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Letter from the Editor 5 Couch Talk Mental Health Month 6 Mom to Mom: Get Out & Get Fit Couch to 5K 8 Mom to Mom Family Health Women’s Health Week 10 Mom to Mom Education Kindergarten Round-Up! 14 Mindy’s Menu Catering to Mom 18 Mom You Should Know Courtney Wallace - 2014 Deserving Mom 20 Mom to Mom Editorial Goodie Bag Gurus 7 Ask the Mom - The Great Vaccinate Debate 16 Polar Vortex Baby Boom 22 Mom to Mom Fun & Games Mother’s Day Hand Print Craft! 24 Mom to Mom Community Calendar What’s Going on This Month! 26 Mom to Mom NWI is a monthly publication by Mom to Mom NWI LLC. All rights reserved. Production without permission is strictly prohibited. All photographs & articles submitted become the sole property of Mom to Mom NWI Magazine.
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Letter from the Editor
Women’s Health Week May 12th - 16th
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So what does a job like this pay? Nothing of course! It sounds crazy, but here’s the kicker. Billions already hold this position, and most of you reading this probably know who they are. It’s us – MOMS. Did you know that’s where this was leading to??
*Pap Smears and Mammograms are ordered based on family history, age and recommended guidelines from the American Cancer Society and/or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist
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Recently, I noticed a bunch of my Facebook friends post a video about 24 people who applied for the toughest job in America. The toughest job in America huh – I was intrigued. The job these applicants were vying for was “Director of Operations”, and the interviewer gave them a rundown of the grueling responsibilities and requirements. At the top of the list was mobility. You must be able to work standing up, most, if not all of the time. You are required to maintain a high level of stamina, with no breaks in the day. Other requirements included: the ability to work in a chaotic environment, excellent negotiating and interpersonal skills, and degrees in medicine, finance and the culinary arts. Wearing several hats is the key to being successful in this job, and devotion is number one. After all, the minimum work week is 135 hours, but it’s likely the position will require you 24/7.
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A Boston ad-agency put together this fake job to get the genuine reactions of people when the twist was revealed – the responses were priceless!! This toughest job in the world is an advertisement for American Greetings’ Cardstore.com and correlates with Mother’s Day just around the corner. I watched the video a few times and every time I cried. It’s just so touching to see how people react when a mom’s job is put into perspective. Now, I know the “requirements” listed in this fake ad are blown out of proportion a bit (we do get some breaks in a day), but it’s easy to get the idea of what it all means. Let’s face it – it takes a village to raise your kids, and I know there are some really TOUGH jobs
out there, jobs I’d never be cut out for, but MOM is the heart of the home. MOM is the one who makes everything better, and drops everything for their child’s happiness. I was surprised to see the large number of people who responded negatively to this video. Many leaving responses like, “You chose to be a mom - you can’t complain that it’s tough,” or “You think being a mom is tougher than being in the military.” To the naysayers I say this: No, I don’t think being a mom is literally the toughest job – I know there are a TON of jobs tougher. And yes, I chose to be a mom but who’s complaining? The video points out what it takes to be a mom and a parent in general. I know tons of dads who fit the bill for these requirements as well. But just for today, let’s take a moment and honor all the “Director of Operations” in our lives. Happy Mother’s Day!!
Stephanie
Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com
family health
Beth Whitaker
Beth@MomtoMomNWI.com
Couch
Talk
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I think it would be pertinent to discuss the topic of suicide. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and its prevalence is remaining stable. However, when looking at individuals, ages 15 to 19, suicide is the second highest cause of death. Nationwide there are over 5,400 attempts made by young people in grades 7-12 every day. Those statistics are heartbreaking but its reality - unfortunately, teenage suicide is more common than we may think. Even last month, a middle school student from Lake Central took their own life.
taken seriously. Some people do give warning signs prior to a suicide, but not all. Another myth is that suicide is completely irrational. Many individuals think through suicide very thoroughly prior to an attempt. Not all people who commit suicide are “insane” so take all warning signs seriously. The last myth to consider is that suicide is always impulsive. While there are times when the act of suicide is impulsive and not thought through, there are also times when the person has spent time planning their suicide. All of these myths need to be dispelled so that individuals have a better understanding of suicide.
So how do we combat this epidemic? It starts with education and awareness. It’s important for everyone to know what some of the key signs are for suicidal behavior. Most incidents of completed suicides give some sort of sign.
When someone exhibits warning signs for suicide, what should you do? The first step is to talk to that person. Tell them that you care about them and don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide. Be a good listener, don’t judge and don’t dismiss the person’s concerns. The next step is to find help immediately. Don’t wait, hoping it will go away on it’s own. There are crisis intervention options in the community that can be of assistance.
There are myths about suicide that would be helpful to understand. First, there is the misconception that you can put the idea in someone’s head by mentioning suicide. If a person has contemplated suicide, the mention of it will not give them the idea. The next myth is that suicidal thoughts don’t need to be
Please try to get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). - mtm
In order to prevent suicide, we need to know what to look for. The following signs of suicide need to be taken seriously. • Giving things away • Putting things in order • Writing a will • Withdrawing from usual activities • Being preoccupied with death • Experiencing the recent death of a friend or relative • Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless • Increasing drug and alcohol use • Displaying psychotic behavior • Giving verbal hints such as, “I’m no use to anyone anymore.” • Showing agitated depression • Living alone and being isolated Warning signs for adolescents could vary to some degree. Signs to look for could include: • Withdrawal from friends and family members.
