Weekend Cupcake Challenge

It had been quite a while since the girls had used any of their reward cards.  Jordan had "Cupcake Challenge" for a long time, and I finally had the ability to let them have a go at it.  


There is a new Joann's that opened up in my area - it's nowhere closer than the old one, but it's a nicer store and it's in a safer location. Because of the Grand Opening, I had tons of coupons which I used for disposable decorating bags and some new coloring.  


So, I made the cupcakes and got them cool and then I colored the frosting.  I was not too happy with the "pastels" that I chose - the colors weren't that great, but the girls didn't care.  They had two different colors to choose from (note to self - need more decorating tip holders) and PLENTY of sprinkles to choose from.  I handed Mandy the camera and told her she was in charge of photographing the event, and then I removed myself.  I did not want to micro-manage their creativity or stifle it because of the mess they were going to make.  I knew enough about myself to get the hell out of the way.  


When I returned, the cupcakes were done and I had a ton of photographs.  Many of them were too bright and the images were a blur from Mandy's (lack of) skills, but there were a great many fun pictures.  I took the last two to get all of the girls in the picture.

Veteran's Day 11-11-11

Most everyone was preoccupied about the historical numbering of the day.  There was a rush for people to be married on this "lucky" day, and there was a very large to-do about the woman in Los Angeles who gave birth on 11-11-11 in room 1111 at 11:11 in the morning.  OK, very cool for her, and it will be cool for the birthday.  I always joke that Taylor has the extra digit in her birthday 9-19-99. 


However, this historic day also just "happened" to be Veteran's Day.  Yesterday was the Marine Corps Birthday (which by the way, my Love, I am still waiting to be taken to a Ball), and then the following day is always Veteran's Day.  No coincidence at all here.  So, we spent the day celebrating Ken, as we always do on Veteran's Day.  Much like his birthday, the day is about Ken.  What does he want to do?  Where does he want to go?  He gets to pick the menu for supper and the activities.

Ken joined the Corps in 1991, and he turned 20 during boot camp.  He went to Perris Island for training, and then was stationed at Twentynine Palms to Tanks.  For some reason, he spent his entire service at the one Base.  I have learned this is incredibly unusual, and after all the time we have spent at Pendleton, Ken said that if he had known how amazing it was there, he would have requested a transfer!


I have to assume that Ken was forced to stay at 29 Palms the entire time in order to meet me.  However, since we both got in our own ways a couple of times, it didn't happen back then.  While he left the service of his own volition, it wasn't really because he wanted to. There are so many times that I see the longing look on his face when we're visiting a Base.  He loved this life, and to his core - he is a Marine.  However, his headaches in 1997 were too severe for him to serve, so he decided to exit and hope for the best.


From July 1997 through December 1998, Ken suffered horrific headaches, and no one could figure them out.  The Naval Hospital in 29 Palms had no idea, and the private insurance he received from his job when he left the Corps could not figure out what was causing the headaches.  In December 1998, Ken finally saw a doctor who became alarmed at a check-up: the back of Ken's right eye was completely flat.  Further tests found a grapefruit sized tumor in his right ventricle, and surgery was immediate - within two weeks, the doctors surgically went through his frontal lobe (hoping they went in on the correct side since there wasn't time to test), and removed the tumor.


Ken was with his previous wife during this ordeal, and I cannot imagine his recovery with such a lack of help.  He was not expected to walk, talk or drive again ever.  The cancer was determined to be "Service Connected" meaning that the origins of the cancer were from something he was exposed to during his service.  He receives a medical retirement from the Corps, and he is doing all he can to have the quality of life that he wants and needs.  


In 2007, apparently Ken and I finally got out of our own ways, and we met.  He was completely perfect in every way, but the cancer returned in 2008.  Well, it may be that the cancer was already back, but just undetected, but it was found in 2008.  We were engaged to be married, and so we pushed the wedding way up - we held our wedding in 6 weeks from the date we learned about his cancer returning.  


The immediate diagnosis was not kind - Ken would not live to see our first wedding anniversary.  I cannot explain how I felt at that moment, but devastated does not begin to describe my feelings.  After more doctors and ideas, he settled on a treatment plan, we were married, and then he started treatment.


Working with the Veteran's Administration has been a new experience for me.  There are many rules and a lot of waiting, but they have been amazing for Ken and I will never complain.  I faced the idea that I would never receive benefits as Ken's "wife" or "widow" because there was a chance we would not make the one year requirement of the VA or US Military.  I didn't care, but Ken did all he could to ensure that if he couldn't make the requirement for me, that he could drag things out so the girls and I would be taken care of as much as possible (1/3 of his income isn't much, but he felt it would be better than nothing.)


Now, this incredible man has told me that even if he was told he would get brain cancer if he enlisted, he would sign the papers again.  He is the epitome of "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."  There is a special calling for those that serve in the Corps.  I do not often tell the other Corps wives that I am Ken's "after-wife" because they are going through their own ordeals about having their husbands serve and go through deployments while I did not have to personally deal with that.  Ken served in the First Gulf War and so spent his entire military service in one desert or another.  


