tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33421666488957472262024-02-20T04:54:37.245-05:00 The Lily PadA blog about family, a diagnosis, living and giving, and all the craziness in between-from our pad to yours...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-87954186625866503862015-11-13T10:22:00.000-05:002015-11-13T10:23:40.922-05:00Halloween Fun<div>
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We had a great Halloween in our new neighborhood. There was a pizza pre-party with neighbors, a big pack of kids trick-or-treating, and lots of lots of candy, enough to satisfy even the most pregnant of bellies! Jameson went off with friends as did Cameron (unchaperoned for the first time). Still laughing thinking about Cam dropping his loot, all 50lbs of candy, on the ground when he got home as he began recounting his night for me, in all its glory, "Don't get me wrong mom, it wasn't easy. There were many times over the course of the night where we thought about turning back. We thought about giving in. But then we decided to just focus on the end result and we pushed on. We refueled when we needed to, asked for water at a few houses when we couldn't stand the thirst anymore but we did it, we did it." Love that grit and determination and how it sounded like he was telling the story of a courageous battle to win a war and not just a quest to fill up his bag with candy.<br />
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Cam went as a spy, Jameson dressed as Doc from Back to the Future, Avery and Ella both went as fashionable and brightly colored witches, and Addie went as a Pop Star who only answered to the name "Lady Goo Goo."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdkRX2Bm8OJe4JhFDZ1KCK0KczWv4KTlXV3qom9A1AgbUUJxsfMNOOiU1einPiLWlHNfqSiRngrzt-0K4TUXI9b_6K5ht-ReE6nQtdOfJ_r-ZT2WomH1Rl4pU7zvyfitmhUE3oi5QjRa8/s640/blogger-image--1043018038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdkRX2Bm8OJe4JhFDZ1KCK0KczWv4KTlXV3qom9A1AgbUUJxsfMNOOiU1einPiLWlHNfqSiRngrzt-0K4TUXI9b_6K5ht-ReE6nQtdOfJ_r-ZT2WomH1Rl4pU7zvyfitmhUE3oi5QjRa8/s1600/blogger-image--1043018038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdkRX2Bm8OJe4JhFDZ1KCK0KczWv4KTlXV3qom9A1AgbUUJxsfMNOOiU1einPiLWlHNfqSiRngrzt-0K4TUXI9b_6K5ht-ReE6nQtdOfJ_r-ZT2WomH1Rl4pU7zvyfitmhUE3oi5QjRa8/s320/blogger-image--1043018038.jpg" width="320" /></a>Jim and I were invited to a friend's Halloween party (Adults only), and since we had prize worthy costumes last year, knew this year's must be pretty creative too. I decided to work the pregnancy into the costume and made myself into a can of "Prego" Tomato Sauce. Jim, was the Italian chef, of course. I wore red tights and a red long sleeve shirt. I peeled a label off a jar of Prego, brought it to Staples where it was enlarged and printed on poster-board. I used tape to secure around me in the back and held up with red suspenders. Viola! We got Jim an apron and a chef hat then used yellow yarn for spaghetti, and styrofoam balls which painted brown for meatballs. We hot glued these onto his apron and hat to jazz up a bit. Such fun!<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-89046742053851769442015-11-11T22:02:00.001-05:002015-11-11T22:08:37.172-05:00The Comeback<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pJoTeSIwzVWBEF_3BdDoL2JK-DJjKnLt9_xqsv4Ff95-xQhO2ZNg796PRRsdMldjlmZ8mA_rOLOdqq9-3KScEeBZPGtnNc-Ley-P5gY7ixxc-oYZDkIfeL8yN5Zm1bwoda0M20-yUeSB/s640/blogger-image-1746238778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pJoTeSIwzVWBEF_3BdDoL2JK-DJjKnLt9_xqsv4Ff95-xQhO2ZNg796PRRsdMldjlmZ8mA_rOLOdqq9-3KScEeBZPGtnNc-Ley-P5gY7ixxc-oYZDkIfeL8yN5Zm1bwoda0M20-yUeSB/s640/blogger-image-1746238778.jpg"></font></a></div>I'm back at it, dusting off the old keyboard and updating the blog for the first time in about 8 months. So much has happened in that time, I don't even know where to start. Crazy changes, exciting changes, and if you asked me as I closed out my last post, I never would have predicted how much our lives would have changed in such a short period of time. For starters, we moved to a new, albeit, neighboring town this summer, and into an awesome new house in a great new neighborhood. All five kids started at brand new schools this fall. I cut back at work and am no longer going into the office, only working freelance from home, pretty limited hours, but still teaching ballet one day a week. But the biggest change and definitely most exciting is that the Lily Pad is growing. I'm pregnant and expecting baby number 6, on New Year's Day! We are all beyond excited for the new little blessing to join our family. After my two year check-up with my oncologist yesterday, I am reminded just what a sweet miracle this is, how far we have come, and how fortunate I am to have this new lease on life and new life growing inside me. Walking around the hospital today, moving from waiting room to waiting room, from blood work in the laboratory up to the all too familiar blood cancer floor, where I got reassuring news from my doctor, was just so surreal and emotional. All the anxiety and worry and fear from the six months I spent there came flooding back. This was met with appreciation for the doctors and nurses that treated me and continue to help patients facing ups and downs everyday. My heart ached for all those people in the waiting room who were just starting their treatment and facing so many unknowns. I felt guilt for those who looked at my belly wondering if they would ever get the chance to start their families. I wondered when, if ever, these visits would get easier and what exactly it all means. All this turned to thankfulness for all that has brought me to where to I am today, almost 34 weeks pregnant with my sixth child, wife to my amazing husband, surrounded by friendship, family and most of all hopefulness for what is to come. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fUThyphenhyphenb3Ikyf5Zrp57uIHaFjC9GKlxPIhklOuPTCgG3ItwqyArKBBhrjN5alPFJDGd0C8DWAzLxVo68xy7PZGvgxA1oHtszRuJlZEYRFe_lPB3masERwZHM4c_cP6Cr_gR3KdNxWd3sjU/s640/blogger-image--1181568177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fUThyphenhyphenb3Ikyf5Zrp57uIHaFjC9GKlxPIhklOuPTCgG3ItwqyArKBBhrjN5alPFJDGd0C8DWAzLxVo68xy7PZGvgxA1oHtszRuJlZEYRFe_lPB3masERwZHM4c_cP6Cr_gR3KdNxWd3sjU/s640/blogger-image--1181568177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecui0GmrWNwlnFTAyEvjXsyapwOXEJdkQV-K6k8F0sMsPFPvxTFNGTwiaJBAY221jdE0T9wJrGDWpr-q7Wm3xbi1KUGgTLLyzNKfdl-gILPGv0uCX2sjwHRHesxvkg7QkaJriy2KLbto2/s640/blogger-image--1284142628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecui0GmrWNwlnFTAyEvjXsyapwOXEJdkQV-K6k8F0sMsPFPvxTFNGTwiaJBAY221jdE0T9wJrGDWpr-q7Wm3xbi1KUGgTLLyzNKfdl-gILPGv0uCX2sjwHRHesxvkg7QkaJriy2KLbto2/s640/blogger-image--1284142628.jpg"></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-71972392179656206672015-03-16T23:35:00.001-04:002015-03-16T23:35:12.031-04:00Mini Monets<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella, family sketch, age 6</td></tr>
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Here is some recent work from my little artists. If I preserve it on the blog, I am then free to remove it from the fridge and quietly move it to the recycling bin, right? These girls are very prolific colorers...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery, gearing up for St. Patrick's Day,Age 6</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery, always fashionable, and accessorizing with a rainbow kitty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery, who forgot to write, "I liked to build a snowman in the winter, like the first time it snowed a foot, but then not so much when the snow got to be 8 feet high."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella, hopefully some lamb days commin' soon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addie, we'll say...experimenting with colors</td></tr>
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And how could I forget my sweet, "Abbie's" school work:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great work <i>Abbie</i>, now if we could spend less time coloring and more time working on your letters...</td></tr>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-43432944131385945682015-03-06T12:12:00.000-05:002015-03-06T12:12:19.082-05:00Well Hello Again...<div class="p1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_73PHIaBmizqyr00wXeMG8LNrye8W0nz5hyAgzq2VR4fLLQ9QqEu3Pa6tfiGJjAq1b50lunj7zfrPSaI9Gz6RuuKK57lYO6V7G2tdT-zdNW71LrEO1XTwZIGYAPowSyRpAA-Ej0iNz-lD/s640/blogger-image--231978855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_73PHIaBmizqyr00wXeMG8LNrye8W0nz5hyAgzq2VR4fLLQ9QqEu3Pa6tfiGJjAq1b50lunj7zfrPSaI9Gz6RuuKK57lYO6V7G2tdT-zdNW71LrEO1XTwZIGYAPowSyRpAA-Ej0iNz-lD/s200/blogger-image--231978855.jpg" width="150" /></a>I realize it has been over a year since I last posted. I needed to take some time off, share a little less, grow a little more, but recently I've been wanting a creative outlet for all my thoughts and ideas. I gave up Facebook for Lent- so here I am. Life has mostly returned to normal if any such thing actually ever existed with seven people under one roof , but I try. I am now working in the corporate world three days a week and back to teaching ballet one afternoon a week. We are crazy busy, but busy is good. We just got back from a great trip to Florida and managed to escape for a week, what promises to be the snowiest winter in history. We visited with Nanny and Papa in Jupiter, beached and pooled it, then headed up to Disney for a couple days just in time for the first frost Florida has seen all season long. The frigid temps (by souther standards) scared the crowds away from the park the day we visited Animal Kingdom so there were hardly any lines and the kids thought it was the best day we ever spent together as a family. Magic Kingdom the next day was pretty magical too and I hope they all remember this trip for a long time.<br />
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Now we are back to the snow- lots of it, and back to grind, but trying to have some fun along the way. So on to what you’ve all been waiting for: <b>The Updates on the kids.</b></div>
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<b>Addie</b>: My little whippersnapper is just as cute and cuddly as ever but boy is she a firecracker. She can be difficult as all get up and knows all my buttons to push although she is a complete mommy’s girl. Lots of transitions for this peanut this year with a move, a new school and full day Pre-K, and she is not a fan of change so no wonder she has taken to acting out a bit. But she is just the funniest, most affectionate little thing so I can’t hold it against her. She’s taking ballet at the studio where I teach and grew up dancing so seeing her in her ballet leotard melts my heart. She has learned so much in school this year; is sounding out letters, writing numbers up to 100 and is just crazy about her teacher. She loves to play “school” and can still be found talking to herself out in her own imaginary world. She is always playing or trying to play with her big sisters and when they aren’t fighting they get along great-ha! She is smart smart and sassy but can’t pronounce either of those words because of the cutest little lisp you’ve ever heard. Although she will be 5 this spring she is definitely the baby of the family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uh4beviRhP0KnWpTNMEmj3QZ9dm4m8dTH_x799_t0wtciwB_XFniHkjA-kT-QaLWNiSMdxFtkfdqyPAl9HgjMrOK3i_aB6o8hl5aoS20SpW3hVGc1MKl4eSDKb1wKzyIxOxAzVCI3XsZ/s640/blogger-image-480306450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uh4beviRhP0KnWpTNMEmj3QZ9dm4m8dTH_x799_t0wtciwB_XFniHkjA-kT-QaLWNiSMdxFtkfdqyPAl9HgjMrOK3i_aB6o8hl5aoS20SpW3hVGc1MKl4eSDKb1wKzyIxOxAzVCI3XsZ/s200/blogger-image-480306450.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_9Yh6SJphQ9bk4Nbw7FIzMf9cy4JF7VM1bAkEbTqbjxUciQ6jZLyli74jQNyy4A7L-OntRi5f5nrdKspCexNci5K3obJMxS-EOsXgFEaIJxbCSgohMSGOIrgLyLMh3JUdzjSeKJJuALX/s640/blogger-image--320793624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_9Yh6SJphQ9bk4Nbw7FIzMf9cy4JF7VM1bAkEbTqbjxUciQ6jZLyli74jQNyy4A7L-OntRi5f5nrdKspCexNci5K3obJMxS-EOsXgFEaIJxbCSgohMSGOIrgLyLMh3JUdzjSeKJJuALX/s200/blogger-image--320793624.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Avery:</b> This has been a big year for Avery, in kindergarten and learning by leaps and bounds. She is reading and writing and brings home so much beautiful artwork everyday which reads- From: Avery To: Mom. She has become Miss Independent, as I split her and Ella into separate classes and I think its been good for everyone. She has made some very sweet friends and its nice for each of the girls, as identical twins, to have their own identity. Avery is also enjoying dancing and even auditioned and got a part as a mouse in a professional Nutcracker. Both girls did amazing and I was oh so proud. She is still a girlie-girl and loves fashion and dressing up and make-up. Although she can have a mind of her own at times and is the most vocal of all my kids when things don’t go her way, she is a good listener and a sweetheart. She enjoyed skiing a couple times this winter and is pretty good about trying new things. She is generally willing to compromise and I for one appreciate that in a kid...</div>
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<b>Ella</b>: My girl is acing kindergarten, is reading and writing and follows directions and remembers everything. She's got some self confidence and the attitude to go along with it. She knows what she wants and is not the least bit timid in going after it. She has a very tight group of friends, yet her twin is still her BFF. Ballet and gymnastics come pretty easily to her so of course it drives me crazy when she says she doesn't want to go to these activities anymore- she can be oh so stubborn! She still loves animals of all sizes and varieties- I think she'll be a vet when she grows up- she has such a big heart. </div>
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<b>Cameron</b>- Cameron is in fifth grade and enjoying switching classes for the first time. I can’t believe my littles boy is almost done with Elementary School. Despite 3 feet of snow on the ground he is gearing up for baseball season and had his first practice last week. He did swim team this winter and got skiing a few times, just not quite as much as he would have liked. He is proving he is a responsible eleven year old through pet ownership. Santa brought him a guinea pig this christmas and I have been happy with how well he cares for it. He was a Lost Boy in his school play of Peter Pan and has really enjoyed some great after-school clubs. Now we are to the science fair and he loves this kind if thing, me- not so much!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo28nx4ljTNk1a4fQP0KaRb56F71acaE5XhVwZYtffSlkzV7zcRfK8AG0nHEYiUKwjsw3WphnPxAM4JkXr1mJ26Z0G_UBcpDpxgixjlaLpH_tW1zij9yK-LRCRtVPyhyphenhyphenesS10nJ_DjpkK/s640/blogger-image-226048717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo28nx4ljTNk1a4fQP0KaRb56F71acaE5XhVwZYtffSlkzV7zcRfK8AG0nHEYiUKwjsw3WphnPxAM4JkXr1mJ26Z0G_UBcpDpxgixjlaLpH_tW1zij9yK-LRCRtVPyhyphenhyphenesS10nJ_DjpkK/s200/blogger-image-226048717.jpg" width="196" /></a><b>Jameson</b>- My first baby is almost done with middle school. He has had a very busy winter, in addition to playing hockey and on two basketball teams he is applying to high schools which is a very time consuming process for kids an parents alike. So far he has gotten into to both schools he applied to and received prestigious academic scholarships to both- it will be hard to choose. We are so proud of this kid’s accomplishments and can’t wait to see what is in store next. While still sweet and innocent and by far the easiest going kid around, I'm starting too see glimpses of a teenager- texting with friends, shaving that horrible fuzz above the lip, and tuning me out in favor of his phone-he is clearly growing up! This does come with it's perks, however, and with some small kids at home I am reaping the benefits- I have a built in babysitter. I can run an errand here, drive a kid there and not have to load everyone into the car. On the weekends Jim and I can put the girls to bed early then J and Cam watch a movie while we sneak out for dinner. He is more than responsible, has his phone close by and is First- Aid trained . Did I mention he saved Addie's life on a Christmas Eve when she choked on a necklace locket? Although adults were home at the time, he sprang into action and did the Heimlich Manuever until she finally threw up the silver star. Thankful for this kid!!</div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-35135469016317251912014-01-06T14:57:00.003-05:002014-01-06T14:57:44.932-05:00Out with the old, in with the New!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good bye 2013! What a year it was. Last year at this time I felt the freshness in the air, a new beginning, the hope for good things to come, a clean slate and the renewed sense of hope and promise. Little did I know what lie ahead, how 2013 would challenge me, what changes it would bring to our family, our routine and everything we took for granted. Little did I know how we would be tested, the pain, fear and anxiety that would be thrust upon is. How blind I was to the life altering diagnosis that was in my future. Last year at this very time, I knew we stood on the verge of change, but had no idea that that change would involve my own battle with cancer. I had no idea I would never look at a New Year, or a new month, week or day the same way again. I also had no idea that 2013 would bring me closer to my breaking point but bring me closer to God. I had no idea that in challenging everything I once knew I would strengthen my connections with family and friends. I had no idea that my initial feelings of loss and isolation would lead to finding comfort from the warmth of strangers. I had no idea that 2013 was going to be a year I would never forget, but for now goodbye 2013, goodbye..<br />
