Hair Cut!

I have been growing out my hair for over two years now in hopes of donating it to Locks of Love when I had 10 inches to cut. On Saturday I figured out that I had lice AGAIN for the THIRD time. I just cried. I hate these things. I hate doing the laundry and the cleaning that is associated with it. It obliterated our whole Saturday, which was going to be a last date for Kaylon and me. Instead I was washing Grace's, Liliana's, and my hair, combing through them, and cleaning everything. I had had enough. So I looked online to find a salon that worked with Locks of Love to donate it when I was lice free.

I was very disappointed at what I found. They only give out about 200 wigs a year, even though they get around 20,000 donations a week. And I understand that not all of the donations are usable, but you would think that they'd be able to make a few more wigs with the money they make from selling the unusable hair to movie sets and wig makers. In my research (which I don't have the time to quote on here, but I will find the info if you want it) it also showed the CEO getting a huge percentage of what the company makes. So I had a decision to make: donate my hair with there being a small chance of a child getting my hair and a huge chance that the sale of my hair would make someone's pockets a bit fuller, or throw my hair away.

I chose to throw it away. I was mad about the way they represented themselves and I had too much to do to go through the hassle of getting it sent off to a company that I don't trust. Wasn't worth it. And I got to cut my hair the length I wanted instead of trying to get 10 inches. Selfish? Maybe. But I see it as standing on a principle. Don't use sick kids to line your pockets.

Anyways, here's a before and after. I think I might like it better longer, but for summer in AZ... I need it short!

Happy Sixth Birthday Grace!!!

I can't believe my baby is six! Grace is such a smart, sweet, loving, girl with a fantastic imagination. How many girls these days want to grow up to be Musketeers? She loves to have fun. She loves to be with people. She loves to be loved. I am so proud of the girl that she has become and I can't wait to watch her as she grows!

End of Kindergarten!?

Today is Grace's last full day of kindergarten (tomorrow is only 2.5 hours long for the entire school). I can't believe how fast time has flown. She brought home her journals this week and it amazing to see the progression in her drawings and writing. Today she wrote her own thank you notes to her teachers mostly without my help. Her reading ability has improved exponentially- she reads everything now: signs, books, notes, etc. She has developed socially- she plays so much better with kids her age now- and she's SO outgoing. It makes an introvert like me shrink a few inches every time she goes up to kids on the playground and ask to play- but the kids accept her quickly, and she makes some more friends. She knows many of the teachers and administration at her school because she says hello to everyone. She has just blossomed this year. I am so grateful for her two teachers, Ms. Scheufele and Mrs. Liebermann who have loved her for who she is and guided her (and me!) in her transition from home to school.

Grace and her K teacher, Ms.Scheufele

Grace and her assistant K teacher, Mrs. Liebermann

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the two dads in my life- My daddy and my husband. I am a lucky girl to have them both. I'm not always the easiest person to deal with, but they both love me in spite of that.

So thank you Daddy for for never giving up on me- for all the phone calls and visits- for the many roller coaster rides- for the simple lessons you taught me without realizing it- for being such a great 'Pop' to my kids- and for your unconditional love.


And thank you Kaylon for never giving up on me- for the late night conversations- for putting up with my mood swings- for trying to make everything special (even when it makes me embarrassed)- for being so involved as a father of girls- and for your undying love.

Happy Father's Day to your both. I love you!

Princess Party!

Some of the biggest compliments any parent can get? "This is the BEST DAY EVER!" and "Wow, Grace, this is the funnest party ever!" We got both on Saturday when we threw Grace a princess party for her sixth birthday (which is actually on the 24th, but since we're leaving town we decided to throw it early). We went all out: streamers and balloons leading to the door; everyone was asked to wear princess attire (including me!); a sign-in sheet at the door; a crown to decorate and wear; and princess glitter galore. We played princess games, broken up by princess training for things like curtsies, waving to your subjects, and drinking from your tea cup. By the end we were exhausted, but thrilled that we could do this for Grace! They will be talking about this for at least a few days ;)

Look at this great group of princesses!

Playing Games

I'm surprised at how good this turned out. I got some oohs and ahhhs from the crowd.

Sitting in her 'throne' to open her gifts.

RIP Fridge

The resident refridgerator passed away from normal causes early yesterday morning, at the ripe old age of "older than us." It lived a long life, though a painful one near the end due to physical infirmities such as not being able to close its freezer door easily, being so cold at the top of the fridge that anything on the top shelf had ice crystals on it, and the ugly yellow-beige color that plagues fridges "older than us." It will be missed briefly by its users- only because their food is thawing, and only until it is replaced by a new fridge. Until then they will be grateful for neighbors with freezer space, multiple coolers in their kitchen, and a gas station down the street that sells ice. No services will be held.

