My Love Bug...

***Please go down and pause the playlist!***


I was uploading photos and video to photobucket today and I found this video. Hadley was in Kindergarten. I had almost forgotten how sweet and 'little' she sounded/was then. This video made me all warm and fuzzy inside but very, very sad as well. I need to remember the good times to get through...but it is also hard to remember the happy times...it reminds me how bad she is doing now. =(




Hadley was on chemo when GG and Papa bought her the LoveBug and unfortunately she was lost in a tragic chemo puke incident. =(

My Handsome Spectacled Keegan.

Keegan's glasses were finally ready for pick up today. He and I went and got them. I have to tell you that I am already SO thankful for them. A few minutes after we left he was already commenting on how much better he could see and how much 'bigger' things looked. All of that AND he looks ADORABLE in them. =)

Tis The Season...

http://www.MaryKay.com/AngelaFox


A few gift ideas (including lots under $30):

http://www.marykay.com/angelafox/whatsnew/giftideas/default.aspx


Plus a free treat for you when you spend $40 or more (or it makes a great stocking stuffer):

Mini Body Care Set. It includes mini-size Mary Kay® Loofah Body Cleansers and Mary Kay® Nourishing Body Lotions in Red Tea & Fig and Lotus & Bamboo and a beautiful bag.
It’s yours FREE when you purchase $40 or more (excluding tax) of Mary Kay® products





PLUS!

Purchase one regular sized Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover and get a travel size bottle free! =)



And, as always, shipping is FREE!

Malak for...cutest baby of OK.

Please vote for our friend's baby. He is one of two finalists in a cutest baby contest. =) It'll only take a minute and will put some pretty big smiles on some pretty deserving faces. =) Thanks Ya'll.

Please remember to validate your vote by checking your email and clicking on the link. Otherwise it doesn't count. =)

http://www.KJ103FM.com

Liam's Party Pics.

The only thing Liam wanted for his birthday this year was a party at Chuck E. Cheese. This is the first year he's had 'school friends' to invite to a party. I gave in to mommy guilt and let him invite his entire class. =) It was 'fun'...in the way that I love seeing my kids have fun sort of way. In every other way it was...crazy. =)

Here are some of the pics.

Works for me...

Those who know me know that I am a sucker for the latest and greatest product. Especially if it is a cleaning product. I'd love to say that it's because I just love cleaning...but then I'd be a huge liar. I don't love to clean but, I do love having a clean home. So, I think I buy new products to keep myself motivated. =) I like sharing my opinions with those around me because I hate spending money on things and being disappointed. =)

So, here is my RAVE. Arm and Hammer Essentials Cleaner/Degreaser. Love, love, LOVE it. http://www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/2008/10/armhammer.html http://www.armandhammeressentials.com/index.aspx

First it costs less than the other cleaners I usually keep on hand. The starter kit was $3.79 (at Target) and includes an empty spray bottle and one small 'refill' cartridge. The refills come in packs of 2 for $3.79 ($1.89 each).

Secondly you use the same spray bottle over and over. This not only creates less waste but, let's face it...it's one less thing in the grocery bags. =) The refill cartridges are easy to use. You don't even have to 'open' them. You unscrew a cap then screw it onto the top of the bottle. There is a piece of plastic inside that cuts the the 'foil' and it empties into the bottle. Then you fill the bottle with tap water.

Third, it smells and works GREAT! =) No harsh chemical smells. It smells fresh and clean. It leaves everything clean and shiny with no sticky residue.

This is one product I am so glad I tried. =)

Dear Kyle,

Dear Kyle,

Thank you for fighting for our freedom. How great is it to be there?

Love,
Your Cousin Keegan

(1st grade-age 6)




Keegan wrote this at school for Veteran's Day. =) He's such a sweetie. My cousin, Kyle, is on his 2nd tour in the Middle East with the Marine Corps. Please be praying for his safe return home.

Love does not envy...

"For demonstrating the quality of love through rejoicing for others' accomplishments."




Keegan and Liam were chosen, independently, by their teachers as the student in their classes who exemplifies this 'characteristic'. I am so proud of them. =) I'll add some pictures etc. later. =)

My baby...

is FIVE today!!!





We love you sweet boy! You amaze us every day. =)

A little bit for ME...

I've hesitated posting the following for a few reasons. I don't want people to think I am 'moving on' before Hadley is even 'gone' and secondly I don't want to look like a failure if I don't achieve my goals/timeline. But, I'm going to put those things aside and post and hope for some accountability and encouragement.

