A quiet relaxing week...

It’s been a quiet and very relaxing week with Savannah being back in school. In some ways it was kind of a nice change from the summer routine of trying to find something to do every day. Payton has been very content to stay home and play with his toys. He received a Diego Mega Blocks set from his Grandparents for his Birthday back in April and has spent countless hours playing with it. I love it when we get so much play value out of a toy. Payton calls Diego “Ego” while playing and I have to chuckle every time he does. I also love the way he says lemonade and Christmas. I get a big kick out of how he talks with his cute three-year old vocabulary. I could just sit and listen to him talk all day and never get anything done. Last night I accidentally poked Payton’s eye and I could tell it was bothering him and he said “mom, I need a new eye, can I have speed racer’s eye?”

Savannah seems to have had a great week being back to school. She struggled so much last year adjusting to the school routine, it took her almost the whole year. I remember her teacher saying in April “Savannah is finally coming out of her shell.” I know it had a lot to do with what our family was going through. I am so pleased to hear that she is making friends and doing as well as she is. I enjoy watching her come home and hearing about her day. I hope that she will continue to do well.

Payton starts preschool next week with Miss Becki. He is so excited to start and was telling me today that he needs a “Mach 5 Back Pack from Speed Racer.” I love that he is all boy.

With Savannah being in school and Payton still sleeping in, I have spent my last few mornings reading some care pages and catching up with some of the little kids that we used to follow while Payton was going through treatment. I have to admit that I stopped reading them for a while, because it was making me too sad, but I decided that it would be good to start up again and also because my heart is still with these kids and they are always on my mind. I need to be reminded of this. Reading some of these has made me look back and remember the day that Payton was diagnosed and that is a day every cancer patient and their family always remember. I remember the indescribable fear I felt as cancer came crashing into our lives. The world we knew before this day is a thing of the past. Once the door has opened, there is no closing it again. It amazes me how MUCH it changes families. I see so many different situations; between relapse, multiple problems during treatment and the horrible lose of their loved ones. I love reading these because what these families teach is the true meaning of determination. It amazes me how something like this makes us appreciate the small things in life and cherish the relationships we have. Frequently, I hear these families remark to live each day to the fullest for you never know what tomorrow might bring. It always amazed me the strength that we had throughout this and the strength that I see that these families are given to get through this. How would you do it otherwise?

I have never in my life dealt with a situation in which I felt so little control and it has taught me to learn what the true meaning of FAITH is.

I can hardly believe that Payton is almost to his 6 month post-treatment mark. He is really doing great and has recovered nicely. I love that his hair is coming back and that he is filling out again. He seems to be catching up quite fast. Although, for some reason Payton likes to play a little rough, he is really sweet and isn’t intentionally mean, just likes to play rough. We are trying to teach him that he doesn’t have to be so tough, I don’t know if it’s because he has had to be a fighter the past year or if we are just now making up for missing out on the terrible two stage. Who knows what kind of delayed reaction this can all have on a three year old?

We start to get extremely nervous when thinking about the scans approaching next Friday (September the 5th). I can’t even let myself think about it. I hate that they are on a Friday, so we probably won’t see results until Monday; it’s a long time to wait.

The outlet to my computer was bad and I decided to head to Radio Shack this morning to see if I could get a new one. Payton was with me and I told him that we needed to go to the store. After checking out with the new outlet that I needed Payton reached up to the counter and told the guy “Thanks for fixing my mom’s puter.” He made me smile and chuckle since he is really such a polite little boy. I’ve always said that I just want my kids to have good manners. Maybe I’m doing something right.

Big 2nd Grader heading back to school!

Last night we decided to set Savannah’s clothes out for the entire week. She always does better when she knows ahead of time what she is wearing. This morning, she got and decided she no longer wanted to wear what we had picked out. Being the sucker that I am for the 1st Day of school, I said go ahead and pick something else out. Usually I insist that she wears what we picked out the night before so there is no confrontation in the morning. Finally after trying on three different outfits we find the right one. Hallelujah! I want her to feel comfortable and good about what she is wearing and yet I am trying to teach her that it’s more important what’s in the inside. 2nd Grade and I am already dealing with this. I know that I am in for it.

Savannah was extremely nervous to start today and was complaining of her tummy hurting. She really had a hard time falling asleep last night. It’s my hope that she will adjust to getting back to a routine quickly.

I can’t believe that you are in 2nd Grade Savannah. We have had such a great summer together and have made some awesome memories, it was so much better than last year. You are growing up so fast and I love watching you go through every stage in your life. Don’t grow up too fast; you are still my little girl. I love you sweetie!

Late night snack

Payton has had quite the appetite lately. We will find him in the kitchen making himself a snack, or should I say another meal, just after we have eaten. The other day he managed to fix himself some left over grilled chicken and rice. Tonight he decided he was hungry for a turkey sandwich. He usually decideds to do it while nobody is looking since he knows what the answer will be. He must be going through a growth spurt and is looking so great.

Payton's masterpiece.

A fun day swimming!

We had a fun day swimming since Savannah is finally starting to recover from her stomach bug. The kids had a great time and Savannah is counting down her last few days of summer, she wasn’t very happy to spend the week being sick.

