Rowland Around

Double Digits? Feb. 16, 2010

2010-03-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

No. No. No. There is NO way Collin is 10! My little boy is growing into a little man.

At least he still has those darn cute dimples!!

Make a Wish!

Going to the Vet

2010-03-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

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In the month of December I noticed that Paco had these lumps that were almost the size of marbles in his throat. I knew this couldn't be good. Week after week went by and they weren't getting any smaller so, I told Cody that it was time to get them checked out at the Vet. I made an appointment in January and before I took him, I wanted to look online to see if maybe I could get a heads up of what the Vet might tell me. I typed in "Swollen Lymph Nodes in Canines" and was directed to a bunch of sites that told me things like "Lymphoma" and "Malignant Lymphocytes" I couldn't believe it! I didn't want to believe it! My worse fear was confirmed when I took Paco in and the Vet said the word.... "Cancer". I just stood there hugging and squeezing Paco tight trying to hold in the tears as the Vet continued to tell me that Paco had a Heart Murmur and had other masses in his chest and hind legs. I already knew that Paco had arthritis pretty bad in his hind legs and was partially deaf. I even knew he had a cataracts problem in his eyes. But Cancer? Heart Murmur? No. My poor little buddy. I didn't know what to do? I asked the Vet if he was uncomfortable or in any pain and he did tell me that his arthritis is probably hurting more than anything. He asked if I wanted to do tests and start treating the cancer (chemo) but economically speaking, he told me it would only keep him alive for another 8-12 months and would he would be sick the whole time. Other options were to just make him comfortable for what time he did have which was a measly 4-8 months. They gave me a Rx for him to take morning and night, Prednisone (steroid) and an antibiotic and sent us on our way. Considering what I just heard... Cancer... 4-8 months.... I was holding it together pretty well until, I called Cody. I could barely talk. Niagara Falls... and it fell!! As the next couple of days went by with Paco on his meds, it was extremely hard to see him so lethargic and breathing so heavy. Paco was always one to climb under the covers and snuggle up next to you. But now, he won't even lay next to me because he gets too hot. He'll go downstairs where it's cooler and sleep by himself. He has lost so much weight but has an appetite like a cow!! He will eat everything and anything in his path and he gets so thirsty all the time which is a side effect from the medication. It's been 2 months and he is doing pretty good for all he has and how old he his, which is 12 by the way. He is still my best friend in the whole world and I'm going to be SO lost when it's time for him to go to the "All You Can Eat Steak Buffet In The Sky". Here's to Paco. Love ya Buddy!!

Christmas, Christmas, time is here. 2009

2010-03-06T23:05:00.000-08:00

Two nights before Collin had his class play at school he told me he thinks he needs to bring his own Santa suit. WHAT!? I don't have a child's Santa suit in my closet! Then... thinking about it for a minute I asked, "Were you even going to tell me about your class play? Are parents invited?" ---Oh, I forgot, was his only response. I told him to ask his teacher if we needed to scavenger around for a suit or if the school supplied one for him. Lucky for us, the school supplied it! This was Collin playing Santa for his class play. He did such an AWESOME job with his part!

One of our traditions is making Gingerbread Houses at my moms

Christmas Eve we played some fun games at my moms.

One of them was taking turns rolling dice and if you were to roll doubles,

you unwrap the gift until someone else rolls doubles. Sound easy?

Try unwrapping the gift while wearing oven mits! Not as easy as it looks!

Another family tradition is getting to open a present (pajamas) on Christmas Eve.

We ended up giving our gifts to the family on Christmas Eve so they would have

them to "SNUGGIE" up to in the morning!

