Kidney mass

Tonight our whole life changed. In a phone call we were told you have a mass on your right kidney. The level of fear, heartbreak and complete despair are all above a range I thought I could ever handle. We head to Mott tomorrow am. Tonight you were brave and worried about me and your family. You said you didn't want to die. I love you- you go I go. We are not going to be apart and I will fight with all I have. I love you SVJ! 

Ride a bike!!

She worked hard !!! Congrats SVJ 

BUBBLING WELL

Nine!!

Long time since last post- 

Ellie Rodgers bullies you on the bus, your dad is getting married and you don't know yet, you are going to sc soon to see your gran and grandpa terry and will meet your new step mom Stacey.  I hope for you she can be a good friends someday like my step mom and step dad were/are for me. 

Pinky went to India with aunt Katie and uncle Ateesh and your cousins. 

I work globally now and travel a lot. And wish you were home schooled and traveled with me. I love you! 

Best haircut ever happened today!! 

I love you so much! Fractions are easy and Harry Potter has just started to be good. 

You are also great with my friends and on Fridays we go to Sylvia (Greta and zabes mom) and James house to hang with the camp fam. 

New room will be built by summer and your are going to Agq mini camp this year!!

The Garcia family has become the kesel like match here and we are grateful for them!

You sang your first solo at mlk concert and lost student council- 

That hair tho!!!

We decided last night you'd call me Maddy or Moddy for mommy and daddy! 

I'll be whatever you need- 

Love you SVJ! 

Pinky, Vara and mommy! 11/27/2015

NINE

You can't imagine what 8 did!!! Read, moved, was my heart when I needed a friend and held me

When was scared about leaving that lay moment at 329 bubbling well- 

We love in Ann Arbor now and you continue to love me and teach me more than I ever could. Wines elementary, 3rd grade, ivy ball down the street and you tak the bus!!

You went to your first Michigan football game!

You had a mad hatter tea party today at ha lagoons with uncle Ateesh, aunt Katie and your cousins. PIE FACE was a hit- 

You are just under my shoulder in height with a 4 shoe and 71 lbs. a size 8-10 clothes.

You made me a

Gift when I got promoted! Box of congrats pop up!

I love you SVJ! Thank you for being my friend And reason for doing more! 

BUBBLING WELL

End of second grade and MOVING

So much has happened since tour birthday but the big events are losing teeth, pinky going to Ann Arbor and us deciding to follow. We finally sold the house and are headed up to take on the next adventure. 

I couldn't be more proud of the young advocate you have become for your friend Niko.

He is 12 and is nonverbal. He is our great friend and his family has taken us in as theirs. You stood up a few weeks ago and told your whole music class you were leaving the school because they were not nice to nick! I love you for so many things but this was a proud moment. 

Your read well, you try hard, and the spelling will come. I am excited to see what this next year has. For now it is SUMMATIME! 

You're 8!!!!

Asleep in a hotel in Rockville with Hannah and pinky. You are my heart, friend, and make each day a new opportunity for me to learn. You teach me to love, remind me to laugh, and focus me on important things vs. daily grind. 

You have a loose front tooth finally. You are 67 lbs and 52 inches. You're best friends are Boston Dakotas Vasili Anthea and  nick... The parents of those children are fast becoming my great friends too!

You LOVE to draw, want a keyboard and drums and your puppy Olive us the most talked about thing each day. 

Pinky is retired and heading to MichiganBair about 8 weeks- it will be our first stretch since you were 3 ish alone. 

Thinking we will sell our home soon and move to Denver! I hope we make the best decision but know that no matter what if we are together we are fine. 

I love you and hope 8 is your best year yet!

 

Boston and vara

Our house

Glasses

Catching up- second grade, "losing" teeth, Syria being bombed, and more

Tonight I'm up past midnight listening to you sleep. You still sleep with me most nights and sleep sideways in a king bed just to ensure you're touching my arm or foot or hair. That's not uncommon, but tonight was the first night I saw you process fear in a way I remembered feeling as a kid. Tonight the news broke in that we were bombing Syria due to ISIS. It's ugky, scary, and you held my arm in your arms until you finally just gave up. I told you we were safe, and you were rigid with fear it quiet until we sang a song. I promised to protect you... I'll akaays do that.

Second grade --- you got your first pair of glasses, you picked a red metal pair and I picked black glasses. You have had 2 teeth pulled and the top two are loose but haven't budged yet.

