Surprise 35

Sunday was Jon's birthday. It kind of came as a surprise because we've been wrapped up in figuring out our new life with cancer and finishing out the basketball season. A friend came to my rescue (AGAIN) and offered to pick up a Banana Cream Pie (Jon's favorite) from Marie Calendars. I was so thankful she did because Saturday along with the regular weekend chores, I created Jessica's job chart & cleaned out the garage entry area for back to school. Jon moved my computer desk out of "our" home office so it could be more of a work office. I now have a mini office in the nursery/guest room. There was no way I was going to get out and plan a party too. Anyway, I had forgotten how delicious this pie is. What a treat!!

The kids don't appreciate pie and we didn't mind keeping all the slices to ourselves, so Jacob helped bake a chocolate cake. I even made homemade frosting. WHAT was I thinking when I've EVER bought the stuff in a tub. It was so yummy.

I put 3 tall candles for the 30 and then got out 5 more - "you're 35 right?"

"No. 36." he said.

"You mean I am 35 already?" I'm kind of a dork. I guess I thought I was still 34. I can't remember how old I am anymore. And just so you know we are completely disconnected with the rest of the world (except of course bloggers on my Google Reader). We've been a little self absorbed in our family drama. PLUS we suspended our cable tv service for the summer to save $50 per month. We don't know more than two bits about the Olympics. Now if I can just get my wireless connection to stop shorting out on me, I'll post more pics and perhaps Google the Olympics.

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It's hours later and after dozens of failed attempts to post pics, my sweet hubby came and wired down this computer. No more flaky wireless for me.

Wii Bald

My boys are always telling me about the characters they've created on the Wii System. I don't usually pay much attention. They were laughing about their newest guy: Bald Jacob. Today I was grateful for the video game system for providing some comic relief. I was the one tearing up about the shedding hair. But I pulled it together and gave Jacob a buzz. Not without a couple of days with a crazy mohawk.




Do any of you photographers or fashion savvy readers know where I can get some great hats? He needs them to protect his skin from the sun. I need them because they'd be great to photograph. Please reply.

Game ON

Original Draft from July 26, 2008
Our boys didn't get a choice. They are playing summer league basketball through the city. They are on the same team (that happens every other year). Jon is their coach. We missed one game and 4 practices while we were on our recent vacation to Utah.

We waited for over an hour to play our first game. James started the season with the first bucket. On game 2 Jacob made his first 2 points. The team is working well together. In this area we play our games in a gymnasium, but practices are held outside on school playgrounds. It's a very hot time to play. Thankfully I don't have to do much for the practices. I get to console Jessica every time Dad leaves with the boys for practice. She is never a fan of being left behind. I basically get NOTHING done during the practice because Jessica requires all my energy to paint nails or swing or put puzzles together. If I get a break from her, Jayson requires my attention.

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Continued August 16, 2008
Most of our best captures are on video. I hate trying to get a decent shot in a green-lit gymnasium through dirty glass on a moving target. This summer season has been real crazy. Jon had to miss practices for vacation and business travel and then we had to cancel a few practices last minute while we were rushing around to doctor appointments.


Jacob had to sit the season out after his surgery. Jon promoted him to Assistant Coach. He suited up and held the clipboard on the side lines. Despite the sporadic practice and getting beat by over 20 points one game, our team held their own. We made it to play offs.

I had missed a couple of games staying home with Jacob when he wasn't feeling so good, so I was excited to see the final game of the season. Jacob on the other hand was not interested in going. I mean - he wanted to go, but he wanted to PLAY. What kids wants to be benched for the season play off. Again, I'm torn in two as a mother. I should be there to cheer for James; to joy in their victory. I also feel Jacob's disappointment and wish I could protect him from it.

On the final game we were up against one of James' good friends from school. Their team was undefeated. Game was close until the final quarter where we inched ahead. All our guys brought their game. Then everything seemed to go our way. We took the trophy defeating the other team by 12 points.


One of the parents purchased a ball and had all the players sign it. It was presented to Jacob as an honorary recognition since he wasn't able to play for the rest of the season.

