*heartbreaking*

A sad post, to ask for many prayers for many people.

Our little neuroblastoma friend, Jack, has been taken off of a trial in Texas because of positive results from a bone marrow aspiration. Doctors are classifying him as "progressive but stable" basically meaning he has cancer, it won't go away, and no one is sure what can be done anymore. The really sad thing is he seems so well--by looking at his photos and hearing of the things he is doing, you wouldn't guess cancer is hanging out in this little guy's body. While I have been that parent of a child with cancer, I hope to never experience the hurt and devastation they are going through--after 6 years of fighting and various tests and trials only to run out of options. I pray their hope and strength stay strong, and I pray for a miracle. Please pray for them and his doctors, that they might find a miraculous cure or solution before it's too late.

My (step) aunt and uncle lost their son-in-law in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan yesterday. Tommy was a Navy SEAL. I never met Tommy, but I am close to Tante Hermi (Aunt Hermi, my stepmom's sister). Hermi was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She is at the end of treatment, with good prognosis, but it was a very rough year for them. She is very inspired by Kaycey, so Kaycey made many cards and things to send to her to keep her positive through treatments. Andrea is the daughter of Hermi and Michael, and she is Tommy's wife. She is six months pregnant and very recently found out they were having a little girl. This little girl will be the baby sister to two big brothers. I am so sad that she will never meet her Daddy. What bravery and sacrifice this man has given to our country. Please pray for the family. I cannot even imagine what they must be going through. On top of that, Michael's father passed away last night. They have been bombarded with so much in the past year...

CHA

CHA in Chicago on the 19th was great fun, as usual!! CHA is a Craft/Hobby Convention where vendors from all over the world come to show off their product and projects. Some companies offer projects to do, some give away free product. In any case, it is not to be missed!!

Here I am, at the Imaginisce booth! I made a cute headband using their schnazzy tools, the I-rock and I-top. The guy helping out was a riot!



Here's Katherine, my scrappy partner in crime, and I in the very talented Stephanie's booth, Bella Blvd.

I'm in love with lots of goodies this time around. Amy Tangerine, Simple Stories (hopefully will help with my addiction of We R page protectors--I own every configuration!), the itty bitty alphas at Prima, and of course, Bella Blvd!!! Just to name a few. My list of "must haves" is even longer--longer than I initially thought, after I went through the pictures I took! It's so inspiring and exciting to get to be a part of it.

Chicago

A couple weeks back, we (myself, Kaycey, Maddie, and my mom) took the train and spent a day down in Chicago. We went to the American Girl doll store (Maddie's first time!), walked around a bit, and also went to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears tower). It was on the hot side that day, so we even took a taxi to get around! We had a really great time!

My mom and the girls waiting to get on the train:



Lainie (Maddie's doll) even got her hair done at the salon at the doll store. Trust me, it was worth the $20. Lainie comes with curly hair, and it was a rat's nest!! Turned out so cute.

So the girls got to pick out some things for Christmas from Grandma. Here's the girls with their goodies (but Kaycey was a wee bit bummed she decided to leave her doll at home).

at the Lego store. I really need to put Maddie into some acting classes.

at the top of the tower.

Um, the girls on the all glass overlook. Uh, no way was I or my mom stepping out on there. Maddie tried to make me and I screamed. I am surprised I was able to get that close, but I was looking through my camera, so it didn't seem so scary.

I actually was lying on the ground for this shot. But I think I will have to play with the color a bit to brighten the girls' faces. It seems a little blurry, too, but oh well.

best memories of summer so far---long post!!

Our summer has been ridiculously busy! Seriously, it is rare that I even go on the computer (thanks to one of those fancy phones that goes on the internet, I really haven't been without--other than not updating the blog often enough!! Okay, time to say something about the kids!!

So glad this guy decided it was time for a haircut! : ) After months of wishing for Tom Brady's hair (blech!!!) he decided to get it buzzed. Good choice, I think!!! He spent his summer playing lots of baseball. Most of our nights are spent watching it. Which is okay by me!! He's learned alot this year, and I know he really enjoyed playing it.

This gal got a box of new hats from a new friend in Boston. Our new friend is a 3yr old gal who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. (She is doing great now, by the way, recently read news of clear scans for her!! yay!!) Anyhow, these hats are adorable. Just Kaycey's style. She wears them alot. Except when we went to Chicago. Why you ask?? Because she had to wear a Brewers hat to show those Sox and Cub fans who the real team is.



Poor Maddie. Broke her wrist a day before the last day of school. But no worries, it didn't stop her from having a blast this summer. They put on a fully waterproof cast (I didn't even know such a thing existed). And she got to pick the color (twice!!). Just in time for the dance recital--perfect match!! She even played t-ball with her cast!!

And this lil stinker. She is so funny. The kids call her "Abe", short for "Babe", we suppose. They've made songs, rhymes, chants, etc. involoving the word "Abe". She doesn't say a whole lot (hi, bye, Mama, Dada, Grampa, Papa, Emma, uh-oh, and backpack. She has said alot of other things once, but I haven't heard them again, yet!) She points and says, "Hmm?" to whatever it is she wants. She is as cute as can be, and has the curliest of curls ever. She loves to dance, she claps after every song, and she sings along to that "Tonight, tonight" song (la, la, la....la,la, la). She loves to be outside, she loves to swing, she goes down the slide by herself, and she makes everyone smile.

first pigtail attempt

Happy summer, all!!

Before and after: school papers organization

I have a bookshelf on the end of the kitchen island which spent most of the school year overflowing with school papers (in this photo, the papers aren't so overflowing!)

We also have a lovely giant drawer in the island that would be great for lots of things--pots, pans, etc. I choose to fill it with papers. Yeah, not so organized.

BUT...school papers: meet three-ring-binder (or perhaps the garbage...) and VOILA--I have a three ring binder for each child just for "school" themed stuff. I incorporate the school things with any 12x12 school layouts I've done and put it all in order. Using different sized page protectors (many 8 1/2x11), and I put it all together. Here are some pages from Maddie's book.

It's nothing fancy really, just a place to tuck things in. I haven't saved a whole lot this and last year; and of course, the older they get, the less there is to save.

I wish I could say I did this all along, but I didn't. I have this year and last year up to date with all 3 kids (though I do have more layouts to do) so to say. Sigh. There's alot of years before that to get workin' on!!