Sister's Super Weekend

I just got back this morning from spending a fun-filled weekend with some of my most favorite people. It was so great seeing Marianne and spending time with her. We ate good food, went to see the play "Hello, Dolly" at the Hales Center Theatre, did a session at the Draper Temple, made beaded watch bracelets, got pedicures, played games, watched a fireworks show, got our pictures taken....the list goes on and on. I found myself reveling in every moment and just soaking it all in. We laughed together and cried together. It was a weekend I will never forget.

I LOVE YOU MARIANNE!

Favorite Hang-out Spots

Jordan has been spending a lot of time on the potty. Last week he was with his cousin Luke, who he loves following around and copying what he does. He saw Luke go potty and ever since then he has been very interested in it. He even got more excited when he realized that candy is involved. When I told him he could have a piece of candy if he went, he ran into the kitchen and got a mixing bowl. This picture was taken on the first day and he sat there for 3 hours. That's all he wanted to do. He just sat there watching his movie and drinking his juice. Every now and then he would yell out, "POTTY! CANDY, MOMMY!" The simple pleasures of a three-year-old!


Megan's favorite place to be is sitting in her little chair. She pushes it all over the house to wherever the action is. She sits in it frontwards, backwards and stands up on it. It has definately made it to the top of her favorite things list.

Marianne update- Thank you to all who have shown concern for Marianne and our family. My heart is still breaking, but I am looking forward to the time we have left to spend together. Alison and I are going to Marianne's next week to spend a fun-filled, sister-bonding time together and Marianne is planning on coming here for the 4th of July. I've felt a lot better knowing that I will be able to see her soon. See has such an amazing attitude and positive outlook on everything. For those of you interested in following her journey she has a blog @www.mikeandmarianne.blogspot.com.

A Day of Mixed Emotions

This has been a very emotional day for me. Yesterday I got the news that you never imagine you will ever hear. My sister only has 1 to 2 years left to live. They are going to do another round of chemo to prolong her life as long as they can, but other than that, there is nothing more they can do. I've never felt saddness like this. I have never felt pain like this. I find myself wondering what to pray for now and I guess the only answer is.... time. More time. Please, just more time. You see, she's not only my sister, she's one of my very best friends...and always has been.

On another note, Megan celebrated her first birthday today. We had a barbecue with family. It was fun to get together and celebrate the life of this beautiful little girl who came into our family one year ago. She is a perfect delight and has no idea how incredibly cute she is.

Like I said, it's been a day of mixed emotions!

Prayers Needed

Most of my blog entries have been about what the kids are up to, but tonight I sit here at my computer with a very heavy heart. Many of you know that my dear sister Marianne has been battling colon cancer for the past year. Today they removed a large tumor from her ovary and did a complete hysterectomy. During the surgery, they also found that the cancer had spread to other areas of her body, including her liver. All I want to do right now is get in my car or hop on a plane and go be with her, but that is not feasible with 2 kids and Andrew having finals next week. I feel so far away and so helpless. I realize that the only thing I can do right now is pray, and so my dear friends, I ask you to do the same. Please pray for my sister, Marianne De Carlo.

Jordan's First Solo Ride

We went to my parent's cabin in the mountains for Memorial Day. Jordan had a lot of fun digging in the dirt and Megan had fun trying to eat the dirt. One of the highlights of the day was Andrew led Jordan around on River for a little while. Jordan was scared at the beginning because he's only ridden when someone's sitting with him on the saddle. At first he was crying and saying, "Too Big, All Done!" By the end he was loving it though. This whole week he's been carrying around his little plastic horse, which he has named River. Way to go Jordan!

Megan's favorite things

Megan loves walking. She just walks and walks all day long. She actually starting walking about a month ago. Once she took her first few steps that was it, she didn't want to crawl anymore. She was very determined and picked it up really quickly.

This is one of her favorite hang-out spots. She sits behind the curtain and plays peek-a-boo.

Megan loves her binky and the ribbon always has to be right under her nose. Whenever I put her binky in she always turns it until the ribbon is just right. She even does this in her sleep.

This is her new trick. When she goes from sitting to standing she usually likes to stop along the way and hang out in this position for a little while.

I think her most favorite thing is smiling and being happy. I snapped this picture before church a couple of weeks ago. I realized when looking at her that day that she is not my little baby, but is looking more and more like a little girl. Oh, these fleeting moments.

Time for a haircut!

Jordan is starting to look like one of the "lost boys" with his bushy head of hair. Andrew cuts his hair and he has been so busy lately that literally the only time he's free to do it is when Jordan is sleeping. Hmmm....maybe I'll have to give it a try, do I dare?