One Little Step at a Time...

That's right folks, Alexis is officially walking! She took her first couple of steps at the end of last week, so I knew it wouldn't be long before she got the hang of it. And after much practice the last few days, she has it almost mastered. It's so funny to see her walking since she is still so tiny! At her 15 month appointment today she weighed in at 19lb, 14oz! Sadly, that means she can't move up to her big girl car seat, and instead has to stay backwards facing in her infant carrier. I guess that is one benefit to her being a preemie - she stays smaller longer :) Anyway, here's a little glimpse of her great accomplishment...enjoy!

News Flash: Cancer Sucks!!!

Okay... probably not the best title I have ever come up with, but good enough to get my point across, right!? It's just so heartbreaking getting the news that someone you love dearly has been diagnosed with it. For those of you who know firsthand how I feel, I am sorry and hope things turned out well. And my sincere condolences if things went the other way. For those of you who have not heard those words uttered from a loved one, I only pray that you never do.

Let me start from the beginning...

Back in 1991, my dad went in for a routine outpatient surgery to have some growths removed. Upon further testing, they found out the growths were malignant and so he began chemotherapy and radiation. Once his chemo was done and he was starting radiation, my mom went in for a routine check-up. Shortly after that doctors appointment she was informed she had ovarian cancer. Talk about a slap in the face! Here it was just a couple of months before Christmas and my parents, who had 8 kids living at home still, had both been diagnosed with cancer. Now, because there were so many kids to raise, my mom at that time stayed home and took care of us while my dad ran his roofing business and supported the family financially. However, once the chemo started, he wasn't working much so very little income was being generated. That's when the outpouring from our families and friends came in. Even our school district and other church families went above and beyond to help in a time of need. The generosity of others was overwhelming and we were blessed in ways unimaginable. My dad finished up with his treatments while my mom was scheduled for surgery, which was going to take place 2 days after Christmas. I will never forget that Christmas either! My mom comes from a large family herself with 10 siblings, so they decided to draw names to see which of my brothers and sisters they would be getting Christmas gifts for. They also opened their homes for us to stay with them while my parents were in Grand Rapids for my moms surgery and recovery. Within a few months, both my parents had follow-ups with their doctors and both were declared cancer free.
That was, until 2 months ago...

Over the summer, my mom had been having bladder problems and scheduled an appointment with her doctor. After her appointment, her doctor went ahead and scheduled an ultrasound of her bladder. During the scan they found a large mass. With the symptoms she had been experiencing, they were certain it was cancer and wanted to remove it and do further testing. The surgery itself went well, and my mom is recovering well. We remained optimistic as we waiting for the results from the testing to come in. A couple days later, my mom went in for her follow-up appointment and was given hopeful news. The tumor they had taken out was in fact malignant, but had not metastasized yet! Such a relief!! She was told, however, that this type of cancer has a high rate of reoccurance, so she will have to be checked out every 3 months to make sure it has not come back. I am thankful for modern medicine and science, but more grateful for a healing God! Thank you, Lord, for keeping my parents under your wing during these difficult times in their lives. Thank you for healing them from this awful disease, and thank you for your continual healing in all of us.

I do, however, wish this could've been the same outcome for other members in my family. In the fall of 1997, I lost my Uncle Jerry (my dads brother) to a 4 year fight with cancer. I'm grateful for the time we were able to spend with him, but miss him dearly to this day. Even though we knew way ahead of time the outcome didn't look good, nothing can ever prepare you for the loss.

Also, in the last few weeks we found out that my Uncle Butch (my moms brother-in-law) was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer. He was told by doctors it is inoperable, and without chemo he only has 2 months left to live. His wife, my Aunt Kathy, passed away last March from infection, so my cousins are devestated with this news. If you guys could keep them and their children in your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it. Lord, I pray for peace and strength for my Uncle Butch and each of my cousins as they go through this difficult journey. Wrap your arms around all of them in the weeks and months to come, and allow them to feel the love you have for each of them. Thank you for your promise in knowing that this goodbye is only temporary, and the reassurance of everlasting life in Heaven with you.

Life is Full of Surprises...

I've always considered myself a wise mom; a mom that could handle just about every type of kid with ease. I mean, I did come from a large family with eight siblings, and was babysitting for other families by the time I was 11. My passion was helping take care of children. All through school, and even once I became an adult and started working in the "real world", I maintainted my status as a babysitter. To this day I watch other children in my home, not to mention the fact that I myself have been a mother for 7 1/2 years. All this experience should have prepared me for just about anything! Key words - should have!

