And a great glove save......

I actually got to go watch Rick play hockey tonight. I used to go all the time (when he played all the time), but now it isn't as easy to go watch him play. He doesn't get a chance to play very often anymore either. The arthritis (spondyloarthropathy) has slowed him down a little bit, but he can still play. He says that it is time to put him down when he can't play anymore. LOL.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I know the pictures aren't that great. It is hard to get pictures in the rink because of the glass and the netting. And I didn't want the flash going off so I had to try to program the camera a little differently. That is just something I am going to have to play around with.

And now for a shameless bragging moment. My husband plays hockey with Mark Rypien. You know THE Mark Rypien. Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. He knows my phone number and calls my house. You know you are cool when the phone rings and your caller id says Mark Rypien. LOL. Mark is a great guy and his foundation, The Rypien Foundation, does great things for our local cancer kids. That is also the name of his hockey team. Yes Mark Rypien now plays hockey.

I had a nice time watching Rick play. They won like 8-2 or something like that. I am glad they won, because when Rick loses he gets very pissy.

Until next time,

Jaime

Our New Water Feature

This afternoon during lunch the girls went running outside. I didn't think anything of it, and then I saw a little water in the road. I stood up and saw the girls walking in a bubbling mess in the front yard. I ran into the front yard and saw water bubbling up from the ground at an alarming rate. There was also a loud rumbling sound coming from underground as well. I got a hold of Rick, who was at drumline, and he said that it was probably a water main break and to call the water company. So that is what I did. Eventually they showed up, but not before probably thousands of gallons of water had run down the street. After a lot of sitting around waiting for the "call before you dig" people to show up, they finally got the water shut off and started digging.





We still have a pile of dirt in our front yard because, after all, today is saturday and they didn't want to work anymore than necessary. They will be back on monday to finish the job. Hopefully they won't turn off the water again until after I have taken my shower monday morning.

So this was just another one of those things that seem to happen to us lately.

Until next time,
Jaime

Soccer Saturday

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We also had some excitement here today. I will post pictures of what happened later.

Until next time,

Jaime

90210 (part 2)

I am officially a fan of the new 90210. I have actually been enjoying watching it every week. Unfortunately I think that Kelly and Brenda are not actually going to be on it forever. It looks like Brenda will only be on four episodes and Kelly signed on to only do a couple more episodes. I was very excited to find out that Dylan is the father of Kelly's son. I wish Dylan would make an appearance on the show, but I don't think that will happen.

If you want to watch a show about spoiled teenagers then this is the show for you. And if not, well, I am still watching. At least these spoiled teenagers dress a little less hideously. Do you remember the spandex, and the overalls with one strap undone? Good golly fashion was bad back then.

Until next time,

Jaime

And their names are.........

Jack

Madylin Ruth

The girls were so excited to meet Madylin. They could hardly wait to hold her. It was so sweet! She is just the sweetest little thing!!!

Until next time,
Jaime

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!!!!

Today was a wonderful day!! My sister BreAnne gave birth to the most beautiful little girl I have seen since my two girls were born.


This is the door that we stood outside of while waiting to meet the newest little member of our family. We were all anxiously looking through the glass for any sign that she had arrived. You can see the doors to the operating room through the window in the door. Everytime we saw that door open we jumped to see if she was coming out to meet us. I am the one that noticed that her daddy was carrying her out the door.

Here she is in the nursery just a little while after she was born. She weighs 7 lbs 2 oz and is 20 inches long. She is so cute and petite.
Here she is in Nana's arms. She is just so pretty!!!

"Hi everyone"
Very Proud Aunt Jaime.
She is so precious.
Big Brother Noah. He was so happy to meet his little sister.
Baby "G" does not have a name yet. I think they were hoping she came out wearing a name tag. She is so sweet and tiny. I could just hold her for hours, but I don't think her mommy is willing to give her up for that long.

BreAnne was having a hard time tonight with headaches and just feeling miserable. Megan and I said a special prayer for her tonight and I hope that you will join me in praying that she starts to feel better and recover quickly so she can enjoy her new beautiful daughter.

BreAnne I want you to know how very proud I am of you! You are such a great mommy and you have such a great family. I am so glad that you are my sister and my friend!! I love you very much!!

Until next time,

Jaime

Big Day!!!

Today my little sister is scheduled for a c-section at 12:30 p.m. I am asking you to please pray for a safe and smooth delivery for her and the baby. I will be at the hospital to see my new little niece. I can't wait to meet her and find out what her name is going to be.

I will post some pictures of her, with permission from her mommy and daddy of course, after I get back from the hospital.

Until next time,
Jaime

ITS A BOY!!!

What's black and white and cute as a button???????????????????

It's our new puppy of course. But don't ask us his name because I haven't decided yet.



He is a four month old Pomapoo. He weighs only 8 pounds. He is part pomeranian, part toy poodle. And he is the sweetest puppy ever. I am so in love already!!!! I hope to get some other really good pictures of him so you can see how adorable he is. Tonight he is a little scared so I only took these two pictures.

Until next time,
Jaime

Soccer Saturday

Until next time,

Jaime

I don't feel good

I was so super tired last night that I went to bed very early. I had a bit of a sore throat before I went to bed but this morning I woke up with a mad sore throat. I have had a headache all day and I am just about ready to crawl back into bed early again. I can't be sick!! I have too much to do to possibly slow down. I feel bad complaining about it though because Rick was way more sick than this last week. And now I am worried that I will pass this on to Rick. As you know he has a low immune system and gets these things so easy. So now I can't kiss my hubby. UGH!!

I am off to bed now. I can't think of anything witty to say tonight, which isn't really any different than any other night.

Until next time,
Jaime

Time for myself???

I decided that after everything we have been through these past couple months, well years really, that it was time that I found someone to talk to. A wonderful psychiatrist was recommended by a friend and so I have been seeing her recently. I am not embarrassed by the fact that I am seeing a psychiatrist. My life is hard to handle sometimes. I think it is important to get an outsiders perspective and advice on how to deal with all of this crap. She has been a big help to me.

My first homework assignment was to get a journal and make an effort to write in it everyday. I write on this blog but writing in the journal I can write uncensored feelings without being judged. It has been fun, yet difficult, at the same time.

My second homework assignment is still unfinished. I am supposed to make time for myself. When she asked me what I do for myself I couldn't think of anything. I am always making sure Rick gets what he needs, and the girls are doing what they are supposed to be doing. I have just kind of fallen between the cracks. After thinking about it I said that I get my haircut every few weeks. Of course she laughed and said that didn't count. So now that I have devoted so much time to everyone else what am I supposed to do for myself? I would love to go out for coffee with someone but I don't have anyone to go with. I do enjoy taking pictures so maybe I will start finding different places around town to take pictures. I could go out after I take the girls to school. I don't know, but I better do it quick because I see her again this wednesday. I hope I come up with a better excuse than "my dog ate my homework". Oh wait, I do have a better excuse: Rick was super sick last week.

One thing struck me during my last appointment. She was talking about the fact that Rick lets me make all the doctor phone calls for him and talk to the nurses or doctors when they call back. She looked me in the eye and asked me if I knew what that meant. I just kinda sat there. She said that Rick trusts me with his life. I never really thought about it that way before. But once she said that it was all I could do to not break down crying right then and there. I asked him about it later that day and he basically said the same thing. Basically he said that his life is in my hands. Now how do I respond to something like that? I love him more than I ever thought possible, but I never really thought about holding his life in my hands. I feel honored that he trusts me that much.

Hopefully I can find some time tomorrow or tuesday to do something for myself. I don't know what it will be but I better hurry up.

Until next time,
Jaime

Soccer Star

Samantha had her first soccer game of the fall this afternoon. She is playing on a team with some of her teammates from her first soccer team from two season's ago. She had a lot of fun and ran really hard. She almost scored a goal as well. Her team won 4-2. Rick is also an assistant coach for the team.

Here are a couple pictures from the first game of the season.





I really enjoy watching her play soccer. She has the perfect build for it with her long legs and lean body. Rick really enjoys helping her team as well. He is really good with the girls.

So look for weekly updates about her soccer games on saturdays through October. It will be a busy fall!!

Until next time,
Jaime

Prayers Needed

Tonight I have another prayer request. Rick's Grandpa Bill is in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg. Grandpa Bill is our hero. In April he was stabbed in the chest while trying to help stop a car prowler. The knife nicked the sack around his heart and he had to have surgery to repair it. He recovered very quickly and earned the title of Hero.

Grandpa Bill is very strong and this is just a minor bump in the road. But we would really appreciate the extra prayers for him for a quick recovery.

Get Well Soon Grandpa Bill. We Love You!!

Until next time,
Jaime

A Little Better

I wanted to let you all know that Rick is starting to feel a little bit better. Whatever it was that he has was really nasty. Since he has such a weak immune system anything that he gets will be very hard on him and yesterday was no exception. I don't know anyone that has ever been that sick before. I feel very bad for him.

Rick has an appointment with an ENT tomorrow afternoon. He has been having another problem that I am certain is related to the liver disease but the doctor's here don't know enough about the PSC. And I think that they think I am researching too much, but it's not from research, it is from other PSC patients that I know. It is frustrating when the doctor's seem to think that if I suggest it then it is wrong. I just want what is best for my husband, and will do whatever it takes to protect him.

It is days like these that make me long for a place like Mayo closer to home.

Thank you all so very much for all of the prayers. It is obvious that there are lots of people that care about Rick and that means so much to me. Thank you thank you thank you.....

Until next time,
Jaime

Please Pray

I am asking for prayers for Rick tonight. He has been very sick all day and we aren't exactly sure what is causing it. With all his medical problems it makes it difficult to know what it is exactly. But for the past week or so there have been a few different problems plaguing him and today it is really bad. Of course I had calls in to his different doctors because the primary doc said to get everybody involved.

I am watching him very closely tonight and we will see how things are in the morning. You know it is bad when he is not going to work.

If it isn't one thing it is another.

I will let you know how he is doing tomorrow.

Until next time,
Jaime

More Childhood Cancer Awareness

Here is a very touching You tube video about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I hope that you will take the time to watch it. Thankfully the Conquer Childhood Cancer Bill was passed and recently signed by President Bush.

Amanda's mom Connie went to Washington DC in June to lobby congress to pass the bill. It is a start but there is so much more that needs to be done to spread awareness and raise funds for research. Click here to see the Candlelighters newsletter that has an article titled Mrs. Bunch Goes to Washington, which tells the story of Connie's trip to DC.

This is just so important to me. I wish there were gold ribbons everywhere. I wish that no more innocent children have to die from cancer. I hope that this video gives you an understanding of what I am so passionate about.

Until next time,

Jaime

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I bet most of you didn't know that. I didn't know that until cancer struck our family. I have posted before about my cousin Amanda that passed away from leukemia in 2006. She was only 18 years old. She was amazing and is my inspiration to tell people about childhood cancer.

The symbol for childhood cancer is the gold ribbon. It is unfortunate that there aren't more gold ribbons on products to bring awareness to childhood cancer. I am not putting down the pink ribbon by any means. But I wish that the gold ribbon was on half the amount of products the pink ribbon is on. Maybe then more people would be aware of the devastating toll cancer takes on the families of these brave children.

Here are some childhood cancer facts that I got from the cure search website:

In the US, cancer remains responsible for more deaths from one year through adolescence than any other disease; more deaths than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined.

Forty-Six children, or two classrooms of students, are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.

Approximately 12,500 are diagnosed with cancer each year.

About one is 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before the age of 20.

The incidence of childhood cancer peaks in the first year of life.

Leukemias, tumors of the brain and nervous system, the lymphatic system, kidneys, bones and muscles are the most common childhood cancers.

1 child out of 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies.

3 out of 5 children suffer from long-term side effects.

The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is six years old; saving the life of a child with cancer gives our children a future; approximately, 66 years of life's milestones and dreams to celebrate.

I plan on doing a couple more posts on this subject because it is so close to my heart. I am very passionate about this because I don't think anyone deserves to feel the pain that losing a child brings. It is heartbreaking.

