On the next Arrested Development..

Sometimes, awesomeness needs to be documented.

I really wish I were better at blogging, but I hate blogging stuff that I feel are too insignificant - that's what Facebook statuses are for :)

However, every now and then, I think "I should blog about this", and then I decide halfway through writing it that no one will read it or care, so I have a dozen or so half written blogs saved in Notepad files all over the desktop of my laptop (some of those are entitled "Music", "Perspective", "Blergh", and "Crap" - clearly I need to get better at labeling these things).

But this.. This, I feel is worth blogging about. If not for other people to enjoy, then at least for (Kimmie and) me to remember the awesomeness that transpired until the day we die.

Because this morning, we were on the set of Arrested Development.

WARNING: THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS. BUT, THEY ARE CLEARLY MARKED!

If you're asking yourself what Arrested Development is, then please leave. Now. Okay, just kidding. Just know that Arrested Development is one of the greatest shows. Ever. (I'll explain a little more about it later as I explain how the evening/morning unfolded.. Or, actually, you can always just go read the IMDB or Wikipedia entries on it)

It was about 11:30, and I got a Facebook message from my dear friend, Kimmie - whom I had just left about an hour before from a girls night with some other friends. All the message said was "Kelsey... i may have just found the current arrested development set...." After several exclamation marks, TALKING IN ALL CAPS, and Kimmie doing some awesome super sleuthing.. She asked me "are you feeling crazy?" to which I responded with "always!".. And a quick hair blow dry, three outfits, and 15 minutes later, we were on our way!

Now, how did we know where to go? Let me just tell you that Kimmie is amazing at figuring this stuff out. We're both pretty good at finding our way around the internet, but last night.. She won. And I am perfectly okay with that. When Kimmie got home, she saw that her friend, Luke (more on him later) posted "They are filming Arrested Development down the street from where I live. I am there. It is amazing." on Facebook. Kimmie knew he lived in Long Beach. She then did a quick search on Google for "Arrested Development filming Long Beach" and got to a site that said "Arrested Development is filming at the Aquarium in Long Beach on Saturday". Also, a hashtag search on Twitter for ArrestedDevelopment lead us to another guy that was on the set and posted a picture of Jason Bateman about 5 minutes earlier. So we knew it was happening. Right then.

When we got off the freeway in Long Beach, the next question was "Okay, where exactly by the aquarium are they filming?". This question was almost immediately answered by the giant, bright light right in front of us. We parked the car and ran to the light (I know in movies they always try to run away from the bright light, as that tends to mean death.. But if I were to run into Michael Cera or Jason Bateman on my way to death.. I'm okay with that).

We walked into the round-about by the Long Beach pier, and saw video equipment, a catering cart thing, and some white vans with tinted windows pulling away - so it was safe to assume that they were either filming Arrested Development, or some kidnappers had some high quality ransom videos being made.

It was now 12:30AM, and when we walked up to the pier, there were lights everywhere and tons of props (**SPOILER** there were carnival booths, Mexican flags, and pinatas everywhere! **END SPOILER**). We walked up to the caution taped area, and met a Security Guard - his name was Darryl. Darryl asked us what we were doing there, and Kimmie and I then proceeded to overwhelm him with Arrested Development plots, characters, and opinions, and explained how amazing it was that this show was canceled after three seasons, and now 6 years later they're filming a 4th season AND a movie (personally, I think sixseasonsandamovie is a better catchphrase, but that's for another awesome show in another post). He stood there with his eyes wide. After we finished, we asked him if he'd want to watch the show. Didn't quite get the response we were hoping for (we got an "eh") - Mental Note: Must reign in the fan-girly-ness around non-fans. It was while we were talking, that I spotted the top of the Stair Car behind his head. I pointed at it and said "Oh my gosh, that's the Stair Car". He looked at me like I was crazy, and I then proceeded to explain that the family was really rich, and then lost all their money and lost basically everything - including their airplane, but they got to keep the Stair Car. He then took a few steps backed and peeked around the corner, and seemed a little surprised that yes, I in fact was telling the truth that it was a Stair Car, and I really did recognize it just by the top. At that point Kimmie and I **SPOILER** realized that the top of the Stair Car didn't say "Bluth Company" anymore, but it said "Austero Bluth Company" (photo by Luke) on it - Yes! As in Lucille 2's last name! **END SPOILER** tried to get a good picture of it, but we were too far away, and our (clearly not as close as I thought we were) friend Darryl wouldn't risk his job to get the picture for us. Psh.