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• Trouble in romantic relationships. • Difficulty getting along with others. • Changes in the quality of schoolwork or lower grades. • Rebellious behaviors. • Unusual gift-giving or giving away own possessions. • Appearing bored or distracted. • Writing or drawing pictures about death. • Running away from home. • Changes in eating habits • Dramatic personality changes. • Changes in appearance (for the worse). • Sleep disturbance. • Drug or alcohol abuse. • Talk of suicide, even in a joking way. • Having a history of previous suicide attempts.
editorial
by: Krystal Taylor
Goodie Bag Gurus
Live simple, stay sane – that’s my mantra. I always hear how “back in the old days” things were so much harder, and I agree - to a certain extent. I mean honestly, if I had to hand wash clothes for five people, we would probably always wear dirty clothes. If I had to make clothes for five people, well needless to say, we would be walking around naked or wearing toga and by togas, I mean we would wear our bed sheets and then sleep with them, and they would be dirty because I would not want to hand wash them. So, in some ways, yes, things are simpler now. We have washing machines, ovens, and microwaves. We have really come a long way. However, in the past decade or so and with the introduction of social media like; Facebook, Pinterest, and other social networking sites I feel that there is so much expected from parents - mothers especially. People “long ago” did have a few things more simple, some of which I am envious. For example, when I was growing up, my birthday parties consisted of handing out cheap little invites form the dollar store, cake and ice cream, a few games like pin the tail on the donkey (which we reused every year), hot potato (with a potato from the fridge, not a plush one that played music), and we played outside. Yes, we played outside - crazy, right?
Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE Pinterest!! But I feel like it is taking over the minds of mothers everywhere!! Sometimes I just want simple. Yes, simple! I do not want to be expected to make all of these fancy and over the top items for everything - is that so bad? Yes, I enjoy doing “crafty” stuff with and for my kids – we have a fun doing it. However, I do not want to be EXPECTED to do these things or to hand make everything I do, for each event I attend! Being a mom is hard enoughwhy do we try to make it more difficult? Is it so bad that for a classroom party I just want to purchase a box of juice and call it a day? But then, super Suzie homemaker comes to the party with 32 handmade goody bags, a fresh baked tray of colored pinwheel Pinterest cookies, and a party craft which she has also handmade. I mean, that’s great, and I bet it was fun- but do we really have time for all of this? Shouldn’t we stop the “over the top” stuff and use extra time to spend with our children? Isn’t that what life as a parent is all about? Oh and to all you goodie bag guru parents - why do you feel the need to make every single child related event end with a giant goody bag!!? I am here to tell you that a giant goody bag is not necessary for every single event. When a child is
finished with the soccer season, you do not need to bring a giant goody bag for all of the children on the team - it makes moms like me, look like the bad mom because I gave my child a hug and said, “Great job!” Of course they want the goody bag instead! We need to stop making every event for children this big “to-do” They will only expect more and more every time. What is next? Are we going to start bringing wrapped presents for every child at the end of the baseball season? I am all for making things fun with my children, but fun for them is just playing outside in the mud. They could care less if I spent 36 hours making cupcakes for their class. They are just as happy with ones purchased from the store. We need to stop creating all of these expectations for them! I am guilty of it too! Honestly, can you imagine what will be if we do not stop. What expectations will our children have when they have children? - mtm
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After becoming a marathon runner, I constantly get asked questions like, “how do you teach yourself to run?”, and “teach me how to run”. The funny part is that it really is not a sport that can be taught. Surely you can offer tips, pointers and training programs, however it is as simple as taking the time to slowly build endurance. Learning to run requires patience with yourself to slowly push your body to do what you are asking of it. Every run is not going to be fantastic and there will be some days that lacing up your running shoes will be the hardest part. Taking part in a Couch to 5k program could possibly change your life and your health. I know many that have started Couch to 5k programs and have become ultra-marathon runners - running distances of 30 to 50 miles. I cannot think of any other sport that offers so many health benefits and requires nothing other than a pair of running shoes and an action plan to get started. I have outlined my favorite Couch to 5k program below. Rip this page out of this issue, grab your running shoes and head out for a run. That finish line is only 3.1 miles away!
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Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 90 seconds jogging 2 minutes walking for 20 minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 90 sec/walk 90 sec jog 3 min/walk 3 min repeat this sequence 2 times total= 23 minutes
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 90 sec/walk 90 sec jog 3 min/walk 3 min repeat this sequence 2 times total= 23 minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 90 sec/walk 90 sec jog 3 min/walk 3 min repeat this sequence 2 times total= 23 minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 min/walk 2 ½ min jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 minutes Total= 26 ½ minutes
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 min/walk 2 ½ min jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 minutes Total= 26 ½ minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 min/walk 2 ½ min jog 3 min/walk 90 sec jog 5 minutes Total= 26 ½ minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 5 min/walk 3 min jog 5/walk 3 min jog 5 minutes Total= 26 minutes
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 8 min/walk 5 min jog 8 minutes Total= 26 minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 20 minutes Total= 25 minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 5 min/walk 3 min jog 8/walk 3 min jog 5 minutes Total= 29 minutes
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 10 min/walk 3 min jog 10 minutes Total= 28 minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 22 minutes Total= 27 minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 25 minutes Total= 30 minute
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 25 minutes Total= 30 minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 25 minutes Total= 30 minutes
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up jog 30 minutes Total= 35 minutes
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up jog 30 minutes Total= 35 minutes
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up jog 30 minutes Total= 35 minutes
Week 2 Week 1
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 90 seconds jogging 2 minutes walking for 20 minutes
Week 3
After signing up and committing to a 5k race (which is 3.1 miles for you non-runners) you will need to find a training program to prepare you for the big day. Couch to 5k programs have gained in popularity in the past few years because they are literally as easy as getting up off of your couch and slowly training your body to run. You may not win the race but I assure you that if you follow a program you will be able to comfortably jog a 5k at the end of 8 weeks.
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 90 seconds jogging 2 minutes walking for 20 minutes
Week 4
runners are ready to ditch the treadmill for open road, even if it means braving a snowflake or two! If you are not a runner but aspire to be one, signing up for a local 5k can be the best way to sample the sport of running.
Workout 3 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 60 seconds jogging 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes
Week 5
Spring has finally sprung and for most of us it means getting out and enjoying the weather! The warmer temps find us spending more time outdoors, and many are finding it more enticing to workout. Throughout the region, spring marks the beginning of the 5k season for the NWI running community. The 5k season kicks off early March and you will find most
Workout 2 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 60 seconds jogging 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes
Week 6
Couch to 5K!
