Gabe's Party

For those or you wishing to contribute to Gabe's birthday party ( I humbly thank you), here are some gift card ideas...

Wal-Mart
Game Stop
Kohls
Movie Tickets
Incredible Pizza
Mountasia

Don't even think that this is a boy that does without, we are simply in a rough patch right now. I am amazed at the outpouring of support my family has received. To think of it makes me praise God and remind the boys of the example everyone is setting for them. Of how a kind, God loving person responds to others in times of need. I hope that my sons grow to be gentlemen of this sort, that would make me most proud.

Well, this week has been a whirlwind. The boys got to stay home for inclement weather for two days. They were disappointed that it was ice and not snow, and even more disappointed that I made them do homework each day. But, I think they had fun. I had my aunt Kathy and my cousin Geri visit from Sedona, AZ. We spent last Easter with them and that's when the boys got to see the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon. That's also the road trip where my dad and I had to endure the last 6 hours home with Mason, Gabe, Riley and Parker, riding in the Excursion in there boxers convinced they had contracted the Bubonic Plague (from that cute little mouse they caught at Cadillac Ranch.) They spent hours peppering me with questions about the plague, signs, symptoms, how long does it take to get sick, the history of the nursery rhyme, ring-around-a rosie... By the time we got to the ranch, I just told them to stop talking, and if they died on the way to the house, I would stop and leave them at the hospital. I thought it would never end. 6 weeks later, Mason had a rash on the back of his arm, he comes to me in a panic, convinced that he NOW has the plague and what should he do????? I almost cried. First, it was dry skin, second that set off a whole new round of concerns about plague among the boys and many, MANY phone calls at all hours of the night. I don't think any of my boys, will play with mice ever again.
Anyway, it was great to see them, and visit, and I will be going to Sedona in 2 weeks to spend a little more time with them.
I had my picture taken with with just my sister and I today. Pictures make me cry. It reminds me that everyone, who tell me to fight with all I've got, want a picture of me healthy, with hair, and smiling...to remember me by. It reminds me that my time is finite, and we all know it. That it may be months or years, maybe even a decade or more, but not a "lifetime". I realize that any one person, can die at any time, but for the most part we conduct our lives with no thought of our own mortality. It's kinda a mystery, you don't know where, or when, or why? and truth be told you don't think about it. I have been given a clock by which to mark my time. Pictures, mark the passing of a lifetime, the kids growing up, You and your husband, aging together. Right now, for me, pictures mean, there's a time I won't be in them. One day my sons will sit down for a photographer, my husband will smile and encourage them, and I won't be there. My time will be up, much too soon for me. I hate that my boys will now mark their memories with me by which time I had lost my hair, by where the last tumor was. That road trips and vacations will be planned around whether or not I have some sort of treatment.
I spend more time whining, don't I? I feel for each of my friends and family members. Thank you for your tolerance and patience. I'm sure this too shall pass, or else my Doc will increase my meds and then I can be blissfully medicated and walk around with a loopy drugged up grin on my face. I seriously wonder sometimes if I'm stopped by a cop, if they will make me take some sort of roadside DUI test. I wonder if I'll pass?

OH, the weekend...

Well, let's see.... Friday, I was sick, Saturday, I was sick, Sunday, I was sick. I could be wrong, but I'm sensing a pattern here. Are you? So I spent most of my weekend in bed, miserable with my trusty medications and a barf bag. Can you believe Matt actually tried to carry on a phone conversation with me in the background yakking up whatever it was I may have thought about eating. Imagine what the person on the other end on the phone was thinking... "Man, he's a jerk! He hasn't even asked if she's ok?" or "Did Matt say they were expecting?" or how about, "Dude, turn the volume on the TV down!" Which only goes to show that Matt is so accustomed to my being sick that it equates to background noise for him. That's sad, really, really sad.
On the happier side of the planet the boys had a great weekend. Thanks in part to our many considerate and generous friends. Natasha and Stace cooked up, I use this phrase on purpose, that Riley and Parker should come and spend Friday night with them. They planned to spoil them rotten. Which they did. Riley and Parker had a great time! Apparently, Riley told everyone, "You guys get the cold lonely pool. I get the hot tub with the ladies!" The boys had a fantastic time. Thank you Stace, for giving them this break I think they so desperately needed. They smiled, really smiled when they came home and it felt great to see it. You made my weekend so much better. Gabe had a friend over, Felix, he's been a friend for years. Gabe wanted to show off his new all-his-own- room. They played games, rode bikes, planned raids on the kid down the street. And they were both asleep by midnight. Worn out. I sent Felix home exhausted. So all in all, it was a good weekend. My kids were happy, that makes me happy. I don't think I have met a person like Stace. She always has a smile, a plan. She's informed on current issues and kid issues and is just this amazing ball of energy! Seeing as how most days, I don't want to get out of bed, I really admire that in her. Thanks again.

Oh, let's not forget the lotto on when my hair falls out. If you haven't texted, or emailed me with the date you choose, the dollar amount you want to donate. Hurry up! My hair is starting to thin. Winner gets a gift card and and gets to choose the charity it benefits.