weekend recap...Jaden's 9th birthday edition...

1st, thx 2 every1 4 ur thoughts & prayers! i definitely know my Gma is in a better place...she was ready - she always made sure we knew that! but the passing of a loved 1 is always hardest on the family...especially my Gpa - he & Gma were married for 42 years & were each other's worlds! 2 see him say goodbye 2 her broke my heart - i can't even imagine what he's going thru!

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up until we got that call Sunday nite, our weekend had gone great! Jaden had been counting down the days 2 his party - reminding everyone "my birthday's not over yet! u can come 2 my island party on Saturday & bring me a cool present" ~lol~

Friday evening was the closing nite of VBS - the kiddos performed 4 us, then we had a picnic! they did great & had an awesome time!

during the opening, they sang the theme song 4 the week - check out Jaden getting down...
(Gabby is beside me & Corinn is seated on the other side of the sanctuary)



here's 2 songs that Corinn & the other preschoolers sang...
(she's on the top row - kind of hidden in the middle)





Gabby & Jaden performed 2gether - here r 2 songs that they did...
(u can certainly see Jaden - but Gabby is all the way on the left side - kind of hidden, against the window)





eating hot dogs at the picnic...


i ended up staying up all nite on Friday - working on Jaden's cake & another order i had (i'll post about it soon)...there was rain in the forecast 4 Saturday, but Jaden woke up praying that it wouldn't come...at the party, my sister overheard him praying again when it started getting cloudy...she said 2 him "u know Jaden, some people pray 4 the rain 2 come & help their gardens & fields grow"...he replied, "but don't u know that some people want 2 go 2 swimming?" ~lol~

b4 guests started arriving, Jaden helped me decorate & he got all dressed up in his hula gear



i'll tell u more about his cake in my next post...a detailed description of what it is & how it came 2 life ;0)

daddy grilled burgers & dogs, while the kiddos played...

i also had a picture frame craft 4 them 2 make...

then we could finally eat...

Jaden rushed us all tho - he wanted 2 get 2 the presents! ;0)

his reaction 2 his present from us was priceless! i knew he'd flip when he saw it!

& they immediately became friends ;0)

u can't hear all the dragon's grumblings that Jaden makes - he does more of that than talking...but watch Jaden's mouth, u'll see it moving when he makes those deep (& eerily realistic) growls

then, the rain came...a big storm actually! we heard the thunder rumbling as it headed our way - mom & Katie decided 2 head home (Curtis had already gone in2 work)...mom wasn't planning on joining us at the pool anyway & Matthew needed a nap...but Kelly & i decided 2 wait it out there with the kiddos...we were hoping it would quickly roll over & then we could possibly still make it 2 the pool

so we blew bubbles...

& limbo'd! ;0)

& sure enuff, the clouds opened up 4 a while, passed over, & the sun was back out again! the pool that we originally had planned on going 2 wasn't opening back up, but another local pool did...there was still some overcast, but that didn't stop the kiddos - they had a blast anyway!

Jaden even got 2 show me his new trick ;0)


because we had done sooo much on Saturday, Sunday was definitely a day of rest...& i have zero pics 2 prove it! ;0)

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& it's been a crazy week since...& i'm hoping 2 see the light at the end of the tunnel soon!

on top of everything with my Grandma's passing, Corinn has also come down with a random sickness! she started voimiting & running a fever yesterday morning & is still at home resting with daddy 2day

AND...we're supposed 2 head 4 the beach on Saturday! 1 little problem with that tho - we still haven't gotten a confirmation on the resort!!! ahhhhh!

it always comes in pretty close 2 the date, but this year i'm not even sure we'll get something! Curt's stupid HR lady lost our paperwork not once, but TWICE!!! & it wasn't until we inquired about it a month ago that she even realized it hadn't been submitted yet! so we filed it for the 3rd time & prayed we'd get our #1 pick...at this point, we're only days away - & i'm prepared 2 take almost anything! grrrr, it's so frustrating! guess that's what we have 2 deal with 2 get such a fabulous deal!

our other option is 2 stay up where Curtis works....it's only an hour from home, but it's different scenery & a resort, none the less...then we'd drive 2 VA beach or Ocean City 4 day trips...i'm not really excited about that idea - driving every day is so not my idea of a vacation...but we'll see...we could also push it back & try 2 wait it out 4 something 2 come open - but then that causes all kinds of confusion & aggravation 4 mine & Curt's work schedules

i'm praying something comes thru last minute...& that we're able 2 pack up & b ready 2 go regardless of when we get the news...with work, my Gma's viewing Thursday eve & the funeral on Friday, i'm already limited with time 4 packing...remember - treatment ate up all my personal/vacay time at work, so i'm not able 2 take off 4 bereavement - i was out yesterday so i could b there, & i'll take off 4 the funeral, but i have 2 make up that time...i see some more late nights in my future ;0)

please pray that i make it thru this week & that we're able 2 relax on the beach next...i sooooo need it!!!

rest in peace Grandma Tolly...

everyone was gathered round her this morning...as she left this earth, & went 2 b with our Heavenly Father

i could never type out the words 2 say just how much i loved you, Grandma...u have left an imprint on my heart that will never b erased...until we see each other again in those streets of gold - i'll always hum a good ole country hymn in ur honor!

prayer request...Grandma Tolly...

please say a prayer 4 my Grandma Tolly & our family this week!

last nite, my mom called 2 let me know that Grandma (my dad's mom) had been taken by ambulance 2 the hospital...that she had a blockage in her bowels & when they had done a colonoscopy 2 remove it, they discovered it had deadened part of her colon...the doc said she needed surgery 2 remove 1/3-1/2 of her colon & that the family should b called in 2 say our goodbyes...at 78 years old, her chances of surviving the surgery were slim (unfortunately, not having the surgery wasn't an option)

i got this call around 10:30pm - by 11:15pm, we were all there (thankfully, my brother's wife, Katie, stayed at home with Matthew & my 3 kiddos since Curtis was working!)...my parents & all of my siblings (even my brother Joe, rushed in from Richmond), & quite a few of my dad's siblings & their family were there...we got 2 go in & see her - she was very lethargic on the meds, but she opened her eyes to look at us & was mouthing "i love you" back 2 us...the surgery was 2 take 2-3 hours & they took her back around 11:40pm

finally at almost 4am, they were finished...she'd done surprisingly well...they had trouble getting her blood pressure & heart rate stable b4 surgery (when she came in2 the hospital, her BP was 60/20!) - but the doc said she'd made it thru more than most would have!

she'll b on a ventilator 4 probably a week...her lungs r weak & they need 2 keep her blood pressure stable...while they were in there, they saw some more of her colon that was "questionable" - so they've got 2 go back in 2moro & take a look...if need be, they'll remove more - but the doc said it will b minor compared 2 what she's already had done

he says she's definitely not out of the woods yet...she could suffer a stroke or heart attack & they want 2 keep her sedated & on the ventilator so that she can fight...i went in 2 see her again b4 coming in2 work - she was even less responsive than b4 surgery, but she did try 2 look at me when i spoke 2 her & rubbed her arm...my grandfather is taking this pretty hard - he's not quite sure how 2 react & would almost rather not b there, than 2 see her intubated, unresponsive, etc.

please say a prayer 4 my grandma Tolly (Cleta Fawley) & our family as we all try & get thru this week...we're all running on little sleep (i personally got 4 hrs this morning after hitting the bed finally at 5:30am - 15 hrs total since Friday morning, since i pulled an all-nighter working on Jaden's bday cake & another order) & every1's emotions r high...we know that grandma is 1 tough old bird & in true Tolly form, she's already gotten over the biggest hump...we just pray she'll have the strength 2 fight the rest of the battle!

i'm at peace with everything if the Good Lord decides it's time 4 her 2 come b with Him...most people don't get 2 say their goodbyes 2 loved ones b4 they pass on - so at least we got that...& in the last few years, my Grandma's health has been slowly going down hill - each time she'd end up in the hospital, she'd always make sure we knew that she loved us, but that she was ready 2 go & b with God...that she had lived a wonderful, full life & that she is at peace with going 2 Heaven 2 b with Him

random friday...

a sunset on our way home from bible school last night
i ♥ the sky!

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yesterday afternoon, Curtis & i had our follow-up appointment with Margaret! here's what Curtis got...

(my initial - wedding band)

& here's what i got...

(nose piercing)

both of us r super happy with everything! Curtis swore that this would probably b the only tattoo he'd ever get (his 1st)...he was nervous (totally scared of needles) so Margaret explained everything 2 him, promised 2 b gentle, then began...as soon as she started, Curtis goes "that's it?!" & b4 we even left the shop, he was talking about what other tats he may want in the future! ;0)

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soooo, i'm totally missing SYTYCD!
(been a crazy couple of weeks!)

i missed last week's episodes, & then did it again this week! that's y i haven't updated u guys since June...but i did catch the tail end of the show on Wednesday - where they briefly show a snippet from each routine...then i caught the end of last night's show - right as they were deciding who'd go home

can u believe my boo Phillip is gone?! well, i can...even tho he's an AMAZING dancer, it didn't take long 2 realize he just wouldn't b able 2 keep up with the other trained dancers...but he definitely held his own! & they even made an exception last nite - telling us that both Phillip & Caitlin (the girl that was cut) would b able 2 join the tour, along with the top 10 that r left! so, that's cool! here's a video of Phillip in action...i'm sure he'll go on 2 do great things!



my new fav, Brandon, is still in it...hopefully i'll b able 2 catch the shows next week & then follow along 4 the rest of the competition!

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& now, a garden update...

our Big Boy tomatoes r coming - still small & green...but they'll get there

& check out the baby squash!

the Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes r EVERYWHERE! still green, but plentiful!

the pepper plants r slowly moving along, but at least we haven't had any more critters eating at em

& the cucumber vines r taking off!

we're loving it!
well, the girls & i r anyway ;0)

oh, & guess what...that ugly bush in our yard that we're about 2 cut down?

it blooms pretty purple flowers!

we're still cutting it down tho!
;0)

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we've got a busy weekend planned!

2nite is the final nite of VBS (at another community church - our church's VBS will happen while we're at the beach)...the kiddos will give a little performance & then we'll all have a picnic 2gether - should b fun!

then, i'm finishing up not only Jaden's birthday cake 4 his party 2moro, but i'm also working on 1 very special order 4 Miss Jennifer (aka, 1 of the cake sisters)...Jaden's party is 2moro afternoon, followed by some swimming (pray the rain stays away!!!)...unfortunately, Curtis works both days this weekend - but at least he'll get 2 celebrate with us b4 heading in 2moro

& we might take the kiddos 2 the movies on Sunday (b4 Curt goes in2 work), but we'll see...Jaden really wants 2 see Ice Age 3, so we might do it as a bday treat...but my house also really needs some attention - it's bad enuff as it is now...after 2nite's all night cake decorating session & then 2moro's party chaos, i'm sure by Sunday it'll b way overdue!

i hope u guys have a fabulous weekend!
enjoy every second of it!!!
♥

9 already?!

will it ever get easier?

will i ever get used 2 seeing my kiddos grow a year older?

i doubt it.

every year, i feel the same - excited & amazed 2 watch them grow in2 such independent little people...yet sad & reluctant 2 admit that they'll never really b little again

here's 2 another year Jaden - probably ur most successful year yet!

u're such a remarkable young man!
i'm constantly amazed by u...& i simply adore u!

don't u ever change, u hear me?!

happy 9th birthday Bub!
we ♥ u!!!

wordless wednesday...on my 6am walk...

island party planning...

on Thursday, July 9th 2009, my son will b 9 years old!

seriously, where has the time gone?!

in preparation 4 his party (this Saturday), i asked him some questions a few weeks ago...our convo went something like this...

so Bub, what kind of birthday party r we having?

u mean when i turn 9?

yep.

hmmm...how about a dragon party?

well, that's cool - but didn't we already have a dragon party?
(dragons, dragons - everything is dragons!)

yes. when it was my 7th birthday
(here's his cake from that year)

ok, so how about we try something different this time? we did aliens & space creatures last year...what about robots? (another Jaden interest)

nah...how about Dragon Island?!?!
(he got very excited when he suggested this 1, so i ran with it)

Dragon Island? what's that?

where we live Ma.

but i thought we lived on the Giant Golden Star?

no, no Ma...that's when i was a space ranger...i'm an island warrior now!
(read this 4 some background info - we've moved away from outer space & r back on islands again...just not the same islands as b4...where we live is now called Dragon Island - in Jaden's world, of course)

ah, ok - i get it...that sounds like a great idea! i can make an island cake, with a palm tree on top & sea creatures swimming all around it...how does that sound?

great!
but...(long pause)...can i b attacking a giant squid on it too?!?!

that boy makes me laugh every single day!
:0)

we've discussed the cake details a little more since then...& i think we have down the general plan...not quite sure it'll b the elaborate design that Jaden is envisioning, but i'll sure try! he's hoping 2 help me out again this year - we'll see how our schedules work out this week...i usually end up doing most of my cake decorating after the fam is asleep in bed, but i'm definitely gonna try & carve out some Jaden/Mama cake decorating time too! ;0)

after our cake conversation, we moved on 2 the party theme & gift ideas...

so, now...how about the party? we can have tropical island decorations & do the limbo...we can even play island music...how does that sound?

just perfect!
(have i mentioned how much i love this kid?!)

what about gifts Jaden? what do u want 4 ur birthday?

hmmmm...(long pause)...how about some new dragon toys?!?!

~lmao~

wait til he sees the surprise we have in store 4 him! he's gonna flip! ;0)

weekend recap...july 4th edition...

haaaaaaay bloggie friends!!!

wasn't that the best looooong weekend?! well, maybe not the best ever...but pretty darn good, huh?! mine was anyway - & i really needed that! ;0)

Friday really started our weekend off with a bang...Curtis & i had scheduled 2 get tattoos 2gether!
♥ ♥ ♥

we've been wanting 2 do this 4 some time now...b4 all the cancer schmancer stuff popped up! that threw a wrench in things - messed up the plan, man! a year or so ago, i'd mentioned 2 Curt that i'd like 2 get a wedding band tat - with his initial in it...i take my wedding bands off when i'm working on cakes - icing, fondant, gum paste - not stuff u want griming up ur rings...but then, i'm 4ever 4getting 2 put em back on! it drives me nuts! plus, i love the symbolism of it...u know i'm a tat fan anyway...having the commitment 2 my husband, the symbol of our never ending love, permanently inked on my finger - i like it! ;0)

little did i know, he'd want 2 do it 2!!! i know, right? Curtis! this man has ZERO tats...is totally scared of needles! he immediately was like, "omg, i want 2 do that too!"

so, once my oncologist gave me the ok - i scheduled us an appointment! ;0)

Friday, we were both off from work, & the kiddos were home with us...we'd arranged 2 drop em off at my mom's 4 a couple hours, while we ran in2 town & got our bands...i'd also decided 2 go ahead & get my cancer survivor tattoo at the same time - might as well, since they've already got the needle out...oh yeah, & my foot tat needed touched up too ;0)

(i took this pic b4 taking the kiddos 2 ma's - i ♥ Gabby's style! she loves putting 2gether her own outfits these days)

on our way 2 the tattoo shop, i get a phone call - Margaret (the lady i'd booked us with - she specializes in working on dark skin) has been out 4 the last few days with the flu...they have another artist that's picking up some of her appts - & he can take us - but they just wanted 2 make sure that was cool 1st...i told em that i'd b willing 2 have him ink me, but that Curtis might want 2 come back when Margaret's available...we'd already dropped off the kiddos & had the appt - we might as well get some of it done now

(cell photo by Curt)

so i went ahead & got my 3...well, 2 & a touch-up...still - i walked outta there with 3 bandages - looking all beat up! ~lol~

