Quick Update on Nana...and some pictures from the weekend

Nana (Janet) had her left breast removed on Friday, and the surgery was quite successful!  Although she's in a lot of pain, from what I understand, she has quite the nurse (Grandude), and is even managing to do a little sewing, in between lots of napping.  They've had a ton of friends drop food off, so Nana is not having to eat Grandude's cooking ;)  But in all seriousness, Janet is doing well, and we're certainly thankful for such a great prognosis!  Hopefully she'll be able to put this behind her soon (after the tough recovery) and move on to traveling and living life fully again.  Plus, her grandbabies want to see her soon.  If you want to read more, in detail, and enjoy Chuck's sense of humor in his wonderfully well-written blog, please go to:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/janetha/journal

Speaking of, Payton, in her prayers last night, asked God to "never, ever get anyone sick again, ever."  I think she may be listening to too much Taylor Swift (if you are unfamiliar, she has a song "We're Never, Ever Getting Back Together.") I like the way she thinks!

If you've been reading this blog regularly, or know me at all, you KNOW I'm past ready for warm weather.  Seriously.  So, I got my camera out the other day and saw some signs of spring...YIPPEE!  Although the midwest is getting slammed with snow, Snowshoe, WV has recorded over 4 FEET of snow for the month of March, and more in the forecast, and the nights in Charlotte have been in the 20's, some nights.  I'm glad our boat is still winterized.  I'm sorry to everyone, feeling somewhat responsible, as I complained A LOT in December and January that I hadn't even been able to wear my winter coats.  Guess Mother Nature is now making up for that...IN THE SPRING?!?!?!

Brian was in Boston, over the weekend, for one of his best friend's wedding.  The kids and I managed to stay quite busy, with Madi's birthday party at Plaza Fiesta, rushing to my parent's to drop the kids off with Grumps, while Granby and I co-hosted a wedding shower (thanks, Grumps!), and going to church, then lunch, Sunday morning with Missy and Wes.  So, for us, the weekend flew, and we hardly noticed that it was 45 degrees and raining ALL weekend.

Griffin and his girlfriend, Camryn

Madi, the birthday girl, Griffin, and Raegan (who both seem to really be eying the giant gorilla Madison is so tightly clinging to!)

Madison, Payton, and Raegan...the ONE time they were together.  They were having a blast climbing, sliding, and hanging around at Plaza Fiesta.

My mother, Missy Topham, Jan Topham, Amy Tisdale (who couldn't be there) and myself co-hosted a shower for our family friend, Jill Garman, that Saturday afternoon.  We are SO excited for Jill and her hubby-to-be, Stevan.  It was a lingerie shower (oooh-la-la!) and all the ladies had a nice time.  Jill got HOOKED up, and will have an even more romantic honeymoon in Paris, and surrounding areas of France.  We're looking forward to her wedding next month!

Besties...Jan, Katy, Beth

Lifelong friends, more like sisters...Kerry (the sister of the bride), Missy, Me, and Jill (bride-to-be)

 Let's back up.  Remember the part about me dropping BOTH kids off with Grumps?  The person who has changed ONE diaper in his LIFE?  Mine...and I'm guessing it was a cloth diaper.  The one who hasn't had to ever keep two young kids at once?  He and I were both scared.to.death.  I called twice, just to make sure the kids hadn't locked him out of the house, and that he hadn't locked them out.  Days leading up to this, I had to give him diaper changing lessons, despite his strong opinion that he was.not.changing.a.diaper.  (To, again, quote Taylor Swift, "Never, Ever.")  Well, JUST in case of emergency, Grumps was prepared.  Even during the NCAA tourney.

Yep.  Rubber Gloves.

Griffin woke up, from his nap, with a load-full in his diaper (silently cheering, way to go, Griffin!)  So, Grumps took one for the team, and actually CHANGED A POOPY DIAPER!  Ben Topham?  Jake Garman?  Are you reading this?  LUKE CHANGED A DIAPER.  A POOPY ONE!  And he even, kind of, got it on correctly.  The best part about all of this (I SO wish I was a fly on the wall)...he said Griffin was mocking him.  Laughing is ASS off at my dad.  Like Griffin knew my dad didn't want to do it, didn't know how to do it, and he was laughing.  Hysterically.  I think he may have pooped, on purpose, just to see what Grumps would do.  So there.  He did it, and survived.  He didn't even plug his nose, or use the gloves.  GOOD JOB, GRUMPS!  We'll be asking you to babysit even more now ;)

Brian got home, right before naps, on Sunday.  The kids were very excited to see him, then they both crashed for naps.  Brian had a great time in Boston, despite the cold, windy weather, and leftover snow on the ground.  That afternoon, we let the kids die some Easter eggs.  Nothing fancy, but they had fun!  They even learned that they liked eating hard boiled eggs (and Griffin even tried to eat one before it was peeled!)

