Beginning Our Journey

Jan. 20, 2010

Tot School :) Water Painting

1+1+1=1 I have been reading this cool blog about tot school. It is not really school but more making sure our tots do not get neglected while we homeschool the other kids. The first child we spent so much time one on one with. So Tot school is about making time each day to work one on one with our tots. So I got this idea off of Eebee Baby on the tv. Painting with water! How much fun but yet not a mess! And when the tot picks up the water to drink the cup he is painting with - there is not "oh no" moment! So here is what we did. Got some construction paper and water. And brush, sponge and pom pom to paint with. And that was a lot of fun!

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Dec. 31, 2009

End of a Year 2009

Wow... When you are little your parents always tell you not to wish your life away because it flies by when you are older. You think - yah right. Well I am here to tell my children the same thing! Life is FLYING by! My kids are growing fast. The days come and go and I look back thinking - when did this happen! So here we are in 2010. I have a lot of good homeschool adventures planned. Maple Sugaring, A trip to Heinz History Center. I am sure Butlerhomeschoolers.org will have lots more fun too! I have to really thank Liz who puts a lot of hard work into organizing field trips for our group. She is awesome! here are a few pictures I took for Christmas gifts (mugs-ties etc) this year.

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Nov. 2, 2009

Life updates :)

Well it has been a while. Sometimes with a little one it is just so much easier to log on and update Facebook. But I do not want to neglect my blog because I LOVE it here. It is so cozy and happy. My happy place. So many memories on the pages of my cyberspace world. So what is new with me? Well it is November - which means my baby is turning 1!!! how can this be??? He is our last and the time had flown by!  God sure has blessed us!  Wyatt is walking now and so cute at this age. Learning and soaking up life. I do get a glimpse into the future a little as the bickering between brothers has already started full swing! It is amazing to me that a 4 1/2 year old can fight with a 1 year old!  But you all know how that goes! Homeschool is chugging along! Our favorite thing this year is "field trips!" I love that the kids are finally of age to learn from trips. Our favorite is going to Jennings Environmental Center. We are learning so much and having a fun time! Makes you feel like the homeschool mother you want  to be when your kids are out in the open air learning about God's creation!  And we are making new friends also! Here is our bird's nest we tried to make out of items in the woods. Tristan is chugging along in his treatments. Just counting down the days until he is finished. That kid is a trooper. Not only does he have to avoid certain things from his mediport - creeks, ponds, oceans etc, now he had spacers put in his mouth. They are treated like braces and now he is not allowed gum, gummies, tootsie rolls, pop corn, hard pretzels etc etc! He is such a trooper. Just says things like "when I get my mediport out" and now it is "when I get my spacers out!" If this was Alyssa she would be freaking. but Tristan rolls with what life throws at him. Alyssa learned to ride her bike without training wheels! I love the fall don't you? such pretty pictures you get!  Also a wonderful time for baking. With Wyatt getting "entertain-able" It is easier to be in the kitchen! Which makes Autumn so much more cozy! Here are a few more pictures to share. oh and the TV Challenge... it is not going so well. It is working a little as I am more aware of how much time the kids are on the tv. But... I need to get more prepared and try again when I do not need to put the baby for naps and nurse where I do not want them bouncing over my head in their rooms.

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Sep. 9, 2009

The Dreaded TV Challenge... Care to join me?

