The school year has blown past us and although we had a great start and really sunk our teeth into the new school year we seemed to lose hold after our trip to SLC in August and Glenn’s pneumonia and hospitalization for a week in early September. He’s doing well now but any illness really seems to set him back and it did give us a scare. He just doesn’t bounce back like he use too. The kids have been doing wonderfully and loving the fact that mom is exhausted and behind in everything…they seem to get less school work scheduled and more free time (the weather has been nice) to play and read when I’m not on top of everything.

So here I am, listening to KLOVE Christmas radio on-line at 1: 15am in the morning and I was looking back at my blog and missing the updates myself, so here I go again…a blast from our past several months…

July: Glenn and I celebrated 15 years of marriage on July 29th. Glenn surprised me with a trip to Galveston and a “Back in Time” themed weekend to the place where we first dated and spent time together falling in love and getting to know each other. The trip all was planned based on the fact that he was trying to get me the “keepsake” champagne glasses we didn’t receive at our wedding night hotel. Long story-short, he received the champagne glasses and a free 2-night stay at the Galvez in the Hollywood suite all comped plus the best meal I’ve ever had at the Galvez restaurant plus champagne and a glorious bottle of wine. Oh, did I mention the kids were at home with Grandma and Grandpa? It was a wonderful two days for Glenn and I to celebrate our life together.

August: School was smooth sailing. No sports, dance, scouts, homeschool groups or outside obligations. A perfect month of getting it all done and as planned. We headed to Salt Lake City for Glenn’s final 3-month check up and enjoyed the trip with a Bluegrass concert at an outdoor theatre nestled in the hills of SLC, hiking to Cecret Lake, and ice skating at the Olympic training rink. I just love it there. August and in the 70′s with sweatshirts at night.

On our way back we stopped in Durango, Colorado where Glenn and I honeymooned 15 years ago. Alot has changed but Durango is still just as beautiful and we went river rafting again! This time with children. Cold water but oh so fun!

September: Real world begins again. Scout meetings including the beginning of my Popcorn Kernal duties to raise over $18,000 in popcorn, Princess began ballet at San Antonio Ballet (love it!), Catholic Alliance activities in full swing each Wednesday with my boys as altar servers and lectors each Wednesday morning at daily mass and Fall Ball – baseball practices and games.

October: More school, more activities including a lovely visit to the McNay Art Museum. Wonderful museum to visit if you are ever in SanAntonio. They have a real Monet and a wonderful rotating collection. Such beauty.

Halloween was so easy this year. Princess was an Equestrian Rider(costume Glenn had picked up for her birthday last May), Lego dressed as a Jedi(again), Laser was our Nerd($1.35glasses and stuff we had here at home), and Bookworm dressed as a Sign Flipper, the guys on the corners with arrow sign ads that throw them up in the air? big here in SA.

November: Our homeschool group had a wonderful night at our U.S. Geography Fair. I coordinated this event and we had a wonderful turnout. Bookworm presented Utah, Laser and Lego researched Colorado and Princess presented Wyoming. All my kids dressed up in state-appropriate attire and everyone prepared a special food to share from their state. Great learning experience for everyone.

Lego and Laser tell them all about Colorado.

Wyoming: The Equality State

"I'm a pioneer women and I rode my horse all the way up from Texas."

Hitting the Slopes!

Utah: The Greatest Snow on Earth

Hikers in Colorado

Before we knew it, it was time for Thanksgiving! And we headed this year to Alabama to visit Glenn’s family. The kids had an awesome time playing with the goat and chickens, running around exploring and jumping on the trampoline. Of course we all loved visiting with cousins, aunts and grandparents. Jaca and George have a special place in Fairhope!

Bookworm and Laser toss the ball with the cousins.

Glenn and Aunt Donna

Maja the goat, Lego and Princess

Lego and the Chickens

The cousins.

December:

It’s not over yet, but already been busy. We started with our first Pack 343 Christmas float at the Schertz Festival of Angels Lighted Parade. We had over 30 kids ride in our well decorated trailer with awesome signs donated by Fast Signs of San Antonio, compliments of the Knight family, new members of our pack but ready to jump in and help out! It was the most fun I’ve had coordinating an activity in a long time. I just love a good parade.

