Go Gray in May

I've had some question about the whole "Go Gray In May" posts so I've decided it deserves some explaining, why this cause and why this year, here's why.

Those of you who have known me for years know why, but more recent friends may not  so here is the story.  Thanksgiving of 2008, I had a seizure and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.  I had never had a seizure before so obviously there was quite a deal of concern.  At the hospital they ran a lot of tests; blood work, CAT scans, MRI’s, etc. and while we waited for some results my family started to gather.  Finally a stiff, almost indifferent ER doctor came in.  With my Husband and several other family members standing there; he just looked at me and bluntly said “you have a brain tumor.”   I think I was still in a fog from the seizure, but as I watched my Brother who was standing at the foot of the bed immediately start crying the words sunk in.

Several neurosurgeon and neurologist appointments later I knew that this tumor would stay with me for as long as I could live a full life with the symptoms.  Due to the location of the tumor, the risks of the surgery were quite significant and far outweighed any symptoms I was having.  I have frequent MRI’s to watch for any substantial changes that might alter that decision, but for now I’m content with my choice.

Now let me tell you about a little nine year old girl named Aspen.  She has family that lives next door to us and has been to our house a several times to play with Sophia.  From my interactions with Aspen I find her to be a sweet, soft spoken, precious little girl.  Last summer I let the girls pick flowers from my garden and use some old vases and ribbons to make arrangements.  Sophia was so excited to have flowers in her room, but Aspen could not wait to give them to her Mom.  

A couple months ago I was perusing Facebook and read a post about Aspen written by her Aunt.  She wrote that one day Aspen was fine, the next day she had a crooked smile, a few days later flu like symptoms.  The doctor wasn’t concerned but after doing some research online, her Mom insisted on a MRI.  Unfortunately it was the worst case scenario, she had a brain tumor.  For Aspen and her family the choice to remove the tumor proved to be right, as it was malignant.  The tumor may be gone but that does not mean this horrible disease ends there for Aspen.  She’s still fighting, trying to get better.  Her family is still making tough medical decisions about her treatments.  Not to mention the growing medical costs.

That is why this May I’ve pushed the Gray, I’ve reminded you about brain tumors and brain cancer and I’ve invited people to fundraisers.  May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month; because of my tumor I’ll always be aware even though I try to censor it from most.  But it is now time for me to say something, time to make you aware, time to ask for help for Aspen and all those others who are struggling, trying to heal from this devastating life altering disease.

If you’d like to help Aspen and her family with medical expenses, please visit www.Angels4Aspen.com.

Happy Birthday Sophia

Where does the time go?  Really?  I cannot believe how fast time goes by.  Our baby girl was born nine years ago today, that seems so unreal to me.  She has brought so much joy, humor, frustration, love, fire, and peace into our family and home.  She is such a blessing and we are so thankful for her.

 

 

Happy Birthday to our Sassa Frass, Freckle Face, Fifi, Sophers, Lil Red, Lil Miss, Soph!

 

We love you!

Halloween 2012

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

 

This year has been flying by.  I didn't even have time to pull out my Halloween decorations let alone get in the spirit of the "holiday", but I did it for the kids.  After a month of Sophia asking to be something "round" when she said "vampire" I headed straight to the store and bought a costume before she could say the word "round" again.    And then there was Ethan... 

 

 

What a character!

 

So if you put my Vampire who forgot her fangs and my overgrown hippie with Jeter the Skunk and JaDaKenn the "cryin" Turtle it looks a little like this....

 

Hope you all had a great Halloween! 

Can't wait to see your pictures.

He's Back

For those of you that don't know, Ron spent almost an entire year traveling for work.  It was rough for all of us. Luckily I had the kids to keep me busy, he had the warm weather and beach to keep him busy.  While we were here shoveling snow, he was laying by a pool.  While I was running back and forth from one activity to the next he was surfing.  Rough life, right. 

I know he did actually get the rough end of it all, I did after all at least have the kids and some normalcy.  I couldn't imagine being away from this family I love for as long as he was. 

I hope he knows who much we appreciate all the sacrifices he makes to take care of us.

 

I'm just glad he's home and our family is together again..hopefully for a LONG time.

