Cavities!!??

Our little 7 year old found out she had a couple of cavities at her last dentist appointment. This came as no surprise to us, seeing how many sweets Avril loves to devour. She has quite the sweet-tooth. Plus, I don't think she is the most disciplined when it comes to brushing her teeth. The cavity-filling appointment turned out to be quite the dramatic event. Avril was TERRIFIED of the needle coming at her mouth. She would not open her mouth for the dentist to be able to do her job. Finally, after about 20 minutes of Avril clenching her jaw shut, the dentist came out to get me, and informed me that we would need to set up an appointment at another facility where they had the ability to use the laughing gas, in order to put her to sleep for the procedure. I decided that this was NOT going to work for my busy schedule, and Avril was going to have to open that mouth!! After several more minutes of coaxing Avril, and lots of encouragement from mom, Avril finally relented and allowed the dentist to put the shot in her mouth. It was pure torture. Once the numbing medicine kicked in she handled it just fine.

a not happy Avril

first cavities...

After experiencing what a horrible PAIN it is to have cavities filled, Avril has a new-found determination to always brush her teeth thoroughly. She tells everyone the importance of brushing, and how awful it is to have to have cavities filled. So glad that is over with now. What an ordeal!!

The Hardest Day Ever - Goodbye Aunt Trish

Apparently there are signs when the end is near.  I've never been so close to someone who is so close to death.  The hospice care team said that usually the person will stop being able to eat and become very frail and weak, have trouble breathing, a very low pulse, and their skin will turn a shade of grey.  These are all signs that death is within a very short time period.  They could barely find a pulse on Trish so my mom called to tell me to come say my goodbyes.  I was at work when I got the message, and I told my boss that I needed to leave to say goodbye to my sweet Aunt Trish.  I was so glad I was able to.  I believe I may have heard the last words that she was able to mouth, before leaving for whatever is beyond...
Trish certainly looked like she was barely alive.  She was so frail and weak and definitely looked like she had a grey tone to her skin.  She couldn't really speak.  She held my hand and kept repeating the words, "love, love, love," in a faint whisper.
I just couldn't believe it was real.  I do not know why this awful thing has had to happen to such a wonderful person who was so full of life.  I do not understand why her 3 adorable little boys will have to be motherless, and why she doesn't get to see them grow up.
Trish left the world on February 25, 2016.  She fought with strength and determination until the very end.  She lived a very full life.  She was an amazing mother, and brilliant person.
She always invited me to do things just out of my comfort zone.  I was in awe of her.  She was the coolest aunt.  I loved her dearly.
I am honored to say that I often was compared to her... my dad accidentally called me Trish all the time.  I do think we looked similar.  I was nowhere near as talented or intelligent as her.  She could do all kinds of tricks on the snowboard, on the wakeboard, and played the piano at a skill level reserved for concert pianists.  She could speak multiple languages and also be a high fashion attorney.  She rode bikes, ran races, and doted on her kids.  She was a superwoman who many admired.
My heart hurts beyond words.  I don't know any answers of where Aunt Trish is now, but I do hope that she is another guardian angel, watching over me and the rest of her family.
I went for a swim early the morning after Trish's passing.  With every stroke I was thinking, it isn't fair that I am still alive, breathing, and able to exercise.  I want to appreciate life, and how lucky I am to still be alive, even if I hate getting up at 6:00 am to swim boring laps, to squeeze my exercise in, so that I don't have to take insulin shots for my gestational diabetes.
It could be worse.  I could have cancer.  I could be dead.  I will try to always remember Trish and the way she lived her life.  I want to live life to the fullest, and be an amazing mom.  I want people to say wonderful things about me and my life after I'm gone.  I hope that Trish is free of pain and suffering now.  The world is a little less wonderful with her gone.
I miss her, and love, love, love her.  I hate cancer.

Here are some old photos of the time that Trish took me wakeboarding for my first (and only) time.  I was so proud that I was able to stand up, and she was doing flips over the waves :)

Ahh!!

A few old photos I found of me with my amazing Aunt:

blondes

a blonde and brunette!

