I can't stop taking pictures!

Wouldn't you agree?

Avery has been obsessed lately wih taking videos on her camera. This is a pic of her wandering up and down the sidewalk capturing everything happening in the neighborhood.

Since Avery is heading off to Grams and Papa's house tomorrow for an overnight visit, we had to make our famous homemade doggie treats for Phoebe and Star.

The tinier ballerina

Ballet Class

Avery has really come to LOVE her ballet class. She gets really excited for it every Thursday. She has one more class next week, which I will get to sit and watch. Usually, Riley and I have to wait out in the lobby area but for her final class they will be performing for us. I will definitely be taking lots of pics then, but today I wanted some shots of her in the class by herself. She was semi-cooperative. We also took some shots outside before heading home. I am borrowing my parents' camera, which is super nice, and the quality is so much better than the little one we have so they may not get this one back! :)

This is Riley's smile when she says cheese.

The stinky girl would never look at the camera! After a few minutes of trying to get her to smile, she had a meltdown.

My beauty, Avery.

art and sewing combined

I have been wanting some artwork for the girls room, but everything I like is too expensive. I decided to try making something myself and I am pretty pleased with how they turned out. I painted 3 canvases and then used scrap fabric to create the butterfly, owl, and bird. I appliqued some of the pieces and used a zig-zag stitch for decoration. I also did some embroidery as well. I then took spray adhesive to attach them to the canvas and added chipboard letters to the top. I think they make a cute set and I may try my hand at creating some more now that I have learned a few things while making these.

A post for my mom

My parents are in Africa and are demanding some updated pics of the girls. Here are some from this last week.

Avery saw a pic of grandma balancing a bucket on her head while in Africa. Avery decided she had to try something similar.

Please Pray

This story of Liam was sent to us by Jaron's mom. She works with Liam's Dad in Colorado Springs. Liam is 16 months old and is fighting for his life as he was recently diagnosed with HLH. He is suffering through chemo and is waiting for a bone marrow transplant. You can view his website here:
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/LiamsLighthouse

I continue to hear so many stories of families in need of miracles. I know Jesus is the ultimate healer and He continues to work miracles today, but more importantly He is a comforter, protector, and cares deeply for his creation. Pray specifically for Liam and his family to feel the love and comfort of Jesus through hospital staff, family, and friends.

MRI results

Riley's MRI looks good. There was a little residual dye in the area of the resection, but that is to be expected in the healing process. There was no sign of tumor growth so that really is the best we can hope for. Her next scan will be in August.

FYI, May is brain tumor awareness month. I have actively been searching out stories of children, especially ones with a similar story as Riley to pray for this month. Join me! This is one story in particular that has touched my heart as her diagnosis story is very similar to Riley's. Every time I read it, I get chills because I feel as if I could have written the same thing. She was diagnosed with the exact same type of tumor but unfortunately her tumor is inopperable and she has had to endure chemotherapy. Here is a link to her story:

http://www.teamhailey.org/mystory.php

An old friend

Last night I cried my eyes out as we watched Marley and Me. I could not stop! I do not know why I was so incredibly emotional. It really is a good portrayal of how the kids win out over your treasured and beloved dog once they come along, but it was also such a good reminder of how faithful our old friend is. Roger has been with us for 9 years. We adopted him when he was 8 months old. He has been the best dog and last night I was reminded of how important he is in our family. I just wanted to cuddle up next to him and shower him with attention. He definitely does not get as much attention now as he used to, but we still adore him.

Beauty

On Saturday, my beautiful friend got married. Jaron and I flew down to Calabasas in the morning and then returned home on Sunday afternoon. Sarah and I met our first year at Biola and were instant friends. She is unique in the best sense of the word. As we arrived I saw Sarah in all of the details of the wedding. From the bumpy desolate road we traveled on to get to the open space preserve, the burlap squares across the tables adorned with a tub of old fashioned sodas, the empty brown bottles hanging with gorgeous orange flowers all around, big paper lanterns and tea lights illuminating the space, to many other small details she and others carefully planned out. When I saw Sarah (before the wedding) we just cried as we hugged. I don't know why I had this reaction, but I think it was a culmination of so many things...a celebration of 13 years of friendship, her amazing beauty in a dress that was obviously created just for her, excitement that we were now going to share marriage as another thing in common, but mainly I think it was pure happiness to be in that beautiful place sharing this perfect day with a woman I have treasured for many years.

