Payton get's his wings (7 of 7 new posts)

Our wonderful neighbor is a fighter pilot for the Redhawk squadron in Portland. Captain "Rico" gave him an invitation to be a Redhawk for a day and an official Redhawk patch. Payton will be able to sit in a jet, they will do special takeoff's for him, wear the helmet, and some other fun things. This came on a day that he was in need of a pick-me-up. He has been having a hard time after these last 2 treatments. His energy has been sucked from his body and he had to be taken into the hospital 4 times in 8 days this past week. This invitation brough the biggest smile to my little man's face. He was in heaven, and for a moment he didn't look sick. It lasted until the next morning but soon after slipped into his worst day yet. He is beyond excited for this event. It should happen within the next 2 or 3 weeks. He has told us he wants to be a Jet piolot for a long time so this will be awesome. Thank you Captain "Rico"!!!

Running Y resort, Kalamath Falls, OR (5 of 7 new posts)

Our first vacation this summer was at Running Y resort in Kalamath Falls, OR. It was a 6 hour dive (I didn't realize that when I booked it) but the kids did great in the car. I use the word vacation loosely because vacations usually are relaxing and full of fun. The area was beautiful and the place we stayed was very nice, but Payton was going through a "rough patch" and could barely move most of the time and the babies were not sleeping at all at night. Saturday was a good day. We were able to get out and go to the driving range a couple times and were able to go swimming a few times. Jared was the photographer on this trip since I didn't even get out of the condo because of the babies (good job babe!). He took the big kids on a few walks around the grounds and helped show Tate the ropes on the driving range. It was Tate's first time. The golf shop had little clubs we could borrow for the both of them. We wish we were able to do more but Payton wasn't up for anything and it did rain one of the days.

Relay for Life (5 of 7 new posts)

Payton's first Preschool teacher organize a booth for Payton and another little boy in our area's Relay for Life. He was given a "Survivor" shirt and they sold banana bread in his name to help raise money.
She also organized "Pennies for Payton". It was a fundraiser to help with his medical bills. All the preschoolers in his current class and in Ms. Nickki's class raised over $600.00 for our family. My friend's mom's class in California also raised over $200.00! Isn't that amazing. Thank you, thank you!!!

"Charity Never Failith" (4 of 7 new posts)

These pictures are A-MAZ-ING! There is a wonderful person by the name of Lara Blair with an amazing talent. She didn't know who the "Northam's"were but she heard Payton's story through a friend of hers. She contacted our family and wanted to help. She donated her time and extraordinary talent to our family so we could have some family portraits. We haven't done any since Tate was a newborn, so we have no formal record of the Cohen and Tessa. I can't tell you how greatful we are for what she has done for us. She has done far more then we could even hope for. THANK YOU LARA! You have blesses our lives and given us an amazing gift.

www.larablairimages.com
www.larablairimages.com/blog
www.modernprairiegirl.com

Father and Son's Campout. (3 of 7)

Our church does a camp out every year for just the Father's and their son's. They have such a good time. Fishing, hiking, getting all kinds of dirty, and of course, smores!

Pool Initiation 2009! (2 of 7 new posts)

We broke out the pool and while it was filling the boys "tested" it to make sure it was going to work. Unfortunately a frog couple decided to start their family in our pool and without checking for such a thing I threw in some chlorine. I later was checking out the dirt on the bottom that needed to be cleaned and saw hundreds of little tadpoles swimming everywhere. Not for long. They started to turn to their sides and float to the top; by the hundreds. I tried to hurry and skim the undissolved chlorine out of the pool but it was too late. I scooped Mama frog out and rinsed her off. The boys observed her in a bug box for a few hours and when she seem ok we released her away from the pool. An hour later I went to check on the water level and found a partialy disolved Mama Frog floating on the top! SOOOOOOOOOO sad. I'm a frog killer! I said this to Payton and he assured me... "you didn't mean to mom, you tried to save them". At least he doesn't see me for who I am...a dirty rotten frog killer!

Dozer Days (1 of 7 new posts)

Not too far from our house is a rock quarry that holds an awesome event...Dozer Days! The kids can sit an ride in all kinds of construction equipment. Payton and Tate sat and helped control a backhoe loader. It was an AWESOME day but a little too hot. The lines were really long so we weren't able to have the boys experience all the events that were going on...next year!

Blog Update comming soon...