Emma, our almost 10 year old lab, is showing signs of aging, really rapidly lately.  We're worried a little about her.  She's lost a lot of weight, but because of pretty bad arthritis, she doesn't get any exercise anymore.  I dread the day we have to say goodbye, and hope it's a long time from now.  She is incredibly patient with the kids, and is so, so sweet. 

Participating in March Madness!

Griffin's two loves...a book, and a basketball

He'll shoot the ball and say "slam dunk!"

Kids playing with Callie (our 4 year old lab)

 

And we all.fall.....down!

Seriously?  Not even 3 yet.

Thanks to those of you who have asked about Nana, and sent well wishes.  I'll be sure to pass them along.  And for the love of God, would someone call Mother Nature and let her in on the whole "it's spring" thing?  Please, and thank you!

Happy St. Patty's Weekend!

We've had a fun, yet busy, week or so.  We have gotten the house ready to be put on the market, all while entertaining the kids.  On St. Patty's Day, we went back out to the Whitewater Center...or should I say, the Greenwater Center?

Griffin (19 mo) and his buddy, Roman (7 mo)

On the kid's climbing wall at the Whitewater Center

Sweet Juliet

Payton (almost 3) and Carter (6)...she says he's her boyfriend (this week, at least)...watch short video:

The water was the color of Mt. Dew!

Me and Stonie (Carter and Juliet's Mommy)

The Kenningtons

Carter is a great big brother!

I know I'm a broken record, but the kids are growing up WAY too fast.

Our sweet "baby" is ready for babysitting...or so she thinks!

The Hornes

Our boys will be great buds!

We were lucky to have a beautiful weekend, tucked in between winter-like temps.  It was 76 and sunny on Saturday, and low 70's on Sunday. I bought Payton a tennis racquet at the Sardis consignment sale, so we had to try it out...Brian threw the ball at the head, and she would "hit" it and get so excited!  And yes, that belly.  That's a 3T outfit, so she's officially sized out of that and into 4T.

Practicing pedaling for her big girl bike she "might" get for her birthday!

When we were at Griffin's check up, Dr. Nguyen asked if we had put him on a potty yet.  Potty?  Didn't we JUST get done potty-training Payton?  Oh noooooo!  Mommy isn't ready to start that all over again.  Well, Griffin does tell us, and Granby, when he poops, some of the time.  So, I guess that's a start.  So, while we were cleaning up and organizing the house on Sunday, we pulled that darn thing back out of the attic.  No "results," but he showed interest...

The kids have been, noticeably, playing well together, as of late.  Here they are in a small "fort" I built for them.  Griffin would crash down on it, they'd laugh, then I'd have to put it up again.  I can't wait to get into building some big, cool ones!

I can't believe it's almost Payton's 3rd birthday.  Time is sure flying.  Lots of prayers, please, that our house sells fast.  We are officially listing it this week.  I'm not very optimistic, but very hopeful!  We're splitting at the seams and need to move on.

Lastly, but certainly, not least, I would like to finally include a little on my mother-in-law, Janet, aka, "Nana."  I haven't mentioned anything yet, as details were still being gathered, but now it's time to ask for thoughts and prayers as she moves into surgery Friday.  Let me back up.  Janet had noticed a tender spot, and lump, in her left breast.  This led her to an ultrasound, which resulted in a diagnosis of DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, for all you smart people!)  Basically, this means that it appears to be non-invasive (good!), and has stopped with just affecting the breast tissue, and nothing more (at least that's what we're hoping for!)  After visiting, and becoming educated by, three different surgeons in their area, the result is that Janet will be having a simple mastectomy, in Blacksburg, VA, this Friday, March 22. They will be able to biopsy the lymph nodes, during surgery, and have the tissue tested.  Our hope is that there will be no signs of it spreading, and that the treatment stops with this surgery.  If that's the case, there will be no need for radiation or chemotherapy.  This is what we're hoping. With good behavior, Janet should be released the following day (hey, they say laughter is the best medicine, right?)  I have explained, keeping it very simple, that Nana is "sick," to Payton.  She actually kind of gets it.  She knows it's a sickness that's inside her, and that it's okay for her to get close to her when she's around (she first said that if Nana is sick, she wouldn't be able to get close to her and hug her, then pouted her lip).  She understands Nana is getting the sickness taken out on Friday, and that she'll have a boo-boo, which she needs to be very careful with.  Payton has kept Nana in her prayers each night.  Please keep Janet and Chuck in yours!