Nani Pani to a Hani

That's what I call my Nana...

I was remembering one time telling my Nana that all the prayers I ever prayed in hospital bathrooms (for my Aunt Kathy when she had the twins and for my Nana when she had cancer) were answered in the way that I asked. She said, "Maybe it is because that was when you were your most vulnerable with the Lord--there in the bathroom with your pants down." We both laughed.

My Nana always has the best answers.

She's going to be with Jesus soon. Lucky her...unlucky us.

Henry Update

Henry is doing very well. He had is first doctors appointment after the surgery and got his catheter out...yippee! Henry seems more relaxed and comfortable. He does not have to take any more of his medicine is very happy about that. We have another appointment in 4 weeks to see how things are healing.

We continue to be thankful to the Lord, Dr. Argueso, and our PA (Marilyn, I think) and to all who have prayed and continue to pray for Henry. We also think of Ben Byard, if it wasn't for him, we may have never met our wonderful doctor.

http://www.pediatricurologyaz.com/

1227

With new Arizona liscense and voter registration card in hand, I stood in line at 5:45am. Voter number 1227. I was more than giddy this morning as I walked out of the Moose Lodge. I've never been more proud to be an American.

Henry and Halloween

As a lot of you know, Henry had his surgery on Thursday. He did very well. Everything is fixed and healing well (as far as we can tell). We loved our nurses and PA and of course Dr. Argueso was amazing. The surgery only took an hour and I felt peaceful waiting for the doctor to come out. When I went back to the recovery room after Henry woke up his monkey was dressed as a surgeon--we love the people at St. Joe's! I would have pictures, but Ryan did not want a photo record of the surgery...I can understand.

Thank you for praying, we felt covered. I feel very relieved, it seemed as though I had been holding my breath for the past few months and I can finally exhale. I am thankful for our family and friends who are so faithful to pray and help with Henry during this healing time.

Henry was doing so well that we decided to take him to the Apache Junction Parks and Rec Halloween Carnival. He was very sleepy, but excited to be outside and with his cousins.

My mom's Halloween tradition is to buy enough candy for about 100 trick-or-treaters, but only about 8 show up every year. We don't mind, she always buys the best candy.

My only sadness for Halloween night was not being able to hand out candy with Jodi, a Halloween tradition. Well except for the year Lisa talked me in to shutting off the lights and hiding in the back room, so the trick-or-treaters would not think anyone was home. But Jodi did show up that night and I helped her find all our old candy around the house, mainly the stuff my mom would send for holidays, and hand it out with her.

What is this?

Poor baby Henry. He does not even know what a leaf is.

Thank goodness for my special delivery from a special friend who knows how much I love Oregon in the Fall. I remember seeing the trees turn for the first time. I could not believe the vividness of the colors...so bright and deep...delicous. There is nothing like it. We had this huge tree in the first house I stayed in on Stanley Lane. Oh the memories of raking the leaves and sometimes putting them in the yard debris trash can. Jodi standing on the can trying to get a boyfriend (not really, but I always told her that was what she was trying to do). Sometimes the pile of leaves would stay there up until the spring...all in neat piles on the lawn. The neighbors loved us!

I was really missing it (the leaves and Stanley Lane). I am sure I always will.I proudly took the leaves to school and we did projects that I have been wanting to do, but clearly did not have the resources here in Arizona. I am sure parents are going to ask where I got the leaves, I can't wait to tell them.

Thank you Julie for thinking of me!

Who let the ducks out...who, who, who?

To begin, let's go back. About 8 years ago I was at YL weekend camp for the first time in Oregon. We were at Wildhorse Canyon and it happened to be Civil War weekend, which is the Oregon State Beavers versus the University of Oregon Ducks' big football game. When you move to Oregon one of the first questions is, "Are you a Duck or a Beaver?" We watched the game in the club room that weekend and I decided which ever fans were the least annoying, that is the team I would choose. I sat in the middle and at the end of that game, I choose...drum roll...the BEAVERS! Sorry Duck fans, but I am sure if the Beavers would have won that day, I would have chose the Ducks.

About 6 years later, I married a die hard OSU fan, so I guess I made the right choice in the end.

