Just Another Ordinary Miracle

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2009-07-13T07:24:00.001-04:00

A Bill of Rights For Parents of Kids with Special Needs

2009-07-01T16:12:00.004-04:00

Written by Ellen S.
Ellen can be found at To The Max.

A Bill of Rights For Parents of Kids With Special Needs

We, the parents, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure tranquility (and sanity) and promote the general welfare of our families, do ordain and establish this Bill of Rights.

* We have the right to expect our kids to be seen for who they are as individuals, not as labels or diagnoses.

* We have a right to trust our instincts about our kids and realize that experts don't always know best.

* We have a right to ignore the remarks, questions and stares and not give explanations or excuses for why our children are the way they are.

* We have a right to choose alternative therapies for our kids.

* We have a right to roll our eyes straight out of our heads when we encounter certain mothers who brag nonstop that their kids are the smartest students/best athletes ever.

* We have a right to wonder “What if…” every so often.

* We have a right to play aimlessly with our children. Not for therapeutic or educational purposes—just for fun.

* We have a right to blast Bruce Springsteen/Tom Petty/Any Rocker, down a glass of Pinot Grigio, get a pedicure, go out with the girls or do all of the aforementioned at once if that's what it takes to avoid burnout.

* We have a right to react to people’s ignorance in whatever way we feel necessary.

* We have a right to not always have our child be the poster child for his/her disability and some days be just a child.

* We have a right to go through the grieving process and realize we may never quite be "over it."

* We have the right to give our kids chores. Even better if they can learn to make breakfast in bed for us.

* We have a right to stretch the truth when we fail to do the exercises the therapist asked us to do this week because we were too darn tired or overwhelmed.

* We have a right to have yet more Pinot Grigio

* We have a right to fire any doctor or therapist who's negative, unsupportive or who generally says suck-y things.

* We have a right to tell family and friends that everything may not be OK—at least not how they mean it, anyway.

* We have a right to hope for an empty playground so we don’t have to look into another child’s eyes and answer the question, “What’s wrong with him?”

* We have a right to bawl on the way back from the playground, the birthday party, the mall or anyplace where our children’s challenges become glaringly obvious in the face of all the other kids doing their typical-development things.

* We have the right to give our children consequences for their behavior. They may be “special” but they can still be a royal pain in the ass.

* We have a right to take a break from Googling therapies, procedures, medicine and treatments for our kids to research upcoming concerts, exotic teas or anything not related to our child’s disabilities.

* We have a right to talk about how great our kids are when people don’t get it.

* We have the right to not always behave as inspirational icons who never complain or gripe about the sometimes awful realities of raising a child with special needs.

* We have a right to expect quality services for our children not just when they’re infants, preschoolers and elementary school age, but when they’re in older grades and adults, too.

* We have a right to adequate funding for those services and to not have to kick, scream or endure a wait for them.

* We have a right to get tired of people saying, as they give that sympathy stare, "I don't know how you do it."

* We have a right to wish that sometimes things could be easier.

* We have a right to cheer like crazy anytime our children amaze us—or weep like lunatics.

* We have a right to push, push and push some more to make sure our children are treated fairly by the world.

For a printable copy, e-mail LoveThatMax@gmail.com.

She actually likes this game

2009-06-26T23:19:00.005-04:00

Don't ask me why he starts calling her Roosevelt....or Rosy -

Fish Out of Water

2009-06-26T21:19:00.011-04:00

After three years we have found out we are raising fish - out of water. She loves it, loves it, loves it. If only you could see the great big smile on her face in the videos. She is in her happy place!

I think our goals to teach Ivey to anticipate events about to happen to her are pretty much shot while at the pool. Her goal is to expect virtually anything .......especially when her brothers are involved.

Video of Walker dunking Ivey coming soon --

My Great Dad -

2009-06-25T20:15:00.003-04:00

One Princess Ivey

Two Brothers

One Nephew

---------------------------

One Gran-Gran with his hands full.

I may be a hippie after all

2009-06-23T06:39:00.012-04:00

Maybe I should have titled this "So YOU think it's a luxury do you? Just try being Ivey for a day - buddy!!

Okay - I've been on this soapbox before but this time I am seriously aiming to do something about it. My hubby thinks I may 'have a point' but that thus is the ways of the world. Maybe so, maybe so, but get ready because when I get on my box, oh boy.

