Amber's Fam Update - 3/1/09

MOM AND DAD

Everything has been going very well for us lately, I’m happy to report. Other than a very nasty divorce Jill is enduring, life has been pretty darn good. Mom and Dad moved into their new house the day before Thanksgiving, and they have settled in nicely. In a joint effort (as always Mom and Dad doing things together), they laid down a very cool industrial epoxy floor paint in the garage, have been hanging shades, and decorating in the past few months. Their place is about a half mile from Jill and Peyton’s school and about 12 minutes from me, so the location is very convenient. They’ve been enjoying exploring Sand Springs for new hole in the wall restaurants and are very happy about the close proximity of Home Depot, movies, shopping, and of course the casinos!

CHRISTMAS

Our Christmas at Mom and Dad’s new house was quite homey, and we never missed a beat really. Jill, Dad, and I took a helicopter ride around Tulsa to see the Christmas lights from the air. We had a great time chatting on our headsets and flying around T-town in the coooold night air!

JILL, PEYTON, AND LAINEY

Jill is doing very well, too. She and the girls have their routine down, and I know she likes having Peyton at her school. Peyton is 5 going on 10 (maybe 13?), I think. The other day, she got corrected by Jill for saying the Jonas Brothers were “hot”. Maybe “cute” is a better word for a 5 year old, sheesh! Lainey is little miss wild thang. She is all about adventure and excitement! She dives like Superman off the ottoman at Mom and Dad’s house into our arms with no qualms. She goes 90 mph at everything she does, and does NOT have a problem expressing what she wants. She’s starting to speak English now, although she loves to tell stories in Lainey talk.

AMBER

Toward the end of January, I brought home a new puppy from a rescue in Bristow. Her name is Phoebe, and she’s a rat terrier/dachshund mix (and who knows what the daddy was). She’s 3 months old now, and almost has potty training down. She’s my little buddy and goes everywhere with me. I don’t think I’ve left her at home to run an errand yet. She’s a pro at snuggling up to me and harassing the cat. Beowulf (the cat) has been such a good sport… He lets her nip and bite until he gets enough then there’s a series of invisibly fast swats that send her yelping and running for momma.

Also, Jill and I have been asked to speak at a public symposium hosted by our breast surgeon, Dr. Laurie Flynn, titled “Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Identification and Management of your at risk patients”. Not sure of the details yet except that Jill and I will have the floor for about 20 minutes to give our testimony. We’re up for helping any way we can and honored that Dr. Flynn would think of us (mainly Jill).

I’ve compiled a list of birthdays for our family. The list includes lots of family members from both sides, so I’m attaching it for you guys. Please keep US updated on what’s going on with your families. I love updates and pics!!!

Love,

Amber

P.S. Happy Birthday to me on Jan. 30^th, Mom on Feb. 18^th, Jill on Mar. 3^rd, and Dad on April 26^th!!

PICS

Lainey LOOOOOVES Mema (my Mom’s mom). She seeks her out in a room full of people. This is Mema comforting Lainey when she was upset about something.

Lainey and Peyton Posing for the Camera

Phoebe and Beowulf – Contentious Friends

Jill during the Heli Ride around Tulsa at Christmas

Jill and I all smiles after our Heli Ride

Pretty Girls at Christmas

In the New House

The Redneck Wine Opener (when you’ve packed the real thing and can’t find it!!!)

Amber's Fam Update - 10/1/08

Happy Fall! Hope this email finds everyone well. Keep sending updates and pics of your families. We love 'em.

JILL UPDATE
Jill's last surgery was a couple of weeks ago to complete the breast reconstruction. While Mom tended to Peyton and Lainey, Dad and I showed up at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. (hard to do for this chick) to sit with Jill for pre-op procedures and to see her off. The surgery only took about an hour and was cosmetic in nature to complete the whole "look". I must say, she looks great, and the results are pretty darn good for making something out of nothing. Better than most at her age after having two kids. Before the surgery, the plastic surgeon (Dr. Arch Miller) quipped, "You'll be able to start a new career pole dancing now!" (or something like that...) Nothing like a little humor to put everyone at ease. He's quite the character but very talented for sure.

