Happy Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving.  We went to PA and this was the first time we actually left the house on Thanksgiving morning and I tell you, I really enjoyed it.  In the past we left the night before and like everyone else, we sit in horrific traffic.  By the time we get there, we're exhausted.  But this time, we went to bed and although we got up early to make sure we got their by noon, we stopped for breakfast on the way and we had such a nice drive.  In fact on one part of the drive when we got about an hour from Ken's parents house we drove through a mini snow squall.  One minute it was sunny and one minute the sky turned gray and pop, a mini snow squall.  It wasn't dangerous.  Kind of cool.  And made it feel like the holidays were truly here.  I remember living in Arizona wearing shorts on Thanksgiving day.  But now, on the east coast, that will never happen.

So we got there at noon, pulled in to the driveway and Ken's brother pulled in at the same time.  We ate a few appetizers before the big meal.   Ken's mom made a great dinner.  She had the entire spread:  turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and cheesecake.  Yum, yum, yum and yum.

After dinner I pulled out my camera and you know me.  Click, click, click and click.  I mainly focused on the kids.  Last year we had Thanksgiving at my house and I made the family go outside for a family photo.  This year it was to cold to go out so we didn't get a family photo but I did get a few shots of the kids.  And wow, did the kids change in a year.  Tracy is applying to colleges and is excited about which ones she'll get accepted to.  Ethan grew like a foot.  Well, maybe not an entire foot but he's like 6'2'' and he's only 13.  I can't even imagine Cody that big.  But then again, a few years ago, I couldn't even imagine Cody at 6 and whoa-la....he's 6 and getting taller everyday.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Snow Squall

Ethan and Cody

Holy SMOKES it's COLD OUT!!!

Ok, record cold temps today.  Shesh!  I just wanted to stay in bed under the covers but darn Kohl's and Target were chanting my name.  One mistake, opening up the paper to look at the sales ads.  2nd mistake, thinking that this Sunday has to be less busy than next Sunday which is the weekend after Thanksgiving.  3rd mistake, knowing that my car had a full tank of gas and Cody and Ken were leaving to get their hair cuts.  4th mistake, getting dressed and running toward the car, driving like a mad woman to find any sale I could find.  And sales I did....for the boys.  I ended up getting Cody 3 things plus a Christmas outfit and Ken one thing.  The original goal was to get Cody's Christmas outfit and a few sweaters for myself, especially since today prompted me to layer up but I couldn't find anything for myself but one slightly dressy sweater for work.  I was really looking for lounging sweaters.  In the womans section a small is a little big on me.  I looked for XS but no such luck.  Then I went in the teeny bopper section and all the sweaters are kiddie looking.  So how am I ever going to get warm?  Well, maybe a different store will hook me up but for now, Kohl's didn't work. 

I came home for about 1 1/2 hours and out we went to a birthday party.  2nd one this weekend.  Today was Cody's buddy in Kindergarten.  It was a Lazer tag party.  How fun!

When we came home I decided it was a soup night.  I made homemade chicken corn chowder.  It was so yummy.  There's nothing like finishing off a super cold day with soup.  I got rave reviews from Ken and Cody so this maybe with a little tweaking will be a family favorite.

OUCH, I FELL ON MY ARSE! But I'm so thankful it wasn't worse.

The joys of stairs.  For some reason I seem to rather enjoy falling down them.  Luckily in our house both set of stairs are divided by landings.  So we have about 4 stairs then a landing and the staircase curves, then another 4 steps, a landing and the staircase curves again.  Well, I was downstairs in the basement inventorying our paint cans.  I know this might sound silly but the writing on the cans telling us what colors they are, are starting to fade.  On 3 particular paint cans, I couldn't tell exactly what the color was so that prompted me to take the cans (quart size) upstairs to the rooms that looked like they would match which lead me upstairs.  I walked from room to room and found the rooms I thought the paint colors matched.  I then proceeded down the stairs when somehow my foot slipped off the 1st stair and instantly, me and the 3 paint cans went flying.  I landed hard.  RIGHT ON MY ARSE!!!  Don't know how I avoided the 3 paint cans as we all tumbled down thankfully only 4 stairs before coming to the abrupt halt on the landing.  I also don't know how the paint cans avoided denting the walls or thank goodness not opening up splattering paint everywhere.  I'm also thankful that my arse took the brunt of the fall and not my elbow or hip or some other body part that could have broke.  We had plans to leave in 1 hour for the Polar Express so I had no time to get rushed off to the hospital.    So here I am, humbled on the landing of my staircase calling out for my sweet little Cody who quickly came to my rescue.  I got up, and grabbed my poor toosh.  I'm certain there will be a bruise there.  But I'm so thankful that it wasn't worse.

