Criticism & Ice Cream.

I often stop writing what I want to on my blog, worried about criticism from others.

There's a blog I follow of a fabulous new mom, who too feels this.

She opened up recently in one of her blogs, in what I've been trying to do recently.

Thank you- you know who.

I have to stop telling myself to not be me, and just write want I want. If people don't like it, they can stop reading, tell me, or do whatever.

I have to remind myself that I started this to recount my life, even any negative parts of it.

___

Moving on from my soap box...

This weekend was as good as it could be.

We took the kiddos to the mall Friday night.

They had a blast running around the mall, playing in the play place, and sucking up to Grandma Bonnie for quarters to ride the rides. Gavin even took a turn!

We also got ice cream... Samantha requested a chocolate shake, but ended up taking Grandpa Roger's Dilly bar and devouring it!

Saturday we played, and I helped my FIL move his office and decorate it.

Then, Brandon and I were super excited to catch up with our amazing friend, Jayme.

Unfortunately, we only seem to see Jayme when she comes to Sioux Falls to get treatment for her son, Jackson. Jack is four years old, and battled stage 4 neuroblastoma. He's been cancer free for about a year; however, small tumors (benign) keep showing up in his brain. So, they were here again for him to have the latest tumor removed--- the tests so far again say it's benign.

We went to Old Chicago, and spent a few hours of non-stop talking, catching up on many months apart. It was  a great time, with lots of laughter.

On Sunday, we headed over to my in laws. I made chili for the big game. (TEARS! My poor Steelers!)

The girls had a great time jumping on a mattress my in laws put in their living room for "romp" time. Gavin, who now weighs NINETEEN pounds (he's 4 months old), snuggled a lot with me, ate a TON, including an entire thing of green beans, sweet potatoes, and squash in three separate feedings. Such a healthy eater!

I fought a headache all weekend... and of course, the magnitude of pain hit early this morning. I'm nursing it with tylenol, hoping I won't end up in the ER. I see a neurosurgeon on Wednesday. Apparently the cyst on my brain doubled in size, so now surgery may be a possibility, and the cyst may be the culprit of this never-ending headache. I'm hoping for some resolve!

Anyway, here's to honesty... whether it's something positive or negative in life!

Melissa