tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59757910477787669682024-02-21T03:40:00.591-08:00The Fox Family FiveFoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-53199924420655849932012-12-01T21:51:00.001-08:002012-12-01T21:51:34.214-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjf1t4vtn_V0tpD2fJWgoFmys4VWyS7CxuSyXJaMM2DzehsW6GG9BkGnPjzmkTK_iI3P3mtj8cWD3P6SOxsFNeV0F6RFePPx00vcW3_JzXfnmvb5iuGTAR2Qr7SCwyHqNDTCviFMO0r_q/s1600/429394_10150654651732235_369094319_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjf1t4vtn_V0tpD2fJWgoFmys4VWyS7CxuSyXJaMM2DzehsW6GG9BkGnPjzmkTK_iI3P3mtj8cWD3P6SOxsFNeV0F6RFePPx00vcW3_JzXfnmvb5iuGTAR2Qr7SCwyHqNDTCviFMO0r_q/s640/429394_10150654651732235_369094319_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is an MRI image of my brain exactly nine months ago. Shortly thereafter, it was removed and I was sent on my way. Yesterday I had another series of images and a meeting with my amazing neurosurgeon. I am thankful to report that the beast is still gone. <br />
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There is a small area that we are keeping an eye on, but my surgeon is confident that it is scar tissue. The other concern is recurrence. Apparently meningiomas like to come back. They grow from the lining of the brain, and even though that area was removed and replaced with artificial parts, there's always the chance of stray cells and recurrence. For that reason I'll have regular imaging and follow up. <br />
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For now, we will be thankful for this gift. FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-68500594160923296082012-11-10T16:12:00.000-08:002012-11-10T16:12:12.369-08:00Hope in a desert. Sometimes you find hope in the most unexpected places. I'm 'used to' searching out hope. I've read books and articles on finding and identifying your hopes. I've hoped in the darkest of times. I never expected to find hope in a desert. I did. <br />
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I recently took a trip to sunny Arizona. It wasn't a vacation. I was going to try and heal my very broken spirit. I was going to confront a boy that had broken my heart, again. I didn't want to go. Confrontation is not one of my strong suits. When I'm hurt deeply I'm much more comfortable bandaging my wounds securely and walking away. This hurt was so deep, though, that I needed help even identifying where I was injured. I was so broken I couldn't bandage myself this time. Simply put, I went on this trip for my kids. Period. End of story. I wasn't their mom in the weeks that followed my separation from Brandon. I wasn't anything I usually am. I was a broken heap of a human. I knew I needed to heal and do better. So, I went. <br />
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I spent five very full, very exhausting days at Family Week in the rehab Brandon has been at for the past 35 days. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about what it's like to be human. Not super human, not perfect...just human. I learned about emotions and what it's like to actually experience them and the effects of NOT experiencing them...and how much damage that actually does. I learned tools to begin to heal. I felt empowered. I was making progress toward my goals. <br />
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I never did have the opportunity to confront the boy that hurt me, though. Believe me, I was looking for him the whole time I was there. He just wasn't to be found. I <i>did</i> have opportunities to confront a <u>man</u>. A responsible man. A caring and vulnerable man. A man whose heart is broken, but open. This man, though I call him my husband, is not a man I recognized but, by the end of the week I had grown to love him. <br />
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This new man left rehab today. He is out in the real world to continue his healing process and to build a life for himself and his family. I ask you to join me in praying for him. The road ahead will not be easy. Possible, there's always HOPE, but not easy. <br />
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For the time being, I am not filing for divorce. The boys and I will remain in Oregon. I will be on a healing journey of my own. We will take this time to build ourselves up and heal. This spring/summer we will reevaluate where we are and decide if marriage counseling and reconciliation is right for us. For now, we are focusing on being a good parenting team for the boys and supporting each other in our individual growth and healing processes. <br />
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We will likely have a few visits between now and summer. The first will be next weekend for Liam's birthday. We also have plans to spend Christmas together as a family. Please be prayerful for all of us but, especially for our sweet, tender-hearted boys. They've had to endure more than any child should and are still thriving. Please pray for them to continue to grow and learn and for us, as their parents, to make the right choices for them and ourselves. <br />
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Thank you.<br />
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*In the spirit of full disclosure, this is not the first time I have written this post. I've had a few drafts and wasn't satisfied with any of them. It took me a while to figure out what was wrong. I realized this morning that I wasn't blogging or sharing myself. I was writing a persuasive essay on my life and choices. I'm an adult. It's not my job to convince anyone that I am or am not making good choices. What I'm trying to say is that while I appreciate and respect people's opinions and concerns they are theirs (yours) not mine. This is not to say that I can't handle or don't want to hear them. I am working on more open honest communication. Any explaining I do, however, is simply to help those I love to not worry (as much) about the boys and I. I am not asking for approval. I don't expect you to understand. I know how messy this is. <br />
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<br />FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-59668160677534598922012-10-11T09:03:00.000-07:002012-10-11T09:03:01.015-07:00Growing Up.<div style="text-align: left;">
The boys are growing up so fast. They are both doing really well in school. I'm so proud of them. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Liam Oliver </div>
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Grade 3 </div>
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8 years
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Keegan James </div>
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Grade 5 </div>
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10 years</div>
FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-45217720177057029652012-10-08T22:20:00.000-07:002012-10-08T22:20:27.828-07:00Moving Right Along...It's been so long since I've updated here. So many changes. It would take me a month to catch up from my last post...so I'll just kind of hit the major bullet points.<BR> <BR>
Brandon's career with the Coast Guard ended in mid August. It was unexpected and happened very quickly...but that's not my story to tell, I guess. He was immediately offered a job with The Idaho Dept of Corrections, so we were on the move once again. Thankfully, we're old hats at the whole moving gig. <BR> <BR>
Just as we were really beginning to settle in, I found out that Brandon has been deceiving me in some pretty major ways for the past few years. I'll not go in to details here but, believe me when I say, this is not something that 'we' will heal from. It will take me quite some time to heal on my own, but I will. I am committed to it. He moved out the same day all hell broke loose. The boys are confused and miss their dad. It kills me that Brandon's choices are hurting my boys...hurting me. We've already lost so much...and now they're losing more. I know we'll be fine. I know they'll have a good life. I know that I can do this...but as certain as I am of that I am just as angry that I have to. I'm angry that my kids are hurting. I'm angry that such a major decision in my life was made for me...without my consent. I'm just angry. I'm taking the advice of those closest to me and using that anger to get me through these hard days.<BR><BR>
Having said that...I have this really weird feeling. Maybe some of my fellow cancer/angel parents can validate this, but as big of a loss as this is/would be to others...it's...well, it's hard to put in to words without sounding calloused and jaded. Maybe I am those things, but this loss is not earth shattering. It's just something that is. My marriage is over. My house is broken. My heart is hurt. This will not destroy me, though. Not even close. I lost my girl and have survived it. I have laughed and dared to love following the biggest heart break of my life...so this, certainly, will not break me. I will thrive. I will do the work I need to do to heal and my life will go on. I will smile. I will find joy. I've got this. <BR> <BR>
The first order of business is moving back home. My family is in Oregon...and Brandon has decided against the job he was offered here and moved away...so the boys and I decided together that it is best for us to go home. My mom is, graciously, letting us stay with her while I find a job, figure out schooling etc. I'm so thankful for this gift. The boys are so excited...as Grammy has a little farm and property that they love to explore. So...this weekend we head back to Oregon. <BR><BR>
I know there is a beautiful life waiting for us. I know it'll take work and a lot of determination, but I'm committed to it. The boys deserve it. I deserve it. <BR><BR>
Please pray for us as we find a new normal...redefine family...learn how to navigate this new life of ours. <BR>
<blockquote> Jeremiah 29:11<BR>
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</blockquote>
FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-85111324996143875612012-02-10T18:56:00.001-08:002012-02-10T18:56:08.368-08:00Hope...Since ending chemotherapy in March 2011 I have been waiting and waiting for my body to feel 'back to normal'. Even a LITTLE better would have been great. Instead it feels like my health just continues to decline. I did have a brief honeymoon period where I didn't feel like I wanted to die anymore...so there was that. I felt like a survivor, in a bad way. I was ONLY surviving...and waiting. Any work I did to try and help my body backfired on me and I'd wind up feeling even worse. Then, several weeks ago I got a headache. It hasn't gone away since. Not for a single minute. Well, if I take vicodin I can't feel it but that only lasts about 3 and a half hours...then it starts creeping back up on me. I wake up every morning with a pounding headache, no energy, and feeling like I've been hit by a truck. My joints hurt, my head hurts...mostly my heart hurts. I'm not the mom I want to be when I feel this way. I'm not the anything I want to be right now. I've had a head CT, I've whined to every one of my many specialists...and nothing. They just look at me like "Hey, we saved your life....Yay me!" I don't want it to sound like I'm not grateful. I am. I am SO grateful...it would just be such a waste to spend this reclaimed life on the couch or in bed in pain and dysfunctional. Right? For the first time in a looooong time I had no hope. None.
On Wednesday I did what every slightly sane, totally desperate person would do. I listened to a friend who'd been asking me to try her Chiropractor/Applied Kinesiology Practitioner. I made a same day appointment, went, endured the quite calming (almost soothing, really) testing and was amazed at what this person could tell me about my body in such a short amount of time. The appointment length was limited though, so I had to go back today for a follow up. This is what I learned (in a nutshell).
Here is the brief run down of today's appointment. I started 3 supplements and a topical wheat germ oil for all my scars. Her belief is that my thyroid is in an auto-immune shut down (Hashimoto's Disease). We're going to try and help it heal and kick start it. I have an appointment with my regular primary care doc on Monday. My hope is to have him follow my care and work WITH my Applied Kinesiologist. I'm hopeful that I'll be feeling better soon!
My list of 'stressed' organs are: Cerebellum, Thyroid, Adrenals, Ascending Colon and...yeah I know there's one more but can't remember now. Woops. We're starting with the Thyroid anyway. Th etheory is that you fix/help support the issues in the order of 'importance', instead of trying to fix everything at once. The idea is that as your body gets healthier and stronger some of the systems will begin correcting themselves. Let's hope anyway.
