All Tuckered Out...

Not sure who is more tired from riding bikes and running!

Another Softball Player...

Tiny but mighty Maia is off and running and hitting and fielding!  She might be the smallest on the team but she can hang with the rest of them.  Opening day went well.  She fielded a hard hit ball at her (short stop), chased down a well hit ball to her (outfield) and got it in quickly, and went 2-4 at bat!

Take That Skin Cancer...

Last week, the dermatologist took a couple skin biopsies.  Days later, he got the call...  One spot, on his forehead, was skin cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma).  They believed it was in the early stages and scheduled him for surgery the following week.

Fast forward to today...surgery day.  The MORS procedure is fancied by many skin surgeons.  It’s somewhat simple...they take you back (see Marc here waiting for the Doctor)

They Marc the spot, explain the process, and get to work.  

In short, they carve out a chunk of skin hoping it’s all of the cancer.  They send you out to the waiting room bandaged but not stitched closed.  They analyze the skin and if they got all the cancer, they stitch you back up, and send you home.  If they still believe more cancer is present, they cut again (up to 6 additional times).  They have a plastic surgeon on hand in case too much skin is removed and the area needs repairing.

Marc was extremely lucky.  They cut 1 time and got it ALL!  Cancer is gone and now he just needs to be monitored a bit more often for the next few years!

Take that Cancer!  We didn’t invite you into our lives!  

The Many Smiles Of Boots...

This pup lives the life!

Volunteering Is Good For Heart And Good For Starving Childrens’ Bellies...

Feed My Starving Children is an AMAZING organization.  They offer volunteers ages 6 and up the opportunity to pack manna packs (containing vitamins, veggies, rice, and soy) which are then shipped all over the world to  partnering areas where food isn’t easily assesible.  At the end of each session, they post how many boxes, meals, kids are fed (for a year), and total cost of said numbers.  Donations make this organization what it is.  Each session packs for a different country.  We go as often as we can.  This spring break, the children were able to attend 2 different sessions.  One session we packed for the Philippines and today’s session was for Jamaica.  

Ostrich Festival 2019...

We decided on day 1 of spring break, we would take the kids to the annual Ostrich Festival.  We never actually made it to the ostriches, but something tells me, they don’t make this festival about the ostriches like they used to!  Like all festivals, there was the expensive price tag to enter, even more expensive price tag for ride tickets, and all the naughty Festival food you dream about.  The pictures are what this big price tag provided...smiles and memories to last forever (they have to last forever, because we have no plans to ever go back😂)

Fall/Winter Hockey 2018-2019 Season Is Complete...

Hockey for these two is done for the season.  We’ve chosen not to sign up for spring/summer 3x3 and just do small camps, charity events, and single skate sessions.  It’s too difficult to commit both kids for hockey while the two girls are getting ready to begin spring softball.  Garrison’s Team had an amazing season and placed 3rd in the championship.  Rosalia’s team did just as well, but like Garrison’s team, placed 3rd in the championship.  

Field Trip With Maia...

Maia had a field trip to the Phoenix Zoo.  She asked if I would go even though I wasn’t picked as a chaperone.  Of course, I went!  I had flashbacks to when Liliana was this exact age, in this exact same grade, on this exact same field trip.  Of all the kids, Maia looks the most like Liliana (especially at this age).  We had such a fun time.  It’s crazy to think she’s our last kiddo and that this is probably the last field trip to the zoo.  

Our Little Seamstress...

Rosalia has enjoyed learning to sew.  So much, that she helps me sew boo boo bags that are then sold at various markets (and online). Of course, she receives payment for her hard work!