The House that Love keeps adding too

We had a fabulous Christmas. The kids were more than pleased with all the presents that Santa brought (probably more excited with the presents from Papaw and Nana). 

I have to say that my children are so very blessed to have wonderful grandparents that spoil them rotten with hugs and kisses and lots of attention and always presents, even when it's not Christmas. I can't think of a time that they ever visited that they didn't bring them something to open. 

The kids were in a Christmas play at our church on the Wednesday before Christmas and let me just say that I had the cutest Shepherd and cow in the entire play ( ok, ok, so I'm a smidge biased )

On Sunday we had a "Christmas" service and we gave the children that ride the church bus gifts. Oh, the joy that comes in giving to those that you know will probably get nothing. The little girl that our family gave to was so sweet and she loved all the gifts. You could tell by the look on her face that she was so happy and appreciative. That  makes it all worth it. 

We had our annual Christmas banquet that evening at a local restuarant and I promise that place has to have some sort of "ATT proctocol" for when they see us arrive. We are a wild and crazy bunch with wild and crazy kids. It is so much fun and full of laughs with great friends. We all draw names of different kids in the church and by them gifts and then "Santa" (not the REAL Santa, a pretend Santa, as Braxton informed me) passes them out to the kids along with Candy canes. They love it. Then we play dirty Santa and it is the most fun. Watching everyone fight over gifts and watching some try to hide theirs so that no one remembers what they had. It's hilarious. Great times and wonderful memories. 

After the banquet we headed to Waverly to prepare for Christmas with Eron's parents. It's always so much fun at Papaw and Nana's house. This year we got to spend time with Papaw and and Mamaw Beach (the kids great grandparents) They kept us laughing for sure. The kids got to spend some quality time with them and the memories created were priceless. We let Eron's mom open her gift from us on Christmas eve and BOY!!! did the tears forever flow (YES!!!! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED)

Making "buckeyes" with Mamaw Beach (Nana's mom)

She was beyond surprised to find out that we are expecting AGAIN!!!

YEP! That's right baby number 4! is due in June!

Christmas surprises are the best. We have been waiting forever to tell anyone, mostly because I was in shock and then because I thought it would be fun to add it to the Christmas surprises. 

On Christmas day JR and Stef came in and the festivities began full swing. The kids (all 6 of them) were super excited and itching to rip into those presents.

We had to leave in a hurry that evening because we were expecting a huge snow storm and we just made it. Shortly after we were all tucked in the storm began and we ended up with about a foot of snow. The kids played in it and just had the best time with their daddy being home. 

We made hot chocolate, opened and assembled all their gifts and made snow cream before bed, we just had the best time. 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you have an even more wonderful New Year. We surely will. 

Braxton has his LAST CHEMO PUSH on Monday!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!

Merry Christmas

Tis the season.... 

FINALLY, I got all my Christmas shopping finished and most of the items wrapped. I do love Christmas shopping, the element of surprise. Wondering if the gift that you got someone was really something that wanted or if the smile they gave you was totally forced and said person has every intention of returning it. 

I know that sounds silly but for me it's half the fun, that small "oh my gosh".... is it a good thing or bad. 

I really hope that my kids have a wonderful Christmas. This is Braxton's last Christmas in the Chemo world and for us that is all the more reason to celebrate. 

With the CT events last week, we have been praying for those families. Those that are going to be missing a sweet little face to watch as they open up presents on Christmas morning. Presents under the trees that will go unopened because of some senseless act of violence. That accomplished what?!?

My heart is still aching. I know that feeling that something could potentially happen to your child, that gut wrenching feeling that I had at moments when I thought that Braxton could be taken at any moment and I know how that made me feel. I can't imagine what it must feel like to never see your child again. 

So this Christmas I am holding my sweet babies a little tighter. Spoiling them a little more. Kissing them every chance I get. Telling them I love them every time I see them and just letting them know they are my whole world. 

I pray that everyone has a wonderful Christmas, filled with love and hugs and kisses and lots of laughter. Our Pastor said something on Sunday and it has just stuck with me this week. It makes me check my spirit to make sure that I am telling everyone that I know about the amazing love of my Jesus. He said "at this time when people need more God, there are far too few on the church pew". 

