Happy Birthday Pops!!

Today is my Dad's birthday, and we want to wish him a very happy day!!!

Thank you for being the steady rock that you always are for us...we love you!!!

a few random pictures

Riley made this caterpillar while we were waiting our turn at her last check-up

Silly girl

Hayden & his girlfriend Kyleigh, at our friend Macey's party this past weekend

This is Macey...is she not just the cutest little thing?

Hayden thinks she is!!

The slacker updates, finally!

Hi!  Remember us?  I'm not really sure why I decided to take a break from blogging, but I did.  There really hasn't been much happening, and now that Riley is finished with her treatments I'm never sure what to actually blog about.  Excuses, excuses!  But, I'm here now and that's all that matters...right?! 

Thankfully everyone has been well and healthy, which is no small feat with this crazy Texas weather.  Riley is still doing great being off-therapy.  It's been 2 months, and it still feels odd to not have our normal nightly pill popping routine...although she's not complaining & neither am I.  The only medicine she still takes is her antibiotic Bactrim, which she has been taking from day 1.  I have thought this whole time she was taking this to help with her compromised immune system, but turns out it was because of her port, a "foreign body", being placed under her skin.  Good to know!  However, that won't be the case for much longer.  Yesterday at Riley's monthly clinic appointment, we were given the green light to schedule the surgery to remove her port...FOREVER!!!  Believe it or not, I'm not sure how I feel about this.  This port, well not this particular port since she had it replaced last year, has been a part of our lives for 2 1/2 years.  It is responsible for saving for our daughter's life.  Not only did it help her receive the various types of chemos needed to kick cancer's booty...but it allowed her to receive blood and platelet transfusions when her bone marrow was too weak to create it's own.  You can see why I'm a little partial to this magic button.  But, then I look at the bright side and realize that we will never need to use it again.  No more chemo and no more blood transfusions...Cancer is no longer a part of our lives!!!! 

A funny story to leave you with - Yesterday evening the kids and I were on our way to church for Ash Wednesday service, and Riley started talking about Lent and how her religion teacher told them they need to "give something up" during that time.  She asked me what I was "giving up", and my answer of sodas must not have been sufficient enough for her, because she broke into lecture about how we are supposed to give up something we REALLY like.  So, want to know what little Miss Sassy-britches is "giving up" for Lent?  Chalk.  That's right...Riley is giving up chalk for Lent.  The girl cracks me up...I asked her if she eats the chalk, or what was the big deal with chalk?  She informed that is just what she had decided on, and it was obvious there was no changing her mind.  So, the conversation then moves on to Riley asking Hayden what he was going to "give up" for Lent.  I forget what his first answer was, something like moo cows or horsies or whatever, which obviously was not good enough for little Miss Sassy-britches.  Riley then informs Hayden that he is going to give up erasers for Lent.  Erasers.  Erasers?  Riley, in her sweetest big sister voice, informs Hayden that he will not be able to play with, touch, or even look at an eraser during the entire Lenten season...and she knows it will be hard for him, but she knows how it feels because she won't be able to play with, touch, or even look at chalk.  Where does she come up with this stuff?  I guess if you are looking for something to buy my kids for Easter - Hayden would like an eraser, and Riley would like some chalk.  Crazy kids.

We are still needing donations for our Relay For Life team, here is the link if you would like to donate.  Every little bit helps and is very much appreciated!!! 

Have a great weekend!!  I still owe you all a bunch of pictures, but my computer has fallen ill with a virus (thank you very much, facebook) so you will have to take a rain check until it returns from the doctor.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

You take the good - you take the bad...

