My Sister's Keeper

So I was in Walmart a while back, and this paperback book was only $6. I knew what the story was about for the most part, and heard it was a good read. So I bought it. I've been looking to read more. Anyhow, it sat in a bag for a month. I thought maybe I shouldn't read it, given our history...that maybe I'd be an emotional wreck and relive the past (to a point). But, I finally pulled the book out the other day and began to read.

I am only about 50 pages into the book. Rather than being an emotional wreck, quite honestly it is making me angry because it is too eerily familiar. Angry at the doctor lingo, angry at the danorubicin and cytoxan (chemo drugs), angry at the lack of info for the parents, angry that I know so much about all of it. Geez, Elizabeth, it's just a story. But it's so real. I honestly feel like the author took some of my very words and thoughts from 4 years ago and put them into this book (mostly from the mother's point of view in the book so far). Hmmm...do I keep reading??

Welcome, Norah!

We visited our new niece/cousin today. She's a little doll!! I don't remember the last time I held a brand new baby.I think I forgot how to hold a baby. I guess I better get used to that... : ) Though I was sort of freaking out! And I don't know that Maddie has ever held a new baby, really. Cal didn't want to hold the baby (actually he didn't want to wash his hands, and was much more interested in playing catch with Uncle Scott!).

Those poor boys. The ratio of boys to girls in Mike's family (our kids and Mike's siblings' kids) will be 3 boys to 7 girls. Even if you take my Mom's side of the family and count first cousins, second cousins along with their kids, I think the ratio is 3 boys to 10 girls. Cal was the first boy born on my Mom's side in about 30 years. My Mom's little brother was the last boy before Cal to be born. Apparently the girl genes dominate on both mine and Mike's side of the family!!

God Bless America!!

The fourth of July is absolutely my favorite holiday. I usually even buy the kids red, white, and blue outfits or t-shirts (usually on clearance the year before-though I didn't last year), but we all wore red, white, and blue anyhow, of course!

We celebrated by going to a parade, listening to the AWESOME Brewers game, & a family party in the afternoon (my side). Then every July 4th for as long as we can recall, we've done fireworks in Greendale with my sister, Dad, and stepmom.

Auntie & the girls

Grandpa Bo & Grandma Ria

How Blessed we are to live in this country and have such freedom. God Bless the USA!

pool party!

Well, the pool is officially up and running (and clear!!). I pulled into the driveway to find 3 kids and a husband in an icy cold pool. Hopefully we'll get some warmer days to heat up the pool a bit. I wish I had a thermometer to see just how cold it was. It is really a good size pool. We can add about 6 more inches of water or so, but wanted to see how deep it was for the kids first.

Speaking of pool parties, I have the grand idea to have a pool party/birthday for Cal at the end of August (even if his birthday is at the end of September). This will ensure kids outside, having fun, and polly pockets will stay upstairs instead of over the balcony (I am still finding little pieces in the living room...)

Think pink...

alot more pink to be in our house in the relatively near future! While I wasn't terribly shocked, since I had a feeling it was a girl. Though my only clue was the dream I had. If I had to compare the pregnancy to one of the others, (while this one was very unique and different than the other 3...) I would have had to say when I was pregnant with Cal. Which doesn't make sense either ! Obviously it's a girl for other reasons--not because I dreamt it up! But I feel just a tad bad for Cal and Mike. Pretty sure Cal and Mike were near tears for a moment. A tad disappointed, I'm sure. Mike had his hopes set high for a boy (as did Cal). I was pretty indifferent. Though all along I thought a girl would be easier just for the fact we won't need to purchase a thing!! So tonight Cal said, "Mom, you're the best mom ever. Even if I have to have another sister." So I think he's already over the fact it's going to be a girl. Mike on the other hand, I believe, is in denial. In a joking sort of way. I know he's bummed about being outnumbered, and has a fear of girls growing up, but he'll get over that quickly (I think!!) He says, Guess we'll just have to have more. While I am sure he is being sarcastic, he sounds awfully serious when he says it!! At least now, we only have a girl's name to argue over (girls names will come much easier than the boys names would have anyhow.) Seriously, at this point, I think having another would be fine. But it would have to be a closer age gap!! (Oh my gosh, did I really say I'd have another? Yikes.)

My plan for next week--I'd like to go through all baby girl clothes and weed it out. I am telling you I bet we have a dozen bins of clothes for newborn to age 6. It's really unnecessary. I can't believe how much girl stuff there is. Well, it's cute and fun to look at! If it was a boy though, all new clothes would've been fun, too. Oh well : ) Maybe there will be a next time???