Here are the supplements she sent me home with (all are made by Standard Process):
<a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/484968-what-does-thytrophin-pmg-do-for-your-body/">http://www.livestrong.com/article/484968-what-does-thytrophin-pmg-do-for-your-body/</a>
<a href="http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=152">http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=152</a>
<a href="http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=127">http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=127</a>
<a href=" http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=105">
http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=105</a>
<a href="http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=157">http://www.standardprocess.com/display/StandardProcessCatalog.spi?ID=157</a>
I was also asked to avoid processed foods, Wheat, Corn, Dairy (except butter), and the biggie...SUGAR! ACK. She seems pretty down to earth about it and knows it'll be a challenge and a process to wean off...especially the sugar. I know I can do it...especially if it'll help me feel better...but DANG! No cheese AND no sugar? *POUT*
My next appointment with her is on Wednesday afternoon. If I have any late breaking news before then I'll update, if not, you can expect an update Wednesday night or Thursday.
I need some wine. I wonder how that'll mix with my whole food supplements?FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-53827517271696432422012-01-21T23:39:00.001-08:002012-01-21T23:39:59.167-08:00<a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/1254/6240/12546240.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Free Calorie Counter</a></small></p>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-84619168073848393782012-01-01T17:26:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:26:15.254-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhpsReeXPzvWilC7HEnfKdDLHR86xjp-UXB24iVq8gHn3f7rJC5Re_KgtvXxI1omQBpFUz0mjOF6MuFvsY-N3CaN5Pmn7T84iMYR7LjRcAZWGDAykZFJaR2P7F6_BQDmPku94Xgtl17T/s1600/Photo+on+2012-01-01+at+15.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhpsReeXPzvWilC7HEnfKdDLHR86xjp-UXB24iVq8gHn3f7rJC5Re_KgtvXxI1omQBpFUz0mjOF6MuFvsY-N3CaN5Pmn7T84iMYR7LjRcAZWGDAykZFJaR2P7F6_BQDmPku94Xgtl17T/s320/Photo+on+2012-01-01+at+15.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day One.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy New Year! My biggest resolution this year is to make the effort
to form a better connection with my friends and family. I really need
to invest in the people I love and who love me. Part of that will be
keeping this blog up to date. The boys are growing quickly and while
our life feels pretty mundane most of the time...well, time keeps
ticking away and before we know it this chapter of our lives will
close. I plan to participate in Project 365. You take and post a photo
a day. From what I understand it can be of anything...so long as you
take and post one.<br />
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The biggest part of this resolution, though, is to spend more face or
phone time with all of you. While I love keeping up with my people on
FB, blogger, text etc. I'm not loving that it's taken the place of real
life relationship. The people I love are important to me. Important
enough that I will MAKE the time for you. At some point people stopped
calling/checking in/visiting etc. Most people had good intentions...not
wanting to bother us during really hard times of our lives.
Regardless, I feel disconnected and lonely. I'm done wondering why,
feeling neglected and/or blaming. I'm making the time and effort to
change a part of my life I don't like. I need my people. Period.<br />
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Why am I sharing this instead of just doing it? Good question.
Accountability and help. I need you to hold me accountable. I also may
need help getting back in to the habit of being connected. At the risk
of sounding pathetic, I'm pretty self conscious and don't want to 'bug'
people or force a relationship that they don't desire. So, help me out
and call me, invite me to coffee, or even our family to a
BBQ/gathering/etc.<br />
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Last, but never least, I feel like I need to thank all of you again for
loving our family through these last several years. If you're still
around, you've seen us through a lot. We've spent most of the past 10
years in survival mode. It's hard to invest in anything when you're
struggling to keep your head above water. If you're still here, loving
us, thank you. <br />
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Let's make this year beautiful. Mmmm'kay?<br />
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<br />FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-25593848079791498332011-05-05T11:09:00.000-07:002011-05-05T11:09:57.691-07:00Win a Cricut...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsPMIxaD3E3NmrFDBX02O5IaW2tHffNXnPEPq1_IfsaI3WsoW9Zg9l9AUYciZ3J9YrA9kbknOlON1sTybSBQg1hC_5wlzVxJuaKF-voChZZjOS5MqHTVtKvfZ2i_SfHmBobO8HuUxHjZb/s1600/7773.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsPMIxaD3E3NmrFDBX02O5IaW2tHffNXnPEPq1_IfsaI3WsoW9Zg9l9AUYciZ3J9YrA9kbknOlON1sTybSBQg1hC_5wlzVxJuaKF-voChZZjOS5MqHTVtKvfZ2i_SfHmBobO8HuUxHjZb/s1600/7773.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Cricut-Expression-2-Anniversary-Edition-Giveaway#">http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Cricut-Expression-2-Anniversary-Edition-Giveaway#</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I am the proud owner of a Cricut Cake. Granted, because of my health issues I've yet to really get into using it. Now that I'm feeling better I'm really wanting to use it, but my original intent was to buy a Cricut paper cutter as well. I had every intention of coordinating greeting cards and baked goods with all the amazing Cricut cartridges. Like most gals these days, though, I'm having a really hard time justifying squeezing a 'toy' into our tight budget. Wouldn't it be SO fun to WIN one? Yeah, I think so to. You can't win if you don't enter. Good Luck! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Cricut-Expression-2-Anniversary-Edition-Giveaway#">http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Cricut-Expression-2-Anniversary-Edition-Giveaway#</a></div>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-33909904571745513962011-02-10T10:27:00.000-08:002011-02-10T10:27:43.041-08:00Shamrocking...TEAM #9500.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs74JOl1j-QThidvFl2XvWreR5lQfdNDegDbAHb5LHbCG2JMkOeFd6errZhyphenhyphenBCKdsiDRU4U4vyDCqm7lNIjasyy382CClj_wwM_AqLgVAhaigKlURSVOsICaLU4fRyLEBz6Xq31gb1nwh/s1600/ShamrockPrincess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs74JOl1j-QThidvFl2XvWreR5lQfdNDegDbAHb5LHbCG2JMkOeFd6errZhyphenhyphenBCKdsiDRU4U4vyDCqm7lNIjasyy382CClj_wwM_AqLgVAhaigKlURSVOsICaLU4fRyLEBz6Xq31gb1nwh/s320/ShamrockPrincess.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145622505498009">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145622505498009</a><br />
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How to register:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Your team number is </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><b><u>9500</u></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">. Below are some instructions to help you assist your teammates in registering. Please let me know if you have any questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Go to:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/</strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Click on the orange box that says:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</span><b>SHAMROCK HOODED SWEATSHIRTS FOR SALE, TOO</b></a></span></span><span style="color: white;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><input type="radio" value="431444" /></span>Team Option - 15 or more $27.00</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><strong>Don’t forget to check this box:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><input name="btnContinue" type="submit" value="Continue" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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<tr><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: initial; border-left-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: initial; border-top-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: initial; padding-bottom: 3pt; padding-left: 3pt; padding-right: 3pt; padding-top: 3pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span class="formqlabel1"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Team Registration Number</span></span><span class="formrequired1"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="" rel="nofollow"><span style="text-decoration: none;">*</span></a></span></span><span class="formqhelp1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><a href="" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #9ebe41; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="18" id="MA1.1297317967" src="http://us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f1197280%5fAJlVimIAADpLTVOAXQcGEx3aqAQ&pid=1.2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" width="24" /></span></a></span></span></strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</span><strong><span class="formqhint1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 8.5pt;"><em>(Children age 12 and younger can be on a Team if the team has at least 15 members who are age 13 or older).</em></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"></span></strong></div></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: initial; border-left-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: initial; border-top-color: rgb(236, 233, 216); border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: initial; padding-bottom: 3pt; padding-left: 3pt; padding-right: 3pt; padding-top: 3pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</tbody></table>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-19085340306640300912010-11-03T18:13:00.000-07:002010-11-03T18:13:24.355-07:00Blog on the back burner...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVPZ2FSZssD41nI1d5_jphXQDtKmdv4yCH7w2YIqLdCAx6gfsJqOFKh8eyMyBgmVp6uQv9_KaN1OEWqSKrdKbbEBghHXimPs8tFDtomjnd9iOTuWWDMRD9gR4GY9L6nGFImeFRjbc8vd8/s1600/FoxBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVPZ2FSZssD41nI1d5_jphXQDtKmdv4yCH7w2YIqLdCAx6gfsJqOFKh8eyMyBgmVp6uQv9_KaN1OEWqSKrdKbbEBghHXimPs8tFDtomjnd9iOTuWWDMRD9gR4GY9L6nGFImeFRjbc8vd8/s320/FoxBridge.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A HUGE thanks goes out to DragonLeaf .<br />
