JennyBean

Trip to Seattle and Back Again

2010-06-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well I am home from Seattle and doing well. I missed my family WAY more than I thought I would. I knew I would, but I didn't know just how much until I was gone. The pictures my sister with me and my sister with mom are from Cameron's birthday party. My Aunt Sandy took them both. I think they turned out pretty nice. The picture of the boat is from the beach Schelly took the boy's and I to while I was in Seattle. We weren't there for very long, BUT the weather was uncharacteristically warm so it was very nice out there. The picture with Schelly, Cameron, Caden, and I was taken by a guide at the Winston Wild Animal Preserve in Winston, Oregon (not Georgia) while we were feeding some deer. It was really cool. I got some very neat pictures from there, but my favorite one was of this Giraffe. I was hoping he would come closer, but he did not.

Saving Your Money

2010-06-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

Pictures Below: Maddy wanted to be in one, but they were taken because Sierra saved all her report card money from my mom for this year and bought the two baby dolls below along with two new doll outfits. She is very proud...even though it was a fight to get her to save. Now she is very happy about it and can't seem to remember fighting over it. :) How soon they forget.

Special Order

2010-06-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

A customer emailed regarding a special order. She is getting married at the end of the month, loves dragonflies, saw mine in the etsy shop, and asked for a tiny one. This one is made from Swarovski Crystals and blue glass beads. It is very tiny. I think she was hoping for a bit smaller, but it was the best I could do. I think it will be SOOOO cool if she decides she likes it and buys it-mainly because that means one of my little guys will be part of someone's special day and will be a special something in their memory. You know what I mean?

Reading

2010-06-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been in a bit of a funk the last few weeks and have been unable to concentrate on anything that I really love doing--like reading. Right now I am in the middle of re-reading Pillars of the Earth (something I tried to read again in order to pull me in and make me read) and The Lovely Bones. So far, I am enjoying Lovely Bones so it has kind of pulled me in, and have set aside the other. Let's hope I can finish it. What I need is a book that drags me in no matter what I have to do and makes me hate for it to end. You know, like Kite Runner, Water for Elephants, and so many more that Jenny P and I have read over the years and loved so much that we have shared them with each other and others. So IF you know of any, PLEASE respond by letting me know the title and author because I am at a loss.

I am attaching a couple more pictures from Track and Field Day because I hate a pictureless post. It just looks so sad and lonely :)

Daddy takes Pics too/Track and Field Day

2010-05-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Today was track and field day at the girls' school. Sierra took first place in high jump, 100 yd dash, and class relay. Maddy took first in soft ball throw, second in class relay, and fourth in 50 yd dash and high jump. Big Mike was there as a parent volunteer while I was at work. He said that they really had a lot of fun and that they really tried their best. I am attaching a few pictures from today as well as one of the sunset here two or three days ago. Michael took them all.

Storm Coming

2010-05-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

SSSSSOOOOO our weather is all over the map. Apparently, today the temp was 20 degrees lower than it has been in previous years. It was 64 degrees and then with the wind it was cooler. Then came the storm. Tomorrow is supposed to be 74 degrees and then in the mid 80's for the weekend. The new header is a picture taken from my back porch tonight. I really love this view but have to be honest and love it more when the grass is green. The brown is a bit depressing to me. The picture from this post is also from the back porch as the storm was rolling in and we were watching the light come through the clouds. It sure is pretty out here.

Things here are ok. The school year is running down with the last day being on the 4th. I keep wondering what we are going to do because we don't have the wonderful playground outside our house and all the friends so close like we did in Germany. I sure miss it there. So do the kids I must say. I am happier with the school here though...even though I would be even happier if I had a full time job with my own classroom. I keep praying that it will happen next year...

More Dragonflies

2010-05-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I have been making more dragonflies. Honestly, I have been making them after school in the evenings just to pass the time, but we will say that it is for the etsy shop. It spend time switching from that to reading BOTH while the TV is on and I am "watching" a show. I would sew something, but to be honest, I don't have somewhere to set up the machine, nor do I have the desire. I have also been cross stitching off and on but that also doesn't hold my interest long. Several parents of little girls at Sierra's school have asked for clippies and said that they would bring money, but have yet to follow through. OHHHHH and JennyP...I posted a comment regarding your most recent blog post and it isn't there now. That has happened before. I said that I wish that I was your girlfriend in a coma so that I could have the dolls. They are tooooo friggen cute. Also, that picture of Em is so cute that I could hug her to death. Man I miss my girls.

OMG Becky...I am SSSOOO Excited!!!!

2010-05-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

I just signed up for digital library. I had to use my name and my Aunt's address because there are no libraries that offer digital versions here in my area. I did the whole thing online! I can now check out digital books for 7,14,21 days and read them then return them. All of this from my computer and read them on my ebook! I can save money now. JennyP...I want you to know you can also check out ebook, which you can listen to on your ipod or our ebook...the excitement I feel is amazing. I am so easy to please. Click on the link in the bottom right hand corner of the ebook software library. If you need help, call.

Finishing up a Book

2010-05-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

I am finishing up Dead in the Family and like I told Jenny P, I feel let down. Although I like it...I wish it were longer and feel like it was a book shoved out there so that it didn't let us forget about the series. Really though, I am posting so that I am on top again :) Now I am so Neener, neener, neener :)

I heard from JennyP again today and can't begin to say how much I love her and appreciate her friendship. I am so glad that she has maintained contact with me after we left Germany. It makes me feel happy that she values our friendship as much as I do. We talk about once a week and at least every other week. That makes me happier and more thankful than she might ever know.

Two Babies

2010-05-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day we had family over. My mom came, my brothers, my cousin David, his wife Debbie, and their new baby Kylie. We had a nice evening and I wasn't too stressed out from having a lot of people in my house at once. The baby was so sweet and wonderful to hold :) I love babies, I love to hold them, smell them, kiss them, then give them back. I am posting a picture of Kylie and a picture of Sierra that I really like from the same day. I don't know why it turned out this way because I wasn't moving and neither was Sierra but I think it looks like she has a little halo...awe mommy's little angel.

Princesses and a Frog

2010-05-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

SOOOOOO I was on the couch reading the new Sookie Stackhouse book yesterday. I was enjoying the silence as everyone else was out back. Big Michael was doing yard work and the girls were riding their scooters. Suddenly there is a loud screech and then Sierra charges inside the house screaming, "mommy, mommy, come look! We just found the biggest frog EVER!!!! YOU HAVE TO COME OUT AND SEE IT!" Seriously, there was not one single part of that whole statement that did not come out in an extremely loud and excited yell. I followed her out and took pictures of this frog and they were so excited that I thought I would post a picture. There he is below...the froggy that made my princesses so happy. I am glad no one tried to kiss it.

Awe Sookie Sookie Now

2010-05-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a 10 dollar gift code for my sony ebook for free! It was from the company as a thank you for helping them reach 10 million books sold. SSSSSOOOOOO, I bought the new Sookie Stackhouse book. I am already enjoying it, but agree with JennyP that I should have read the last book again as a refresher. I am also in the process of reading a book entitled The UP and DOWN Life: the truth about bipolar disorder--the good, bad, and funny. Very informative. Makes me laugh and cry at the same time when I am reading it. I am enjoying it immensely although it is SOOOOOO much different than the other one I am reading :)

I am still beading for the etsy store and making clips for the girls too. I am only making dragonflies and dragonfly clips now though. I am also trying to figure out how to offer my cross stitch skills to others who have unfinished projects and would like them completed. Just not sure how to advertise that on etsy. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Good News!

2010-05-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Oh happy day! I have good news and bad news. Bad news first. I did not get the English Authorization for my credential because I did not take Drama in college...yep you read right...Drama. Good news now. I got the History authorization, which authorizes me to teach up to 12th grade and adults. I also got the Computer concepts and applications authorization, which allows 9 and below for that subject. That is just one of those things that might give me an edge over someone else so that I can get a job in this state that keeps laying people off and raising the class size limits. Please send positive thoughts my way. I am happy to have the sub job because that is more than some people but I really get sad that I don't have my own classroom yet. That and a full time job would be much better money.

Guess What Today Is?

2010-05-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

That's all I have to say about that...

New Hair and What's for Dinner

2010-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well Sunday is mother's day, and I am making dinner for my mom, Ronny, Shawn, my Grandmother, my Uncle Brian, the kids, and my sweet heart. We are having Tri-tip, Ribs, Bratwurst (all bbq), salad, special green beans for which I am not allowed to share the recipe because it is Jennifer's (north cal jen) recipe and she said, baked mac and cheese, chocolate bundt cake with peanut butter frosting, and strawberries . I will take a picture of the mac and cheese for the recipe page as well as the cake and peanut butter frosting. The frosting is a recipe that JennyP gave me and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

The girls, my mom, and I went to get our hair done. The girls both got drastic cuts, and I got mine high lighted again. I missed having it lighter. It is a lot lighter and the layers are perfectly cut. It is quite a bit shorter than it was, but I can still get it in a pony tail so I am good. My mother also got her hair cut and it is one of my favorite hair cuts on her in a long time. I don't have a picture of her though. Darnit.

Guess What????

2010-05-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

I restarted my etsy store. I am happy about that as summer will be here soon and I don't want to be bored. I can bead again. JennyP sent me many several of the dragonflies and stuff I still had at the craft store. There are some places I am not sure how to change, BUT I am looking into it. I am still adding recipes to that particular link in the blog. I was thinking about letting people know that if they have simple cross stitch patterns they want done for their homes, then I can do it for a fee but am not sure how to advertize that on my etsy. Meaning...they buy the pattern and the supplies and I actually stitch for them. What would one charge for that kind of time? HMMMMMMMM?

Over the Hills and Through the Woods...

2010-05-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

to Grandmother's house we go. So, I have this picture of a wishing well at which we have to turn right to go one of the several ways we can get to my mother's house. I just like the sound of "turn right at the wishing well" so I thought I would post a picture of the well itself. Let me just say that when we take that route to her house, we also have to cross the dam over the lake near where we live.

Next...Guess what came out today? Yep you guessed it, the new Godsmack cd. I LOVE IT ALREADY! I got it today from my sweetheart. He likes me a teeny-tiney bit even with all my crazy.

Finally, the new Sookie Stackhouse book comes out today as well. I am a bit bummed about this because I want it right now and cannot get it. I want it for my ebook, but it is actually three dollars more that way then if I just buy the book itself. I haven't really had that problem before, so I hope that gets fixed.

Adding Recipes

2010-05-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would add a recipe link (right next to home link under header) so that I can share some of my favorite recipes too. I got the idea from Jenny P because when she posted those choco hoto pots I knew I had to do it. I think the original idea in the group came from Adrienne but I definitely didn't commit to the idea until the chocolate :) So, be on the look out for recipes that I have made over the years that I love. Some are easy, some...not so much. I will add pictures after I make them again, but for now it will just be some of my favorite.

Beautiful Day

2010-05-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

We had such a wonderful day today. My sweetheart and I took the top off the car and ran errands. We chatted about dumb stuff and serious stuff. We had a great drive and now I am sunburned :) He took me down to the farmer's market just so we could get some fresh strawberries, which for those who don't know is quite a job. The girls stayed the night at my mom's last night and my brother brought them home. He and Hannah stayed and had dinner, which was nice for all of us. It's is so nice to be near family sometimes. Now the girls are getting ready for bed and we are getting ready to watch a movie. The new header is from this past summer on our trip back from Southern California. The picture I am attaching is from a trip Michael and I took to Neuschwanstein. I just thought that it would be a cool picture because it was another day that we had such a good time together.

Avatar, Picnic, and Life (Picture Heavy)

2010-04-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Before all the other info starts, here are some pics I liked from the zoo. This first pic is my mom Sierra, and Anthony. Mom is telling Sierra to pretend like she is surfing. What....I like kissing turtles. Who doesn't? You should have seen all the looks I was getting. People thought I was dumb I think.

Maddy on Mr. Turtle too.

Shawn and Hannah on Mr. Turtle. I think Hannah has the whole "that's how I role" look going on. I love it.

We let Michael bring his friend DJ with us becuase we wanted him to have someone his age. They are posing all silly with the statue in the zoo.

Friday night, the girls, big Michael, and I watched Avatar after we had home made loaded baked potato soup and salad for dinner. They were also allowed to have icecream after. I don't care who says what about this movie, but I really liked it--as did my husband and my girls. It is not my job to care what others think, so again...I don't care. Saturday night all of us (little Michael too) went to Jennifer's house for dinner. We had a wonderful time and she even made me a small version of her lasagna that was vegetarian with LOTS of cheese and mushrooms. If I ever make it, I will ask for her recipe and then add baby spinich too. YUMMY. It was seriously one of the best I have had and that is a big deal. We also had this green bean dish that she makes that I have had at her house before and loved enough that I have made it at home myself. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Then today (Sunday) we had a big Picnic at Micke Grove Park with a lot of my family. My cousin Windy is moving to Oregon with her boyfriend and we wanted to have a get-together before she left. It was a beautiful day and we had a ton of fun. The picture above is me with my grandma. I love her soooooo much.

This picture if my Uncle Jeff, his kids, their spouses, and his grandchildren. Windy is the blond one and her new man is the guy in the green. This is Windy's first serious relationship and she is 32. My cousin Tina is the other woman in the group. She and I are the same age. In fact, she is two months younger. We were very close when we were young, but have grown apart as we have gotten older.

Here is a new picture of Chunk (aka Neil Jr and Vanessa's son Gian) He is SOOOOO cute! His chunk also way out does another chunky La Rue that I know.

Here is a picture of my sweet heart and I. I took it myself. I am really bad at that so the picture of me sucks but he...well he is cute :)

I chose this picture because I just really liked it. My mom and Big Micheal really get along well and love each other very much. Given that I know a ton of people who hate their inlaws, I feel very fortunate. Well, there is all you should know about our very busy weekend. I should have been stressed but honestly...it was a good (although) busy weekend and I had fun. Soooo Please respond on the Blog. I like to know people actually read it.

