November 15th, 2008

These last few weeks have been amazing! I've recovered fully from surgery and the Chemo and it's affects are out of my system. For the first time in months I haven't been sick and I've had boundless energy. Needless to say I've been cleaning every nook and crany of my house, reorganizing closets, cooking/baking up a storm, christmas shopping, spoiling my husband, and playing with the kids non-stop! God is so good, I want to cry out from the rooftops of His mercy and love towards me. I feel like I've been given a new life. And I'm so thankful for it...all of it...even the dull things like chores. I used to grumble and hate doing housework...not that it's all the sudden my favorite thing to do...but I'm alive, and well, and I am able to do my chores. I couldn't say that a month ago, or two months ago...I barely had the energy to get dressed and have breakfast in the morning before I had to lay down for a nap. Now everyday is a gift as well as every non-sick and energetic moment! I give God thanks and praise with every breath I take throughout the day, for He saw me and saved me even though I was unworthy.

I will begin Radiation on Tuesday morning. I already got my tatoos this past week. It was kind of fun calling up Dorian and telling him I'd just gotten a bunch of Tatoos. We laughed at my "wild" side and joked that it was too bad they were just dots and not something cool. I'm not nervous or anxious about the radiation at all. I've been told that after going through Chemo radiation is a piece of cake. The side effects are suppose to be mild skin irritation (like a sunburn) for a few hours after each treatment and fatigue (but not as severe as Chemo). What better time for a sun tan then in November and December when it's turning cold! And who couldn't use an afternoon nap...right? Anyway, I'll being having radiation treatments everyday until the first or second week in January. Then we'll be scheduling surgery for an oopherectomy (ovaries removed)...I think we're shooting for mid-January or February. After that life will start getting back to normal until next fall when I will have my next surgeries.

Hallelujah Night - Oct. 31st, 2008

Sorry these pictures are all out of order...for some reason Blogger isn't posting pictures in correct order so we'll just have to look at them all jumbled. We had a blast tonight at Hallelujah Night celebrating God's Awesome Power!!! Christlyn was an Angel, Ethan was a Cowboy, and Jadon was a ferocious Lion! Christlyn got a Hole in One (the first one of the night on that game).

Ethan and Conner...the two cowboys...dual it out with nerf swords.

Jadon and Aunt Jennifer take a drink break...it's hard work being that cute!


Ethan is helping clean up after the festivities!


Christlyn is ready to rock and roll for Jesus!

I tried taking pictures of her but she wouldn't stop singing..."Gloria, In Excelsis Deo".

Howdy Pardner!

...Roarrrrrrr.....

What fun the evening was! Great Grandpa and Grandma even stopped by for a while to see us. Jadon had fun watching Great-Grandpa blow and spin the pinwheel.

October 31st, 2008

What a busy day we had today. As soon as we dropped the big kids off at school Mommy, Daddy, and Jadon headed to Daddy's store. Jadon got to trick or treat at the pharmacy and the front register while Mommy and Daddy worked resetting the Halloween section. He happily sat in the cart eating his candy and charming all the girls that work for Dorian. Once the work at the store was done we headed to Grandpa's house for a visit with Grandpa and the Great-Grandparents. Jadon and mommy switched hair do's at one point.

He even helped Daddy mow Grandpa's lawn...He's working hard can't you tell!

After a delicious lunch out with Great-Grandpa and Grandma, Mommy headed to Ethan's party at school. Ethan was so surprised and excited that I was able to be at his party. They played lots of games but his favorite part was painting his pumpkin with melted crayons.

The snacks were pretty good too!

Now off to get ready for the Church carnival tonight...!

Broc Jahnke Wanna Be - Oct. 31

What's the use of being bald on Halloween if you can't have a little fun with it? And fun I had!!! Eric Baker gave me the idea of dressing up as Broc Jahnke, our former youth pastor. I almost chickened out this afternoon but a phone call and a dare from my sister was all I needed to keep me going. A few coffee grounds, a Seahawks sweatshirt, glasses, and a 'Hello, My Name is...Broc Jahnke' nametag was all I needed to pull off the best costume of the night! Unfortunately the glasses I wore were way too strong so I had to keep pushing them down to the end of my nose so I could see...oh well.

Everyone got a huge kick out of the costume and people were lining up to have their pictures taken with "Broc". It was so much fun...it almost makes me sad I won't be able to do it again next year. Just kidding, I'll be so excited to have my hair back next year. One thing I found out tonight is that Broc is still just as loved by everyone today as he was when he was here.

We love you Broc!

Thank You Mom!

Just wanted to say a great big THANK YOU to Liz (Dorian's Mom). She spent the last 3 weeks taking care of me and the kids. Thanks so much mom for taking such good care of all of us. I know it couldn't have been easy switching gears from retirement to full time caregiver of three engergic kids, one sick daughter in law, and a very busy son...yet you made it seem so easy! We love you and miss you already!