So, I find myself about six years from my last post. SIX YEARS!!! That's not at all what I planned on when I started this blog. I truly wanted to try and document the important things in life, well my life, and those in it. So much has happened in these past six years. Some that have profoundly changed the person I am and others that have affirmed that I am on the track I want to be in life.
I recently found myself in a conversation with a person. This conversation could have gone badly in so many ways. The person could have felt under attack, as I may have felt, but that was not my intent. When I shared my thoughts, this person said to me, "You know, I've never learned anything from anyone who agreed with me." I thought this a profound statement and was grateful for the reception I received as my intentions were pure.
From now on, I plan to document in this format things that I find interesting, share my strengths, my weaknesses, my thoughts, my triumphs, my failures, my opinions among other things. Please, if there is a topic that you would like to learn about, I would LOVE your input! I believe that especially in the wake of things that are going on in this country and around the world, we can express our opinions in a manner that is respectful toward one another!
So, let me have it! Let me know topics you might be interested in! I can't wait to hear them and share some stories of my own along the way! And remember, we do not have to agree on anything to be kind to one another!
Anxiously Waiting,
Kimber
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Thursday, December 23, 2010
CHRISTmastime
Well, as anyone who reads this can tell, I'm obviously NOT a true "blogger." It's been over six months since my last post and a lot has happened. Where to start...
I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have the most amazing kids and husband that a girl could ask for. My cousin survived a car accident that NO ONE said he would survive (Go Matty!!!) I received a gift posthumously from my Grandparent's Gee, buried in a time capsule for the past 25 years. I have an amazing job, which I love, and pray that every day I can go to work and make a difference in some one's life, most of the time it's even mine. My children got to spend a two whole weeks with their Oma and Opa. It was an experience they will never forget and memories they will have for the rest of their lives. They also have three grandparents here close that they get to make memories with on almost a weekly basis. I've lost some weight thanks to a change in my diet. My amazing mom cooks for us every week to ensure I get the kind of food that my body needs to attempt to regain my health. I fought the city and I won!!! I got to see my baby sister complete her first marathon. Steve's brother, David, graduated from the fire academy and got engaged to a girl I adore. My awesome husband wrapped ALL of our Christmas presents (including his own) because I have the flu. Three of my coworkers whom I am honored to call my friends returned from war safe and sound. I have amazing siblings, nieces and a nephew, none of whom could ever understand how much I love them. The same goes for my parents and cousins and other extended family.
I've also learned a lot this year. I've learned what I can do and what I need help with and with much struggle have learned to ask for help. I've learned that my body generally needs at least one full day of rest each weekend. I've learned not to take life for granted because those you hold most dear could be taken from you in an instant. I've learned that my children have much more insight than I thought they did. I've learned what it's like to be misunderstood at times. I've learned what it's like to not be forgiven by someone you love very much. I've learned what it's like to lose. I've learned what it's like to win. I've learned that if you believe in something you should stand up for it, even if you're standing alone. I've learned what it's like to work hard on an election campaign, and WIN! Lastly, I have learned that the only thing we truly have in this life is one another. So, hold on tight to the ones you love, and tell them that you love them. You never know when they will no longer be there to tell.
I hope everyone out there has a Merry CHRISTmas!!! Bring on 2011!!! I think it's going to be my year. :)
I hope all your Christmas dreams come true. As for me, I only want one thing. It's nothing material and there's only one person who can give it. They know who they are. :) No go out there and Defy Gravity and make this world a better place. :) Oh yeah, and don't forget to buy (or bake) Jesus a birthday cake.
I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have the most amazing kids and husband that a girl could ask for. My cousin survived a car accident that NO ONE said he would survive (Go Matty!!!) I received a gift posthumously from my Grandparent's Gee, buried in a time capsule for the past 25 years. I have an amazing job, which I love, and pray that every day I can go to work and make a difference in some one's life, most of the time it's even mine. My children got to spend a two whole weeks with their Oma and Opa. It was an experience they will never forget and memories they will have for the rest of their lives. They also have three grandparents here close that they get to make memories with on almost a weekly basis. I've lost some weight thanks to a change in my diet. My amazing mom cooks for us every week to ensure I get the kind of food that my body needs to attempt to regain my health. I fought the city and I won!!! I got to see my baby sister complete her first marathon. Steve's brother, David, graduated from the fire academy and got engaged to a girl I adore. My awesome husband wrapped ALL of our Christmas presents (including his own) because I have the flu. Three of my coworkers whom I am honored to call my friends returned from war safe and sound. I have amazing siblings, nieces and a nephew, none of whom could ever understand how much I love them. The same goes for my parents and cousins and other extended family.
I've also learned a lot this year. I've learned what I can do and what I need help with and with much struggle have learned to ask for help. I've learned that my body generally needs at least one full day of rest each weekend. I've learned not to take life for granted because those you hold most dear could be taken from you in an instant. I've learned that my children have much more insight than I thought they did. I've learned what it's like to be misunderstood at times. I've learned what it's like to not be forgiven by someone you love very much. I've learned what it's like to lose. I've learned what it's like to win. I've learned that if you believe in something you should stand up for it, even if you're standing alone. I've learned what it's like to work hard on an election campaign, and WIN! Lastly, I have learned that the only thing we truly have in this life is one another. So, hold on tight to the ones you love, and tell them that you love them. You never know when they will no longer be there to tell.
I hope everyone out there has a Merry CHRISTmas!!! Bring on 2011!!! I think it's going to be my year. :)
I hope all your Christmas dreams come true. As for me, I only want one thing. It's nothing material and there's only one person who can give it. They know who they are. :) No go out there and Defy Gravity and make this world a better place. :) Oh yeah, and don't forget to buy (or bake) Jesus a birthday cake.
Monday, June 21, 2010
WE DID IT!!!
So, I'm in San Antonio for some work training and I just checked my email. Guess what? I received an email from a person at the "Risk Managment" department at the City informing me that, "The staff that supervises Jaden’s camp will receive additional training on anaphylaxis and the use of an EpiPen on Thursday, June 24, 2010. While we hope that none of the staff will ever need to draw upon this knowledge, we wanted them to have the additional information so that they are confident in their abilities to utilize the EpiPen should the need arise."
He also stated that they are utilizing the "Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan" which I submitted to them and requested that I have J's doctor fill it out and sign it along with signing it myself. I am so happy about this. This means that all children in our city can go to camp and not worry that God forbid if they do have an anaphylactic reaction they must handle it themselves. Parents in the city can rest assured that their children will be cared for appropriately, and the staff working these wonderfully fun camps no longer have to worry about losing their jobs should they decide to do the right thing if they see a child in distress. I think this is a big victory for all children and citizens in our city.
Right now they are only focusing on Epi-pens, but it is my hope that the city will soon expand this to allow their employees to care for children who suffer from diabetes and other similar ailments also. It is not often, when well monitored, that the use of devices such as Epi-pens become necessary, but it sure is nice to know that should it become necessary, there will be a responsible adult there to help all children in this predicament.
He also stated that they are utilizing the "Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan" which I submitted to them and requested that I have J's doctor fill it out and sign it along with signing it myself. I am so happy about this. This means that all children in our city can go to camp and not worry that God forbid if they do have an anaphylactic reaction they must handle it themselves. Parents in the city can rest assured that their children will be cared for appropriately, and the staff working these wonderfully fun camps no longer have to worry about losing their jobs should they decide to do the right thing if they see a child in distress. I think this is a big victory for all children and citizens in our city.
Right now they are only focusing on Epi-pens, but it is my hope that the city will soon expand this to allow their employees to care for children who suffer from diabetes and other similar ailments also. It is not often, when well monitored, that the use of devices such as Epi-pens become necessary, but it sure is nice to know that should it become necessary, there will be a responsible adult there to help all children in this predicament.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Taking on City Hall
Okay, I know I said that I'd publish this yesterday, but I was pretty well wrecked since we were at the city council meeting until after 3:30 a.m. YES, I said 3:30 A.M.!!! That's when it became my turn to speak. I thought about leaving because I had received a call earlier in the day informing me that the city is reviewing it's policy about administer "injections" to kids, and working towards getting their staff who work with children trained to do so. Working in county government, I know that this policy change will likely have to go through the city council, so I waited my 9 hours to have my say. Below is basically what I said:
Monday, June 14, 2010
Defying Gravity
I have always loved musicals. Musicals are so diverse. Some of them are pure fantasy, some of them deal with real life issues, but somehow I can always find at least one song that I can apply to my life. I was very privileged as a child, not in a rich, bratty, snotty kind of way, but in a way that my parents believed that it was important for my siblings and me to be exposed to the arts. I clearly remember the first musical/play I saw at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Quilters. I was probably eight years old at the time, and don't exactly remember what that particular show was about, but I know I enjoyed it. My family continued to go to musicals through my teenage years, some at local dinner theaters where we lived, and others that were actual Broadway productions at the National Theater.
