My Ryan!! "Tougher than the Hulk"

So we had a very fun 3 day weekend! We started it with our weekly Friday Movie Night otherwise known as "Mommy Cinemas!" We had 2 guests Garrett and Jesse which really made it a treat. So what movie night would be complete without pizza, popcorn and treats? We had them all but instead of our usual "snack bar" we had a "sundae bar" ice cream flavors included Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate and Mint n chip. Top it with Hot fudge, Caramel, Butterscotch, Whip Cream, Sprinkles, M n M's and Cherries. Oh how I wish I had pictures!! Too messy and sticky to get my camera though.
Saturday we made it to the Monster Jam! The kids had a blast watching the Monster Trucks do jumps, crash, loose tires and run over cars. We had a blast watching them enjoy it all!!!
Sunday started with Church and ended with a beautiful sunny BBQ and football!
Then we had Monday! We were so spoiled we had Daddy for all 3 days!! So we spent a beautiful day hanging out together. Everything was going great. One of Karlie's Buddys called and said she "Had to come over" her pig had just had babies and Karlie "needed" to come see the baby piglets!! So whats a Mother to do...I took her over to Megan's so they could take care of the little piglets. (I was later begged for a piglet by my little Karlie which I had to keep saying no to) I get home and we have plans for a yummy dinner Daddy was going to BBQ and then the phone rings it was Daddy's work calling him in. There went all our plans so we sadly said goodbye. Me and the boys decided on leftovers for dinner but we needed to go pick up Karlie. Derek asks if he can go pick a movie to watch with Karlie and Ryan when we get back. I said sure but he wants it to be a surprise so Ryan eagerly waits at the bottom of the stairs. I run in to go potty before we leave I'm washing my hands when I hear the stair rail rattle from a big thud followed by Ryan's crying. For Ryan to cry it's gotta hurt! I run out there and Ryan is holding the right top side of his head. I ask what happened and he cries that he was gonna go see Derek and he hit his head on the corner of the stair rail. I put him on my lap and put my hand to his ouchie and tell him it's OK. Then I notice that my whole hand is covered in blood and he has blood dripping down his hair and behind his ear! He had actually started to calm down. He asks what is all over my hand! I tell him it's blood from his ouchie and we better get some paper towels and ice. (Sorry I'm getting a little graphic I was gonna post some pictures but I decided not to) About then Derek comes down he sees whats going on and totally freaks out! Ryan was very calm. He had stopped crying and although he was trembling he was very calm, he even wanted to hold the ice and towel on the ouchie himself. Derek was crying so hard. He was so worried about Ryan. At one point he even said, "I just love my brother....I would die for him!!" I told him not to worry everything was gonna be fine at this point even Ryan is trying to console him! Anyway a long dramatic story shortened a little. We had to race and pick up Karlie and head to Urgent Care where Ryan ended up needing a staple in his head! First the Doctor said 4 or 5 stitches but then he measured it and said it was big enough for staples and he would need 2 or 3. But after the first one was put in the middle the doctor said it went together great that was it. But I must tell you my little Ryan was so tough and brave! He was so good and still for the doctor and he didn't scream while the syringe was being put in the cut to numb it he just squeezed my hands and said it hurts. Then when the doctor was done he asked him why he did that to him? Then after the staple the doctor showed him the staple gun and Ryan wanted to see the staple in his head. He got a Hulk sticker and he said, "I'm tougher than Hulk huh Mommy?" Karlie and Derek waited out in the waiting room so I said let's go get the kids and Ryan so sweet said we had to wait for the nurse to clean up all the blood he didn't want them to see it!! So although I have pictures of the wound before and after the staple...I decided to share some pictures from last week when Doug had the day off and Karlie and Derek had school. So here are some pictures from our day at the park!!!! This is my tough little Ryan!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE taking pictures of my family! But I am really excited about trying to start up my own business taking pictures of babies, families, couples and special moments! I am getting there slowly but surely!!! I just love capturing the special real emotion and love that happens between people who really love each other!!! Like Ryan and Doug I didn't need to pose them I get to just sit back and capture it as they did it! I love you my little Ryan! You are tougher than Hulk!!!

Stinkin Steelers!!