   

2 years

2 years and going strong!!!  Today marks my 2 year anniversary of my last chemo treatment.  What a world of difference.  I'll have to post a photo.  :)  I'm one happy girl.

Great day with my family

Today is one of those days that you just love.  It's not super cold out but it's windy so doing anything outside would be possible but less than desirable.  So, we hung out in the house all day.  In fact yesterday we went to IKEA and bought Cody some shelves with bins so he could put all his legos on it and in it.  As well as any other random toys he wanted to put there.  So Ken and Cody worked together putting the shelving unit together.  I took a few photos.  But what I should have done was take a photo of his play room before with his rocking horse and trampoline.  He's converting the room from more toddler to big boy.  Of course I visualize a flat screen tv, game chair and a X-box or PS4 but Ken said no way.  And of course I agree with that.  So for now, it's his toy room.  And my goal is to go through all his toys, getting rid of the ones that he doesn't play with or the ones that's he's to old for. 

So, the reason for saying that I had a great day with my family is because we were all together, all day in the basement, hanging out.  We laughed together, ate together and even watched a little bit of football together.  It was just a great "family" day.  And, although summer is my absolute favorite time of the year I look forward to more days like this which means I'm welcoming winter.  A few solid cold days will force us to stay inside and enjoy the time together.

I'm so blessed

All last night it seemed like every time I turned over in bed, my head would start spinning.  It makes no sense, why am I so dizzy?  When I woke up this morning, the concern stayed with me.  Am I just pushing myself to hard?  I don't think so.  I have a life like everyone else.  Cooking, cleaning, working and being a mom.   So why the dizziness?  Am I dehydrated or is something going on in my body that I'm just not paying enough attention to?

Oh there she is, hello Mrs. Worry.  What are you worried about today?  As usual, cancer is always on my mind.  Scary thoughts and what if's always roam my brain.  I wish I could turn it off but I can't.  So I continued on with my day.  Went shopping with Ken and Cody.  We even met my sister for lunch.  Food wasn't so great but it was fun meeting up with her. 

We get home and both Ken and I are tired.  He didn't sleep well last night either.  I'm seeing a trend with us.  It seems like we usually get a little "off" together.  Which isn't good cause he ends up resting and I end up still being a mom.  Cody was in the basement putting together a lego set that he got for his birthday and I had to help him out a bit here and there.  I noticed my dizziness was coming back while walking between the couch and the toy room.  So here comes Mrs. Worry again.  I had to tell  Ken about it, telling him that it's odd that I've been dizzy here and there throughout the day today.  The next thing I know Cody walks in the room with a little cup of water in his hand.  He walks over to me and says:  "here mommy, drink some water.  It will make you feel better."  I know the look of shock fell over my face.  I didn't even ask him for water.  In fact my grown husband (who again was lying on the couch not feeling well, so I don't hold it against him) didn't even offer me anything.  But my 6 year old actually got up from putting his legos together to get me a cup of water.  I was completely stunned but so humbled.  I took a few sips and graciously thanked him.  He proceeded to get me another cup of water and by then Ken sat up amazed.  Even Ken thanked Cody for being such a wonderful son and for getting mommy some water. 

Ken and I have been teaching Cody to be respectful to others, to be kind and caring.  But during my cancer treatments when he was 3 1/2,  I saw how wonderful and compassionate he was and I knew I was extremely blessed to have him because he was my rock during those days but now I know 200% that my son is truly a blessing from God.   I was meant to meet Ken and I was meant to have my little Cody in my life.

Happy Birthday CODY!!!

Six years ago I was the luckiest woman alive. I became a mom and it was the best day of my life.

Happy Birthday to my darling little CODY who's 6 today!
XOXO Mom