cancer, cancer, went away

That's right, you read it correctly! I accompanied Doug's mom to the oncologist last Friday to hear the fantastic news that she is cancer free right now following her latest round of chemo. She has to have blood work done next week to make sure her white blood cell count and hemoglobin levels are rising. Then she's free from all oncology talk or docs until she has a check-up CT scan in late November! Prayers are definitely answered. Her hair is slowly coming in and I like to tease her that it might grow in in a radical new color or texture. I think a curly red or blond would be interesting and definitely make her stand how against all the brunette headed family around her!

life dream fulfilled

One life dream fulfilled, many, many more to go.

Doug had one of his life dreams fulfilled yesterday as he and Tim trekked down to Norman, OK to watch their beloved Sooners win a home football game. Doug and Tim have seen the Sooners play before, but never at home in Norman with 85,158 screaming fans.

Needless to say, Doug was just a teensy bit thrilled!! :)

As Doug is proud to announce repeatedly today, this win propelled HIS Sooners to a number 1 ranking in the AP Poll.

Boomer Sooner!!

Jensen Riley Livesay

Here he is in all his pre-natal glory.

Jensen Riley Livesay is set to arrive sometime on December 26, 2008.

To me (Sarah), he looks like a mix of Caden and Tegan, which I guess is good because he's Tegan's brother and Caden's cousin. Isn't he cute??

Caden prays

Caden scolded us one night this week for not praying properly before dinner. Apparently, they pray before lunch every day at school, which Doug and I like very much, but didn't know until this week. Evidently, Doug and I do not fold our hands correctly when we pray as Caden had to demonstrate for us 3 times how to do it properly which I might add is exactly the way Doug and I both folded our hands the first time. He's been very interested in prayer this week. He scolded me again this morning because I forgot to pray with him last night before going to bed. So as we're laying him down tonight, he reminds us to pray. We start by asking him what he wants to pray about. His response, nearly knocked us over ... Johnny Appleseed because I know for a fact that Doug and I have NEVER talked to Caden about Johnny Appleseed. So how does he know who Johnny Appleseed is?? I'm guessing preschool, but again I'm not sure because this week's theme was dinosaurs not apples.

Here's Caden's Johnny Appleseed prayer (which you may remember from your childhood or from your own children).

The Lord's been good to me.
And so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need.
The sun, the rain, and the apple seed.
The Lord's been good to me.

Caden surprises us everyday with things he knows and says. Today was no exception. FYI Johnny Appleseed day is September 26. This year Johnny Appleseed would be celebrating his 234th birthday.

Weekend Update

Not only is this the title of one of my favorite segments on Saturday Night Live, but it's also what this post is about.

Friday night: In the midst of all the rain, Doug and I left Caden with Cane Papa and Grandma (my parents) and headed to Wichita for dinner and some shopping. We ate at Carrabba's (YUMMY!). Then we went shopping at Gordmans to get some home decorating ideas. Next we were off to Target where the main goal was to find Caden some pants that were long enough (4T),but also had an adjustable waist. Caden's hardly skinny, but it seems he's been longer than wider since he was about 18 months old (Before that we was a chunky monkey!) and we sometimes have a difficult time finding pants tat are long enough that he can keep up without a belt (which he hates wearing!) We succeeded in finding 3 pairs of pants we liked plus a new hooded sweatshirt. We also splurged on our boy child (which we rarely do) and bought him a Mr. Potato Head which was coveted by his mommy. I never had one growing up and this fact combined with many others about my childhood leaves my husband thinking I was seriously deprived as a kid. But, as the depraved, I didn't usually know what I was missing, so it didn't bother me much. Caden had fun with Papa and Grandma eating pizza for dinner, popcorn for a late snack, and playing computer games and watching forbidden TV with Papa.

Saturday A.M.: Doug started his new part time job at Sand Creek Station Golf Course. Due to all the rain last week, his morning was wet and required some back-breaking hard labor, which mister manager in his office all day wasn't exactly accustomed to. Daddy brought us lunch which we polished off and then we all headed for long naps. I slept for 3 hours and Caden pushed 4. After dinner we watched OU pummel Washington, 55-14.

Sunday: We cleaned house, folded laundry, and I did school work.

All in all a good, relaxing weekend.

Top Ten

I thought I'd start making some top 10 lists as part of my blog entries. Today's top 10 is inspired by the unseasonably cool, cloudy weather.

Top Ten Things I Love about Fall (in no particular order)

10. football (high school and college)

9. smell of chimneys

8. Thanksgiving

7. Taste of Newton

6. sweaters/sweatshirts

5. return of chicken tortilla soup and chili to our dinner menus

4. Halloween/trick-or-treating

3. changing colors of the leaves

2. weather

1. birthdays: 7 important birthdays from September 22 to November 18 including: Doug's dad; Tim; Doug's mom; Shannon (Caden's godmother); Caden; and me

Friday Family Fun

Last night Doug decided we were heading out to the Sports Bar for dinner. Before dinner we stopped at the Golf USA store which is one of Doug and Caden's favorite places. Doug checked to see if his clubs could be lengthened. His clubs are about 2 inches too short right now, so he's playing bent over too far to compensate. Caden and I had a good time practicing our putting skills while we waited for Daddy. After dinner, we headed to Braums for ice cream cones. Once we were home Caden enjoyed staying up past his bedtime watching golf on TV with Doug while I read (finished The Notebook and started The Wedding, both by Nicholas Sparks who is becoming one of my favorite authors!). It was a relaxing way to end the work/school week. Today, of course, we're headed for a college football marathon (at least for Doug and Caden). Doug is looking forward to finally getting to watch the Sooners on TV. I'll watch OU with them, but then probably try to catch up on some more school work since that pesky to do list never seems to stop growing! Go Sooners and Jayhawks!! Sorry Wildcat fans ~ though purple is my favorite color; this house (as evidenced by the memorabilia we've collected already and the dreams Doug has for much, much more) bleeds crimson and cream during football season!