Easter, Kitties, and Movies--Oh My!

2010-04-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

As for the flu, I am on the upswing now, but it has lasted three weeks. I can't remember being this sick before. I have some pictures of Mittens-one of our kitties aka mitty mau-mau-we also have Samantha aka big bertha, chunky monkey, and whatever chubby word I can think of- who is completely black, huge, sooooo sweet (they both are) but still shy as she is a rescue cat. She is now super affectionate and is always following one of us around to be pet. She is more like a dog in that way. I keep telling people she looks like a panther :) They are inside/outside cats. Inside means they sleep in the garage at night and outside during the day. I swear that is not my carpet under Sammy...it is a mat in the garage. Sammy is the first cat and Mittens is the second.

Well, I have some easter photos that were taken while I was bed ridden with the flu. The first one above is of Hannah, and the other two are obvious :) Each of the children got a HUGE lolly pop, a little candy, and plastic eggs to hunt that were each full of one dollar. One of them had a five dollar bill. Sierra found that one.

Let's see...what else is new? Nothing really. I just watched Sherlock Holmes with my sweetheart, and we liked it just fine. I mainly like it because of all the places that are in it that I have seen. I know my honey gets tired of me telling him..."I've seen that, or I've been there" every time something from London is shown on TV or movies. I also watched the Blind Side today (Somebody wouldn't watch that one with me because he doesn't like Sandra Bullock). I hear it is great, but don't want to get my hopes up. I always get let down when I do that. I did end up liking it though. Finally,

Spring has Sprung

2010-03-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

As I write, it is 1:15 pm here in Northern California. It is a beautiful 73 degrees! It is sunny and green and OH how I LOVE this weather. I don't think it will last, but for today I am feeling "springy!" I am posting two pictures of flowers in my back yard as well as one of the hills behind my house. Happy St. Patrick's Day. If you didn't wear green today, pinch yourself and know it was from me. Did it hurt? OK, I am sorry. Now you can hug yourself from me :) I hope everyone had a great day! No pinching me btw...I wore a green shirt. You may pinch me if you like, but only on the bottom...naughty, naughty. "Somebody" needs to tell my that I am a bad girl.

Guess What I Saw!!!!

2010-03-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

Yep! You guessed it! First let me say that my mom and Neil took us to see the movie at and IMAX theater. I have never been to an IMAX and I have never seen a 3D movie in a theater EVER! We had a great time and we loved the movie. Tim Burton is amazing, Johnny Depp did a wonderful job, Helena Bonham-Carter was HILARIOUS, and we really, really liked it. WE are so lucky that they took us because tickets are VERY expensive.

Artwork and the Road Home

2010-03-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

This is the road to my house. Ok, this is one of the roads, but we live a bit out of the way. It's nice not having neighbors right on top of us. The kids were all asked to contribute their artwork to the county art show. The theme is Heroes. As you can see, Maddy chose Malcolm X...not to sure when that started BUT that was what she decided on and we thought it was nice that they asked her to put it in the show.
The one below is SHREK. That is who Little Michael said was his hero. He had some interesting reasons as to why...you know "onions have layers" kind of stuff.
Sierra's hero was her brother. Isn't that soooooooooo sweet? If you enlarge the photo, then you can see what she wrote about him. It is really cute.
Last but not least, my doggies. I just threw them in because of how friggen cute they are.

Making Smores and Meeting the New Butterball

2010-03-06T17:51:00.004-08:00

This is baby Gian Neil. He is the newest son of my stepbrother Neil Jr. and his wife Vanessa. He is two weeks old. He weighed....wait for it....10 pounds 2 ounces. OUCH! She wasn't even over due. It makes me feel like a guy kicked in the crotch just thinking of it. He kept staring at me. I know it's because I am his new favorite. I offered to keep him, but they declined. Kind of selfish right?

My mommy with her newest grandchild. He really is soooooooo sweet and so cute. I was quite smitten.

Sierra enjoying her time with him. When he started fussing, she couldn't hand him back fast enough :) The one right below is me holding him. We were only there for about 4 hours, but I held him as long as possible. I only gave him up so his mother could feed him. He made me want a new baby four about 2.4 seconds.

These next photos are actually from January. We were making Smores for my brother's birthday. Please notice just how much the kids hate them :)

Maddy kind of looks like ummmmmmm, what am I eating again?

My neice hannah...doesn't she just look disgusted?

My sweet Sierra eating a sweet. It was their first time have Smores EVER! They were in love.

EReader and Books

2010-03-04T16:37:00.007-08:00

Ok, be prepared because I am about to rant and rave a little. You know, go off on a tangent. First, let me say that while I am sure Kindle lovers will hate this post, I don't care! I began researching Ereaders a few years ago and decided on the Sony instead of the Kindle. I did this for a few VERY important reasons. The first reason is that it has a place for added memory cards-up to 16 gig- so if I want to keep all my books on the reader at once, I can. The second reason is that the Sony does not require the "Kindle" version of publications. It supports several different formats without the requirement of sending it in to change it over. That being said, I am not sure if Kindle still requires that change over, but I really don't care. It is too late. I love my Sony.

After my research, my husband bought me the 545 non-touch version. I fell in love with it and often wondered what I ever did without it. It is by no means the red-headed step child to the Kindle. In fact, I think it's better. Then, my JennyP bought the touch version with the built in light (which they no longer sell) and loved hers too. I couldn't see the need for a touch version, but for my birthday this year my mother bought me one (I bought the cover with a light) and she took my old one. SOOOOOOOO, I love the touch version, the cover with a light, and my wall charger. I don't have the one that is wireless, but don't see the need for that either. I am willing to admit that at some point I might want that one, but that won't be for some time.

The books can be bought on the Sony site, or at other ebook retailers. Many of them (classics) can be found online at other sites and they are free. The plus is that I don't have to have the kindle people change them to kindle version because I didn't buy it :) So, now on to books. I recently finished the book Still Alice, Help, Sarah's Key, and am nearly done with Fireflies in December (that one is free right now on the Sony site), I have read many others recently, but those have been my favorites. I got Sarah's Key because JennyP suggested it, and the others because they caught my eye. I have loved them all. Ok, I think I am done...Kindle lovers...Bring it on :)

Pics Requested From JennyP

2010-02-20T14:59:00.003-08:00

First pictures is of one wall in my dining room. It shows a picture from London and a picture from San Fransisco that Little Michael took. The clock is from Germany and was given to my mother by Sabine. Mom, in turn, gave it to me. It keeps perfect time, but the chime is NOT working. I am so sad about that. Jenny P if you would ask some German friends for ideas, that would be lovely. Next two pictures from my front porch. I love the view from my front yard! The sunset from their is phenomenal.

Next two pictures are from the back porch, which can also be seen from my bedroom window. From here we get a beautiful sunrise. That kind of sucks when I am trying to sleep in...it's a rental so I don't want to put up my curtains and have to either leave the rods or fix the wall. There are blinds, but they don't work as well as my curtains would.

Well Jenny, I hope these make you feel closer to me :) I miss you.

Oh Hi...Remember Me?

2009-11-22T13:54:00.004-08:00

Aunt Ann with her little Jill O Lantern.

My Jason, my Dracula, and my little disco girl ready for trick or treating. The weather was WONDERFUL and we had a great time.

The kids on the porch with the jack o lantern line up.

Maddy with her kitty jack o lantern.

This is Michael's second one and he tried to capture Charlie Brown...I think he did a great job.

Sierra on Halloween carving her first pumpkin EVER. She was not at all happy with hers but I told her it was wonderful especially since she had no help whatsoever.

Little Michael threatening my mother with pumpking guts :)

Maddy carving her pumpking and looking like it is fun. I think it was her first time too.

Sierra has her concentration face on for the carving. I do the same thing too...Big Daddy points it out all the time.

Sierra got student of the Month for October. We were very proud of her.

Well hi. I know it has been a while but here I am just so JennyP doesn't give up on me and my blog. I don't have a lot to say about being back stateside because honestly I miss Germany several times a week. That being said I am happy to be here for the holidays and I am so excited to spend Thanksgiving with my huge family. I look forward to seeing some that I still haven't seen since we have been here AND I am looking forward to spending Christmas in our own place (after five months staying with family I am surprised I am not crazier than I was before our trip home) although we will come up to my mother's house for Christmas Dinner. As soon as I have pictures of the new house, I will post them. We are very happy with it. It is a three bedroom, two bath, with a front and back yard. It is 1900 square feet and it is on the lake. The view from both the front and the back of the house is beautiful.

I am still subbing and am very discouraged that I don't have my own classroom yet, but I am trying to keep hope alive. Hope you like all the pictures above :)

What to do When You can't get a Teaching Job in California--Go to Disneyland!!!!

2009-08-20T11:09:00.004-07:00

Well, the first day of school was yesterday and the kids started new schools here in California. Their mother was FAR more nervous than they were. I will post pictures of that soon. This is supposed to be about our trip to Southern California. We visited his family for two days (they live in Oceanside), went to Disneyland and California Adventure for four days, and then took a leisurely drive up the coast to come back north. We all had a wonderful time! While we were in Anaheim we stayed at the Hilton, which is normally 190 dollars a night-I write this because I named my own price on priceline and got it for 55 dollars a night for all five of us. I do LOVE saving money. Also, it gave us more money for the park. On our final day in the park, we went to one of the many parades that take place. Twice during that time the girls were pulled into the parade to dance. I will also try and put one of the videos for that as well. *Video too big so you'll just have to take my word that they were the cutest things EVER. The girls posing with the Goofy statue. It was their idea to pose like Goofy himself. They are so cute!

The family with some of the CARS characters.

This first picture is our first day there. We were inside California Adventure. Stitch happens to be my girls' favorite character so they were really happy to take their picture with him even though Sierra looks like she is about to scream and run.

This was the one character that Michael wanted to pose with and didn't have to be reminded to smile. GEEE...I wonder why?

Michael, Madison and Sierra in the big O that is part of the California Adventure sign. They were very excited to get in there and did not want to stop and pose for this picture.

This is a picture from the is the second time we took the ride California Screaming. It is a huge roller coaster that the girls, Big Michale and I loved. Little Michael went on once and didn't want to go again. Take a look at the picture below because it was the first time we took the same ride...Madison looks terrified to me.

One of the big problems little Michael and I have with roller coasters is that we have to take off our glasses which then means we can't see. Don't like that, but would rather that than lose my glasses. Of course, his not seeing so he shouldn't be scared right?

Lil' John/the girls/ and "snap yo fingers"

2009-07-31T10:02:00.002-07:00

I know the video quality is bad on this too, BUT it was too good to pass up. This is Sierra and Maddy being the rapper Lil' John and "singing" his song Snap yo fingas. It was night time in the car with only the over head light and my camara phone. I did my best. I think it is too flippin cute for word, but I am biased :)

Video of Singing Kids

2009-07-30T15:19:00.003-07:00

This is my nephew Caden (you all might remember him from when I was posting blogs about his cancer) he is much better now and staying with my mother for a while along with his brother Cameron. Anyway...this is a video of Caden in the back of my uncle's truck. He is singing "we will rock you," and I am taping with my phone. The quality is not great nor is the lighting because it is getting dark and we are traveling through the woods but it was very cute. He also told us that he likes "rock and roll...not girl rock and roll, just boy rock and roll."

Calaveras Big Trees

2009-07-24T15:51:00.003-07:00

We went to Calaveras Big Trees National Park yesterday because my Grandmother had never been and neither had my nephews. It really is beautiful and the kids had a great time. The first picture is of me taking a picture of my nephews and Sierra while they are walking through a fallen tree. It really is HUGE.

Me and all the kids walking through the base of a tree. My mom took this picture. It is toward the end so if they look tired...they were.

My mom took this picture too. I like it because it is Maddy going through a hollow fallen tree; however, it also creeps me out a little too because it looks a bit like what I imagine a birth canal would look to a baby and causes me pain.

Little Michael, Sierra, Caden, Cameron, and Maddy in front of one of the first large trees that has a story about it in the bulletin.

I really love this last one because it is a cute one of the three youngest. I love it the most because MY baby looks so adorable in it that I could pinch her :)

In California

2009-07-05T16:01:00.003-07:00

OK, so talk about culture shock. Now bear in mind that I am from a very small town where trees, cars that don't run, and people without teeth out number those of us that do; however, I am having a near panic attack every day right now. I think I would be better, but we don't have a definite place to land right now, and it is making me crazy. Anyway, here are some pictures for the masses. Oh, and by masses I mean Jenny P and Cindy :) Back Row Left to Right: Michael, My mom, Maddy.
Front Row Left to Right: Cameron, Sierra, Caden
Fourth of July 2009
My kids and their cousins Fourth of July. We were getting ready to watch a fireworks show in Jackson, California.

Maddy and Michael in the Atlanta airport on our way back stateside. I still can't call it home because it feels so foreign to me now! Weird right?

Sierra drawing a picture of our plane while we were waiting for our connection in Atlanta.

Crazy Man

2009-06-28T09:18:00.002-07:00

Ok, I was meant to tell this little story that happened to Jenny P and I while we were in London. Anyone who knows me knows that I take the fact that people judge all Americans by the actions of just few. Accordingly, I try very hard to be an emissary for my country while we are here in Germany. I want to put the best face forward when dealing with people off post so that they know that we are not all jerks with a sense of entitlement and superiority.

Well, our "American" story while we were in London took place while we were checking in at our hotel. There was a man there and was screaming at the lady at the desk. When I write screaming, I am not exaggerating. The whole lobby could hear him and it was horrifyingly embarrassing. He was yelling so much in fact that a British gentleman told him that he didn't need to yell at her because it wasn't necessary. He told him just to talk to her. The American man told him it was none of his business; to which, the other man replied, "your yelling has made it it everyone's business." So here is the kicker. The American man said, "we saved your asses in WWII buddy and don't you forget it." Both Jenny P and I literally gasped and apologized to the lady who was helping us telling her that we are not all like that. I even told her that I didn't think that I saved anyone's ass.