So here is my plan - do I have any takers before I get started??

I need volunteers. Good ones. Ones who don't mind showing off their disABILITIES. Basically blatantly obvious. I mean that with utmost respect remember my daughter is blatantly obvious.

Anyone willing to become a hippie with me will work just fine. We are going to silently protest --

Now I know it is sufficatingly hot in Georgia right now, but all the better because we have some doozies out there to rattle and shake. We need to attack on a hot miserable day to better prove our point.

Here's what we are going to do. We are going to get someone to drop us off at our favorite places in town, whether it be a restaurant, hospital, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, TJ Max, or Barnes and Noble.

Ivey and I get dibs on that one spot in front of Harvest Moon.

We are going to stand or sit out there in this darned Georgia humidity in our wheelchairs (Ivey will) in front of the closest 'handicapped' parking space. Not saying a word, just parked on the sidewalk in front of the spot, and see if those people with the little hangy 'handicap sign' that looms from the rear view mirror - who had an injury at some point - still have have the gumption to turn into that designated spot.

Trust me on this restaurant one - I've seen the same couple eat in there multiple times who have parked in that lone spot out front - it's not heart issues or their diet would be different.

I also call dibs on a spot in front of the hospital. I think a whole group of us should sit up there in front of those spots.

Let's just sit out there and make them think. "On a hot day like today, could someone else have better use of this space?" If they are 'handicapped', you would think they would use those special spaces more wisely.

I know I do. Every single time I drive my car I could pull in one of those specially marked spots, even if Ivey was not in the car. My car has a tag, so the fines would not matter because legally - I'm covered. Seriously, have you ever seen a police officer question anyones parking? My conscience would kill me.

But you better bet that even today if Ivey is not in my car, I park further away from the store. I still walk from the back of the parking lot because I know that those handicapped spots are taken and someone whether in a wheelchair or elderly needs a spot up closer to that store. I am NOT a parking lot stalker!!!!

When Ivey is with us, we park there in those special spots. My daughter is a three year old mentally challenged blind girl who cannot walk. Her three year old counterparts are running around. Sometimes she needs her wheelchair other times I would love for her to try to walk to where we are going. But she can't do it from a block away, not YET. No, she has not 'earned' that spot but it does make a small portion of her life easier.

And trust me on this one, she would rather not be the one needing that space - EVER.

So why do so many people think it a L.U.X.U.R.Y?

It's not people.

So who is with me? Seriously. Any one want to be a hippie with me?

Do You Believe Me Now?

2009-06-19T23:10:00.001-04:00

This was sent to me via email. I couldn't resist sharing it. Thank you Kathy -

During Jimmy Wayne's free concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame he called a girl up to the stage whose father won a trip to Nashville to meet Jimmy Wayne at the event. It seems she told Wayne that she could sing when they met backstage earlier so he wanted to put her on the spot and give her the opportunity of a lifetime. He brings her up, introduces her to everyone and acts like she's a huge celebrity about to start her own concert.

Click here - It's worth the time => Do you believe me now?

Guilt 101

2009-06-15T23:06:00.003-04:00

I often wonder if the guilt of Ivey's differences will ever truly go away. No matter what, they have a way of looming and making themselves present even in the best of situations. Last week I spent the best four days at the beach with my boys. With a lot of love and help from my parents and aunt and uncle and a lot of love and encouragement from my awesome husband, the boys and I headed to the beach to just be. In other words, we went while Matt and Ivey stayed here. Our intentions were to give the boys some much needed time to be boys – with no grueling schedule – no 'wait a minutes' – no 'let me get the feeding pump' – not even a bedtime. And that is just what they did- and more. They got to be themselves, come first for a change and have their mama uninterrupted. In the meantime, Ms. Ivey got her Daddy to herself for the first time ever. I know they had their own fun, a lot of snuggling and even time at the pool together. Needless to say, everyone got a little of the attention that they have needed for a long time.

Also needless to say, the guilt of leaving Ivey behind was nagging. Knowing that we left to take a break from a schedule that she can never leave behind, that she is always bound to, just somehow does not seem fair. No matter how normal our 'new normal' is to our family, the boys still need time to be 'normal'. They need the opportunity to also know a life without so many barriers and regimens. Ivey needs time to have her dad to herself too, to know him without the distractions of her brothers who want and demand his undivided attention as soon as he walks in the door each day. So at some point I wondered if it were 'fair' to be having such a fun time without the other half of our family. I guess that leads us back to the constant battle of equality for all three of our children. It was a great reminder for me that the boys need me just as much as Ivey does, maybe even more at times.

