October 15, 2013

The day that changed our way of life, for my parents, my brother and I, and the rest of our family. After, a short trip to Michigan to finalize Grandpa's passing (October 5th), my Dad had been having come pain in his stomach and back. Like as if he had a virus or if he had done a ton of sit-ups, and his left leg was also bothering him so he went to the Dr., on Monday the 14th. They arranged a CT scan on Tuesday, Dad worked Tuesday and then went to his apt. I had planned on meeting Mom and Dad after their apt., they had Cadence with them as well, what happened later that day and the days to follow, never once entered our mind! After, his scan they told him he needed to go back to his primary care and meet with them. In between all this Mom and I were, texting/ calling  back and forth and I had just decided to meet them at the Dr's office. Before I could get over there, she had called and said they were going to the hospital, Dad was being admitted, something wasn't good and that's pretty much all she said, trying not to get Dad worked up any more than what he was already and so my niece wouldn't worry.  So to fast forward, a few days in the hospital and awaiting test results from a biopsy and such we had an answer.  My Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, that has spread to his liver and he has a mass in front of his colon. Talk about your world crashing down, falling apart, etc... Dad can't be sick he's the strongest person in our family, our rock, the one everybody comes to for anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many Dr's apt's later, more scans and test, we have began a new way of life. It has changed in a way I had never planned. My Dad and Mom is no longer working and is under going Chemo every other week, comes home with a 46 hour drip, and goes back to have it removed on Day 3 of treatment week. His appetite is not the same, his energy level is not the same, he can't wear blue jeans anymore, everything has changed! Our whole lookout on life has changed, we were given a timeline but only the man upstairs knows his time and we are very THANKFUL that we have had  time and praying for God to let him be here with us as long as he can. I go an visit my parents everyday and try to do everything I can for them. Treasure each and every second with the one's you hold dearest to your heart for you never know when something like this can happen to you, and it does to people all over the world everyday, this time it just hit home. Please continue to pray for my family, all of us.

Ashton starts Kindergarten!

Ashton is in Kindergarten now, needless to say after I dropped him off the first day, it took all I had to walk away. Talk about a broken Mama heart! I am proud of the young man he is becoming but I loved our routine and him being with me everyday. On Friday's, I volunteer at his school and we are learning new faces. We have adjusted and now we are enjoying a new routine. Ashton, got the new Kindergarten teacher at his school, she is very kind, soft spoken and very nice.

 The morning of he was very excited, to meet all his new friends and to be going to school!  To start our year off to an exciting start, on the 3rd day, he fell while playing on the playground and had to have 9 stitches! 

 Before & After

Needless to say, that was a traumatizing ordeal in itself but we made it through it, thank goodness for Gee for helping me out. I couldn't of done it without her! 

When he grows up he wants to be a Race Car Driver #88! 

The Aquarium with Amelia

This summer we went to the Aquarium with one of our friend's from the day school. Amelia and Mandy are some of the sweetest people we know and we had a wonderful time at the Aquarium. This was pretty much Ann's 1st time (2nd time), she went when she was a baby and slept the whole time. This time she had me chasing her everywhere and she just had to walk, busy girl! 

 My favorite is the penguin's and this time they were so active, we actually got up close to the glass and they just swam back and forth, I loved it. Ashton & Ann both talked about the sharks and I ended up with like 100 sharks pictures on my phone. Just for fun, Ann's 1st time at the Aquarium!

Tucker turn's 3!

Tucker turned 3, in June and we had him a Mickey Mouse pool party! He loved it and so did everybody else!

Everybody loves CUPCAKES! 

 Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet boy! It is such a blessing to be able to watch you daily while your Mommy & Daddy work. You are just like another child to me and I love you dearly!

Father's Day

This year my Aunt Cindy and her family from Michigan came down to surprise my Dad for Father's Day. Since, my Grandpa passed away and my Dad helped raise my Aunt she wanted to be with him this year. Needless to say it was a wonderful visit from them but sad for my Mom and her Sister's because it was the 1st Father's Day without their Dad. We just spent a very low key day at the house, enjoyed a big dinner and spent time together!

We loved spending time with them and can't wait to see them soon! 

Vacation, Part 2!

Who knew it would take around a month for me to post the 2nd part of our vacation? Needless, to say it's life and we are busy! We left the beach with this in mind...

DISNEY or BUST! 

We arrived in Orlando, and we went to Magic Kingdom the next day. We were all so excited to be there, Cadnece, Tucker & Analyn's 1st time! Lots, of cute matching shirts ahead!

 I am laughing with you on this pic, if you have ever been, you know how hard it is to get a picture in front of the castle, on Main St, with 4 little's looking...enough said! 

Cadence's most awaited part of the trip... the Princess's 

Day 2, was Animal Kingdom!

 Our most favorite part of Animal Kingdom was the Safari ride and shows! 

Day 3, middle of the night Cadence got sick. Like so sick that by the end of Day 3 it looked like this...

Yes, that would be a hospital room!!! Needless to make a long, long story short, Cadence caught an awful virus and had to go for fluids and for some other testing, but checked out that it was just a virus. Day 4, was a relax day and for her to rest up. Day 5, Ashton woke up sick in the middle of the night, we immediately packed up and headed home, no sooner we were home (like around 30-45 min.) Analyn got sick and we ended that night at our Children's Hospital! I had planned this trip out, from parade time, to show time, to character meet & greet time, etc.... It just goes to show that anything can happened, I cried, Mom cried, at one point we were all crying, but praise God everybody recovered quickly and nothing serious was wrong! Disney, is already on the agenda for upcoming vacation and we can't wait to go back!  

Summer Vacation 2013, Part One

This summer we decided we would take the kids to the beach and then we would take them to Disney. We vacationed in Destin for 5 nights and then we planned on staying in Orlando for 4 nights, but we learned this year you can't always stick to your plans. More to come on that! Mom and I drove down with all 5 kids on Wednesday, Keith met us after he got off from work and our vacation begun.... This was Tucker & Analyn's first time at the beach, they loved it!

 As soon as we got there, we went straight for the beach! 

 Everybody checking it out....

The waves were so rough while we were there, we spent alot of time in the pool! 

 Ashton & Cadence love to swim....

 We discovered a love for AJ's SEA BLASTER last vacation and we went again this year...

 Everybody got to drive the boat! 

Beautiful Sunset

 Enjoyed everyday playing in sand and ocean! 

 Took Family Pictures! 

Built Sand Castles and enjoyed just being at my favorite place! 

Part Two, coming soon!!!