Zucchini Bread

Here's a whole wheat recipe that EVERYONE loves. Those who don't like it keep their mouths shut. We are baking this up A TON because our zucchini plants in the garden are growing like monsters. It's super easy and can be adapted to your taste.

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
2 c. sugar
3 c. whole wheat flour (soft white wheat that we grind ourselves - if you buy whole wheat flour from a regular grocery store you are probably getting hard red wheat. This will be heavier so you might want to mix it partially with gross white flour :).
1 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon - I add nutmeg too.
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder
2 eggs
1 c. cooking oil (we always opt for the healthier canola or sunflower oils NEVER corn or vegetable oil, but that's me)
2 t. vanilla
2 c. shredded raw zucchini
Nuts (optional - I love pecans or walnuts)
Raisins (Optional - we don't like fruit in our bread so we never put it in)

Instructions:
Combine sugar, whole wheat flour, salt, cinnamon, soda, and baking powder. Add eggs, cooking oil, vanilla, and zucchini and mix well. Add nuts and raisins and blend again. Pour into 2 greased (I never flour them even though the recipe says to - I just spray them with Pam) loaf pans - 4 1/2 x8 inch size. Bake for 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

How I do it: Put wet ingredients in Bosch mixer and swirl around. Add all the teaspoon stuff so it gets mixed in well, then sugar, zucchini, and gradually flour. The recipe isn't that fussy. I've also been known to sub out part of the whole wheat flour for flax seed flour (we grind that ourselves too in a little coffee grinder). Sometimes I toss a few Tablespoons of powdered milk in too - that has to add a bit of calcium and protein. It also helps sweeten the top.

I also meant to mention that I always double the batch - four loaves at a time. Why run the oven again next week when the bread freezes like a dream. Comes out perfectly moist.

There you have it. The not-so-secret perfect zucchini bread recipe!

What the Mother Needs

We all have needs. Different ones. As mothers, sweethearts, friends, and sisters we try to meet these needs.

Children Need
First and foremost they need love and gentle stroking to their self esteem. They need confidence and reassurance. They also need to eat often. They need somebody else to keep track of their shoes. They need to make noise and sit upside down on fancy furniture. They need attention - lots of it. They need to wiggle. They need their sleep. They need the gift of innocence. They need structure and safety.

Doctors Need
Appointments. Blood tests. CT scans. Biopsy reports. Bone aspirations & scans. They need treatment protocols. They need blood counts, blood pressure readings, and enough IV fluids. They need input/output logs. They need temperatures. They need medical histories. They need signed consent forms. They need you to call the clinic. They need you to pick up prescriptions. They need charts and follow-ups.

What the Mother Needs
I need my children to be taken care of - if not by me, by other loving hands. I need a good night's sleep. I need support and kindness. I need messages on the answering machine and in my e-mail box, even if I don't reply. I need to know what to expect. I need a really great massage. I need to reclaim our family routine. I need to go for a walk and clear my head. I have a whole list of needs that I haven't had the time to think about.

But one of the most pressing needs for me was getting a family photo with all of us in it, with hair on every head. I knew the perfect person for the job. My friend Sara received no notice and she was most accommodating. We scheduled the shoot for the following evening. They are perfect. Now I just need a few moments to get the prints ordered.




Photography by Sara Westbrook

Swim Class

So, the show must go one. We signed the kids up for swimming lessons at the beginning of the summer. Jacob was withdrawn because he's not allowed in the pool for a month after surgery. James was not really interested in taking swim lessons in the first place, so he was rather bothered that Jacob wasn't coming with him. Jacob was ticked that he couldn't go swim. He's part fish. Jessica didn't know what to think until after the first day of class. Then she would ask, "Can we come back here tomorrow?"

Jessica was in the Level 1 class with all boys. An environment that suited her just fine. By week two she was insistent that we find her Ariel goggles because all the boys wore them. James was in the Level 3 class, but he rates all the classes by the depth they swim in. He was in the 7 ft. class and his friend was in 13 feet. By the end he was diving into 13 feet and swimming the length of the pool, so he was pretty excited about that.

