A Doctor... A Friend

I try not to fill this blog with tales of Abby's battle with cancer. You can see her caringbridge page for that. But there were may special people that assisted us along our journey and one of them lost their own battle yesterday. Ginger Sensman was the girl's pediatrician from the time she arrived in Salina. The girls were little. Ginger and I became friends. I was a labor and delivery nurse, we knew many of the same people and we had similar personalities. My girls loved her and I trusted her.

When Abby first got sick, I took her to the emergency room. When we were dismissed, I left the emergency room and took her to Ginger's house. I did not do that sort of thing, even when my doctors are my friends, I go through proper channels, but something was wrong. Ginger was out of town on vacation, and I did not know it. I did however know that if I showed up at her house with my sick kid on a Saturday afternoon, it would have been ok.

When she got back into town, I was never so relieved to see anyone. She watched over Abby, and finally said, 'I don't know what is wrong with her'. I respected that. I respected that she worked with my pediatrician friend in Omaha to transfer her care.

Ginger called me in the hospital once Abby was diagnosed. She always made it easy to be home in Salina, and coordinated our care so easily.

We were devastated when Ginger was diagnosed with breast cancer. Abby sent her chemo fairies she made especially for her, and Ginger insisted on paying for them.... That is who she was.

I will remember her laugher, her bravery, her hugs, her smile, and her friendship. I will remember that she was a fabulous doctor and that she truly cared! God Speed, Ginger!!!

The Recipe Box

I was looking for a recipe today. You know, that recipe for Christmas cookies. The one your Grandma baked, then your Mom baked once she was gone. It is one of my Daddy's favorites. Where was my darn RECIPE! Then I pulled it out. The sacred recipe box. The one I asked one day when I was at my Grandpa's house, YEARS after my Grandma died when I was 13. I had two babies and a husband of my own now, and I wanted a piece of her to have forever. Something I could make a part of my girls lives that they will take down to their daughters someday. When I pulled that recipe for the Refrigerator Cookies out, it had the stains of her baking. It looked like maybe she set the recipe down in some coffee she spilled on the counter as she mixed the butter with the brown sugar. I look at recipe box and see the many recipes she typed and the few that she wrote by hand, and I am grateful that I had the presence of mind to ask for that treasure. A recipe box... it links me back to the little girl that I once was eating those paper thin cookies at my grandma's table and brings me to the future of how to make them just like her.

What's new...

Well, you would think from my last post that there would be a lot new. But, really, not so much. The girls continue to be really busy at school. First semester is finishing up for Emma, and she has taken the test to get into a private Catholic School here in Denver. We are praying hard that she gets in... Want to join us? Emma is doing well in school, especially in those subjects that she loves!! (english, spanish, science, and journalism.)

Abby is doing so much better in school. I think it is numerous factors helping us here. She is such a hard worker. That is the one thing her teacher says over and over. She is in tutoring at Huntington Learning Center 3 nights a week. She is really getting caught up on much of those concepts she missed and teaching her concepts that will help her be a better student. Everyone is just shocked at really how well she is progressing.

Chris and I continue to just work away.... We make a great team and make it all work!

We are VERY excited for Christmas and for my parents coming!!! Have you ever had that NEED to see your parents? I had that need, and like all parents do, they are going to meet that need for me!!! It will be the best Christmas present I will get, that is for sure!!!!!

The Christmas Tree is all set up! We even have some wrapped presents under it this year!

We hope that your holiday season is going well! We are thinking of you!!!

Why the Royal Gorge Bridge is so scary....

Looking between the slats of the wood Royal Gorge Bridge.....

It is scary and LOUD as you drive across and the wood slats move....
It is forever down to your falling death if you walk across, especially if you don't like heights.

Funny Vacation Story from the Royal Gorge...

Sunset over the mountains at the Royal Gorge. Taken at center of bridge.

The Royal Gorge was beautiful as the sun was setting over the mountains. We were so excited to be there! The girls in the car were a little apprehensive about driving over the bridge, however, that is where the better stuff was. On we went. Chris was a good pilot. We made it across safely. Abby and I decided we were all over the bridge. We wanted to see animals, so off we trotted. I told the stories of feeding the deer pringles and Lay's chips when I was a girl and they LOVED them. Abby saw quite a few wild dear but wanted nothing to do with them. This would be a major understatement. She wanted them to trot on my quickly. We saw mountain goats, mountain rams and we saw Abby's all time favorite BUFFALOES!!!

