My Poor Car

On May 27 (Tuesday) I was on my way to a Grand Opening at Grand Casino Hinckley. I was stopped at a stoplight on Hwy 48 - right before you cross over I35 in Hinckley...when all of a sudden BAM! I got rear-ended anywhere from 25 - 35 mph. Below is the damage...

Obviously the car that hit me is blue...

Hinckley Collision (who I would highly recommend) is taking care of the repairs. We do not know at this time if it is totaled, but the frame is slightly shifted/bent, so it very well could be. If it is not - we are looking at around $3,000 in damage they said. So now - I am driving around a rental car for who knows how long. The unfortunate storms that occured a week ago in Hugo have caused claims adjusters to be very busy. I can wait for the repairs, now that I have a reliable rental car to get me from A to B (and the occasional C) - I just hope that the people in Hugo who suffered damage from the tornado are getting the help that they need.

I did seek medical treatment after this accident because about 2 hours after it happened I started to hurt pretty bad. I have muscle spasms, internal bruising and whiplash - the normal injuries/aches/pains when you get a jolt like that, hopefully it will get better within a week or two - if it hasn't, then I go back in.

In other news...my mom had her 2nd surgery today. They had to go back in because 2 of the 5 "margains" that they tested were positive for precancerous cells, and to be sure that we get all of this, my mom opted to have them go back in and clear it up. We DO NOT want to go through this again. It's really taken a toll on all of us. So, keep her in her prayers. I hope and pray that this time all the margains will be clear and they don't have to go in a 3rd time. I just spoke with her and she is on the up and up - probably a little bit drugged still but at least she was laughing and smiling.

We leave for our vacation in 12 sleeps - I can't believe that Parish is actually going to get on a plane! We have everything organized, our park and fly, our home for Jackson for the week (thank you Josh and Kris!) and I am going shopping this weekend for the last odds and ends. For those of you that don't know - it's my grandma's 90th birthday and our whole family is heading to Michigan for this celebration. Parish and I are taking about a week off and relaxing. It is much needed right now. You can bet that I will document everything from the airport terminal to our safe landing on the 17th. I just know that Parish will love flying - I hope I can get him on the plane! :)

Parish's grandparents and mom are coming down this weekend. It will be really nice to see them. We have a graduation party for Max Bowers (Keith and Janelle's grandson) on Sunday. I am excited because it is supposed to be super nice.

Lastly, Nicki and Chad are moving into their new house this weekend. Man, has Chad done a great job with it. I know he is tired and ready to just relax, but I will post pictures as soon as we head up there again. And Baby Chaston will be born on June 10th!

We are so excited to have a little nephew - I can barely stand it. SO much to look forward to this summer...

Now, if only we could catch a break! Have a great weekend. Happy Friday!

Update on my mom

My mom is doing good - she is really sore. She went into surgery at 1:45 p.m on May 21 and was in recovery at around 3:15 p.m. My dad and I were extremely pleased with the outcome of her surgery.

In addition to her lumpectomy, she also had sentinel node biopsy - which is an important indicator of the potential spread of cancer - all 4 of her sentinel nodes were clear, according to the prelimiary report. They also removed the cancer as well as the surronding tissue. She won't receive the final oncology report until Thursday at her appt. That's when we find out her treatment plan. We were just all relieved.

They did mention that getting "clear margins" around the tumor is important and that is why a bit more than the cancer was removed and they won't be able to identify the "Fingers" until they receive the oncology report. Since a tumor is typically bumpy or has speculated surgaces (which may be trying to branch out and spread) the surgeon will want to be sure that when the tumor is removed, no bits of the tentacles our outer bumps AKA fingers are left in the breast tissue, only to cause another occurrence of cancer.

So, I will be totally relieved when we get the oncology report back. She is very tired and sore, but on the mend and smiling, laughing and being her usual self when I left- which is SO nice to see.

I am helping my sister move this weekend - she is moving into her first apartment by herself this weekend in Minnetonka. Parish is actually going to be going up North to be with his mom and family - I wish I could be with him too, but since my mom just had surgery, I figured I would be most helpful lugging boxes so that my mom can fully recover.

I am so proud of Ashley - she landed this sweet apartment, a wonderful internship, will be graduating from Carlson early and not to mention the fact that she bought the cutest furniture for her new place...it's just so fun to watch her become so successful. She's really not my little sister who colored outside the lines anymore.

Hope you all have a safe memorial weekend!

Happy Birthday Gooner!

Gooner’s (Parish's Dad) birthday is today, May 12. He would have been 57 years old this year. Our whole family misses him and we do feel this huge void.

The fact that one of your parents has passed away is hard to accept on days like this – not that you don’t accept it, just that it’s hard not to wish him a Happy Birthday today, face to face like we've always done.

It's funny, because every year when we'd ask what he wanted for his birthday he would state, "oh, it doesn't matter - just having you here is a gift enough." But this year, right after Christmas he pulled me aside and told me what he wanted for his birthday - that NEVER happens, especially 5 months in advance! He wanted a police scanner. That's totally Gooner...he loved listening to that kind of stuff. I just wish we would could have had the chance to give it to him.

