Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Nate's Check up and Moving is for the birds~

First things first.  We went to Memphis last week for Nathan's 6 month check up.  He got a great report.  Also, he had gained 1 pound and grown almost 2 inches.  While we were eating breakfast, we noticed a lot of men in suits with those cord things behind their ears, dogs were sniffing around everywhere and some were even banned from elevator use.  My first thought, was there a bomb threat??  Really, at a Children's Cancer Hospital??  Then Matt and I realized someone whom someone thinks is important must be going to pay a visit.  While getting Nathan's results and we knew he was perfect, Matt asked Nathan's oncologist, "Is the president coming or something?"  She said, "yes, but that of a former president Mr. Bill Clinton was in fact in the building".  So, as we were sitting in the Kay Kafe, here he goes walking outside holding hands with some precious St. Jude patients.

We signed on the dotted line June 26, 2012.  The house we built is ours to pay for the next 30 years give or take :) 3 days later Two Men (actually 3 men) and a Truck moved us to our new humble abode for approx. 10.5 hours.  The temp that day reached 106, I think.  While the movers finished unloading the last truckload, Matt and Mattie headed to Cullman for a softball tournament and I headed to Nathan's school for a program.  


So, today is July 10, 2012 and I would like to state for the record; Moving is for the birds~ and the birds only!  We spent a complete 8 hour day one day doing one task; HANGING PICTURES!  At first I was very precise, by hour 7-8 I really didn't care who the picture was, where it was, and how it was hanging...level or not. And, as of today, we are as "settled" as we are going to be.  A great big shout out to Pearson Homes, Inc.  We have been nothing but completely satisfied with what a fantastic job they did building this beauty.
Here are a few of my favorite pics during the build process





We have so many good memories in the other house and we look forward to making more memories in this house.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

You Can't Keep A Good Man Down

Nathan has played 2 games now with his broken arm.  He was pretty reserved during the first game. By the second game, which was last night, he SLID into home EVERY TIME! That is such a great way to make mom even more nervous than she already is!!  
Above: Matt giving Nathan instruction. To which Nathan replies "I know dad".


To the right, Coach Eddie cutting Nathan no slack.

I guess things could be worse.......hence the coach on crutches.

I know I have said it a million times before, but I will say it again.  Nathan Boyett is super duper tough stuff, (until he gets a mosquito bite and that's a whole other story).  

Thursday, April 26, 2012

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

                                                   APRIL 2012

                                                   APRIL 2010

The first broken arm was a bike accident.  This year's broken arm was from jumping off a landing at the playground.  This time, it's his left hand, which he eats and writes with, which has been pretty challenging, but we are making it work.  The sad part is, he broke his arm about 30 minutes after his first t-ball game of the season.  We are hoping he is able to play a little here and there, if not, it's going to be a loooooog season of 7 more games (especially for Coach Matt)


Mattie continues to play softball.  I guess we didn't have enough on our plate, so she is playing for 2 teams. 

We are also in the process of building a house with our current house on the market.  www.valleymls.com   MLS# 624041







Nathan had kindergarten orientation this week.  He is very excited and we are excited for him.  Not sure how excited Mattie is now that he will be at her school.


Ok, I guess that's all for now.  Hope to blog again soon.


Vikki

Monday, October 10, 2011

What does Columbus Day mean to you?

Wikipedia: 
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday.

For the Boyett' family; We are very thankful that Columbus founded America, BUT, for us, Columbus Day is a reminder of the day Nathan was diagnosed with cancer.
Nate had been sick for a couple of weeks prior, running fevers, ear infections, viral infections and so on.  But the Sunday night before the Columbus day holiday, we noticed the enlargement of his abdomen.  Constipation was our first thought, so we treated that immediately.  The enlargement did not go away.
The following day, Columbus day October 12, 2009.  Matt had the day off because of the holiday and I was at work.  I called to make another appointment at the pediatrician and our scheduled time was 3:00.  Matt and I decided we didn't want to wait that long and decided to meet at the ER. 
*Side note:  If you ever think that your life can't be turned upside down in a matter of seconds....you really need to understand that it CAN happen to you!  When I left for work the morning of October 12, 2009, I never dreamed that I wouldn't come home for 6 weeks. 
Back to the story, after 5 hours of test after test, we had a tentative diagnosis of a Wilms Tumor.
Some parts of these moments are very clear, and some parts are very foggy.  I remember looking him in the face and saying, "I don't know what that means." I remember his reply very clear, "cancer, cancer of the kidney and you will be leaving shortly to go to Memphis, TN to St. Jude."  With that one sentence, our lives changed forever.  My baby was 1 month from being 3 years old.  There is no way this could be happening.  I got dizzy. I felt faint. I had to lay down on a gurney. I asked for water.  All in the span of 5 seconds.  I can't speak for Matt, he was dealing in his own way.  I just know that after the initial shock, I remember Matt and I sitting on the gurney side by side saying, let's go to Memphis and fight this with all we have.  The next day, we were in an ambulance on our way to Memphis.  I can't say I remember the ride, because I was still an emotional wreck.  I sat up front while my baby and nurses were in the back.  They would tell me he was ok.  I dont' think I even spoke to the driver the whole way. We got to Memphis, 2 days later Nathan had a 5 hour surgery to remove the one and half pound tumor along with his left kidney.  He has the scar to prove it and he is not shy about showing you! 
Today is Columbus Day, observed.  In 2 days it is October 12.  The date of diagnosis.  You never forget the diagnosis date.  One year to the date October 12,  2010, Matt and I established Nate's Giving Fund.  It is a non-profit that is up and running with tax exemption and all.  We are still in the fund raising process.  This fund is aimed to help people financially while their child is receiving treatment for a life threatening disease/disorder. 
In 2 days October 12, 2011 is 2 years past diagnosis date.  On this day 2 years ago, we had no idea where we would be in 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years.  But, we sure know where we are today.  And we give all the thanks and glory to God for allowing us to be here today.
We know how blessed we are, we count our blessings everyday.  We try so hard not to let the things that really don't matter in the way of what does matter. 

