"Horse Shampoo" and christmas too!

Yeah! Hooray for Christmas! I hope you all got what you wished for and more. I know I did. I had my prayers answered to live each day in gratitude that I am healthy (or near) and alive.

Josh got me some Mane 'n' Tail shampoo for christmas. He couldn't remember what it was called so he walked around Wal*Mart asking employees if they knew where the "horse shampoo" was. It wasn't until he called my sis that she told him it was in the pet section and called Mane 'n' Tail. It is suppose to help your hair grow quick and thick. I have had many people testify of its use so I figured I would give it a try. Hey....what's the worse that could happen? My hair fall out and I am bald again? Been there. Done that.

As I am sure many of you know of the snow we had here the past week. For those of you not from here, I posted some pictures. We actually woke up to snow on Christmas day as well but it wasn't as much. Las Vegas got 3" of snow. Crazy weather.

CHECK OUT THE SIZE OF THOSE SNOWFLAKES!!!

Some of the neighborhood kids decided to sledding down the hill on the sidewalk where my house sits. Pretty entertaining...

My kids excuse of a snowman. Really? Celery sticks for arms? (Josh's idea....Dad Josh)

Drue asked for a "marry dress" this year. "Grandma" Santa made it for her.

Josh asked for a bike which he has been riding non stop around our house.

Ethan got wrapping paper! Or at least that is what he was most interested in.

Drue has entirely too many questions for a 6 year old on Christmas. When I was that I age I don't remember asking questions. I accepted Santa as he was/is. Here are some of Drue's questions:

How does Santa get to all of the kids in the whole entire earth mom?
How come we can't see him while he is here putting out our toys?
How is he magic?
Does he REALLY, mom?
(my favorite)
I would love some suggestions if anyone has them....

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Holiday Cheer...

I would like to personally thank everyone who supported us at the Dicken's Festival. It was a HUGE success for us and you can most likely plan on seeing us next year! If you didn't make it this year, visit our website. We have all the same adorable stuff on our online store. In fact, we just got our shipment of tutus in. I wish I could say I was crafty like most and handmake over 100 tutus but I am not. Instead, I am really crafty at hours of research online until I can find the inventory at the price I want.

Okay, okay. Enough advertising. But, really. Check out our site. I still would appreciate any feedback....good, bad and ugly.

I began the first treatment of my year long Herceptin therapy a week ago. No real major side effects. Other than they will monitor my heart closely. This is the same drug back in August that gave me heart troubles. I think I will be fine though.

I will begin more surgeries in January. With the next one I will be adding to my collection of "Items/Organs Removed from Paige in the Year 2008" list. However, I guess by then it will be 2009 so I will have to start a new plaque. First up is my "other" half.

I joked with Josh that it has been since July since my last surgery and I am beginning to have surgery withdrawal. Pathetic. I know.

I am super excited for Christmas to come this year. I am every year but more so this year. I guess I just have so much to be thankful for and celebrate.

Here are some pictures I took of my niece and our complete tutu outfits and our teepees we sell. I am trying my hand at some really amateur photography. I had to have some pictures for the store.

A bit of a boring blog but I don't have anything else to say other than all my love and cheer to you all!!

Dickens Festival!

If you are bored this weekend and looking for something to pass the time....PLEASE.....come to the Dickens Festival. Our booth is there. We are the first ones around the corner when you walk in the door. I have to say, it has been pretty fun. Aside of dressing up and speaking in an English dialect, it has been enjoyable. I am a little too rusty in my dialect. It has been too long since "My Fair Lady" for me. Oh well. I will do my best.
Here are some pictures of our booth:

I missed the bandwagon of saying things I am Thankful for for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

I have been too busy trying to get ready for this Festival. But, I will go ahead and add my thoughts here. I am thankful for:

1. My Husband

2. My kids

3. My family (immediate and extended)

5. My friends, neighbors and all acquaintences

6. To be alive....seriously

7. The doctors that kept me alive

8. My cozy house

9.Jesus Christ

10. Work (having our needs met in this aweful economy)!

These are in no particular order. However, I do rank my children, husband and Christ at the top of my list. The rest is an equal tie.

2 big ones!

Firstly, the best news is that I finished my radiation on Friday! Yipee!!

I am pretty burnt and blistery from it but atleast it is over.

I start my Herceptin on Dec. 5. That will be a breeze compared to everything else. I am kind of actually looking forward to going in and getting it. I can catch up on a lot of reading with out kids.

