What are the last 3 things I've purchased?
1. A Book (The Longing by Beverly Lewis)
2. Ashlyn's lunches
3.Pictures for CJ to take to Denver
What are the last 3 songs you downloaded?
1. All I Want To Do (Sugarland)
2. For the Kids Too (the Whole CD for our car ride home from WA)
3. Walk By Faith (Jeremy Camp)
What were the last 3 places you visited?
1. the airport
2. Wal-Mart
3. the park
What are your 3 favorite movies?
(it seems like this changes often for me)
1. Penelope
2. PS I love You
3. Griffin and Pheonix
What are your 3 favorite possessions?
1. my family
2. my computer
3. my car
What are your 3 wishes?
1. Success in raising my children well
2. That CJ will be free from his headaches
3. that I will be able to get my degree
What are 3 things you haven't done yet?
1. been to a NASCAR Race
2. gone to college
3. Written a book
(in no particular order... of course)
What are your 3 favorite dishes?
1. cashew chicken (but not the kind with celery in it... blugh)
2. home made rolls (not technically a dish)
3. Shrimp scampi
What are 3 things that freak you out?
1. speed (funny that NASCAR tops several of my other lists)
2. off roading (seems to be a favorite pass time of several of our friends and family)
3. aggressive house spiders (we also call the mini tarantulas... they're hairy and they actually watch you!!!)
Name 3 things you are good at.
1. cooking
2. baking
3. mommy-ing
Name 3 things you are currently coveting.
1. Answers
2. Friends
3.Books
3 Bloggers I tag:
1. Jamie
2. Anna
3. Allison (and Spencer... because it isn't vanity- we honestly like to read about you)
and I'm gonna throw out one more just to see if she's still alive
4. Tawna
(but really I'd like to tag all my blogging friends)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
News
Ok, I am going to try and make this less wordy than I know I would like to... but I will attempt to spare too many details... I seem to be an open book!!!
4 and 1/2 years ago CJ had his brain surgery. He was part of a study to try to come up with the "proper technique" to fix his problem. As we all know the surgery didn't work. We have continued to research and try to find something that will help CJ. The latest find was the NCR treatments. The only problem was the cost. Well, this week CJ's Dad started doing some more research and made some calls. On Monday he contacted a facility that does the therapy and they agreed to reduce the fee, in half, because they weren't sure the procedure would work, given CJ's prior surgery, and the amount of pain he is currently in daily. It was tentatively scheduled for him to have the therapy either the 11th or 16 of September!! EXCITING!!
Not too long after that phone call with his Dad he got another. Steve made contact with the new facility that CJ's neurosurgeon is at in Denver (CJ went to Missouri for his surgery). We have been very blessed!!! This doctor had contacted, by letter, the patients in the surgery study, including CJ, a few years back saying that he was going to move and turn his practice to pediatrics. So we had written off ever getting to see him again. When Steve contacted them it worked out that CJ WOULD be able to see him again after all!!!! On the 5th of September!! It turns out that through cancellations etc. they could see CJ! So in about a week he and Steve are headed to Denver for, possibly, another procedure. The neurosurgeon has made improvements on the surgery which should greatly reduce the number of long term complications (this is where I could go into lots of detail, but I won't... unless you call or email me and want to know).
So, now... why am I letting you in on our very personal business??? Because we can use your prayers, and all the prayers of all you know... in whatever form they come!! CJ and I have already talked and if he were to have another surgery there would be no question that he would not come home until the 4-6 weeks passed (whether he goes to stay with his parents, or wherever), and the doctor felt he could continue with "life as usual". We've lived the past several years in "what-if" world, wondering if maybe he over did things after his last surgery and that's why it didn't work. We don't plan on making that same mistake twice.
I have always felt that he would get better. If this isn't it, we will, at the very least, have some answers!
(I guess I got a little wordy!!)