At some point during our geeking out over being on the set, Darryl explained that the cast was on a lunch break (yes, at 12:30AM), and that they'll be back in about a half hour. So Kimmie and I decided to see if we could get a better view on the other side of where we were at.

We walked around, and walked right past Mitch Hurwitz talking with some other people (Mitch Hurwitz is the brains behind Arrested Development). I tried to take some pictures while "staying cool" and walking.. But that was a fail. We kept walking and ended up a lot closer to where the (picture might be a **SPOILER**) actual filming was going to resume. Oh. Excitement.

We walked back to where we saw Mr. Hurwitz, and Kimmie spotted Luke (who we first found out about this from - because of his Facebook), and we started talking to him. Conveniently, he was hanging out by his bike, which was about.. 15 feet from Mr. Hurtwitz (who was holding a ukelele or mandolin, which made Kimmie quite excited). Oh, and what? A closer look - he's also standing by Jeffrey Tambor (aka George Bluth)!!!!! I tried to take a few more pictures.. And was depressed by the outcome. Stood there talking to Luke, and he gave us the low down - he'd been there for FOUR HOURS already, and had only seem them film one scene **SPOILER** and it involved Lindsay and Lucille 2 giving speeches of some sort from the top of the Stair Car and throwing candy to the people down below.. And then Michael falling down the stairs of the Stair Car **END SPOILER**. He told us who was on set that he'd seen (obviously Jeffrey Tambor, but also Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth), Portia de Rossi (Linsday Bluth Funke), and Liza Minnelli (Lucille 2/Austero)), and that it looked like Michael Cera (George Michael Bluth), David Cross (Tobias Funke), Alia Shawkat (Maebe Funke), Jessica Walter (Lucille Bluth), and Tony Hale (Buster Bluth) weren't filming tonight. We then saw Mr. Hurwitz and Mr. Tambor head back over to the set, so we followed - from a safe, noncreepy distance.

Got over to (possible **SPOILER** in photo) where they were filming and stood there behind the caution tape. At one point, the caution tape broke, and Kimmie had to tie it back together - she can officially say that she was a part in helping keep back the masses (and by masses, I mean her, Luke, me, and the other random couples and people that would show up throughout the early morning). We started seeing a bunch of extras walk over. All in very 90's/Arrested Development type clothing - many sweater vests and business clothes (almost like workers from the Bluth offices). **SPOILER** Most of them were also wearing sombreros. **END SPOILER**

While we were standing behind the caution tape, this guy walked past and told us that he's "in charge of the truck". I assumed he met a food truck or trailer.. Learned that when he said "truck", he meant "Stair Car".. His job is strictly to take care of the Stair Car. Love it.

We saw Jason Bateman's stunt double way before we saw him. Then we saw Liza Minnelli climbing the Star Car. I decided that she is beautiful - even smoking a cigarette. We watched them do one take of Jason Bateman's stunt double **SPOILER** doing the chicken dance and then falling down the stars of the Stair Car **END SPOILER**.. And when he was done, he left the set walking right under the caution tape (that Kimmie fixed), and I told him "Nice fall!" and he said "Thanks!". 

Then Jason Bateman got up there and gave a speech **SPOILER** where he repeatedly said "Sally" (as in Sally Sitwell!?!?) **END SPOILER**. They did quite a few takes of this, and while he was up there, Luke spotted Tony Hale - not doing a scene, but standing with the crew. And then someone said something about doing the next scene over on the pier, and we heard them say "Portia".. And they started moving everyone around. 

At this point, Jason Bateman came up to the level where we were standing (there were a few different ground levels over there, and we were up a few steps from where the shots were taking place) and was about 15 feet in front of us. I snapped a picture real quick, and the PA standing by us (who had already warned me once about taking pictures) said "hey friend, I saw that.." and I apologized and said that I just couldn't help myself... I then gave Kimmie my phone to hold, since apparently I have no self control.

