Only the Shadow knows

Yes, we have added a new member to our family.

Her name is Shadow (I know, unique!)  We got her when she was just at 6 weeks old and didn't even weigh 2 pounds.  She is now almost 9 weeks old and goes to the vet for shots on Sunday, August 1st, so we'll see what she weighs then.  Gabe is not too sure about her and they tussle now and again.  The kids adore her and she is a welcome addition to our family.  Finally, the girls and the boys are even again in the house!

Update on Bubba

First off, here is a link to mom and dad's blog, Comings and Goings.  This is their way of keeping everyone up to date in one fell swoop.

There has been a change in the chemo plan, which means no PICC line for Bubba.  It does mean about 2.5 hours once a week getting IV chemo (every Wednesday - starting today) but it appears to work better on the type and stage of cancer that Bubba has.

Yesterday, he had his last radiation simulation before starting radiation therapy today.  The radiation doc doesn't like to do tattoos for the markings on the outside, so they put a big old X in three spots and cover them with a clear "sticker."  Mom and I had the bright idea to let my kids color on Bubba before his appointment on Tuesday.

Here is the end result.

Tea writing "don't hurt Bubba"

Crackers drawing a happy face

The end result.  You can see Tea's happy face under his left side marker.

The Plan of Attack

So, here is the plan of attack against the big C for Bubba.

Last Tuesday, he had the gold markers placed outside of the tumor, in order to triangulate the radiation beams.  He starts the radiation therapy on Wednesday next week in the morning and then will go every weekday after that in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, he will get his PICC line put in for the 4 day course of chemotherapy.

Wednesday, after radiation, he will go to the oncologist to do the IV course of chemo, and the 4 day course will start then, too.  That will all get repeated in about 4 weeks.


So, that's the plan - prayers and good thoughts are always appreciated.

Remember when I said life was complicated?

Well, it truly is.

My dad (Bubba to most of us) was diagnosed with esophageal cancer mid-June of this year. He had been losing weight, having trouble swallowing, not eating much, and just generally feeling poopy.

The big C explains all of that! The tumor is right where the esophagus and the stomach meet, at the cardia. It is starting to poke all the way through and into the abdominal cavity.

So, Bubba has been having test after test after test and meeting with doctor after doctor after doctor. Today, he had a PET scan to see if the cancer has spread. He met with the radiologist last week to get the plan of attack.

He will have 5 - 6 weeks of radiation therapy, Monday through Friday, with some low dose chemo thrown in there for good measure. The chemo is two different medicines. One goes in IV on the first day of radiation and then again 4 weeks later. The other one gets a PICC line on the first day of radiation and stays for four days, then comes out. Lather, rinse and repeat 4 weeks later.

I didn't write the names of the chemo down, that's mom's area of expertise. I am just here to support them both and do what ever they need me to do. And to cry. You know, I am the emotional one (truly, I am, it is not news to anyone that has known me for more than three days).

The radiologist last week told my parents that they caught it early and that Bubba has an excellent attitude. The way Bubba sees it, if mom can beat cancer twice (breast and bladder, both primaries) he can do it once. And I do believe he will.

So, I have now decided that I no longer enjoy the month of June, even if it is my birthday month. Mom's first diagnosis came in June, Bubba's came in June, my grandfather died in June and we had the service on my birthday, and my grandmother died in June. I think that I shall skip it from now on! That way, I won't get any older!

Anyway, enough of the pity party. The outlook is good, the attitude is good and we shall fight the good fight. We always welcome good thoughts and prayers and I will do my best to keep this blog updated as Bubba goes through his treatment.

Much love to all.

Wedding Weekend

On Saturday, July 11th, our oldest nephew, Shanti, married his beautiful wife, Ashly. We absolutely love both of them and are so happy that they have found each other and are embarking on their life together.

They were married at the Grand Sierra Resort wedding chapel in a small, intimate ceremony. My mother took pictures for them before and after the ceremony. Every single picture I have of Ashly, she is sticking out her tongue. So, here we are, before the ceremony.










