From the Mouths of Babes

As soon as Leah learned how to write an "M", I started having her write "mom" all the time. I know, a little self-serving, but we mom's have to take our rewards whenever we can, right?


Well, sometimes she can't remember how many O's and M's there are. So sometimes there are two of each.



Then, the other day we had Harrison's friend in the car with us. We were driving along and the boys were trying to impress each other with their spelling prowess. They would each take turns spelling harder and harder words. Leah was so excited to get involved in this and said "I know how to spell mom!!!" The boys encouraged her with their sweet amazement and asked her to do it. Slowly she spelled out "M....o....o". I waited and waited for that other "M", but it never came.

I think I need to get back to the gym.

A good day

We received good news today. My mom called me with gladness in her voice. It was like opening up the windows and letting in a warm spring breeze. Even better than that (can it get better than that?) - she laughed. A real laugh. Her true "I'm feeling happy" laugh. Her laugh is wonderful. It was like music to me today. I haven't heard it for a while now. But, there it was. Right at the surface just like it used to be. She was wonderful. And then, she told me that I had helped her. I started crying. Isn't it funny that no matter how old you get, that you now have children of your own, it still feels so good to have your mom tell you that you have done well. I think of Abigail sitting at the piano, practicing her little heart out. She then turns to me and says "Was that good, mom?" Aren't we always looking for approval? And doesn't it feel so delicious to have it? It was like warm sunlight shining right down onto my bald head.

I had been feeling a little helpless for awhile. I have these 4 beautiful children, and I can't always be there for mom. It's a delicate balance with the frantic effort in trying to do whatever I can for her, and the reassurance to the kids that grandma is going to be okay. I have become a tight rope walker, which is not fun at all. But there I was on the phone with my sweet, wonderful mom, having her tell me that I had made something a little easier for her. As I drove to her house to take her shopping, tears of joy came with. She is working so hard right now, and doing it with such strength and grace. She is doing all the heavy lifting, and still she said that I had eased that burden - even if it was by just a little bit. She managed to comfort me. And then we went shopping, just like we always did. She colored with Leah and laughed again as she teased her. There was sunshine again. It was amazing; almost as amazing as she is.

Skinhead Convention

So, my beautiful, funny, warm, loving, amazing mom has cancer. She has been going through radiation for a little bit and is about to start her chemo. At the end of radiation, she lost her hair. So we, her very rowdy bunch, wanted to try to show her just how much she means to us (even though that would be physically impossible), and decided to lop off our locks right along with her.


It started out just as a dad thing. He was not going to let my mom do this by herself. He is totally smitten and would absolutely do ANYTHING to make my mom feel better about all of this. My bro Brandon (Mr. AC/DC) was next, and he bic'ed his head down to the scalp. Then, bro-in-law Scott (with the goatee) got in on the act. But, the ladies in our family have never been outdone by the men. Never. So, we joined in. I went first (in the white), and my sis Tracy (in the blue) brought up the rear. Once the hair was flying, even the kids got involved!! Abigail, Harrison, and cute Isaac brought the total up to 8 baldies, and 1 super short new 'do.



I was so proud of my guys. They were completely involved in this exciting show of support for Grandma. Leah had cut her own hair just recently (she was so proud), so the only thing she was able to add were some hats. But, Abigail and Harrison went all out for the very best Grandma in the world.

before

after



Harrison was excited to be one of the guys. But, it was my sweet, sweet Abigail who really stole the show. My amazing Abigail, who has never had a "real" haircut (just trims from mom on the bottom) decided to cut off over 10 inches to donate her hair to Locks of Love in Grandma's name. She was so excited to be able to help out another little girl. I was so, so proud of my brave, supportive, wonderful kids.

But, that's my amazing mom for you. She brings out the best in everyone. She just radiates so much love and happiness, that there isn't anything we wouldn't do for her. Her smile is so infectious, and her laugh is wonderfully contagious. We would stop at nothing to make her feel better and keep those things right at the surface. Even cut off our hair and look like a we run a crazy skinhead circus. WHATEVER it takes, mom. It's all so, SO worth it. We love you bunches.

Our Bubba Lubba

Happy Birthday, Bubba

Our sweet Harrison is now 6 years old. I can't believe our chubby baby who had a mouth almost as big as his head is now the big 6. He is truly our boy's boy. He is rough and tumble. He is smart as a whip. And he is also the world champ at computer and video games. He probably is more computer literate than me. He takes such pride in learning something new, and will practice until he has mastered it. He loves to read, write stories, and play the piano. He is into all kinds of sports. But, the best thing about Harrison is his sweetness. He has the softest heart in that crazy on the go body. Even when he was tiny, he hated when I put Abigail in a time-out; even if it was because she had been mean to him. He would sit by the door until it was time for her to say her sorrys. He cares so much for his sisters and brother. They are really his best friends.

Some of our favorite things about Harrison are that has a SEVERE aversion to diapers, even to the point of almost throwing up when I change one. He also can avoid doing his chores by simply falling asleep. And he can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. If we get him at a 45 degree angle, he is out. And so completely out that I have even hammered a nail into the wall above where he was sleeping and put a picture up in his room with him not so much as even stirring. I can jump on his bed while he is asleep and nothing. Trust me. It's been proven.

Harrison makes us happy every single day. We sure love you, Bubba. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Harrison's top 6:

Favorite places to go: Toys R Us, Myan restaurant, Jaxon's house, Ryan's house, school, Grandma and Papa's.
Favorite things to eat: Cereal, oatmeal, fruit snacks, orange chicken, chips, licorice (isn't he so healthy?).
Favorite things to do: play with toys, play with friends, play with dinosaurs, play with transformers, write stories, play video games.
Things he is the very best at: exercising, getting stronger, eating better, being nice, reading, loving his family

All by Mr. Harrison himself.