109 degrees

Dead man, dead man come alive

Right before my very eyes. 

1,2,3,4,5

Come alive. 

Sleep much?

(Aubrey Larsen, Emma Mazurkewicz, Keilie-kins)

This was sent while Keilie was at Girl's Camp. She got home yesterday at 2:40 with many, many fun stories. She claimed that she wasn't all that tired. Truth came out this morning when she slept until NINE A.M. That is the latest that any of our kids has EVER slept in till. Love me a child that knows how to sleep in!! 

Serge

 Caden is now authorized to begin his Eagle Scout Project.  Knowing that we will be traveling at various times during the next few weeks, we have waited to set an actual date for his project.  However, he started yesterday to make the Example for the coming weeks to show around the ward.

 Caden didn't want to move rocks- a project that would greatly impact our community's beauty, but has been done by a few of his troop members recently- but instead thought of a project that was more personal.  Pediatric Blankets to be given to our local hospital.  The hospital that he was fortunate enough to go to, and be flown to Seattle Children's from.  He wanted a way to bring comfort to children in a time of trauma, sickness, and uncertainty.  He wanted them to be wrapped in warmth and love.  He amazes me with his thoughtfulness and maturity.

 We were going to tie them with his troop, but changed our minds after talking to another mother whose son did blankets for the Fire Department/Ambulances in our community.  She said that they serged around the fleece, making it faster, and easier to stack and keep clean.  I understand that kind of organizational genius. 

Caden won't admit it, but he loved using the serger.  At one point, it wasn't sewing correctly.  I could tell that he was getting a bit nervous, so I told him to step away from it for a while, that we'd come back to it after a break at the pool.  When we got home, I thought he was just playing on his iPad.  Nope!  That boy was researching stuff about the serger, and ended up re-threading the whole thing to make it work.  The pride on that boy's face when he brought me the finished blanket was incredible.  He is determined to bring sunshine to another, through these blankets.

If you are interested in making a few blankets to donate, feel free to email me at dirks (dot) stephanie (at) gmail (dot) com.  I'll have Caden email you all of the instructions and sizes for his project.  We will most likely be "assembling" them and delivering by the end of August.

Cancer was something that we never thought we'd deal with, something that we didn't like dealing with, something that is awful to remember, but that has made this boy an even better human being.  I love him.  I'm proud of him.  I don't deserve him.

I get a serge of pride when I think of him.

Haha, get it?  Serge?  (*Cringe*) I'm not much better at serging, I'm afraid!

Test

Brennon may have been the one that started the whole Taekwondo movement in our home, but Shelby is the one that has made the biggest improvement of them all.  Tonight was an amazing night for her.

A few days ago she told me that before she leaves her room each morning, she says her prayers, does 10 jumping jacks, holds her splits as long as she can stand, and does her White Belt Form (Key-Cho-Young) three times.  I was stunned.  I didn't know that she was doing that.  I knew that she was enjoying Taekwondo, but I didn't know that she was that into it.  Her practice has shown in the last few weeks.  Enough that I asked her to work with Tyson.  Yellow Belt testing is coming up on Saturday.  Not wanting to have a few in one class, with Tyson still in the younger class, I asked her to get him ready for the test.  She did not disappoint.

Tonight, after class, the teacher asked my kids to stay after with a few other students.  He had Caden and another boy doing their Form.  Caden rocked it, even throwing the other kids off because he was so fast and good.  He gave Caden a high-five and sent him for his shoes.  He then gave the other kids a chance to do it without Caden.  He made a few errors, but did much better without my speed-demon Caden.  Then it was Shelby and Brennon's turn.  They did it flawlessly, but Shelby was clearly trying her hardest to do it to perfection.  She was intense in her movements, punches, and YAH's.  It gave me SUCH pride to watch them perform.  And then it was time for Tyson...

While I felt pride in the work that he was able to showcase, I felt more pride for the person that taught him the moves.  My little Shelby has been working behind the scenes to make sure that Tyson knows his stuff.  She would work with him each day, critique him, and then expect him to show her his improvements.  The look on the teachers face was priceless when Tyson continued with each step, executing it to perfection.  As coach lowered to place his hands on his knees, he asked Tyson, "So, has your big brother been helping you?" I made sure to pipe up and say that it was all Shelby.  That girl glowed with pride from those words.  She can't take credit for all of it- after all, it was Tyson that was doing the moves perfectly- but it was her that helped him get to that point.

