Pennies for Patients

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society paid a visit to the girls elementary school this month. The message they gave filled their sweet little hearts to the brim with compassion for patients who are fighting these diseases. They came home eager to share with me what they learned and how any amount of money, even if it is just one penny, can help to make a difference. They each sacrificed some of their hard earned money to the cause. Claire surprised me when she decided to give everything she had, right around 23$. She said that she would rather spend her money so that kids could get better, than to keep saving for her American Girl. I am so proud of her.

This also gave me an opportunity to share with them about a little boy named Lincoln 2 1/2 years old. I read to them a little about his treatment and shared pictures that his momma put on their family blog. They were sad about him and what he has been through. It's hard, things like this. How exactly do you share things that are so sad with your kids? Maybe you might think I am nuts to do so, but I disagree. I believe we are meant to see and hear about things that tug at our hearts. We are also meant to do something about it, and that is just what my girls did. They had the idea to make cookies and try to get just a little bit more money than they already had.

Well today was execution day, and we headed to the Law School armed with about 6 dozen cookies, empty money containers, and six adorable beggars! We had just about 2 hours and here is how it went down...

Slowly the jar began to fill up!

It was pretty fantastic to hear them sharing about what they were raising money for, and to see their faces go giddy when a 5$ bill went into the jar. After we finished we met up with Dad and had a little pizza
Then it was back home to count up the dollars and coins. Just in case you are wondering the extra child is our neighbor and Olivia's best friend, Aiden Grace. She is practically family and you will see her in lots of our pictures.

I am so proud of these girls for deciding to put a little more into this project than just hunting coins in the couch. In just 2 hours they were able to collect $80.14! While $80 alone is not enough to end cancer when it's added to the over 2,500 that the school has raised, and then you factor in all the other thousands of schools that are participating, it starts coming together. They are indeed helping to make a change!

February- for a short month, this is pretty long

I'll start with the sad news first. There has been a death in our family. It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that little Emma, one of our Hamsters has died. Or rather, was brutally Murdered in the First degree. Oh yes, Iam pretty certain it was premeditated. Miles had been stalking the cage since we first brought them home. See exhibit A

This behavior continued for weeks. It wasn't until Ben age 21 months possible conspirator, left the cage open that Miles became more aggressive in his pursuit of flesh. Doesn't he just look guilty.

It was at that point that Miles did everything that he could, including knocking the cage off of the shelf. No one heard the crash, and no one was able to resuscitate the victim when she was found hours later. There were no visible injuries leading us to the conclusion that cause of actual death could have been cardiac arrest.

The girls were devastated, and planned a small memorial service for Emma. We buried her in the back yard and the girls are still continuing to place flowers on her grave. It was so sad.

See, isn't it sad!!? Which is why I know you will understand why I did what I did in the next situation. Oh yes, there is more. It hadn't even been a week, when Miles struck again. We had company over and the kids were showing their hamsters to their friends and one of them forgot to close the cage. Ricki was the next victim. Although she didn't die that night it was not looking good. She lived another day before she passed away. I couldn't do it, I couldn't face them again and tell them she didn't make. So I LIED! That's right I LIED and I'd do it again, I tell you!! I sent Todd to the pet store and when we all got home later that day we discovered that Ricki had miraculously recovered!

With that drama behind us Olivia was able to focus on her musical, and she did a great job. Todd and I were just shocked with the amount of energy and animation she put into her performance.

These two let me tell you, are something else! So funny and sharp, and strong! Strong willed, both in spirit and action. They have taken to climbing the walls. It's crazy, and they just do it all the time. Dad's made a rule that they can only do it when he is home and I am gone. It drives me nuts! He has also hung up his pull-up bar and the girls love it, of course.

Valentines Day was a pretty big day for us this year. I got the idea for these Valentines on Pinterest. They turned out great and the kids and I had a blast making them, all 80. yup. Plus 72 Cupcakes. Psh

That's what I did for their classmates, for my girls I made them a special breakfast and bought them all roses.
The boys got cars and a water balloon bath which Ben loved and Aaron wasn't too sure about. Especially when we popped the balloons and the bath turned red. Magic. Aaron was like peace out- I'm done. Then the boys and I headed to school to go party hopping. We spent a little time with each of the girls and the boys loved it!

It was a pretty exhausting and fun day. I had nothing left for Todd. We like to feel each other out prior to Holidays and we both agreed that we wouldn't buy each other anything. Todd was coming off of a journal cite check which was demanding all his time. I don't even think he got home until 8pm that night. We put the kids down, and then made a nice dinner together. That time with him is perfect and it's always enough.

We are getting older you know. I keep getting gray hairs which stand out and scream against my black hair. For every ten gray hairs I have Todd has one come out on his chest. We both were about to turn 32 and that called for a sitter and behavior from us trying to prove that we could still act like we were in our 20's. Thanks to Jaime and Tyler for the great night!

The next day was supposed to snow. By late afternoon, still nothing so the kids and I took blankets outside to wait for it to start. It was so much fun. We got under the blankets bouncing and chanting snow, snow, snow! I told the kids that we were doing the snow dance and this would indeed make it snow. We only had to wait minutes before it started to snow lightly. It was so much fun. Dad was upstairs and he captured this moment of us that I am sure they will always remember, then he came out to join us.

The next morning was gorgeous. We were outside early to make the most of it. Ben loves it!

On Dad's official Birthday we made him a birthday cake completely from scratch! It was a pretty high stress situation for me. It was my first scratch cake and of course I wanted it to be perfect. There were lots of little hands involved. The recipe was amazing, but how could it not be with all the butter,eggs, and sugar it called for. The girls decorated the house for Daddy. Then we took him to the kids favorite place, Red Robin. We planned to take him bowling, but Daddy had a long day at school and just wanted his cake. Who could blame him, it was pretty amazing.

My Birthday followed three days later. I woke up sick and mostly slept on the couch. I was pretty partied out and this rest was just what I needed. I have been feeling so blessed and so grateful for everything. I am so proud of my family!

Oh, Piss!

My sweet Aaron has a tendency to wait till the last minute before announcing to anyone within ear shot that "he has to go to the baathroooooom!" Then it's a mad dash for him trying to wiggle his pants down. Sometimes he doesn't make it. Or sometimes he does, but that darn toilet seat get's in the way!

This was the case the other morning. He took off running, we all yelled an ecouraging, "go, buddy, go!" as he tore off down the hall. Seconds pass and we hear a desperate scream, " Mom, I having a problem!!!" I arrive in time to see him letting go on top of the toilet seat! Awesome.

I was actually quite impressed with his ability to keep in all right there. :)

Home for Christmas

Here is what our Holidays looked like