Marley is HUGE!

Marley has grown SO much! She is not quite 3 months old. Here she is at 6 weeks:




today:

She is such a sweet dog. Samantha is outside playing with her now.

Sam had her first rehearsal for the ice show tonight. They are doing a production of The Wizard of Oz. Her class are going to be scarecrows. She is by far the smallest in her group & the slowest on the ice. She looked like she was having fun though. Will try to get some pictures at the next class.

Lori

Monsters vs. Aliens

I was feeling brave today & took Sam & 3 of her cousins to see Monsters vs. Aliens. Brave(?) or have I lost my *)@#% mind??? It was Monsters vs Aliens in the car before we ever got to the theater. Once they settled down (read: threats sunk in) they did enjoy the movie. Now we're home & I am hoping to relax a bit before starting another new week tomorrow. Since so many kids are here, I've decided to not drink my wine straight from the bottle......

March 27

2008

Counting days......

I've always been one to mark anniversaries. I've celebrated milestones and tried to find joy in each day, especially with my children. Today is an anniversary of sorts. I won't recap what I put on Cameron's caringbridge today. It was 6 years ago that I started counting our lives in terms of days. Days of chemo, days since chemo, days of remission, days until transplant, days past transplant, days since Cameron has been gone (147). I wonder if that will ever stop?




Celebrating one year post diagnosis:



March 25, 2005:

March 25, 2006:

March 25, 2008:

Somehow I missed 2007 which is unlike me. Maybe I just don't have a digital picture.

Thanks for your continued thoughts & prayers.

Lori

Lethargic

I have been feeling a bit lethargic lately. Simply exhausted at times. It's not like I am engaging in strenuous activity, just trying to get through daily life. It feels harder this week than it has in a couple of months. I don't really know why. Hoping to snap back soon & get back in the swing of things.


March 22, 2008:

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Another J5 kid has relapsed. Please keep our friend Ryan & his family in your prayers. http://www.teamsalmons.com/

*************

Lori

Been a busy week.....

Nothing spectactular, just regular busy. Had 2 days of meetings in Columbus. I do not do well in long meetings. My attention span for those types of things is about 30 minutes. Needless to say, I found those days particularly painful.

I was able to deliever the games to Mary, the rec therapist at Children's on Thursday. I ran over during my lunch break. I hope the games will be well used. It was nice to see Mary again. She had typed some of her favorite memories of Cam. I have added those to the journals. She also printed 3 pictures of her & Cameron playing games in his room. You could tell he was having a good time with her - he was laughing so hard. I miss that beautiful smile.

I recently found 2 articles from the Athens Messenger (2003 and 2007) when Cameron collected playstation games for the unit. It was initially his idea. We tried to get at least 30 games together every fall. I plan to continue this tradition or at least a slight variance of it. I asked Mary for a wish list. I imagine that it could include board games, card games, and craft items as well. I think Cam would be proud.

Marley is really growing. She is still very sweet. This morning, Samantha took out her guitar and stool and sang Marley some songs. It was very cute. I hope our neighbors enjoyed it.

Samantha lost a 2nd tooth!

She was so freaked out by her loose tooth. The first one she lost was never really "loose" it just flew out one morning. This one was all wiggly & loose. She cried, hid under the table & refused to eat. Fortunately, it came out on its own.




An update picture of Marley. We didn't get around to painting the dog house this weekend. Sam wants it to be pink & maybe some glitter.

Happy Birthday Ian

Cameron's cousin and best friend Ian is 14 today!



July 2008 - what they did most: dueling laptops on Runescape.




Ian & Sam - July 4, 2005

July 2007 @ Copperheads game:

Joint birthday party March 2006:

Christmas 2006.

Happy Birthday Sweet Cameron

My baby boy is 10 today.


March 3, 2004:



March 3, 2005:

March 3, 2006:

March 3, 2007:

March 3, 2008:

I don't have digital pictures before 2004 & I've never taken the time to scan them in.

"This is the best vacation ever...."

"it's even better than the Ronald McDonald House!"

So, Samantha sets the bar low with entertainment.

We started Sunday having lunch with our friend Kim. Samantha loves her so much, says she wants to be just like Kim when she grows up.

Next, we checked in the hotel, had about 45 minutes to waste before heading off to Disney on Ice.

Arrived at Nationwide Arena in plenty of time. Got some treats and a program, then down to our seats. We had a nice view. The show was "Adventures in Disneyland," a story about The Incredibles & their trip to Disneyland.

Here is Sam reading the program:




She got nervous for Mickey & Minnie after "Syndrome" took them as prisoners:




But, Mickey & Minnie made it out just fine with a little help from their friends.



Sam waving bye to the characters as they left the ice. She got the "Dash" mask with her cotton candy.

Excitedly telling Grandpa Pete all about the show.

This morning, we went to Build-A-Bear where she made a puppy (go figure!). We then did some shopping, had lunch & headed home. She selpt the whole way.

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Reminder: We're going to meet at Red Brick in Athens at 6-ish on Tuesday March 3 for Cameron's birthday celebration. Everyone is invited to join us at Cameron's favorite restaurant & for his favorite meal - hot wings.

If you are coming, we ask that you bring either a picture or a special memory (or both) of Cameron. I will also have the journals available for you to write your memories in.

If you unable to come, please send your pictures & memories by mail to our home address.

If you want to buy a gift, please consider a Wii or Playstation game that we will donate to J5 in Cameron's honor.

Samantha's big day

She was up bright & early this morning, too excited to sleep in. We are leaving soon for Columbus. We'll start with lunch with "the real Kim" who was Cameron's favorite nurse & has really become a part of our family. Later this afternoon, we'll be enjoying "Disney on Ice." Then,
off to a hotel. Tomorrow: Build-a-Bear Workshop. Will be taking (& sharing) lots of photos.


*************



We're going to meet at Red Brick in Athens at 6-ish on Tuesday March 3 for Cameron's birthday celebration. Everyone is invited to join us at Cameron's favorite restaurant & for his favorite meal - hot wings.

If you are coming, we ask that you bring either a picture or a special memory (or both) of Cameron. I will also have the journals available for you to write your memories in.

If you unable to come, please send your pictures & memories by mail to our home address.

If you want to buy a gift, please consider a Wii or Playstation game that we will donate to J5 in Cameron's honor.