Wordless Wednesday

Surfin' Safari / First Job

Zuri attended a surfin' safari dance camp tonight. She had fun!

Zuri and Ms. Paige. 

After camp, Zuri went up front and "helped" Ms. Jane. She asked if she could stay and work.  Jane told her she was there until 9. Zuri said that was okay. Jane said she had to empty trash. Zuri said that was okay because that was one of her chores. Jane asked how much she should get paid. Zuri asked how much she had and then ended up saying $10.  Ms. Paige and Ms. Hayley walked by and Zuri said, "Will you hire me, please?"  It took me awhile to get her to finally leave. She was determined to stay and "work."  She begged me to let her work there.  One day, Zuri. One day.

I Wear Pearl For Butch

My Facebook post from June 17:

These pictures are of my Uncle Butch. They all have been taken since his lung cancer diagnosis on February 13th this year. Initially, cancer was contained to his lungs. PET scan confirmed that back in February. In the past 4 months, he has had tumors appear on his colon and a spot on his hip.  He has had 2 brain MRIs to confirm it had not spread to his brain - last one was about 6 weeks ago and was clear.  He's been having neck pain and lost the use of his right arm and leg. Dr. Siddiqui, his chemo oncologist, ordered another full body PET scan and brain MRI because he believed the issue was from the cancer spreading to the neck. Those tests were scheduled for yesterday, but Butch was so weak, he couldn't make it.  An ambulance ended up getting him and taking him to the ER. They did the brain MRI (PET scan machine was down) and I presume a CT scan of the neck.  They admitted him to the hospital. 

Results: tumor on the neck, tumors on the brain with bleeding. Swelling in the brain too. As you can imagine, this was a hard pill to swallow for us yesterday. How could it spread so quickly?  

Plan:  Dr. Ross, the radiation oncologist, sent Butch to the cancer center yesterday to get a mold of his neck so radiation can begin Monday.  Hopefully radiation shrinks the neck tumor and Butch regains use of his arm and leg. Steroids will be given to decrease the swelling in the brain (can't do anything with the brain until swelling is down). Once neck radiation is done, they will tackle the brain tumors.

Butch is tired and in pain. The family, we are also tired and in pain (emotionally). We are all trying to stay positive and upbeat, but it is difficult.  I do not like seeing my uncle so weak. I'm used to him having meat on his bones and being strong and able-bodied.  To see him this way sucks. There's no other way to put it.

I'm glad I was able to take William to visit this past Sunday. Seeing Butch light up while cuddling with William brought tears to my eyes.

Butch's medical team is great. Drs. Siddiqui and Ross are phenomenal. They don't beat around the bush, which is what Butch wants and what we want. Just give it to us straight - no sugar coating. 

Please keep him and our entire family in your thoughts and prayers. 

#cancersucks

My Facebook post from June 25:

Uncle Butch decided he wanted to go home so we took him home today. You could tell he was happy to be home. His demeanor changed significantly after leaving the rehab center.  He enjoyed seeing the garden and sitting in his recliner.   

I took Zuri and William down to see Butch this afternoon.  I talked to his hospice nurse while he was there for the initial home visit. John is great. He is kind, caring, and direct. That's what I like; tell me straight up what's going on. 

Butch and William hung out for a bit and Zuri enjoyed playing with Samantha and Emily.

#cancersucks #iwearpearlforbutch #lungcancerawareness

I ordered these bracelets for our family and friends. 

Friday Fun

William sported a Mohawk Friday.  He's so handsome. :o)

Zuri had Kids Night Out at Stage 1. She had fun, as always. 

While she was at KNO, I cleaned up her room. It was a hot mess!!  Clothes were everywhere. Clean, dirty, who knows!

When she got home, I asked her where my money was since cleaning her room is on her list of chores. She looked at me like I was an alien. Haha!