Payton’s love for Speed Racer

We asked Payton what he wanted to do with some of his money from the pirate treasure chest. He quickly replied that he wanted his own Speed Racer Movie. Up to this point we have been renting the DVD with old cartoon episodes and he gets so upset when we have to return it. We went to Wal-Mart to buy the movie and Payton ran around the store saying “vroom, vroom I’m a fast race car.” Since then Payton has mastered the DVD player. At the age of 3 he has figured out how to put speed racer in the DVD player, turn on the TV. and push the play button. A few times we have had to take it out and clean it since he often has sticky hands.

On Monday we decided to go to the movie Speed Racer, he was so excited to go, he actually fell asleep part way through since we went during his nap time, so we will have to see it again.

Savannah has picked up a stomach bug this week and hasn’t been feeling well, so that is about all that we have done. She is looking forward to feeling well, so she can do a few more fun things before school starts.

I can’t seem to stay on top of things!

My sister is working this weekend, so I had her 3 kids on Friday night. I was busy in my bathroom trying to get it cleaned and Savannah comes running in “you better come quick mom.” I walked into my kitchen and found Payton and Ella both 3 yrs of age on the floor eating snacks in a pile of everything that once used to be in my cupboard. When I asked Payton what are you doing buddy he replied “Me and Ella needed a snack,” so you had to empty the whole cupboard, hu? That cupboard was really in need of a good cleaning anyway, so I got to work and put everything in order. It took some time and about the time I was finishing up, Savannah calls again “Payton and Ella have striked again.” I head upstairs to find that they had emptied his whole book shelf and a bunch of toys, certainly not to read the books, but purely because it is more fun to throw them. What makes me laugh is neither one of them by themselves would do this, but you get the two of them together and it’s amazing what they can accomplish or should I say destroy. I just feel like I can’t seem to stay on top of things; I try to accomplish something and it back fires and I have another mess to clean. As strange as it sounds; how can I complain? I love being able to watch Payton be himself again, even if it does mean that I have more to pick up.

Tagged!

I was asked to List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions, and 3 things that you might not know about me. (Thanks Ashley) So here it is;

3 Joys in my life;


My Kids; they are EVERYTHING to me and I love them so much


My Husband; He is the greatest ever. So understanding, kind, patient and everything I could ever want


My Family; I have the most amazing family ever. The best parents, sisters, brothers, and in-laws in the world and I really mean that. I really lucked out.


3 Things that terrify me;


Losing any of my family members


CT Scans, MRI’s and Ultra Sounds (can you tell what I have been doing this past year?)


Payton’s Cancer returning and having the rug slipped from underneath us again. It terrifies me to think about having to watch my little guy go through this all over again


3 Goals I have;


Be more Christ-like. More kind, patient, give more service and to be more observant of people going through trials in their life


Raise my kids to be more Christ-like


Volunteer at the hospital and help families that are going through a crisis (possibly back to nursing school)


3 Current obsessions;


My kids and spending quality time with each of them individually


Baking (Did I mention that I love chocolate)


Internet and this blog


3 Things that you might not know about me;

I am a shop-a-holic (especially for a good bargain) maybe I should make it one of my goals to not shop so much

I used to do night audit at a hotel until one night I was robbed while being 5 months pregnant with Payton

I am a neat freak; I actually spend more time deep cleaning than I do surface cleaning

Happy 10th Birthday Noah!

Today is my nephews 10th Birthday and we went to the Pizza Garden to celebrate. Payton and Ella enjoyed sharing cake or should I say blue icing. It was great getting together and the kids had a great time.

Happy Birthday Noah, We Love You Buddy and are so glad that we were able to celebrate this special day with you.

Another fun week

I can’t believe another week has passed and that we are already into the first of August. It was a great week spent with my kid’s; activities for the week consisted of: Lunch at BK, Jump for Fun, Bowling, Swimming, and my favorite sleeping in and naps. I don’t know what it is but time with my children means everything to me. I spend so much of my day watching Payton and feeling so blessed that I have him with us. If I ever get upset at him I quickly remind myself to what he was doing last year I only have to think of him hooked to an IV pole, horrible extended stays (which I will never be able to put into words how hard they were), or watching them put chemo into his little body. It quickly helps me put the things in my life into perspective. Does it take something like this to change our outlook on life? Because I know that I wouldn’t be watching my kids so intently and cherishing every moment with them if I hadn’t been through something like this. It has forever changed my heart and me as a person to what kind of person and mom that I want to be.

This evening we took the kids to IHOP since Savannah decided that she wanted chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. We all sat around the table laughing at Payton. He’s got quite a sense of humor and had us all cracking up. Thank goodness we were stuck in the corner. After dinner we made a trip into Albertsons where Payton informed us that he wanted to rent Speed Racer for the3rd time. Every time Payton sees a Red box machine now he starts saying “I want to see speed racers.” It has to be one of the dumbest cartoon shows that I have seen, but what can I say, 1 ½ hrs of peace and quiet to get something done. Payton watches this so intently that I think he only blinks a couple of times during the whole show. I love it.

A Fun Day Bowling!

My little bowler!

Payton insisted on carrying the ball himself

And bowling or should I say throwing it himself.