So, on such a Historic Day, how did we spend it?   Honoring our own Veteran.  The motto that is painted at our local VA Hospital is "All gave Some and Some gave All."  Ken will one day give his All, and it is not a day I look forward to.  I am grateful that I am able to keep him each day, and each day is such a gift to me.  To finally know unconditional love, and to have someone who is completely my partner in every respect is an amazing gift that he gives to me freely and with such love.


The girls and I spent the day doing our normal and mundane things.  Ken was gracious enough to brave the mall so I could pick up some things that I needed, and so I could get the girls' picture with Santa.  (Yes, I know - it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but the plan I had for a storybook required the picture and JA won't give me any of the pictures with Santa when they were younger.)

But the best part of the day was that I was able to get all three of Ken's sons in the house at the same time, and they stayed for our Friday Family Night.  Sean made plans with us, but he was going to only stay for a little bit during the day, Brian wanted to stay in the evening, and we had no idea if Justin was going to hang out with us or not since we rarely hear from him anymore.  Well, everything came into alignment that morning, and I was able to get the boys to stay until late evening and hang out with us for pizza and Blackout Night.  We turned off all technology and lights, and played cards by lantern and candle light.  Brian played the piano for us for a while and we were able to be the blended family that we are.  Of course, Addie refused to take "no" for an answer and had to be in the picture with her "Daddy" as well.

The evening was perfect as far as we were concerned.  There were many emails that we received reminding everyone of the "reason" for Veteran's Day: most of the slideshows and videos resulted in Ken and I crying over images of widows being honored for their husbands' sacrifice, etc., which caused me to hang on to Ken tighter.  The boys remember their father being in uniform which is something the girls do not have, but we all realize what his service to our Country has cost him, and what it will ultimately cost each of us - his life.  I do not relish the idea that Ken will soon have to pay on his blank check he wrote the United States when he enlisted, but until then, I adore each day that I have with him and the amazing effect he has on our family and everyone around him.  


Thank you to all Veterans who have given so much to our County - those past, present and future.  Most of all, thank you, my Love for all that you have given and for what you will give.  I love you, and each day is such a gift.  Thank you for letting us spoil you a little bit on a special day that has been set aside to honor who you are and what you have done for your family and your Country!

Father's Day 2011

Our weekend got more busy as we welcomed Brian and Justin over on Sunday for Father's Day.  We had not heard from the boys, so we made plans to have a quiet celebration, but the day before, we got a call from Brian.


I was surprised that Justin decided to come over, but given the text messages from their mother, it turned out that she had plans, so the boys had to come to our house.  It doesn't matter to Ken what the reason is, so long as he gets to see his sons.  I'm still a little angry over the fact that both of the younger boys are only giving Ken the time that they want to give him rather than the time that he wants with them.  


Ken loved having the kids together.  Sean had come up earlier in the week to celebrate with Ken and they went to see a movie, but Sean had finals and had to move this weekend.  


Brian had bought Ken a fish basket, and Ken loved every moment.  

Justin didn't stay long, but Brian stayed until late.  Ken, the girls and I were busy trying to pack for our beach vacation.  We BBQ'd some food and Brian was able to help his dad and spend the time with him - which is all Ken ever wants for Father's Day. 

Sleepover!

Ken and Sean went to the Pacific Trail for hiking and camping. They were going to be gone overnight, so I planned for the girls to have a sleepover party with their friends, Kynna and Kylie Egan.  


The night was fun for the girls.  They played outside, watched movies and had a lot of candy and popcorn.


None of the girls went to sleep until 2 am, and they were up at 5 am because they "didn't have a lot of time left!"  Their father had to pick them up by noon, so they wanted to cram as much fun as possible into their sleepover.  

Then, the boys came home.  They didn't get any pictures together out in the wilderness, so here they are as they arrived:

School year is done!

All of the girls finished their school years.  I wish that there were words to describe how proud I am of each of them, and how upset I am that they are growing up so fast.  Each of them finished this year with some completely high points and areas they need to work on as far as their academics, but they are so bright and amazing!

Mandy and Ms. Croft

Taylor and Mr. Womack

The celebration for the end of Kindergarten was really great.  Ms. Kathan had a great word for each of the children, and she made an amazing DVD to celebrate this year.  I wish I could have uploaded it to this blog, but suffice it to say, it was great!  Jordan was incredibly excited about her celebration.

To celebrate their achievement, we had pizza and movies for the night.  The girls got to pick whatever movie they wanted, and they chose, "The Incredible Mr. Limpit."  

Jordan is Jordan

Jordan was finally able to get in and see the doctor about her mysterious fevers.  I have been worried because she's been sick 3 - 4 days every month for the last 6 months.  Today, however, she is completely "normal."  The doctor did notate that she is amazingly inquisitive and full of drama.  She denied this, of course, but her denial did not help:  "Um, NO!  I am SO not dramatic!"


She was completely embarrassed about being asked to undress down to panties.  For the child who will still dance around the house naked, I laughed when she asked if there was something she could do so the boy doctor couldn't see her (pointing to her chest) boobies.  The nurse gave Jordan a paper gown.  

Jordan loved the gown.  She didn't think it was a good idea to wear it around town because her butt would show, but she liked how airy it was.  


On the way home, we went by the "mountains" in our area.  Jordan said that she wanted to climb to the top of them.  I asked her why she would want to climb the mountain today when it's 98 degrees outside.  Jordan replied, "So I could get a great view of the beautiful sea."  I started laughing, and explained that there was no way she could see that far from here.  Jordan said, "Yes I could!  You go up on your tippee-toes! DUH!"


I kept driving, and then Jordan noticed the house that is up there.  She thought aloud and said that it must be great to have a house up there because the birds would always go to your house, and you could look at them and talk to them about their travels.  (I'm not kidding!  Birds have "travels"!  Hahahahaha!)

OK, so I told her that we were not going to stop at that house because it was way out of our way.  Jordan assured me that we could go there because she knew that no one was home.  

I had to know how she was aware that no one was home.  Jordan said that she "just knew."  She also said that she was pretty sure that they have a shower and maybe 2 or 3 bedrooms so we could just stay for a while and look at the beautiful sea and talk to the birds.  


Trying to drive and have these conversations with Jordan is very difficult.  I won the argument about going to the house, and we went straight home.  


When we arrived home, I told Jordan that she needed to read for 20 minutes since she doesn't have homework this week.  She read two small books and then told me she was done. I tried to explain that 2 books does not mean 20 minutes - she's a great reader and could read those quickly.  Jordan explained, "Just because I got better than the other Kinders doesn't mean that I have to do more work, Mama!"  


Given how tired I was, I gave it a last ditch effort and told her that words are fuel for our brains and didn't she want a strong brain?  Jordan said that there was no way that words were fuel or she would be WAY stronger since I made her read so much.   As a compromise, I put in the Schoolhouse Rocks! DVD.  


Jordan is currently in love with this one:





She has shown that she is fully aware of what an Interjection is by telling me, "Darn! Mama, I just don't want to learn anymore! (Mama, that's a Jection!)

Easter!

Ken and I managed to get some sleep prior to the Little People knocking on our door.  We dragged ourselves out of bed because we heard seriously anxious, "THE EASTER BUNNY WAS  HERE!!!"  Despite a note taped to the inside of their doors requesting that they not leave their rooms until we got up, they had gone out to the living room and found the baskets, AND they peeked out the back door to see how many eggs they could find without actually going outside.  


I was the first one out of the door, so I took pictures of the girls opening their baskets while Ken slowly emerged and went for coffee.  The girls immediately started eating all of the candy that they received.  Once Ken and I each had a cup of coffee and were starting to enter "human" status, I reminded the girls that they still needed to find the eggs.


Taylor was the most excited about all of this.  She had been upset since her last visit with her dad.  He told her that the Easter Bunny wasn't "real."  Ken and I were so excited to find that the Easter Bunny came through for her.  She was the first one out the door.  


Each of the girls had 12 eggs to find.  I was really happy that one 1 is still missing.  Usually, all of the eggs get found, but this one just isn't to be found.  The girls ran around trying to be the "first" to find all 12 eggs.  Jordan was the first one done because we established that she got the porch area.


After all of the eggs were found, the girls resumed their candy gluttony.  They watched movies throughout the day.  Ken and I had wanted to take them on a day hike, but the weather was far too bad today.  Luckily, the sun stayed out while the girls were searching for eggs, but then the clouds rolled in.  It's been very cold - really unseasonably cold.  The wind was really high which made it colder.


I spent most of the late morning and early afternoon not feeling well, so I was glad that the girls wanted to kick back.  Then, I suddenly felt the room start to rock and shake.  I watched the ceiling fans started swinging and the water in the fish tank was sloshing around.  I sent a message to Ken to tell him we were having an earthquake, and he asked when it happened.  I typed back, "NOW!" and then he came out from the bedroom.  I had a difficult standing, but it was apparently just my equilibrium as no one else had trouble.  The earthquake lasted for a long time.  Just when we thought it was over, the rocking started again, and then there was a final shake and it was done.


The girls started to get freaked out by the earthquake, so we looked it up online.  There was a 6.9 in Baja California just south of Mexicali.  According to the USGS site, people reported that they felt the earthquake all the way in Vegas and Tempe, AZ.  I turned on the news so the girls could see that the earthquake wasn't "heading our way" like they were worried about.  


Everything was uneventful for the rest of the evening.  We enjoyed our supper, and the girls loved having sparkling cider as a treat.  


After supper, the girls had to scramble to get everything ready for school since their 2 week break is over.  Ken and I are very happy that the girls will be returning to school tomorrow.  


Happy Easter to our friends and family.  We wish you a wonderful Spring Season!