a little ART CAN'T HURT

gotta smile

Here's the clan before Nana's final haircut.

Looks as if something's got Mamie distracte, Heidi apparently glued her teeth together in an uber-smile and it seems that Trev is channeling Aust*n Powers. And Nana, well she's having a great time with the kiddos and has come to terms with having less hair than Poppy! Yes, Poppy has somewhat been reveling in the fact that he's not the only one in the family going bald! Silly Poppy!

So, I got the honors...

I had mom laughing as I explained that I could see her dark roots and those that are white too - so the kids then wanted to see the 'zebra stripes'. Hey, you gotta keep a sense of humor!

She's got such delicate skin on top there and we made sure to run to the store earlier to get some sunscreen for her scalp. Also, her eyebrows haven't gone yet but we found out that before they go you should take a closeup of your face and keep a small copy of it wherever you put your makeup on - so you know where your natural brow line stops and starts. GREAT idea! Found that tip out from Look Good, Feel Better which is a great support source for anyone interested.

Heidi is dusting off Nana's head! I love Mom's smile! She was really ready for this I think - it was on her terms and she's already got some beautiful scarves to wear whenever she feels like covering up.

Geez Mom, I hope I look that good when I'm 61! Love the do!

Feel free to check up on Nana at her blog. You can also click on the I LOVE YOU clipart in the left column of my blog anytime - it is a direct link to mom's blog, Journey with Sus.

Leave her a comment to let her know you're part of her cheering section!

**note: sometimes mom's blog may look similar to mine - her camera isn't up and running to do downloads for pics onto her blog yet, so she has me post photos for her (which are the same as some I use) and she writes the posts. I'm sure it won't be long before she will be posting her own pics though**

fourth of july - poolside

HEIDI SAYS: "Believe me...there are A LOT of photos...I dare you to continue reading..."

**note: that's a cherry lemonade she's drinking - she wanted the lime merely for looks**

Continue reading "fourth of july - poolside" »

Just a few pics from last week's Sidewalk Days. 

Car show. Kiddie rides. Food vendors. Live music.

The live stage was right outside our door! 

Doug appreciated the fact that the beer tent was ALSO right outside our door. 

The exterior of the fort is all done. FINALLY.

The kids have all sorts of lawn ornaments and tiki torches scattered around. But the favorite feature by far is the bucket-on-a-pulley to tote things up and down....even though you could just carry the stuff up the stairs!

The view from the porch is awesome and I just love the little red birdhouse we found!

Now all we have to do is finish the interior. The kids play in it anyway, but it will be much more user-friendly when the electrical is finished and there's chalkboard walls and a couch to play on!

**stay tuned!**

Breakfast.

Lunch.

And dinner.

Nana's back in the hospital for her second round of chemo. This means that for literally 4-6 days straight she's hooked up to tubes and IVs and confined to her room with the occasional jaunt down the hall to her floor's lobby. She couldn't even take in the gorgeous day by opening the window shades because the chemicals she's on right now make her eyes very photosensitive. She even has to have special eye drops to help her adjust and see. But at least she is off the 'bacteria warning' and can enjoy fresh fruits and veggies again! And flowers!

Despite all that, she looked great and was in good spirits! Even less hair than before, but we don't love Nana because of her hairdo! The kids were very comfortable (as you can see from the pic above) and couldn't get enough of the movable bed AGAIN. They sat and rode that bed up and down the whole time we visited! I guess it's better than having them blow up latex gloves and pop them...(Doouuugggggg)

The kids wanted to make Nana a pillow she could keep with her and hug while she has her hospital visits. I know this isn't anything from the pages of an Amy B*tler book, but it's what I could do with what I've got. The kids picked out the fabric and stuffed it, and each set of XO was done by one of the kids. (SIDE NOTE: Whenever I get the sewing machine out, Doug goes into a tizzy because he can't quite grasp how the bobbin thread comes up and out and zigs right along with the top thread! The man needs help! Anyone have any suggestions?!)

Nana blogged about her need to 'stop and smell the roses' so her sister-in-law decided to send her some!

They were just what the 'doctor' ordered!

Each time I see Mom I'm never really sure how things are going. She is up and down and sometimes all-over-the-place, but rightfully so. All the uncertainties and changes have been daunting & both she and Dad are exhausted from it all.

I want to help them. I want to take away the pain and uncertainy. I want to conquer my own fears but somehow seem to fall short in everything I try to do in this department. In truth, I'm scared more than I even let myself know, but mostly I just want to get out of every day exactly what God intended me to. 

And right now getting everything out of my day means having my Mom to share life with, and love and laughter and tears. 

I'm so very grateful for having yesterday and today. And as many tomorrows as we're given.

(high five, Mom!)

