Saturday, December 30, 2006

Morgan's battle with cancer

I could not have watched this a few months ago... but now I know exactly what he is talking about and he is dealing with it in his own very special way... You have to see this U-tube cancer diary

First Night



Here is the schedule of events for First Night in Sioux Falls LINK . I think this is an awesome idea for parents. There are tons of activities all afternoon and into the evening. I want to take the kids to the Multicultural Center, weather permitting. I love Phil Baker but we are planning on staying in Montrose and supporting the summer youth program by eating some grilled steaks that I may actually be able to taste.

they are still in need of volunteers if you aren't busy...

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Lessons Learned these past few days...

1. Opening presents works anytime, even when it's not really Christmas.("I guess Santa knew he had to come early since daddy is working")


2. Disney "Cars" undies trump everything.


3. Hutterite wine is good only in moderation! You know who you are... (no picture for this one, use your vivid imagination)

4. When 10 people can bowl for over an hour for only $10 it equals the new family fun activity every time we visit the in laws.


5. There is nothing easy about the Easy Bake Oven, especially when combined with less than four hours of sleep, grandma's house and an uncle that says, "Sure you can open it..."


6. I KNOW there is a good reason she bought those toys for my kids and not her own...


7. Sleep is NOT overrated when you are five.


8. Christmas is for family, food and...wrestling lessons.


9. Cousins are COOL! (kewl for you cg!)


10. We don't get together often enough.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Word Cloud




These are a sample of all the words from my blog. I think it does a pretty good job of highlighting the essence of me. I blog jacked this awesome idea from a fellow blogger, you can make your own by clicking here! Thanks B!

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Saturday, December 23, 2006

It's officially Christmastime.

My dd turned five yesterday. If I had it to do all over again, I would have had her in any month besides December. She had a steady stream of gift givers coming and going yesterday. She started to get confused when we began making Christmas cutouts. She thought they were for her birthday. Maybe a good mom would have also added a birthday cake to the baking for yesterday, but I didn't. She had puppy chow and lots of Christmas goodies. In all reality, we celebrated her birthday last week at the infamous pizza place. Yesterday was, as she put it,"my real birthday, but not my party." So after we threw all the birthday wrapping paper away and cleaned up the kitchen and ate a late supper we all sat down exhausted in the living room. My darling daughter, who was on a sugar high with no nap, promptly exclaimed,"Well, my birthday's over...it's Christmastime, when are we going to Grandma's?" ...sigh.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Chemotherapy Round 12, THE LAST ONE.

Well, I did it. Made it through 6 months and 12 treatments. In the beginning it seemed like it would take forever. I even got my graduation certificate and a fleece blanket for all my suffering. Many of you have asked me how I am gonna celebrate. I thought at first about a bottle of wine, or a sip of my new favorite creamy dark beer. Then I thought about a nice meal and a movie, but when I got home today and I was worn out and tired I opened my Bible to thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me. I really feel lucky and blessed to be alive. Even when I got sick during treatment and the nurse put a tiny band aid on me that I bled through and ruined my shirt and bra. We were blessed when my mom and I missed an accident with a school bus by a measly few moments and when I was able to talk with my sister on the phone for a few sacred minutes, and the weather cooperated and brought us safely home.

Here are some blessings I read about today in the Old Testament...it seems He has been blessing His people for a long, long, time...

Numbers 6:22-27(from God to the people of Israel)
God Bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face and make you prosper.

2 Chronicles 19:11 (from King Jehoshaphat to the appointed Levites, priests, and family heads.)
Be bold and diligent. And God be with you as you do your best.

Psalm 34:8
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see--how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

My husband thinks my hair looks like the Grinch

Thank you God, for everything.

