School's in

My beautiful boy is growing up...so we figured it was about time to throw him to the pre-school wolves!  Mr. Snack began his 20+/- year journey as a school boy a couple weeks ago.  And although neither he ("I wanna play!") nor I ("7:45am already?!") are yet jumping for joy each school day, we both seem to be benefiting from this decision.  As reluctant as I was to start him on this journey so soon (he's my baby!), I realized after Little Lady was born that Snacker needs more structure and direction than I am able to give him each day! So I love that he's learning and retaining things, I love that he's meeting new people, and having to follow instructions...from someone other than just mama!  And he loves playtime and snacktime! I can't say enough how proud we are of this boy or how much we love him!

Newness

A new year brings a renewed resolve to return to blogging...a return to documenting the moments of importance in the lives of this little family!  This means, as well, that I must resolve to procrastinate less, and simply enjoy life more.

The end of 2009 brought many enjoyable moments. The birth of our 3rd child at the November was certainly one of those "moments" - rather literally. She came in what they call a "rapid delivery" - less than 20 minutes from when I signed in at the hospital. And she has been welcomed well by The Snack and O-girl - as well as a few other family members. Bryce's mother joined us two days after delivery to help us ease into life with three children. She took great care of us and we literally could not have functioned without her!! My sister Heather arrived in time for Christmas lunch (after getting stuck overnight in a freak snowstorm while driving down from Utah). And my sister Britney and her husband Ben came just in time for some New Years eve fun.

Bryce says this Christmas was our best one yet...we had the gift of a beautiful healthy baby girl, we had the joy of watching two happy little kids on Christmas morning, and we enjoyed the first white Christmas in Texas in over 80 years! Who could ask for more?

Boo!

Spooky Ghost Pumpkins. Snackie helped draw the faces on and we cut them out, but he left the "gutting" part to Little O.

We did the real deal this year (no trunk-or-treat) trick or treating in a friends neighborhood. Snackie loved it! Running from house to house to ring the bell. He did great at the "spooky" houses too, our tough little Ninja Turtle. Little O was a cute - independant little Tinkerbell. What a big girl happily returning to us with her loot!

The kiddos loved daddies Ghost Stories. And Mama had some fun too, yes...that's a "bun in the oven" costume. Every kid asked what I was...and then gave me the strangest looks when I responded! Bryce was supposed to wear the apron and the chefs hat...but he had big plans to just "be himself." ;)

Dinosaur Valley State Park

In an attempt to take advantage of this marvelous weather here in Texas...and to squeeze some good times in before the baby arrives, we took a little adventure last weekend down to Dinosaur Valley State Park - about two hours drive from us.  And it was fabulous (with the exception of CrazyO crying/whining the entire drive down)! There are fossilized dino footprints in the river rock, and great hiking trails. We hiked about 4miles - at least half of it going up - and were sooooo proud of little Snackie, he never complained once about being tired, and never begged to be carried! We guess now that he's four he really IS a big boy! A very pregnant me actually only complained...once...I think. About climbing some crazy steep steps...whooo these legs don't like carrying this extra weight (and there seems to be a lot more of it this time)!

We saw some neat views (being from the East we're always searching for Hill Country here in Texas), swung from some vines (like Diego), Forded some rivers, encountered tons of super crazy huge spiders (about half dollar size) who I believe catch and eat birds rather than insects!! ;)  And then encountered THE BIGGEST SPIDER we've ever seen (forget the dinosaurs guys, this was unbelievable). At least the size of Snackies hand, this thing was terrifyingly huge - and in no way cuddly looking like a Tarantula, and if it were on your person you could die instantly at the sight of it (or at least I could)!  Brycie made some "oh so funny" jokes about mama rolling down the mountain, "what goes bum-belly-bum-belly-bum-belly...splat?" Yes...that should be an indicator to all of you of just HOW DARN FAT I currently am.  And ate, on the way home, at a fabulous new discovery for us - Spring Creek Barbeque. We don't crave meat too often, but when Bryce wants meat, he wants good smoked meat, and he's still talking about this place! I liked the all you can eat sides and endless supply of hot fresh rolls...otherwise known as "extra-large thighs and tooshie!" Check out the slideshow to see all of us monkeys, to see the scary spider, and of course - to get an idea of how big my bum really is.

Just a splash

Not to tease you all...but here I am posting again! I can't guarantee I'll be consistent, but I'll at least try to do better!!

This autumn in Texas has actually been...almost autumn like! The temps have been cool (though fluctuating - 90's one day and 60's the next) and we've been having quite a bit of rain...but we'll take it if it means cooler temps!! And the kiddos obviously don't mind the rain too much - these cuties had tons of fun splashing around in a nearby puddle. Actually, the point of rain gear eludes me...they were soaked to the bone within minutes!!

Superman's kryptonite

Superman & big brother (on a good day) driving around the hospital

Recently our family had our worlds turned upside down. At the end of May my 2 year old nephew "Superman" was diagnosed with cancer. After many tests and surgery it was determined that he has a rare form of cancer called Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney - a cancer affecting only 20 people per year, and I think my brothers own words voice perfectly what went through all of our minds when we heard this diagnosis,

"When I think about it, it seems almost preposterous that my son would be one of those few. Like most people, I've seen people from a distance that get very sick, or lose loved ones tragically, or have children stricken with cancer or other severe maladies, and I've rarely if ever seriously considered the possibility that it could hit so close to home. But on the other hand, I have always had the thought "why not me?" or "why not us?". In other words, I've always known that nobody is immune to great trials, and I guess now I know it more than ever. There is one thing I have learned from seeing other people face similar trials, and that is that there is always a bigger divine purpose, a greater life lesson to be learned."