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Hello to 2014, to new beginnings, to health and to happiness. Hello to fresh starts, to hope and to rebirth.<br />
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Hello to a New Year, a new month, a new week, and brand new day...<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-76317191789676472902013-11-21T15:05:00.002-05:002013-11-21T15:05:51.629-05:00Clearer DaysThe post treatment wait for my scan passed more quickly than I feared. The five week interlude is standard to give the chemo more time to do its job and allow some of the inflammation to subside. Physically, I began to feel a lot better, regained much of my energy, but continued to have some side effects; continuing hair loss, some taste bud damage, peeling skin, strange nail changes, and blufferitis of the eyes, all of which were tolerable.<br />
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It was an anxiety filled few weeks but I kept busy and had a lot of pleasant distractions to help take my mind off of the looming tests. My amazing group of college friends had a get together for me where I received a few wonderful surprises and enjoyed a day catching up with these special ladies.<br />
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I had a weekend getaway to Nantucket with another group of wonderful friends where we relaxed, shopped, took walks on the beach, ate out, cooked in, and drank lots and lots of wine (making up for six months of no alcohol consumption). I had a dear friend from high school fly in for a night out in Boston with our other high school bestie, we had dinner at a nice restaurant and stayed overnight in the city. I had a couple of girls' lunch dates and some special family time highlighted by a long weekend trip to the white mountains of New Hampshire. <br />
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We hiked and took in the amazing foliage, sat around a cozy fire and enjoyed each other's company away from it all. <br />
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I took time to stop in church from time to time over the waiting period and visit a prayer circle where an intention was made in my name. Over this waiting period friends lit candles for me in Rome and relatives made a pilgrimage to Medjagorie, returning with blessed Rosary Beads and Holy Water. Although I had my moments of worry, and one panic when I thought I felt a lump, which thankfully turned out to be nothing, I tried to remain positive and focus on the outcome I wanted. I heard from so many people who told me they were praying for me and so many sending well wishes and positive thoughts my way. I continued to pray for a full recovery and felt the energy of the prayers around me. I had a few signs leading up to my test which helped me to keep the faith and reminded me to trust in God's plan for me. Perhaps I'm reading to much into it, perhaps they were mere coincidence, perhaps I'm conducting a desperate search for meaning, or perhaps, God really does reveal himself when we need him the most. The first was exactly one week before my test, I happened to step outside in the late afternoon to see the most unusual pink cotton candy sky. I walked to the middle of my road to get a better view and a beautiful double rainbow appeared in the sky above me. I put the kids in the car to drive and try and get a better view and we made it to an opening where we could see the full arc in all its glory. <br />
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The kids suggested we should follow the rainbow to the end in hopes of finding a pot of gold. To humor them, I set off driving in the direction of the end of the rainbow, them directing me, "that way, now that way." Soon we were one street away from our house, looking at the rainbow which disappeared into our very own roof line. "I guess we found the end of the rainbow", they exclaimed and we headed home to our own pot of gold. Just that week in school, Cameron had learned the rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to His people. The rainbow leading to our house was a reminder that God's love was all around me and my family during this time and always. More uplifting moments came as I watched John Lester pitch two amazing games helping lead the Red Sox to victory in the World Series. He is a lymphoma survivor and seeing how well he is doing just two years after completing treatment served to give me hope for a full recovery and more good things to come in my future. The afternoon before my scan, I had some time to myself, I did a little retail therapy, then headed to church to say some prayers. I found the church empty, so I walked in, made my way to front pew and knelt down, resting my head in my hands . The calm was soon interrupted as I opened my eyes to the sound of hammering. A man had quietly entered the church and immediately began working on the alter. He was wearing a tool belt and I noticed that the altar was off balance and he was working to secure it. I grew annoyed as he took out a drill and began screwing in a piece of wood. I only wanted a few moments of peace and quiet, time to myself to pray, and now there was a full construction zone taking place on the altar. I closed my eyes and tried to tune out the noise, and when I opened them again I saw the man kneeling at the alter, bowing before the cross. I looked down, burying my face in my hands to give him some privacy in his moment of quiet reflection and when I looked up again he was gone. My annoyance turned to peace as I realized that this was perhaps another sign. A carpenter, sharing the the same profession as Jesus, appearing out of the blue in the church and leaving as quickly as he came, symbolizing the fact that the Lord was in that moment, right there watching over me. <br />
The last sign came as I headed into Boston for my PET scan. It was slightly overcast, clouds dotted the morning sky; I notice the sky more now than ever before. As we drove I saw beams of light shining down from the clouds. I thought back to riding in a friend's car when we were young and her pointing to the rays saying that in her family they call those, "God's fingertips". And now when I needed a touch of grace, God stretched his fingertips down from the Heavens, giving me the confidence to enter the Hospital, strength to take the elevator down two levels to radiology and the faith to leave everything else up to Him.<br />
After I had labs drawn and received the injection of the radioactive contrast, I sat in an isolated room for an hour then was brought in for the scan where I could still feel the rays of light shining down. Afterwards, I met Jim in the waiting room and we left together knowing that a long anxiety filled weekend awaited. I tried to put the looming results out of my head and accept that it was no longer in my control. I then focused on making the most of the weekend with my family. We had a family celebration at home for the twins 5th Birthday. <br />
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Preparing for this helped to take my mind off of the test and focus on this positive occasion instead; celebrating the fact that my identical twin girls, born prematurely weighing just 4 pounds, were now healthy and happy five year-olds. <br />
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They love to perform, sing and dance. They love fashion and puppies and baby dolls. They love to color and paint and pump on the swings. They love to play elaborate imaginary games. They love their family and each other and their mom. And nothing I want more than to be around to see them grow up, see how they maintain their twin bond as they grow, see what kind of strong, independent and compassionate women they become.<br />
Tuesday was there actual birthday and the day I was to receive my results. To make the morning special for them, Jim and I filled their room with dozens of purple and pink balloons. <br />
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We prepared a yummy breakfast, took them to school together then headed into Dana Farber. There we were met by my sister and father in the waiting room. The wait was nerve wracking and the air felt heavy around me. I could feel my heart beating hard inside my chest and my hand sweating inside Jim's. We were brought into my Dr.s office and a long wait commenced again. My doctor finally entered and without hesitation, immediately delivered the good news, the news I had been waiting over six long months to hear; my scan came back clear! There was no longer evidence of the disease. We all cried with joy and what an emotional release it was. There will be a lot of follow-up going forward, I will be closely monitored, the port will stay in place for awhile until the doctor feels confident that it can be removed, I will have appointments every 3 weeks initially to have the port flushed, a check up in six weeks then scans every six months going forward. The fear of relapse will be ever-present but for now I am thrilled to be celebrating every moment and enjoying every glass of champagne that comes my way.<br />
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Thank You for all the prayers, they worked, and there is no better feeling than that.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-56097045196576537742013-09-23T15:49:00.001-04:002013-09-23T17:41:14.157-04:00Update...Tomorrow I am scheduled for what will hopefully be my last chemotherapy infusion. Almost six months of treatments and, hopefully, my last one is less than 24-hours away! I say "hopefully" because I do not yet know if I am in remission and will not know until I have a PET scan, four weeks later and the course of care going forward weighs heavily upon the results of that scan. The waiting for the test to determine if the cancer is completely gone, will likely be the hardest part of the entire ordeal. My body will slowly recover from the toll that chemo has taken, but my mind will be anxious and fearful of the unknown. Now, during the course of my therapy I feel as though I am doing all I can to destroy the cancer, but after Tuesday when I am no longer receiving active treatment, the fear and worry will set in. "Scan-xiety" is a very real part of recovering from lymphoma as scans are scheduled at regular intervals during remission than gradually spread out until the five year mark- a major milestone, I already have my sights on. During the course of the wait, I plan to combat the worry by staying busy, regaining a normal level of activity, staying positive, enjoying time with family and saying lots of prayers. I have a couple of girls getaway weekends planned, a few dinners out lined up and some fun events to look forward to, but will wait until after a clean, cancer-free scan to let the real celebrating begin...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-17225332932148927112013-09-19T17:16:00.000-04:002013-09-19T17:25:59.849-04:002B or Not To Be....<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">At the time of my diagnosis the cancer was present in two quadrants of my body; it was stage II. It had affected lymph nodes in both sides of my chest, my supra-clavicle region and possibly my neck. During the initial staging, an A or B distinction is also allotted. "A" signifies you are not yet symptomatic, "B" means you are experiencing symptoms of the disease and therefor it is generally more advanced or aggressive and requires more treatment. I was a B. My cancer was stage IIB. I had cancer and I had symptoms. I was not in denial about these symptoms, I was not afraid to get myself to the doctor, I was not nonchalant about my health. I was concerned, I was proactive, and I was thorough. Despite all this, it still took over two years to get a diagnosis. Two years that the cancer was growing inside me. I experienced my first night-sweat in June of 2011. I remember it well, waking in a panic, waking my husband, drenched to the core, having to change the sheets- talking about it with my neighbors the next morning as we gathered on the street, sipping our coffee and watching the kids play. In perhaps my over-sharing, I was reassured it was normal, many of my friends had night-sweats on occasion. And I was relieved until it happened again. This time, as any concerned mother of five with slightly hypochondriatic tendencies would do, I googled my symptoms on WebMd. I read the ten page list of possible causes, everything from "completely normal part of aging" to "Leprosy", however the one that jumped out at me was Lymphoma. I shut down the computer and called my primary care physician. She examined me, was not concerned but ordered some tests to help relieve my anxiety. When everything came back normal, I was temporarily relived but as the night-sweats continued at random, so did my concern. I returned to my doctor who, at a loss, suggested it might be hormonal. I went to my OBGYN where I had more tests, then followed back for more tests. With still no answers I went to Endocrinologist, who specializes in tracking the function of all the bodily processes that contribute to sweating. I had several appointments and many tests, blood work, 24 hour fasting tests, and 24 hour urine tests. I checked back in with my primary doctor during this time and had a chest X-ray. Everything came back "normal." Perhaps it was stress or anxiety I was told time and time again, I did have five kids, including three under 3 years old. Maybe I was stressed, and these sweats were my body's way of working it out? I thought I would tackle the stress, I hired a babysitter more often, worked out five days a week, took yoga classes and even enrolled in a course at MGH on "Utilizing the Relaxation Response." However, I knew my body, knew my mind, knew that something was not right so I pushed on, I got a second opinion from a Primary at a Boston Hospital, a third at a homeopathic practice. When nothing turned up, and still feeling something was not right, I returned to my primary, who at my urging finally sent me to a Hematologist/Oncologist. I thought if a Cancer Doctor says it is not indicative of anything and not to worry then I will I listen and move on, recognizing this is just an unusual, sometimes inconvenient symptom, but something I can definitely live with. I just couldn't live with the worry. Once again everything checked out fine. I thanked God that I did not have cancer and carried on with my life until I soon discovered a hard nodule in my neck. It was small and hard, but after a week when it did not go away, I went to my Doctor. She told me it was certainly not lymphoma and to follow up in a few months time. I went back for the follow-up and mentioned a cough which was waking me up at night. She attributed it to allergies and suggested a humidifier. She recommended yet another follow up and if the node was still present in three months then she would send me to an ENT for a biopsy. Well, like any concerned mother of five with slightly hypochondriatic tendencies, I did not want to wait three months for a biopsy so went ahead and made the appointment with the ENT on my own. I told him of my symptoms, he examined me but did not find the lump concerning enough to warrant a biopsy. I returned in six weeks for a follow-up with the ENT and the nodule was still there but he was still not concerned so I tried not be either, after all I was feeling fine, working out five days a week, teaching dance classes, chasing around my kids and getting six hours of sleep if I was lucky. Could I do all this if I had cancer? The end of February I had my regular annual physical and was declared "the picture of health". Hard to fathom that at that time, the upper half of my body was filled with cancerous cells. After all those many trips to many different doctors it would only take one trip to the Emergency Room less than two months later, and one CT scan to discover what was hiding on the inside. Alone in hospital bed in the middle of the night I found out about the enlarged lymph nodes pushing on my lungs and heart. I had stage IIB cancer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I choose not to think about what if it was found earlier?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I choose not to think of how it took two years and managed to reach stage IIB.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Instead I choose To Be.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To be in the moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To be happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To be positive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To be forward thinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To be here everyday...</span><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-90244615296472415252013-09-12T21:28:00.000-04:002013-09-12T21:28:33.914-04:00How Cancer Has Changed Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cancer has changed me in ways I never imagined. I think back to the person I was in the spring, navigating an over-scheduled calendar, reconciling baseball practices that overlapped with soccer games, arranging playdates, teaching ballet classes, driving carpools and checking off the grocery list. Overly concerned with keeping the house clean, I nagged the kids to put away their shoes, keep their toys in the playroom and their backpacks out of sight. My biggest complaint; not enough hours in the day to get the laundry put away, my biggest pain; a nagging case of plantar fasciitis which was hindering my running schedule. How quickly that pain in my heel dulled when I awoke from surgery, unable to move, fighting to keep a cough at bay as the pain ripped through the stitches inside my chest. How trivial an immaculate house seemed as I spent a week in a sterile hospital bed not allowed flowers to brighten the room for fear of introducing foreign germs. How wasted the hours spent cleaning and folding leading up to my hospitalization seemed when torn away for my children for seven days, recovering from surgery while they were out on their school vacation week. How petty my stress over how my boys had performed in tryouts, and worrying if they would have to miss a soccer tournament to make a hockey game, worrying did the girls have new matching outfits for Easter, and bows and cardigans, worrying if I had completed enough crafts and set out enough decorations to impress at the holiday gathering? How quickly these stresses fade while waiting to find out what kind of cancer you have. How quickly the five different colors of ink which marked up our calendar, blurred together while waiting to discover my prognosis and wondering how many more calendar pages I would be able to turn and if I would have a lifetime to celebrate those carefully circled birthdays and highlighted dates of recitals and play-off games.