TV is my lifeline. My Super Hero. Oh how I love the magical box that brings me peace and comfort. From morning until night. ... Our friends live in there.  It is like my mommy super powers. Nursing the baby - TV ON! Getting one kids in the bath while the other is drying - TV ON! Packing Daddy's Lunch - TV ON! From when my daughter was a baby - in her bouncer watching Baby Einstein bringing me peace while I cook dinner (Admit it, you have done it too!)  to the present time. It has been the background noise of our lives. We are a family who has tvs on even if no one is watching them. And frankly - it has worked. My daughter is fine. She is not over weight. She is smart. She will go outside. She does not act out or is not afraid of monsters. Now seriously though - we limit! My kids do not watch Monsters Inc. or even Sponge Bob. No offense if you do because - look I am admitting my TV addiction here people! But do we really need to point out that there could be monsters in the closet if they do not think of it on their own? And Sponge Bob - personal choice, just not for my kids. Don't like the tone of that show. Just MY opinion. Do not freak running if someone has it around the kids. We just enjoyed a really fun party this weekend with that as the theme. No big deal. But back to my point... My daughter is fine. .... never a need to change. When someone mentioned limiting tv, or "Turn your tv off for a week challenges" I would cringe and run the other way. Why would anyone do that?!?! Then along came my sons... oh my oh my... Perhaps I can blame it on my Tristan's Dexamethasone which side effects include - mood changes, anger, and hallucinating. But he is only on that 5 days a month and it seems to effect him only 2 weeks. Then it is out of his system for the rest of the month. So what makes my son so different? Why does he always call names (sure poopyhead is not so bad but still) or go right to punching when he does not like something? Just the nature of a little boy? Probably. But this kid needs to get out his energy. And he seems to be the one in front of the tv or on the wii all day. So while I usually RUN when someone mentions a TV Challenge... today I am making my own. Being a homeschooler we are in danger more of being swallowed by the TV black hole. Public School and Private School children are not around a tv for the most of the day, thus the temptation is gone. Their days are structured and scheduled. Being a mom of an infant - my days are chaos! Even trying a schedule, Wyatt interrupts it! So I do not blame myself for my home. I am not making excuses. I am just deciding to try something different. So here it is... What you have been reading for! My Super Dooper TV Challenge! (I feel so important - I am making a challenge.) I am going to give my kids coupons. Here they are so if you want to join me you can print some off yourself. One for Tv, one for Wii. I am going to print these out on card stock. Then I am going to give them one a day for each. And if they do something really nice they can earn one more their choice video or tv. If they do something bad - they get a coupon taken away.  They also have the option of saving coupons up. If they do not watch it one day they can save it for later. At the end of the week they can cash them in if they have some left for 50 cents a piece. That way if they want to earn some money for a new toy... :) Double goodness. I think I am going to have Movie night though.  A designated special time where the kids have popcorn and a movie once a week. Because that is longer and can be special. Here is an icon if you want to link to this post on your blog. This is going to take a lot of planning on my part though. I think the challenge is going to be more for me then the kids! Because I have to have things for them to do since their minds do not wrap around what to play with. Even though our home is filled with toys, games, art supplies. There is no lack of what. They just have to be trained to think of something on their own. So I think the first week or so I will have to give them lots of suggestions. This will also add to my to do list of teaching them to put things away as soon as they are finished so we do not have a disaster on our hands. Once again - super hero TV has made that simple for me as there is no mess to clean up. But this is a skill they need to learn anyways. So run the other way if you want to. Or Join me in my TV and Video Game Challenge. Tweek it to work for your own family. Do not feel ashamed or bullied into anything that does not work for your family. No Pressure. But if you want to join me - Misery loves company - then be sure to leave me a comment linking to your page so I can cheer you on!

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Aug. 7, 2009

Prayer request for Tristans blood counts.

Aug. 3, 2009

School is off and week one is done! :)

Ok, so week one is finished :) I made it! I did it! Whoo hoo! And the best news of all? Tristan is learning to read! I am working on 100ez lessons with him. He is on lesson 9 and was so pleased to read MAT, SET and AM today. I am proud of him! Alyssa is working on Sonlight Core 2. As I posted on the side bar. Sonlight is now offering a great rewards program. If you use my reward code ( LI20190176 ) you get $5 off the first $50 you spend if you are a new customer. I also get points for that. Anyways. That was a little commercial there. She is enjoying it so far. A LOT more work but I feel like we are really getting down to business. Sonlight Curriculum - Awarded Best Overall Homeschool Company in 2008 by Old Schoolhouse Magazine I eliminated some things that were not fitting for her and added some new things this year and am pleased. My Mother has been AMAZING and has joined us for 3 days last week and said she is going to try to get over 3 times a week if she can. Just to hold Wyatt while we school so he is out of our hair. Love that kid but he is needy :) Here are some newer pictures for everyone. The Boys Playing Alyssa Skating at Grandma and Grandpas Wyatt my blue eyed boy (did I mention that Tristans turned greenish? I think it might have to do with his treatments) And all three in the morning (thus the morning look on Alyssa's face) oh and here is one for the homeschool blog, Alyssa reading with her bear

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Jul. 1, 2009

It's almost that time again!

Getting ready for the new school year. I love starting new!!! I will be doing two Cores this year. My first time homeschooling two kids. Tristan will be doing prek and Alyssa 2nd. Wyatt will just be distracting us :) Ah it can only get better :) Here is a cute collage of my boys.

