Thursday, January 16, 2014

2 Posts from the Past

Haskins vs. Bees 
(July 18, 2011)

So, life has been pretty entertaining over this last week.  We have made great friends with about 75 bees who live and have nestled up on our porch.  They have actually been a huge disturbance.  We can't sit out there or even BBQ because of the hazardous conditions.  Now don't be fooled.  These bees ain't nothing like the bees in The Bee Movie.  They are not nice.  But we couldn't figure out where their nest was until one day I was brave enough to stand outside.  I started seeing bees go in and not come back out of Craig's Nike cleat.  I told him when he got home, he nudged the shoe with a golf club and a swarm of 50 or so bees come raging out of the cleat.  Awesome!  A bee hive in a shoe on our 8 ft x 4 ft porch.  OH if only you could have seen all the reactions we have been getting.  We have asked friends, "Have you ever had a bee hive in a shoe?"  All in all, Craig was adamant about extinguishing this thing on his own.  He didn't want to pay the $4.99 yet.  He messed with those bees on a daily basis.  They got to know each other really well.  He would poke at the shoe and make a mad dash back inside to slam the sliding glass door, then just sit back and watch them get angry.  So angry the would try to slam into the glass to get him.  So here are some brainstormed plans of his:

Plan A:
Grab shoe quickly and chuck it off our porch.  Then it is in the courtyard and isn't our problem.

Plan B:
Throw a towel over the opening of the shoe to keep them from coming in and out.  He actually played this one out and it failed miserably.


Plan C:
Place a box out there and slowly tap the shoe into the box.  Then throw the box over the porch.

Plan D:
Triple up on garbage bags and pick up the shoe like you pick up dog poop with a bag and quickly spin the bag, put it in the box, and take the box to the empty field to leave it.

So, he practiced for Plan D the most....it was his favorite idea.  Of course he would be from head to toe in winter gear as he is doing this.  He had psyched himself up so much he began practicing.  It failed miserably.  He couldn't get all three plastic bags back up and over his hand to spin the bag closed fast enough.  He would be dead.

In the end, he hung his head as we went to Fred Meyer and paid $4.99 for a "kills on contact" foaming spray.  We have used it a count of 4 times now and there are still one or two survivors.  We almost have victory though!  Now Craig's question, "Do I keep the shoe for bragging rights or throw it away?"

Victory is ours! 
(July 19, 2011)
This blog won't make sense to you unless you have read, This Blog Posting.  [viewer discretion advised]

"Victory, oh sweet Victory!"
 The Crime Scene



Behind the scenes:
It was attached to the tongue of the shoe





Craig dumped it out of the shoe and that's how big it was:

Saturday, January 11, 2014

R.I.P. Winter Break '13-'14

I'm missing the freedom I had for 3.5 weeks. I'm missing that sweet sound of a silenced alarm clock - waking up to the sun instead. I'm missing winter break...

How do I describe the 25 days I had off? I don't think I accurately can. It was emotional, heart-warming, soothing relaxing, stressful, trying, challenging, lazy, unique, peaceful, and EXCITING!!! There were ups and downs, lots of miles run, and quality time spent with family and friends.

However, I'm not missing the long and lonely days I had alone while Craig worked all day. I'm not missing the uncertainty of what tomorrow will look like (I like routine!). I'm not missing all of the driving. I'm not missing spending TOO much money during the holiday season. I'm not missing the anticipation of starting a new quarter. I'm not missing the chaos.

But what I do miss is my family. They seem so close but yet so distant. A text every other day or so is what keeps us informed and in the loop. Life is going on without us on the west side and sometimes that thought is big enough to haunt me. But what keeps me stable and steady is the precious silence of the morning over a steaming hot cup of coffee, Jesus Calling, and a time of prayer. Craig...yes...he keeps me grounded too. Medication and therapy? Well...that is for you to determine! But ultimately, I miss my Mom. Why did we choose to stay in Spokane? Oh yes! Because we have a dog, a house to maintain, an INCREDIBLE church, two jobs to hold, and a graduate degree to earn! And potentially new opportunities just right around the corner.

