Our Baby is a Teenager

I have had a whole year to come to grips with the reality that Caitlin would become a teenager this year. Somehow it still feels unbelievable.

13 things about Caitlin

1. She has a good heart
2. She’s optimistic. Even with the challenges she faces, she always believes she can do whatever it is she has her mind set on
3. She is finding her way in junior high and has adjusted better than I expected
4. She is funny
5. She loves sour candy
6. She loves being involved in Young Women and thinks her leaders are the best ever
7. She’s learning to play the cello
8. She’s a good friend
9. She has started babysitting for neighbors
10. She loves owls
11. She loves Broadway plays and music
12. She has a strong desire to do what is right
13. She is loved and adored by her family

Happy birthday sweet girl. We sure love you.

Photos by the talented (and fun) April Bladh

Team Birthday Girl

It’s time again to help our favorite support group HopeKids. We love this group and are so grateful for all they do for us. The Executive Director, C.R., his wife, Amy, their family, and countless volunteers work tirelessly to provide fun and meaningful activities of every kind. This gives the kids and their families something to look forward to, and an opportunity to spend time with other families who understand what they are going through. We joined HopeKids three years ago when they were new to our area. We were the 32nd family to join, there are now 411 families, all affected by cancer or another life threatening illnesses.

We would love to invite our family and friends to join Team Birthday Girl (the 5K will be held on Caitlin’s 13th birthday) and donate what you feel comfortable with. You can be assured that your donation is well used and much appreciated.

HopeKids Fundraiser

15 Things About this Week

1. We went out for Mexican food and a movie for Labor Day (after working all day). Paprika on the chips and salsa that was too hot, average food, and a dumb movie…. kind of a let down
2. Team breakfast and work meeting for me
3. Caleb joined the National Honor Society, the Drama club, and HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)
4. I went to the temple with my Young Women
5. Cleaned the kitchen, bathrooms, our closet, and my purse
6. Caitlin had her birthday pictures taken
7. Caleb got  a date for the Homecoming Dance
8. I got a pedicure and went to a fun boutique with my friend
9. Planned Caitlin’s friend birthday party
10. The kids participated in the Youth Day of Service. Caitlin collected canned food and Caleb donated blood
11. We went to the Dew Tour. Missed the skateboarding, but got to see the BMX competition. It was awesome
12. Clint signed up for a Dutch oven cooking class
13. Daisy got a haircut
14. We bought Caleb another suit. This one is black and is for acappella (and Homecoming because his date’s dress is black)
15. I got a fun package in the mail

Family Clown

Caitlin cracks me up and it’s a good thing lately because I have been sick and grumpy.

Me: I hope when you grow up and become a child life specialist you will work at one of the hospitals near our home, have your own cute little family and house, but visit me all the time.

Caitlin: How do you know I won’t live in Milwaukee?

Me: Do you know where Milwaukee is?

Caitlin: No idea.

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Caitlin taking  a drink of Diet Coke: Oh! It stingles!

Me: Stingles?

Caitlin: You know, when soda stings and tickles going down your throat?

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Caitlin while reading: What is goo-fed?

Me: Do you mean goofed, like messed up?

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Today I dragged myself out of bed to help Caitlin with her hair. I notice she’s wearing a long sleeve, pink and navy thermal shirt. What I don’t notice is she’s also wearing gray pants. In my defense it’s early, she leaves the house at 7:15 A.M.! When I ask her about her choice of clothes, she tells me her classes are all cold, so that’s why she chose the warm shirt and the gray pants are soft and comfy. Yeah, I let her keep the shirt (she’ll be regretting that choice come noon) and made her change into jeans.

First Week of School

The first week of school is officially over and I’m happy to report both kids survived just fine.

Caitlin has a great attitude about school and her anxiety has been minimal. One of my Young Women in the 9th grade has been looking out for her and saves her a seat on the bus every day. She’s been asked in almost every class if she’s “Caleb’s little sister” and has managed the halls, opening her locker, and getting to class on time . She loves school lunch (especially the sandwiches), her CTE class, and the school psychologist, “Bear”. She does not like the swearing in the halls or her Language Arts teacher. I took Caitlin to Back to School night on Thursday and we met with each of her teachers. I was so happy to see how well she knows the layout of the school already and can find her classes (even out of order).

For as well as Caleb does in school, he doesn’t like it (or at least loves to give that impression). He acts so chill about everything and never makes a big deal about anything. He has a difficult class schedule again this year with advanced and AP classes. He came home on Friday and informed us that he had “asserted his dominance in choir”. We had no idea what that meant and were a little nervous. Turns out he beat out the other bass voices and officially has the lowest male voice in his acappella choir. We’ve been letting him drive to school and he seems to like that freedom.

I was sad to see summer break come to an end, but it’s been good to get back into a routine. This year, with both kids in the upper grades, made me grateful we only have two kids. I can’t believe all the money in fees, school supplies, instrument rental, etc. we’ve paid and papers we’ve filled out. Ugh!

September is Childhood Cancer Month

Then:

Now:

Did you know?

• Each day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.
• Each year in the U.S., approximately 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. That’s the equivalent of two average size classrooms diagnosed each school day.
• One in every 330 Americans develops cancer before the age of 20
• On the average, one in every four elementary schools has a child with cancer. The average high school has two students who are current or former cancer patients.
• Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the United States. 35% of children cancer patients will die.
• The causes of most childhood cancers are unknown. At present, childhood cancer cannot be prevented.
• Childhood cancer occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographical region.
• Among ethnic groups, white children are most likely  to develop cancer.
• In the United States, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years.
• When cancer strikes children and young adults it affects them differently than it would an adult.
• Today, nearly 80% of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors and the majority of them are considered cured. That is up from approximately 58% from 20 years ago.
• Despite these facts, childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.