A little family vaca

We drove over to Ft. Walton for a sunny beach get-a-way. It wasn't sunny. At all. It rained. The WHOLE time. We left early. But we had fun and got some fun pictures anyway. As we drove into town Eli asked about the snow. Well, dear. That is sand. Beautiful place! We will have to try that again sometime. Without the rain.

Finally...I'm posting

I have been assuming that not many people blog anymore - since facebook is the "thing" and I'm the only person not on facebook. But I was told to blog more often by someone I didn't even know checked my blog (Hi Cloeen). :) I'm glad to hear it! We are still here and doing well. The kids are growing like crazy, Chris's work hours aren't AS bad as they started out and he seems to be enjoying work. His commute is a bummer - not to mention the two weeks he will be in Mexico coming up. We enjoy our "daddy days" so weekends are special. 

E starts kindergarten in a few weeks. I'm relieved that he got in to a nearby charter school, but shocked at the price of uniforms. I'm excited and dreading him being gone for 7 hours each day. T will start up his "school" also. It's only a total of 4 hours a week but he needs it and LOVES it. His speech is progressing each day. Just last night he counted to ten! He's behind but will catch up. Oh and miss M. What a doll. She's got all of us wrapped around her little chubby fingers. She's "army crawling" all over the place. She uses her head as a weapon. SO, watch out - says my fat lip today!

I'm doing fine, really. I watch others going through rough trials that I would consider worse then mine. So I count my blessing. But - it's taking some time to understand my "new" self. My moods are very different and oh, the exhaustion. Blah! It's hard to explain, but I get "confused" sometimes and have a little anxiety that I've never had before. Some days it's just better that I stay home. As far as treatment - there really isn't any...I had an ultrasound of my neck a couple months ago. There is a "spot" that they measured and would like to keep an eye on. I will have my one year body scan in December and that will hopefully determine if my body is "clean" of cancer. Until then - I pretend like nothing's wrong. We are just very thankful for our knowledge of God and his amazing grace, as well as The Plan of Salvation. It's comforting in this crazy world!

We're still here

I feel like I'm just trying to keep up with life. Here are the highlights over the last couple months.

*E got accepted into a charter school. I am so relieved and excited.

*T qualified for two hours of speech therapy classes twice a week. He seems to love "school."

*M has delt with ear infections since January and we finally gave up and did ear tubes today. She is already happier. Hopefully she (and I) will sleep through the night.

Chris is still busy with work and taking the boys fishing as much as possible. 

I have appointments coming up at the end of the month. It'll be the first check since December. I'm a little anxious. Happy Spring!!

Shelly came to visit. We never took a break. We gave a few rooms in my house a face-lift. When I get things put back together, I'll show pictures.

Goonies. Eli is such a boss. See him holding Tate's chin?

I just love getting family pics.

She is already 5 months old! AH! I love her to pieces.

Little Miss even gets to play. The boys were building up a barricade to keep her safe.

Fence fixing.

Our bribery for a few GOOD family pictures - crazy pictures.

(I went to the Endocrinologist today. So far, everything looks pretty good. Most of my hormone levels are in a good range, so it seems that we have a handle on that. I will get a scan of my neck in three months and then in December I will have a more in depth blood test. In case you were wondering.)

And the results are in

A Kansas Christmas (missed you Greg and Linds)

These goonies mean the world to me!

Sorry if I've left you all hanging - I've been meaning to give an update on my cancer treatment. I've been, what I would call, a little bit busy. On December 12th I was given a radioactive iodine treatment (I-131). I was admitted to the hospital until my radiation levels were at a safe range. I assumed this would be 2-3 days. I tested super low within 23 hours! It was a boring day sitting/sleeping in a plastic wrapped room. I left the hospital and went to Lacy's house, where she had a separate bedroom and bathroom available for my use. I was to stay 3 feet away from adults for 3-5 days and 6 feet away from children for 5-7 days. So I stayed with Lacy until the following Wednesday when I had a follow-up whole body scan. (I can't tell you how I missed my family - all those days I've wanted a break from them were haunting me. However, Lacy made my time go by fast with movies, good food, and a trip to the mall!) Finally, Friday evening my doctor called with the scan results. It's a long story, but the bottom line is - SO FAR, SO GOOD. A small portion of thyroid tissue is still present in my neck. It may continue to die off and it may not. It will be checked again in three months time. Chris and I were so relieved to finally receive positive news. Thank you to everyone for the fasting and prayers. We have felt everyone's love. It's been an emotional roller-coaster, but I am thankful for the strength we've been given and the service we've received. Here's to new year of adventures!

The jolly man himself

Merry Christmas!

And the beat goes on...

Isn't she the cutest? We weaned ourselves from nursing in preparation for my treatment next week. She is doing fine with the formula - probably better than me. That stuff stinks! Not to mention it took her 6 days to get it through her intestines. That was fun....Plus I think she put on a pound or two. She is so kissable!

Here we are - three moves, four jobs, three kids, seven years and xx pounds later.  We spend time each year on our anniversary at the temple to do sealings. It's a great reminder of the promises we've made to each other. I really married my best friend!