It has been a good year for my second Sidekick.  She is growing up very quickly.  She is her brothers opposite in every way.   The funny thing is these photos are the exception to the rule.  KenzieBear is a real HAM and is usually putting on a show instead of sitting still for the camera.

School is going well, she has all A's and B's (yes, they do letter grades in the 2nd grade..).  She has worked so hard at literacy this year, it is really paying off for her. 

Kenzie has taken a real liking to life's more imaginative artistic endeavors.  Coloring, creating a scrap book, writing a journal, thinking up stories....she is definitely a free thinker.

I just wanted to post a few photos of the Sidekicks playing in the neighborhood this summer.  

 Mainly because it shows just how  HUGE they have grown. 

There are plenty of kids in this area, and a lot of good neighbors.  If the weather is nice at all an impromptu block party tends to start with all the young ones converging on some "lucky" parent's house to romp in the yard. 

Several days ago (yes, I am a little behind) we had a bit of snow in our area.  There was actually enough for the sidekicks to play in!

It was very, very cold, so they did not stay out long, but it was enough to get a "taste" of the winter weather...

...and to kick up some snow running laps in the yard. 

We had a great New Year's Eve.  I would say it was pretty traditional.  Our night consisted of the usual activities: lots of drinking, loud music, wild dancing, and crazy party games.  Of course, the drink of choice was milk, and most of the dancing was done by the Sidekicks in between their turns as we played Sorry, Star Wars Monopoly, and War.

After the Sidekicks wore out, the Lady Avenger and I curled up for a marathon of episodes from the Firefly box set she bought me for Christmas.

As I tucked Kenzie into bed she summed it up pretty well, "This was the greatest night, ever!"

Christmas was very nice around here.  We all made out pretty well!  I am adding an album of photos from our visit to see Grandma and Aunt Mars (yes, names changed to protect the innocent). 

Sorry Avid, I did not take any of Christmas morning at the Avenger's Lair.  After one child getting up at 4am, and then getting to sleep in all the way until 6 am, I was still waking up by the time the gifts were all open!

Yesterday was the big day.  I "walked" in the graduation ceremony at John Brown University.  I could not be happier! 

I am posting some photos in an album above.

WOOHOO! 

The Balding Avenger, B.S. 

 From Tiffany......

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Willba's Celebration Service

The service last night was AMAZING.  Everyone worked together to pull this off without a hitch!  I believe it's exactly what Willba would of wanted.  Jim (Willba's pottery instructor) did a wonderful job officiating the service.  There were lots of tears, lots of laughs and lots of hugs. 

 

We still have Willba in our hearts as she made a place for everyone in her heart.  I truly believe that she is my angel watching down on me.  I couldn't of asked for a better friend as she never let the "little" things in life get her down.  Even when she was going through all of her cancer treatments she always had a positive outlook and even though she was tired she always had a smile on her face.  Willba touched the lives of so many people and it was such a joy that she was my best friend for the short time that I knew her.  We shared many memories together and I will always hold those in my mind and will think about them often.

 

Thank you to everyone for all of the prayers and encouraging words.  They meant a lot to her family, Willba and I.

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany

 

PS - I will post new pics as I find time to get them out here!  I've been slacking lately!  :0)

The memorial to celebrate Willba's life will be held Tuesday, December 5th at 6pm in the Chapel at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale.  In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage memorials to either the Susan G. Komen foundation , or to Circle of Life Hospice  in Springdale.

 From my West Coast Mom.....

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Thanksgiving and Homecoming

Mud Treasure died peacefully Wednesday night, Thanksgiving eve.  Sir Avid truly believes that she knew she couldn't join the festivities in person, so she decided to come in spirit.  The West Coast family salutes her.

 

Our Thanksgiving was very gentle this year.  Lots of love and caring.  We didn't mention Wilba's death until the evening was drawing to a close, but the mood had been different.  It was, softer?  Sweeter?  Gordon was adored by everyone and absolutely the hit of the party.  Jen and Lloyd looked exhausted and I was more than happy to babysit last night. 

