Memorial Day Sunday.. Made the Most of It!

We spent Memorial Day Sunday in the garage with the Hobecks avoiding the on & off rain. While the adults ate out there, the kids had a picnic on the porch...


For the short while sun was out, the kids had fun in the pool...


When the rain came pouring down... they danced in the rain!

Pure Talent...

Most of you know Kayleigh draws. She's definitely the artsy one in the family! She started by drawing and designing dresses, but as she's gotten older she's started to get into portraits. This is one she drew this week and I thought I'd share with you...

Not sure where she got it from... but she's definitely got talent!

Yikes! He's Gonna Hurt Tomorrow!!

Devin and Kayleigh both worked at a car-wash fundraiser today with some members of our church for a girl with cancer. There were 2 adults there who supervised and made sure the kids had sunscreen on... even PUT sunscreen on them...

Hmmm.... Not so sure they did a good job on Devin's back LOL! If you look closely, you can almost see fingerprints!
















I'm gonna have one sore teenager tomorrow!

Summer Spruce Up!

I've been on the hunt for some summer blog designs for quite a while now... I think I've finally found it though! With a little tweaking of the images and coloring... it's exactly what I wanted for a fresh summertime layout!

Hope you like it!!!

"I Heard You, and Only You Dearie..."

That's what Mike says to Kayleigh after every single band concert we attend!!!

She had her last concert of the year tonight. As a freshman, she was first chair flute each semester!! Second semester she was bumped even more to play piccolo! I don't know how she does it though... she flips between piccolo and flute multiple times in just one song! I'd be afraid I'd drop one of the two instruments!!

The video below is one of the pieces where she just plays the flute though... I figured the grandparents would enjoy it as much as we did...

Growing Up Fast... First Prom!

Seems like just yesterday we were up with midnight feedings and now he's off to prom! His date, Hannah, was absolutely gorgeous and they were so excited as they left! Her Mom and I both could not believe how fast our babies are growing up!

Relay for Life

I made a promise to myself when Mom died, that I would do something to honor her and to help others... I finally honored that promise last night by walking in my first ever Relay for Life. It was an experience I will never forget.

The chairperson explained the symbolism of the night time walk. By the time she was done... the crowd was silent and I had tears streaming down my face.

The walk started at 7pm and went until 7am... 7pm represents the time a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it is becoming dark just as the cancer patient feels their life is darkening. As midnight approaches it gets cold, just as cancer patients begin to feel affects of cancer on their bodies. The wee hours of the morning, around 3am, represents the time a patient is receiving treatment. They feel they are their weakest and they don't feel like pushing on just as the walkers are feeling tired and weak and they often are ready to quit. The early hours sun breaks just as treatment is ending and the cancer patient knows there is an end in sight. The walk ends at 7am to start a new day, a new life for the cancer patient.

I walked for the many people in my life that have had cancer cross their lives. My Mom... My Grandmother... Mike's Grandpa Lyons... Devin's friend Katie at only 17... We also are blessed to know many survivors and I walked for them. Devin and Kayleigh's friend Alexis, my girlfriends son Ethan, Mike's Grandma Molitor, and many more. I also remembered the faces of the kids in the oncology clinic yesterday. I walked for the doctors and nurses who cared for all these people, the caregivers, and the other family members.

I met a new friend last night as well... Lori. 3 years ago yesterday she was diagnosed with cancer. Went through treatments and surgeries and recovered well. She has a beautiful 7 year old son who walked with us on our team. Just 13 weeks ago she was again diagnosed with another type of cancer and is again being treated. As I watched her son walk and play, I realized that this disease could very well take his mother from him... he's not the only one.

I am so grateful to God that I am healthy... that Paige's report came back clean yesterday... that I was able to walk for those who can't.

I am also so very grateful to Devin who participated with me. After listening to the opening ceremony Devin made a decision to run with a colleague of mine in honor of all those he knew and loved who are not here. He did just that! Devin RAN for over 2 hours... 10 miles... through the pouring down rain because he COULD... because others COULD NOT.

Those of us who walked are not the ones to be thanked or praised though... To GOD Be the Glory... we could not have done it without His hand, His strengh, and His love and we look forward to giving Glory to God next year when we walk again.

Woo-Hoo! Good News to Report!

Saw Dr. McLean at Brenner's yesterday. The lumps in Paige's neck are "lymphangiomas". Basically they are tissue and blood vessels all clumped together forming little masses. At this point, they are not large enough to be harmful to her and he was not concerned about her white blood cell count. When he looked at her lab reports yesterday - he said it was 5.6. Still on the low side of the range, but in the range... woo-hoo!

So, the plan from here is check-ups, check-ups, and check-ups. She'll be followed by his Oncology Clinic in 3 months, 6 months, and then annually to monitor any changes and check labs if needed. Gave us a list of "red flags" to look for, but really felt she was fine.

Yeahh!!!

Devin and I did walk in the Relay for Life last night... more on that later... I'm too exhausted to post and upload photos on that right now.

It's a GOD Thing!!!

We were called earlier in the week and told that the doctor's decided that it is best for Paige to see an Oncologist and the appointment is TOMORROW! The appointment letter came in the mail yesterday... seeing the words "Peds Oncology" after your daughter's name is not what a parent wants to see.

This particular doctor has a background in Hematology as well so he'll be able to address her low white blood cell counts as well as deal with the biopsy of the nodules in her neck. Yep... I was a bit freaked out to start with. But the nurse that called was very sweet and helpful. Then, I received a message from a dear friend whose son sees the very same doctor and she calmed my nerves a bit. I've been told by her, and others, that Dr. McLean has great bedside manner, answers all questions, never rushes you, and really wants parents to feel comfortable before they leave his office. So we're going tomorrow with open ears and a mouthful of questions!

We also have another big event going on tomorrow, and this is where the "God thing" comes in...

Tomorrow is also the day that Devin and I are walking in the Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Society... the very day that my 6 year old daughter is being seen by the Oncology clinic. Wow! Talk about timing!!

We are walking in memory of my Mom and Grandmother and in honor of the many family and friends we know who have been touched by cancer. We are certainly praying that our appointment goes well tomorrow. But, I know that because of God's perfect timing that I will have a fresh outlook on tomorrow night's walk. I can only imagine the beautiful faces we will see in that clinic tomorrow, the struggles and triumphs the kids are going through, and the emotions of the parents. As I walk tomorrow night I will certainly be thinking about and praying for the many people I will meet tomorrow.

There is still time to sponsor Devin and I in our walk tomorrow night. Click HERE to go to my page and then click the "Donate" button. To all of you who have supported this cause.... a huge THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!!

Mother's Day at Hanging Rock

After our original plan of going to Kentucky for Mother's Day (to spend it with my family) got nixed... I thought for sure the whole weekend would just fall apart and be like any other Sunday. But, after church we decided to give Hanging Rock State Park a try. We were told they had gorgeous trails with amazing views and lots of waterfalls. We were NOT let down!

We had a fabulous afternoon of hiking and exploring the waterfalls and cliffs. Even Paige managed to hike and climb 3 hours on a "moderate" level trail! The kids all enjoyed it and we took lots of pictures to share.

The biggest highlight of the afternoon was Mike learning to rock climb... as taught by his teenage son! The video below shows exactly how well that went!

(Disclaimer added per Mike's request...
Devin did NOT help him scale this! He was simply there to spot him LOL!)

I had a fabulous day and took a few moments out to Thank our Heavenly Father for providing such a gorgeous afternoon to spend with my family while sitting on a log just taking in the glorious scenery!

And as I sit on the back deck tonight, I thank my family for giving me a Mother's Day I will never forget!

Happy Mother's Day to Everyone!!!

Mother's Day Thoughs...

My eyes are so drawn to the Mother's Day cards in every store this time of year, but I quickly look away, in effort to avoid tears as another year goes by without my Mom. She left us on April 13, 2003 and losing her changed me forever. I miss her every day. I think about calling her all the time... to tell her things, to hear her voice... She was such a huge part of my life, and so quickly she was just gone.

It's funny how now, after she's gone, I realize how much she has influenced my life. The way I raise my kids, the meals I make, the way I keep my house, the clothes I wear, and yes, even some of things she used to say I find myself saying on occasion. As I get older I look in the mirror and see more of her in me... it does make me feel a bit closer to her.

Those of you with your Mom by your side, celebrate Mother's Day with her and honor her. You are blessed.

Those of you, like me, cherish your memories and never ever stop loving or missing your Mom and make her a part of your every day life.

Mom, I miss you with all of my heart and soul. I look forward ot the day we meet again.

Kindergarten Kuteness

I can't believe my BABY is almost done with kindergarten. Tonight was their year end kindergarten program to celebrate their accomplishments. She did a great job! I tried to get some pics... but from where we were seated it was tough. I was able to get a few minutes of video while her class was up front on stage...

(She's the cute little blonde in the middle wearing yellow sunglasses)

Great job sweet girl! Mommy and Daddy are proud of you!!!

Happy Birthday Jake!

We spent Sunday afternoon with the Hobeck's celebrating Jake's 8th birthday. We learned a few new fun traditions... first was grilled pizza! What's that? You've never heard of grilled pizza? Well... neither have we, but it is FABULOUS! Of course, it all starts with Jen's home-made whole wheat pizza crust that I know I could NEVER recreate!

Then comes the birthday cake... the birthday boy gets the first bite of cake... literally! Watch the video and see for yourself...

Welcome to North Carolina, Jake! Thank you for letting us in on your birthday celebration!!

Love,