Pumpkins everywhere

Today we went to a pumpkin patch in Grapevine for a Baylor event. You read that right a Baylor event, I joined this Alumni group and they got together to host and event or playdate whatever at a pumpkin patch. Pretty exciting right? Well the kids had lots of fun but I forgot to bring some cash so we were unable to get any pumpkins. How silly am I. They did have different things for the kids to do other than just look at pumpkins, which is always nice. Plus it helps to make the experience go a little longer.


They all really liked the old truck, Cooper especially. He wanted to be right in the mix with the big kids, playing around and acting all grown up. I think Bear really enjoyed the big tractor.
I figured if he had just a few more minutes on the thing he probably could have figured out how to make it work. Not sure if it would have gone any where but he would have it all down. Might be a good thing we don't live on a farm.


Isabelle I think just had fun being a kid and running around. She played on the playground, in the hay jail and on the tractor "bikes," which were much harder to move than you would have thought. The littler kids were having a hard time getting those bad boys to move.


Either way it was a lot of fun. I can't say that I saw anyone I remember from college but I did see another mom I had meet from a moms group close to where we live. Strange how I did not even know she had gone to Baylor. I guess we are sort of past "So where did you go to college?" Maybe the next event will hold more people I might remember from college. Maybe I should have gotten a yearbook, nah.

Fall

Fall is in full swing in Utah, which is more than I can say for Texas. The turning leave were beautiful, and the weather was cool when we went up the mountain to check things out. The creek we drove past was flowing with water and the air was a little misty from a clouds above. It was great to be out in nature and all the fresh air. I really wish we could of had more time but we had to leave so we could not enjoy the outdoors as much.


I really would have liked to have gone up to Park City but time did not permit. Plus some of Ben's former co-workers only wanted certain people at the events so he had to make two appearances. Oh well, that just means that we will have to go back soon. Either way it was great and I got a chance to take some pictures, after all that seems to be what it is all about.

UTAH

OMG I was so excited to be back in Utah. It was great to see the friends that we were able to see and we really wanted to stay longer. Somehow that did not work out because we have small children to take care of and Ben has a job. But we did get to come for a short while and had a chance to catch up with friends and see what had changed since we moved back to Texas.


I even got a chance to take some pictures while I was in Utah some of one of my oldest friends and others of one of the canyons. It was great. On our first night in Utah, we had a little Girls Night Out, while Ben went to visit some of his YRC guys.


We had a lot of fun catching up and starting off where we left off. Sometimes it is nice to go back to visit, and it is almost like stepping right back in time. I really enjoyed visiting with Anjie and Holly, but wished that so many more friends could have come for a visit.

Bowling and the Hoover Dam

Our next day in the Las Vegas area was pretty fun too. We decided to head on over the Henderson, NV to watch a new friend of ours bowl. Shannon O'Keefe is a bowling champ and made it to the last round of the masters bowl, where she placed bronze. It was refreshing watching bowling and not feeling like it was never going to end. After all when we bowl with small children it can take forever. Shannon did a great job and team USA did awsome at this tournament.


After that it was off to the Hoover Dam. As is always quite impressive to say the least! Ben was amazed at how big it is and kept asking me if the water level ever goes back up. I had to keep telling him I did not know. It had been years, and I mean years since I had been there last. Although I do think that the dam water was much higher.


We even got to see some of the local wild life. No, not drunks, and crazies but Big Horned Sheep. That was prett cool. They were just getting a little bit of refreshment from the lake.

The Night Life

We even ventured out to the night life in Vegas. And when I say night life, I really mean walking on the strip and Ben playing 21. Not too exciting but I guess it could have been if we happened to take one of the many, many flyers passed out by paper pushers.

We did go to a free wine tasting, where they actually gave us full glasses of wine. My high school friend, Amy, found out about the tasting, and made reservations for all of us. If you have ever been to a wine tasting, usually you get just enough to fill your mouth and that is all. But no this was full glasses of wine, without food. I want to say that by the third glass I was pretty well tipsy. You only live once right?

Afterwards Amy and I went out to check out the sights and of course take some pictures. Now I did not bring my tripod because that would have been too much to take with me on the plane and I did not want to check luggage. Basically I'm trying to say that some of my pictures are ok, while others just suck. Oh well!

Red Rock Canyon

While we were in Vegas on vacation Ben and I took a little side trip to Red Rock Canyon. It was beautiful! We would have loved to hike around the area and check things out a little closer but time did not quite permit.




Either way I had a blast taking pictures, and have put some together as panoramic shots. The scenery was beautiful and according to the information sheet they get some gorgeous flowers. I'm sure they come in the spring not the fall. I wish we could have seen some of those. Oh well, maybe a spring trip next time.