I hope that I am doing my part as a Christian, as a mother and as a friend. 

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year

~ The Adkins ~

Merry Christmas ramblings....

It's a brisk morning here in Indiana. I am pleased to report that, while it may be freezing, there is no snow in the near future. All these Hoosiers are just pining for it but this southern belle is having the best winter she's had in Indiana since we arrived. 

As of today the only people in my little flock that are not sick are Zoe and Goob. I woke up this morning with a horrible stuffy head, sneezing and poor Cabby has been through the mill. 

Braxton has decided that he has an ear "affection" and a nose "affection", when I told him that we were going to the doctor later he said "actually it's not that bad" ... smart kid. 

Braxton had his last LP a couple of weeks ago, it's such a relief to say those words... "his last". He did wonderful. Sitting there waiting for him to go back I could remember the morning that he had his very first LP... November 10th 2009... that day would result in a diagnoses of Leukemia. And then there we were 3 years later, with our seemingly normal 5 year old waiting on his LAST one. 

As his last chemo days draw near, I find myself wondering what it will be like entering this new side of life with Braxton. With no meds or hospital stays. Just being normal. I wonder how Brac will react to the changes in his little body. All of these are things that a mother would wonder. He is oblivious to much of this. For this I am so glad.

We are waiting on Christmas now ... We went and got our tree at a super nice tree farm in a neighboring town. We walked along rows of trees searching for that perfect one and then we cut it down ourselves. It has become a tradition to do this the weekend after Thanksgiving. Ahhh... what a nice memory. We get our beautiful tree home and we put the lights on it only to learn that half of the lights work.... SERIOUSLY. So, off with the lights and because we have been so busy traveling and, well, just with life. We currently have a very large, pine scented plant in our living room. 

Hopefully by the weekend it will be decorated but in this house there are no guarantees.

I hope that everyone has a fabulous Christmas and a blessed new year... 


~~~~~~~

A Christmas picture of the cousins ... Eron's mom a.k.a Nana, made the girls outfits. Her skills are amazing. 

(Getting all these kids to look at the camera at the same time with a smile is impossible so this is what you get)

I couldn't close out this post without sharing this cuteness... I had the privilege to travel home to NC to spend some much needed time with my sis and this little cutie :)

3 years

Cancer-versary: a date that NO one wants to have marked on their calendar but sadly we do. 

It has been 3 years. 3 years since I sat in the corner of a small room in Brenner Childrens Hospital and received the news that no parent ever wants to hear. 4 little words that change your life in a matter of minutes... seconds really. "Your Child Has Leukemia". 

It was raining that day, November 10th 2009. I knew something was seriously wrong but I was in denial. 

BUT, 3 years later through hills and valleys, Braxton is almost finished. With 2 more treatments to go, I am reminded just how great God is. He is faithful. He doesn't put more on us than we can bear. Although at the time we may feel like there is no way that we can get through this. We are, We did.  He has been faithful never leaving our sides. We know how blessed we are. We realize that Braxton got the "good" cancer (if there is such a thing). We realize that not everyone responds as wonderfully as he has. We know that there are kids who have fought so hard and earned their wings. We know that Braxton is still here. To share in our traditions. To play with his friends. To go to school. To enjoy birthdays. 

Braxton, in his 5 year old little person self, has taught us so very much. I never would have guessed that such a little person could teach me, an adult, so much. He is for sure, wise beyond his years. He has an old soul, I can't completely understand. I don't know what goes on in his little mind but I know that he is a thinker. An analyzer. He is special. And while I believe all my children to be special and unique in there on little ways. I feel like Braxton has wonderful things in store for himself. 

In 3 years we have learned that hope and faith are enough to get you through the tough moments. We have learned to smile through tears. We have learned that when we think it's impossible, God thinks differently. 

I know that this past 3 years I have grown. As a mother, as a friend. I don't take things for granted. I know that life is so precious and like a vapor. 

When I was pregnant with Braxton I used to pray that I would have the heart of Hannah and that God would take my son, who we prayed for so very hard, and make him something special for HIS glory. I promised that when I had him I would give him back. Fully. I knew from the moment that Braxton was born that God had wonderful things in store for this little person and I pray continously that God will use him. If for nothing more than a gate keeper. Give him a heart that is full of love for Him.

Braxton is FINISHING up and for that I give praise. Braxton is thriving and a "normal" boy, for the most part. Braxton is almost CANCER FREE. Boy, that feels so good. 

This song got me through many moments. I cried on the way to work and back listening to it many times. It's so simple and so to the point. 

Reflection

Today, I am reflecting. 

Braxton went to the hospital yesterday for one of his final chemo treatments. He has 2 more left and I can't tell you just how happy I am to say that he is almost finished. I get butterflies like I did on my wedding day when I think of that final day. I instantly become an emotional mess. 

Braxton has been a trooper and he makes me smile thinking about how life is going to be for him when there is no more medicine on board. When his world does not consist of hospital sticks and an overly germaphobic mom. And a consistent pill regimen.

SO that's that.

Halloween has come and gone. The kids had a great time. We went trick or treating before church. It was freezing cold but the kids didn't seem to mind. 

I had the cutest little pirate princess and Optimus Prime, and a bear named Pooh (who slept the entire time). 

I love how excited just going out "begging" for candy makes them. They are already looking forward to next year. 

Now we are gearing up for Thanksgiving and LOTS of traveling. Since moving north, I look so forward to heading home to see my family for the holidays. You don't know what you have until it's gone and boy do I miss my sister being 20 or 30 minutes away. 

I am looking forward to all the Christmas shopping and the yummy food (although my waist line isn't)

OOOhhhh... the holidays, they do make me smile. 

Oh and did I mention that my BIRTHDAY is just a mear 18 days away. I am beyond excited. It's my day and I make it just that. I can't wait to see my sister and celebrate with her. Giggling and talking over cake and ice cream snuggled up on the couch. Nothing like sister love ;)

One of those Duh moments...

Ok, you'd think after living in Indiana for 2 years I would have a solid understanding of the weather. But you see, Indiana weather is not like anything else I have ever experienced, it is wild. 

It's like living in a Twilight zone. I can hear the creepy "dodo dodo dodo dodo" music in my head daily.

Nope... I have not grasped anything. I am still a Carolina girl, and typically there are not drastic changes in the weather down home. 