In August, Jill competed in Tulsa's First Annual Mud Run at Mohawk Park. The Angus Valley School team navigated an obstacle course rife with mud pits, water spouts, and slides. They had a great time slogging through it, and we had a great time watching. Check out the youtube video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsqsimfJ7eQ

RACE FOR THE CURE
The Jogging for Jill team raised $1,510 and had 24 team members walking on September 20th this year. The team looked great in our snazzy new t-shirts with "Fight Like a Girl for Breast Cancer Awareness" on the back. Jill designed the t-shirts, and I was thoroughly impressed with her creativity! It was great to see the turnout this year for Jill's team as well as for the whole event. I read somewhere there were 12k people there. Makes you stop and think about how many women and their families and friends are affected by this disease just here in Tulsa, total population ~385k. Walking with thousands of people who showed up to support the same cause really invokes a feeling of solidarity. Kind of like when you go to church and look around and think... We're all here for the same reason. Thanks to everyone who walked and donated. Also, special thanks to Mandi Rivers, Jill's co-worker for organizing the team. Great job - much appreciated!! It was a lot of fun!

PEYTON AND LAINEY
Peyton is having a ball at school, especially since her momma is a teacher. She's in Mrs. Corbin's class, a good friend of Jill's. Dad and I picked her up from school the other day, and her mouth was so full of chocolate, she couldn't even speak. Guess a friend of hers gave her a gigantic choc treat after school. At my house recently, she wished upon a star for.... get this, #1) to be a Cheetah girl, and #2) that it could be Christmas every day. LOL... Lainey is learning to talk now, as she has mastered walking/running/dancing. Her favorite forbidden treat is DIRT. Yes, you read right... See pic below. You hesitate to compare one child to another, but really, she is just up for anything and never gets scared, compared to how Peyton was at that age. Very strong in spirit.

MOM AND DAD
Mom and Dad's house is going up fast. It is framed and roofed now with brick delivered and ready. Their business is steady, and they've been making plans for the office in the new home. The setting at their new place is beautiful, with hills and a pond for a view. Jill drives by often, takes pics of the progress, and sends them to us. They're looking forward to learning all the ins and outs of their new town of Sand Springs (Prattville). We can't wait to have them up here. Mom, hope you are ready to hone your cooking skills for regular dinners at ya'll's house!!!

AMBER
I've just been doing my regular thang. Working, doing the yard, hanging out with friends.... Recently attended a motivational speaking event at Tulsa's new BOK Center. Speakers included Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Montana, and Zig Zigler. The new arena is state of the art - holds 18k people. Jill and I have NBA tickets to see the Houston Rockets and the OKC Thunder (formerly the Seattle Sonics) this month at the arena. Also, recently had a peaceful assembly (a.k.a. party) here at the house involving old and new friends, food, drink, ping-pong, darts, poker, and Wii. Good times!

Love,

Amber

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PICS

"My name is Lainey, and I like to eat dirt when my momma turns her back!"






Peyton's Pretty Smile

Lainey and Poppy

Jill, Peyton, and Lainey at the Race for the Cure

Fight Like a Girl

In Memory of Grandma Quandel and In Celebration of Sister Jill

Race for the Cure 2008

My Peeps

Race For The Cure 2008

Tulsa Mud Run 2008

View it larger here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsqsimfJ7eQ

Video - Jan. '08 thru May '08

Amber's Fam Update 8/13/08

Wow, I haven't written an update in 6 weeks! Is life getting back to normal? I don't know about that, but at least there are not as many dramatic events to report on; like Martha says, it's a good thing.

Race for the Cure
First things first... The Tulsa Race for the Cure event will be held on Sept. 20th. Jill's friend Mandi is organizing Jogging for Jill this year again (many thanks). You can donate or sign up to walk at the link below. We had a great turnout last year and hope to continue this year. As we all know, breast cancer affects so many women that most of us know someone who could benefit from the moneys raised at this event. What a good cause...

http://rfctu.convio.net/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=4640&pg=team&fr_id=1050


4th
On the 4th of July, Jill and I went to Bricktown in OKC. We strolled around the Riverwalk, had a couple cocktails, and watched the fireworks. We missed being with Peyton and Lainey; they were with their dad. Bricktown was cool, but at the end of the night (like at midnight), tons of young people started pouring into the area. The cops were saying over the loud speaker, "Anyone under 18 will be taken to county jail!!" Makes me glad to live in T-town.

Channel 6 Follow Up Interview
LeAnn Taylor of Channel 6 News did a follow up story on Jill's journey through breast cancer treatment and recovery. She and her crew came to Jill's house and interviewed Jill and Peyton. The segment will likely air sometime in September near the Race for the Cure event. As always, Jill was comfortable and well spoken in front of the camera. Peyton was a little shier this time... It's interesting to see her transformation from chatty 4 year old to a more mature 5 year old who is somewhat reserved. Not sure when it will air exactly, but when I know, I'll send out a message.

