Well the holiday season is almost over for the year. I am very excited for the new year as 2009 really wasn't my best. I have the amazing blessing of my son but as a whole, it had some very stressful moments. As the year draws to an end, my cat decided to use my coat as a litter box while we where driving back from PA. Yes, we allow all of our animals to run free in the car which makes for some interesting looks and now interesting and very smelly stories.

So this brings me to the thoughts of my New Years resolutions. I am unsure why I make them (or most of us do) but it does at least give us a temporary to do list before it all falls to the waist side. Me, I want health for my family, happiness, weight loss (don't we all) and a drama free year. I will take any good drama but considering my luck at winning lottery tickets, probably not happening!

So here's to a healthy, happiness and prosperous New Year. Bring on 2010!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE Linz Family!!

Dear Friend,

Imagine for a moment that you're far away from your family and friends. You might know when you will be home again, but that date is so distant it's hard to imagine. You're cold and lonely and really miss the simple things -- like talking to your kids on the phone.

That's what it is like for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But you can make it possible for them to call home and hear the sound of their daughter's voice, or listen to their son's excited recap of a basketball game.

Our troops sacrifice so much for the rest of us. Today, you can show your appreciation in a very real way.

Donate $25 or more now to support Operation Phone Home and give troops the chance to make a call to their loved ones over the holidays.

https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=1709&

Operation Phone Home is a vital part of the USO's At Home In Our Hearts holiday campaign. With your help, we can distribute thousands of pre-paid telephone cards to service men and women stationed overseas.

We must get thousands of phone cards into the hands of these men and women. Can we count on you to embrace one of those troops right now?

Support Operation Phone Home by making a donation of $25 or more to help troops talk to their loved ones this holiday season.

Our partnership with AT&T makes it possible for us to buy phone cards at a deep discount. That means your contribution goes further and provides more talk time on each card we distribute.

Nothing can take the place of being home for the holidays, but when duty calls, our troops answer without hesitation.

Your contribution to this appeal will help to ensure that troops serving in lonely outposts over the holidays are At Home In Our Hearts.

https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=1709&

Sincerely,
Sloan Gibson
President and CEO, USO

What is it with 2009? After getting Carter out of the hospital for the holidays, Daddy ended up In the ER last night with a high temp and stomach issues. He has the flu. Because of Carter, we have to be especially over cautious in getting sick. We both received the H1N1 vaccine this week and ironically, he got sick:( I am just praying for a wonderful 2010 full of good health and happiness.

So here is my latest household discovery. Spray and Wash. Yes, the normal spray and wash we use for laundry. We have two dogs, a cat, a baby and carpet. The combination of all of these just screams carpet stains. I am always cleaning up something and after spending the week in the hospital with Carter, a lot of puppy stains appeared. Yesterday I was on a mission. I hate dirty floors so I whipped out the Resolve carpet cleaner, put on my stylish yellow rubber gloves and went to work. I wasn't having a lot of luck with the Resolve and some stains were just so identifiable that I had no idea how to get them up. Suddenly I had a flash back of a few months ago when a glass of red wine was spilt on our carpet. I was in a pinch and decided to try spray in wash in the absence of any carpet cleaner. Poof, wine stains gone! GONE!

So I tried this same strategy yesterday and it worked! The key is to saturate the stain and wash with warm water. Yes, the carpet is damp for a bit but the stains are gone. ALL OF THEM. This stuff takes up EVERYTHING!

On another note, I am walking again for Carter and the March of Dimes. The walk is in April and my goal is to raise $1000. The team is NNMF inspired as they took amazing care of Carter in the NICU and the doctors and nurses at National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed inspire me and saved Carters life. Any donation is appreciated and if you can walk with me....even better! Carters first birthday is January 2, 2010. This walk is for him.

log onto : http://www.marchforbabies.org/Deannamlinz



Off to nurse Daddy and son.....my countdown to 2010 has begun!

I cannot believe the holidays are here. Time flies so quickly. My biggest pet peeve is the fact that it gets dark so early! I loved living in Germany where it was actually light at 10pm. Can anyone say Alaska:)

Carter was admitted to Walter Reed this week due to dehydration and flu like symptoms. He was unable to keep food down. They did a head ultrasound and then CT to realize his ventricles had enlarged and the fluid may be putting pressure on his brain. We had the conversation in regards to putting a shunt in. This scares the heck out of me as you could imagine. Many children and adults can thrive with a shunt but brain surgery was not exactly a level of comfort that can be found in most people. Certainly not in me...the Mom. I came home on Tuesday to shower and just sat in my closet and cried. I can't help but question what did I do to cause this? No matter what anyone says, the blame falls on the Mom. It is the way the in laws look at you or some doctors as they as, "Do they know why he was born so early?". Truth is, no one really knows without an obvious cause. I am young (sort of:))), healthy and our lifestyle is a healthy one minus the occasional over indulgence of peanut M&M's.

Carter came home today after a battle with a flu virus and we still will continue to follow him through Neuro, Gastro, Optha, Pulmo (all followed by ology) and Pediatrics.

Thank you from Carter, Andy & I for all of the prayers. It was a rough week but Carter seems to be back to his baseline and smiling at me a lot. He has the best smiles.....