WOW! Were we ever busy trying to get the whole "Christmas shopping" done in time for Christmas! I did a lot of online shopping this year and found out I REALLY liked it!! I do have to say, I missed the hustle and bustle of crowded malls, jack frost nipping at my nose and driving store to store in search of that perfect gift. This year I decided to make homemade gifts for everyone and I tell you what, it's going to be a couple years before I do that again! It was WELL worth the time and back burning hours spent making them after hearing all the nice and extremely thoughtful compliments from my family and friends.
The kids were spoiled, as usual, with all the gifts they received from family, friends and of course, Santa! I love watching the expression on their faces after opening each gift. And of course, every year on Christmas night we say to the kids, "I better not hear one word that you're bored!" And of course, a few months go by and it's, "What can I do? I'm bored!" I'm starting to believe my parents when they used to tell us kids that we are lucky because all they had to play with growing up were rocks! That they didn't have games like Atari and Cabage Patch dolls. I am always telling my kids that I would have NEVER been bored as a kid if I had a DSi or a wii or an ipod! Ripstick? Nah, I had plastic roller skates that would come to an abrupt halt if I hit a blade of grass on the sidewalk. Anyway.... back to Christmas.... It was perfect.

Christmas morning the kids woke up at 7am. My mom and Staci came to watch them open their presents.

Tucker and Paco REALLY enjoyed their Stockings!

We all went to Grandma Spencer's to give our gifts and she made

everyone choc. chip cinnamon rolls! MMMMMM!

Here she is with Gavin

Turkey for Me and a Turkey for You, Let's Eat the Turkey in My Big Brown Shoe!

2010-03-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

We had Thanksgiving at my moms this year and had, well... everything you could imagine there would be at a Thanksgiving dinner! It was ALL so delicious! Besides family getting together, my most favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the leftover turkey to make turkey sandwiches. That is yummy in my belly!

Gavin wanted in

on those

mashed potatoes!

No photos, please!

After our bellies were settled and buttons were loosened, we all gathered around to play The Beatles Rock Band. Everyone had so much fun playing, it was hard to stop.

What are you going to be on Halloween night?

2010-03-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

You know me... I LOVE HALLOWEEN!! This year however, I did not dress up. Halloween seemed to sneak up on me without my permission. Collin had his Pinewood Derby race and he did win a few races! He was awarded for Best Paint Job (with the help of his dad) and Collin LOVED every minute carving, sanding, glueing and painting that car!

We made Halloween bats this year, the kids and I had a blast making them! Even Cody made one! It was really fun to see them come together
and it wasn't as messy as I thought
it would be.

We went to Partyland to pick out the kids' Halloween costumes. They were totally overwhelmed when they saw the wall of costumes. After much deliberation, we all finally came to an agreement. Collin picked out a Hippie and pulled it off pretty well! Addy went with her opposite personality and picked out an Angel costume! And OF COURSE we had to dress up the dogs!! That always goes without saying!

We stopped by Grandma

Spencer's house later that night and as soon as we left to go home, those costumes were on the floor before we even pulled out of the driveway!

Happy 7th Birthday Little Miss Addy (10-30-09)

2010-03-06T00:14:00.000-08:00

Our little baby girl is not so little anymore. In fact she is the tallest in her class, including the boys! The night before her birthday Addy was so excited to wake up that next morning and be taller. She would stand on her tippy-toes and say. "See mom, this is how big I'll be in the morning!" Then with a panicked look on her face she asked, "What am I going to wear? My clothes aren't going to fit me tomorrow!" I have to admit, when I was her age, I thought that myself! Luckily, Staci shipped this really cute outfit for her to wear on her birthday and it fit just fine!

Addy loves her Great Grandma Spencer,

Grandma Black Hair, Grandma Brown Hair (thought I had a pic)

and Gpa & Gma Rowland

The Birthday Girl loved all of her gifts!

She absolutely loves it when we have company,

no matter when, who or how often she just
loves to be around people!

Everyone who knows Addy, knows she has the gift to gab!

Addy wanted The Littlest Pet Shop toys on her cake but I

don't think she wanted Tucker too!

OWLZ Game 7/24 Hoo! Hoo!

2009-07-25T13:43:00.001-07:00

So, this is Collin trying to hide from Hootz at the Owlz
game last night. We don't know why but Collin WILL NOT
get pictures taken with any walking character like this.
Maybe he is freaked out by them like our Uncle Troy,
who will run and hide! Addy sat a few rows behind us with
Grandma, Hugh, Crystal and Taylor.
I think she sat up there to sit next to Gavin too! ;)

My boys..... minus Paco at home hiding in the closet from
the pop of fireworks going off in the neighborhood.

If you don't like the heat...... come inside with me!