I can't wait for Saturday afternoon.  I can't wait to see each one of my kids bow before their instructor, arms outstretched, reaching for their next belt.  This is some pretty intense stuff that brings me to tears in pride.  If they keep up with their dedication, intensity, and confidence, my children have the potential to be great.  And I am not just saying that because I am their mother.  They really do look amazing.

Saturday will be their day to prove it.

HI-YAH!!!

Forever

June 23, 2000

BeSt DaY oF mY LiFe!!

Power of a Poll

It has come to my attention that there are discrepancies of when Caden is considered Cancer Free.  Knowing my love of polls, I ask for your opinion.  I will give the three possible dates that could be considered the "anniversary" date, and ask which one you would choose...if this was your story.  Maybe you don't really care, but love to do polls anyway, I don't know.  Please just look to the right of my blog and add your vote on the date that you would choose.  Thanks!

May 7th- This was the day that they removed the 2 pound tumor from The Boy in the Bed.  We were told that they got enough healthy tissue around the entire tumor and that there was no active cancer cells within.

June 30th- This was the last day of chemotherapy.  There was absolutely nothing else that could have been done after that last bag was pumped through his exhausted body.  We chose to do the last two Rounds to kill any of the microscopic cells that could possibly be stationed in him.  We wanted the 80% chance that he would never get cancer again, thank you very much.

July 17th- This was the day of his post-treatment scan.  They gave us the all-clear and began the countdown to the next three-month scan.  Sue gave him the clean bill of health and the certificate signed by as many nurses and doctors as they could cram onto the paper.  While we haven't been given the 5-year-clean-bill-of-health release, it has been amazing to live almost a whole year away from the confining walls of Seattle Children's Hospital.  The place that was torture to save a child's life.

Which date should we celebrate?

If you know me well, you know that I will celebrate all three.  It is just fun to see what other people think!  And seeing as the 30th was the last day for chemotherapy, we'll have the 30th be the last day of the poll.  Kind of neat how that happened!

Climbing

Caden went with his troop on an overnight campout to earn their Rock Climbing merit badge.  Their Scout Master is friends with a professional climber, so he willingly helped these boys learn how to climb.  Caden had a GREAT time!  It was also nice to get the merit badge complete in one day, with only one outing.

I am still in awe at Caden's strength.  From the very day of his release, he's worked hard to get every muscle worked and ready for exertion.  Less than one year from The Surgery, here he is climbing mountains, ready to reach the top and look out at the amazing view, pumping his arms like Rocky.  Even more impressive is that this isn't the first mountain he has climbed since cancer care.  Scouts has taken him on a 15 mile hike to scale 2,000ft. elevation.  Even though it was rough, even though he was the last hiker to the top, Caden never gave up, never complained, just kept putting one foot in front of the other.  My son is an incredible example of Courage.  Of endurance.  Of Power. 

Oh, how I love him.

Swimmer

~Look at my cute 3-year old Brennon!!~

Brennon has always done things on his own time.  Crawl by 20 months.  Walk by 22 months.  Learn to ride a bike at 7 because his 5-year old brother learned it first.  One thing about Brennon, he make come late to the party, but he works to make it the best party ever heard of.  Once this boy puts his mind to something, there is no stopping him.  He goes for his dreams, no matter the work it takes to accomplish them.

Today, my son learned how to swim.

This is a huge thing for Brennon.  He does not like the water.  At all.  Two years ago, Cameron (Jamie's Mister) made the mistake of throwing Brennon into the pool.  He had a life jacket on, and never even got his head wet, but Brennon was beside himself with terror.  I'm not sure he will ever forget that about Cameron.  There have been many hotels where Brennon has sat out, watching us all swim from the comfort of a lounge chair.  He said no, he meant no!  Last year, while we were finishing up the last two Rounds of chemo, my mom took the kids for a couple of weeks.  We were all shocked that Brennon allowed grandma to take him in the pool.  It was a huge thing.  Little-by-little, Brennon has come to be ok with the pool- although you do not pressure him into anything, and you most certainly do NOT throw him in the pool!!  That is instant-death of the swim idea, for Brennon.