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Jun. 10, 2009

puttering through the last days of school

I know that this coming summer I am sooo starting school in July and ending in April! This still doing school while the weather is beautiful is for the birds! Because I know as the #s creap up, we want to be inside more. Due to Wyatt and Make a Wish Trips, we are behind and still working on our last few things in school this year. BIG note to self - do not do this again! Make sure to get school finished to enjoy the spring! But 1st grade is nearing and end. I have successfully homeschooled PreK, K and now First. Another milestone is coming up... I will be entering the world of  homeschooling more then one student. Something that Tristan is VERY ready for. He is 4 1/2. I have not started prek with him yet. We will start PreK in July. I just was not ready before and the new baby. I also did not feel he was ready. Well AMAZINGLY he is now! Just this week every day he has been doing "school"! All on his own he is going through workbooks and working on them! Giving himself stickers and actually DOING the pages! Asking for directions and chugging along! I am amazed! And his maturity level - although he still have major breakdowns and his moments... has come a long way! He puts on Leapfrog Videos and tells me he has to learn his letters. And if you ask him how to spell CAT. You can say the word slow and he can shout out the letters. he is so proud of himself. He has even begain to write! ALL ON HIS OWN! I have maybe 5 times had him trace his name. That is it. But this week he has wanted to write down my "order" for lunch. and as I told him how to spell french fries. he said how do you make an F. I said with the line down and two out. And he wrote the letters on a page! not in a line or anything but they were all on there. Some pointing the wrong way but hey, I was making lunch with a baby on my hip only half paying attention to him as he shouted out how do you make an R... Alyssa finished a spring session of soccer. Oh my did she love that! We will have both her and Tristan in it in the fall. I like Soccer. Good exercise, and easy enough anyone can play and enjoy. here are a few pictures of my little ones.

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May. 4, 2009

been a while! Sorry!