After standing around for a little bit longer, we decided to head over by the pier to where they'd be shooting the next scene (which is where we met Darryl earlier in the night/morning). On our way over there, we walked passed a guy in a red shirt and baseball hat, and I didn't think anything of it, until about two seconds later, Luke said "That's Tony Hale!". Kimmie and I turned around, and sure enough - Buster! A few other people were around us, and they ran after him and asked for a picture. He did (it's about 1:50AM at this point). He started walking toward the white van, and I was torn between getting a picture of Tony Hale, and letting him go. I let out a little "Mister Hale??" but he was far away at this  point, and snuck into the van and was on his way.

Slightly disappointed, we turned around to keep walking towards the pier, when Luke again said something amazing, "It's Jason Bateman!".. And sure enough, walking right towards us was Jason Bateman! Kimmie and I mumbled back and forth "Should we ask?" "Let's ask.." "Luke, you ask for us!" "Okay.. Let's ask.".. And in unison we were like "Mr. Bateman.. May we get a picture?" And he said sure! He was walking with another guy, who took my phone to take a picture of us. And I know this might not mean as much to anyone else as it does to Kimmie and me, but I was so touched by the fact that the guy took a picture of us, looked at it, noticed that the lighting was all funky, so he repositioned us so that there were no shadows, and he took another one (even though we would have been BEYOND happy with just the first one)! We told Mr. Bateman that we thought he was amazing and thanked him.. And then felt bad because other people saw that he took pictures with us, so they wanted them, too.. And he took them - but you just know he was tired - it was 2 in the morning!

Kimmie and I walked away with that feeling of "Yep. I could die happy right now." It was amazing.

After that, we hung out for another half hour waiting for them to start filming again. There was a sign that says **SPOILER**"Cinco de Quatro"**END SPOILER** hanging over the pier. I have no idea what it means in regards to the episode, but I am so excited. At 2:30, all I could think was "I have to teach Sunday School in almost 7 hours"... So we headed to the car.

BUT, on the way to the car, there was a group of very happy, very intoxicated people that thought that Luke was famous, and asked to take pictures with him. It was so funny. Luke kept saying "Why are we taking pictures?" and they were like "Hahah - you're funny!".. hahaha Maybe they thought he looked like David Cross.. Not sure. But it was funny.

Finally got home around 3AM.

Best. Late. Night. Spontaneous. Adventure. Ever.

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Movies that are based on books..

I am a huge fan of books.

I am a huge fan of movies.

I am a huge fan of movies that come from books.

And, I am a huge fan of midnight showings.

Over the last few years, I've learned that there are different types of people that view these movies that are based on books (from now on referred to as MTABOB).

The first person, is the person that wants the movie to be EXACTLY like the book. They want every giggle on paper to have its appearance on screen. They want the dress to be the exact same shade of mauve that they imagined while they were reading to appear on the girl. And, heaven forbid, a character is omitted from the silver screen.

The second person is someone who has read the book and is just looking for the movie to tell the story. Get the characters and plot there. Help them visualize the things that are happening. And if a few not-so-important details are left out or are change to help it be conveyed better on screen... No big deal.

The third person has never read the book. So they really don't care how it compares. They just want to see a movie. People tend to fall into this category without even realizing it (A Walk to Remember, Friday Night Lights, The Princess Diaries, Harry Potter.. Wait, you probably knew that last one). I try not to fall into this category. If I know that a movie is based on a book, I'll almost always read the book first.

I'm the second person. And because of that... I've found that I enjoy these MTABOB way more than some of my friends. I love MTABOB because... 

1) I have little to no imagination. Okay, that might be an exaggeration.. But when I'm reading books, I've learned that the characters end up having the faces of my friends. When I read the first Harry Potter book, Hermione looked like Michelle (even though Michelle doesn't have crazy hair), Harry was Harrison (even though Harrison's half Japanese), and Ron looked like Alex (Alex's only resemblance is that has red-ish hair). I never read the books with the characters having British accents until the movies came out! As soon as they assign an actor to play a specific character, I have an image and a voice to go with it. I love it.

