Pancakes Anyone?

Lucy cooked for us this morning.  Did I tell you she wants to be a Chef one day?

Reeves is 6!

Yesterday was Reeves' 6th birthday, and we had an AWESOME day!  We had some friends over for lunch.  We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, played in the sprinklers, and ate ice cream sundaes.  The kids had a blast, and the moms had fun visiting.  After a hard nap in our bed, we headed out to the Barons game for his Baseball Birthday Party!  Even though the weather was quite muggy, the boys had a ball.  As the sun went down, and the weather cooled off, it was even better.  The Barons won 3-0 and one guy even hit a home run.  Reeves thought he did it just for him.  After the game, we watched the fireworks and then it was home and to bed.  We were justifiably exhausted, and amazingly, Reeves slept till 10 this morning.  I think he would say it was his best birthday ever!  I love you big boy!!  Check out the picture slideshow over on the right.  

Summer Fun 2008, Chuck E Cheese, The Mall, and Recreation Station

So I promised frequent Summer Fun updates, and I haven't done a great job. You may find them clumped together like this from time to time. Sorry if that bothers you, but frankly I am doing this mostly for my benefit (just kidding....sorta)! The playgroup has been sweet to accommodate Greer's latest laser treatment (we don't like to be in the sun for several days following treatment). We have done some fun "indoor" activities this week. Tuesday we went to Chuck E Cheese and had a ball (even though that place always freaked me out pre-children). They seem to love it, but we couldn't bear to eat the mediocre pizza so we headed to Chick-fil-a for lunch (that will be a regular for the lunch bunch). After that, Reeves and Lucy had a blast swimming with Robin and Holly Turner while I took Greer for her treatment. We were all justifiably exhausted on Tuesday night!

Yesterday, we spent the day at the mall (while my sweet Ann made my house all clean and shiny!). I must say, the highlight of the day was picking out Reeves' new Nike tennis shoes. I have to say Nike because it was "Nike or Die!" Don't ask me why, but "big school" has brought on an obsession with Labels (current label obsessions include Nike & Underarmour). My boy's little world is expanding at a rapid pace! Anyway, Reeves is now OBSESSED with his new shoes. He even got up this morning and "cleaned" them with a wipe....this from my very "unclean" child. We'll see how long it takes for the new to wear off! We also visited the toy store to spend some birthday money, and bought Lucy some new Red Crocs.....it was an expensive day!

Today we spent the morning at Recreation Station (a jumping place for toddlers/pre schoolers). Reeves was a little bored, but Lucy and Maddie had a blast. This picture of Ben was taken there. The babies had fun "playing" together on the floor, and Angela and I had a good visit.

After that little adventure, I decided to take on another one. I HAD to go to Costco and Publix, and against my better judgment, I did it with all 3 kiddos. All in all, it went pretty well.

UNTIL....

I kinda had a lot of stuff, and I kinda didn't close my back hatch too well. This error in judgement resulted in a major disaster! As I attempted to cross the very busy HWY 150 in Hoover, the back hatch released, and out went half my groceries. In the middle of a 4 lane HWY! Yikes!

Sweet little old man to my rescue! He loaded all my stuff in his truck and pulled over to help me reload it all. Luckily, there were no wrecks, and the only fatalities were the diet cokes! Thank Heaven for that !!!

Stay tuned....this weekend Reeves turns 6!

Lily has Cancer

My vet just called a little while ago to tell me that the biopsy of Lily's liver shows that she has cancer.  Even though she is improved since the surgery, she is definitely not 100%.  Now I'm trying to decide what to do.  Any advice appreciated!  In the meantime, we will be keeping her comfortable with some meds and deciding what to do next.  

Happily Healing!

Greer is doing so much better following this treatment (better than she did the 2nd time).  The swelling was still pretty bad (she woke up yesterday with her right eye swollen shut), but after she woke up from her nap following treatment she has pretty much been herself.  Last night was even a record for her in the sleep department....she went down for a "nap" at 5 p.m., and didn't get up till 7 this morning (minus a couple quick wake ups).   This girl is a sleepin fool!

Treatment #3 in the Books!

Well, it has been quite an exhausting day!  I really appreciate the prayers from all of you.  I have to say though, I was still quite a mess today.  I can't tell you how glad I am that this was Greer's last treatment without General Anesthesia.  I just don't think I could go through this again without it.  It just absolutely breaks my heart to see her in such pain! 

Even though it was awful to see her so upset and obviously hurting, it wasn't "quite" as bad as last time.  I don't think the swelling was quite as bad, but I do think she got some good bruising (that is one of the signs that the treatment was a good one....more bruising should result in more fading).  

Thanks for all your love and support....I don't know what I'd do without it.  

Prayers for Greer on the Eve of Treatment #3

Tomorrow, Greer will have her 3rd laser treatment for her Port Wine Stain.  I am experiencing so many emotions, it is hard to even know where to start.  First of all, I am asking for prayers of comfort.  My primary emotion is concern and sadness for the pain that my baby will have to go through tomorrow and the 24-48 hours that follow.  That is about how long it takes for the swelling to ease up and for her to feel like herself following a treatment.  

My second prayer is for strength.  I have made the decision to be with Greer during her treatment tomorrow.  I haven't been able to do it for the other 2.  I was simply too emotional and overwhelmed the first time....I just couldn't do it.  The second time, I had grand plans to be there, but at the last minute I had to take Lucy with me.  I couldn't leave her alone, and I knew Greer was in good hands.  Lucy and I sat in the waiting room together and colored....honestly, it was a good distraction for me.  

Third, is a prayer of praise.  Praise for so many things.  Praise for the insurance approval, praise for the Amazing fading we have seen with only 2 treatments (see the "Bye, Bye Birthmark slideshow over on the right), and praise for my wonderful support group.  I have an amazing network of friends (and family of course) that my precious God has given me.  These friends (including church friends, neighborhood friends, college friends, camp friends, work friends, childhood friends, and last but not least my birthmark buddy friends) have held me up, given me hugs and prayed for us, and they have most importantly LOVED my baby!  What would I do without you all....you know who you are!

Stay tuned....there will be an update tomorrow!