I will be happy to return to America where the only person I represent if I am an ass is myself. It's a weird thing to be thankful for, but I am thankful nonetheless. Jennifer and I were talking about it again today, so it obviously affected us both. The lady helping us reassured us that not all of them think that all of us are like that. I kind of think that she HAD to say that because she is customer service. I hope that she was being genuine.

We are MOVING, MOVING, MOVING...operah voice like in Mr. Deeds :)

2009-06-25T13:13:00.005-07:00

Many of you know that we are moving back to California. The movers came yesterday and today so now the only thing left in my house are the things we are taking, the things we have to mail, some stuff that JennyP is inheriting, and of course my family :) I would have had anxiety issues and probably a panic attack; however, I have pills for that so I was fine. You can even ask Michael because he will tell you the same thing. OH, and after the first five crates left to be shipped, we realized that my ID card is inside one of them. So today after they finished, Big Michael and I had to go to the PMO and file a report and I have to go and get a new one tomorrow. It could have been worse...it could have been the passports.

So, we are also getting beds delivered tomorrow so that we don't have to sleep on the floor. We final out housing on the first, stay in a hotel by the airport that night, and leave the following day. If I am honest, I am SOOOOOOOO excited and happy to be headed back to the states and the land of big parking spaces, shopping on any day and at any time I want, and English spoken more than anything. Oh wait, we are from California...it's probably Spanish :)

After we move and I set up the cell phones I will give everyone who should have it my cell phone number and address. Of course I won't do that here. I will do it via email though. We are going to go with Verizon so Cindy D should be happy to hear that because that means we can call any time we want cell to cell...yeah! Now we just need to get Jenny P back with us on that side of the world and all will be well with the world.

This Just in...More Pictures from London

2009-06-23T07:40:00.003-07:00

I think that I will stop posting pictures of London after today. I just had a few cute and funny ones that I wanted to share so that no one thinks I take life too serious. There are some on here that I just think are pretty though.

Baby butt anyone? Here I am standing and listening to our Beef Eater tell us all about the Tower of London, when suddenly, Jenny P and I are assaulted by bare bottom...someone on my face book wrote "crack kills no matter what the age." I don't know if I agree with that because to me this is just funny.

This picture was in one of the Towers. It is a screen that shows the tourists in the room then the "ghosts" from the past that are with you. Jen and I think this is funny because it looks like this ghosts is freaking me or dry humping my leg. When Jen and I noticed it we laughed so hard I thought I might pee my pants.

This one made me laugh too! I mean if you can't laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at right? This is me giving Jen a "yeah that's right! WHAT?" kind of look just to be silly.

This is a picture that Jen took of me in the Westminster Abbey. I just like it because the way the light is hitting my hair. She takes wonderful pictures.

One of the illegal photos Jen took at the Abbey. Yet another one she did not get in trouble for taking by a small, angry, evil, little man in a red cape. The one I took that got me yelled at is below. I only took it because the statue was made with a STUPID face and we thought it was funny.

A Little Birdy Told Me..."Somebody Needs to Post More Pictures From London!"

2009-06-21T05:34:00.008-07:00

Ok, Jenny P told me that I need to post more pictures from London, so here they are. To see more photos from our trip make sure to click on her name or the link on the right menu to see her blog. These photos are un-edited and all natural because we are too beautiful to edit :) This picture was taken on the same night that we went on the Jack the Ripper walk and the day before we actually went into the tower behind us. This was the only picture that I took of the two of us that I like. Jenny P is better at that than I am. Better aim I guess.

My favorite picture of Westminster; although, it is not the one that got me yelled at by the strange little angry man in a red cape :)

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jenny P on the Tower Bridge. Every time I look at all of these pictures (and I have done so a lot over the last week) I remember every little bit. I had SSSSOOOO much fun. In fact, I wish we had time to go to Rome before I leave next week.

Jenny P and two of the "knights" from the Medievil Banquet. Just about one of the most touristy things a person can do, the food was not great, but we had fun.

This is at the London Dungeon on a free fall drop that was supposed to simulate our hangings for being traitors. It wasn't far, but I swear my butt came off the seat and I was VERY glad they made me take my glasses off.

This was taken upon entrance into the London Dungeon. We had a choice between being the axe man or the soon to be amputee. Absolutely NO commenting on the way my chin looks in this photo. Somebody needs to remind me that I should NEVER pull my neck back when I smile. I swear that I don't have a double chin. Also, after the pictures of me in it, I am not sure that I like this shirt any longer. HMMMM...

Jen and I think that it looks like I am trying to "raise the roof" and she is shouting "Holla!" This was taken at the London Bridge Experience, in front of a blue screen, right before we entered the tombs (hence the LOVELY hard hats), and right before we both became intimately involved with the man in front of us because we were screaming and trying to get away from all the things that were trying to "get" us. I just told Jenny P that I am not totally convinced that the poor man wasn't screaming because we did attack him so many times.

There are so many more pictures that I like, but I will leave it at those because I know there are people who are probably bored already...I could post them all and not get bored at all. I may post a few more in a couple of days. BTW I am not spell checking this post so judge all you want...I know I am not dumb ;)~

File This With Jenny Ps "only in Europe"

2009-06-16T11:14:00.006-07:00

Some pictures that made me laugh while we were in London:

This one is on the side of the London Bridge. UMMMM what is it an advertisement for? Well, we aren't exactly sure. Next one:

Come on, come on...we need to pee...Jen and I had this problem a few times while we were gone. Running to the bathroom with a full bladder is NEVER any fun.

I'm thinking this is not an establishment that JennyP and I wanted to see the inside of...I mean come the stench alone would be enough to keep any respectable "lady" away.

The cod piece on this suit of armor was SOOOOO big that we both could have hung our purses on it and there still would have been room. We think that the knight in question was over compensating for something :)

"It's London Baby! Yeah"

2009-06-11T21:45:00.005-07:00

This time tomorrow, Jenny P and I will be on our way to London for a fun, extended weekend without husbands or children. I can't even begin to write how EXCITED I am over this. I am glad that my BFF is sharing it with me especially since my husband doesn't like to travel and I have missed so much by not doing so by myself over these past seven years in Europe. We will visit every possible place imaginable and walk our little feet right off. In fact, I hope she is still my BFF when all this is over because as far as I am concerned, we can't possibly see enough. I mean honestly I will probably never return in my lifetime and I want to see it all. Wish us LOTS of fun and NO RAIN :)

Joy-Exitement-Jubilation

2009-06-03T21:44:00.002-07:00

Mom called last night because Enterprise School District in Redding, Ca. called looking for me. She told them that I was not there yet and asked if I could call them back. She told them that I am in Germany until the beginning of July. They said that they would be happy to conduct a phone interview if I would please call them.

Of course mom was SSSSOOOO excited to call me and tell me! I called the district and have a phone interview scheduled for the 12th of June at 7:50 pm. Wish me luck, as there are only two of us interviewing. Yeah!

Teacher Appreciation Week

2009-05-08T08:26:00.004-07:00

So, in case you are unaware it is teacher appreciation week. In fact, today was the last day. Monday was bring a flower to the teacher day, Tuesday a piece of fruit, Wednesday was an appreciative letter, Thursday was a sweet treat, and Friday was a gift of your choice. I just want to say that I have some of the best kids in the world in both fifth grade classes. There have been some of the sweetest notes from both students and parents over this last week. Some that made me laugh aloud, and some that brought tears to my eyes.

The truth is...I love presents (anyone who knows me knows it's true) but there were several things that made this so special to me. First, I know that this was all the work of both students and parents. Second, they were so excited to give me everything that they did and when I responded so enthusiasticly about every little thing, I could see their eyes light up.

Maybe I am not explaining this well enough, but it wasn't about the gifts. It truly was about the thought, the time, the consideration. I don't think I could even express how much each little thing meant to me--from the biggest piece of pottery to the smallest hand written note. Teaching might be stressful sometimes, I may get frustrated, I may want to cry some days, but oh how blessed I am to make a difference in even ONE child's life.

Christmas Eve Presents

2008-12-24T14:48:00.005-08:00

Family tradition for us dictates Christmas Eve presents. Just one for each of us and of course that one present is pajamas. It is something that my mother did and something that all of my siblings and I have chosen to carry on with our own children. (We also carried on a toothbrush in the stocking, a new ornament per child, and a few other things) I do think that this will be the last year that I will actually wrap the pajamas since everyone is now old enough to know that it will be the same thing and the kids now ask when we will get to "open our pajamas." I hate wrapping so it just makes me smile not to have to do it.

Here are a few pictures of the whole family after we received them and put them on. I must say we got some really cute ones BUT the one of the whole family just DID NOT work out. It seemed like someone was always not doing something right. We must have taken about twenty of them and I was beginning to lose my mind so we had to quit. All done. Hope you all like them.

Maddy's New Do---And Michael Too!

2008-12-21T11:39:00.009-08:00

Maddy with her hair down! She loves it straight and much like Sierra has always wished she had straight hair like mine. It has now been down for two days--which is longer than Sierra's was able to stay down. That has caused a bit of bitterness! What can I say? I understand because as I stated in the previous post, it is much easier to deal with. As it stands niether of them can comb their own hair properly because of all the curls. With it like this, they can.

The pictures of Michael are just him chilling out on the couch tonight. His hair has not been cut yet though because he wasn't feeling well when it was time. God bless Julia for all her talent and being willing to showcase that talent using my family. It's funny the people that are in a person's life and how they fit in with some sort of special talent that makes them special in your life. I am fortunate to have three women here that have special talents. Jennifer sews, Cindy is a nurse, and Julia does hair. Two of them also bake--which is not great for my ever expanding butt.

My favorite thing about all of them is their willingness to be honest with me and my knowledge that I can be honest with them and they will know it comes from a place of love. It is good to have people in your life who love you for who you are and despite my unwillingness to use the word "friend" for many, the people I do decide to call friend have nearly always been worth the extra effort that the relationship of "friendship" requires.

I Wish it Were So

2008-12-21T01:26:00.004-08:00

Ok, the day before yesterday my friend Julia washed, conditioned, gave a deep treatment to, combed (a job in and of itself), cut, blow dried, and flat ironed Sierra's hair. This was a HUGE job as Sierra's hair is more like her black heritage than it is a naturally curly white girl's hair. She LOVES it. In the two with the blue shirt, she is angry with me that I said she must have it up for bed or it would get frizzy. She wanted to keep it down.

I would have let her but I was sure I was right. As it stands, I WAS right. I actually ended up having to braid it the next day because it didn't stay straight. Madison had hers done last night, put it in a pony for bed and it is still bone straight. Then again, her hair is more like a white girl's--naturally curly and less coarse than Sierra's. I will post pictures of her hair later today or tomorrow. The idea behind my title is that both of their hair is SO much easier to care for when it is straight like this.

They also LOVE leaving it down and long, which is something they cannot do with it natural. I am no good at blowing hair dry and kind of suck with a flat iron. It's too bad Julia isn't our live in nanny or something. :) She is really talented and loves to do hair. She is professionally trained and actually worked in a Paul Mitchell Salon before moving here. I am impressed only because there is no way on this earth that I would go to a salon where it cost 55 dollars for a hair cut. But then again...we make military salary, which isn't so much :)

Winter Wonderland & Santa

2008-12-16T10:52:00.002-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the kids, me, and YES...it's big Michael too. As some of you know, we had a great snow last week. So as much as I HATE the cold, I was talked into joining the family out at the sledding hill for about an hour of sledding and about three hundre pictures. There are so many great ones that it was difficult to pick which ones I wanted to post but here they are. We had a lot of fun but I was very cold when we got home. Oh well, it was a great excuse for hot chocolate. Tonight Santa came through the neighborhood on a fire truck (apparently that is how he travels in the off season) and gave out small pieces of candy before posing for pictures. The girls were very happy about that. I did have to go out in the cold tonight too...I feel some more hot chocolate coming on!!!!

Sigh of Relief and Time to Read for Pleasure

2008-11-17T14:25:00.003-08:00

Well, the light at the end of the tunnel is drawing nearer by the moment. Last Wednesday was my final day of student teaching. I stayed for parent teacher conferences because I felt it was a good learning experience to be on the other side of the table, but Wednesday was the true end date. While I know that it is not official yet as I don't have that special piece of paper from California; however, the weight on my chest is much lighter.

I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief and take a bit of a break. I read a book today (subbing until a position opens and was off) completely for pleasure with no schooling in mind. I am starting Amy Tan's Saving Fish From Drowning tonight. I took the kids to school this morning, went on a long walk, did my laundry, swept, mopped, did a little grocery shopping, read, walked to pick up the girls, and made the family chicken alfredo with green beans for dinner. All mild and unexciting, but honestly...it was so nice. Tomorrow I think I may go for another walk after dropping off the kids, go REAL grocery shopping at Patch (where the food is stocked), and read some more. Ahhhh...the little things in life.

Happy Halloween-On November 1

2008-11-01T08:32:00.003-07:00

Hello all. Nothing like a day late buy hey...better late than never. We decided to staty here at RB last night to do our Trick-or-Treating, and it ended up a good thing. The girls each got a HUGE bag full of candy. We may have only ten buildings full of people here, but each family gave out handfuls of candy. OH, they also gave out warm gluehwein to the adults. Ten buildings, three warm cups...and many HUGE smiles later we were done. The girls had a great time, but mom is bitter because I wanted to dress up too.

Tonight little Michael is having his 15th birthday party here at the house. In fact, there are currently five teenage boys ages 14-17 here at my house. They are preparing to eat five pizzas, five bags of chips, two big bottles of Hawian punch, onion dip, and 24 cupcakes. I will take pictures of the carniage to post here on the blog. Wish me luck.

The girls are spending the night with our friends Julia and Tim along with their children (seen here as venom and the creepy smiling skeleton) Ty and Julian.