 

As I hold Gordon, I remember the pictures Jenn showed me on her camera phone of Wilba holding him in the hospital.  It makes the moments with him even more touching.  I know MT would have loved to be doing what I am doing and so I try to give him a little hug for her.  Does she understand in heaven?  I think so. I hope so.

 

Mud Treasure is free in a way we will not understand until our time comes. I like referring to her by her blog name, because it is so fitting!  In the Bible it says we are treasure in earthen vessels...and she was a treasure.  (2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us. Weymouth 1912 version)

 

To my Arkansas family - love, hugs, and we are with you in spirit dear ones!

 From Tiffany

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Yesterday I lost my Best Friend....

The person that made me laugh when I thought I couldn't laugh.

The person that was always there for me to lean on.

The person that no matter what, she always had a smile on her face.

The person that didn't let the "inconveniences" in life get her down.  After all "It's only an Inconvenience"

The person that lit up a room and never met a stranger or an enemy.

The person that made beautiful pottery and was always so excited to show off her new "pieces" of work.

The person that made me a stronger person today just by having the chance to know her and be her best friend.

The person that always wanted to try new food and loved to eat just like me!

 

I think I have dreaded writing this entry since all of this started with Willba a little over 4 weeks ago.  Willba passed away last night at 11:45 pm.  I think I could go on and on for pages with everything that I loved about Willba.  She was such an inspiration to all and she was such a fighter for the things she believed in!

 

She will be greatly missed by many of us, but just know that she would want you to celebrate her life.  I know it's hard to hold your chin up because she was a special person to all of us and we didn't want to see her go.  She is in a much better place with her Mother and Father and now she is pain free.  She is free to dance all she wants with the angels and she will be able to look down upon us and keep us safe.

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany 

 Willba Barron passed away late Wednesday night, November 22nd.   Many of you know Willba, many may just know of her. She was part of our J.B. Hunt family for over 15 years...and we are going to miss her so much.  Over the last 18 months Willba has fought breast cancer. When she found she had cancer she did a lot of research about the disease and worked hard to get information out to the world through her award winning website http://mudtreasure.spaces.live.com .  
Willba's positive outlook around her illness not only helped keep her going, but also helped her family and friends. She was surrounded by an incredible support team. This team, along with Willba's determined drive, kept everyone fighting to the end.  Many thanks go out to those people who took the time to help her to doctor appointments, chemo and radiation treatments, and even help her with the home makeover she had been planning for so long. Your support meant everything to her. Willba was an inspiration to all of us, often reminding us to take the time to notice the beauty of the people and the surroundings around us. We were blessed to have her share her eye for beauty with us in so many ways - her jewelry, her pottery, her pictures, and her words.  

We'll never forget Willba saying "here's the plan".  While it doesn’t seem that the plan was exactly like she planned, in some ways it was even better – because of the incredibly positive impact she made in all ours lives.  Our prayers go out for her and her family including two of our own, her son and daughter-in-law, Rodney (IS Client Engineering) and Tish Reeves (Operations).
As Willba would want it, we must continue the fight to beat this inconvenient disease.  Even though she will not be with us this coming April,  we will have a team to honor her spirit and enthusiasm in the Race for a Cure, on April  21, 2007.
We will update you once a time is set for a service to celebrate her life.

Thank you to Rick George for this wonderful note that he sent at work.  I could not have said it any better. - Rodney

 The latest from Tiff

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Willba Update/Baylee Update

I did not go visit Willba yesterday.  But, Sherry did call me and left me an update on my voicemail last night.  She said since they increased her Morphine on Sunday that it is impossible to "wake" Willba up.  She said her blood pressure was normal yesterday and her heart rate was up.  The Morphine did this to her the first time when she was still in the hospital. 

 

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I hope that everyone keeps Willba in mind during this time of year.  Please pray for her family to have peace and strength with all that is going on.  Her Sister is a very strong person and has been with her most of the time while she has been in Hospice.  They also have an older Brother that has been sick.  Please pray for him as well.

