NEW FUNDRAISER!

BRAND NEW 2009 FORD ESCAPE

ASKING PRICE $50!

YEAH, YOU READ IT RIGHT.......

What do you get when you mix a cute little boy with a

2009 FORD ESCAPE?

A winner, Silly! Will it be you?

Help him and give him the chance to help you back!

The American Legion Post #304 in Manville NJ is sponsoring

"JAKE'S ESCAPE"

ALL Proceeds of this raffle will benefit Jake Whitenight!

*A BRAND NEW 2009 FORD ESCAPE VALUE: $27,965.00

*Only 1000 tickets being offered at $50

*The winning ticket will be drawn on February 14th 2009

At The American Legion Post #304 234 South Main Street, Manville NJ

*To purchase tickets please mail your check payable to:

American Legion Post #304

for Jake Whitenight

mail to:

American Legion Post #304

Attn: Jake Whitenight Raffle

234 South Main Street

Manville NJ 08835

Please help us make this fundraiser successful!

Of course, I have to write $50 price identifies price of raffle ticket and not vehicle!

"Here's TWO You"

August 5, 2008 was Happy Birthday #2 for Jake. We celebrated on the island. That is the kitchen island for all who aren't in on the joke of us owning our very own island!

We had our traditional Carvel Ice Cream Cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to Jakey, who couldn't seem to break his gaze from Daddy. I don't know whether he was amazed to finally get his birthday or amazed that his father was SINGING! It was very cute, and warmed my heart, AND I got the shot. I LOVE IT when that happens! Now I shall never forget it.

Our "Little Bit" is two, I can't believe it. Ok, the stereotypical oh, where did the time go, you're not gonna get from me. I feel like it's been 20 years of information stuffed into two. Should I NOT be able to practice medicine yet? It's mentally staggering to me how much I have learned in these past two years. All I can say is, if I knew two years ago what I know now, boy, what a great deal of heartache, despair and grief I could have saved myself.

If you are stumbling across my mental blurbs, and you are a new parent of a child born with Microtia, Atresia and or Stenosis know this. It's gonna be ok. In the darkest of the night, you can still see the stars.

So COOL!

On June 2, 2009, exactly 2 days short of being 22 months old, Jake heard with TWO ears for the first time in his life! Hooray Jakey. I am happy to share the intire occasion with everyone. I am blessed enough to have Jake's Audiologist Ellen Hansen from Summit Speech School in my life. She was very happy to have me photograph the entire experience.
I will never forget this day. As soon as the second hearing aid was put on, his eyes widened and he started turning his head from Ellen, then to me. He said "Oh, oh!" and continued to point out in a picture book Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Grover on command. Jake was truly amazed and kept looking back at Ellen, who was sitting behind him , when she asked him a question.

I always thought that he localized sound well with one hearing aid. I was wrong. Bilateral hearing loss NEEDS TO BE AIDED with 2 HEARING AIDS. Unilateral hearing loss NEEDS TO BE AIDED. You will talk to many ENTs (Ear Nose & Throat specialists) that will tell you it's not necessary. Not necessary to hear with 2 ears.

Ask my father-in-law how much his life has changed since his sudden deafness in one ear. It is because of him and the new challenges he has that we pressed the issue of Jake's 2nd hearing aid.
Thanks Dad. We love you more than you could ever imagine.
Thanks Ellen. Thanks for loving with all that you are. It shows. We know that is why you are
SO COOL!

Somethin' To Smile About!

Well, Jake's second hearing aid was finally approved, ordered, and received!! At last. Thanks to New Jersey's Childhood Early Intervention program , Jake will for the first time experience sound from 2 HEARING AIDS.

Tomorrow is a busy day. We will drop brothers Dylan, Timothy, and Casey off at school and head up to Summit Speech School with our new BAHA and let Ellen do her magical adjusting for Jake. I think I will bring the video camera so I can show how he likes it! Camera, hmmm. Watch out Ellen. It's about time we got your beautiful face on film for this little guy to see!

Of course nothing happens without it's glitches! The WRONG band was shipped with the new BAHA. Jake needs a headband with 2 holders now, and the one shipped only has one. How special. It wouldn't be me if there wasn't at least one wrench in the spokes of my bike every day. As Al Pacino so eloquently said in the movie The Scent of a Woman, "if you 'tango' up, you gotta just 'tango' on"; and tango, we shall!

Life is GOOD.

MAY 31, 2008 ANNUAL VICKY MCHUGH SOFTBALL TOURNEMENT

Vicky McHugh, a former resident of Manville passed away after losing a brave battle with cancer. Vicky was extremely involved in her community not only as a Girl Scout leader but also involved with the Manville Youth Athletic League as well as Manville Recreation even during her brave battle with cancer. Vicky loved Manville and loved volunteering her time. A group of people from several town organizations decided to start a fundraiser to help others in need. They started this softball tournament, to be held on May 31st, in her memory as a way to show others how she would have graciously and selflessly helped anyone in town who needed it.

Jake was chosen this year by the committee members of the Tournament to be the recipient child this year.

It is our honor and PRIVILEGE to invite you all out to share a great day of laughter, love, and friendship in the name of a beautiful and loving woman for our beautiful and loving little boy.

Can't wait to see you there!

GOLD CANYON CANDLE FUNDRAISER!

Jake's Gold Canyon Candle Fundraiser is in full swing now and going well. If you would like to help out by buying a candle, and they are awesome, here is the information!



Candle Sizes and prices:
26 oz. $23.54
16 oz $19.80
8 oz $15.52



The Scents:

APPLE SPICE, CINNAMON, CINNAMON VANILLA CLEAN SHEETS, GINGER LIME, GRAPEFRUIT SPLASH, POMEGRANATE, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, COTTON SPLASH, CRANBERRY ORANGE, CUCUMBER MELON, FRESH ORANGE, SUGAR COOKIE, SWEET PEA, AND WILDFLOWERS.



EMAIL ORDERS CAN BE SENT TO LYNN AT PJDIMP7312@VERIZON.NET . Your order will be totaled in a responding email for you!



Orders will be collected until May 15, 2008

For more information on Gold Canyon Candles and Prayer Child Foundation, visit www.goldcanyon.com

ANGRY APRIL IS OVER!

We have a tremendous list of events going on in the next few months! It seems that each day brings great news regarding Jake, and older brothers Dylan, Timothy, and Casey are as busy as can be.
April has been packed with research, doctor appointments, and tying the bow on the end details for the Spaghetti Dinner. Happy Birthday to my boys!
Casey March 26th turned 3!
Dylan April 12th turned 8!
Timothy April 28th turns 4 TODAY!
This last birthday marks the end of "Angry April" at the Whitenight house. Mr. Timothy gets angry as soon as Casey's birthday comes, and holds onto it until his birthday comes, exclaiming all month "I'm not sharin' 3 with you, Casey. Walk away!!" and "why is my birthday coming last again". Today we celebrate that Timmy is 4, that "angry april" is over! Everything else waits for tomorrow!