Christmas in March

We got an early Christmas present - good news about my mom. Her MRI showed that the tumor has shrunk almost in half. Go ahead and scream or dance or whatever you need to do. I certainly did. She had it done last Thursday and we were on pins and needles all weekend. Not a lot of sleep between us all but it paid off. We actually could have found out on Friday but lines got crossed and messages missed. Good thing it worked out the way we wanted. The plan is to go ahead with chemo for 3 more rounds and see how much more it will shrink. I guess it isn't so much a Christmas present, just prayers being answered. Thanks to everyone for praying and supporting. Keep them coming!!

Potty Training and Twilight

It's that time. Yup - time to potty train Natalie. I really wasn't too worried about it because I've heard how easy girls are and already having two boys, well it was supposed to be a walk in the park. Wo unto me..... this is torture. Whoever said girls are easier didn't calculate Natalie into the picture. She is the most stubborn, bull headed little girl on the planet. All kidding aside, she is testing me. It's a good thing she is my last because I won't win this battle anytime soon. She would rather put her "babies" on the potty. I keep reminding myself, during fits of rage in which she throws her panties at me and runs to get a diaper, that she is my only girl and I do love her.

This counts, right!!

Now to the best thing to happen in a long time. A little background first - Braxton hated Twilight. He couldn't figure out why I was so coo-coo crazy over some movie. The main reason for his extreme dislike of it is because there was a girl in it. Well, I got the movie on Saturday and we watched it that night. Dylan has been wanting to see it for some time now and I was reluctant. So I broke down and let them watch it. It started out with just Dylan and I and ever so slowly Braxton came in, sat down and started watching. Before I knew it he was laughing and asked me to replay the baseball scene. He was hooked. We have since watched it everyday, as per his request. When we go to run errands he insists on listening to the songs that I have on my ipod and get this...he knows what songs go to what part of the movie. Yes, he loves it now. He can't wait until New Moon comes out. Dylan likes it also, just not quite as much as Braxton and I. It has been my saving grace during potty training time.

Brax and Nati getting ready for our morning view of Twilight.

His new favorite show!!!

Happy Birthday Jason!

As we were leaving for dinner.

Dinner at Sizzler!

Blowing out the Scooby-Doo candle on his cake.

It was Jason's birthday yesterday. We went out to eat with his parents and Jesse Saturday night and had some family over last night for cake & ice cream. Then at 8 p.m. I had to ditch him for a YW meeting. Good thing he likes me and was ok with putting the kids to bed by himself on his birthday. He is such a good husband and father. I don't know how I would make it without him. Thanks for being so great honey! Happy Birthday!!!

Good times at our house!!

We have had a crazy couple of weeks so I am way behind on posting. I'll try to narrow it all down to just the basics to keep things short, sweet & to the point.

- Not a great story. I am just so excited that my bulbs are coming out. Maybe spring will come soon. Yeah! I am dying to go for walks with the kids after dinner.



- My Braxton. He is getting so big and needed a new church outfit. We went to the mall last week to find something and he had to have the one that big boys wear. Doesn't he look so cute? He collects ties. Some are quite interesting but he loves to dress up so I just go along with it.

- Dylan just finished up basketball season. He hasn't ever played before and had a great time. He got right in there and gave it all he had. He even made a couple of baskets and is excited to play again next year. We are so proud of him for trying so hard and being a good sport. I have other pictures of him playing but they are on the other camera. Yes, I got a new one. It's great, I'm just trying to figure everything out on it.

- Jason's truck broke down last week. The fuel pump went out. So amazing husband that I have, he ordered the part and fixed it himself. The only problem was that I was out of a parking spot in the garage for the week. We are grateful that his parents let him drive their spare vehicle until his was fixed. He finished it on Saturday, yeah!!! I have my spot again.
- Natalie got RSV two weeks ago. She was a mama's girl for the weekend. She is fine now and back to her sassy self. Let's hope we are coming out of the season for all that.

4th - I have a new calling in church.... Beehive Adviser. I am so excited and ready for a change. I was the Enrichment Leader for two years. Major plus for the new calling, I get to work with Shavon who is the Beehive Counselor. Good times ahead. I haven't done YW before and can't wait to have fun with the girls.

Well, you made it. Those are the hilights. On a side note - I have had a couple people ask how my mom is doing so here is an update. I know I have talked a lot about her so please bear with me. She had her third treatment this last Thursday. Things didn't go as well as before. There hasn't been a big enough change in the tumor. She has to have another MRI next week to get exact pictures. The doctor can then decide to either take what he can out or change her chemo. We don't know what will happen but are trying to be hopeful that the little feelers have pulled back some. It's been a hard weekend for her. I have been able to take her to the last two treatments and I just have to say that it is so humbling. Cancer affects so many people. There are some great stories out there of hope and survival. We are holding onto those stories. The hardest part for me came on Thursday. I saw for the very first time the look of defeat on my moms face. She has always been a "glass is half full" type of person. I never thought in a million years that we would be doing this. This road is the hardest I have ever had to walk but I will do it and try my hardest to keep her spirits up. She is a great lady and I hope that 6 months from now we can breath a little easier and smile a little more. Thanks for reading and keeping me smiling with your great stories.

Tagged

I haven't been tagged for anything in a while so I guess it's my turn. This is the 4th picture in my 4th folder. I made it just in time because Jason has been backing all the pictures up on a cd. You have seen it before. It is a picture of the EW magazine that my brother sent to me from his clinic. Obviously back in my Twilight Madness phase. I still love it, just toned it down a bit. Ok, I tag.....Danielle, Katy, Shavon, Julie (this would require you to post), and Candace. Have fun!! I have stuff to post because I'm so behind but it will have to wait til later, hopefully tomorrow or Friday.