Relay For Life

Friday was the Relay for Life event, this year at Gilbert High School.  This event has a special place in my heart.  Aly was captain of two teams from Highland High School.  She worked so hard to raise money for both teams and to help her friends raise awareness for Cancer.

Brad, Jacque and I went to the event.  I took the role as the "Survivor" and Brad and Jacque were my caregivers....Jacque also took the most amazing pictures....which I will always treasure.

We went to the Survivor area, where we were given a bag of goodies and later, a nice dinner.  They gave each survivor a special purple shirt with a string of beads for each year of "surviving". I had five strings of beads. After the opening ceremonies, they asked the survivors to walk the first lap.  I found a friend, Monya, who is fighting her own battle of breast cancer. We walked together.  Everyone lines the track and claps. Words cannot describe the rush of emotions as you walk by total strangers who are clapping and wishing you "good luck", "congratulations", etc. 

The second lap was for "caregivers" to join with the survivor. Brad, Aly and Jacque joined me. With one hand in Brad's and my other arm around my girls, I reminisced thru my memories of their love, and the struggle each had as they watched me suffer.

We are so much stronger now. Our relationships, our love, and our commitment to each other and our family is stronger.  Trials really do fine-tune relationships and commitments!  Aly had worked hard to "HONOR" those who have fought the fight.  As we approached these memorial luminaries, our hearts were full, our eyes a little teary, and we held each other a little closer.

(This seems SOOOO long ago!!)

After a nice dinner, I was one of the first "Survivor Speakers". I guess I did OK....Brad said I didn't embarrass the family.  Speaking in front of people is NOT my favorite thing to do.  Fortunately many were walking around the tracks, playing games, and hopefully not listening to intently.  As I was doing a little research for my speech I found this quote: 
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”~Christopher Reeve
I am an ordinary person, an ordinary mom in a very ordinary life.  But around us are HEROS - people everywhere (who are NOT on TV) who are MY heros.  Each member of my family has found the strength to persever thru their own set of trials.  No one gives up. 
To my FAMILY - YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

I did have a small fan base.  These are some of Aly's friends.  Most of them I am proud to call my "other" sons and daughter (some I didn't know!)  Aly's friends are amazing good kids, and have helped to make her years at High School fun and memorable.  After my little speech, there were plenty of hugs....and tears!

Brad, Jacque and I headed home after that, but I turned right around and took pizzas to the two teams and stayed for the Luminary ceremony. They dim all the lights and the only lights are the luminaries around the track, the candles the many participants are carrying, and a large "CURE" in the bleachers, made from more luminaries. The walk is started by those who have lost fathers, mothers, etc. joined then by those whose lives have been touched....everyone. It's a quiet time of reflection, as everyone goes around the track in silence.....so very powerful.  After a few laps, I went up the opposite bleachers and just watched the crowds circle the track, in silence, paying respect to those who have lost the battle and those who are still in the fight.  Watching hundred circle the track, some crying, some holding on to a loved one, many leaving their candles in front of someone's luminary and continueing to walk....after all....
Cancer NEVER sleeps!
I realized how very blessed I am. I am still alive. I know that I am blessed. I have so much to be thankful for. I love my family. Words cannot express my love for them.  This night will be etched in my memories for a long time!

I AM a Survivor

It's that time of year when the Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's main fund raising tool, gears up for a weekend of fun.  Aly is team captain of two teams from Highland.  I know many of us have been touched personally by someone close to us who have fought this valiant fight.  Every year this event happens, I realize how blessed I am to be a survivor.  Our family has great heros we can look to as they fought courageously, but lost the mortal fight.  It is them we honor and love and miss.
This year, it is being held at Gilbert High School the weekend of April 16th and 17th.  Ironic that this is also the weekend of Jr./Sr. Prom.  Aly will be one tired girl!

If you want, go to this link for Aly's efforts at this time.  Just click on the pretty picture!  You can make a donation or dedicate a luminaria in honor of someone you love!





We sure miss Grandpa!!

Others, I would like to mention have been close family members or wonderful friends!  Some have passed to the other side and some are still fighting.  They are in our daily prayers!!
My Aunt Kitty Denham  -  Julia Harman  -  Stephen Peterson
Elaine Fish  -  Sheldon Cook
(If I've forgotten any, add in comments!!)

Another Birthday

Why is it that blogging about yourself seems so...so...odd??  But, so that "posterity" knows something about me (according to my daughters), I'm posting my own birthday.  (I like THIS post much better!!)
 