When I was in my first year of college, my father died. I quit school and decided to move home and spend the summer trying to figure out what I was going to do. My parents had not been able to help much with college bills and I figured a private school like Concordia was probably a little beyond my means. After getting many calls from my professors and friends I reluctantly decided to return to Concordia and finish my education. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. But, it was not easy. I had a couple of jobs and a work study. I tutored ESL students and worked at a daycare. I gave campus tours and stuffed envelopes in the admissions office. Still, there were times when I could not afford to put gas in my blue Mercury Topaz. Several times I went to get my mail and there would be an anonymous envelope full of cash. I remember one Valentines Day when I checked my box and found a stuffed pink envelope with over $90 in one dollar bills. I was shocked at the money of course, but the fact that the sender still remains anonymous to this day is the part that really gets me. I can't imagine not wanting to be recognized for such a selfless act. I am humbled by the sheer goodness of a person who needs no thanks for such a gift. Just yesterday I received a Christmas card with two gift cards in it. Today I thank God for people who give and need no recognition. Thank you Jesus for showing me true humility. Merry Christmas.

2006 Christmas letter

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Cor. 9:15

As we celebrate this Christmas season I feel blessed and grateful to be able to thank the Lord for my life, my family and friends, my faith and the gift of His Son, Jesus.

Wisdom doesn’t come with age – it comes with the walk. Ps. 27:11

We have gotten wiser this year with my battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I have been undergoing chemotherapy for almost 6 months now. My last treatment will be on Dec. 20th. I am anxious to be done. My family, friends and community have all been extremely important in my path to wellness. The support we have been given is very difficult to describe in words. We have been blessed and are eternally grateful for everything we have received from monetary gifts to hot meals. I have been keeping a diary of my battle with cancer at http://fulltimemommy.blogspot.com/.

Love is patient, love is kind…it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Cor.13:4-7

My DH has been my rock and is the solid foundation of the whole family. He is still working at the hospital as a respiratory therapist. He enjoys the variety of working with all kinds of patients, young and old. He is still a member of the hospital transport team, spending most of his shifts riding in the helicopter, ambulance and fixed wing airplane transporting patients and was promoted to charge therapist. His amateur baseball team, the Muckdogs, made it to the state tourney again this year. He was able to sneak in a weekend of deer hunting this fall, too. It wasn’t nearly long enough to fill both tags, though. He enjoys playing volleyball and trying to train our new puppy, Shiloh, to hunt.

Children are a gift from God. Ps. 127

Our DD turns 5 at the end of December. Where did the last few years go? She is enjoying life as a preschooler. Her favorite things to do are play make believe and sing songs. She has a new pet cat, Sampson. She loves him very much and is constantly trying to get him to play house with her. She loves learning and memorizing books so that she can read them to her brother and her cat.

Our DS (3) is all boy. He is obsessed with tools, motorcycles, four-wheelers, trailers and the color orange. He loves to play computer games and build with lego's. He really doesn’t mind playing house as long as he can be the dad or the dog. His favorite summer activity was playing t-ball in the backyard with Grandpa. He has recently discovered shopping and wants to ‘buy’ a lot of things from toys to full-size burnt orange SUV’s.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rest. Luke 2:14

God bless you in His love at Christmas and in the New Year.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Happy Birthday Mom!

Now thank we all our God,
With hearts, and hands and voices.
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our MOTHER'S arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love.
And still is ours today.

I love you, mom!

'tis the Season

This morning my van wouldn't start. Since I leave about 2 milliseconds before I am supposed to be at work, I was late. My husband works at the hospital and this is the busy season so he has been picking up shifts. I miss him when he is gone for 14 hours a day 4 or 5 days in a row; my kids do, too. My son came into my room the other night and his face was crusted in dried blood. He must have gotten a bloody nose in the night and used his new comforter to wipe the mess. I am out of spray and wash. My daughter has a birthday on the 22nd and I have tried to plan her party around the holiday parties with no success. This year we will be celebrating her birthday a full week early just to avoid the holiday mess. I went through the gifts that I have been collecting for the kids and realized I have enough for two little girls, but none for my son. A three year old will be happy with just socks and underwear, right? Every day I get my mail and find more Christmas cards and it just reminds me that I haven't done mine yet. I was so proud of my Christmas lights even on the dog's kennel, until she chewed through the only green extension cord I could find at Walmart($12' imagine a flushing sound').

May you and your family feel the peace of His presence... now and always. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The food filled our tummies, the gesture filled our souls.

At least 5 months and over 60 meals ago the community began bringing us hot meals. Every single meal was packed with love, compassion, prayers and support. My children and my husband and I experienced some of the most nourishing meals of our insignificant little lives. The food was fantastic, but the most amazing course was the fact that these busy people took precious time out of their lives and prepared us a feast; when I know that they had a long list of other things to do. Recently I have discontinued the meals, I felt that December is busy enough without another dozen meals to prepare. I am going to miss visiting with my neighbors and friends and eating their scrumptious entrees. There were over 35 different people who shared meals with us and we feel blessed to be a part of an awesome group of people. We are eternally grateful. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Attention Shoppers!!!

My mom sent me this email this morning. I had to pass it on...

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE - THIS IS NO JOKE!!

PLEASE READ!

I am forwarding this on to everyone in the building. This is definitely not a hoax and something that happened in Sioux Falls last night. This happened to some very good family friends of ours so it is legit. Please be careful this weekend.

**************

Last evening my daughter and I experienced a "flat tire" in the Shopko parking lot, (nice evening for that!). When we had the tire fixed, it was brought to our attention that this was "deliberate" and the gentleman said this was the second one that was brought in this way. The object looked like when we were kids and played "jacks", only larger and was hand made by welding it together. The object was put right behind the front passenger tire. My daughter came alone and I met her there so whoever put it there knew she was alone. They also asked us to call the police about it, and they came to talk to us. This was the 3rd one reported that night, two in the Shopko parking lot and 1 at the empire mall.


So please be careful when shopping, check behind and front of all your tires, it was silver, and about 2 ½ inches high and no matter how it landed it would always have a large pointed object ready to blow a tire. The police said to be careful as they could be predators just waiting for young ladies who may be in need of help, and then ask if they can assist.

Just a note of caution.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Chemotherapy Round 11, (only 1more to go!) YIPPEE

I wore a new hat today that had mohair in it and it itched so bad one of the nurses gave me a green a red holiday knitted cap, I looked like an elf. Of course I would get sick this time, it was due. I held on to the pink bucket and ran for the toilet. There was no holding back this time. I can't win. I eat; I am sick. I don't eat; I am sicker...so much for getting a little more shopping done today. We filled my script for zofran and came right home. It is snowing and blowing here and I am scheduled to head to Watertown tomorrow for a training. Let's hope all goes well outide and in so we can go. I will leave you with my favorite tune...

This little ditty is sung to the tune of "you are my sunshine".

Zofran, my little Zofran.
You make me happy when my stomach is queasy.
You'll never know, pills, how much I love you.
Oh, please don't take my Zofran away.

Zofran, my little Zofran.
If I forget you, I'm up all hours.
You're so expensive, thank the Lord for copays.
Oh, please don't take my Zofran away.

Monday, December 04, 2006

for the man on your list


Get this for only $22.89
there are lots of styles to choose from and there is free shipping with a $25 purchase....YIPPEE!

by the way...

Today is National Cookie Day, eat one or a half a dozen to celebrate.

It's Monday, YEAH!

I have been helping out at the daycare on Mondays for awhile now. It makes feel so loved when I walk in and they all scream my name.I don't need much to be happy but a few leg hugs go a long way if you know what I mean.My own three year old gets to go along with me occasionally and the first time we sat at the table and did activities he was so surprised,"Mom, you are the teacher!".I spent most of the first 4 years of my daughter's life at the daycare with my daughter and I had forgotten that my son didn't know that side of me.He was too young when I left or at least too preoccupied to remember mommy being the teacher. Maybe now I will get more credit when I ask him where he learned something.His normal response is "my friends at daycare taught me". I don't get any credit whatsoever.Anyway, I really enjoy getting up on Mondays and helping out.

I have a busy week planned. Chemo on Wednesday and then on Thursday I get to go to a training for the Horizons project. Have you heard about it? You can check out the website at www.nwaf.org.
This program is aimed at reducing poverty in small rural communities. Horizons explores perceptions about and sources of poverty; it isn't always just about lack of money. Horizons builds stronger community leadership; leadership is as important as good roads, great schools and clean water. Horizons embraces the entire community; everyone is needed and everyone has something to give. For communities to thrive everyone must thrive.
Here are some testimonials...

"A year and half ago, if you had asked me or others in town about poverty, we would have said, 'There isn't much, it's not a big issue.' Some people would have said it's just those people who are too lazy to get a job. When you start looking at it though, you realize that bad things do happen to people, that you can't always get a job that will support your family."

"What mattered most with Horizons is that someone believed that things could be better--they had more faith in us than we had in ourselves."

"We have new leaders in the community because of what we are doing here. People are volunteering for things that they had never even been invited to before"

Our community may be able to recieve a grant for up to $10,000 to sustain the strategies that we come up with for poverty reduction and leadership.

I am motivated and up for the challenge. Are you? Watch the paper for the next meeting time and I'll see you there...

Friday, December 01, 2006

Ho, Ho, Ho...

almost a whole week without posting... means I've been quite busy shopping online for Christmas:) I am so proud of myself for sticking to the budget. I found some really awesome deals again this year (I love bargain shopping) and I just can't help passing them on to others...

This is my FAVORITE site for postcards, holiday cards and calendars...I order from it at least two times a year, they always have FREE things, you just have to pay shipping and handling. My order this year for over $80 worth of photo calendars and cards cost me only $14. CHECK OUT THE PHOTO DESK CALENDARS - it takes a couple of minutes to put the photos in and add the birthdays, but what an awesome gift for grandparents (mom if you are reading this please forget this part) HURRY if you want to get them before Christmas. calendar link.

Another awesome deal I got this year was from this site. They are having a dollar for dollar sale. Here is the fine print.

DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR SALE
Our famous Dollar for Dollar sale has returned. Spend ANY dollar amount on product and use the same dollar amount to purchase FREE books* from a selection of over 15,000 titles (over 1 million copies). Spend $5.00 and get $5.00 of FREE books*, spend $100.00 and get $100.00 of FREE books*. There is no limit to our generosity but there is a limit to how long this sale lasts. From all of us at BookCloseouts.com, we wish you a Merry Christmas and the best for the New Year!

Notes(*):
This promotion can not be used in combination with any other promotion including coupons.
This promotion ends December 31, 2006.
"FREE" books are limited to the 15,000+ titles selected for this promotion
Some titles have limited quantities

Calendars
We have just received great selection of 2007 day and wall calendars and discounted them for a fast sale. Select from Far Side, Anne Geddes, Dilbert, Peanuts, Wizard of Oz, Ziggy and more. Limited quantities. Get them before they are gone.


I LOVE amazon.com. I only buy things that have free shipping so it's like going to the mall only you don't have to get dressed or leave your house. I buy all the kids pull ups and some grocery items, too. They come right to my door! I really wanted to get a new pair of shoes, but it wasn't in the budget. Here are some awesome deals maybe you can take advantage of.

PLUS Save $20.00 when you spend $80.00 or more
on Qualifying Items offered by Amazon.com!

*And*

Spend $25 or more in Apparel or Shoes stores, and receive a 1-year subscription to Lucky magazine, a $12 value, included with your purchase

Nine West Women's Ealene Boot
List Price:$108.95
Price:$39.90 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
You Save:$69.05 (63%)




Tommy Hilfiger's Jaelyn Mule
List Price:$59.95
Price:$9.89 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
You Save:$50.06 (84%)





Rockport Men's Oxford
List Price:$89.95
Price:$39.90 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
You Save:$50.05 (56%)


Tommy Hilfiger Women's Gwen Wedge Boot
List Price:$79.95
Price:$29.89 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
You Save:$50.06 (63%)

Tommy Hilfiger Womens Cipriana Ankle-Strap Sandal
List Price:$69.95
Price:$11.89 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
You Save:$58.06 (83%)

I want to get this from Sears if I can today. There is a rebate for the shipping cost and I know the kids would love it. You can also get this on the Toys R Us website for 39.99 with $10 off with Google checkout.

Oriental Trading Post has some great deals, too. Order online by 11:59 p.m. CT, December 5, 2006, to get free standard shipping plus save 15% on your purchase of $60 or more, within the contiguous U.S. Enter key code WC75753 during checkout. I love doing the crafts with kids...

Okay, that's about enough for today. I am a total addict. Before I do any shopping I go to mypoints.com and check if the store is listed there. I get points for every purchase made and then I can turn my points in, when I accumulate enough, for gift cards. Isn't life great?