Elf Mischief by Buddy

Gingerbread houses

Here is our gingerbread village

I was surprised at how well Abby did decorating their house

The kids all dressed up before the Camp SAM Christmas party

We invited all the grandparents and my cousin, Stephanie & her boyfriend to come over and help us make gingerbread houses this year. We had the best time!

Buddy, our Elf

Buddy, our Elf makes his first appearance with goodies & a note

Jason finished the outside Christmas lights- it's so pretty!

I had heard of Elf Magic years ago. However, we never did it until this year. Last year one of Patrick's friends mentioned her elf and Patrick wanted to write Santa this year to request one himself. Since I am so frugal, I asked my crafty Aunt Donna to make us an elf so I wouldn't have to spend the $30+ on a real "Elf Magic" elf. He turned out so great! I hope you can see the detail on his little outfit. Since we are big fans of the movie "Elf" with Will Farrell, I named our elf Buddy after him. I wrote a note from Buddy and left it along with Buddy on our kitchen table. He also brought the kids some of Patrick's favorite chocolates. If any of you also have elves, please send me a note with some of their mischief that the kids really enjoyed. Thanks!

Picture with Santa

Yesterday we all went to the new Bass Pro Shop in Leeds. We had a lot of fun. They have a Santa there & they even take a photo & give you a free 4x6. The Santa is a really friendly one. I couldn't believe we got a picture with all three kids- it took Sarah a few minutes to warm up to the idea of getting that close to him! They have free crafts for the kids. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Catching my breath

Doing yardwork at the new house

Abby in front of the Christmas tree

I LOVE this picture!

Hi everyone! So, it has been ages since I have found the time to post. Needless to say, the move, along with all my other stressors, almost did me in! I tell Jason that I hope he likes the house, because I am never moving again. Seriously. I have thought it through. It is a one level, all tile, no stairs, within walking distance to grocery, banks, and 0.6 miles to Jason's work. So we really could be here forever as far as I am concerned.

But really, I have been going through a rough patch this fall and I am thankful that I am starting to feel a little more like myself again. Apparently parents of children with critical illnesses can experience something like a post traumatic stress disorder. It usually happens months after the initial diagnosis and illness phase, after the whole "fight or flight" adrenaline rush is over. It started for me in July, when I began to be anxious and worry even more than my usual worrywart self. Usually my anxiety was not only about Abby, but about the health & safety of all three children as well as Jason and myself. I finally ended up finding a good general practitioner after that ER visit for chest pain in September. My doctor is helping me deal with all my stress and thankfully my stressors are lessening- like the move being over, Patrick & I finding a groove with homeschool, etc... I have kept much of my anxiety to myself because I was afraid it was like admitting defeat. Throughout all of Abby's illness I have always made it a point to try to emphasize our reliance on the Lord and His ability to guide us through it. So I didn't want to talk about my anxiety & stress because I felt like it would be contradicting my message. Anyway, I realize that God uses our weaknesses for His good, so here I am baring it all to the world...

The anniversary of Abby's diagnosis is December 11th. I don't want to seem ungrateful for Abby's progress. Really. As far as this chemotherapy journey goes, we are incredibly blessed. Abby's outcome could have been so different. But that anniversary is looming around me. Just this time of year brings back all those feelings I had last year: fear, uncertainty, anger, exhaustion, grief, terror... The last time we went to Children's for a clinic visit, it was decorated for Christmas, which it was last year for our first visit. Just seeing those decorations again made me remember things I never want to. So I will be thankful once this anniversary is past us. I will be even more thankful after her scans in January and they show that we can still be done with chemo January 15th.

Wow this feels like a long entry. I guess I had a lot to say after being gone for over a month! Thanks to anyone who stuck around to read it all! Blogging really is a wonderful way to get all these feelings out, isn't it? Hopefully it won't be so long before I post again. However, I am making it a point to only be on the computer when the children are asleep. Usually I am so exhausted I go right to sleep too!

