Chili Goes to School.

As planned, Chili spent 6 weeks in doggy school.  The instructor was awesome.  She encouraged the girls to be very involved in the training.  Chili got to wear a cap and eat ice cream on the last day.  The school had a blue and orange cap, but Kendall told the instructor "No way, not unless it is Cal Poly Green and Gold."  Right on!

Chili made a few friends in school.  Kuma, super stubborn, yet very sweet dog.

Ruby, the Jack Russell Terrier.  Did I mention that we almost adopted a Jack Russell a few years back.  After watching the energy that 8 year old Ruby had, I think we made a good call to opt for a Chiweenie.

Samson, such a sweetie.  He just needed to learn to play well with others.

Chili has been doing great.  Kendall has even gotten him to "roll over".  I love that the girls learned so much also.  Sidney has to remind me to turn my back if Chili starts to jump on me.

Sidney - Going Solo and Growing Up!

Sidney has been eager to go to a birthday party solo.  She sees her big sis get birthday party invites and go off to do fabulous things.  I have tried to explain to her that Kindergarten is a bit early for that, but her desire remained.  Alas, she received an invitation for a friends party last month (2 actually), but we were only able to make it to one.  She was SO excited as she carefully chose a present for her friend.  The birthday party was Barbie themed.  

She went "solo" which is a major feat for her right now.  She told me about every detail afterward.  They had a party bag line in which the mom had made a game of the kids getting to choose party favors.  They decorated their own cupcakes (Barbie of course).  Each girl had her nails done by the birthday girls big sister.  They took pictures in the fabulous Barbie booth (I thought this was such a creative idea!)  Then they watched a movie.  You guessed it, Barbie!

Sidney has also made a new friend.  His name is Stone.  His family recently moved to Terrell's neighborhood.  Sidney and her friend Stone have become inseparable.  They play and fight like siblings.

 

Sidney also received the academic achievement award at school.  We are so proud of her! 

To celebrate the occasion, I bought her flowers.  She was so proud that she borrowed my phone to take a picture to send to Grandma.

Oh, and she lost her two front teeth.  Not to mention she still has two missing bottom teeth.  Our little Dracula!

At Just the Right Moment.

I have been struggling to sort through everything that life has thrown us.  Many days I take comfort in the promises that God has made to us, many days I do not.  There are days when I rely on my own strength.  I allow what "I know" to guide my emotions.  It is on those days that I feel tormented.  

You see...I want control.  I want to plan the next steps, but I do not get to.  As I was wrestling with this the other day, I opened my devotional Jesus Calling.  My dear friend, Leslie, had given me this book as a gift last winter.  Here is what it said:

It was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. 

Kevin is an amazing man.  He is the strongest man I have ever met.  He has just completed his 8th round of Chemo.  A few weeks ago, he had a very rough go of it.  We spent one night in the emergency room.  Thankfully, Terrell was able to come over and stay at the house and watch the girls.  The side effects were taking their toll.  That Friday, the oncologist chose not to do chemo.  It was disheartening for Kevin, but it turned out to be the best thing ever.  He had one extra week to recover.  He said that at the end of that extra week, he felt the best he had in months. 

I have also learned to become "nurse Heather".  I can start IV's, flush ports, de-access ports and give shots (subcutaneous only of course).  I think the home health nurse was quite impressed as she showed me how to do the IV's.  After about one hour of instruction and copious notes, she asked me to walk her through it.  In the end she said, "Wow.  I do not think I have ever had anyone get it right the first time."  My left-brained self paid off.

Our friend Valerie arranged for us to use her time share in McCall last weekend.  It is amazing what a little time out of town will do.  It was SO good to relax and enjoy some time together.  We got up there late Friday night.  The girls were in the pool within 5 minutes. 

"We met a real-life figure skater, mom."

I am so very behind on blogging.  I took the girls and their friend Hannah ice skating awhile back.  They wore me out.  It was the first time that none of them really needed any help.  So, I skated...and skated...until I just could not skate anymore.

There were several teenage girls there that clearly had some skating experience.  They were so nice.  They played with the girls and taught them spins for hours.  The girls were so jazzed!

They are quite the clowns.  We had a great time and I was so ready to go in the end!