shades

I can"t help but continue laugh at this little girl of mine.

My mom comes back tonight. We're all happy about that around here.

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Yesterday we were able to go see the movie UP. I thought it was really good. We also visited a new game/arcade/bowling place in the area called PINZ.

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Numbers 23:19"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good

Fun with the Family

Yesterday was a fun day for our family. The weather was unseasonably warm...even reaching almost 50! So it was perfect snowman/play outside weather. Even I joined in the fun...mostly taking pictures, keeping hoods on, replacing wet gloves, and making sure Melvin and Cameron's snowballs weren't hitting Ella or Max!

The day started out, however, with Cameron's last basketball practice of the season.

And then we hung out as a family outside. Later, Cameron FINALLY lost one of his front teeth...and this morning a 2nd one (he looks so funny!). I will be posting a picture later this week.

It was so warm out, that my husband even grilled steaks! Now how awesome is he!

Our evening had a bittersweet ending. It was my mom's last night here. She will be so missed and I can't thank her enough! But it's time for her to go back to my dad and get back to her normal life. We're trying out "normal" life here for now. It won't be easy, but it's something we need to do. My mom will be back in a heartbeat if we need her. But for now, I'm counting on God's healing powers to keep me going strong and to be able to be the mom and wife I want/need to be.

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Luke 17:11-19 (New International Version)
Ten Healed of Leprosy 11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Amazing

Happy Birthday to the most amazing mom in the world. She has tirelessly and without complaint helped me every single day with...........well......everything. And I am so grateful. Thanks mom! Happy Birthday!!!!

Coming up

I get to go home today. Which is good, because there's nothing for me to do here in bed at the hospital anymore. But I'm also nervous. I feel kind of in a daze. But then an hour from now, I'll be feeling quite normal ready to take on the world. Not sure what that's all about. Probably just something that needs to work itself out.

My dad returns back to New Jersey today, so I pray for safe travels for him. I'm so grateful that he was here for all this and that he has a good job to go back home to. I really do have these amazing parents who will just do anything for me and I am so blessed by them. My mom is staying on as my caregiver until I kick her to the curb...but she doesn't realize that will be NEVER! I pray my kids won't drive her insane!

Other things on the horizon right now:

I'll have these staples taken out on Friday. I am REALLY panicing about this. The nurse said that each staple will feel like a pinch. Um...yeah....that's what they tell you when you get a shot...it will just hurt for a second. I think I'll just not think about what's to come until Friday.

Next week I'll have to start looking into radiation of my head. They need to make sure all the brain tumor is out of there. I don't know what all this means yet, but it will be happenening.

And then we may be looking at more chemo.

Whatever we gotta do right now....that's just the simple plan at the moment. Of course there's so much more entailed. But that's the basic plan.

My own performance review

One of the most difficult things about being a Stay-at-home Mom, after having the experience of a career, is the lack of recognition you receive. When you work at a job, people see what you do. You get praised, you get "thank you's", you may even get a raise. At the very least, you get a paycheck. Something tangible to show the results of your labor.

When you're a stay at home mom, most of the time no one sees what you do. No one recognizes the daily dishwasher unloading, no one notices the spills you're constantly cleaning up, no one pays attention to the driving back and forth to the kids' various functions.

And that's fine. I've come to realize that the screams for attention, the need for too many kisses to prolong bedtime and my kids' begging me to push them higher on their swings is my reward...whether anyone recognizes my work or not.

But today, I just need a little recognition. Because on a BEAUTIFUL summer day like today, I spent a few hours doing work that I will NEVER get recognition for. So I'm just going to pat myself on the back for all the time I spent cleaning out my junk drawers/cabinets that have cluttered up my kitchen for way too long! (Since I'm a packrat, this is a HUGE accomplishment on my part...parting with 3 grocery bags full of crap!).

And since none of you had the privilege of being a part of this cleaning extravaganza, I'll post some pictures for you to enjoy! Ha. Ha.

Now please, take this time to post a comment, recognizing yourself for some unnoticable chore you did today!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all those Moms out there, and all those who function as mom-figures.

A special Thank you to my mom who has gone above and beyond this past year, helping me and my family out as we dealt with this dumb cancer.

Thank you to all of those neighbors, friends and relatives who walked/ran in the Race for the Cure in my honor...both here in Minnesota and across the country in Philadelphia. Just this past week I've learned of 2 friends' moms who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's scary how rampant it is...and how important a cure is.

My husband was out of town, with his grandfather who had a stroke when we were on vacation, so it was just the kids and I today. They couldn't wait to give me their "presents." Sara helped Max wrap up some presents that he made, included a card where he wrote I Love Mommy, and a shield that he made me (to wear on my arm). Cameron wrote me a list of 5 things he liked about me and made me a very colorful tile to be used as a hotplate. It was really nice.

The funniest part was as I was about to open their gifts. Cameron ran over to the wine rack, pulled out two bottles of wine, and placed them next to their presents. "These are for you, too," he said.

What can I say? The child knows what I like!

The smart one

Yesterday, after three months of helping out in my very loud and crazy household, my angel of a mom left to go back home and get back to her normal life with my dad.

I was saying to the kids when we were in the car how much of a help my mom was to me and then I started asking them:

“Now who’s going to make your lunch, Cameron?’

To which he simply responded without any thought, “You.”

“And who’s going to get you breakfast in the morning?”

Again, “You.”

“And who’s going help get you guys dinner?”

Without hesistation, “You.”

And who’s going to give you baths and help put you to bed.

“You.”

Then Max finally decided to chime in.

“Well, what about Daddy?”

I knew I kept that kid for a reason.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. We sent her away for a much-needed massage, and some much-needed time away from my crazy munchkins! She later took the two boys to the movies, and at night we went to the Holidazzle Parade. I can't say enough how much I appreciate all that my mom has sacrificed during these past few months. She'll be going back home to my dad in a couple weeks, but we sure will miss her.

Happy Birthday to the best mom ever!