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cancer has changed me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are the physical changes; new scars- one across my ribs, a smaller one on my stomach and this beauty which has left me still without feeling across much of my back, all from my surgery in April.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there are the two incisions on my chest from the surgery implanting my portacath and the noticeable bulge under my skin, evidence of the metal disk resting just below the surface.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is hair loss. I have been slowly shedding since a month into treatment and with the amount of hair left on my pillow in the morning or the amount found in my hair brush after a single use, it's a wonder I have any remaining at all. I now understand why many patients elect to shave their heads before treatment begins to avoid the heartache of watching strands fall to the ground as your part widens and the paleness of your scalp peaks through. My hairline has receded and I never thought I would be the first in my family to inherit my grandfather's male-pattern baldness. My eyebrows are barely visible, elongating my forehead and distorting the familiar proportions on my face. Then there is weight gain. While I thought chemotherapy would lead to weight loss from the nausea, I was surprised to learn that quite the opposite would be true. A twenty pound weight gain is the norm for females my age going through chemotherapy, and unfortunately this has been the case, due to the steroids, the fluids and lack of strenuous exercise (and let's be honest- those delicious meals being delivered every night. If someone spent the time making me and my family a yummy dinner and dessert- damn right I will take the time to enjoy it)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being diagnosed with cancer has changed the way I conduct myself as well. I have become inclined to say "yes" more. Yes, we can go out for ice-cream again tonight. Yes, I will watch your dance show in the living room. Yes, I will watch you perform your magic trick which I taught you and yes I will pretend to be astounded as you pick the card I was thinking of. Yes, I will read one extra story. Yes, I will read it again. Yes, you can sleep in our bed. Yes, we can eat dinner outside, yes, we can eat it up in the tree house. Yes, you can wear that, yes, I know it's a costume. Yes, I will come sit and watch the movie with you, and yes, we can eat popcorn in the good room. Yes, I will walk with you to the bus stop. Yes, we can play Monopoly, yes, I still hate board-games. Yes, I will paint your nails, yes, I will let you paint mine. Yes, I will try and do a cartwheel. Yes, I will pretend to be the baby in your game of house. Yes, I will hold your hand and yes we can skip down the street. Yes, I will wear the painted pasta necklace you made me while I go to the store. Yes, I will join you in the water for a swim, yes I know it's cold and yes I do know how to swim! Yes, you can take the cushions off the couch to make a fort, yes, I will help you make it. Yes, I will lie next to you and hold you until you are fast asleep...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, let's go away someplace we've never been. Yes, let's go to a yoga class together. Yes to a girls weekend away, yes to date-night in. Yes, lets meet for lunch, its been too long...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This diagnosis has given me the strength and perspective to say "no" more often as well. No, I won't be able to make that meeting after all. No, I won't put away all the laundry right now, no I won't bother sweeping all the floors. No, I don't have time to listen to you complain. No, I won't give in to negativity. No we don't have to leave yet. No, no you don't have to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cancer has a way of breaking you down to a point where you finally understand what is truly important. It has given me a greater appreciation for life; the people around me and the beauty in the everyday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhiKScMM_UDucYHxqzLZIO_zAkCkukdGu1puyHQGAg-rXfx2hsBtZWItWEn2rtiML4JcGoJ4rrx8jHMvu9vnh3FG-6h2hk3t4ttGvvzkagIFC5MZVl1PziGGsPviAgWesk0B2LYbBl35B/s640/blogger-image--1094774383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhiKScMM_UDucYHxqzLZIO_zAkCkukdGu1puyHQGAg-rXfx2hsBtZWItWEn2rtiML4JcGoJ4rrx8jHMvu9vnh3FG-6h2hk3t4ttGvvzkagIFC5MZVl1PziGGsPviAgWesk0B2LYbBl35B/s400/blogger-image--1094774383.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">While chemotherapy can cause vision problems, it has helped to give my eyes new focus. I notice more around me; the shape of a cloud, the hue of the sky, the call of bird, the delicate perch of a bumble bee on a flower, the sound of the wind whistling through the trees in my yard, the shape of the moon, the texture of a sunflower stalk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have become a more perceptive observer of my children, noticing how many times my four year old says "um" in sentence, how her twin moves her fingers in excitement. I note my son's new callouses from climbing and the flecks of green in my oldest's hazel eyes. I notice how my littlest circles her feet like I do when falling asleep and clings to her blanket with the same hand the whole night through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has given me a more profound appreciation for all the good around me. I have become the recipient of so much good will from others that it makes me want to be a better person. After constantly bombarded with stories of injustices and all the wrong in the world, it has taken through going through something like this to recognize how much good still exists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is truly humbling how many people have reached out to me. How many people were compelled to write, email, call, send help in anyway they could. I have been touched to hear from people I didn't think would remember me after so many years, so many people who are friends of friends, and many I will never get to meet. I am amazed how the initial outpouring of support has been followed up by continued expressions of concern. Knowing I am in others thoughts and feeling the power of their prayers has given me strength. Having others share their own hardships with me and inspiring me with their stories of victory has given me courage. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I recognize we all have our battles, many struggling more than I, and we are all just trying to do our best with the circumstances we are given. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I am more determined than ever to do my best; in fighting this disease, in being a better wife, daughter, friend, in following through with my dreams, in helping others, in raising my children. I am not a saint, I still look forward to my children's nap time everyday and will be clicking my heals when I can leave them at school for a few hours during the week, but, I will make every attempt to appreciate the time we do have together, thank God for their smiles, the ability to make them laugh, to feel their love. I am not a saint, I still roll my eyes in line, beep my horn at slow drivers, love me some gossip as much as the next gal, but I am more careful when passing judgement, knowing we are all facing our own hardships. I am not a saint, I still want time to myself, make demands on others and like things done my way, but since my diagnosis I'm more ready to help, go out of my way, and to give of myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just recently, at an outdoor event with my sister and some friends, a young man collapsed before us. A crowd stood around gasping and staring as he began to convulse then lie motionless on the ground. Without thinking I jumped into action running over to him and his girlfriend who was kneeling at his side. I checked his pulse, when I was informed that he had been stung by a bee just seconds before. I yelled for an epi-pen, began barking orders, instructing someone to call for help, pleaded for a doctor. Soon a friend produced an epi-pen and handed it to me. Everyone was counting on me to help save this man's life. I removed the cap on the epi-pen then hesitated as I realized he was wearing jeans, obscuring the place on the thigh where the shot of epinephrine is to be administered. Not certain the injection could go through the thick denim, I told his girlfriend to unbuckle his belt. She sat crying and helpless, seemed to be in shock, so I began the task myself. Here's the embarrassing part; just as I got the man's pants unfastened and pulled down revealing his boxers, he suddenly regained consciousness, sat up, out of it, but fine. Turns out he didn't really need to be saved after all. Although an awkward few moments transpired as the man who had just come to was filled in on what had happened, why I was kneeling beside him and why his pants were undone, he and the girlfriend were most thankful that I was there and more than ready to help. Before my diagnosis I likely would have been sitting on the sidelines with the rest of crowd but now feel a greater urgency and purpose. I am compelled to be that person who goes out of there way, apparently, sometimes whether needed or not... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this week while out for a jog, elated to be <i>running</i> again (barely keeping pace with the mailman, who was walking and delivering mail), I came upon a</span> <span style="font-size: large;">tow truck with a white car bearing a handicap license plate, already loaded up on the platform of the flatbed truck. A woman with two prosthetic legs was attempting to climb up the ladder and get into the passenger seat in the trucks cabin. I saw her struggle as her legs twisted beneath her, missing the step and getting caught under the medal rungs. Using her arms she continued to pull herself up holding on to the handrails. I was tempted to look the other way as not to 'embarrass' her, justifying to myself that 'she wouldn't want any help', I would 'hurt her pride'. But after a few months with my own health struggle, I know how much those offers mean. I appreciate the smallest gesture, a nod of understanding, anything to lighten the load or help ease the pain. I now know what the right thing to do is and I am more inclined to do it. I walked over and asked how I could help. She was in quite the predicament, legs not able to bend to fit in the truck's compartment and a seat which couldn't be pushed back. I supported her foot giving her some leverage, and guided her legs as the driver pulled her hands from his seat. She finally made it to the floor of the cab but couldn't lift herself onto the seat from that position, but she was not giving up. I climbed up onto the steps and helped pull her up and into the seat. I untwisted her legs as she sat back, utterly exhausted- we were both exhausted, it had taken everything we had. She was out of breath as she whispered, "Thank you, I'm not sure what I would have done." I continued on my walk, feeling the fresh autumn air on my face, I just wanted to scream, I'm alive, I have two legs, and I am walking today- Thank You God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am no saint, I loose my patience, I say things I don't mean, but I now take the time to talk to God more and thank Him for the gifts in my life. And there are so many, and sometimes it takes going through something hard, something sad, something that challenges you, something that makes you question, something scary, something like cancer to make you realize that .</span><br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-64058522018177090152013-08-26T22:51:00.000-04:002013-09-01T15:51:54.126-04:00Acadia AdventuresWe have now been home a couple weeks from our family vacation at Acadia National Park, and have had time to unpack and let all of the beautiful memories soak in. I am blessed to be feeling well, handling my treatments and able to enjoy the time with my husband and children and make the most of the summer between doctors appointments and chemotherapy (although I do get sick to my stomach just typing that word). We had such a great time we decided as a family, we would make every attempt to visit one new National Park a year, and I am already looking forward to finding next year's destination. For a short vacation, we managed to pack in a lot and see most of the big sites. The weather can make or break a vacation, especially one involving camping and hiking, but the perfect weather we experienced certainly paved the way for a most memorable trip .<br />
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Here's our itinerary from our whirlwind visit-</div>
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Day 1: We headed out bright and early, giving the kids breakfast on the way. The car was packed and ready the night before, so we loaded the coolers, got everyone dressed, stopped for a coffee and hit the road. It took about five hours to reach our destination, a campground situated on an inlet on Mt. Dessert Island where we promptly checked in and found our campsite- a private waterfront spot we had reserved just a few days ahead. The boys got busy assembling the tent (a Father's Day Gift which sleeps 8-10) while the girls poked around down on the rocks looking for crabs. <br />
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Once the tent was up, we did some exploring down by the water and in the surrounding woods. <br />
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From there we packed everyone into the car and headed to check out Bar Harbor. As this area of Maine is known for its blueberries, we hit an adorable bakery to try some blueberry muffins and blueberry pie, then wandered through some cute, albeit touristy shops. Having had our fill of savory blueberry treats, we headed to Acadia National Park, where we first stopped at the <i>Visitor Center</i>, got a great overview of the park, saw some neat exhibits, purchased our passes and talked with a Park Ranger to get info about appropriate hikes to do with the kids. We then set out on the <i>Park Loop Road,</i> touring through miles of reservation and stopping to admire some beautiful look-outs and vistas. <br />
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We then found ourselves at<i> Sand Beach</i> where the kids dipped their toes in the freezing water and played in this unusual sandy oasis of the rocky coast.<br />
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We then set off on our first hike along <i>Ocean Path</i>.<br />
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The kids loved playing along the rocks high above the water and collecting sea-life from the abundant tidal pools. <br />
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We hiked as far as <i>Thunder Hole</i> to see the ocean spraying high into the air from this famous natural attraction. <br />
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After the hike, we headed back to our campsite where we got a fire going for dinner. <br />
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The kids found sticks on which to cook hotdogs and we completed the meal with applesauce, pickles, chips and watermelon.<br />
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It was then time for s'mores, a real campfire treat.<br />
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I got the girls ready for bed while Jim and the boys tended to the fire. After such an active and adventurous day, they fell asleep almost immediately! We enjoyed some drinks by the fire, (beer from a local brewery for the hubs and some non-alcoholic cider brew for me) then spread a blanket on a large rock by the water's edge to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower which conveniently took place the weekend of our trip. It was a perfectly clear night for the display; the moon was small, the stars bright and we were far from the lights of civilization. It was truly something to behold. My camera couldn't capture the glory of it so we took a mental picture. I joke about the mental picture because Jim gets annoyed with my frequent picture taking in my quest to capture every memory from my childrens childhood, and urges me to just take a mental.</div>
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We all slept surprisingly well for sharing a tent with five kids, sleeping in sleeping bags with nothing but nylon separating us from the hard ground below. Of course we traveled with a battery operated fan and my trusty noisemaker but the birds were still loud early in the morning. Everyone began to stir around 6:30, so Jim and the boys cooked some breakfast sausages over the fire and we all enjoyed some muffins and fruit. From there we set out back to Bar Harbor where we grabbed a coffee and a few treats before setting out on a walk to <i>Bar Island</i>, a small island only accessible by foot at low tide, when a sand bar forms allowing passage. <br />
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We walked over and wandered about until the tide started to come in and we needed to wade a good way of the way back. <br />