Workout 1 5 minute walking warm-up alternate 60 seconds jogging 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes
Week 8 Week 7
Brooke Recktenwall
Important Reminders!*Please stretch before and after workouts *Space workouts throughout the week to give your body a chance to recover *The jogging portion of the workouts should be an easy jog at your comfortable pace.
family health
Article Provided By: NorthShore Health Centers
May 11 - May17 2014 At NorthShore Health Centers, we know women’s health is important which is why each year we join other organizations across the country to celebrate National Women’s Health Week, May 11th – 17th. NorthShore has many ways in which we support women’s health. Our Obstetric services at NorthShore Health Centers are offered by experienced, Board Certified obstetricians and collaborating midwives who bring complete care to our patients. We realize that having a baby should be one of life’s most exciting experiences; however, pregnancy can also be very stressful. The birth of each baby has a long lasting impact on the physical and mental health of a mother. NorthShore Health Centers’ broad range of programs and expertise help women prepare for pregnancy, guide them through routine or high risk pregnancies to the birth of the baby and provide supportive services to underserved at-risk families with newborns through the first year. At NorthShore Health Centers we strongly focus on prenatal care during pregnancy. The goal of prenatal care is to monitor the progress of a pregnancy and to identify potential problems before they become serious for either mom or baby. Women who see their health care provider regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy. All mothers and babies benefit from prenatal care. NorthShore’s Prenatal Care Coordination Program was created to help provide high-risk pregnant women with the educational foundation they need during their pregnancy, by promoting early intervention, reducing preterm deliveries, low birth weight infants, infant deaths, and having a positive pregnancy outcome. The Prenatal Care Coordination Team consists of experienced Labor and Delivery Nurses, who can assist you with any concerns, needs, or questions you may have throughout your pregnancy. Pregnant women can enroll in the Prenatal Care Coordination Program anytime during their pregnancy, whether they are a NorthShore patient or not, because NorthShore believes everybody deserves quality healthcare! Throughout your pregnancy your Prenatal Care Coordinator will meet with you, providing education on each trimester including a 2nd trimester Mommy’s Day Out Event focusing on mom’s needs and a 3rd trimester Baby Shower with gifts and raffle prizes. NorthShore Health Centers’ Family Care Program provides supportive services to underserved at-risk families with new10
borns. Support is provided by a Family Care Coordinator, Michele Higel, who along with the Outreach Team and other community organizations support the families until the newest family member turns one year old. NorthShore’s primary objective for the Family Care Program is to empower families to do what they do best - care for their own. Strong families provide support and encouragement for the healthy emotional and physical growth of each family member. By working with the families through the first year and providing services and referrals to address each family’s individual need, NorthShore’s staff is able to strengthen the family as a whole and improve the health status of families in Northwest Indiana. The Family Care Program not only provides one on one support but also group support through our “Family Chat” monthly meetings. These meetings provide education on family and health related topics, information on community programs and events along with lunch, gifts and raffle prizes. There is also a Family Support Facebook Page with offers information on monthly family care meetings, free and low-cost family events, health and information fairs, parenting and child development, health and nutrition, safety tips, and programs and services. NorthShore Health Centers offers full obstetric services and have convenient locations and hours, to serve our mothers-tobe. From pregnancy testing through prenatal care, to delivery and post partum follow-up care, our skilled providers are there to answer questions and provide professional treatment for our patients. If you are an expectant parent looking to start your family off on the right foot, contact NorthShore Health Centers at (219) 763-8112 or get more information on our services and events at www.northshorehealth.org. - mtm
editorial
By: Nichole Odijk DeMario
2013 polar vortex
Baby Boom Call it a romantic notion or purely coincidental, but like clockwork after the polar vortex passed and Jack Frost released his icy grip on the Midwest the baby announcements came in droves. And a quick bit of math places the dates of conception smack dab in the middle of the third snowiest winter in Chicago history. While sociologists will say that these situational baby booms are mere myths, many local parents-to-be are saying the opportunities to try were bountiful in more ways than one. A Mom to Mom, NWI survey of more than a dozen local moms found 53 percent were trying during late Fall 2013 through the winter. Mother Nature seemed to play right along, giving people plenty of reasons to just stay in. First-time mother and Crown Point resident Shannon Ward said she and her husband Justin began trying after their one-year anniversary in September 2013. She says it’s been funny to be lumped into “this polar vortex baby stereotype.” The timing couldn’t be more perfect, she says, not only because she was hoping for a late summer baby, but she got out of what seemed to be never ending snow shoveling over the winter. “The hos12
pitals are definitely going to be full this year,” she says with a laugh. “I need to reserve my room now.” Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed say the polar vortex contributed to their pregnancy with one stating they had more time to “not try” and another saying the weather kept them home more than normal, which led to a few extra days to be together. Katie Holme of Miller Beach, and her boyfriend Dave were excited to start the New Year in their new home and nearly a month later were thrilled to find out they were expecting. Holme says the combination of new digs and a brutal winter were both to blame, but says she can’t wait to be a mommy, no matter when or why it happened. To share in her enthusiasm, Holme posted a Facebook message congratulating her Facebook friends on being part of #2014Moms. Within hours of posting she edited and reedited adding more and more congrats to nearly 20 moms, many of whom said they knew several other expectant mothers with summer/fall 2014 due dates. Whether the state of emergency had these soon to be new parents homebound or subzero temperatures led to snuggling a bit closer, each couple will have a fun story to share with their future children about the winter before they were born. - mtm
Wrapped Up with Beth Bowties Headbands Scarves
Beth Whitaker
BethWhitaker07@aol.com Michigan City, IN
Shop Online at: etsy.com/shop/WrappedUpWithBeth
education
Kindergarten round-up By: Nichole Odijk DeMario
