Done with a SUPER AWESOME photoshoot!!!!!! getting a cherry limeade and heades to Bonney Lake!!!!!!!

Today is AMAZING!!

not going to give out many details.....but, I am going to say

THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING DAY!!!!!

Today, I became a Great-Auntie!!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

Amazing and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Sitting in the sun @ Alki....waiting for Jeff's softball game to start!!!!!

Having lunch with my favorite 5 year old at our favorite thai place!!!

Sitting in the sun waiting to watch brendan start @ Shortstop!!!

Wii fixed!! On our way to Brendan's baseball game hope it doesn't get rained out!!!!

Just ordered a mango limeade...hope it doesnt suck!! Got a cherry limeade in case it does......

Getting ready to enjoy some Sonic with the kiddos!!!

Sittin in the semi sun watchin some baseball!! GO SPARTANS!!!!

Sittin' here in the rain - game was called - the boys are still playing a pick up game!!!

beat....beat....beat goes the drum

you turn around and life is passing you by:)

We have been SO busy!!!

Brendan had his first baseball game last Thursday. His first game as a middle school student. In 6th grade you aren't able to play baseball. 7th grade - Brendan has been waiting for this. They (the boys) are VERY VERY serious about the game of baseball. They are willing to lay it all on the line - to leave it on the field. Brendan started and finished at 2nd base - he played 5 1/2 of the 8 innings. He batted 6th in the line up of 15. Not bad dear son....not bad at all.

You ran out onto the field dressed in purple and gold (see your training to be a husky already). I noticed you and the other players did a quirky little thing....you ran straight to your base and touched it as you took your place on the field for the game. So serious that face of yours :) You played well.

As you stepped into the batters box I watched your face - trying to figure out what you were thinking........were you nervous? You faced a boy you had faced last season in Little League - he throws hard. You did well. Deep breath my son...in....out....

As I type this I am processing photos from the game. I'll have to post at a later date. Your dad so proud :) His boy playing for his school team. So, they don't cut in 7th grade - whatever, you started and batted 6th. I think if they had cut you would have made the team!!! Your dad was in his element -- a sunny day, a baseball field and since he wasn't on the field he kept the book for your coach. A great coach by the way.


Whitlee is doing well!! She is registered to start school in the fall -- she is SUPER excited!! She has decided she wants a nick jonas backpack! She loves her some nick jonas!!!

Guess that is all for now--I have set up the ability to post from my cell phone -- gotta love it:)

Test test

life

got a bunch to post but no time right now --- I hope to totally update in the next day or 2. Here is a photo of the kiddos from Easter

And the boy sings a solo..........

A day that I never thought I'd see!!! Brendan sang a solo. You can tell how deep his voice is getting!!! YIKES:) He sings around the 37 second mark

I'm bummed that the video is so crappy -- I really need one of those flip phone things:)

13 in 10...............

Tonight was the spring choir concert for Brendan's school -- he had a solo!!!

A FREAKING SOLO!!!!! Granted it was one line - but still - it speaks VOLUMES for the choir director!!!! He is AMAZING and Brendan would never have even tried out for anyone other than him!!!

I was very proud!!! I AM very proud!!!!

13 in 11

and the beat goes on..........................


He is getting more and more excited:)

12 days........

that's what he told me today --- yesterday it was 13 to 13......

He is SO SO excited about becoming a "TEENAGER" I am FREAKING out about it!!! I have heard horror stories about the "teen" years and it isn't just girls. There has already been some really emotional stuff. I get it I get it he is growing up. But, he is acting SO strange. I catch myself wondering "was I like this?" I'm not sure -- I don't think Steven and I ever went through a "growing" phases -- we were always just responsible.

His voice is changing -- that freaks me out!! It is MUCH MUCH deeper!! That REALLY FREAKS ME OUT!!! He sounds like Jeff more and more.

There is still the strange boy smell in his room. I know that there isn't anything "hidden" under the bed because I checked. It's just your normal everyday 12 year old boy smell + socks. His buddies at school - they all had hair as long as his was. Brendan got his hair cut -- they all have gotten their hair cut.

