More Christmas pics

Well, we weren't dressed up, but we were together! Christmas was wonderful as usual, and I feel very blessed to all be together and happy on this day of our Savior's birth. Mom came and surprised the boys on Christmas morning. We were so glad to see her, and you can tell....she was glad to see us!

This was a joke pose by Evan. This blue ball was for my grandmother's house for Christmas and they were clowning around with it posing all morning. Notice Evan's fine Tapout shirt.....ugh I hate that thing....

Merry Christmas!

Russ is waiting on the sleeping beauties to come down the stairs to see their stash.... Evan has arrived on the scene and gets the boots he's been needing.

Another sleepyhead comes in and finds the basketball first then the big present with his name on it.

This is only a fraction of my Dept. 56 Snow Village I displayed this year. My Dad gives me the pieces for birthday and Christmas, and every year I look forward to adding to my treasures.

Mom came and surprised the boys. It's always hard when she leaves. Boy you can tell Parker has grown here. Doesn't Mom look cute in her wig? Only two chemos to go. You rock, Mom!

Jenn Woodall Family Pics

Meet Jennifer Woodall and her husband, Matt, son, Maddox, and daughter Mattie. Jenn teaches second grade at my school and she's my very bestest friend. She lives about 10 mi. away, so we get to visit often. I really love going to her house and seeing the kids. They're so cute! Don't ya think?
Jenn's reading Goodnight Moon I brought to Maddox. He's hooked.

Mr. Maddox Fisher. Just check those eyes and that grin out. Oh, so cute!

Beautiful Mattie Ruth! I love this picture. Mattie knows how to pose and loves to take pictures herself. Cutie Pie!

Christmas with Russ's Family

This is our family on Russ's side. We gathered Sunday to eat and visit. We had a great time and it was good to see everybody. Even though they only live about 10 miles from us, we never get to see them because we're all so busy.

Thorsby Christmas Parade

This is the first time in years that we've gone to our town's Christmas Parade. Evan wanted to go this year so we went leaving Parker behind (he said he's good). We ran into Kelly and Cathy and Alexa and Wyatt and Teresa and Barry and grandkids and we all froze! The parade was good and it put us all in the Christmas spirit. Glad we went.

My brother, Kelly and me freeeezing.

Kelly and Alexa. She gladly wore her Paw's hunting jacket to avoid the cold wind.

Vacation time is finally here

I love Mondays. I love being on vacation. I love having time to do the laundry. I love being able to fix food (or buy it-haha) for the boys. I love cleaning the house getting ready for the family Christmas.
Life is good today!

Look What I Have....

Every Christmas I bring out these special Santa pics of the boys. Oh, the magic of Christmas....it keeps me going. This is Evan at two years old before Parker came into the world. And baby makes two! Parker has arrived, it's Christmas 1995, and Evan has a buddy for Santa's lap. Doesn't look like they were scared, does it? How cute my babies are.....I love you both.Fast foward about 11 years. It's 2006 and this was our Christmas pic with our dog, Chloe. My boys have grown.....

If It's Not One Thing....

It's another! I had to have my port revised last week. I really didn't want to go through a surgery - even if it was outpatient surgery because I can't stay down long. It drives me crazy! Russ took me the day we were out of school for Veteran's Day. A few days later I had to come up and check on my mama. After 2 chemos, she's swelled a little here, but doing well. Me? I am still recovering, but didn't miss a beat at work. Please pray that darned port works.

Mom's Got It

Well, Mom's got breast cancer too. I can't believe it. She caught hers on a routine mammogram and it was caught in it's early stages. She's got the same kind as me-invasive ductile carcinoma, but her tumor is different. It's called triple negative which means it's got nothing to do with estrogen like mine does. She had a lumpectomy and is in the middle of her treatments- 6 rounds of Cytoxin and Taxol every 3 wks., then radiation for a period of time. She's using all of my drs. at St. Vincent's, and they've been so good to her. She feels the same about the chemo nurses--they're awesome and they love us special. Mama is a trooper and has not complained one time. She's bald...but she doesn't care! This is one of her wigs, and I think it's cute! Go Chemo- kick Mama's cancer out! (Suzie, can't remember that cheer you made up-you've got to remind me.)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Our school had a breast cancer awareness fundraiser by selling these pink t's that said "Thorsby Goes Pink". My boys agreed to wear them with no problem! Notice Russ's shirt is pink also. His first time to wear pink. The things they do for me........
Thank you Bryan Boys for your love and your support. It means so much.

