Isn't it ironic, don't cha think?

For years, my mom has been complaining about a lymph node in her neck being sore and inflamed.  I blew it off as just allergies.  No big deal.

A month ago, mom noticed a lymph node in her groin that was inflamed.  She said she was headed to the lab to get a biopsy.  I was headed to work for a 12 hour shift and didn't have time to think about it.  Unfortunately, I got a call several hours later that mom had Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Two weeks ago, mom had a PET scan, an MRI, and a bone marrow biopsy.  For two weeks, I couldn't think about anything else but the results of those tests.

Today, I found out mom has Stage IV B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Stage IV.  Wow.  How could such a healthy, young, gorgeous woman have Stage IV anything??  The cancer has spread to all of her lymph nodes, her spleen, and her bone marrow.  Wow.

I dare you to guess her age

And, yet, I find myself thankful for the diagnosis.  Because my mom has taken such good care of herself and looks so young (how many times have we been asked if we are sisters??), I took for granted the fact that she would live to be 100.  If anything, my mom looks healthier and younger than she did 20 years ago.  So, this wake-up call has been a blessing in some ways. 

After all, how many of us really stop to tell each other how much we appreciate them?  How the fact that they taught Girl Scouts in 1983 still means so much 30 years later?  How seeing them snuggle with your children means more than the world?  

Mimi "scratching" Haley's back with a brush

The word ironic continues to pop in my head.  It's ironic that my mom's dad, Grandpa Walt, lived to be 79 after a lifetime of smoking, drinking, swearing, and bacon-grease loving.  My mom, who NEVER smokes, hardly EVER drinks, NEVER swears, and ALWAYS throws out her bacon grease, is 61.  A cancer diagnosis is quite ironic.

It's also ironic that if there is any stage IV cancer you want to be sentenced with,  non-Hodgkins lymphoma might just be the one you would pick.  It seems to be just like any other chronic disease you live with.  You get a few rounds of chemotherapy every few months, and then go on with your life.  And, the chemo used is an antibody that attacks only the cancer cells.  Losing your hair, throwing up your toenails, and spending days in bed are highly unlikely.  

And, I find it ironic that cancer has stricken our family at all.  Sure, my dad had some kind of malignant skin cancer removed.  And, Grandpa Walt underwent radiation for his prostate cancer.  But, all in all, my entire family has dodged the cancer bullet. We could only avoid it for so long I guess.  Alzheimer's disease has run rampant in my family tree.  Other than that, we've been a fairly heathy bunch.  Until now.  

Two weeks from now, mom will start chemo.  I'm guessing waiting on test results will be the story of our lives from now on.  In the meantime, I'll be praying for healing and reminding loved ones how much they mean to me. 

A good time was had by all

This past weekend, we went to Bryon's 20th high school reunion in Santa Fe, NM.  The quick trip turned into quite the learning experience for us all.  The girls had a blast with the grandparents, while Bryon and I enjoyed playing "tourist" and catching up with old friends.

Even though he grew up there, Bryon hadn't seen many of the tourist spots.  We were both in for a total shock upon arrival to set up at the Scottish Rite Temple, aka the "Pink Church".

What secrets lie within?

Every high school gathering back in the '90's involved the instructions, "meet at the pink church."  Prom night after-party?  Meet at the pink church for further directions.  Skipping out on swim practice to go hiking?  Meet at the pink church at high noon.  You get the idea.  

The funny thing was that he and his classmates had never been inside until this reunion.  Who knew there was such beauty housed in the temple?  The theater took my breath away, and the chandeliers looked like they belonged in a European church rather than a Southwestern fraternal building.  Now that the building is open to tours and can be rented for parties, this place has made it on our Must See list for Santa Fe.  

Most beautiful backdrop ever

While we were busy playing tourist, the girls were staying with Bryon's parents in Los Lunas.  Grandma and Grandpa Birdie had all kinds of fun stuff to keep our girls entertained.  Grandpa had a coconut for the girls to crack open and taste. 

He is one brave soul

Fresh coconut milk

Just like an island girl

Grandma and Grandpa also pulled out the tractor and Big Wheels in an attempt to burn energy.

Watch out Nascar!  Here come the Pfaffs.

Caution:  Student Driver

We all met up in Santa Fe at the Childrens' Museum for family day at the class reunion.  For years, we had been trying to find Haley's "money", my mom's word for what makes a person tick.  My money would be dessert.  Bryon's money would be engines.  Shelby's money would be unicorns.  PacMan's money would be dots.  You get the idea!  I've never seen so much joy in Haley's face as when I turned her loose with the face painting crayons.  

Really, Mom?  I get to use as much as I want?

Such concentration in the mirror

Pure joy!

Another classic Haley pose

Bryon also got a chance to go up in the plane his dad recently completed.  The flying experience was a thrill for him, as his dad even let him control it for a split second once they got up in the air.  Will anyone be surprised when one of our girls grows up to be an engineer??

We decided to drive out to New Mexico this trip (Hello, Southwest Airlines, what ever happened to the Wanna Get Away prices??).  I was pleasantly surprised at how grown up the girls were in the car.   We weren't totally exhausted and ready to choke each other by the time we got home.  I think I've got this parenting gig figured out!  

Shelby having fun in the car

The tech gods smiled on us!

Webster's Additions Part 2

More additions to the Pfaff Webster's Dictionary, as vocalized in our household:

Pawn•Ish noun and verb

1.  Paint used to beautify one's toenails or fingernails.

2.  The act of applying color to finger or toenails.

Example:  Mom needed the kids to calm down, so she suggested they sit VERY still while she pawnished their toenails a lovely shade of pink.  

