Pete's cousin Gilbert died yesterday morning at the age of 43 suddenly. We're trying to get Pete to Texas for the funeral this weekend, but not sure if we're going to make it. He leaves a young daughter behind, a very tragic story since Gil's wife died in a car accident when their daughter was very young (killed by a drunk driver). Keep him in your thoughts, thanks for the prayers ( :

Well, the kids left us for a week and came back home Saturday afternoon. They were up in Traverse City for a week with my parents. They got too spoiled and I've had to enforce the rules a little more than usual, but they're being pretty good. Pete and I needed a break from the kids and they needed some time away from us. We hung out with some friends and ate out too much! I have been selling a ton of stuff on craiglist which helped declutter our house. I've been doing a lot of shopping for the kids for the fall & winter so that has been fun! I go to this Thrift Shop near my house (not my main way of shopping) every 2 weeks to see what they have. Last week I picked up all in Great Condition Osh Kosh Jeans for Kiersten for $0.95, BabyGap Jeans for $2.00, Ralph Lauren Sweater for $2.00 and an Old Navy Hoodie for $1.00. Not bad!!!

Kiersten is doing wonderfully with her potty training. We still have accidents here and there, but overall good. She has been pooping about 50% in her little toilet so that's great in itself! The goal is still to be done within 2 months! I have been feeling good, but just tired. I'm still almost always tired in the late afternoon, but I am managing. Rain is predicted all week so that is not going to help!

Hey you Chinese B*tch!

That's what someone said to me tonight as I was walking towards my car with Pete leaving Kmart. Funny thing is she only got it half right, I can be a b*tch, but I'm not Chinese. A bunch of ignorant, bored teenagers riding in their beatup cars driving through a Kmart parking lot on a Tuesday night...what a life. We were there trying to find Wasp killer spray (they were out at Target & had none at Kmart)

Its funny b/c just before we got to Kmart after leaving Target, Pete & I were talking about being labeled. People don't know my background, I get hawaiian, hispanic, filipino, never Laos and they usually have never heard of Laos (its a landlocked country nestled between Thailand & Vietnam). I consider myself an American and that's what I tell people.

The lesson here is, if you're bored, find something a little more constructive to do. It'll make you a better person. This girl said a few more things, but I couldn't understand her english, perhaps she needs some more english classes.

A few pictures at the park...

Check out that long hair!

Well...these days haven't been too interesting. We do the usual trips to the park, mall and other various places. I have forgotten my camera the past few times we've been out & its hard to take pictures when I have 2 kids running off in opposite directions. The weather has kept us mainly indoors most of the day, but the kids & I go out shopping really early and get back before the heat gets us. We spent yesterday at Chucke E. Cheese and the kids really enjoyed that. Last night just before 1 a.m. there was a bad accident just down the road from my house. A white corvette slammed into the trees. I heard the brake noise, but didn't see it. The police blocked off traffic for over an hour. I didn't go down to help since I saw a lot of traffic and people already down there (Pete was at the gym & the kids were both sleeping anyway) . Our road can be pretty dangerous. It's a bit curvy (we live in between 2 lakes) and really dark, no street lamps at all. We don't know if there was a death, but when we moved in 2002, some kids walking at night got hit by a car near the scene of this accident.

Besides that Kiersten is potty training very well. She had her first bowel movement in the little toilet a few days ago. The only issue is that I have to get her comfy on the big toilet (I have a toilet seat cover & a little toilet) b/c she's scared of the big toilet & can't go. At the mall, they have a family restroom with a kid size toilet and she was okay using that. Hopefully, she'll be completely potty trained within 2months.

Conversations with Kiersten is a lot of fun. She is speaking very well and is very articulate. She is an independent and stubborn little girl which makes her difficult at times. She is a momma's girl. On Friday, we are headed up to TC to drop off the kids at my parents and they will stay for 1 week! Pete & I plan to have some adult time with our friends and actually go on a date or 2. Of course, my main mission is to continue to declutter the house!

On another note, my health seems to be stable, but I won't know how I am really doing until I get more lab work done in September. 50% chance of another round of radiation and 50% chance I may not need more meds! Who knows, I am feeling pretty well these days and trying not to over exert myself to keep my heartrate down! Congrats to Pete!!! He lost 14lbs the month of July and hopes to lose at least 10 more! We're so young, we have to keep healthy so we can be around for a long time! He looks good and the weight loss shows! I'm still working on losing my extra 10lbs too!