Contracts and Chores

Zuri signed her first "contract" today.  She had to sign a form stating she will not intentionally Google inappropriate websites at school. :o)

During dinner tonight, Zuri and I discussed chores. She decided she would do the following chores: 1) clean her room; 2) do laundry; 3) empty trash; and 4) clean the cat litter. I asked her how much she thought she should get for all that. She asked how much I had. Ha!  I told her to give me an amount and we would discuss. She then said $10.  Once we got home, she wrote out her chores so she can keep track. She wrote how much each is worth (total is more than the $10 she said earlier!).  $20 for cleaning her room, $2 for laundry, $10 for trash, and $15 for litter. Haha!

She wanted to start tonight. Brent had just emptied trash and cleaned the litter last night.  Her room is a hot mess so there wasn't time to start that. I had some laundry to fold so she did that!

Afterwards, she asked where her cash was. She said I could give her 2 quarters or just "whatever you can do."  She got 50 cents out of me.  :o)

We will see how this shakes out.  Stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday

Shirley Temple Camp

Zuri had Shirley Temple camp at Stage 1 tonight.  She loved it!

After camp, Zuri had her picture taken with Miss Hayley and Ms. Jane. :o)

Kiddos

Here are some pics of the kiddos from Thursday - Saturday this past week. :o)

William loves when you do Pat-A-Cake. 

William also loves waking sissy up in the mornings. 

Such a happy baby!

Zuri wanted to tease Papaw John with a Starbucks picture. :o)

Happy Father's Day

While I was feeding William this morning, I heard Zuri talking to Brent and then I heard her in the kitchen messing with stuff. I walked in and she was making Brent breakfast in bed.....all by herself. :o) 

We gave Brent his card and then he snuggled with the kids for a bit. 

Papaw came by this morning too.  It's hard to get a good pic of him with the kids. These show just that!  ha!

We had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Schulz at Big Woods in Speedway. We had a good time!  Zuri loves to play Jenga. :o)

After Grandma and Grandpa Schulz left our house, Zuri and I went swimming at Carol's. Good thing we have such great neighbors!  Zuri enjoys hanging out with Brandon. 

We hope Brent had a great day. We love him so much!  We also hope our dads/grandpas had a great day we love them all too!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Recap

I received a call from Zuri's school (summer camp) Thursday just after lunch telling me she fell at the skating rink and complained of her arm hurting. I picked her up and took her to the doctor. Thankfully, everything was okay - a slight sprain, but no broken bones. Zuri was able to go to her first gymnastics class with her friend Halle. :o)

I love how Zuri wants to snuggle with William every morning. This was on Friday morning. 

After work, Zuri and Daddy went swimming for 3 hours!  William and Mommy hung out at home. 

I took Zuri to her swim lesson Saturday because William and Daddy didn't feel the best. After swim lesson, we went to Ella's Frozen Yogurt.  Zuri went to her friend's birthday party there on Thursday and loved the cake batter flavor. That's what she got Saturday too....and a chocolate covered Rice Krispies treat we are sharing that is still in the fridge!  :o)

More sibling snuggles. 

Saturday night, Zuri spent the night with Tony and Breeanna. They ended up at the Our Lady of Greenwood festival. Zuri had a blast!

This morning, William and I went with Eric and Karen to visit Uncle Butch.  I am not sure if I have mentioned it on here, but Butch was diagnosed with lung cancer back in mid February. He's been doing chemo and radiation ever since - he has had some complications and other areas of concern too. He has a PET Scan Thursday and a brain MRI.  The doctors think the cancer has spread to his neck now. :o( Seeing William cheered him up for today at least.

After visiting with Uncle Butch, we picked Zuri up (she was swimming with Tony and Breeanna) and then picked a Daddy up and went to Bri's recital at Center Grove High School. She did a fantastic job!

Once we got home, we all rested by either napping or watching a movie. :o)

During dinner, Zuri sent Olivia this Snapchat. So sweet looking. Don't let this fool ya. Hahaha!

Have a great night!