Moved in

Hi. So, after much drama we finally closed on the new house today. I will spare you all the details because, frankly, I don't want to think about it anymore. Yes, we moved in it over a week ago. Yes, I have been WAY stressed that it was going to fall through. Yes, God was there with me the whole time and I shouldn't have freaked out about it. Isn't that the case with most of the stress in my life? It's so easy to say stuff like "Let go, and let God" and all that, but it is so hard for me to really let it all go, especially now that I am the Mom and responsible for 3 other (beautiful) human beings.

Anyway, we had some issues getting the internet access this past week during the move. I am really thankful because it helped me see that I was spending too much time blogging & facebooking and just looking up random stuff. I am making it a goal to limit my time on the computer.

I wanted to put up pictures of the new house, but I can't find the battery charger to one camera and I can't find the cord to the other camera, so it may be a while until I can find that one special box that contains all my really useful stuff. But don't worry. I found the coffee maker the first day!

We are moving!

This picture pretty much sums up my life right now. Buying & selling houses, packing, packing and more packing... And all those other jobs I have everyday already! We are set to close on our house a week from today. There have been some complications with the house we are purchasing but I know God will work it all out for the good. We will be moving next Saturday, the 18th. I can't wait for it all to be over! I don't know when I will find time to post again. Hopefully I will be posting pictures of the new house in Pelham!

Alabama State Fair Comes to Pelham

Patrick & Jason in front of their favorite ride: The Gravitron!

All of the children have inherited Jason's love of playing games.

We had a great time at the state fair this week. The fair moved to Pelham for the first time this year. Thankfully we were able to get in to the fair for free so we were actually able to afford to take the kids. (the fair was so expensive i would compare it to a short trip to disney had we not had the priviledge of getting in free). This was the first "fair" experience for the kids, and they loved it. Abby was overwhelmed by all the lights, sounds, people. She didn't know what to think at first. All the kids got to win various prizes, got tattoos, faces painted, the token corn dog & funnel cake. Patrick was excited to see the world's largest pig, or something like that.

It was a fun distraction for Jason & I. For us this week has been so stressful. We have been blessed with a contract on our house, but this also means all the stress that goes along with finding a new home for us & moving & all the steps that come in between those two events.

Homeschool Highlights: Week Five

Abby is following in the shoes of her siblings: she loves to read!

Cooking class: cheddar cheese & pretzel appetizers (Patrick's request)

Children's Theatre at the BJCC: City Mouse, Country Mouse

Patrick's first Cub Scout Campout!

Patrick with new friends from his Pack

Jason & Patrick right before they left for the campout

Patrick had his first Cub Scout campout at Oak Mountain last night. Jason was able to take off so he could take Patrick. They had a great time. I am glad to report that Jason invited me out to see them & have dinner and it worked out so that the in-laws showed up to hang out with the girls just in time for me to go see the boys! It was such a blessing for me to get to go & see Patrick making new friends and having such a great experience. I was also glad to see I wasn't the only mom out there. Apparently when the boys are still Cub Scouts the moms are very involved with the pack since the boys are still young & need the extra nurturing & patience that us moms are so good at providing. I ate dinner at camp & stayed for the campfire. Several of the dens performed skits at the campfire, which Patrick really enjoyed. He really wants his den to work on a skit to perform at the next campout. After I left Jason & Patrick roasted marshmallows before bedtime. This morning they were supposed to go to the fishing rodeo, but Patrick's den leader & some of the other boys wanted to go for a hike instead, so that is what they ended up doing. I am so proud of Jason. It was fun to see him out there in his natural element, playing with the boys & teaching Patrick about camping. I am glad that he is able to take the time off & make sure that scouting is just all fun for Patrick so he will be inspired to stay in it for life, just like Jason!