Update on Caden from Mom

2008-10-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Well we have all been home, me in CA and the children in Alaska for about 2 months now. It has been nice, but an adjustment. Attached is a picture of Caden from when we first got to Alaska. I will send a current picture as soon as Schelly sends me one. :-) Caden has been holding his own; blood counts were coming up slowly. His immune system is still low so he hasn't been able to go back to his regular preschool yet. Cameron is back in his school and doing great! He is in the advanced reading class, joined Cub Scouts and signed up for soccer. Schelly said she feels like she always running the kids to one place or another! I just laughed because I remember doing that for my children when they were growing up! But hey, keeping them busy certainly helped to keep them out of trouble. My little Caden went to the doctor Thursday for his cancer check-up and we did not get good news. His blood counts have dropped, he has lost weight and the paetcheia has gotten worse. Now, this could be normal because he got pink eye at child care and has a little cold. Schelly is to take his temp every night and if he gets a fever she will have to take in immediately. Meanwhile the doctor told her they will check his counts again in 2 weeks. Please keep Caden in your prayers, pray for his full recovery. It was so much fun being with him in Alaska to see him be a normal happy little boy again. I pray it will always be that way for him. So please pray and forward this to all your prayer warriors too. Thank you and God bless you. Cindy

Tag Makes Me It

2008-10-14T10:39:00.002-07:00

I have been tagged by Jenny P. I have no one else to tag, but I will answer the questions anyway.

Seven Weird Facts About Me

1. I only wear men's cologn. (womens' perfume makes me itchy)
2. I love cheese and crackers more than just about any food
3. All year round my toenails are painted red
4. Every night before the kids go to bed I tell them, "goodnight, godbless you, pleasant dreams, and I love you" because my mother used to do it to us.
5. The one and only time that I have ever highlighted my hair...I messed it up and ended up with light colored polka dots.
6. I don't make friends very easily, but I consider true friendship to be a lifetime commitment.
7. The first time I have ever used a bath and body product was today.

There it is, nothing exciting and earth shaking...

Rocker?

2008-09-29T21:46:00.005-07:00

Ok, it's only fair to tell you that he is still learning. This is the guitar that his dad and I bought him along with an amp, and other accessories. He was very excited. So excited, in fact, that he broke a string the first time he tried to tune it. We need to get the poor boy a hard case though because every time he takes it out of the soft case, he hits one of the tuning knobs (no idea what they are called) and it sounds all out of whack again. His ninth grade year is going pretty well. Honors classes are WAY harder than he thought they would be; however, he can't say I didn't warn him. Well he could, but he would be lying. Maddie is doing GREAT in fifth grade although it too is harder than she thought it would be. She did just get moved into the highest math group though. Sierra is loving first grade and just took the fall reading test yesterday. I am sure she did fine, but I am dying to see the results.

As for me, fourth grade is honestly great. I really like my host teacher and like the fact she has so much faith in me that she just lets me take the class. I hope she likes having me there as much as I like being there :) Big Michael is still in the process of finding the right job after retirement in April or June. He has options that will keep us here for about three more years so I am not worried. I am just glad he gets to choose. Well, I guess I ought to get to work.

In the Middle of a Lesson

2008-09-09T14:29:00.002-07:00

Ok, picture a teacher standing in front of her class giving a lesson on square numbers. Begin the lesson discussing simple multiplication facts and move into using graph paper to map out then color in different squares to show how to make the number using multiplication of the same two numbers. Imagine students working different double problems on the graph paper up to the 17 x 17 and trying to figure it out without counting up all the squares.

Now we sit carefully attempting to work the problem different ways and several students come up with GREAT ideas that make sense, but don't work. The idea is for them to try and problem solve on their own and as hard as they try, only one student comes up with the correct answer. Some are close, but none are correct but the one. I won't bore you with the details of the short cut he came up with, but I will tell you he was the last child chosen.

When the teacher called his name and he gave his answer, the class waited as the smile crossed her face. She told him he was right, asked him to explain his method and when it was all over, another student sang in a Mr. Deeds operah man voice, "THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU LORD!!!!"

I tried very hard not to laugh because it really was inappropriate and made it through until he left the room at the end of the day. MAN OH MAN...kids are fascinating.

All I Want for Christmas

2008-09-08T21:22:00.005-07:00

Well, I did forget to post something yesterday in my haste. Sierra is my little toothless wonder right now. She has no upper two front teeth. I told her that she can sing the "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" song now. Ok, that might have been a mistake because now she sings it constantly. Please pay no attention to the fact that she looks like she might kill you even though she is happy. What can I say, she is excited.

I am also attaching a couple of pictures from the first day of school which was the 25th of August. Am I behind? UMMMM yes. My excuse is the same as yesterday...I am exhausted. The thing is that this isn't the first time in my life that I have worked until I felt like I could sleep for the whol weekend. I mean come on, I used to be in the military. The question is, when did I get so old? Life is catching up with me.

And please tell me how some other teachers...remaining nameless...can leave the school at 3pm every day and still get all their work done. Man oh man am I a little bitter and jealous about that one. Most days, I get there around 7:30 and leave after 4pm. Not a big deal really but it is taking it out of this old lady more than I thought. No more nights of midnight or later only to get up at 5:30am. I just can't do it any longer. Again, don't tell my husband because boy would he gloat over that fact :) I honestly cannot have him thinking he is right.

Well, I am at two days in a row now...I will have to start thinking of funny stories from work and the kids to share. Man they are fascinating. Not to mention that by fourth grade, they know all there is to know. Don't you dare tell them that's not true either.

Well Hello Stranger!

2008-09-07T22:12:00.002-07:00

Ok, I know you are saying to yourself..."What? Who is this posting on JennyBs blog?"

It's ME! I so should be getting ready for school, but I wanted to throw something on here so JennyP doesn't think I suck :) Nah really, it would take more than that for her...she loves me.

Let me say what I have learned in the last few weeks at school.

FOURTH GRADERS CRY OVER EVERYTHING!!!!

I mean quit being a baby. I am not cut out for the whining over every little thing.

Sound mean? OK, I guess I am.

Open house went great, the year is going great, and I am exhausted from being there at 7:30 and leaving around four or five. Don't tell my husband that working like this wears me out though because I think I'll get a big, "TOLD YOU SO!"

I don't want him to think that he is right or anything.

I don't have time to post pictures, BUT I will tell you that the new header is a picture that I took of my flowers out front and the Dahlia that is on my other BLOG is also a picture of my very own flowers outside my very own house. I was hoping to get building of the month, but my neighbor Anna across the street got it.

I asked her who she slept with to win and she said, "all of housing!" I am glad she knew I was joking :)

Good News

2008-08-21T21:45:00.006-07:00

Here is an update from my sister and a few pictures. Please note the smile on both boys' faces & the fact that Caden's hair is growing back nicely! This was a good way for me to start my day.

"Well we made it!!! We are home and it feels so good! Caden was so excited to be back in the home he knows. The boys had space to play and run around. It was like Christmas with all the stuff they had not seen for almost 8 months. Caden had his line removed a week ago and he got the all clear to swim from the doctor today. So we will be taking a trip to the pool either Friday or Saturday. He has not been able to have water on his chest for over 7 months so oddly this should be a treat for him. My mom was able to come up for a week with me to help get readjusted, but sadly she will be leaving Sunday. :( It will be strange not having her around! Babysitter's are expensive! Hahaha...just kidding Mom! He had labs done today and his counts are not coming up as fast as I hoped. All in good time. He should be ready to go back into childcare in 3 weeks. That means I can get back to work and I am actually happy about that! Life is good, God is good, and my baby is in remission and getting stronger every day! We have gone to the park, done some shopping, and we went to Clunie Lake on Fort Richardson today. We still can't do too much. Caden's immune system is still suppressed, so we do lots of hand washing and Purell!!!! We made it back in time for Cameron to start 2nd grade with all of his friends! He is doing very well. He is in the advanced reading group and that is good confirmation that he did not skip a beat! My life has been full of blessings and I am very thankful! Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers! We hope you will continue them. If he is able to make it 5 years in remission then his odds are much better. So hopefully we will not be forgotten. Love and Appreciation Always, Schelly, Cameron and Caden"

My personal thanks to all of you who took the time to pray and send your well wishes. Please keep them coming.

First Two Days

2008-08-21T13:20:00.002-07:00

Well, I am amazed that two days filled to near completion with back to back meetings can make me as tired as I have been. I am exhausted! They have been informative and interesting though and honestly parts of the process that I didn't know have been beaten like a dead horse. It is valuable experience and I am excited for school to start on Monday!

Yesterday and Tomorrow

2008-08-19T07:33:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, my kids, Julia, her kids, and I went to the Ludwigsburg Palace (Yes people it's a palace not a castle) and had a genuinely good time. The children were VERY well behaved and the tour guide even complimented them on their behavior after everything was said and done. They were beaming from the kudos. Those of you know Maddy, know this to be true :) When I went many years ago, we were too late for the Enlish tour and were too new to understand even basic German. It was VERY interesting to me this time.

Today, I did a whole lot of nothing. Really that's not true because I cleaned, did laundry and took care of Maddy who wasn't feeling all that hot. She is feeling a bit better now though. Truthfully, I think she was just a bit worn out from yesterday.

Tomorrow, Back To School--Teacher's first day back is tomorrow! I am excited to help Melissa set up the classroom and begin lesson planning. I am excited to see the light at the end of my NEVER ENDING educational saga. I am so excited and not at all nervous! That is probably due to the fact that I have been a substitute at RB Elementary for two years and a parent to students there for over five. I think it may also be the fact that I really like Mrs. Taylor and I hope to learn something from her having been a teacher in California. Here's to a good first day.

The Day After

2008-08-17T14:20:00.004-07:00

OK, let's face it...school shopping for three kids at one time is no picnic. First let me say that all three kids were very well behaved during the ride up there, the extra stop in Mannheim, and the ride home. They even had to wait for a late lunch until after we finished shopping at kaiserslautern. Sierra and Madison LOVED picking out shoes and clothes and even trying them on. They are so MY girls. Little Michael hated the trying on part and made it seem like we were torturing him-especially when we made him try on multiple styles of jeans in the same size. Try explaining to a boy that different styles/designers fit differently. He just didn't get it or didn't want to get it. He made it through OK though.

Now for the bad part. I woke up Saturday morning feeling like someone was twisting a knife in my stomach and a mild fever. I mean I felt horrible! Michael told me that I could stay home and he would take the kids; however, I just didn't think it was right for him to take all three with him and do all that shopping. Let's be clear on just how much he HATES shopping...I mean hates it. So I went. I also know that school starts on the 25th so we really can't put it off any longer.

I slept nearly all the way there and arrived there feeling worse than when we left the house. Then we made our way through a couple of hours shopping and took the kids to lunch at around two pm. We got most of the clothing for the girls and some for Michael at the first stop. We left and Michael decided to stop in Mannheim "on the way" home. I told him that was fine. I slept all the way there and had a higher fever when we arrived. Although we got everything we needed there, I still had to use the basket as a walker and felt like I had been gut punched. We finished up there and drove home about $1,000 poorer, mom feeling sick, tired kids, and dad holding it all together. I swear he gets the "Great Dad" award for yesterday. I slept all the way home, woke up when he needed me to hand him my ID right before the gate, helped carry in the stuff, took a NyQuil/Theraflu Bedtime cocktail that he gave me and slept from about 7pm last night until 9am this morning without interruption. I love him for helping me do that and the kids for being quiet enough while they bathed and got ready for bed.

Dinner With Friends

2008-08-15T14:54:00.002-07:00

Today was a rainy, chilly day just begging for me to cook. Julia felt the same so we decided to have dinner at my house. Julia made Meatballs with a bbq sauce to be served over rice, a broccoli cheese dish that I loved and will be making again, and a chocolate yummy that we all loved. Supposedly there is peanut butter fudge at the house, but I'll believe that when it is in my belly :) I made homemade chicken pot pie, and green bean casserole. I didn't eat the former, but the latter turned out very good. I am ashamed to say that I ate myself sick on the casserole and the broccoli dish.

In my defense, I don't eat the meat dishes so it's ok right? Ok, not really and I am paying for it with a sore tummy as I type. When I was getting the table ready, Anna came over with her daughter Nikki and ended up staying for dinner too. Normally, that might have bothered me because it was unexpected, BUT it really didn't because there was SSSSOOOO much food. I had also invited Cindy with her family, but she loves her neighbors more than me so she probably went across the street.

LAUGH CINDY YOU KNOW IT'S FUNNY! There was so much left over, we all wished that Cindy would have come too. We did however end up having a nice relaxing evening just eating and hanging out with friends. Tomorrow we will be taking the kids to Kaiserslautern to shop for school clothes. We will pick up a few things at least because I would like to get most of it for cheaper online. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Completed Tattoo

2008-08-14T15:07:00.003-07:00

Here is a finished picture of my new tattoo next to the one without color--I couldn't find a complete before shot. As I said yesterday, all of the four that came together so nicely to make up the ONE have special meaning. These were all carefully thought out and designed special. They were brought as concepts and drawings to Frank and because they are hand drawn, I hope that I never see a duplicate as long as I live.

Left Shoulder Butterfly: seen as the personification of a person's soul; whether they be living, dying, or already dead. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches behind the bamboo screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth into a new life after being inside a cocoon for a long period of time. grace, beauty, serenity.

Right Shoulder Hummingbird: Messenger, stopper of time. Hummingbird represents optimism and sweetness. Being able to roll with the punches is an attribute of Hummingbird. It is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. But, this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward. When the hummingbird hovers over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savor each moment, and appreciate the things we love. Also, my Pop had hummingbird feeders all over his porch before he left us, and he loved to watch those little guys fly all the time. They were special to him and he was special to me so I used it in a tattoo in honor of him. Finally, one of the things that I have read is that hummingbirds are small, surprisingly strong, intelligent, diligent, fiercely territorial and loyal.

The English Words:
Love--

A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
Faith--
Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

Large Chinese Writing/Middle:
Wisdom--

the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Intellect--

the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge. The capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, esp. of a high or complex order; mental capacity.

