Please consider.....

By the time dinnertime rolls around, I am exhausted. Exhausted also knowing I have hours more to go before I can sleep. People....mental illness is REAL. Mental illness is not something someone does on purpose. Mental illness affects other around them as well and changes lives just as someone that has a long term medical condition that requires a lot of care.
 
Children of all ages can experience a MI. Mental Illnesses are biologically based, meaning that chemicals or structures in the brain are not working as they are supposed to, resulting in symptoms that cannot be managed or overcome without treatment, often resulting in lives that are unstable. When a person is experiencing the symptoms of MI, relationships with family and peers, school performance and basic daily activities (sleeping, eating, bathing, dressing) can be difficult.
~Dr. E. Crim, PhD
 
We have a long road ahead of us on this journey that we are on. PLEASE consider donating to help with the costs. We are already on track to meet our large out of pocket expenses early this year -- not to mention the fact I am her caretaker and not able to work. ANY amount will help. Please help us help our daughter get the help she needs! http://www.gofundme.com/5yk6ro

Update on my second oldest -- Rooney

My second oldest, Rooney, recently turned 20 and is a junior at USC.  He graduated high school in 2011 full IB (international baccalaureate).  He is currently an English major, Spanish minor as he plans on going to law school after graduation.  He grew up loving all sports and playing practically every one possible.  He ended up loving cross country and track, and making varsity his first year running.  He's tall and lanky & has a good runner's build.  Now at college he runs for fun.  He also works a lot of hours as a valet, which I think is a cool job!  He is able to drive and check out all kinds of [expensive] cars, to see which ones he likes/dislikes and works well with his height.  Here is a recent picture of him on his last birthday.

Update on my oldest - Bentley.

My oldest son will be 23 in a couple of months.  He joined the US Army and went to boot camp in Oct 2009 after graduating from high school.  His MOS is that he flies DRONES.  I remember when he brought the recruiter to our home & he was telling me about it.  I asked about playing the trumpet for the Army (since he's so naturally gifted) and the recruiter looked at me and said, "Why would he want to go through boot camp just to do the same thing he's doing now?"  Uhhh.....because it's SAFE and would make this mother happy!  But he flies drones, and LOVES it!

He has been to Afghanistan for one tour already, and funny thing is, people used to ask me all the time if I was worried about him and I would be like "nope" because with his job, he is far away from the action and safe.  Just like how I would like it to be.

He already re-enlisted for another 4-5 years and recently became married a couple of months ago.  He's already expanding his family with a dog.  He has gone from an E-1 from when he went in, to an E-5 NCO (non-commissioned officer) in right at four years!  I'd say the Army is good for him.  :)
I just wish he wasn't stationed so far away.....

This is a picture of him the day he re-enlisted.  Isn't he handsome?!?

Chez' Bichet: I'm BAAACK

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melinabishay

I'm BAAACK

Yes, I took a very long hiatus obviously. Longer than I anticipated. Obviously so much has gone on, and over the next couple of posts I will update each child and what's going on in our lives. But before I do that, I want to post a link to our caring bridge page for our daughter. This is what is going on right now in our lives and consuming so much of it. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melinabishay Please stop by, read. Pray. Spread the word. Thank you!