Random...

Just some real quick, random thoughts.

I've taken some pics with my little camera but cannot post them yet because of the whole cord issue. {# 764 on my list} I'll figure something out soon, like placing the card in my printer so that I can load them on my computer at home. From there I can email them to myself and open them here. Whatever.

The header is a bit...I dunno. I had awesome thoughts of what the finished product would like like but, for some reason, once I use Photoshop my pics using CS3 the pics all turn out blurry. Thank you, Jennie, for the super sweet compliment. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

For Jen, the little ones in the picture are, from front to back, Alli, Andrew and Kyle. This was taken on Mother's Day back at our pond. Andrew was wearing his raccoon hat we bought him in Traverse City back in '02. Funny, this year is the first year the hat was ever anything to either of the boys. Andrew wore it to school for hat day and wore it almost nonstop for a week. Good purchase. Glad I kept it. Kyle was wearing his infamous Cars rain boots. he looked like such a dork in his red rain boots and orange and blue plaid shorts. Ah, but he's my dork.

Pretty Cap...

Yesterday, little miss Sammi went in for her surgery. She had a port inserted in her chest for the chemo and also had a bone marrow biopsy done. I hear she was really giddy prior to going under. Not because of the surgery, but because of the meds. Everything went well during surgery. I do not know when the bone marrow results will be back. Hopefully soon. I believe Sam started a round of chemo last night. Nothing like gettin' 'em while they're down, eh? Unsure if she stayed in the hospital overnight. It depended on how she was feeling. I know there's no place like home, but, geesh, after all that, I'd probably stay just to be taken care of by the pros.

Ain't she cute?

Still waiting for a cute pic of Samantha modeling her new, fancy wig. {hint, hint} Will post more when I get more. Please keep her in yo' prayers. {couldn't resist...for Jennie. Small things sometimes give me great pleasure}

Love...

I heart Mother's Day. I really, really do. I have 3 favorite holidays. Selfishly I'll start with my birthday. It is the one and only day of the year that is 100% all about me. In theory. In reality, well, I'll keep the painted picture out there so as not to ruin the thought. Christmas, for obvious reasons, is another favorite. Everything family. Everything love. Everything hopeful, happy, and believable. {used this way for the sake of the sentence} Last, but nowhere near least, is Mother's Day. Again, I suppose this is an obvious.

I am seriously blessed to have children that, despite their everyday, sometimes rather odd behavior, on Mother's Day are the most angelic, loving, best behaved little men in the universe. Yes, the universe. The other 364 days each year I wonder if my boys really get that I love them when it seems I am always on their butts. This one day each year, I know they get it because of the wondrous love I receive from them, both outwardly and with gifts.

As with most moms, my best gifts have always been homemade. This year...not one single exception. I was doubly lucky to have Kyle at two different daycares last week because I received two gifts from him. {selfish, aren't I?} One was a little picture made entirely with Kyle's body parts. {hands, arms, fingertips-or maybe legs instead} Aw, darn...I just realized I didn't attach a photo of my awesome card he made me...

This saying is attached to the flower pic. Sappy, I admit, but I cried reading it as if Kyle penned the words himself...

Caleb was so excited to give me the present he made as well. I love that even at the 5th grade level, the last grade before junior high, his teacher set this up for the class. I felt bad opening it, or rather trying to open it. The flowers are removable and are coupons for random things. He accidentally glued them to the pot. I didn't want him to know...

Andrew hesitated coming out for breakfast. I didn't think much of it until I saw his face as he finally entered the kitchen. All it took for him to break down was me asking him what was wrong. He started to cry, saying he didn't have anything for me for Mother's Day. Oh. My. Goodness. Heartbreaking. Andrew has made me rings, necklaces, frames, a 3-D family portrait {that one was tricky}...he was so upset that he had nothing for me. Prior to Sunday, he kept dropping hints about the cost of necklaces and earrings and such. I pretty much ignored the whole business. I think he was waiting for Keith to take him shopping because he has done that in the past. {who can resist a patriotic beanie baby elephant??} Andrew didn't know that I told Keith to hold off because I think I may want a new bike but we need to find the time to shop for one. Anyway, I grabbed Andrew tight and told him not to worry. Having them is the best gift in the world. I don't remember who's idea it was, but he grabbed some stuff, ran to his room, shut the door and told me not to come in. Awhile later I walked passed his door and I bent over to pick something up that looked like it had been dropped. It was a piece of paper Andrew had slid under the door stating, "DO NOT DISTURB."

