Kipper the dog

My two oldest would never own up to it, so don't ask them, but my kids all LOVE Kipper the dog. It makes me happy that deep down in their hearts they are sastisfied with the simple things of life. To me Kipper represents someone who is happy with who he is and what he has. Someone who tries to make the best of every day. Someone who loves to learn and laugh. He is a devoted friend, a caring dog, and always tries to do what is right. It makes me SO happy that all my children connect with this and enjoy watching. I hope that much of what Kipper teaches sinks deep down into their hearts. I hope they are never afraid to admit that they love good and truth and God.
I also thought I'd post an update about Scott. His scars look better every day, and he gets back more energy everyday. He is carefully weaning himself off of his pain meds. He has a follow up appointment with the Oncologist on Thursday, and we'll see what he says. For those of you who follow this blog and didn't receive and email or text, we have great news! The doctor's office called us to say that they biopsy of the lymph nod was clean, and it looked like the doctor got all of the cancer! We are so grateful to God and to all of you who have added your strength and your prayers to our trial. If we could, we'd like to request your continued prayers that he will heal quickly and well and that the cancer will not return. We love you all!

Battle Scar--this next post is not for the squeamish!

Here is my poor Scottie's face, marred by surgery. The cancer was a lot bigger than I thought, much bigger than the mole on the outside of his face. Poor baby! When they let me back to see him, he was pale white and his cheek was still pulsating from the trauma. His blood was all rushing to fix the problem. I almost fainted three times looking at him. Poor baby! The doctor is confident that he got out all of the cancer. Now all that remains is to biopsy the lymph nod they removed (that is the lower straight line on his neck) and hopefully that will come back negative for cancer and all will be well! We appreciate all your kind thoughts, fasting and prayers. We love you all and have felt your strength and love through this!

Happy (early) Birthday Ben!

We celebrated Ben's birthday today because Scott is going into an outpatient surgery on Tuesday to have a cancerous mole removed from his cheek. We appreciate all prayers in his behalf on Tuesday. As a result, we decided to celebrate Ben's birthday a couple of days early. He requested a "giant cookie cake". So I made a pan full of blondies, which were delish! I've never tried them before but I have now fallen in love. They are basically giant caramel squares with chocolate chips in them. How could you go wrong? Delightful. Anyway, back to the birthday fun~
He got a present from his sister Julia which was an interesting assortment of all the odds and ends she could find in her room that she didn't want anymore. Included items were: a blue lego, a cheap notebook, a new pencil, an old pencil, several pieces of her Halloween candy that she didn't want, a plastic horse toy, a used eraser...You get the picture. I guess it's the thought that counts?
Here's his new flannel blankie.
And taking a page out of the wisdom of the book of my parents we purchased Ben his very own basketball hoop like they did for Ryan when Julia was born. That was the best $20 dollars they ever spent on anything, Ryan got so much use out of it and loved it SO much, and we're already on that path for Ben. We spent a little more than $20, but he loves it and has spent all evening shooting hoops. Even the older kids spent a good hour playing hoops with him. The legacy lives on!

Halloween costumes

Ryan, as Harry Potter. Probably the coolest part of his costume was the lighting shaped scar I drew on with some of my eyeshadow. In every other way he was shafted. He wore his Sunday pants and shirt, we safety pinned a yard of black fabric around him for a cloak, sadly his glasses were already taped because he lost a screw, he already had the appropriate hair, and I handed him a chopstick for a wand. Poor guy, but he got plenty of candy and didn't seem to feel bothered by the inadequateness of his costume.
I sewed this pioneer, dress, bonnet and apron for Julie. She loved it and also came home with a lot of candy.
I sewed this poodle skirt for Emmy.
Ben decided that he wanted to be the well-loved and falling apart Jaguar costume that my mom sewed for my brother Derek MANY moons ago. He looked super cute in it, but as you can see it barely fit him. He is a rather large boy. My dad always says to Ben when he's here visiting, "How do you get so big eating food of this kind?" It is a valid question, he doesn't eat very well at all and yet he is gianormous!