Until next time,
Jaime

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! (part 2)

I went back to get my tattoo fixed tonight. We added more white and purple. And we added more leaves and green. I am very happy with how it turned out. I was able to tolerate it better this time. That doesn't mean it didn't hurt, because believe me IT HURT. But this time I brought my ipod and cranked up the music. That made it easier to focus on something else, and whenever the pain got bad I just imagined what Rick goes through and dealt with it.

I will see how it heals, but I think this time it pops out more and is more defined. This time it is bleeding more and is more painful to touch. I have to work tomorrow so I am going to have to try to stay off my feet as much as possible so that it doesn't swell up too much.

Remember my "Indecisive" post? Hopefully that won't come back and bite me in the butt again. I am sure that this time I am much happier with how it turned out.

Until next time,
Jaime

Do you Facebook?

Do you Facebook? I am having fun playing with my Facebook account. But I don't have very many friends. I have had a lot of fun adding flairs to my profile. Flairs are buttons that have different sayings or pictures. They remind me of the buttons I used to wear on my jean jacket back in the 80's. If I had more friends that use facebook, and add that application, I could get even more flairs. I know that I am a nerd. It is the little things in life that make me happy.

So if you haven't facebooked yet check it out. And if you join don't forget to let me know so that we can be friends.

Until next time,
Jaime

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. Samantha is now a 3rd grader. Megan is in kindergarten. How is it that they are growing up so fast? I can't believe that Sam is at the ''big" end of the building. She was so excited when she got to school today. She barely said goodbye to us before she ran out the doors to the new playground. Megan was very excited that she finally gets to play on the playground. She was so cute as she sat on the carpet in her classroom right next to her teacher. I cried a little as I left her there. She, however, just smiled and waved at me. I can't believe she is so big now.

I know they have to grow up, but I just want to keep them little. Samantha has been "grown-up" for a while now, but Megan is still "mama's baby". I am going to get over it. It will be fun to watch Megan learn new things. And it will be fun to watch Sam blossom.

I am exhausted tonight. It was a busy day and I had to get up really early. I am going to have to get back in to a routine. I certainly am going to miss getting to sleep in everyday.

Until next time,

Jaime

I don't know

I watched Sarah Palin give her speech tonight. I kinda like her but I don't know what to do. You see my candidate for President didn't make it. And if you are wondering, my choice was not in the same party as Palin, but it was a woman.

So now I am torn. I am not a big fan of Obama. I didn't join the bandwagon and start worshiping him like lots of others have. But as much as I respect John McCain, I don't really want to pick him either.

There really isn't any other option considering anyone else on the ballot isn't going to win anyways. So do I not vote because I can't decide, or do I vote by flipping a coin? This is more of a rhetorical question because I don't want to start a debate on here. But I brought it up because I actually kinda liked Palin. She seems like a strong woman. And you know I think that is what this country needs, a strong WOMAN.

So now I have to actually watch the debates and pay very close attention to the issues. Ugghh!!

Until next time,
Jaime

90210

Did anyone watch the new 90210? I did. It was okay. Probably because I am not in high school. I still enjoy watching reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 and I am going to have all of the ten seasons on DVD when they are all released. I loved watching 90210, it was my favorite show on TV. The series finale aired right after we brought Samantha home from the hospital after she was born. I can't believe it has been off the air for 8 years. I bet that I could answer most any trivia question about the original show.
This new version probably follows what high school is like now. But being that I am in my 30's I wouldn't really know. I might give it a chance but I will have to see how the next episode goes. I am not really into teen dramas but I do get to see Nat, Kelly, and Brenda. That is worth it right there. And besides, I have to know who the father of Kelly's son is.
So I guess I will see how this plays out in order to decide if it is worth watching or not. It did make me want to get out my original 90210 DVD's and watch some old episodes though. Boy I sure do miss Brandon, Brenda, Kelly, Donna, Andrea, Steve, Dylan, and David.

Until next time,
Jaime

P.S. I do know that you all have probably lost a little bit of respect for me now. Yes I know I am a nerd.