Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Last week was "The Pumpkin Unit" for Laynie's Kindergarten class. For as long as I have been in and around school systems, it seems like every K Teacher does a Pumpkin unit in the fall complete with a fieldtrip to a Pumpkin Patch (which we are going to take towards the end of the month). This year Laynie learned that pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes and some can even be white; pumpkins can float; and they counted the seeds in their class pumpkin! Well Friday was Pumpkin Decorating Day so a few of us Moms got to help out the children while they decorated. Check out a few of these pumpkins decorated by Laynie's classmates!

Student of the Month

Our Yard Sign
Students being called on stage
Kindergarten September Students of the Month
They were all girls!
Laynie smiling in the group photo
September Students of the Month

We got an e-mail this week from the counselor at City Heights saying Mrs. Turner, Laynie's Kindergarten teacher, had selected her as the September Student of the Month but to keep it a secret! The school had its usual Rise N Shine assembly this morning and they recognized all the students that were chosen by calling out their names and having them come on stage. She got a certificate, a free kid's meal at Chili's and $1.00 coupon to the school store! We even got a yard sign for our house!Trey, Jones and I were all there to cheer for Laynie! She was very excited! :-)

Please Pray for Hannah

These precious girls are Bethany (on the left) and Hannah (on the right). I received this e-mail from Hannah's parents this week & I just want EVERYONE reading this to PRAY for Hannah right now, daily, as often as you think of her. She is a sweet, sweet girl from a loving, Christian family. Please read below to find out more about Hannah's health issues.

Email One:
Hannah's oncologist at Children's Hospital showed us pictures of Hannah's scans, and explained that the original tumor has seeded in the lower part of her brain and in her spine. There are at least nine tumors in her spine and two near her brain stem. After carefully reviewing her scans and the available research regarding treatment of glioblastoma tumors, the oncologist has determined that Hannah should receive radiation to the entire region before beginning the chemotherapy treatments. The goal will be to reduce the size of the tumors and stop any new ones from forming.

The oncologist was very straightforward and honest in explaining to us the serious nature of Hannah's situation. We told him that there are many, many people praying for her, and He agreed that God's help will be needed for a cure. We are thankful that we serve a God who is the Great Physician. God has given our entire family, including Hannah, a peace that can only come from Him. Please join us in praying for healing, and in praying specifically for Dr. Saylors, our oncologist, and Dr. Pena, our radiologist...that God would give them the wisdom they need to determine the best plan of treatment for Hannah. We know that the ultimate outcome is in God's hands, and that He loves Hannah even more than we do.

God is good, all the time, even in (especially in) the middle of a storm!

Bits and Pieces of Email Two:
This afternoon we took Hannah to CARTI in Little Rock for her first tomotherapy radiation treatment. We met briefly with the oncologist/radiologist who explained to us that she will have a total of 20 treatments to be completed over a period of four weeks. The tomotherapy radiation is different in that they will be treating her entire head and spine, rather than a single focused area as they did previously. He explained to us that anywhere the spinal fluid flows is a potential area for tumor growth, so they have to treat the entire area. He also told us that this time she will lose all of her hair, instead of just patches of hair like she did last time, which she was able to hide so easily. He also went over all of the possible side effects from treatment, and it is a rather lengthy list. He told us that she will probably not be able to attend school at all during these treatments.

I think the reality of how difficult the next few weeks and months of treatment may be really hit all of us today. Hannah has been amazing though...when we told her today what the doctor said about her hair, she said, "Well, it's only hair...it'll grow back." Her faith is so strong, and she is truly an inspiration to us. In spite of the storms and emotions swirling in and around us, God has given us a peace as well, a peace that can only come from Him.

Brad & Jill

WOW--let me know you are praying for Hannah--leave me a comment saying you will pray. Thanks in advance!

SEPTEMBER Review 2008

Is it crazy that as I sit down to write this post, I can't even remember much that has happened over the month? I think I have been so busy that all my days are beginning to run together! I was writing 'year in reviews' to catch my readers (ha/ha) up on our life before blogging began, but I think I need to continue it. Tonight will be for September and I'll go back one of these days for July & August.
As I said September has been jam packed with stuff so I'll just start at the beginning!

Week 1--Labor Day visitors--Luke, Colby, Damitra and kids; 1st PTA meeting :-) (I LOVE being on the PTA!); Gustav brings lots and lots of rain; Small party (with 12 LOUD children) to watch the HOGS beat ULM

Week 2--Laynie learned to ride her bike without training wheels; PTA meeting; Grandparents Day at City Heights; Visit from the South AR grandparents due to City Heights event :-); curtains made and hung!; attended 1st VB Pointer football game; Laynie and Addy sleepover

Week 3--Substitute in Jones' pre-k class; Laynie sprained her wrist after a run in with her brother on her bike; PTA short meeting; attend a Fun b-day party for Jackson & Chad; Go to UCA for a packed weekend to honor my Daddy

Week 4--Jones in Crossett; Make Hannah Montanna Pet Potato for Awana; 2 year check-up with Dr. Baltz--all clear; Another fun b-day party this time for Jones' buddy Avery; watch HOGS get slaughtered by Texas :-(

Ended Month with an exciting Monday and Family Fun Night sponsored by the City Heights PTA--Did I mention I LOVE being on the PTA? I'm such a nerd--I know!

EVERY WEEK--Church; School; prayZkidz; Awanas; Gymnastics for Jones; Cardio Studio/running; Community Bible Study; LAUNDRY!!!!

Mailing Letters

I went to the mailbox on Monday and the item above is what I found in it. On Saturday, Laynie was asking me how to spell Texas and I didn't think anything of it--now I know why! Bless her heart--to her there's only one Allie White in Texas! :) Guess it's time to have a little lesson on the Postal System; I'm just shocked she didn't find a stamp to put on it too! I never know what that girl of ours is gonna do!