Apr. 2, 2009

more pictures

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Apr. 2, 2009

pictures from Make a Wish

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Apr. 2, 2009

Make a wish trip

I have so much to comment on it is unreal! The people. Just thinking about how awesome the people were to us. I wish it was like that in real life. That is so what heaven is going to be like. Just magical. They treated us like we were the most special family on earth. Justin is dead set on paying off our bills and volunteering there someday. Now I am not sure about the florida weather as a home. Not for me... Saturday was 90 and humid! I was happy to be leaving that! and that was only March!!! not the place for me. but man was GKTW a magical place and I would not mind being down there someday volunteering when the kids are older! ok. well before the trip Dad and I BOTH double checked to make sure we did not need birth certificates for our kids. We also doubled checked Wyatt was listed as a lap baby for us. So they cannot say they did not know we had one. They said nothing for kids under 18 as long as we had our id. So I did not bring it because why would I? I am sure you can imagine what happened... Needed Wyatts BC! The lady was so rude! Saying tough luck. Alyssa was bawling. The make a wish lady was like "surely there is SOMETHING that can be done" The lady was like - you have to buy a ticket or get a $10,000 fine! Finally after a good scolding to us for not having it, and a promise to have Justin's mother fax it she let us on. Said if we did not have it in orlando there was no getting on the plane. I was so annoyed because she treated us like crap when I CALLED and DAD CALLED and Specifically asked! So we get on the plane and everything is going nice and fine. Then during decent Alyssa started bawling holding her head saying it felt like a knife was cutting her. She was fine going up. But going down she cried so hard. We get to give kids the world and she is STILL crying holding her head flipping out. So off to the ER we go. At the ER They said she was NOT on our insurance and were demanding her social security number. Well I do not know that. we had her insurance card! My parents took a $47 taxi to get to the Er to help us because we had orientation at GKTW where we get tickets etc and had to do it. Back to the insurance card. They still rejected it and said she was not on our plan. Wanted paid for services. Justin handed them a $50 and said this is our ER co-pay. The lady said she never heard of an ER copay and was not going to accept it because they did not take cash did he have a credit card. Justin said - I am NOT giving you my credit card! you will bill me the whole $500 she wanted. She was hot. So of course she let him sit FOREVER before being seen. Finally another lady said - "they are from Make a Wish on VACATION you have to get them in to be seen!"  So finally around midnight they were home with amoxicillain. Next morning... chef mickeys. AWESOME!!! Wyatt was being sooo fussy. Fevering really good. we found an urgant care for him. Day 2, second amoxicillan. I was just feeling like a bar in the morning. Lining up shots of medicine between the two kids and Tristan's normal meds. There is just no words to describe Give Kids the World. It is all about the people. The place is Magical. There are volunteers EVERYwhere and we have full intentions of being one someday. I especially loved the ones who shared with us their own stories and said they had also stayed once and were back to volunteer. Where else in the world would you do this... in the ginger bread house for dinner Justin was in line, I had the kids at the table and Alyssa had to pee...The volunteer offered to sit with tristan and Wyatt and I LET HER! And the first night while Justin and Alyssa were at the Er, Tristan wanted to ride the carousel and the ladies running the ride kept Wyatt while I rode with him And FOR REAL!   that was fine! It was so safe there! When you go to dinner at the ginger bread house (which I liked Katis Kitchen better for the food but for having the service at the ginger bread house we ate there most) your trays were wisked away from you and carried to your tables, your drinks were carried, the kids were taken care of, if you needed anything! From the website, I thought GKTW would be cheesy. Oh my. That site does NOT do them justice!!! When we were at Disney, my kids asked "can we go back to GKTW" each time! And I was happy to do that. I did not feel like we were missing anything by cutting the parks early and coming back. Another thing that was awesome were welcome back families. GKTW welcomes you back. And they really do! We met some really great people and heard their stories. Each night there were different activities and the funnest was Village Idol! My kids signed up and were #20! I did not think they were going to be awake long enough. well They were. They sang Phineas and the Ferbtones Bow Chicka Bow wow. LOL and dance (well Tristan got them walking in circles) around on stage. Everyone was clapping and singing with them. Tristan sang louder then Alyssa! Then when they were done, they had them sign autographs outside. They had paper and lined them up. All the volunteers were coming up saying Alyssa - can I have your autograph. And Tristan wow you are a star! Alyssa was AMAZED that they wanted her autograph!! Tristan proudly wrote T's for everyone. And it was great because the rest of the week, we saw the "kid who made the funny faces" or the "boy who jump roped" and everyone knew my kids as the "bow chicka bow wow" kids! Alyssa's favorite part was the La Ti Da Spa. Tristan's.... not really sure but ordering pizza to our "house" and ice cream.... you know I think his favorite was the huge train set. yes that was it. The boats were really cool too. Wyatt LOVED the Carousel. From Burping Wishing Wells, Bunny Tuck Ins, Dino Putt Putt, Carts that drove around and gave you lemonaid and cookies, Swimming pools with water shooters, rides that "did not take money!" Santa Claus who let you pick from a wall of toys, air brush tattoos, presents in your house each day! (I am talking 5 dvds at a time, GKTW candy land game, 5 more dvds, camera/photo album/pens, stuffed animals, duffle bags, christmas ornaments etc etc) characters showing up there.... the kids were spoiled and so were we!!! My parents and my brother and sil were able to visit. It was so nice. They really enjoyed it. Mom cried. So did I a few times. It was just sooo special. So special. a few more random things because I just cannot process it all... Alyssa got stung by a bee playing on the swings. The weather was beautiful!!!! We got to pet dolphins. Tristan did not get a good pet, he was short and we fed them but I was afraid of him leaning to far over and falling in. Well the worker there said "did everyone get a good feel?" I said well he was kinda afraid. He jumped when they "talked" and did not touch. she said - oh no. hold on. Got more fish and helped him and Alyssa really get a good feel. It was awesome! They also fed sting rays. pictures in the next post...

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Mar. 10, 2009

Some Tristan Updates...

Urgh... this morning I sent Tristan upstairs for his legos. I was being lazy and not wanting to get them for him when he asked. So I said, "I will stand at the bottom and you go get them." He said, "Ok mommy, did you know my knees hurt when I do?" .... oh no.... Tristan is on a steroid called Dexamethasone. It causes joint pains. They actually stopped using the steroid on new patients but since Tristan is past the HARD month long uses and down to the 5 day stretches, they continued him on this drug. So far he has not mentioned any pains so I figured we were lucky not to have that side effect. I was so sad this morning to hear that indeed, he is experiancing it. Now I know I have to watch him more! Because he carrys things down and up the stairs all the time. We have a full flight of stairs and a little half set to get up stairs. Big old house. If he would fall.... shudder. But on the good news... Clinic went well. Tristan's Doctors said his counts once again were beautiful. A little TOO pretty and that most likely next month they will be upping his dose of chemo. We have already raised it 2 times. So now we will raise it up again. They want to artificially keep his counts low. We leave the 22nd for our make a wish. please pray for our trip safety.

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Feb. 26, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG 4 YEAR OLD TRISTAN!!!

