Perspective

My dear friend, Jennifer, has a daughter (Jessa) who is battling Leukemia for the second time...she is only 12 years old.  Let me back up a little...I remember when Jessa was first diagnosed at age 3.  That was before I was married and long before my two boys came along.  But, Jennifer & I had worked together as Child Life Specialists for years and we had seen our share of kids with cancer.  Most of them made it, others did not.

So, when Jessa was diagnosed with Leukemia it seemed beyond unfair to me.  How could my dear friend, who had given so many years of her life to helping other children and their parents cope with this awful disease, now be facing it as the mother of a patient?  I will never understand how life can sometimes be so cruel to such wonderful people.

Jennifer has been keeping an online journal of Jessa's treatments since her relapse & that is what I want to share with you.  Her most recent post is a must-read for all of us moms.  Jennifer's ability to stay optimistic, even with everything they are facing, is truly inspirational.  Her posts give me the reality check that is needed when you are knee-deep into raising a toddler & Preschooler while working full-time...the "crisis du jour" that I might think I have in my daily mom life is nothing compared to what she is going through.

Any prayers, encouragement, positive vibes or thoughts would be much appreciated for this family.  I am waiting anxiously for the day when Jennifer posts that Jessa is completely cancer free!  If you want to keep up with Jessa's road to a cure, you can follow her on her CarePages site.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/JessaSalvador/updates/3391651

Thomas Comes to Colorado!

Sean took the boys to see Thomas this weekend and it made quite an impression on Davis.  Carter remembered seeing Thomas before but, to Davis, it was all brand new.  When I came home from work, he was still smiling from ear-to-ear as he told me all about seeing Thomas and Sir Topham Hat.  What a day!

Waiting to see their favorite engine...

 Sean said Davis kept waving and saying "Hi Thomas!"

 Our turn to ride on Thomas!

Bye, Thomas!  See you next year!

I Feel Safer Already...

Carter is obsessed with Super Heroes.  It started with a $15 Iron Man costume at Costco for Halloween this year.  I didn't even realize he knew who Iron Man was, but apparently he does.  He has decided that his brother will be Spider Man for Halloween (costume pending, thus the Buzz Lightyear from last Halloween) and that next year, he will be a Power Ranger.  Now, that's some planning!

I am a little out-of-touch with Super Hero stuff, being a girl and all, but I can tell you that when I was five or six, I had Wonder Woman Underoos and I was In. Love. With. Them.  Anyone else remember those!? This girl totally gets it. I was Wonder Woman for Halloween that year, complete with a red cape my mom sewed for me and it is still one of my fondest childhood memories. 

Today, Carter woke up from nap and saw that I had gotten him a light/sound gadget ($5 at Wal-Mart) for his Iron Man costume and he got so excited.  He hugged me and told me "Mom, I'll protect you."  So, so sweet.  He totally meant it, too, people.  As in "Let me get this suit on and I will defend you to the ends of the earth."  Where do little boys come up with this stuff??  I have no idea, but I'm sure glad that they're living at my house...

 Who is that?  Buzz and Iron Man?

"No mom, it's just me, Davis!"

She's a Big Eater

What you are seeing is how breakfast looked at our house this morning: Carter is eating Fruit Loops and Blankie is "eating" pretend Golden Grahams, because "She has a big appetite.", according to Carter.  Notice how he put her into the bowl so she could eat with him.  Gotta love that kid's imagination!  

Branson

Our final Missouri destination was Branson, where we met Grandad & Grandma Nancy!  We stayed at a place with an indoor & outdoor water park on-site for the kids.  Turns out we had just missed the Labor Day rush, so the place was pretty deserted--nice!

The boys loved the water slides...

...and so did Grandma Nancy!

The boys had a blast splashing & sliding outside to beat the 100 degree heat!  Inside, we tried the lazy river, two huge hot tubs (my favorite) and climbed a tree house water structure. The highlight is that a giant bucket of water tips over sending water crashing down over the tree house every 10 min or so.  That's what Grandad and Davis were standing under in the photo below:

Having ice cream with Grandad after an awesome breakfast buffet...only on vacation can we get away with that!

My little cowboy!  Grandad bought the boys matching cowboy hats--too cute!

Carter thought this cheeseburger hat in the gift shop was so funny!

Grandad & his cowpokes.

