June Simple Joys

Brookie continues to use Brookie-isms as Dad would say.  She thinks certain words are real when they really aren't.  They are so cute that we hesitate correcting her.  Some of our all time favorites are: paint nolish (nail polish) and eyescara (mascara). Honestly, mascara should be called eye- scara.

We drive near the dairy's at least once a week.  One day, Tanner said, "Pooh is free right?" I laughed and said, sometimes people actually pay for cow pooh.  Then Tanner asked, "Well are cows free?"

Brookie did something mean to Tanner.  She very rarely will be mean to him but she still got a consequence.  Brooklyn is really hard on herself and probably has the best conscience in the family.  This particular time she said. "I don't think I'll ever love my heart again!" At this point Tanner was over the issue and felt bad for her.  He gave her one of his stuffed animals.  When I was trying to lift her spirits, she said, "I don't have faith Mom..."  So very sad.

Kadster isn't as spicy these days.  He asks lots of questions and I find him trying to have conversations with Colby.  It's so cute!  He will say things like, "Colby lets play cars...", and he'll wait for Colby to point confirming yes. "Want to watch a learning show? Come here and Mommy will start it for you." 

One night I was putting Brooklyn to bed she said, " When I find my Prince where will he sit at our table?
Then she was concerned that our home doesn't have enough rooms for all her kids to spend the night! Gotta love how her little mind works.  I can totally relate to her!

Colbster is more curious these days or should I say he's been getting in more trouble these days.  He's still super innocent.  He loves snuggling when he drinks his bottle.  We all cherish this time with him because he's so busy that he doesn't stop to give us hugs very often.  He also gives us kisses.  We call them free kisses when he willingly kisses us.  When he's not willing to kiss Brooklyn, Kaden or Tanner, they try to bribe him!  

Our Mountain to Climb

There are several posts that will be both on the family blog to my cancer blog. Ultimately I print the blogs for the children and so that is why I'm including them on both blogs. 

 

After getting my cancer diagnosis, I quickly accumulated a bucket list of my most desired things to do before surgery. Taking pics with Sean was one, taking pics with my angels was another, and hiking Norco mountain as a family was another. Tanner and I started hiking this mountain four years ago for one of our regular date locations and we had never hiked it together as a family.  

The kids were ecstatic about everyone hiking together. Sean was a trooper to hike with our 25 lbs of Colbster in tow. It was a beautiful overcast morning.

 Brookie and Tanner have understood so much about my surgery, recovery, and realize that I need to take a lot of baby steps to heal and be normal Mommy again. They are so thrilled the doctors cut out all my cancer!

When we reached the top, I was in complete heaven. I love my family with every fiber of my being! I know that I came to earth to be a mother of my dear precious children; the mother I yearned to be since I was three years of age. My angels are climbing the mountain along my side, providing short cuts and making sure my canteen is full of love every step of the way.

My handsome, sweet, selfless, patience, kind husband has been through so much and continues to stand strong and immovable! He has endured 4 pregnancies (equaling 32 months) of me throwing up and me doing the bare minimum to survive. He has nursed me back to health following  4 c-section deliveries (equaling 10 months). He has endured all the stress and uncertainty about my pregnancy induced heart failure while I have been weak, tired, faint and fatigued (approx. 11 months).  He is my super man! If you think of all the things we (as mothers) do. Sean has willingly compensated during so much of our marriage, it blows my mind! Now with my cancer journey, he wouldn't let it be any other way; He has held my hand, helped me carry along, helped me stay focus and has been my stable, sturdy, ROCK for over 10 years now! 
xoxoxoxox

June Fun!

The last day of school our friends the Sage's, took them on a bowling adventure!

Kaden might just be a bit more protective than I am with his little pal. See the spaces between the steps? Kaden was worried Colby would fall in between.

When water is involved... it's a guarantee everybody's happy!

Containing Mr. Busy in the trunk.

Partying at the Drive-In!

Nutter Butter (aka Kaden) Graduated!

 This past school year some Mom's (friends from church) and I have taken turns teaching pre-school to our little ones. When we started there were two other boys in the class but Kaden finished off the year being the only stallion. Boy did he get the ladies attention, even unwanted kisses and hugs.

Uncle William and Colby attended the special ceremony.  Kaden felt very special and was so happy to celebrate.

(Sean and I were at the hospital awaiting my breast surgery.)

Our Kaden is so handsome and he's sure one smart cookie!

All the teachers combined their thoughts about each student. Here are all the nice things the Mom's shared about Kaden. This was read at the ceremony.  We are so proud of his success and the awesome example he set for all his friends.

 

One Hundred and Six

 Our family was thrilled to attend a special 100 miles club ceremony. Tanner earned a metal for running over 100 miles during his 2nd grade school year. He ran exactly 106 miles. 

 We are so proud of his huge accomplishment! He has really enjoyed running just like his Daddy. 

Tanner is such a smart, active, loving boy! I love him to pieces.

I took this action shot while visiting Tanner at recess. He's so kind and polite to all his classmates.

I Will Follow God's Plan-16 mons

My life is a gift,

 My life has a plan,

 My life has a purpose;

 in heaven it began,

My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth,

 

And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.

(I Will Follow God's Plan is a primary song.)

Colbster has blessed our family and made us complete!

He was all part of Heavenly Father's Plan for us and we are so thrilled he was!

 He brightens our days and sure keeps us on our feet.

 He is our very own "piece of heaven" right in our home.

Groove is in the Heart

Brookie enjoyed another season of ballet and tap dance class. And I enjoyed watching her shine!

She finished off the season with some groovy moves. Long ago in the early 90's, Dad and I use to listen to a wild song by B-52's called, "Groove is in the Heart" and as soon as we saw Brookie's costume we thought about the song 2 decades ago.

Brookie got her grove on to the Michael Jackson's song, "ABC". She'd walk around the house singing the  and practicing, Just priceless! I was a back stage Mom just as Brookie requested. I soak up all the time she will spend with me!

Tanner chose to attend Brookie's recital again and gave her the traditional beautiful flowers.

She'd rather get flowers from Tan than Dad and I. Brookie gleams every time Tanner has given her flowers. He thinks it's pretty cool too.

Brookie did have "eyescara" a.k.a. mascara on and some eye shadow, blush and lip stick. In this picture she looks so old and so gorgeous! 

We celebrated at Chick-fil-a after the recital. We didn't get a picture with Grandpa and Grandma McMullin, Uncle William, Uncle Paul and Aunt Heather but they were all there to watch her dance!

Daddy is My Favorite Pal

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the adorable present Brookie made for Daddy for Father's Day. It was a popcorn cup. The card read, "You are the best Pop" and she also drew a nice picture of him. She could hardly wait to show him.

My dad's name is Sean. My dad is 29? years old.  My dad's favorite food is donuts. My dad is  loving, My dad likes to snuggle with me. My dad loves me because I love him!

Hearing these sweet answers that Brookie wrote about her Dad is the one of the best parts about celebrating Father's Day.

Daddy is the favorite Pal around here. He is a high commodity no doubt. He is sure one lucky Dad and boy are the kids blessed beyond description to have him.

He made this nice colorful card at school. 

And Tan made Dad a custom ice cream coupon: good for only one day or expires.

The back of the plane reads, "Movie Ticket".

So handsome and no resemblance what so ever. haha

Kaden did make Daddy a tie at church but got away from me before I could get a picture with Daddy. And sweet Colby was napping.