Weekly Update

First of all, thanks to everyone who emailed me or left a comment on the blog. My surgery was successful and the doctor was able to remove the entire mass. The doctor thought the mass looked good (benign), but sent it off for testing of course. I have to wear this super tight tube top thing until Thursday when I go back to see the doctor, and I can't lift anything over 10 pounds...other than that, I'm pretty much back to normal (except for the itchy rash all over my neck). I get to have a shower on Sunday, and I'm really looking forward to that (remembering to appreciate all the small things!).

As usual, I had planned on posting more during the week, but things got too busy. We had Emily's CAP meeting for Jr. High, and then parent/teacher conferences for Claire and Allyson. Emily was happy with her class choices for next year and will continue in band. All three girls also made the honor roll again...hurray!

Randy's mom was hospitalized this week with fluid on her heart. They performed surgery to install a drain tube in her chest and have sent the fluid off for testing. We're praying that this is a condition that can be easily treated. Wow...We spent a lot of time in hospitals this week!

Claire's school had a small ballet performace this week as well. I'll try to get the pictures downloaded to the blog this weekend.

Think that's it for our busy week!

Kangaroo Art

Some more art from Claire...a cute yellow kangaroo!

Mammo - Slammo

Had my mammogram last week. No big deal. I honestly don't know why women say it hurts -- or maybe I just have a high pain tolerance? It's more embarrassing than painful to me.

The bad news is that I got a call this week asking that I come back in for another lookie, so I went in yesterday. The tech used a smaller paddle this time and apologized before doing the smash-o....again not a big deal (although the tech did say I was "one tough cookie"). :-)

The nurse asked me to hang around after because they wanted an ultrasound for a better look. Hmmmmm, maybe it *is* a big deal after all? Turns out there is "something" there and they want me to see a surgeon...and they scheduled me to see him today. Wouldn't you know it...I need to have surgery to remove a lump - yikes - and they want to do it ASAP. Soooo, they ask me to go to the hospital for pre-op today. They wanted to do the surgery tomorrow, but the schedule was full, so I'm on for next Friday (the only day they do this surgery). I was a bit surprised by all of this because I was thinking it would be a simple needle biopsy...bummer!

So bloggie friends, I'd appreciate your praying that this is benign and "no big deal". Thanks!! :-)

Mother Nature

I guess Mother Nature isn't quite ready to give up winter here in our neck of the woods. We have some light sleet and snow here today...fun! I was secretly hoping for a couple inches of snow, but we're just getting light flurries. Oh well, spring weather WILL be here soon!

Weekly Art: Swan

This week's school folders held this cute little piece of second grade art:

Let's Go To The Hop

On Sunday, our church held a fellowship dinner with a 50's theme. Claire had a poodle skirt from a school performance last year, but I had to quickly whip up a skirt for both Emily and Allyson. We had some fun music and entertainment...and the girls were asked to hula hoop for the crowd.

MIA

Gosh, I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted. We just seem to have so many other things going on around here, so my blogging (journal) gets behind. I have one school art project I've been working on (hoping to get it completed this week!), not to mention the thousands of photos I've been reorganizing....now if I can just get all my other projects done!!

We had snow the last day of February and Allyson really enjoyed playing in it. Since her sisters were off at another activity, dh and I had a date day with Miss A prior to the snow storm. We went shopping, to the movies, and to the candy store before coming home to play in the snow.

Both A & E participated in the Awana Grand Prix at church. Even though their cars weren't the fastest, both girls received ribbons...and E won a trophy for her car design.

Project 365 - A Week's Worth

OK, who was I kidding anyway...I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with the photo a day thing. I've tried it before and failed, but I guess I was just hoping....
Thought I'd try posting a week's worth of photos at a time and see if I can keep up with that. :-)

Pics are: Valentine's Day goodies; the poor dog was forced to wear a v-day dress; baby shower for the teacher; Miss C enjoying candy and then LOVING the green stains; more sweet treats; Miss C's valentine box; and my newest quilt project finally finished (this is only my 2nd quilt, but I'm so stinkin' proud of it! LOL)

Day #40 Photo -- Baptism!!!

This is a very important photo for me.

Our sweet Miss Claire was baptised yesterday!! In January, she walked to the front of church and accepted Christ as her savior, but there were no baptisms scheduled until yesterday. We are SO proud of our little girl. She was so brave going up front in some 500 people (which is a hard thing for even adults to do sometimes).

My heart is full.....

Project 365 - Day #39

Lots of piano practice now that the recital is a few months away.

Project 365 - Day #38

It's always fun socks and panda slippers around here at bedtime. :-)

Project 365 - Days 36 & 37

Many of my scrapbooking friends are participating in 'Project 365' (taking a photo each day to represent all the things that make up our lives). I could go back and dig out enough photos for the first 35 days of this year, but I've decided to just say I'm behind and start now. :-) Sooo, here's my photo for day #36 - Homework, it's something we do a lot of around here.