*Yes, this is a little late, he's been back for a while, but I am "catching up" here.

Back in the Saddle...so to say

Wow, almost a year.  How did I stay away?  It's been a busy, crazy, rollercoaster ride this past year.  But as they saying goes I'm back in the Saddle and ready.  So here it goes...  Stay tuned.

What are you Thankful For?

Here we are again, at that blessed Holiday in which we give thanks for what we have, where we are, and most importantly who we have in our life. Every year I find myself being more thankful for the things I may have once taken for granted. My family; both near and far, my friends; old and new; my wonderful Husband, and our precious children. I'm thankful for our health, the roof over our heads, and the ability to work so we are able to provide for our family. I could really go on and on.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take a few minutes to give Thanks!

Brrrrr

I am NOT ready for winter yet. For being born and raised here you'd think I'd be used to these freezing temps, snow falling from the sky for months and the ice that forms on anything that doesn't move and some things that do. I don't know why I never took advantage of the slopes and learned to ski or snowboard, at least then I'd be able to enjoy the winter months. Maybe because it was way too cold when I fell, i just decided to avoid it.

I do crave the sun and and the warmth. I'd be just fine soaking up rays on a rock in the desert. OH WAIT....there are snakes there! I'll stay in the snow!

Make Time!

My Mom has the most friends of anyone I know and I'm not talking about facebook friends, I'm talking about real life friends. She has friends from all walks of life, all stages of her life, every income bracket, every social status, etc. Even though she's busy she still makes times for every friend she has. She never closes anyone out of her life.

I realized I needed to make more time for my friends, life is busy, but this is something I needed to do for me. It's easy with the friends who you see all the time, but friends from your past it's a bit harder. Time, distance, life; they change people, maybe too much to be friends again, but how do you know if you don't make the time to try to catch up.

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with a few friends from high school, I jumped at the chance. It was so nice to see these guys, talk about old times, how life has been, about their kids, and their lives. I knew just from the time spent together that evening that no matter how much time had passed, we'd always be great friends.

Three days ago I logged onto Facebook and was shocked to see that one of these guys I had just caught up with had passed away. I won't get into specifics because it doesn't matter, what does matter is the fact that this loving soul, who's smile, which I never saw him without, could honestly light up a room is gone. He was married straight out of high school and they had two boys. From the conversation I had with him those boys were his pride and joy, he talked about what they were doing in school and their sports. He talked about surviving a horrific car accident and how happy he was to be here with his family. He beamed as he spoke about them. I am so happy I had that last conversation with him, that's what I get to remember.

I want to remind everyone to take the time to talk to people, catch up with old friends, neighbors. Don't ever think you're too busy, because if you wait until you have time, it may be too late.

Me & Spencer Breeze (circa 1993)

~dont judge the hair...please~

I'm a Mom, first

When we built and moved into our house a decade ago my wonderful Aunt Eva gave us (me) this framed poem, as a housewarming, and probably also to remind me to be a Mom first and foremost. You see the women in my family tend to...how do I put this nicely...be a little OCD about cleaning. And while I've tried to be a little more relaxed, I do find myself becoming unglued over the smallest messes. I think I'm posting this as a reminder to myself. When I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions and there is too much to do, too much to clean, I just need to look at my kids perfect little faces and remember this is when I should concentrate on being a Mom.

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hide the fact

that children live there...

Ours boasts of it quite openly

the signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows

little smudges on the door...

I should apologize I guess

for the toys all over the floor.

But I sat down with the children

and we played & laughed & read

And if the doorbell doesn't shine

their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to

choose the one job or the other,

I want to be a housewife,

but first I'll be a Mother.

-Author Unknown

Summer

This is my favorite time of the year! It starts in the Spring, when flowers start to bloom, trees start to green, windows crack open for the fresh air, and the days start to get longer. It lasts well into the fall with all the colors on the trees, the autumn nights around a fire, and the kids going back to school. But this time right now, when the sun rises before it should, and stays up past the kids' bedtime, when you get to savor the most of each day, these are my favortie days.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer. We're doing our best to capture as many memories as we can. I'll start sharing them soon!