<a href="http://www.dragonleafphotography.com/">http://www.dragonleafphotography.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>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: <a href="http://www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com/">www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com</a>)is taking up a little more time each cycle. Thankfully we're almost half way through! YES!<br />
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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.<br />
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To backtrack a bit...we had a <s>good</s>,<s> busy,</s> 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. <br />
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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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGldhbtC-05sk9La2_P2xJs94Bc_oqH6y4_R-icuuOeZJWF8L2hN0fBzNWTpc9rFzsjclKqZEpGc1UG7ULqf4l4bmuTOytKzh5ySXbk5eB2vjDzaYNFEf2Z8ftF3kYEwgGiCV28Y6Y2gwK/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGldhbtC-05sk9La2_P2xJs94Bc_oqH6y4_R-icuuOeZJWF8L2hN0fBzNWTpc9rFzsjclKqZEpGc1UG7ULqf4l4bmuTOytKzh5ySXbk5eB2vjDzaYNFEf2Z8ftF3kYEwgGiCV28Y6Y2gwK/s200/IMG_0429.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>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. <br />
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</div>Just after school started Mama started <a href="http://www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com/">Chemo</a> 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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAefkME9JurgLXF6URsW_hyzIItuFh9kAccBT7qVlGemsVwNv1w6eCdtmJeIlcu2atYAzbb2Y56Li0C3Kfw5er1wHfjynwY-aAIwVAbPUlBPxkwrkrpSoATYbZw0egOm8F2e3owRILJJuq/s1600/Macy+Shower+BFF's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAefkME9JurgLXF6URsW_hyzIItuFh9kAccBT7qVlGemsVwNv1w6eCdtmJeIlcu2atYAzbb2Y56Li0C3Kfw5er1wHfjynwY-aAIwVAbPUlBPxkwrkrpSoATYbZw0egOm8F2e3owRILJJuq/s200/Macy+Shower+BFF's.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>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?!?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Halloween/Fall</u></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's always way more fun to just show you pics of this time of year. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdhEenMUYt1yS2n8gcMfLnctJJYGsTGfGTbPLc0ZXFEBGTkfG1Ip7r1NnkUpWCb-UTv1DoTXU5j292y3vXdJKfKxGpJq-4nL9PESxHFzim3xjv1LZITxAmX7UaX5BuRBhK791dcsjNAUI/s1600/DSCN1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdhEenMUYt1yS2n8gcMfLnctJJYGsTGfGTbPLc0ZXFEBGTkfG1Ip7r1NnkUpWCb-UTv1DoTXU5j292y3vXdJKfKxGpJq-4nL9PESxHFzim3xjv1LZITxAmX7UaX5BuRBhK791dcsjNAUI/s200/DSCN1257.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam's field trip to Liepold Farms. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuQitnPlEX5aOw02ypdhKyv0zxaruoYmKC4vnA-fsoLm047e6CcYBqk5Jr5VhlVJzBc5KAxHuYeB75fB3W9-dK2FHDWwf1UWOo5emqMI-XqaPbYiIe000QTb457RCHfMtmYkgrecv7CiU/s1600/DSCN1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuQitnPlEX5aOw02ypdhKyv0zxaruoYmKC4vnA-fsoLm047e6CcYBqk5Jr5VhlVJzBc5KAxHuYeB75fB3W9-dK2FHDWwf1UWOo5emqMI-XqaPbYiIe000QTb457RCHfMtmYkgrecv7CiU/s320/DSCN1272.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Carving. Liam's a scosh too excited.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_znUVqnvjDhTD1LlXXhVRg-ENmelE82pkgJsr8cnvKZ_4gKyxtleGa85cQOQZsSIglt0W34iFNzWFe6LN6VzbRUPGKhEcxgpKReeG4iuH_mJu0Zrr4wizMz419hISIbWQrgJsdzLJHyP1/s1600/DSCN1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_znUVqnvjDhTD1LlXXhVRg-ENmelE82pkgJsr8cnvKZ_4gKyxtleGa85cQOQZsSIglt0W34iFNzWFe6LN6VzbRUPGKhEcxgpKReeG4iuH_mJu0Zrr4wizMz419hISIbWQrgJsdzLJHyP1/s200/DSCN1274.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's better...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7oVi77Y3ja4_rwjDRVmfGcQPpkmdavhkehTtWxT2BIqyeAxjBp3t0U9_NjLUa0XbOgKi6lzIxUTRBgTSzd5jGAdzTx6mC4G_Y0ILAgjOSkEoqHlzwmz8_IJJhvY4OCANCuPxh-7UcAs7/s1600/DSCN1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7oVi77Y3ja4_rwjDRVmfGcQPpkmdavhkehTtWxT2BIqyeAxjBp3t0U9_NjLUa0XbOgKi6lzIxUTRBgTSzd5jGAdzTx6mC4G_Y0ILAgjOSkEoqHlzwmz8_IJJhvY4OCANCuPxh-7UcAs7/s200/DSCN1275.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keegan showing an appropriate amount<br />
of anticipation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmNMNcu8IcqEK4rU0C4vNdDpXHujz9qay0XZgUVPR1S5tFMUzCeanKPQ1E7duDhD_s_4gDnBdWGeVJk6K-HleNkVrHM2OyrWDeAKU52NsijxcgUNFhDXRMwNdPvtViZe9SjL4wqvbpaEs/s1600/DSCN1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmNMNcu8IcqEK4rU0C4vNdDpXHujz9qay0XZgUVPR1S5tFMUzCeanKPQ1E7duDhD_s_4gDnBdWGeVJk6K-HleNkVrHM2OyrWDeAKU52NsijxcgUNFhDXRMwNdPvtViZe9SjL4wqvbpaEs/s200/DSCN1276.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thar be the pumpkin guts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzknegcNDuuMMcWSxC4q4bCpgC5X7_OEpy33U8zg9GHgbHiKELNnJMFQe2WD6r2Toa8IhArXrDtKfsV_Db8cKxEEAPtY5uoufE-ZriPk_sYIsLZMgW-7WAGiZR75HdCWnDEdnLHrUpLrJQ/s1600/DSCN1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzknegcNDuuMMcWSxC4q4bCpgC5X7_OEpy33U8zg9GHgbHiKELNnJMFQe2WD6r2Toa8IhArXrDtKfsV_Db8cKxEEAPtY5uoufE-ZriPk_sYIsLZMgW-7WAGiZR75HdCWnDEdnLHrUpLrJQ/s200/DSCN1280.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mister and the boys making messes<br />
and loving every minute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2shDj9Q6hyphenhyphenOauE6TJjVY2FE4wEeE8SiDFZDCrLRvmvjuzI5a5Yet566X-kB9qmsrfLy5eEJ2n-JD2_-dMbOjkJ3vHoP0vUYIZ2pZm0eBqFnz7zFpZixLjrvUPi4C-ZkLQN08-fvXKcLb/s1600/DSCN1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2shDj9Q6hyphenhyphenOauE6TJjVY2FE4wEeE8SiDFZDCrLRvmvjuzI5a5Yet566X-kB9qmsrfLy5eEJ2n-JD2_-dMbOjkJ3vHoP0vUYIZ2pZm0eBqFnz7zFpZixLjrvUPi4C-ZkLQN08-fvXKcLb/s200/DSCN1287.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murphy had to get in on the fun.<br />
He's a ferocious Shark. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ79UXgTGqiNA1iU8n1DoK1HAgIohPVgovdgeRXFYd6bJrsgIxVecuyC8EHLZ2-syuP7w9U8TJpQx90EV_ME_MbBqCoqg5jDRig7tjhttKmiTwTUkik1uGuG_o4dR1h0HxKKlnkzBWf9H/s1600/DSCN1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ79UXgTGqiNA1iU8n1DoK1HAgIohPVgovdgeRXFYd6bJrsgIxVecuyC8EHLZ2-syuP7w9U8TJpQx90EV_ME_MbBqCoqg5jDRig7tjhttKmiTwTUkik1uGuG_o4dR1h0HxKKlnkzBWf9H/s200/DSCN1291.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mister always knew The Mama needed<br />
a Witch hat...now it's finally happened. <3<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hhdm1q57TV-FL9xvHJ4MTUvljmkGHV2dEk5qXZSdTXeqx9Z49_LoQ4JSwR2vntGKFC_1lW8HFXHdFdRtmHLIyQJfe9xc57P9dABYRuMp6sn91Duqi1ga8PM8gbdN1tN-BhrJZTXHlm-u/s1600/DSCN1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hhdm1q57TV-FL9xvHJ4MTUvljmkGHV2dEk5qXZSdTXeqx9Z49_LoQ4JSwR2vntGKFC_1lW8HFXHdFdRtmHLIyQJfe9xc57P9dABYRuMp6sn91Duqi1ga8PM8gbdN1tN-BhrJZTXHlm-u/s200/DSCN1301.JPG" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guys on Halloween Night. <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDnDc9-SQPv4aqx1bZ26-Jw8Fhr6PJo5Nu3-ilc9id_Et_V8jQ9WTxj5OpG2_k5dkcRY5aC0l-aWvNGs_zKvMquXHtDvExrP6na38qNpuyr966SKRZYksoEU5oVv_3OECvyH6am3Yox8S/s1600/DSCN1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDnDc9-SQPv4aqx1bZ26-Jw8Fhr6PJo5Nu3-ilc9id_Et_V8jQ9WTxj5OpG2_k5dkcRY5aC0l-aWvNGs_zKvMquXHtDvExrP6na38qNpuyr966SKRZYksoEU5oVv_3OECvyH6am3Yox8S/s200/DSCN1289.JPG" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween Party Night.<br />
Because we value cake in this house. <br />
Maybe a little too much. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIW7n28cGPw4J_aRzdaGJIn7HLhXvFqaCiDTRZ2B_pTygbnNm4G6lvXPpve02-IEYexwYngn_1iR7P7mssItJF00Mzy72hQScS38sGdmVB458WJD8pIo8w2wiQ7ML65bHHWVDlMQrUMKR/s1600/DSCN1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIW7n28cGPw4J_aRzdaGJIn7HLhXvFqaCiDTRZ2B_pTygbnNm4G6lvXPpve02-IEYexwYngn_1iR7P7mssItJF00Mzy72hQScS38sGdmVB458WJD8pIo8w2wiQ7ML65bHHWVDlMQrUMKR/s200/DSCN1308.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam 11/1/10<br />
Perseverance Award</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqc8dKGN9Qcai3liYdnlo3vQSXp0RXQsXFDEveWL3jwNg3Qn2Emei9sWvHPilD6V0yeHHr41AVl5AzlUudYAD24nVrAb0qvw9uk_P2oziWiCWs3vtR8WxrCdVxkFbJmNRxbbUt1J2ub8w/s1600/DSCN1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqc8dKGN9Qcai3liYdnlo3vQSXp0RXQsXFDEveWL3jwNg3Qn2Emei9sWvHPilD6V0yeHHr41AVl5AzlUudYAD24nVrAb0qvw9uk_P2oziWiCWs3vtR8WxrCdVxkFbJmNRxbbUt1J2ub8w/s200/DSCN1303.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liam receiving his award from his<br />
Principle.<br />
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<br />