2009-07-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this is our Addy mowing the lawn!
Seems like yesterday she was just learning to walk.
Addy would mow the lawn everyday if she could! She loves
to help with whatever we're doing, especially if it's outside.
She LOVES the summer and is outside all day,
everyday (unlike me, where I hate the heat).

2009-01-21T19:06:00.000-08:00

This is our guinea pig, Chawlie! We named him after the famous "Charlie bit me" video on youtube. As we were driving home from PetSmart that day, we knew we needed a name for this furry new friend of ours. I had him on my lap and after a few minutes I felt something rather warm on my leg. Yep, he had peed all the way down my leg. I immediately came up with the name Willy. As in, "Will he" pee on me again before we get home!? Then, as I was patting myself down with napkins..... he bit me. Out of no where I shouted, "Chawlie bit my finger!" and that's how Chawlie got his name! The kids love him and.... I kinda do too!

This was Addyson on New Years Eve. She went from happy to grumpy in 2 seconds. One thing about Addy is when she gets tired, she'll let you know! Addy is a lot like me when I was younger. I would always ask my parents, "What time is my bedtime?" They would reply with, "When do you want it to be?" knowing I would say, "Now." Addy does this every night. I try to get her to stay awake until 8:30 but she usually asks to go to bed around 8.

2008-12-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well, as you all know this is Paco. He is my first born.

He just turned 10 two months ago and is feeling it.

He has arthritis in his hind legs and hips. It is VERY

painful for him, and for me to see him hurting. He will

be on a pain medication as soon as Christmas is over.

It is very costly and I so wish I can afford it for him now.

He is my very best friend in the whole entire world,

and I'd be lost without him. I know he doesn't have that

many years left and when the time does come for him to

go to doggie heaven, I will be very, very SAD! I will also

be happy that he lived a long, SPOILED life!

I love you PACO!

Halloween 2008

2008-11-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

Collin, Staci, Addy at

Grandma Carolyns Halloween Party

My cute Pirate and my brave Buccaneer!

Addy, Collin, Brady and Bridger

Trunk or Treat

Has anyone seen my precious cats?

Okay..... Why I dressed like this....
1. I "thought" it would be pretty dang funny
2. I had this idea in my head that looked nothing like this
3. I didn't think I would actually go out in public like this

Happy Birthday Addy!

2008-11-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

Well, our little Addy is 6 now!

I can't believe how much she has

grown and even matured.

Addy sitting on Grandma Black Hairs lap

She will always be my little girl,
no matter how old or tall she is!

Time to carve those pumpkins!

2008-11-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

After Sunday dinner at Grandma Brown Hairs,

we gathered our pumpkins to start carving!

Cody gutted them all and then helped Addy

Staci, Jamie and Taylor concentrating

Collin carved the Jolly Roger,

Addy(Cody) carved Patrick Star

and I carved a pattern called Horton

We all had a blasty blast

poking and cutting our pumpkins!

Halloween Cookies

2008-10-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Addy and I making homemade Oreo Spider Cookies.

My grandma Spencer taught me this saying and I always think of it whenever I make these cookies.

M R spiders.

M R not.

O S M R, C M B D iii's?

O my L, M R spiders!

Pickin' the Perfect Pumpkin

2008-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows just how much I love fall. I love the weather, the smell and oh yes.... Halloween! Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. So, when October first came, I got out all my decorations and went crazy.
One day, I grabbed my camera, picked the kids up from school and we headed to the pumpkin patch. They had no idea where we were going. When we got there, the kids were so stoked they didn't even bother closing the car door. As we walked to get our shears, Addy instantly went to climb on the hay stacks. They had a little maze made out of the hay stacks and leave it up to Addy to not find her way out. So, she did what any kid would do and climbed over the top!
We were on our way out to the patch when I realized Collin was well on his way to finding that perfect pumpkin. Addy found one that was closest to her just so she could go back to the maze and finish it the right way. I picked one for myself and Cody, but Collin, he wasn't about to pick one that was just ok. It had to be the right shape, the right color and most of all it had to be the right size. Not too big and definitely not too small. Just as I was about to tell him to hurry up, there it was, he had found it.....The Perfect Pumpkin.