8:30 a.m.

It's 8:30 and this is post #2. I'm feeling good -- not to jinx it. My husband and son have been sick all week and I woke up this morning with absolutely no voice. None. Not even a whisper. I guess it's a good thing my only plans are with this computer for the next 24 hours, am I right?

My husband is administering Ethan's morning nebulizer treatment as we speak. The humming of the nebulizer (and the YouTube Sesame Street videos) in the background only serve as my motivation. So far I've raised $676 for Global Links and their Nebulizer Campaign, surpassing both my original goal of $300 and my updated goal of $500. The fact that this money will go to put nebulizers in the hands of those who need them most is worth all of the exhaustion in the world. I think of how defeated I felt when I picked up Ethan's nebulizer from our pediatrician's office, complete with the tiny dinosaur mask for his little infant face. I picked up the medications and paid my $10 co-pay and went on my way home to snuggle with Ethan on the couch and administer his breathing treatments. It's taken me a while to realize how easy we had it and how easy we still have it -- how so many don't have the option to not only take their nebulizer home for a cost covered by insurance, but how so many don't have access to even a shared community nebulizer. Doing this Blog-A-Thon on behalf of Global Links has been both eye opening and an honor. I can't thank everyone enough for their support, encouragement, donations and help in putting nebulizers in areas where they are needed the most! See you at 9.