Walk Weekend

The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Walk was this weekend.  I ran around Saturday trying to get Rory and Kaelyn jackets because it was so cold at last year's walk, and they are the only two without winter jackets yet.  I ended up with two for Rory and none for Kaelyn.  I ended up taking one back for Rory.  Other than that, it was a pretty low key day.  I woke up with a sore throat.  The last thing I wanted to do was walk in the cold, but it was worth it.

Our friends got to the house and we were off.  They had sandwiches last year, which I didn't like.  This year they had Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches (SANS PICKLES!) and Domino's Pizza.  At least all the kids were fed with both options.  I registered and got everyone's shirts, food, and balloons.  They had a band there.  They were really loud.  My friend said you know you're old when things start to get too loud for you.  I couldn't agree more!  The kids loved it of course.

We had time to eat and listen to some music before the walk.  They had a few speakers that told their stories and explained the color of the balloons.  At this point, I hear my friend's daughter (Rory's buddy) say, "Hey!  Mrs. Bucy has a white balloon.  Does that mean she's a survivor?"  My friend said, "Yes."  While we were walking, I heard her and Rory talking about it.  None of the younger kids know I have cancer.  It's just something I thought would freak them out, but Rory's of age now, and she figured out the whole white balloon thing.  We talked about it today, and she's good.  

The walk was longer this year than last.  The kids were troopers and kept up with us adults.  I thought for sure Marley would have more trouble than she did, but she only ended up getting a short shoulder ride from Kevin.  Kevin thinks there were more people there last year, but I don't know.  It was definitely just as cool looking back and seeing all the balloons this time as it was last year.  It felt that the organization had things more together than last year.

We were out of there at 8p.  The kids were hungry, so we all got MacDonald's fries for the way home.  I went to bed and woke up feeling worse today.  I lounged and did basically nothing all day while Kevin wrangled the kids.  God bless him.  My thought is to rest and hopefully it'll be gone sooner rather than later.  It's been a while since I've had a cold.  Isn't that ironic?  I'm pretty healthy except for my cancer and sjogren's.  :)  Roll pics....

Marley did NOT care for the mascots.

Red balloons are for supporters, white for survivors, and gold for in memory of.

Thank you to our friends that walked with us!  It was a great night to spend with family and friends supporting a great cause, even if I did have a sore throat.  :)

 

Whack Weekend

We were set to go to my parents this weekend and then relax on Sunday.  Well, here's the real story.  

Kevin didn't get to bed until 2am Saturday morning to start.  He got up at 630a and got back on the phone.  He stayed on the phone and computer while Kaelyn drove us to my parents, while we were at my parents, while we ate lunch, ate dinner, drove home, put the kids to bed, and I went to sleep.  I don't remember what time he went to bed that night.  I think I woke up when he got into bed at 230a again.  

Sunday was church, and I was excited that it was cold and rainy.  We slept in which hitched my beef stew cooking ALL day in the crock pot.  I got it in at 11a and cooked it on high, but it wasn't the same.  We chilled out and cleaned the house some.  It was just a relaxing day.  My friend was in town, so we decided to go see her and her family after dinner.  Just as everyone was getting ready to go, Kevin got another work call and got on the phone again.  We left without him.  :(  We went to the friend's house and hung out for a while.  I don't think we got home until 9p, AND I gave them Oreos in the car.  They were probably so confused. We got home and Kevin was still on the phone, so I put the kids to bed and Kaelyn and I watched TV.  It didn't go as planned, but it was fine.  I feel bad Kevin had to miss out on everything.  It was a lot of fun to see my friend again.  I'm going to have a new godson, so that's exciting.  :)

Here's a video for you.  Kevin's been playing this song for the kids lately.  They love it!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Today was my niece's birthday, and I forgot her birthday blog.  -.-  So here we go, and I'm not using her whole name because it's too long.  Sorry, Sam.  Besides, I call her Sam or Sammy.

S- SHY  She might not be to people that know her, but she's always been quiet and observant.  She hangs back and takes everything in, unless there's be a wrong toward her and then watch out!  She certainly has SPUNK in those instances.  She stands up for what and who she believes in.  She's got fight and is one SMART cookie!
A- ACADEMIC  This has always shocked me probably because I haven't seen it before.  ;)  She comes home and does her homework!  I know...unbelievable.  She even does it when it's not due for a couple weeks, just to get it done.  This is the polar opposite of the procrastinators I live with.  It must be nice just getting it done, so you don't have to worry about it.  And in that, she outsmarts us all...at least in my family.  
M- MUSICAL  I honestly don't know if Sam can play an instrument.  Isn't that awful of me?  I do know that she can kick some Guitar Hero booty.  There were times when we would all sit there and jam.  Kaelyn on the drums, Sam on the guitar, Brian on the bass, someone singing, kids dancing....good ol' times.  Same also likes to choreograph dances to songs and sing.  She wrangles in Rory, Logan, and Marley sometimes too.  She has a gift of teaching.  