Halloween

This is the banner I made from scrapbook paper. I think it adds a little bit of spunk to the room!

Homecoming 2009

My friend, Jenn, drove us fellow teacher cancer survivors in the parade behind all the floats. I did it in honor of my mama. Thanks to the Motes for the use of their pink golf cart!

We had our homecoming dance in the gym after the game. Evan and Parker had a good time with their dates. Russ and I chaperoned along with several of other parents. Evan is wearing pink for the first time in his life. I let Parker off the hook this time....

Back In The Saddle Again 2009

Well, we're back at it. School is going great. Evan is a senior, Parker is a freshman and I have a wonderful young class of third graders whom I'm already in love with. Russ is overloaded, but handling things so well I can't believe it. This is our last year to all be together every day, and I'm getting wiggy just thinking about it. So I will switch to another subject. I was picked along with some other teacher friends to be an honorary guest of one of the varsity football captains for our first home game last week. I was the guest of Senior Cole Jackson. I got to wear his jersey to the peprally and be introduced, and I got to wear it on the field before the game alongside Cole and the other 4 captains and their guests as they tossed the coin. So cool! All of us girls decided we liked this and would like to continue to be picked every home game. Who would've thought? Anyway, we're off to a great start of the new schoolyear and here's to many more good things at THS!

This is one of my girls with me, Nicole. She teaches 5th grade and honestly, she's the craziest one of us. We're in my classroom and it's the end of the day Friday... a little looney by this point.

Here we are in the hot gym in the peprally. L-R Joy, Nicole, Michelle, Jenn and me.

Three Stooges right here. Jenn worked her way in and scored a jersey after all. God love her!
Jenn teaches 2nd grade and Michelle teaches 1st. Needless to say, we had a long...but fun day.

Meet Patti, my girl. Dad brought Patti to us 12 years ago, and she's absolutely the most wonderful kitty in the entire world. She waits on me to get in the bed at night then comes up and cuddles right by me. One of the best things about summer is getting to spend time in the early mornings with her outside. That's our quality time together. Patti's a cancer survivor, just like me! She's overcome skin cancer on the tips of her ears. Dad performed surgery and removed it and saved her life. Man, I got upset over thinking most of her ears were going to be amputated. But....as you can see, she looks great! Thanks, Dad!!

My New Curtains

I made these last weekend. It only took 11 years to decide on the right curtain..... ha ha
Notice my table my dad made using wood from the discarded bleachers from our gym from 1960. Pretty neat, huh?

Our Latest Project

We've painted the deck after all these years. This picture only shows half of it (fence hides the other half). After a color change (the gray color for the floor was too light-yep I did it...), we're completing it as of today. Shrubs are next.

Meet my Bobbie

Russ and I went to Madison last week to visit my grandmother, Bobbie. Her real name is Milly. But I call her Bobbie. She's a hoot! She enjoys doing her lawnwork, playing her keyboard, and watching Nancy Grace. She's up on all current events--so you better know your stuff. She's something alright....my Bobbie.....she's the cutest thing to me! Russ always tells me that whenever I need to see her, he'll take me-no matter what. She's only 2 hrs. away, but I always miss her like crazy. Love you, Bobs!

Can't wait to drive

Look at my baby driving! He's only 14, but he's a dang good driver already. Not much longer, Park.....

Celebrating Good Times

Evan found out he passed the last section of the graduation exam! We had to celebrate with oysters and shrimp at The Steamer last night with Mom and the Forrests.
Cathy made a good point during dinner. She said "Can't believe Evan eats raw oysters, but won't eat hardly any veggies". Good point, Cathy! Oh well....they never cease to amaze us. Way to go, Evan. We're all so proud of you!

Russ was enjoying the days off with no mention of the "s" word (school...shhh)

Independence Day At Our House

This was our 2nd annual July 4th bbq at our pool with the Erwins and the Forrests. The weather was great, the food was awesome and the kiddos were happy! Evan's about to get back in from lunch. Pretty hunky, huh?

My niece and nephew were trying out their underwater swimming skills. They've grown so much since last year. They're on their own now- no more swimmies.