We had a great time– lots of trips daily to and from the beach – easy trips lugging sand buckets, toys and towels-always covered in sand. I had forgotten, because it has been so long, how easy it is to do such simple tasks when your children can walk -how easy it is when they can feed themselves - when they do not need you to literally touch them constantly to be connected to an awesome world - to be able to speak and be heard - to be spoken to and hear. Not that all things are hard all the time, but it was so easy. Then up came the guilt again. Ivey's life requires her to work so much harder than the rest of us to do simple tasks. Walking to the beach, sitting in the sand, seeing the ocean, building that sandcastle, pointing at her surroundings, hearing the ocean for what it truly is….looking at the dolphins between the sandbars at sunrise – I know, it was a very special trip with very special memories of the boys, and we did enjoy every single second together and I will tell them over and over about our special time, the ride in the car, how spotting dolphins is good luck, about eating starcrunches for breakfast and finding those seashells–not a moment was diverted from their time, but at night when it got quite, I couldn't help but think about life's complications and wonders...how they bind themselves together. And I wonder, is that normal for our type of family? Or are those guilty moments just something that I create for myself to worry about?

Very Interesting.....Hmmm?

2009-06-15T14:45:00.003-04:00

I'll let you look for yourselves.....Let me know what you think.
This was passed on from MAPS. Oh, and don't forget to vote for him.

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/photocontest/dogs/09/06/04/riddle

The Big Transition

2009-06-07T10:19:00.012-04:00

The big transition is final. Of course you have no idea what I am talking about, but let’s just say after several months of worrying it’s a done deal. It’s one of those things that you hear other parents talk about, stress about and complain about…it seems that it never works out to their liking (for the most part), or it is just downright brutal and a fight.

That’s what happens with other people. Not Ivey.

Ivey’s first IEP is official. She transitioned out of Babies Can’t Wait, thank you Ms. Becky, and merged into the Floyd County School System with a perfect landing.

If you are unfamiliar with IEP’s – go here:
www.parenttoparentofga.org/roadmap/education/educationplacement.htm

Transition is a tough process. Trust me on this one; we have done a lot of transitioning in the past three years. When Babies Can’t Wait came into our home after Ivey’s birth – there was some serious transitioning. To start with, I sat in a room full of very caring people who asked questions, gave information and evaluated my baby girl. Overwhelming doesn’t even begin to cover it. And when all was said and done the obvious was stated…she was blind, hearing impaired, could not eat, was physically challenged, and mentally challenged. The hardest part of that initial meeting was having them ‘grade’ her and compare her to some ‘standard’ for ‘normal’ children. All I remember was me wanting them to leave.

Over the three years with Babies Can’t Wait, those same women who sat in the floor of Ivey’s room that day became my friends, our family’s support and Ivey’s strongest advocates. They got the bird’s eye view of our home from inside the walls. They have witnessed many of Ivey’s truly amazing feats because they are partly responsible for her success in this world. They have cheered her on as active participants, not just the easy seats on the sidelines. Some of them even got to see me every week first thing in the morning with bed head and no coffee. So I want to thank everyone who has touched Ivey’s life through Babies Can’t Wait. You are all special angels helping special little people!

As for the new Transition in our school system, it was not quite as traumatic as the first. I know Ivey and her strengths as well as her weaknesses. A score on a piece of paper means nothing to me now. Oh, it still bares a sting, but not the punch it used to. It is what it is and must be done as part of the process. The members of the school’s transitioning team saw through those numbers too.

I can’t wait to see how Ivey blossoms this next year. Floyd County has done an excellent job to ensure a smooth transition with Ivey. So this next year Ivey is set. She will still be at First Baptist and she will attend McHenry. She will get the best of both worlds. She will have two great people working with her in class (whom I can’t wait to work with), alongside her teachers. She will be working on signing and Braille with vision and hearing teachers, there will be a little OT, PT and SLP – along with other whistles and bells. Looks like a good year for Ivey!

