Back In The Swing

Ryan's grandma recently found out that she has breast cancer. It seems that it was caught early, thankfully. Today, she had surgery to remove the cancer and it seems that they got all of it and found no evidence of it in her lymph nodes. Please pray for a speedy recovery. She will continue with radiation and then a medication. Cancer is such a scary thing.

Tomorrow, Jazzercise is sponsoring a Back in The Swing breast cancer fundraiser. They will have four classes at 7:10 am, 8:20 am, 9:30 am and 10:40 am. I will be attending the 10:40 am class, of course. When have you known me to get up earlier than I have to? To take the class, you just need to make a $10 donation.

2260 N. Ridge Rd (behind Quik Trip at 21st and Ridge.)
Wichita, KS

Please come out and join us if you'd like. I know that I'll be thinking of Ryan's grandma all morning.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - Update

It was a busy, busy day today. We started with Olivia's occupational therapy, which she really loves. It's probably because if she does a good job, she gets to swing at the end! Then, we headed to my sister-in-law's house for lunch and Olivia and Izzy played outside again today. They got a slip-n-slide that the girls got to try out. They didn't quite get the running start needed to really slide (or they just don't make them like they used to.) Izzy understood the concept, but because it wasn't quite slick enough so she crawled down into the pool at the end. I laughed out loud when she looked up at me and said, "This is fun!" Oh, but it is supposed to be so much more fun! Olivia just walked down the slide and wasn't too sure about getting soaked. But, whatever they do. . . those two have so much fun doing it.

Afterwards, Olivia hung out with two more of her cousins. . .Julia and Rebekah. . .while the mommies worked out to Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I came home exhausted!! I am so very ready for bed. Here's hoping Olivia sleeps in late tomorrow!

Peonies

Now, I'll admit. . .I am no gardener. I don't like to get my hands dirty, I don't like to pull weeds, I don't like the creepy crawly things I find when I do. I don't know the names of most flowers or whether to plant them in the partial or full sun. But, I love to watch my flowers bloom. I love how they start with just a seed and grow into something so beautiful. I love how one day there are only buds and the next. . .beautiful flowers. I love my peonies. They only bloom for but a few days a year, but I love them when they do. And this picture was taken on Sunday. You should see the blooms today!!! It reminds me of one of my favorite poems of all time that I wanted to share with you.

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown.

Simple Arithmetic

Gorgeous weather

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Gus

(Olivia's furry cousin)
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Two cousins and best friends
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A playhouse
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juice
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chairs out on the lawn
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puppy dog sprinkler

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popsicles
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a water table
=

A wonderful, enjoyable day and a very happy Olivia.

Sunday, May 2, 2010 - Update

What a gorgeous day!! We just had to spend the day outside, so we headed to the zoo. When we pulled in, Olivia squealed "gafingoes!" So, we had to see the gafingoes, of course. Any guesses on what those are? Sadly, we didn't stay for too long. Not only did everyone have the same idea as us, but there was a huge cinco de mayo celebration. I've never seen so many people!! It was a. . . zoo!! :) As we were leaving, however, Olivia fell in love with a stuffed gafingo and because of the way she hugged it and loved up on it. . .we had to take it home. So, now she has a stuffed "flamingo" that she takes everywhere. She even tossed Gogum and Lily onto the floor in place of her new friend. Now, I'm off to start writing a children's book called Gogum and Gafingo. LOL.