Blog on the back burner...

A HUGE thanks goes out to DragonLeaf .
http://www.dragonleafphotography.com/

So many things are on the back burner right now.  To be quite honest I'm not even sure if we HAVE front burners at this point.  :)  Mama's chemo schedule (if your head is spinning visit: www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com)is taking up a little more time each cycle.  Thankfully we're almost half way through!  YES!

 Mama's super proud of her 3 favorite guys.  They've adjusted well to not being able to lean on mom quite so much these days.  That, in big part, is because their daddy has stepped up in a big way for them.  *swoon*  Really, these people I've been blessed with are amazing.  Even my Hadley, who has been gone nearly 2 years, is still blessing me.  Feeling the way I do...wanting to call it quits...being stretched way too thin...makes me a scosh grumpy.  Then, I think of my amazing girl...her crooked smile, her love of people, the pure joy she found in the simplest things, how tough she was when we had to put her through hell to try and save her.  I fall WAY short of the example she set but, I can strive.  These four people make this mama better.

To backtrack a bit...we had a good, busy, crazy summer.  The boys spent nearly a month with G'ma and G'pa Fox.  Mama's surgery and cancer diagnosis was something they wanted to be FAR from.  So, they sought refuge at G'ma's house.  :)  Mama wishes she could have run away too.

We moved out of Portland and into the 'burbs.  This move took place days after my release from the hospital following major abdominal surgery removing large portions of my colon and small intestine...and just before Brandon's L4/L5 fusion, so we were both restricted to lifting no more than about 10-15 lbs.  Needless to say we hired movers.  We did all the packing and prep (with the help of a few loyal and amazing friends and family members) and then left all the heavy lifting for the pros.  The bill at the end of moving day nearly put me in shock...but, was SO worth it.  That move put us in a much better neighborhood, a much bigger single family home (with a yard), and a great school district/neighborhood school for the same amount of money we were paying in the city for a townhouse. We decided, prior to this move that it was time to move the boys to public school.  So far we have had a wonderful experience.  The boys have adjusted well and are thriving in their new environment.  We are pleased with their teachers and the amount of time and energy they are putting into the education of EACH child.   I really feel like this move was absolutely best for our family.  <3

The boys started school on September 7th.  Keegan is in 3rd grade, Liam is in 1st.  This is quite unbelievable to me.  These crazy guys have grown up SO fast.  They are loving school.  Their favorite parts of the day are riding the bus and recess.  Surprise!  *snort*  They're both making new friends and are enjoying the change.

Just after school started Mama started Chemo and The Mister had his surgery.  Thankfully, for all parties involved, Gramma drove out and stayed for almost two weeks to help and keep us sane.  I'm fairly certain we still owe her a FULL day at a spa to help her recover.  <3  The Mister's surgery went exactly as planned and he was home in record time.  He's been a trooper and a half...and has had to do way more around the house than he probably should have.  His next follow up is on Monday.  He'll have Xrays and find out what the next several weeks will look like for him.  His brace may be dc'd, he may be going back to work etc.  We'll see what the good doc has to say about his films.  I'm still not breathing exactly right...not until he gets the 'all clear' that his back problem is 'fixed' and he's fit for full duty.  I'll update next week on this.

In mid October I was able to fly to Northern Idaho for five glorious days with my bestie.  Her friend Jennifer and I threw her a Halloween theme baby shower for Littlest Sister.  It was so fun!  Plus, I got to lay around and be lazy with my bestie (she's on modified bed rest...and I'm a lazy slob).  I loved the slower pace of this trip.  Getting to spend some 'quiet' time with her kiddos was so nice.  I fell like I haven't been able to do that since we all moved.  It was nice to reconnect.  This girl is an amazing mama...and it shines in her kids...even when they're making her crazy.  ;)  I love you friend, and can't wait for the next visit...but, will, so let's keep that baby baking...M'kay?!?

Halloween/Fall 

It's always way more fun to just show you pics of this time of year.  ;)

Liam's field trip to Liepold Farms.  

Pumpkin Carving.  Liam's a scosh too excited.

That's better...

Keegan showing an appropriate amount
 of anticipation.

Thar be the pumpkin guts.

The Mister and the boys making messes
and loving every minute.

Murphy had to get in on the fun.
He's a ferocious Shark.

The Mister always knew The Mama needed
a Witch hat...now it's finally happened.  <3

My guys on Halloween Night.  <3

Halloween Party Night.
Because we value cake in this house.
Maybe a little too much.  ;)

Liam 11/1/10
Perseverance Award

Our last 'order of business' is honoring Mr Liam.  He was given a Character Education Award for the month of November.  The character trait is Perseverance.  In the assembly some of the students helped to define perseverance as:  Never giving up, trying again and again and again, and always keeping on going.  That sounds like my boy to me.  <3  We love you and are so proud of you little man.  You are SO wise for your age.

Liam receiving his award from his
Principle.