Halloween costumes take 2

Hadley as Marie Antoinette. I tried to teach her to say, "Let them eat cake." But it didn't happen. When she is misbehaving I have taken to calling her Hadley Jean Marie Antoinette Chrysanthemum ...adding appropriate names for as long as I can go on. It helps me calm down a bit before I take care of business. She is a lot like that infamous queen of France. She's quite sure that her way is the only acceptable solution to every problem.
All the kids together.

Random cuteness

Hadley has taken quite a fancy to the new disney movie "Bolt". She wants to watch it all day long. I caught her looking extra cute while watching her new favorite.
I also snagged a photo of the four youngest playing together like super cuties in the hallway.
Hadley and Ben wrestling on the couch.
I caught Haddie and Emma reading together on the stairs. Super duper cuteness!

The weirdest bug I have ever seen

Funniness

Things are pretty busy at our house, like I'm sure they are at all of your houses too. It's that time of year, busy, busy, busy. I now have 21 piano students and am caring for a 2 month old baby from 8 to 3. We are trying desperately not to get sick (especially with that tiny baby around I would feel SO guilty if she got sick), to keep on top of homework for three full-time elementary students, to keep our house at least somewhat clean and to try to have some enjoyable time as a family. There seems to be time for very little else. And if any of you know how to get that disgusting urine smell out of mattresses please fill me in, I'm dying over here!

Day 9

This is probably the last gratitude post that I will put up on my blog. I plan to write it in Word Perfect from now on, but I really appreciate the comments. It's great to have friends that love me.
Today I am grateful for our ability to choose what our attitude will be.
I'm still trying to convince my kids that if you think you're going to have a bad day, you will. And if you think you're going to have a good day, you will. They still aren't buying it. Even though I fully accept the logic behind that, and know it to be true, I have good and bad days at deciding to be positive, cheerful and upbeat.
It's so uplifting to be around someone who sees the world and everything in it as basically good. And it's so hard to be around someone who is pessimistic all the time. I tend to lean toward the latter, and so I have been striving this week to correct that. It's amazing how powerful our minds and our thoughts are. It may sound a bit like brainwashing myself, but I've been getting up and telling myself, "Today is going to be a great day. I'm happy to be alive. I am truly blessed. My kids are the most amazing people I know and I'm lucky to be their mother." It sounds a little bit silly, but my days are better days, and I am happier, calmer and more at peace.
So, today I am grateful for a positive attitude.

Day 8

Some of you know that for a couple of weeks now I have had the opportunity to watch my back-door neighbor's seven week old baby. It has been nothing if not a challenge. It always amazes me how one forgets so quickly what it is like to have a new baby in the house. Babies are SO demanding of time, attention, emotional support, and you are just always holding them. My muscles are very sore. She didn't come today because her mommy was able to take a paperwork day at home and so today I am grateful for...

quiet.

With the baby not here it was amazingly quiet. And she's a very good little baby. Crying is just their only means of communication. So today it was just Hadley and Benjamin and me, and boy was it quiet today. I loved having a clear head to have actual connected thoughts. I loved the opportunity to listen to the still small voice. In some ways, quiet can be much more soothing and beautiful than the most wonderful music. Quiet is restful and secure. I loved my quiet day and I am thankful that there is such a thing as quiet.

Day 7

I have to say today, that I married extremely well, and I am grateful for my sweet husband every single day. I guess that it is circumstances that have moved him to the forefront of my mind. For the last several years Scott has had this funky mole on his face. I've told him several times I thought that he should go and have it checked out. Of course, my suggestion was "silly". It wasn't until his recent trip to California when all of his brothers asked what that thing on his face was, that he agreed with me. He went in today to have it checked out. The nurse practitioner could not tell. She ended up doing a biopsy and we will have the results next week.
Hopefully, it's nothing major, but I can't help but think how my life would be SO different, and SO bleak without him. He is one of my greatest blessings, my biggest fan, my lifetime love, my best friend.
I knew after our first date, which he was 2 1/2 hours late to, that he was the one. When I am around him I want to be the best person I can be. Thanks honey for all you do for me and our family!