This tattoo was carefully placed directly between the two on my shoulders because of the fact that whom a person (ME) chooses to love and put faith in should be carefully balanced by wisdom and intellect. Some of you know that I have failed in the past and the pain it has caused me. I will try much harder and be much more careful in the future.

Koi Fish: one of the most popular and beautiful of Japanese tattoo symbols – a beauty which belies its symbolic meaning. Although Chinese in origin, the carp is now widely celebrated in Japan. It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught, it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike a samurai (warrior) facing a sword. This theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same: courage, the ability to attain high goals, and overcoming life's difficulties. Also, a koi swimming upstream represents the ability to face adversity, while the koi swimming downstream represents having the ability to conquer adversity.

Chinese Writing in Koi:
Left=Joy--

the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated. The expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety. A state of happiness or felicity

Right=sorrow--

distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret. A cause or occasion of grief or regret, as an affliction, a misfortune, or trouble. The expression of grief, sadness, disappointment, or the like.

The meaning of those with regard to JennyBean is self explanatory to those who know me.

NOTE:
I personally love tattoos and think they are beautiful. I think they should have meaning to the person on whose body they are placed, but know that is not always the case. I am a bit of a tattoo snob now and hate the one on my ankle as it is "flash/wall art" that has no special meaning other than I got in while I was in MP school. I will never get another piece that has no personal meaning again. I love the new one so much not just because I think it is pretty, but also because the whole thing is an artistic representation of what I have come through in my life (some things with scars both emotional and physical) and what I will most likely have to go through in my future. It is a symbol of both what I was, what I am, and what I hope to become. I think that I am finished getting tattoos now...ONE NEVER KNOWS :) I mean really, there is still space on my back you know. Yes mom...it's pretty and it's beautiful artwork and I know you wish it wasn't a permanent part of my body. You aren't the only mom who hates tattoos :)

Good News

2008-08-13T23:21:00.002-07:00

There is power in prayer and well wishes. I have to say a special thank you to all of the people in my life or the lives of those who know me for taking the time to pray for Caden. It has not been in vain--but then prayer and faith never really are. Please read the update that I woke up to read this morning. It's good to start your day with a smile.

"It seems like we have been here an eternity. We have lived an entirely different life here in the last 7 1/2 months. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting... We have been through the unimaginable. It was not in vain. We found out today that Caden is officially in remission!!!!! That's right...CANCER FREE!!!!! I pray it stays that way.We will be heading back to Anchorage very soon and he will continue the last stage of recovery in his own home! Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers! We did it! "

The image is Chinese character for double happiness...I thought it was appropriate.

Update

2008-08-13T15:19:00.004-07:00

Quick update on my sweet Caden from my mother. I forgot to post it the other day because I SUCK!

"Well his counts are up high enough they are doing the bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture now. This will tell us if he is cancer free or not. We should have the LP results back tomorrow but the aspiration will take longer (not sure when yet). I will send another update as soon as we know the results!"

I also wanted to say that I had my tattoo finished today by Frank at Get Lucky Tattoo so far I think it looks great but I will wait to post a picture of it tomorrow after I shower. Right now it is still under plastic, but when I wash it and put the special cream on it, I will get a picture to post the finished product. I personally love it, and think that Frank is brilliant. I am biased though because all of them have special meaning to me and putting them together as one illustrates and closes a chapter in my life that I can call complete. I will write more about the meaning when I post the picture tomorrow.

Party, Party, Party

2008-08-09T09:43:00.002-07:00

Today was Maddy's party with more than just the five of us. She got some really cool presents and loved every one of them. She enjoyed having friends to join her too as normally people we know are visiting the states when it is time for her birthday. Most of you know though that she is my only child who has gotten to celebrate her birthday with MY WHOLE family not once but twice. We had a good day and a fun little party even though someone (no names here Julia) told me that because I had no balloons, games, or party favors it was more like a playdate than a birthday party.

Maddy wanted peanut butter chocolate cupcakes so that is what I made. She invited all the people she wanted to invite, and I put 11 (10 years and one to grow on) candles on one cupcake. I know it is crazy, but I thought it was amusing...especially because I used the ones you can't blow out. :) Jenny made a funny. I thought so anyway. I am attaching a photo collage so that those of you who couldn't be here can see a bit of it for yourselves. PS: JennyP the M and the embroidery are already on the wall and she LOVES them because they are grown up type objects. I mean really, she is ten now :)

Maddy Is Ten

2008-08-08T13:07:00.005-07:00

Madison is officially ten! I can hardly believe it. I found myself thinking "man that is half way to 20." I know that this is crazy to think of but it's true. She truly had a great week at craft camp and sweet, sweet Mary had all the kids call her princess Madison today because it was her birthday. NOTE TO MARY: you didn't know it at the time, and may not know it now but you really made her whole day. I was telling my friend Julia about it over the phone and when she came over later she called Madison Princess Maddy. Her whole face lit up and she said, "Miss Julia, everyone has been calling me that all day!" Score one for Julia! We had a great day actually. Madison could have had anything she wanted for dinner, and all she chose was pizza, salad ("so you can eat too mommy") and all of us at the dinner together. Those of you who know the job, know that this doesn't happen that often as Michael doesn't know what time he will be home some nights. He did come through tonight. We all sat for dinner and then the kids got a sneak preview of the cupcakes for tomorrow. The family sang happy birthday to her and then we had a family movie night. We let her open two of her presents from us tonight as well. I know it's not very exciting, but it's a day that makes me smile because it made my baby smile--as evidenced by the final picture with her smile.

A Page Or Two

2008-08-07T14:44:00.003-07:00

I have been busy creating pages of different times, with different pictures, of my own babies as well as babies of friends. I hope you all like them. One is from Emily's Birthday, One is 4th of July Fest, and one is my babies sleeping. I love them all for different reasons. There has really been nothing to write about, so I haven't been as faithful about posting. I don't have really cool things that I have made to post, but the girls are still very happy with craft camp at the PCM store. They have NOTHING but nice things to say about Mary (the lady who is teaching the classes for those of you who don't know her) and definitely talk about how much patience she has with some of the more "challenging" children. Kudos to you Mary. You know you have done something great when kids say it because normally kids are brutally honest. Maybe tomorrow after the last class I will post a picture of all the things that they have made during the week. I especially enjoyed the tie-dyed t-shirts and so did the girls.

Another Update

2008-08-05T12:23:00.001-07:00

Here is another update on Caden and his saga. Thanks to all of you who make the time to keep my family in your prayers. I don't have a picture to post, BUT you all know how bad that will drive me nuts.

As you all know we are out of the hospital. Caden is recovering at the RMH and we are little by little getting him out in the fresh air. His counts have been going up and down, but they are at a decent count right now. Unfortunately not enough to do the bone aspiration. That has been postponed until next Monday, tentatively. Which means we wait some more to see if he is officially in remission. I am scared because it is taking a while for his marrow to recover and just when we think his counts are coming up and we can do the procedure, they drop again. He did however have his final CAT scan today and his lungs look pretty good. Most of the nodules are cleared up. I think more then anything we all want to be home. It is so frustrating sitting and waiting. I am so anxious to be back in my own house and in my normal routine. It is at times like this when I am feeling really down and wondering if this will ever end, when I have to remind myself that Caden is out and hopefully on the road to recovery. I ask for continued prayers and good thoughts for healing and a safe trip home soon.

What to Say--Much Ado About Nothing

2008-08-04T09:17:00.003-07:00

Today the girls went to craft camp at the PMC store with Mary. They had a great time too except for one child who made them uncomfortable. They did tell me that Mary was really nice to them and they think she is really nice. Today they made pottery and tomorrow they will tie dye shirts. They are excited. I spent the time they were inside just spending money at the PX on things that I don't need. I won't be doing that tomorrow. Instead I will go visit Lianne at her house. That should be fun.

I was telling Mary about a really pretty picture that JennyP took of her with her son at Emily's Birthday party and promised her that I would attach them to a post today. I really have nothing else to write about because I still don't know any results from Caden's lab and cat scan today. I can say that I am VERY glad it rained today so I don't have to go out and water the flowers :)

Glass of Wine with th Girls

2008-08-01T11:57:00.004-07:00

Happy August first to all! Tonight the girls are having a get together for a little wine, no children, and no husbands. Sound relaxing? Really I think it will be and I am looking forward to the time to just chill and take advantage of a little break. I'll be honest and say that I wish JennyP could be here too, but she lives too far away and the rest of us live within walking distance and can stumble home if necessary. Since there will be five of us and three bottles of wine, it shouldn't come to stumbling :) Just a whole bunch of sitting around talking and playing some stupid board games like outburst etc. Fun Stuff!

31 Days 31 Posts

2008-07-31T13:22:00.004-07:00

Well, here we are at the last day of July and I am on my last post of the month. I made it through with a post for every day. I am proud of myself. Even though some of the posts have been about a whole lot of nothing. I just got back from a nice long walk at 10pm. We wanted to go earlier, BUT as you know it is still Death Valley hot out there so we waited. My tattoo is sore, but livable and as much as I like it right now, I know I will love it when the color is finished.

I can't believe that it is already August. My Maddy will be 10 in just eight days. I can hardly believe it. I am amazed at how fast the time goes the older that I get. We are having a party for Madison on the 9th from 1-3ish pm. BTW Cindy...I keep forgetting to tell you that if your family is not away on a short holiday you are invited. I know how you feel about birthdays, so if you don't come it's OK I might forgive you :) and Jen if you have to work, I understand about that as well. Life happens.

What Did You Do Today?

2008-07-30T13:00:00.007-07:00

I got the first part of my new tattoo today. It was four hours of laying on my stomach on a massage table while a very nice man took my newest idea and special drawing, drew it on my back, made his changes, and then seared it into my back with a thousand tiny needles. It is not finished and I have to go back in two weeks for the color in the cherry blossoms, the koi, and the different shading details. I had a small circle planned just below the existing Chinese writing but Frank (my tattoo guy) from Get Lucky Tattoo said no. He said it would look like four unfinished pieces of work and that this way is better because it will look like one big finished, flowing piece of work. I love it, but I think there are some people who read my blog who won't :) It's OK...his idea was better than mine, and I like it a lot. But I am biased because I love tattoos and I love his work. You can be honest in your opinions, and I won't even get upset. So have at it :) NOTE: They chinese writing in the koi on the left is joy or happiness, and the one on the right is sorrow. I know that is what it really is too because I am the one who designed the tattoo and then we looked again before the ink went on. I don't want it to say something like pig vomit :)

Update and Pottery

2008-07-29T14:36:00.006-07:00

We went to the multi-craft store today and had a really fun time painting pottery. I wish I had thought of it sooner because the dish I made is for my friend Tatiana's birthday, which is Thursday. I can't wait to see how my dish and the kids' dishes turned out. We really did have fun :) Now for the update on Caden. Below is a letter from my mother and a picture.

We took Caden to the clinic yesterday for labs, a doctor visit, the final bone marrow and lumbar puncture. His ANC has dropped back down to 176. Normally this would mean he would have to go back into the hospital but the doctor told us if we are real careful with him (keep him isolated) he wouldn't have to. So we keep him in the room at the RMH or walk him straight out to the car.

They cancelled his entire follow-up procedures until next week with the exception of his labs. We will have labs done again on Thursday to see what his counts are. The CT scheduled for this Friday was rescheduled for Monday Aug. 4th; they haven’t given us a date for the final bone marrow or spinal lumbar puncture yet. (August already; can you believe it!)

Caden is taking all of this really well. He isn't fighting us on staying in the room because he doesn't want to be in the hospital. He was in there so long that every time we are in the car, he has to have his window down for fresh air. It is bitter sweet; you realize how much he misses being outside but it isn't worth the risk to take him to a playground or to the beach yet.

Attached are a couple of pictures from his discharge date that you will love. It was a blessing to share in Caden and Schelly’s excitement when he saw his mother coming toward us on the path to the RMH. He had his arms reaching out for her as he ran toward her saying, “Mommy I'm free from the hospital!!!!” I wish I had taken a picture from behind to capture the look on her face too; but his smile is priceless!

Please continue to pray for healing and a smooth transition.
Cindy

What's That? Good News! About Time!

2008-07-27T07:43:00.004-07:00

Oh Happy Day!

I have attached both the letter and the pictures my mother sent today as her Caden update. It is finally time for some good news. NOTE: Corinnea notice your beads in the second picture :)

Hello, hello, hello! I had my update ready to send out yesterday. I was going to give you the results of his blood work. His ANC was at 238!!!!! I was so excited, the nurses were laughing at me! Joyce, the nurse Caden had yesterday morning, is in love with him. She told me she is happy and sad and that she is going to miss him so much. Oh and surprise, this is the beginning of your 28 day countdown, the doctors are discharging you today! It was so funny because Caden was still asleep when she told me. I packed our belongings then woke him up to tell him we could leave after he took his medicine and ate his breakfast. He jumped up (he never wakes up like that), took his medicine, put on his own clothes and said "yeah, let's go I will eat at the RMH." It was a good thing I had already packed our belongings! I told him I needed to call his Mommy to come pick us up but he said no, he wanted to walk to the RMH and surprise her. What comes next? We wait for his counts to come up so they can do the final LP and Bone Marrow test, this is to confirm he is cancer free. (Just writing it brings tears to my eyes.). They will also do one more CT scan before they are done (I think to check his internal organs before they let him go home). They did the final hearing test last week; he has some hearing loss in his left ear (this doesn't surprise me as this is the ear that has been bleeding periodically throughout treatment). Before they can remove the Hickman line his platelets have to be much higher and stay high on their own. We are far from that right now. His platelets and RBC are low enough that they will be doing transfusions today. They will do that in the out patient clinic at the hospital. We will be there all morning but will go play this afternoon. Attached are a couple of pictures of his last day at the hospital. He went around and gave his nurses hugs before we left. Those pictures haven't been downloaded yet as they were taken with my other camera; these were taken with my Blackberry. Please pray for his bone marrow recovery and that when they do the final test we get the official word that his cancer is gone! Love to all of you and thank you for your support! Cindy

There Is A Reason

2008-07-25T12:45:00.003-07:00

So, a friend of mine was getting her new house, house hold goods, and unpacking today so I kept her boys with me for the day. First let me say that they were very well behaved and I had NO problems whatsoever with them. But goodness gracious I am SO glad that I don't have five children and I don't know how people do it. It's a lot of work even with five good kids. Imagine having a couple of kids in the mix that weren't so great. There is a reason I only have three kids...I am not strong enough to handle more.

