Our Cancer Year

Now that I have told the kids I think it's okay to write about this. Two months ago I was diagnosed with a stage two cancer in the soft tissue in my mouth. They found this when I went in to the dentist to have a tooth pulled and luckily I had a really nice, concerned dentist. Not like the first one I went to who sent me home with a massive lump on my face. I was really lucky that they removed all of it and with the exception of high risk for recurrence, it looks good. The worst part has been my low white blood cell count and the medication to boost that. It has been a really surreal experience that I don't think has really felt real yet. I told my mom, I have always had a feeling that this would happen to me. It almost feels like vindication, now I can get on with it knowing I was right all along. I think it has made some big changes in my life and maybe Petes as well. I am really glad that I have him and that he has been so good to me and patient. I wish I was really creative and could turn this all into something like this. I like Harvey Pekar.
So, onto something happy and fun. I may have bad luck in health but thrift shopping is my forte. I have really good luck for the most part and Pete and I have had some awesome vacations courtesy of ebay. My kids have some awesome European clothes and shoes that I LOVE to look for. I look for certain things for them, Pete and I. A few weeks back I was reading about these water bottles but I'm cheap and so I didn't buy one. Well, that same day I went to the thrift store and found one for a dollar! And, it really is the best water bottle I have had. It stays super cold. I also have been looking for some clogs like these. Alex and I were talking about them, she was looking for a pair also. I have found, in the last month, Dansko boots, sandals and lace ups. But yesterday, when I was looking for something else I found these. Brand new Dansko clogs in my size. $2.50. I also got a new pair of Ultra Tall Ugg boots. $9.99. I live for these deals. There are so many cool things to be found. Pete does not like thrift stores so they kind of are my domain. The kids are bargain hunters though and are often helping me search for the regulars. Like people for our sweet collection....
Since I've already posted a novel I am going to finish up with our latest after dinner game. We are Cash Cab junkies. Pete started this the other night using M and M's. He asks us general knowledge questions tailored to our level. There are $25 questions(plain m& m), $50 (peanut m&m) and then there is the red light challenge ( the favorite). This is for the ogre size peanut butter m&m. We have had so much fun playing this and I think this is going to be played most of the way to California. I wish I could rig the lights and sounds in the van. Part of the game is three strikes and you are kicked out of the cab. Pete is all business and if you miss you don't get your m&m. Unless you are Olive and you have the ability to lay face down on the table and kick and scream. I am going to start trying this.

A Wild Williams Weekend!

We had Nicoe,Georgie,Saul and Malachi the last two days while Luisa is at camp with the older boys. I took some really good pictures of the kids but, in a first, I accidentally erased the folder. I am pretty bummed about it. So, instead I have this old picture of Pete and Malachi. Pete is a pretty good sport and let Malachi and Olive sleep with us. It actually went pretty well and it was nice that Malachi woke me up with kisses instead of crying.
Instead of the picture of Nini and Siobhan you get Siobhan and Pete, her next bestest friend. Siobhan had school today so Nicoe was a huge help with rest of the kids today. Especially when I ran out of diapers and we had to walk to the store. Three diaper babies!! I cannot tell you how often I dream of the day when Olive is potty learned.
And, instead of a really cute picture of Saul you get a spidey/knight/darth maul/davy crockett guy. He is really excited because no one will know who it really is. He swore me to secrecy. That was the only way I got the photo.
So, a pretty busy weekend. Tommorrow is the last day of school for Oscar and Siobhan ends on Wednesday. Then Grandma Double R and Uncle Zak will be here this weekend. Pete's birthday is Wednesday and then we leave to see Alex on Thursday and, from there Pacific Grove! Hopefully someone will buy her house while we're there!

Not A Pete Friendly Post

I have a serious problem. I have always been drawn to any sewing or craft supplies. When I was little there was a big empty pool size table at the fabric store my mama went to that was filled with buttons. You could sort through and fill up muffin tins and buy them by the button. I could have spent days there. Now I comb through the thrift stores. I never pay more than $2.00. I think I may have paid $3 or $4 for something really special once or twice. I just love it. The $2 or $3 spent can entertain me for weeks. That is why this is my favorite room in the house. I have half of the boys closet. Pete built me some shelves and I can house all my fabric and patterns and notions and books and sit in here and think of all the things I can make. I do however have 4 kids and I have way more ideas and plans than I have time to actually make things. So I am looking forward to school being out so the kids can entertain each other for a while here and there and I can do some sewing.
And then, when falls starts I can get into the attic and bring out the yarn for some winter knitting.

Five Years: Wood

We Met.