A friend of mine told me that while the weather may be cooky hear down home they are expecting a "frankenstorm" next week. But you know what? I greatly miss Hurricanes. I have seen more natural disasters here than I ever cared to see. I mean at least with a hurricane you know what to expect and when or about when it's going to hit. 

It was 79 degrees outside yesterday. Kids were running around the park in shorts and I was wearing flip flops... yes... flip flops...in October. 

I don't know if I should wear flip flops or snow boots and I will say that this is very disturbing for me. It's a decision that weighs on me daily and I promise it's about to give me grey hair. 

Today (with the thermostat reading 44!!!) I chose flip flops only because they were at the top of my pile of shoes and while rushing out the door to preschool I really didn't see the time to dig for anything "warmer".

I am still currently thawing out my little piggies, and from here on out I shall dig for the appropriate shoes. I have learned my lesson... the hard way... and I will take note. 

Oh did I mention it's raining too. AND I still chose the Old Navy specials. I am sure that my Papaw is looking down from Heaven shaking his head, saying "Did I teach you nothing?"

Going full force at Mach 3

I realize that I have not posted since September...why??? Well lets just say October has been interesting.... the events go as follow...

At the beginning of October or maybe a little bit before I noticed that Zoe had been walking with a limp. I didn't think too much about it because she had gotten the flu shot earlier that first week and I (being the optimistic mother that I am) chalked it to all up to said shot.

About 2 weeks passed (yes, I said 2 weeks) and she is still limping, I (being the optimistic mother that I am) figure it is maybe a growth spurt that has caused her to, now, "toe walk" a bit. My suspicion is confirmed when my father in law comes in to watch my kids while the hubs and I go on an annual marriage retreat. Upon returning said limp is only worse and my FIL now recommends that I take her to the pediatrician and have it checked out because he believed she would only need a little physical therapy. By that Sunday, the "limp" is awful so I begin to think the worst and FINALLY take her to have x rays. After the ER doc states that it is NOT broken for a brief moment I relax... his next words are "it could possibly be something neurological". Oh Geez... something with the brain or nerves... FABULOUS!!!!

The next morning we head to the pediatrician, where in a brief moment of deja vu, I have my 2 year old in my lab and the doctor puzzled not knowing what is going on. Blood work and then a referral to the "big hospital".

{Needless to say that was a very worried, tearful, praying ride home}

After waiting all day I finally get a call from the office and they tell me that her blood work was fine (insert HUGE sigh of relief)

Long story short, we head to Cincy and the big wigs find a small fracture in the cuboid bone in her foot, evidently this is a very common fracture in toddlers, especially overly active toddlers ( a massive understatement for my Zoe). So my little princess is now in a pink and "farkle" (sparkle) and glow in the dark cast until the 29th.

Oh that's not the end of the story, because anyone that knows my crazy family knows that we don't just do things half way... The following day I get a call from the hem/onc clinic for Brac. His IGG level was too low and because he didn't get his IVIG therapy during his monthly clinic visit, back to Cincy we went. While there we learned that his hemoglobin had dropped and that now he needed a transfusion. OH JOYS!!!! So what was supposed to be a 5 hour day turned into an 8 hour day.

Cause there just isn't a whole lot do here but sleep.

A midst all the chaos  thus far we did manage to squeeze in a trip to the Children's museum, my sister in law and myself plus 6 kids always a fun time. Brac enjoyed the day with his best buddy/cousin, Charlee. So all that chaos was very much worth it. 

2 days of normal passed and then while playing with his dad, Brac fell, catching his toes on the seat of his kiddy picnic table. Oh my, surely I can't have 2 kids with a broken foot. So I insisted that he wait a through the night. The next morning he still couldn't put weight on it so he too was in the urgent care getting x rays. I was sure it was something else. I mean, seriously, what are the chances that I would have 2 kids in casts?? Evidently very good.  

Yes!! Broken!!!  In 2 stinkin' places. Supposedly this is due in large part to the prolonged steroid use and it making his bones a bit brittle.  So, because of his history I was referred to CCMC, where I sat in a waiting room for 2 1/2 hours only to hear the same thing and to be told to call Ortho to follow up and have a hard cast put on. That is where we are headed today in fact. 

Oh the story doesn't stop there. I thought that Caleb had missed the boat, but how dare I doubt the world of chance. He had his 9 month check up and to look at my sweet calm baby you would think he was perfectly fine, but on the contrary, after taking a peek in his little ears, they are infected. His first ear infection!! And he got a double whammy. 

9 months ~ 20lbs and 28 inches long.... my baby is getting big

So the excitement just continues in the Adkins home. I am running ragged getting things situated for Brac's big party and we are embracing life with our accident prone crew. 

