Memoirs of Me & Mine

Taking A Stroll

2013-05-15T18:19:00.001-05:00

As I was driving to work this morning I saw a pig walking down the side of the road. It appeared to stop and socialize with this miniature horse. Then went on its merry way.

Sports & Field Trips

2013-04-28T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm behind on my posts! It's the busy time of year. All sports and field trips for two months.

T-Ball

2013-04-09T06:14:00.001-05:00

My babies are playing t-ball for their first time this season. I love watching them play. It's absolutely adorable. But watching and listening to the parents in the stands is a completely different story. For starters, it's all about winning. No one is there for fun. They don't teach the kids to play other positions. My boys have been in the exact same spot every game. I thought I was paying for my kid to learn how to play the game. That is not the case at all. One parent in the stands has no problem putting down other people's kids when they mess up. Not to mention, their games are at 7:30pm and 8:00pm. Maybe it's just at my house, but my kids go to bed at 8:00pm every night. As a parent and a teacher, that is entirely too late for 5 and 6 year olds to be starting a baseball game.
That concludes my gripe session for today!

Our News

2013-04-07T14:48:00.001-05:00

When my husband and I adopted our twins at 2 months old we didn't give them names we had always picked for them. Most of our reasoning for this was guilt for taking away the names the birth mother gave them. We felt it would be a betrayal. However, we have always regretted it. So now, six years later, we are petitioning to add the names we chose to their middle name. This way they keep the name they were given from birth, but also have the name they were given at adoption. My husband has frequently called them by the names we chose. So it's not a huge new thing for them. I do wish we had thought of this sooner. But since they are only six, it's still not too late.

Update on my Mom:
She had to shave her head this week. Her hair was falling out at a fast rate. It was starting to bother her. So this past Monday she shaved it. This time she isn't wearing her wig. She has decided to go with caps and scarves. I had to explain cancer and chemo to my kids. They were surprisingly very understanding. It didn't seem to shock or scare them. I pray they learn to have incredible strength, courage and hope just like their Granny. Even in the face of cancer, she powers on!

Hair

2013-03-29T18:43:00.001-05:00

My mom had her third chemo treatment the day before yesterday. Her hair is starting to fall out now. Each time she runs her hand through her hair a little more comes out. Last time she shaved it as soon as she noticed it thinning. But this time she said she's going to try to make it through the weekend. She already has a wig and is looking at getting a scarf. She hasn't really been sick yet, just a little more tired than usual. The first two nights after chemo she doesn't sleep well at all. Next week they put her port in for the chemo. They tried doing IV chemo treatments this time. However, they have a hard time getting her veins to cooperate. Sometimes it gets painful. So she requested having the port again.

Happy Birthday Koko

2013-03-16T13:28:00.001-05:00

To our sweet Koko.
Happy 23rd birthday beautiful daughter. We are so proud of the lady you've become.
Love Always, Us

Mom's Post Mastectomy Update

2013-03-08T08:11:00.001-06:00

They took my Mom's drain tube out on Monday, March 4, 2013. Chemo starts Wednesday, 13, 2013. It will be once a week for 12 treatments, then every 3 weeks for the last 3 treatments. She will not have to do radiation this time. The doctors said her hair may only thin and not fall out during the first 12 week treatment. However, it definitely will during the last 3 treatments because it will be a much stronger chemo.

My Home as a Safe Haven

2013-02-20T10:53:00.001-06:00

While watching the news this morning, I heard a disturbing story about
an infant being left in a bag. I cannot understand why someone would
do this when hospitals and fire stations are listed as safe havens.
All you have to do is drop the baby off, no questions asked. If fact,
if that's too much, bring that baby to me. I won't ask questions
either. Just consider my house a safe haven also. This kind of
cruelty is completely outrageous and uncalled for. It makes so sense
to just leave an innocent baby to die. So for everyone out there
thinking of abandoning their child, I beg you not to leave them to die
in a bag or trash can or anywhere else for that matter. Take them to
a safe haven where they can be cared for and loved. Bring them to me,
I'll provide all the love they will ever need.

For those interested, here is the link to the news story:

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8999231

Mom's Mastectomy

2013-02-20T08:27:00.001-06:00

My mom had surgery yesterday. They did a mastectomy, taking her
remaining breast. It's not believed to be in the lymph nodes this
time. However, we won't know for sure until the test results are
back. She looked a bit nervous before surgery (understandable). But
after surgery she looked awesome. You would have never known she had
just been under the knife. She was up and walking as if nothing had
happened. Definitely one amazingly strong lady. My sisters learned
how to clean the drain tubes and port area before we left the
hospital. Mom will be able to come home today. Her next step after
recovery will be chemotherapy. If the cancer isn't in the lymph nodes
she may be able to skip radiation altogether.
Every day is a blessing, don't take it for granted. Take time to
remember the things you have to be thankful for and concentrate on
that. Leave your worries with God.