Our homeschool group, Catholic Alliance, had a wonderful St. Nicholas party at one of our families home. The kids learned about the Candy Cane blessing and St. Nicholas’s generosity. As I looked around the room I saw the faces of so many beautiful moms who have devoted time and energy to educating their children and sharing our faith with each other. I am so thankful for the friendships I have made this year. And thankful my children have made friends with some really great kids too.

This weekend, the first weekend in a long time, we had nothing planned. No activity, or place we had to be. I love weekends like this. Stress free. Time to play, get the little things done and to spend time together as a family. I could have run out, done some shopping or reorganize something, but just being with the kids and Glenn was a pretty great weekend for us all.

That’s about it. All caught up. Well, at least my blog is caught up. Now I’ve got to get everything else in order before the new year! Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours during this blessed season!

1st Day of School 2010

We just completed our first week of school for the 2010-2011 school year!  Princess -1st grade, Lego – 2nd grade, Laser – 5th grade and Bookworm – 6th grade.  I can’t believe my children are already past the “learning to read” and “cut and paste” stage!  Four curriculums to plan and implement. 

Bookworm and Laser are both at the ages of independent learning, meaning they do a lot of work on their own with a little guidance from me.  Lego and Princess require a little more of my time and attention.  At the end of the day, if I’ve stayed on top of everything we’ve all had a good day.

If you’re wondering why we began so early…Summer here in Texas is hot-too hot to play outside for most of the day.  The kids have had plenty of time to relax, watch alot of tv, play alot of Wii, play plenty of computer games, swim, and hang out.  Bookworm had a realization that stresses the best part of starting early…”Since we had a shorter summer, I haven’t forgotten as much!”  Getting back into our routine has been smooth and without the interuptions of activities and school year obligations we can hopefully get alot done.  We’ll take a break at the end of August for our next family trip to SLC and when the weather cools off, we’ll have time to spare and enjoy the great outdoors.

March: 

After returning from SLC we started up baseball season with Lego playing on the Padres.  He loved playing catcher and enjoyed the season.   Lego also celebrated his 8th birthday with a Sonic X birthday party.  It was tough to pull off but it was alot of fun! 

In March we also experienced a sad loss with the passing of my “birthday buddy” Aunt Berta.  She was a beautiful lady with love in her heart.  She died of mouth cancer on March 13th.  She never smoked a cigarette and had been in great health.  It was diagnosed a year before at a dental check-up and she just couldn’t beat it.  We will miss her dearly.

April: 

Easter Sunday was a wonderful day celebrated with my parents, my brother, David, and my Aunt Lucy.  We had an egg hunt for confetti eggs and goodies.

Easter Sunday 2010

  It was also Laser’s 10th birthday!  He celebrated his birthday later in the week with a party with his buddies playing football and hanging out.  The “Backyard Birthday Bowl” made sports history. 

I attended the Women’s ACTS Retreat in Boerne, TX for a 4-day retreat.  It was a beautiful experience and gave my faith a boost!  Spending four days focused on my relationship with God was a special opportunity.  Glenn held down the fort and even had the house clean and laundry taken care of when I arrived home.  

Bookworm went on a campout at Enchanted Rock near Fredricksburg, TX with his Troop (343).  Glenn went with him and climbed Enchanted Rock to the top.  These are the kind of memories I’m thankful Glenn is here to make with his boys.

Ziploc Omelettes...Bookworms specialty.

May:

Busy month for everyone!  Lego made his First Communion.  It’s so hard for me to see my little guy growing up.  He looked so handsome in his suit (that was a little small, but was passed down from Bookworm, to Laser and finally to Lego.)   What a blessed day!

Princess celebrated her 6th birthday.  She loves horses and wanted a horse themed party so we had a Rodeo Princess party with barrel races and roping. 

Rodeo Cowgirl!

June:

Princess had her first dance recital.  She performed with her ballet/tap class a lyrical dance to “The Power of One”.  My favorite part was getting her ready.  She was my very own little Barbie doll.  Hair, makeup and costume!  So much fun!!!!

Glenn got a JOB!  Glenn received two job offers the day before he and I flew to Salt Lake City for his 3-month check up.  Both jobs were good opportunities but he accepted a position at eSupply Systems in San Antonio as Operations Manager.  He’s enjoying the work andstill learning the ropes.  It has been an adjustment going back to work for him.  Working 8 to 5 while he is still receiving chemo treatments every other week and on meds has been hard but he is glad to be working again. His checkup was once again a success with complete remission still the status quo.  We’ll be heading to SLC again in August for his final 3-month check up and if all goes well, he’ll be able to stop chemo treatments and just maintain using meds. 

