We're Back!

1. One of only a few pictures that include the both of us.

2. Turks was amazing and I will tell you all the juicy details soon.

3. Kids' flight was cancelled due to weather, so tonight I am cleaning like crazy and painting the dining room before they get home tomorrow.

4. Going to snuggle and play and kiss those kids silly when they get here.

5. When they grow tired of my smothering, I will be back to blogging all about the vacation.

We're home ...

Good News!!

Wayne just called - the cancer has not spread.

They have identified an area that looks to be trying to break out (grow), so his break will be 2 months (instead of 3) so they can keep an eye on him. But his Doctor said it was nothing to worry about - if it was, he would not be continuing his break. SO...

Two more months of feeling great and no chemo!!

Vacation with good news is the only way to go. We are so thankful and happy - I don't have words.

I asked Wayne how he felt, and he said, "Well, I wish they had said it was all gone!" LOL. We knew that wasn't going to the case, but when he starts to crack jokes, I know he is doing OK.

Just wanted to let you all know.

XOXO

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, Which you do not know.

Isaiah: 46 

Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ.
 

Ephesians: 3:17

No News Yet.

I have been getting a ton of email and calls about Wayne's test results. I just wanted to let you know we won't know anything until this afternoon. His meeting with Dr. Patel is at 2:00 (Houston time). I will be sure to post as soon as I can.

Dear Dad,

Mom is letting Claire run around naked except for the new shoes Claire won't take off.

 

I've been playing Costco (See my receipt with the face? The other side has a line, too.) and eating Cheezits. I tried talking Mom into Krispy Kreme Donuts this morning but she wouldn't budge. Someone tell her Cheezits are just as bad, please.

While we have been waiting for you to call, we've been busy getting the guest bedroom ready for Grandpa. Mom keeps freaking out that we are messing up the bed, but we just figure she'll make it again. And again. Plus, she got the camera out, so we know she won't do anything to upset us while she's trying to get a picture. She's so predictable.

Look at me here! She kept saying something about the lighting being great and to PLEASE stop moving for one second. That's when I went in for the kill. She never saw the pillow coming.

Please come home soon. She has FOUR different colors painted on the bead board in the dining room and is driving me and Claire crazy with her talk about the vacation she can't wait to go on. Doesn't she realize going to Rapid will be WAY better?

I bet Grandpa and Grandma will feed me donuts...

Call us soon. We love you!!

Caeden

Seriously?

Turks and Caicos weather.

All These Things ...

1. Wayne flies out to Houston today. He will be with his Dad (love you Dave!) and they will get through the tests, scans, and blood work by joking (and Dad being quietly supportive).

2. They will eat at our favorite restaurant in the world, Houston's. We went every single Saturday afternoon when we lived in Kansas City. And sometimes Sunday, too. We celebrated everything there. We sat together in a booth and opened the baby card (I created a baby card with a pocket for the gender of our baby to be revealed). We didn't want to know in the tech room, we waited until we were settled and had ordered lunch, then holding hands we opened the card to reveal Caeden was a boy. We cried. Thank you, Mom, for being so great and surprising Wayne with that gift card.

3. I will attempt to keep myself busy and try not to worry too much about how Wayne is doing because I know he is doing FINE and he feels fantastic. But I can't help it.

4.Which means I will probably paint or shop or work out a lot.

5. Caeden cried last night. Big huge tears because he didn't want to be left behind when we go to Turks on Friday. Wayne and I promised to take him to see the ocean in California next month when his aunt Nikki runs the Disney Marathon (she is a bad ass like that).

6. Started to think taking the kids with us (to Turks) would be a lot of fun.

7. Except for when Claire would eat sand. Over and over and over.

8. Took a spinning class this morning (my first ever). It was 60 minutes of wonderfulness - I really liked it except my bike wasn't adjusted the way it should have been, because I couldn't extend my legs when I stood up on the bike (will know for next time).

9. Looked over at my friend who talked me into it (and who rocked it - she is training for a triathlon), and I said, "I am going to KILL YOU," because I thought my thighs were going to turn to rock and fall off. And then (on the movie screen) footage of Lance Armstrong flashed across the room, and as corny as this may sound, I felt like he was encouraging me to keep going for Wayne. For Wayne. For Wayne. So I did.

10. Can't wait for the next class because I think if I stick with it, the boy short bikini will be no problem.

11. Please put Wayne in your prayers tonight.

XOXO

Weekend Update (with awful iPhone Pictures)

1. Wayne spent Saturday morning sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool.

2.  Caeden wonders how old he has to be to go scuba diving with his dad (and now walks around the house with goggles/scuba masks on).

3.  We had a babysitter last night so we spent 5 hours out and about being an adult couple (instead of parents).

4. In an attempt to be "sexy Val" (instead of ponytail, no make up, yoga outfit Val) I wore black eyeliner. Caeden said, "Mom, you look new!" When I look at the not-so-nice close up he took, I think I definitely don't look "new" - but, it's always fun to see the face behind the blogger, so here I am. I need lighter hair, and apparently my wrinkle cream is a total waste of money. Oh, the joys of getting older.

