My LIttle Fish

Today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday. Brooklynn popped out of bed this morning ready for the pool. She had to wait until it opened at noon, and was excited when we finally got there.

As soon as we got there it was adult swim, so B was satisfied with the baby pool until the big pool opened back up.
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After an hour or so Daddy was tired and ready to go. Brooklynn started crying and was close to a temper tantrum when we assured her that we would come back to the pool soon. She seemed ok with that after a little coaxing. I have a feeling we are going to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer.

After two hours of playing with every toy in her room. B finally went to sleep. I have no idea where she found her winter hat!

Just an update on Mom since I have had so many people asking on my facebook. Mom is waiting to hear if she starts chemo this Thursday or the following Monday. They are waiting on some blood work that had to be sent off. If it is returned sometime early this week, she will start Thursday. If not, Monday it is.

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for the mealtrain. Those meals start this week with Nick's mom bringing food on Tuesday. I must say that it is starting at the perfect time. Mom isn't up to cooking and Dad needs some good food. It's nice to know that so many people are willing to help out during the next few months. It is much appreciated. I've made a link to the mealtrain at the top of the blog if you are interested. Also, if you live out of state and would like to arrange for me to pick up a meal from a restaurant or have it delivered just shoot me an email. My email address is located on the mealtrain page.

The Pool is Open!

Brooklynn has been eyeing the neighborhood swimming pool for about a month now. She actually got mad a few weeks ago when swim team started because she wasn't able to go swimming yet, so why should they?

Well today was the day! We spent this morning in search of a new dresser and nightstand for B's room because her furniture is about to be moved to the baby's new room. B was very patient as we took her from store to store, and when it was finally time to put that swimsuit on she was super excited.

Last summer B was really unsure of the pool. She definitely didn't want to get into the big pool for too long, and we never stayed in the baby pool longer than 30 minutes before she was ready to leave. I wasn't really sure what to expect today, but boy was I surprised.

First, B tested the water.Before we knew it she was jumping off the side and putting her head under! WHAT?!? Is this the same child that didn't enjoy the pool last summer?

Yes, that is B voluntarily putting her head under water three minutes after we got there!

After about two hours, the pool was packed and B was finally worn out. She was not excited when she found out she had to take a nap when we got back home. She fought that nap as long as she could. She even sat in her rocker and kicked the blinds she was so mad. After being threatened with the time out rug, she finally fell asleep using the curtain as a blanket. Hey, whatever works!

Back to the pool we go tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Pops!

Today we celebrated Dad's birthday. Mom, Dad, Blake, Kaley, Nick, B, and I all went to dinner. It was Dad's pick so we went to Cracker Barrel. Brooklynn enjoyed some pancakes, bacon, tomatoes, and cornbread. Yes, quite an assortment I know. After dinner we headed back to Mom and Dad's for some cookie cake. Brooklynn entertained everyone with a few songs, dances, and then she played basketball with her new stuffed animal, Rainbow.

This is my favorite pic of Pops and B!

Cancer Sucks

That past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for our family. I feel like I have been walking around in a fog and the uncertainty that has been at every corner has been torture. However, as of yesterday these are the things we know for sure:

1- Mom does indeed have pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver. Mom will begin a new clinical research trial that has had some success in animals. It involves several different drugs that the nurses say a lot of times don't make people sick the way that most chemo treatments do. They will try this for two months and then Mom will get new scans to see if it has helped. We are hopeful for that!

2- Mom is probably not happy that I am posting this. Yes, for those of you who were blessed to know Papa, you know that Mom is just like him. She absolutely does not want people to feel sorry for her or do anything for her. Period. That poses a problem for me bc I know that just like me, Mom has had numerous people ask what they can do to help and especially wanting to cook meals. I know her response and you probably do as well. Well too bad Mom! People have a need to help those they love and you are just going to have to adjust to that and feel the love!

3- Mom is positive. The feeling of finally knowing what your up against after weeks of wondering has helped me calm down. Mom was the same yesterday. We are feeling lucky to have good doctors and Mom is ready to fight. Bring it!

4- Mom is pretty lucky to have that bald headed fellow at home. That's right, Dad has already helped one special lady beat cancer twice with bone marrow donations and now it's time he step up again. This will be much harder of course because it's his wife, but Dad's job this go round is to stay positive and smile and to be there for Mom. Something he is pretty good at, lucky for us!

