Tales of a 4th Grade Earlybird

8:30pm - night before first day of school - Emma retires to bed

10:00pm -Emma leaves bed to inform me that she's too excited to sleep

Midnight - Emma repeats her trek from bed to living room with additional insomnia info. I'm trying very hard to remain patient as I coerce her back to bad.

1:30am - Are you serious, Emma makes way downstairs to further describe anxiousness as I sit at computer. All patience has been forfeited now (11pm to morning is my time unless a fever or vomiting takes place) and I threaten her build-a-bear's life if she approaches me before sunrise again.

2:30am (yes I'll admit to my own sleeping problem but I've got more than pencils & lunch partners to worry about) - I enter my sleeping quarters and find the said Emma crashed in my spot next to her father. The TV is blaring Disney Channel and her head is boulder weight on my very favorite can't-sleep-without pillow! I cuss a little in my head and begrudgingly plod to her bed.

6:40am, First day of school - I hear bowls clinking in the kitchen, look at the clock, repeat same cuss words in my head, and roll out of bed to find the 4th grader dressed with hair done. She is eating her bowl of Cheerios.

School begins at 9am people.

8:35am - Snap traditional picture

8:40am - Meet up with same walkers/friends/cousins from previous years

8:45am - Final members of the walking bunch arrive and they're off. I yell "I Love You Sweetheart" because I really do. She says she loves me too so apparently she's not embarrassed by that, yet.

8:50am - Perform Mary Poppins kick to the side and write note in next year's August calendar, "Medicate 5th grader with Benadryl, Sudafed, or anything that causes extreme drowsiness"

Trav Update

Thanks to you all who have been praying for my aunt & uncle. I'm sorry I've kept you in the dark but there's really no good way to write about his prognosis. Trav remains in the hospital today because he cannot breathe completely on his own. The additional news about the spreading cancer has been devastating. I never wanted to write this post and most of all, I never wanted to give up hope. Travis is one of the most dedicated dads I've ever met. He is also the best husband and friend to my aunt Karianne. I know about trials and faith and all that important stuff, and it wouldn't be right happening to anybody, but I'm still mad that it's happening to them. They have a happy family and were content with the simple life. To think of Karianne's future without her Trav is quite literally, unbearable, which is why I haven't been blogging. You all have no idea how much we appreciate your thoughts and concerns for them and for our family. I wish with all my heart that I could tell you he has alot of time. I wish I had some miracle dust. I wish there were a cure for cancer. I wish, I wish, Oh how I wish...

Happy Birthday to my Sister, My Best Friend, Lyndee

I wanted to post all that my loyal sister, Lyndee, means to me on her birthday this year, but my mind was focusing on other stressful things so I've decided to play catch up with a copy & paste of a comment I made on her memory blog:

My first memories of you were realizing that you were mom's favorite, but I am not envious given that you're my sister and I totally understand because you were always trying to please everybody. You don't like to see people in distress and will make good or create peace at any cost. Another vivid memory is you asking what time it is. A trait now passed onto our sweet Justice. The day you learned to tell time was nothing less than glorius. Had we realized that you just wanted to be 30 mins early at the age of 3, we would've been more patient. Since there's no way I could write about every memorable moment, I will list them and they may only mean things to you and I:Making potato chips when we were home alone, coloring on your John Schneider face, your love for Culture Club and New Kids. The ankle knock(sorry!), wanting to kill Cari Lesbian for you, you sticking your tongue in your cheek when you fibbed, your loyalty to your friends and me, you working at video express, trip to D-Land with Linda(ugh), trips to Hawaii, buying me Blimpie cuz you realized I hadn't eaten in 2 days, making me flowers cuz the same boy was a jerk, sticking up for me to mom, you being a way better babysitter than me, you floating in the water trying to waterski for HOURS. You writing Steven on his mission cuz he was going thru a letter shortage, Mile High trips, Broncos games w/emphasis on superbowl wins, being mad you were in Minnesota for 1st superbowl win, 50's grill in minnesota, phase 10, leaving you in minnesota(sniff, sniff), missing you when you lived in minnesota, wanting to move to minnesota. Rick Springfield, New Kids, Def Leppard, Rascal Flatts and Matchbox concerts. Wicked, Invesco, protesting the circus and you being strong enough to go again so I followed, supporting anticruelty to animals, giving money to whoevers in need, leaving a new rice cooker in my car for no reason, making me dvds, working at Allstate for Hawaii money, yellow pinto, hand & foot, rummy, watching Apollo skate in person, pumping in car, buying twinner clothes on purpose even though we're in our 30's, jeff saying weird when it was me on the caller id, getting your advice on pretty much any decision I've ever made, being understanding when I turned mormon, calling you for every little thing I think about, tending my kids, Tug loving you even when he only saw you once a year, did I say hating you being in Minnesota? Book club, Joe Biden and voting for whoever you're voting for because I trust your opinion, you falling alot, Socrates driving us crazy, laughing always. This list would never end if I let it but I will semi-copy Edward in saying, "It's like trying to talk about one tree when there is a very large forest." You are all that a sister should be and I love you more than any list could convey or words can be read. Thank you for fighting for your life when you entered this world at a mere 2lbs 13oz, because I would be lost without you Lyn.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways ~ Psalms 91:11

I pray that the angels accompany you on your path Trav. Thanks for fighting with everything you have for Kari, and your girls, and DJ, and your parents, and everybody. You are a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. We love you!