Piano Learning

2013-02-20T08:09:00.000-06:00

Rj is teaching her little brothers how to play the piano. Ay is very interested. Cay just wants to bang on the keyboard.

Party Pics

2013-02-18T07:58:00.000-06:00

Here's a few pictures from the twins 6th birthday party!

Happy Birthday to MY Boys

2013-02-13T08:13:00.001-06:00

Happy 6th birthday to my sweet little twin blessings from GOD, Ay &
Cay! I love you both very much! Here's a sign I'm getting old and
mushy, every time I looked at them this morning I wanted to cry. Time
has flown by. I can never get back those infant/toddler years. I
miss all of my kids being babies. It feels like we went from their
first army crawl to signing them up for t-ball this week. I tell all
new parents, hold them as much as possible, you won't get that time
back.

I know I have been MIA on here lately. This working full time thing
is hard when you have been out of the loop for almost 10 years. We've
adjusted and doing well. I have mixed feelings about my long term sub
position ending on February 28th. On one hand, I love being in the
classroom and teaching the students. I am going to miss them and the
staff here. My coworkers have been so wonderful in making me feel
right at home. On the other hand, I can't wait to have breakfast at
the local dinner with everyone again (after I drop the kids off at
school) and grocery shopping on Thursdays at 10am. We take those
little things for granted far too often! I do feel a bit guilty. I
will have to miss my kids Valentine's parties at school this Thursday
due to work. I have never missed any of my kids parties. The kids
will be fine, mommy may not be ;-)

Happy DAY BEFORE Valentine's!

Mom Update

2013-01-17T13:19:00.001-06:00

My mom had her M.D. Anderson appointment today to find out the
treatment plan for her 2nd round of breast cancer. They are going to
be doing some genetic testing, which I believe should have been done
the first time. They said the tumor is smaller this time and has not
spread. But she will still need chemotherapy. The surgeon and the
doctor haven't decided yet whether the chemo will be before or after
the surgery. They also haven't decided whether they will take the
breast. (They did take the other breast last time.) Personally, I
think they should. Why chance it right? Of course, let's all
remember, I am not a doctor.
I often wonder what my mom must think about having to do all this
waiting. I imagine it's a test of strength, courage and patience.
She is always very upbeat and positive. Somehow, I can't imagine her
thoughts are always the same as what is coming out of her mouth. It
makes me angry and it's not even my battle.

<br><br>

http://www.zazzle.ca/torn+postcards

Safety

2013-01-09T09:11:00.001-06:00

My 9 year old daughter RJ asked me the other night about bad people.
She said a friend had told her about a movie about a guy that killed
people by cutting them up and sometimes ate them. She wanted to know
if that was fake also. We had a previous conversation about how
zombies are not real. I had to explain to her that bad people are out
there. Adding that this is the reason we teach her and her siblings
not to talk to strangers or ever get in a car with someone they do not
know. We, again, went over the buddy system and 'stranger danger'. I
could tell it frightened her that evil people really do exist. My
first instinct was to sugar coat it for her. However, I want her to
realize the true dangers in the world and know how serious they can
be. When we first moved into our new house she thought it was unsafe
because we locked our doors every night. What she didn't realize it
that we locked our doors at the previous house also. Since the
previous house was two story, she never heard us locking up at night.
The new house being one story, every one knows when we lock up. We
actually moved to a better, safer area. But I will always practice
extra precaution no matter where we live. As a parent, I worry about
my children all the time. Of course, I don't think anyone can protect
them the way I can. Hopefully, I don't scare them into seclusion.
But that they take the knowledge of these safety measures with them
where ever they go.

Nothing In Particular

2013-01-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

Check out this keurig. I love it. Mine is a bit older and not as pretty. Mine also doesn't have three different cups sizes like this one does.

As I was waiting for RJ to come out of her piano lesson, this cat came out of nowhere and landed on the hood of my truck.

Ay found his Mr. Lids. He was so excited. Now they are on his birthday list.

Too Many Commercials

2013-01-03T10:53:00.001-06:00

Here's a sign your kid might watch too many commercials: One, he asked for Mr. Lids for Christmas (http://www.asseenontv.com/mr-lid/detail.php?p=375867). Two, he asked for Progressive Snapshot for his birthday (http://www.progressive.com/auto/snapshot.aspx). He's five years old! (By the way, yes, it was Lil Ay.) He told me that lady on the commercial (Flo) said anyone can use it.

Yesterday I heard Big Cay (our other five year old) ask Ay about his jajamas (otherwise known as pajamas). He also asked me for a bag of tomato chips. I knew he meant potato chips. But it was still very cute. Later Big Cay told Lil Ay not to forget to conk his BB gun. That always makes me laugh.