5. Went to White Chocolate Grill for dinner and had the best spinach dip w/ salsa. Yum.

6. Have no idea what to do with Claire's hair. It is super fine, super thin. I spray tons of spray gel on it, put it in pony/piggy tails/cute barrettes/and this is what it looks like about 3 minutes later. By the look on her face, I think she knew I was making fun of her...

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Into the Weekend

This site still makes me laugh. The above text (from a Mom) and others are submitted by people who received hilarious texts from their well-meaning Moms. SO funny.

We're getting ready for Turks (leave Friday) ... on the list:

As I type, Wayne is at the scuba shop swimming in the pool to brush up on his diving skills. The man has mad scuba skills, but just wants to make sure he hasn't lost his edge.

Other things to do before we go:

1. Pack the Kids and Send with Grandpa (oh wait, that's not until Friday).

2. Buy some black flats (I have a sister and we wear the same shoe size. I wonder what happened to my pair?)

3. A new sundress, flip flops, cute headband ... and lots of sunscreen.

4. Find my point and shoot camera (the cheap one so I don't freak out when it gets clogged with sand or drowns in the pool)

5. Download some new iTunes - tropical edition.

Indonesian Chicken

Dinner time stresses me out. Finding something that everyone likes is quite the challenge around here as Caeden and Wayne are super, super picky.

This recipe is a favorite. Everyone likes it, it's super fast and easy to prepare, and most everything you already have in your pantry. I, however, was out of "most everything" and had to go to the store for all ingredients. My grand total was under $10 for this recipe. 

Recipe from Barefoot Contessa via food network

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1 cup honey
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup minced garlic (8 to 12 cloves)
• 1/2 cup peeled and grated fresh ginger root
• 1 whole chicken, quartered, with back removed

Directions

Cook the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger root in a small saucepan over low heat until the honey is melted. Arrange the chicken in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan, skin side down, and pour on the sauce. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the pan, turn the chicken skin side up, and raise the temperature to 375 degrees F. Continue baking for 30 minutes or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh and the sauce is a rich, dark brown.

Serve with green beans and jasmine rice. YUM!

Encourage Each Other

A couple of years ago, I think Caeden was maybe 18 months old, I stumbled upon the amazing Barb Uil of Jinky Art Photography. Barb's work moved me so much that I picked up Wayne's camera (he was the camera enthusiast back then) and started to play.

As I become more confident in the look I wanted for my photographs, I begged him to help me move his favorite leather chair outside and onto our lawn so I could take some family pictures. He thought I was a bit crazy, but did it anyway; he loved the final results. Four years ago it was something no one else was doing. And since then I have taken pictures for family, friends, and recently, clients, without holding back.

The (2009) year I decided to go pro was also the year, as you all know, that Wayne was diagnosed with Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma (cancer of the cartilage). I really should have waited to start In the Moment Photography until we knew how Wayne's treatment was going to go, but his encouragement was so strong, he believed in me so much, that he convinced me to go for it.

He was probably tired of me hovering, now that I really think about it.

While I do not work in the winter months, it does not stop me from dreaming of spring and of the families I will photograph. I think of my own, and how they will run around on Easter morning looking for eggs ... but I do not dream of dressing them up and having them pose for the camera.  I think of how I will run around, fall to my stomach, and snap pictures of the delight in their eyes when they find a surprise. I will capture the wet grass of Easter morning clinging to bare toes. This is my signal for the new season. A fresh start for all of us.

I will be traveling to a farm in Montana in mid-July to attend a workshop of the very artist who inspired me in those early years. The Jinky Art Workshop is marked on my calendar, and come hell or high water, I am going.

I am going because I want to learn more. To be better. To meet people who share my profession. To be inspired.

And as I write this rambling post, what I really want to say is how much I love Wayne. His encouragement and belief in me has always propelled me to new heights. He has a way of challenging me to always be better. And because of him, I am.

Encourage each other. Always, always.

XOXO

Matilida Jane Clothing for Her...

So, yesterday while I was reeling (well not so much reeling as coming to grips with the cold, hard facts) from the issue that I cannot carry off the boy-short fad, I decided to soothe my ego and shop for Claire. Chunky thighs are CUTE and ADORABLE on her. 

Once a year I do a bit of Matilda Jane shopping for Claire. I get a couple of outfits that last her until the next year (they are generously sized and as she grows, the pants become cute capris and look even cuter). Whenever she wears an outfit from them, we get stopped in the grocery store, in the hallway at school, anywhere, really, to ask where I get her clothes. That isn't why I dress her in it, but it just goes to show how stinkin' cute the stuff is. What I really love is how comfortable it is. Made with pima cotton, elastic waists, and lots of flouncy stuff, I know Claire is always comfortable.

Anyway, the line goes on sale on Monday, but you can preview it here: Matilda Jane. It comes in toddler, girl, and tween sizes. I use a rep in South Dakota, so if you need the name of someone to place an order through, let me know and I can give you her information.

*edited to add

The Matilda Jane rep I use is Jill Haugo. 
Her email is: jillh@matildajaneclothing.com
Just go online and add clothing to your wish list and email it to her (there is a link to do that on the web page).

Warning

Images may appear larger in real life. A lot larger.

Don't ever buy these boy shorts. My poor, poor eyes. They shouldn't have seen the things they saw today when my swimming suit arrived.

Swimming suit shopping is not for the faint of heart. Let's leave it at that.

Weekend Update

We had a playdate on Friday.

Lindsay and Jordan came over Saturday - we ate a yummy dinner of bruschetta and carbonara with ceasar salad and Wayne's homemade wine.

The guys went to the Avalanche Hockey game - thank you Jake for the amazing tickets! They had an absolute blast!

Lindsay and I stayed behind to sit on the sofa and talk about everything under the sun. The guys got home late and we stayed up for a bit longer, laughing and talking and loving that we have each other to laugh at. To laugh with.

Sunday we watched the super bowl with Lindsay and Jordan. Watched the lack-luster commercials (the Google one was my favorite "how to assemble a baby crib" choked me up) and ate veggies, sweet potato fries, and brats.

Today we're snuggled up at home watching the snow fall. Hot baths, hot cereal, watching movies and thinking about how nice it is not to have to be anywhere.

Wayne has a couple of really busy weeks coming up. This week he's working in St. Louis and next week it's back to Houston for tests and scans and to talk to Dr. Patel. I pray for results that show that his cancer has not spread or grown. If you would pray for the same we would be most grateful. We'll be sure to keep you posted when we have more news next week.

Sweet Date

Yesterday we had a bit of a Valentine play date. My beautiful friend Toby came over with her adorable kiddos for an afternoon of cookie decorating, a yummy lunch (my first time ever having Turkey hot dogs - yum!), and letting the kids play while we talked about life ... only like girlfriends can.

Here's the love story I really want to tell:

  

Malik is watching Toby scrape green frosting into a bottle (or something?) and then he goes in for a smooch. A "just because" kiss. Just cuz he loves his Mama. So dang perfect. She needed that.

 

How did I not get the actual moment of contact? I think you see where it is going, though.

And look at her reaction. Awwww.

Notes:

1. Put the frosting into squeeze bottles found at Michaels. Brilliant! The kids had so much more control over their decorating. The cookies turned out awesome.

2. It is time to paint my dining room. I'm prepared to throw samples up onto the beadboard to get something going today. Can't stand it after seeing it in pictures.

3. Reconnecting with old friends that become new friends makes me so happy. So happy.

Dum Dums

I thought craft time was going to be so dang fun yesterday. I had Caeden all worked up into a frenzy when I grabbed the suckers ...

Not even hunting for scissors (that were not where they were supposed to be) for 20 minutes took away from the excitement of our craft. I had a big dumb smile on my face as I got the paper and pencils ready for Caeden. At this point, I was pretty sure I was going to win some sort of award for craftiness.

I should have known better. I never win anything, people.

I watched as Caeden silently ran for the junk drawer where he gathered his own supplies. Tape measurer, half of a hammer (???!), some Burts Bees chap stick, and a pink tape dispenser with no tape in it. 

And no eye contact. I think he could sense my deflated enthusiasm as he got to work on his own project...

No matter. Not bothered by my son's utter lack of vision, I got to work, cutting out petals and making little flowers. 

I peek a glace at Caeden to see if he realizes what he is missing out on. Nope, not interested. His eyes are glued to his piece of paper ...

And Claire is freaking out because she wants a sucker, the permanent marker, some sharp scissors ... something!!!

So I figure the choking hazard of a sucker is better than the scissors.

Plus, I just brushed up on the Heimlich maneuver online so she's completely safe.

 More Dum Dum Flowers (which would have been so cute with glitter around the petals!).

We've got an exploding volcano spewing green lava over here. How could I possibly compete with that?

Sensing my defeat, Caeden feels sorry for me and offers to hold a flower. 

Then he says, "Give it to Claire.  She'll like it, Mom." 

The boy is visibly relieved to have a sister to keep his Mom (and her girlie ideas) busy ...

The Beatles Said It Best

 

  

  

  

 

Love is all you need.

Weekend Update

We had a really fun weekend.

We ran errands galore, went to the park (it was freezing but the fresh air felt wonderful), worked out at the gym, went to Rio for dinner (thanks for the suggestion Melissa & Chris!) and learned why their margarita's come with a warning and a 2 drink maximum.

Okay Bunny, let's make the best of this horrible situation that Mom and Dad think is fun. Who goes to the park when it's 40 degrees ... and windy??

Not so bad when I'm hanging with Dad ...


And I'd love to show you some of Caeden (who loved every minute of it) but he ran away each time he saw the camera.