Trip To IKEA

2008-07-23T17:09:00.005-07:00

The girls and I took Julia, Tatiana, and their kids to IKEA because after living in the hotel since April, the Powell family has a house here at RB where they wanted to live. Now only Tatiana and her family need one as well. Hopefully theirs will be ready by the 15th of August. ANYWAY, the reason we went was to look for curtains for Julia's house. She has them for the rooms in the boys' rooms but needed them for their bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Gotta have curtains to keep nosey neighbors from looking in your house. Sad, but true. We found them for the living room, and bedroom, but nothing in curtain form for the kitchen. She did however find a heavy fabric that she liked and thought it would look good in her black and white kitchen. She got it for 4 euro per yard and bought two yards. I told her that I would sew it for her so that she can use them on Friday when they move in. I don't know if I would have chosen the fabric, BUT I do like it because it looks retro to me. Please note how wonderful the sewing is and be proud that I ironed every single fold like a good girl. JennyP should be proud :)

UUUMMM What To Write About?

2008-07-22T15:15:00.004-07:00

Lianne made this really wonderful hat for me to send to Caden. Isn't so cute? I am so happy that she was willing (and able) to do this for me. I asked, and she did it. Why? Because that is the kind of person she is. In case I haven't mentioned it before, Caden is a Spiderman and/or Star Wars so he will LOVE this hat. Let's also keep in mind that soon he will be home in Alaska with his little bald head and will need all the hats he can get. It's because I love him and want to see the same REAL smile on his face that he had when he got the glass beads from Corinnea. That was so obviously not the "brave face" but one of happiness. It is one that I hope he has many more of so that he can stop trying to be (or having to be) so grown up at the ripe old age of four and being brave for all those around him. I will say though that I am proud of him that he is able to do something so far beyond his years even though I wish he didn't find in necessary. No child should have to be this brave. OK, gonna sign off now because it seems I have become a Melancholy Molly and soon I will get started on how someone made comments about me today that were not only ugly, but untrue. They did that thing where people live up to certain stereotypes. How sad and embarrassing for them. Oops, got started...:) OH, look at the new tickers I put on the left.

Sicky :(

2008-07-21T10:55:00.007-07:00

Madison woke up feeling yucky today and decided it was a day for her to stay inside the house. I guess with it being so chilly, she picked a good day. I have a bit of a sore throat too. I hope that I don't get sick...but I would rather it be me than the kids. So, Madison cuddled on the couch with one of the dogs (alternating of course) and watched movies "with me" while I made spiders and clips. I am attaching pictures of the most recent and then posting them on my etsy site for sale. I'd like to say that I had a productive day, but honestly...nope. Man I am bored and ready for school to start. It's sad to think that the most exciting part of my day today was walking to the CX to buy the children a peach tea. WooHoo! Party girl--hold me back.

I am also posting pictures of my girls at Emily's party and a picture of Ava's arm that makes me want to fire up the oven and eat a baby for dinner :)

Another Update

2008-07-20T09:03:00.002-07:00

This update from my mother is long and thankfully detailed so I won't write anything other than my girls had a really great time at Emily's birthday and can't wait to get their bowls.

"Hello! We have been in the hospital for 36 days now and still no ANC. :-( However, his hematocrit is starting to go up on it's own. His platelets are down to 6 so he will get another transfusion today. Since I explained to Caden what an NG tube is (a feeding tube that is inserted through the nose down to the stomach) he has been eating. He had lost 4 pounds but has put 2 back on and seems to be eating pretty good. He nibbles all day long. So, no NG tube! I really thought I would see his ANC start coming up this weekend because of several things that are happening. His hematocrit coming up, the sores on his feet and body are healing, no fever for several days now. Maybe tomorrow it will come up! Child Life is a department in the hospital. Its purpose is to help the children learn to cope with this experience. When Caden was refusing to get out of bed at all and wasn't eating we asked if we could use the Wii. As you have heard throughout my updates Caden loves to play video games. They brought it in and we told him the only way it would work is if he got out of bed to play. He did it! He likes to be the pitcher for baseball and I got to be the batter! He did the bowling and a little boxing when I was here too. Then he told me he was tired and asked me to do the boxing. Wow, using this thing is exercise, my arms were sore! Anyway that was the beginning of him getting better. He got exercise which made him hungry.....etc! Again, with all the test that were run they have no idea why he was running fevers and no idea what the sores were on his feet. I am so thankful that he has not been as sick this round as he was last round. I was really scared last round! This whole adventure is taking longer than anticipated. It has been scary, we have been sleep deprived, I miss my home, the rest of my family and wasn't able to be with my dog Jacques of 15 years when he passed away. But, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but where I am right now. I am so close to Caden and we have had some wonderful fun times full of laughter during these past 7 months! It has been fun being silly for no reason other than to make him smile and laugh. I have been blessed by my employer letting me work remotely for so long, my husband who has been keeping busy getting things done around our home, my friends Tom and Sandy who have helped me keep my sanity, my sister coming up for a month, my son Ronny who as come and will be bring Cameron back on August 3rd. Family, friends and people we have never met who have sent cards, gifts and get well / hang in there messages. But most of all, all of you prayer warriors! Your prayers have helped give us all strength, hope, patience and healing. There were times I wasn't sure I could cope with this situation but someone would call or send a note of encouragement and I would remember all will be well. Thank you. You have touched all of our lives in ways you may not even realise. My cousin Rick told me a story about sharing my updates with his co-workers and some of their reactions. By sharing this with me he showed me how we have also touched so many other lives. We don't know why this beautiful little boy has had to go through this experience except perhaps to change some of our lives. I know mine is, Denise (my co-worker) has told me how this has changed hers (she did a cancer climb to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite - you go girl!), Schelly's and Camerons too! Attached are Caden approved pictures from some gifts he received from people who have never met him. The one gift is Star Wars action figures (we all know he loves them), one is him holding some new hand made glass beads from a lady in Germany. He is saying "Oh yeah, some more beads!". And the other is him with his strands of Beads of Courage! (You can read about this program at www.beadsofcourage.org if interested) We would appreciate it if you would keep praying for all of us as we are not done yet! Love to all and may God bless you, Cindy"

Busy...Busy

2008-07-18T15:15:00.007-07:00

I made some more bobbies for the store and will bring them with me to the store tomorrow. JennyP made me some really cute holders from card stock for me to put them on because she loves me :) I also tried my hand at butterflies today. They really aren't different from the dragonflies other than the wings being a bit larger and the bodies being shorter. I made two of them tonight because my new beads came from Fire Mountain Gem s and I was excited to use some of them. I went for a long walk today with friends, made some more bobbies, hung out in the decent weather. ***OH, Exciting news...I sold 60 dollars worth of merchandise in my etsy shop. It was one crab, one Large Dragonfly, and one small one.***If you could see me you would know I am doing a little happy dance.

Got a lot going on the next few days so I thought I would go ahead and post now (wasn't going to until tomorrow night) so that I know for sure it gets done. Tomorrow is Emily's Birthday and we are going to her party. I made the cake and want JennyP to remember the saying "be careful what you wish for." The boys are not invited--only the girls and I. They are so excited about it that they haven't stopped talking about it all day. Cute but annoying :) Emily's party is from 2pm to 4pm and then we come straight home for a BBQ beginning at 6pm. I already made my potato salad because there really won't be time tomorrow. I am also making a tomato, mozzarella, olive, and basil salad. We are providing hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. I know that Julia and her family are bringing some kind of bean dish, drinks for the kids, plates, and plastic forks. Tatiana and her family are bringing chicken, steaks, baked macaroni (Russian style), wurst, and shrimp salad. Anna and her family are bringing "something," and I don't know if Cindy is coming even though she was invited. MUCH THANKS TO HER IF GARRETT IS STILL THROWING UP. None of us really wants sick kids right? Sunday afternoon the girls have another birthday party to attend. I guess they'll do laundry on Monday. I'll do mine in the morning before the party. I know...fun life I lead...don't be jealous!

Caden Update

2008-07-17T12:38:00.003-07:00

It's that time again. I have nothing of my own to talk about because I did a whole lot of nothing today. The rainy day made me tired and BLAH. I did a few digital scrapbook pages, made a few (OK, eight) sets of clips for the store, went to the store, and started a movie so horrible that I stomached about 30 minutes without beating my head on the wall and turned it off. I am posting the Caden update my sister just sent me. Some of it is a repeat of what my mother said in the last post about him, but there is new stuff so I thought it I should go ahead and post. So, here it is:

"Sorry I have not posted an update since the prayer request. I have not been able to get online at the hospital and it would be a pain in the butt to post an update with my blackberry! Anyway, Caden had his CAT Scan and they found more little nodules in the lungs. No internal bleeding so that is good. Based on lung results they did another procedure, the same as last time, where they squirt fluid into his lungs and then suck it out and test it. So far nothing has come back on that. As for the rash/sores on his skin...also graham positive cocci (sp). Basically a bacteria growing in his skin and creating sores. He is on the most powerful antibiotics and anti-fungals he can be on so they are not to concerned about it. Today his foot (where the worst sore is) actually looks like it is healing a bit. Really all that will help is time. His body has not recovered yet and is not producing new cells yet. He had to have a blood transfusion and platelets yesterday. He has not been eating well and he has lost 2 lbs already this round. They are discussing a feeding tube through his nose if he loses more weight. :( We shared that information with him and he is trying so hard but his poor little body is not cooperating that well. I asked the Dr about a time frame and it could be anywhere from 1-2+ months before we get home. I expressed my concerns about Cameron and him starting 2nd grade in Alaska with the rest of his friends. I asked the docs if we could go home as soon as his counts were safe to fly and then he could recover in his own house and have his central line removed at Providence in Anchorage, but I don't think it will happen. Bummer. I'll probably be back just in time for snow. Yipee!!! (that was sarcasm) Please continue to pray and send good thoughts our way."

That's the news.

Hair Cuts And A New Idea

2008-07-16T14:30:00.003-07:00

First let's chat about the haircuts. I think they look sooo cute and the girls like them very much. I don't know how well you can see it, BUT Sierra's hair has so much blond in it now from the sun that it looks as if we did it on purpose. Madison has the same but it is more red in color. Julia...Thanks so much for doing their hair for me. I don't know what I would have done because the people that I have taken them to here don't seem to know what to do with it.

As for the dragonfly hair pins, I saw them online and thought I might try my hand at them. These two sets are just a practice run as I feel I need more work on it. I do however, think they might be cool to sell at the store. Now maybe I am way ahead of myself, and I hope that Corinnea, Kelly, or JennyP will tell me so. It won't hurt my feelings or anything, I just thought it was a great idea when I saw it. the are regular sized bobbies so the clips aren't too big. They are more for cutsie look than function. Let me know what you think:)

Nothing Much To Say

2008-07-15T09:15:00.004-07:00

We finished off a very uneventful, yet satisfying, day yesterday by watching the movie Definitely Maybe. I have to say that it is what many guys might call a chick flick but big Michael said that he liked it just fine. I liked it very much. Today the girls and I took some more spiders, crabs, and dragonflies to the store and put them with the rest of the displays. I think they look nice. I guess I should have brought my camara in and taken a picture. Oh well. Then the girls and I went to the PX to meet Dad for lunch. THEN we came back and my friend Julia cut the girls' hair. She is a hairstylist and did a great job. They had quite a bit of dead ends and definitely needed it. I am attaching a picture of Caden holding the beads that Corinnea sent him. Unfortunately, the beads (held in his hand) are blurry, BUT the HUGE smile on his face is easy to see. I am glad they pleased him so much.

If It Were Only That Easy

2008-07-14T09:09:00.002-07:00

So, I keep catching Buddy chasing his tail. His funny adaptation of this is that he will run around like crazy chasing it and then do these sideways summersaults. It's great fun to watch. I am a bit biased though. He's just so stinking cute. I just can't help thinking it would be so wonderful if it were always that easy to be entertained. I finished my employment application with DodEA schools. My hope is to begin in December with my own class. I can't wait...that's what I think now anyway :) We had an uneventful day of doing mostly nothing. I sat with some neighbors while the kids played and then we all walked to the cx in order to buy gatoraide, came home and hung out for a while longer, then came in for dinner. I just now asked big Michael what he did all day and he said, "nothing isn't it GREAT?" I have to agree with him for today. Mostly I have been bored this summer. I guess I need a break from summer break :)

Caden Update

2008-07-13T08:52:00.006-07:00

Since I know that there are several of you who read this BLOG and like to know how Caden is doing, I am posting my mother's most recent update and two pictures. My brave little baby is putting on a brave happy face for the photo, but boy they make me cry. I want so much for this ordeal to be over and for Caden to get back to being only a child and nothing more.

"Good Morning, I'm back in the hospital with Caden and Schelly is out to catch up on her sleep. Caden's schedule has been such that he is not going to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning and then sleeps very late in the day. This is very difficult on Schelly and me. It leaves us exhausted so we have been doing 2 day rotations. I spoke to the doctor when I got here yesterday and was told the following: Arm biopsy-No inflammationNegative for fungusNo results on the Gram stain, it will be another 1-2 days until they have them.They did see positive diplococci in the vessel (these test were ordered by the Infectious Disease team and the doctor I spoke with did know what this meant. I will find out when that team comes in today or tomorrow.) Lung results - Positive for streph veridan (just a few not significant)Positive for micro coccus (just a few not significant)The doctor is not concerned about these two because he is already getting antibiotics that cover them.We are still waiting on the viral results. Now because of the above results they ordered an echocardiogram of his heart to see if there was any bacterial vegetation around it, it was negative. And, the infectious disease doctors have ordered a respitory PCR (taking a sample of his runny nose to see if positive for a virus). I'm sure it will be negative - it is just being in the hospital that makes it run! Caden has been running a fever between 101 and 103 but continue to take his tylenol. Caden asked me to tell you that he still has hair on the top of his head but it fell out in the back and that his foot hurts but he is getting better. He said he is going to the Ronald McDonald house pretty soon. Well I don't know how soon it will be but I think it is great that he is thinking so positive. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Cindy"

I don't have anything to add other than thank you so much to all of you who pray and send well wishes their way. You are a blessing more than you may ever know.

