weekend recap...

well, we didn't end up going to NC...1 week & almost $400 later, & my van still runs the same - grrrr! of course, the mechanic has it narrowed down now, & says it must b something else that will cost us another $150 to fix

forget it! i'm thinking we just need 2 bite the bullet & get a new ride...we've been putting it off as long as we can & have gotten 210k miles outta this van...but i'm tired of pouring money in2 the heap of junk, just 2 keep it running a lil while longer....don't worry - it's still getting us around just fine...the mechanic even said it would probably do fine going to NC, but we didn't want 2 chance it...i'd get in2 the whole issue, but i really don't understand it - nor do i think u care ;0)

so anyway, we ended up chilling at home...i think things worked out 4 the best - it not only rained the entire weekend here, but also down in NC where my BFF lives...driving in the rain sucks...& having my 3 kiddos, plus her lil one (2yrs old) stuck inside all weekend prob wouldn't have been a blast either

we hung out most of the day saturday...we had some antsy kiddos at first - they kept occupied 4 a while with some games & these cool notebooks that our friends, the grimes, sent em


but they were jonsing for a trip to the playground & didn't really care that was raining...curtis said, "what? do u want 2 go & play in the rain?!"...& gabby answered, "if u let us" ~lol~

so instead, he took the kiddos 2 the video store - the girls got a barbie movie & a powerpuff girls movie...& jaden got a sonic video game...it was the perfect day 4 chili, so i started working on a big pot...they came home just as i was getting ready 2 cut up the green peppers & onions...miss corinn will turn down playing outside, watching a movie, anything, to help in the kitchen! it doesn't matter if u're boiling hotdogs or washing dishes - she has to help!

i have this pampered chef kiddo knife that she uses - she thinks she's hot stuff too!


i already had some peppers cut up in slices (i keep a couple containers of cut veggies in the fridge 4 the girls - peppers, cucumbers & grape tomatoes r their favs, but also broccoli, cauliflower, etc. - they LOVE fresh veggies & i let em snack on em whenever they'd like), so i just needed her 2 chip em up for me...she let me handle the onions ;0)


she also helped open all the cans with the electric can opener & dump stuff in the pot...she loves using the pepper grinder, so had 2 handle that job too! ;0) we also had baked potatoes with all the fixings - corinn washed up the potatoes & help grate the cheese

from then on, she insisted that she made dinner! she even appeared a little offended that her big brother didn't care 4 the chili, saying "just try it jaden! i made it, it's good!" ~lol~

sunday, we started the day off by cleaning up around the house a bit....then headed 2 our fav sunday hang out (when daddy is off work), the skate rink!

it was good 4 the kiddos 2 burn some energy

they were just loving having dad home from work - both parents, all weekend!


after skating, we did a little shopping - i had some stuff 2 return 2 old navy & had a coupon that needed 2 b used...so i got the kiddos a few things & then we ran by walmart 4 a few groceries....after that, the kiddos had joyful noise practice (childrens choir), then home again

it was nice having a weekend with no plans - where we could just come & go as we pleased...no clocks 2 live by, no appointments 2 keep

we sure missed our friends in NC! the kiddos couldn't quite understand why we couldn't go - the van works, y won't it make it there?! but i think they still had fun with us - just chillin'
;0)

go fish...

last night, the 2nd & 3rd graders at my kiddos' school performed a musical number called "go fish"...jaden is in the 2nd grade & the boys in his class were sharks! (if u know jaden, u know this was right up his alley!)

before the show, he specifically asked that i get a video of the song "we're sharks", because he said "it's just the guys, & not the girls, singing"



he didn't have any speaking parts, but i was amazed at how involved he was in the musical numbers...usually, he'll only sing/motion along with the songs he really enjoys - this time, he participated in each & every one! & appeared 2 have a great time too!


i love the end of this video - u can tell just how proud jaden was by his performance...just check out all the bows! ;0)

(excuse the loud, ear-piercing scream in this one...all the kiddos screeched at the mention of sharks in one part of the song - at 1:52 in2 the vid...u can tell jaden was NOT a fan of that part - he's covering his ears!)

