Quiz Bowl, Valentines, Pretty Nails and the Philharmonic.

So what have we been up to lately?  First let me start with an update on Kevin's treatment.  They settled on a new chemotherapy drug.  They opted to stick with one drug rather than a combination , since both of the drugs they were considering for combination might worsen his neuropathy.  Somehow Kevin and I both had it in our heads that this one might be a little bit easier to tolerate.  WRONG.  Kevin had his first round last Friday.  It was probably the most sick he had been since the very first chemo.  I have to say, he is such a strong person.  There was a quote on the internet the other day, "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher.  I just thought it was beautiful and very representative of my husband's strength and courage.

 

Kendall participated in her first Quiz Bowl for Awana.  She partnered up with her best friend Hannah.  They were quite nervous, though if you asked them they would never admit it.

Here they are ready for the speed round.

In the end, they took second place.  They were super excited.  here they are with their teacher.

The girls received a plaque that has been traveling back and forth between houses.

 

The girls (and Terrell) surprised Kevin and I with an amazing Valentine's dinner.  This was the same weekend as our painting project, so we were very excited to have a break.  Here is the beautiful table they set for us.  They were going to sneak off and give us some time to ourselves, but that did not seem quite right.  We asked Terrell and the girls to join us for our special dinner.  It was a great time.  My personal favorite?  The chocolate turtle cream pie for dessert.

Kendall was hanging out with some friends last weekend, so I managed to sneak away with Sidney to get our nails done.  It was so much fun.  She had such a great time and was very proud of her nails.

Kendall's third grade class participated in a field trip to the Boise Philharmonic.  The instructors educated the students leading up to the event.  They learned concert etiquette and were asked to dress very nice.  Miss Diane, the girls piano teacher, is part of the Master Chorale that often performs with the Philharmonic.   She was very excited to learn about the trip and talked with Kendall at length about it.  Kevin wanted me to take Kendall to get a new dress for the event.  I ended up taking both girls shopping.  I figure they can wear the dresses for Easter as well.  Kendall was so worried about getting her dress dirty that she wore play clothes to Terrell's house and changed right before school.  Here she is all ready to go.

A Fresh Coat of Paint.

Several years ago, Kevin built loft beds for the girls.  We painted them bright pink and purple.  We had also found some old dressers at a yard sale that we sanded and painted to match.  Well about a year ago, the girls decide they had outgrown the pink and purple.  They wanted to paint their walls some different colors (thus the beds had to be painted).  The problem is that the beds are real wood and very heavy. 

 

A few weeks ago, while we were waiting to hear on Kevin's new treatment, he asked me if I was ready to paint.  I was super excited.  First, I love a good project.  Second, I would have Kevin's help.  Here are a few before and after pictures of the project.

 

Kendall's bed BEFORE:

 

Sidney's bed BEFORE (to give you perspective, look at how tiny she was when Kevin initially made the beds):

 

The dressers BEFORE:

 

Kendall's wild room AFTER.  My mom had made them new duvet covers and curtains about a year ago.  They chose paint colors to match.  I mandated that the beds and dressers were painted antique white.  No more painting those things!

Kendall has managed to confiscate the sheepskin rug Kevin got while we were in New Zealand.

Sidney's room AFTER.

Love, Love, Love their choices.

Apples, Work, Yummy (by Kendall)

Kendall wants to start contributing to the blog.  So here goes it, her first post.

One night after I was tucked in, I finished one of my favorite books and found an Apple Crisp Recipe. I wrote it down and gave it to Mom. She said, “It sounds great. We should make it tomorrow”. I said,”Lets do it!” So the next day, we got all ready to cook. We made a few messes on the way, but it was totally worth it! Here is the recipe! (It is below)    

Apple Crisp Recipe:

Ingredients:                                       
5 apples
1/4-cup water                                    
1-teaspoon cinnamon                        
1/3 melted butter                               
3/4cup flour                                       
1-cup sugar                                        
Foil pan (8x8 inches)

Directions:

1. Grease the bottom of your pan. 
2.Wash and peel 5 apples, then cut them into slices.
3.Lay the apple slices in the bottom of your pan.                 
4.Pour 1/4 cup of water on top of the apples and 
sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
5.Mix together1/3cup of melted butter,3/4cup of flour, and 1 cup sugar.
6. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the apples.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until the top is light brown.                            
8. Enjoy!  

Changing Course.

Kevin had a scan this week.  He was scheduled for chemotherapy yesterday, so we received the results of the scan.  It was not the news we were hoping for.  Several of the tumors in the lymph nodes have grown.  They opted to not continue with treatment yesterday as they want to explore a new course of action that may be more effective.  We discussed a few different options and expect to get a call from the oncologist next week to settle on one.  It is likely that he will go back to a two week cycle.  One of the side affects that has been very concerning to the doctors is Kevin's neuropathy. 

Any time that Kevin has to hold off on chemotherapy due to blood counts (or this recent news), it takes a toll on both of our morale.  Though we know it is for good reason, it is discouraging.  We look forward to see what this next treatment holds and continue to pray for his healing.  One day at a time.

Good Times with Neighbors.

As Kevin tells the story, it goes something like this.  Last summer, Sidney was out driving her white convertible around the neighborhood.  She left and returned with a boy. Kevin said, "Who is your friend?"  Sidney, "I don't know.  Just a boy."

 

That is how it all began.  Jackson has become one of her best friends.  They are virtually inseparable.  Here is Sid with Jackson and his brother Blake on one of their adventures to Jump Time. 

 

 Blake is now getting big enough to join the crew.  The kids spend countless hours running back and forth between houses.

The Wino and the Mannequins.

I won, I won!  While we were at skating a few weeks ago, I purchased a raffle ticket.  Lo and behold, I became the proud owner of a wine basket including glasses, corkscrew, crackers and four bottles of wine.  It has to be 5 o'clock somewhere!

I am not sure if anyone else's children do crazy things like this.  My daughter's get a kick of standing with the mannequins and drawing reactions from passersby.  They could spend countless hours doing this.  The bonus...I do occasionally get some uninterrupted shopping moments.

That 70's Show.

My mom has sent me a few old pictures as of late.  I love receiving these gems.  I was born in Santa Cruz in the early 70's (no calculations necessary).  I remember early life on the beach and adventures in our VW bus (that my mom sold in a yard sale).  Looking through the pictures reminds me of then.

 

The first one goes a little further back.  It is a picture of my Grandma Juanita.  She has told us stories of how she used to Jitterbug and Yodel on the radio. 

 

This is a Sweet 16 picture of my beautiful Mom.

My Aunt Nena and my Mom.

Here is a picture of my cousin Ron with my Mom.  He will always be Ronnie to me .

Here is one of the first pictures of my Dad and Mom together while they were dating.

Here are my Dad and Mom on their wedding day.

 Our sweet little family.  This was taken before my sister was born.

My sister Stephanie and I hamming it up for the camera.  I am the cute one on the right.