And day #37 - My close friend, the laminator. :-) We spend a lot of time together since I do all of the laminating for our school.

Mission Accomplished

Kennedy did it....She raised enough money so that she can travel to China to visit her orphanage!! Thanks to everyone for checking out her blog and helping her out!

Ice Storm

We've been "under the weather" the past week due to an ice storm. The weathermen definitely got this one right. The storm came...and delivered...big time. The pics I'm posting are of the "pretty" ice. The pictures from the destruction caused by the ice aren't pretty at all. So much of the area here looks like a bomb exploded near the trees, or that a tornado came through and ripped the trees. FEMA has been in the area and declared a state of emergency. Clean-up is expected to take quite some time.

All school districts in this part of the state were dismissed early on Monday due to the weather conditions deteriorating, and remained out of school for the remainder of the week. Even the U of A closed, which is a rarity.

The heavy weight of the ice downed power lines and trees throughout the area. I don't know the final count, but on Tuesday over 100,000 homes were without power. My parents lost power at their home on Tuesday morning, and STILL have no electricity today. :-( We lost cable and internet service late Tuesday night, but weren't too worried because we still had power. Once the ice began melting though, it was a different story. We lost power for 3..long.. days. Amazing how long the days/nights seem when you stay indoors and play game, after game, after game with the kids to keep everyone from going stir-crazy. :-) OK, so the kids did venture out to play on the ice for awhile, but not for long.

Today I'm thankful....for so much.

Secret Pal Gifts

Our agency DTC group decided to keep ourselves busy with a little gift exchange each month through February. Our first theme was bath time, and this was what we received from our secret pal....the cutest puppy dog towel. :-)

Our second theme was toys, toys, toys. Look at all of this fun stuff to play with.

The third month's theme was Chinese New Year, and we received a really cute family photo album (which we think would be a great thing to send along in a care package once we receive a referral).

Thanks to our secret pal family!

Catching Up

Just a quick recap of our latest happenings....

Last week, all three of the girls received news that they made the 2nd quarter Honor Roll. Claire was so excited that she was finally in a grade where they give certificates (& a coupon to Taco Bell). The photo is horrible as Claire and the teacher were standing in front of a window, and the room was crowded with parents...so this was the best I could get.

Emily and Allyson's classes just gave out certificates to the students during school. An assembly for parents will be held near the end of the year.

On Thursday while big sisters were at piano practice, Claire and I walked to the old bridge nearby. I had my camera with me, so I grabbed the opportunity for a few shots.

During the Sunday evening church service, Randy was ordained as a new deacon in our church. I didn't take my camera with me to the service (I know, I know...can't believe it myself!), so I made him pose with his official certificate when we got home. He had already changed out of his suit by the time I made it home, but was nice enough to put his shirt/jacket (minus the tie) back on for the photo. :-)

Help one of China's Children Return...

Instead of posting our own adoption raffle, I would like direct every one's attention to THIS BLOG. Kennedy is a 13-year-old girl who is raising money so she can return to China for a birth land tour. Her orphanage is having a big 20 year celebration, and sent her an invitation for the event. Kennedy isn't trying to raise enough money for her entire family to go on this trip....just enough for her and one parent to attend.
Please take a moment to check out her blog and help if you feel lead to do so. It makes my heart happy that this child is working so hard for this...a trip of a lifetime. I'm off to make my donation to her fund now.
Thanks in advance! :-)

Getting Organized

I've spent some time this week reorganizing things in my scrap room. I just haven't had any creative juices at all lately, and I think it's due in part to the "chaos" of my supplies. I went through every sheet of scrapbook paper I own -- put a lot into a donate pile, but still kept a lot. I put collections together in vertical storage boxes so they're easier to locate, and then re-categorized all of the miscellaneous patterned paper in the horizontal paper rack. Ahhhh, now that feels SO much better...not to mention it's fun to look at! Yes, I do know that I didn't put my papers in ROYGBIV order. :-)



Now I just need to work on all of the little embellishments. Currently, I have them sorted by type, but am seriously considering changing to a simple, color-ordered system. I think maybe the problem is that I simply have too much stuff...or is that really a problem?! lol Anyway...if any of my organized scrapping friends have great ideas for organizing all of my little embellies, please feel free to share!

Boiled Eggs

I now know for sure that you *can* burn a boiled egg. :-( Thinking that I would treat Allyson to one of her favorites (tuna sandwiches) before an overnight school trip, I put some eggs on to boil. I forgot to set the timer though, and got busy with other projects around the house. Later, I heard a very loud POP - a pop that sounded like a metal pan breaking. Realizing what I had done, I rushed to the kitchen to find that the pan was bone dry, and this delicious-looking product was all that was left.

Yes...I did put more eggs on to boil, and I *did* set the timer!! :-)

Oops, She Did It Again!

Except there was really no "oops" about it. :-)
Emily has worked hard at playing the flute in her school band. She had another chair test yesterday and got first chair again! Way to go Miss E!