I noticed I didn't have any July 4th decorations, so I went to work crafting the frames and garland the night before the big party.

My brother, my mom, and me before they all left. I loooove my family!

Everything's Good With Me!

Russ took me to my oncologist today for my Herceptin. I have to go every third Thursday to the chemo room and get hooked up through my port for the infusion. It doesn't hurt at all and there's no side effects. It only takes 40 min. for the drip. Russ comes back there after I get hooked up and we get to visit with our nurse buddies while I'm getting the meds. I was thinking today that I've been a patient there for 6 years now. Feels like home since we know everybody and they know us so well. I never would've dreamed going to the cancer center would be a good thing!

In The News Today

Oh no...Michael Jackson and my idol growing up, Farrah Fawcett, are gone. Their news is all over tv today. May they rest in peace.

These Two Are My Pride and Joy

Parker's our youngest and loves every minute of it. He's going to be a freshman this fall and loves all sports like his brother. He follows right behind Evan in loving baseball first, then basketball. He proudly wears #11 in all sports, and is a natural, smart athlete just like Evan. Getting him to pose for pictures is another thing.... Isn't he a cutie?

Our oldest-Evan- will actually pose for pictures (well most of the time). He's enjoying summer baseball with his varsity team. He plays centerfield and is leadoff batter. Baseball is his sport of choice followed by basketball. He's going to be a senior this fall. Ugh! Stop growing, Evan!

Time to get busy....

I've got to get busy getting this house back into shape. After getting back from the beach, it seems there's so much to do. It's extremely hot today--nearing 100 degrees. So I'm just going to stay inside and try to put up all of the clean clothes I washed. I've got so many things I want to do- like cleaning out closets and drawers. I didn't do it last summer--kinda preoccupied from getting sick. But this summer....I'm back to good and on my way to organizing. Here I go!!

We're Back!

Just got in from the beach (at 2:00 a.m. this morning) and it was a great trip. The weather was perfect and the boys behaved themselves! Whew, with 5 teens tagging along in a one bedroom, one bath condo...I was wondering how it was going to turn out. But, it turned out just perfect with everyone getting along and having fun. Russ had his birthday yesterday chillin' under the umbrella on the beach. How lucky is he? He loved every minute and said he had a perfect day. I didn't even look at my scrapbooking magazine the whole time! To be honest, my mind was preoccupied with taking family beach pictures. See, my boys just hate to do this. Why? I don't know. I guess it's the thing about wearing the white shirt and khaki shorts ( which doesn't sound too off key to me...hmm....). Anyway we made the pics on the last evening after lots of grumbling and they turned out well.
Time to go wash and get these boys ready to play a summer baseball game.

It's now June and school is OUT! It's so easy being at home for the summer and being on my own schedule. I laid out at the pool most of the afternoon yesterday and got way too much sun. I know...I should've worn more sunscreen. Lesson learned. Today is rainy and I'm glad. It gives me time to catch up on some inside chores I need to get to.
My oldest son is at school as I write this taking senior portraits. Wow. It's exciting and weird at the same time. I don't think I'm ready for this senior year to begin, but it looks like it's coming anyway. I've got to buckle down and join the ride and make the best of it. That's what I'd tell anybody else. Ugh. I don't want him to grow up any more!

I Made It!

This is officially my first post on my new family blog. There's only one more week until school's out....I've made it! It's been one of the best years of my life considering it's been one of the most challenging. I've survived breast cancer for the second time. This entire school year has been filled with chemotherapy, hair loss issues, nasty nausea, fatigue, weekly trips to St. Vincent's, and trying to still be a great mother and wife and teacher. It all started last summer after a checkup at my oncologist's office. I found I had metastatic breast cancer in both lungs. With the help of God, my husband, kids and family and friends, I've overcome it and I'm back to good. See what God can do? I give Him all the praise and glory for healing me!
I'm ready to be a "normal" sahm this summer. I've got so many things to do:

1. Go on vacation
2. Clean my baseboards
3. Clean out closets
4. Walk daily on my treadmill
5. Organize beach pictures
6. Re pot my plants
7. Clean the garage walls
8. Swim everyday
9. Cook for my sweeties
10.Expand on my photography skills

Okay- summer here I come!!