I will say that I am a little nervous that things have been happening in 2's. I mean,  this would make any WOMAN nervous. ;)

Shop My Closet

I HATE having yard sales... well, I do now that I have 3 small kids. 

The last one that I had my 5 year old was negotiating with anyone that was trying to by his old toys and to make matters worse, he was taking all the things that I had on the tables and slowly smuggling them back into the house.

Needless to say that sale was a literal revolving door, he would bring it in and I would take it out.... repeat about a million times. 

I hate having to deal with all the hagglers that come wanting something for nothing as well. I promise, one year before we moved to Indiana I was trying to sale as much as I could before the move. I had a SWING SET for sale and some fella tried to talk me off of the already amazingly low price. He literally argued with me at MY sale, he wanted an entire swing set for $20.... 20!!!! REALLY.

Anyway, I thought that I would post it all on here as well and have a virtual yard sale.... a BLOG sale.... If you see something that you are interested in just comment here or message me. I will send you a PayPal invoice. Simple as that... 

And because I have no clue how to make it all fancy, this is as good as it gets.

Items are always changing as well. When it's sold I will take it off.

Happy Shopping

The "Yard"

Humbled

I LOVE Brac's hospital. When we decided to move it was hard only because I LOVED our NC hospital as well. He had such wonderful docs there and I was afraid of what he would walk into in Cincinnati. I did lots of research and was pleased that Cincinnati Children's was among the nations best. I mean, this was my child's health in their hands. I was sure they were perfectly competent but it takes a lot to gain a mother's trust. 

Cincinnati Children's has proven to be fabulous. Brac has one on one attention from his amazing doctor, Dr. O'Brien. I just love her. As does Brac. She gets down on the floor with him. She makes him feel amazingly special when she talks to him. 

Children's has an annual Survivors Picnic at the Zoo, hosted by Cincinnati Zoo.... oh what a fabulous event. An event to celebrate life and in SEPTEMBER at that... perfect time since this is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. We had the privilege of going this weekend. The weather was AMAZING. It was so humbling to see all these amazing kids... SURVIVORS... some still in treatment, but surviving. Some have grown up and some were obviously still in treatment. It was so nice to mingle with other moms... just like me. It was also important for Braxton to see that there were other kids just like him. Kids who fought and WON .... or kids that were "almost" winning. I was so glad for him to see that he was not alone. 

Eron's parents aka Papaw and Nana... came to enjoy in his special day as well. Boy, you should see these kids faces light up as soon as they spot them. They made the day so much more special. To have that one on one time with them. Not mention how much help they were for me. Thanks so much. 

We were given free admission to the Zoo, given a fabulous lunch and the kids received lots of goodies. One thing that is awesome about these events is the way they include the siblings. Zoe has never been left out. I also got some fabulous info on things for Braxton.

There is this fabulous organization called Monkey in my Chair. They place a monkey in the child's seat if they are ever out of class so that even though they are not there, they kind of are. It's a fabulous way to make him feel included even when he can't be. I have requested his. Excited to get it. 

Find out more here > Monkey in my Chair

I have also decided that since Braxton is ALMOST FINISHED (4 more clinic visits after today and one more spinal tap) that I want to start giving back to the organizations that have helped us so much. I am going to start volunteering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society as well as a fabulous organization call The Dragon Fly Foundation. They bring special things to the kids while they are in the hospital. Things that make there extended stay more bearable. As a mom who's "been there" I am really excited to help out those moms (and dads) just like us. 

The Dragonfly Foundation

We are praying that Brac will get through these next 4 months without being inpatient. As I type this I got a call from Eron telling me that his port is not drawing back, so we are also praying that this will resolve itself and not be anything at all. Brac's been so tough, so strong and amazingly brave through every month of his treatment. Through every stick and through every hospital stay. We are so blessed to have him. 

And I couldn't let a post go by without a little Zoe/Caleb action... 

I'm not sure if you can tell but that's her big brother under there. I definitely think she has "middle child syndrome"

He's crawling, climbing and now making messes all by himself... at 8 months!

                                   

TTFN

~ The Sassy Southern Belle ~

The Light's getting warmer...

3 years ago we started on a journey with Braxton. 

We have learned to cope, we have adjusted to a different "normal". We are so close to the light at the end of the tunnel that we can feel it on our face.

Today he asked me if this was the last one. Sadly I had to say no.

I look forward to telling him "yes" in January. Talking about it now chokes me up so I can only imagine how I'm going to be on that actual day... January 15th 2013. 