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The kids were then anxious to go swimming as the temperature began to climb. We returned to S<i>and Beach</i> where everyone but me swam in the frigid waters and rode the tremendous waves.<br />
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Leaving from Sand Beach, we set out on another big hike, that around <i>Great Bald Head</i>. <br />
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This was more of a moderate hike which involved some climbing up boulders and rocks.<br />
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The girls were certainly up for the challenge and the higher we got, the more breathtaking the views. <br />
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Of course there were plenty of snack breaks (and potty breaks) along the hike and a picnic lunch at the top.<br />
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It was nearing sunset when we finished the hike so we drove to the top of <i>Cadillac Mountain;</i> the highest peak on the Eastern coastline, to watch the sunset and it was well worth the acclaim. <br />
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By then every one was hungry so we went to a great Lobster Shack right on the water in Bar Harbor for dinner. <br />
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The girls were thoroughly exhausted and went straight to sleep back at the campsite. The boys sat around the fire briefly before retiring to their sleeping bags with the promise I would wake them at 2am to watch the most prominent display of the Meteor Shower. I woke Jim and the boys and we tiptoed outside the tent to watch the sparkling sky, but unfortunately cloud cover limited our view. Next time maybe I'll check myself, before rousing everyone in the wee hours of the night.<br />
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Day 3: We went to a General Store in Bar Harbor for a lite breakfast then headed for a ride on Diver Ed's Dive In Theater Boat. I had read some reviews online that this was one attraction not to be missed and I have to admit it was very cool. We boarded a boat and were introduced to Diver Ed, who scuba dived off the boat as we watched along on a giant screen. He then surfaced bringing with him treasures and creatures from the deep. The kids held starfish, lobsters, crabs, fish and even kissed a sea-cucumber. Diver Ed was thoroughly entertaining and the kids are still laughing about some of his jokes. They enjoyed pushing him over board, helping to reel him in and his underwater antics. We also saw whales, porpoises and seals on the ride. It was fun and educational and so neat to see Acadia from the water. </div>
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After our early morning adventures we wanted to check out <i>Echo Lake</i>, a glistening swimming hole nestled between the mountains. There the kids swam in the fresh water which was relatively warmer than the ocean and we picnicked on the shore. </div>
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We had one final destination we wanted to visit before heading home; <i>Jordan Pond House</i>, internationally known for its delectable Pop-overs and blueberry lemonade. Tables were arranged out on the lawn over looking Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains. </div>
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We did one final hike, this one around the pond, while waiting for our reservation, then enjoyed a delicious meal before heading home.<br />
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We left with five exhausted kids who all fell asleep not too long into our drive home. It was a much more peaceful ride home after three fun-filled days exploring our first National Park as a family.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-78811200291086449042013-07-03T12:20:00.000-04:002013-07-03T12:36:36.638-04:00Fourth of July Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing marks the official start of summer like a Fourth of July celebration. Ours is rich in tradition, embroidered in color and surrounded by food. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih89XYaZDsDj4LdSM9t5wZetWv4WFvX9hKQe73g7wkA3iPS5ho7eoTQNsfHJHQrLN1edhf8sbzcZE3mY_zH07nO22zrig-vMPzBU3PguDrsxGUAK7GRODsubJCnnLbC9P_DYqYB5lLvX6_/s960/166080_4326654292416_587179358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih89XYaZDsDj4LdSM9t5wZetWv4WFvX9hKQe73g7wkA3iPS5ho7eoTQNsfHJHQrLN1edhf8sbzcZE3mY_zH07nO22zrig-vMPzBU3PguDrsxGUAK7GRODsubJCnnLbC9P_DYqYB5lLvX6_/s320/166080_4326654292416_587179358_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The beach house is decorated in Patriotic buntings which hang from second story windows and small flags stuck into the ground line the walkway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blueberry pancakes topped with strawberry syrup make the perfect breakfast to kick off the festivities.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP3O2DHgArS_zALDMYiLuE44sJL_WPHk5M4YvGsX6B6ttZq4SF_CiXnKiEKYsUqXBAAkRAbZJaTsvMmB1oKhvrBO-xZFHiEngsqtes3MNH4nxEe-r-DN87mZar4f6lx_v11JImeKXZ_C4/s960/534909_4326636691976_543054214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP3O2DHgArS_zALDMYiLuE44sJL_WPHk5M4YvGsX6B6ttZq4SF_CiXnKiEKYsUqXBAAkRAbZJaTsvMmB1oKhvrBO-xZFHiEngsqtes3MNH4nxEe-r-DN87mZar4f6lx_v11JImeKXZ_C4/s320/534909_4326636691976_543054214_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kids and adults then assemble outside to enjoy decorating bikes, strollers and even the occasional antique car for our neighborhood parade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Red, white and blue crepe-paper form streamers which dangle from handle bars, red and silver garland weave through bike tires as flags embellish the decor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVNEpg5QSYWjFoNDjkaCvm6ZMD_S7BTkX_K5GeAAu76uFmIDUBdM0NLEGFJfMQq0I_Bg4pwiDb1tLQJRgCpgO-KvQjf3EqzyJViy-Me9SpIHnSQ92LmZDy0f5g0VxcIREkoK_YP2BS-M/s720/264997_2247422472920_209311_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVNEpg5QSYWjFoNDjkaCvm6ZMD_S7BTkX_K5GeAAu76uFmIDUBdM0NLEGFJfMQq0I_Bg4pwiDb1tLQJRgCpgO-KvQjf3EqzyJViy-Me9SpIHnSQ92LmZDy0f5g0VxcIREkoK_YP2BS-M/s320/264997_2247422472920_209311_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a group rendition of America the Beautiful along with other Patriotic songs, the parade begins led by the neighborhood marching band. It winds down a hill and through the narrow streets allowing scenic water-views of Buzzards bay and a far off glimpse of Martha's Vineyard. At the completion of the Parade, prizes are awarded to all participants and then it is time for some old fashioned family games, including potato sack and three legged races and a water-balloon toss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back at the house, we then get to work preparing for our late afternoon cookout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the menu are old favorites like hamburgers, hot-dogs, sausages, veggie burgers, corn salad, potatoes salad, Jeans-Beans, tomato panzenella, pasta salad, Barefoot Contessa's Orzo salad, chips and sliced watermelon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I assemble a summer sangria with floating red and blue berries, making the perfect festive refreshment, especially when served in mason jars with red and blue straws. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bNcpQvJHw-n6Rue5sFBfsCT5O6EG_JMKyB9_0j3_XkW_j42i33MQyRaKyN1eOKFAtamBwJ5PBoeBQ-dQqE4EuqAtswkLhzfC10muILx2hkUp3uQZtXae_1vg7D7z8KzzbuD8XDHmk7s8/s960/548612_4326614651425_26310615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bNcpQvJHw-n6Rue5sFBfsCT5O6EG_JMKyB9_0j3_XkW_j42i33MQyRaKyN1eOKFAtamBwJ5PBoeBQ-dQqE4EuqAtswkLhzfC10muILx2hkUp3uQZtXae_1vg7D7z8KzzbuD8XDHmk7s8/s640/548612_4326614651425_26310615_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKHOBMEGmX3hz65LOj8ez1AW2AYgfp2VQ0R1ZyxQaalkvZndQQOAzAiaPptgiZzrndmfOpjTXVPBaK49xcLwAsTjmKDlL91W5yjGB7oD5q_ZFrw4J_ZxJI5DEC2DR1stSheoHT4Gfe1Zo/s604/5616_1182243604114_3856989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKHOBMEGmX3hz65LOj8ez1AW2AYgfp2VQ0R1ZyxQaalkvZndQQOAzAiaPptgiZzrndmfOpjTXVPBaK49xcLwAsTjmKDlL91W5yjGB7oD5q_ZFrw4J_ZxJI5DEC2DR1stSheoHT4Gfe1Zo/s640/5616_1182243604114_3856989_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Baking for, and then assembling the dessert table is always my favorite part of party preparation and makes the focal point of the festivities. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3GaXx1Uc4TU5TeXDQmqq7F4nE30TkV1643KQ3uy1g5c1LICQwjfJU0uRRGNMQctLbJFgrdTFRWF79Ey-EINAlFPRlkkbKqt4vfBQmLpNljaOO-COX_r_8vJcInvpHMZ33RtyJYYHZM0Z/s960/311651_4326613331392_2105792501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3GaXx1Uc4TU5TeXDQmqq7F4nE30TkV1643KQ3uy1g5c1LICQwjfJU0uRRGNMQctLbJFgrdTFRWF79Ey-EINAlFPRlkkbKqt4vfBQmLpNljaOO-COX_r_8vJcInvpHMZ33RtyJYYHZM0Z/s640/311651_4326613331392_2105792501_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I filled candy jars with red Twizzlers, patriotic colored lollipops and special edition 4th of July Tootsie Rolls. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIphyjhOOC4RmJb0LGeHG33aaF-FE_ji9rT61orQtpQjvYXmlkz4vMlYSDUTZNYw5ykoMBsx-WwKKDY34MRPmY3vyL8YpN8sXhb50LKqQoGBq5Xnp1AktUPrK4wFx8uwi04ptmmw1QYRaa/s960/599554_4326615611449_1854866046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIphyjhOOC4RmJb0LGeHG33aaF-FE_ji9rT61orQtpQjvYXmlkz4vMlYSDUTZNYw5ykoMBsx-WwKKDY34MRPmY3vyL8YpN8sXhb50LKqQoGBq5Xnp1AktUPrK4wFx8uwi04ptmmw1QYRaa/s400/599554_4326615611449_1854866046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using a rectangular cookie cutter I made American Flag sugar cookies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzlS02fNr1TJxo3Nq4dVzIHU29JuMGtUD4j14nWgEPiMe3zy8_OXRkxA_hMgOViWi2Ufqfy9zyNKdHSMtrIG9KXyvtf2Ict6oMf9cYlKPICkuEvMS1nhygtaCSZS4p_zmR2xZ59_L2KlQ/s960/544415_4326614051410_415429109_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzlS02fNr1TJxo3Nq4dVzIHU29JuMGtUD4j14nWgEPiMe3zy8_OXRkxA_hMgOViWi2Ufqfy9zyNKdHSMtrIG9KXyvtf2Ict6oMf9cYlKPICkuEvMS1nhygtaCSZS4p_zmR2xZ59_L2KlQ/s400/544415_4326614051410_415429109_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaIiuFGNNCH0g2syLlyteeMaIXNQlnAhlxhDGQ0Olre3PQblTfwOzW-rz91uomisdvTtRCrn0DdzkzLHrcM4vR40MyQ4sR9jhRGsB-gXTqPr-vU2TR8ZBYXTOqhmC9-cYW1LiAzzkW_Ub/s960/545020_4326617491496_690112368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaIiuFGNNCH0g2syLlyteeMaIXNQlnAhlxhDGQ0Olre3PQblTfwOzW-rz91uomisdvTtRCrn0DdzkzLHrcM4vR40MyQ4sR9jhRGsB-gXTqPr-vU2TR8ZBYXTOqhmC9-cYW1LiAzzkW_Ub/s400/545020_4326617491496_690112368_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whoopie Pies adorned with American Flag toothpicks look great when arranged on a cake plate. For another fun and festive treat, I placed Marshmallows on long skewers the dipped the top half in melted white chocolate then topped with red, white and blue sprinkles. These looked so cute standing up in a tall mason jar, then were used later that evening for roasting over a bonfire at the beach. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4xFr78ero3dqREXbaPYvc7Hcju_phowD0W4Ps1szDQAFcmD1XJA1YDfL8inqckaHrYKtKBdG2cmGrcNR5RkhXW64M37PfrE_IPt_p3wj21CzPQXB5mxVqGFLNk02FE6ATgJg0W2m49wz/s320/37566_1567722640849_119992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4xFr78ero3dqREXbaPYvc7Hcju_phowD0W4Ps1szDQAFcmD1XJA1YDfL8inqckaHrYKtKBdG2cmGrcNR5RkhXW64M37PfrE_IPt_p3wj21CzPQXB5mxVqGFLNk02FE6ATgJg0W2m49wz/s320/37566_1567722640849_119992_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vanilla cupcakes and a coconut cake are frosted in white, then decorated with red and white grosgrain ribbon. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmTsaVeszfUFmKfuPsmeGbf6yWlRf-nUwP-MtTc-xXi4oHTM1LzbDbfR3dfd_lyjyl0oZlwOqRYvlVd2GhVGa5umuyfUueKMmTUpDfwtT1Np2XyFYxQSWFwAeMhkWCi5yBGb-yfhFC47G/s604/5616_1182243644115_2565989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmTsaVeszfUFmKfuPsmeGbf6yWlRf-nUwP-MtTc-xXi4oHTM1LzbDbfR3dfd_lyjyl0oZlwOqRYvlVd2GhVGa5umuyfUueKMmTUpDfwtT1Np2XyFYxQSWFwAeMhkWCi5yBGb-yfhFC47G/s320/5616_1182243644115_2565989_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A favorite festive dessert I also like to make every year is this Fourth if July trifle I begin by cutting Sara- Lee pound cake into one inch cubes, then arrange along the bottom of the trifle dish. I then make Jell-O Instant White Chocolate Pudding and spoon 1/3 on top of the pound cake. A layer of cut strawberries, raspberries and blueberries is placed next, then a layer of defrosted Cool Whip. The layers are repeated two more times then berries decorate the top.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIg-wDa-LAmFXWMp-ANkMnkXG4-cFArFazC3X33ow8I49d7gmDoFLx_JUqBpk9vFooQTJrm3De9qEtZpya0Csvnadq9l9ESiK4egyPkCkfJ6HulmHnhzkB2DXfNDspw8dZjFug1hSgPBv/s960/559170_4326635331942_1874008495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIg-wDa-LAmFXWMp-ANkMnkXG4-cFArFazC3X33ow8I49d7gmDoFLx_JUqBpk9vFooQTJrm3De9qEtZpya0Csvnadq9l9ESiK4egyPkCkfJ6HulmHnhzkB2DXfNDspw8dZjFug1hSgPBv/s320/559170_4326635331942_1874008495_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0T3doPMzDkybJIGZ873To67lElzvy_D8WjavV1oqMHF6hacx1cEpHqI937ZhdKTxgK6oUlXIdhs6viHUamh5rjekk2OgIHBBTUmRPOQ_lVh_hPNDtczEUaPIIOxEj9a48rumttQiDX5h/s960/380764_4326507608749_1906802524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0T3doPMzDkybJIGZ873To67lElzvy_D8WjavV1oqMHF6hacx1cEpHqI937ZhdKTxgK6oUlXIdhs6viHUamh5rjekk2OgIHBBTUmRPOQ_lVh_hPNDtczEUaPIIOxEj9a48rumttQiDX5h/s320/380764_4326507608749_1906802524_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As darkness falls, our crew get ready to head down to the beach, blankets and cooler in hand to watch the firework display out over the ocean. I distribute glow sticks and sparklers and everyone enjoys lighting up the night and a "dynamite" celebration.</span></div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-13581955684394228292013-07-02T22:03:00.000-04:002013-07-02T22:20:34.461-04:00A Sign from the Sky<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZmhWuotWfX7g3OSixE93IaItktXcKcIJ-b-SxAQvkAobbDB2Kthzto5_CR4t8Hp6kOjxbhl2pehGTzjDUw-kxzKVm4T4vJwEeN82_EytYw8lMxlNM5psKmcO12YAMT9uNkCelbxNqmo_/s640/blogger-image-1126974992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZmhWuotWfX7g3OSixE93IaItktXcKcIJ-b-SxAQvkAobbDB2Kthzto5_CR4t8Hp6kOjxbhl2pehGTzjDUw-kxzKVm4T4vJwEeN82_EytYw8lMxlNM5psKmcO12YAMT9uNkCelbxNqmo_/s640/blogger-image-1126974992.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my deck 7/2/13</td></tr>
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Today marked the halfway point of my treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma. As my mother drove me home late this afternoon after almost nine hours of appointments and infusions at Dana Farber, the sky grew dark around us. We talked about the changing, unsettled weather and how it would effect our plans for the holiday weekend. I kept looking out the passenger window and commenting on the huge dark clouds expanding before us. By the time I got home the sky was grey and heavy. Rain seemed inevitable. I walked out to my deck to bring in a few of the kids toys before they became waterlogged in the approaching storm. I carried a scooter and a plastic car across the yard to the shed and closed the door behind me. As I walked back to the deck, I noticed a beam of sunlight stretching down from the sky. Almost as quickly as it had darkened, the sky seemed to brighten once again. The clouds began to separate and I noted how fast they were moving. As I kept my gaze upward, the expanse of light grew and soon appeared to take the shape of a heart, opening up the sky. I walked inside to grab my phone to snap a picture of this most extraordinary sight; a dark sky with a bright heart lighting up the heavens. By the time I returned outside, the atmosphere was even brighter. I looked up for the illuminated heart shape and as I did I noticed more, almost everywhere I looked. Whether the parting clouds separated to reveal sunlight shining through or a puffy Cumulus cloud floated by, they all seemed to take on the shape of a heart. Not a drop of rain had fallen yet water dripped down my cheek. I was so moved by what I saw and took it as a sign on this, the day marking the halfway point of my treatment and recovery. I have felt so much love around me as I have gone through my ordeal, but now, looking up to the sky, I could actually see it and it was beautiful.</div>