Today, Brennon was watching Shelby glide through the water.  He was watching her do front and back flips, something that she learned just this week.  With determination blazing on that little face, my Brennon announced to us- nay, to the entire pool- that he was going to learn how to swim.  He unbuckled his life jacket, placed it on the side (he made sure to tell me to leave it there, he might need it later) and dove in.  Goggles are a must- cause who likes water up their nose?!- but that boy never put that life jacket back on.  Truth be told, he is the better swimmer of any of our kids at his age.  He actually uses his arms and legs, simultaneously.  It is pretty neat to see.  And just like that, my Brennon can swim.

This boy is very particular about when things happen in his life.  He may not like things rushed, but once he is ready, he is a quick learner.  I'll miss the chance to snuggle with him while everyone else is doing their thing, but I am happy to see my son put himself out there.  His courage level is rising with each new thing that he tries.  And the look of determination that he gets when his mind is set!  Man, it is the most handsome facial expression he makes!  Cause one thing we all know about Brennon- 

He will always surprise you with his ability to chase and achieve his dreams.

Allergies, Indeed

A friend came over, asking if our kids wanted to go to her house to see her two, brand-new puppies.

Tyson:  "How many are there?  Two?  Oh.  I can't come.  I'm allergic to cuteness."

He was dead-serious!

He didn't go see the puppies, either.

What started as a bit of fun/joke has now come back to bite us.  Again.

Highlight

Every once in a while I get the opportunity to surprise my kids by giving them something that they want, but never figured they'd get. Today was one of those days. 

Keilie made the off-hand comment that she wanted streaks in her hair. Knowing the desires of a pre-teen girl, I immediately got her into the car to purchase supplies. The look of surprise in her face was the best. While out, Keilie asked if we could grab a treat that she had asked for a few days ago. Yep!!

We got home and got to work. 

I knew what was coming. Many, many pricks in the head with a metal hook. Not my favorite, and not Keilie's favorite. She was a sweaty mess by the time I was finished. I remember that stress. However, it was all worth it in the end. 

It turned out adorable, if I do say so meself. Pain is beauty, and all that madness. 

Her radiance is the highlight of my day. 

*cough* I couldn't help myself. 

Road Trip

Since finding out that the Wilsterman's would be living only FOUR HOURS (and eight minutes) from our house, I have been giddy with excitement over the whole ordeal.  Oh my gosh, there is so much that will now be able to happen.  Think holidays, long weekends, birthday parties- all you can handle, Bro!  I can't wait.  Each time I think of something new, or something that we will be able to do, I get this giddy feeling in my gut.  I can barely contain my excitement. 

Wanting to test out the new drive that we would be making as often as we can (or as often as Randy will allow me to take it) we packed our Yukon for a day-trip to Mount Vernon.  The halfway point of the trip turned out to be quite amazing.  Randy has always loved to area of Cle Elum.  We decided to stop by and check out some cabin spots, thinking how perfect it would be to meet in the middle for some smores, swimming, and salutations.  It turned out to be even more beautiful than we ever could have imagined. 

 While driving around the lake near the sites we were looking at, Randy happened upon this beautiful sight.

 Someone had built a little platform for a gorgeous view of the lake.  And, yes, Tyson did come on this trip without shoes.  What a goof!  He said he didn't realize that we would be getting out of the car.  At all.  All day.  Caden made him into a human-backpack for the day.

 To the right of Keilie, you'll see the platform.  She is such a cute photobomber!  Work it, girl!

 The lake.  Glass as long as the eye could see.  It was so tranquil and beautiful.

 Isn't that wood awesome?!  I sure love those humans!!

 Thank you Shelby for being the only one that was actually smiling and looking at the camera.  Caden was grimacing, Randy was looking at his phone, Brennon was looking at Tyson- who was making a goofy face- while Keilie closed her eyes for a little siesta.  Awesome!

The thing that I liked most about the drive was that we didn't actually go through Seattle.  We took a different road North, one that made it seem like a whole different drive than we normally take.  I'm not a fan of Seattle, anymore.  It's nice to have it be different to visit Ashlee than it is to visit Sue at Seattle Children's.  That's a whole lot less anxiety for The Mother.

