Scan update.

Well, I have so much to blog about, lets start with the not so cheery stuff first...

Brian had his routine PET scan and check up this past Friday. We were both super excited that he was able to fight off a cold for the first time since he started treatments on his own without meds. You may recall that he wasn't producing blood back in March and April and had to have a bone marrow biopsy. Well, his lab work is beautiful, right where it needs to be. He also had some esophageal inflammation on his last PET that is no longer there. Praise God. But....there's always a but. They've been watching a lymph node in his groin for a while. The lymph system empties into the groin, so they didn't want to unnecessarily poke around there for remove this node if they didn't have to. There are risks, mainly, lymphedema. But, this node is larger and its glowing more intensely on the PET. So, Thursday and Friday we will be in Dallas meeting with a surgeon. Thankful that my husband has such a kind hearted, pro-active oncologist. He made it very clear to the surgeon that he doens't want to wait, that we need these results because it will determine the next course of treatment. Praying its nothing, but as always, its not in our hands.

Thankful for my family, specifically my mom, who has taken off work to be with our children. Thankful for my job, and the people there who are so understanding. My boss is having a particularly hard time. Continued prayers for her. A few years ago, her brother was murdered at a bank while he was making a delivery. The trial has been going on and the sentencing is next week. Her baby sister has been battling breast cancer. Her sister slipped into a coma this weekend and its a matter of time until she passes into the next life. Her family will more than likely be planning a funeral next week. So much for one family to deal with.

I'm sure this biopsy result will take a week or so, but that works out perfectly with my blogging schedule.

Beginning of school and Canada trip to follow.

Brian and Zac are out tossing the pigskin. Zac is a natural. He starts practicing with his flag football team this Thursday. When we signed Zac up he wasn't too happy about it. He says that he is more of a sitting on the couch eating chips watching footbal kind of guy. I hope that he enjoys it. He seriously needs a physical outlet. I've seen a huge change in him this summer and I can't wait to see what this school year brings. I ran into his teacher for the upcoming year at the technology institute last week. Soo excited that he has Mrs. Lee. Actually I would have been happy with either first grade teacher, but I think she will be good. She actually taught kindergarten and GT at our school and then left for 2 years and is back now. Her daughter will be in Aiden's pre-k class.

Aiden will be going to school from 12:30-3:30. Not too bad. That means that we can do the toddler class at the zoo for one more year. I plan on working with him with the book Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Emi will be spending Tuesdays at Joy Station Tuesday school. And both the little ones will be continuing gymnastics.

Tony will be entering the 4th grade. He will have the same teacher that he had for second grade. She gives alot of homework, but I do like her as a person. She scores points for her husband. She's married to my friend Phillip's brother, Michael. I know that Tony will do fine, I'm hoping that he and I can work on some personal goals. He's never had a friend.

Angie will be starting a new adventure. The 5th grade changes classes, so he will have different teachers for different subjects. And for the first time, her grade will be divided. She has some bright kids in her class, so I'm expecting it to be a good year.

well, someone forwarded me an interesting link. I'll write more later.

Back on the budget, meal planning in summer months is a challenge when nothing sounds good. Last night I made quiche for the kids for the first time. General consensus was positive. Zac made me laugh because he said "just pretend its pizza, just pretend its pizza." He closed his eyes and took a bite going pizza, pizza, pizza. Hahahaha.

Brian and I spent the last two days up at the school at the summer technology institute. This is actually a continuing education event for teachers, but its open to the public, so Brian and I spent the last to days building rockets. It was awesome. Ok, so we know nothing about physics, but we learned. Can't wait to build them with the kids.

Pam was so good to watch the kids for us. I just have to pay her in Pioneer woman cinnamon rolls that she can take to her sunday school class. Well worth it!

Summer scorcher.

Well, its hot here. Duh, you say? I'm longing for the days of the train when a drought would send me and the kids packing to the relatives back east and Brian would be stuck here tending the ranch until the rains came again. But, its not to be. Sigh.

We are rationing water here. One minute showers. Wet, turn off water. Lather, rinse. Paper plates, paper cups. And, saddest of all, the pool is now turned off. I know its materialistic, but I can't help it. I am a daughter of Poseidon. Water is comforting to me, lack of it is heartbreaking.

Our trip to Seattle and Canada is next week. I suspect we will freeze in the 70 degree weather. So nice to have something to look forward to. I told Brian that we may have to plan all of our summer vacations for August so that we can escape the heat.

Angie and I are working through the Love Comes Softly dvds. I'm sure that the books are fabulous, but we are really enjoying the movies. She is watching on me so that we can watch #5. More on that later.

Summer camps

This week will be the last of the summer camps. Yeah. You should know that I'm a little neurotic when it comes to this venture in parenting. I start in March planning our summer including reading lists, workbooks and other educational items, and yes, summer camps. Every summer, I come away with a few more things to add to the list of things that just don't work for us. Hopefully, along the way I have given the kids a good memory or two.

I posted pictures of Threshold, the GT camp at Hardin Simmons. THis mom gives it two thumbs up! What a great experience for the kids. They get to spend the whole week with other kids who love to learn.

Last week, Angie, Bella, and Angie's friend Marin spent the week at The Grace Museum Culinary camp. Wow, it was amazing. I was more than a bit jealous. TSTC provided the instructors and they spent the week cooking healthy versions of kids favorites. For example, they made pizza with honey instead of sugar in the dough, and ranch dressing with yogart instead of mayo. Each day there was a drink of the day, watermelon lemonade, coconut smoothies, old fashioned low fat chocolate malts. Yum. They got a cookbook and a t-shirt as well that they decorated during camp. Angie was really excited to learn that their instructor won the very first episode of chopped. We even pulled it up and watched it on youtube.

Tony and my nephew Landen spent the week at a drama camp at the Methodist church. They did a musical version of the jungle book. It was so good. My son was definately in his element this his microphone and killer dance moves! Gosh I love that kid.

Tony spent this week at zoo camp. This is his third year, and probably last, at least at the Abilene zoo anyway. The boy knows alot about animals! Thankfully, midweek I decided to pay for the after care program. T stayed at the zoo and Katie picked him up when she got off work. It was his favorite part!! He helped feed animals and then played zoo tycoon. And, I saved a ton of money on gas!!

I picked up a book called Parenting Gifted Kids, by james Delisle. In between other "fun" mindless escape reading, I've been reading this book here and there. I have to say, its a great read, and not just for parents of kids who are "gifted". Over the last year I have read several snoozers in this area, and this book has really been speaking to me. Maybe, its because I believe in his messages. It talks about teaching your children that "better at" does not mean "better than". Amen preach it to the choir!! Seriously though. Everyone wants their kids to be smart and successful, but its kind of a waste if we don't teach them to be good people.

In a few weeks it will be back to school time. Not a major transition in our house. I bought the Target boxes from the school, so I just have to go pick them up. We reuse backpacks and I have a few in the closet I bought on clearance should anyone need a "new" one. I will make sure everyone has tennies that fit, and that's about it. They can usually wear shorts into October, so I will usually buy jeans later after the back to school hoopla wears down. A friend at work gave me a list of a couple of consignment type places to try. We'll see.

Big trip to Canada the last week of August/first week of September, and then its back to the Dave Ramsey attacking the debt plan.

More Bubbleology

Because I liked these pictures so much, I had to post more.





For more pics or info about their projects, See:
http://bubbleology.wikispaces.com/

Bubbleology

Bubbleology



I borrowed these photos From the Threshold wikispace site. This week the oldest three kids are at Hardin Simmons attending Threshold, a GT summer camp. Hopefully by the end of the week, I can get some pictures on here of Zachary. The theme is different every year, and as you can see, this year its all about Bubbles. What a wonderful fun opportunity to explore chemistry and physics.

Love this one, guess Ang isn't a fan of his bubble art.


Tony and unknown girl blowing bubbles.


Angie said they were trying to build the longest bubble chain aka the bubble caterpillar.


Artist at work.




look what we can do!


I cannot say enough good things about this camp. A whole week of embracing your inner nerd, what could be better?