Happy Birthday, Sam!  Rock your senior year and achieve your dreams.  Remember those who cheered you on along the way when you get rich and famous. (wink, wink)  

Happy Feast of the Guardian Angels

The kids and I have been talking and reading about angels for a couple days because of the feast of Archangels and now of Guardian Angels.  I told Rory, Logan, and Marley to ask their Angels their names.  They know the story of how Kevin and I came to know our angels names.  Rory spoke right up and said she already knew her Angel's name.  A week passed and today I asked Marley and Logan.  Both of them had names that didn't belong to people we know.  Maybe they had heard them.  I don't know.  I love that my kids are excited about their angels.  I promptly told the kids to tell their angels to perk up because they had a lot of work to do.  They thought that was funny.  I was serious.  :)  Happy Guardian Angel Day!

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

to whom God's love commits me here,

ever this day,

be at my side

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

Amen. 

Last Day of September Daybook

Outside my window...
It's dark, cold, and rainy.  Hello fall!  There's some high 70's temps this week.  :/  

I am thankful for...
slow times this weekend.  Nothing pressing and no obligations.

I am thinking about...
Rory.  Stay tuned.

In the Schoolroom...
Things are still flowing.  Some days are better than others.  Just when I think we've hit a groove, life throws something else our way.  It's getting pretty tiring.  Does anyone else feel this way?  

From the kitchen...
scraps.  We're trying to make a little go a long way.  Budget conscious.  We did have a big family favorite tonight, Crockpot Salisbury Steak, Mac-n-Cheese, and broccoli.  It was delish!  I need to start cooking lean.  It's hard because I'm picky.  I already just cook for Kevin and I because the kids don't eat it, or being completely honest, Kevin cooks for just the two of us.

I am creating...
drawers of seasonal wardrobe.  I hate doing it.  I've already given 5 bags to some veteran's organization, 56 items to the local consignment shop, and Rory's clothes still don't fit in her drawers.  We were given A LOT of clothes from a friend, so that's been a blessing.  Rory and Marley are just about taken care of for the cold weather.  :)

I am working on... 
stuff.  ;)  I am thinking that I need to prioritize AGAIN.  Maybe I just need to remove that word from my vocabulary.  I get stuck on housekeeping, then home schooling, then parenting, then this, that, and the other.  I thought I was a very focused person, but I am proving myself wrong.    

I am reading...
The Year of Learning Dangerously by Quinn Cummings. 

I am praying for...
a list of folks.  Rory is at the top.

I am hearing...
the kids getting in trouble again for being loud and playing when they're supposed to be going to sleep, AND "How It's Made" for the hundredth time today.  

Around the house...
We already went over clothing changes.  Other than that, this place is a wreck.  I have tried to be diligent, but it's so discouraging to have it messed up RIGHT AFTER you've cleaned it.  Thus is life with kids, I know, but really?!  Right after?!

One of my favorite things...
Diet Pepsi.  It's like other people's coffee.  I need it which means I'll have to give it up again soon.  :(

A few plans for the rest of the week...
the doctors.  Kevin and I took the kids for a run this weekend, and he took a spill.  His ankle looks pretty swollen.  We're going to see if there's a fracture or anything.  While we're there, I'm going to get Rory some bloodwork.  Then it's gymnastics, choir, the gym, taking Kaelyn to and from school, collapsing from exhaustion, and doing it all over again.

A picture thought for you...

I have a feeling that there is a very similar picture of me somewhere out there.  I think she looks a lot like me when I was little in this picture.  Have a happy week, folks! 
  

Pictures of a Day in the Life of Me

This is the groundhog that lives under our front porch.  He has dug away at the dirt supporting the bricks of our patio, so the patio is caving in.  Might I mention the flies that swarm his hole.  Every time we open the front door, one of them gets in.  I want it fixed as soon as possible.  Waiting on funding...

Making craters

Making craters on Mercury

Snacktime.  Could I have a trophy or something?  I think I won best mom for telling my child to hold on while I take a picture as she screams her head off.  She tried to open her peaches by herself.  Stellar moment.

Driving Kaelyn to school even though technically she drives.

Picking Kaelyn up from school with Marley.  She prefers to go in her jammies since she gets up from nap right before I have to leave.  Kaelyn's driving in this picture again.

Dinnertime.  She's still in her jammies.  The firemen visited preschool today.  :)

There are no shots of after dinnertime because that is witching hour, and there will never be proof of what goes on here then.  These are the days of our lives.....

Things I Have Learned About Myself...

1. I was born during the right time period.  I don't think I would be able to make those prairie days or really any days before indoor plumbing.  I think everyone in our house is pretty regular lately, and it's just a good thing to have.

2. I am getting old.  I'm starting to notice that I do not bounce back from working out as fast as I used to.  There are a lot of younger people in my classes at the gym, and I find myself huffing and puffing while they're jumping up and down and ready to go.

3. I feel like I've been doing a lot of things better than before.  I've tried to slow down and keep the calendar clear.  I've been keeping school a priority even when I COMPLETELY do not want to do it.  We're talking EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING do not want to do it.  Our weekends are open and wonderful.  Low and slow....it's great.

4. I need a white board on the front door facing in.  Then I could write all the really important things that need done that day.  I'm worried that I would start writing down things that will be important a couple days out because I'll be afraid to forget them.  Then it'll get all cluttered and look like the calendar I already have that has things written for me to forget about.

Sorry for the random thoughts.  Sometimes I just gotta get things off my mind to make room for more awesomeness.  HA!  I'll leave you with a picture because I'm nice.

Is this the little girl I cared for?  :(