My #1 goal is to lose 80lbs. Yes, I DO have 80lbs to lose. For now, I'm going to focus on the first 40. I start to hyperventilate when I think about taking on the whole 80. I've had a lot of people tell me that I shouldn't worry about this right now. I have more important things going on etc. While that is true I honestly believe I will be better equipped to care for and deal with all of this if I'm in better shape. PERIOD. So, on November 3rd I joined the gym up the street from our house. My friend Mollie is a member there as well. We have been keeping each other motivated and accountable. It's great having a workout partner again. =) Thank you Mollie. Along with this I have been focusing on cutting out a lot of the junk I was eating out. I've been using a high protein/high fiber diet and drinking lots of water. So far I feel a lot better. =)

My second goal is to start classes again on January 5th. My first course will be a biology course at Portland Community College, anatomy to be specific. I have a few classes to take to get into the Associates in Applied Sciences program at PCC. My plan is to use that degree to get into a nursing program. Which nursing school I choose will depend on when/where Brandon's career takes us next. I'd like to avoid staying behind to finish school while Brandon goes to his next duty station...so I'll have that in mind after I finish the associates program and am applying to nursing schools.

So...there's my plan. Thanks for 'listening', thanks for the love and support. =)

Angela

A few of my favorite things...

to eat these days. =)


Ms. Mollie's Taco Soup

5-6 cans of your choice of beans (my faves are black, kidney and garbanzo)
1 can tomato sauce\
1 can corn
2 packets Taco Seasoning
1 packet Ranch dressing mix
about 3 cups water

I like to add spanish rice to mine but, I serve it on the side because not everyone likes it.

You can use any kind of meat you'd make tacos with (or no meat).
I usually brown or cook the meat then throw everything in the crockpot on low for several hours. You can also just do it on the stovetop if you're making it last minute. =)

I serve it with shredded cheddar, Fritos and sour cream. If you're serving a large group you can always make meats separately and serve on the side (to be added) just in case there are vegetarians in the group. =)

Yuuuuuummmmm...Enjoy.


MamaFox's Peanut Butter Cup Protein Smoothie

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
2 scoops of your fave chocolate protein powder (I use Body Fortress Whey Protein)
4 tbsp Peanut Butter
As much ice as you like

I use my Magic Bullet to blend for a few seconds...but any blender will work.

Delish and it stays with you and keeps your belly full for quite some time. =)


Have a nice week.

Our first letter grades.

Yesterday we had the boy's parent teacher conferences. I was almost confused when I looked down at Keegan's report card and saw A's. This is the first time any of our kids have been graded using the traditional 'letter' system. Hadley was in first grade last year...but because she was in a special education room and couldn't be graded as a typical 1st grader she had the standard Kindergarten report card. We've reached a parenting rite of passage. Letter grades. =) My babies are growing up.

So, Keegan got all A's except a B+ in Math. =) His teacher did let us know that she is having to work with him a little more than the other students but, she suspects it has a lot to do with his vision and hearing issues and all that is going on at home with Hadley. She reassured us that his attitude is excellent and he has a real desire to learn. He gets along with others very well and is a joy to have in class. We do need to work on his fine motor skills. He has always been a little behind in this area so that was no surprise but, she did give us some good ideas for fun activities. =)

Liam is doing well also. He is ahead of the class in some areas and even with or maybe even a little behind in a few others. So, overall he's right about in the middle of his class. He can write all the letters in his name but not quite in order yet. His fine motor skills are quite mature for his age. He and Keegan have always been opposite in this regard. Keegan's fine motor skills are behind and Liam's are ahead. Keegan recognized all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds very early but had a hard time writing them. Liam can write them all but can only name a few and doesn't know their sounds yet. Just one more example of how different kids are...and how they all need a slightly different approach to teach them all effectively.

I am so pleased with the education they are getting and the environment they spend so much of their time in. They both seem to be thriving despite the heartache at home. I am so proud of these boys. SO proud.

Wordle

Chelle Meyer did this with Dave's page and I was interested to see what would come up from Hadley's site (www.HadleyFox.com)

Here it is:

title="Wordle: www.HadleyFox.com"> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/298434/www.HadleyFox.com"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

Jackie or Marilyn?

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear


• * Listen to me carefully


• * Don't judge me for my anxiety


• * Work things through with me


• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us


• * Laugh and make jokes with me


• * Gently push me toward new experiences


• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends


• * being responsible and hardworking


• * being compassionate toward others


• * having intellect and wit


• * being a nonconformist


• * confronting danger bravely


• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind


• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself


• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of


• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger


• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right


• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn


• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger


• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent


• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel


• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty


• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence


• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt


• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

A picture is worth...

These photos were taken the first Sunday of September. On one hand we feel blessed that Hadley is still here with us 2 months later. On the other hand...it is heartbreaking to see the differences. It's the 'little' things...like being able to stand, or even just bear her own weight. I love this girl so much. I am so thankful we have these pictures. =)

A huge thank you to Lisa Dillon for donating her time, talent and services. Thank you will never be enough really.