Fast forward to Saturday Night. At the last minute Ryan bought tickets for 6 of us to go to the ASU-UofO game. We went out to dinner at a yummy Irish Pub and then paid $20--you heard me right $20 to park.

I should have known that the evening was going to be bad when I tripped on the way into the stadium. (See Picture--I tripped on those wheels) Tara tried to keep in her laughter until the guy taking the tickets said, "Oh, everyone trips on that." I did not see anyone else trip on them.

So we all excitedly walk into the stadium, we see a few duck fans and my 2 year old nephew says, "No no ducks!" And so it began. Then we got to our seats and this is what we saw first... And then I sat down and this is what I saw...By this time we were all laughing at our situation and I excitedly took pictures of my Sun Devil family in the midst of Ducks... Little by little as more ASU fans started getting there (also bewildered about their seats) it evened out a bit. As the fireworks went off and the national anthem ended we were excited for the game to begin. We would soon be disappointed as our Sun Devils were playing like a JV Football team. But that is not the story...
Out of the corner of my eye I see a hand going near my brother-in-law. I turn around and see drunk ducks or at least people in green and yellow laughing and acting foolish. I turn back around and a little later my brother-in-law says, "who tapped me." Me and my sister turn around. And again the drunk ducks are laughing. This is where things go up a notch. Tara is wondering if maybe we know them, because why on earth would they be doing this to people they do not know. We are both looking at them like "What the heck?" The guy, who by the way has a ASU shirt on and a duck shirt over his shoulder, says, "It was just a joke." And they all are continuing to act foolish. I say something like, "Well we do not think it is funny" or "we are not laughing." And then Tara gives the girls a you better watch out look and then we both turn around totally annoyed (we were already annoyed enough at the game). Then all of a sudden one of the girls starts shooting off her mouth. Saying, "Well we are from OREGUN." I am instantly embarrassed for my beloved state. And then she starts saying stuff about me and Tara, saying, "Well those A-holes in front of us..." She says it about three times before Tara and I both turn around. The drunk girl duck turns around and looks the other way. Tara taps her and says, "I am confused, are you calling us A-holes." I start to get nervous, but I know Tara can take her and four of her friends (she could, but she wouldn't). Her friend says, "She was talking about the people behind us." Tara's smarter than that, "No, she said in front of you, not behind you. And I am still confused you are mad at us when it was you guys messing with us???? And you are cussing in front of all these kids." We turn back around. She says some more things under her breath and then about 5 minutes later the whole flock of drunk ducks get up and leave. As they are leaving the drunk duck slash Sun Devil tapper guy who started the whole thing, leans over to Tara and says, "I am really sorry, I did not mean for it to get ugly." Tara says, "It is totally okay, everything was fine until your girl started getting rowdy, but it really is okay." And then they flew the coop.

Needless to say I made a good decision 8 years ago.


Here are a few more pics from our eventful night...

At the beginning of the night Wayne tells Zach when he is in college he can sit with all of his friends in the student section. Zach turns to his dad and says, "Dad, I will be playing on the field." Well, okay then. Why is Donald wearing pajamas? Even duck fans were bewildered.

Best part of my night...caramel apple rolled in peanuts and chocolate chips!

Zane is sad the caramel apple is gone

Zach and Ryan are frustrated about the game. Ryan is texting Dean I am sure. Zach is tired of listening to the Duck fight song over and over.

Now, would she hurt a fly? No, but maybe a drunk duck.

Henry's Birthday Weekend Part II

Henry had a great birthday party. Friends and Family all around him...cake, pinata, food...sounds just like my birthday parties when I was little. Enjoy the pictures!

We had to hang the pumpkin pinata upside-down, because he broke, Henry did not care!I made two delicious homemade cakes and I mean sugar and self rising flour homemade. The one in the picture is a carrot cake with baby food carrots and sinfully delicious cream cheese frosting. The other is a Oregon tweaked Texas Sheet Cake with hazelnuts instead of Walnuts...I can still taste it...YUMMY! Yes those are "Barrel of Monkeys" monkeys on the sides of the cake. Tata trying to steal Zane's cake.

Gotta love the Animal Train!
Thanks Langenbachs for letting us use your house!