Arizona

My cousin Ricky died on May 11th after a fifteen month battle with cancer.  At the end, it was extremely painful for him and a few hours before he died, he drifted into unconsciousness.  Although it is sad to see him leave all of his family, I am truly relieved that he is no longer suffering and in pain.

Last Friday, I was able to catch a very late flight to Tucson.  I stayed with my grandparents and it was such a treat.  I treasure the time that I was able to spend with them.  It was fun to wake up and just sit and chat with them.  I also visited with  my grandmother.  She let me take a picture reluctantly as she had curlers in her hair, but I assured her that you would not be able to see them in the picture.  That was the only picture that I took the entire trip.  

Saturday afternoon was the funeral.  Several hundred came out.  So many that there was standing room only in the chapel, many more had to listen from the foyer.  His mother spoke and recounted that she told him to come back and reappear to her so she would know that he was doing well.  He could choose to come as a blue butterfly, a green hummingbird, or he could make her backyard chimes ring (in 8 years they had not rung).  He chose the chimes and sure enough, the day after he died, on Mother's Day, her chimes were going crazy.  And many said that they saw a green hummingbird near the grave site.  Ricky must therefore be doing quite well:)  My mother also spoke at the funeral and did an amazing job.  I was very proud of her.

After the funeral, we all gathered at my aunt's house for a reception of sorts.  Although we were gathered because of Ricky's death, I still greatly enjoyed myself.  It is not often that I am able to be around so much family and I had to keep reminding myself that it was not a party.  All in all, I am really grateful that it all worked out for me to go.

Sunday morning before my flight, my parents, uncle Jim, and Ce came over to my grandparents' house for a visit.  I loved sitting in the their living room just talking and laughing.  I think I could sit there all day long!  And all too soon my whirlwind trip was over and I was headed back home.

I will recount one little funny why I was there.  Celia and Scott were my ride since I was only there for one full day.  I learned that Scott gets antsy around family if he is there too long and that also, that he sings all day long.  Funny though...while we were in the hotel room when he was showering, Ce and I heard a very loud, long, and pleasurable groan.  There was a very awkward pregnant pause.  Then we realized that the sound came from the hallway and not the bathroom.  THANK GOODNESS!  That was going to be a very embarrassing situation!

Mother's Day

I had a lovely mother's day.  I woke up well before everyone else so no breakfast in bed.  I am actually not a fan-it gets my bed all crummy and I do not like that.   

Emilie gave me a lovely book of poems.  I really enjoyed the MOTHER poem-magnificent cooker, over the top, hair brushing (our battle every morning), and reading to her.  Really touched me.   On the other hand, the overpowering, thorny, strangling weed poem was a curious addition for a love poem to me.  Maybe just a bit too close to the truth? 

A wonderful card and letter from Madison as well as a coupon book and a flower.  All were super lovely and sweet. 

I told Terry I wanted flowers and he got them.  I had to chuckle when I saw the plant food in the pitcher though:)  He also made omelettes for dinner, tidied the house, and put the kids to bed all by himself.  A great day indeed! 

Timmy's card was so sweet.  His love for me grows, and grows, and grows!  Absolutely loved it!

I did feel very, very special.  I am the luckiest mommy in the world to have such amazing children and such a fantastic husband!

My mom

Happy mother's day to you mom.  Over the years, I have often thought about just how incredible you are.  I have had the most outstanding example to follow with my own children.  You are the most generous person that I know and you never hesitate to help when you are able.  Your support over the years has been invaluable.  I have cherished your phone calls and friendship especially when Terry has been gone.  You have become more than a  mother to me but I now consider you to be my best friend. 

She is far more precious than jewels... Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 

Many women are capable, but you surpass them all! Proverbs 31:10, 25-29. 

I love you mom.  

Challenge group

My friend Liz started a challenge group which I joined.  Basically, it is a support group for twelve weeks for a few women to motivate each other to exercise and get healthy.  I have been working out for a few years now and felt that I could help encourage these other women and at the same time support Liz in her new endeavor.  The group is one week in and the ladies are doing a really fantastic job.  

Lately, I have been really pushing  myself.  For the last month or so, I have been doing double or triple work outs.  For instance, I start with a 45 minute or so aerobics video, then do a P90x strength video, followed by an abdominal video.  All in all, it is an hour and a half to two hours of exercise.  But lately it just does not feel like it is enough.

I have not been seeing results.  To be honest, I do not feel like I need to lose weight.  But when measurements do not change over a long period of time, it is discouraging to think you have done all of this work without any results.  So I have begun a new work out regime  (Insanity) and so far, it is disappointing.  Just not challenging me enough.