Thank You

Thank you everyone who has donated to my 3-Day walk so far. I am very excited to announce that I have reached my minimum fundraising amount. Now I am going to try to help my teammates raise the rest of their money so that they will be able to walk. I can hardly wait to take this journey and meet all the people who will be there. I know it will be a wonderful experience, for a good cause. I do hope to help eradicate breast cancer for the next generation.

If you did not get a chance to make a donation and would like to please consider doing so, all the monies are pooled together in the end and every little bit helps.

Labor Day

Ok I know this is a little late, but what the hey, things have been busy and after Labor Day I was sick for like a week. That totally sucked. Anyway, the kids had a blast visiting my mom and dad over labor day weekend. Besides swimming their little hearts out, we also went to a little old time kiddy park in San Antonio.

They have midway rides there that the kids can go on and ride to their hearts content. Of course Isabelle and Barrett could not ride the same ride at the same time that would make too much sense. Oh well they had a blast and really enjoyed being able to play by themselves like big kids. Cooper even got in on the action at on the Merry go Round.

Water everywhere

The other day after school, it was pretty hot, so Isabelle and Cooper thought it would be fun to play in the water. Bear, was out there for a little while but then I think he was just tired, he has a long day. They are out there just playing away and having a blast. I look out the window to see Cooper with the hose and the biggest smile on his face. He was so proud of himself and must have felt like a big boy. He had water everywhere and was having so much fun. By this time Isabelle was just letting him control the water, it was too cute.

My baby girl

Look at this girl, is she not just beautiful? How did I get so lucky to be blessed by with her? I love her so much and am thankful everyday for her and her brothers. Who could have asked for a better gift.

On-line 3-day Team Auction

Ok readers, all five of you, my 3-day team is hosting an on-line auction for the next couple of weeks on some really great prizes. I hope that you will take a look to see what we have to offer and bid on some great stuff. All proceeds go towards our walk, so not only will you be help us to reach our fundraising goals, but you will also be trying to win some great prizes.

I hope to see your name on the list of winners soon. You have until September 12, 2010 to place your bid. Let the bidding begin. You see the list of all the items here at Sweet for a Cure.

Kindergarten at Last

Well it has become offical I am now the proud Mommy of a Kindergarten student. Isabelle is so excited to be going to school she could hardly wait to get out of the car, I think she might have jumped. No tears were shed because really who has time to be sobbing when dropping of your kid at school. Thats right I just dropped her off in line and went on my way. I could hardly get out and walk her in seeing how I had four other kids in the car. I think she will love it and do so well, I can hardly wait to hear about her day.

So far though I have gotten an e-mail from her teacher, asking where her lunch is. Nice, she told her teacher that I had just packed her snacks, and I will be the first to admit that her sandwich was really sad, but just snacks come on Is really? I will get to find out about her day in about an hour and half, I can hardly wait. Until then I have a few pics I would like to share of the girl. Two from home and the third from my car window as I was watching her walk into the building. Such fun and what a big girl!

Meet Hoppy

Meet the newest member of our family, Hoppy. Isabelle brought him home with her all the way from Wisconsin. So far so good, I have not killed him yet. It seems that my track record with pets right now is not too good, so we'll see. The kids love him and he thinks the kids are more wild than he is. He likes to eat and play with his food and water dish, making a huge mess. I really want the weather to cool down so he can spend some quality outside. Rigth now we figure that it is just too hot with the 100+ degrees out there everyday. For right now he hangs in the house. Here's to cooler weather.

First Day of School

Well today is Barrett's first day of school. He is going to the Montessori Acadamey in Arlington, and is very excited. One of his favorite people, Mary will be joining him there this year. They are even in the same class together. That will really make my life easier for drop off and pick up, but I think it will also be good for the kids. I can hardly believe that school is starting already. It feels like we just got out for summer break. Time flys when you are having fun. They are both very excited and I think they will do so well there. It is very exciting. Here they are getting ready to leave for their first day. Of course when we get there, Barrett is asked "where did all your hair go?" It just makes me so sad, but at least it will grow back one day.

Bear, Bear, Bear . . . need I say more

Everyone should have a Bear. Well maybe not, he does have his moments when he wants to be funny, cute or sweet. Then there are the other moments when he is just a pill. And I say that nicely. I love him so much but he can drive me insane. Like today. . . he must have felt left out because Isa got her hair cut today and Cooper had his last week.