</div></div></div>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-24502241178461268712010-11-03T14:52:00.000-07:002010-11-03T14:52:11.203-07:00I Just Won 50 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com<a href="http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=2394260&cmp=7&cxid=11111-Search&fb=true&rwrd=50&curl=www.swagbucks.com&deno=50">I Just Won 50 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com</a>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-29958178273779520622010-09-13T12:36:00.000-07:002010-09-13T12:36:19.733-07:00Chemo Mom...I have created a separate blog for all of my Chemo/Cancer related blabbing.<br />
<a href="http://www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com/">www.ChemoMom.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Feel free to stop by...or not. <3FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-10934610914625262682010-07-26T10:39:00.003-07:002010-07-26T10:41:29.722-07:00Cowboys...The boys are in Idaho with the grandparents this week. They were treated to the rodeo AND new clothes. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRkPHy8cBjHfmvQukyDzme1gSsgjtaiE2YbYlVSfc5uCra7LVs4VoSMEFfUoM_1W1XKzujr_joqEj0Bxsd_Io3z7021TJVi3eGzWUT2TMBMAQEHaQz7Z_xKkwUg5erEcVANyW7OMcz467/s1600/34766_419534952234_797462234_4555408_1133069_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRkPHy8cBjHfmvQukyDzme1gSsgjtaiE2YbYlVSfc5uCra7LVs4VoSMEFfUoM_1W1XKzujr_joqEj0Bxsd_Io3z7021TJVi3eGzWUT2TMBMAQEHaQz7Z_xKkwUg5erEcVANyW7OMcz467/s400/34766_419534952234_797462234_4555408_1133069_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498271238450618930" /></a><br /> <br />Are they not the most handsome boys EVER? Gosh I miss their faces.FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-50849255576211623132010-06-08T08:52:00.021-07:002010-06-08T09:54:24.427-07:00Let's Do The Time Warp AAAAgaaaaaaiiiinnnn...How does that one go? Come on now...don't be shy. I KNOW you know it. *wink* <br /><br />It's just a jump to the left<br />And then a step to the right<br />With your hands on your hips<br />You bring your knees in tight<br />But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,<br />Let's do the Time Warp again!<br /><br />Ok, now just TRY and get that song out of your head for the rest of the day. *You'reWelcome* <br /><br />My last blog post was February 13th. It is now *ahem* June 8th. The boys are in their last week of school and we're hitting the ground running this summer. I honestly don't even know where to begin in catching everyone up. Has anything happened in the last four months? It never feels like it...but, oh yes...there's always SOMETHING going on here. *snicker*<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">February</span><br />Mama's blood struggles continued to make her crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZxTlt5HgTDQBNKcEB6Ztpc700HZ-z32KRZRyHahyphenhyphen4w_cpzMVcpDWD63lTQ_Ul4lgWOCor4Qbl_yrGgPxeCRklXxqmy5ULOicyO6lhPN13BSXwhxzDSzPnjThaK-FcMkzH9N1uottOdZz/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZxTlt5HgTDQBNKcEB6Ztpc700HZ-z32KRZRyHahyphenhyphen4w_cpzMVcpDWD63lTQ_Ul4lgWOCor4Qbl_yrGgPxeCRklXxqmy5ULOicyO6lhPN13BSXwhxzDSzPnjThaK-FcMkzH9N1uottOdZz/s200/IMG_1293.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480433471834223986" /></a><br />We brought home our sweet Murphy Boy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9IiUXvMRywTpFS7ObR6i_2HKoCzzldmyMSC3vTZzmxkA9vQ43Zz2NIGmsLknIqkfwO05mQU4mK3DP_XBi8YOZqcyXQTGJ9lRKqSz1i2L6b4pU95kcY4tDNzH1jRlbIEQf3TXYXiduAH0/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9IiUXvMRywTpFS7ObR6i_2HKoCzzldmyMSC3vTZzmxkA9vQ43Zz2NIGmsLknIqkfwO05mQU4mK3DP_XBi8YOZqcyXQTGJ9lRKqSz1i2L6b4pU95kcY4tDNzH1jRlbIEQf3TXYXiduAH0/s200/IMG_1291.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480434550359155938" /></a><br /><br />We went to see Walking With Dinosaurs *eeeeeek*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl45aiEML5ahbw9dKkDB9LArfw01RxWujUkeHZdraCnbq0UdsNBhtOPpRfPhwkNoJWn_e9SSCtU15Z4QzbM0-9-K4LZrlaWmlZDy5yHC2qWnb8p6e0bppqKup6wqhyphenhyphenN-EboEMsSP0QLKu-/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl45aiEML5ahbw9dKkDB9LArfw01RxWujUkeHZdraCnbq0UdsNBhtOPpRfPhwkNoJWn_e9SSCtU15Z4QzbM0-9-K4LZrlaWmlZDy5yHC2qWnb8p6e0bppqKup6wqhyphenhyphenN-EboEMsSP0QLKu-/s200/IMG_1310.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480434914897191346" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our friends Chris and Dawn got remarried <3<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjfNfWuuCJs0H5w-uiE76iSv7ZwfgRwZFFzDoTEcubKXzN58tmjJ68W_dGq2Otfz33_zZ5x66M2Los6K8_MpqOxe5vBzVK04m2FXWORDHGVJ-59G8BE74d2xfenxrp3NiQ5dPVRON0xlw/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjfNfWuuCJs0H5w-uiE76iSv7ZwfgRwZFFzDoTEcubKXzN58tmjJ68W_dGq2Otfz33_zZ5x66M2Los6K8_MpqOxe5vBzVK04m2FXWORDHGVJ-59G8BE74d2xfenxrp3NiQ5dPVRON0xlw/s200/IMG_1325.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480435360842875762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">March</span><br /><br />Mama's car was broken into. *sigh*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9AZnCTc45XMaEE1Y2k-XzeXAA565RxBkwhUt7C2z67XyRtMP3-ukvvnkQoRfFMuNcLIFeRKrDSHpImYV3XI6HilxqjloDX_qI6kJb8ZBmNmZtEHw12Gk-BMW3AecT9o4Po3p5Q-CVvGp/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9AZnCTc45XMaEE1Y2k-XzeXAA565RxBkwhUt7C2z67XyRtMP3-ukvvnkQoRfFMuNcLIFeRKrDSHpImYV3XI6HilxqjloDX_qI6kJb8ZBmNmZtEHw12Gk-BMW3AecT9o4Po3p5Q-CVvGp/s200/IMG_1327.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480436026985554738" /></a><br /><br />My sweet niece, Anastaysja, turned 3. Yes! THREE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVDfZynjCztRBpZpl4Ps3tqSvhJxTt2zVW3bC8tzoOqabeeGWV0AdUCgZ1xIVADgTcDkZfNuiJcow6TC_Sg_DEqNyHYUyflnJ0SGLO91JHjV9cr0eeuqqDRu1XPDYAnmcaztGwRG6JYY9/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVDfZynjCztRBpZpl4Ps3tqSvhJxTt2zVW3bC8tzoOqabeeGWV0AdUCgZ1xIVADgTcDkZfNuiJcow6TC_Sg_DEqNyHYUyflnJ0SGLO91JHjV9cr0eeuqqDRu1XPDYAnmcaztGwRG6JYY9/s200/IMG_1355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480437477388217282" /></a><br /><br />Mama and The Mister celebrated 10 years of wedded-ness with a week on Oahu! (we even accidentally found ourselves on the set of LOST! F'real!!!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08KMgdSOfkYYST570o4wJrJW72H-GKZqexkW_UWfIUQlp0aXB7hscnkO-xhAmJPNBhvOnTMOrZ9qMOkFUdsfG7hYX9F4Wp3YOwMGfgQbkKilpfkKVlefydvA7np2q5TWsCu-lzukhSHWM/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08KMgdSOfkYYST570o4wJrJW72H-GKZqexkW_UWfIUQlp0aXB7hscnkO-xhAmJPNBhvOnTMOrZ9qMOkFUdsfG7hYX9F4Wp3YOwMGfgQbkKilpfkKVlefydvA7np2q5TWsCu-lzukhSHWM/s200/IMG_1391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480438779184185266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kl8U4EbovVZrK-YsR1t3RiDnQkcnDbM0fux_RSAda2Jdwt6Gg_0NHTQj9zT-qpHHQ-n7VyBtHUwepPjpljGRKUQX-z8WUTo_udbJzOyiVa3bYawPcYSoVEvG9HXHL0tR3VQiMORWpaQJ/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kl8U4EbovVZrK-YsR1t3RiDnQkcnDbM0fux_RSAda2Jdwt6Gg_0NHTQj9zT-qpHHQ-n7VyBtHUwepPjpljGRKUQX-z8WUTo_udbJzOyiVa3bYawPcYSoVEvG9HXHL0tR3VQiMORWpaQJ/s200/IMG_1368.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480438771571492594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVDfZynjCztRBpZpl4Ps3tqSvhJxTt2zVW3bC8tzoOqabeeGWV0AdUCgZ1xIVADgTcDkZfNuiJcow6TC_Sg_DEqNyHYUyflnJ0SGLO91JHjV9cr0eeuqqDRu1XPDYAnmcaztGwRG6JYY9/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVDfZynjCztRBpZpl4Ps3tqSvhJxTt2zVW3bC8tzoOqabeeGWV0AdUCgZ1xIVADgTcDkZfNuiJcow6TC_Sg_DEqNyHYUyflnJ0SGLO91JHjV9cr0eeuqqDRu1XPDYAnmcaztGwRG6JYY9/s200/IMG_1355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480437477388217282" /></a><br /><br />The morning after returning from Hawaii we all did a 5k in memory of our Hadley Bug. The boys and I walked and The Mister ran. Go mister, go. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlPjFDXgO2fhXwbSKDbiYAn6qtJvOQ7BO8glM_pjvB2WT8jg-WEyqD2ImSZppTCDkyumbX4vJ-ET6NejxqaRytnjgo5g3VDtUjDY9Ri9rn5GQe8yoqqhLMe7iLiCRtq58dpzp5SyrtXho/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlPjFDXgO2fhXwbSKDbiYAn6qtJvOQ7BO8glM_pjvB2WT8jg-WEyqD2ImSZppTCDkyumbX4vJ-ET6NejxqaRytnjgo5g3VDtUjDY9Ri9rn5GQe8yoqqhLMe7iLiCRtq58dpzp5SyrtXho/s200/IMG_1461.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480439372227909330" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our sweet Murphy fell victim to a TERRIBLE grooming job at Petco. Poor humiliated Murph. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOXWrhtA1OwfSF8uITEQMLsWeQbK1_3cnpCQ5b8I44vH4LIEjGOYSzj8-Z93FbVm-4x1__MYeHQlf-hUwUFp5iW0YFkWnO2OfhuQSg2fldcM69Z5uAiuujkYDOe6Trtfu5S3dNNA7DdCz/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOXWrhtA1OwfSF8uITEQMLsWeQbK1_3cnpCQ5b8I44vH4LIEjGOYSzj8-Z93FbVm-4x1__MYeHQlf-hUwUFp5iW0YFkWnO2OfhuQSg2fldcM69Z5uAiuujkYDOe6Trtfu5S3dNNA7DdCz/s200/IMG_1469.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480439998982418194" /></a><br /><br />***Spring Break***<br />We got to take the cousins to the zoo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0pnV9NcdDYbi9htQvXIyaM9HLI9qFIp252vJdWfiZeZdqoqCqeg23NNHWlWOIJo5wOpw-C1_y3Jl8pdvpJ7iYvYYbN9dUWyiRroaJBMEgwsOh0whI7rYmAHy8ZjDu0Wc-cArij3TVdSY/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0pnV9NcdDYbi9htQvXIyaM9HLI9qFIp252vJdWfiZeZdqoqCqeg23NNHWlWOIJo5wOpw-C1_y3Jl8pdvpJ7iYvYYbN9dUWyiRroaJBMEgwsOh0whI7rYmAHy8ZjDu0Wc-cArij3TVdSY/s200/IMG_1493.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480440585909380770" /></a><br /><br />We went to Oaks Park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpA4HnnFbgql0Eh5TesFDdpn9U3xfxg38z52XvXYRDg_QxsgtaPVsVd0qA8a4wl_pYv5puiBJbCotltKxYdqv9IRvlWmaOIdbiZlwS0hywSiFr__FFrGAb1NBGtsBNO8PCBscJZzUAVaz/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpA4HnnFbgql0Eh5TesFDdpn9U3xfxg38z52XvXYRDg_QxsgtaPVsVd0qA8a4wl_pYv5puiBJbCotltKxYdqv9IRvlWmaOIdbiZlwS0hywSiFr__FFrGAb1NBGtsBNO8PCBscJZzUAVaz/s200/IMG_1509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480441212476411554" /></a><br /><br />...and the boys spent some time in Idaho with the fam. :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">April</span><br /><br />Cousin Reagan turned ONE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KGRnH54_0_Wdbd2cuaf7IgB8myDAahyB53Nhgrfj4zzYTtX0KQqHc4WKpNxXQ6wMYHHn_iZch1q7KhWhctTBTl9pOH1-FAVAXUAbTPL4YTo4niaX3PlGHpYsSHVWiJR6jbeXBcw09yCi/s1600/IMG_1538.