Homeschool Highlights: Week Four

Playing at Wald Park

Field Trip to Aldridge Garden for class on trees

Cooking Class: Bottom of the Ocean Snacks

In language arts Patrick made his own book about Camp Smile-A-Mile

Patrick is a Tiger Scout

Patrick had his first Cub Scout den meeting this Sunday. We had just gotten back in time from Camp. Patrick seems excited about it and likes his den. Jason was an Eagle Scout, so it was a given that our children will be in scouts, too. We went to the scout store yesterday and purchased his uniform & his Tiger Scout handbook. Patrick is excited about his fundraiser, which is selling popcorn. I am looking forward to the scouting year because he will get to have fun Daddy time & make new friends. His first scout event is this Saturday: a fishing rodeo at Oak Mountain!

Camp Smile A Mile

Abby on the pontoon boat

Sarah with her new friend, Copper the camp dog

I already wrote about our stay at Camp Smile A Mile on Abby's Caringbridge site, but I wanted to write about camp from my perspective. I was blown away by the dedication & thoughtfulness of the staff & volunteers at camp. They are amazing. They do so much to make the trip unforgettable & just perfect. From our welcome there to our special goody bag they sent home, they personalized everything to fit every families needs. Besides tons of Camp SAM stuff like T shirts & car tags for us, they also sent us home with a handmade quilt for Abby & stuffed monkeys for all three kids. (A monkey is Camp SAM's mascot.)

They had activities & crafts arranged for us so that we got to bring home special pieces that we will treasure forever. They had an instructor from Corks & Canvas from Montgomery come & teach a painting class to all the Moms. I brought home my very own still life flower masterpiece! Our big family craft was a bench that we made together & will finish painting here at home.

It was especially touching that nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers & docters from clinic & from 4 Tower volunteer their time & come to serve the families & children. I can't believe how dedicated they are & how much of themselves they give. I don't know if I could do what they do. They absolutely are angels.



Many of the volunteers have been touched by childhood cancer & that is why they have chosen to serve at camp. Trust me, when Abby is off therapy & her disease is inactive, we will definitely be serving at camp. I pray that one day when Patrick, Sarah & Abby are in their teens they will be counselors.



It was great to see Patrick & Sarah getting some TLC from their counselors & making some new friends. I have felt guilt since Abby's diagnosis because so much of my energy & comforting goes to her. I am grateful that they got to feel special this weekend.

Here is a link to more pictures from this magical weekend. http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39455&l=0d44d&id=605729855

Homeschool Highlights: Week Three Continued

Would you believe they have a baby computer game at the library???

Back to school picnic at Homewood Park: Patrick is in the relay race.

Sarah on our blanket eating our picnic lunch

Abby with her friend, Luke. They are 1 day apart!

Luckily one of our homeschool Dads owns a snowcone machine business!

Homeschool Highlights: Week Three

Cooking class: American Flag Cake

Reading about Betsy Ross with Principal Daddy

Field trip to the library

Kandles for Kids

Tonight we went to Kandles for Kids. This is a celebration honoring children with cancer. September is Children's Cancer Awareness Month. Kandles for Kids is sponsored by several intities like The American Cancer Society, Camp Smile A Mile, and our very own Clinic 8 from Children's.

The event was held at the base of the Statue of Liberty at Liberty Park. Even though it was still warm, the kids had a great time. There was face painting, balloon animals, stomp rockets, bubbles, cupcakes, Mayfield icecream and live music... Good times.

There were also very sobering times. Several speeches were made; by parents, survivors and doctors. Then 48 names were read for the 48 children from Clinic 8 who have passed this year. They released white doves in their honor & we all lit candles. While we stood in a circle they played "Angels Among Us." Those of you who know me well know that I have the ability to cry at anything, but I assure you I was not the only one openly crying during that song.

Every time I feel down or anxious about Abby's disease, all I have to do is think about those parents and families who will never get to hold their babies again this side of heaven. I have said it before and I will say it again, "I look around the clinic waiting room and we are the luckiest family there." Tonight I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Here is a link to more of my pictures from tonight: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38572&l=27386&id=605729855

Homeschool Highlights: Week 2

Making rice krispy treat snakes to go with our Adam & Eve study

Rolling out the "snakes"

Field trip to Hoover Veteran's Park

Daredevil Abby just had to go down the big slide with brother