To sum up the 25 days off:

  • Volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank --> we bagged food that would go home with students!
  • Happy Hour at Anthony's with Craig --> and running into a friend!
  • Went to hear Ali Vincent speak and give a lecture on health/nutrition and her experience on The Biggest Loser
  • Had Tiara & Ryan over for dinner --> homemade pizzas!
  • Had Andrea, Emma, & David over for dinner --> BBQ Chicken!
  • Took a tour of The Emily Program
  • Met with Erin Schwab over coffee
  • Found out I got my first 4.0 this quarter --> don't ask me how because this was mentally and emotionally my hardest quarter too!
  • Playing secret santa --> one of my favorite traditional Christmas games!
  • Progressive Dinner with our small group --> ending the night with a white elephant gift exchange!
  • Maybe created a fake Christmas card for the Hara's and sent it out to... ?? ... people at church ;)
  • Drove to Portland to celebrate Christmas with Dad, Karen, Bethany, Brian, Kylee, Tanner, Adam, Sophia, Molly & Dustin
  • Boarded Luna for 5 days :(
  • Spent 2.5 days at the Hospice House with Mom
  • Met with Jaye Zern over coffee
  • Brought Mom home via ambulance on Christmas Eve
  • Had Marian (Craig's Mom) stay 2 nights with us in Federal Way
  • Celebrated Christmas with the Smiths, Mom, & Aunt Becky
  • Used our Wedding China set for the first time for Christmas dinner
  • Spend time in West Seattle with Molly --> got to see her apartment and all three of us worked out at Snap Fitness together!
  • Attended Craig's family Christmas dinner --> got to meet and hold Penelope Rose Haskins!
  • Got excited for Craig getting a second interview
  • Saw the movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty --> good movie!
  • Swam...a lot...
  • Ran...a lot...running my most miles EVER this month: 94!
  • Said goodbye to good friends who moved --> miss you Chris, Julie, & William!
  • Taught Luna how to 'play dead'
  • Stayed with the Vanourek's at their condo in Kellog, ID
  • Almost...ALMOST died and was ALMOST hit by a car at a crosswalk
  • Only made it to 10:30pm New Years Eve night (second year in a row!)
  • Hosted Dad, Karen, & Diego at our house last weekend --> wined and dined!
  • Signed up for 30 days of unlimited hot yoga for $30 --> new obsession :)
Have I missed anything else? Probably! But this is why I miss winter break!!! June 15, 2014 can't come fast enough!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

2014

I think it's funny that people wait until the new year to begin "good" habits, make "good" choices, begin a "better" life, etc. Everyday should be a fresh start and a new beginning, for that is the reason Christ died for us...for forgiveness, cleanliness, purity, and fresh starts! I find all of the Facebook statuses right now interesting. As people reflect back on the past year they make decisions for this year (sometimes big ones!!)

We don't know what this year holds (2014) - no one does! We can look optimistically ahead to 2014, but embrace each day as it comes, making those "good," "better," and "healthier" goals daily.

I do anticipate this year. What will it be like? January 1, 2013 I would have never guessed the year would turn out as it did:

  • Mom diagnosed
  • Aunt Becky moved to WA from FL
  • Mom underwent unsuccessful chemotherapy
  • Craig spoke at Camp Gilead Winter Blast retreat
  • Craig and I worked at Camp Gilead (where we met in 2002)
  • Molly and Dustin got engaged
  • ALL of our friends either had a baby or got pregnant
  • And the list could go on...
I plan to seek the Lord daily, making Him a bigger part of my life and making a conscious effort to draw closer to Craig - because those two are the only people that will help me get through (and enjoy) the year 2014!

Happy New Year 

Friday, December 27, 2013

The Honesty of the Holiday

I'm not sure life will ever be the same….

Reality hit this past week. As families celebrated happiness, joy, and togetherness, my family celebrated the fact that my Mom came home from hospice, for we didn't think she would. We had the luxury of walking her out of her room. 


And it was on Christmas Eve that Craig, Molly, and I followed the ambulance that carried my Mom home. 


As the EMT's maneuvered the gurney through the hallway and to the downstairs couch (in front of our fireplace), my Mom quietly uttered the words, "I haven't been downstairs since October 8th." 



That's when it hit me. Life has been different over the last 12 months, or as my Mom said, "the last 12 minutes." And this Christmas Eve and Christmas (and 'winter break') has also been different. I never thought I'd drive home for the holidays and have to drive straight to the Hospice House. I never thought I'd be the one lifting my Mom out of bed, holding her as she finds her balance, and positioning her legs when she gets restless. I'm assuming this is why the Lord doesn't let us in on what's to come because I don't think we would ever admit to surviving the obstacles. But He gives us strength AS we approach hardships, knowing exactly HOW MUCH we can handle. Don't get me wrong. I am not personally testifying to an unreal amount of strength and peace, but I am testifying to being able to rest in His hands.


My Mom has been my rock but now it seems I need to become her rock.
As I rubbed her arm this morning, whispering sweet 'goodbyes' in her ear, she muttered, "goodbye, but I'm sleeping." Oh…still finding humor in the smallest ways. Her humor hasn't left her side and sleep has become her BFF, not letting ANYTHING or ANYONE get in her way!

