Safar Family Thanksgiving - and this year there is so much to be thankful for - including Nicole came home for the holiday and the new hot tub on the deck! While I didn't take any pictures of food, you know there was plenty. And, don't ask about the camel... Unless you know where Mary and Joseph were hiding.

Gobble Gobble.

 

This year, we are so grateful to celebrate 2 Thanksgivings. First up, Prose Family holiday at Lisa and Kent's new house (which is perfect for large groups of hungry folks). We took some pics and then headed toward Andover - hitting a few snow squalls along the way. We had a mid sized crew this year, and the highlight may have been the epic games of Uno Attack. We all came home happy, full and exhausted

 

In-between all the Thanksgivings and fishing adventures, we had to go get our real tree on a Wednesday! (gasp!) It was pretty slow on the tree farm, but the routine commenced. These kids love their traditions so much, every year even the conversations are the same.

Sooooo, short needle long needle?

SHORT - every year it's short.

Tall and skinny or short and fat?

TALL AND SKINNY - every year it's tall and skinny. We don't want to block the fire place.

It's my favorite tree.

 

 B: Somedays, when I'm doing math with a pen in my mouth, I feel like Math Rambo.

Mom: Ummm, ok. Why?

B: Doesn't Rambo hold a knife in his mouth? I just hold a pen, instead.

Mom: I don't know - that seems like a question for your father.

 The Great Prose Family Birthday Party 2024

First and Final HOCO dance in the same building. Homecoming is not a fancy affair, you buy a Tshirt, that acts as your ticket. They danced a bit, and both made it past 11pm. They are just growing up so fast. 🤣

 

Let's do something normal - like go to a HoCo Parade and get some tootsie rolls, and then go get some chicken wings. 

 

Senior Pics Sneak Peek

 

 Big race a the U of M, and we had the best spectators join us - Cousin Skip and Auntie Lisa!! It was a great race to watch and spend some time with family. And, no one passed out at the end.

 As we begin prepping for the graduation photo boards, this picture came up, and it is by far one of my favorites. Too bad it's not a video and you can see her tiny feet bopping to the music.

Now, to those of you who think Bennett must be the favorite because there seem to be more pictures of him recently on the blog - you are wrong. 

1. It's Bennett's senior year, so there is obligation for photographic documentation.

2. H isn't a huge fan of pictures being taken and posted anywhere, at any time.

Proof we love and respect them equally.

Chemo #10 - double digits and only 2 left. Here's a day of chemo for me. AP and I arrive with my chemo bag (blankets and snacks) around 7:30am for labs. After labs are processed, we meet with the doctor, and they give us the "go ahead", everything looks good - or the "hold up" let's add some potassium or magnesium or fluids or something... Then, we head back to a room - hopefully with a window. Number ten treated me well with 2 windows, and a door!

First are the pretreats. I get an anti-nausea med, and then a LOT (like a lot a lot) of Benadryl. I do my best to stay awake as long as possible. It's kind of a little game I play - but it never takes to long for my head to fall back and sleep ascends. I sleep until around lunch, and Andy goes to pick up some version of soup and sandwich. Then, as the meds pump thorough my body and Andy works quietly and diligently in an uncomfortable chair, it's back to sleep for me. I wake again around 3pm, and have a bit of time to make sure all is well before (slowly) heading home. Upon arriving at home, it's usually back to rest on the couch or bed. 

No one fight alone. My chemo days are filled with texts and funny jokes and 💜s all day long. I know there are also prayers and energy and vibes being sent my directions. And, of course, Andy is always there - being so solid and calm and ready with a smile each time I wake.  

Thanks, Lo. 

 

First races of the season, started off strong! Bennett trained hard this summer and was able to shave a lot of time off his last year PR. It's so fun watching him do what he loves, and cheer on his teammates. Cross Country may not be for everyone, but I'm so glad it's for him.

 

First full day of school for this senior and freshman. I couldn't be there (you know, because cancer) - but AP dropped me off at chemo and rushed back home to take the obligatory first day of school pics. This year is going to go by so fast, and while part of me welcomes the speed (you know, because cancer) - the bigger part of me just wants it to take it's sweet time. 

Number 9

 

Don't blink. 😭

 

First day of freshman year for our little June Bug Jones!! She got to go to school all by herself today - as the first day for freshman includes 9th graders and some senior student council mentors (so there is a good chance she will see her brother).  We picked up her friends and off they went! HIGHSCHOOL, get ready.

 

Bennett has been waiting 17 years for this day. IYKYK

 It was Labor Day weekend, I was 17.

I bought a Coke and some gasoline,

And I drove out to the county fair