I think the doctors even get excited. Their faces light up when they talk about it too.

I have decided that since I am going to have a little more time on my hands in the coming year, that I am going to dedicate more of my time to the cause. I have learned in this journey that cancer research, especially pediatric cancer research, is horribly under funded. I am going to stand up and become an advocate. I am going to volunteer more. I have also decided to sign on with the Make-a-Wish foundation. They did a wonderful think for my son, and I want to give back. 

On October 13th we are going to be participating in our very first Light the Night walk in downtown Indy. 

I am super excited about this. I am excited that Braxton will be carrying that white survivors balloon and I will be carrying a gold balloon for my grandpa that passed. 

I have learned that despite the circumstances we are blessed abundantly to still have Braxton here. We are blessed because he got "the good cancer". I know that there are so many wonderful, amazing children out there fighting so hard to win the "bad" cancers. 

Braxton is for sure a fighter and I am going to celebrate this ever moment I get because he is my hero everyday.

You can join our team here:   Braxton's Team  You can be a virtual walker and help raise money for his team, all proceeds will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Please feel free to share to the link.

He has clinic on Monday. A spinal tap and chemo. He already feels crumby so I am sure that he is not going to feel wonderful when it's all said and done. Please remember him in your prayers as Monday draws nearer. 4 more!!! And he's DONE!!!!! 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

In my younger, pre-mommy-hood years and then even into my early new mommy years, I can remember hearing the St Jude commercials and seeing the pictures of the sweet little ones battling all sorts of cancers and illnesses. I can also, so clearly, remember me saying "I'm so thankful that's not my child..."

And then in a split second all that changes. It becomes YOUR child....

You can remember playing as a child. Staying out for hours. Getting dirty, drinking from the water hose, baking in the sun because you were having too much fun to come inside. NOW, imagine all that being taken from you, because you are confined to a bed for 8 hours receiving a poison that is killing good and bad cells. Later leaving you sick and motionless. The toys lying idol on the floor because you are too tired to play... at 5 years old. 

Not a pretty picture huh?!?

I've said this before, but when you have your first sweet blessing from God, you never, ever imagine them so sick. Yes, a sniffle, a cough. But never the ugly "C" word. It just doesn't happen to people like me. It's a one in a million chance. Then, that ONE becomes YOUR baby. What now?!?!

Braxton has taught us so much, our eyes have been opened to an entirely different world. A world that is so often over looked, possibly because a person can't stomach the site of such a little person fighting for their life. 

We have met so many people along this road with Braxton. Some have finished the fight victorious and some are still fighting, with everything in their tired little bodies for one more day. Fighting to win this awful thing that takes so many way too young. 

Children have more fight in them than we realize. They don't complain, they aren't grumpy. They are just kids, trying to be normal in a world of chemo, tummy aches, body aches, blood transfusions and hospital stays. They want to play and run around just like their friends. They are hero's, warriors in the fight to survive. 

Sitting here I can name so many besides Braxton: Vinny, Maci, Benjamin, Lily, Westley, Austin, Ashton, Hunter and the list goes on and on. A couple of these names have sadly earned there wings, too early. 

The very first night that we were in the hospital with Brac, I can remember the diagnoses being presumptuous,  they were sure it was Leukemia but not 100%. Dr. Wofford, told us that the research being done has shown the leukemia cell, in as early as the heel stick the newborn receives in the hospital. Meaning they can see it premature, years before the child is ever diagnosed. To me that is AMAZING!! A CURE!!! Oh it is so close but in order to have it, we must be AWARE that there is a shortage in research funding. Research can not continue without the proper resources. So this month I ask you... when you go into an Old Navy look to see if there is an Alex's Lemonade Stand, all proceeds go to pediatric cancer research. When you see a sign asking you to donate a dollar, think about hard.... think could that be my child or someone close to me one day. There is a cure somewhere. A cure so that children of the future will not have to fight as hard as these amazing children have. 

Visit this foundation, set up by a dear friend to help raise awareness and funding for a cure. Money donated here, helps the families fighting with these warriors as well. 

 Kids Of Childhood Cancer

Also, keep these children that are fighting these different cancers in your prayers, remember their families, remember their doctors. Your prayers are felt. They are desired and very much appreciated. 

You can also donate here: Alex's Lemonade Stand , Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ,              St Jude Children's Research Hospital

Linkin UP!