2) It clarifies things. I was watching Hunger Games the other night (**not a spoiler**), and this "cornucopia" plays a part in the "games". While I was reading the books, I was visualizing this Thanksgiving table sized cornucopia on a raised platform (which made the fighting scenes a little confusing in my head). After seeing the movie, I realized that it was way, way, wayyyyy bigger than I had thought.

I'm okay with random characters or certain things not making an appearance in the movie. For example, in the Harry Potter movies, I know some people didn't like that the Dumbledore's Army Galleon didn't make an appearance. It played a part in the books, but they found a way around it in the movies, because it really didn't matter. 

I just understand that the studios only have so much time and budget, that certain things need to be cut. There was one thing that I specifically remember being different in the Hunger Games. But I realized that by adjusting how something happened, they got rid of a not so significant character.. So they saved money on an actress and were probably able to spend that money on something more important to the storyline.

Plus.. Everyone's interpretation is so different. You know how I mentioned the mauve dress earlier? If you go to Google and look at the Google Images for mauve, you'll see how not everyone agrees on what mauve is. And that's ONE word. One color. A book has thousands upon thousands of words.. How is everyone supposed to visualize it the same way? Give the studios a break.

I'm not saying I always love every single MTABOB. Sometimes, the storyline of the movie is awful compared to the book. At that point, I try and look at the movie from the third person perspective. Was I able to understand the story? If I had never read the book, would I have liked it? 

The first movie that comes to my mind that was an awful, awful adaptation isn't a MTABOB.. It's a movie based on a TV show (which may be based on Anime?). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Oh my goodness. That sad, sad, M. Night Shamalan movie was.. I have no idea what I watched. A little guy with tattoos of arrows and people could control the different elements? I tried to enjoy it and follow. I really did. But holy cow.

I'm a huge fan of MTABOB. And I'm sure you'll enjoy them a little more, too, if you just adjust your perspective. And yes, because this is my blog.. I'm going to say that my perspective is the right perspective :)

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Decorating: Kelsey style.

If you know me at all, "girly" is definitely not an adjective that you've ever used to describe me. I don't do the girly.. I don't get all dolled up just for fun.. I don't get excited for going shopping.. I don't like chocolate.. And I'm not a fan of decorating or doing arts and crafts.

However, for the last two weeks, I've had to dig down deep and find some of those girly genes.. And figure out how to decorate a room.

It all started awhile ago when my mom and I were talking about a new bed for me. The wonderful neighbor girl down the street happens to conveniently work in the bed department at IKEA, so two Tuesdays ago, we headed to IKEA for my own, personal tour of the bed department.

It wasn't until we were standing there, surrounded by beds of different colors, styles, and sizes, I realized where my problem was going to be: colors.

My bedroom has light blue walls and white trim. My dresser and shelf thing is white, too. So with light blue and white, the colors that you can choose are suddenly a lot more minimal. I knew I didn't want a black bed frame, and getting white made me nervous (what if it doesn't match my current white!?).. And then we found this bed that's this "gray/brown" color - and I loved it!

Then came the most difficult part: the bedding. If I was getting the same size bed that I've had for years, then the bedding wouldn't have mattered. But I'm going from a twin to a full, so it's time for new everything.. And maybe some girls can figure out the right colors just by imagining it (heck, maybe some girls even get EXCITED over this).. But oh my goodness, I couldn't.

I spent HOURS online and in stores trying to find the perfect bed spread. Comforter, duvet, pillow cases, sheets. What the heck is a sham and do I need them? I hate decorative pillows (WHY do I need pillows that are purely for decoration!?), but my mom wants me to have at least one. Do I need a frilly bed skirt thing? No, no, no!

I finally found everything on Amazon one Sunday with my mom, and it was such a relief. We got the bed all set up on Thursday night and it's been beautiful since then.

BUT... What's been the awful, unexpected part about all of this... Is that I'm suddenly in a matching mood.