A child’s life is marked with a series of firsts...first step, first word, first haircut, first day of school. These precious moments are a mix of emotions - excitement for the development of your child, but reminders that your baby is growing up. As parents, you spend countless hours preparing not only yourself for these milestones, but your child as well. One such milestone is kindergarten. And with many area schools recently completing their kindergarten roundups, kindergarten readiness is at the top of the mind for many parents. Purdue University North Central Early Childhood Education Coordinator Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer says kindergarten readiness starts long before a child is of age to attend kindergarten. She says parents need to trust their instincts about whether their child is ready for this stage of education and stresses to look at the child as a whole, not just from an academic standpoint. “While academic skills are important, they’re not the most important,” she explains. “You need to look at your child’s social skills for instance what sort of attention do they need, how do they interact with other children, separate from you, self regulate, problem solve. Fine motor skills like manipulating buttons, zippers, shoe tying and writing implements are also key.” Dr. Eisenhauer recommends parents give their children ample opportunity to be exposed to experiences with language for instance trips in the car, grocery store, doctor’s visits, errands and outings should be continuously narrated from day one. She says parents that are uncertain whether their child is ready or not should seek out unbiased, positive resources. She suggests talking to kindergarten 14
teachers about what type of environment the child will be in, the expectations, etcetera. Dr. Eisenhauer is a former kindergarten teacher and says she is a firm believer in asking whether waiting a year would help build a child’s self-esteem prior to starting school. “A positive kindergarten experience builds up a child’s self-esteem and essentially the core of their being. You want to build a strong foundation for who the child will become,” the mother of three details. She says if you opt to have your child wait until next school year, do not sit on the sidelines. She recommends gaining all the resources necessary to build upon your child’s self-esteem and readiness. She says your family pediatrician is an excellent person to start with and one does not have to wait until your child is nearing school age to ensure they are developing where they need to be. “…You are your child’s best advocate. Don’t sit back and wait. Provide them with all possible resources. As much as time is a gift, it slips through your fingers. You don’t get it back…it’s scary to be a parent. We’re trying to
Caden O’Connell
do the best we can. No one is going to love your child as fiercely as you do. I always ask, ‘If not you, than who?’” she says. In Indiana, a child must be 5-years-old on or before August 1 of the school year to meet the age criteria for kindergarten eligibility. Amber Clark’s (Schererville) oldest son Caden’s birthday is six days prior to the cutoff. She decided to enroll him in pre-kindergarten classes two days a week this January and soon thereafter began conversations with his teachers to get their opinion on his progress towards kindergarten. “I considered holding him back because he’s going to be the youngest in his class…I was sure he was ready after he took the kindergarten screening in March. He did so well,” Clark says.
Liam Zimmer
She says in anticipation of the upcoming school year, she will continue to keep Caden in his pre-k classes, complete workbooks at home and learning activities through abcmouse.com. For her toddler-age son she says time will tell and she will analyze his readiness at the appropriate time treating each child on a case by case basis. “Every child is different. If he’s ready early, I’ll send him too,” Clark says. Chesterton mother Devin Zimmer says her family decided to hold her five-year-old son Liam back, who will start kindergarten this fall as one of the oldest children in his class. Her experience as a four-yearold kindergartner led to this decision. “For reasons that made sense to my parents, they thought it was a good move for me,” she says. “I can honestly say
each and every year I felt behind my peers. When girls were talking about wearing mascara, liking boys, physical changes they were experiencing, etcetera, I was playing with Barbies, with hairy legs and thinking lip-gloss was taboo. I started college at the age of 17 and graduated from undergrad at 21. Each stage of my education I felt too young for where I was, not prepared, and overall awkward. I vowed to myself that I would never push one of my kids to start school early, because you could truly never catch up.”
She says her second child was also born in Sep- tember and will follow in his older brother’s footsteps. “Deciding to hold them back is one of the easiest decisions we have to make as parents…We anticipate he [Liam] will be a leader, not a follower, and have an extra year of “life” behind him to cope with the ever changing demands on kids these days…we hope he is another year stronger in sports, another year wiser in reading, another year ahead in social situations to place him strategically to be a success.” - mtm
ask the mom
There’s an anti-vaccination movement going on across the country and its causing a lot of controversy. Medical experts are worried that an increasing number of children may become susceptible to diseases such as measles and whooping cough while parents fear vaccines may cause autism.
The choice to vaccinate or not to vaccinate is a decision that has the potential to greatly impact the health of your children for the rest of their lives. And while parents fall on both sides of the aisle in this great debate, we thought we’d ask our readers for their opinion on this matter. Here’s what they had to say:
By: Dr. Sandee Clark A question I get asked a lot in my practice is whether or not I think a parent should vaccinate their child. Vaccination is a much debated topic because there are so many opinions surrounding this subject. While it is a personal decision, I feel weighing all the pros and cons first are crucial in order to make an informed choice. Some questions to think about before you make your decision are: • Am I or my child sick right now? • Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before? • Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems? • Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child? • Do I have full information about the vaccine’s side effects? • Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction? • Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer’s name and lot number, for all vaccinations? • Do I know I have a right to make an informed choice?
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It is scary to go into your Pediatrician’s office and question their recommendation to vaccinate your child. If you are sitting on the fence about this topic, medical doctors can be quite persuasive and use medical terminology to make you think there is no choice but to vaccinate. But let’s say you have questions and want to get more information before you say yes. Where do you turn? The National Vaccine Information Center is a great resource for parents on the fence about this topic because they encourage you to become fully informed about the risks and complications of diseases and vaccines. They also recommend you speak with one or more trusted health care professional before making a vaccination decision. Did you know that if you choose to vaccinate, you should always keep a written record of exactly which shots/vaccines you or your child have received? Why? Because you want to document and describe in detail any serious health problems that may develop after vaccination. Who should you report these possible health problems too? The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The federal health officials of VAERS monitor vaccines after they have been licensed so if there are numerous reports coming in about a particular vaccine, they can investigate it fully.
Ask the Doc is a monthly question answer forum created especially for Mom to Mom, NWI. Dr. Sandee Clark of Clark’s Family Chiropractic specializes in pediatrics, pregnancy and special needs kids chiropractic care. She can be contacted at 866-932-9630 or by emailing her at clarkschiro@gmail.com.
eats
Overnight French Toast
Mindy Gear
Ingredients:
1 cup light brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ cup coconut oil or butter (I used coconut oil) 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 1 loaf French Bread 2 eggs 1 ½ cups milk (skim or whatever type you have on hand) 1 tsp vanilla DIRECTIONS
Catering to Mom As with most moms, it is hard to find a little “me” time in the day. Busy schedules tend to leave us little time to focus on ourselves. Mother’s Day is one day a year that we are all entitled to a little “alone time”. Maybe you would choose to read a book, soak in the tub, or do a little shopping time? I’m sure many moms with young children would appreciate using the bathroom without an audience. Whatever your “me” time is, I hope it takes you out of the kitchen. It seems odd to be suggesting recipes for a day that I avoid the kitchen. So, now would be a good time to pass the magazine over to your spouse, significant other, or children so they can get a few ideas of how to start pampering you early this Mother’s Day.
Breakfast in bed is always a sweet gesture. It does not have to be a complicated meal – remember it’s the thought that counts. Plus, I don’t want to climb out of bed to a kitchen disaster! Depending on the age of your children, I’m sure they would love to help dad make something special. Here are a few ideas: • Toast or bagel • Pastries from your favorite bakery • Fruit and yogurt parfait • Fresh fruit • Smoothie • Omelet or scrambled eggs • Oatmeal • Latte or coffee • Pancakes
Heat brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut oil and maple syrup on stove, over medium heat until bubbly. Spray or grease a 9x13 pan. Pour the caramelized mixture into bottom of pan. Slice the bread into 12 pieces or into chunks (either is fine). Layer sliced bread or put chunks into pan over brown sugar mixture. Whisk the eggs, milk and vanilla together and pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator for about 30 minutes prior to baking. Mix 1 Tbsp white sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over bread. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove cover and bake 35-45 minutes or until top of toast is crispy and light brown.
Another delicious option is a breakfast casserole. There are so many options and varieties. Most have a bread or potato base. The following recipe uses crescent roll dough. You can use roasted vegetables (mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onions, etc). Your choices of breakfast meat and/or cheeses are great additions.
Crescent Roll Casserole
Ingredients:
1 tube Crescent Rolls 1 lb bulk sausage or sausage patties 1-2 cups of cheese (your favorite variety; (I mix Cheddar and Monterey Jack) 6 eggs ½ cup milk 1 bunch of kale (washed and sautéed in olive oil to soften) 1 fennel bulb (sautéed in olive oil) Salt/pepper to taste DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease a 9x13 pan. Brown sausage; crumble if using bulk and chop if using patties. Unroll crescent rolls and press into pan. Spread kale, fennel, sausage and cheese over
crescent rolls. Whisk eggs, milk and salt/pepper; pour over other ingredients. Bake in preheated oven about 20 minutes or until eggs are set.
Now that you have enjoyed your breakfast in bed, get up and go clean that kitchen!
Happy Mother’s Day! 18
feature
By: Stephanie Edwards
Mom You Should Know...
Courtney Wallace
When we become mothers, we do everything we can to make our families and children happy. We do this because there’s so much love in our hearts there seems to be no other way. Ask any mom and they’ll tell you they don’t want or need to be recognized for what they do, but every now and then, it is nice to recognize the role mothers play in all of our lives. Our Deserving Mom contest does just that by highlighting a few local
moms who serve as an inspiration to us! We received dozens of entries nominating moms whose loved ones believed they deserved this honor. After we narrowed the nominees down to a three, we asked our fans to vote on our Facebook page, and they choose Courtney Wallace as our 2014 Deserving Mom. Here’s the letter we received on her behalf:
y her first child on Ma rtney gave birth to ou C e. ac all W y tne her ap d friend, Cour en baby Olivia made u about my sister an became perfect wh t jus life I would like to tell yo d an , tes minu “off”. Tests revealed ery took less than 10 t her skin color was tha ed tic no s wa 25, 2009. The deliv it th to go home, s called in along wi family was preparing flight helicopter wa life he T . jor pearance. When the ma ng he o Olivia’s art t - somethi s asked to come int wrong with her hear s wa wa rd Lo ng e thi Th me d so an t e tha sm was performed parents learned sh An emergency Bapti mer Hospital, Olivia’s Co at ing riv ar r the hospital Priest. to fte y A rger her destiny. asive open heart su Heaven, if that was uld require a very inv wo he r to and walk her up to S . me ro to nd ge Sy mmy had walk he o known as DiGeor the first time her Mo s wa It e. ur ed er had 22q deletion, als oc H me! ent a 10 hour pr nth, Olivia went ho ys old, she underw rviving. After one mo su of ce survive. At just 7 da an ch % t 30 had a uld abou 22q y good bye. Olivia as much as she co sa ed d rn an , lea e” y lin tne d ur “re Co the , Courtney research. and getting pictures side, and dove into r tes he da t y lef pla ce on on r re ve we Mother ne gh her feeding hile other new Moms g her Daughter throu for their new life. W din ed ar fee d ep pr an d s an on , ati ion dic delet s of ing dozens of me “why”? At 6 month g oxygen, administer mplained or asked co r ve ne d an , was at home checkin ild ch side. At just s for her y never left Olivia’s lost sight of her hope tne r ur ve Co ne y in, tne ga ur A s. Co week tube. in the hospital for 3 d at several points heart landed them jor complications, an ma d ha ia liv O age, another open very ill en heart surgery. advocating for her underwent a 3rd op king questions and as e, sid r 2 years old, Olivia he to xt t right ne and NEVER stopped failure. Courtney sa She prayed for her n a. ga or ivi Ol ing to ow ad sh re s d wa up. She talked an s not ready to give child. Courtney wa k her baby home. weeks later, she too x Si r. he in g vin belie s ds various therapie Olivia. Olivia atten nd ou ar s lve vo re s ey ha day to day life en nearby. Courtn ital stays, Courtney’s , while keeping oxyg ce an ar pe Along with the hosp ap ’s ild tur ch her the pic e, she constantly monitoring raise awareness. In to s itie tiv ac ity un weekly. Courtney is ital, meetrious comm trips to Riley’s Hosp group and does va ly t or nth pp mo su bi q e 22 tak al y loc s. The formed a mmunity awarenes can see is “A Mothtmas gifts to raise co k at Courtney, all I ris loo I Ch n g he pin W ap . wr ns s er wa and address conc ctors to get advice cate for her child. ing with a team of Do will endlessly advo d an s, ge en all ch braces her child’s er ers Love”. She em rvous, as cold weath e. Courtney was ne tim t firs ry ve the s to the y in the snow for her. After all, 3 trip ivia was able to pla distance watching a m fro od This past winter, Ol sto d an r play, heart. But she let he is not so great on the worthwhile. “red line” made it all