But, I am sure that he's got the best scanner in the business now - he's able to see all (from a birds eye view)!

As each day passes by, you realize that time continues to go on with or without him. Everyone goes on with their normal, daily lives and we are continuing to move on with our “normal” lives.
We think about him daily, sometimes hourly...

Today will still be his special day. We will honor him by remebering him, his previous birthdays, the funny things that he used to say and talking with Cindy. I know this day will be hard on her...

Please keep my mom in your prayers...

We received some horrible news today...mom my was diagnosed with breast cancer. CANCER. I hate that word. The doctors say that we caught it early, so please pray thats the case...

It's going to be a long road, full of ups and downs - I can only imagine...so we need all the positive thoughts, prayers and strength we can get.

Pictures from my dad's banquet!

My dad with Rochelle V., Greenway Sup.

My dad with Joe Silko and members of the ISD 318 School Board

Our family
Dad and Joe Silko

Again, congratulations Dad!!

SO proud of my dad!

Yesterday was probably one of my most memorable days (besides my wedding) that I will cherish and remember for as long as I live.

Let me give you a little backgroud first...

My parents are both hard working and loving people - they always provided us with the things we needed and taught us the importance of working hard for the things that you want.

My dad has been the ISD #318 business manager for as long as I can remember (sorry dad, don't know exact years). I told this to one of his co-worker's yesterday, but as hard as my dad has worked throughout these last 30+ years - us girls have NEVER felt that his work came first. When we were growing up, when it hit 5 p.m. I never can recall my dad being "buried in his work"(and believe me - he easily could have been). I always remember family outings like boat rides on Pokegama, car rides when it was stormy, my dad teaching us all about how to care for his lawn, the spring cleaning of the Garage and the winterizing of the snowblowers, etc. He always had time for us. Always. And my mom, she was always there, even though she worked hard herself. Always helping us with our homework, life problems, lending a listening ear and waking us up EVERY MORNING signing "Rise and Shine," a song I used to think my mom collaborated with Cher, because to me - she sounded just like her!

My point is, our parents always tried their best to be the greatest parents - and they were. Even though life is SO extremely busy with work.

I guess, I have always known what my dad has done for a job, but a basic general idea - and now that I am in my own career, I love talking budgets or fiscal years with him, because it's a common interest. My dad is VERY talented at what he does and I am so proud of him.

Yesterday, at the 58th Annual Spring MASBO (Minnesota Association of School Business Officials) at Breezy Point Resort, my dad, Ben Hawkins, was named 2008 Minnesota School Business Official of the Year.

An award, that you can only win once in your career, an award that I am SO proud of him for achieving. He has worked for this honor for 30+ years and deserves every bit of recognition he gets.

During his acceptance speech, I listened whole heartedly to what my dad had to say. He was deeply honored and thankful...and a bit nervous.

He thanked PMA financial services for sponsoring his award and thanked past and current members for their trust and support. He expressed his appreciation for the MASBO organization and the open lines of communication with the Department of Education and recognized the importance of networking with other area superintendents and other business office staff.

As I watched and listened to my dad speak, I felt the biggest sence of accomplishment for him and my heart filled with complete joy. This is something that I will take with me for as long as I live. My eyes filled with tears, and I was in awe over my dad's accomplishments.

He has served under 11 Superintendents, over 150 + school board members and as he so eloquently put it..."no one has died yet, as a result of my work." That's my dad's humor for you.

When he introduced our family, he said that we were the more important things in his life (not like I doubted that or anything). But it's true. And my parents have proved that all along, as I look back at our lives growing up. Family comes first. And all the while my parents were raising us by teaching us right from wrong, celebrating our successes and helping us learn from our failures, all the times that they didn't BLOW UP, because we needed more money during college, all the times that we laughed, cried, screamed with anger or sat in the comfort of a quiet house - my dad was achieving this success in his career. He should be so proud. I know I am!

Congratulations Dad - you mean the world to me and it was truly an honor to be able to watch you receive this award, you truly, TRULY deserve it!

Also, a special thanks to Superintendent Joe Silko - for nominating my dad. Thank you so much!

I am having a hard time posting pictures - but they are coming soon!!

OUR NEW WINDOW SEAT!!

My very talented husband, and his VERY talented grandpa made us a beautiful window seat! Below is a before picture, kind of an odd waste of space, so I thought it would be perfect spot for a window seat! I was right!!

Grandpa Walt is unbelieveable! Parish has learned almost everything he knows, when it comes to wood working from Grandpa. What a great team!

The before picture!

Grandpa hard at work - oh and did I mention that this window seat has storage!!
Jackson loving the fact that he can actually see out of the window
the almost finished product - prestain and total assembly.
It has easily become my favorite part of our house! I will take a picture of the final product once Parish finished the last coat of poly!

Thanks Grandpa and Parish! I love it!!

By the way - if anyone has any inexpensive ideas on how to construct a window seat cushion - please feel free to share! I am all ears...