Putting things into perspective.....

A member of my Moms Club received the devastating news last week that she only had between 2 weeks and 2 months to live. She was supposed to begin chemotherapy but learned that her liver cancer which was believed to have been contained and removed had spread to her kidneys, ovaries and lymph nodes. She is very weak and the cancer is too aggressive so chemotherapy is no longer an option. She is now home with a pain management program and Hospice. My heart has been breaking for her. Colleen has 2 small children, a 5 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. How does a mom say goodbye to her children??? To know that she won't see her daughter go off to kindergarten next year, she won't wish them a happy birthday ever again or see another Christmas. Colleen has been very kind to my family in the past- bringing us a meal when we needed one and handing down some clothes to Emma. I can vividly remember many times when I've bumped into Colleen around town, either sledding or at the pediatrician's office, and stopped to chat with her. Our kids have played together at playgroups. And now, at only 40 years old, her life is almost over and her children will be lucky if they even have memories of her when they grow up.

I wrote a grant request to the National Moms Club organization last night requesting money be given to the family to help her husband with living expenses so he can stay home and help his kids deal with the tremendous loss of their mom and to assist with grief counseling. But money cannot replace a mother's love and advice and smiles and hugs and kisses. It' s just not fair. I have tears streaming down my face as I write this. The thought of it breaks my heart.

Over the last few days, I have found myself dropping everything to play with Ethan, Kaitlyn and Kylie whenever they ask. Laundry and dishes can wait..... I'm sure I'll fall back into a routine of telling the kids to play on their while Mommy does her daily chores but right now I need to be by their sides because you just never know what life has in store for us. Every moment is precious. No mother should ever have to say goodbye to her babies.

She's 1!

It's so hard to believe that our little baby girl just turned 1..... Where does the time go? I remember so vividly lying in the hospital with Emma on my chest when she was only a couple hours old, the kids (especially Kaitlyn) running into the hospital room to meet her, bringing her home, spending nights during her first few months curled up in the double bed in her room with her snuggling by my side. These memories are so sweet and precious to me just like she is. Emma is such a joy. We call her our little "Bungo" because she loves to cling on to us and just walk around in our arms.

A picture of Emma earlier in the day:



After getting home from having her 1 year Pictures Taken at Molly's:



Playing with her 1st Bday present:





We had a fun time celebrating Emma's first birthday. On September 26th- her actual birthday- she was a bit grouchy during dinner due to teething and exhaustion but she managed to make it to her Birthday song and chocolate cupcake. Ethan, Kaitlyn & Kylie were so excited to get to sing to her :)



The next day, we had our family and friend party. It's always such a special time when we can get all of our relatives and some of our close friends in one house. JP and I always talk about how much we miss our pre-children friends since we have been the only ones with kids for quite some time. We were especially happy that Dave (or Uncle Davey as the kids call him) was able to come since he's been in Arizona for all the birthdays in the past. We were also really happy to Nana Perrault with us!







The kids patiently waiting for their cake:







Opening & Playing with Presents:











The Birthday Girl with Nana Perrault: