Christmas Time

Merry Christmas to all! Hope you are all healthy and had a wonderful christmas experience. We have been blessed in so many ways. We were able to get together with my mom, brothers and sisters and their families at Karen's new house. Then again yesterday at our house, Mom, her sisters and their families, Maw-maw, Mrs. Linda G., Todd, Christi and my family were all together again. It was so enjoyable, so nice to visit with everyone.

With Mom's decline in healthy - our families and friends have a different prospective on holiday time. It is a time to be truly be together , to make happy memories, no need for fussing and petty things, etc... Mom is so strong and such a role model for so many. She has been sick since the day after Thanksgiving and has not been able to bounce back. She has also stopped taking chemo. We will be talking to the doctors soon about other options. Some days-hours-minutes or better than others; but overall she is coping well. If you get a chance, drop her a line to say hello. She might not talk and sometimes does not want visitors or just sleeps; but appreciates the continued prayers and support.

As for the family, we are doing well and are leaning on each others. I can definitely say some moments are harder than others; but we take it one day at a time and make every moment count. Do you ever remember your parents telling you that they want more for you than they had/received? Well, I hope I can give my children what my parents have given to me. I want to be like them - so loved, so respected, so giving, always knows the right things to say and do. My parents truly are the greatest and I thank God everyday for him to give me such great parents and such a great friend as my Mom.

This year's new years resolution setting had almost been forgotten about with our father dying 24 years ago in December, Mom being so sick, kids, school, work, etc...all in this month... December 2008 has been quite difficult. As I sit (at work) and think about the new beginnings that come with each traditional New Year's... I find myself wondering why we only celebrate the new year when we have 12 chances each year to start anew or even better "Each Day is A New Day". Why can't tomorrow really be a new day instead of a repeat of yesterdays past.

After reflecting on my past year and especially this month, my 2009 resolutions are easily set and will be far more difficult to reach than the traditional lose weight and be a better person ones as in the past.
(1) I will work to be 1/2 as good of a parent to my children as my parents are to me.
(2) I will treat each day as a new beginning.
(3) I will take time out of my daily duties to stop and enjoy the people and things around me.

I know I have ramble, but my thoughts needed to come out. I should read this, but am going to post without editing. No sympathy needed as I JUST realized I am one of the luckiest people alive as I have been blessed with so much. Sometimes we get stuck thinking of all the things that we don't have - that we forget to be thankful for we have.

I love all of you!
Kim

Weekend plans went down the drain

On friday like all weekends, our weekend was jammed with parties, outtings and halloween celebrations. But on Friday evening, our plans suddenly changed - first Lauren, then Chris and finally Joseph all had come down with the stomach bug. Yes, I now know it is going around. Fortunately for Annalise and I, we did not get it. We spent the weekend playing and cleaning out the house. It was kind of nice to have a weekend at home to piddle with the small stuff. On Sunday, since all were feeling better - the girls and I ventured to Boo at the Zoo for a little practice run on the trick or treating. We had a good time and got a bag full of candy and of course, mommy got sucked into buying 2 halloween ghost for the "cheetah cause".

Here are a couple of pictures.

The spider covering hurricane damage.

Lauren and Annalise with their bat wings.

Annalise's favorite halloween blow-up.

The girls were not to sure if she was real or not.

Oh - How Time Flies....

Time has just flown by this past month...

Annalise, Lauren and Joseph

Joseph is now 4 months old. He is growing so quickly. At his 4 month check-up, he weighed 13 lbs 11 oz. He is cooing and telling stories to anybody and everybody who looks at him. He is such a happy baby. He is just recovering from a nasal infection that has affected his eating significantly for the past month. He is doing much better now. Keep your fingers crossed that they are wrong and it is not allergy related.

Joseph at 3 Months.Lauren and Annalise are doing great in school. They both have wonderful teachers who keep them busy ~ growing and learning. They also both choose to be Little CPS cheerleaders this year. Their schedules were thrown off from the hurricanes, but I will post a picture of them cheering.

Annalise

Lauren

Mom is doing great with chemo. She just began her third round last wednesday. Her tumor is getting smaller and her count is going down. Just continue to pray that it stays that way. As all of us know, at any time - the medicine can stop working for her.

Catching Up

In the last month, we have been extremely busy.

Mom ~ The new chemo "Abraxane" is going well. This past weekend she began to notice that she is starting to lose her hair. Initially, this sounds like a bad thing; but actually it is a great sign that the medicine is actually working. Thanks to one of Mom's dear friends (The Lewis') - she has LSU bandanas/dorags to sport around. She is so proud of them too. Her spirits are good on most days. Some days are a little rougher than others, but she has shown us that she will always be our "rock". I will get concerned when she stops complaining about the crazy people and the food:) I think this is truly her entertainment that she shares with all of us.

Lauren and Annalise ~ They are both doing extremely well at school. Lauren makes sure that Annalise's teacher is taking good care of her little sister. She checks up on her at least twice a day. Annalise's has adjusted well to "big girl school". She is following her teachers directions for the most part. Annalise has to go eat lunch in the office sometimes due to her allergies. Well, not to long ago, Annalise said that it is okay if she gets in trouble because Mrs. Lisa or Mrs. Frazier (the principal) will whip her because they are friends. She eats lunch with them. Oh, is she in for a surprise??? She thinks she has it all figured out - wrong!

Well with the landing of Hurricane Gustav and Ike, there cheerleading debut for the year has been postponed twice. They are so beyond excitement. They are cheering laying in their beds at night until they fall asleep or get in trouble (usually the latter). I will post pictures as soon as they get to cheer.

Joseph ~ he is getting big - 3 1/2 months old now. He's such a happy baby; at least when I am around:) He is now rolling both ways, reaching for toys, laughing out loud at his crazy sisters and Dixie. He likes to pet her and touch her nose. It is still to early to tell if he has any allergies.

Hurricane Updates - Gustav left us with many down tree limbs and no utilities for a week. Other than being hot and cranky, we could not complain much. Thank goodness that my in laws got utilities so the kids and I could camp out over there and soak up some A/C during the day; as well as wash some clothes. We were fortunate that the days were overcast and nights were cool as for as LA summer conditions. The generator and window a/c helped too.

Christi and Todd and their families rode the storm out at Christi's house. Karen and her family were in Folsum at the farm, Carl and Cheryl were safe at their home, and Nancy had Maw-maw with them in Alex. As we did not receive any severe damage neither did the rest of the family and we were all able survived the power outage.

And lastly, Mom stayed at the rehab center during both hurricanes and did better than all of us. They had a back up generator that kept them semi-operable. Plenty of CNAs to care for all the patients. They had a good number that evacuated from the New Orleans and surrounding area to her home. Good news, they brought a great cook with them. She enjoyed the food and was actually without lights for only one day.

Hurricane Gustav

I just wanted everyone to know that we are all safe and no one has any major damage. I am busy trying to get my work server up and running again so will have to post at a later time more details.

Mom's First Chemo Treatment

Mom did her first chemo treatment on Thursday. It was a 3 1/2 hour treatment. She felt "blah" on Friday, but on Saturday was feeling a little better. The kids and I had a nice visit with Mom. Sunday, Mom was sounding much better and Christi and Mrs. Roma both brought Mom food. Christi and the older girls were also able to visit with Mom. She said they had a nice visit.

Mom's next chemo treatment is on Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed and pray that she continues to take the treatments well.

Mom's latest doctor appointments

Mom's tumor markers have been increasing over the last 4 months. We tried a different hormone, but it did not control the cancer. The cancer has now spread to her liver. After several doctor appointments and weeks of research; Mom will be doing a new chemo beginning today. It is not suppose to make her sick like traditional chemo. It is relatively new, but effective according to all reports. She will take it for three weeks and then off for a week. She will do this for 4-6 months; as long as it is working.

Please keep her in your prayers that she will have the strength to tolerate the chemo emotionally and the physical side effects that comes with receiving chemo.

The big sisters are one year older...

Since our last post, we have been celebrating birthdays and getting prepared to head back to work and school. I am not sure who will have a harder time adjusting to our new schedule. We are guessing it will be Dixie; she has not been locked up in weeks.

Annalise asked for a field journal, polly pockets, and littlest pet shop stuff.

Lauren asked for a pink 4-wheeler. Both girls wanted to spend their birthdays at the mall shopping, eating Chick-Fil-A, carousel rides, playgrounds, cookies, etc...

What's Been Happen'...

We have been so busy with trips to the grocery stores, malls, doctor appointments, birthday parties, visits to Maw-maw, dinners, small vacations, etc... No outting has been to extensive due to my slow recovery. I am doing better, but the doctor says it will take awhile for a full recovery. Joseph, Lauren and Annalise are great. All have adjusted to the changes. We are having a blast this summer; enjoying the slow pace of our new lifestyle. I have actually slowed down and have been able to play with the girls and admire my new little fellow. What a joy!! Yes, I am going back to work. I still am not sure when. We will have to wait to see when I feel good enough to go back and ready to relinguish my new lifestyle of sleeping late, rocking, reading, playing and swimming for the remainder of the day.

I hope to send out the new pics from some of our outtings soon, but as my time is coming to an end very quickly. I am enjoying each day with the kids and being a temporary stay at home mom. I never thought that I would make it as a "stay at home" parent, but with the price of gas and daycare... I think I could get accustom to it.

Our First Outtings

After a week of a slow recovery, Saturday we ventured out for a couple of hours to Granny's house to eat and visit with the family. Sunday was Mom's birthday, we surprised her at Ralph & Kacoo's. It was great Nanny, Christina, MawMaw, Aunt Pat, Aunt Linda, Uncle Paul, Melissa, Pete, Chris and I w/the kids, and Christi and the girls along with Hanna were all present. She was so surprised and excited. I believe she had an amazing birthday. Thanks to all in attendance - special thanks sent to A.Linda/U.Paul for picking up Mom and to Nanny for bringing MawMaw.

Yesterday, Mrs. Delores and I decided to take the kids to the zoo for our first outting. It was hot, but there was a slight breeze to help alittle. After the zoo, we were off to Chick-Fil-A to eat and play on the indoor playground; then to see MawMaw and my brother. We had a slight change in plan when we had to take Annalise to the doctor for a reaction that she was having, but all is well.

The day was great, the kids were great and all slept well last night. Thanks again DeDe for coming to help. As always, we love your visits.

Home Again

We made it home on Sunday at mid-afternoon. After arriving at home, Chris and I unpacked the bags from the hospital; while the girls doted over there new little brother. It was not long after being home that Joseph, Lauren and I settled in for a nice long well deserved nap. It was so refreshing. Thanks to Christi and the girls for bring supper over. It was delicious and so nice not to have to worry about cooking.

Joseph is a great baby. He seldom cries and loves to lay in his bassinet. He is not a lap baby (yet). He likes to stretch out and look around. The second night in the hospital, he had a rough night with his formula. Last night, his first night at home was good. He slept from 12midnight until 5 this morning, took a bottle and right back to sleep until 9 a.m. No complaints from Chris nor I. I pray that he continues to do so well. We have truly been blessed with great children. Thank goodness, because I know I like and need my sleep.

We thank everyone for the visits and kindness that have been received and offered. We could not have done it so easily without your help.

Special thanks to Christi and Aunt Linda/Uncle Paul for taking care of Mom. Just for the record, if given the choice of a family - I would choose mine.

Welcoming Joseph...

Annalise and Lauren welcoming Joseph Christopher into the family.

He weighed in at 6 pounds 3.9 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.

I am recouping and doing well.
Chris, Lauren and Annalise are also adjusting well to our expanded family.

Thanks for all of the visits, gifts, support and well wishes:)

Preparations

Two more days... Friday morning we are scheduled for an induction; Chris and the girls know the plan for their weekend and are excited about their activities. The house is as ready as it is going to get for a new baby and we are still working on a name. Packing of the bags will come tomorrow. Special thanks to Elaine & Matt and Brady & Shannon for taking time to make special days for our girls. I am not sure if they are more excited about their brother or their planned adventures.

What has been going on?

Sorry, I have not posted in awhile, but work has been extremely busy.

Mom's test results came back and they are changing her to a new medicine. The test were okay, but did show signs of her cancer counts increasing slightly. They will re-test in one month to determine if the new med is working to reduce this count. Mom is in good spirits and takes it all in stride. She is a miracle and thankful for every one's prayers and continued support.

Baby Boy Leep has turned again and is cooperating. He is scheduled to make his entrance on May 30. I will go back to the doctor on Tuesday for further testing. We are praying and have started to get his room ready for his arrival. The girls are beside themselves with anticipation and counting down the days.

School is out for the girls and their summer has officially begun. Special thanks to Granny for keeping them this week. They have enjoyed her doting over their every move.

Chris' new toy

This is Chris' New Toy...

and to think there is still bigger.