 

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I hope that everyone is enjoying their week!

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany

We visited MudTreasure yesterday.  I spoke with her hospice doctor.  He said that she has been on a "plateau"  The past week or so.  They have not had to increase the pain meds in several days.  This is a good thing.  Pausing on this plateau has given us a lot of opportunity to have more good moments with her before she finishes her trip up the mountain.  She has developed a taste for popsicles.  There is no doubt that she is often times aware of who is there and what they are saying, even if she does not respond, so it is still nice to talk to her.  Feel free to stop by and visit.

Mom had a pretty good day yesterday. She had many visitors.  She seemed more "with it" and was talking some, and even ate a little.  She seems to really enjoy popsicle, and had a little soup.  Although she still sleeps much of the time, yesterday still seemed to have much more quality time then during the weekend.

Thanks to all of you that are visiting her, I think she really likes seeing everyone.

 From LivingLife:

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One last Hug

My friend Brandy and I went to Hospice to see Willba at lunch.  She had her eyes open, but was not responding.  She said a few words, but I couldn't understand what she was saying.  Her arms are drawn up and she is no longer able to swallow, therefore making it hard to talk.  Her cousin Ed (cancer survivor of 2 years) was up there with her.  I believe he flew in from CA last night.  He said that she pulled her catheter out last night so they are just leaving it out.

 

When we were getting ready to leave I leaned down to her to give her a kiss and tell her how much I loved her.  I felt her arms reach up and slowly wrap around my neck.  I put my head down on her chest and got my last hug from my best friend.

 

Willba was such an inspiration to all of us.  She was the positive vibe on the days that we weren't feeling so positive.  As her time draws near I continue to remember the good times we had together and have made a special place for those in my heart!

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany

 

 

 

We visited Mom(MudTreasure) tonight.  She has slept all day.  She is not really saying much at this point.  She did open her eyes and say hi as best should could after I said hello.  Afterwards she closed her eyes and did not respond.  Her breathing has slowed way down to a few large breaths a minute.  So, it could be that we are getting very close. 

I must say, it is kinda of hard to see Mom like this.  It is so very different from the woman we all know and love. 

Her cousin Ed is due into town tomorrow night.  I wonder if she is waiting for him.  He is her cancer hero.  He is a survivor many times over himself.  I guess it is hard to say, but I believe a person has some control over their passing, and she knows he is coming, so maybe she is holding out. 

At least she is comfortable.  If she is in pain, I think it must be mild, although she does not really tell us at this point.  The staff have been watching her closely and have been increasing her pain medicine regularly. 

I know they are taking good care of her.  It is obvious they truly care.  Two of they nurses so far have cried when speaking with me about her.  It is amazing, in a few short days she managed to make the same connection with them we all have come to expect. 

Check out the latest Oxcast for some nice thoughts about MudTreasure

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OxCast » OxCast - Episode #37

Tiffany has been checking up on Mom as well, here is the latest from her:

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Willba Update - Friday

I went to see Willba on lunch today.  I wasn't going to stay very long, but then I got there and found myself making excuses to leave.  I just don't want to leave her side in these last few moments she will have.  Even though she slept almost the whole time I was there.  I gave her a good foot rub and she really enjoyed that.  She had lots of visitors while I was there, but could barely carry on a conversation all the way through.  She is still very comfortable, but she cannot get up at all.  They said she is just too weak and it's a danger to herself and the nurses that try to help her.

 

They put a colorful gown on her.  It has lots of flowers on it.  She looks very pretty!  I hope that she is having wonderful dreams about all the people that love her so much.  I hope she knows that when she gets to heaven she will have all the time in the world to make her pottery and not have to worry about anything else. 

 

Thanks again for praying for her!  I let her know that everyone is thinking about her and how much everyone loves her!  She knows how much she is cared for and she has amazing friends like you!

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany