Updates

It occurred to me the other day that I have not blogged for months! I wanted to make a weekly thing but apparently life got in the way (again.. haha). When I received the mail after lunch today, I had a nice letter from a mommy friend that's in my Catholic Motherhood group. After reading the updates of her children and what's going on in her life, I felt like writing myself.
Let's start off with my 4 1/2 year old, Michael

• He's been my biggest challenge when I am at home with him during the weekdays. (He attends a home based daycare a few days a week.) He seems to be going through his emotions lately and lets me know when his feelings are hurt, when he's mad, frustrated, and happy. I know this is all normal as he's becoming familiar with his own little body. I just hope the frustration and anger subsides as those have been the strongest emotions for him lately! He also needs to work on his listening skills as he really has trouble staying focused when Mom is in his room telling him to do something and he is too busy to do what has been asked. One last thing that is challenging is his eating habits! It is true what they say when kids are more influenced by what the father eats. He loves his dairy and meat but fruit and veggies are something that we have been working with for a few years! (I should mention that he is growing like a weed so I'm not worried in that aspect ;)
• Michael is an excellent helper (when he does) and does well with any type of school work I give him or he is presented with at daycare. He knows his numbers, letters, is great at puzzles and other things when critical thinking is involved. I can't wait until he goes to kindergarten next year at Holy Family, although, he has asked to be home schooled next year!

Kayden (turned 3 at the end of August)

• What a big boy he is! Really he is! Who could have thought that a child who just finished chemo/cancer treatments around 6 months ago could bounce back the way he did! He just had his 2nd 3 month check in Kansas City last week, and his oncologist and staff could not get over how WONDERFUL he looked. 
• In all aspects - physically, developmentally, mentally, socially - he is doing phenomenal. The only thing he struggles with is potty training. He has regressed more and more, but eventually I know he will get it! What I love about him is how social he has become. I used to think he was going to be my shy little boy, but he has really grown into a little man. He talks a lot and has a perfect memory. Yesterday, I asked Michael what they had for lunch at daycare. Michael said pizza and Kayden interrupted with, "No Michael we didn't have that. We had chicken and french fries!" He has shown a little attitude also (I know he gets from big brother) and gets in trouble from time to time which he hates since he is used to getting everything his way like when we were in the hospital. He gets pretty LOUD too when the boys play together. I really do cherish every day I get to be home with them while watching them play. 

Kerry is still working at the golf course and as frustrated as it can get there, I know he really enjoys the work he does. He doesn't really get stressed as much as he used to, and I think as a result he hasn't been having migraines. A couple weekends ago he went riffle hunting and got a big and old buck! We haven't gotten the meat back from the meat processing place and will soon have some deer jerky and sausage to enjoy! Kerry also got a new F150 truck and topper that he has been wanting for years! The muffler fell off of his old truck and was starting to wear down so he was more than ready to get a new one. 

I, myself, have much to update on! Towards the end of summer, I accepted a PRN (as needed work) position at the orthopedic clinic I was working at prior to Kayden's diagnosis with cancer. Work has kept my nursing skills alive, and currently with limited hours, I am looking for a more steady RN position. I am trying to listen to God's calling for me in the nursing field and hopefully can find the right job after the holidays. I find myself leaning towards working at the hospital where I delivered Kayden in Plainville, but I know with more praying and patience, the right place will be determined for me. Obstetrics, oncology, and home health seem to be of most interest to me currently. Aside from nursing, my main focus has been healthy eating and lifestyle changes. I am constantly trying new recipes and using natural ingredients. Eating at McDonalds has phased out as that was our to go place when we were on the road a lot. I have lost quite a bit of weight with just making more healthy meals at home. My bigger challenge right now is exercising. I struggle with motivation and the time factor. I think I just need to make it more enjoyable and am trying to find things the whole family can do to stay active. It is difficult, as some of you probably know, to be active in the winter months. I guess we will have to take advantage of the warmer days and use them for walking/park days!

The entire family got to enjoy DISNEY WORLD early November!! The Make a Wish foundation along with the FHSU wishmakers were able to make this trip happen. We will be forever grateful for that. It was definitely an experience we will all remember. 

As you can tell we had a good time. The boys especially enjoyed meeting the characters even though it doesn't look that way in some of the pics!

To all of you I wish you a Merry Christmas! I know it will be an amazing Christmas with a lot to be thankful for and share with my family, and I hope you find it to be the same for you and yours. God blessings!

Summertime Fun

Last weekend we went to my husband's native town to visit with family and have a relaxing time together. It ended up being a short trip, but the boys had a blast with their grandparents, uncle and hopefully soon aunt ;) They played hard, took walks, sprinkler fun, and did other outdoor things!

Today we went to the aquatic park for the first time here. Michael has gone swimming with the grandparents earlier this summer, but Kayden and I did not. We met up with our neighbor friend who has a boy the same age Kayden is. They all had a fun time playing! Kayden was scared at first of the water and the little green frog slide but eventually went down with Mommy over and over again! Michael wanted to go down the bigger slide and on the lazy river so we did that too. It was a fun afternoon and went home after the boys started getting cranky. They are both still napping so they must have used up a lot of energy!

We have a playdate scheduled with our neighbor friends again tomorrow morning and are looking forward to that! I'm glad it's been a normal summer so far. Kayden is slowly making more and more progress with doing normal things and is exciting to see him having fun!

Enjoyed playing at the park!

Michael was just recovering from the stomach flu last night and woke up feeling well this morning. This morning we went to a different park they normally don't go to, and the boys enjoyed the slides, swings, climbing rocks, and even played hide and seek. I sometimes forget that the boys need their outdoor time to run around, play, and enjoy the sunshine! I often get caught up in chores, projects at home or other things on my "to do" list. Here are a few pics of the enjoyment we had today while we played hide and seek!

Found you, Kayden!

 Can you see Michael hiding?

Kayden found Michael!

Wedding planning!

Today I woke up early. Actually, it was very early for me as Kayden is not been sleeping the best during the night. At 5:30 to be exact. Well, I started off by making a DIY exfoliating body scrub using coconut oil. It was really easy actually. I used 1 cup of coconut oil, 1 cup of sugar (recipe calls for organic), 1/2 cup of sea salt and 1 T of lavender oil. I omitted the lavender oil as I did not have any on hand. All I can say is, WOW! I rubbed it on all over my body in the shower and came out silky smooth! I have really been into using natural ingredients lately probably since Kayden had cancer but the results always seem to come out so much better than something you would purchase in the store! And did I mention cheaper too?
Speaking of DIY, I found a DIY laundry detergent recipe on Pinterest and made a BIG batch of detergent!

If you like visuals, here's one!

This is a 5 gallon bucket and 3/4 full! I still haven't added the last ingredient!

So I titled this blog 'Wedding planning!' yet I haven't even discussed weddings! Maybe it needs a new name? No, I am excited this day is about planning for my little sister's wedding! We are going to try on dresses today, and I told Rachel yesterday that the focus will be on her today. It is important that she finds her dress first. She recently got engaged to her boyfriend of 3 years about a month ago and the wedding is sooner than they were planning for next spring. To me that's quick because I was engaged for a couple years before my husband and I were married. We were also only dating for about 7 months before Kerry proposed. Back to Rachel and her fiance Blake. The two young lovebirds have a lot to plan and a lot going on for them right now. Rachel is in the radiology program at the university here and going into sonography. She is taking summer classes right now so she is always busy with something. My almost brother-in-law is getting ready to start college next fall so he is trying to decide on a major and also busy working. Oh, I didn't mention that he is in a band too! He has some amazing skills! He is the lead singer and plays the guitar. He has always been a family member to us since he and Rachel started dating. They have the date, church, and reception booked so are making some progress! My little sister who is 16 is the maid of honor with my older sister and I being bridesmaids. Since my older sister and I are the married ones, I think we will be the ones giving advice from our experience! 

Here is a picture of my Rachel, Blake and I at Blake's high school graduation party.

Yes, we are all matching! Rachel is on the right and she and Blake did plan to match :)

One of my dear friends is also getting married next year, and I am her matron of honor! She has her dress and the bridesmaids dresses figured out, but there is a lot of planning there too! Looks like I will be a busy bee next year with these two weddings and wonderful people in my life that I am honored to share their days with! Here's to happy wedding planning!

Kayden is CANCER FREE!

Yesterday my youngest, Kayden, had a CT scan and MRI to look at his liver. He was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma Stage III (liver cancer) late last September and has been treated with multiple rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and had surgery in April for a liver transplant. We were overjoyed to hear during surgery that they could remove the tumor and the transplant wasn't needed! For a more detailed understanding of his treatment, please follow his carepages website: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/kaydenskampaign. After the radiologist and oncologist reviewed the scans from yesterday, it was confirmed that our little fighter Kayden is done fighting! There was no evidence of the tumor and some regrowth of his liver! My baby is cancer free! He is done with his treatments and will be having his port removed in a couple weeks. He has to take Bactrim, an antibiotic, for 6 months to help prevent the chances of him getting a certain type of pneumonia since his immunity to fight off infections is suppressed. He will be checked every 3 months in the clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for two years to be monitored in case the cancer comes back. It was a bittersweet ending yesterday as his oncologist and team threw a party to celebrate the end of Kayden's treatments.
Today, we have been having a restful day at home. Michael was at his grandparents when we were in Kansas City, and they all come over this morning. Kayden is still recovering from his last round of chemotherapy but for the most part is happy and keeps busy at home!
We have a lot planned for this summer from family swim time to home improvements and then a trip to Texas. Kayden will get to celebrate his birthday at the end of summer and will have a party next month to celebrate him being cancer free. There is a lot to be thankful for, and we are hoping for the best year!

Kayden holding his award of achievement for finishing treatment and being cancer free!!

Update: Carepages removed their page and so Kayden's posts are no longer accessible. I did receive a copy of the posts I made so if anyone has ANY questions related to his treatment, care or in general, please just ask!

My boys the other day before a lunch date! L>R Kayden (2 1/2), Michael (4)

A New Beginning

A lot has happened since I started blogging a couple years ago. I am turning over a new leaf! Even though life had so much meaning to me then, I have a whole new outlook on life. My 2 (almost 3) year old is just finishing up treatment of liver cancer. He was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma Stage 3 late last September. I will discuss more of this in depth in another post. Let's just say he had surgery a couple months ago and is now cancer free! It is a big weight and relief off our shoulders! If you wish to follow Kayden's journey, you can sign up to follow his carepages site at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/kaydenskampaign. To all you bloggers and readers, I hope you find some insight and can relate to posts where I discuss my life as a mommy including the joys, struggles, challenges, and everything else that life throws at me!


Update 9/20/18: Carepages has closed their website; they were able to send me all of my posts that I plan refer back to for future posts! If any questions related to him and his journey, please don't hesitate to ask me!