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KGRnH54_0_Wdbd2cuaf7IgB8myDAahyB53Nhgrfj4zzYTtX0KQqHc4WKpNxXQ6wMYHHn_iZch1q7KhWhctTBTl9pOH1-FAVAXUAbTPL4YTo4niaX3PlGHpYsSHVWiJR6jbeXBcw09yCi/s200/IMG_1538.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480441874164454786" /></a><br /><br />We made a trip to Orofino (aka 1985) for Morgan's 7th birthday!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0dcxBGrmf8dKgjq8y8DXHy-2zdZ7mQG9LRCbOPlnqumFsLhPTFcuRFErOEjYzarNfJqEtoJ-mu5xVbPaZkdLQfIH6C4LeP0cG19GXqiOfKkEpiE2GhS_yujGpLDFMJK84vOtC0NWjrWW/s1600/DSCN0863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0dcxBGrmf8dKgjq8y8DXHy-2zdZ7mQG9LRCbOPlnqumFsLhPTFcuRFErOEjYzarNfJqEtoJ-mu5xVbPaZkdLQfIH6C4LeP0cG19GXqiOfKkEpiE2GhS_yujGpLDFMJK84vOtC0NWjrWW/s200/DSCN0863.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480442456255406962" /></a><br /><br />Liam played Spring Soccer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SKly4HwJGGZ1dVac58GX5f6NnPhE-RRmhyphenhyphenu-bpkh8YAmv2ILW2mMFgzVHTp59rULw4kRXMr3eATtU4aP-z_sxbHDaVbv9gcYMvgbpOe8VZWmSVo0aMzYo5zwxoFEHR2u0miMHtrBByTO/s1600/DSCN0925.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SKly4HwJGGZ1dVac58GX5f6NnPhE-RRmhyphenhyphenu-bpkh8YAmv2ILW2mMFgzVHTp59rULw4kRXMr3eATtU4aP-z_sxbHDaVbv9gcYMvgbpOe8VZWmSVo0aMzYo5zwxoFEHR2u0miMHtrBByTO/s200/DSCN0925.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480443119588801538" /></a><br /><br />Mama turned...*ahem* had a birthday...and The Mister threw her a party at The Rheinlander. (I know, right?!?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQykOlruqejzcnnvFGTEIQaxV1cwb62gfuyd6I0oPbukeT2P2AcibNlUsSpTgmmlUpqe85VWGKUaOmZIXgUYg1FRn-moIl2NcwBCIYiR5CI6O4sZXfD9GfAmYCeMWZX9bvck9aNvJVRcFh/s1600/DSCN0909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQykOlruqejzcnnvFGTEIQaxV1cwb62gfuyd6I0oPbukeT2P2AcibNlUsSpTgmmlUpqe85VWGKUaOmZIXgUYg1FRn-moIl2NcwBCIYiR5CI6O4sZXfD9GfAmYCeMWZX9bvck9aNvJVRcFh/s200/DSCN0909.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480443727337269058" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">May</span><br /><br />We went to Olympia for the ceremony adding <a href="http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/81194277.html">Pop Pop's </a>name to the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_4YoT6eErCgam9j8s7dog_gs4Pk9feYLCfSUAfD7J5dfMs5Tmy6tdVjd0S9O5Rg5Mh9YzSnMxfgEJApODVL2aCDWqiqkq1aQc2F56bDIFQ3R-SY55VqykWQFY8_Gr2l3scof5Qqnc2X0/s1600/DSCN0950.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_4YoT6eErCgam9j8s7dog_gs4Pk9feYLCfSUAfD7J5dfMs5Tmy6tdVjd0S9O5Rg5Mh9YzSnMxfgEJApODVL2aCDWqiqkq1aQc2F56bDIFQ3R-SY55VqykWQFY8_Gr2l3scof5Qqnc2X0/s200/DSCN0950.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480444765669358866" /></a><br /><br />While we were up there we went to The Great Wolf Lodge!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3KtlFjyn_1n8pJfa82udYhEN9-gkmsPNhHQir3DDtZG8XFVgfgYFDK0MTbahN0zREH9StVuc2zqjvYLSYylhBkWRlnuj252Gfw7MzxrfL4wvVbgmEfx67IpVe_JgoID6QB71vL9Y9Trn/s1600/DSCN0998.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3KtlFjyn_1n8pJfa82udYhEN9-gkmsPNhHQir3DDtZG8XFVgfgYFDK0MTbahN0zREH9StVuc2zqjvYLSYylhBkWRlnuj252Gfw7MzxrfL4wvVbgmEfx67IpVe_JgoID6QB71vL9Y9Trn/s200/DSCN0998.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480445140402619730" /></a><br /><br />Over Memorial Day we went camping at Champoeg State Park. The mister had duty so, The Mama played "single Mama" and decided that camping is for when BOTH mom and dad can go...at least until the boys are a LITTLE older. Overall, it was a fun trip though. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9_hanuMnv_77l1mZ4k-SObtNf4DqV1F8ueLeZoiJJYYV0MzY7YzopMuU9a2jzFaxmZ9G4qCcelb6mEqh8r5f6Wkjnc7fCVTF0LG11nfSh1ICIMkzWHY89X0dV8jFXG9RH19SolE2RWIc/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9_hanuMnv_77l1mZ4k-SObtNf4DqV1F8ueLeZoiJJYYV0MzY7YzopMuU9a2jzFaxmZ9G4qCcelb6mEqh8r5f6Wkjnc7fCVTF0LG11nfSh1ICIMkzWHY89X0dV8jFXG9RH19SolE2RWIc/s200/IMG_1586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480446062910454194" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">June...</span><br /><br />It's <span style="font-style:italic;">only</span> the 8th of June and so far this month...Liam has broken a finger, The mister has bought a 'new' truck, and Liam has survived a nasty looking spider bite. <br /><br />We still have 2 1/2 days of school, Camp, and Uncle Brandon and Megan's wedding on the books. I will TRY to be better about blogging. Maybe, then, it won't take me so long to update. *sigh* <br /><br />Hope your week is a good one.FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-58623487200690273242010-02-13T17:55:00.002-08:002010-02-13T18:20:03.064-08:00A grateful gripe...Ok so the gratefulness and the gripe are kind of separate but, for some reason that little oxymoron was stuck in my head. So, there ya go. You're welcome. <br /><br />First, thank you. Thank you friends, family, loyal readers and supporters (BOTH of you *snort*) for your thoughts and prayers during the past several months. December was hard. My surgery that shouldn't have been a big deal...and then was. The deep vein thrombosis that turned into multiple DVT's. My stubborn blood that refused to anti-coagulate. Bed rest. More bed rest. Oh, are you doing better, could it be?...oh, no...more bed rest. That, believe it or not was the easy part. December 12th marked the one year anniversary of our sweet girl's death. We spent Thanksgiving and the entire Christmas season without her. We welcomed the second year that she never lived in. I had really hoped that January was the turning point. Starting January 1st we would shake off the funk that December brought and get well...and happy...and I would return to school. Everything was moving in the right direction. Then...<br /><br />January 3rd Hadley's Pop Pop, my mom's husband, was killed in an accident while on duty with the Grant County Sheriff's Office. He was killed immediately. Thank you for surrounding my mom, step brothers and all of our family in your prayer and love. Please continue to do so. Grief is hard, hard work. <br /><br /><br />Now, so as to make myself look like a total jerk I'm going to complain and say that I am ToTALLY ready for my doctor to clear me for exercise again. I don't even care if it's low impact. I would settle for walking on a treadmill or water aerobics. Seriously. I have gained an ungodly amount of weight in a ridiculously short amount of time. I am back near my heaviest weight ever. It's really hard to face this and not feel like I've failed myself. <br /><br />I have a follow up appointment with my hematologist on 2/18/10 (Thursday) to, hopefully, get the results of all the blood work they did and to repeat my CBC and talk about treatment options for my anemia and overall crappy blood counts. They were looking for a suspected blood disease/disorder that could be causing the clots and/or the resistance to treatment. There was brief mention of "the C word" but, I ignored that entirely. *wink*<br /><br />So, there are my thanks, my gripes and my plea for further prayers. <br /><br />Have a happy Valentine's Day. DOn't take your loved ones for granted. Take this Hallmark created day to let your loved ones just how much you adore them...even if you don't spend a dime...ESPECIALLY if you don't spend a dime. Love your people!!!FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-86651011651372096872010-01-04T04:50:00.003-08:002010-01-04T04:55:45.135-08:00Prayers.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBLzh1JCUIxeol_3lK6fUPkLHpq_ZF-R5tgUVTmIuKqr7MQuxfA9PE1C5oEcCbROIDnEg06HngK2KJVsNPsDiXazeL3gGES0bTQZhf6rYT_QgX61eaIoWRfUXsFXtzoBhlBdmJIKIXpcv/s1600-h/hadley+n+pop+pop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBLzh1JCUIxeol_3lK6fUPkLHpq_ZF-R5tgUVTmIuKqr7MQuxfA9PE1C5oEcCbROIDnEg06HngK2KJVsNPsDiXazeL3gGES0bTQZhf6rYT_QgX61eaIoWRfUXsFXtzoBhlBdmJIKIXpcv/s320/hadley+n+pop+pop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422867009652572914" /></a><br />My mom's husband died in an accident while on duty last night. He was a Grant County, Wa Sheriff's Deputy. Very little is known about what happened yet. Please keep both my mom and John's sons and our entire family in your prayers. Thank you so much.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Hadley and Pop Pop. Summer '05.)</div>FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-30701621324756986502010-01-03T12:53:00.002-08:002010-01-03T13:38:23.974-08:002010.Hello, and happy new year! We managed to survive the holidays. This was our second Christmas without our girl. The pain was different this year. In many ways it cut a lot deeper. That first Christmas Hadley had only been gone for 2 weeks. We were still in such shock. Anyway, we survived. She was missed every single minute but, we take great comfort in the fact that she is no longer in pain and with the only being who can love her more perfectly than we can.<br /><br />First, thank you for your prayers for our marriage. After much reflection and soul searching Brandon and I decided that it is in everyone's best interest for us to give our marriage the chance it deserves to survive. We are working on ourselves as individuals and on our marriage as a couple. We have a lot of work to do, both individually and together but, we are determined to grow closer through this. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this time. We both have so much on our plates, emotionally. Parenting our boys and aiding in their grief process, our own grief, personal growth and investing in and repairing our marriage. Exhausting but, like I said, we're determined. <br /><br />Liam turned 6 on November 17th. Where does the time go. Wasn't Liam JUST 'baby Liam'? *tear* He is doing wonderfully in Kindergarten. He is a good friend and is meeting and surpassing all academic expectations. He was rewarded for displaying the character quality of FAITH this school year. We are so proud of him. He's really growing into quite the little man. A mischievous little man but, a man nonetheless. <br /><br />Keegan will be 8 in just a few weeks (Jan 18th). Again, I just can't believe it. Sometimes when I'm watching them play I just sit and shake my head because I can't believe how much they've grown. Keegan is doing well at school too. His reading/comprehension scores are well beyond his grade level at 98 words per minute. He is reading chapter books with ease and fast enough that we are going to have to start accessing the library more often, or buy stock in Barnes and Noble. ;) Keegan received the character award for displaying INTEGRITY. Again, we are so proud of him. He is a very kind hearted young man and such a blessing. <br /><br />Brandon is a coxswain at the station now. This means, basically, that he is in charge of a crew and drives the boats. He is responsible for responding to calls and his crew. He worked hard for quite some time for this. It is also a big step toward his next promotion. I am very proud of all his hard work. He is really enjoying this billet and seems to have found his niche. <br /><br /><br />As many of you know I've had some health issues recently. On December 4th I had a very simple knee repair surgery. My lateral meniscus was torn and needed to be cleaned up. The surgery went exactly as expected and was successful. A few days after surgery, though, I was in the ER with a lot of pain and swelling in my calf. I was diagnosed with a DVT (deep vein thrombosis or blood clot in a deep vein). I was started on blood thinners (and pain meds) immediately. Over the course of the rest of the month my dose of blood thinners was raised repeatedly but, lab work continues to show that my blood is still at a very high risk of clotting. Late in the month I developed two more DVT's (for a total of 3), this time at the knee and in my thigh. Currently I am on both an oral and subcutaneous injection blood thinners(for those in the medical field I'm up to 9mg/day of coumadin and 240mg/day Lovenox). I am on bed rest to prevent a pulmonary embolism and am at the doctor's office every other day for labs and doctor's visits to monitor and adjust everything. I have been restricted from driving because of the risk involved with my using my leg and the clots there...and also the danger involved with a pulmonary embolism happening while I'm behind the wheel (both to me and my passengers and the cars and pedestrians around me). For whatever reason, despite heavy doses of anticoagulants I am still at a high risk to develop more clots (last pro-time lab was 1.13). Please keep us in your prayers where this is concerned. I would really love to avoid any more clots, any complications with the coumadin and lovenox (meds) and, obviously, a pulmonary embolism would be a real pain too. Please pray for Brandon as he cares for the boys and I. Pray for my doctors as they care for me. Be thankful with us for the graciousness of Brandon's command. I am trying my best to ignore the seriousness of this situation. I just refuse to acknowledge that our family could really be put through anything else...<br /><br />I'll get some pictures up soon. <br /><br />Faith, Hope and Love to you all. <3FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-37153242054106580652009-11-03T18:23:00.001-08:002009-11-03T18:24:08.412-08:00Yes, Brandon and I are separated. That's about all most people need to know. The rest is between us. We are still great friends and there wasn't any huge drama. Yes, we realize we are grieving and no, we aren't making any huge decisions right now. Yes, we have talked about this with our boys and have encouraged them to ask questions etc. Our separation is not a secret but it IS a private matter. We ask that you respect that and pray for us. I assure you that God will know what we need even in you don't have all the details. ;) <br /><br />Please understand that our hearts are broken, our lives have been up-heaved...and we need some time to help things settle. I'm sorry for being so blunt...and for the fact that many of you will find out about our separation this way. Please remember that we are trying to keep things positive for the boys. Little ears always hearing...so please choose your words carefully. The last thing either Brandon or I want is for the boys to hurt any more than they have already had to. We always have their best interest at heart in every small and large decision we make. <br /><br />Thank you for your support during this difficult time.<br />AngelaFoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-31178250395144173842009-11-03T18:23:00.000-08:002009-11-03T18:24:07.487-08:00Yes, Brandon and I are separated. That's about all most people need to know. The rest is between us. We are still great friends and there wasn't any huge drama. Yes, we realize we are grieving and no, we aren't making any huge decisions right now. Yes, we have talked about this with our boys and have encouraged them to ask questions etc. Our separation is not a secret but it IS a private matter. We ask that you respect that and pray for us. I assure you that God will know what we need even in you don't have all the details. ;) <br /><br />Please understand that our hearts are broken, our lives have been up-heaved...and we need some time to help things settle. I'm sorry for being so blunt...and for the fact that many of you will find out about our separation this way. Please remember that we are trying to keep things positive for the boys. Little ears always hearing...so please choose your words carefully. The last thing either Brandon or I want is for the boys to hurt any more than they have already had to. We always have their best interest at heart in every small and large decision we make. <br /><br />Thank you for your support during this difficult time.<br />AngelaFoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-89159444133224185262009-06-30T09:12:00.004-07:002009-06-30T09:41:32.010-07:00Not ME...<center> <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/"> <img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/BLOG%20DESIGN/ONCEUPONABLOG/NotMeMonday.jpg" /> </a></center> <br /><br />Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net">MckMama</a>. You can head over to <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net">her blog</a> to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.<br /><br /><br />First, and foremost, I am NOT blogging my Not Me Monday post a day late. Not Me. I am punctual. *wink*<br /><br />When my five year old brought me an <a href="http://www.softcup.com/">Instead</a> cup out if it's wrapper this morning, inquiring as to what it was, I did NOT lie to him. I believe in being honest with your children and giving them accurate information on their level. I do not believe in lying to your children to save yourself time, embarrassment etc. at their expense. So, of course I didn't lie to my sweet, curious boy. <br /><br />I did not allow my children to eat brownies for breakfast their first morning home from camp. I am firm in my rules because children thrive in an environment where they know what to expect and what is expected of them. I wouldn't offer my kids eggs and then walk out of the room with an open dish of brownies sitting on the counter when they balk at their other options. Furthermore, it certainly wasn't me who answered "I don't care...go ahead...just don't make a big mess..." when my angelic children actually foiled my plan of 'ignoring' the brownie situation by ASKING FOR PERMISSION to eat brownies for breakfast. I would never...nope, it wasn't me! <br /><br />I did NOT go to the bank first thing this morning thinking it was the first of the month, and therefore pay day, and nearly have a heart attack when I saw our account balance. I am level headed and respond well to stressful situations. Not to mention the fact that I am all kinds of on top of things so, of course I know that the first, and pay day, is TOMORROW. I simply wouldn't make those mistakes. Not ME!<br /><br />I did not go to Portland International Airport this morning bra-less, in sweats and with two children without shoes and in their jammies in tow. We all know that a good mom is ready for any situation no matter what time it is. This mommy would never do that...must have been someone else you saw because it certainly wasn't me! <br /><br />So...all of you who think I am hiding a cape...Now you know the truth...Not Me! =)FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-49405250939147925392009-05-02T16:56:00.002-07:002009-05-02T17:08:45.286-07:00Can't leave out the dishes...So, now that we're figuring out how to save money in the laundry room let's move on to the kitchen. =) In retrospect I probably should have started there. It is a little simpler to make and would have helped you see that you CAN do it and it WILL work as good, if not better, than the expensive stuff with all the crazy chemicals etc. Blech. But, you all know I never do anything the way I <span style="font-style:italic;">should</span>. *wink*<br /><br />Here's the 'recipe':<br /><br />1 cup borax<br />1 cup washing soda<br />3-5 drops of tea tree oil*<br /><br />I put it all in an empty plastic container and shake it up. I put one tablespoon in each compartment (for a total of 2 tbsp per load).