Rise and Shine!

And give God the glory,glory,
Children of the Lord.

I just had a nice walk on the riverfront, and it was so beautiful outside. All the colors in the sky were reflecting off the water, and it made me wish I was a painter. But, I'm far from that. I do like to try to be artistic, but I just don't think I'm a natural. I have a pile of crafts in a folder for me and Summer to tackle. She is pretty artistic, I think. But, she will not do something that she does not think she can do right. I got one of those little stained glass projects for her to paint, but I have yet to pull it out. We have been pretty busy, but we have managed to do several crafts thanks to all of our friends who have been spoiling Summer to death. I can't take all the credit for that. Not now anyway. :)

The other day she got a package from one of my friend's soon to be MIL that had a monkey project. She wanted to do that right away, but her cousins were over and we were fixing to go to the park so I told her we would do it later. Well, Friday we went to the clinic where the amazing Dr's. and nurses de-accessed her port while she was still asleep (under anesthesia). They also cleaned up other tape residue that was all over her. How awesome is that? When she woke up that morning and the first thing she said was, "Mommy, are they going to take my port out?" To which I answered, "Yes." I'm not sure if that was a mistake or not, but it was followed by 10 minutes of crying about how she didn't want them to take it how. How she didn't want to go to Easter. They could just leave it in. And, so on. It was quite frazzling, especially at 6:00 in the morning, but I managed to keep my cool. I tried to calmly reassure her, but she was insistent that they should leave it in. So, after all of that fun, we headed to the hospital. When we got there, I told the nurse what Summer had said when she got up and how she had actually started talking about it on Wednesday morning. Oh the dread in my little baby girl who hates to have bandages taken off because it hurts. Anyways, they spared her the pain and I am so, so thankful for that.

So after the treatment when we were back home, she got to do her monkey craft. Clint helped her stuff him and she has carried and slept with that thing around all weekend. Well, until last night anyway. Last night she discovered a little pink lamb that my friend's mom gave to her. She also got anther cute animal this week that she really likes it is a duck with some crazy hair. I want to thank everyone for everything. I know I will never get around to writing individual cards because I can't remember everything, but I am truly thankful for everything. Distractions are good and we have had a lot. Summer asked me the other day why people keep sending her cards and I told her it was because they cared about her and were praying for her. She is actually going to get her first Barbie this week. One of my friends sent her one and I have been saving it for the right time. I think this week will be the week she really needs a pick me up. The last time we were at the hospital she wanted to play with Barbies, but I guess they are in the "sick" playroom not the oncology playroom. So, she did not get to. Anyways, I've strayed from my point which was "THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!"

We had a pretty good weekend. A few bike rides, a puppet show, Easter egg dyeing, and Barney. Nothing too crazy. I don't think Summer is really a fan of dyeing Easter eggs. After the first round of it, her fingers were stained with dye which I'm sure bothered her. Let's just say she had it all off, except under her fingernails, when she was done taking her shower yesterday. She washed herself like a big girl, and I dried her off and put her clothes on her. I think she has reverted on the dressing herself. I know she went through a phase where she wanted too and now she is happy to let me help her, I mean do it for her. :p Of course, that goes for eating too. She likes for me to feed her. So, I guess she is still my baby after all.

Yesterday she went back and forth as to whether or not she wanted to spend the night with Memaw. At first she didn't, I think because she didn't feel good. She threw up twice yesterday. Once right outside my car in the parking garage. You could clearly see the sugar cookie and spaghetti. I know you're thanking me right now. LOL Anyways, we went up and got a bucket with water and cleaning supplies and headed back down to clean it up before any of the neighbors saw it. Clean up was surprisingly easy and Summer helped. All day her belly hurt and the only thing she ate was strawberries. I guess I should be thankful for that because they don't really get gross in the belly, at least they hadn't yet. That time it went all in her lap (and almost on my new photo album with our spring pictures which were thankfully spared). That led to her shower. Right before this had happened, I had read about a puppet show at the Creative Discovery Museum that was at 3:00. Well, when she got out of the shower it was 2:57. I told her I guessed we wouldn't go since she got sick, but she still wanted to go. So, we hopped on our bike and raced to the show. We were probably 10 minutes late, but it was easy to follow so we weren't lost. It was a really cute show that one lady did and she is very talented! Summer must have been feeling better after that because she ate a plate of lasagna because I am "a good cooker." :p Yes, she does light up my life. Then she wanted to know when Memaw was going to be here to pick her up. She got her daddy to write the Easter bunny a note so he would know to go to Memaw's house, and I put it on the table. I hope he saw it. LOL

I am excited about the day ahead. Lots of time with family and friends. I hope Summer enjoys the egg hunts. We haven't practiced, but I figure either you got it or you don't. It's not rocket science. I don't think she really cares if she wins anyway. Life is all about having fun and enjoying the time you have with others. Well, I guess to me anyway. I'm sure there is more to it than that, but that is my bottom line. I want to enjoy the time I have on this earth. One thing I do enjoy doing is going to church. I didn't used to be able to say that. I have had a "favorite" preacher for years (who I will leave unnamed at this time). Well, I guess he is my 2nd favorite now since I've been attending my most recent church. Anyways, I didn't used to look forward to going to church like I do now. My favorite preacher, I mean 2nd favorite, is just too far for me to drive (that's my excuse anyway). But, now I look forward to going on Sundays. I really love the church I go to. I am hoping Summer will buddy up to some of the kids at some point, but for now she is still a mommy's girl. Hey, I better enjoy that while it lasts. And who knows how long that will be? One day I'm sure she won't want to sit on the same aisle as me. At least that is how it was when I was growing up. Sometimes we did sit with our parents, but other times we sat with friends. I am just glad I am at a point in my life where I am happily attending a church and wanting to get more involved. I think it is good for Summer too. She likes to hear me pray. At bedtime we usually say, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. The angels watch me from above, God bless me and everyone I love. Amen." Then sometimes I say another prayer. She sometimes likes for me to pray twice. Sometimes she will say it with me. She used to say it by herself, but you know how that goes. :)

I guess that wraps it up. We are off to the hospital tomorrow for our last radiation and our 2nd cycle of chemo. It is an in-patient treatment so we will be getting some good night time snuggling in. That's what I am looking forward to anyway.