It snowed in SLC the week before we arrived!

Father's Day 2010

 Cub Scout Day Camp for Laser and Lego was blessed with cloudy skies and a rainout day.  I volunteered only one day and thank those who spend the week out there.  Corralling boys in the heat and humidity is a chore.  Laser and Lego had a blast crafting, playing games, getting wet and learning about nature.  Scouts is really a great experience for boys.

Laser hit a bulls-eye at archery!

Lego has some crazy fun with friends!

 The following week Glenn and Bookworm headed off to Bastrop to the Lost Pines Scout Reservation for a full week of tent camping and adventure.  Bookworm told me it was a good thing I didn’t go with all the daddylong-legs and scorpians in the shower areas.  So thankful Glenn was able to go!  Camping is not my thing and I can’t imagine spending a week in a tent.  Bookworm did have the opportunity to climb a 60 foot wall and repelled down.  He was the only one in his group to get all the way to the top.

Bookworm is half way up the wall.

He made it!!

Princess really wanted to go to Vacation Bible School at our church, Sts. Peter and Paul.  So I thought, well if Princess goes, then I’ll put Laser and Lego in VBS and Bookworm can be a junior high helper!  That will leave me with 5 mornings free of kids…for me, unheard of!  But it just didn’t happen.  I opened my mouth and asked if they had enough adults helping out and naturally I ended up volunteering to help out.  So I became “Parable Paulette” for one week leading the bible story for 1st and 2nd graders.  Princess came to my class each day and that seemed to make her proud.  In the end, I’m glad I helped out.   

Princess at the VBS morning skit.

So, there it is.  The McLarens have been busy but thankfully all has been well.  Our summer is ending early as we begin school in July but the fun never stops!

Glenn is in the process of finding a job and looking forward to  resuming the life he had before he was diagnosed.  The job market is tough and it will be a challenge but with God’s guidance he’ll land a job that will provide for his family and be something he enjoys.  Keep him in your prayers! 

The Speed Trip to SLC 

We decided that it would be just as expensive to fly Glenn and I out to SLC as it would be to drive the family across the country for a fun cold-weather trip.  Our time schedule was crunched with our Cub Scout pack’s Blue and Gold Banquet on Friday, Feb. 26th and us needing to be in SLC by Monday, Feb. 29th.  It meant we needed to be in SLC in just 2 and a half days traveling 1500 miles.  We talked with the kids about the long journey without fun stops along the way and they were up for it.  So we left Saturday morning at 8am and arrived in Amarillo around 5pm, attended mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, stopped for a pic at the Oklahoma border and continued onward to Lamar, Colorado where we stayed the night.  We drove 12 hours that first day and then drove 12 more hours the second day arriving in SLC earlier than anticipated.  

The kids were awesome. We have been listening to the INKHEART trilogy.  We began INKDEATH, a 16 disk, book-on-tape and it was perfect for the journey.  Great story, lots of action, numerous curse words my children bleeped and great listening for driving and taking my mind off the long road ahead.  No in car video system or internet access, just a story read aloud.  I strongly recommend it!    

The Vacation 

Glenn’s medical tests and appointment with Dr. Tricot spanned 4 days but left us with two days in between.  Plenty of time for fun in the snow and on the ice.  When Glenn had been really sick and going through the transplants he had said he wanted to come back to Utah and ski.  So, ski he did.  Princess and Lego took ski lessons in the morning while Glenn, Bookworm and Laser hit the slopes.  I watched the fun and enjoyed the warm sun and incredible scenery.  No one got hurt, the kids skiing improved and I relaxed.  It was a great day.  

My favorite pastime is ice skating.  We discovered the SLC Olympic training center practically across the street from the Huntsman.  I wish I had found it when we were here for 6 months. It was so inexpensive compared to ice time here in San Antonio and the kids loved it.  The facility is where Sara Hughes and Apollo Anton Ohno trained for the 2002 Olympics.  Really nice rink and we practically had the rink to ourselves.  Glenn and I both skated along with the kids and it was so fun. 