We exchanged numbers.
We have been together since.
Pete and I are simply meant to be. There has never been a doubt in my mind. I truly believe in my heart that God made us for each other and I love him with all my heart and soul. Happy Anniversary Cliff.

FEVER! In the morning and fever all through the night

As rumor has it when you've had kids they get bigger each time. Siobhan was 8lbs 7oz and Oscar was an impressive 8lbs 15oz. So, when I was pregnant with Hans I assumed he would be over 9 pounds. But , he wasn't. He was 6 lbs 12 oz and was sooo little (except his nose). Kim even went and bought him preemie clothes so that he wasn't drowning in the newborn stuff. I know that he takes after his dad and grandpa but I still am constantly worried about the kid. This is a picture from when he was two. This is last month. Did you notice the shorts? Some of the clothes he wears are size 12 MONTHS!!! He is tall, but impossibly skinny. Yesterday and today he has had a really high fever and is making me nervous in the service.

So, hopefully he will snap out of it today and feel better. I guess we will just sit around and listen to some old Disney records.

To All The Men I've Loved Before

I have been fortunate to have many fathers in my life. Everyone of them have been an important part of my life. Some of them I have not always been very kind to but I have always loved them and as an adult I can value the lessons they have taught me. I have been fortunate to have been loved by my fathers and to have chosen fathers for my children who love them to the fullest. So here, in no particular order are some photos of all the fathers in my life. Although there are more than one of Pete because he's such a hot dad. Also, to my dad, I cannot wait to see you soon as my photos of you are a little dated, love you. Happy Fathers Day!


I

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Welcome to Webelos

Today, after two hours of driving around looking for the damn place, we went to Oscar's Scout picnic at the Game Farm Wilderness Park. He graduated from Bear to a First Year Webelo. He earned 10 badges and was really excited. He also pinned a bear badge on me as a Scout parent which was really sweet. The kids all had a really good time playing games and playing in the campfire. Did I mention that 10 year old boys LOVE to play in campfires? So do 4 year old boys.

Olive just enjoyed running. Up and down, back and forth. That is why it is 8:30 at night and I am on the computer instead of hearing her cry to nurse to sleep. God bless you fresh air.

A Little Bit Hippy-Dippy

With all the illness and strange health goings on lately we have made a real effort to reduce our chemical uses. I have not dyed my hair in almost two years. I have been making all my own household cleaners and have recently added laundry soap to the list. I like that it smells really fresh and that I don't have to worry as much if the kids were to ever get into any of it. Although I probably should consider some less child friendly packaging.

We have always eaten pretty healthy. Pete is an excellent chef and we both enjoy cooking. Our third(?) date was in July in Utah and Pete made vegetable soup. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables but the kids and I LOVE sweets. When we were camping this last weekend we went to the only store within 25 miles and grudgingly bought some pre-sliced cheese. You know, the processed cheese that has the individual wrapping on them. Hans and Olive did not know what they were and Hans actually tried to eat the paper thinking they were like the Botan Rice Candy we love so much.
So, there has been a comment here or there from the kids friends that we our "kind of like a little bit hippie or something ". To them I say, we don't walk around naked or anything. Oh,wait.........

Camping, Lindgren Style

When I married Pete I knew where he was heading. I was no fool, I was aware that he would slowly and surely become his father. Now, I came to this family later in life so I don't have the past to compare to but I've heard the stories and I can almost see it. Every once in a while something Pete says or does makes me see his dad. Camping almost always does this and this trip was no exception. The kids and I anticipate smores for weeks prior to camping and as soon as the required dinner is out of the way we plunge our marshmallows in, catch them on fire, blow them off and move on to the next. Not Pete. He looks on and admonishes us, waiting until the coals are JUST RIGHT. Then, he slowly browns his marshmallows. "Get a graham cracker and chocolate ready," he advises. We all make scramble to make the necessary preparations and wait to be presented with how a real smore is made. Pete/John actually made sure I got a picture before he ate this. The funny thing is that we all are so impressed that we eventually are doing the same. This is something Pete says that would happen to him after watching his dad roast marshmallows. I am sure Hans/John will do the same with his kids someday.
Olive doesn't care though, she skips the roasting entirely and sticks on a token piece of the obligatory graham cracker and a square of chocolate. Siobhan couldn't wait to show hers, she was just ready for the eating part. That is the Sheppard side.

Clothing optional camping

Well, we are back from our beach vacation. Once again I have to say how impressed with KOA I am. The "Koa Kamping Kabins" are really the way to go with small kids. Olive felt so at home she got into her lounging outfit within two minutes of arrival. No really, two minutes in.