4 and 1/2 years ago CJ had his brain surgery. He was part of a study to try to come up with the "proper technique" to fix his problem. As we all know the surgery didn't work. We have continued to research and try to find something that will help CJ. The latest find was the NCR treatments. The only problem was the cost. Well, this week CJ's Dad started doing some more research and made some calls. On Monday he contacted a facility that does the therapy and they agreed to reduce the fee, in half, because they weren't sure the procedure would work, given CJ's prior surgery, and the amount of pain he is currently in daily. It was tentatively scheduled for him to have the therapy either the 11th or 16 of September!! EXCITING!!
Not too long after that phone call with his Dad he got another. Steve made contact with the new facility that CJ's neurosurgeon is at in Denver (CJ went to Missouri for his surgery). We have been very blessed!!! This doctor had contacted, by letter, the patients in the surgery study, including CJ, a few years back saying that he was going to move and turn his practice to pediatrics. So we had written off ever getting to see him again. When Steve contacted them it worked out that CJ WOULD be able to see him again after all!!!! On the 5th of September!! It turns out that through cancellations etc. they could see CJ! So in about a week he and Steve are headed to Denver for, possibly, another procedure. The neurosurgeon has made improvements on the surgery which should greatly reduce the number of long term complications (this is where I could go into lots of detail, but I won't... unless you call or email me and want to know).
So, now... why am I letting you in on our very personal business??? Because we can use your prayers, and all the prayers of all you know... in whatever form they come!! CJ and I have already talked and if he were to have another surgery there would be no question that he would not come home until the 4-6 weeks passed (whether he goes to stay with his parents, or wherever), and the doctor felt he could continue with "life as usual". We've lived the past several years in "what-if" world, wondering if maybe he over did things after his last surgery and that's why it didn't work. We don't plan on making that same mistake twice.
I have always felt that he would get better. If this isn't it, we will, at the very least, have some answers!
(I guess I got a little wordy!!)
Birthday Boy
Our little man turned 3!!!
The drama of his birth is now all compacted into a little 3 foot, very loud body!It's hard to not notice all the lasts with the last baby... however, I am SO looking forward to THE LAST diaper... and we're getting close! The day BEFORE his birthday he pee'd in the toilet!! YEAH!! Just after that we had to go to the store. When we got home he was getting out of the car and stopped just about mid stride. The wind was blowing like crazy and I was pleading for him to hurry up. He responded to me by saying... "I tan't, I'm peeing!"! We'll get there eventually!
Anyway he had a really fun birthday!
Going back to the beginning....
My 2nd little ten pounder (we made 'em big, I'm sure that's why I broke!)
We sure hope you had a happy 3rd birthday buddy!!!
We love you Canyon!!!
First Days
Well the first days of school 2008 have come and gone.
Ashlyn is excited to be in the 4th grade
and already has her first recorder. You know... the instrument. Such fun!!! She has been practicing and practicing... and can already almost play 2 songs!!! In fact, this morning she was even singing Hot Cross Buns in the shower!! I think she is going to do really well this year!
Kailey made it through the first day of kindergarten on Monday
.... OK... so I made it through her first day of Kindergarten. It only took the bus an HOUR to make sure the kids were getting off on the right stop (she rides to school with Ashlyn and comes home with other Kindergartners). That was a little nerve wracking! In fact I'm sure I saw a few mini vans leave the neighborhood in search of their precious kindergartners... but they made it home. Kailey wasn't sure she wanted to ride the bus anymore after that long ride, but she has overcome... and yesterday... just 2 days into school... guess who was late for getting to the bus stop!?! Yep... ME!! So poor little Kailey had to walk 2 and a half blocks home by herself!!! UGH!! Although she did announce to me this morning that she was fine and there was no need for me to be at the bus stop anymore! I don't think that's gonna fly!
Ashlyn is excited to be in the 4th grade
and already has her first recorder. You know... the instrument. Such fun!!! She has been practicing and practicing... and can already almost play 2 songs!!! In fact, this morning she was even singing Hot Cross Buns in the shower!! I think she is going to do really well this year!