Secondly? We took our kids to Disneyland a week ago and it was fantastic. Aside of the smoke and ashes pour on us and sticking to our hair, eyeballs and clothes, it was great! There were no lines and the weather was perrrrfect.

The only bad thing is that all the roads we normally take to drive in on, were closed due to the fires.

Josh was a fraction too short to go on most of the rides. Solution? 1. Go to Wal Mart and buy Spiderman shoes. 2. Buy Dr. Scholls inserts. 3. Cut up diaper and fold. 4. Stick diaper under Dr. Scholl. Viola. Your child is instantly 2 inches taller. It worked! We were able to get him on all the rides labeled 40". It was a really great vacation.

This is Drue when she realized that it was our last night there. Heartbroken.

My mom, sister, sister-in-law, and myself have started a business. I am now going to abuse this wonderful blog for a bit of advertising on our behalf. Our business is called PaddiCakes. We sell a lot of boutique kind of stuff. So far it has just been a lot of fun. We have a website but please be informed that not all of our inventory is up there yet. That is soon to be coming. Check it out anyway. I would love to hear some feedback on the site. I am the one that handles most of that and would like to know if anyone out there can offer up some criticism?!

www.paddicake.com

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I have sooooo much to be grateful for. I don't even know where to begin.

Halloween....this time for real.

Okay, okay. So I finally got around to posting my kids adorable homemade costumes this year.

Coming in at first is Drue and her choice of a fairy princess. The wings are homemade (compliments of my sister-in-law, Kristi, who gave me the idea).

I painted her face. I have to say, I thought it looked pretty awesome. The tu-tu is from when she was 3 and the leotard is her gymnastics wear.

Next is Little Josh.

He is sporting a home dyed tiger costume. The stripes are from a giant Sharpie. The tail from died pantyhose as well as the ears. I also painted his face. It is amazing that when they are all dressed up how they actually take on the role.

Last but not least is Ethan. He was modeling two costumes this year. The first is a more modest fit of a lion. My mom made this one 8 years ago for my nephew.

The second is an idea I got from the internet. It is a homemade Chippendale costume. I think I like the second one the most.

Our Halloween was full of fun and excitement and lots and lots of sugar. As I am sure everyone else's was too. Ohyeah. And I permanently died my hair red.

The last picure I just had to add. Drue decided to put Ethan in the hammock chair. Yea. Don't worry. We already lectured her NEVER to do that again.

Award Tag

I was tagged. I have never been tagged before.
I am suppose to answer the following questions with ONE WORD answers and then pass it on to 7 more people. However, after my last post I am not sure I still have 7 friends to pass it on too. :) I will pass it on to as many bloggers as I know though.

1. Where is your cell phone? dunno
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? bright red (two words....sue me)
4. Your mother? home
5. Your father? Heaven
6. Your favorite thing? kidsandhusband (all one word)
7. Your dream last night? gone
8. Your dream/goal? debt free
9. The room your in? family
10. Your hobby? eating
11. Your fear? child death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Number 8
13. Where were you last night? working
14. What you're not? crafty
15. One of your wish list items? freedom
16. Where you grew up? everywhere
17. The last thing you did? ate
18. What you are wearing? sweats
19. Your T.V.? sesame street
20. Your pet? dog/fish
21. Your computer? overworked
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? nope
24. Your car? Do I have to?

25. Something your not weaing? hair
26. Favorite store? D.I.
27. Your summer? doctors
28. Love someone? everyone
29. Your favorite color? I don't discriminate :)
30. Last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? why?

(I cheated a little bit......c'mon, what's life without breaking the rules?)

Okay, so I choose to tag.......

Chauncey

Claire

Karen

Taleesha

Charity

Kim

Christin (sorry, I know you just did one. I won't hold you accountable)

and anyone else that reads my blog (a test of loyalty).

I am taking a risk....

DISCLAIMER

This post is not intended to offend. It is merely to express my views and add a couple of cents to this crazy world that we live in. I was journaling today and wrote down my feelings. I am taking a risk by allowing my private thoughts to be posted on the world wide web. If you agree or disagree with my points of view, I will still accept you all the same.

I don’t normally let my opinions get vocally involved in debates of political natures. I was in Speech and Debate when I was in high school and loved it. I actually did fairly well at it. However, in my political past, I have found that it doesn’t matter what my opinion is, it will always cause contention. Whether agreed with or not. I have since discovered that if I choose to keep my friends, I will not debate on political matters. I love my friends and family and no political debate is worth losing their companionship in my life over political garb.