So thank you to everyone in Babies Can’t Wait – you did an excellent job preparing Ivey for this day. Thank you to everyone we have worked with in the Floyd County system, especially Juli, this has been such a good and exciting time for us – I can’t begin to tell you how worried we were in the beginning. And a very special thank you to Ms. Lynn, I could not have gotten through this without you!!! You are an exceptional person.

You know Ivey has really taught me so much over the past few years. I feel like I walk around in a world of metaphors. This new transition I am sure will teach me so much, but I do hope that it will still be a learning experience for us all. To be so small, Ivey has so many life lessons to teach. She truly is a miracle, and whatever her true purpose of this Earth is, I am certain that God knew just what he was doing when he put her here in our lives, and now in your lives. When you were all in my home I hope you noticed that I like butterflies. Butterflies remind me of Ivey and the quote that says, “There is nothing in a caterpillar that says it will become a butterfly.” Ivey is much like that caterpillar – we don’t know her future and there is nothing spelled out saying what that future will be, but in only a few short years she has developed into a beautiful little girl with so much potential. Potential that was not quite so evident at first. Now you have the opportunity to cultivate that potential.

How wonderful is that?

Ms. Mary working with Ivey. Ivey loves this crazy thing on her head. Honestly, Ivey really likes the craziest textures. Ms. Mary will work with Ivey at FBPS next year.

Maybe now I can get back to blogging....Got some great stuff...

Change.

2009-06-04T23:25:00.002-04:00

Hello summer!

Finally, summer is here! This week has been great – routine of having no routine. It is especially great after the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks. So much has been happening 'round here..

It's funny how when change happens – it happens it one swoop. And change can be so hard, but based on the past, doesn't necessarily mean bad, just new. Ivey has really made me cling to things over the past three years. Maybe if I cling hard enough things will stay right where they are, but we all now that will never happen. But everyone needs to say congratulations to Christa. She now has a new job which means her time with us is much shorter. All of this happened last week and I already miss her. I think I might be worse than a mom when it comes to letting her spread her wings and move on. She has been with us for so long, she is like an adopted daughter. She is the person that I have been able to depend on over the past three years with Ivey, and she has been with us even longer than that. Knox and Walker do not remember life without Christa in it. She can do it all. She can never be replaced. Ivey loves her and the boys love her…we all do.

Then this past Sunday Camille came in for her shift and let me know that it would be her last weekend. She has been my constant over the past 2 ½ years with Ivey. She came when Ivey was first trached. When she is here I sleep. My chest feels heavy just at the thought of not seeing Camille next weekend. But, her family needs her now and that is where she must go. The thing about nurses in our home every night, even though we are supposed to interact on a professional basis, they become friends. How does it not get personal when someone is in your home weekly? I don't even see my best friends as much as I see the nurses. I entrust them to one of my most precious and sacred treasures. We talk morning and night. They see the good times and experience the bad times with us. And the nurses like Camille are here for a reason, they love what they do… they love their patients. Saying good bye to Camille Monday morning was crushing.

Ivey will miss Ms. Camille.

As for Christa, we will miss seeing her as often, but unfortunately for her, she is stuck with us. She's too much family to get too far away. I hope that other families are as fortunate as us to have such special people in their homes.

Long Branch Lakes

2009-06-04T10:06:00.007-04:00

LAST MANGO IN PARIS

2009-06-02T22:59:00.005-04:00

Dear Pro and Slim,
Matt is carrying on the Buffett tradition - Enjoy!!!
Ivey sleeps on.....

This was taken on a little roadtrip we took over the weekend.

The First Official Curl Trim

2009-06-02T22:35:00.006-04:00

The first curl...

The new look....coming soon

Thank you M.!

Golfing

2009-05-18T21:49:00.004-04:00

The boys took a golf camp a few weeks ago and met a couple of new friends. I love this age.

Ivey made a friend too. That adorable skirt was her birthday present. We are finally to the dress up stage!

"When I forget how talented God is, I look to the sea." Whoopi Goldburg

2009-05-13T22:16:00.009-04:00

Every so often someone will ask, "So, how are the boys with her?". I always reply, "They're great with her. To the boys - she is just their baby sister."

I'll let you decide for yourself - !

