Why not have 2 blogs?!

Hi family!

Well, schools about to start, and things are gonna get crazy real fast.  So I thought I'd take a minute to say hello.

I just saw Pat, and she looks AWESOME!!! She and my mom came over for a mini overnight visit, and it was such a relief to see Pat looking so great.  And I mean great, lots of color, good appetite, and great energy.  In fact, I put Pat and Jan to work pricing items for my yard sale.  :)  It was a lot of fun and so good to see Pat.  I love you PAT!!!

I just resigned from my teaching position in June, and now I'm "staying home" with the kids.  I'm tutoring with RISD twice a week, and will be taking sub jobs to keep the money rolling in.  But I'll be home by school release for the kiddos.  That decision was easy and difficult for many reasons. Nevertheless, it's done and now I find myself looking for ways to make money while staying flexible for the family.

As you know, I started this blog for the family to keep up with communication.  But you might not know that I just started a new blog for everything else.  That "everything else" includes my crafts, my home projects, my blanket "business" and my teacher "business".  I'm trying to sell the blankets I make.  Need a gift for someone, maybe yourself? Let me know and I'll make you a custom blanket (for a price, hee hee).  I also am trying to market myself as a Teacher's Helper by making custom themed items for the classroom, as well as selling my lesson plans, templates, etc.

All of this will be on my blog and my Teachers Pay Teachers store (eventually...that's my project for this week).  Check it out, and pass it on if you know someone I can help. You'll be helping me in the process.  :)  Love you all!

cravingthechaos.blogspot.com
www.teacherspayteachers.com/Heather-Van-Houten/

Family on my mind...

Ty, this one's for you. :) 

Happy Friday everyone! Love you!

Update on Pat

Yesteday the home health nurse came by David's and did a two hour intake consult with Pat. Other members of that team will be setting up appointments soon. Pat is getting around well. Still a little weak but in good spirits. I am so proud of how well she has doing! Speaking of proud, I am proud of Heather for setting up this family blog. Good work, Heather. I hope all the family will use it. Love to all.

Pat update, and it's a doozy!

I have a Pat update!

Pat got a TON of good news today.  First of all, her lungs continue to improve and get stronger. She took two laps around the 6th floor today and did great.

Dr. Cox, Pat's surgeon, came to visit this morning and left a very popular man with Pat and Jan.  He told them that the pathology report came back negative.  That means that he believes there was no cancer left behind that wasn't removed from the surgery.  This takes Pat from stage 4 to stage 2 with special circumstances, those circumstances being that it had spread to other areas, but it was localized.  He doesn't believe that the cancer entered the lymph nodes.  Three cheers for this fabulous news!!!!!

Lastly, but certainly not least, PAT'S LEAVING THE HOSPITAL TODAY!!!!  She gets to go home! Her job is now to rest and gain her strength.  Pat will be visiting Dr. Cox in 3 weeks, and he will refer her to an Oncologist who may or may not recommend further treatment.

It's a very happy day in the world of Pat right now.  I for one am super relieved and feel truly blessed.  We love you Pat!

<3, Heather

Welcome to your blog!

Hi Family! Welcome to our family blog! This was created in hopes that it will fix the communication dysfunction that we all seem to struggle with.  :)  Creating a blog or website was the final choice since we don't all have Twitter or Facebook accounts.  This way no one is left out.

I'd like to add all of you as contributors to this blog so that all branches of the family can post updates, milestones, pictures, etc.  If this blog proves to be less than cooperative with multiple contributors, then I have a website waiting in the wings for us to use.  That way each branch can have their own page.  

But for now, please send me your email address so I can add you as a contributor.  Or you can post from your mobile phone by giving me your number.  There's a Blogger app.  You can send me the info by commenting to this post.

Love you guys!!!

Heather