, you could feel the excitement stir in the crowd. The Monarchs were delivered in small triangular boxes and the crowd gathered tightly. We counted down from ten and before we knew it over 100 Monarchs graced the air to oohs and aahhhs from the crowd. It was heartwarming and bittersweet as memories of my daughter flooded my soul. It was amazing.

Here are a few pictures from the event. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Big B and Grandpa!

This past Sunday we celebrated Big B's __ birthday and Grandpa's 75th birthday. We had a wonderful combination party complete with friends, family and lots of fun. It took lots of planning, running arounds and secret phone calls...(BIg B unfortunately found out about it) but it was fun! Thank you everyone for coming and sharing in our special day. It was wonderful to see everyone!

J

Katie's 8th birthday

My Katie would have celebrated her 8th birthday this past July 30th. Instead we spent time at the cemetary, remembering her smile and praying that she sees the balloons in which the kids left for her. In anticipation of her heavenly birthday, I created another slideshow to share with all of you. It was posted on Facebook with many responses. I miss Katie with my whole being.

I am having difficulty posting the slideshow. Try clicking the looong link to view.

J





http://

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Save the DATE!

On August 8th, The Katie Elise Lambert Foundation will host a Memorial Butterfly Release on the walking trails of Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia. During the event the public will have the opportunity to come and release a butterfly in memory of someone close to their hearts who has passed away. In addition to the butterfly release there will be various safety and informational booths available, and entertainment for the children. Please join us for this wonderful event and remember your loved ones who have passed away with the release of a butterfly.
For more information please visit http://katieeliselambert.org/.

TWO YEARS AGO

Two years ago today after almost 2 long days of traveling with almost no sleep in a small, hot as -hell -office almost 8,000 miles away, we finally met our spicy Hubei Honey, S. After mounds of paperwork, physicals, background clearances and passport woes our daughter and a sister came kicking and screaming into our arms in an experience like no other and one I wouldn't trade for the world.

She was 3 1/2 years old when we met and from the time we first saw her picture months before, we knew she was meant to be a forever part of our family. You can read about our trip to China here. http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=219305

I will be eternally grateful for the work of the Heavens above, with the coaxing of one special angel who guided and eventually lead us to meet our S. It's hard to believe that 2 years have gone by already. Time has sped by so quickly that I can barely remember the time when she wasn't with us. She adds a spark of fire and fun with a dash of cuteness to our daily lives and I feel so blessed that she is my daughter.

Thank you my precious angel above for your help in bringing us together.



J

Water FUN

S and Buddy




Splashing FUN

GRADUATION Week

My baby girl graduated from preschool on Friday, a sign that time will never stand still, no matter how much we wish it would. Not really sure what graduation actually means, S wore her blue cap proudly, smiling and waving as her fans watched from the bleachers, except for mommy who was behind that dreaded camera again. She said goodbye to her friends and teachers, confidently stating that she was going to kindergarten now. I am so proud of my S who has come such a long way from the scared, aggressive little girl who we met in China almost two years ago. Much has changed although that hint of assertiveness still surfaces on occasional...well, maybe a bit more than occasionally.

In addition to a preschool graduation ceremony we had an elementary school graduation on Tuesday. Little b also proudly walked down the aisle of his school but with a carefree attitude not realizing that his journey into young adulthood is just about to begin. In September he will continue his journey into the junior high as Miss S transitions to the elementary school.

Time passes too quickly at times and many of my thoughts this week traveled back to when my children were babies. My life has certainly not turned out the way that I had expected with tragedy striking like a knife in my heart. But as I watch my children grow I try to remain positive and forever grateful that I have been given the chance to experience this wonder called mommyhood.

Sending Happy Father's Day wishes to dad all the way to Heaven and to my wonderful husband and father of my miracles,

J

Fun in the Sun with the Bees?

We spent this past Mother's Day sitting outside in the sun, sipping wine watching the kids play. It was a relaxing day which ended in the culmination of king crab legs with ribs and more wine, per this mom's request. After visiting my mom Big b's mom drove over for some relaxing by the pool and great food courtesy of her son.
Cousin G spent the day with us as A was fighting some virus (swine flu??) and really need to rest. The girls had a blast playing in the water, squirting the dog and eating ice pops.
The boys continued playing baseball out front and unexpectedly found some critters in a nearby tree. The swarm was downright frightening but after a short while disappeared. I had seen something similar years ago when a HUGE swarm of honeybees surrounded our old house while migrating? Not sure where they were heading at that time, but they made a pit-stop our home covering all windows, doors, walls trapping us all inside for hours.
This time their destination was the hive in our neighbor's tree. Pretty cool.
Pictures enclosed.
Enjoy,
J

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mom's with children, moms-to-be and those women who know that one day they will become a mom.