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-32169874184938128222013-06-28T23:26:00.000-04:002013-06-29T13:45:24.034-04:00Fairy Garden Activity<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjKKepE2Sy32Y7VnVMdUozxKPxeFXgtectZDlCy9Q78Mav8I2m1-zLptdSGkM8nTZbwn2YBNfAoDYxnipGTcJLySvWoKO6Vqjv6M-udtthbl-vuFwRi1eCl5lHAcxtJtLJURtkhdg7CgL/s640/blogger-image--1618117332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eZEieEgA8VEyQvvE7Idtf3aE8jwDslG92guHZ2Tp9WK71wvbX9SENGgrmkDW02kzQnaUMZL07qSgRQ5iW0f1nbWa0zmSgfz_-B9kgZWNUO1pKVG8K8Z-aEH84GedVE1NA6xjxnagyo9Y/s640/blogger-image-963777699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eZEieEgA8VEyQvvE7Idtf3aE8jwDslG92guHZ2Tp9WK71wvbX9SENGgrmkDW02kzQnaUMZL07qSgRQ5iW0f1nbWa0zmSgfz_-B9kgZWNUO1pKVG8K8Z-aEH84GedVE1NA6xjxnagyo9Y/s640/blogger-image-963777699.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inspired by a recent trip to the Hershey Gardens during their annual <i>Fairies in the Flowers</i> celebration, we decided to create our own miniature "fairy gardens". These pint size gardens are designed to attract fairies and bring good luck. We all welcomed the prospect of a whimsical escape and some good fortune! My three frequently winged and wanded little pixies were excited about this project. Armed with a couple beach shovels and one highly coveted plastic gardening trough, we took to the woods in search of supplies. From the dampest, darkest reaches of the forest floor, we unearthed moss, chiseled tree bark, gathered berries and uprooted wildflowers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9QXBFH_wIDWAdE4klw8CiWmhyKqx4DLyo9pI4LYthXn8Rqx8dxOVpvpXq5P8T3HaVLJ6iOO1gB3Vxfuv57xkZTR-1vdEEPNdv9NgyXoMTTokJv2IC41uELzTXg2FRYvwvrfYnxdc1ban/s640/blogger-image-320234133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9QXBFH_wIDWAdE4klw8CiWmhyKqx4DLyo9pI4LYthXn8Rqx8dxOVpvpXq5P8T3HaVLJ6iOO1gB3Vxfuv57xkZTR-1vdEEPNdv9NgyXoMTTokJv2IC41uELzTXg2FRYvwvrfYnxdc1ban/s400/blogger-image-320234133.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once home we set out in search of small scale items to use as furnishings to help lure the magical woodland creatures. From the deepest, darkest corners of our playroom we were able to gather an array of minuscule objects to be included. I soon provided each girl with a shallow pan in which to create their fairy gardens. After a few squabbles, whining and hair pulling each found a "more better" shallow pan and we got to work. The moss was arranged to cover the bottom of the container and served as the cushioned floor for our fairies. Next the girls arranged flowers and twigs and leaves. Their little fingers worked quickly, turning bark into benches and petals into pillows all fit for a fluttering fairy. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembling their Fairy Gardens</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They added a few finishing touches and were quite proud of their mystical masterpieces and soon each declared their own garden the "most best"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That evening we set the gardens out on our deck and the next morning my three little girls were more than delighted to discover that the fairies had visited, leaving a trail of glittery fairy dust as evidence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A week later we were all excited to learn the <a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/">Highfield Hall</a> would be hosting its own Fairies in the Woods event. The exhibit featured dozens of Fairy Houses hidden along a scenic path through the woods. The girls had so much fun discovering each house, noting all the details and naming the particular fairy who would surely reside there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We then decided to raise the bar on our "fairy gardens" and create "fairy houses". Using circular tree trunk rings as a base, each girl erected their fairy house using small branches, leaves, sand, seashells, and pine-cones. A thick paste helped to mount all the objects and secure everything in place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We planted these outside by our garden which again attracted visiting fairies and pixie dust. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These projects incorporate nature and awaken the imagination and are perfect for the little fairies in your life!</span></div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-8340143376406636982013-06-23T21:39:00.000-04:002013-06-24T14:06:58.493-04:00Because Laughter is the Best Medicine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am all done crying over cancer and here is the superficial reason why: I would like to maintain the thinned eyelashes I have left for as long as possible. Chemo does a number on all those quickly dividing hair follicle cells and eyelashes are no exception. Now just lightly wiping away a tear unleashes an avalanche, so I'll try to laugh instead, after all; laughter is the best medicine.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I'd share a few incidents and stories related to my diagnosis which have kept me laughing through this first phase of treatment:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">After hearing from my doctor that hair loss would be inevitable with my chemotherapy regimen, I decided to get a major haircut to perhaps make the transition to baldness a little more subtle. I had nine inches chopped off my hair at the local Supercuts, refusing to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a hairstyle which would be fiercely shedding within a months time. I donated the hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths which creates wigs for uninsured cancer patients, acknowledging the irony of it all. I'll never forgot the look I got from Cameron (9) when I walked in the house sporting my first short haircut; chin length in the front, a shorter bob in the back. He put his hands on his hips and said, "Wow, you sure look a mom now!"</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Explaining or perhaps complaining to my friend Emily who has known me a little too well for 20 years, that I am not allowed to consume any alcohol over the next six months while going through treatment (something about poisoning my liver and red-blood cells?), she sympathized with me saying, "We all know chemotherapy is terrible, but no wine? Now that's just BARBARIC!"</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Impatient and sick of hearing me go into lengthy details when friends or acquaintances ask me how I'm feeling all the time, Avery (4) interrupted the lady working at the grocery store check-out aisle who happened to ask the generic, "How are you doing today?" by blurting out, "She's all better now! See? No more band aids!" </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Explaining to the boys how the medicine I needed to take to make me better was going to make me lose my hair on my head, Cam (9) replies,"It's too bad it couldn't just work on your hairy arms instead." (He </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">is</i><span style="font-size: large;"> on to something, ever since my college friends and I decided to </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Nair</i><span style="font-size: large;"> our arms before a school dance, the hair grew back longer and thicker after that). Luckily it's blonde because chemo hasn't changed a thing there!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I told the kiddos we would do something really special as a family when this is all behind us, then asked them where they would want to go if we could go anywhere in the world. Cam (9) closed his eyes and thought for a second then shouted, "I know...Hollywood!" Ella (4) thought a minute longer then shouted, "I know...Swizzles!" (our local ice-cream joint).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Having a snack with my kids outside, somehow the plate ended up getting knocked onto the deck. Cameron bent down to pick up the scattered apple slices then a few minutes later handed the plate back to me saying, "I licked all the dirt off for you because I know while going through treatment, your not suppose to get any germs."</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Explaining to the girls that they were going to go stay with their grandparents for a couple days while I went to have surgery to have the portacath placed in my chest, Avery (4) replies, "But you already had surgery, I think its Daddy's turn now."</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">After not being allowed to lift the girls for a few weeks following my surgery, the first time I picked up Addison (3), she gave me a big hug and says, " I'm just so proud for you!"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Trying to convince the girls to go back downstairs with their dad while I rested saying I wasn't feeling well, Ella (4) says, "Chewing gum always makes<i> me</i> feel better." Then continues, "Maybe watching me chew gum would make <i>you</i> feel better. Do you have any gum?"</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">A good friend texted me while I was sitting in the Dana Farber the other day to check in and see how chemo was going. I thought I texted back, "Much easier with the port." But what she read was, "Much easier watching porn." Gotta love auto-correct!!! </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Or how about when the girls convinced Jim they were ever-so-sweetly making me a card in the playroom, but instead were covering each other in blue permanent marker. If this doesn't say "Get Well Soon, Mom." I don't know what does:</span></li>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-67938679293910488442013-06-17T21:47:00.002-04:002013-06-19T09:34:53.319-04:00Everything Happens for A Reason (Birthday and Father's Day Edition)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today we celebrated my Jameson's 12th birthday. When I first held him in my arms those many years ago, I got a glimpse into our future together. My hopes and dreams were suddenly wrapped up in that tiny 7lb 11oz bundle. I felt a love like no other and knew this feeling would last forever. He has become everything I hoped for and more. He is sweet, sensitive, caring, and agreeable. While you hope your kids will excel in all things, in the end I've learned its having a nice, "good-kid" that will take you the farthest. Jameson is by all accounts a good-kid. What's more, he is smart and responsible. While not perfect, he is the perfect oldest child for our family, and a great example for his four younger siblings. While my other kids do their best to drive me to insanity, he does his best to help out and make my life easier. Although still a child in so many ways he has become almost a partner and takes it upon himself to help this family thrive. His patience is exemplary and I wish it would rub off on me. In the car the other day Cameron was doing his very best to get under everyone's skin. He had taken Jameson's video gamer and was just being loud and annoying in every sense of the word. Jameson managed to tune it all out while I found myself thinking, "Can't you just elbow him or something to make him stop?" Although now 12, he still has an innocence about him which I would love to savor forever. Now that I think about it, I can't remember him ever saying anything bad about anyone else. Granted he thinks his brother is annoying, recognizes his sisters can be bratty, from time to time someone might drive him crazy, but I honestly can't remember him ever saying he didn't like someone, not another child, not a teacher, not a hardheaded coach, no-one. He is optimistic and tends to see the good in the world around him.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other day he walked in from his soccer playoff game with a big smile on his face. I asked him how the game went and he replied enthusiastically, "Great, it was awesome!" "Oh good, I'm so happy you guys won and will advance in the tournament." I cheered excitedly. "Oh,well no, we lost, but it was a really good game!" Trying to make some sense of this, I questioned, "You guys hung in there 'til the end? It was a really <i>close</i> game?" "No we got killed. I think it was like 8-0" he replied shrugging his shoulders. "Oh I see, but at least <i>you</i> played really well, right?" I asked. "Not exactly. I was playing goalie when we let in the first half of the goals, but I played against some friends from school so it was fun seeing them. And someone brought Popsicles for us all after the game. And we still get to compete in the Loser bracket!" he said still smiling. What a great attitude to have, I thought. His team got clobbered, no chance left of winning the tournament, he let in four goals- yet it was a great game-I think I would be crying. Then the other day on the way to Hershey Park for a little family vacation to celebrate the end of school among other things, I had him check the weather so I'd know what to expect for the day ahead. He pulled up the hourly forecast on his i-touch and said, "Oh wow, the forecast looks great- really nice!" I had him hand me the ipod and as I scrolled down I saw clouds, lightening bolts and rain drops all the way down the screen. I said, "You think this is a <i>good</i> forecast?" And he replies, "Yeah, did you see that temp? 74 degrees is like perfect in the rain!" I hope he always maintains his positive view of the world, keeps his innocence, knows how much we appreciate him, always feels how much he is loved and shares his kindness with the world.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On this day, twelve years ago, Jim also got to enjoy his first Father's Day and celebrate a role he was always destined to play. Although he warned me his experience with babies was almost non-existant before our first child's birth, he was a natural from the first moment he held our little boy. I grew up around babies, babysat my entire life, yet I was so scared and timid changing my own baby's tiny diapers and giving that first bath. Somehow Jim knew just what to do and took control and kept the baby and me content. He was cool and calm, never got frustrated and was just so happy and at ease being a dad. He was an equal partner from those first nights in the hospital, keeping me company through the middle of the night feedings, and waking up almost hourly to change diapers and swaddle even when he went back to work. I knew we were in this together and I had found not only an amazing husband but the best father for my children</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were a family, and Jameson was literally our gift from God. Although he doesn't know this yet, his existence came as a surprise to both of us. We were young, unprepared, ambitious and busy making plans for the start of our careers. It was a confusing time but somehow Jim and I both knew becoming parents would be our greatest blessing. As I recently sat in my Oncologist office and listened as he rattled off the possible side effects from the chemotherapy regiment I was on, everything from nausea, numbness, mouth-sores, to joint pain, the one that resonated with me was "infertility". I thought back to the day I found I was pregnant with Jameson, the range of emotions, the surprise, wondering why now, thinking of everything I would have to give up that I had worked so hard for, wishing I had just a little more time to get things in order, to the realization that everything happens for a reason and this was God's plan for me. It took until now to understand what perhaps that reason might have been. Perhaps God knew I always wanted a big family, saw me playing with dolls until I was in middle school, knew how I loved babies and working with children, knew I longed to surround myself in love and laughter, knew I thrived in the chaotic, heard my thoughts and dreams about my life as a mother. But perhaps He also knew I had a bump on the horizon, the makings for cancer to come, and knew symptoms would start appearing at 32, knew that chemotherapy might well destroy my fertility by 34. Perhaps He wanted to give me that chance for the large family I always wanted and hoped for. Everything happens for a reason, perhaps that is why God gave me the opportunity to start my family young, and allowed me to have Jameson when I did, changing and blessing our lives forever. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way and have always been thankful for the ways things worked out, but even more so now.</span><br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe somewhere in my heart that this diagnosis happened for a reason as well. Perhaps it was to better recognize and appreciate the love around me. Perhaps it was to inspire me to better help others. Maybe it was to feel the good in the world and share it with others. Or perhaps there is another meaning, a greater one I won't recognize for sometime to come... </span><br>
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<br>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-27593936359901141422013-06-10T23:09:00.001-04:002013-06-22T12:14:08.118-04:00A Diagnosis and a New Direction<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Dear </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">As many of you know, two months ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I ended up in the Emergency Room
the night before Easter after waking in the middle of the night with chest
pain. A CT scan revealed</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">enlarged lymph nodes in my
chest, indicative of a much greater problem than I was prepared for. I was sent
home to enjoy Easter with my family, knowing that the life I had long taken for
granted would soon be challenged. I
relished in my children's joy and innocence on Easter morning, smiled as they
found their baskets and bit into chocolate bunnies, absorbed the psalms and
sang along with the choir in Mass, stared up at the clear blue sky during an
egg-hunt in the backyard, then hosted Easter dinner as planned surrounded by
both sides of the family, poignantly noting just how perfect it all was. The next two weeks were spent in and out of
doctors’ appointments which all concurred that something was clearly wrong in
my scans, and alluded to any number of different conditions and cancers. So
what do you do when you find yourself full of such worry and uncertainty,
recognize that your life and the life of your family, your husband and children
are all about to change, but not quite knowing how drastically or quickly that
change might come? Well, I went to
church, sometimes many different churches in the same day. I took comfort in
the tearful intentions of others who also lit candles or found themselves in an
empty pew at odd hours. I noticed a picture hanging next to an altar which
read, “Jesus, I trust in you” and repeated this over and over to myself until I
was certain it was true. I closed my
eyes and prayed and every time I opened them my gaze would settle on Mary, her
image in a stained glass window or portrait on the wall. Early one morning when the church doors were still
locked, I found myself actually holding hands with a statue of Mary in a garden
behind the rectory. You think of all the “what ifs”, you imagine all the “what
if I never”s. You brush your daughters’ hair like you have never felt such
smooth silk before. You read that book with your nine your old, like you meant
to do when you gave it to him at Christmas. You let your little one sleep in your
bed; one night you let four children sleep in your bed (no-one gets much
sleep). You enjoy date-night with your husband, ordering too many cocktails,
then walk arm in arm through the city like you did when you dated in college.