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After more than three hundred of our Facebook fans voted for Courtney Wallace, we were excited to catch up with her and find out all that was going on in her life. Steph: Congratulations Courtney, we are very excited for you! What did you think when you found out you won our “Deserving Mom” contest? Courtney: When I found out I won the “Deserving Mom” contest I was floored, and so very grateful. What an honor - especially when you look at the stories of the other two contestants. Thank you so much!!! Steph: The letter we received went into great detail about the struggles with your daughter Olivia. Tell us a little about her condition. Courtney: 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is a genetic disorder that is known by a variety of names: DiGeorge Syndrome, Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS), and most popularly, “22q”. 22q is the second most prevalent genetic syndrome only to Down Syndrome, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 2,500 live births. In her 4 years thus far, Olivia has had 3 open-heart surgeries at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago (University of Chicago Medical Center). We have spent much of the last 4 years in and out of the hospital. Olivia suffers from complex congenital heart disease (Interrupted Aortic Arch, ASD, and VSD), immunological deficiencies, hypocalcemia, hypothyroidism, reactive airway disease, and speech / developmental delays. This is just to name a few of her many challenges. She has multiple specialist appointments each month (at Comer Children’s Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children), and participates in weekly physical, occupational, and (2) speech therapies. Steph: How’s Olivia doing now? Courtney:: Since her last heart surgery in early 2012, she has been doing fairly well, and she actually began preschool at Immanuel Lutheran in Valparaiso this past fall. Since beginning preschool, Olivia has made huge strides in speech and language, as well as in her social skills. I must say, we have a wonderful support network. The future for Olivia is uncertain, including her long-term prognosis. That’s the thing with 22q, you basically have to wait and see what happens next. As with other syndromes, there is no cure. You never know when another symptom or issue is going to appear. One thing we are certain of is that she will require additional cardiac procedures and openheart surgeries, most likely about 2-3 of the latter before she is an adult. The thing we are most fearful of is the elevated risk of depression and psychosis in 22q. All we can do is be prepared and hope for the best. We truly make each minute with our daughter count.
Steph: Tell us about what a typical day is like for you? Courtney: A typical day for me includes the normal “mom duties,” as well as medication prep (Olivia takes 9 medications daily) and taking care of Olivia and her 9-month old brother, Maddox. Of course we also have preschool, therapies for Olivia, and possibly a doctor/specialist appointment. Steph: I know that you are really proactive when it comes to 22q awareness. Tell us about what you’ve done? Courtney: Since Olivia’s birth, I have set my sights on raising awareness of 22q in northwest Indiana. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I always knew that I would advocate for my clients and strive to raise awareness of issues I felt strongly connected to. Little did I know when I chose my career, that I would one day be advocating for my own daughter, and raising awareness of something that would make such an impact on my life. In 2009, I began a 22q support group by utilizing contacts through Olivia’s geneticist and social media. That same year I also began the “I Heart O l i v i a” team for the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk, in which we are annual participants. Last year we were able to raise almost $4,500 for the organization.
Steph: And I know you received some great news recently from the state – please share that with us! Courtney: I submitted a proclamation request to Indiana’s governor, Michael Pence, in January 2014. It was my dream that Indiana would one day recognize a 22q awareness week. Low and behold, my request was recently granted, and I received word just last week that 22q Deletion Syndrome Awareness Week is officially proclaimed as being May 18th-24th, 2014! Steph: That’s great news!! What’s your next goal? Courtney: My next goal is to aid our state in adding 22q testing to the Newborn Screen. Raising awareness of this syndrome is vital to securing a timely diagnosis for families around the world. Steph: And what’s on the horizon for the family? What’s in the foreseeable future for the Wallace Family? Courtney: Olivia’s dad, Keven, and I hope to possibly expand our family in the future. We are currently in the process of building our new home in Valparaiso. As far as the future is concerned though, our biggest hope is that Olivia will stay healthy and can enjoy time with her brother and family. Congratulations to our 2014 Deserving Mom Winner – Happy Mother’s Day!! - mtm
Other Interesting Notes!
• In 2012, Olivia was featured in the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign calendar. • The Make-A-Wish Foundation approved Olivia for a wish in 2012. Although we have yet to receive clearance from her cardiologist, we hope to take our wish trip sometime in the latter half of 2014. • Olivia was chosen to represent the Make-A-Wish foundation in our local Applebee’s Make-A-Wish 2012 seasonal campaign.
fun & games
Amber Neace
Mother’s Day hand print craft
Every mom has a gift from their child at some point in their life that includes a hand-print and a heartfelt poem about how their hands won’t be so small forever. I loved receiving my first hand-print gift! It got me thinking to how my siblings and I are now adults, so my mom doesn’t get those gifts anymore. I decided it was time I made her another one, but with the handprints of her 5 grandkids. I wanted something that would hold up a little better than construction paper so I got the kids together and traced their hands onto fabric. I used embroidery thread to create the print and let them each choose which color would be used on their hand-prints. I used iron on transfers that I printed from my computer so that I could add the kid’s names to their gift. Once that was finished, I covered a piece of wood with foam board and attached the fabric - I wanted her to be able to hang the hand-prints on the wall.