He is growing.........I can tell.............The constant eating that has been going on for the last 3 months WAS for a reason:) He has grown at least an inch in the last month or so -- Seriously, how tall is this boy going to be???

I can tell that he is more sensitive. There have been some situations that he is aware of -- they don't affect him directly - they affect people around him people he cares about. He isn't sure what to do about his feelings. He is hurting for others but doesn't really know how to handle it.

I know (I hope) that we will get through the teen years. I just might be totally grey/white by then. I am lucky and I am grateful to be his mom.

13..............YIKES!!!!!!!! It doesn't seem real...it doesn't seem possible!!! 13 in 12!!

I found a great new blog....

she is a new team member for Cocoa Daisy.............Cute and she is so creative. She has a neat little contest going happening on her blog right now -- What is the most beautiful thing in your life right now.

http://justperspective.blogspot.com/

to jinx or not to jinx????

THAT is the question!!!

I ended up picking Brendan up from school on Thursday -- his head was hurting BAD.........

He didn't go to school on Friday -- The Dr. called in an RX for pain meds. He seems to be better (fingers crossed). I let him go to the soccer game tonight -- I may kick myself for that one!!

I hate that he gets the migraine headaches.............it's more than hate -- it REALLY PISSES me off!! I recognize that in the grand scheme of things I've got it easy -- It's not a life threatening illness. It WILL eventually go away. I just hate to see him in so much pain! Those mommy instincts just kick the crap out of me!!!

I hope he is on the road to being and staying pain free ---

He will be 13 two weeks from today!!!! Where has the time gone. It is rather stunning for me to think of that. That tiny little baby -- has grown (and continues to grow) into such a fine young man!! He is changing --- I'll blog about that on his birthday..............

That's all........

Freaking Doctors????

So, yeah yeah I have a hereditary kidney disease. It is called Polysistic Kidney Disease. I have known about it since I was 18. I wasn't shocked to learn I have it -- you have a 50% chance of passing it to your offspring. My mother had 4 children -- 50% of 4 is 2.......I am one of those 2. I know I know I decided to have 2 children. I hope and pray that neither of them have it!!!! In our family history it (kidney failure) doesn't usually occur until sometime in your 40's. I have watched this disease kill 3 people in my family -- my mother, grandmother & Great Uncle Arthur. These are the only people in my family that I have known with this freaking disease.

So, for the most part I have been proactive with the disease since I found out I had it. I don't consume added salt. I don't cook with it. I try very hard to not eat high sodium foods (but, sometimes you just MUST HAVE BACON!!!!). It's isn't fun............

The thought of what awaits me FREAKS me the F*$# out!!!!! Being connected to a machine 3 to 4 times a week while the blood in my body travels through tubes to be cleaned by a machine and then back into my body FREAKS me the F*$% out!!! This isn't something new -- I have ALWAYS had the fear. When my mother was alive prior to her heart surgery she had her "treatments" at home -- I couldn't even go into the room -- I couldn't look at the machine. This is what the "basic" set up looks like -- a "comfy" chair and the freaking machine.

It's not that I am not grateful for an option - I am! I just HATE that this is my option. This machine - the machine of my nightmares looms................3 to 4 times a week for 4 hours a stretch!! It doesn't matter what day it is

I remember my mother's arm just above her wrist -- it was oddly large and mis-shaped. She had at least 2 grafts in there (they are used to access the veins for the machine they are permanent). Is that what I look forward to? Yes. My Dr. informed me today that I am "officially" stage one -- NOW, that is the very beginning of this process. I still have between 50 and 60% kidney function which is good. But, hearing that it FREAKED me out. My Dr. chose that moment to take my blood pressure -- guess what it was more elevated than normal!!! Go figure. It was a super rough appointment -- to top it off I had Brendan with me. I try and go to these appointments alone. Brendan stopped a ginormous 7th grader in PE yesterday with his nose. I was pretty sure it wasn't broken but it is still swollen -- he is getting black/purple eyes and it HURTS!!!! I just wanted to check!!! Anyhow it was a rough appointment. We have a plan. I am actually going to call the Dr. tomorrow and see if we can step it up a bit.