If you listen closely you can hear her giggling the faster she goes and grunting at Walker when he stops -

A great day - mother's day

2009-05-10T20:08:00.008-04:00

She's got him

Sign "Change" with Walker and Ivey

2009-05-01T13:22:00.007-04:00

"Change"
To avoid confusion please only sign the appropriate word when performing the task at hand. She will learn to associate the appropriate sign with the activity. We did change her diaper immediately following this video.

That was the bestest birthday ever -

2009-04-30T03:07:00.005-04:00

Thank you Greg, Susan and boys for the beautiful birthday flowers!

Cake before.

Cake after.

The end to a perfect birthday - A living room slumber party with her brothers -

Gooey Sticky Birthday Cake.

Three years ago -

2009-04-25T08:17:00.008-04:00

Happy 3^rd Birthday Ivey!!!

Has it really been three years? And look where you are now. Amazing. We love you and are so proud of you. You are an inspiration. You are proof that miracles do exist and dreams really do come true.

Once upon a time a Princess was born

and met one of her fairy Godmothers.

At times she would sleep peacefully, but not very often.

Then one day the princess was trached. All grew quite in the land. The princess's beautiful voice was taken away. Everyone in the kingdom whispered her name and prayed for her. She prevailed and her people stood in amazement at the courage of one petite princess.

For her bravery,the princess was presented with her royal crown on her first birthday.

The second year of the princess's life was full of wonder.

Through means of magic great gifts were presented to the princess. And one miraculous day she was granted beautiful emerald eyes.

And another fairy Godmother wept with joy.

And for all those who were so blessed to be loved by the princess, they were humbled by her smile and their hearts melted instantly from her touch.

And again at the end of the princess's second year the members of her kingdom came to celebrate. For the kingdom which once had been in disarray was now vibrant and full of life.

There was much to celebrate.

And this time a fairy Godmother breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled.

Even the fairy Godfather whisked the princess up and showed her off at a royal celebration.

Then came a great day. Like all fairytales, the lovely princess had been carrying a heavy laden burden. On this day her long carried burden was to be taken away. The heavy cross that the young princess had been carrying for so long was removed. Once again the kingdom celebrated and parades marched through the streets. For the beautiful voice of the princess had been restored.

Upon the lifting of the heavy burden, miracles began to happen. The princess went to preschool just like all the other princesses.

She went to parties and slid down magical slides with her father and brothers, prince Knox and prince Walker.

The princess even met the mermaids in the ocean.

She was even granted more jewels, silver hearing aids to wear on her ears. Unfortunately, she often had to wear unattractive hats in August just to keep them in.

And most importantly, the princess made friends.

Normally this is the part of the story that says "The End", but not this fairytale. The fairytale of princess Ivey is on going even today. She is a beloved princess whose kindness and courage reaches beyond the borders of her kingdom. At night when all grows quite, stories of the beautiful princess are recounted to all those in need of miracles and magic, selflessness and determination. And today she celebrates another year. And I am most positive that each gift that God grants this year will be a miracle too.......

JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY MIRACLE.

A Birthday Request From The Birthday Girl

2009-04-23T16:16:00.011-04:00

For Ivey's birthday she would really love it if everyone started to learn a little sign language so that she can get to know you. She loves the interaction and is picking up new sign rather quickly. We practice what is called hand-under-hand with her. That means we place our hands under Ivey's to sign to her or to guide her hands. Her hands are ALWAYS on top. Remember when approaching her gently touch her on her on the top of her forearm first. Her hands are her eyes, so we much treat them with respect. The more we offer her our hands, the more she will learn - we will enrich her life and introduce her to the world that she does not see and the sounds that she can not hear very well. To help facilitate this goal I will begin a list of words that Ivey's knows and is in the process of learning up on the sidebar.

TODAY AT PRESCHOOL...A BIRTHDAY PARTY, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND THE PET STORE

Petting the rodents outside.

Giving Mrs. Ashley a run for her money with that eye.

Playing peek-a-boo with the kitty.

Aunt Beth and Ivey. This is a Walker look. You can read every thought in her mind on that face. Obviously the non-so-pleasant urine smell of the animals was not her thing.

Cupcakes at preschool.
Can you see that grin?

She can make a pretty picture, but what makes me smile is her two best-est friends right there by her side.

And this is the middle child climbing the tree right in the middle of town.