You have your family, brothers and sister join you for dinner, have your sister
sleepover and keep you company into the dark scary hours of the night,
distracting you from your thoughts. You text frantically with your best-friends.
You eat a Popsicle</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> with
your toddler and find yourself completely enamored with her little legs
dangling off the edge of the deck, her big eyes staring into yours, her long
thick eyelashes blinking in the wind, then smile and laugh to yourself at her
sweet sweet lisp, wondering if it's always been that apparent. You host an after dinner dance party in the
living room, you take your oldest out to lunch. You remind each of your
children how much you love them, and tell them they are perfect the way they
are and how you hope they never change. You tuck Rosary beads into your pocket,
your repeat the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Marys in your head throughout the day. You
pray with your children, your parents, your husband. You cherish everything
about the normalcy in your day. And then
the date of your surgery and biopsy arrives.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">It was the day of the now infamous
Boston Marathon. I arrived at the hospital at noon, and the surgery began
promptly at 2:00 that afternoon. I was
well intubated while the bombs ignited just miles away. The surgery was more
complicated than planned, a large lump was taken out, my thymus needed to be
removed, the incisions were larger, and chest tubes were needed. I was wheeled out of surgery which went two
hours over-schedule and came to, in the recovery room to hear nurses explaining
to the patient across from me that she was involved in an explosion and brought
in to surgery to have shrapnel removed from her chest. I was only able to make sense of this, hours
later when my husband and mother explained what had occurred</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> at the finish line of the
marathon while I was being operated on.
Over the course of that surreal week in the hospital I recognized I was
far from alone in my state of worry, sadness and anxiety. I realized once again
just how fragile and unpredictable life can be. The hospital went into lockdown
on two separate occasions, soldiers with bullet proof vests and machine guns
roamed the halls, the victims were identified and just beginning to face the
reality and devastation of their situations. On Thursday of that week, I sat in
a wheelchair and was wheeled from Brigham and Women’s Hospital to Dana Farber
to meet with a specialist for my biopsy results. Much was a blur, but the fact that six months
of chemotherapy were to begin five days later when I was still recovering from
major surgery, was more than scary. I
wept for myself and the short term hopes for my family that would not be; our
April vacation in South Carolina, the half marathon I was training for I would
no longer be able to run at the end of May, the return to the dance stage in
the spring recital, excited for my daughters (now ballerinas themselves) to see
their mother in action, strengthening my tennis game, summer on Cape Cod hopeful that my youngest three were perhaps now old enough to allow me to actually bring a chair
and relax at the beach, vacationing with family in Mattapoisett, and returning to school in the
fall (I had just been admitted to a Post Baccalaureate program at Brandeis University
to begin my study of medicine, of all things).
I wept for my children who I wished never had to have their sweet
childhood tainted, who will see their mother sick, who will not receive the
best of me, my full energy and attention.
I wept for how much quicker they will grow up now that oncologists and
chemotherapy are part of their vocabulary.
I wept for my parents and in-laws who were beginning their twilight years
of retirement and travel but will instead be accompanying me to hospital
visits, helping to care for me and their grandchildren. l wept for my husband
upon whose shoulders much of the heavy lifting will fall, already attending to
five bedtimes and waking with my early risers, packing lunches, and
getting the kids ready for school; attending to those most chaotic hours alone
while juggling the demands of his own busy work schedule. I even wept for my grandparents
who are now in their mid nineties and days have turned to worry. I was scared, sad and
questioned why this was happening. I wondered why now, at 34, with five children,
the oldest eleven and the youngest not even three? Why now when I was getting
ready to return to school and the dream I always saw for myself when I
graduated from college? Why now when I was so busy and active, teaching my own
daughters in ballet, helping my boys with school work and tackling the
never-ending to do list? Why now when
there was so much I had planned and when my family needed me so?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: x-large;"> I was suddenly roused from my grief the day
the bombing suspects were caught. Soon the city rallied together, uniting with
pride; Boston Strong. From the depths of the tragedy, people joined together
and hope was ignited, the promise to finish the race emerged. The good of the
city never shone brighter as heroes were recognized and good seemed to triumph. I was inspired to find the meaning in my situation and almost immediately I was greeted with an unbelievable outpouring of
support. There were calls, cards and
messages, letting me know I was loved and would be prayed for. There was a Meal Train organized by my playgroup
which was soon filled three nights a week through the end of October. Another
night was added and the generosity continued. The Meal Train calendar
completely filled and now my family will be receiving meals four nights a week
through November. Friends from many different facets of my life all the way to
the principal at my children’s school, signed up to bring my family dinners. Friends of friends I haven’t
even met volunteered to feed and comfort my family. To think of so many people
preparing, cooking, carefully labeling and delivering these wonderful meals for
a family of seven, each made with time, care and love, is beyond humbling. There were touching emails and sympathetic
smiles. There were neighbors who stopped by to offer comfort, cookies, gifts
and groceries. Then there were the beautiful flowers which arrived in a steady
stream from across town and across the county. My house was turned into a
botanical garden reaming of beautiful perfumes. Edible Arrangements arrived and
as helpers came by, they were able to enjoy fruited skewers as my children
clamored for chocolate covered strawberries. A best friend over-nighted a
package from Hawaii, another arrived at my door with a month’s worth of Hot N’
Sour soup from my favorite Chinese restaurant. She then helped pull together a
birthday dinner for my sweet Addison who turned three the very same day as my
first chemotherapy session. My sister’s 12 best friends who are now spread
across the country and overseas organized a package of hope to be delivered to
me with words of inspiration and good luck charms. Friends put together baskets
for me, carefully selecting gifts to help me face the months ahead with greater
ease. There were calming foods, healing lotions, rejuvenating juices, balms and
snacks and things to take my mind of off cancer all together. Friends have
dropped off so many wonderful magazines to take with me to treatment, which I
have then been able to donate on to the hospital. Two days after my diagnosis, my
best friends from college arrived at my door; one driving from Connecticut,
another leaving her newborn, two more rescheduling work and on-call hours to be
there for me when I needed them, bringing gifts and laughter. A colorful prayer
quilt arrived from a cousin’s church in California made by dozens of
parishioners who prayed for me as the sewed. A prayer scarf made with dearest
intentions arrived from Pennsylvania and another from Mattapoisett. My cousins
from Philadelphia presented me with a Kindle Fire to keep me entertained during
the long months ahead, and others gave me a Vitamix which my nutritionist at
Dana Farber had recommended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">The cards, calls, texts
and wonderful “checking-in” emails continued. I found I am the lucky recipient
of a prayer chain in Vermont, and the Nuns of Charity in Virginia. I am blessed
to know that Masses have been offered in my name in many different churches in
many different states. A friend who has only just recently completed her
treatment for breast cancer, attending chemo throughout the last trimester of her
pregnancy with her third child, presented me with a package full of all things
she found useful when she went through her ordeal, tucking in the same inspirational
book someone had given her as she set out on her course. Most helpful was a
four page typed letter filled with insights and advice for navigating Dana
Farber, chemotherapy, and motherhood with cancer. Through her own personal
experience she was able to give me the kind of information which would have taken
months to compile; information on wigs and acupuncture, handling nausea and
allowing yourself “worry time”. Each day that I have returned home from chemotherapy I have been touched to discover a carefully wrapped gift on my doorstep which she has left, reminding me to be proud of how far I have already come and giving me strength to persevere. She has become a trusted friend and resource
and I promised her I would someday pass along what she has given me and be that
resource and friend to someone else just beginning their fight. Friends have
hosted lunches and dinners and a "Girls Night In" for me. A babysitter I have
used since she was a high school student eight years ago accompanied me and my
girls to their swim class and ballet lessons and helped me throughout the day
following my first treatment, still unsure how I would react to all the new
medications. At the end of the day she refused to let me pay her saying she was
just happy to help. Another sitter on my street, now a college graduate, came over to offer open availability and free babysitting whenever I need
it over the next six months. Friends and neighbors have taken to call when they
are on their way to the market to see if there is anything I need. Other times I have returned home to find that
a week’s worth of groceries have been dropped off, or a huge supply of Costco
items; snacks, water bottles, fruit and gallons of milk have found their way
from a friends trunk to my front steps. My aunt’s famous homemade chocolate
chip cookies have arrived weekly since my surgery, perfectly packaged from
several states away-a true comfort food for my children and me. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Adorable pajamas, a
carefully sewn blanket, homemade granola, beautiful plants, fruit, homemade
juices, sunhats for when I lose my hair, cupcakes, and toys and gifts and quiet
activities for my children have all found their way to me. I have had gift-cards
arrive in the mail from the closest of friends, from acquaintances and from
people in town who have just heard of me and my story. I just learned that family friends together with their ten year old son participated in
the American Cancer Association’s Relay for Life, walking, raising funds and
lighting luminaries in my name. Without me having to think about it, rides were
arranged for my kids. My boys were picked up for art and baseball and evening
sports and parties. My girls were driven home from school without me having to
ask. Playdates were set up and my children have been welcomed into so many
loving homes, not only giving them a welcome distraction but giving me a chance
to rest and recoup. Not a day has gone by where I haven’t checked the mail, or
turned on my computer to find a touching letter moving me to tears. When I
least expect it, when I need it the most, there are words from a friend, a
relative, someone I haven’t seen in months, someone in London or someone around
the corner, their words finding their way to my heart, enveloping me,
comforting me and giving me hope and strength. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And I feel I would be completely remiss
if I didn't mention my family and all they have done over these last trying
months. Team Amanda (as the call themselves) made up of my husband Jim, my
parents and my sister Tammy, have attended every Doctor’s appointment with me, arriving with notebooks, printed out questions and
then diligently take notes, transcribing medical jargon, and asking insightful
questions. These are long appointments, all in the city often starting early in
the morning, my sister making a point to be there despite them overlapping with
her classes and study time as she prepared for finals to receive her LLM (an
advanced law degree). I’m happy to report that despite spending so much time
with me at hospitals, she passed all of her exams with an above A average and
received her degree at the very top of her class. My father, despite still
working, has become the liaison working between my doctors and me and also has
been a permanent fixture on the sidelines at all of my boys games and then at
my house in the evenings helping with bedtime shenanigans. My mom has been my
constant strength, holding my hand through it all, the first person I saw coming
out of two separate surgeries so far and often saying how, despite having had
her own dealings with breast cancer years ago, would trade places with me in a
heartbeat. A mother’s love knows no bounds. She has made sure we have
everything to fight this together, that my laundry is done, my prescriptions
are filled, my appointments are scheduled, I am hydrated and my house is still
standing. And of course my husband who has managed to do it all while still
keeping his cool, despite running on minimal sleep. He is my comfort and the
voice of reason and faith. I could not ask for more from him, selflessly placing me and my children before himself. My in-laws, Nanylil and Ampa, have been with us every step,
taking in my five children over April vacation while I was in the hospital, and
not just taking them in but taking them to the Mystic Aquarium, the zoo, mini
golfing, out for ice team, to the beach, letting the boys create a fort of all
forts on the other side of the creek and helping the girls turn the third floor
into a fort of their own. They were able to give the children a real vacation
and distraction from their mother being in the hospital. They have cooked for
us, cleaned our house, vacuumed our car and most importantly babysit during all
of those appointments, sometime leaving in the dark hours of the mornings to
get here on time and not leaving until after dark the same night. They watch my
children on those long chemo days, allowing me peace of mind while I receive my
infusions. My brothers, sister-in-laws, and brother in-laws’ care and concern
is ever present. Whether dropping off dinners and flowers or keeping my freezer
stocked with Cabots ice-cream, texting when they can babysit, offering to pick
up the kids up for an outing, or entertaining the kiddos while I take a nap. I am so