 Mount Baker Middle School.  

It shares the same grounds as the Elementary School.  Russ will be close to their girls when he's at work.  At the mention of 'their girls,' I am now at liberty to say that they found out that their fifth child, due at the end of October, is another little girl.  YAY for Girlies!!!

 We drove around the town, looked through some homes by a builder they like, checked out the neighborhood they are considering, found how close it is to shopping, and went down to their river.  We have the Yakima, Columbia, and Snake rivers that intersect in our town, they have the Skagit river that dissects theirs.  Look at how green and gorgeous it was yesterday!!

All-in-all, this "family in Washington" thing is going to be the best.  I am going to love it!!  The plan, for now, is for them to pack up their home, get it on the market, and leave Dallas by the 27th (just 16 days after he got the job) to drive to our house.  Then they'll drop off their girls, head up to Mount Vernon with their Uhaul, unload it into a storage unit, look for a home, and come back to our house.  Russ will start his new job, Ashlee and her girls will live with us while waiting to move into their home, and then we'll all caravan down to Utah near the end of the summer, to play. 

BEST SUMMER EVER!!!

STOKED!!

First off: The GOOD news!!

My sister, Ashlee, and her husband Russ have lived in Dallas, Texas for the past 9 years.  During that time, they have had four cute little girls while he has either taught Spanish/got his Masters Degree or been Vice Principal-ing Middle School.  Things have been going grand for them, but they were ready for a change.  That change, my friends, came last night when they got word that he is the newest Vice Principal at Mount Baker Middle School.  Where is that? you ask?!  Well, let me enlighten you. (Sit up straight, straighten my spectacles, steeple my fingers under my chin, teacher tone)  It is about an hour north of Seattle, putting them about 4 hours and 8 minutes from my house- not that I already googlemapped it, or anything.  As in the closest we have lived to any family since living in Nibley, Utah in 2002-2005.  Oh, yeah!!!!!  Uh-Huh!!!!!  That's right!!!!!  Wa-hoo!!!!!

Awesome Crazy Lady Dance!!!!!

I may have burst into tears.  I may have needed to run around the neighborhood, to burn off the adrenaline.  I may have peed my big-girl slacks a teensy bit.  It was the best news ever.  For that day.

Then:

When I was calling Randy to tell him my their good news, he had a cool story to tell me:  

When boarding a plane from Missoula, MT to Seattle, WA, he helped an elderly lady (that wreaked of money, if you know what I mean) place her bag in the overhead compartment.  During the flight, he noticed the work she was doing on her computer- quite Greenpeace, extreme Liberal crap.  His exact words to describe this woman: "Flaming Liberal."  Around the time of touch-down, this flaming liberal pulled out her boarding pass for her connecting flight to Vancouver, Canada.

Jane Fonda

That's right, my friends, my Mister was sitting next to "The Source," as Randy puts it.  Left Wing, liberal, crazy woman.  Not wanting to cause a scene of any kind, he didn't ask to get her picture while sitting next to her.  My Private Investigator capture this beaut as she was getting off the plane.  Excuse to distance, he couldn't risk blowing his cover.  Incognito is difficult stuff!

He helped get her bag down for her, she called him a gentleman, she touched his leg.  Just kidding about the leg.  I was just thinking of Dumb and Dumber and got carried away.  Anywhooo...He actually talked to Jane.Fonda!

And last, but not least:

Day two of summer started with card games.  They got all of their arguments out yesterday (wow, what a day it was, too) and have been happily spending time together today.

BEST WEEK EVER!!!  This month.

PAR-TAY!!!!

While I would love to be here...

right now, I am SUPER excited for Summer Break.  Today is the first full day of summer for us.  

How do I know?

I woke to arguing, running, punching, and screaming.  And pathetic bawling. 

Fan-tastic!

Cause what kind of house would it be if there was no contention, ever, I ask you?!

Oh, wait...

It's SuMmEr!!!!!

Underwater

With the opening of our membership pool, we have tried to get our money's worth this year.  Last year we purchased the membership right after Caden's surgery, only being able to use it a handful of times after we were told of his extra Rounds.  With how much we have gone this year, already, I anticipate getting both year's money's worth!