When we got home from the store yesterday we had a visitor.

I snapped a picture before I ran her off.

Goodbye 2012

2013-01-01T11:37:00.000-06:00

You know you had an excellent New Years Eve when you sleep on the coffee table. That's our Lil Ay.

My Lil Genius

2012-12-30T17:58:00.001-06:00

Lil Ay was just singing, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse soap and slay." He also informed us that egg nog is good for your heart and he's figured out how to make it. He said all you do is get an egg and nog it. Definitely one of the two cutest five year old boys ever!

Merry Christmas 2012

2012-12-25T09:50:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve: Mom's birthday. Happy, happy birthday Mom. We love you always.
We started our Christmas Eve off by going to the in laws. Then we went over to celebrate with some friends. Last we opened our one Christmas Eve gift (pajamas) and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation together.

Early Christmas Present

2012-12-16T17:38:00.001-06:00

We got our kiddos an early Christmas present this weekend. They were so happy to see it. Out of every toy they have ever had, the trampoline is the one thing they have used every day. I even have pictures of them jumping on an iced over trampoline. So when our last one finally broke, we knew we would be getting another.

This is our new Christmas tree ornament. My mom's catscan is scheduled for December 20, 2012. After that they can figure out which treatment plan is best for her (for round two of breast cancer).

The Houston Texans won today. Woohoo! This is the transfer my awesome sister-in-law is applying to a hoodie for my daughter (a Christmas present).

I'm attending my first cookie party this Tuesday. I was told I would need 24 bags with 6 cookies in each bag. Just between us, I bought the cookies already cooked, added the rolo chocolates and baked them shortly to melt the rolos. Also, I didn't actually do the baking/melting part. My most wonderful hubby 'J' did that part. He's the best.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-12-12T14:07:00.000-06:00

Cancer Sucks

2012-12-09T13:51:00.000-06:00

Friday, December 7, 2012 I walked in to my parents house ranting about my cable box going out again. This was the third box this year and I was extremely frustrated. Then my mom told me she was diagnosed with breast cancer, again. She beat this nasty disease back in 2005. Now she was going to have to fight for her life all over again. Standing in front of my mom I tried to remain calm and positive. She said cheerful, uplifting things. Her words were strong and courageous. But the look in her eyes was sad and angry. How do I feel about this? I am so mad. I'm not sure who I'm mad at, if anyone. My mom has faced the devil and won. Why does she have to endure that hell again? I know life isn't fair and God has a plan for everything. I go to church. I trust in God. But right now I'm angry at cancer. If they had taken both breasts last time she wouldn't be facing this again. That infuriates me. My mother is an amazing woman. So for right now, I am angry. I'm not ready to be anything else. It's my blog (as the song says) "and I'll cry if I want to".

Sent from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday: Sight Word Wall

2012-11-28T11:10:00.000-06:00

My Kids Are Cute

2012-11-27T20:37:00.001-06:00

My mom picked up the twins from school the other day so they didn't have to sit through RJ's piano lesson. This is the text I received from her after she picked them up: Fwd: Cayden wanted to go to the store because he was starving, dollar store for a toy and the donut shop.

I taught my nine year old daughter RJ how to knit a beanie today. Lil Ay (one of my five year old twin boys) told her he was so proud of her for learning. It was super sweet.

As Cay stuffed two pennies in his piggy bank this morning, he told me when he gets rich he'll buy me something, like a rootbeer. Ay says he'll buy me a new phone. I think we can tell who has really been paying attention.

Ay seems to have God and Santa confused. He told me this weekend that when you are on the naughty list God brings you an ice pack. First, I explained that Santa brings the gifts and Jesus is the reason we celebrate (in more kid-like detail). Then I asked why an ice pack. His response, "well an ice pack is no fun to play with".

RJ wrote a story about a space turkey at school and won their author award. It was such a cute story. She is definitely talented.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving camping. Kort had to work and wasn't able to come. We missed her a great deal. At least we did get to spend Thanksgiving day with her. I'm thankful for my beautiful family everyday.

P.S. I got the iPhone 5. I was very leary about getting an iPhone. I've always had android. However, I am pleased. I'm having fun with it.

How My Morning Started

2012-11-12T14:39:00.001-06:00

My Monday morning actually started out fine. Everything was running smoothly. Then we loaded up to go to school. I realized 'J' had driven my truck last and my keys were no where to be found. I always leave them in the same spot. I decided I'll just take his truck and look for the keys later. However, Kort has parked so close to his truck that I couldn't get it out. ('J' had already left for work in his company truck.) Luckily, I remembered my spare keys.

Despite that, I still had a wonderful Monday. Look what I learned to make today. (A big thank you to my daughter's doll for modeling the beanie for this picture!)