Origin:  Early Haley English

Pretty pink pawnish

Hoo•Wah Hoop noun and verb
1.  A round toy one twirls on one's hips
2.  The act of twirling a hoop around and around one's body
Example:  Shelby became quite good at hoowah hooping, much to her mother's amazement.
Origin:  21st Century Shelby English

Gru•Ined adjective and verb
1. Describing something that has been destroyed.  Similar to ruined, only worse.
2.  Breaking, mutilating, or destroying something of value, rendering it worthless
Example:  Haley snuck into the kitchen while mom was enjoying a quiet bath and gruined her birthday cake. 
Origin: Shelby English, usually said in a whiny voice.  "Haley just GRUINED my _____!"  (fill in the blank)

A gruined birthday cake

Min•gos noun
Pink birds that tend to stand on one leg.
Example:  Upon seeing the mingos at the zoo, the girls trying standing on one leg to imitate the funny birds.
Origin:  Early Shelby and Haley English

Look at me!  I'm a mingo!

Mama's birthday

For my 39th birthday, my sweet hubby grilled me a yummy steak and whipped up a red velvet cake.  It was quite lovely.  The girls even let me enjoy a quiet bath afterwards.

But, as I learned 4 years ago, never trust a quiet house...

Any guesses who the guilty party was destroying my cake?  

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly to OUR Home

Our homeowners' association recently had a Ladybug release at a local park.   We had a little time to kill, so I took the girls.  This event is going on our "Must-Not-Miss" list of events from now on!

Shelby on the slide

Haley on the slide

Chasing the ladybug kite

After chasing the kite and playing on the bounce house slide, the MILLIONS of bugs were released.  Each kid was given a ladybug catcher to take them home, with the idea that Valley Ranch will be covered in aphid-eating ladybugs all summer.

Just a small example of the millions of ladybugs released

Haley feeling apprehensive about all the ladybugs

Shelby trying the blow-the-bug-in-the-cup technique

After catching as many ladybugs as possible (and even killing a few after they attacked my camera lens), the balloon freak twister made a butterfly and puppy dog for the girls.  He was FULL of all kinds of lame jokes that Shelby found more frustrating than funny.

Bugs + balloon = happy Shelby

Haley holding onto her dog balloon for dear life

and showing it off a tiny bit

My Little Shelby

For months, Shelby was telling everyone we saw her birthday was going to be June the 8th at Chuck E. Cheese.  Everyone in her class, in line at the grocery store, at the park, and even at the dentist was invited.  (Something tells me she's an extrovert just like her mom!)  Not being the biggest fan of Chuck's, I was trying my hardest to find another place as awesome as she perceived the Mouse House to be.  

Finally, we visited Aquatots just to look around and see if it was an acceptable place for her to host the hundreds of people she had invited.  Bingo!  She loved the idea of a swim party.  Plus, they do everything a party needs to be a success in the eyes of a 5-year-old:  cake with oodles of blue icing, indoor pool you have to yourself, Cheetos and Capri Suns, lifeguards playing games with the kids, and even the required bags of crap party favors.  I didn't even have to clean up.  Talk about BINGO!!  

Could she be any happier?

Look at me!  I'm 5!

Haley was less than thrilled that I wasn't taking pictures of her.

The camera loves Haley.  And Haley loves the camera (as long as it is pointed towards her).

Bryon and Josh discussing the joys of parenthood

The birthday girl riding the rapids

Ava Pie, Shelby Sparkle, and Dany Dash

 Shelby has become obsessed with My Little Pony in the past few months.  Not wanting to disappoint our filly, I let her run with the pony theme.  We stumbled upon these printable party hats, and Shelby begged to make some for her party.  We had lots of fun coloring, glueing, and inspecting the hats, and Shelby couldn't wait to show them to all her friends.

Can you tell which ones Mom colored?

The Ponyville population ready for their sugar cubes!

Look closely and you will Twinkle Sparkle and Rarity hanging out on the beach cake.  I'm wondering what happened to Princess Chardonnay...

Shelby's blue eyes match the icing.  Scary!

Shelby, you are growing up to be such a sweet and caring girl.  We love your willingness to please us and your ever-inquisitive questions.  You are so brave that you even held a snake this morning!  Please don't ever lose your sweet spirit, your unlimited supply of kisses for mom and dad, your love of learning, or your fearless view of the world.  And, please don't ask to go to Chuck E. Cheese next year!

Fast Learners

Our yard is embarrassing.  It is full of any kind of weed known to man.  Although I enjoy pulling those pesky weeds, it has gotten out of control, in particular these tiny trees that are easy to pull.  Taking advantage of the "helping" hands around my house, I told the girls I would pay them 1 penny per weed.  Shelby quickly grabbed some paper to chart her work.

After about 5 minutes, both girls were "exhausted" from all their weed pulling.  Shelby informed me she pulled 10 weeds and wanted her pennies.  When I tried to explain that she could get a whole dime for her wages, she said she wanted a dollar instead.  After learning she had to pull 100 weeds for the dollar, she declared, "Well, I'll just ask Grandma Birdie for one!" 

Yep, forget working for her money.  My girl will just call Grandma!!

Shelby and Grandma Birdie

And, then there was Haley.  That girl LOVES chocolate.  One night, after being told she couldn't have another chocolate chip cookie, she declared that she would just go to Mimi's house.  For the record, my mom (mimi) loves chocolate as much as the rest of us.  She always has chocolate-covered somethings in her house:  almonds, cherries, pecans, and recently acai berries.  Of course, the acai berries were only stashed for the antioxidants contained in the berry and NOT for the dark chocolate goodness surrounding them.  We like the way you think, Mimi!

Mimi, Mr. Monk, and Haley