The new year has started off a little disappointing!! Us very faithful Charger fans thought we might be going somewhere...but NOOO OOOH we were shut out by Stinkburger and his Stinky Steelers!! There we were all geared up Derek/Cromartie, Karlie/Rivers, and Ryan/Gates. The boys completed their outfits with Helmets and Charger pants. We had good food and drinks a beautiful sunny SD day and lots of great company we thought this was the year. But unlike all you ban wagon fans (you know who you are:) we will continue to say what we always say, "There's always next year!" So I guess we WILL go to the Monster Trucks this Saturday after all! I was hoping...counting on it being canceled due to the fact that it's at Qualcomm Stadium and there was suppose to be another playoff game there!! But there will be no more Charger games this year because we lost!!! BOO WHO!!! OK I'm done! The monster Trucks will be fun and there's always next year! Right?
OK hopefully I will do another blog post in the next few days and get caught up to date!

Getting there!

I said I'd catch you up and I'm getting there! Slowly but still getting there! I have so much to blog about! But first a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I can't believe the year is already over. When you have kids time really does fly by! This has really been a wonderful year rich with blessings! I have to Thank God for all that I have. I am so fortunate and so thankful!

Ok so another fast up date. Thanksgiving was wonderful over at my sister Michelle's house! Then my other sister Chelsea (well "in law" so no one gets confused but sister just the same) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ellie on Dec. 7th! She is soooooo cute! Congratulations Chelsea and Zach!!!

On Dec. 10th Ryan starred in his school Christmas program as a reindeer! Then on the 18th Derek's class presented Christmas around the world. Complete with Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer in sign language! Then on the 19th Karlie starred in the 3rd grade play, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" She was the Quotation Who and only the Grinch had more lines than her. She memorized all her lines and never messed up once! Needless to say I am a very proud Mommy!

Speaking of proud I am a proud sister too! My sister Michelle graduated from Law School on Dec 20th! What an accomplishment! Way to go Dr. Michelle A. Leffew I am so very proud of you! Keep her in your prayers though, she has the CA state Barr exam coming up very soon. Then we can call her Dr. Michelle Alicia Leffew Esquire!!

We had a Wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus! My whole family and some dear friends came over to my house for Christmas dinner! The kids loved all the gifts and hanging out with everyone. My friend Adria taught be how to make Tamales so I gave those out instead of cookies this year. A little tip if anyone ever gives you Tamales know that allot of work, love and time go into making those things!

I am enjoying the days off from school with my kids! I am glad the rain is gone! I am looking forward to this weekend. My Grandma is taking all the Great Grandkids to see "Walking With Dinosaurs" and then the Chargers should beat the Colts in the first playoff game....Go Chargers!!

Ok so Happy New Year!

My Junior Charger Girl!!!!!

Back in November Karlie joined the Junior Charger Girls! She attended 2 practices with all the Charger Girls where she learned 3 dance routines. Then at the Chargers vs. Kansas City game at Qualcomm Stadium she cheered with the Charger Girls and danced at the half time show!!

This is Karlie at the 1st practice

Here she is in the morning on game day! We had to be there at 7 AM so she could see the field, practice and hang out with the Charger Girls. The game didn't start until 1:15 so it was a long day for her! But she enjoyed every minute of it. The Junior Charger Girls raise money for the Make A Wish foundation and Karlie was very proud of her part in raising money

for such a great cause!

They boys had a dream come true because we all went to a real Charger game!

Daddy and the boys ready for game time!

showing off their Charger tattoos!

Where's Waldo? I mean Aunt Michelle and Uncle Mike!

Ryan and Uncle Mike!

My baby's big moment! I was so proud of her! I was crying the whole time watching her do something so big! She did great! She LOVED it! She says she's doing it again next year!

Had to give some love to 2 of Derek's favorite players running bye! Can you guess which 2?

Ryan's 4th B-Day and Halloween

Ryan turned 4!!! We had his 4th Birthday party a Chuck E Cheese's again! He had so much fun! Thank you to everyone that came! He loved all the gifts that he got and just had a blast with all his friends and family!

Uh Oh Ryan and his best buddy Jesse,

when they get together you never know whats gonna happen!

Halloween!!!!

Daddy and Storm Trooper Ryan!

Karlie crossed over to the dark side this year!

She was a Vampire Princess!

There's Phillip Rivers showing off his guns!

Carving pumpkins with Daddy!

We had a very fun Halloween! After carving pumpkins and passing out some treats. We did a little Trick or Treating around our neighborhood then we headed over to Adria's Fab-u-lus Halloween party! Complete with more trick or treating, a huge feast, pumpkin carving and fresh dipped Carmel apples! So much fun!!!! While trick or treating we were chased by a very scary clown with a chain saw!! Spooky Fun!!!

The Blog needs some love!