(photo by Jaden - click 2 enlarge...her scarf is violet - the color 4 Hodgkin's & i got the tat over my chemo IV stick spot)

my session got Curt totally pumped up about his! he was tempted 2 go ahead & let the dude do his right then, but we went ahead & rescheduled 4 Thursday with Margaret...he's off work again, & i'm getting off early 2 go with...& guess what else i'm doing? getting my nose pierced! yep, busy week 4 me, huh?! ~lol~ but it's something else i've been wanting 4 a while - & since we're getting all this work done at once, the shop is giving us an AMAZING deal on everything! i'm also busy designing my next bit of tattooing with the young cat that did my wedding band & wrist...he reminds me a lot of my youngest brother Joe (an artist, who's away at college at VCU) - this guy went 2 VCU too, & majored in illustration - i was impressed with his art...i want 2 eventually elaborate on the dragon on my back (i got it right after turning 18) - since Jaden's passion is dragons, i want 2 make it bigger/badder & incorporate his name somehow...then on the other shoulder, have fairies (or something else mystical) with the girls' names incorporated...but anyway, that's a long ways off - just a dream 4 now

back 2 the weekend recap...

Saturday - July 4th - we had plans 2 hit the New Market festivities...unfortunately, Curtis had 2 work & would miss out on the parade & fireworks...but we had a great time chilling at home with daddy until he did have 2 go in

we rode bikes in our pj's again

mmmmmmm, mmmmmmm!
;0)

the girls & i had a tea party in the grass


& b4 we knew it, it was time 4 the 4th of July parade!
my sis & her kiddos joined us

they made those flags at summer daycare on Thursday, & couldn't wait 2 wave em at the parade

check out this guy...riiiiiiiiiiiiiiicolaaaaaaaa
~lol~

here's my sis & i...rn't her dimples the cutest?!

then, we headed 2 Nana & Grandpa's 4 a cook-out & play time

Grandpa had just inherrited 2 labs...their owner had 2 move away & was literally in tears over the fact that he couldn't take them with him...they're brother & sister - Scooby is on the left & Ginger is on the right...they definitely found a good home - my dad is in love! ;0)

they're super sweet dogs & very well behaved! & they don't leave each other's side - it's so cute! u know my dog lover was in heaven!

once it started getting dark, we headed back 2 New Market 4 the fireworks...while waiting 4 them 2 start, we set off a few small ones of our own...& the kiddos enjoyed some sparklers

it was a decent show

the kiddos enjoyed it

not sure what brought this on - but during the fireworks, Jaden randomly stood up & saluted...i thought it made 4 a good photo & really symbolized y we were there


i thank God that i live in the United States of America! & i thank God 4 the many men & women that have fought/will continue 2 fight 4 our freedom!

Sunday was my fav part of the weekend! it was rainy & cold out - so we chilled at home & didn't do a damn thing all day! well, Curtis had 2 work again - so it was just me & the kiddos...& we did a little cooking & baking...the kiddos made it outside 4 about an hour when there was a break in the rain...but mostly, we just vegged

& i loved it!!!
♥

i hope u guys had a fabulous 4th too!

blogging break...

yesterday's post hinted 2 the fact that i've got a lot going on...feels like a juggle this week!

but this is the view i had driving home yesterday...

& my sis & i r going out 4 sushi at lunch 2day - things r definitely looking up!
;0)

i started my new position yesterday (vaguely mentioned here) & it's going well! it's a step up in the company, & i think it's a good move 4 me...i'm a quick learner & so far, so good! but it means less time 4 non-work stuff on the computer...that's 1 reason y i'm quiet in this space

i'm also super busy at home - trying 2 clean/purge/organize/sort stuff 4 a yard sale on Saturday...i'm almost tempted 2 not do the sale - with everything else going on - it's just so much work! but it's also a good excuse 2 organize our house - & i need the pressure of a deadline 4 motivation...plus, it would put some extra dough in our pockets 4 our beach vacay in a couple weeks

& we're gearing up 4 Jaden's birthday next week...he turns 9 on Thursday, but his party is on the 11th...it's an island/tropical theme & should b so much fun! this isn't really a stress - i enjoy planning my kiddos' bdays! but of course, there's some work involved

other than that, it's just the usual - kiddos activities, normal daily mama duties...thankfully, i didn't plan any cakes 4 this weekend!

so u might not hear much outta me til next week...gonna take a blogging break & enjoy the holiday weekend as much as possible! until then, Happy 4th everyone! i hope u get 2 celebrate with the ones u love!!!
♥

wordless wednesday...