Map!

Moira is talking a lot faster than the other two (which isn't saying a lot, but still). She can sign: please, eat, drink, all done, yes, no, and up. She says: momma, daddy, Yoda, thank you, hot, shhhhh, and Map. Yes, Map. You know from Dora. Whenever she sees the Map, she starts singing his song, "Map, map, map, map.." while bobbing her head to the beat. It's so adorable. She also dances when we play guitar hero, climbs on top of the couch, loves to look at books, and gives Eskimo kisses. She is such a fun kid to be around... until she throws a fit. Then she takes the best moves (or worst, depending on your perspective) of her sisters and combines them, creating a perfect tantrum. But her pure joy at the smallest things throughout the day erase them from your memory instantly.

New Favorite Word

Liliana made up a new word: Your "Highnesty." As is Majesty and Highness combined. And she expects you to use it. It's awesome.

GOOD NEWS!

We need a little bit of that around here :) Mom had an appointment with her oncologist today and learned the results of her lung biopsy. I don't understand all the cancer-marker stuff (I guess I should research it), but the doctor did a test looking for a certain unfavorable marker from the biopsy. The marker was NOT there! It was negative, which makes her prognosis better than if it had been there, and gives her a better chance of the hormone therapy working! We still have to fight this, but I guess now we see it as having a better chance of winning the fight. It might just mean containment, but as long as she's here and not in pain, I'm ok with containment!

Just wanted to share the good news!

I Hate Lice

Just in case you didn't get that before, I HATE lice. Hate them. Despise them. Ugh.

But they have good taste in hair. They only attached themselves to Grace and me. And we both have pretty awesome hair. Lots of it too. Makes for a LOOONG combing after poisoning them with special shampoo. Like longer than a Disney movie long.

Can you guess what I was doing yesterday? It wasn't going to Costco like I wanted, that's for sure.

Ugh.

(And now my complaining is done.)

Our Deck Garden

Here are the pictures of our garden. There are over a dozen tomatoes growing right now, 6 or so peppers, and some strawberry blooms. I'm so excited to make something with my crop!

Weight Loss Competition- Final

Well June is here, so that means that the weight loss competition is over. And the winner, after losing 6% of their body weight is....

Shawna :D

In all honesty, I would have been more satisfied if these past 4 months hadn't been some of the most stressful for Kaylon. You know, if he had actually had time to exercise. But he's been studying like a mad man and working early and late hours. At the same time 6% of my body weight is nothing to sniff at, so I'm glad that Kaylon is sticking to our agreement and prize.

I plan on continuing my lifestyle change since I didn't lose as much as I wanted to. I am glad that I have been able to keep off what I've lost. Maybe we can start another competition when I get back from Arizona.

Mom is home

Actually she's been home about a week, but with camping, I kinda forgot to update on here. She is still recovering- can't do much and not for very long, but is feeling a little better every day. I'm getting anxious to get out there and help out- I feel pretty useless out here. I know I keep saying it but I really mean it- thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, and support- And please, keep them all coming!

Camping!

We spent Memorial Day weekend at Wapacoma campgrounds in Romney, WV. We had a great time squeezing in some family time before the girls and I head off to AZ for a while. The only blemish on the trip was Moira having a croupy cough and a fever. But she slept it off well and Kaylon and I got some good snuggling from her.

Can you tell she's having fun?

Clap for me!!!

Playing some ball

We let Liliana have the camera at some point...

Grace was entertaining the sick

The campground had a train for all the kids on Saturday

Breakfast!

Sitting like a big girl

Kaylon cooked most of the food while we were there, and did a great job!

I know I look mad in this picture, but Kaylon just caught me at the wrong moment. It was actually a really nice moment of me reading to the girls a book called "Mars Needs Moms." You should all read it!

She loved the chairs!

It was chilly in the mornings.

This was the stick fish they caught the first time they went fishing- Kaylon forgot the camera for the 2nd trip so we don't have proof of Grace's 1st fish- a blue gill she calls Dory. She was super excited about it. Liliana preferred to look at the worms (but not touch).

I love this picture because it illustrates each of the girls' personalities. Moira is looking for approval, Liliana is too cool for it all, and Grace wants to look sweet/cute.

You know Liliana's tired when...

She falls asleep on the toilet. Poor girl did that yesterday after a morning of shopping. Maybe she was still catching up after the camping trip? Speaking of, I should post pictures!