Emma and Chris were busy having an adventure of their own. An older couple were fighting over whether or not HE was going to go over the bridge 1/2 way on foot. He was not, Period.

She was and she thought him an ass for not going. He was more than happy not to drive off and leave her. On her way back from the bridge she stopped and told Chris, "Don't ever be married for forty years.... All you get is Heartbreak". Chris said some nice soft things to her and she settled down. Poor lady. We all met a lovely couple from Alabama who were out on their honeymoon! I just loved them!!!!! Tells me that God has a plan!!!

Staycation

Chris and girls at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Random roadside stop. Just a good picture op..
Sunset at the Royal Gorge. When you show up 2 hours prior to closing you get in 1/2 price!
We had the Royal Gorge pretty much to ourselves except for the lovely newlyweds from Florida, originally from Mississippi, and the Crabby old Couple. Yes there is a story.

The Bridgewater's are on Staycation this week. What is Staycation you ask? Well, it is when you don't have work, and you don't have school, and you don't plan a big trip, but you throw your stuff in the car and DRIVE! It is so fun! We live in a state that most people FLOCK to for vacation! Well, the Bridgewater's are taking advantage this year with a Staycation. We are staying in Colorado. Our Staycation has taken us to southwest Colorado, which is now my favorite part of our state. What is very unfortunate is that most people tend to stick with the I-70 corridor. You know, Dillon, Aspen, or Vail. If the get off of I-70 they go to Estes Park. Don't get me wrong, all very beautiful, however, after coming to this part of the state, I don't think that they even touch how beautiful it is here!!! Durango, Silverton, Euray, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison... I have traveled quite a bit and I think this is some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. We have had a great time as a family, traveling the countryside without a plan, without a goal, without a time table. I highly recommend it. I have a lot of photos to share, a lot of stories to share, but here is something to get you started!!!

Parked in October now

Ok, I have been "Parked on Labor Day" for just a bit. I have been a little frustrated with this new blog format. It is difficult, for me, to get it to do what I want. I need a class, or a tutor, or SOMETHING! However, why should my updating suffer just because my photos are not where I want them, right?

We are doing well! Busy as always! We have enjoyed the fall here in Colorado taking a little time to take in the wonderful fall colors! They really were stunning! We had a great family day winding through the highways in the Rockies! We ended up in Estes Park where we enjoyed the elk in rut, a noise that is like no other, saltwater taffy and a cheese burger at Penelope's.

The girls are doing well! Abby continues to love her new school. She is really thriving, and we think we made an excellent decision in moving her. She LOVES driving to school with Mom every day, and has made many new friends. She is able to get some extra help, and we are really seeing her make some strides with all of that and the tutoring she is doing 3 times a week.

Emma is doing great in 8th grade. Parent/teacher conferences were wonderful. Her teachers really like her and she is on a team that expects a lot out of their students, which is excellent for Emma. Emma is busy applying for private high school and is excited about the prospects that brings for her.

We have several appointments coming up in the next month for Abby. She is going to see a Orthopedic Surgeon to check out her feet and ankles. Her feet are a long standing problem, her ankles are, well I don't know. I guess that is why we are going.

We have our last every 2 month oncology appointment. It was stretched out to 3 months, due to Abby's other doctors appointment, but she is doing well. We are ready to stretch things out a bit more.

We are watching the Rockies in post season. All of the Bridgewater's are pretty excited about that. We would like to see them move on along to the next level of the play offs!

We are excited to get through this next week. After that BOTH the girls are on fall break, Abby started her 2 week fall break last friday, and Chris and I are on VACATION! I think we are going to do a 'staycation' here in Colorado, enjoying our lovely state! We are pretty excited!!

We hope you are enjoying your fall! Drop us a line and let us know what you are doing!

Labor Day...

I can't believe that Labor Day has come and gone... It is always the true end of summer for me. I can honestly say that I can feel the fall in the air now. The days are for sure getting shorter. They are talking about getting up to the mountains to enjoy the fall colors. Where did the summer go, exactly? I don't know that I am ready to let go quite yet!!

The girls are doing fabulous in school. I just had a meeting at Abby's school and they are impressed by her work ethic, her willingness to work hard, and her organizational skills. She has some things to work on, and that is why she is going to tutoring 3 times a week. She is still doing her swimming lessons and just learned to dive! What a trouper!

