“Take care of yourself.” I hear these four little words so often, yet they can be hard to follow. I have seven children with my husband, Jason: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 12; and Callie, 4. Max, Rowen, and Charlie have Duchenne muscular…
Party of 9 – a Column by Betty Vertin
One of the greatest experiences of my life is raising children and watching them grow. My husband, Jason, and I share seven children: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 12; and Callie, 4. I have witnessed many beautiful moments in my parenting journey. In my…
We had a medical scare last week, and we handled it like professionals. I hate that about us. The day started like most days for our big family. I took our daughter Callie to preschool, and then, because it was fall break, our son Charlie had band practice at 9…
Tuesdays are my writing days. My column publishes on Fridays, and the draft is due early Wednesday morning, so I write on Tuesdays. I should be a column or two ahead, but I’m a busy mom, and it never works out. My husband of 25 years, Jason, and I share…
It seems to be a theme in our lives: Lifts and elevators work great — until they don’t. I am a mom to many: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 12; and Callie, 4. Three of my sons, Max, Rowen, and Charlie, have Duchenne…
It’s been a big week for the Vertin Party of 9. We moved into our new home, and after only a week, the blessings seem boundless. I’m so thankful to share this because, as you can imagine, moving a large family is a tremendous undertaking. My husband, Jason, and I have…
I share seven children with my husband, Jason, including three sons who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 20, Rowen, 17, and Charlie, 15. Most of my columns talk about caregiving and my sons with DMD. However, in our large family, many other dynamics are at play, including the…
Last week, I traveled with my sons Max, Rowen, and Charlie to Colorado for their multidisciplinary neuromuscular clinic visit at a children’s hospital. My husband and I typically don’t both travel with the boys, so one of us can stay home with our younger daughters. This time, it was…
My life is always in motion, and we are in a busy season as my family prepares to move into a new house, one that is being modified for accessibility. I share my life with my husband, Jason, and our seven children: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen,…
With seven children — Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 11; and Callie, 4; three of whom have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — I have entered the zone of a veteran parent and caregiver. Max, Rowen, and Charlie were diagnosed with DMD in…
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