Beach day

Today after MOPS, we headed out with some friends to Capitola for a day at the beach. The weather was perfect. Avery has been wanting to go for a while now and this spur of the moment trip was so much fun. My friend Charlie and her two beautiful kiddos drove us over the hill for some fun in the sun. Avery absolutely loves her dear friend Cricket and they had a ball playing together. Riley was a bit unsure of the sand at first, but quickly changed her mind and created a huge pile of sand in front of her on the towel. We ended our beach time with mini icecream cones. Perfect!

Pigtails

I was finally able to put pigtails in Riley's hair because her hair is just long enough and she did not continually try to pull them out. They lasted all day until bath time. She looked adorable.

MRI follow up

Today, Riley had her first follow up MRI. She will have these every three months for the first year and then I think they will be spaced further apart. It is always nerve wracking as she has to be put under each time for the 1 hour brain scan. Because of where the tumor was, the doctors were not able to remove all of it. So, they are looking to see if the tumor goes away (best case scenario!), stays the same, or starts growing again.
Riley did fabulous today. She cried a little bit when the nurses were prepping her, but she was happy while we waited in the waiting room and especially happy after her pre-drug. She looked like a drunk.
When she woke up, we were there and there was minimal crying and not more than 5 minutes after waking up she was smiling and ready to go home. She got a grape popsicle after, but only wanted to hold it.
We do not know the results of the scan yet. I put a call in and we are waiting to hear back. I will update once we know the results. Thanks for your continued prayers for Riley.

On the way to LPCH.

In the waiting room.

Watching some t.v. with dad

All done!


I got my hair cut and colored recently and here is a pic of the result. I am in the growing out process.

Some cute pics of the girls:

Two more from today...

Scene: Driving on Hwy 280 and stopped completely. An accident had just happened and I am telling her that we need to be safe when we drive.

Avery: Yeah, because we wouldn't want to lose our bottom!

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Scene: Chatting about friends coming over to play

Avery: I am going to be on my swing!

Me: No, we will let Timmy choose what swing he wants to go on because he is our guest.

Avery: Oh yeah, just like Belle in the castle!

Avery-isms

The Scene: Driving through Gilroy on First street. We pass a huge cemetery on the right.

Avery: Mom, is that where God rose from the dead?

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Avery: Mom, Can I please have a baby sister??

Me: No.

Avery: I am going to find those pills and throw them away! (in reference to the birth control)

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Scene: In the backyard, playing on the swing set

Avery: (As she tries to get up on the swing) Mom, I need a hand over here!!

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Scene: Avery playing with her baby

Me: Avery, why does your baby not have any clothes on?

Avery: She threw up all over them

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Letting Go

It's time.
I have been reluctant to try and make Riley sleep in her crib over the past few months. She has been in our bed. At first, she was sick. Then she was in the hospital and recovering from surgery. Then, it just became habit. I have not left her with her anyone besides my parents since surgery. I have not put her in the nursery at church or at the YMCA. I am just nervous. She still has breath holding spells and I do not want anyone else to have to go through watching her have one. They are scary. But, the time has come to start having her do things toddlers her age are doing.
Last night, we started with sleep.
I was geared up for a long night of crying. She was not happy when we put her down. but about 10 minutes later, she was snoring. She woke up 2-3 times and we just went in and soothed her for a second and she drifted right back to sleep and did not wake up until 7:30 am this morning. What a fabulous night of sleep. Today, while I was at yoga she told Jaron she wanted her bed and he layed her down and she took an hour nap...no fussing.
Alot of times, the second night is the hardest. We read our stories, prayed, kissed goodnight, and to sleep she went. No fussing.
I am enjoying a margarita and some dutch-oven made cobbler. Later, I will have an night of uninterrupted sleep on my tempurpedic bed.
What a lovely life I lead.