Nathan slipped up to his room to make us a card and this is what he came back with. I was stunned that he was able to write this all by himself. Check out that sound spelling! So cool.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Cool Card
Nathan slipped up to his room to make us a card and this is what he came back with. I was stunned that he was able to write this all by himself. Check out that sound spelling! So cool.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Night Travel
We'll be on our way home in about an hour. Just before leaving Kurt's we checked to see if our flight was on time and no such luck, an hour and a half delay. The good news is we have some extra time to hang out with the TN Clan and I'm fitting a little blogging in too. We have had a great time and while this was a way over due visit it was perfect timing all the way around. We won't be getting home until around 1:30 in the morning, which could be interesting with the kids. Jake has work tomorrow and Nate has school....it will be a rough morning.
I will post pictures tomorrow.
I will post pictures tomorrow.
UPDATE:
We arrived home shortly after 2am. The kids were great though. Here are some pictures.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Walking, Listening and Taking a Break
I've been downloading the A New Earth on-line class to my iPod and have been walking my buns off while I listen to it. The weather has been so beautiful I want to soak it up before the heat sets in and I retreat to the air conditioning.
Today, I made the very hard decision to take a break from my volunteer work for the ACS. It's just something I need to do right now and I think this letter pretty much sums up why...
Dear ****,
It has been a great privilege to be a part of the Reach to Recovery program. I feel by sharing my story I give other young woman hope to push through treatment so they can begin to put their cancer experience behind them. It’s been 5 years since I battled breast cancer and 3 since tongue cancer. I always thought once you finished treatment cancer left you alone, but it doesn’t. With each check-up or ache and pain thoughts of cancer flood my mind.
As I try to heal my mind and spirit I decided to stop talking about “my story” except in my Reach to Recovery work. Cancer has taken so much of my time and energy already I just can not give it any more. It is for this reason, I have decided to take a pause from my Reach work for the next year. I don’t take this decision lightly as I know the ***** Reach Program needs young volunteers. I have always felt so appreciated by the ACS. I know ***** is now involved and I’m hoping she can provide the support while I take this break. I’m taking the next step in my recovery. I’ll be sure to check back with you next spring and if time gets the best of me and I forget please don’t hesitate to call.
I spoke to (anonymous patient) last night. From our conversation I gather she’ll need additional support. She’s having a rough time of it. I did not mention my break in volunteer work. I’d like to request that at some point another Reach volunteer contact her as I think she would benefit from follow-up.
Thank you and the ACS for all you do and for letting me be a part of it.
Sincerely,
I figured out the only reason I had continued my Reach work well after realizing it was time to take a break was my ego. If you are reading/studying A New Earth you will understand what I mean by that.
On an up note, WE BOOKED OUR SUMMER VACATION TO NEW YORK CITY TODAY! I'm so excited. We've been holding out on the Big Apple until we felt like the kids were old enough to manage it. The kids have talked about going to NYC since they saw a Little Einstein episode about it. Every time we drive through Jacksonville Nathan asks if we are in NYC! Will he be surprised to see the real thing!
A shout out goes to my mom today. She's been helping with the kids a lot this week and even came to the rescue this morning when I had car trouble. Shortly after picking up our car pool buddy, Samantha, I noticed my check engine light was on. I didn't think too much of it since I knew I was overdue for an oil change. A few minutes later I noticed a rubbery smell and hear Nathan say, "It smells like a bouncy ball in here". By the time I get in the car loop at Nathan's school I see some smoke coming from under the hood, but the temperature gage is fine. Could it be a fire? I'm sandwiched in between cars and figure if I can keep the car moving hopefully I can get to the auto shop down the road. Nathan and Samantha are being silly and not paying attention to the fact that we are now at the front of the school and I'm starting to panic a little about the smoke. I yell at them to "GET OUT OF THE CAR!" Oh, and my windows are down so we don't have to suck in the melting rubber ball smell so no doubt the teacher out front must have thought I was one bitchy mom! No, "Have a great day, I love you" from this mom! Thankfully my mom met Reese and I at the auto shop and after leaving the car for repair took Reese to school and me home. A half a million dollars later the car is fixed.
Thanks Mom!
Today, I made the very hard decision to take a break from my volunteer work for the ACS. It's just something I need to do right now and I think this letter pretty much sums up why...
Dear ****,
It has been a great privilege to be a part of the Reach to Recovery program. I feel by sharing my story I give other young woman hope to push through treatment so they can begin to put their cancer experience behind them. It’s been 5 years since I battled breast cancer and 3 since tongue cancer. I always thought once you finished treatment cancer left you alone, but it doesn’t. With each check-up or ache and pain thoughts of cancer flood my mind.
As I try to heal my mind and spirit I decided to stop talking about “my story” except in my Reach to Recovery work. Cancer has taken so much of my time and energy already I just can not give it any more. It is for this reason, I have decided to take a pause from my Reach work for the next year. I don’t take this decision lightly as I know the ***** Reach Program needs young volunteers. I have always felt so appreciated by the ACS. I know ***** is now involved and I’m hoping she can provide the support while I take this break. I’m taking the next step in my recovery. I’ll be sure to check back with you next spring and if time gets the best of me and I forget please don’t hesitate to call.