Monday night was the pool kick-off summer party.  Keilie decided that that should be our Family Home Evening activity.  Perfect!  While there, Caden commented to Randy that there was a phone in the deep end, one that didn't look waterproof.  Yikes!  Jamie was with us, and told us that her phone is waterproof up to 30 feet.  This, Randy had to see!  And try out.

This was the first attempt.  Tyson is a regular fish.  He jumps in without a fear, goes underwater all the time, goes down the slide without help anymore, and has even done front flips off of the diving board.  I'm getting them into swim lessons starting on the 23 or so.  I can't wait to see how that kid does without a life jacket!

Brennon surprised us all by not only taking off his life jacket for the picture, but going underwater.  He does not like it one bit, but he ended up staying underwater for a long time to get a good picture.  So proud of him!!

Shelby informed us that she is confidant enough to swim without a life jacket anymore.  She is learning a lot this year, and will probably move up the ranks in her swimming classes, quickly.

 Caden is Caden.  He loves to swim.  Can you see his scar?  Not really!  It is healing quite nicely. 

Keilie, oh, Keilie.  Look at that grimace!!  She was so sad to see this picture.  She said she was trying to smile.  I understand that.  Cause look how cute she looks in her leopard print suit, that's why!!  Love her!

That night, Randy made the comment that he liked Jamie's phone.  Who knows, an Android may be in the Dirks' future.  Maybe.

Segue

This was the first picture I ever captured of my house.  As you can see, it was a gloomy, gray day.  The tree is bare, the door looks dingy, dirty yellow without the beautiful glass storm-door, the bushes in the the front are awful.  It doesn't look like much, but it was a fun chapter beginning on our Washington volumes.

When we moved to Casper, WY from Utah, we drove up to Casper for a whoping 9 hours to look for homes.  9 hours to see the town, look through homes, and choose one to move into just two weeks later.  Thankfully we were lead to a great home with great schools and a great ward.  It's such a big gamble to move to a new town, let alone a new state.  Just to add to this experience, we decided to move to a new state without ever stepping foot into it.  Our first view of the Tri-Cities was from our Uhaul windows.  Wow, what a rush!  This time we were a little smarter-  We rented.

For three months.  And then packed up our almost-unpacked rental and moved down the street.  We like living on the edge.  Thrill seekers, and all that.  Looking back now, it helped us get rid of a ton of crap.  Cause who wants to move that many boxes that many times, I ask you?!  Talk about super-size downsize.  As we discussed the purchase, this was to be a segue house for us.  A segue not unlike our Casper days.

When Randy got the job with GlaxoSmithKline in 2005, they told us that if we lived in Casper for three years, we could opt to move anywhere we wanted after.  Their voice dripped disgust, and a little pitty, as they told us all about Casper.  At that point in our lives, we didn't really care where we lived, as long as it got us into our own home again.  We were totally pumped for our new segue lives.  Which ended up keeping us in Casper for seven and a half years of bliss.  We LOVED it there.  What began as a trial-run, turned into the happiest years of our married lives.  It wasn't a beautiful town, but it sure was a beautiful experience.  I will always think of Casper as a home...even if we don't have any reason to really return.

My cousin Brady was able to stop by last week.  His work brought him up to Yakima, about an hour north of me.  He was kind enough to let me take him to dinner and show him the beautiful sites that I have come to love here.  We got some incredible Indian food, and enjoyed our time getting to know each other again.  Although I am close to all of my cousins, it is hard to stay in deep contact when you haven't lived in the same state for over 10 years.  We had such a great time.

As I was telling him about how much I love my house, not really being able to explain why, he said that as soon as they moved into their town home, they were counting down the days until they could move out- It was a segue house for them.  Thinking back on the purchase of this home, it was supposed to be a segue house for us, too.  We decided that we would buy as many of the two-story homes that came available as we could secure, thus getting rentals accumulated while still living in a nice neighborhood.  As it turns out, our plans have changed.  And it's because we love this house so much.  For the first time in our married lives, we have found a place that we want to stay.  We feel secure, for once.  We look forward to paying off the mortgage and living debt-free.  We realize that it may not be this way forever- we do have three boys in our home, that will become teens someday- but for now, our Segue house has become our Secure house.  A place that I would be just fine staying in for as long as I live.  A place that my grandkids can come and visit me.  Or that we could leave to go visit them.  A place that will be paid off before Randy reaches 30, plus ten.  How cool is that?!

