If you'd like a chance to WIN my newest kit HOKEY POKEY
I'll pick a WINNER or TWO on MONDAY, June 28th!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Shocking News & a little Hokey Pokey
For those who haven't heard yet, my Mom had been really sick all last week and my Dad finally took her to the ER last Thursday night because she couldn't hardly breathe and was coughing like crazy. Turns out she has pneumonia and they drained a LOT of icky yellow fluid out of her right lung and put her on antibiotics. So, with that she's feeling a little better now.
However, it doesn't end there. She has had a lump in her breast & hadn't seen a doctor about it. I have known about this for a while. My Dad and I have tried to convince her to get it checked out. She's so stubborn. Well, now that she's in the hospital, they have discovered she's in the advanced stages of breast cancer. It has spread to her lymph nodes in both armpits and may be in her right lung (or could be part of her infection).
They have done a full body scan, biopsy and bone scan. The bone scan results came back clear. YAY!!! A little bit of good news! Still waiting on the other results. She is optimistic and really likes her team of doctors. They want to start chemotherapy as soon as they get all the test results. She will be in the hospital a couple more days. We are all hanging in there and doing fine. We've all visited her a bunch of times, I even took the kids a couple times (we had to meet her in the lobby of her floor since the kids are under 12). She's excited to have her family near and enjoys receiving phone calls from friends and family.
We were still able to celebrate Father's Day this weekend. My Sister and I took my Dad to a movie of his choice. He chose UP in 3D. It was SO CUTE!!!! We all loved it :)
After the movie, we took the kids to McDonald's for a late lunch and then went to visit my Mom at the hospital again.
My sister, Dad, and ME
However, it doesn't end there. She has had a lump in her breast & hadn't seen a doctor about it. I have known about this for a while. My Dad and I have tried to convince her to get it checked out. She's so stubborn. Well, now that she's in the hospital, they have discovered she's in the advanced stages of breast cancer. It has spread to her lymph nodes in both armpits and may be in her right lung (or could be part of her infection).
They have done a full body scan, biopsy and bone scan. The bone scan results came back clear. YAY!!! A little bit of good news! Still waiting on the other results. She is optimistic and really likes her team of doctors. They want to start chemotherapy as soon as they get all the test results. She will be in the hospital a couple more days. We are all hanging in there and doing fine. We've all visited her a bunch of times, I even took the kids a couple times (we had to meet her in the lobby of her floor since the kids are under 12). She's excited to have her family near and enjoys receiving phone calls from friends and family.
We were still able to celebrate Father's Day this weekend. My Sister and I took my Dad to a movie of his choice. He chose UP in 3D. It was SO CUTE!!!! We all loved it :)
After the movie, we took the kids to McDonald's for a late lunch and then went to visit my Mom at the hospital again.
My sister, Dad, and MEWe always have a FUN time when we're with our Dad! He's an amazing Dad and he's always been there supporting and encouraging me! Thanks Dad - you're the BEST!!
The kids enjoyed shouting "Happy Father's Day!!!" to Ben several times Sunday morning!
They love their Dad so much!! Ben is such a wonderful father & husband!! We hit the jackpot with him :)
I also invited my Dad and sister over for dinner Sunday evening. We had a good time together. Then my Dad, Ben and I visited my Mom at the hospital (w/o the kids).
Oh my goodness! We were all laughing for hours! The nurses must've thought we were all nuts! We finally left around midnight. Under the circumstances, it's been a good weekend.
Now I've been doing laundry most of the day so we can pack. We're going to Utah for a few days for Ben's family reunion. It's more like a sibling reunion rather than huge extended family one. We're excited to see everyone. Not looking forward to the drive, but there's no way around that.
On to some more exciting news! Well exciting for me. I have finally finished a new kit!!! It's taken me a while, but I had fun creating this one.
HOKEY POKEY SAVE 25% 
And the Solid Papers
I took a little time {in between doing laundry} and made a layout with the kit!
They love their Dad so much!! Ben is such a wonderful father & husband!! We hit the jackpot with him :)I also invited my Dad and sister over for dinner Sunday evening. We had a good time together. Then my Dad, Ben and I visited my Mom at the hospital (w/o the kids).