The girls
The girls are such a joy to be around right now. Peyton loves to play on the computer (and can operate it as well as we can), and has been capturing dragonflies, toads, and other insects in her insect box. The box is a little plastic cage with mesh wiring. Jill had to explain to her if she kept them too long, they would die, so they've set free many a scared bug!! Lainey is running everywhere and is starting to talk now. She says Hi all the time, and if you're lucky, she'll blow you a kiss. If you sit on the floor, she'll run by and from time to time, jump on you and give you hugs. Needless to say, we sit on the floor a lot. So sweet! Also, Peyton will start Kindergarten next week at Jill's school. She's been enjoying going to work with Mom this week, playing with other teachers' kids, and getting special access to the school.

Mom and Dad
Dad and Mom are building a house in Sand Springs (Prattville) so they can be where the action is (read: grandkids). The house is on a big flat lot, and I know they are relieved to not have to take care of the ole paradise they used to have in Stroud. Trees, pond, foliage, pool, flower gardens all equal WORK. Who has time for that when Peyton and Lainey await Momo and Poppy?!?

Moi
I've been clearing out brush in my backyard in order to have a better view of the golf course. Hacking away at scrubby bushes with my trusty hatchet is pretty therapeutic. Also had a little ring-tailed visitor as of late. Mr. Coon as I call him, has disturbed my sleep more than once. Before I knew it was a raccoon making all the ruckus, I was lurking about the house in the wee hours of the night with my revolver... expecting an intruder only to find it was Mr. Coon from the creek behind my house. As a matter of fact, just a minute ago, he tumped over Beowulf's (my cat) water bowl and scared me half to death. He's alright with me - long as he doesn't steal anymore bird feed. :o)

Love,

Amber

P.S. I have tried to keep up with the birthdays, but I'm doing a miserable job. Wanted to wish everyone a happy birthday ON their birthday, but I am just not that organized. The best intentions...
P.P.S. Love you Mema.



And now for the pics!

Ducks on the man made river in Bricktown, OKC

Peyton and LeAnn - two very pretty girls!

What Lainey does best!

Little Miss Blue Eyes Ketchup Lips (Her Indian name)

Feeding Lainey Sour Food - It never gets old!

Lainey Paige - In her 70s outfit

Amber's Fam Update 7/2/08

Summer time is in full swing, and everything is going pretty well. With Jill through with her last major surgery, we are all breathing a big sigh of relief. Talk about looking forward!!? We are doing just that with lots of plans for next vacations, nights out, and peaceful time with the girls!

Lainey's first birthday was a gas. She tore into the chocolate cupcakes with no hesitation. Her new toys have been keeping her occupied and in learning mode. She is now saying "hi" and waving, blowing kisses, and mocking Peyton's laughter. She's at a very cute age where you can teach her things, and she willingly tries to mock you. This little girl is strong willed and is adventurous to the point you must keep one eyeball on her at all times! I kept her for just an hour the other day, and when we were out on my back porch, she snatched up a dirt clod and ran like the dickens. When I got to her, her little pink tongue was covered in black dirt specks. Sneaky little thing, she is! (Yoda talk, haha...)

Peyton has been playing the Wii a lot and is coordinated enough to beat us 90% of the time. Aunt Ber beat her once at bowling, and it did NOT sit well with her. Since she's pretty good at most everything she tries, she's not used to losing. Mom Jill and she went to see WALL-E together recently, and I know she looooved that one on one time. She does love her momma. Her latest interest is her Webkin dragon named Sally. Peyton is not a morning person, but the first thing she does when she wakes up is head to the computer to "feed" and "play' with Sally. She instinctively knows how to take care of it. She's also very into helping Jill clean - dusting and wiping up messes - just like a little mother.

Mom and Dad have a very good lead on selling their house, but as everyone knows, real estate sales can be touch and go right up until close. So, hopefully they will be able to sell it and move closer to Tulsa soon.

No matter what the circumstances, life keeps gliding by at a swift pace, so grab a hold and enjoy the flight as best as you can!

Love,

Amber


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Lainey's first birthday. No holds barred - CHOCOLATE!!!





Lainey's cute little backside

Peyton and her froggy friends - She eventually let them go.

Lainey's reaction when Poppy came around on the riding mower without her. This happened each and every time he came around the house. I can attest to it because I was on the phone with Jill, and about every 3 minutes, the siren that is Lainey went off. "I wanna GOOOO!!!"

Poppy and his granddaughters

Peyton having strawberries and whipped cream (notice her "strawberry teeth"!)

We visited Pops recently - a restaurant and "soda stand" in Arcadia, Oklahoma on Route 66 - home to over 12,000 soda pop bottles.
All your favorite pops in a bottle - very cool.

Jill and Lainey on the pool deck