Kailey made it through the first day of kindergarten on Monday
.... OK... so I made it through her first day of Kindergarten. It only took the bus an HOUR to make sure the kids were getting off on the right stop (she rides to school with Ashlyn and comes home with other Kindergartners). That was a little nerve wracking! In fact I'm sure I saw a few mini vans leave the neighborhood in search of their precious kindergartners... but they made it home. Kailey wasn't sure she wanted to ride the bus anymore after that long ride, but she has overcome... and yesterday... just 2 days into school... guess who was late for getting to the bus stop!?! Yep... ME!! So poor little Kailey had to walk 2 and a half blocks home by herself!!! UGH!! Although she did announce to me this morning that she was fine and there was no need for me to be at the bus stop anymore! I don't think that's gonna fly!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Family vacation
After the Who's, I mean Larson's, visit we followed them back to good ol' Spokamo! I might not miss the city itself but I sure do miss the people who are there... well, not ALL the people, but my people... you know what I mean.
We love you!
On the way home we stopped by Grammy JoJo and Grampy Stevie's for a night.
Kailey found a bird nest in the garden
where they also picked and ate raspberries... YUMMY!
And the kids and Grandma cleaned and played on the trampoline and the hammock
than Jessie gave the girls make overs
A good night sleep and we were off!... Eventually. I forgot my insulin at Mom and Dads so we had to stop by the cab office and pick that up. Then by the time we did that and got on the road we were hungry again, so we stopped at a truck stop in Post Falls, gassed up, got a snack, and realized we didn't have car sick medicine for Ash, so I ran back in and grabbed that. Then we decided that it would probably be best if all the kids could be in the seat the farthest back, so they could watch movies and it wouldn't be so loud for us up front... so we had to do some rearranging and move Canyons seat to the back. Then we realized we didn't have any ice in the cooler so I had to run back in for that. After close to an hour WE WERE OFF. Really!
Once we were really, truly on the road we realized it would be stupid to try to make the drive in one day... after all it was mid morning at this point. So we got to Kellogg and CJ decided we should take the gondola up Silver Mountain.
It really is beautiful up there. Since we were up there, we decided why not take the chair lifts all the way to the top. Amazingly enough only Ashlyn was a little jittery... ok, me too, but we got on, and once we did everything was fine.
We got to spend 2 weeks at Mom and Dads!! We got to see about everyone we wanted to see, although not for nearly long enough. I wish we could have seen you all at least twice, unfortunately we got to see almost everyone only once... and there's not so many pictures.
Taraka and Tucker we had so much fun at the park. I hope the wedding was fabulous, sorry we didn't get to come play on your new trampoline!
Sondra and Kai - it was so fun visiting. A whole day, bounce house and water blasters included, and no pictures... pathetic!
GG and Papa Choo Choo, I hope you had a fun trip. GG, Coeur d'Alene was great, as usual! Thanks for everything.
My big brother... I am so sad we didn't even get to say goodbye :0(. I did get one picture out of your family.....
I'm glad the girls got to spend some time together though... again... 2 full days... no pictures! WHAT'S MY PROBLEM!?!
The trip wasn't all lost though...
Naunie and Papa Tex - thank you for the fun gifts! I'm glad Naunie went to Coeur d'Alene with us too. Thank you for everything as well!
Taraka and Tucker we had so much fun at the park. I hope the wedding was fabulous, sorry we didn't get to come play on your new trampoline!
Sondra and Kai - it was so fun visiting. A whole day, bounce house and water blasters included, and no pictures... pathetic!
GG and Papa Choo Choo, I hope you had a fun trip. GG, Coeur d'Alene was great, as usual! Thanks for everything.
My big brother... I am so sad we didn't even get to say goodbye :0(. I did get one picture out of your family.....
I'm glad the girls got to spend some time together though... again... 2 full days... no pictures! WHAT'S MY PROBLEM!?!The trip wasn't all lost though...
Naunie and Papa Tex - thank you for the fun gifts! I'm glad Naunie went to Coeur d'Alene with us too. Thank you for everything as well!
Mother nature at its best. We watched these baby birds being taken care of by their mama for a few days, then off they went... good luck little birdies!
Ashlyn got to spend a day with Leesa... no pictures... hey Lees can you help me out with that??
Then a day with Gramma Shawn and another with Craig as well.