Emma was just made one of the lead editors for her new school magazine. We are over the moon for her, and so very PROUD! She is loving school and working hard at her organizational skills. She loves being on the hard team and it shows by the quality of work she is doing. Go Emma! She can't wait for her Washington DC trip which is coming up right around the corner!

Chris and I press on! We try and ride our bikes as much as possible, although, we did not get much riding in this weekend due to my cold. He did get one 20 mile ride in with Trey, and the girls and I got the pleasure of Angela and Parker's company! It is ALWAYS fun to Brunch with them!

I will try to get some photos up soon!

Middle School Back to School Night...

It was back to school night at Sierra Middle School! Chris and I went and met all of Emma's 8th grade teachers. I think all in all, she did pretty well this year!! She has the same Spanish teacher as last year. I am thrilled about that. Emma can understand a lot of spanish and can speak pretty well. They gave some sort of assessment and Emma scored an 83%. I am happy with that. She loves the Spanish language and still wants to go to Costa Rica and study this summer...

Next was Electronic Publishing. Wow, that teacher LOVES the kids and LOVES what he does. No wonder Emma LOVES his class. She is applying to be editor of the paper. Keep your fingers crossed as this would look excellent on the high school application we are working on.

Next was PE. That teacher was out, however, I know him, great teacher and last year he told everyone of in the office that Emma was going to be one of the top 2 achievers from all of his classes. Great judge of character. I played with my phone and Chris looked up baseball scores during this period. We joked with the principals that we were "skipping gym".

Next, American History. That looks like a fun class. The announcement was made that the Owl team was going on a field trip next Friday. All four core classroom teachers will take part in this. We discussed what the class consists of and I really liked this teacher. Hope she is willing to give Emma some of the harder work she offers. We will see.

From there we headed to English. I liked this teacher. She was the one that noticed that Emma was reading ahead and sent her to the library for the unabridged version of the book to read. She stated that Emma is a fabulous reader but needs to slow down with her writing and be sure what was being asked of her. I love her for not squelching Emma's reading like most do, now if she can make the writing assignments interesting...

Science. I think this is Emma's favorite subject. I loved it when he said that asking kids to memorize what order the planets are in is stupid. They can google that. But let's talk about why they are lined up the way they are, their shape and size and placement in the solar system and how that will affect future space travel... He talked about teaching kids to think like scientist. Teaching kids how to think...

Math was next. He had a cool board! He was younger than I pictured. Emma was most worried about having this teacher, but in fact, is really enjoying him. We talked about math placement for High School, and college math requirements. (yep, 3rd week 8th grade)

What we heard from everyone is that they like our Emma and that she is doing really well this year. No late assignments, doing good work. We are proud...

S'mores... again...

Ok, Abby looks a little bit like the joker in this photo. Maybe she will quite making this goofy face!

WE did manage to get one fun thing in this weekend before Abby really started feeling yuck. We had another backyard "bonfire" minus the fire department. Why you ask? We now have a season long burning permit! Call away, neighbor! We had fun making s'mores, our neighbors came over with their puppy and a good time was had by all!

Abby on her firs day of 6th grade at Lone Tree Elementary!
Emma on her first day of 8th grade Sierra Middle School

I planned to have wonderful new photos of us from the mountains, going down the alpine slides, but instead, we had more of a subdued weekend here at the Bridgewater house. Poor Abby has some sort of 'virus' or flu. Her nose is running, her throat hurts and she has had a headache on and off. Poor girl. I hate that for her! We took her into the doctor to make sure she does have strep, and that was negative.

Chris and I have been riding our bikes a lot here lately. We are trying to get into shape. We would like to do some of the longer mountain rides come next spring... I don't know... We are looking for a new bike for me, more of a road bike.

The girls are LOVING school! Abby loves her new school and is making lots of friends. She is actually learning something, too, from the sound of things. Emma is loving her last year of middle school. She is on the news magazine and is looking forward to a trip to Washington DC in November. Lucky girl! She loves being part of the "harder" team this year and Chris and I are already looking ahead to high school and which direction we should go with Emma!

S'mores and Guiness

Abby enjoys her s'more

Cooking dinner over the open flame
This is how Frannie was most of the weekend, trying to get away from Guiness.
Isn't this just the cutest photo of Guiness. He looks like this naturally! No grooming!