On Saturday morning, I was sitting in bed, and I looked over to my shelf thing.. And the drawers didn't match my room. I never cared before: the drawers were pink, green, blue, yellow, green, dark purple, and a pink hippo - they had personality!.. But this didn't work, now. So I went to Target, and happened to find six new drawers for the shelf that match perfectly with my new bed!

Then on Sunday, I was in my room, and I noticed that all of the pictures that I've had on my closet door were from high school to the present.. And I decided that I no longer need pictures from OB in 2006 or other stuff.. And I suddenly thought how lame it was that the pictures were just taped onto the closet doors (I could SEE the tape), and there should be some sort of frame to them.. So I ran to Target, found construction paper that matches my new bedroom colors.. And I love how it looks now and color coordinates.

 

The most entertaining part of all of this has probably been the fact that I am NOT creative.. But I've been TRYING to be creative.. And the trying has been so entertaining.

 

I'm a nerd. So how do I figure out how to be creative? I use PowerPoint.

Yes. PowerPoint.

I was trying to figure out if I wanted to rearrange the furniture in my room (my entire three or four pieces of furniture). And I can't picture it. So this is the PowerPoint slide I made with the different items (to scale, yes) and I've been able to rotate them and move them around... I still can't figure it out.

Then, there were the closet doors.

First, I had to figure out what pictures I wanted. I searched through Facebook and the photos on my computer, and found about 50 of them that I liked. 

Second, I knew I wanted them to have a border of some sort on them, so I headed to Staples to get some purple, brown, and gray construction paper. Lesson of the day: Staples closes at 6 on Sundays. So I went to Target.

Now, the adventure in Target was so ridiculous. Why? Because I'm not creative.

I knew I needed construction paper, so, naturally, I went straight to the kids coloring section. I was disappointed when I found the Crayola paper and there was no purple or gray. So I decided I could use the brown, black, and maybe the white (hey, I can color the edges purple, right?).. I'd just have to get like, 3 packets of it because there wasn't enough of each to be able to use for my pictures.. Then I had to find a way to secure the photos to the construction paper, and then the paper to my closet doors.. I spent way too much time standing in the tape aisle, and I landed on double sided tape and tacky stuff. As I headed towards the cash register, I spotted the gift wrapping bags and tissue paper, and I got the most BRILLIANT idea.. I found purple and gray tissue paper, and I decided that I could cut the tissue paper to fit the construction paper, then glue it to the construction paper.. So I wouldn't have to color it and I wouldn't have to buy as much construction paper because I could glue the tissue paper to colors that I wouldn't want to use........ Then I happened to look down the next aisle... SCRAPBOOKING! 

Why in the world I didn't look for that aisle in the first place.. I'll never, ever know. But in that one aisle, I was able to find purple paper in three shades, brown paper in two, plus some others. Plus I was able to find better sticky stuff and just.. I felt so dumb. But I about died laughing when I realized what I was PLANNING on doing before I stumbled upon the scrapbooking aisle..

Anyways.

I got home, cut all of my paper, taped all of my paper to the pictures.. And then realized I had to make a plan for putting the pictures on the closet. Randomness wouldn't work.. Even though I wanted it to look kind of random. So what did I do? Hello, PowerPoint, take 2!

Everything's to scale.. I made my closet doors, and the different pictures (with their color frames).

Then I moved them around the doors so that I could visualize it.

This is what my doors looked like before..

And this is how they look now.

 

And after all of that.. This is what my bedroom looked like before..

And this is now :)

My comforter has two sides.. And I can't decide on which on I like, so I've been switching it every night..

 

And now, my project is done. Mostly. I need new pillows. And I still can't decide if I'm going to move around my furniture. And I want a new bedside table. Oo, and maybe a lamp. And Bethany mentioned I might want a new trashcan..

This is why I don't decorate, and why I will forevermore surrender any decorating to my super creative sisters.

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We welcome you to Munchkin Land.. #5

These might only be funny to Jenna and I, cuz we were in the room.. But I'm still documenting it.. :)

Today, I brought donut holes for the kids..

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They started not pay attention so..

Me: Remember, we have a special treat at the end if you listen! You'll get a donut!