We also got to go out on Papa's boat. Papa and Ashlyn BOTH jumped off the back... and our little Kailey Lou jumped off the side. Woo Hoo!!! Nope... no pictures. All 3 of the kids even got to drive the boat!
We got to visit with Harley and Jordan and Pammy. CJ took all the kids for a drive on the golf cart too. Apparently Harley, being the great go-cart driver he is, almost hit a mailbox, Ashlyn almost hit Harley, Jordan was having problems keeping it on the road, Kailey couldn't even keep it on the right side of the road, and Canyon somehow with all those mishaps, was still dubbed "craziest diver of all"! I made an attempt at a picture while they were there, but Pam... I'm depending on you!
And we had a nice visit with Nita (aka Nina)
So, our plan was that the kids and I would stay a couple of weeks, and since CJ had to work and couldn't come along, Dad would drive us home and fly back to Spokane. A couple of days before we were supposed to leave, some hair-brained, big shot attorney ran a red light and hit Mom. She was ok, she got pretty bruised up, but thankfully not worse... although her car was totalled. This unfortunate event allowed for a couple of things... 1) CJ decided he would use Dads ticket to fly up, and drive us home and 2) I got to see Shandi!! We had a nice breakfast... but once again, no proof of our reunion.
Since he just HAD to be here anyway, CJ was able to discover one of life's true blisses... salmon fishing! He arrived on Saturday, and headed out to Wenatchee with Dad that night for a full day of fishing on Sunday... and then a little more on Monday. After learning that the bowling ball thing was actually called a down rigger, peeing off the boat (oh, maybe I'm not supposed to share that), and making an... arse (works a little better than the original word).. out of himself by using the completely wrong technique and losing "the big one"... he did have some prizes to show for it.
Ok, Ok so those weren't them... these are them...
Oh come on, you know as a child you did it too!
Lexi came and played a couple of days... and this was the only picture I got!
The girls showed off some new clothes
And... we all had FUN, FUN, FUN
(no, its not Dads)
We had LOTS of fun, did LOTS of shopping - the kids got all their school shopping taken care of... thanks Grammy and Papa, and Mom and I had a full day out... without kids at the Coeur d'Alene street fair. We can't wait to do it again next year (so I can actually make use of my camera). Grammy and Papa we owe you a million thanks. We REALLY did have an awesome time!
We love you!On the way home we stopped by Grammy JoJo and Grampy Stevie's for a night.
Kailey found a bird nest in the garden
where they also picked and ate raspberries... YUMMY!
And the kids and Grandma cleaned and played on the trampoline and the hammock
than Jessie gave the girls make overs
A good night sleep and we were off!... Eventually. I forgot my insulin at Mom and Dads so we had to stop by the cab office and pick that up. Then by the time we did that and got on the road we were hungry again, so we stopped at a truck stop in Post Falls, gassed up, got a snack, and realized we didn't have car sick medicine for Ash, so I ran back in and grabbed that. Then we decided that it would probably be best if all the kids could be in the seat the farthest back, so they could watch movies and it wouldn't be so loud for us up front... so we had to do some rearranging and move Canyons seat to the back. Then we realized we didn't have any ice in the cooler so I had to run back in for that. After close to an hour WE WERE OFF. Really!
Once we were really, truly on the road we realized it would be stupid to try to make the drive in one day... after all it was mid morning at this point. So we got to Kellogg and CJ decided we should take the gondola up Silver Mountain.
It really is beautiful up there. Since we were up there, we decided why not take the chair lifts all the way to the top. Amazingly enough only Ashlyn was a little jittery... ok, me too, but we got on, and once we did everything was fine.
Now the decision was "how far do we go?". We probably didn't answer the question properly because we decided to take a SMALL detour... through Yellowstone. It was worth it because we ended up seeing some elk
geysers
including Old Faithful
and buffalo
We eventually made it home, all in one piece, all be it, totally exhausted - no worse for the wear. But we're happy we did it - with the exception of a couple tired Mommy and Daddy arguments... it all just makes us stronger... right?!?!?! I would say that, overall... and besides Mom getting hurt... this was the best vacation ever!
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