Celebrating life with Noah

I can hardly believe that it has been a year. July 3rd of last year our four-year old nephew, Noah, was taken to the hospital where days of testing, surgeries and many, many questions led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Burkitt's Lymphoma cancer, all stemming from his complaints of a 'tummy ache'.

I remember the fear. I remember the doubts. I remember the quietness that hung over our hearts as we waited minute by minute to hear a report from his parents. We did all that we could to distract ourselves and care for his four older siblings without alarming them of the severity of his condition. I most clearly remember seeing my father-in-law sob at the news of 'his boy' now facing the fight for his life against cancer.

Here we are one year later. What felt like then, a distant hope, is now a reality. We are on the other side of cancer. We are rejoicing in his remission. Celebrating the absence of a disease. Praising a God that wiped a very sick body clean.

Most of us will never know what the year was really like for Noah's family. We did what we could, when most of the time it was not enough. We prayed in the moments that we wished we could do so much more. His parents faced the burdens, although with much support, on their shoulders in a way that really isn't conceivable until experienced. I know my own relief, my own joy, my own awe at where we are now...I can not fathom the depth of theirs.

We just returned from a couple days of time away with all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, together celebrating summer, celebrating life, celebrating family. We could not help but feel a bit overwhelmed at the enormity of blessing we were partaking of. The realization that a year can change the landscape of our family in ways that we could never have imagined.

The gathering was only the beginning of our celebration. For those of us who journeyed, each in our own way, with Noah through his battle for life, our understanding of the gift of each day is heightened for eternity. We know that today is precious, and tomorrow is truly a gift.

Grandpa and Grandma with 15 of their 16 grandkids.

Hangin' out at the campfire.

Lookin' at fire flies.

We are always priveleged to see a dance or two choreographed by Jordan for all the younger girls.

Jim's attempt at warming his head.

At the beach.

Our special Noah boy.

Mark & Diana made a sign for the parade we'll be in next weekend.

"Miracles DO happen!"

Back at the beach! Miss Lolly loved it.

Noah and his biggest fan, his mommy.

Families are FOREVER.

A little laser hair removal anyone?

Summer is clearly here. The humidity level is making that painfully clear. The only thing growing faster than the weeds in my yard is the hair on my legs. If only the solution were as simple as a little dose of weed-B-gone.

Seriously people, what is it about a little heat and humidity to make the smooth surface of my extremities turn into a stubble field?

It is swim season. How is a girl supposed to be ready on demand for swimming with hair that grows by the minute? I am convinced that far more women are sporting skirted suits in an effort to hide hair growth rather than a few extra pounds around the buttocks. Because I can not possibly be the only woman who feels like hair removal is a full time job come summer time.

So what secrets do you know that you would like to share? Help a sister out, because you never know when I may be sitting right beside you at the swimming pool. I am desperate people, and right now, I am researching ways to claim laser hair removal as a medical necessity.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

So I am not posting a "Bits of my weekend" this week mainly because we had a lot of happenings around here recently that I have not gotten time to post about or share photos of. Instead I am recapping in a small way our week past. Mind you, there have been some poopy things pop up here and there, some very expensive poopy things in fact, but let us focus on the good, albeit goofy, stuff for now.

We, by we it should notably be clear that I mean Chad, decided to replace our largest window in the house. We, Chad, also decided that doing so during the rainiest week of the year would also be in order. Really though, what's life without a little livin' on the edge? So with the help of our fantastic neighbors, we removed a window. In the rain. If you see them around town, please do not ask them what they think of us. So overnight I had a hole the size of a tennis court in my house. The kids and I put in the Elvis music and danced around inside 'on our stage' while dad busily worked and watched us from his theatre section. Good times. Window in....all is well.

(Chad is outside, Olivia is inside)

We have been swimming! YAY! The weather has finally decided that it can not remain rainy and cool forever and so on the peaks of sunshine last week we hit the pool running. Dad has not been able to go with us yet, and that is a down side for the kids, but his time is coming! For Andrew it is a very big deal that his daddy swim in the pool that 'he built'. Chad was very involved in the pools construction, so Andrew is convinced that he has his dad to thank for it's completion. Sounds reasonable to me.

We have been coaching and watching a little Miss Tator Bug play T-Ball. She was certain that she would not enjoy it, but has loved each game. Unlike the boys on her team she has no concern over who scored the most runs. She just loves hitting and running.

We were back at our Father's Day tradition with a trip to Thunder Road. Grandpa's, Grandma's, Daddy's, Uncle's, Aunt's, Cousin's, the works. Everyone gets to join in the fun. And what fun it is. You can see here Chad and Kate leading 'the pack', that includes Grandma Joyce, Kylie, Grandpa Clark, Nic, and Uncle Brian.

The girlie and I decided to take in a bit more serenity. A stroll in the sunshine with my lady is always a nice way to spend a day.

But then again, who am I to fight the need for speed? So Kate twisted my arm into a race around the track as well.

Elli could not be left out of all the fun, so she found a pint-sized race car just for her. We had to pull her out of it.

Even with the ending of our week and Father's Day not being what we would have liked, and in fact could have stolen the joy of the whole time together, we press on, knowing that these are the moments worth dwelling on. These are times that we want to remember. The rest will come and go. But family is forever.

A daddy like ours

Do you want to know how I know that my husband is a fantastic dad?

Other kids tell me.

No, not in those words exactly. But in their actions. You see, wherever we go, whatever we do, kids recognize that he is different. He does not sit on the grass or pool deck, watching his kids swim, he jumps in and throws them around. He does not coach them on the tricks of great baseball hits or catches from his La-Z-Boy, he is in the yard playing 500 with them, or pitching the ball to them. He does not just hear me retell him of a great piano piece that his daughter can play, he asks her time and time again to sit down and play it for him.

Without fail, when we are out and about as a family, we acquire some random child, or two, that attaches themselves to Chad. Sometimes shyly hovering nearby just enjoying the giggles from his own children, other times boldly asking, "When you are done playing with your kids, do you wanna play with me?"

It used to unnerve me. And sometimes it does still. We live in a society where interacting with children has become dangerous and taboo, especially for men. And while we know that there is little that he can do in the way of 'playing' with them, we also know that just a kind word and a smile, can make their day.

As warm and loving as I am, (*ahem), I do not attract the same following as my husband. I do not, however, have a complex about it, because I get it. Mothers are more present. Most children at least have a mama around. But so many do not have their daddy's. And even some of those who do, do not have one that knows how to be a good daddy. Chad has had a lot of practice. He is pretty darn amazing at it. It is by far, his best quality, and the job that means the most to him.

I did not really need other children to remind me of how wonderful he is. Sometimes his own children might. We know that we are blessed to have a daddy like ours.

Happy Father's Day Chad. We love you! You are one-in-a-million.

Icing

It dawned on me the other day that I spend a large amount of time talking about myself on this blog. Well, not just about myself, a lot about the five little people who know me as 'the mama'. But ultimately it is all about me. But I guess that is to be expected. I mean who else should it be about? Who's name is in the header? Go ahead and check. I'll wait.









That's right: HeidiJoWhatDoYouKnow's. That's who. So I am done feeling guilty about talking about my life so much. That is, after all, what I know best.

But I realize that I do not spend very much press time covering him. You know, the him who makes all this possible. No, not Him...the other him in my life.

He is amazing. Really he is. And I do not know why I fail to write about him more. I think that maybe it is because he is so unassuming. He just is. Is who he is. Not one to be particularly moved by grandiose gestures and expressions of love. He loves it most when I put my hand on his neck when we are driving. Or when I stretch my arm across the pew in church, despite the four or more children between us, and let our fingers touch.

But that does not mean that I can not tell you all how wonderful he is. When we first met and dated, I had my doubts about many things. But one thing that I never questioned was whether or not he would be a good dad. But even if in my naivety I thought he had the makings of a good father based on his interactions with his nieces and nephews, I had no idea just how much he would envelope the role once he had his own offspring.

I could easily list all the ways that make him special as a daddy. And many of you would be insanely jealous. But the number one way that he father's his children selflessly and unconditionally is in how he loves 'the mama'.

And all the rest is just icing.

Keeping it really real

A comment was made recently in regard to my blog that really made me stop and think. I know, that can be an especially dangerous thing for me to do. But everything in moderation, right?

Anyway, the gist of the remark was that sometimes when reading my blog this person feels like they are 'less' than all they should be as a mom because of something I have retold about my own home experiences.

I was saddened. Truly. I know exactly what she was talking about, because oh so many times I have compared my own mothering skills to those of someone else and I almost always come up on short side. And it is never a pretty feeling.

I guess it is time to start publishing some of the yucky stuff too. Although I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams, it is not always raining marshmallows and peppermints in my world. Far from it.

Did I tell you about the time when I prepared a nutritious dinner of chicken nuggets in the microwave, and somehow overcooked them? They were rock hard. Disgusting. Or what about when I let Andrew ride up an escalator alone because we all got off and did not notice him jumping back on, only to be brought down to us by two sweet girls who had to think that we were poster parents for why birth control is necessary! There was also that time when I got so mad at the kids for the constant bickering about what movie to pick for movie time that I tossed the VHS tape across the room, only to have Nic reply, "Way to go mom, that was the library's!" I will stop before someone gathers information to incriminate me.

You see poop happens here too. All the time. But I have learned over the years that when I focus on the poopy stuff I start seeing more and more that is bad. But when I focus on the good stuff, it only gets better.

So please know, each and every one of you reading...that I am a flawed, fragmented, down-right frightening individual. But let's not focus on that.

Bits of my weekend-Vol.14

It is often difficult for me to do a 'weekend recap' as summer time, for us, is really one especially long, perpetual weekend. Obviously daddy can't be here for all of it. But it even feels like our time with him is doubled, because we spend so many extra hours in the evenings having fun. So sticking with pictures that only occurred on the weekend is challenging. I will post only one this time.


I had the opportunity to spend Saturday evening with three of the most beautiful women I know. They are friends from yesterday. They are friends of today. They are my friends for always. And even if the environment we gathered in was not exactly as we had pictured it to be, we always have fun being together! Can not wait for the next time girls!

Sometimes even I forget

Even though I have made it my life's mission to slow down and wrap my heart fully around these moments, these blessings, I sometimes get to caught up in details and shortcomings to see it all.

As we briskly walked to practice on a windy summer night we chatted about the positions he would most like to play and why he gets frustrated when he doesn't feel like he is helping out his team enough. While I listened and offered my motherly wisdom, often interrupting his thoughts and correcting his reactions, he did something that touched me profoundly. A nine-year olds hand, which used to be much smaller than mine, slipped silently into my own. Fingers intertwining. So naturally. So right.

I felt my heart and mind wandering, losing focus of the words we were sharing, able only to ponder how long he would hold on before yanking free. We walked all the way through the ball park, right up to the coaches, before he just as naturally slid his fingers free and ran off with a: "See you later mom!"

I am so blessed. I know that. But sometimes even I forget.

In the same boat...that will be docking early

Kudos to the parents south of us who made their voices heard in an attempt to take back summer vacation for our families.

Although a school starting date of August 22 hardly seems like a victory, it must give them some amount of joy to know that they were taken seriously and their voices made a difference.

Until that story ran, I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person in the state who finds it ridiculous that we are loading backpacks with school supplies in mid-August when we should be packing a picnic lunch for a day at the beach.

Given the fact that we are not starting school here in my town, until after the new, later date of the public schools of these parents, I guess it would be foolish to think that my frustration with our starting dates would merit much attention. Complaining is not my goal. Enjoying the lazy, carefree days of summer with my children is. Closing our beautiful pool facility during the warmest days of the summer so that kids can start readying themselves for academics and athletics is a shame.

Although I love each season that living here offers, we all know that the days of sunshine and warmth are fleeting. Taking advantage of them and enjoying our lakes and pools as well as our backyards and barbeque's is what sustains us in the months of sub-zero temperatures.

Hats off to the parents who recognize this and who are bold enough to let their concerns be heard.

Bits of my weekend-Vol. 13

Camping fun!

Elli loves her grandma something crazy!

Ft. Sisseton

I am the best! Or somewhere in the top ten at least.

Nic has a way of complimenting me that just makes me smile each and every time. I love him so very much.

Recently at Olivia's piano recital, where we would also be hearing voice lesson students perform, Nic leaned over to me and quietly said, "Mom, you are the second best singer I know!"

After chuckling, I humbly replied, "Nicholas, then you don't know very many singers."

"No really mom. You are. Mrs. LaFleur is the best. But you are second."

Loving his honesty even in ignorance I asked, "What about Claire?" (Mrs. LaFleur's daughter whom we would be hearing sing shortly.)

Correcting himself he responded, "Oh yeah, I forgot about her. Okay, then you're the third best singer I know. Mrs. LaFleur, Claire, then you!"

Trying to drive the point home further, I pressed on, "Well what about the cantors at church, you know, like Aisha, she's pretty amazing don't you think?"

Nodding emphatically he said, "Oh yes, she is. Okay, for sure it's Mrs. LaFleur, Claire, Aisha and then most definitely YOU!"

I stopped there. In his eyes I would be at the top no matter what my competition. How can a mom be any more blessed?

Not so wordy Wednesday

Sometimes my family is forced to stomach a meal that is less than palatable. Like the breakfast described as 'croutons' and 'bread sticks' neither of which it was. And then occasionally rarely I get it right. Like these tasty made from scratch chocolate waffles.

Please do not be alarmed. This is not a typical intake of calories in my home, especially at breakfast. But school is out people...that is cause for celebration.

Bits of my weekend-Vol. 12

Our weekend did not officially end until yesterday, so I delayed posting my weekend updates. Our weekend was a fun, full, fantastic one filled with family and friends.

The weekend started with catching fish.

Nic was pretty proud of his 17" walley.

No idea whatsoever why Kate is posing as such, and when the kids have been on the boat fishing with dad I take no responsibility for their appearance. They were just thrilled beyond belief with their catch.

We headed to a city kid's Disneyland, the family farm.

We got to spend time with gramps and gram and some of our cousins. We also got to check in on this guy, who is CANCER FREE PEOPLE!

Olivia fulfilled a life long dream, (according to her), she rode grandma's horse, Honey-Babe.

Don't know that is was Kate's life dream, but she enjoyed herself all the same.

Smiley did too.

Nic brought his best friend back with us. They had a roarin' good time.

Here is small, medium, and large.

Bail climbing.

Honda driving/riding.

Hay ride with everyone!

Ended the weekend with fishing too, Andrew reeled in a 21" walley.

Good stuff people. Good stuff!