fortunate to have my family close, united in our faith and in our love for one
another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Over the past two months, I
have been blessed with Holy Water showered on me from the most sacred places on
earth. I have received prayer cards bearing the Blessed Mother, Mass Cards, Rosary
beads from Magigoria, prayers from the Holy Land, bracelets blessed in Mary’s
home, St. Christopher the Protector metals, a small statue of Mary herself, along
with other religious emblems. All to remind me, as a friend so beautifully put
it in her letter and interpretation of a sermon from her pastor in North
Carolina, that God is right with me, helping me along in this journey. He does
not want me to be ill, or my family to suffer, He does not want bad things to
happen on this earth, but despite His dearest intentions, bad things do happen;
a bomb explodes near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing and
injuring innocent bystanders, cancer creeps in when you least expect it, but He
is there to offer strength and comfort during these most trying times. He
offers Jesus' love through all of you, reminding me that there is so much good
in the world. Already so much good has come of this diagnosis, I have felt so
much warmth and love and it will forever alter the way I carry myself. I have
reconnected with old friends and made some new, who have shared their
experiences and battles with me. I know I will better cherish my friendships,
recognizing the love and support they have given me and the strength I draw
from them. I will keep my family, in-laws, Aunts, Uncles and cousins always
close to my heart knowing how they have sacrificed for me and been alongside me
on every step of this journey. As a mother, I will take time to find the laughter in the chaotic and joy in the mundane. I will cherish Addison's smooth kissable little face and her chubby little fingers, Cameron's dimpled cheek, cowlick and </span><span style="line-height: 14.44444465637207px;">iridescent</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> knowing eyes, Jameson's casual shrug and constant smile which still reveals several baby teeth, Ella's </span><span style="line-height: 14.44444465637207px;">under-bite</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> from too many years with the pacifier, her strong hug reaching all the way around my neck and Avery's </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">contagious laugh and how she clenches her security blanket while</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> she sleeps . I will volunteer more, and reach out more,
instead of asking what I can do, I will just do. I will never hesitate to place
a phone call or send an email when I
know someone is suffering, I will go the extra mile, cook that meal,
mail that card and say those prayers. I will remember the little moments and
cherish the good in each day. I hope to follow through on my dream of working
in health care, helping those most vulnerable and working to give back. I will
fight to remain positive and will always remember to be grateful for the
outpouring of support from so many caring people and they will forever be
im</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">printed in my heart.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;"> I will always recognize how fortunate I am to have so many
wonderful and generous people in my life, to live in a community where people
are so inclined to help one another and to attend a church and school where
faith and God’s love are ever present. I have just begun to face the challenges
of this diagnosis but knowing I have the love and support of so many makes this
much more bearable. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 115%;">I may be low in white blood cell counts now but I feel strong in
love and hope and ready to face the challenges ahead.</span></span></span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-25595761877696592662013-06-10T14:25:00.000-04:002013-06-10T16:19:52.021-04:00Life is a Circus<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq8SgXBRxtCsMn-6LUhLuSGkAIYXMNN93Rb9DUMS7Par0Xt0TTw3xOHgZXzt82a3TAGlqWGqSQ8dA672D9xUkyIM59KViRmMgQ3w6ol3a4itonqBB4B14KROFyqlPY3Fkt62KnEtBCMMc/s640/blogger-image--563712509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Sometimes I think I live in circus. With five kids it's a constant juggling act. <br />
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And then of course there are the never-ending costume changes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qNsVYt9gHgtluyPQr6Mjf0Wpy2Cgsr_RuMmdXNl7ZRYFjxVvk6wy92GYd6XBRjeI5Z3SwAC7tcBoBGi7ATzgRH1kzc17vASm4tiE3X3JtC5h_ZSgwLcYL56OSvHwUooYkXhEqVN8vOvl/s640/blogger-image-845536016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qNsVYt9gHgtluyPQr6Mjf0Wpy2Cgsr_RuMmdXNl7ZRYFjxVvk6wy92GYd6XBRjeI5Z3SwAC7tcBoBGi7ATzgRH1kzc17vASm4tiE3X3JtC5h_ZSgwLcYL56OSvHwUooYkXhEqVN8vOvl/s320/blogger-image-845536016.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmZhuybhn4Tg9gEyaSaRXCmlovtcQLSUwsOtaK3NV8HgwY8J4ZLB5pQ4JbT1qoG0gaxczKMm3ov2cscHSHG1NAnee45F-qYGnxgtPepBAth72Hu5pGbaJ9lfxmejPkLjL6uJeTSqjlawJ/s1600/fancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmZhuybhn4Tg9gEyaSaRXCmlovtcQLSUwsOtaK3NV8HgwY8J4ZLB5pQ4JbT1qoG0gaxczKMm3ov2cscHSHG1NAnee45F-qYGnxgtPepBAth72Hu5pGbaJ9lfxmejPkLjL6uJeTSqjlawJ/s320/fancy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm0U5BTmoAoWu_zrHt40f5S5atxhsb_6xpvfZj0Wl_JcAPgA_dNxGLl1dDPoEkAMNJFcicyrH9TmRsuR_fxK_kFfFMZkKUW_WyVM6sCLUWD1hngCWEAHNDC4y9Jh9IQX-BiYx9DP94YUv/s640/blogger-image-2090296058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadusKogvC00eSDmhxOZjw4zhtonzrvrd4xaHQ6R8dxWi8d5p0YJoLbYgAGKiCNL1_jrqs5Zfpv6ZujWJxinTR0tBdrYeNCboNRX2oy9bgFswh7cftUgRTXcBHod_HWfeXj_XO5hbej5Pz/s640/blogger-image-1010165619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadusKogvC00eSDmhxOZjw4zhtonzrvrd4xaHQ6R8dxWi8d5p0YJoLbYgAGKiCNL1_jrqs5Zfpv6ZujWJxinTR0tBdrYeNCboNRX2oy9bgFswh7cftUgRTXcBHod_HWfeXj_XO5hbej5Pz/s320/blogger-image-1010165619.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm0U5BTmoAoWu_zrHt40f5S5atxhsb_6xpvfZj0Wl_JcAPgA_dNxGLl1dDPoEkAMNJFcicyrH9TmRsuR_fxK_kFfFMZkKUW_WyVM6sCLUWD1hngCWEAHNDC4y9Jh9IQX-BiYx9DP94YUv/s320/blogger-image-2090296058.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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And Make-up. What circus would be complete without make-up? You'd think my girls trained at the best clown-school around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoeaaDM542eWahm2jYQrQ_URaUCGk39QWi1mqrX5SS-lRRYznVBTQ6Qoq-zEXouUYGhRoSB2qpOuXizsja1GlfOZTDNrmafxzYah8Xwjiyj78N-ILSmbsJp5s-mpUaZC6Zj5FyrR7hKIP/s640/blogger-image--987512001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoeaaDM542eWahm2jYQrQ_URaUCGk39QWi1mqrX5SS-lRRYznVBTQ6Qoq-zEXouUYGhRoSB2qpOuXizsja1GlfOZTDNrmafxzYah8Xwjiyj78N-ILSmbsJp5s-mpUaZC6Zj5FyrR7hKIP/s320/blogger-image--987512001.jpg" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLZa_IXwtPiAVYSE4infsxZHrpZZvjgJI2YsNGhU8LEp-ztBfiG1qihhCB7iUJasIeDk074DRPvE6yk8x8kHUeEGJiEzuZUC8WSJvi857XbtXv0hqdoMxbdrd1aD-Zv57VeAQUGPU8T1H/s640/blogger-image--1498561587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLZa_IXwtPiAVYSE4infsxZHrpZZvjgJI2YsNGhU8LEp-ztBfiG1qihhCB7iUJasIeDk074DRPvE6yk8x8kHUeEGJiEzuZUC8WSJvi857XbtXv0hqdoMxbdrd1aD-Zv57VeAQUGPU8T1H/s200/blogger-image--1498561587.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7zruhpCps7qj9KzV4u-3xEWFjB9CUNFYfG2XLV6R-T5SmGnPhKvj3-28F6d_bqSAtuUudve1HO8hUhQIDcYPx3ZpcTG7cUmzvd0v6fCf9cttSMx2QPvG3g5_0hjTsl-3Xt5lLlY15YUz/s1600/150689_10200393895877841_1521777746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7zruhpCps7qj9KzV4u-3xEWFjB9CUNFYfG2XLV6R-T5SmGnPhKvj3-28F6d_bqSAtuUudve1HO8hUhQIDcYPx3ZpcTG7cUmzvd0v6fCf9cttSMx2QPvG3g5_0hjTsl-3Xt5lLlY15YUz/s320/150689_10200393895877841_1521777746_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Under <i>this</i> circus tent, we also have lots of high flying aerials and some tightrope walking. And let us not forget the time recently, we really could have used a safety net, when our daredevil dove headfirst from her crib landing her the ER with a grade 5 concussion.</div>
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I drive a clown-car and push clown-carts through the aisles of stores, always drawing attention.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTkJcLkj7F4-V5Rtl4o7hYIZuD3WJm2HgzexVk4QWXFsZRWVrYfF9lZDBvF22wo9rT3VyWDFbg-J2NbeNp_tmnG3-Z40SgDF9vNCGH5M8YHqg8hzuslivuPeJN0iJDPT6vYRc2Rd1zVpS/s1600/get-attachment+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTkJcLkj7F4-V5Rtl4o7hYIZuD3WJm2HgzexVk4QWXFsZRWVrYfF9lZDBvF22wo9rT3VyWDFbg-J2NbeNp_tmnG3-Z40SgDF9vNCGH5M8YHqg8hzuslivuPeJN0iJDPT6vYRc2Rd1zVpS/s320/get-attachment+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-wUrgGXzAXOqVPA8mihjlk1Bs4FJ-PZ8UEWa6y5LsHniKX7-1Vl939657RrEeEgTnfUQorv5hVISljzG71fB9YVaN9gYMxfqLgD4nZs8OjD6PA7zPXHv-YzCF13F8o0XEMOM2INUU3DW/s640/blogger-image--1496825289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-wUrgGXzAXOqVPA8mihjlk1Bs4FJ-PZ8UEWa6y5LsHniKX7-1Vl939657RrEeEgTnfUQorv5hVISljzG71fB9YVaN9gYMxfqLgD4nZs8OjD6PA7zPXHv-YzCF13F8o0XEMOM2INUU3DW/s320/blogger-image--1496825289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And how is this for a side-show act: instead of swallowing fire, my daughter swallows hair-clips. Here's the proof:<br />
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This incident wasn't without fanfare. There was some chocking, some screaming, a frantic attempt at the Heimlich Maneuver by me, the ultimate passage of the barrette down the windpipe where it cleared the narrowest part of the respiratory tract and made it safely to the stomach. Then there was the inevitable trip to the Children's Hospital ER, where we were assured the barrette would pass. And pass it did, all in one piece, paint color slightly altered from all the stomach acids working on it over the course of three days, but that's life under the Big Top. In my days as a mom my little performers have swallowed a bottle cap, a penny, and even a quarter- they are really quite skilled.<br />
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And because I live in a circus, we found ourselves back in the Children's Hospital ER the very next night after Ella slipped on the wet tile at a pool party we were having for Cam's 9th birthday (yes his actual birthday was 6 months ago) and ended up with a concussion of her own. She threw up all over me, the ringmaster, in the middle of the party, and on our way out of the party then ten more times before we even made it to the hospital. They kept her for eight hours then finally released us around two in the morning. <br />
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Two nights in a row in the ER- there is never a dull moment in this circus and I am the juggler trying to keep all the balls up in the air. Sometimes I let a couple fall but I guess that's life in center ring under the Big Top!<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-33279614128872913902013-06-06T12:48:00.001-04:002013-06-06T18:44:56.664-04:00No rest for the Weary<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QCFcw_kLdAF_KI28xDlUk2ZgqR7ZvdXKR-bTLMi-PnbbtisRq6FkUJSFyUvgH7nf78Xs0BMvJEXWe7ufdDLi8NhbaCkLDAqhkuM-yf1tRYkOwXTFtnJPnfxY_gkG84W6KRa6B5Mv6OCB/s640/blogger-image--1708550466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QCFcw_kLdAF_KI28xDlUk2ZgqR7ZvdXKR-bTLMi-PnbbtisRq6FkUJSFyUvgH7nf78Xs0BMvJEXWe7ufdDLi8NhbaCkLDAqhkuM-yf1tRYkOwXTFtnJPnfxY_gkG84W6KRa6B5Mv6OCB/s640/blogger-image--1708550466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksKYPUmInEWCdfdu1101R4TCa3FubrYDXIvU3-h5VkWKw1wfzW7yJZvK1gS3lmfyFKUtIGf9POGO_Tjt70z7X2w7EEFNX3EKiOiTFwdvGTjRHvc_SiQRfhB5MlpH2dRUgiKl0TtxSVLNF/s640/blogger-image-710449213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksKYPUmInEWCdfdu1101R4TCa3FubrYDXIvU3-h5VkWKw1wfzW7yJZvK1gS3lmfyFKUtIGf9POGO_Tjt70z7X2w7EEFNX3EKiOiTFwdvGTjRHvc_SiQRfhB5MlpH2dRUgiKl0TtxSVLNF/s640/blogger-image-710449213.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QCFcw_kLdAF_KI28xDlUk2ZgqR7ZvdXKR-bTLMi-PnbbtisRq6FkUJSFyUvgH7nf78Xs0BMvJEXWe7ufdDLi8NhbaCkLDAqhkuM-yf1tRYkOwXTFtnJPnfxY_gkG84W6KRa6B5Mv6OCB/s640/blogger-image--1708550466.jpg"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QCFcw_kLdAF_KI28xDlUk2ZgqR7ZvdXKR-bTLMi-PnbbtisRq6FkUJSFyUvgH7nf78Xs0BMvJEXWe7ufdDLi8NhbaCkLDAqhkuM-yf1tRYkOwXTFtnJPnfxY_gkG84W6KRa6B5Mv6OCB/s640/blogger-image--1708550466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQsaUWl35NmJ9SBz56ih0P91iLCzWl2ZPBBD7tH4F7Wew_qK5YsO_Y3_qNXck-ZYpS0t7YaPFaDGv8SI62B7tgMCofa3JJT9923ECMbhyQAHYjbZJWW3QoJc_xKCPOgBBJjNs9Om8dnDl/s640/blogger-image--894706159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQsaUWl35NmJ9SBz56ih0P91iLCzWl2ZPBBD7tH4F7Wew_qK5YsO_Y3_qNXck-ZYpS0t7YaPFaDGv8SI62B7tgMCofa3JJT9923ECMbhyQAHYjbZJWW3QoJc_xKCPOgBBJjNs9Om8dnDl/s640/blogger-image--894706159.jpg"></a></div></div>Weekends; ahhhh, a couple of days to rest, regroup and recharge for the week ahead. Ha, I wish, not here at the Lily Pad, especially not in the springtime! Our weekend included no less than 10 sporting events, one gymnastics show, 40 bags of mulch, hours of yard work and the sanding and painting of our swingset. The schedule went something like this: Addie soccer 8:00, Avery and Ella soccer 9:00, Cameron soccer clinic 10-11:15, Jameson soccer clinic 10:45-12, Cam bball game 1:00, J bball game 3:00, Cam gymnastics show 5:00. Breathe, smile, head out for dinner with the whole gang to our favorite Chinese restaurant. Sunday: 9:30 church, 11 Cam bball, 2:00 J soccer game, 3:00 Cam soccer game. Both boys scored in their soccer games, Cam getting the winning goal securing his team a spot in the playoffs. He also did awesome in gymnastics and its amazing how strong he's gotten. All the down time between games (all ten minutes of it) was spent beautifying the backyard. Maybe I didn't allow quite enough time to get everything done, but its a start. The kiddos managed to soak up some fun in our new kiddie pool (no pun intended), have a water balloon fight throughout the neighborhood and run through the sprinkler to cool off, certainly making the most of the weekend. Can't wait for playoffs to begin, now that will be a fun weekend schedule!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGYOIj9QC4085JsM6DHEXw4xTrsl6I-gmovh2hsL7HJG98c7JC6CT_F9ecXBG9v4OZStcgbk2KWCetpJng-wI9kMl306iosi07ojOs_02oHYIQFWX3xWW0ugmdPnjq9tosnpP9Dg1w8UR/s640/blogger-image--687616317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGYOIj9QC4085JsM6DHEXw4xTrsl6I-gmovh2hsL7HJG98c7JC6CT_F9ecXBG9v4OZStcgbk2KWCetpJng-wI9kMl306iosi07ojOs_02oHYIQFWX3xWW0ugmdPnjq9tosnpP9Dg1w8UR/s640/blogger-image--687616317.jpg"></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-13332124872852481302013-05-12T18:57:00.001-04:002013-05-12T20:25:16.226-04:00To All the Moms Who Know What It's Like....Happy Mother's Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have ever curled up next to their little one and fallen asleep in a toddler sized bed....Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have mastered changing diapers on your lap, standing up, in the backseat of your car or in an airplane...Happy Mother's day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who cried when your baby had their first round of vaccinations and still wish you could always take their pain away....Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who carefully test to make sure their child's food is just the right temperature but never get to drink a hot cup of coffee themselves..Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have left their crying child at school/daycare then gotten in the car and cried yourself...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have ever thought their own child is the most beautiful, special, gifted child in the world...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who sometimes wonder if they can send their child back...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who laughed the first time your child repeated a bad word in the right context...Happy Mothers Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have ever refilled their child's bath when the water gets too cool, but only allow themselves two minutes in the shower...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have substituted their own child's name into a favorite fairytale or song...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have played the part of the pacifier fairy, the tooth fairy, and the fairy godmother...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have stayed up late packing lunches, baking cupcakes or finishing a science fair project...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who can read <i>Good Night Moon</i> without glancing at the page...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who know the tricks for getting Desitin out of hair, permanent Marker off of walls and the throw up stench out of the car...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who know when to stand up for their child an know when to sit back and let their child handle it on their own...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have rested a hand on a sleeping child's chest to check that they are breathing...Happy Mother's day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have found a stolen pack of gum in their toddlers pocket and marched them back to the store to return it...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who give nose-nuggies and butterfly kisses and high fives...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who would rather leave their own suitcase behind than forget to pack a child's favorite Lovey...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who kiss boo boos, blow noses and wipe faces using their own saliva... Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who chauffeur their kids around to practices, lessons, and games so that they may be better versed in all things than they ever were...Happy mothers Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all the moms who have forgotten on occasion to pick that child up at a practice, lesson, or a game...Happy Mother's Day</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">To all the moms who cheer on the sidelines at kid-pitch baseball games that drag on til dark...Happy Mothers Day</span></span></span></span></div>
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To all the moms who buy tickets to performances which take place in their own living and buy lemonade which they have made, from a stand in front of their house...Happy Mothers Day</div>
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To all the moms who can tell what their child's temperature is to the tenth of a degree without using a thermometer...Happy Mothers Day</div>
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To all the moms who have ever said "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all"..Happy Mother's Day</div>
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To all the moms who want to say "I told you so" but don't....Happy Mothers Day</div>
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To all the moms who wake up every morning wishing for 10 more minutes of sleep and no matter how many years they awaken early to little voices,they will never become a morning person...Happy Mother's Day</div>
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To all the moms who think a trip to Target by themselves is a mini vacation and all those who have left their shopping cart in the middle of an aisle to carry out a screaming child...Happy Mothers Day</div>
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To all the moms who know there is no worse sound than your own whiney, cranky, crying child...Happy Mother's day</div>
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To all the moms who know there is no sweeter sound in the world than when your child says, "I love you"...Happy Mother's Day!</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-38926194536304264872013-05-12T18:55:00.003-04:002013-05-12T18:55:32.481-04:00Our Easter Ideas"Happy Easter" read a banner I made to match the napkins and plates above the dessert table. The centerpiece was made of layered yellow and green peeps and topped off with similarly pastel colored candy robin eggs. I arranged tulips in a narrower container and placed inside the larger vase. I made egg shaped cake pops dipped and white chocolate and decorated with pastel confetti and glitter. I also made coconut cupcakes and frosted with vanilla frosting. I set the cupcakes in an over sized muffin liner which I had glued ribbon from end to end to make an Easter basket for the cupcake. The dinner table was set with napkins tied with a variety of pastel ribbons and a small wooden egg. Some brightly colored eggs nestled in a Waterford crystal bowl helped set the scene.<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-82609574431618294112013-04-07T20:40:00.001-04:002013-04-07T21:25:59.189-04:00Easter BlessingsThis Easter the Lily Pad hosted our first holiday. Jim and I have been married for twelve years and we have had the pleasure of being a guest at our parents' for holiday meals ever since, however this year we decided it was our turn. We decorated the house and got baking and preparing several days ahead. Aunt Tammy brought the hams, Nanny Lil brought the potatoes, Aunt Kathy brought the salad, so we did the honey glazed carrots, lemon green beans, a couple of quiches, rolls, and two broccoli and cauliflower casseroles. For dessert I made egg shaped cake pops, sugar cookies, cupcakes, and carrot-cake with cream cheese frosting. Nanny brought a butter cake and Nanny Lil made a chocolate pie. We feasted and enjoyed the beautiful day. The kids loved staying in their own home for a change and had fun with all their relatives. They eventually came down from their sugar highs from all those chocolate bunnies in their Easter baskets and the three Easter Egg hunts we attended earlier that weekend. I love the traditions of these hunts, the one around our house and our neighborhood I love how our bunny carefully labels each basket and hides the baskets filled with goodies, books and a couple special toys in a perfectly chosen hiding spot. This year it was Cameron's basket which was the hardest to find, but luckily we all helped him look and it was found just before breakfast. It was a blessed day filled with sunshine, family and yummy treats. <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkTQlguWrHVqz41t2KzNwpNTmQvC5iZ62koOqyDMnf4sXm8bTGPIvrMifXyhHL_aWlSc8M24zJYhIb8jTCEy8g0Q6Humh1mTlnfMpYQu-Mx8Bucmga5_9SohTxN3Nkp_Wkxcf4kckG-DR/s640/blogger-image--2025088049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkTQlguWrHVqz41t2KzNwpNTmQvC5iZ62koOqyDMnf4sXm8bTGPIvrMifXyhHL_aWlSc8M24zJYhIb8jTCEy8g0Q6Humh1mTlnfMpYQu-Mx8Bucmga5_9SohTxN3Nkp_Wkxcf4kckG-DR/s640/blogger-image--2025088049.jpg" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-19122284177048218112013-04-06T13:22:00.000-04:002013-04-06T13:22:48.849-04:00In Like a Lion, Out Like a LambThe beginning of March felt far from spring like around here but we certainly made the most of all the snow. The kids loved sledding, snowman sculpting, igloo constructing and hot cocoa slurping. Cameron made some serious money shoveling neighbors driveways which he quickly spent at the 7/11 in town. We definitely had some blizzards to remember and enough school snow days to make any child happy and drive any mother to the brink of insanity. One highlight of all that snow, was a trip up north with Nanny and Ampa and the rest of the Lil family. The girls got on skiis for the first time, and aside from the cold, seemed to enjoy the thrill of the wind in their face as they zoomed down the bunny slope ( a very small incline). Poor Avery had bilateral pneumonia for the trip, but rallied and was feeling much better by the last day. It was so much fun catching up with all the Lils and spending some quality time all together. Having so much family around was also ideal as it allowed us a lot of time to go off skiing with Jameson and Cameron who have mastered all the trails and especially like the challenge of black or double black diamonds. What a great family sport skiing is- three generations, outside, enjoying the beauty of the mountains, the fresh air, the thrill of the descent and the company of loved ones. <br />
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April is starting to feel a tad more spring like. The sky is clear, the daylight hours are long and the first daffodils are peeking out of the ground. We have dusted off the bikes, broken out the chalk, and set out to start enjoying the warmer weather. A yard cleanup is in order, but I for one am looking forward to getting outside and enjoying our new deck and welcoming spring! <br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-13603299706442291512013-03-20T15:36:00.001-04:002013-03-20T15:36:44.084-04:00Wordless Wednesday!First day of spring and I'm done with the Snow Clean-up! It's not the shoveling snow that's the problem- it's the indoor clean-up, keeping the kids entertained on all these snow days!!! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT626Vb5sNsmBakE1X_svsTQwTZ9uTti-dUmiG9NBmaZ8w-JqyFVPvsehoKGLRQ5y0Zgsf9v8Na3wGvyuyblFZDV0ufmry8DP0wpDqdfs9xIFpqVBzzoPrjU6Sizs8YFn0_s242CBmgOwC/s640/blogger-image-506855984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT626Vb5sNsmBakE1X_svsTQwTZ9uTti-dUmiG9NBmaZ8w-JqyFVPvsehoKGLRQ5y0Zgsf9v8Na3wGvyuyblFZDV0ufmry8DP0wpDqdfs9xIFpqVBzzoPrjU6Sizs8YFn0_s242CBmgOwC/s640/blogger-image-506855984.jpg" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-12955814674904905942013-03-19T22:25:00.000-04:002013-03-19T22:25:11.912-04:00Mermaid ActivitiesAs a prize for earning enough stars on their chore chart, the girls were going to be allowed to watch The Little Mermaid movie for the very first time. Tracking down a copy of the movie was no easy task, thanks to the Disney vault, but luckily Amazon came through, and the movie arrived just in time for family movie night, which at our house, occurs most Friday nights. In honor of the movie premiere at the Lily Pad we had an entire afternoon devoted to an "Under the Sea" theme. We kicked off the festivities with an indoor beach party in the basement playroom. I cranked the heat and my bikini clad mermaids splashed in the kiddie pool which I hauled in from the shed and with Jim's help, filled with a couple inches of warm water. We also filled some containers and buckets with a little more depth so the girls could experiment with objects that float and sink. After the pool party, we set out to make a Little Mermaid craft. The girls painted two paper-plates then glued on seashells and sequins. I then stapled the plates together to make Ariel's clam-shell house. We printed images of Arielle off the computer and glued her in along with some green seaweed. We folded Arielle and the seaweed so they would pop up when the clam-shell was opened. For dinner I served fish, more because it was a Friday during Lent, not really thinking about the theme. In hindsight, serving Flounder for dinner before watching the Little Mermaid wasn't the best idea but I think it went over the Littles' heads. We snacked on Goldfish and Swedish fish as we watched the movie and although there were a few scary parts where the girls had to hide there eyes and one part where Ella shouted, "Oh My God!" with nervousness that the prince wasn't actually going to kiss Arielle and break the spell, all in all it was a great family movie and the boys even enjoyed it! <br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342166648895747226.post-26841648945816411712013-03-14T23:09:00.000-04:002013-03-18T22:39:18.688-04:00Happy Birthday to the "Bestess" Dad Around!We celebrated Jim's birthday over the weekend, a two day celebration for a very loved dad and husband. Jim and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner out in town on Saturday night at a brand new steakhouse- a trendy spot for a trendy guy. If you know Jim, you know he's not the kind of guy to splurge on himself, so it's our job to spoil him. Sunday, Jim got to sleep in while the kids and I made a yummy bacon, cheese, tomato and mushroom strata. Jameson made a tasty fruit salad to go along with it as the girls set the table. After cards, presents and brunch, I was hoping to have a nice relaxing family day, but between church, two kid birthday parties, four tennis lessons, a hockey game and a basketball game- it just wasn't in the cards. We did finish the day off with a nice little birthday party, some Chinese take-out, and homemade chocolate cake. And of course no birthday party would be complete with out a big game of duck-duck-goose around the dining room table. Happy Birthday to the most amazing man in our lives. I hope this 34th year is the best so far! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXGWSo_mWmWWtBJ4V69Ilb7fNW99TE2e751rq-P7CVcObFYbHRmHm8UqACxCBejIr063g9C-zR7STVRY5N5xKuHD1ms2CVuy6hX9EibWFS7YYvHYK_BzYhku2m4dt-xvIPBheGVS4UZPQ/s640/blogger-image--2077261459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXGWSo_mWmWWtBJ4V69Ilb7fNW99TE2e751rq-P7CVcObFYbHRmHm8UqACxCBejIr063g9C-zR7STVRY5N5xKuHD1ms2CVuy6hX9EibWFS7YYvHYK_BzYhku2m4dt-xvIPBheGVS4UZPQ/s640/blogger-image--2077261459.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMwdER02M57RkHDAWZWLliWRiJIYGgCOt6wU1pZsjBFmZe-TFcfRoJiJdShigfW4F4nhcujXH1WAhS2E68btUFWgm0CXyKMawszKhz-8ZPWGgZ3HSz2mGoOFlzvEE1GcrgSaYXfaNm436/s640/blogger-image-1253871159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMwdER02M57RkHDAWZWLliWRiJIYGgCOt6wU1pZsjBFmZe-TFcfRoJiJdShigfW4F4nhcujXH1WAhS2E68btUFWgm0CXyKMawszKhz-8ZPWGgZ3HSz2mGoOFlzvEE1GcrgSaYXfaNm436/s640/blogger-image-1253871159.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbLAHwpG8p5hJvEZaJDY5lm7DEMISjM5ym6HC5Xal3QrmISDFpe9t6K1B1UezO2Ja4waXD2Lyw-0T2WnCbJr0jB0Sd5U-SAXl3qUDMx2lPhzzd4jT3Kow4iKXGBpNok6pD_-H0OcncGBe/s640/blogger-image-964067871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbLAHwpG8p5hJvEZaJDY5lm7DEMISjM5ym6HC5Xal3QrmISDFpe9t6K1B1UezO2Ja4waXD2Lyw-0T2WnCbJr0jB0Sd5U-SAXl3qUDMx2lPhzzd4jT3Kow4iKXGBpNok6pD_-H0OcncGBe/s640/blogger-image-964067871.jpg" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256964074568085406noreply@blogger.com0