Sunday morning was crazy because we were doing last minute things before church for the party later that day. Andrew told me he was done with my present and handed me a piece of paper and told me he planned a scavenger hunt for me. {yup, he's pretty great.} I didn't have a speck of time so I asked him if it was okay to wait until after church. He was fine with it. Minutes later, Keith came up to me...

Keith: Did you looove Andrew's card?

Me: I haven't seen it yet so don't tell me about it.

Keith: Oh, okay, well he's going to be your favorite today. {as he's picking up a strip of paper from the counter, crinkling it up.}

Me:Oh, don't...Andrew set this up as a scavenger hunt.

Keith: Oh, damn...{as he uncrinkled the paper, headed to the garbage and pulls out a couple pieces of paper} I didn't know. I thought Andrew just left scraps lying around.

I received a book...

{feel the love...}

{not sure why he cut this page so close...this is about our date}
{he thinks I was nice to buy him cookies...does that make me sound mean,

like I never do anything nice? He just knows that I believe that junk is a rip- off

and causes cavities ;)}

Um, yes, I was crying. I have every single card, letter, homework assignment, daycare craft...every single thing I've ever received for Mother's Day. And don't think for one moment that I don't pull it all out occasionally for a good cry and smile.

I heart Mother's Day. I heart my boys. I am so very blessed to have them in my life. They are sweet, giving, kind, loving and at least ten trillion other things. I had an awesome Mother's Day. Thank you Caleb, and Andrew and Kyle. Without the three of you, I wouldn't be me.

An Offering From Keith...

Hello Wig...

"Today, Sammi got her new wig. She looks terrific in it! As her mother, I wasn't sure if she would like anything but her natural hair, however, once again, she amazed me!!! It's SO real looking and she is thrilled! She likes it because its longer than what hers was and its nice to have something on her head because her little head got cold! We are very happy for our Sammi.
She had some lab work done today, and the results were very good. She also had a chest x-ray and the doctor showed us the picture of the first one compared to today's. We were thrilled to actually see a HUGE change! The tumor has shrunk immeasurably! That is good! But on the downside, next Tuesday she will be back in surgery for a bone marrow biopsy and a port installed in her chest which will access her chemo instead of the PICC line in her arm. She may be in the hospital for 3 days depending how she does. During that time she will also have chemotherapy treatments. So next week will be not too much fun... But she's a toughy and always loves getting text messages!!!"

Samantha go her wig yesterday and apparently loves it. I haven't seen a picture yet, but I'm sure she is thrilled with it because although she initially had a hard time with the thought of losing her hair, it was to the point where, as it started falling out, it became very dry and brittle. She ended up not having the connection o it that she thought she would have. It was actually quite a surprise to me since, as of Sunday, she was coloring it purple on Monday. She didn't want to wake up in the morning with her hair on her pillow so she figured purple hair would look like someone else's. Instead, Monday she shaved it all off. Remarkable.

I know the fam is a bit nervous about Sam's surgery next week, but I think it is great because it means things are moving along lovely. Sam has had the PICC line in from the beginning because of the size of the first tumor and the close proximity to her heart. Knowing she is getting a port in her chest means she is kicking this cancer's butt! Way to go, Sammi.

Yes...

Today is the day. Don't forget to vote YES for the Whitehall bond issue. Unfortunately, many people have been misinformed regarding the issue. We aren't asking voters to approve a 22million dollar football complex. The athletic complex is in addition to the many other important upgrades our district needs, including new buses, new roofing, upgraded parking lots, new security systems, safe facilities for our athletes, a means to be able to make money at sporting events, updated kitchen equipment, {original to one of the buildings} bathroom facilities for all sport spectators, a way for our younger athletes to get home from practice at a reasonable hour, upgraded computers and technology, {should be at top of list} a means for the community to have a space for extra curricular activities of all sorts, and a host of other things I forgot to mention. Taxes will not increase! I realize this is a tough time for everyone but our children deserve the best we can give them. This doesn't even touch on school pride for our children. Enough said.

VOTE YES TODAY, TUESDAY MAY 5.