Good News!

Well, my mom has made it through the first long round of chemo and the cancer has redued in size. They will be monitoring her every 3 months to make sure it doesn't start to grow again. At this point this is great news as the initial diagnosis wasn't this bright. Thanks to all the prayers and fasting in her behalf. It has made a huge difference in her life and mine. I am so happy to see her back to her normal energetic self. She is doing really well and fighting a good fight. We all knew she had it in her.

My Second Mom

Well a lot has happened over the last few months. My mom has started a lifelong battle with cancer. It has been difficult to swallow and feels oh too familiar. A lot of memories have been coming back from when I was younger and went through a similar experience. It is hard to come to grips with the fact that none of us has control over the outcome of the treatments. Maybe hardest for my mom in particular. She has been an inspiration to me in every aspect of my life. First of all she stepped in when my first mom passed away and took on 5 little boys who were a handful and half. The most amazing part of it was that she did it well. Despite the gripes, complaints, back talking, bickering and pain that we inflicted on her. At first she must have done it because she loved my mom so much but very quickly she did it because she loved us so much. The consistent discipline and listening that she gave me shaped me into who I am today. She has been there for me in every high and every low in my life. No one person has been less critical and more understanding then she has been to me. Even at times as a teenager, when I didn't understand life and thought my parents didn't understand me, or anything else for that matter, she patiently listened and taught me about life and how to enjoy it's journey. The good and the bad. It wasn't about the high's or low's it was about enjoying the ride. Sometimes the way she taught me was soft and kind and other times it was direct and piercing. It has been such a great ride we have shared together and she is certainly not at a high point, yet she has been a high point to me my whole life. I love her dearly and she has never been a step mom to me. She has and will always be my second mom in whom I love and plead for her health and well being. I pray that she will endure this well as she has helped me to endure my life's struggles so well. I love you mom. Keep hope and enjoy the journey.

Boston

American Girl's Café in Boston. Abby, Rowen and Hailey had so much fun.

Abby and Hailey at Waldon Pond

Bring on the Rain

We have had lots of rain, but Abby and Hailey seem to love the weather. Puddles are way more fun then the sun.

Pumpkin Patch

The pumpkin batch was great for both Abby and Hailey and mommy got some good photos too.

It's hard to see but Abby is clutching tight to little chickie. Hopefully it is still alive. :-)

Abby really enjoyed some of the fun family adventures this past summer. This is an oldie but goodie picture that we took at Muir woods. We had a blast with some new friends the Melewskis and the Sandgrens.

Great Grandma Marge had a blast with Abby and Hailey. It was so cute to see how much they loved just sitting with their great Grandma. It is such a blessing to have her in their lives. They don't get to see her very often but they love it when they do. We miss you grandma.

Abby and her cousin's could not get enough of the snow. Despite the cold weather they loved playing in this new thing called snow.

Abby and mommy played with mommy's childhood dolls and tea set that grandma had saved. It's hard to tell who was having more fun. They both loved it a little too much if you ask dad. It was really cute. They played for hours.

Abby's would wear her Ariel dress up everyday if mom and dad let her.

Abby and Hailey stopped by the temple on their way home from Salk Lake City.

Abby and Hailey had a blast up at Grandma and Grampa's cabin in Heber playing in the snow with their cousins Kate and Will.