O.K. I'm done........Pity party for me is over...........................................

A couple of things..........

Day 03 of Brendan's Migraine -- it seems (fingers crossed) to be getting better -- He may actually try and go to school tomorrow. I feel SO helpless when he gets one -- Friday was ROUGH!!!!!!! I have a call into the acupuncturist and his Ped -- Just want to cover all the bases you know!

I had a WONDERFUL day today -- I worked at the BF (Ben Franklin) -- today was my Scrapbook Buffet. It was a good day!!!

We will see what tomorrow brings..............I hope Brendan will be able to go to school!!!

This is...........

Day 2 -- of Brendan's most recent migraine. Just trying to keep track.

Sometimes in life..............

you need to just breathe. Sometimes you do something that while you are doing it you think "Man, I think this is kinda dumb" - but you do it anyway!! Then some random thing happens and it brings you full circle -- then you think - "Man, maybe I'm not so dumb anymore".

Recently, the news has been full of the accident and then death of actress Natasha Richardson. Such a random accident -- she was having a private ski lesson on a BUNNY SLOPE. She fell and hit her head. No big deal right - a couple of hours later she wasn't feeling well and taken to the hospital after refusing inital treatment - cause, she was fine right? 3 days later she was gone leaving her sister, mother, husband and 2 young sons -- 2 boys that are Brendan's age.

Brendan, on Valentines evening -- we had gone out for our traditional Valentine's Day dinner -- Chinese food:) The kids had a blast -- Even Ginger was happy (there was red food!!). Brendan and Whitlee were hanging out in his room -- she was spinning around on the office chair he has for his desk -- not realizing that she was spinning Brendan bent down to pick some random thing from his floor. BAM!! she hit him on the side of the head with the metal section of the chair. She felt awful!!! She was sobbing and kept saying "I didn't mean to!! I didn't mean to!!! Not shocking Brendan had a headache -- after about an hour or so Brendan said he was feeling like he could throw up. Now, I figured since he got nailed in the head he would have a headache...duh! But, wanting to throw up put a whole new spin on it!!! I called the on-call Dr. It was the one Dr. in the practice that I don't really like -- She is O.K. I just don't like her very much. She said that I should take him into the ER. SERIOUSLY? Take him into the ER!! She said "yes, considering where he was hit if he was my child I would take him into the ER" - So, off we went. It was an interesting adventure:) There are some VERY INTERESTING people in the ER on Valentines Day evening!! I got to explain how sometimes, when people are alone on a holiday like Valentines Day they get really depressed (like the guy next to Brendan in the ER hallway) and take a lot of pills. We also had a conversation on why the guy in the first set of rooms kept screaming about how his penis was going to fall off -- we learned............errrrr, we forced to learn because he kept screaming it at his girlfriend that you don't ever replace Ben Gay ointment for motion lotion that heats up!!!.........................yeah, that was an interesting conversation to have with a 12 year old!!!! Then, there was the lady who had gotten hit by a car.....why, you might ask did she get hit by a car.............she jumped in front of it while she was crossing the street in a cross-walk and the car was going less than 5 miles an hour -- why was the car going less than 5 miles an hour...........because it was coming to a stop!!! Anyhow, we finally got placed in an exam room and the wheeled him off for a CAT scan................A CAT SCAN...........SERIOUSLY!!! He hit his head on a chair.............I'm thinking OK I get it but, it's stupid!!!! Brendan was fine -- he had a headache - they gave him some pain medication. He was fine. At one point I was thinking -- he just hit his head -- isn't this a bit much -- All the while Brendan kept saying "THIS IS STUPID -- LET'S GO HOME!!!" He even said it to the Dr.