Although they looked nice, I felt they needed a little bit more. I sat down separately with each child and had them tell me five things they loved about their Grandma. I printed out what they said onto purple cardstock, which is my mom’s favorite color, and attached it to the back of each frame. Now I felt they were complete - but I still wanted to do just a bit more. I have always loved the saying “The Best Things In Life Aren’t Things” and thought it would fit in perfectly with the rest of the gift. Unable to find a sign that went with what I was doing I decided to make my own. I looked up a tutorial on how to print onto burlap using your inkjet printer and created a beautiful sign to have as the center of the display. I bought a wall frame without glass, so you could really see the texture of the sign, and made rosettes and flowers out of scrap fabric. The end result was more than I expected and the kids were so excited to give this gift to their Grandma that they love so much!
I hope this inspires you to get creative and make an unforgettable gift for the woman who does it all. Share your creations on our Facebook page – we’d
love to see what you come up with! But more importantly - have a Happy Mother’s Day! - mtm
community calendar
What’s Going On?
Upcoming Races
2014 Valpo Police K-9 Unit 5K-9Run May 9 • Valparaiso • 6pm
This 5K run and non-competitive 1 mile dog walk will be held downtown at Central Park Plaza. Proceeds of this event benefit the Valparaiso K-9 Unit. The entry fee for the 5K is $20 and 1 mile dog walk is $13. For more information, contact the race director at tkobitz@valpopd.com
Basic 5K
May 10 • Crown Point • 9am
The race takes place at 909 E. Greenwood Avenue and supports BASIC, a high school youth ministry, with their summer mission trip to Puerto Rico. Registration is $20, $25 on race-day. For more information, contact the race director at 219.663.3643 or youtheguy@ameritch.net.
911 Heroes Hustle 5K Run/Walk and 911 Little Heroes ½ Mile Fun Run May 10 • Chesterton • 8:30am
This event will be held through the neighborhoods and streets of downtown Chesterton. Proceeds benefit the Warren “Skip” Highwood Foundation. This foundation awards scholarships to anyone who is pursuing a career in Fire Fighting, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services. This foundation also sponsors a child to attend the Hoosier Burn Camp. For questions, contact the race director at gwenoconnor75@yahoo.com.
Mother’s Day 5K at Taltree May 11 • Valparaiso • 9am
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a healthy morning run through Taltree’s beautiful spring landscape. This family friendly 5K trail run/walk is for the serious and not-so-serious racers. Cost for this race is $18 for members, $20 for non-members. Race day registration is $25. For more information, contact the race director at AKosky@taltree.org.
Regional Mental Health Center 5K May 17 • Highland • 9am
Come out to support mental health services and keep your body fit as well! To celebrate Mental Health Month in May, Regional Mental Health Center will be hosting its second timed 5K walk and run. For more information, contact the race director at amy.lopez@regionalmentalhealth.org.
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If you have an event you’d like to see published in one of our issues, please send an email to Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com. Entries are due by the 15th of the month. Please provide all details for the event.
Your Ad Here! Call 973-5138 Today! and Get Noticed!
Memorial Day Trail Run Xtreme 12K Run and Kid’s Xtra 1 Mile Run May 26 • Portage • 8am
This Memorial Day race takes place at Imagination Glen. The Kid’s Mile starts at 8:15 and the 12K run starts at 9:00am. This is a 2014 XYZ Trail Series Event. For more information, contact the race director at HYPERLINK “mailto:mignon.kennedy@gabriels-horn.org” mignon. kennedy@gabriels-horn.org.
Black Cat Strut
May 31 • Chesterton • 9am
This 5K Run/Fun Walk and 1 Mile Dog Walk takes place at the Coffee Creek Waterhsed, and benefits the Independent Cat Society in Westville. Bandana’s will be provided for dogs. Dogs must be leashed at all times, vaccinated, and must be friendly. For more information, contact the race director at 4pawsdogswalkingllc@gmail.com
The God Water Run for the Thirsty 5K May 31 • Schererville • 9am
This race takes place through the neighborhood east of Redar Park in Schererville. Fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt; guaranteed if registering before May 1st. Net proceeds benefit God Water (www.god-water.org) and no refunds will be issue. For more information, contact Race Director Chelsea O’Larey at rychels@gmail.com.
Field Station Frenzy
June 1 • Chesterton • 8am
This annual 5K Run/Walk, Kid’s Fun Run, and Tot Trot is being held at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve. The frenzy benefits The Field Station Cooperative Preschool, a nature-focused learning center nestled in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter, Indiana. To register for this event or to request additional information please visit the race website at 5kfrenzy.com or email the race director at Hbrecktenwall@yahoo.com.
Healthy Hustle 5K Run
June 7 • Valparaiso • 8am
Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness Firecracker 5K
Bicycle Rodeo
This course is a flat route through the neighborhood adjacent to Omni Chesterton. Parking is available on site or at the Chesterton Health and Emergency Center. No strollers permitted. Race day registration will be held at Omni Chesterton from 6:00am-7:00am. For more information, contact the race director at todd@thtiming.com.
Members of The Maple City Bicycle Club will be here to share bicycle tips and to talk about bicycle safety for all ages. You may also bring your own bicycle for a safety inspection.
June 21 • Chesterton • 7:30am
Library Events in Porter County
The following events are being offered at the Westchester Public Library
Pokeman League at Thomas Tuesdays • 6:30pm to 8pm
Children in first grade and above are invited to join the Pokeman League on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Registration is not necessary.
Crochet Club at Thomas
Wednesday • 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Children in grades 3 and up are invited to the Crochet Club each Wednesday afternoon from 3:30pm-4:30pm.
Art Box at Thomas
Saturday • 10am to 2pm
Drop-in for the libraries Saturday craft program from 10:00am-2:00pm. Children of all ages are welcome; parents are asked to accompany their little ones. No registration is necessary.
Toddler Time at Hageman Mondays • 10am
Children 2-3 years old and their parent/caregiver are invited to a story time that is designed for their age level. No registration or fee. Mondays, 10:00am.
Tickle Tales at Hageman
This 5K Run and Non-Competitive walk takes place at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. Entry fee is $20, race day registration is 25. If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at Patty.Neely@porterheatlh.com.
