Rotten
February 9, 2010
Word: rhabdomyosarcoma
Function: noun
Definition: a pretty nasty tumor found most commonly in children and adolescents
Spencer is seven years old and is a great kid. He is the love of my daughter’s life (as far as eight-year-old’s crushes are concerned), and has been diagnosed with a malignant alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The golfball-sized tumor is located at the base of his skull and is wreaking havoc with his head. His parents, Nate and Holly, are fantastic, and are braving this thing as best they can. They are putting their trust in the Lord, as they know that there is nowhere else they should put it.
It appears that chemo and radiation therapies are on the horizon, and we are all praying that Spencer will get better soon. If you want to send prayers on behalf of somebody, Spencer is worthy of all of the prayers you’re willing to send.
Makin’ Out
February 7, 2010
Ryan was playing a board game tonight with Grandma, and his game piece was right next to hers. He got so excited and said, “My game piece is making out with your game piece! My game piece is making out with your game piece!”
Then, after waiting about five seconds, he said, “What does ‘making out’ mean?”
What a funny kid.
8 Years
January 26, 2010
My beautiful Betsy turned eight years old on Monday. It seems like just yesterday that she was learning to crawl, and ended up with stitches in her chin when she was learning to walk. Man, she sure is a gorgeous little girl!
Phone Call
January 4, 2010
I just received a phone call on my cell phone that included the following exchange:
Me: “Hello.”
Her: “Hi, may I please speak with David?”
Me: “Uh … my son, David, or some other David?”
Her: “David Ausborne.”
Me: “Well, that’s my son. Who is this?”
Her: “This is so-and-so from CollegeFinder.com. He signed up and requested some information online.”
Me: “Uh, you realize that he’s eleven years old, right?”
Her: “No. Sorry to bother you.” Click.
Apparently, David has been planning ahead.
My Sweet Son
January 3, 2010
The kids had a “meet your teacher” event on Saturday (yesterday) morning, where they’d meet their new primary teachers at church. Each of the kids’ new teachers were there except for sweet little Ryan’s. He was pretty crushed, honestly. He said, “Why don’t the want to meet me? I think they’d like me, if they got to know me.”
That poor little boy! At least he will get to meet them Sunday (today) at church.
The Holy War, 2009 Edition
November 29, 2009
The kids and I ventured down to Provo today to attend the BYU-Utah rivalry football game. I hadn’t been to a game since the last time BYU hosted the Utes back in 2007. David, Byron, and Betsy had each been to a game before, but Ryan had not, so I was excited that he could be initiated into college football during rivalry week. What made the game even more fun was the fact that the Cougars beat the Utes in overtime, and about 30% of the 65,000 fans rushed the field. It was pretty exciting!
The kids are about to enter the stadium.
The Utes had BYU down 6-0 in the first quarter.
BYU ended up winning, though, and the fans rushed the field.
I got my own souvenirs. The grass with the white paint is from midfield, while the bigger tuft of turf is from the two yard line.
Flu Shot
October 24, 2009
We got up early to go get in line to get our H1N1 shots today. We got here shortly after 5 am and there were already over 200 people in line. The clinic opens at 7 am so we’ve still got a long cold wait ahead of us.
UPDATE: It is now 6:45 and there are about 400 people in front of us. It’s like they have multiplied, or something.
UPDATE 2: It is now 7:55 and we are finally getting toward the front of the building. It’s still cold but at least it’s not dark or rainy.
UPDATE 3: It’s 8:55 and we are finally all done. Getting into the building was a welcome relief from the cold.
Melanie’s Boys
July 9, 2009
We all went to the Diamondbacks game in Phoenix on Wednesday and had a good time. Here’s a photo of Melanie’s boys.
Day of excellence
January 30, 2009
Yesterday began like any other day, telling the kids to hurry up or they would be late, loads and loads of laundry, and a fabulous lunch date! (well, that was something untypical, but I had to mention it because it made the day that much better).
I was at the school to pick up the kids and as soon as Byron and David see me they start hauling to get to me. The closer they get I see that they are waving manilla envelopes in the air with huge smiles on their faces. They both start talking at once so I ask for one at a time. Byron sweetly tells David he can go first. “mom! I scored in the top 10% in the nation on the IOWA test in reading! Only one other fifth grader in the school got a certificate!”. I was stunned, I remember those tests. I always did well, but never that good! I yelled and hollered for David and then turned to Byron. He was grinning from ear to ear. “mom, I too scored in the top 10%, but not in reading. I got it in social studies, science, and total composite. There were no other third graders to get one “. Holy cow! I hollered again and couldn’t stop smiling:). The boys were so pleased with their results, I could see their chests bulging. I emailed josh and made a few proud mom phone calls.
We were still soaking in the boys euphoria when we noticed the time. It was 5:30 and we needed to leave by 6 to get to betsy’s award ceremony. Oh yeah, she entered a school reflections competition a few months ago. She took a gorgeous picture of some roses and turned it in. She won at her school level, won at the region level, and last night was the district level. We got to the district office and betsy looked so sweet. She admired everyone elses work and then said, “I still think mine will win.”. I told her anything was possible but I didn’t want her to get hurt. We sat down and they began their presentations. They announced that the winners would continue to compete at the state level and after that at the national level. Well, you guessed it, she won!!!!!!! She is off to state!
I just don’t know where these kids get it from. They are amazing! So much brighter and talented than I was at their age. So, I’m done bragging for this entry. Until next time:)
Birthday Girl
January 27, 2009
Betsy turned seven on Sunday.