4 years ago... I cannot believe the time and how it flew!!! he is such a big boy! I love him so much!!! Going to take a picture today once I get him dressed for his 4 year birthday picture. I love this boy so much! He is such a blessing in my life. A little wild and unruly at times. A big strong willed. But I know with work we can nurture that to a strong leadership character in him. This little boy is amazing. He has gone through so much in life. I love him completely. He amazes me. My prayer over him nightly since he was born, has been that God uses him in mighty ways, and many will come to His kingdom through Tristan and his life. That he will be strong in winning souls for Jesus. I continue to pray that over him at night. I just know God has big plans for this boy.

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Feb. 7, 2009

Tristan's Clinic Appointment Yesterday

We had some really positive feedback from our oncologist yesterday. We normally see the resident but the head oncologist came in to check on Tristan yesterday. We were asking her questions about his face rash and now one on his foot. While she was in there she commented that Tristan amazes them. She said normally kids go up and down in their counts but he is staying STRONG the entire time! Not once yet have we had to take him off his meds. She said it is VERY common to have to stop meds and wean back on to them. Sometimes for weeks at 25% strength. But Tristan is amazing and handling the meds great! She said he is doing so well and they are so proud of him. All Glory to God!!! I know why Tristan, our strong and mighty boy, is doing so well. THANK YOU ALL for the many prayers that are keeping Tristan going strong and sailing through his treatments. Here are a few pictures of Tristan and his resident oncologist Dr. Terri (who we love to share jokes with)

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Jan. 30, 2009

my pirate

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Jan. 17, 2009

urgh

Jan. 14, 2009

Finally....

Jan. 11, 2009

Just messing around with Photoshop tonight...

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Jan. 1, 2009

Please pray for Tristan

Dec. 28, 2008

Christmas 2008

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Dec. 15, 2008

Loving my three kids.

My older two can sure go wild. They are loud, they do not listen, it s like they are in their own little world some days... but man do I love them! I know life is so different these days. Alyssa tells my mom that "shhh don't say anything but sometimes mom forgets to brush my hair!" Boy do I ever! I barely have time to get myself a shower these days! I am so blessed with Alyssa. She helps Tristan get dressed most days now! They sure are amazing kids. Good ones too. Sure they can get wound up big time... but what kid doesn't in the winter? Cabin Fever is what you call it I think. They are spending lots more time with daddy these days too. When he is home he is always taking them downstairs when he works on computers now. etc. Things he used to do alone, he sets them up with something fun., I think it is so good for them. They are spending time with daddy. Be it driving cars on boards as ramps, playing video games, drawing on huge cardboard boxes while he works on fixing things up. Seems like I am doing a TON of things for the baby. LOTS of drs appointments, getting meds etc. Today we had another appointment. Wyatt has had thrush, (oh drats! forgot to tell the dr about his goopy eye. oh well, it comes and goes) Yeast rash, etc. He is a good baby. Getting kinda demanding though. Turning into a little Alyssa and we wanted another Tristan. Not looking promising. Sigh. He knows what he wants and is voicing his opinion already! But man do I love these crazies!!!

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Dec. 4, 2008

Alone with my baby tonight... Wyatt Pictures

Kids are with my mom and Wyatt and I are alone. I took the cutest pics of him!

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Nov. 26, 2008

ok ok :)

Since I have all the time in the world mom ... I better update my blog! Baby is here!!! Wyatt Daniel - 9#4oz. But down to 8#3oz at the dr. Dr did not care. Just said nurse nurse nurse! And see him in a week. 21 inches long. He is a cutie!!! here is me and my mom at my induction And here is my beautiful children with me at the hospital The baby is doing great! Nursing like a champ, pooping up a storm. Alyssa is the BEST BEST BEST helper I could have. Holding the baby when I need her too. And grabbing me thing while I nurse or need to change a diaper. Tristan is good too but he has taken a back seat because his sister never lets him hold the baby for more then 2 seconds. I do notice he is a little more ... weepy with things lately. I love that little boy. I took some pictures the other day. These are straight off the camera and I  need to do a LOT of editing to them. but here they are to show you :) editing to add - wow. what happened to snapfish? They used to be smaller pictures to show... Guess I will have to keep it to photobucket next time. Sorry dial-up people.

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Nov. 18, 2008

Induction Day...

Went to the dr today. I have an eviction date for this little one! Finally. I was 4 cm, 50% effaced and she stripped my membranes. But if he does not make an arrival, She scheduled me for an induction Thursday Morning. So either way, by Thursday Wyatt will be joining our family! Yay! So say a prayer for me and the baby please! A nice smooth and not so bad labor (I can dream right???) hee hee. And problem free. Please pray that baby is awesome and I do good too. Starting to remember the fun of labor Going to go enjoy the last nights of sleep! Tomorrow mom and dad will take the kids to church with them and then have a sleepover. So I do not have to get them up early. I have to be at the hospital at quarter till 6 in the morning on Thursday. Fun Fun. YAWN!