Munchkin: I don't want a donut. I'll get fat.

A kindergartner!

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Later on, the munchkin who didn't want to eat the donut decided to eat one.. The other kids noticed that he was no eating..

Munchkin 2: Remember when he said he might get fat?

Munchkin: It's not funny. It's serious.

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In the middle of memorizing a Bible verse, I look and see that the same kiddo from earlier had found a piece of tape on the carpet and put it on his nose..

Me: can you take that off?

Munchkin: I'm an elephant.

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While coloring..

Munchkin: I'm spelling "good"... And a y is coming after the o's.

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Cancer sucks. God rocks.

Growing up in my house, we were allowed to say that two things "sucked".

Vacuums.

And cancer.

TV shows didn't suck. Dinner didn't suck. Even traffic didn't suck. 

But vacuums and cancer. They sucked.

21 years ago yesterday, our family learned to trust God in a whole new way.

21 years ago yesterday, could have been the beginning of the end of me having an older sister.

21 years ago yesterday, was our family's introduction to the world of childhood cancer.

21 years ago yesterday, my older sister, Selah, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Yes, you may be looking at "21 years ago" and realize that I'm only almost 23.. So at 2, I didn't have much of any comprehension of the craziness that our lives were going through at the time.. But cancer isn't something that you just go through for a time of your life, and then move on. I mean, Jenna wasn't even born until 2 years later, and even she has stories. Cancer lingers.

Back in November, one of my favorite people had a journalism assignment, and she decided to interview my mom, as a "mother of a child with cancer". 

I've heard my mom tell the story of Selah's diagnosis a million times.. But hearing her tell the story from start to the present was really cool. And then I got to chime in with some of my memories, and Jenna came home halfway through the "interview" and got to throw in some things, too.

Here's just some of the random, "stream of consciousness style" thoughts that have been going through my mind this evening..

- Cancer's different when you have faith. Actually, everything's different when you have faith. And not just faith, but what.. WHO you have faith in. But because of our faith in Christ, our "cancer experience" was different than those families going through it with the sole reliance on doctors and each other.

- When Selah was diagnosed, our church family enveloped us with prayer. And love. And just anything we needed. I was two years old and couldn't camp out in a hospital all day and night with my parents, so I was immediately taken care of by some of my adoptive "aunts" and "uncles". Some siblings end up being excluded because all of the focus turns to the patient, and by the time the patient has pulled through their battle.. The siblings are off the deep end and it's a whole different battle. Luckily.. 1 - I was two, so there wasn't much of a deep end for me to fall off of.. 2 - Even if I were older, I know that my parents, with the help of our church family and awesome neighbors, wouldn't have let that happen.

- The specific memories that Jenna and I have all of this tends to relate to two specific organizations: OCF-OCF and Camp Ronald McDonald.

- OCF-OCF (most commonly referred to as just OCF) is a group that was started by some parents that had children with cancer that wanted to be able to go to camp. So the parents started it in 1982, and it's still running to this day. Our family was really, really involved with this group for a long time. Once us kids hit high school, it was harder to stay involved because of band, drumline, and winterguard, but OCF still holds a special spot in our hearts. Because of OCF, our entire family got to camp twice a year. We were all in cabins with other kids our age, and it was a mixture of patients and siblings of kids with cancer. It was a special place where everyone could get away from the hospitals and the problems down the hill, and just be kids. The parents got to bond with other parents that were going through or had been through what they're going through. We played silly games, sang typical camp songs, ate horrible food, made arts and crafts, had camp fires, dances, and laughed way, way too much. OCF had events other than Summer and Winter camp.. Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Christmas Party, Ranch Day, Teen Camp.. 

- Camp Ronald McDonald was also an opportunity to go to camp another two times a year (for just the kids, once we reached a certain age). The camp sessions were a little different.. Selah's sessions were just with other patients. My sessions were just with siblings of patients.. Which could get very, very emotional. Because not everyone's patient sibling had survived their battle with cancer. But we also had fun. Horseback riding, ropes course, camping in Tee-pees, archery, radio show.. 