We have been watching our friends puppy this weekend... Wow! You forget how much work a puppy really is! I think that is why God made them so cute and cuddly, otherwise, NO ONE would own a dog willingly. I have spent a lot of time with Guiness under my feet this weekend, saying "NO Guiness", saying "Stupid Dog", which really isn't very nice, because he is not dumb, he is a puppy! He is a lot of work, and I seem to be the chosen person of the weekend that he loves. (hope that doesn't mean I have to pick up the poop) Great thing about Guiness, he doesn't shed, he is full of energy, doesn't bark, and and is sweet as pie!

Our other fun weekend activity so far has been to have a cook out in the backyard over the fire pit. Poor Emma was babysitting. so she missed all of the fun, excitement and good food.! Nothing like a good hotdog over an open fire that you cook yourself. We also made yummy s'mores! The excitement was when the mean neighbor behind us called the fire department. Seriously... The truck came, parked in front of our house, and gave us a burn permit. Nice Parker Firemen. Mean Neighbor... We invited the firemen to stay for s'mores, but they declined. Darn.

Stuff

Sigh... It was a really good day... Busy, but good. Why then do I feel so exhausted and overwhelmed. I think it is because school is going to start. That means crazy schedules, more money going out and lots of people going lots of different ways. It is just kind of nuts.

Abby went to the Oncologist today and got the clean bill of health! Yipee! I feel less and less nervous with every visit, and it is nice to see how Abby is one of the Success stories. It is hard to see the kids there who are so SICK. I want to hug their moms and say "I remember... I never thought we would be here... She would be here!" It is hard.

School starts FRIDAY for Abby... Stay tuned for updates on Thursday from meet the teacher.

Emma starts school on Monday! She CAN'T wait! She is ready to jump right back into school! Good for her!

That is a lot of fish, and we have a lot of it in our freezer! Want to come for dinner?
A real man can catch a salmon on the boobie prize barbie fishing pole. Ha ha!
Ok, that fish is just WRONG! GROSS! But supposedly good eating. Have that in the freezer too.

It has been a busy week for the Bridgewater's. It is always that way when you are getting back to the real world after vacation... I always feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. Is there anyone else out there who feels the same way?

I am posting a few pictures from the FABULOUS fishing trip to Alaska Chris went on! He had a great time and filled our freezer with yummy fish. I am looking for Halibut recipes, so if you have any, please send them my way!

We are enjoying the last week of summer. The girls are back to school this week. Abby actually will start this Friday, and Emma next Monday! It is early, but they are READY! I don't know if I am. I like sleeping in a little longer in the morning! Abby is VERY excited about her new school, I we go to meet her new teacher on Monday. Emma found out she is on the OWL team, and has the most wonderful science teacher! The girls backpacks are all filled with their fresh new notebooks, markers and pens. They are prepared!

Hope you are having a GREAT week!

Omaha Vacation 2009/Camp Coholo

This is what you get for 50 bucks at fun plex, but Emma and Gavin were all smiles.

We are home. We are exhausted, but we are home. Why is it that you always need "a vacation from your vacation"? We had a great time in Omaha. The only bad thing is that we NEVER have enough time, we never get to see everyone we want to see, and after we leave the girls are always ready to pack up our house and move to Omaha. Isn't that funny?

I, of course, did not take NEAR enough photos. Story of my l

ife. I think I need to make my camera an extension of myself... but I never do and then I am sorry. I will work on that. I do have some good photos to share.

Some things that we did when we were in Omaha...

Abby and Maron Hogan. She loved that little girl!!

These kids had the golf pros going down the slide with all of their clothes on!

Abby went to Camp Coholo. THE whole reason we went. Camp Coholo if you are not familiar is a camp for kids with cancer and blood disorders. Abby had a fabulous time, as always, loved seeing all of her friends, getting to spend tons of time with Hannah, and Molly, Sydnee and Emma and even getting a poem and sharing a dance with a BOY. She was asked by 2 boys, but only danced with one. She thinks that next year she will be able to branch out more... This was Abby's last year at "littles camp". Next year she will move on to "bigs camp". She is ready. Abby was also on the news for Coholo in Omaha and we had some friends in Kansas see the story on headline news. I will post a link for you.