After the ceremony, Tea and Crackers wanted to get a picture with the newly married couple. Here they are.








Later the same day, the couple held a reception at the Hacienda. Bubba was a "bouncer" for them - not that his services were needed - so he got to dance with Tea.







Crackers got to dance with Tata (sorry the picture is crappy, I took it.)








And, Shanti danced for his wife, to the hoots and hollers of the guests.



All in all, it was a wonderful day, celebrating the joyous union of two wonderful people. We got to share it with our families, and, we got to welcome our new family members.

Caught Up

I think that I am all caught up right now! I promise to make a better effort to keep caught up in the future.

Some of the things that happened that I don't have pictures of:

• I was elected Vice President - Fundraising for the PTO at Mamie Towles.
• The Girl Scout Troop went roller skating. My kids missed it because we passed around the yucky stomach virus for about two weeks in our house.
• Stampin' Up! has come out with a new catalog that starts in July - it is so very pretty!
• We painted the kids' bathroom - gave it a little spruce up.
• Tea went to Vacation Bible School for a week right after school let out - she had a lot of fun.
• Swim lessons start in two weeks!
• She will have a team of teachers for first grade - there are two teachers in her classroom, so she gets a bigger class. We are both looking forward to it.

Thanks for reading!

Me and My Guy

At the beginning of June, our Girl Scout Service Unit held a "Me and My Guy" Dance. The theme was masquerade. About half of Tea's troop went and my mother took the pictures of the event.

May - Elmo's Green Thumb

Tea, Crackers and Little Squirrel went to see Elmo's Green Thumb in May. The show was a huge hit and the kids had a bunch of fun. Because we are all KNPB Birthday Club members, we got to meet Elmo before the show backstage. He was resting his voice, but we did get pictures.

Easter

Easter was fun, as usual. We went to my parents' house, along with my sister and her family and hunted eggs there. The twins are getting big (all of the kids are, actually) and they are really getting into the spirit of things.
































Daddy took the kids to a friends' house to color eggs, since Momma was working.

January

Oh, man, have I been bad! My only excuse is that I work part time for H & R Block, and we are busy. Let us reflect on January . . .






We took the kids to see Thomas the Train at Lawlor - that was a ton of fun.

































We also took our Daisy Troop to a Cookie Rally - yes cookies sales started in January. The girls learned about safety and recycling and they got to taste test the cookies!





















We also had an investiture ceremony, where they all officially became Girl Scout Daisies. There are 11 girls in our troop, 2 first graders and 1 girl from the morning kindergarten class. The rest of the girls are in Tea's afternoon kindergarten class. They are a joy to work with and I enjoy seeing them come out of their shells!











And for good measure - my two cute kiddos!

Fall Leaves

The kids were playing outside the other day in the leaves. It was chilly, so they got bundled up. I love this time of year!

Decorating the tree

We have a little pre lit, artificial Christmas tree. We have 4 times as many ornaments than will fit on it. I keep the breakables packed up for now. Someday, we are going to have to get a bigger tree, or maybe two.

The cousins

What a motley crew! Iron Man, two dragons, Thomas, a unicorn and a teenager! That was the scariest of them all!

My sister and I took all of the kids Trick or Treating around her neighborhood before it got dark. The kids had fun and the moms got worn out.

Tea's Fifth Birthday

Little Miss Tea turned 5 on the 18th. She had a play (with) dough party. My mom and I made about 11 batches of play dough and every little one got to play with it at the party (put color and glitter in it) and then take some home. It was a lot of fun.

Here she is blowing out her candles. We did another cupcake cake - so easy!




This is the beginning of the play dough fun, we just let the kids go to town on a tarp on the deck.








Opening presents, of which there were many! She is set for school clothes, Care Bears and My Little Pony!








This is her best friend (that is a boy) sitting with her opening presents. Jacob had a pirate party that we so thoroughly enjoyed and Tea would have been so sad if he hadn't have made it to her party.







Princess Tea in her feather boas and princess ears.