So here is the good news.  Yesterday after I did my Insanity work out, Terry was home and encouraged me to run.  He really thinks that will be the break through that I need.  I have not run seriously since the marathon as I injured my IT band.  But since he was home and I didn't get enough in the video, I did it.  Hit the pavement and did two miles.  And it was incredible!  I felt so good, so free.  It was absolutely marvelous.  Best part was that I had NO knee pain!!!!  I am so encouraged now!  I have always wanted to run another marathon and thought it was forever out of reach but maybe it is not!  Maybe my knee has healed and I have strengthened my quads and glutes enough to let me run again!  Maybe I have had progress in the last year but I could not see it, but it was there!

So now I am super encouraged.  Maybe I can run again!  Maybe my body has changed!  Hopefully, I will be able to incorporate more running.  I will take it slowly as I want to be sure that my knee is strong enough, but I am so happy about this!  Maybe I'll even go buy new running shoes:)

Ants

For a long time, I have been battling ants in our house.   No matter how well the counters were wiped or the floor was swept, I would wake up with ants all over my kitchen.  And they have spread to the kids' bathroom and the living room.  Finally, I have had enough!

I called pest control.  No matter what I did they would not go away and I was not willing to buy some recommended products as they are harmful for pets and kids.  It was a truly wonderful day when the exterminator came!

He put this gel down around the exterior of the house and the ants attacked it.  This is what you see them eating.  He also sprayed everywhere inside.

Already, we have seen a dramatic decrease in ants.  They are not entirely gone.  But I have a 100% guarantee so I get to call them back at any time to spray again!  I cannot express how freaking happy this has made me!!!  Death to all ants!

Sick madi

I do not know what it is about Madison, but poor girl just keeps catching every single bug out there.

We had a dinner invitation for Sunday and she started to say that her stomach did not feel well.  To be honest I did not believe her but Terry stayed behind with her while the other two and I went to dinner.  Good thing too, as she did throw up.  For the next two days she was down for the count with a fever staying mostly at 104.  It seems that lately, she is just catching every single bug around.  I hope that this is the last illness for her for a long time.  After all, summer is coming and we have lots of fun plans to look forward to!

Bella

Friends of ours went to Disneyworld for the week, so we were able to watch their dog, Bella.

She was super sweet.  And the kids adored her!

They keep asking for a second dog, so this was a good test run to see just how that would feel.  Terry and I feel that we are good with just Kailey.  Walking two dogs is no easy task!  I was so tangled up every time!

With Bella here, it was as if I had two shadows all of the time.  Kailey often follows me from room to room.  But Bella would follow me every few feet!  Several times I nearly stepped on her, she was so close!

Madison adored her and was super disappointed when she did not sleep with her but kept jumping from her bed.

Our resident squirrel was out and about a lot this week and those dogs just cracked me up.  They would wait under that tree for thirty minutes at a time.  And if the squirrel went to another tree, they would follow it there.  They loved it!

The exterminator came this week and we needed to be in my room for a couple of hours.  Bella was a mess barking constantly until I joined her.  But once there, she slept quite peacefully.  In fact, she had to sleep with me the entire week.  But she was an easy bedtime companion as she stayed at the foot of the bed as you can see.  If Kailey slept like that and not curled right next to us, she also, could sleep with us.  Bella goes home today and it has been an adventure with two dogs.  But for now, I think we will stick with just Kailey.

Craft Show

This morning was the neighborhood's craft show.  Since we live just across the street from the park and the clubhouse, the kids decided to set up a stand of their own.  Emilie successfully sold some art pieces, Madi sold a ball, and Tim was just happy to participate.  I was impressed that they stayed out there as long as they did.  It was cold with drizzly rain.  They even perused the other stands and ended up buying a few items.  I absolutely adore these kids!

Aquarium

Thursday, I was able to chaperon Madison's class trip to the aquarium. 

I had a group of six, three boys and three girls.  I am happy to say that they did a good job of staying with me!  It really was a necessity as the aquarium had over 1200 kids that day!  It was madness!

After we had explored for a while, we watched the IMAX movie about the migration of monarch butterflies.  Have to admit that I had a moment in the movie.  As it started and the first 3D images popped up and all of the kids were reaching to grab them, I got a little teary eyed thinking what a privilege it was to be there with all of them.  I was very touched.

After the movie, we got back on the bus and headed to a park where the kids ate lunch.  It was a really fabulous day and I think Madi was quite pleased that I was there to share it with her!

IHOP

Poor Kailey has been very sick.  She has been throwing up and vomiting for five days (and of course Terry was gone for this).  The dog has had to sleep with me as she has been waking up several times a night to go out to do her business.  I have been very grateful that she has been waiting to go outside!  Although, I have had to lock  her in the laundry room several times to limit the mess while we were gone during the week.  

Tuesday morning, I dropped her at the vet very early.  She ended up getting loads of meds and is now much better.  But since were out and about so early, I took Tim and Madi to IHOP.  Poor Em had already left on the bus for her art school-she leaves very early indeed and missed out breakfast.  But Madi and Timmy thoroughly enjoyed it!