Sunday, November 3, 2013

Finish Line



For those of you who don’t know, my dad has been having a really rough last several months. Back in June, he shaved his beard and found a lump on the left side of his neck. He had to wait over a month for a final diagnosis, and when he got it, it was pretty daunting: Stage 4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer. Wow. The outlook was pretty good, about a 70% chance of curing him, but the time leading up to that would be grueling. 
Since the diagnosis, Dad has had to have multiple tests and scans done. He had the left tonsil removed, which is where they are pretty much positive the cancer was generating from. Then he had to have all but 2 of his teeth taken out due to Periodontal Disease. If he didn’t have them taken out, he could develop Osteo-Radio-Necrosis down the road from the radiation. Next he had his chemo-line put in and a feeding tube also put in.
The last couple of months have been some of the hardest, Dad’s been undergoing Chemo treatments every Monday for the last 8 weeks (with tomorrow being the last!) and Radiation treatments Monday through Friday for the last 8 weeks (with tomorrow being the last as well). He’s lost over 30 pounds since having his teeth out, the majority of it being since he started the Chemo and Radiation treatments.
Two weeks ago my Dad made a very hard decision, but it was the best for him. He decided to go to the feeding tube for his nutrition as his throat is fried from the Radiation. He’s very glad they put the feeding tube in at the beginning of this. He will be on a liquid diet for another couple of weeks until his throat feels better and he can actually swallow without feeling like his mouth is full of broken glass.
Throughout all of this, my mother has been taking care of him, with the help of a few of their closest friends. My grandmother helped as well the weekend I went up to help my mom at the Cranberry Festival with her jewelry booth.
My Dad has also been working at his computer shop as much as he could until last week when the doctors wanted him to stay home due to a low-grade fever and he has also lost his voice, so it’s been hard for him to communicate without paper.
Tomorrow is the last day of his Chemo and Radiation treatments, and I say Hallelujah! My father is the bravest man I know and I love him very much. I hope he knows how many people are with him and have been with him throughout the whole process. I’ve watched my mother post every week an update of how things have been going, and I’ve seen the pictures that go along with them. I have been unable to see my dad in person since the Cranberry Festival weekend due to many reasons, and my children have been unable to see him since August, and I know they are very anxious for this all to be over. Yes, they know what is going on, to a certain extent, and they are holding out the hope that all will be well after tomorrow.

To two of the most important people in my life, my mother and father, I say I love you very much. Mom, you’ve been there helping Dad all through this, and I know it can’t be easy for you. You know we are all here for you and if you or Dad have needed anything you know we’re only 2 hours away. Dad, you’ve been so tough through all of this, and have stuck with it. I know it hasn’t been easy, but know that you will live. We are here for you and you are never very far from our minds
.
I ask everyone that reads this to think good thoughts for tomorrow for both my mom and dad. I also ask that you visit my mom’s blog and send let them know you are there for them. Thank You.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Frog-Friend

Walker came running into the house yesterday and asked me if I wanted to see a frog.

I said sure, always! I was thinking this was going to be a big toad or even a larger tree frog, those are always the ones they seem to find.

So it surprised the heck out of me to go outside and find him searching on the ground for a few moments trying to find the frog.

Not sure how he located it since the grass had been pretty long (it got cut last night btw), but he did!



The first three pictures are of my pointer finger, the last photo is of Walker's hands. How did they ever FIND that little guy?!

Quite a little cutie in my book, but he didn't wanna hang around long. 

Just goes to show, you never know what you're gonna find when you're not looking :)

Monday, June 10, 2013

Lazy Days

Wouldn't it be nice to just be able to spend the day like this?

 Of course, then you have to put up with Mama coming and harassing you because she can :-)
 Wakey-wakey Mr. Remi!
*sigh* Such a long way he's come since we got him. He use to hate windows, now he basks in them. He was also VERY skinny, and he now weighs in at a healthy 12 lbs 5 ounces. He looks like he swallowed a softball.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Cheap Lightshow



There was a nice storm a-brewing last night. Lots of rumbling thunder and tons of purple lightning flashes. Corey and I did what any normal person would do. As soon as the kids were in bed, we were out front with our phones and cameras taking video and pictures!

I set my camera to the “continuous shot” mode and got some great pictures. My phone got some okay video, but it’s not as good as the one Corey got.

I’ve gotta figure out how to upload video from my phone, but for now, here’s some of the cool shots my camera was able to get:





  







Sunday, March 17, 2013

New Family Member

Please give a warm welcome to our new member of the family:


His name is Remington, he's 2 years old, and we rescued him from the Humane Society.

He's a little lover, very affectionate.

He and Nova are already working on getting along. Nova's still a little pushy, but Remi lets her know when he's had enough.



Beamer? She's so not impressed. Who knows tho, in time she may accept him and even socialize with him.


Our dog Missy is cautious, but she hasn't had a LOT of time to meet him. I'm thinking more time will occur this week.

Alexis and Kayla were with us when we brought him home, and they love him already. Paige, Brady and Walker were with when we picked him out, but they haven't seen him since. I'm hoping all goes well when they get home today! Remi's still a little skittish, but he's getting better.

Yep, I think he'll fit in just fine in our little family :-)

Monday, March 11, 2013

New Love

I gained a new love last week.

Well, my love decided to BUY me a new love last week.

Technically, I guess it's TWO new loveS.

They were my birthday-Christmas-New Year's-Valentine's-St. Patrick's Day-Easter-Mother's Day present.

For the next 5 years.

Aren't they gorgeous?!

I mean, look at all the buttons!

So pretty! I'm in love *sigh*

Corey went all out, he decided if he was going to do this, then he was going to go with the brand new versions. I mean, they have TONS of bells and whistles.

I am discovering a few tricks with some of the fabrics, like the fleece blankets that Corey's mom made the kids need to be timed dry, because the dryness sensor in the dryer senses the fabric is warm and dry, but it's rally warm and damp.

Thank you Corey, I love them and I love you!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Dance

Alexis had a one-time-only dance performance the other day.

The Durand Dance Team held a dance clinic for select grades to see who was interested, and talented enough, for future dance.

Kayla was bummed because she couldn't dance. She hung out with Paige behind me while they rehearsed though.



They practiced on Tuesday for about 3 hours and then did their routine on Thursday during the basketball game.

There were probably about 25 girls there, ranging from 5 to 12 I would say. It was loud during rehearsal.

They kept themselves entertained by practicing technique and then winding down with a game of "Duck Duck Dance", and in which the person who lost had to perform a dance move. It was cute.




Corey and the other kids and I watched the basketball game until half-time, then out came the dancers.

They all did fairly well, a few stood out, and of the ones that performed the best, the majority were already enrolled in some sort of dance class.




It was  late night, but well worth it. Alexis did well, and she had fun.

Now she's asking to take dance class. Oh boy, better start looking for one around here that's not going to rip my arms and legs off to pay for it. :)