July-December 2015 iPhone Photo Dump

So, it's no surprise to any of my regulars, but I have been horrible at blogging the past year.  I don't know what happened, but I lost my blogging mo-jo.  I'm hoping to get it back.  With that said, I'll probably bombard your news feed with lots of catch-up posts.  Forgive me for being so negligent, but I hope to do a better job moving forward.

With that said, here's a much needed iPhone photo dump for July-December 2015.

Sherrie, Caleb, and Micah's Trip to Georgia and South Carolina July 2015

Family Vacation to the Florida Keys (Islamorada) in August 2015

Fall Festival at church October 2015

Even though it's June, I will be back to post about Christmas 2015 at some point...what's better than a little Christmas in June?!!?

Camp Twitch and Shout

Last summer, Caleb attended Camp Twitch and Shout.  Camp Twitch and Shout is a camp for children and teens with Tourette’s Syndrome.  It was probably one of the best weeks of his life, and he is so super excited about going back this summer.  He is excited that he will be able to see his cabin mates and all of the other friends he made.
He was in Cabin Blue 1 last summer, and they set up a website on Go Fund Me in order to raise funds to help send other children with Tourette’s Syndrome to camp.  Camp costs about $300 per child; however, that’s just what we pay…it actually costs much more than that, but that’s all they pass on to families. 
If you are able to help out Cabin Blue 1 by making a donation, they’d greatly appreciate it.  Click on this link to see a short video and go to their Go Fund Me website.
Cabin Blue 1 Go Fund Me website

Your Help Is Needed

I posted earlier about the wonderful experience that our oldest son, Caleb, had at Camp Twitch and Shout.  While he and the rest of the campers had a fabulous time, there’s no guarantee that they can continue to experience this wonderful camp.  Camp Twitch and Shout needs our help.  It costs roughly $2000 for a child to attend camp, but in order to make this camp affordable to everyone, they only charge $300 per camper.  That’s a huge burden on their shoulders to cover the remaining expense. 
My son, along with 8 other boys, were in Cabin Blue 1 this summer.  They have come together to try to do their part in order to help keep Camp Twitch and Shout alive.  We have set up an online fundraising campaign, and we’d love your help.  Please feel free to share this link or post with everyone.  Without our help, this week of ‘normalcy’ for children and teens with Tourette Syndrome may not be possible.  So, please help if you can. 
Everyone in B1 and at Camp Twitch and Shout will be eternally grateful.

Help Keep Camp Twitch and Shout Alive – sponsored by the B1 Brotherhood -- OR click the widget in the top right of my blog page.

Caleb’s Week at Camp Twitch and Shout

Caleb spent a week at Camp Twitch and Shout this past week.  CT&S is a camp for children, ages 7-17, who have Tourette Syndrome.  According to Caleb, it was the best week of his life.  He stayed in a cabin with 9 other boys, and they had 4 counselors and 1 counselor in training (I think). 
I made his week at camp as easy as possible.  Each day had a “theme”, so I packed his clothes for that day in a Ziploc baggy, and I labeled.  He also had a baggy for pajamas, underwear, swim gear, etc.  His toiletries were all bagged together, and his other items (sunscreen, bug spray, flashlight, cameras, etc) were bagged together.  I sent him a letter to read each night before bed, and I labeled them, too.  Yes – I know…I’m VERY anal and a tad bit OCD, and I’m okay with that.  LOL! 
The campers had a busy schedule, and I think this helped to put any “homesickness” at bay.  As soon as we picked Caleb up, he said, “I didn’t cry at all.”  LOL!  I wish I could say the same…I didn’t cry because I was worried about him.  I cried because it was his first time away from us for that length of time without any form of communication.  There would be no phone calls, no hugs at night, etc.  The only thing that helped me make it through the week were the many pictures posted on Facebook and Twitter.  I think I lived at the computer waiting for the next group of pictures to be posted…LOL!  And I’m pretty sure, I wasn’t the only mom acting this way.
Thankfully, Caleb came home with all of his gear (minus a hat), and he even brought home some extra clothes.  LOL!  We’re working on getting those returned to the rightful owners.  He also came home SUPER happy and grown-up.  It’s amazing what a week away from home will do for a child.  As parents, Brian and I learned that we have to trust Caleb and his instincts.  We have raised him to be a well-mannered and responsible young boy.  He proved this at camp…he took charge (he even won a certificate for being the “take charge camper”), and he did what he was asked to do.  He was also very polite and respectful.  So, we need to trust in him to do the right thing…we know he can, we just need to quit holding his hand.
He’s already gearing up for next summer, and he’s itching to get in contact with his cabin buddies.  Luckily, most of us moms have already connected on Facebook, and I’m sure there will be lots of letter writing in our future. 

Caleb’s letters to read each night

Caleb’s lemonade packets (he doesn’t care for plain water)

Caleb’s backpack, laundry bag, cameras, shower shoes, and toiletries

Notebook and pencil case

Swim gear and Spiderman costume for the Superhero Dance

Hat Day and Tacky Day

Sports Day and Superhero Day

Camp t-shirt Day and Pajamas

Backpack and rolling duffel

Caleb and Micah as we get ready to hit the road

Camp Will-a-Way at Camp Twin Lakes

Caleb on his bunk and brothers before leaving

Busy schedule for the week

Caleb and some of his cabin mates (this was after we left)

Caleb and S during tree climbing

Paddle boat time

Arts & Crafts – tie dye t-shirts

Luau on Monday night

Dodgeball…Caleb LOVED this

Waiting for the talent show on Tuesday night

Caleb and his cabin mates won the “cleanest cabin” award on Wednesday

Caleb walking during the lunchtime dance

All of the campers waiting for a special surprise on Wednesday night

That surprise was a Skype phone call from James Durbin – the former American Idol contestant who also has Tourette Syndrome

Wacky Olymptics – this was a fun and messy time

Caleb and his cabin mates tied for cleanest cabin on Thursday

Fun at the RC track

Caleb and his cabin mates and counselors at the Superhero Dance

Closing Ceremony – James (Jimmy) Wolk, the actor who portrayed Brad Cohen in the movie ‘Front of the Class’, takes a week off from his busy schedule to come and help at camp.  I think this says wonders of his heart and character.  What an inspiration he is for all of these children and teens.

Everyone ties a wish to a balloon

Wish Balloon Release

Caleb’s “Take Charge” Certificate…this makes a mama’s heart proud

This is only a small snapshot of Caleb’s week.  There will be more pictures from Caleb’s camera and from the DVD that I hope to purchase.  So, you’ll hear and see more soon. 

Counting down until next year…