The pic is bad - ok, we've established my level of photography skills (or lack-there-of) but tonight's moon was incredible and I had to at least TRY and capture it.

While it's a tad blury, off-center and showcases a bizarre colon-like slide ....the moon really WAS this color of orange and it glowed!

Tomorrow it will be full. Hold on to your howls and hairy knuckles!

Happy Full Moon!

Super fun.

Super easy.

You can do this craft with your eyes closed even!

STEP 1: Assemble your supplies.

STEP 2: Drop in the paint, throw in the marbles & roll!

STEP 3: Remove your marble art from the bin, wash out the bin and repeat STEP 2.

STEP 4: Let painting dry and display as you please! Enjoy!

***NOTE: Don't forget to wash your marbles afterwards***

ANSWER: Doug's new toy.

Have you ever seen a niece look so cute?

Have you ever seen the baby toads of a niece look so cute?

sidewalk days

Just a few pics from last week's Sidewalk Days. 

Car show. Kiddie rides. Food vendors. Live music.

The live stage was right outside our door! 

Doug appreciated the fact that the beer tent was ALSO right outside our door. 

forts-r-us

The exterior of the fort is all done. FINALLY.

The kids have all sorts of lawn ornaments and tiki torches scattered around. But the favorite feature by far is the bucket-on-a-pulley to tote things up and down....even though you could just carry the stuff up the stairs!

The view from the porch is awesome and I just love the little red birdhouse we found!

Now all we have to do is finish the interior. The kids play in it anyway, but it will be much more user-friendly when the electrical is finished and there's chalkboard walls and a couch to play on!

**stay tuned!**

good ol' pickins

Breakfast.

Lunch.

And dinner.

round 2

Nana's back in the hospital for her second round of chemo. This means that for literally 4-6 days straight she's hooked up to tubes and IVs and confined to her room with the occasional jaunt down the hall to her floor's lobby. She couldn't even take in the gorgeous day by opening the window shades because the chemicals she's on right now make her eyes very photosensitive. She even has to have special eye drops to help her adjust and see. But at least she is off the 'bacteria warning' and can enjoy fresh fruits and veggies again! And flowers!

Despite all that, she looked great and was in good spirits! Even less hair than before, but we don't love Nana because of her hairdo! The kids were very comfortable (as you can see from the pic above) and couldn't get enough of the movable bed AGAIN. They sat and rode that bed up and down the whole time we visited! I guess it's better than having them blow up latex gloves and pop them...(Doouuugggggg)

The kids wanted to make Nana a pillow she could keep with her and hug while she has her hospital visits. I know this isn't anything from the pages of an Amy B*tler book, but it's what I could do with what I've got. The kids picked out the fabric and stuffed it, and each set of XO was done by one of the kids. (SIDE NOTE: Whenever I get the sewing machine out, Doug goes into a tizzy because he can't quite grasp how the bobbin thread comes up and out and zigs right along with the top thread! The man needs help! Anyone have any suggestions?!)

Nana blogged about her need to 'stop and smell the roses' so her sister-in-law decided to send her some!

They were just what the 'doctor' ordered!

Each time I see Mom I'm never really sure how things are going. She is up and down and sometimes all-over-the-place, but rightfully so. All the uncertainties and changes have been daunting & both she and Dad are exhausted from it all.

I want to help them. I want to take away the pain and uncertainy. I want to conquer my own fears but somehow seem to fall short in everything I try to do in this department. In truth, I'm scared more than I even let myself know, but mostly I just want to get out of every day exactly what God intended me to. 

And right now getting everything out of my day means having my Mom to share life with, and love and laughter and tears. 

I'm so very grateful for having yesterday and today. And as many tomorrows as we're given.

(high five, Mom!)

unbelievable, but not-so-much-in-the-photo

The pic is bad - ok, we've established my level of photography skills (or lack-there-of) but tonight's moon was incredible and I had to at least TRY and capture it.

While it's a tad blury, off-center and showcases a bizarre colon-like slide ....the moon really WAS this color of orange and it glowed!

Tomorrow it will be full. Hold on to your howls and hairy knuckles!

Happy Full Moon!

marble painting

Super fun.

Super easy.

You can do this craft with your eyes closed even!

STEP 1: Assemble your supplies.

STEP 2: Drop in the paint, throw in the marbles & roll!

STEP 3: Remove your marble art from the bin, wash out the bin and repeat STEP 2.

STEP 4: Let painting dry and display as you please! Enjoy!

***NOTE: Don't forget to wash your marbles afterwards***

what has two wheels and goes VROOM VROOM

ANSWER: Doug's new toy.

c-u-t-e

Have you ever seen a niece look so cute?

Have you ever seen the baby toads of a niece look so cute?