A lot can happen in a little bit of time...

Three years ago today, Sean's mom was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, we had no idea what a whirlwind of emotions and trials would follow her discovery. She was diagnosed with stage IV non small cell lung cancer and three weeks later Sean's dad was diagnosed with stage III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The next year and a half was filled with doctor's appointments, chemo treatments, trips to the pharmacy in the middle of the night, and countless loads of laundry & other chores as we dedicated our entire lives to caring for them. It's impossible to really explain what that year & a half was like, and as I look back, I really can't believe that we made it through.

So much has happened since then. Both of Sean's parents are gone and not a day goes by that we don't wish that they were here to see our family grow & enjoy life's experiences with us. Three years ago Drew was so small, I was going to school full time & working a few other jobs while caring for them, Sean had a different job, and we had a different home. Now Drew is going to be a big brother, he can read, & has become such a kind & compassionate young man. Sean has a new job, new home, new hobbies, & has even spiffed up his style a bit. I am still juggling my love for learning & the responsibility of being a mother, have added a few more years of college to my resume, and am now blessed to bring another child into our family.

The last three years have been full of tears and smiles, laughs and surprises, and as challenging as it's been, I wouldn't take back a single day. As a family we have learned so much, suffered so much, and have grown so close to one another. Most importantly, we have learned to cherish every moment of life, and August 29th will always remind us to love more deeply, to live more passionately, and to always treasure one another as we reflect on how quickly life can change & those we love can slip away.

Rejection of the Toothfairy

Drew lost his first tooth today! The poor thing has been dangling in his mouth for the past few weeks. He couldn't even eat because it was bothering him so much, but he just wouldn't pull it out. Well today, I finally yanked it out for him :)

After we rinsed out his mouth & I answered the million and one questions he had about teeth (Why do they bleed? Why are they so much longer than they look in your mouth? Why do they have to come out? Will there be a hole there forever? Can he eat with a missing tooth? etc.) We went to his room with his tooth in a plastic bag, fussed over a few pictures, and then I proceeded to put the tooth under his pillow. He told me that I didn't need to that because he didn't believe in the toothfairy anyway, and then he asked me if I couldn't just get him a toy instead of some money since he already knew the toothfairy secret! He is so weird sometimes, but I guess he deserves a little something for letting me yank the thing out.

Back to School Blues

I can't believe that summer is already over!! When summer started, I had glorious plans of teaching Drew piano, working on his reading everyday, and teaching him to tie his shoes. I had plans of vacations, weekend get-aways, and even reading ahead in my Chem book to prepare for Organic Chem next semester. Well, summer is gone, the books are unread, the journeys untraveled, Drew's still wearing velcro shoes, and I'm having another baby. So this summer has been eventful, just not in the ways that I had planned (as if life ever goes as planned).

Drew started first grade, and he actually likes school this year! He has a really nice teacher names Ms. Jacobs. It is her first year teaching, but she seems really enthusiastic. Drew has a few friends in his class from last year which has made the transition a lot easier. He loves P.E., art, music, computer, and library. I just hope that he gains a greater love for learning this year and a greater confidence in his abilities...if only he could see himself through my eyes...

Sean has been working a lot. I'm so grateful for a hubby that works so hard to take care of us, but it's been kind of weird not seeing each other as much. With Drew in school and me working and getting ready to start classes again on Monday, we've had to plan family togetherness at rather awkward times, so we've had lots of lunch dates, visits at work, and meetings in parking lots. I know...kinda weird, but I think it's worth it.

The pictures I posted are of Drew and my sisters at the water park downtown and Drew at work with us. He had Uncle Kevin's brand new puppy named Bama with him, and he dragged the poor thing around like a baby doll all day. He's such a trooper and really doesn't mind hanging out at work with us. He's so well behaved that he's always been able to go to work with us, but I'm not so sure how that will work with two kids.... Honestly, I just wouldn't work outside of the home if I had to choose between work and my babies, but juggling family and career will always be a struggle for me. It's amazing to me that as busy as we are, no matter where we are or what we're doing, it's always fun when we're together.