This trial, for my brother & his wife and family, is huge. Juggling the lives of 6 children is challenging enough, and added to that now is a two year old going through chemo. We all know the difficulties of dealing with a young child who simply has a fever or common cold, now imagine the ordeal of trying to get medicines/catheters/needles/food/drink etc. into a child who is suffering with every pain and trial imaginable. And yet each day my brother and his wife share with us what they are going through, and each day it is one of the two of them who is reminding us to have faith and trust in Heavenly Fathers plan for us. Their strength and faith is almost incomprehensible at a time like this...and yet it is certainly not misplaced.

There are a few words which the wife of my other brother shared with everyone, which I never want to forget, and so I will share them here,

"When my dad had his stroke he went through surgery the first night. If it had been successful it would have made the recovery much quicker. I remember thinking that the surgery was the answer. It wasn't successful and my mom taught me a great lesson of faith. She related a story from Judges 7 where the Lord told Gideon, as he was about to go to battle, to reduce his army from 10,000 to 300 men so that they could see that it was the Lord who would save them. I learned that sometimes things have to look pretty bad so that we can see the miracles from the Lord. We aren't saved by man but by the Lord. No matter how bad it looks or what the medical research says, "Superman" can be healed completely. My mom was reminding me that we only listened to the doctors with one ear because we know that the Lord's power is great. It didn't really matter what limitations they were putting on the recovery because with faith and the Lord's power there are no limitations."

Isn't it easy to let ourselves rely too heavily on man and forget where true power and true healing comes from. Right now Superman is struggling with the early phases of chemo, and with adjusting to a life that is entirely unfamiliar to him. The miracles at this time are small and simple, "Superman drank 4 oz. of juice today" or "Superman took most of his medicine without a struggle." But we are certainly praying for the big ones as well, like that Superman won't lose his hearing due to the form of chemo he is going through, and of course that the cancer will leave his body entirely and that the small lesions they've found on his brain and spine will not also prove to be cancerous. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people praying daily for Superman (one of the bounteous blessings of belonging to a church such as ours) which makes it easier to have faith that the will of the Lord will come to pass. Please, if you feel so inclined, add your prayers to ours in behalf of Superman. And there is a website I can direct you to, which my brother and his wife update daily, if you know them or us and would like more information/updates.

Below I am including an MR image of one of the tumors...it is unbelievable.

This is a "cross section" image of Superman's abdomen. The lower circle surrounded by the white horseshoe is his spine. The large smooth grayish mass to the left is the tumor(s). The cluster of multi colored shapes to the right are his organs. Unbelievable.

A day for daddy

A day in the life of the "Best Dad in the world"

Wake to Snackie, cuddle cuddle

Get The O', cuddle cuddle

Tend the garden
Make some breakfast

Wrestle Snackie

Get squeals from O

Empty the dishwasher

Say some prayers

Get some work done (here or there)

Lego break with the Snackie

Dancing time with Little O

Make some lunch, or some dinner

Hone the skill of a pizza maker

Clear the table
Tend the garden

Family swim time

Make a smoothie

Read to Snackie

Cuddle and love time

Tuck the kids in

Kiss goodnight

Get some work done

Read a book (don't watch a movie)

Play a game...kill the bad guys

Brush the teeth

Watch some 'Conie'

Check the doors

Check the kiddos

Plan canoe trips

Plan some zoo trips

Hug the mama

Say Goodnight

We love you Dadda! And we're so grateful and proud of you for all you do, and all that you've accomplished these last few years. Thanks for all the fun and adventures. The Best is yet to come!

Long overdue Ladies night pics!

Can you believe this is from way back in March? I'd say we're overdue for some more crazy times ladies!

My Super Jetter Man

Secretly and affectionately also known as Super "cheddar" man. And what a little man my Snackie is! He's the reason why in this house we eat things known as, "monster soup" (minestrone), "cat pee juice" (orange juice), and "invisibility sticks" (carrots). He's an adventurer, a musician (it's quite amusing to hear a 3 year old singing "knocking on heavens door"), a comedian (every punch line includes "road hog!")...and a lover not a fighter (well...he can hold his own I suppose!). He's in love with life, and everything about it...even the flies ...they're "nice" and they're his "pets." He's our sweetie, and our cutie, and our reminder of all that is, and should be good in the world...and golly, we love him!

Little O's BIG day

It's hard to believe my little St. Patty's day baby is a year old already, but it's true. And since we can't turn back the clock, we decided it was time to celebrate!

It was a great party with great friends, a gorgeous professional grade cake (thanks Kara), good food (thanks Bryce), and plenty of smiling Irish eyes. Check out the pics, and the little video of an adorable Little O, and a little bit of The Snack as well.

(side note: Bryce's 30th B-day was the day after Little O's, so we surprised him with a candle on the cake too) :)