<br /><br />*Optional-I did add this. I bought the natural 100% tea tree oil in the health food dept of Fred Meyer. It was about $10 for the little bottle but, it will last forever and has a ton of household uses. Everything from an all natural antiseptic for cuts/wounds to blemish control for your face and some companies add it to their shampoo to help keep the scalp as clean as possible and promote healthy hair growth. So, there you have it. =) <br /><br /><br />Now, if you love your rinse aid or have wanted to use one but, refused to spend even more money on detergents etc (like me) it's your lucky day. Remember the huge jug of white vinegar we bought for the laundry? Now, you can pour it in your rinse aid dispenser in your dishwasher. Trust me...you will be a happy little homemaker. =) <br /><br /><br />Now that we've saved so much money...what will we DO with it? Bwa ha ha ha. =) *snort*FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-9160674701006096542009-05-02T13:16:00.003-07:002009-05-02T16:50:48.576-07:00"Fabric Softener"More brilliance. If you have a fabric softener dispenser on your machine then this is super easy. If you don't you can use a <a href="http://www.downy.com/en_US/products/ball.jsp">downy ball</a> etc...or, if you have nothing better to do =) you can just manually add it to the rinse cycle. =) You will use this INSTEAD of fabric softener or Fabric Softener sheets. <br /><br />1/4 to 1/2 Cup White Vinegar. <br /><br /><br />I promise your clothes will not smell like Vinegar. It helps soften your fabrics and remove soap reside naturally. =) Awesome. Just DO NOT use bleach in the same load as Vinegar. <br /><br /><br />Not only is this all natural and CHEAP but, it may help extend the life of your dryer as well. When we bought our new HE machines from Sears they recommended we not use dryer sheets. Apparently they can get wrapped up in 'something' (I am a mom of very little brain and can't remember what) and cause the motor to burn and possibly even a house fire!!! What?!? <br /><br />I have used Vinegar for a long time in laundry. I started when I had the kids in cloth diapers and I used it in them and LOVED it. Yes, I am THAT mom. What? *wink*<br /><br />If you can find your vinegar in a big jug it is cheaper that way and you won't have buy it very often. I know Costco has a huge jug for something like $2??? I think. I'll report back on Monday after my Costco trip. <br /><br />So, there you have it. All natural, all wallet friendly laundry, all the time. Oh yeah. *snort*FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-86798185634360210272009-05-02T00:26:00.008-07:002009-05-02T02:24:35.402-07:00Laundry for Pennies...I have decided recently that being thrifty isn't something we should 'do' just when we HAVE to. You can read that however you want....but, for this pay check to paycheck enlisted military family...it means that sometimes the month lasts longer than the paycheck. If'n ya catch my drift. So, I have been trying to find painless ways to save a bit here and there. My initial worry was that I'd be sacrificing quality to save money but, I've found that, with a little added work, just isn't the case. I like to TRY and keep our home as 'natural' an environment as I can. I don't always succeed but, I figure if I do several little things it has to make a difference right? I have found in this quest to save money that if I forgo some of the 'deals' and commit to a little work I can have high quality product at a VERY small price. <br /><br />My FIRST find is Home Made Laundry Soap. You can find 'recipes' online. The one I used came from a fellow Coast Guard Spouse. I felt confident trying it after a lot of glowing recommendations from other spouses. It is super easy to make and you may just briefly lose consciousness when you see how much it will cost you...or rather SAVE you. =) You make a 5 gallon bucket of CONCENTRATE at once. Once you have the concentrate made you use old (rinsed out) laundry soap containers (reusing=recycling's older and wiser brother...yay). For each gallon of finished laundry soap you use 1/2 gallon of your concentrate, so your 5 gallon bucket will yield TEN gallons of laundry detergent!!! That equates into roughly 180 loads for a traditional machine or 640 loads for an HE or Front Loader! Wow...right?!? <br /><br />Now picture all those big laundry soap bottles...pesky right? I hate those. Even the 2x or HE soap bottles are a pain. No MORE! =) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL4s_Yon2G0aSnCQfuyH5UMaBq43j7g6qrI1b-qPiF4JP4OAuMWCcPLYfu4qbEYrfItWa9tMNPluN-L-pbjXhurbYHOetoNHYYDkU0UZM2dSRI_530rgIPBrYQHaBknQsVBDVTsrl0INF/s1600-h/jugs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL4s_Yon2G0aSnCQfuyH5UMaBq43j7g6qrI1b-qPiF4JP4OAuMWCcPLYfu4qbEYrfItWa9tMNPluN-L-pbjXhurbYHOetoNHYYDkU0UZM2dSRI_530rgIPBrYQHaBknQsVBDVTsrl0INF/s200/jugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331142556189380978" /></a><br /><br />Now, would you like to guess how much this batch of laundry soap will cost you to make? Wait for it....right around $2.10. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. I did the math (with a calculator and everything). Of course your prices may vary given different stores, container sizes and cost of living factors etc. but this will give you a rough idea. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2agaRJvwv6texwFikADbq0ACajw__K4sTNCL5Hnlz5v9bYWmgSrtfWfbXmYTbLESr8sq8orm805ZtsSyGVcwla3JI4I_FI0_o1Ya6pulZLPl5O6mf9brwj4YFnW1kktar3SmSmjc_AVI8/s1600-h/supplies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2agaRJvwv6texwFikADbq0ACajw__K4sTNCL5Hnlz5v9bYWmgSrtfWfbXmYTbLESr8sq8orm805ZtsSyGVcwla3JI4I_FI0_o1Ya6pulZLPl5O6mf9brwj4YFnW1kktar3SmSmjc_AVI8/s200/supplies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331139256708619762" /></a><br />1 Fells Naptha Soap Bar=$1.29 (makes 1 batch)<br />1 box of Arm and Hammer WASHING Soda=$3.29 (makes 6 1/2 batches)<br />1 box Borax Laundry Booster=$5.50 (makes 19 batches)<br /> <br /> $1.29<br /> .51<br />+ .29<br />-------<br /> $2.09<br /><br />That's about a PENNY for each load for traditional washers and about 5 loads for a PENNY and a half in an HE or Front Loader Machine! SERIOUSLY. *gasp* Right?!? <br /><br />The only other things you need are:<br /><br /> 1--5 gal. bucket With a lid. Any clean one will do. I bought one at Fred Meyer for $4. <br />Hot water<br />1--Grater for soap ( I used the slicer/shredder/Grater attachment for my KitchenAid this is quick and easy but, any grater will do.) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFlUKierHiavOkV8Lfjtl9kql3MmoynUUitP38vCx1Fe1RJk51ZRUl-vYrB1VlIPGS9_vn27O6T3y8SwmipLmUdWaN0qF74_4uNYqIZM2qFRPtqU_3S7Em9yZENfx-o0t9wQWVF4QrCzK/s1600-h/Grater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFlUKierHiavOkV8Lfjtl9kql3MmoynUUitP38vCx1Fe1RJk51ZRUl-vYrB1VlIPGS9_vn27O6T3y8SwmipLmUdWaN0qF74_4uNYqIZM2qFRPtqU_3S7Em9yZENfx-o0t9wQWVF4QrCzK/s200/Grater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331139254705664210" /></a> <br />stove top<br />pan for melting down grated soap and water<br /><br />This takes a minimal amount of time and will save you a good chunk of money (and help our planet a bit too). <br /><br />Sold yet?<br /><br />Here are the instructions: <br /><br />1 bar of soap, grated (I used Fels-Naptha Brand)<br />1 cup washing soda (Arm & Hammer Brand)<br />1/2 cup Borax<br />4 cups HOT water<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqYxZPLZlXt8q27o5tLSQpIcOHII4EDgWCoENox4b8jGomMkEj_RadEv2mu7olokyzMhq9gIwA1YgAgVqi0zt3FCu8RmW90z-EdWa5f3iPj4_J3p4lb-kh-87BvaQsk2WUpmBudtSLM7p/s1600-h/stove+unmelted.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqYxZPLZlXt8q27o5tLSQpIcOHII4EDgWCoENox4b8jGomMkEj_RadEv2mu7olokyzMhq9gIwA1YgAgVqi0zt3FCu8RmW90z-EdWa5f3iPj4_J3p4lb-kh-87BvaQsk2WUpmBudtSLM7p/s200/stove+unmelted.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331139262096106370" /></a><br /><br />Grate the soap, and put into a pan on the stove with the 4 cups of HOT water and cook over med low heat until the soap is melted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgZyfHfJf7ace5wY3bBwufZjpLfRVUGOT9LtPFafrua2sVUtLFdS6ewxviZVv6E3i472zZ421U7PSI8Q3doAAEDNOhpb-W-SiJhknXPJkHeSsRIi7SEc2uZYoup96q6-wJQXv_v8u6Gah/s1600-h/stove+melted+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgZyfHfJf7ace5wY3bBwufZjpLfRVUGOT9LtPFafrua2sVUtLFdS6ewxviZVv6E3i472zZ421U7PSI8Q3doAAEDNOhpb-W-SiJhknXPJkHeSsRIi7SEc2uZYoup96q6-wJQXv_v8u6Gah/s200/stove+melted+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331139259669543330" /></a><br /><br /> Pour into a 5 gallon bucket, add the Borax and Washing Soda and stir well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4ZL-J-wPb2cI6_bPAfcQrFagv_MOi1nX0qWrBv5stipGnDtQbSNYj2DO-1lKPR0OwaoT2Edj4-yuV0amyWMOVJzAxI08uzbbe6HVzoeA5SePKfKWZFeyJxg6azXjY4m3GEeT9SXAFoRA/s1600-h/bucket+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4ZL-J-wPb2cI6_bPAfcQrFagv_MOi1nX0qWrBv5stipGnDtQbSNYj2DO-1lKPR0OwaoT2Edj4-yuV0amyWMOVJzAxI08uzbbe6HVzoeA5SePKfKWZFeyJxg6azXjY4m3GEeT9SXAFoRA/s200/bucket+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331141153375560866" /></a><br /><br />Add HOT water (we used the bath tub) to the top of the bucket to equal 5 gallons of liquid. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqoG6VmyBKAJfCcf5hHIHhmtN8DDI89_wp5KbfNVyTWou4X2vEGao7EO9HBM1pvJLBU4gBWA56Rfh44vflIRRHI8NNpu9zgo8KICpJXKLrmkcPE7zU8Hb5Zy31_iyQ56ggXqDchRDIDHu/s1600-h/fill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqoG6VmyBKAJfCcf5hHIHhmtN8DDI89_wp5KbfNVyTWou4X2vEGao7EO9HBM1pvJLBU4gBWA56Rfh44vflIRRHI8NNpu9zgo8KICpJXKLrmkcPE7zU8Hb5Zy31_iyQ56ggXqDchRDIDHu/s200/fill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331141160266902370" /></a> <br /><br /><br /> Let sit over night. This mixture will gel. Stir well the next morning. Take an old clean laundry detergent container and add 1 quart of laundry detergent concentrate and 1 quart of HOT water, screw on the top and shake well. You now have 1/2 gallon of homemade liquid laundry detergent. Shake before each use. You can add essential oils at this point if you so desire. I picked up some Tea Tree Oil to help with 'disinfecting' and the yummy smell. <br /><br /><br /><br /> Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-78272060736379417232009-04-28T09:31:00.004-07:002009-04-28T10:17:47.848-07:00A Mom and A Dad.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_2c8UKc75se8DuThRh6mre4btzyLgIa7NfR5OxkzLzdnZ6_gG1MNROWX7CSBHZtMFu_rSGTXyawxuc0PZVMdlg61m9vj660pt2wGGwCOTNSvjvn-iETCop_TB2ivm5cc9hDnBZHdyON4/s1600-h/n797462234_951629_3382.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_2c8UKc75se8DuThRh6mre4btzyLgIa7NfR5OxkzLzdnZ6_gG1MNROWX7CSBHZtMFu_rSGTXyawxuc0PZVMdlg61m9vj660pt2wGGwCOTNSvjvn-iETCop_TB2ivm5cc9hDnBZHdyON4/s320/n797462234_951629_3382.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329792254942941122" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjGeCqBkjxlkbU25ZKtYJyROR9LXWuA1jyTsMJHi0OkDnu7AaNsHY0Z67tryiI_mF-cQbRb3FXD50CYfqcsyC4eayqLSuMx_1bk2N8KMDsG_WxHbI-R3blhlo68mkj5QLdeKV_ePFqHVy/s1600-h/n797462234_951631_3707.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjGeCqBkjxlkbU25ZKtYJyROR9LXWuA1jyTsMJHi0OkDnu7AaNsHY0Z67tryiI_mF-cQbRb3FXD50CYfqcsyC4eayqLSuMx_1bk2N8KMDsG_WxHbI-R3blhlo68mkj5QLdeKV_ePFqHVy/s320/n797462234_951631_3707.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329792273356242082" /></a><br /><br /><br />We are all different. People are unique. We each use life experiences and lessons differently. Beyond that, we all experience them differently. We all fill different roles and bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table. It's what makes life interesting and rich and complete. I'm thankful for our differences...no matter how hard it is at times. <br /><br />As the mom of Hadley, Keegan and Liam my job was/has been to tend to their needs and see to their general well being 24/7/365. I have not worked outside the home. These children, my husband and my home have been my job, my life, my entire world for nearly 9 1/2 years. Since 4/22/04 my job has been to care for a chronically and life threateningly ill child and to keep her and her brothers lives as 'normal' as possible. Sometimes this was nearly impossible. At times it meant sacrificing carrying on Liam's diaper bag so that Hadley's small suitcase of meds and chemo could come along on vacation. Sometimes it meant spending an hour taping up and protecting Hadley's central line so she could run in the sprinklers with her brothers. A lot of the time it was putting my own fears aside and just allowing my children to be children...and one step beyond that...encouraging them to be happy and adventurous and...themselves. I was trained to care for a child who had a rare disease. A child who statistics no longer applied to. I was trained to remain vigilant and alert to any and all signs of danger to her. She was in a fragile state for nearly 5 years...no matter how 'normal' I tried to make things feel/seem. I had to stay alert or...or she could die. It was my job around the clock...for nearly 5 years. It was my life. <br /><br />As the dad of Hadley, Keegan and Liam, Brandon's job was to go to 'work'. To present our family, to the Coast Guard, as typical and average, and himself as an asset to them. He put food on the table, a roof over our head and provided insurance for our family but, most importantly, Hadley. When he was home he loved on our kids and tried to make sure that I was doing ok. For Hadley's last 2 years, though, he was rarely home (until her last few months). His life, for the most part, was wrapped up in the Coast Guard. I can't and won't fault him that. It was necessary and in the best interest of our family. It is what it is. <br /><br />These roles however, have led us to very different places in our grief. I am having a hard time switching roles from 'mom of chronically ill child' to 'mom of two healthy children'. Brandon is still dad. I will never undermine his grief or say my grief is greater. It's not the case at all. Our grief is what it is. Our roles as parents are a separate issue. His role has stayed much the same. Mine has changed drastically. Because of this we are in different places. He has a hard time understanding why I worry the way I do...why I still act like I have a sick kid. I have a hard time understanding how he can act like everything is 'normal'. <br /><br />For the first time since Hadley died I was truly angry at my husband over her journey and death. I feel like I was abandoned to deal with and handle most of it on my own...and now he wonders why I'm not doing better and putting it behind me (the cancer journey...NOT Hadley). I feel angry that the one person who should be in a similar place as me...that should have many of the same experiences as me doesn't. I have to keep convincing myself that it's nobody's fault. He had to be gone for 3/4's of the year because it's his job. He doesn't fear the things I fear because he wasn't here through all of it. Most importantly, that he payed a different price. He missed so much time...<br /><br />I am trying...nobody ever said this would be easy...but, nobody ever said it'd be this damned hard.FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975791047778766968.post-83499013313049607152009-04-26T17:37:00.003-07:002009-04-26T18:06:51.894-07:00Blessed and Cheated...<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Blessed</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWy5uCrOysru86BSOXiCp06wOfifdJg3JKG3MAdywWPkvhDLZvp4qV0H7STiZDIi2oE9agMBaTgVxOgH57Xq1GgloSxgzWwQnstUOMlwpkd7HYBkeQF52CYS4dGXmjq69ltDKbNpRV5qi/s1600-h/Royal+Family.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWy5uCrOysru86BSOXiCp06wOfifdJg3JKG3MAdywWPkvhDLZvp4qV0H7STiZDIi2oE9agMBaTgVxOgH57Xq1GgloSxgzWwQnstUOMlwpkd7HYBkeQF52CYS4dGXmjq69ltDKbNpRV5qi/s320/Royal+Family.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329171085222898594" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Cheated</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfI75ijkyz2X5G2g4jvhKYryJR8OflPGna1y8Cmhkkj4sYblAR2FmoJ_eF0aPjjC0SiSufr0_M9gzyv82wcTGvBUk89RHv9YIeIli2iYOkGQRqb3Tv-cr0AdiI_hDLALMcOqqaTipdDfh/s1600-h/postop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfI75ijkyz2X5G2g4jvhKYryJR8OflPGna1y8Cmhkkj4sYblAR2FmoJ_eF0aPjjC0SiSufr0_M9gzyv82wcTGvBUk89RHv9YIeIli2iYOkGQRqb3Tv-cr0AdiI_hDLALMcOqqaTipdDfh/s320/postop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329170913566300418" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today was discouraging, hard, sad...horrible. So bad that I actually did the one thing that I vowed I'd never do and meant. I yelled at my boys because I am sad and angry that my girl is gone. I feel terribly guilty and will do everything in my power to never ever do that again. EVER.<br /><br />Most days I am thankful, so thankful, that I get to say that I am Hadley's mom. I feel blessed that she is mine and I am hers. I feel lucky that my boys are healthy and happy and amazingly well adjusted. I feel proud that my marriage is strong and, no matter how imperfect, our love and relationship is genuine and real. I have everything I need and more. I am an extremely blessed woman who lost her child. <br /><br />Today, I feel angry. Angry that Hadley's miracle was in heaven and not here with me. Confused as to why things played out the way they did. Why did Hadley die when so many other children survive? Sad that I have so many years ahead of me without this child that I learned to love so completely and knew so well. I feel cheated and let down. I wonder why. Did we not pray hard enough? Were there not enough people begging for her miracle? Did we not scour the country for a cure? Did we not do everything we were asked by her doctors? Did I not give her EVERY dose of medicine exactly as I was instructed? Did we not sacrifice enough with Brandon being gone so much and me single parenting? Was it not enough that she was sick in the first place? Were the surgeries and treatment not a big enough load to bear? <br /><br />I feel stuck between two places. Almost as if I have two lives. The one that is rich and happy and blessed...and the one with this horrible tragedy. This deep dark sadness that doesn't let go. In one scenario I feel lucky to be alive...in the other, I feel as though I'm constantly on the verge of nervous breakdown. The problem is that I don't have multiple personality disorder. That almost seems like an easier scenario to deal with. I have to make these two scenarios one. <br /><br />This is my life. This is my grief. This is love. When you love someone with all of your heart it breaks entirely when they have to move on. I gave my girl all of myself for the 8 years she was here. I neglected the rest of my life and now I am having to work to figure out who I am without her here. It's something I'd much rather not do. I'd rather her just be here with me. I loved who I was when I was with Hadley. Maybe I need to figure out how to be 'me with Hadley' without Hadley. *sigh*FoxFamilyFivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17130209129191438792noreply@blogger.com8