Cousins Rock

Who needs a slide that's as tall as Mount Everest? Or one that twists and turns until your swimsuit wedgie halts all circulation to your right leg? Sometimes there's nothing like the good ol' days at classic waterslides, especially when you're cruising down them with your cousins. Below are my kiddies with Trace and Payton, my cousin Danielle's kiddies.
Kinda reminds me of these days-

Danielle is shortest one and in front of me in the red (she still poses the same.) Funny story from Brooks- I was dousing the "primas" in sunscreen when Brooks said, "Wow Trace, you are really brown. Why are you so brown?" Trace just laughed so I said, "That's because Trace is full spanish. You don't have as much spaniard in you as Trace does." Brooks reply, "Oh, so that means I'm white spanish!" Exactly.

I promise Emma & Trace are in the picture below. They're buried in splash together on the BERACUDA!

I had alot of fun with my cousins back in the day. Come to think of it, I have alot of fun with them today! I'm glad we've stayed close. So Danielle is in the sweater, I'm in the middle with my most favorite shirt ever (I thought I was headed to Hollywood in it, seriously) and Lyndee's in the never-goes-out-of-style sailor dress, or is it a shirt? Hard to say, but how about those socks with sandals huh. I was a walking blueprint of fashion even back then.

Reasons for Hope

When you say a situation or even a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God ~ Charles Allen

So I guess it's time to tell you all what's been consuming my heart lately. As most of you know, my uncle Trav (who's my age & married to my maternal aunt ) has been fighting an uphill battle against esoph cancer for 10 months. He had immediate success with chemo and radiation but the surgery after has left complications of an anastomotic leak and blood clots in each lung.

As if that weren't enough, they received news that the cancer has returned. Trav is currently in the hospital trying to control the clots, repair the leak, and strengthen his lungs. He is physically weak but mentally determined to wage on. He is a true blue family man with a big heart.

Though their trials are more than rattling, they are not ready to give up. They believe that traditional medicine will provide the most help but are trying some alternative things as well. Trav & Karianne have met and been inspired by others who have proven that it is possible to live with recurring cancer, and most importantly, they have walked by faith throughout this ordeal. They have placed everything they love and hope for in the hands of God. If I could ask one thing of you all right now it would be to please remember them in your prayers.

I know alot of people would've lost hope by now, but gratefully, they know better. Mother Teresa once said, "To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it." Trav & Kari realize there's a stronger power and are willing to accept his will whatever it may be, but they also believe they must exhaust all oil, every mean before they throw in the towel. Thank you for your constant concerns and for all the praying you have done for their family. Your prayers for Steven's brother do not go unappreciated either.

The quote above the picture says all that I feel. Once again, thank you for being such faithful friends. I BELIEVE with you Kari & Trav.

Fort Crew - 1st Place!

Scramble, Sweat, Survive... I heard about the eating contest and I wasn't sure this "crew" had it in 'em. Turns out E.J. with her cousins Alivia and Rachel along with good friends Carson, Connor, & Cade had it ALL in them. They beat about 7 teams for the Anything Goes championship on Saturday.Just messin around while they wait

The strategizing beforehand pays off

They start with the eating contest. Here's E.J. drinking sludge of juice, soggy animal crackers, and who knows what else. Feeling a little guilty now for screaming, "JUST SWALLOW IT, DON'T THINK ABOUT IT!!"

Here's Carson trying to gag down the green olives. Shae, his mom & my friend, gives him the advice to plug his nose which he does and ends up keeping them down. Good job Cars!
Twin brother Conner shoves in the jumbo marshmellows

Cade picks up the caboose and eats oreos smashed with gummy worms. The other team couldn't swallow the green olives and had trouble with the spinach so Fort Crew won this one by a long shot!

Then they had to each kick a soccer ball down to the canoe where they sat together and rowed while singing "Row Row Row Your Boat." I love the looks on their faces. They were having a blast!

Then came the search for fake snakes with their feet in mucky, yucky water. I didn't want to know what was else in there.
Next up was the rope swing. This is the amazing Cade who went to the top at mach speed. Carson, Conner, and Rachel also made it to the top. I was proud of Emma & Liv for making it halfway cuz that's more than I could do.

Ok, so sadly I phased into one of those annoying competitive parents. I never thought I'd get like this but they were winning everything and loving it!
Emma performing her trademark hard throw with paintballs at the Rhino target. She may not be able to climb all the way to the rope-top but the girl can throw!

Last was the golf toss with a wedge club. This was much harder than it looks but the Fort Crew passed in record time.
And the winners are
Talk about exciting!! There were two other teams that rival each other and win every year but Emma's team didn't know about that until after. I don't think it would've mattered. These kids were determined. They won $10 each and were proud to show their winnings. Photo is minus Rachel, she must've run off spending immediately like a girl after my own heart.

Pool party after at Carson & Conner's grandpa's. Their name came from their fort building activities they've been working on in our backyard for some time now. I'll have to post those pics later.
Expressions say it all

Brooks took 2nd place in the Kid-k one mile run last week too. I filmed that one on video so no photo available but a boat shot will do.

Dont even ask. This is Jeff, or is it Fabio? Nevertheless, it's not Steven for once.

Brooks & Bobo are rather glad the siblings teamed up so they can enjoy the celebration party too.

Yes, you guys are #1. Seeing their reaction when winners were announced was absolutely priceless. It makes all these crazy city days worth it!

And because life is just good, plain and simple

Thanks Shae & Jeff for the yumderful BBQ and swim fun after. It was the best way to end this very busy week but I can't wait to do it exactly the same next year. Fort Crew in 2009!