We also had the opportunity to participate in day camps during the summer where we were involved in the production of musicals. We took dance classes, singing classes, acting classes, art classes, and at the end of three weeks we put on a Broadway show for our parents and members of the community.
Tomorrow, I am going to the city council meeting in an attempt to get the city to change their policy on the administration of Epi-pens to children in their summer day camps. I have fond memories of going to day camp during the summer as a child and really want my child to have this experience. At this point, my children are not able to have the experience of going to the city's day camps, making new friends, and experiencing all of the activities that go along with summer due to the city's policy that "The City of Denton staff will not administer any type of injection."
As stated in my previous posts, my son Jaden, suffers from anaphylaxis if stung by fire ants. Jaden has only ever had one reaction, and when I took him to the allergist last Friday, it took the equivalent of four "stings" for his body to "react." His allergy doctor advised us not to leave Jaden with any adult who is unwilling or unable to administer his Epi-pen to him. The administration of an Epi-pen is extremely easy, and once you're familiar with the device and how to notice signs of anaphylaxis it really should be no big deal. That said, if you work with children, as I do, you should be trained to administer such medications such as an Epi-pen for a child with anaphylaxis, or insulin to a diabetic child.
I called the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) information line today just to see exactly what Jaden's rights were as a person with an anaphylactic disability. I received some very interesting information. First, the ADA does not consider an Epi-pen "medication." Second, Title II programs or government run programs, such as the city's day camps or the program I work for have a greater obligation to make such programs accessible to those with disabilities. The person I spoke with also informed me that there were several precedent cases similar to ours. I already knew that, and was prepared to copy them, and place them in binders for the mayor and city council members.
I went to Staples and spent $63.00 to make my copies, buy my folders, tabs and other necessary items to put together my case for why the city employees should not only be allowed to administer life saving medications such as Epi-pens and insulin, but required to if the need arises. I know $63.00 is not a lot of money, but this is an issue that the city has not thoroughly investigated, thereby leaving me to do the investigating for them.
As I was driving home, one of my favorite musical songs came on my Ipod. You just don't get much better than Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth singing "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked." I have not yet seen this musical, but would love to see it some day.
As I listened to the words, "Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes; and leap! It's time to try defying gravity. I think I'll try defying gravity and you can't pull me down!"
And the words continued, "I'm through accepting limits, 'cause someone says they're so. Somethings I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost! I'd sooner buy defying gravity. Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity, and you can't pull me down."
It was almost as if God was reassuring me with the words to this song, "There's no fight we can't win, just you and I defying gravity. With you and I defying gravity...So if you care to find me look to the Western sky! As someone told me lately, everyone deserves a chance to fly. And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free. To those who'd ground me, take a message back from me. Tell them how I'm defying gravity, I'm flying high, defying gravity...."
We also had the opportunity to participate in day camps during the summer where we were involved in the production of musicals. We took dance classes, singing classes, acting classes, art classes, and at the end of three weeks we put on a Broadway show for our parents and members of the community.
Tomorrow, I am going to the city council meeting in an attempt to get the city to change their policy on the administration of Epi-pens to children in their summer day camps. I have fond memories of going to day camp during the summer as a child and really want my child to have this experience. At this point, my children are not able to have the experience of going to the city's day camps, making new friends, and experiencing all of the activities that go along with summer due to the city's policy that "The City of Denton staff will not administer any type of injection."
As stated in my previous posts, my son Jaden, suffers from anaphylaxis if stung by fire ants. Jaden has only ever had one reaction, and when I took him to the allergist last Friday, it took the equivalent of four "stings" for his body to "react." His allergy doctor advised us not to leave Jaden with any adult who is unwilling or unable to administer his Epi-pen to him. The administration of an Epi-pen is extremely easy, and once you're familiar with the device and how to notice signs of anaphylaxis it really should be no big deal. That said, if you work with children, as I do, you should be trained to administer such medications such as an Epi-pen for a child with anaphylaxis, or insulin to a diabetic child.
I called the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) information line today just to see exactly what Jaden's rights were as a person with an anaphylactic disability. I received some very interesting information. First, the ADA does not consider an Epi-pen "medication." Second, Title II programs or government run programs, such as the city's day camps or the program I work for have a greater obligation to make such programs accessible to those with disabilities. The person I spoke with also informed me that there were several precedent cases similar to ours. I already knew that, and was prepared to copy them, and place them in binders for the mayor and city council members.
