Cousins!!!

These girls are so great .. Our family came back from China to visit during Christmas and it was a 3 week celebration! One of my favorite parts was just watching Kalvyn and her two cousins hang out, talk, laugh, shop and goof around. We had lots of sleepovers, late nights, dinners out and FUN!

The boys had fun too playing video games, going to Jumpstreet, sleepovers and movies.Blake was absolutely facinated with Luke. Anything and everything Luke did, Blake followed suit.

I took the girls shopping and they got some out fits and wanted to do a photo shoot.. so off we went with my amatuer camera in hand..

On To The Next Treatment....

So after my post that my mom may get to stop chemo and all the good news that we got.... My mom had another PET scan and got some bad news....

Liver cancer is growing and bigger than before.. bone cancer still active and fluid in her lungs w/ cancer cells in it.. can you say BUMMER!!!

My mom is so positive though.. they have her scheduled to start a new chemo next week.. unfortunately the side effects aren't to great so we will all rally around her for whatever she needs.. My mom is so strong, granted she has her days,she is still so strong!

So.. a reminder to do your self exams!!!!

Irritation!

Honestly..do they make anything to last? We put a lot of money into new things for the house when we first moved in.. so far our dishwasher has gone out..that will be $400 to replace.. our refrigerator makes a horrible knocking noise all winter long and has since the 1st year we've had it.. that will be over $1000 to replace. We've replaced our a/c unit to the tune of $5000. Our wonderful water softner was $350 and lasted a short 2 years, new pool pump, $600.The hot tub we bought two years ago is also broken and is estimated at $500 to fix.. seriously..these are just the things that I can think of off the top of my head. I am begining to think homeownership pretty much sucks..sucks the money right out your bank account..What a waste on the enviornment too!

I would just really love to buy something that is built right and lasts! Just venting..arghhh

Sometimes Good Things Do Happen!

Whether it be luck, strength, answered prayers, modern medicine...good things sometimes happen! My mom has no cancer lesions on her liver! She still has active cancer in the bone but the liver seems to be clear..

My mom is amazingly strong as she has endured 2 years of continuous chemo. Nasty side effects, fatigue, countless dr. appointments haven't held her back. She's been on cruises, trips with friends, dinner and book groups.

We are waiting to hear if she is going to stop chemo all together for now. Fingers crossed!

Thanks mom, for the good example and being so strong and positive.

2011

2010 is gone.. Welcome 2011

I love a new year.. fresh starts.. cold weather.. and some goals..

Here are a few things I want to accomplish in 2010:

1. I would love to take a photography class.

2. More Yoga!

3. Stay away from from negative people and gossip...so NOT good for the soul!

My list is short but I am still working on a few things from last year..'

Here's to a Happy 2011..Cheers.

The BIG 10!

Today, Tate is 10! I can't believe 10 years has gone by...Tate is such a special person.. I love these things about him

1.He loves to have fun....loves it!

2.He is a super spiritual being..

3.Tate is one of the most compassionate people out there.

4.He's a great brother.

5.He tries really, really hard to make others happy :)

6.He's a good dancer but would NEVER dance in front of anyone.

7.Family is the most important thing to Tate.

8.He loves to tell bad jokes..

9.Although hard at times, he is a very sensitive person.

10. He's MY son!

Oregon

Rick and I took an 11th anniversary trip to Oregon in October. One word describes this place...GREEN...and I loved it. Everything was so beautiful. Our plan is to move here in a couple of years..

We covered a lot of ground during this trip, sight seeing, resting, talking, laughing and doing what ever we wanted, when ever we wanted.. it was so great!

We plan on taking the kids back in the spring to show them all of our favorite spots..