Oh Opa...

I haven't posted lately because I have been avoiding this one. About 3 weeks ago my Mom called and let me know that my Grandpa had gone to the hospital with some severe stomach pains. My Grandpa would not do this willingly so I knew that it had to be bad. My Grandpa will be 83 this year and he has never looked a day over 65 or acted a day over 25. He works hard and plays hard and loves to do both. A little later in the afternoon my Mom called back and said that they had found an aneurysm in his stomach and some masses in his adrenal glands and some spots on his liver. The aneurysm was the least of their worries at this point because it was not active, but the masses in his adrenal glands were most likely cancer. We found out that the adrenal gland was not likely the source of the cancer because in most cases it is just collects the cancer from elsewhere. They checked his lungs, colon and liver. A week of tests and waiting and worrying. They found no cancer anywhere else, one prayer answered! He has Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the adrenal glands. The bad news is the confirmation of that big C word that scares you to death, the good news is that this type of cancer is not just treatable, but curable. He had to have a bone marrow biopsy to see how advanced it is, but the cure rate is between 50%-90%, second prayer answered. He starts chemo tomorrow and he has several rounds and several weeks of it, but we are all praying and fasting and hoping that his 83 year old body will act like its 65 year old counterpart and respond and heal well!

As expected, this experience has really taken a toll on all of us. It is hard to justify it by saying that at his age it is expected that something like this happen. Cancer is a very scary word and I don't think it matters what age you are, it hits like a ton of bricks. This is the second cancer scare in my mom's family and I think that it is two too many! I have never had anyone really close to me die. My grandparents have been a major part of my life always. I never really knew my dad's family so my Grandma and Grandpa have always been my only Grandma and Grandpa. I don't have many memories that aren't linked to them. This is a blessing that I don't take lightly. They are also extremely close to my kids. The thought of losing them has always been in the back of my mind somewhere but has never seemed close because they both seem so much younger than they really are. I am just grateful that things like this remind you of what is really important and to let all the other stuff go and just hang on tight to those you love!

Happy 4th

We once again celebrated the 4th of July at Lagoon. It has been a tradition that we have been doing with my family for a few years now. It is funny because when we tell people that is where we are going, they think we are crazy. I am afraid to let the secret out, because we have found it is actually one of the best days to go. The lines are short, the hot weather is bearable with all the water spraying rides available and the fireworks are amazing because they put them to music that plays throughout the park and it makes for a really good show! This year was no exception. The weather was awesome, mostly overcast the whole day, the kids loved the new OdySea ride, another water spraying addition,
and we even got Alec on a couple of roller coasters. I was stoked to not be pregnant this year and finally get to ride Wicked!!

Another tradition of the day is the overloaded log flume...The first video is the splash from last year. The second video is the splash from this year. The third video is the little splash from this year. The debate is up for which one is bigger, feel free to vote!

It is such a fun tradition! Maybe we will see some of you there next year...but don't spread the secret too far -k- :)

Our Garden!

We have this empty garden space that has been a thorn in my side. Last year we put a shed on part of it, but the other half is still empty. The weeds grow wild and rampant, no matter how much ground kill is used, so this year we decided to actually use the provided space and try our hand at gardening. We planted pumpkins, many, many pumpkins, to test the ground for future use. Depending on the outcome, you all may have pumpkins for the fall season :)Despite the hard work, Alec and Chloe stuck with me through the whole process and Alec even commented how much fun he was having! After we were done, we ate lunch outside to enjoy our newly planted garden. Have I recently mentioned how much I love being "Just Mom"?

Another weekend at the resort!

We were able to get back to the resort, my parents, this weekend. We love having a place to get away for the weekend, not to mention that the price is right! We had plans to go to the Sidewalk Chalk Festival at The Gateway with Eric's family on Saturday and then my Grandma's 80th birthday party/Father's Day was Sunday at my parents so we decided to make a weekend out of it. The chalk festival was tons of fun. The kids got painted, sprayed and tattooed. The chalk art was amazing.

On Sunday the kids surprised Eric with a candy dish and heart stand that they made for him. We molded salt dough and then baked it to harden it. They kids then painted it and put pictures and hand prints on it. He absolutely loved the gift and all the kids' hard work was greatly appraised. We made Eric and my dad a fabulous breakfast and then spent the afternoon in the pool. Chloe was so tuckered out that she fell asleep on the patio. The party later that night was a lot of fun! The kids love to get together with all their cousins and it is so fun to watch them all play together! Thanks for another great weekend Banana and Papa!

She's 4!

In some ways it's hard to believe that she is already 4, in others it's hard to believe that she isn't 30. Chloe is curious and adventurous, two things which keep slowing down impossible for her. She is my shadow and never more than 3 steps behind me. She loves to help out and even though helping out isn't always the easiest thing for me to have her do, I think I would miss it if she backed up a few steps. She has a smile that lights up the whole room and a laugh that is more than contagious. Chloe loves to sing and dance and play games and watch movies. Her favorite Disney Princess is Ariel. She asks a million questions and wants them answered immediately. Immediate is essential for Chloe. She has one speed and it's turbo. I like to call her Taz. She is also known as The Princess Monster. It is not uncommon for Chloe to be dressed up in her princess clothes, wrestling with her dad or her brother, armed with a tiara and necklace in one hand and a gun and a truck in the other. I love how well rounded she is and can't wait to find out where all her passion for life and living takes her. I am just glad to be along for the ride, even if it never goes slower than 100 miles an hour. Today is also a special day because Chloe was born on the same day as her great-grandma, Esther Barrett (my grandma), who is celebrating her 80th birthday today. They also share the day with Anna Maria Zang, who is my grandma's grandmother. I too was born on my great-grandmother's, Zella Barrett, birthday, but it is through my grandpa's line. Still, it is a neat legacy for Chloe to have. I love you Chloe! Happy Birthday :)

Oh NNOOOOO!

NEED I SAY MORE??? SHE IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD....don't mind the drooling and runny nose, she is also cutting teeth.

Reason for lack of blogging..

Over the past few weeks, whenever it is good weather, I have been working on this...

I should have taken before pictures, but let me tell you it was a true labor of love. By the time I cleaned, sanded, repaired and then applied two coats of paint, along with keeping up with the kids, the husband and the house....well let's just say, "HOORAY IT'S DONE!!" This has been something that I have wanted to get done since we moved in. It was one of the first things on my list when I quit working. I really wanted to get it done before Alec was out of school so we could just play all summer. I almost made it, I finished Tuesday and Monday was his first day of summer vacation. I guess I can let it slide :) After several days of hard work it is nice to be able to just sit back and enjoy it. Eric has decided that he needs a hammock for Father's Day to put on the deck. And he deserves one after completing his project...

There used to be 3 trees in our mow strip. Last winter we lost the biggest one in a bad wind storm. It blew over leaving about 1 foot of the stump. It was one of the end trees and the one in the middle was barely surviving so we opted to take out the three and replace them with two. Eric cut down the remaining two trees and removed all three stumps. He only had sprinkler issues with one of the root systems, if you ask him he will tell you that one was enough for him, and then replaced them with these two new beautifully landscaped trees! They look great. I just keeping looking out front and back and can hardly believe that it is all finally done. This is going to be one great summer!