I am not the craftiest or the most talented. But I have started this little blog here that has a few followers so I thought I would use my little blog to give a couple of shout outs. 

Today I'm linking up at Kelly's Korner to share these wonderful Etsy shops.

I have 2 very dear friends that have the most wonderful Etsy shops. 

My friend Ashley who I have known since, get this, 3RD GRADE! Has a cute little shop on Etsy where she crochets unique items. 

If you are like me and you don't like having the same thing that everyone else has then check her out. She has made a few super cute items for my Cabby and I get so many compliments on them. 

Check her out her....   KittiesCanCrochet

{This is not the best pic,  but this is my Cabby in some of her stuff. I usually find a picture of what I like and send it to her... she's never let me down.}

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also have another sweet friend that makes Custom headbands and other cute accessories for little girls. I mean, what little girl is complete without accessories. 

If you like big beautiful flowers and bows that are sure to make people stop and say "OMGosh, where did you get that" then she's the one for you.

They are great quality and super cute and every one is unique. 

Check her out at .... Twinkle Belle

Check them out and tell them I sent ya :)

Toodles,

Amanda

Exposed!!!!!!!!

My name is Amanda

I'm almost 27

I LOVE my Jesus

I LOVE my birthday {11/24/85}

I'm a coffee addict but that doesn't come close to comparing to my addiction to CAKE!

I am a mother, sister and wife.

I talk (a lot) :) but I'm OK with that

I am real, what you see is what you get.

I am a born and bred southerner transplanted in the north (wish that I could be back in the south everyday)

I would love to have a plate of Stamey's BBQ topped with slaw, a side of hush puppies, a glass of tea and a helping of peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream to finish it all off.

I HATE the snow, but love the beach

There is not a day that goes by when I don't miss my little sister and wish that she was right next door. :(

I blog because I love to talk but people honestly don't want to listen to my rambling (hey, I have to put it somewhere)

I would rather by accessories than clothes

I love expensive bags and shoes

I HATE cancer and the affects it has on a family as a whole

I really hate childhood cancer and wish they could find a cure

I have a horrible case of scoliosis.

I'm low maintenance

I drive a 1997 minivan that is on the brink of death.

I love taking pictures of my kids.

I want to bungee jump

I want to sky dive

I want to trek across Europe with my little sister

I want to turn my phone off and drive as far as I can on a random highway just to see where it takes me

I don't like asparagus or spinach

I love lazy Saturdays when I don't have to do anything

I love to read

I would love to be a writer

I almost joined the Navy / I did 3 years of high school ROTC and had plans of going to the Naval Academy.

I can't swim but would love to learn

I enjoy history

I am horrible at math

I have horribly frizzy hair that drives me bonkers most of the time

I tend to be loud

I.... AM.... ME.... AND I am fine with that.

My Sweet Cabby is 7 months old

I don't get to do this much, I really wish that I had kept up with this as he's been growing but keeping up with my 3 is a full time job.

Caleb (aka Cabby, thanks to Zoe calling him baby Cabbage), is going to be 7 months old on the 18th. It's really hard to believe, to think that he is almost a year old. It saddens me a bit, he's my baby, my last baby. 

So here are his stats:

He was almost 20lbs at his 6 month visit so I am sure that he is there by now. 

He is still nursing about every 4-6 hours. But sleeping through the night. 

He is cooing away. I think da-da or mama are in the near future.

He is LOVING solid foods. Table food is his favorite thing. What baby doesn't love mashed taters. 

He is wearing size 3 diapers and 9mth clothes.

He has just cut his first bottom tooth. Teething up a storm. 

(frozen berries in his munchkin food holder is his favorite thing to teeth on)

I was afraid to give him those puffs that dissolve but that little booger was CHEWING a Nilla Wafer. This boy can for sure eat. 

The doctors are predicting that if he continues to grow the way he does that he will be about 6 feet!!! That's a big boy. 

He smiles at everything and he's just the sweetest baby ever. He just started sleeping in his actual crib last night. I can't believe how fast he's growing. 

He loves his big brother and Zoe, bless her heart, drives him crazy. She's a mother hen. 

So that's my Cabby.

All smiles all the time.

Sleeping in his Crib

So in love with this little man

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In other news, Braxton started pre-school!!!! This was a very big step for him as well as for me. I have always sheltered and hovered over him, and to be honest, I probably always will anywhere that he is concerned. He did so good. One day a week he gets a swimming lesson for 30 minutes. I think this is so good for him because the chemo that he has to take has caused a bit of neuropathy in his legs. The swimming in the warm water is supposed to be good for this. 

I was worried that he would be behind the other kids because we didn't let him go to preschool last year, but he seems to be doing just fine. His class is small (about 13 kids) so I'm not as nervous as far as germs go. 