On that note, I will say this:

Today is election day. Today there was something I saw from a person I am acquainted with through Facebook . They stated, “that if you plan on voting yes on 8, you're probably not someone he/she would enjoy on her friends list anyway. Sorry to discriminate…” Wow. This hits it home for me. I will speak up about this. For those of you who don’t know, proposition 8 has to do with not allowing same sex marriages in the state of California. The word “discriminate” was brought up. . If you don’t agree with certain points of view, that makes you bad in someone’s eyes who has different points of view. This is what makes our great nation. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is how people discriminate through stereotypes.
I have my opinions. My opinions entitle me to think and act in ways that I see fit. I go and vote. This does not mean that others like me vote the same. Allow me to give a few examples. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Not all members of my faith vote the same as me. I am a Breast Cancer victim, not all breast cancer victims share the same opinion and vote the same. I am an owner of a 2002 Pontiac Montana mini-van. Does that mean that all registered owners and drivers of the same vehicle all have to vote for the same candidate? Do you see where I am going with this?
So, with all this, I am irritated at the comment of my face book acquaintance. I don’t condemn his/her opinion. I don’t condemn him/her as a person. I am just bothered that this person declares him/herself as a liberal democrat. There are challenges from the democratic party to be more open minded as a human race and to accept change. Yet, with this single comment, the opposite example is shown.
With my facebook "friend," I respect his/her opinion to vote against prop 8. I don't however, condone banning my friends for choosing an alternate vote. I have many many friends with different backgrounds, race, faiths, and political views. I accept them as they are. There in lies is the beauty of this nation. We can do that. That is what our Founding Fathers wanted. So, why is that people want to cause riots and contention for not believing what they believe? Or why do they cut you off completely from friendship for voting a certain way?And so, with the election today, however it turns out, I will choose to still accept and love those that I love. I will embrace the future, whatever it holds, good and bad. I only hope and pray that everyone will do the same.

On a sad note, my nephew Tyler, almost 3 years old, was diagnosed with Leukemia last weekend. I have said all along that I am glad I have been the one to go through all this. It would be hard to watch one of my children suffer. Now, unfortunately, Josh’s brother and wife have that pain to carry. I know they will be strong. We will wait to hear his update and keep him in our prayers as I know everyone did for me. I also know that prayer is a lot of what got me through this. Thank you to everyone. I will continue to love and thank you.

Halloween

Wow. I just realized how long it has been since I last blogged. I am terrible. Sorry to keep my devoted readers hanging for so long. I always tell myself that this is more for me and doubt that any one ever really reads it except my family. Then I stand corrected when I bump into a perfect stranger at the grocery store and they know everything about me through a blog of a blog. Really, I guess this is just the new era of journaling. Kind of nice accept the whole world can keep tabs on you.

Well, I am halfway through radiation and so far, so good. I have a nice square tan/burn across my chest where I am being treated. I am tired but I think that just comes with the package of "mom."

To follow the spirit of Halloween, I thought I would be like everyone else out there and share pictures of my kids this season. The costumes I am not posting until after Halloween but they are quite spectacular. I went to my cousin Patty's house this weekend and had to improvise costumes for a ward party. Our real costumes weren't complete yet. Josh was a cowboy. I loved this picture of him.



It was Red Ribbon Week last week in Drue's school. One of the days was Crazy Hair Day. I was going for sort of a Sanjaya (American Idol) mohawk. I am not sure if it worked or not. Drue was mad at me when I did her hair like this. She loved the pink until I did the mohawk. She thought I was out to humiliate her. When she got to school and saw people with crazier hair than her, she was okay.

I must say, I am quite proud of our pumpkins this year. I did Ethan's and Drue's. Josh carved his and little Josh's. I got about half ways through mine when Josh pulled out the Dremmel and finished it off. I have decided that using the Dremmel is the only way to go when carving pumpkins. I have always wondered how professional carvers got their's so detailed. Ahhh. Dremmel.

This is Ethan's. Since he spits-up A LOT we decided to have his pumpkin resemble him. I thought it was pretty cute. He doesn't seem so happy about it though.

Drue's (she colored where she wanted me to cut):

Josh (he wanted a "scary" one):

Mine:



Dad Josh:

Josh and I spent a couple of weekends ago in Georgia visiting his family. We went to Stone Mountain where I overwhelmed the kids with pictures in all the pumpkins. It was a fun trip.

On the Allred note, Josh and I have found out that the Allred's are actually related to Mr. Obama. Yep. Apparantly, Barack's mom is a descendant of the Allred lineage. Our Allred lineage. Don't worry, this doesn't effect my vote next week. For all those Barrack supporters, I am sorry but.....blech. My two cents of opinion is this: I don't particularly like McCain either but really, which is the worser of the two? And that is all I will say about that. I think I have been listening to too much talk radio lately.