Emma loved her Mommy and me time. WE left camp and saw this funny little dog ridding on the back of a motorcycle. We thought that was a good omen for the good time we were going to have. We ran home and got our bikes and headed over to Knudsen's. We were going for a ride around Zyrinski's lake ( I know I just murdered that spelling) We decided to ride to zyrinski's, from 168th and Blondo. It was a trip. With a winey 13 year old. We went over 20 miles. When we got back, Emma and I went and got Little King, and took MAJOR NAPS! After we woke up, we ate like queens at Wheatfields and went to see the new Harry Potter. Day 2 we spent the rainy day with Darby, Gavin and Blake. We even got to have lunch with Nick! Yea! It was great to see them. We took the "bigs" to fun plex and they made some FABULOUS choices with their winnings! I threatened Emma with her life is she brought those home! Emma and Gavin always pick up right where they left off for the most part. Plans were made for them to hopefully detastle corn together next summer. Nick, Darby and I thought it would be a great idea for them! It sure was great to seen the Brion's and Knudsen's and for that alone I could move to Omaha... If only there was a job...

We got home yesterday about 4:30, unloaded, unpacked and the laundry started. Now we need to put the house back together. That is always fun! We are going to finish up our cleaning up and preparing for the week. We have lots to do this week! I will post about that later!

Enjoy the photos!

WE decided. Abby IS going to a new school. The paperwork has been filled out and turned in and we are EXCITED! WE are ready to embark on a new adventure that is really going to facilitate Abby's learning! YIPEE! I am going to put her new school's Mission Statement here. Our Mission

The mission of abc Elementary... A Magnet School is to provide a curriculum that is conducive to the 9 brain-compatible elements of the HET model and is standards-based. With a focus on the Lifelong guidelines and LIFESKILLS, all children will be empowered to work collaboratively in meaningful and engaging ways. Our Magnet programs and real-life experiences will be critical in creating connections between students and the world around them

WE are currently in Omaha, getting r ready to take Abby to Camp CoHoLo tomorrow! She is excited! Emma and I are really excited for a little Mommy and me time!! What rarity! Please watch the website www.campcoholo.org for photos of Abby and Hannah and all of her friends and what a GREAT time they are having!

Emma and I plan on a big ride around Zorinski Lake tomorrow and then a nice brunch! I love that she likes to bike as much as I do! I will try to get some photos!

13

13... I think I could just leave it there, and all of the mothers out there would go ahh, yep, I know. Even if their own children are just preschoolers, they know, as they were once 13, and they KNOW what they have coming.

I am thinking about my Christmas letter this year... (I know, Christmas in July). What will it say? I will talk about all of my 13 year olds achievements. Her big heart, her love of reading and her being asked to be on the school paper, her love of track. I will not probably mention how every time you look at her she cries, how she goes from laughing to crying in a matter of 2 seconds, how her room is a mess, and how I see the struggle between the woman she is to become and the child she still wants to be every day. I think that whoever decided that 13 was an unlucky number must have had a 13 themselves.

Decisions

Big decisions were made today at the Bridgewater house! Big, hard, decisions! We made the decision to move Abby out of the local public school into a public magnet school. We have been wanting to make a move for a while, but were not sure what the "right" move would be. We have not been able to find a private school we were happy with, but now, I think we are over the moon with this decision! Abby went from being very excited, to tearful and worried about the unknown, to very excited, as this was a move she really wanted! I think this will be good. I was not happy with the direction of our current elementary, having the 6th grade in the trailers all year, moving around from class to class or trailer to trailer. It just worries me. I was not at all worried with what I saw at her new school! I think my baby girl is going to THRIVE!!! Stay tuned! She is going for a tour on Friday!

Happy 4th of July! Posted late

Fireworks over Coor's Field! The Finale was the BEST I have seen!
Even though the clouds kept us from seeing the mountains, the view was stunning!!
The Billboard at Coor's Field. It looks blurry because of the RAIN!
Papa, Abby, Emma and Nana outside of Coor's field!

What do you do on the 4th of July when you live in Denver? Well, if you are the Bridgewater's and you have Nana and Papa visiting you are Coor's field watching the Rockies Play BASEBALL! We had a GREAT time. The afternoon started out with a delay due to RAIN! And rain it did! It was a down pour! Luckily, when it was time to play baseball, the skies cleared and, well, the Rockies... Well, they LOST. Oh well! We had a FABULOUS time anyhow! The weather was GREAT, the company was GREAT, and they did not loose for lack of our cheering!! Go ROCKIES!