J

Look MOM A WORM!

S is very fascinated with worms. She found this small one and asked if she could keep it as a pet. My tomboy.

J

Do You Believe in Fate?

Some of you may know that several months ago I left my job working for a Medicare contractor to stay at home and decide exactly what I want to do. A year ago I left my job of 9 years after suffering from back pain and a strong desire to make a change in my life. I spent many years as nurse, doing the best that I could in a field that it so very difficult. There was a time when I was in love with my career and the excitement of going to work was enough. That all changed after Katie died. After seeing my daughter, injured and taking the last breath of her life, my life as I knew it was gone.
I took some time off from work and after several months decided to return to my job as a floor nurse. That first year was so very, very difficult. But it didn't get better. When patients complained of their pain which in my eyes could never compare with what my daughter went through, I tried my best to empathize and go through the motions of nursing them. But my thoughts would always stray back to Katie. When a patient would tell me their knee or hip hurt, I felt for them but it was never as bad as the pain Katie felt. I found myself always comparing each and gradually losing my motivation to remain where I was.
So here I am about to embark on another area of employment, something so entirely different that even I need to pinch myself. You know my love of photography (even thought I'm not a good photographer). Yesterday I went for a group interview as a newborn photographer at one of our local hospitals. And you know what????
I was offered the job. I am so blessed.
But there is more... (sorry for the long post)....but it gets a bit longer. A couple of years ago during Christmas time I was visiting Katie's wall at the cemetary, not grave because she is not buried), and hanging decorations. Not far from where Katie's ashes are, was an older woman obviously upset and trying to hang large Christmas stockings on her family member's wall.
I lent her some of tape and we briefly spoke. She, too lost her daughter about two years prior to Katie's death. We both shed tears for each other and hug prior to our departures. I haven't seen her again although I leave butterfly stickers on her daughter's wall and I find small thoughts from her on Katie's wall.
The job interview yesterday was a group interview. There were 4 of us woman applying for the photographer's position. A young quiet girl, a very chatty woman about my age, and older woman and myself. After about two hours of this very informal interview I had found that this older woman had lost a daughter too, about 6 years ago. And, she kept looking at me, saying how familiar I looked to her. I just shrugged it off as her probably seeing me on the news the other day...but didn't say anything. I had planned to confide to her that I lost a daughter too.
During one of the many times she was telling me that she thought she knew me I told her my last name. She said, I know one Lambert but you don't look like her. I asked her "What is her name?" She says that she doesn't know but that she had a daughter who died.... and her name was Katie." I respond that Katie is my daughter who died in a furniture tip-over accident. I still have no idea who this woman is but that she seemed very sad, and very nice. She smiled and reminded me of the time at the cemetery when I had helped a woman hang a stocking....that woman was her.
After that, we hugged, talked cried...all during the interview. YIKES! We briefly informed our interviewer and other interviewees of our stories. They are sat there wide-eyed and unbelieving.
After the interview/conversation ended the other two woman left and we sat with our interviewer. I apologized to her for what had happened and she responded that it was absolutely NO problem and that she had made her decision and the two of us were hired. WOW! Could it be the work of two special angels...Katie and Jennifer bringing their two grief-stricken moms together, with completely different career backgrounds in the most unlikely place.....
There is a reason for everything and HE has a plan which we may never fully understand. But if you do not believe, maybe my story will touch and give to you a piece of faith, belief and hope in a stronger power.
Thank you my Angel, mommy misses you,
J

FURNITURE TIP-OVER

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4988949n



Yesterday a new study was released spanning over 18 years of research. The study, conducted by National Children's Hospital, examined the incidences of furniture tip-over between 19909 - 2008. The statistics are alarming. There has been a 41 % rise in child injuries related to falling furniture. Since 1990, 300 children have been killed, inlcuding my Katie. Please take a look at the video link above, then pass the information along to everyone that you know, who has or knows a child. The information can be life-saving. For more information, please visit http://katieeliselambert.org/. Also check out our You Tube Video, Help Save A Life. The link is to the right.

J

Tick!!!

This is what I found on Buddy about 30 minutes ago. Both dogs are treated with Frontline and the tick had not embedded itself (Thank goodness.)
I am completely grossed out right now. Time to pour a glass of wine.

J

Furniture Tip-Over FAQs

FAQs About Furniture Tip-over

Question 1. My furniture is a high-end, well-made expensive piece. Can it still tip?

A. YES. Every piece of freestanding furniture/ large appliance and TVs has the capability of tipping. All it takes is for a child to pull on or stand in an open drawer or on a shelf to cause it to top. No PIECE OF FURNITURE OR TELEVISION IS SAFE UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY SECURED TO THE WALL.