There was a trail that led from the campground right down to a private beach. Hans, at first, was not to happy because this wasn't like the beaches in California that he knows. But, he loved how warm the water was and we assured him the tide would come in.
That evening the tide did indeed come in and they were pretty happy about that. We really did put pants on Olive during the course of this trip they just kept disappearing. We had really great weather on our first day at Willapa.
The next day it POURED. We did head down to the beach when it lightened up a little. Pete made us all some really stylish ponchos. We actually found quite a few clams and it is really fun clamming. It does become addicting though.

So addicting in fact that you may not realize your daughter abandoned her pants to the ocean and is now wearing nothing under her poncho.

Pete cooked up some delicious clams over the campfire and in an unusual turn of events Siobhan did not like them and Oscar loved them. After an entire day stuck inside the one room cabin due to pouring down rain we decided to head home early today and are enjoying some delicious buffalo burgers and a little TV. But, please be prepared that I have not yet exhausted my camping photos.

DEAL or No Deal

Oscar has really taken to wearing this gnome outfit lately and I just wanted to share. Siobhan is not impressed with it so Oscar calls her "gnome hater".
So, last night at dinner I noticed that Hans has been pointing with his pinky finger lately. Siobhan advised us that in China that is the equivalent of flipping the bird here. Pete schooled her on the origins of the middle finger as a gesture and bet her that the China thing was not true. Siobhan was reluctant, as the bet was originally $100. but when it was "dumbed down" to $25.00 she accepted. She was instantly defensive and said she knew Pete would be right and that even if he wasn't he wouldn't pay up. Well, after some Internet searching Siobhan won $25.00. Pete made good on the bet right away and made it fun for all of us by paying up in scratchers.
So last night we gathered in bed and watched Siobhan scratch 20 dollar scratchers and one 5 dollar Deal or No Deal scratcher. All I can say is that I am glad she didn't shake on the $100 bet or we may have had to stay home this weekend.

So, we went downtown to the market today since Pete is feeling better. This year is the 100th anniversary of Pikes Place and it is the annual Pigs on Parade when there are decorated pigs throughout the downtown. This is the Pigs of Penzance.
We went to eat at the wharf and I took some great pictures of dozens of jellyfish in the Sound but you couldn't see them in the photos so instead you get Olive and Hans in front of Ivars (not where we ate).
It was nice to be out and eat by the water. Pete and I had clam chowder and Hans and Olive had to share fish and chips, hence Olives obvious displeasure. We leave for the beach this weekend to go clamming and I'm hoping to dig up lots of clams to try making my own chowder. So, get ready for some beach photos!

Happy 100th Post!!

I can't believe this is my 100th post and that people still look at this! Thank you, this has been one of the funnest things ever.

Pete is on his second day of vacation and so far has spent it in bed with a nasty stomach virus. Siobhan and Oscar stayed home with it yesterday but bounced back pretty quick so I'm hoping the same will happen for Pete. Last night, before bed I told Oscar that he had to get up and take a shower before school. I can count on my fingers how many times he has showered since we moved into this house. So this morning when he came downstairs dressed I was really skeptical that he had really showered. When I asked to smell his hair he said he DID NOT USE SOAP OR SHAMPOO! Apparently that is totally optional. So after he showered with the soap he asked me if I had an empty soup can for school. I had already sent one a month ago so I asked why he needed it. " I have a fathers day project we're working on." he said. " What did you so with the other soup can." I asked. Immediately I knew by his face. " It was for a different project." says Oscar. " A Mothers Day project?" I asked. "Well... we made pencil holders, and I didn't have a pencil case and I could really use it" said Oscar. So I got the paper flower and he kept the pencil can. I am actually surprised he didn't end up with anybody elses cast offs. He collects any kind of trash and scraps he can find. He checks the school trash can everyday before he leaves and everyday comes home with random things he will use to create something. I really can understand this because I do the same types of things. I hope that he and I will collaborate someday on some amazing art project. He can keep the nickname vacuum though,as deemed by his classmates, that is all his.

Well, to continue this massive narrative I will finish with this, another classic Oscar tale. When I was pregnant with Hans, Pete and I were discussing names for our impending arrival. We had said if we were having a girl that we would name her Olive for Petes grandmother. Oscar, being 5 at the time automatically assumed that if it was a boy he would be Popeye. When Hans was born Oscar refused to accept that he was not Popeye and only called him that for years. We still sometimes call him Popeye sometimes and yesterday I found the perfect shorts for him. Here are the front. The translations are amazing. Under Popeye it says pull out or bred.

This is the back, Hans loves these. I was so excited because they were brand new with all the tags on them at the thrift store. They were $8 but yesterday all the shorts were $1. Now I just have to find Olive Oyl an outfit.