Oh my goodness! We were all laughing for hours! The nurses must've thought we were all nuts! We finally left around midnight. Under the circumstances, it's been a good weekend.We all really appreciate all the warm thoughts and prayers everyone has been sending our way!
Now I've been doing laundry most of the day so we can pack. We're going to Utah for a few days for Ben's family reunion. It's more like a sibling reunion rather than huge extended family one. We're excited to see everyone. Not looking forward to the drive, but there's no way around that.
On to some more exciting news! Well exciting for me. I have finally finished a new kit!!! It's taken me a while, but I had fun creating this one.
HOKEY POKEY SAVE 25% Somehow I got this silly song in my head, so that's how it got it's name:
You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out.
You put your right foot in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
You put your right foot in, and you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
You singing with me yet? hahaha
That song is fun and quirky, just like this kit!
There are lots of fun pattern papers with birdies, gems, glitter, strings, swirls and flowers to play with.
17 Papers and 52 Elements (not all shown)
Here's a better look at the pattern papers
That song is fun and quirky, just like this kit!
There are lots of fun pattern papers with birdies, gems, glitter, strings, swirls and flowers to play with.
17 Papers and 52 Elements (not all shown)
Here's a better look at the pattern papers
And the Solid Papers
I took a little time {in between doing laundry} and made a layout with the kit!I also used my Deck the Halls Alpha.
It's for the DSO Template Challenge.
These pics are from Easter this year. I just love their matching dresses and so do they! They look so beautiful! I can't believe how big they're getting.
It's for the DSO Template Challenge.
These pics are from Easter this year. I just love their matching dresses and so do they! They look so beautiful! I can't believe how big they're getting. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Dad will NEVER say...
Top Ten Things You'll Never Hear a Dad Say
10. Well, how 'bout that?... I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions.
9. You know Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?
8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain "up yours" attitude ... I like that.
7. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car -- GO CRAZY.
6. What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating not good enough for you, son?
5. Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend ... you might want to consider throwing a party.
4. Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies -- you know -- that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.
3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring -- now quit your belly-aching, and let's go to the mall.
2. Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.
1. Father's Day? aahh -- don't worry about that -- it's no big deal.
10. Well, how 'bout that?... I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions.
9. You know Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?
8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain "up yours" attitude ... I like that.
7. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car -- GO CRAZY.
6. What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating not good enough for you, son?
5. Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend ... you might want to consider throwing a party.
4. Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies -- you know -- that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.
3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring -- now quit your belly-aching, and let's go to the mall.
2. Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.
1. Father's Day? aahh -- don't worry about that -- it's no big deal.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I'm still here...
My poor bloggy has been so neglected this last month :(
I just wanted to check in and let you know we're all enjoying our summer break with the kids home. I have been using a point/reward system and it's working fabulously!!!
I reward *points* {they're really pennies - not allowed to be used as money per say} for certain things the kids do or how they behave. I never take points away once they've been earned. At the end of the day or the next morning, then I hand out the points. Each kiddo has a container with their name on it.
Then they get to *use* their points for fun things like xbox time, computer time, candy from the grab bag, sleepovers, etc.
When I first came up with this idea 2 summers ago, Ben called me Hitler. hahaha Said I was being too strict or whatever. But you know what? When I first mentioned it to the kids they were excited! Then when we put it in action, oh my gosh, they were ecstatic!!!
The kids. Love. The. Points!
I can see why Ben may have thought the points were too much because the kids have to do workbooks {to review their school year}, read books, do book reports, chores, and actually behave the way they're supposed to. And they're not allowed to *use* points until they've done a couple *work* type things, like their workbook and reading time. But they dig it & its totally working for us! YAY!!!
I only do points during the summer to maintain some kind of order {I am not a schedule person, I LOVE not having a schedule and get to plan whatever I want to do each day}. You know what's funny? A couple months before school was over, the kids start asking about summer points! Are we going to do points again this summer? Can we add more things to the list to earn more points? What kind of grab bag candy will we have this year? Can we help pick it out? etc etc!
What kind of system do YOU use in the summer? Or do you have something else that's working for you?
Do share.
Ok 'nuff about that. I need to get to bed. Sounds like the girls (Ashley & her friend that's spending the night) are finally quieting down. My clue that I can go to bed now. LOL Did your Mom ever tell you that she couldn't go to bed until YOU were in bed? My Mom did all the time, now I kinda get what she meant. tee heee :)
Tomorrow - going to lunch with my sis & cousins! WOOHOOOO!!! I look forward to these each month!