He had chemo on Monday so this was not the best week to start something new. With steroids on board he's always moody and forever changing. But my baby isn't a baby anymore. 

On his first day last week, I got to the school early and he just happened to be on the playground. So I parked far enough back so that he couldn't see me. (I am sure that I must have looked like a creeper) I just sat there, thanking God for bringing him this far and for the opportunity to go to school, like a normal kid. He wasn't Brac the little boy with Leukemia... he was Brac, the 5 year old preschooler. So I sat there for 30 minutes and sobbed like a crazy lady, watching him play on the playground with all his new little friends, realizing just how blessed we are and how Mighty our God really is. 

First Day

Swim Class

Getting deaccessed. .. I am so proud of him.

And I can't leave out my Zoe. She is having a time adjusting to Bub being in School for only 2 1/2 hours. But I think she gets it now. She will go next year and I am really regretting not putting her in now. I think that she would have really enjoyed it. Her new cute thing is putting her finger to her mouth and going "hmmmm, I know" and her favorite person... Diego. I predict she'll be speaking Spanish before she turns 3 :)

Enjoying sparklers and fireworks since the county finally lifted the burn /fireworks ban.

Being Zoe

I said "look at the camera" she replied "I can't, I'm busy"

I'm a survivor...

Where do I begin... WHEW!! What a wild weekend in my house.

Braxton is officially 5! I got through the weekend with minimal grey hairs.

This year Braxton had his very first sleepover...huh umm... I mean Camp Out, because that's what boys have is camp outs not sleep overs.

It was really a camp in because there was no way that those boys would have been comfortable outside with the temps as high as they have been.

Friday night at 8 all the little boys started to trickle in. I had, in a moment of insanity agreed to let Brac have 7 little boys spend the night. And you know what? it really wasn't all that bad. Eron came home and took them outside and if I have learned anything about boys in 5 years, it's that they are better when they are outside. They rode the four wheeler, played tag, and then roasted s'mores. I even managed to get them all to shower. That was rather tricky, but we did it with minimal chaos. We put the tent up in the living room and then, once they were all tucked in, they drifted off to sleep.

The next day the choas started all over again. Until his party that night. Have you ever tried to set up for a party by yourself, with 8 little boys, an attention deprived 2 year old and a 7 mth old to look after? NOT EASY, but when my sweet friends came over, it became slightly more managable and the party ended up going great. {Kudos to Kevin and Anna for coming early to help wrangle those boys and Kudos to my Brother in Law JR for being the grill master}

Some of the yummy party goodies... party favors and Spiderman pancakes

Pocket knife from Daddy and Mommy (it's put up high)

Brac and his "girlfriend" Ava

Some of the yummy treats... thank you Pinterest
Cresent rolls with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows topped with Chocolate syrup, doesn't get any easier. 

You know, as crazy as it was at times, hearing all the little thank you's and watching Brac have a blast with all his friends was so worth it. He went outside at 430 and I didn't see him much until he finally came in with his daddy at 1030. With Zoe and Caleb in the bed, we let him open all his presents. This has become some what of a tradition in our house. We let our kids take all the gifts out and "examine" them and play with them before they go to bed. It's fun to have that one on one time with them on there special day.

After the house was cleaned and all the toys were put back in there place we finally crashed.

Thank you Papaw and Nana... they always bring the coolest gifts.

This week my 5 year old, gets to start preschool. He is so excited. He also found out that he can now go to Children's church on Wednesday night and sing in the children's choir.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and making his special day even more wonderful.

On another note, Today marks Brac's 1000th day of Chemo, with just 158 days left. He has come a long since day one. It's kind of bitter sweet. I can't help but think about all our friends still in treatment or those that have gone through many more than 1000 days, those that have many more days to go with no idea when they will be finished. And then I think of those friends that have finished. That beat the ugly cancer world. I am celebrating that Brac is almost finished. He put up a fight and he essentially won. It is so nice to talk to the doctors about those last couple months. About scheduling to have his port taken OUT at the beginning of next year. (deep breath.... exhale)

Then we will celebrate again. We will celebrate every year for the rest of his LONG life.... Brac beat the cancer world. I will look forward to that anniversary as much as I look forward to every birthday.

There is a book called The Grouchy Lady Bug by Eric Carle, we have read it to Brac since he was a little thing. Everywhere this little lady bug goes she meets bigger and bigger creatures, she keeps saying "you wanna fight" and then "you're not big enough".... well, I've always kind of thought of this as Brac's phrase.  Cancer said "Hey you, you wanna fight?" and Brac said "you're not big enough" ...