Jayson & I took the kids each day during week one. On week 2 Grandma got to attend most days and dad got to visit on the last day of class.

A Slap in the Face - July 28, 2008

You've got to be kidding me!!! After the huge emotional roller coaster of last week, now I'm seeing a rash spread all over James. Then on Jacob. Finally on Jessica. When it was just on James I thought it was hives from an allergic reaction. It would come and go; fade with Benadryl. I thought the sunscreen could have caused it until a day later it was all over his arms, trunk, and thighs. Then when it started showing on the other kids later that weekend it's what put me over the top.

We were supposed to have swim class starting today (draft written Monday). Instead I'm bringing all the kids back to the pediatrician's office to get some answers. The college has a no refund policy on their classes. We got them to bend that rule - with the surgery and all. The director was the one who suggested the pediatrician check them out and then he could give a doctors note if they were able to swim.

James is ticked that he has to take swim lessons. Jacob is ticked that the doctor won't let him. Jessica doesn't know what to think, but her cheeks are getting redder by the minute.

Well it is called Fifth Disease or Slapped Cheek Syndrome because it does look like they've just been hit in the face. Super rosy. It's a virus that most adults don't get because they already have the antibodies. Apparently once the rash appears you are no longer contagious. Usually a kid will have symptoms of a cold, flu, or fever first and then get the rash. We had no symptoms until the rash showed up. The incubation period averages about 2 weeks. So we don't know where we came across this.

Somehow I was getting my mind wrapped around the idea that my son has cancer and we will need to start chemotherapy. But this stupid rash was the straw that broke this mother's back. Give me a break already!!!

I had a lady in the grocery store stop me and say, "it looks like she got a little too much sun." I just agreed.

Welcome Home

We're so happy that Jacob came home from the hospital today. Everyone is tucked into their own beds under the same roof - doesn't get much better than that.

C is for Cheesecake

I love rich, creamy cheesecake.
C is for cheesecake.

C is for cool, creamy ice cream.
C is for chocolate-chip cookies.
C is for chilled cookie dough.

C is for cantaloupe, cauliflower, cherries, coconut, and chocolate.
C is for crisp celery sticks with chunky peanut butter inside.
C is for Cheetos and cat naps and cell phone calls.

C is for cameras and crops and conversions.

C is for Christmas and chimneys with stockings.
C is for spinning in circles and cousins.
C is for crafting and climbing and coloring.

C is for caring and all the things we cherish.
C is for children and cooking and cleaning.
C is for camp outs and colorful candies.

C is for candles and caresses.

C is for cupcakes and celebrations.
C is for cheering and clapping and cuddling.
C is for cute chubby cheeks.

C is for clever and clueless.
C is for cartwheels and conversations and chatter.
C is for community and church.

C is for Christ with His compassion and charity.

C is for crunching crackers or carrots.
C is for careers, and college, and grades we regret.

C is for corn dogs and cotton candy.
C is for carnivals and carousels and counting out tickets.
C is for cheerful squeals on coaster rides.

C is also for cancer.

C is for chemotherapy and cringing and crying.
C is for cussing.
C is for unknown causes and finding a cure.

C is for courage, caring, and conquering the challenge.
C is for craving clarity, calm, and comfort.
C is for the champion.

Every life will have some C's. Some more than others.
But when it comes right down to it,
I like it best when C is for cheesecake.

A Million Thanks

I can't even say how much it's meant to find all your warm greetings in my inbox. We've been at the hospital since Sunday and hope to leave tomorrow. Jon has been staying most nights, but I slept over last night.

We are totally going through information overload. We are so torn between our Jacob at the hospital, meeting with all the doctors and staff, and touching base with our 3 beautiful children back at home. Nursing baby misses momma, but has been a champ with his solids. Grandma has made their time away from mom and dad such a pleasure.

We are grateful for a million things. If you are reading this, one of them is you.

I'll be back later.