You are kind, your teacher we nicknamed kesha is a fan of yours. You are shy at times... Tonight I tried to get you to sell me on why you should get a monster high doll and you couldn't.. You also told me today that Hannah was a better dancer and you'd rather sing on beat.

Today you asked why I had to live apart from my pinky. I think you said it eloquently when you said..... Teenagers do some crazy things!

I'm proud of you! This summer you went to Boston with me and sourced with Khaden.... One of your candidates is being resourced and you think I'll owe 100.00 soon for an interview!!

Anthea and Dakota are your best friends... But you have lots of them.

We are thinking about selling the house as pinky is retiring oct 3rd and we may get a chance to move so I don't travel as much!

You continue to make me a better person each day--- love you SVJ.

Last day of first grade tomorrow!!! You've had such a great year. Reading... Two teeth pulled., the tooth fairy came to visit. Your best friends are Dakota Palmer and anthea Copsis.

You are my best friend and still sleep in my bed most nights... I told you to tell your friends I was scared not you. You are great with olive and happy to sin giggly azalea or frozen lyrics.

Thank you for all you are: sweet, funny, swimming in the pool, happy happy heart.
Photos to follow!

Vara is turning 7

So - each year i look back and can't imagine all you have learned... but more importantly all the things you have taught me! You, at such a young age, are truly a gift to me and wise beyond your years.

Still no lost teeth - that makes you mad.
Bangs that hang in your face because you cut them almost 2 years ago and they are finally growing.
Lots of hugs and kisses still, but rarely in carpool - not in to that
You love the color green
You still call me chubby and fat - but now you apologize and then tell me you like me the medium way I am.
You and Pinky are always laughing or having a joke about something
You have a new puppy Olive who is your whole world
You are in drama class and are a spy in the Epic thriller of STONE SOUP
I am on the BOT for your school and you don't know what that means but you like it.

For your birthday we are going to washington DC to see the cousins and have some turkey
Then we are off to see Pop Pop for xmas
You don't know it yet, but we are going to Disney Land ... FUN.

You are struggling with your teacher mrs. Alwerdt, but you are determined to make it work. You now read really well, and i am so proud of you!

Today you are home, actually sitting right behind me while i write this..... taking a mental health day.
You were gone this weekend and it was hard for you to feel rested. AND school makes you nervous.

I love you Sweet Vara James

Mommy

Puppy!!

Yesterday we brought "Olive" home- ki





ng Charles spaniel!! Love



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"LIAR DRILL"

Last night you taught me yet another lesson. I was certain you had not been honest and didn't believe your best tears. You were asked to walk laps yesterday and didn't tell me. The whole class had to walk some, but you more. Then your friend's mom told me he said your name was on the board, and I believed him vs. you... it was not pretty.

I scolded you, i asked you to tell me the truth, you couldn't because it wasnt true. you cried and screamed and I told you I would not tolerate liars.  The WHOLE BIG mommy guilt trip. And I emailed your teacher and guess what... you did get in trouble but your name was not on the board.... so sweetly, humbly and very kindly you crawled into my bed when I told you mommy was wrong and so so sorry for not believing you and you said the funniest thing... it was like a fire drill mommy... it was a Liar Drill... now I know what you will do if I lie and i am NEVER gonna do that.

I wish it were true, I wish you knew how much it broke my heart to try to see you that way and teach you to be better. I know that day will come, but I do pray you are bigger than that and you heart is more pure and that somehow we can skip this part of growing up.

I love you- and sorry for the "liar drill"

love,
Mommy

First Grade Smiles

FIRST GRADE - Like a Boss

You are so excited to go to first grade- but you are nervous. But don't we all get nervous?
I am SOOOO excited for you and we have had a great summer- a few things that were difficult but you took it all in stride.

I traveled a lot, you were a trooper. AND you got to have the dream team around all summer - the Neal Girls

Thankful as always we manage to be surrounded by great people that you manage to wrap around your finger effortlessly. .... No really it is a gift!

Here is a quick slide show for you to look back on-

More to come from 2013-2014 school year!

LOVE YOU!

Today you asked for a puppy.... Everyday you ask. It's sweet, and the crocodile tears are starting to wear on me. I love your salesmanship.
Meredith and amanda Neal are your best friends this summer and watch you While I work. I have been traveling a lot... Hesston KS, Denver, Boston, Minnesota, Memphis.

Mommy got a new boss and is adjusting to it. You have been so sweet.
We saw some kindergarten friends this week and are getting ready for first grade!! Can't believe it.