Brendan in the ER

Brendan in the ER -- after pain medication -- notice he is crossing his eyes:)

So, do I have a point..........ah yes, Natasha Richardson died this week -- SO SO SO SO SAD!!! She fell on a bunny slope and hit her head. She HIT HER HEAD!! She didn't even hit it very hard. She DIED! I guess it wasn't so dumb taking Brendan to the ER on Valentines evening --- he was fine and he has a great story to tell........The CAT scan guy thought that they (the hospital) had made a typo and Brendan was 21 not 12 -- he (the CAT scan guy) thought that Brendan had hit his head from falling off a chair in a bar:) He was SHOCKED to realize that Brendan was really only 12. He called the intake girl and apoligized told her she didn't make a mistake with Brendan's age. The ER Dr. --- WAY WAY COOL!! Told Brendan that he needed to take his mom (me) home -- I had been through a lot!! He also told Brendan "When you sister is going to hit you with something tell her to hit you anywhere but the head!!!" He was a really great guy!!!!!

Random Things Overheard Recently.........

"Five Dollar, Five Dollar, Five Dollar foot long at Subway, eat fresh!!!"

"I'm a spider monkey"

"My feet smell like an elephants butt!!!"

"Karma, she is a bitch with a long memory"

I wonder............

how many???? How many bloggers write an entry but don't actually post it????? Just something I wonder......................I know I simply can't be the only one:)

My Sweet Girl..........

It has been 1827 day since you shot into our lives. You my daughter have taught me far far more than I have taught you. A fighter from week 15 when my water broke. I am filled with love and gratitude for you and your brother -- I have always said that if I never do another thing in my entire life that will be fine as I have the two of you.

The opportunity to be your mom is so unbelievably awesome!!!! How come I am so lucky?? Sometime, I admit that I wonder "What in the hell is going through her mind?" or "Seriously, the dog in the dryer" or "No, Jeff I have no idea why she sprayed carpet cleaner into the TV" I am willing to admit that I have looked at you in wonder and thought --- Brendan never did anything like this...............That is ALWAYS ALWAYS followed by she is not Brendan she is Whitlee Jane. I love you with my whole heart............I will never get tired of you saying this to me. When I ask you "How do you know it's your whole heart?" a brief roll of the eye is usually followed with "Mom, I know -- you are the best mom and I love you"

Here are some reasons I love you so:

~ you give the BEST hugs

~ You LOVE LOVE to learn - reading and writing

~ You are SO artistic (your "colorations")

~ When you smile you smile with your entire face

~ You find such enjoyment in anything you do

~ You love to be a helper....especially when I am baking

~ You make the BEST sugar cookies:)

~ You are SUCH a girl!!!!!

~ You LOVE shoes:)

~ You love pink and must wear it EVERY SINGLE DAY

~ You love to sing at the very TOP of your lungs anytime and ANYPLACE!!!!

~ You love your brother (or as you call him....bro bro, peanut bruder, b bob, brother)

~ You have no problem showing your emotions

~ You look exactly like me!!!! It is scary!!

~ You love to tease me --- you eat celery in front of me so it will gross me out, you skip and giggle because you know I can't skip AT ALL!!!

~ You are so amazed when you learn something new

~ You LOVE dinosaurs and babies

~ Your willing to try almost anything

~ You start each and every day by giving me a GIANT hug and telling me you love me

~ You have a compassionate soul

~ You worry about Daddy, Brendan, Uncle Steven, Auntie Ginger, Auntie Sharlene and your grandparents.

~ At your young young age you are so well mannered..........OK, not ALWAYS well mannered but, most of the time:)

~ When I am sick you want to take care of me.......thank you for making me toast:)

~ You hate peanut butter:)

Thank you my sweet girl, thank you for picking me to be your Mommy!! I love you with my entire being!! Along with your brother you are the reason for each and every breath I take, you are why I wake up in the morning, you make me want to be a better person so, I can lead by example. I wish your Grandma Nancy, Your Bachi, Great Gram Ohrt, and Great Grandma Cunningham had each had the opportunity to meet you..........Man, they would have LOVED LOVED you!!!! They also would have loved the fact that you keep me on my toes (they would think that this was PERFECT).

I look forward to watching you grow -- this is a big year for you after all you ARE an entire hand!! You will start school this year...my heart breaks at the thought of this...I hope there is a Trish McCullom there I think I'll probably need a hug:) I am excited about your adventure -- you are excited about your adventures....... I love being your mom!!!

Happy birthday baby!! I love you!!! May this year bring you happiness and adventure. Grow and enjoy every moment -- I'll be right here!!

Love you bunches to the moon and back with frosting and sprinkles,
Mommy

Random things recently heard at the Cunningham house...

~ You can't light a porcupine on fire, throw it into a barn and expect licorice

~ That's the way I roll

~ it's redonklus

~ I wonder if I could really light my farts on fire

~ Did you know that is called a Catroll (we were eating Chinese food for valentines dinner - Brendan was convincing her the egg roll was actually a Catroll).......Nice!!

A golden nugget on a golden day............

There are a handful of blogs I read on a consistant basis (and...well stalk:))

Recently, I came across a blog that well, simply put it makes me feel good!!! Liz - she just has the most amazing way of putting words to computer:) This is from a recent post --

it is good to be reminded
it is good to be reminded that i am not alone
it is good to be reminded
there is deep, true connection in my life
i can look myself in the eye and know that this is truth
i am not alone
i am not alone

(you are not alone)
(remember this)
(reach out to someone in your world)
(invite love in)

i send you blessings and peace on this day
i send you blessings and peace for this moment in your journey
rememberin this moment
you are not alone
.........................................Liz Elayne


Amazing right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Liz you inspire me!!!! Here is a link to her blog -- You will not be disappointed!!!! Plus she sells some really cool handmade stuff

http://bepresentbehere.blogspot.com/

Since I have turned 40 I have been doing a lot of self inventory - I think of it as a Stephanie in retrospect if you will ~ like the Army --- Be all that you can be!!!



Getting back into contact with girls now women from high school -- How I have missed them in my life!!! Where there had been a hole there is no longer.



Taking control of my kidney issues instead of burying my head in the sand. I went back to the Dr. -- Had the ultrasound, gave blood, pee'd in a cup etc. etc. etc..........Good news - kidney function is stable (that is good).



Enjoying the creativity that I have -- it really does matter to me.



Working on my photography eye......I am learning to really trust my instincts -- shoot what is pleasing to my eye -- I have yet to not love the results!!!



Kids are doing well -- currently I am not freaking out that Whitlee is just a few days from turning 5!!!!! She is so excited and it is very easy to get as excited looking at it through her eyes. I am looking at schools now -- my sweet baby girl will be a big Kinder in September (she is already checking out backpacks!!!). Brendan, he is doing well in school -- he is doing better than well!!!!!! I enjoy them so - they truly the be all to end all!!!



I am so grateful for fertility medical intervention!!!!



I strive daily to live my 2009 word: Cherish........I feel it down to my bones:)



.........Just when I am winding down along on this road I know out of nowhere in particular I get a bit of information (which will remain private at this time) -- I admit I have thought of it every now and again after all, I am only human:) When I got this tidbit the pain was gone........poof........WOW!!! Seriously, I don't feel glee at others pain and I know there had to be some pain. Nor, to I feel vindicated (OK that isn't true................maybe juuuuuuuuuuuust a little bit). I do feel bad for the pain I know accompanied the entire situation.



It's been an interesting time since I've turned 40!!! Being 40 is TOTALLY BAD ASS!!!

You might be a Redneck if.....And report cards..........

Every year the kids and I buy Jeff a daily calendar for his office. Last year he got a George Carlin calendar -- it was SO SO funny!!! We couldn't really find one that we liked -- Brendan kept looking for another Carlin ----- nothing ---- Brendan and I were in Barnes and Noble the recently and FOUND ONE!!!! Jeff Foxworthy --- I love him -- I think that he is so funny!!!! Anyhow, it was fun going through the days already passed -- Whitlee is holding onto one for her Uncle Steven --- The following is my favorite so far..............


You might be a redneck if you think Starbucks is a hunting ranch..........................

Take a second.........................

I can see you laughing:).................It's ok!!!


Jeff's favorite one......

You might be a redneck if you have given your compliments to the chef.............at a county fair!!!


We got Brendan's report card --- 3.76 GPA!!! Not bad we are VERY proud of him!!!!!

I am off to make sugar cookies................