Question 2. Do I need to secure my furniture directly into a stud in the wall or will securing it into drywall be sufficient?

A. Neither sheetrock nor drywall is strong enough to withstand the possible torpedo-like fall that an unsecured piece of furniture may cause. The stud in a wall is built to hold the wall and roof of one’s home. All furniture/large appliances/TVs must be properly secured to a stud in the wall.

Question 3. My television is extremely heavy and I need my husband to move it when I clean. My child cannot tip this, can she?

A. A. ABSOLUTELY! Many times televisions are placed on stands which are inappropriately sized for the TV. Any sudden movement can cause the TV and stand to crash forward. (If unable to have a newer, flat screen TV which is properly anchored to the wall, then make sure that TVs are placed on stands which are appropriate for its size. Stands should be very low to the ground and the TVS should be pushed as far back as possible on the stand and both the stand and television properly secured to the wall. ) DO NOT PLACE TVS ON TOPS OF DRESSERS. DO NOT PLACE ITEMS WHICH MAY TEMPT A CHILD TO CLIMB ON TOPS OF THE TVS.

B. Properly secure all stands/TVS to the floor or to a stud in wall.

Question 4. My children are older and out of the climbing age. They sit on the floor now and play video games in front of the television. They are safe, right?

A. Wrong. Many deaths have resulted from older children as they sat in front of the TV playing video games. Many Older televisions are front heavy and any slight movement, whether changing a game, turning it on or off or the excited kick from a child could easily result in both the stand and television to crash forward onto the child.
B. If unable to secure a newer flat screen directly to your wall, then push the television as far back as possible on its stand. Make sure the stand is low to the ground and appropriate for the size of the Television. Properly secure the TV to the stand and to a stud in the wall.

Question 5. My child’s dresser sits low to the ground, it is not very tall. Does it still need to be tethered?

Absolutely! All freestanding furniture/large appliances/TVs need to be properly secured to the wall regardless of its size. If the child opens a drawer and pulls on it or stands in it, the furniture could become a front-heavy torpedo, and the innocent, unsuspecting child, its victim.

Question 6. The risk is so low my child will die; do I really need to be concerned?

A. Unless you want to bury your own child. YES!! No parent who has lost a child expected it to happen to them. Why not do everything you can to keep them safe? We never thought it would happen to us either. It happens to an average of 16 children every year. Don’t let it happen to yours.

Question 7. I have taught my child NEVER to climb on the furniture, so I do not need to worry, right?

A. WRONG. Play is the work of children. Even if your child can parrot back the “rules” to you, it doesn’t mean they will follow them when playing or when they REALLY want to get that (fill in the blank). Kids think they are invincible and do not recognize danger when they are in the moment. It is our job as parents to make their environments as safe as possible.

Question 8. I never leave my child alone and even if something happened I’d be able to save them, right?

A. Even the best parent is never truly within arms reach of their child all the time. There have been parents who were standing in the same room as their child at the time a piece of furniture or Television fell. It takes just a second for furniture to tip, not enough time to stop the crash.

Question 9. Won’t securing furniture and TV’s to the wall cause damage to them and look bad?

A. Are your walls and possessions more precious to you then your child? If not, why do you ask?
Sure, small holes will be put in walls and furniture or strong adhesive to televisions and /or wall/furniture. This may hinder the resale value. Does it really matter that much? Tethering devices can almost always be installed so they are not seen. Holes in objects can be repaired. Your heart, when broken because your child has died, cannot ever be fixed. Which do you prefer?

Question 10. If falling furniture is such a danger, why are there not warning labels saying so on the furniture where it is sold and why are devices to secure them to the wall not readily available at my local store?

A. Excellent question, we wondered the same thing. It is why we’ve been working tirelessly with our US House of Representatives, local government, the CPSC, and ASTM (an international standards organization) to see to it that warnings are included and that the tethering devices are included with at risk pieces of furniture and TV”s and sold at all the places other childproofing items are. In the meantime, our Web sites have information on what and where to buy and what the risks are.

Time for Bed?

Miss S attends a local preschool from Monday thru Thursday each week. She begins at 9 and I pick her up at 3. They do "school stuff" in the morning, have lunch, playtime and afterwards...they sleep.

When S first started this school back in September she would despise the nap times and lie on her "cot" pretending to be asleep.

All was good. Now, she actually sleeps and it's awful. The dreaded naps have turned our bedtimes into more hours of silent play, getting out of bed for every excuse out there and late nights.

S doesn't want to sleep nor do I think that she can after a long comfy nap at school.

It's a vicious cycle. She stays up late, is tired the next day, needs a nap at school and therefore isn't tired at the normal bedtime.

What do we do?

J