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Nov. 14, 2008

Due Date is here...

Nov. 4, 2008

Doctors today

Oct. 30, 2008

Still pregnant :)

Almost there... Baby is head down. Group B strep test came back positive so another round of antibiotics for me. Measuring Good, Heart Beat good. Next appointment is Nov 4th. Election Day. A friend of mine sent a beautiful quilt in the mail for baby Wyatt. I just had to share how pretty! It is so soft and nice! Tristan got a hair cut.. sigh... From this... To... the old Tristan again. All the blond is gone. It was something we HAD to do... Not something we wanted to do. But we will not talk about that for now. And Alyssa lost her second tooth. I feel bad because it is driving me nuts. She talks funny now! Like she has cotton balls in her mouth or something and it BUGS ME. What a bad mom I am! I know it is normal... but it is driving me insane! How long until the new ones come in??? eek. Only gonna get worse because one of the front top ones is going to come out...  I would guess tomorrow. Here are a few more random shots of the kids that I thought were cute. So thought I would update for everyone :)

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Oct. 25, 2008

PHEW! I Am tired!

We through a surprise 50th birthday party for my mother in law today. I think it was a great success! Thank you mom for all your help! My mom was a HUGE help! It would not have happened without them. From taking me to the store all the times I needed it, planning, setting up, cooking, serving and cleaning up. I love my mom and dad! They are the best. You know... when I have this baby... and am past the do not life things stage. I am going to be so in for it with my mother! She has been so super helpful to me. Coming to my house just to carry my kids up the stairs for me! Carrying in groceries etc! She is getting a huge workout just with me being pregnant! I owe her big time! But anyways. It was a fun day. I am SHOCKED mother in law actually was surprised. I never thought Justin family could pull it off. Especially on Deb since she is soooooo in control and involved in who what and wear of all her kiddos :) But we did it! And it was fun. Here are a few shots of the day Look how red her face was! I think she was shocked. Mil and some of the grandkids blowing out her candles It was a really nice party. Fun too. Her actual birthday is Nov. 17th, but since my due date was Nov. 15th... I figured it was not a good idea to be so close :) And here is my 37 week belly shot for all of you.

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Oct. 19, 2008

Looking Back... One Year Ago (lots of pictures post)

One year ago today, Tristan was diagnosed with A.L.L. Leukemia. I thought I would sample some of the pictures from over the year... Here is bubby when we first were at the hospital. He LOVED to make tents and the staff at Children's never knew where he was going to be in the room! Not long after we returned home, Tristan had to have his head shaved because it was all over his face every time he would lay down. Getting in his mouth etc. It did not take long for the steroids to kick in big time and plump Tristan way up! Our Thanksgiving was very interesting! While we cut up bread for stuffing, Tristan was stuffing his face! He gave us many laughs that day! He was not very fond of Clinic Visits at first. It took a lot to get him motivated to get up and move. Daddy would try to get him playing wii. That round of intense treatment was over and Tristan started to slim down again. January 2008 - This year, Tristan spent his birthday having Red Chemo pumped into his little body. Day one of delayed Intensification. as we made our way into March, we tried to get him outside any nice day we could. April brought us our second half of this round. His hair was lost and we got the slick bald look. A few clinic times we came home with his mediport accessed and had home nurse treatments. April 22 we Made it to Maintenance!!! April 29th, Tristan got to go back to church. He got to meet his new teachers and classmates. He sure does LOVE sunday school. Even today he said how he could not wait to go to church tomorrow. in May Tristan's hair started to grow back in. June brought lots of interesting things for us. From Cancer Walks to Hospital days at the zoo, July  was a spinal tap month Then on to August in September WDVE was at Children's And this brings us to a year... Clinic last week Tristan still goes through daily chemo, Weekly extra chemo, three times a week antibiotics, once a month clinic appointments, every three months spinal taps. We have a long road ahead of us still to go. But God is sooo good! We have been blessed beyond belief with our little guy. He is a fighter and God has been there with him the whole way! It is amazing how our lives have changed this past year. From chaos to routine. We appreciate all the love and support and prayers from all of our friends. Please do not forget Tristan when you think about him. We anxiously await the day that we can tell you all Tristan is 100% Cancer Free! Cured!

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