Monday, December 23, 2013

365 Day

365 days = 525,600 minutes = 8,760 hours = 31,536,000 seconds

One year ago today we were sat down by my Mom's best friend for her to share the unfortunate news. One year ago today we were told my Mom had a tumor (maybe multiple) that was cancerous.
One year ago today our thoughts of my "healthy" Mom, who would live forever to see Molly get married, meet her grandkids, etc., changed to thoughts of an "unhealthy" Mom.
One year ago today we embarked on the hardest journey that life has taken us.
One year ago today my Mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

We have been with this information now for 31,536,000 seconds. My Mom has fought for her life now for 8,760 hours. Each minute of the 525,600 minutes has been considered a blessing. It's been 365 days today.

As I reflect back on that day I remember thinking, "oh! this too shall pass! it's just an obstacle that is trying to get in her way! she will survive this and it will make her a stronger person." Though it has made her a stronger woman - it hasn't been in the physical sense. Her body is weak, her bones show through, but her smile and sense of humor remain (for she attempted to chuck her mashed potatoes at Craig last night after telling him that if he put vaseline on his face first they should just slide right off). We can't help but laugh with her and keep life as familiar as possible.

With decorations hung and Christmas cards posted on her wall, the hospice center has been a comfortable place for us all. The staff are incredible here and treat my Mom with royalty. She sleeps most of the time, which allows for me to catch up on 'what's new' in Women's Health & People magazines, as well as be familiar with everyone's Facebook status! Perfect creeping time!

Craig and I spent time down in Portland this past weekend, celebrating Christmas with Dad & Karen! We then trekked it north yesterday and spent all day here at hospice with Mom - watching Home Alone 1 & 2. We fed her some roast beef, which seemed to give her a boost in energy, enough to get her up and walking for 10 whole minutes! She has't walked in MONTHS!!! As Molly trailed behind with the IV pole, her feeble little legs carried her down the hall and back. We were extremely proud of her but then she came back and crashed.

It's been a long day today, seeing that it is now 5:19pm and I started writing this blog around 1pm. The Smith's arrived for an all day visit, followed by long-time family friends. I crashed on the couch for a bit - fighting a migraine! But all in all, it's nice to have family and friends support us through this hard time.  And the good news received this morning is that they think she can go home on Christmas! We just all have to be trained on how to operate her IV machine. What a wonderful gift that would be!!

Blessings during this holiday season!




Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Update from Caring Bridge

No news is good news, right? 

My Mom's condition worsens as she "recovers" from the procedure she had back in October. My apologies for not sending out an update sooner, but the clarity of the CT scan results were questionable. They were not able to get an accurate reading of the tumor - able to see if it was beginning to turn black (die off) - which is the outcome they were looking for from the procedure. However, they did not find any growth OR any shrinkage in tumor size. 

Mom is bed bound for the most part with hospice still coming in every three days to bathe her and the nurse checking in on her regularly. As Aunt Becky tires quickly, due to the bladder demands of my Mom, she has called in for backup from neighbors and friends. What a HUGE blessing to know my Aunt and Mom are surrounded with people who will step in to relieve my Aunt for just a few hours. She is up with my Mom every 30 minutes throughout the night - talk about similarities between my Mom and a brand new baby!!! 

The Lord is protecting us and still has my Mom cradled in His hands. It is hard being all the way over here in Spokane, not being able to help out as Molly has, leaving me with feelings of guilt and helplessness. But I continue to thank Him for what he has given my family during this difficult time. 

It is hard to approach the holidays with "laughter and cheer," as all the Christmas songs sing about. I've been guilty for approaching the holiday with "clatter and fear." What will this season look like? Nontraditional and different, for sure. But as our family rearranges and configures this holiday season to what we have been blessed with, we remember the true reason for the Christmas season and are grateful for the gift of Christ, salvation, and his loving forgiveness and grace.

Thank you for your continued prayers. A miracle is still needed… 

Merry Christmas and God Bless, 

Friday, December 6, 2013

words that aren't my own...

"It is easy to love my dad.  He is strong, patient, loving, generous and kind.  He is the rock that my sister and I will always need.  He is always there to listen to us, love us and support us.  He is a stand up guy.  My dad has helped many people over the years both financially and emotionally.  He is a giver and a helper.  The one you call with any problem when you need a solution.  The one who will always believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself.  The one who will drive with you to work and then bus back home just so that you can drive in the carpool lane.  The one who brings the beer to the party.  The one who always buys and picks up the tab. I will always love my dad through the good and the bad."

Couldn't have said it better myself, sis.