We had an awesome dinner at Joe's Crabshack on Branson Landing...

...followed by some bull riding!    

The guys watching the musical water show on the river--just like the Bellagio in Vegas, only smaller & with flames.  Pretty cool!

Four hot Beilmans (Literally, it was 100 degrees outside!).  

Davis chillin' at the Go Kart track...

...while Daddy & Carter took a ride on the track!

We all rode the Go-Karts earlier in the day & I had a blast soaking Sean on the bumper boats.  We had a great time in Branson & promised Grandad we would meet them back there in two years to take the boys to his favorite music show.  And, maybe Nancy & I can make another trip to the outlet malls there.  (We found some amazing deals & could have spent all day shopping while the boys entertained themselves!)  It's a date!  

Ride Makerz

Ride Makerz is the vehicle version of Build-A-Bear (they are owned by the same company).  It is every little boys' dream shop where you walk in, pick your "body style", and customize your own car (or truck).  There are only four locations in the county, including one in Disneyland and one in, you guessed it--Branson, MO!

Our first visit to Ride Makerz was three years ago when I was pregnant with Davis & Carter was just a toddler.  This was the first time Sean got to go, so he and Davis had a blast seeing the store for the first time together.  Carter had already picked out his "ride" before we got there...he knew exactly what he wanted from looking online  http://ridemakerz.com/, and didn't waver a bit.

 To our surprise, Davis chose Lightening McQueen instead of Mater.  He loves that his new Lightening can talk.  

 Picking out the wheels...

 Davis was so excited to build his car!  It is amazing to me how seeing your kids happy is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.  We were thrilled to be able to do this with our boys & told them this was a special treat since we were on vacation (And most people do not consider a trip to Missouri in late Summer a vacation, people!).  Anyway, what a treat it was!

 Carter picking out his rims...so many choices!

 My three boys share a love of cars.  Mommy was just along for the ride...

 So many choices!

 We finally have all our parts and are ready to assemble our cars.  I love how happy Sean is in all of these photos.  This was a fun day for little boys AND big boys.  

 Both boys needed a little help with the tools.

 Testing out the new wheels!  We got RC cars this time, so they could really race.  Sean said that if he hadn't just gotten his Karmann Ghia, he would have built one too!

Leaving with our cars in their garage boxes.  We will be back next time we are in Branson!  Just for fun, here is the link to our First trip to Ride Makerz.  Look how little Carter is!

Table Rock Reunion

After leaving KC, we started our four-hour drive down to Table Rock Lake for a family reunion with Sean's family.  They have it every year over Labor Day weekend, and this is the first time we've gone in seven years...long overdue! 

Carter reading the new robot book that Aunt Christy got him.  It is a great book--thanks, Sister! 

 Davis resting up on the drive down.

 Sean was the driver extraordinaire for most of our trip.  I loved it!

 Davis made himself a little snack area out of the stairs in our cabin.  

Great-Grandma Ioma and Davis bonded over some watermelon.  

 Five of the 17 cousins, plus Aunt Pam!

 Cousin Hannah and Carter snuggling.  I cannot tell you how much fun the boys had playing with all of their cousins; 13 of the 17 made it to the reunion and our boys were showered with attention the whole weekend. It was awesome to see them have such a blast together.  We are so lucky to have such amazing kids in our family.  The big ones look after the little ones like they are all brothers & sisters.  Kudos to Pam & Todd, Kris & Peter, Marc & Cindy and Mike & Cheri for raising some awesome kids!

 The pool was a hit...especially the water slide!

 Carter made a new BFF--his cousin, Leah!  These two hit it off and he is still talking about her.  He told me "Mommy, I love you and Daddy, and Davis, and everyone else in our family-and especially Leah."

 Davis and some of the big boys at dinner on our last night.

 Having fun in the cabin! (Photos courtesy of Carter.)

 Grandpa Dan being silly!

 Beilman Campfire on our last night.

 Davis opted for a spot near the Smores.  :-)

 Jace & Carter getting ready to settle in for the night in Grandma Pat & Grandpa Dan's new RV.  It was like a rolling hotel suite!

 Jace with Uncle Sean & Grandpa Dan

Sean with his mom.

We had a lot of fun and are planning to make this trip every other Summer.  It was great to see everyone and catch up.  We miss you all!