I love you so much, Aunt Trish.  I will never forget you.  Thank you for being such an awesome aunt.  Thank you for always inviting me and the kids to get out and have fun with you and the boys.  You are such a positive example.  I thank God for letting me get to be your niece.  I love, love, love you.

Happy Birthday Avril! 7 Years Old

Oh, how I love this little mini me.  Can't believe my little girl is celebrating her 7th birthday!!  Avril was sooo excited for this day.  She woke up to a banana pancake breakfast with 7 candles to blow out.  She asked that mom take her to Jamba Juice, just mom and Avril, for her birthday.  Easy enough for mom!  Of course I would love to have a mommy daughter date with this sweetheart!
Avril is growing up so quickly.  She loves to pick out her own clothes and tries to look cute (which comes naturally for her).  She loves to take her time and make sure that things look just right.  She also is very sensitive to the feelings of those around her.  She is thoughtful and always wants to make sure that those she loves feel loved and happy.  She loves to leave sweet notes around the house to surprise you.  Avril loves to learn.  She enjoys doing homework, and extra credit!  She loves being involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible.  She enjoys playing the piano, gymnastics, ballet, and soccer.
I am so proud of the girl Avril is growing up to be.  She is an amazing, beautiful, sweetheart girl.  She is excited to have a new baby brother, and keeps insisting that she will take care of him, changing his diapers, and helping to get him to sleep.  We will see :)
Avril loves being a big sister to McKel.  She is smart, and loves to share her knowledge with her little sister.
Thank you for being such a sweet, kind-hearted, awesome girl who makes her mama so proud!!  I love you, my sweet Avril.  I love you to the moon and back.

Birthday girl breakfast!!

Blowing out the candles!

Avril was thrilled to have a date with mom at the Jamba Juice!  Orange dream machines :)

Love this girl!!  Happy Birthday sweetie heart.

Avril's Birthday Party!!

Avril chose to have her birthday party at Fat Cats fun center this year.  This made it nice and easy for me :)  Just show up and bowl, play games, eat pizza, and have cake!  Avril was excited to invite some of her friends from school.  She wore one of her favorite cute outfits and we curled her hair for her special day. I must say, she looked just darling! :)
What a blast!

Papa plays some arcade games with McKel... Eek!!  Driving??

Avril smiles as she bowls a strike!  (Maybe)

Just a birthday cutie pie!!

Matthew and Sara joined in the fun :)

Avril with one of her friends from her class (I believe this is Ben Firszt, I should ask Avril though)

Papa shows McKel how to perfect her bowling skills!

How many pins will she knock down???

Another roll!

2 handsome boys!!

Avril posing with her auntie Arleen.

Mike, being the professional bowler that he is, was very helpful with teaching the kids how to bowl

A new Fat Cats shirt for the birthday girl!

Happy, happy Avril :)

A mommy daughter shot

Me and the girls (and a little boy in the tum tum)

comical

Avril with her friend

Mmm, pizza!

Even Papa Dennis gave it a shot!!

McKel prepares for her next bowl

Heavy!!

3 generations...

A cute couple!

Avril converses with her friends :)

Nana and Papa!!

Gorgeous hair!!

A new gymnastics leotard.  Awesome!!!

What else do we have here?

Avril loves opening presents... of course!!

nana helps with the gift opening

A new lunchbox!!  Olaf!!  Sweet :)

A previous moment caught on camera... hugs!

Furniture for the doll house!!  So fun :)

I would say it was a success!  Thank you for all who came.  Love this sweetheart girl :) :) :)

Typical Avril & McKel Outfits...

Saturday is a day for sleeping in, pancakes, and playing outside!  In February, this is how the girls dressed to go outside.  McKel has her soccer headband on with her penguin shirt and red pants, while Avril is sporting boots with short shorts, a snow jacket, and her umbrella.
Mike said, "are you getting a photo of this?"  So I did.  Time to go play!!

Oh Deer!

Walking McKel to daycare by our old apartment, we saw this:

So close!  He was standing right where our garden used to be, prior to all the white stuff covering the ground.  Pretty sweet :)  McKel was excited to see this wildlife on our way to school...