The Adventures of Oscar and Alley

The baby gates have been removed, and Oscar is now left to fend for himself against our ridiculously playful and persistent puppy. He's been doing pretty well, and I would by lying if I didn't admit Oscar doesn't enjoy being chased a bit. Like any good older sibling, he does his fare share of instigating too.

Two weeks ago, we gave in to Oscar's demands that he be allowed to venture into the great outdoors, and fastened him into his harness and tie rope to prevent tree climbing or other heroic escape and instead enjoy Friday evening appetizers and cocktails in the backyard with Jon, Alley, and me.

We've started taking Alley hiking on Sqwauk Mountain, about 15 minutes drive from our home, on Saturday mornings. I get Starbucks in hand and we when nobody else is around, and it's pretty quiet, we let Alley run off leash. She does a great job staying close as long as she isn't distracted by people or other animals, and it's a great way to get her tuckered out. Jon and I can't really complain about the beautiful scenery either!
Last weekend, we spent Friday night learning to play Pinochle with our new friends from church, Rosemary and John, and on Saturday the Stefanski twins turned two! They had a crazy, over the top celebration as usual, and we were honored to be included.Tomorrow night we fly to Michigan to reunite with our family at a lake house. We're looking forward to seeing everyone, relaxing, and getting a much needed break from our menagerie.

Up next: Stories from our big trip home! Stay tuned!

My Best Friend Annie

...has CANCER. AGAIN. It's devastating and all encompassing. She is 24 years old. WHAT!?!?!?

This is Annie with me at our rehearsal dinner. Who's the cute guy smiling at us in the background? ;)

After finding a cantaloupe sized tumor named Harold in her abdomen last July, Annie was finally diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cellular Cancer.

This happened JUST before our wedding, but she was still able to stand by us on our special day before she began treatment. It was incredibly special. Isn't she STUNNING?
She went through 6 rounds of preventative chemo, which she was assured would leave her good as new. Her scans were clear in April and she started to rebuild her life again, Cancer free. She even came to visit Seattle. She LOVED the fish (and the guy selling them)! But Annie seemed to know that things weren't ever quite right.

The first week in June, Annie rushed to Mayo hospital in Rochester, MN in horrible pain, which finally led to the discovery of 5 new tumors. Chemo season two, round one is scheduled to begin this week.

It's sad and scary and extremely stressful, all emotions which are multiplied by the fact that I am so far away. Luckily, I am just one small part of Annie's HUGE support system and group of amazing family and friends. We've come up with some fun ways to support her as she beats Cancer again.

Meet the Flat Annies! I helped to create and organize a Flat Annie program, inspired by my Flat Friends program that I used at church this winter. People all over the place are sharing their adventures with Flat Annie, taking pictures for proof, and then sending them along with notes, cards, and letters to REAL Annie. Cancer may have knocked her Flat, but Flat Annie will keep living it up, until real Annie bounces back!

So far, I've taken Flat Annie to the Ministry Faire at church and with me babysitting. No, I was NOT a Disney Princess. It's a Renaissance costume!
Here's Annika. She made her own Flat Annie, and her baby sister Rachel and I posed with her.

We're also selling Team Annie T-Shirts like the ones the Flat Annie's are wearing. Let me know if you are willing to buy one; all the proceeds go to Annie and her family.
The best way to keep up on all the news and information about Annie and how to help is to join the Flat Annie Facebook Page and read her Blog.

There are many more ideas to show support and love for Annie in every way in the works, so stay tuned.