I have been neglecting my blog. I was so good for a while but it definitely needs some love. I have Halloween to post, Ryan's 4th Birthday, Soccer Stuff, Jr Charger Girl Karlie, Ryan learned to ride without training wheels and some other things! I don't know where the time goes. I haven't even sent out my Thank You cards from Ryan's Birthday! (I am usually so good at that) I WILL get there I promise! So watch for it......a long post will be coming soon.



I do want to tell you about my incredible 3 Day experience though!

I left at about 4:20 am on Friday morning. Our destination was the Del Mar Race track. We got there on that cold, foggy, moist morning and first dropped off our carefully packed bags, sleeping bags and bedding. My driver was Adria's wonderful hubby Jason. Thanks for the ride Jason. We did our Raffle and my Uncle Dave and Aunt Pam won. My friend Kim got a 2nd place prize. Thank You to everyone who bought raffle tickets. After Jason left, Adria and I waited for the rest of our team to arrive. Chris got there first. We all shivered together but were warmed up by the beautiful pink scarves that Adria's Mom knitted for us. Then Diana and Kim showed up. We found our place at the starting line and hooked up with Shelly. It was a beautiful, motivating and emotional opening ceremony. Then we were off! The walk was along our beautiful coast. We started in Del Mar and ended in Mission Bay. The walk was awesome you wouldn't believe the support we received. There were families, survivors and families of those who have already died because of Breast Cancer. Plus the awesome volunteer's who motivate and help you every step of the way. And who could forget The San Jose bike cops...certainly not Shelly!!!! It was a long walk and towards the end of the day I was feeling it....but blisters, sore legs and feet don't require Kemo, radiation or mastectomy's so we pushed forward! I got to know the awesome women on our team and met more awesome people along the way. It felt good to complete day one. Some girls scouts set up our tent, we ate some dinner, did the shower dance (Adria knows what I'm talkin about) then we participated in all the activities going on and headed to bed in our new home the pink tent on beach front property. I must say I couldn't ask for a better tent mate then my very good friend Adria (there was no snoring or stinky feet) we were just 2 old ladies reeking of Bio Freeze!! (which by the end of the walk my Bio Freeze stash was fat...you could call me a Bio Freeze junky)
Day 2 was just as good. We went from Mission Bay into Ocean Beach all along Sunset cliffs up through Mission Beach and ended back at the sea of pink tents we called home in Mission Bay. I have to say not having to do the shower dance and having my private shower was fab-u-lus!! We had dinner visited with Adria's family and then I visited my own family via the live web cam and off to bed again.
Day 3 started in Mission Bay and went around the opposite way, heading through old town, mission hills, hill crest following Balboa Park and ending downtown at Pet Co park. It's strange but Day 3 felt the best! The huge hill in Old Town seemed scary but actually felt good! We raced up it! Shelly and I had lunch with The San Jose Bike Cops who shared stories of why they volunteer. We thought our team was lost but we found each other! I got to see my wonderful husband and my sweet kiddos who carried signs of their love and support for me at the cheering station in Balboa Park. That was enough for me to get a burst of energy and finish strong! We got to Pet Co Park together and we were surprised how early we arrived! We joined the line of walkers who had already arrived and welcomed the walkers who continued to arrive with hugs, high fives and shoulder pats! While on the walk crying was a regular thing for me. The pictures, the stories, the survivors on the side still wearing scarves or sporting a bald head, those left behind because Breast Cancer robbed them of someone they loved got me every time!! At closing ceremonies the accomplishment I felt, the look on the faces of those who were walking in, the pain as some hobbled in, were carried in or need walkers or crutches kept my tears flowing. Then top it off with a beautiful closing ceremony and wow was I moved. I will do this walk again next year. I cherish the friendships I made with my team. It feels so good to be a part of something so big that makes a difference to those held hostage by such a horrible disease. Thank you to everyone who supported me. I know a few of you will be joining me in walking next year.(yes you Michelle and Kim) 60 miles, 1 blister, 2 sore legs and feet and 100% totally worth it!! Hey Adria, Diana, Kim, Chris and Shelly (and every other walker) you are beautiful, you're rock stars, keep going, you're awesome, thank you, you rock.....ready for next year? I'll see you there!

3 Day pictures

My favorite sayings from the walk..."Stop the war in my rack" "Save second base" "Squeeze em for a reason"

This walk is something I will remember forever. I hope and pray for a cure and until it's here or as long as this walk helps awareness, funding for people to receive treatments and helping to end Breast Cancer I will be a part of it! So be ready to either walk with me or I'll probably be hitting you up for a donation and together WE WILL make a difference!!