I know my whole family would like to thank those of you for the numerous prayers, calls, flowers, cards, texts, and emails. It really is amazing to feel just how many people care and love you in a time like this. So for those of you who have offered to help by making meals I have set up a meal train for Mom once she starts chemo.

This is where Mom is picking up the phone to call and tell me not to do this. So, Mom, let me remind you that nobody should have to cook a meal while undergoing chemo. People want to help, let them. I'm not changing my mind on this! Plus I have Blake, Kaley, and Nick on my side, and we outnumber you. :)

Here's how it works:
1- Go to this website. http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=m6a7os8kujbt
2- I have entered in dates and you can just pick one if you would like to make a meal for Mom and Dad. You can also see what others have brought to eat. Don't forget to sign the guestbook because no meal would be complete without a thank you note from us!
3- I know that many of my friends have offered to make meals and they have never even met Mom and Dad. So, if you are not comfortable dropping it off please send me an email and Blake, Nick, Kaley or I will be MORE than happy to pick up the meal and deliver to Mom and Dad. We are over there all the time anyway, so that is absolutely not a big deal. Plus summer vacation is nine days away, and I have nothing to do for the next two months.
4- If you live outside of Greenville and still want to help, mealtrain makes it possible. You can click on the delivery tab and send a meal from a restuarant right here in Greenville. Awesome! Whoever came up with this website is genius!
If you aren't able to send a meal, no worries. Just keep praying, smiling and sending positive thoughts and that will go a long way to help Mom!

Strong Women

I'm a pretty lucky girl to have been surrounded by such wonderful moms. Women who have shown me how to accomplish all the things I have set out to do in my life. My grandmother, Genelle Brown, was such a strong lady and she truly showed me how important it is to support your kids no matter their age. Nana was always there for my parents at every turn. I know how important it is to be able to pick up the phone and know that your parents will always be there to help solve any problem that arises. When I think of Papa and Nana, I think of two people who were givers. They gave whatever they could, whenever they could. I can't think of one major or even minor event in my life that Papa and Nana missed. That's the kind of parent and grandparent I want to be! I hope that when B gets older that she understands the importance of her middle name and that she realizes how much the Browns meant to not only their family, but to the many students and community members they touched over their lifetimes.

I think back a few years ago to when I was overwhelmed with all that was happening in my life. My mom told me that it is possible to teach, go to grad school, and have a baby at home all at the same time. Of course she knew it was possible! She did it and survived, and so did I. As I get older I realize how much I value the relationship I have with my mom. I can't think of one other person who listens the way she does. No one else will listen to me endlessly ramble about all the little things that go on during my day and not only sympathize, but truly understand what it is like. I love that my mom gets outraged when something silly makes me mad at work. She's just good at acknowledging feelings. She's also inherited that "giver" quality from her parents. I can't count the times Nick and I have been in a bind, and I know that I only have to pick up the phone and the problem will be solved. I think about the time I got food poisoning and my parents drove four hours in the middle of the night to Chapel Hill so that Brooklynn, who was 6 months old at the time, didn't have to stay in the hospital with me in the middle of the swine flu epidemic. So Mom, I know that you are currently in the beginning stages of the biggest battle you will ever fight but just know that now I am here to listen to you and that Nick and I will be there for you and Dad at every turn. We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives.

I married Nick for a few reasons, the biggest being that he has such a good heart. In many ways, Nick reminds me of Papa. The guy who always has a kind word and knows just what to say. This is the quality that is most important to me especially when it comes to raising our kids. Nick is such a good father and I look at him every day and say a thank you that I have been blessed with such a strong, smart, good man to be my husband and father of my kids. I know that Nick is this way because of the important women in his life, his grandmothers, Ann Wilson and Lena Farr, and most importantly his sweet mom, Karen. Nick has grown up in a house filled with love and knowledge that no matter what happens in life God is in control. Without these things Nick wouldn't be the person he is today and for that I am thankful.

Lastly I just want to say how much I love this little girl. I hope that I can be half the mom that the women mentioned above have been to their own children.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

American Cancer Society

So proud of my fourth graders who have raised 127 dollars in one week for the American Cancer Society!

Love

I just wanted to take a minute to say how lucky I am to have this little girl in my life.