Friday - bunko with the girls!!! YAY!!! Can't wait!!!
Oh one more thing... do you remember this post about our cool praying mantis?
Well, she laid an egg sac on Halloween night last year. We looked online to find out when it may hatch. Turns out we'd have to wait until spring! Well spring came and went - according to Arizona weather. So we didn't think anything would happen with it. Suddenly, little praying mantis babies started hatching earlier this month! We had about 10 (approx one hatching per day). Nathaniel was so excited and such a good bug papa by feeding them little tiny bugs and aphids (they're favorite), but then some of them started dying. I guess nature weeding out the weakest ones. So now there are 2 left and they're growing every day! They are so cute!!! I'll post pics later.
I seriously need to go to bed. Ok I've updated my pathetic lonely blog. Hopefully I'll be back soon to update more!
I just wanted to check in and let you know we're all enjoying our summer break with the kids home. I have been using a point/reward system and it's working fabulously!!!
I reward *points* {they're really pennies - not allowed to be used as money per say} for certain things the kids do or how they behave. I never take points away once they've been earned. At the end of the day or the next morning, then I hand out the points. Each kiddo has a container with their name on it.
Then they get to *use* their points for fun things like xbox time, computer time, candy from the grab bag, sleepovers, etc.
When I first came up with this idea 2 summers ago, Ben called me Hitler. hahaha Said I was being too strict or whatever. But you know what? When I first mentioned it to the kids they were excited! Then when we put it in action, oh my gosh, they were ecstatic!!!
The kids. Love. The. Points!
I can see why Ben may have thought the points were too much because the kids have to do workbooks {to review their school year}, read books, do book reports, chores, and actually behave the way they're supposed to. And they're not allowed to *use* points until they've done a couple *work* type things, like their workbook and reading time. But they dig it & its totally working for us! YAY!!!
I only do points during the summer to maintain some kind of order {I am not a schedule person, I LOVE not having a schedule and get to plan whatever I want to do each day}. You know what's funny? A couple months before school was over, the kids start asking about summer points! Are we going to do points again this summer? Can we add more things to the list to earn more points? What kind of grab bag candy will we have this year? Can we help pick it out? etc etc!
What kind of system do YOU use in the summer? Or do you have something else that's working for you?
Do share.
Ok 'nuff about that. I need to get to bed. Sounds like the girls (Ashley & her friend that's spending the night) are finally quieting down. My clue that I can go to bed now. LOL Did your Mom ever tell you that she couldn't go to bed until YOU were in bed? My Mom did all the time, now I kinda get what she meant. tee heee :)
Tomorrow - going to lunch with my sis & cousins! WOOHOOOO!!! I look forward to these each month!
Friday - bunko with the girls!!! YAY!!! Can't wait!!!
Oh one more thing... do you remember this post about our cool praying mantis?
Well, she laid an egg sac on Halloween night last year. We looked online to find out when it may hatch. Turns out we'd have to wait until spring! Well spring came and went - according to Arizona weather. So we didn't think anything would happen with it. Suddenly, little praying mantis babies started hatching earlier this month! We had about 10 (approx one hatching per day). Nathaniel was so excited and such a good bug papa by feeding them little tiny bugs and aphids (they're favorite), but then some of them started dying. I guess nature weeding out the weakest ones. So now there are 2 left and they're growing every day! They are so cute!!! I'll post pics later.
I seriously need to go to bed. Ok I've updated my pathetic lonely blog. Hopefully I'll be back soon to update more!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Katie Brown Celebrates Cookbook Giveaway
In KATIE BROWN CELEBRATES, Katie gives readers a reason to host a party every month of the year. From a festive New Year's Eve dinner to a lavish Christmas brunch, from the perfect child's birthday party to a down-home family reunion, readers will delight in Katie's signature approach to making any celebration simply wonderful. With delicious recipes, straightforward craft projects, and tips for casual entertaining, Katie shows how any host can make a delicious meal and create gorgeous ambiance without the hassle. KATIE BROWN CELEBRATES is a must-have for anyone who ever gives--or has ever thought of giving--a party. Do you want to WIN this great book?
Go HERE to enter! Good Luck :)
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