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While we were in SLC  I had heard of a place called The Wheeler Historic Farm right in the city.  It was a fun, country adventure.  The kids feed the ducks and milked a cow.  It was another beautiful day in SLC.  Princess loved the horses and I loved the view.  

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Our last tourist stop in the SLC area was the 20o2 Olympic Cauldron Park.  It was a cool way to see the history of the 2002 Olympics. 

The Trip Home 

The journey home started with a stop for new brake pads and then a snow storm one hour outside SLC.  The snow was coming down heavily and I actually started inventoring what resources we had in the car in case we were stranded in the snow.  An 18-wheeler had jack-knifed and stopped traffic, trucks were pulling over to put on snow tires and chains and here we were in our minivan chugging up the mountain.  We made it through and stopped not as far as we hoped to go but we were safe and warm. 

We traveled on the next day to clear skies and arrived at the Gunnison National Forest and The Black Canyon.  Yes, another hole in the ground, but wow, what a hole!  It is deeper than the Grand Canyon and the view was amazing.  The snow was awesome and the kids had a great snow ball fight.  

Next stop, San Luis, CO, a tiny town with a large as life Stations of the Cross Shrine.  We hiked the 1 mile trail up a hillside and visited the stations of the cross depicting Christ’s journey of carrying his cross for our sins.  It was really a beautiful way to experience his sacrifice for us and the bronze statues were amazing. 

Santa Fe, NM was my required stop.  I have always wanted to visit the Shrine of Loretto and the mysterious stairs that were contructed for a chapel without nails, glue or a central support.  It was amazing and beautiful and I believe miraculous.  http://www.salvemariaregina.info/Martyrologies/Stairs%20of%20St.%20Joseph.html

We also attended church at the The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which was beautiful too.  The interior is light and bright, unlike many of the cathedrals I have seen, but still has the architecture of the early churches.  It was built in 1869. http://cbsfa.org/History.asp

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Our final vacation destination, Colorado Springs, CO.  It was gorgeous and I’ve fallen in love with another mountain city.  It was absolutely gorgeous and clean and lovely.  We had an awesome hotel compliments of Priceline and visited an American castle, Castle Glen Eyre, and drove through the Garden of the Gods.  Another great place I hope to revisit.  Homeward we went with another night in Amarillo and then finally home after 10 days away.  Good to be home but I already miss the mountains. 

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Bookworm began scouting as a Bear and then a Webelos I, and then a Webelos II.  He worked really hard to earn belt loops and pins through academic and sports related achievements.  All the boys really enjoy the rewards of working toward something and Bookworm achieved the highest award he could earn as a Cub Scout.  He earned the Arrow of Light Award which required camping, completing at least 8 of the 20 Webelos achievements and completing requirements for the Boy Scout Badge.  In addition to this honor, he received the Super Achiever Award by completing all 20 achievements available as a Webelos.  He crossover into Boy Scouts at our annual Blue & Gold Banquet on February 26th.  We were very proud of his achievements.   He’ll be part of Troop 343 beginning in March.  He can’t wait.

Just kidding.  We stayed at home and enjoyed being old and alive by watching a movie.  We saw the ball drop and we stood on our porch and watched the fireworks from somewhere in Cibolo (I had to drag Glenn off the couch to stand out in the cold with me. Not as romantic as I would have liked but he was there!)  Yes, we are boring but we didn’t have a hang over the next morning when our kids were up and ready to start the day again in the new year.  We are so much wiser as each year passes.  

We didn’t do anything special, but our Christmas Eve mass and early morning dash for Santa gifts.  The kids had an understanding that Christmas wouldn’t be huge like last year, but God definitely provided and Santa came through for us again.    

One thing was different this year and that was my parents came for Christmas Day to spend at our home and have Christmas dinner at our house and Uncle David joined us for the very early moring Christmas gift opening.  He’s become our Christmas tradition and the kids start asking if Uncle David is coming shortly after Thanksgiving.  It wouldn’t be Christmas without him!  And if you know my brother David, he’s not a jolly fellow, but the kids adore him. 

Our life has been blessed with friends, family and lots of love.  We are so thankful for the gifts of prayers and support that continue for Glenn and our family and we hope you all have had a blessed Christmas.  May you be filled with the peace of Christ during this joyous season.

The giant turkey was quickly set up in our front yard and my kids loved him.  Here’s a pic of the cousins:   

It was good to see everyone and a joy to be able to celebrate with Glenn’s side of the family.  The last time most of them had seen him was when he was first diagnosed with myeloma.  He’s looking great now and feeling so much more like himself. 

Laura, Lynne and I prepared the turkey early Thanksgiving morning and then I stepped back and let Lynne, Jaca & Laura take over in the kitchen.  Cooking is not my thing, as I made sure to remind them in an email before they came.  I love to set the table and plan the gathering but the actual cooking is not my favorite activity.  I learned from these gals and we had a good time in the kitchen.  Our meal turned out great and everyone was full and ready for their afternoon nap.  

Turkey Dinner!

They were not able to nap long.  Laser and Bookworm had been planning the first annual Backyard Bowl for weeks and put the ball in motion.  

The Prize

They had teams picked and plays ready to execute.  Everyone joined in, even Grandmother Jaca as a running back and wide receiver and Popeye as referee.  No one can say the McLaren clan doesn’t know how to go along with the fun and … 

make it a little competitive at the same time.  The 2009 Backyard Bowl was a blast! 

CHAMPS: Glenn, Irene, Katelyn, Princess, Laser, Taylor, Lynne & Temple

Friday morning the guys went to play golf and the girls headed to Gruene, TX for a little shopping.  We met up with the fellows at Adobe Verde for some good ole’ Tex-Mex and strolled around Gruene.

Alexis, Katelyn, and Lauren at Adobe Verde

Princess and cousin Taylor

Uncle Temple, Bookworm & Popeye wait on the ladies.

And of course, if you are in Gruene, you just have to go see Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Time for some great family pics down by the Guadalupe river …

Saturday morning we were off to downtown San Antonio to see the Alamo. 

Never a dull moment when the McLaren clan is around.  Lots to do and memories to make.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and I am so thankful they made the trip to be with us!

My sister asked me why I didn’t sound more excited about his remission.  I am excited and happy and thankful, but for us there is the reality that Glenn has been given numbers.  Five to Ten.  That will be with us.  It won’t be how we live, but it will be in the back of our minds.  Most of us don’t know how long we have.  We take each day for granted.  For us it will be constantly searching the recent data hoping they are still progressing towards a cure. 

I am planning on Glenn and I living life with joy and happiness making memories with our children as if each day is our last.  Children help make life normal.  They share each new experience with you and give light when things seem to fade.  Maybe given “numbers” is a gift.  Hopefully, we will treasure life more and not forget that each day is a gift. 

I know that I am so thankful Glenn is here with me.  I never dreamed that when we made our vows 14 years ago that “in sickness and in health” would be a reality for us.  He has been my life and a part of me for so long.  It is hard to imagine a life without him and so, I won’t.  I will laugh with him and listen to him and argue with him and love him. Each day is a blessing and I am thankful.

Without a great to-do, Dr. Tricot, dictated into his recorder what we had been waiting to hear.  “Glenn McLaren, diagnosed in October 2008, has achieved ’complete remission’ after two stem cell transplants.  That’s big news!  His tests revealed no signs of cancerous cells in his body.  His white blood cells are polyclonal, meaning they are making the different kinds of cells a normal healthy person makes.  With myeloma, the white blood cells become monoclonal and begin to overproduce to many of the bad cells leading to cancerous tumors (collection of cancer cells in one place) and destroying the body. 

Now with that, we asked what that means for his life expectancy.  Dr. Tricot told us that Glenn’s chromosomal make up of the Translocation 414 which makes his myeloma worse than others does not help him.  Individuals with this 414 translocation have a more likely occurence of the cancer to return sooner than others.  But, and this is a big but, because his body responded so well to the stem cell transplants and he was able to tolerate an additional round of 4 days/24 hours a day chemo after the transplants his 414 translocation is not as big a factor.  The fact that his body has fought the myeloma and achieved remission is a very positive sign for his life expectancy.  When Glenn makes it three more years without incidence his life expectancy will be expanded even more than the 5-10 years Dr. Tricot has indicated will be lived out. 

Glenn has had cancer, a rare bone cancer that will come back some day.  It is our hope that withing the next 5 years a cure will be found.  In the meantime, we are so thankful that he is officially a Cancer Survivor and no longer a guy with cancer.  All by the grace of God.