-- I remember when my class at school got to go to Outdoor Ed in 6th grade, for some of my friends, it was the first time they'd spent a night away from their family. By the time I was in 6th grade, I had been going to Camp Ronald McDonald twice a year, on my own for like, 5 years.. Outdoor Ed was nothing.

- If you go through our closets at home, you will find shirt after shirt, sweatshirt after sweatshirt from OCF and CRMD from all the different sessions that we went to. As we got older, they definitely became sleep shirts/paint shirts..

- I have friends that are now in their 20's that are lucky to have never been to a funeral yet. Because of how badly cancer sucks, funerals and death are a part of life when you're involved in organizations like that. 

- Selah was granted a wish from the Wake-A-Wish Foundation back in November of 1991, so the 4 of us (Jenna wasn't born until that next March) got to go on the "Big Red Boat" (the Disney Cruise) and then go to Disney World and Epcot. Jenna will proudly tell you that she swam with dolphins before any of us, because my mom swam with the dolphins at 5 months pregnant :)

- We met some amazing families by being involved in these different groups. Families that we were able to rejoice with in the remissions, and pray with through the relapses. We would spend countless hours with these people, outside of "events".

- I mentioned our awesome neighbors earlier (and actually, I blogged about them awhile back because they're crazy, ridiculously talented and amazing).. Let me explain that. So, three doors down are our neighbors. And while Selah was going through treatment, their awesome mom committed to keeping the kids (Matt and Becca) healthy so that Selah and I always had friends to play with (including adventures to Disneyland).

- When Selah was in remission for 5 years, we had a "Selah-bration". A huge party at our church Selah-brating what God had done. Because when you look at her diagnosis, and you talk to the doctors.. She's here because of One Person. God's hand was in it all.

- Disneyland is loved by Selah, Jenna, my mom and I. We all spend a lot of time there. While Selah was going through treatment, we also spent a lot of time there. Why? Because no parent wants to bring a sick, snotty nosed kid to Disneyland. So for Selah and her weakened immune system.. That's where we got to play.

- On the anniversary of Selah's diagnosis, my mom used to take her back to Kaiser (my family LOVES Kaiser) to visit her Doctor (Dr. Ruki) and the nurses and Selah would walk in carrying balloons.. One for every year since then and then she'd hand them out to the kiddos in the clinic. However, walking in with that many balloons would make Selah float away.. So now Selah goes in with a tank of helium and empty balloons.. Then fills them out there to give to the kiddos.  When Selah walks in, Dr. Ruki and the nurses get so excited. She's a reminder that kids can get through it. And she's a breath of fresh air for the parents sitting there, watching their kids going through treatment in the blue leather chairs, and then turning around and seeing someone who was once one of those kids.

There's way more I could say. There's way, way more that my mom could say.

But I'll close with this..

I'm so thankful for my shorter, older sister. I can't imagine the last 21 years of my life if God hadn't healed her.

Cancer sucks. But God's bigger than that. Way, way bigger than that.

Cancer sucks. God rocks.

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We welcome you to Munchkin Land.. #4

Some adorable quotes from the munchkins at AWANA tonight..

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Earlier, this munchkin had said that he didn't need to listen to me, and that I told him that I could probably scare him into listening.. Later on..

Munchkin: You know, you don't scare me

Me: I don't? I bet I could..

Munchkin: No, you're too sweet.

Precious.

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Whenever we're transitioning from one game to the next, the kids ALL want to play dodgeball, so they start yelling and chanting "Dodgeball! Dodgeball!". When the dodgeball ball came out, and they starting yelling in excitement, 

Munchkin: *Points to house on the other side of the wall* It would stink to be that house.

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One munchkin didn't want to play the steal the bacon game, because he was "horrible" at it. After he made two really good plays...

Me: 2012 is gonna be your year!

Munchkin 1: No it's not.

Munchkin 2: My sister got married on 11/11.

Munchkin 1: Oh no!

Me: Why is that a bad thing?

Munchkin 1: How is it a good?!

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There was absolutely no context for this quote..

Munchkin: I'm basically awesome and I'm basically honest. Mostly awesome.

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Munchkin: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without sneezing.

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