As with any family, we have been enjoying lifes ups and downs the past few days.  Yesterday Josh and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary and got to enjoy some kid-free time in Fredericksberg last weekend.  We had a great time...it was a little chilly, but we still enjoyed doing a little shopping and relaxing.  We even made a trip out to Enchanted Rock and hiked a little ways up...no small feat for the two of us.  I left my camera at home, so I will be sure and upload the proof later. In the meantime, our sweet little angels decided not everything could be about Mommy and Daddy & gave Nana and Pops a run for their money.  Friday night Hayden came down with the fever virus that has been going around, and Saturday morning Riley followed suit.  To spice things up even more, Saturday afternoon Hayden got all twisted up when attempting to get out of a chair at my Grandparent's house and fell and busted open his chin.  Our poor little cowboy had to get his first set of stitches...3 of them.  He came out less traumatized than I was expecting, which is definitely a good thing...Hayden says he was so brave because my Grandaddy gave him a band-aid to put on his chin that made everything all better.  So, thanks for the extra special attention Granny & Grandaddy!!  I felt so helpless...Josh and I were in the middle of our hiking expedition when the texts of events started flying in.  All we could do was promise him a big surprise for being so big and brave, and Daddy came through with Hayden's 1 request...a cap gun.  Just what every little cowboy needs!!

All fixed up! 

(for the record, anytime you ask Hayden to smile for a picture-this is what you get.  he looks like he's in pain, but it's really his best attempt at a fake smile.  crazy kid!)

Thank goodness for Dr. Draehn...he always makes everything better, glove balloons and all!!!

Both kids are still running fever, although Hayden's has stayed more low grade.  Sunday evening Riley's got up to 103.4, so Hayden enjoyed playing nurse to his sister by giving her cold rags for her head.  He's so sweet when he wants to be!  Riley has also had a pretty annoying cough the last few days that seems to be sounding worse, so Mary has taken her to the doctor this afternoon...we shall see what the verdict will be on that.  Never a dull moment!!

Oh the memories...

Of when my kids were once all sweet and cuddly, like little Miss Jans is.

Oh, they can still be sweet and cuddly...when they want to.  But most of the time it's "Mom, Hayden kicked me!"  or "Mom, Riley's hugging me!"  Not sweet little Jans...she smiles at you, and laughs when you talk to her.  Those big ol' eyes will melt you in a matter of seconds.  It really is sad how fast they grow up. 

How else would you explain my babies going from this...

...to this, in the blink of an eye?

Anyone know how to stop the hands of time?!

Random info, for your reading pleasure!

Once again, not much has been happening in our neck of the woods...but I always feel bad when I go too long without posting anything.  The result - random info to pass the time!  Enjoy!!

**First off we want to wish Cory a very Happy Birthday.  Cory is a very good family friend & our awesome photographer...check out his website over on the right - Jackson Wright Photography.  Happy Birthday Cory!!

**Have you read my sister Shelby's blog lately?  She FINALLY announced her big news...she is preggers!!  It's been very hard holding this secret in, but now I can shout it to the world.  The best part is she is due the day before Riley's birthday...must be a very popular time of year!!  Here's hoping the little nugget is 1 day late!!

**It is time, once again, to start planning for Relay For Life.  The Riley's Bees team will once again be out in full force helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  We have a couple of fundraisers in the works, so I will get back to you on those.  For now - you can visit my online Relay page to make a donation, if you feel so inclined.  Many of you made donations last year in Riley's name, but this year I plan to go bigger.  American Cancer Society helped in making Riley become cancer-free, and for that I owe them the world.  Will you help me help them?!  You all are the best!!

**One personal fundraiser I am doing to help raise money for my team is, in turn, helping to make me healthy.  I have joined a team with 3 other people in what is called Project Slimdown, here at a local gym.  The program lasts for 8 weeks, and the team with the greatest percentage of weight lost will win a monetary prize.  What I need from you is to help sponsor me for $1 dollar for every pound I lose.  The money I raise will then be donated back to the American Cancer Society.  If you would like to help me raise money and become healthy, please email me (kari.mika@yahoo.com) and I will put you on the list.  This is a great way to help hold me accountable, and help me be serious to work hard and lose weight.

**Tomorrow Riley and I will return to Houston for her first chemo-free monthly check-up.  She is also scheduled for an Echocardiogram and EKG, just to make sure the chemo hasn't affected her heart.  They will repeat this test at the end of this year, and then 1 more time in the future...just to be sure.  Riley did great during her last Echo, let's just hope that's still the case for tomorrow.  Keep your fingers crossed!

I believe that's all the random news I have for now.  We hope everyone is staying warm & enjoying what is left of winter.  Thanks again for everything you guys do for us!!