This past weekend Nathan and Coach Matt's T-ball team (Meridianville Storm) took home the Madison County Champion Trophy.  It was amazing.  It was a blessing to have Nathan to play on a t-ball team that Matt coaches.  We count our blessings everyday.  No one is promised tomorrow.  And we know all too well how true that is. 






vikki~

Monday, October 3, 2011

Champions x 6

Mattie's softball team has won 6 straight championships in a row.

USFA EXPRESS FALL CLASSIC II
CHAMPIONS Cullman, AL

USFA THUNDERBOLT INVITATIONAL
CHAMPIONS Trussville, AL

NSA PENCIL CITY CLASSIC
CHAMPIONS Shelbyville, TN

USFA GALLATIN FRIENDLY CHAMPIONS Gallatin, TN

TSFA FALL FRENZY
CHAMPIONS Ringgold, GA

USGF 3 OUT THROW DOWN
CHAMPIONS

Pics below are from this past weekend;
USFA EXPRESS FALL CLASSIC II
CHAMPIONS Cullman, AL



But this pictures says it ALL!



Friday, September 16, 2011

What's going on in our world...

Sorry friends and family, all 2 of you that read, I am doing a horrible job of keeping up my bloggin'.
But with a few minutes on my hands and a few things on my mind, here goes.

First, it's time for Nathan's next check up.  September 22nd to be exact.  Please keep him and all of us in your prayers.  Please pray that he remains cancer free forever.....
He is getting excitded for the upcoming trip, he LOVES going to Memphis.  He actually asked if his sister could come this time.  So, I guess sister is going to make the trip with us.  She seems to think we have a plethora of fun while she is not with us. Matt and I are only letting her come since Nathan will not have anymore CT scans and he won't be restricted from food; because sister just can't handle the fact that if he don't eat, we don't eat. 

Second, Nathan is loving Pre-K.  His school, teachers and class are fantastic.  It is such a good feeling to know he is happy.  Mattie is diggin' 3rd grade as well.  She's got some awesome teachers and friends as well.

Third, Mattie is still having loads of fun playing softball.  It is amazing how much she practices, plays, sweats, thursts, falls/slides, gets hit with balls, and gets hits at the plate.  She is such a happy kid, but very attached to her parents which can be good and can be bad. 
Nathan is loving his co-ed T-ball team this season, (I think) I have learned that he does not like for a girl to take the ball away from him, and I sure don't blame him.  I think I would enjoy watching them play anything...we'll maybe not chess.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a gallbladder attach, 2 days later I was in surgery having my gallbladder removed.  It's amazing how some people can keep theirs their whole life and mine gave up at the ripe age of 36.5. 

Matt is Nathan's T-ball coach again, so between Alabama Football, Rockets03 Softball and the Meridianville Storm, he stays pretty busy.  He is an awesome dad!  Do I get any points for that plug, Matt?

Every weekend in October is booked up with Softball. 

November 19th is the St. Jude Walk-A-Thon at Madison Square Mall, so be on the lookout for my begging, asking for donations.

Also in November we will go on Nathan's Make-A-Wish Disney Cruise...we are so excited.

I'll end with a few pictures.

Vikki


Nathan and Jayden


First day of school











Monday, March 28, 2011

Balance is the Key

Balance between home/work, balance between husband/children, balance between child 1/child 2.  I feel like I am in a constant state of balance with a pole on top of my head steadying a plate and a plate on each hand/elbow/knee, you get the idea. Which one needs how much attention and at what point.  I'm not complaining, I'm just stating the facts. 

This upcoming weekend will be a new test of balance for the Boyett family.....
Up until this point, the only separation we have experienced is when we were in Memphis and Mattie was at home with Mimi & PopPop, which was hard, but manageable and Mattie understood given the circumstance and as a 6 year old, she was getting to do what she wanted to do.  Win/Win situation.

Saturday, Nathan will have his first T-ball Opening Day and mini-game.  I of course don't want to miss it, and Matt is the coach (so he can't miss it).  Mattie has a tournament in Georgia 2 hours away.  Dilemma.  Also, Saturday night, Nathan has his annual "Cancer Survivor Dinner" and Matt and I really don't want him to miss that!  So, it looks like I will beg ask a teammate to take Mattie with them.  I will stay to watch opening day.  I will then drive to Georgia to hopefully catch at least 2 of the 4 games Mattie has.  Matt and Nathan stay to go to the dinner.  I know Matt hates to miss the tourney and I hate to miss the dinner.
I know you are probably thinking, what's the big deal?  And your right, it's really not a big deal.  But, we have tried VERY hard to KEEP THE BALANCE.  I don't want Mattie to ever feel like her game is not as important as Nathan's, or, anything involving cancer takes presidence over anything else.  I know, as they get older, they will understand more, but until then, it is what it is. 
Hence, Balance is the Key....