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I wished, hoped and prayed for a little girl. I continued to do that with each pregnancy to no avail. During my 3rd pregnancy, I got my hopes up after the ultrasound tech told us the baby a girl. But then out came little Aaron. I will admit I was disappointed, but I got over it and settled into my life of raising boys. I started learning all about Star Wars and Transformers, and even had Andrew and Austin teach me how to make cool sound effects with my mouth. My skills with building Little Lego Sets and Thomas the Train tracks were getting better by the day. Bugs and dirt were a typical part of my daily life with 3 rough and tumble boys.

And then came the surprise of a lifetime! I found out I was pregnant with baby #4. And finally with a little girl! Well, the pregnancy and her birth should've taught me I was in for a lot more work with her than her older brothers, or any other child I had ever watched for that matter! Before Alexis came along, I had always heard from others that I should be happy with having only boys, because they are easier to raise than girls. Man, I should've listened to the rest of their advice, because they weren't lying! All my past experience and years of watching other little girls could not prepare me for my own daughter! I've had my house baby proofed since the day we moved in, even though each of my boys know their boundaries, and have since they were toddlers. I never had to worry much about what they were getting into or putting in their mouths. Sure they loved to explore and try to figure out new things, but they listened when I told them no, for the most part. But then came Alexis! I swear, when I tell her no she laughs in my face and tells me no instead (thank you, Aunt Patty and Uncle Eric)! Most of you know I am a neat freak, but not enough for this little girl! If there is the slightest thing on the floor, I can guarantee it will end up in her mouth within seconds of it hitting the ground. And I am almost certain she prefers tissue and toilet paper over edible things (thank you, Denise!). And don't even get me started on what kind of a mess I am sure to find if I accidentally leave one of the bedroom doors open and am occupied elsewhere, even for just a few seconds moments. Really?? After watching countless kids and having 3 active boys myself, how am I not ready for a little girl who looks so sweet and innocent?

But then again, she is my daughter ;)

Just Kickin' It...

Well, another year of AYSO Soccer is upon us. For Andrew, it's his third year playing, and second year in a row with the same coach. He has practice for an hour every Thursday and game days on Saturday morning. His favorite positions to play are sweeper and goalie. I'm very impressed with how much he is learning and how much better he gets every week. I plan to sign him up for an indoor league this winter to help fine tune his skills for spring.

Practicing...

Waiting for the game to start...

Hooray for soccer...

Running with his teammates...

Taking a little break...

Working on his defense...

Game on...

 Austin is in his 2nd year of soccer and is finally starting to understand the game a little more. Unfortunately, his coach from last year decided not to coach again, so he's had to get used to someone new. He is also the only child on his team that has played in the past, so he's learning the basics all over again with the rest of the boys. During his first game he took upon himself to play goalie, even though they don't play positions at his age. It's good that he's more eager about playing this year, but I do wish he would've been able to get on a team with at least one other soccer veteran. Oh well, maybe next year.
Go Fireballs...

Austin waiting for his game to start...

Going for the goal...

Wrong way buddy...

Throwing in the ball...

Where'd it go!?...

Oh, over there!...

Let's play...

Back to School...

Yesterday kicked off the start of another school year. This summer definitely seemed longer than ones in the past did, so I was quite excited to send my two little guys off to their teachers. We packed their backpacks the night before with all their school supplies and went over the next days' schedule. Thankfully they woke up yesterday morning bright-eyed and ready to head off to school... success!!!

My boys all geared up for their 1st day of school...

Andrew and Austin with their buddies, Cody and Anthony, waiting for the bus...

Like last year, I was/am nervous with how Austin will adapt to kindergarten. Our school district does full day kindergarten, so he gets on the bus at 6:45am and doesn't come home until 3:30pm. Last year it was a struggle getting him to go for just a half day for preschool, and I was scared the mention of him being gone all day would make it even worse for this year. Luckily, he's in a class with a few of his buddies from preschool last year and even my neighbors' son. Also in his class is my best friends' son (Cody), whom he has grown up with like a brother. I do daycare for him and his brothers, not to mention we all go to the same church, so they are together just about every day. And because I watch him before and after school, he and Austin get to ride the bus together. A huge bonus to help keep him excited to go to school. Well, that and the fact he gets to eat hot lunch in the cafeteria every day. Here's hoping at least!

Austin happy and ready to go...

Him helping Cody get on the bus...

Coming home a little tired...

With Andrew, on the other hand, I had no concerns with him going into the 2nd grade. He did very well last year in 1st, and got rave reviews from his teacher on his final report card. He's my eager learner and really enjoys school (just like his mommy!). He was able to get the teacher I requested, and also has a few of his good buddies in his class. At his open house, he even found out his locker was next to his best buddy, Robbie. It should be a great school year for him!

Andrew excited to head to school...

Getting on the bus like a pro...

Back home and still cheerful...

It's amazing to me how fast they seem to be growing up, and even more amazing that next year I will have 3 of them enrolled at G-A. But first, we have to get through this year :)