So he took it upon himself to do the same. Typical middle child seeking attention. Of course he could not just cut off a few pieces and leave it at that oh no, he had to give himself a buzz right at the front where I had not choice but to shave his whole head. Believe me I really thought about leaving it that way as punishment but I figured he would not care. Here is the "new" Bear, I really hope it does not take long to grow out. I have to put sunscreen on that head of his. It's just crazy! All that beautiful, sometimes curly hair. I think I might have shed a tear.

Will there ever be Peace

Why can I not go to the bathroom in peace? It seems that no matter what I always have at least one child in the room with me at all times. Never can I take a shower, make a phone call or pee by myself. They don't tell you this before you decided to take the plunge and have children. That not matter what every waking minute will be consumed with little people, asking for something and getting your freshly washed, just put on outfit dirty. I only want to be able to pee by myself, is that really too much to ask?

First Hair Cut

Cooper is such a big boy now. He has just had his first haircut, and let me tell you he looks so much older now. I know that sounds silly but he really does.

He did pretty well, considering there was another little boy there who was screaming, so Cooper thought that was what he should be doing as well. Then he calmed down and let the lady do her thing. Plus he got his first sucker, so he was really happy about that one. I can hardly believe he is growing up so fast. Where has all the time gone.

At least now I don't have to hear Ben complain about his "mullet." I don't think that was the case, but hey whatever. He does look super cute and more grown up. I think he should stop but he does not have the same feelings.

Why I am walking . . .

I can still remember the day when my Mom and Dad came to our apartment to tell us that Mom had Breast Cancer. Ben and I were sitting down in the pampasan chair and they let us know that she has cancer and before our wedding she is going to have surgery. Since she is just having a lumpectomy, she will have to have Chemo and Radiation both. But she did not want to start her treatment until after we were married. She was so strong throughout her whole series of treatments and surgery, stronger than I would have thought she could be. I was so proud of her.

About a month before my wedding we went do to Tyler, Texas for her surgery. It turned out to be an out patient surgery, that means she was able to come home the same day. In the end I think it might have been better for her to stay over night but I do not think Dad would have liked that very much. We kept getting reports about the number of lymph nodes they removed throughout the day, and the number kept growing. I began to think how could they take any more, how much of her breast is going to be left. Or why do they not just take it all and be done with it, after all they can make new ones.

See the reason I think it took so long was the she also has fibro-cystic breast disease which makes her breast very dense. That in its self can make it hard to detect breast cancer, which she probably had years before her surgery but do to some outstanding factors, never came to light until almost ten years ago. That is another story in and of it self.

After the surgery Mom came back and was still very sleepy from the drugs and just needed to rest. Once she had finished this process we made our way home until she would have to go back for treatments, two days after we were married.

I remember that it was several weeks later that we saw them again, and Mom had previously called and we were talking about how here hair was starting to fall out. You always hope that your hair won't fall out but it still happened. She walks up and I was not sure what to expect from the hair loss but what I saw was not what I expected. She looked as if she had very, very thin hair. You could see her scalp, which has never seen the light of day until now. Her hair is really very thick so it was strange to see this woman I know and love with so little hair.

You know what she wore her hair, or lack there of, proudly. Never once did it slow her down or make her feel like less of a woman. Once she lost her hair the only time she would wear a hat was when she went to church. In support of her, the ladies at the church all began to wear hats too. You would have thought that we lived in the deep South and went to a Baptist Church. The support the ladies showed meant so much to me and my family. Cancer is not a one person ordeal it affects so many people.

My brother and father both shaved their heads, Ben said he would do it too, because I felt that I should show my support and shave my head. Ben did not like that idea to much. It was risky for Adam to shave his head since he was in his last year at the Air Force Academy, and they tend to frown on whole head shaves but it all worked out.

I also remember the way the chemo affected my mom and her body after her treatments. It took almost the whole two weeks and sometimes three to recover enough to be able to get the next treatment. Sometimes she would have to lie in bed because she was so weak or would get sick because the chemicals were so strong she could hardly keep anything down. Cancer sucks the life out of you, and makes your life hard.

At least now she is doing well and has been cancer free for the last nine years. She does have to take a daily drug to keep the cancer hormones at bay, but other than that she is doing well and keeping healthy.

I wanted to share with you the picture that they had taken during her treatments for the pictorial directory. The photographer did not want to use the picture because of her lack of hair but she said no, this is how I look right now. She was not going to let cancer get in the way of her life.

I hope that all of you never have to go through Breast Cancer any type of cancer for that matter. Right now your donation will help make that a reality for many. If you have not donated please do so by clicking on the button on the right or by visiting my facebook page. Together we can kick cancer to the curb.