I spoke to (anonymous patient) last night. From our conversation I gather she’ll need additional support. She’s having a rough time of it. I did not mention my break in volunteer work. I’d like to request that at some point another Reach volunteer contact her as I think she would benefit from follow-up.
Thank you and the ACS for all you do and for letting me be a part of it.
Sincerely,
I figured out the only reason I had continued my Reach work well after realizing it was time to take a break was my ego. If you are reading/studying A New Earth you will understand what I mean by that.
On an up note, WE BOOKED OUR SUMMER VACATION TO NEW YORK CITY TODAY! I'm so excited. We've been holding out on the Big Apple until we felt like the kids were old enough to manage it. The kids have talked about going to NYC since they saw a Little Einstein episode about it. Every time we drive through Jacksonville Nathan asks if we are in NYC! Will he be surprised to see the real thing!
A shout out goes to my mom today. She's been helping with the kids a lot this week and even came to the rescue this morning when I had car trouble. Shortly after picking up our car pool buddy, Samantha, I noticed my check engine light was on. I didn't think too much of it since I knew I was overdue for an oil change. A few minutes later I noticed a rubbery smell and hear Nathan say, "It smells like a bouncy ball in here". By the time I get in the car loop at Nathan's school I see some smoke coming from under the hood, but the temperature gage is fine. Could it be a fire? I'm sandwiched in between cars and figure if I can keep the car moving hopefully I can get to the auto shop down the road. Nathan and Samantha are being silly and not paying attention to the fact that we are now at the front of the school and I'm starting to panic a little about the smoke. I yell at them to "GET OUT OF THE CAR!" Oh, and my windows are down so we don't have to suck in the melting rubber ball smell so no doubt the teacher out front must have thought I was one bitchy mom! No, "Have a great day, I love you" from this mom! Thankfully my mom met Reese and I at the auto shop and after leaving the car for repair took Reese to school and me home. A half a million dollars later the car is fixed.
Thanks Mom!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
SUNday
Cheryl and I met and for lunch and a movie with the kids. It is such a beautiful, sunny day it was almost sinful to be indoors, but the kids loved Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who and I must say it held out interest too.
A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOES OUT TO ANN-MARIE TODAY! Happy Birthday, Girl!
A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOES OUT TO ANN-MARIE TODAY! Happy Birthday, Girl!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
What Works For You?
I'm trying to eat the right things, in the right quantity and I think I'm doing okay, but I need your wisdom and tips to help me do better. Here are a few of our tricks. What are yours?
1. Eat off of a small plate (Thanks to Grandma for teaching me that one).
2. Substitute unsweetened applesauce for oil in baking (it doesn't work with brownies though).
3. Use egg whites instead of egg.
4. Don't eat after 7pm (that's a hard one).
5. Don't drink your calories. Jake only allows himself 1 soda a day. I don't like soda of any kind (I'm strange) so limiting soda is an easy one for me. We mostly drink water and milk. Hot chocolate is my weakness though.
6. We grill everything and fry nothing.
My ticker has stalled out much sooner than I thought it would so I guess it's time to step it up.
1. Eat off of a small plate (Thanks to Grandma for teaching me that one).
2. Substitute unsweetened applesauce for oil in baking (it doesn't work with brownies though).
3. Use egg whites instead of egg.
4. Don't eat after 7pm (that's a hard one).
5. Don't drink your calories. Jake only allows himself 1 soda a day. I don't like soda of any kind (I'm strange) so limiting soda is an easy one for me. We mostly drink water and milk. Hot chocolate is my weakness though.
6. We grill everything and fry nothing.
My ticker has stalled out much sooner than I thought it would so I guess it's time to step it up.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ho Ho's and Peeps
Sounds creepy, but what I'm talking about are these...
The kids and I had fun making these creative, little Easter treats. If you are interested, here is how we made them:
Ho Ho's for the car body, Spree candy for the wheels, Skittles for the headlights, Life Saver for the steering wheel, and a Peeps Bunny as the driver. Hold it all together with icing.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Bikes and Cranes
I realized something this week. Reese isn't a baby anymore. I mean, I've known he's not a baby anymore, but strangely, this week I've realized he is this little boy doing wonderful little boy things, no longer just along for the ride in whatever it is the rest of us have going on. We went out shopping for a "soccer shirt" (any shirt with a soccer ball on it, preferably in green) yesterday and out to lunch just the two of us. Today, I went to his school to cheer him on in his Trike-a-thon. I'm so proud of the little man he has become and vow to do a better job cheering him on in his little..make that... BIG adventures.
We always know when Spring is around the corner here. Check out these brand new baby cranes we found on a walk through our yard with Mommy and Daddy Crane.
We always know when Spring is around the corner here. Check out these brand new baby cranes we found on a walk through our yard with Mommy and Daddy Crane.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Weekend
I'm posting a few pictures from our weekend. Nathan is having fun with t-ball and played his first soccer game of the season Saturday. Today we went to a dinosaur exhibit which Nathan loved. Reese was scared and had me carry him while he burrowed into my shoulder. I'm still nursing that head cold I swore off a week ago and it's friend bronchitis and broken toe (don't ask) are also visiting. Argh!
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