Kid Talk -- Donate/Help a Great Cause

As most of you know Ethan has been receiving speech services now for almost a year through the Oregon Scottish Rite Clinic in Portland. He has been seen there twice a week and has made significant progress with his speech. The Scottish Rite is the only program that I am aware of that will work with your income (our insurance does not cover any of Ethan's therapies.) They are primary funded by donations of individuals -- patients fees and insurance payments only provide about 20% of the money required to operate.

This year they are experiencing severe financial difficulty, and without help, they will not be able to provide services throughout the state at their current levels.

Scottish Rite is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Their federal tax identification number is 93-0811823. If you are going to possibly make a charitable donation this year PLEASE consider donating to Scottish Rite. Also, if you work for a corporation they may match charitable donations.

If you can not afford to make a donation Ethan will be selling raffle tickets for $5 each, and the prize is a 1980 Mustang convertible. I will mail tickets to anyone who is interested.

This organization is very near and dear to our hearts, and to many families. If you can help, please don't hesitate!

Toddlers, Tiaras, and Taking Kids for Granted

Have any of you seen that show on TLC Toddler's and Tiara's? Well they must have been running a marathon of it this weekend because we caught a couple of the shows. The boys were really into it -- I hope because of the cute little girls. Anyhow, one Mom on the show just had my blood boiling. She had five daughters, all of which she put in pageants (against her husbands wishes -- he must be the only one in that marriage with a brain cell.) She was the meanest mother I have ever seen -- they way she spoke of one of her twin daughters made me want to come through the television and slap her. She kept saying that one twin was prettier (because she looked like mom), had a better personality, and on and on. What a horrible excuse for a mother she was. Now don't get me wrong, these parents aren't all crazy, and it isn't the pageants that I object too. At least these parents are spending quality time with their kids. However, I truly don't understand how you can like one of your own children more than another, and blast it all over national t.v. Parents like that take their children for granted. I wish I could have give her daughter a big hug. If anything it made me hold my kids tighter and love them even more for who they are -- faults and all. Please people, don't take others for granted!