Just A Saturday

2008-07-12T15:36:00.003-07:00

We spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing. Big Michael had to work, and the kids played outside--getting mad every time it started to rain and I made them come in the house. I spent the day watching a movie, beading, and dead-heading some flowers in the garden. Not too exciting, but hey...this is my life. I was walking the dogs and ran into some friends. I made a comment about how we should schedule a BBQ or gathering of some sort and "POOF" we were doing it tonight. As many of you know, this may have caused me anxiety on a normal day, but I was actually OK with it because I was having a down day and needed something to take my mind off of it.

They came over around 6:30pm bringing with them chips, dip, cheese squares, grapes, chicken, shrimp salad, a Russian dish that I don't know what it is called, some wine for the women and liqueur for the men. I provided juice boxes, plates, wine, baked mac and cheese, and a tomato/feta, olive/basil dish. Peoples' food was very well received. A couple of neighbors came as well. All in all it ended up a really good day. It could only have been better if Big Michael could have been home instead of working.

I have pictures from tonight, BUT I don't have their permission to put their pics up on the Internet so I don't want to do it yet. I will ask though since it was so much fun watching all those brown children running all crazy (interestingly enough, all of us are mixed couples). So, I will post a different picture from whatever I find in this months folder on my computer. I don't know why, but the posts always look so naked to me when they don't have pictures. I have decided on one of Little Michael running. The premise of this picture is that everyone was playing kickball today...yes the adults were playing too. We were all a big bunch of kids.

There was also a point where the boys (adult boys too) decided to race because no one can beat Sierra and see if they could finally do it. I give you two guesses as to the outcome of the race. MAN CAN THAT GIRL RUN!!! It is a God given talent to which I can't relate because i hate to run. Well she amazes me much like Madison's musical ability, and Micheal's ability to morph into Eeyore at a moment's notice...I am sure there is more than that with him, but honestly the "woe is me" is pervasive in his live. This is due, for the most part, to being a teenager. Poor kid...he "never get what he wants!" Honestly, I am surprised he didn't choke on that one.

Problem With Bugs

2008-07-11T10:41:00.003-07:00

Maybe you all can help me out a little. I seem to have an insect problem in the house. There is an infestation in my livingroom to be sure. I have now made seven large dragonflies. They are fun, but are much more work. There are over two hundred fifthy beads in each one! I think that $21.50 is reasonable for the amount of beads, wire, and time that they take to make. The smallest one that I have made is 8 inches long from head to bum, and 6-7 inches in wing span.

That's a lot of beads. To give you an idea of how much work goes into one of them, it took me all day (10-5 with breaks of course) to make three of them. Bear in mind that there was SOME parenting and dog care involved in there :) I am thinking of taking the orange, brown, and pink ones in to the PMC Store for sale, but the others are already for sale in my esty shop. I know that one of the window pictures makes a large dragonfly look orange, but really, there is a red one with a little orange in the wings, and the other is actually ALL orange.

On a side note, I spoke to Lianne today and she is going to crochet Caden a hat with spiderman on it. Caden loves two things in the world more than anything...spiderman and starwars. The fact that he is bald, in Seattle, and moving home to Alaska makes hats a must. What better way to make sure he wears them then to make ones that he loves? Too bad that I don't crochet :) There is still no news on his biopsy. While I am normall all for the "no news, is good news" idea, my mother very intelligently stated that the problem with that mentality for this ordeal is that he still has these issues but they don't know what it is and then don't know how to fix it.

New Size

2008-07-10T08:34:00.005-07:00

Well, as I stated in my blog last night, I am now making Large Dragonflies as well as regular sizes. The lady who ordered the big green one indicated that she was interested in a couple of large ones so I have created a red/orange one too. They are both listed on etsy, but I am attaching pictures here. The are really cool hanging in my window surrounded by smaller ones. I like them a lot.

On a Special Note: Corrinea thank you so much for your idea to send special handmade glass beads to Caden. I have been thinking about it all day and honestly it is such a kind and selfless thing to do that I am moved to tears. I mean you don't know my family and you don't know this sweet little boy, but you were moved to do something kind anyway. I don't think that I can tell you quite how much that means to me. I was wondering if you might string them (Or I Can) and send him a special beaded strand of courage from Germany. You could include a special note if you wanted as well. It's a small idea, and you are already going beyond what you need to, so please feel free to say no with the knowledge that I wouldn't be upset at all. It is a very special thing you are doing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A Bunch Of News

2008-07-09T10:42:00.005-07:00

My girls spent some time entertaining mom and dad today by doing a cheer and I thought I would share but, yet again, the video clip is too big. I was loving every second of it. I think they are just about the cutest things in the whole world :) Granted, I am biased but who cares? The cheer was brought on by the COMPLETELY HORRIBLE movie Bring It On 3. It really was no good, but the girls loved it. Don't worry though, my head has recovered from its repeated banging on the wall.

I got a special order today from an etsy customer. Exciting right? It is for a larger dragonfly in vibrant green for the lady's garden. She has already ordered a different dragonfly so that is a good thing because repeat business shows customer satisfaction. This excites me very much. I am attaching a link that I would like all of you to look at and send on to anyone who makes polymer beads. The program is a wonderful one that has helped Caden through many a rough day and procedure. The site is: http://www.beadsofcourage.org/ please check it out and consider making donations. It really has been a blessing for my family and is such a wonderful selfless idea. Along those lines, here is the latest news from my mother. I am sad and my heart breaks over that little guy and all his worries. I am however glad that my mom and sister keep me updated.

Hello again,

Just wanted to update you on what has been happening with Caden. As I told you he has some spots that have been appearing on different parts of his body. They start out as just a little red dot then get bigger and hurt. The infectious disease doctors came to see him today. They don't think he has chicken pox or shingles. Actually they don't have any idea what they are so they want to biopsy one of them tomorrow.

Sunday Caden started complaining that his head hurt. It continued to get worse to the point he was waking up during the night crying that his head hurt. Yesterday we requested the team of doctors to come talk to us. The decision was made to do a CT scan on his head, chest and abdomen today. We were told this evening that they do not see any vascular leaks (bleeding) in his head (whew, glad to hear that!). They don't know what is causing the head pain. We will be paying close attention to the head pain and swelling for any changes.

Hopefully it was just related to the fevers he is having. They did see "a lot" of small nodules in his lungs. Apparently they are different than the ones we treated last round. (I wonder if they the same as what is on the outside...just a thought flitting through my head) They think they're a virus, not bacterial. We will be meeting with the pulmonary specialist late tomorrow morning to see if he agrees with the team to do the same lung procedure that they did last round. If yes, they will have a surgeon biopsy one of the spots at the same time (one anaesthesia). Risk? Yes there are always risks but at least they will be able to identify the spots. With a 0 ANC his body will not be able to fight any potential infections. However I'm not to worried since they have him on some heavy duty antibiotics and we will do everything possible to keep it sterile.

We will continue to monitor his counts because of the rapid drops we've seen this week. There has been traces of blood in his stools but nothing showed up on the CT so they're not worried. I'm very sad to say....Caden's new hair is falling out. He is so cool about it though, he just says "Don't worry Nana, it will grow back!". He is such an awesome little boy!

We are ready for his counts to come up but we think we still have a way to go. The nurse told me his ANC was 0 for 36 days last round. If you remember, we were told this round would be "at least as bad as the last one.". I don't know if it is worse but, it has been different! Well it is late and has been a long day. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Cindy

Sharing Past Work

2008-07-08T17:15:00.002-07:00

I thought since JennyP was sharing some of her past work, I could share some of mine. The colorful blanket was created by me for one of my nephew's birth. The first one with all the blues was made by me for me to use as a lap blanket---Madison took it. The last one on the middle right with the flower border was made by me for me to use as a lap blanket because Madison took the first one--Sierra took that one. The bright one on the top right was created for the same reason and Charlene took it. I still don't have my own lap blanket BTW. The peacock tapestry is still being created for my grandmother. She already has a beautiful one of the Lord's Prayer that I made and my mother had matted and framed, but this one is her awesome one. It truly is a thorn in my side. The one on the bottom left is called Earth Angel and still does not have a home. It was created for someone that asked me to make her something and told me to decide what to make. THEN when I was done she told me it really didn't match her decor. WELL, needless to say...I kept it. The one with the little girl is for my JennyP and is hanging in her sewing area. The little redhead made me think of a little me and the black kitty made me think of her. It was the perfect gift. Sometimes I do OK :)

I finished quite a few new dragonflies today as well as a couple of new spiders. I will post them on etsy very soon. I have added so many, that I should stop making them but it passes time. Boy am I bored over the summer. I really should read more, cross stitch more (Lord knows I have more than enough to do there), finish a lap blanket that I might be allowed to keep--Kelly is lucky that I didn't take the one Corinnea made for her the other day because I wanted to. I mean really it's only fair since others always take the ones I make for myself :)

Right now I am getting ready to make one more red dragonfly for Corinnea's mother so that I can bring those to her tomorrow. I sure hope she likes them as much as she thinks she will. Apparently, she has a large picture window that birds keep flying into so she hopes these will help them to stop doing that. She asked for two, but she is getting three. Consider it my contribution to helping mentally challenged birds :)

Just When You Think

2008-07-08T11:49:00.002-07:00

I would say it was funny how just when you think things will be fine...life has a way of messing with your head, but really there is nothing funny about it at all. I am sad to post today because there was really nothing to write about until I got the email that I am attaching. I know it is to be expected that things will get worse before they get better due to Caden's low white blood cell count etc, BUT man I can't help but think "when will this poor baby catch a break? I just want a few pictures in which I know that the smile on his face won't be followed with more pain and sickness. I just want to see pictures and know that he is a happy HEALTHY little boy with no more worries that someone his age should not have to deal with at any point in his or her life. As the attached email will show you, unfortunately this is not the case right now.

"Well...we knew this was coming. We need prayers, warm thoughts and wishes. There is something going on with him and he is going in for a CAT scan this morning. I am afraid his head is hemorrhaging. They will do a head, neck, chest and abdomen scan. He is complaining of pain in the back of his head and it is a little swollen. His platelets and RBC has been dropping in extremes and he has had to have a Red Blood and platelet transfusion in the last 24 hours. Then if that isn't enough he has a strange rash or something spreading over his body. He is having a hard time walking. He just has not been himself. There was a child at the McDonald house and the ward where Caden is that was diagnosed with Shingles. So now Cameron is going to be on isolation and Caden has been exposed. We are hoping that the rash forming on his body is not shingles!!! Caden has absolutely no immune system and cannot fight anything. We have been here over 6 months now and we are all ready to be done and home. The reality is though we have several weeks left. Please pray for us all."

So there you have it. I need all my praying people to pray. As a matter of fact, if you just happened upon this blog and you feel moved to do so, please send a prayer, well wish, or positive thoughts his way. All forms are welcome. Thanks.

Good Day To Go To Town

2008-07-07T08:47:00.004-07:00

Well, we picked a really neat day to go down town. The odd thing is that I brought my camera, which I haven't done in years. That meant I got to take pictures when I might not have otherwise. There were many of the large bear sculptures from different countries around the world. Some of them were creepy, some of them were cool. They were called "Tolerance Bears" and you can buy VERY small versions of them for 20 euro. Steep price for a small ceramic bear, BUT it's the idea that makes them cool. The paintings on them are supposed to represent their country of origin. They really were neat, and Lianne and I felt it necessary to be silly. It's OK though...many people were so we weren't the only ones.

We went shopping through a few stores, but H&M isn't near as cheap when you consider the exchange rate so you know I wasn't too excited. We did buy our kids something small at Nanu Nana, I also got big Michael a HUGE coffee mug and JennyP a little something I know she will like. Finally, we had really bland Chinese food that would have been good if it had flavor. I guess I won't eat there again. It was 20 euro for both of our food and drinks, but when it doesn't taste all that great...I would have been happier getting a tomato, mozzarella, and cucumber sandwich at the bakery and an iced coffee from Starbucks. Oh well, live and learn.

Out On The Town

2008-07-07T01:04:00.006-07:00

Well, it's been a while, but I am going down town today. I get to go shopping-something I love-and just hang out for the day. Michael is going to watch the kids and I am going with Lianne. Of course it's cloudy out and will probably rain because that is just my luck, but it's OK. JennyP was going to go with me, but her hubby is going to go with her and the kids to the pool. I hope he follows through with that. I know for sure we are hitting the craft store, Karstadt, H&M (OH HOW I MISS THEM), Nanu Nana, and as many others as I can get her to go into. Then we are going to lunch. I am not sure whether I will buy anything other than lunch, BUT I do believe that I will have fun looking. Oh, I have also tried my hand at a longer bodied dragonfly with no antennae and I think I like them. Let me know what you think.

I know for a fact that I like the wings best with the seed beads because they are delicate and prettier that way. Also, I can get a GREAT deal on seed beads from Fire Mountain so that makes me smile. Take a look at my display at the store. I think it looks pretty good. My thanks to JennyP for taking pictures of it for me. I don't have any of the crabs in the store yet, but JennyP says she thinks I should have a couple of those too. I am just not sure how they will sell or if they will. honestly, the spiders are my favorite.

