Welcome Swimmy!!!

After the tragic death of the short-lived Fin, we have taken Tyler to our local Pet Smart and purchased a Betta fish that Tyler named Swimmy.

Welcome Swimmy to the Yancey home!!! Beware of Doc the cat!

The Life (and Death) of Fin

When I went to Relay this weekend, I took Tyler, as I usually do. He and I always have a lot of fun and it is a good way that I can introduce him into my work life a little bit, so he knows what Mommy does when asked.

At Relay there are always a lot of things for kids to do. Games, activities, you name it, it is there. Tyler played many games, but his favorite by far, was one that you throw balls in a goldfish bowl and win a fish. Of course, every kid that plays, receives a fish.

Well, Tyler did win. A little, itty, bitty, goldfish that he named Fin. I liked Ed better, but he insisted that it would be Fin. So Fin it was.

We made sure Daddy had a fish bowl ready when we got home that night, and we introduced Fin to his new home. Tyler kissed the bowl and said goodnight to Fin.

The next morning Fin didn't look to good. When Tyler woke up he ran out and said, "Looks like Fin likes to look at the bottom of the bowl." A little later he said, "Mom, he still is looking at the bottom," and finally "Mom, I think he is dead, can we flush him down the toilet?"

So, we had a small little prayer for our friend Fin as we proceeded to flush him. I actually think I had a small tear as Tyler said, "Go to the fishbowl in Heaven Fin. See you later."

If I Didn't Have Bad Luck, I Wouldn't Have Any

Last night Tyler went to his friends house for a birthday party and to spend the night.
Shawn decided that we should go on a date (though we still had Joshy) and took me out to dinner.

I got food poisoning and was sick all night long. Does this sort of thing happen to anyone else, or am I the only one?

American Cancer Society Relay For Life

I have to tell you, I work for one of, if not the best organizations...The American Cancer Society. Last night, I was once again reminded of that, as I attended two of the Society's Relays For Life.

Relay For Life, an overnight celebration of life and survivorship, brings a community together to fight this disease that touches so many people. Every dollar raised goes toward fighting cancer in four main ways: research, education, advocacy and patient services.

One of the really wonderful pieces of the Relay For Life program is the Survivors Lap, which kicks off the event. Each cancer survivor is introduced and all survivors complete the first lap around the track before being joined by the other participants. It’s a really nice way for us to keep in mind why we participate in Relay For Life.

I took Tyler with me to the two events, which was wonderful. He really, over the last couple of years, looks forward to attending these events. He went around with me, meeting team captains, volunteers and most importantly survivors. And they were survivors of ALL ages.

In particular, there was one girl (I say girl as she is younger than I am,) that really touched me, and helped me to remember, as I have recently had some tough times at work, why I do this, why I Relay.

Her name is Sarah, and she is a 24 years old. Last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and at such a young age. More importantly, and a key point to this story, is that she was one month pregnant.

Being told that she needed to have treatment immediately, and the chemo/radiation could hurt the fetus, she had a horrible decision to make.

She did, though, choose to turn to her faith and to God, to give her direction and strength. She decided to have what she could removed, but to hold off on any follow up as she wanted to protect this little baby, forgoing her health.

Well, I am here to tell you, that Sarah is fine, and her beautiful baby boy is 10 weeks old, and the words she said to me, I will never forget, "My baby and I are living proof that there is hope."

I love what I do. I love the people I meet. I love the stories I am told. I love the impact they have on my life and the impact, we, as the American Cancer Society, have on their lives.

I have to share that this past week, I had to travel out of state for a work meeting.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a high anxiety person anyways (reason for my Lexapro,) but I become even more anxious just thinking about having to fly.

It is not the necessarily the flying, it is more like the taking off and landing. In the air, I am just fine, but during the take off and landings, though I take an Adavan or Xanax, doctor prescribed I might add, prior to flight, I am still a nervouswreck.

I have to admit, this time flying back and forth, I have had very nice, and understanding people with me, that don't laugh, or get angry or even ask to change seats...even when I grab onto their jackets.

You would think I would stop flying and only drive to places, but who has time anymore?

It's A Great Day To Be Alive...

"And it's a great day to be alive,

I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes.

There's some hard times in the neigborhood,

But why can't every day be just this good?"

- Travis Tritt

Have you ever had one of those days with your children and you just new it would be a day that they never would forget? Today was one for us with Tyler, and it is a day that I know that I will never forget.

Shawn and I taught Tyler how to ride his bicycle without training wheels!!! It took both of us, but we did it...actually, Tyler did it with some help from Mom and Dad.

I have to share this because I know Shawn was proud of Tyler (and himself) of getting Ty to ride, but I have to admit, my part in all of this made me feel great.