This is what I consider the 8th wonder of the world.  

My home!

Cute

Do you remember the story of Shelby consoling me because I was not, in fact, Sexy?

Here's another gem: Shelby and Keilie were asking which girl in the family was the cutest. Not liking where their arguments were headed, I said Me. 

Randy asked Tyson was he was laughing (I kid you not, it sounded maniacal. Wicked, even) 

"Mom thinks she's cute. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Tyson loves to pester Randy. As evidence in these pictures, taken while we watched a documentary on Elephants last night. He loves to pester me, too, apparently. He says I am not cute because I am pretty. I think I can be pretty cute, myself. What do I know?!

Tutorial

This is a tutorial on how you practice hula-hooping while walking.  Pay close attention.  Especially to what's happening above the shoulders.  Make sure that you click the icon at the bottom of the video, to the right of the YouTube icon.  That will make it large, so you can see all of the intricate details!

Music

After cancer care we were eager to put our kids into activities that would get them out of the house, activities to kind of erase their memories with fun. We sat each of them down, in hope of finding something that they would be passionate about. The excitement was palpable. 

During a week home during cancer care, one Family Home Evening was spent around the piano. As the voices of my children sang out, mingling with strains of the piano I learned to play on as a child, tears streamed down my face. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. For those few moments, our house felt like a true Heaven on Earth, to me. Wanting my children, but especially my daughters, to have the same chance, I made the decision that, along with their chosen activities, they would also take piano. It was a fight from the very beginning. 

I was asked why they were taking from another teacher, since I can play and have actually been a teacher before. My explanation: I never wanted my kids to feel pressure or stress that they were somehow letting me down. I also knew that I wouldn't regularly make time for their lessons. If something came up in the home, I'd pass over their lesson, promising to do it another time. It wouldn't be consistent, which is crucial. If I have an appointed time time be somewhere, I never miss, and am never late. This is why my kids took lessons from someone else. And cried and whined and gnashed their teeth every single day of their young lives. I soon realized that the only reason I learned as well and as fast as I did, was because I had a deep-rooted desire to do it. And so we allowed our kids to stop taking piano lessons. This hurt my heart, but also lightened my load. 

Since their quit dates, I have actually heard more piano practicing than ever before. Each time they pass the piano on their way to or from the front room, they each pluck a few keys. They'll stop in their tracks to quickly play a piece they have memorized. Although they won't have the same experience I had, listening to their children sing to their accompaniment, they still play the piano. I still hear music in my home. 

Oh, how I love music!

Suck

(Lounging, waiting for mom and dad to get fence supplies)

Tyson has been really interested in whistling.  Truth be told, it is getting on my last nerve.  He is always whistling.  Always.

Yesterday, randomly, Tyson came to me and said, "Mom, I suck."

"No, you don't, Tyson!  Why would you say that?"

"Yuh-huh, see..."

Whistle.

Oh, in that case, you do suck.

Random Silliness

 I'm still trying to get the house cleaned up after our camping trip.  I'm pretty sure that every single piece of clothing, towel, or linen we own has been washed, and now needs to be folded and put away.  I'll attempt to get it all done today.  Or I'll watch a movie, I don't know.

Some of the fun stuff our kids have said these past few days:

Tyson: "Dad, why do your arms look so weird?"
Randy: "What do you mean?"
Tyson: "Why do you have a bunch of hair under your arms?"

Brennon: "When I'm a dad, I want to be 38!"

Tyson: "When I'm a dad, I'm going to have long arms that reach in the back to hold my kids' hands.  Plus, also, I will eat spicy food and not care that it burns my mouth.  And I'll have big poops."

Brennon: "Mom, you are the funnest mom."
Me: "Thanks, Brennon.  What makes me fun?"
Brennon: "You're pretty."

"What is your favorite meal that your mom makes?"
Shelby: "Top Ramen."
I use the stove, and everything!