Update on Caden

2008-07-05T22:11:00.002-07:00

Hello all. Here is an update about Caden from my mother. If you read carefully, her spirits sound fairly high, which is very good. She isn't as young as Caden and it is harder for her to bounce back. I am also attaching the picture that she sent because I think it is cute. It's definitely a Happy 4th of July picture if I have ever seen one.

"It's Saturday afternoon, Caden is taking his nap (rare these days) so I thought I would take advantage of the free time to send out my update. The attached picture is Caden approved. It was very important that the picture showed him smiling. He also asked that I tell everyone that he feels good! Actually, considering everything going on right now, he is doing better than anticipated. What's going on? He is still running a fever; not as bad as last round because this round he is a big boy and is taking his Tylenol. "It makes me feel better Nana and make my bever go away!". I am so proud of him, we have come so far! Because of the mysterious fevers, he is on three antibiotics again. So far we are still blessed without the negative side effects we had last time and, the blood cultures have all been negative. His ANC count is still 0 so we all worry about infection. Purell is great stuff, if you don't use it, get some and use it, it helps! Of course being cautious of who he around helps too. He has developed some sores on his right foot and now has some red spots showing up in different parts of his body. They are not sure what they are because with his counts so low, any normal fungus or virus does not present itself in the normal way, thus making it hard to identify. To me, it looks like a staff infection. So, being the bossy Nana I am, I insisted they send in the cleaning staff yesterday to sanitise the entire room! I mean I moved everything around and out that I could and had the beds stripped and wiped down. I then wiped Caden thoroughly down with Chlorhexidine wipes. The sores on the top of his foot look a tiny bit better, the rest look the same. There was one rash spot under his arm that is completely gone today. I'm sure the improvement is due to both the antibiotics and sanitising. I asked the doctors how much longer they think it will be before his ANC comes back up and the shrug and say, "We expect them to come up sometime in the next 6 weeks." Humph, seems to me they said that 6 weeks ago. Okay, I am exaggerating, but it feels like it! Like I said last week, we are all ready to be done. Most of all, we want Caden to be better! Please keep the prayers going, I believe they are working. We enjoyed watching the fireworks on TV for a few minutes but Harry Potter was more interesting to Caden! Thank you and God Bless. Cindy"

Legend of the Crab

2008-07-05T05:31:00.005-07:00

The Crab's Home

A Legend

One day, long ago or not yet past, Geskekelud got bored with playing with man, and cast his interest to the creatures of the world. He watched the creatures crawl and walk across the land, but their ordered actions disturbed him, so he watched the oceans.

A serpent swimming around its nest caught his attention, and he decided to change its mind and see what happened. The serpent realized that he had to choose a direction to swim -- either up or down, north or south, east or west. The serpent was furious at this limitation. It writhed and twisted, shook and shivered, but would not choose a direction. Finally, overcome with anger at its predicament, it ripped itself into 6 pieces, each drifting to one of the six directions. Blood filled the waters, and sharks came to feast on the serpent. They destroyed the nest and left a path of destruction in their wake.

Geskekelud was greatly amused with this result, so he searched for another creature. He noticed a crab perched in a cave, and he gave it the same realization -- that it must choose one of the directions to move -- up or down, north or south, east or west. The crab stayed still, and began improving its cave. Occasionally it would consider one direction over another, but always decided to wait until a decision was necessary, and worked on improving the cave in the meanwhile. Time passed, and Geskekelud, bored with the non-antics of the crab, wandered to other pastimes.

When Shagras incited a war in the ocean, the crabs were safe in the cave. When the Destroyer brought a famine onto the ocean, the cave had enough stores that the crabs could survive. When Anz brought order to the sea floor, the cave was so well established that he used it as a landmark, and it was not flattened like other irregularities in the ocean floor. When Nirian purged some of the sea of its salt, the crabs survived in their cave. When the Creator brought forth a new beast that preyed on sea-dwellers, the crabs hid safely in the cave. Still the crab did not decide. But no one minded.

And the crab and the crab's family lived safe, because of the efforts to improve its home. Unlike the serpent, which by rejecting its responsibility to decide brought destruction to itself and its children, the crab accepted its responsibility to decide, yet chose to wait before doing so. With the passage of time, this responsibility made the crab safer and stronger than others around it.

Fest and Craft Fair

2008-07-04T16:15:00.004-07:00

Well, here are some pictures from the craft fair at the multicraft store and from the 4th of July Fest. The store was supposed to be closed today but opened up anyway. I think they did OK business wise, but I didn't look at the books :) I do know that I paid for the girls to take a "Kid's Craft Summer Camp" from the 4th through 8th of August. They will make different crafts everyday, which as most of you know the girls will LOVE. The crafts are ceramic dish, marbled paper, book, t-shirt and one other thing I can't remember. It is from 11:00 to 1:30 each of those days, the craft supplies, and instructor are part of the price. I think it will be money well spent.

I think that the pictures from the rides turned out pretty. My three girls look SO cute! The fair was good, chocolate covered strawberries were GREAT! Dad took the girls to the movies, the fest, and they got home around midnight from the fireworks. Little (I guess not so little) Michael hung out the whole day with his friends eating junk food and chilling. They all rode home together. All-in-all, it was a really great day.

Legend of the Christmas Spider

2008-07-04T14:51:00.003-07:00

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIDER

(A folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine)

Once upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... The day on which the Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.

T'was the Christmas eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room... so they crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw every one of the pretty things. At last they satisfied themselves completely of the Christmas tree beauty.

But alas!! Everywhere they went they had left their webs, and when the little Christ child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spiders, for they were God's creatures too, but he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for the little children, wouldn't feel the same, so He touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling, shimmering, silver and gold!
Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our Christmas trees, and according to the legend, it has been a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the tree.

Dragonflies Around The World

2008-07-04T14:43:00.003-07:00

Dragonflies Around The World

Dragonfly is the power of light. The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people. They will be emotional and passionate during their early years (the influence of water) and more balanced with greater mental clarity and control in as they mature (the influence of air).They are popular symbols in Plains Indian cultures, appearing on the clothing of the Sun Dance and the Ghost Dance as decorative features. In the southwest, dragonflies areassociated with the game animals, water, fertility and curing.
European Dragonfly Folklore:

In most cultures dragonflies have been objects of superstition. European folklore is no exception. Many old myths have been lost during the history, but fragments of these old myths are still living in old local names for dragonflies. Only in Germany dragonflies have had over 150 different names. Some of these are Teufelsnadel ("Devil's needle"), Wasserhexe ("Water witch"), Hollenross ("Goddess' horse"), Teufelspferd ("Devil's horse") and Schlangentöter ("Snake killer"). Also the name Snake Doctor has been used in Germany.

In England the name Devil's darning needle and Horse stinger have been used. In Denmark the dragonfly have got such different names as Fandens ridehest ("Devil's riding horse") and Guldsmed ("Goldsmith"). Different names of dragonflies referring to them as the devils tools have also occurred in many other European cultures, some examples are the Spanish Caballito del Diablo ("Devil's horse") and the French l'aiguille du diable ("Devil's needle"). During history the dragonflies even have been connected with love and female, the names damselfly (England), Demoiselle (France) and Jungfer (Germany) are some examples of those nice associations.

Random Thoughts and 4th of July

2008-07-03T21:56:00.007-07:00

Well, I officially missed a posting day yesterday. Truth is...I couldn't think of much to say. Those of you who know me are saying "yeah RIGHT Jen!" I do have some stuff though. Today is 4th of July, and I am going to bring the dragonflies and spiders over to the Patch Multicraft store for the craft fair. Since is just me and one other guy I guess I should just say I am going over to hang out with the girls at the shop :) I must admit I am looking forward to seeing the new door too. I think it's great that it's supposed to be up and running today. What great timing!

While I hope that the dragonflies and spiders sell, I must say that I am just sort of excited to get out of the house and hang out with grown-ups. Don't tell the people at work, but I get bored over the summer. I am bringing my much neglected cross stitch project with me so that I have something to do. I don't know what the rush is really. I mean it's not like it's been worked on for like five years or something--yes it has! In my defense, I am also working on a tapestry for my grandmother and other things too. Like the Earth Angel one I did. JennyP might remember how I made that big beautiful project for Karen and she said it didn't go with her decor. Keep mean ugly thoughts to myself. Anyway, I am just lazy I guess. I also have a blanket I need to finish along with many other things.

Anyway, I started seeing what I thought of dragonflies with no antenna since we all know they don't have them, and I am attaching a picture of one of them so that JennyP and anyone else who wants to can comment on them and let me know what they think. YES I know I didn't use the light box, but leave me alone...it's not like I am selling it online. Let me know what you think. I have others, but I liked this orange one because it reminds me of the picture I took at my mom's house last summer. Oh and Kelly, Corrinea, and JennyP if you see me not working on my cross stitch today remind me that I want to finish it so that I can finish others :)

It's July

2008-07-02T12:50:00.002-07:00

I can't believe that it is July already. It's so weird to think that this year is over half finished. The older I get the faster time goes by. I was talking about that with JennyP because her eldest will be 3 very soon, but my Maddy will be ten in August and Michael will be 15. Sierra will be seven, but that only freaks me out because she was 7 months old when we moved here and now she is so much more a person rather than a baby. Madison was Emily's age when we got here and started pre-school the end of August after she turned three. Michael turned eight shortly after we got here. Now with him entering high school and turning fifteen, I can't help but think about all the things I did at that age that I should not have. It scares me to think that my son could be like I was. Makes my stomach ache even.

I downloaded a trial version of photo shop and must say that it is so much different from the program I use now. I am overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I won't give up though. It's not in me. I will work with it until I feel I understand and then decide whether I like it or not. :) We shall see.

Caden Update

2008-07-01T17:59:00.007-07:00

Well, my sister sent out this update and I thought I would share that along with the pictures she sent. Please note that although Caden's hair grew back between the last and most recent round of chemo, it will most likely fall out again. The good news is that now that we know it will grow back we are happy. Sometimes it doesn't. We are blessed. Please note that although there are many reasons why he shouldn't, Caden still often has a smile on his face. Granted it is not always and there have been times when I have been on the phone that he has been pitching a fit or being Polly Pissy Pants, BUT he is entitled I think. I wish I could smile more. I think I will try it. Below is the email from my sister:

"So, Caden is officially done with his chemo!!!!!!! Praise GOD! Now we wait...we wait for him to get sick....we wait for him to get better...we wait for his counts to recover enough to be discharged....and then we wait for them to recover even more so he can have the central line removed from his chest. We are so close to being done. This last stretch is so agonizing. The drs have informed us that he will get sick with something. They have said it is next to impossible to not get something because he will be without an immune system for so long. Wouldn't you know it...they were right. He spiked a fever today. So his blood has been sent for cultures and again...we will wait to see if anything grows. Not really much else to report except the weather here has been awesome and I have been trying to spend as much time outside with Cameron as I can. His favorite activity lately has been going to the beach to find crabs and other creatures at low tide! He is attending a really neat day camp with the Hutch School and is having a blast. Too bad Caden can't go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. We are stuck inside. He can't even leave the ward because his counts are too low. Oh, well, fortunately this is not permanent and hopefully he will be out soon enough to enjoy a little bit of summer! Oh, and check out cadens new hair, eyebrows and eyelashes in the last pic!!! He is so excited over it!"

Honestly I didn't have much to write about today so I am glad that my sister sent this out. Now I can keep up with the blogging everyday goal.

Just Chat Time

2008-06-30T14:36:00.004-07:00

Well, I spoke with my mother this morning and there is nothing major to report other than CADEN HAD HIS LAST ROUND OF CHEMO!!!! Yeah! I am so happy about that and I can't wait to receive the good news that he is well and has returned home with his mother and brother. I am sure they can't wait to see the end of the hospital no matter how nice they are to them. Something about being in your own home with your own things is comforting and I think it will actually help his recovery. Not to mention, Cameron will be able to be with his friends and go back to his place of comfort. I feel bad for all of them. I know that Schelly wants to get home and so does my mother.

Oh, my mother did say that both her and Caden got food poisoning yesterday. YUCK! Poor babies...as if they didn't have enough to worry about. Apparently the hospital is denying the issue and is stating that is simply an "outbreak of the flu." Pay no attention to the fact that everyone who got sick did so ALL at once. :) Geeze, be honest you know? Just say oops we goofed. Liability I suppose. Whatever. That is one of the many things wrong with our society. So many people get bagged on for telling the truth that all we seem to get from so many people are simply versions of the truth. I am expect NOT to tell people when they have hurt me or made me angry because I might upset them. Frankly, I think it a load of crap, then again, I am no one.

Wow, that all came out like I am upset about something, but actually I had a decent day. There was a little bit of a downer early on, but I got over it. You can bet I didn't get to talk about it to those whom it concerned though :) I did get to talk with my JennyP later on in the evening and she helped me feel better though. I must say though it is nice to have a friend that you can just tell you are having a crappy day and know that they understand. I can tell her that along with all the dumb immature things I do and know there is no judgement there because she has her moments too.

It should go without saying that Michael is like that too, but I will say it so that someone doesn't think I don't like him :) Thing is, she saves even him sometimes because I can bounce my anger off her and she will tell me if I am being unreasonable. As many know, that is WAY better than if he were to do it during a disagreement. I am attaching some pictures of my nephews, my brother and I, my dad and I this time so people know I love my family too. I would attach the page I made with my husband on it, but I was instructed not to. Bossy little Polly Pissy Pants :) Gotta love him.

More Scrapbooking

2008-06-29T10:33:00.003-07:00

I really don't have a lot to talk about today. Didn't do much other than hang around the house. pull some weeds, scrapbook, clean up (should have done laundry but didn't), and watch a movie. I did go out in the sun for some happy makers too though. Anyway, I thought that I would post some of the new pages I created using some of the many freebies available out there. VERY COOL! I love free stuff :) These are random pictures taken 0f me and my two other girls. Man I love them something fierce. A little confession: As much as I want to see the youngest one walk, I know when she starts she will lose those 83 jelly rolls she has that make me want to butter, season, stuff her, and cook her for dinner. When that happens, I will be sad cause I do love me some chunky babies.