I am trying to update this blasted blog. I will have 7 entries but I need to figure out how to do it right first. I HATE not knowing how to do all this "techno" stuff. I use to be on top of thing; not so much anymore. So, hopefully in the next couple days. Sorry for the "teaser".
(Yeah, like I'm so interesting you are just itching to know what we are up to. I only wish)

Janet and Mike's Wedding

Payton with Jared's friend that has a brain tumor too, they watched a baseball game together.

Taylor, Kinsey, Payton, Alica, and Tate

Janet and Mike.

Tator.

Payton

A little somethin' for the newlyweds.

Cohen.

Jess and Tess

We went to CA for Jared's Mom's wedding. We had a great time. Payton didn't feel that well but he still managed to muster up the energy to play hard. They kids looked so cute. Janet looked beautiful. The reception was fun despite having the kids play at the ranch in dress clothes. They actually didn't get as dirty as I thought. One of my nephews did manage to get spray painted by another cousin, and my niece basically destroyed her dress. We had a great time and it was so much fun seeing cousins and family.

I was able to connect with one of my best friends from High school. She saved my life by watched my kids plus 10 others during the wedding. Thanks Jessica, you're a life savor. It was soooooo good to see her. I wish there was more time.

(ps. I updated Payton's caring bridge site)

Sunshine in Washington? Really, there was!

We were able to have multiple beautiful days. It was very much needed. We mowed the lawn, cleaned up the yard, played, ate Popsicles, went to the park, planted some trees, even put the sprinkler under the trampoline. It was great. I just hope it returns soon.

Easter 2009

(I was forwarded this email and had to post it! I just like the ladies response, it's not to snub anyone who does work outside the home.)

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,'
Said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed..

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research,

In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.
Does this make grandmothers
'Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and HumanRelations'
And great grandmothers
'Executive Senior Research Associates?'
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
'Associate Research Assistants.'

My assistants busy working on the details of their next project.

My buddy and Me!

I love this picture. They are already great friends. If Cohen is close to her he "kisses" her, aka slime until she drips. If Cohen cries, which is rarely, she will start crying too. I hope it continues.

Day one of I.V. chemo...accomplished!

So, this isn't the greatest video but the purpose is to ease any troubled minds wondering if Payton is doing ok. Before I started filming Tessa was laughing hysterically but, of course, stopped once I got there. I could help but laugh at this video and the thought of what his body is going through then to act like nothing is going on is amazing to me. (He is always cold so that is why he has his jacket on with his PJ's).

By the way, he is doing great. If you want to check the journal entry for today on the caring bridge link (to the left) it will give you more details. I am too lazy to write it again.

"Poop Rocket" and update on the kids!

Payton found the magical giggle words for Cohen. I tried to have Payton say something more "socially acceptable" but it didn't have the same outcome as "POOP ROCKET"!

Cohen and Tessa are growing so fast. They are now 6 months!!! Tess is the busy-body and doesn't stop wiggling from the moment she wakes up. Cohen goes with the flow. He is sooooo easy going and hardly makes a peep, Tessa is either happy or really ticked off, there isn't an in between. She is rolling over both ways and scoots on her head. She arches her back, tips her head and pushes really hard with her feet and would go across the room if we'd let her. Cohen...well.... he just lays there with his arms out and smiles. He is really good at that. They both love food and Cohen is definately the bigger eater except anything green makes him gagg. Tessa loves the green stuff. They are complete opposites is MANY ways.
Tate is totally potty trained. He doesn't even wet at night or nap time. He just started over Christmas while we were snowed in. I wasn't totally ready for the whole potty training routine but he did it all on his own. Looking back I see it as a blessing in disguise. Now with a lot of the attention going to Payton I don't know when I would have gotten to it. He still is having major anxiety over doing "the duty". He starts running around in circles in a total panic, flapping his arms and crying. I have to pick him up and put him on the pot and let nature take control. He fights it as long as possible (usually a day or so).

Payton is doing great. His incision is healing really well and is hardly noticeable now that Payton picked the scab off. He has been having a really hard time sleeping since he came home from the hospital after his craniotomy. He worries about when the next doctor appointment is and is anxious about having his "power port" put in on Monday. I hesitate to ask for a med to put him on to help him sleep because I really don't want anymore drugs and aweful chemicals in his little body. Maybe his chemo will make him tired enough to help him sleep.

I don't know if anyone noticed but I added a link to a Caring Bridge site on the side of this blog. It is a site to keep everyone in the loop on his treatments and how he is doing. You can leave notes on the guestbook and I will read them to him. It is a great way for him to know people are thinking about him. They definately make him smile!!!
(Cohen chewing on his "potty word finger")