Nanny and Pop-Pop's House

This past Wed. we took a trip up to nanny and pop-pop's house to visit for a bit. As usual the girls had fun. They love seeing their nan and pop! On the way there I stopped to get them McDonalds. They did not eat their dinner but nanny made sure they had a popscicle. Leave it to her to feed them whatever they want. But, hey, that's what Nana's are for! After they ate their popscicles we blew some bubbles and played hide-n-seek. The neighbors saw we were out playing and invited us over to bounce on the trampoline w/ their 2 little boys, Elias (sp?) and Owen. It was so much fun watching them bounce. They were both so excited to make new friends.

The entire way home the girls kept asking me to go buy them a trampoline...I told them to ask their Nan and Pop...that's a sure way they will get one! haha!


Laney on the trampoline


again...



chasin' a bubble

sweet little lady!!!

hiding

Yummy...dinner

"no puppy, mine popscicle"

bubbles

there they are...

Kayli playing in the sandbox

a bit blurry!

Kayli w/ her fav. person, ever!! Kisses :)

my sweet big little lady!

Kid talk

Today I've had several convo.'s w/ Kayli. And each time it took all I had not to laugh. I wasnt laughing 'at' her. But she says the funniest things. I know what she means when she says them...but she doesnt always get it out right. Here are some parts of our 'chats' today...

I was outside w/ her and I was holding our kitty, Willis. He isnt an outdoor cat at all. So I figured I'd just mosey on out while holding him. Kayli says to me, "mom, why dont you just put him down and let him play in the yard?" I tell her no b/c he is not an out door cat and he will get fleas, etc... She said, "I have the greatest idea...we can get him a termite colar, a pink one w/ sparkles and flowers and diamonds and a leash and walk him all around town. He'd love that." The termite color just got me! I couldnt stop laughing.

At the gym this morning there was a little girl (we'll call her A), maybe 14 months old, in the play room w/ the kids. Kayli was telling the story of how "she was been bad." As we were leaving, she stopped at the front desk and proceeded to tell the lady behind the desk about her little friend. She said, "A has been been-ing so bad...Her was not listening. She was just running around. Do you know why A is been-ing so bad?" Talk about confusion w/ the past, present, future tense. Ha! Kayli also asked her friend, "is you coming to the gym tomorrow? My mom is brought-ing me tomorrow." Oh boy!!

Yesterday Matt went to Home Depot. Laney asked where dad went. I told her. Then today all she kept saying was, "daddy at hoheho?" For the life of me I could not figure out what she was saying. Kayli chimes in and says, "mom! She is saying Home Depot, duh." WOW! Sorry about that Kayli! hahaha!

I just love the way they talk sometimes. It craks me up!

Random happenings...

The past few days we have done a lot of random things. We went for a few slushie walks w/ friends, watched Matt build the deck, cleaned up the yard, had races to see who could run the fastest. eventhough Laney got 3rd...she thinks she won! :) haha! We also watched Matt shoot some paintballs at the new target he got. Yippee. Anyway, I did snap a lot of pics in no particular order.


she did this, then said, "taaa-daaa"


my little Laney-loo

picking leaves

queen of the slide

ready, set...


jump!

again, jumping

Laney was actually saying, "cheese"

and some more jumping

besties!

too sweet!!

sista's

put that tongue in!!!

Update on Aunt Sam

I (among many others) recieved this email tonight. My Aunt had her first MRI done last Wed. And they got the results today. Erik, my cousin (my Aunt's son) wrote this email to let everyone know the results. He words it better than I ever would so that is why I am just copying the email he sent...

The last few months have been filled with many doctor's appointments, as Sam completed radiation a few weeks ago, along with the co-existing 36 day chemotreatment. Honestly, though there were a few bumps along the way, she breezed through all of it thanks be to the mercy and kindness of God. She would add, "that's fruit from working with sick kids for years."

I would want to also share that my Dad has served my Mom heroically dayafter day. He always prized himself as being a flexible servant, well now folks, he takes first prize in my book. Dad, thanks for being there for your wife of 35 years, especially this one!

Today was the big day as we got the results from the 3 month MRI from Dr.Whiner. Basically, everything looks good at this point, which is exactly what we were hoping for. Again, we were celebrating with tears together today, thanking God for the good results.

The next 3 months will be filled with more doctor appointments, as well as a 23 day off and 5 day on chemo treatment. This chemo treatment is 3 times the dose she was on prior, but Sam is doing great with this too. Hopefully Sam will have some memorable moments ahead with the grandkids at the beach,the leaves changing colors and the cool Autumn nights (which she loves).Around early Nov. we will provide another update as we get the results fromthe 6 month MRI.

Thank you for your prayers and support along this journey, so much grace has been extended to us through them.

On behalf of Jim and Sam Sheffer,

Erik

R.I.P Kitty

This eve. at 4:45 we are putting another one of our our sweet, cuddly kitty's to sleep. We put Mickey down back in March. That really hit Matt hard! I have never seen him so upset in the 12 yrs. I have known him. Infact, he still gets teary-eyed if he thinks of Mickey. Now it is Pepper's turn. She has been having tummy troubles for a long time. But in the past few weeks it has gotten a lot worse. Just this past Sat. it has become unbearable. She has pooped (like water) in every room and vomitted several times a day. I feel bad for her but I really do not like poo in my house. Or vomit. From any animal!! I think she knows it is her time b/c today she just kept falling down and rolling up into a ball. She cant even meow anymore. She was such a sweet skinny girl!! I will miss her cuddles, her cute meows and her soft fur. And I will miss, that no matter what she always gave us love, unconditionally. Rest in Peace Pepper! You were a wonderful kitty and we will miss you. Dont poop or vomit in kitty heaven...it smells terrible! :D

Oh I am terrible but I will be so relieved to not have to clean up poo/vomit anymore. We still have one kitty left. His name is Willis and he is very young. He will be lonely but he will still have Matt. I think if Willis was a person he would be gay and he would be in love with Matt!! ha !

Carnival

Yesterday, Matt and I took the girls to the Hellam Carnival. It rained while we were there. We were all soaked but since we bought our tickets and it seemed it was going to clear up we decided to stay. Really, whats a little rain in the middle of summer!? It really cooled us off :) Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so there are no pics. But this was Laney's first time at a Carnival. She was so excited she kept clapping. And here and there you'd hear a, "whoohoo" come out of her mouth. She rode the carousel w/ Matt and Kayli. Matt had to get on with her so he stood beside the horse she was on. At first she was scared and everytime she went around and went by me she'd say, "momma off, hold you." She had tears in her eyes and everything. Something must have clicked because all of a sudden she was smiling and laughing telling the horse to "giddy up." I think she rode the carousel 3 times. She and Kayli also went in the little 'fun house' maze thing together. It was a walk-through and they both liked it. I think Laney went in that 3 times too. Once again, Kayli proved to be a wonderful, caring, big sister. She stayed by Laney's side the whole was through. Holding her hand and lifting her up when Laney asked for help. She even told some of the other kids to, "watch out for my baby sister...she's little and if you hurt her I will be very mad at you." It was so sweet!! Kayli is a wonderful soul and I just love her little heart!! Laney would not get on any other rides. Not the little cars or the dinosaurs. I had her in line and even gave the tickets to the guy and she changed her mind everytime. She did enjoy herself despite her lack of interset in the rides. She loved watching Kayli riding the rides. She was cheering for her, clapping and telling Kayli, "good job."

Now Kayli, she is a carnival champion. She rode all the rides. Matt had to get on a few with her because she was too small. Kayli also made a friend. Her name was Neveah and she was there w/ her grandma. I think Kayli and Neveah rode every ride together. And the best part was, Neveah's grandma gave Kayli all her tickets for every ride she rode w/ her. She said she'd rather have a friend for her grand daughter to ride with and she insited on paying for Kayli's tickets. We tried to give her money for them but she refused and said she'd be very insulted. She also said there isnt enough kindness in the world anymore and it was the least she could do. Talk about a sweet sweet lady!! I couldnt thank her enough for her kindness :)

While we (Neveah grandma and I...I never got her name) were talking about the kids and what not, I found out that she and her husband also live in Wrightsville. But Neveah lives in NY w/ her mom and dad. She was just here visiting for the weekend. Small world. I really hope that we run into them again sometime. Kayli adored Neveah, they were the same age and the got a long very well.

All in all the small carnival here in Hellam was a hit. I am so glad we decided to take them. I love seeing my kids have fun. I loved being out in the rain on a hot summer eve. I loved seeing Laney get excited over watching Kayli ride the rides. I loved seeing Kayli's smile as she talked to her new friend. I loved watching Laney show off how proud she was that she rode the carousel a few more times and didnt cry. She kept telling us, "I did it." And bless Kayli's heart, she hugged Laney and told her how proud she was of her! I just love being with my family. Matt makes me smile from ear to ear. My kids make me laugh so much! I am so proud to be their momma!! I love these kind of moments...the simple ones...that the memories will last forever!

Hummus among us

I have been really trying to feed my kids healthier foods. Sometimes I get lazy and I think, "oh whatever, eat whatever." Pop-Tarts for breakfast, pbj on white bread for lunch and chicken tenders or mac and cheese for dinner. There you have it, my kids fav. things. They do eat brocolli, green beans, lima beans and cauliflower sometimes. Usually Kayli eats whatever I give her and she is always willing to try different things. Now, Laney. she doesnt like much of anything. Not even corn on the cobb! Sometimes she will eat her veggies...only sometimes and only if I am lucky.

The other day I went grocery shopping and I decided it was time to try new things. Feeling very hesitant I did buy a few items that I was hoping they'd atleast try. I bought, granola, yogurt (they already do eat yogurt but I switched to organic), hummus, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, organic salad mix (mostly for me), avocado and asparagus. Along w/ 2 different kinds of nuts, almonds and walnuts (for snacks). I aslo bought all natural whole grain bread. And whole grain pitas.

So far Laney loves the granola and yogurt (organic). Kayli does too but she like it w/ some blueberries. They both love the hummus w/ carrot sticks and pita bread. The hummus has been a huge hit. They dip a lot of veggies in it :) and it tastes great! They will both eat the whole grain bread...it is even organic! kayli loves asparagus, avocado, tomatoes and cucumbers. Laney has tried one of everything but has spit several out. The avocado made her gag to the point where I thought she was going to puke! I know some of this stuff isnt for everyone. I have never bought organic foods before. I do think they are pricey. Luckily Matt didnt say much of anything about the price...he just said, "ewww this stuff is nasty!" I know I will still give them the pop-tarts, pbj's and mac-n-cheese. But hopefully they will grow up knowing there are more things out there than junk, fast-food, fried food, cookies, candy (this is how Matt eats). As for the nuts, Laney just plays with them but I can mix some into her granola. Kayli likes them...but doesnt prefer them over other things. They are a good snack for me. I love nuts...I have to since I like with 3!! HA!

Pepper (kitty) and Kayli enjoying her lunch

this plate had cucumbers and cherry tomatoes too.

She ate all of it!