Tuesdays • 10am
Munster Rotary Run-A-Round
Tuesdays • 10:30am
June 7 • Munster • 7:45am
The Munster Rotary Club is celebrating their 26th Anniversary. Come out rain or shine to the Munster High School Football Field for either a 10K run, 5K run or 5K walk. The course will be consist of a scenic route and paved roads. For more information, contact the race director at bachbj@s-vt.com.
Valparaiso Jr. Triathlon
June 15 • Valparaiso • 9am
The Jr. Triathlon is open for two age groups: 6-10 years and 11-14 years (children must be 6 by June 1st). The younger group will do a 75 yard pool swim, a 5K bike ride and a 1K run. The older group will do a 150 yard pool swim, 12K bike ride, and 3K run. Registration is taking place now. For more information, contact Leslie McCall at lwevans@hotmail. com.
A special story time for children 9-24 months old and their parent/ caregiver. Registration needed; no fee. Tuesdays, 10:00am.
Play Date at Hageman Bring your newborns and meet some new friends as you enjoy the atmosphere of the library. Siblings welcome. No registration or fee. Tuesdays, 10:30am.
Stepping Stone 3s at Hageman Wednesdays • 10am
Story time for children 3 years old and not quite ready to be independent. No registration or fee. Wednesdays, 10:00 am.
Story Time at Hageman Wednesdays • 3pm
This group is for kids 4, 5, and 6 years old. Enjoy books, music, and fun. No registration or fee. Wednesdays, 3:00 pm.
Library Events in LaPorte County
The following programs are being offered at the various branches of libraries in LaPorte.
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May 3 • Hanna • 11am
Appy Hour
May 6 • Coolspring • 6pm
Discover brilliant apps for your phone or tablet while making new friends. Learn what is new in technology at the library and share your favorite apps.
The Sky is Falling?!
May 10 • Fish Lake • 10am
Join us for a morning of Henny Penny and other traditional folk tales. Paint or color your own wooden Henny Penny to take home! For students Preschool - 3rd grade.
Fancy Nancy Tea Party
May 17 • Union Mills • 11am
Come in your finest outfit for a très magnifique party. Registration required for guests and their caretakers as space is limited.
Rainbow Magic Fairy Party May 17 • Coolspring • 3pm
Celebrate spring with the Rainbow Magic Fairies. We’ll have crafts, stories and games that all fairies will love.
CLUE: LIVE! (or DEAD)
May 23 • Main • 7pm to 8:30pm
Test your sleuthing skills with a live action game of Clue after hours at the Main branch. Check out a book the same color as your favorite CLUE character and receive an invitation to this event. Pizza and pop will be served. This program is open to the first 30 teens in grades 6-12 who return a parent signed permission form.
Tackle Reading with Staley Da Bear May 31 • 2pm
Staley, the beloved Chicago Bears mascot will launch the library’s summer reading program “Fizz, Boom, Read!” with a fun-filled program. Staley and his MC entwine education and comedy to create an engaging hands-on program. Full details of this event are on the library’s online calendar of events.
Family & Kid Events:
Tender Loving Care Preschool Fundraiser May 3 • 1100am to 3pm
The Tender Loving Care Preschool is hosting a fundraiser for their school. Come out for an afternoon of fun!! The School will have a petting zoo - $3, a stepping stone sale - $10, a bake sale and a lunch stand. Tender Loving Care is located within Trinity Lutheran Church, at 201 N. W ashington Street in Valparaiso. Tours of the preschool will also be available.
2nd Annual Walk/Run for Kailey May 4 • 1pm
Join us for a day of walking (1 mile), running (3 miles), raffles, shopping, kids’ activities and good food, all while supporting the National Niemann Pick Disease Foundation (NNPDF) in honor of Schererville resident Kailey Florkiewicz. This event takes place at Clark Middle
School, located at 8915 W. 93rd Avenue, St. John. The entry for this race is $22.50 for those that pre-register, $25 day of. Children 4 and under are free. For more information, or to register, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.eventbrite.com” www.eventbrite.com (search 2nd Annual Walk/Run for Kailey in St. John).
Mother’s Day Brunch
May 11 • 10am to 2:30pm
T.J. Maloney’s Authentic Irish Pub will be hosting a Mother’s day Brunch which will feature a prime rib and honey-baked ham carving station, bountiful breakfast delights, a delectable assortment of sides and an elaborate dessert display. Allow the executive chef and his staff to cook and clean up so you can spend more time with your family. Cost is $24.95 for seniors, $29.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids and those 3 and under are free.
Mom and Adult Events: Painting Party with Diana Toader May 14 • 6pm
Get ready to enjoy a night out with your friends at Bartlett’s Gourmet Grill & Tavern. Come out to paint under the instruction of our experienced and enthusiastic artist Dana Toader! Invite your friends and enjoy step-by-step instruction on how to create your masterpiece. You will leave with a unique creation and a new exploration of your inner talent. Bartlett’s will offer a full bar and menu. Bartlett’s is located at 131 E. Dunes Highway in Beverly Shores.
Crown Beer Fest
May 17 • 1pm to 6pm
Come out and enjoy locally brewed beer. This event takes place at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Tickets cost $35 for General Admission and $59 for VIP. A portion of the proceeds benefit “The Arc NWI.” VIP tickets are limited. Must be 21 years old. Valid I.D. required.
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Courtney Wallace
Our Deserving Mom Contest Winner! We received dozens of entries nominating moms whose loved ones believed they deserved this honor. After we narrowed the nominees down to a three, we asked our fans to vote on our Facebook page, and they choose Courtney Wallace as our 2014 Deserving Mom. Read her story on page 20 of this month’s issue!
And a Big Thank You to Our Prize Sponsors! Amanda Rose Photography Stardust Bowl Zig-E’s Funland Petals Salon Trisse Cassessories Lia Sophia - Sue Bailey Mary Kay - Melissa Owens Avon - Wanda Marten
Hands to Help: Tastefully Simple - Christine Brazil Origami Owl -Dena Ristau Mary Kay -Dawn Casaday Eleven:Eleven -Kristin Hadari Gold Canyon -Julie Munoz Lia Sophia -Sandi Ruzycki Thirty One -Cindy Moneta
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