car repairs...

we're dropping the van off 2nite, so the mechanic can work on it 2moro...we already did this on monday & he found something else that needed repair (of course he did, right?!)

he says this time should do it tho

crossing my fingers - we really wanna head to NC saturday morning, to visit my BFF & her fam! who knows when it'll work out 2 make the trip again (with curtis' work schedule, my upcoming cakes & treatments, kiddo activities, etc.)

say a lil prayer that we r able 2 make the trip!
i need 2 get away!!!

weekend recap - picture marathon...

what an absolutely GORGEOUS weekend!!!

i'm talking temps in the high 70's, low 80's!

we practically lived outside all weekend - whether is was in our own backyard, at nana & grandpa's 4 some 4wheeler/go-kart riding & a cook-out, or while we did some playground hopping!

in the backyard...

break 4 lunch - but corinn helped with the dishes ;0)

back at em...2 the playground

time 2 hit nana & grandpa's...

till dark - cupcakes by the campfire...

break 4 church on sunday morn...

back at em...ice cream, then headed 2 another playground...

the kiddos had Joyful Noise (children's choir at church) practice in the eve - time 2 start practicing 4 the Easter Sunday program...then home 4 wind down time...monday just comes back around way too soon!

last night, gabby says "we had a great time home from school!" (meaning the weekend) "we got 2 go 2 all those playgrounds, & have a cook-out at nana's, & have ice cream...can we do that next saturday too?!"

now, that's what i call a fun weekend!

chemo #6

chemo #6 (of 8) was yesterday…it went as usual…i had 2 get stuck twice 2 get a good vein tho…my veins r small & deep…& the chemo is burning some of them – keeping them sore for weeks, so the nurses r great about finding new veins in weird spots on my arms so we can switch it up some…we also switched my nausea meds since i had a rough time last time…they got rid of the IV nausea med & gave me another pill (on top of the 2 i’ve been taking)…this one costs $100 a pill – thank goodness my insurance is great & it only cost me a $30 co-pay 4 the 2 pills i needed! so far, i haven’t gotten sick from this round…i’ve had killer heartburn & a few nauseous spells…and i’m super tired! i passed out as soon as we got home yesterday & feel like i could take a nap at my desk today – but hey, that’s better than being sick!

only 2 more treatments 2 go! (my last one will be on april 6th) then i’ll have another PET scan & a CT scan…the PET scan will tell us if all the cancer cells are gone…and the CT scan is because my oncologist says my lymph nodes have gone down in size, but not quite enough…radiation should take care of that – but they want a look before & after we do the radiation…still no word on when my radiation will start or exactly how long it’ll last…they’re still sticking with the 2-4 weeks guesstimate (every day, monday thru friday) – but the scans will give us a better idea of what we’re looking at

thank u 4 ur continuous thoughts & prayers! i’m definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel & am so anxious to close this chapter in my life – hopefully 2 never have 2 revisit it again!
:0)

John Deere tractor cake...

i made Kadyn's 1st birthday cake last year & it was even featured in the profile article that the Rocktown Weekly did on me last year...i was excited 2 get 2 make his 2nd birthday cake this year 2!

according 2 his mama, he LOVES tractors & makes sure 2 point out each & every one they see

this cake is all white cake (will serve 100), iced in butter cream...i made the tractor out of rice krispies & decorated it in fondant...the tractor wheels r dark chocolate fondant & the fence is made out of gum paste

i tried the octopus 2day...

my sis & i have sushi 2gether every other friday...we always get the 202 lunch combo (cali rolls, tuna, yellow tail, salmon), but we also like 2 try something new each time

last time, we tried squid - it was ok, but pretty darn chewy

this time, we tried octopus (pictured above) - i have 2 say, i kinda liked it!

do u tweet?

i've been using twitter for quite some time - & i LOVE it!

do u tweet?

if u do, leave ur handle in the comments - i'd like 2 follow u
;0)

& if u're interested, u can find me here:
http://twitter.com/MamaSkates

lunch with my babe...

curtis is off work 2day & came by 2 take me 2 lunch

i ♥ it when that happens!
;0)

sleep study results...

jaden does NOT have sleep apnea like his father - yay!

curtis has had his initial appointment & blood work...his sleep study is not yet scheduled, but at least we're making progress!

here r the findings from jaden's sleep study in case u're interested in the technical stuff like me ;0)

click the image to enlarge

back at em...

i'm back at em 2day, feeling 90% better

it's "breakfast tuesday" at work (happens once a month - lucky me, it's my 1st day back this week) & there's a huge breakfast casserole & fruit spread in the kitchen! the veggie one - mmmm!

it just feels good, 2 have a good day again!
:0)

thx so much 4 the sweet comments on my bitchy post yesterday...i'm so lucky 2 have friends like u!

my gabrielle isn't feeling so lucky 2day tho - mama made her sick
:0(

she went 2 bed last night, complaining she was really cold & that's when i knew it was coming...sure enuff, she woke up just after midnight, crying that she couldn't move...her temp was 103.8! poor thing could barely walk - she got sick all over the bathroom...i cleaned her & the bathroom up, just in time 4 curtis 2 come home from work...he helped me get her fever down & back in bed, sleeping...she woke me up twice in the night - sick at both ends...but her fever stayed down around 100.5 the rest of the night, finally breaking this morning

she's resting at home with daddy 2day, & the other 2 r back 2 school after yesterday's snow day...2day was a 2hr delay too - can we pls get back 2 normal life now?!

i wanted 2 post a couple pics that i took from the door yesterday as the kiddos enjoyed the snow...they had 2 b quick, because just like on sunday, it was melted & gone about as quick as it came the night b4!

say a lil prayer 4 gabby...i feel really bad 4 her, cause i know just how miserable she feels!
i hope she's back at em soon too!

here's 2 a healthy & energetic remainder of the week!

bitch & moan...

let me apologize up front

2day's post will b no normal skates family 7 weekend recap

instead, i'm going 2 use this forum 2 express my frustrations

to
bitch & moan

i'm sorry if my rant offends u, or puts a damper on ur day...but honestly, u should know by now that i'm not one 2 sugar coat things, or put up some fake every-thing-is-all-peachy-keen-here front

& u know that else?
it's my blog

so, if u're looking 4 puppies & flowers & sweet, happy thoughts...
u might want 2 check out some other blogs 2day


friday around lunch time, i started getting weird shakes/shivers...i was freezing & i'm NEVER cold - especially at work...my co-workers r usually giving me a hard time 4 wearing sleeveless shirts, while they're freezing

my ma (remember, we work 2gether) comes by & says i feel warm...i really don't think so - i feel feverish, but i don't really think i am & i don't want 2 go in2 the cancer center unless i know i have a fever...so she runs 2 rite aid 2 get a thermometer! ~lol~ gotta love mamas, right?!

sure enuff - even tho it's only 99.4, i still have a fever...so i call the cancer center & my oncologist asks me 2 go ahead & come in 4 some blood work

so i do, & my levels r ok...they say i must b trying 2 get a virus & i just need 2 keep an eye on my fever...if it gets above 100, i need 2 call em back

thankfully as i mentioned in my last post, the girls were already scheduled 4 an overnight & i knew jaden would b happy 2 veg in front of tv & video games all eve...& that he did! i literally walked in the door, threw my stuff down, threw some hamburger mac leftovers in the microwave 4 him & hit the sofa!

i fell in & out of sleep all eve...curtis would call & check on us from work, insisting he should just come home, but i didn't see the point...there wasn't much he could do 4 me...& jaden was happily keeping himself entertained, with me nearby

i didn't take my temp again, cause i didn't think i was feeling any hotter...just weak & cold & now having 2 use immodium AD as my best friend - ugh!

curtis got home & i was able 2 sit up & have a 1/2 way coherant conversation with him...he insisted we take my temp again & it was up to 102.3...he begged me 2 go in2 the cancer center, but i felt fine - actually, a little better than earlier & it was almost 2am! the last thing i wanted 2 do was pack jaden up & head in2 the cancer center in the middle of the night!