April with us and Christa and some random Jungle Book picture

2009-04-23T15:49:00.006-04:00

Easter with the boys, Ivey, Maggie and Lindsey

Hunting Chirpy Eggs with Maggie...Listen to the eggs talk..Watch her find them...See her clap for herself..

Dandelion Wishes

2009-04-22T11:39:00.007-04:00

I have officially had a case of writer's block. It's crazy. I sit down to update Ivey and can't think of a thing to write about. This has been going on for a couple of months now. Really, I never thought I would run out things to jabber about. Maybe it is not from the lack of things going on, but sifting through the surplus of craziness. I have even wanted to post some pictures, but that means downloading them- ugg. So, its mid-morning and Ivey's Wednesday OT session was switched, so I have a few moments. Of course I could fold the laundry that is piled up, even iron it, but who wants to do that? And at the beginning of the week we had two rooms painted, one being Ivey's room, because we are switching her to a different bedroom. Now if I were really motivated, I would start moving her furniture, clothes, medical supplies and toys....or sweep up the dust from places the painters had to sand. Instead, I am sitting here doodling through emails and now this. If you are wondering where Ivey is, she is sitting here next to me playing with her musical flowers and eating.

Last Thursday at the boys tennis lesson one of their friends was intrigued that Ivey did not have eyes, remember, she has not been wearing them in quite a while, months actually. Four year olds are the cutest things; she asked all kind of questions and just loooved on Ivey. Then she picked a dandelion to make a wish…and she wished for 'the baby' to have eyes. Those seeds just few in the wind from that Dandelion Wish.

Friday morning I had the itch to look at Ivey with her beautiful green eyes. And guess what?? She left them in. Of course, she has tried a few times to take them out, but only a few times. Now it is Wednesday and I am sitting here looking at a green eyed girl. Guess that sweet Dandelion wish came true.

If this doesn't work long term, I have a new plan. I think we'll have an "Ivey's Eyes Weekend Marathon". We'll have to come up with a cuter name for it though. Literally, have anyone we know signup for a time, whether it's five minutes or an hour, and simply sit and play with her or hold her while she sleeps. I really think that she would leave them alone if we could just 'desensitize' her from them. Maybe if we could entertain and distract her for an entire weekend (Friday – Sunday) she would leave them alone. What do you think? Anybody up for playing with Ivey??

So I'll let you know in the next few days how it goes. In the meantime, we may have pictures of a green eyed girl on her third birthday….

Remember, Saturday is the big day. Ivey will be three….3….. Ha

Well, more on that later, the feeding pump just went off and Ivey and I have a list of things to do today.

California and Kisses

2009-04-07T21:29:00.001-04:00

Between a six year olds birthday party, homework, sinus infections and trips away from home, there has been little computer time. So I wanted to take second a let you in on a couple of small things learned over the past couple of weeks.

One, Ivey has decided she LOVES to give kisses. And don't think you'll get a normal kiss. Ooohhh nooo. It's a nice slobbery kiss with a giggle from her. That's okay. They are some of the best kisses ever (even if we all come away with a little drool).

Two, Matt and I took a trip. And not just a one night trip, but a real five day away trip. It was the first in a long time. Honestly, one that we weren't sure if we would ever be able to take (alone) again. Well, we did and it was wonderful. So, for all of you with kids and especially those of you with special needs children that think you can never leave, you must go. Whether you think they can or not, there are others who are willing to watch the little ones and do just as well, even though it is hard to imagine, as we parents do. And guess what? Our kids survived. The world kept right on spinning. And we had a great time. And so did our kids.

Remember, couples with special needs children on average have a higher percentage rate of divorce. That special time is very important. So thanks mom and dad for taking time to stay here so that we could go. And thanks to our friends who made for a very special and FUN Trip!!

Also, can you believe that Ivey will be three in a couple of weeks? My how times have changed.

The Fog Horn

2009-03-20T06:47:00.004-04:00

This morning when the alarm clock went off sometime before 6:00 am, it sounded something like a fog-horn blowing. I swear that clock has the most obnoxious alarm I have ever heard. The alarm was whaling signaling that it was time for Ivey's nurse to leave and someone had to go take her place. So I hauled it out of bed and as I rounded the corner to Ivey's room N. our nurse was laughing. And this is why. Apparently we all have the same opinion of the alarm clock.

(N. said she covered her ear when the alarm went off.)
How funny is that?