Ty decided today he wanted to learn how to ride his bike though he was so scared to try to ride without his training wheels. He actually started crying and was really, really afraid. Shawn, of course, did everything he possibly could to reassure Ty that he would be okay. We almost didn't even let him try, because he seemed so upset (and this was his idea.)

But my baby, who lately has turned into such a big boy, just needed his Mommy.

So here is what we did...

While Daddy was holding the back of the bike, we had Tyler to focus on Mommy and that was it. Just keep looking right at Mommy and don't look back. And you know what? It worked!!! He kept staring so hard at me while his little feet were peddling away.

Before we knew it, Tyler was riding his bike all over the yard and everything!!! We were stunned. It was awesome!!! You would never guess that he had just learned how to ride his bike.

The best part of the day though, was not that fact that he needed me (yeah that was cool,) or that Dad got him off to a great start (and I know he liked that,) it was the smile that wouldn't come off of Ty's face. It was the fact that he needed to call the people he loves to tell him he did it. It was that my baby took one more step.

I am so proud of him....He's growing up....

Shopping Anyone?

I have to share what happended today with Tyler.

When we went to Syracuse a couple weeks ago Tyler made out like a bandit (money wise.) $11.00 and an ice cream for his 2nd tooth that came out while we were there, $2.00 every time my mother saw him, which equaled another $16.00 and then various money other relatives gave him for this and that.

Well Tyler has been itching to spend his money all week, so today we took him to Target. We were after a "hotwheels scooter" of some sort. Though when we got there, Tyler, completely overwhelmed and excited, decided NOT to get the scooter after all, because it was too expensive and would have used up all of his money, instead bought something much cheaper.

As we were waiting in line, Tyler and I had a very interesting conversation that went something like this...

Tyler: "Mommy, I was a good boy in Target today"

Me: "Of, course, and I am very proud of you."

Tyler: "Then, since I was a good boy, can you buy me the Hotweels scooter I want really, really bad?"

Me: "Well Ty, you have money, you can buy it instead of what you got."

Tyler: "But you make more money than I do and that could be my present."

It is funny how tight he already is with his money, but how willing he is to spend ours.

It's a girl and a girl and another girl...

Today I received a birth announcement from Tyler's school.

Ty's kindergarten class had an incubator with eggs and apparently they recently welcomed Cutie Pie, Chirpie and Chic-fil-a.

I can handle the Cutie Pie and Chirpie, but Chic-Fil-A? Predetermining that poor chic's future.

I now see why Tyler seems to be going vegetarian.

Stinky Poopy

Ok, as parents I know we tend to be silly and make up really funny songs. I am usually the silly one, but I have to give it to Shawn on this one.

Stinky Poopy
lyrics by Shawn Yancey
tune of Wooly Bully

Joshy told Daddy,

that he was real sad.

He had a bad poopy,

and it stunk real bad.

Stinky Poopyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, Stinky Poopy

Stinky Poopy, Stinky Poopy, Stinky Poopy.

Tooth

The tooth is out, the tooth is out, the little tiny tooth is out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ironic, Don't Ya Think?

For all of you who are generation xers, you probably remember the Alanis Morrisette song "Ironic." For those of you don't know, some lyrics are...

"It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought...it figures.

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face"

I have to tell you, I was really excited about going to Martinsville, VA yesterday where I would be in a press conference with NASCAR Craftsman Motortruck Series Champion, Bobby Hamilton. He would announce his charity event for the American Cancer Society.

Once I found out I was going, I was super stoked, though I really couldn't show too much enthusiasm around Shawn (he is a HUGE NASCAR fan) that would have just bummed him out that I had a "hot pass" to walk around the garage, meet all the drivers and watch qualifying.

So, I just tried to act like it was no big deal, even around friends.

So the big day comes and wouldn't you guess, 20 minutes into my trip and BAM I get hit by a car. Doesn't it figure??

Goodbye Martinsville, Goodbye Bobby Hamilton, Goodbye exciting trip. Instead I had a day of police officers, insurance companies and doctors appointments.

Next time I will act a little more stoked around everyone, including Shawn, and not try to hide it so.

Lost Teeth, Found Teeth

Recently, Tyler has started the stage of losing his bottom two teeth. This is not something that either Shawn or I want to deal with. Makes us both kind of queasy to be perfectly honest.

But that darn thing is ready to come out. In fact so much so that his permanant tooth is coming in behind it.

Quote from Shawn:
"I don't believe I've ever seen anything like that before in my life."

Very Gross!

On the flip side of things, Joshua is getting the same two teeth that Tyler is losing.

Quote from Tyler:
"It is like Joshua is stealing my teeth."

Either case, I am just ready for this part to be over with.