i know, i know - i've since, gotten a bitching from him, my ma, my sis, etc...i shoulda gone in2 the cancer center, u can't mess around with this stuff, blah, blah, blah - but i'm sorry, i just didn't

& sure enuff, i woke up saturday morning fever free! granted, i was still sick as a dog on my stomach (hello more multiple doses of immodium!), but i was no longer feverish

& that pretty much sums up my weekend...finally sunday eve, i was able 2 eat a moderate meal without feeling the need 2 hurl...but otherwise, i was laid up ALL WEEKEND! totally sick 2 my stomach, but the fever has stayed away

i didn't take 1 single pic, we didn't do 1 single thing that was the least little bit exciting...i laid around & felt nasty, while the kiddos did the best job EVER of playing 2gether & keeping each other occupied...big thx 2 ma 4 coming over sat eve with a roast & veggies - she took care of feeding the kiddos & even did dishes!

oh, u think the bitch & moan session is over?
HA!


as curtis was leaving 4 work 2day (& debating again, whether he should stay home 2 look after me or not), i was explaining 2 him that i'll b fine...that i think maybe i've finally hit a wall with all of this

that so far, it's been easy 2 b optimistic...2 know that all my treatments r passing quickly & that soon enuff i'll b done with all of this...the 1 thing i've heard from others, more than anything, is how positive i'm being...how i have such a great attitude

but now, it's really starting 2 wear on me

i literally get nauseous just walking in2 that cancer center, or even hearing the words "cancer" or "chemo"...i can't help it, it triggers something inside of me & makes me want 2 gag

i'm tired of waking up feeling sick

i'm tired of being tired

i'm tired of everyone asking "how r u feeling?"
i know they mean well, but seriously - i'm trying NOT 2 think about how i'm feeling

i'm tired of the mouth sores (yes, back again)

i'm tired of the funky bowel issues

i'm tired of my insides & out being so dry that not only my skin, but the insides of nostrils crack & bleed

i'm tired of being bald & having 2 worry about a scarf or hat when i walk out of the house...plus, i've always had a really sensitive head & get headaches very easily (i had 2 get a special earpiece at work, i can never wear ponytails 4 very long, etc.), & well, it seems even wearing hats & scarves 4 too long does the same thing 2 me

i'm tired of everything tasting like crap (can u believe i've even started disliking coffee because of this?!)

i'm tired of the veins in my arms literally aching & burning 4 weeks after chemo

i'm tired of the never ending heartburn

i'm tired of these achy joints & muscles that keep me awake at night

i'm tired of not being there 100% for my family

i'm just tired dammit!

ps - pls don't worry, i'm still the same optimistic me - i know i'm over 1/2 way there & i'll b done soon...just give me this chance 2 vent my frustrations...m, k? thx!

Ohio State cupcake cake...

this cupcake cake was 4 Gabrielle's kindergarten teacher, who's celebrating her birthday 2day...she orders a birthday snack 4 her class from me every year...this year, she chose Brutus!

Brutus contains 32 cupcakes - half white, half chocolate...he's decorated in my homemade butter cream icing, & sprinkled with a tad of edible glitter

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& just in case u're interested (well, & since it's still 1 of my favs ~wink~), here's a peek @ Miss Gunden's cake from last year...100% butter cream & fondant


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got any fun plans 4 the weekend?

the girls r having an overnight with their daycare provider 2nite...they're planning a fun night of movies, snacks & tie-dye t-shirt making with Miss Stephanie & their dear friend Riley!

Jaden is psyched cause that means he & mama will b home alone this eve (daddy works)! he can't wait 2 play his spongebob video game without any interruption from the little sisters! & we're planning an exciting round of Dragonology too! ;0)
should b fun!

lawn dragon?

last week, gabby spotted something pretty interesting on our rural drive through the back roads...i had just picked up the girls from my mom's & we were on our way 2 grab jaden from his after-school daycare

this weekend, we were headed in the same direction & jaden got 2 check it out too

i named it the "lawn dragon", but jaden pointed out 2 me that it's not so much a dragon...but maybe a sea creature?

maybe he's right - it does look nessy-like ;0)