Random...

I wish I had more exciting news to pass along.

Life is fantastic!

Someone anonymously gave Josh and I a weekend stay out in Zion. To them, I tip my hat. It was a wonderful weekend. We stayed at a brand new lodge. The Cable Mountain Lodge. I could have stayed there a week. It was gorgeous! We ate at the Bit 'n' Spur. A classic favorite. I used to work right across the street from the Bit (Switchback Grille) when I was in high school. It was a fun job and I made a few good bucks in my teenage years. I was the only underage server. Beats working at McD's.

The next morning we hiked the Narrows. 4 of my tween into teen years were spent living in Virgin so I have hiked Angel's Landing many many times. It is my favorite hike. But, no matter how many times I go to Zion, it never ceases to amaze me. I have always loved it more than the Grand Canyon. The world truly doesn't understand the outstanding beauty we have right at our back door. It makes me ashamed that I live so close and don't take advantage of it more often.

Thank you thank you. To the anonymous person(s) that put that together for us. We loved it!

I have started radiation. It is pretty easy. I am there only about 15 minutes and I have to lay still for about 2 minutes. I go early in the morning so I am back before my kids are off to school. Then I have the rest of my day clear. My skin is just starting to turn red and be a little sensitive. Pretty easy in comparison.

I have discovered chemo has killed my nearly perfect track record of teeth. I have only had one teeny tiny cavity my entire life. I didn't even have to have any anesthetics when they fixed it. The Dr.'s and experts all told me that it probably wouldn't stay perfect because of the chemo. Ha! I shook my head and told them they don't know my teeth. They have never let me down before. Well, I went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and discovered I had 6 cavities!!! SIX! I wanted to cry. I feel like I should just tell the dentist (who happens to be Josh's dad) to yank them all out and start over. I was/am devastated. I fly out to Georgia in a week and he will fix them for me. I was telling Josh last night that I hate dentists. I don't hate Josh's dad, I just hate going to the dentist. I think I actually fear the dentist more than I do cancer. Pathetic. I know. I had so much work done on my mouth when I was teen (braces, imbedded wisdom teeth, uncut extracted permanent teeth, implants) that it was enough to scar me for life. I may or may not wet myself on the dental chair in fear.

Enough of that.

I wish I had more exciting info to pass along. I guess that is why I haven't posted in awhile. Not much of a dog and pony show going here.

At the risk of sounding redundant, thank you all again for everything you do!

Last Chemo!

Yeah! It is officially over.....at least the chemo part. And the better news? The doctor says I am in "clinical remission." Allow me to explain. Clinical remission basically means that there is no evidence of any tumor. I will be in full remission when they do a PET Scan and confirm that there are no more little cancer cells roaming around in my body. Irregardless......I am excited!

The last day of chemo was an eventful one. My mom, sister and husband (Josh, in case you forgot, since it seems like I mention him so little. Don't worry, I am still married), all kept me company. Karen, also in remission, came and partied with me. It was a meaningful day. She gave me this Willow Tree statue that means courage. Karen gave me a lot of courage.

I also met a newby. Her name is Patty and she was in for her first time. My heart goes out to her. Also young and a mom of 5. A wonderful person stricken by hard times. I will keep her in my prayers.

My mom and Sona got their blood drawn for the BRCA test while there. My sis's daughter, Ally, decided she needed a bandaid to feel included.

My sister, her friend MJ, and I decided to play rock band after my treatment. To get into the spirit, Sona shaved my head into a mohawk. I still haven't gotten around to shaving it. I decided I will shave it one more time to be sure everything grows in thick and even.

I didn't last too long in the game. I think I played the drums 3 times, guitar twice and then propped the microphone on my legs while I attempted to sing without falling asleep. Chemo caught up with me and I crashed. Sona and MJ rocked 'til the early hours of....well, at least midnight, but that is late for some moms.

The other minor mishap that happened last Thursday is Drue broke her nose. Ahhhh. Yes. I told her I was sorry for her pain but she got no sympathy for how it happened. She jumped over the back of the couch like I have told her several times NOT to and didn't catch herself. The coffee table was there to break her fall from the nice padded thick carpet. The doc said I need to take her back in tomorrow and they will decide if they need to reset it or not. I keep hoping, in the back of my wishes, that it is not really broken. I don't know. You be the judge.

Life is wonderful and our family is doing well. It looks like all your prayers, fasting and good thoughts have paid off. I owe you all a big one!