I went to Staples and spent $63.00 to make my copies, buy my folders, tabs and other necessary items to put together my case for why the city employees should not only be allowed to administer life saving medications such as Epi-pens and insulin, but required to if the need arises. I know $63.00 is not a lot of money, but this is an issue that the city has not thoroughly investigated, thereby leaving me to do the investigating for them.
As I was driving home, one of my favorite musical songs came on my Ipod. You just don't get much better than Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth singing "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked." I have not yet seen this musical, but would love to see it some day.
As I listened to the words, "Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes; and leap! It's time to try defying gravity. I think I'll try defying gravity and you can't pull me down!"
And the words continued, "I'm through accepting limits, 'cause someone says they're so. Somethings I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost! I'd sooner buy defying gravity. Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity, and you can't pull me down."
It was almost as if God was reassuring me with the words to this song, "There's no fight we can't win, just you and I defying gravity. With you and I defying gravity...So if you care to find me look to the Western sky! As someone told me lately, everyone deserves a chance to fly. And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free. To those who'd ground me, take a message back from me. Tell them how I'm defying gravity, I'm flying high, defying gravity...."
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
You know that little thing...
So, update from yesterday. I waited until a bit after 1:00 p.m. to call the supervisor of the camps that the boys are attending to see what progress had been made with the "Legal Department." Kathy, who by the way has been very kind and professional in dealing with all of this, explained that the attorney who she usually works with is "leaving town," and will "handle it when he gets back." (This is Jaden's Epi-pen issue I'm talking about here.) I explained to Kathy, that this solution just wasn't acceptable to me, as this was something that was fairly urgent in my mind as my children were in camp THIS week, and that the City's attorneys should be reviewing their policies as we speak. I explained that since said attorney had to go out of town, I would just go ahead and file my complaint with the Department of Justice and we could go from there. I explained that I wasn't seeking any money, or asking the City to pay for anything. Quite the contrary. I only wanted the City to train (I've offered to train the city's employees free of charge) and allow their employees to administer medications such as epinephrine to children should it become necessary (God forbid). Kathy said she'd try and get another attorney to work on it, and stated that the City Council was meeting tonight. With that I told her that I would hold off on filing my complaint with the DOJ. I explained that I am also a tax paying citizen of this city and my fear is that at some point they will have a child (hopefully not mine) who needs an Epi-pen, and is unable to administer it themselves, and then the City will have a lawsuit on their hands. Kathy has been very understanding in all of this...geez...middle management must suck.
I decided then to email on of our city council members since they were meeting tonight. I also called the city secretary and told her what was going on (she also thought this whole thing was ludicrous) and suggested I cc my email to the city attorney, which I did. She also put me on the "Citizen Concerns" list to take my concern before the city council next Tuesday night.
So, if this is not resolved before Tuesday night, Steve and I will be taking our cause to the City Council. Hopefully, they will see how ridiculous this is and just train their people.
As for my children, well they're still loving camp. J said some of the bigger kids bullied him today, but I explained that he's going to have to deal with bullying in his life and we discussed how to handle that. I did call Kathy and ask her to let her staff know that I would be asking them not to separate my children any more. Apparently they get separated in line etc. and if Bailey is going to be responsible for giving Jaden his Epi-pen should he need it, well, then they can't separate my children.
Overall, another great day for the boys!!! Next week...OMA AND OPA'S HOUSE!!! The boys started packing and planning tonight!!!
I decided then to email on of our city council members since they were meeting tonight. I also called the city secretary and told her what was going on (she also thought this whole thing was ludicrous) and suggested I cc my email to the city attorney, which I did. She also put me on the "Citizen Concerns" list to take my concern before the city council next Tuesday night.
So, if this is not resolved before Tuesday night, Steve and I will be taking our cause to the City Council. Hopefully, they will see how ridiculous this is and just train their people.
As for my children, well they're still loving camp. J said some of the bigger kids bullied him today, but I explained that he's going to have to deal with bullying in his life and we discussed how to handle that. I did call Kathy and ask her to let her staff know that I would be asking them not to separate my children any more. Apparently they get separated in line etc. and if Bailey is going to be responsible for giving Jaden his Epi-pen should he need it, well, then they can't separate my children.
Overall, another great day for the boys!!! Next week...OMA AND OPA'S HOUSE!!! The boys started packing and planning tonight!!!
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