BUT, I did have a wonderful birthday and celebrated with all my favorite people.  To start with, I had 4 tickets to Hale's Theater "Guys and Dolls".  I've had these tickets for about 6 months and when I got them, I thought it would be fun for the family to see this play around my birthday, you know, a family activity!  Well, the previous Monday, during our scheduling time at FHE, I get to Friday, the 5th and say... "Remember, we have tickets to the play on this day." 
Dead silence....
OK, so Jacque had a party she had to attend, Aly had the cast party and Brad?  Well, being the good sport that he is, he said he would go "if it would make me happy".  Of course.  But I also knew he really didn't want to go.  So, I thought of a girls' night with my favorite friends.  I invited Cindy, Carolyn and Leann to go with me.  We went to dinner at the Liberty's Market and then enjoyed the play.
(BTW....did you know that the Liberty's Market has a co-ed bathroom????  That is another funny story!)

These ladies make my life so sweet.  I am so blessed to have them as my friends.  We had so much fun!!
Sunday, my birthday was fast Sunday.  I joked around that for my birthday I got to miss two meals and go to church.  But in reality, I really enjoyed this day.  Attending church on your birthday isn't so bad.  Having a day of rest and family around isn't so bad.  No errends to run isn't so bad.  All in all, I had a great day. 
Sunday evening we enjoyed family time at Grammy and Grampy's with all the birthday festivities.  It is the beginning of "summer sandals" as Clay would say. 

Do I feel older?  Not in the least.  But I always have some things I hope to accomplish.  I'll keep you posted!

It's gonna be a great weekend....

Especially since it started with this angel!  My, she is fun!

Life is good!!

I bet you didn't know....

We always have something happening in and around our home.  Since this is our family history, I thought it was important to document some of the memorable happenings in our life.

After Aly's famous birthday, she went on to perform in the Gilbert Fine Arts productions of "Curtains".  It was a success and she had a lot of fun.  I think it marks the first time she has sung a solo in front of any type of audience of her peers.  Quite an accomplishment!

Since the weather is hinting of spring...I thought I would once again try my black thumb at planting something and hoping it will grow.  We started with tiny herbs...hoping that maybe this would be the lucky time.

I have a positive attitude and after a week....wa-la!!

Not to be outdone, after Jacque completed one of her finals for nursing, she "celebrated" by doing this....

Quite the sophisticated change....but I like it!!

Jade's Blessing Day

I know that I'm late on this one.  Trying to tell a story with so many precious pictures is going to be hard.

Feb. 7th was a very special day.  Jenny's family (minus the missionary and Candi's family) were here.  All of Tyler's family also participated in this special time.  Tyler gave his precious daughter a wonderful blessing and afterwards, Tyler and Jenny hosted a wonderful lunch at their house.  Jade was the center of attention and all wanted a turn to hold and love her.

Again, another tender mercy of our Heavenly Father is that He blessed us with families that can last forever.  I can't imagine my life without my family around me.  Another addition to this family just expands our hearts and we are given the capacity to love even more.  How wonderful is that??

18th Birthday, Part 2

Now...the rest of the story.....
Sunday is the day our family spends time with Grammy and Grampy.  They provide such a yummy dinner and some fun family time.  When it is someone's birthday, there is a special dinner and family presents afterwards.  There are always pictures! 

Aly was dreading the pictures.  With a swollen eye, she was thinking that she would try and ditch the pictures this year....hear are the results:

The last picture is always with all the cousins doing a "funny face".  I'm not sure when this started, but it surely shows the characters that are in this family.  I love this next picture.  Every single face tells a story.  This picture makes me laugh out loud!!

"No Cake, No Ice Cream.....Happy Birthday"

Using a quote from Brian Regan, this beautiful daughter of ours had great dreams for her 18th birthday.  Wonderful breakfast at IHOP, day spent with friends, Play performance, opening presents....all sorts of fun stuff!
Instead....

This pretty much sums up her welcome into adulthood.  Her first signature as an adult!

Here's a nice recap:

Friday, she spent the day at home with a high fever, chills, all-around aches, sore throat....see the picture?  On top of that?  She has to miss the opening night of the play, Curtains, that she has spent the last 2 months practicing for.  Saturday comes along and instead of a nice breakfast, she has no appetite. 

We eat her favorite strawberry-topped waffles without her.  One of her favorite birthday traditions is to open her presents, which are all wrapped, NOT bagged!

Of course, we can't take pictures of her face because she is sick and barely hanging on to say "thank-you"!!  Her dad and brother had given her a wonderful blessing and we talked about having the faith to get ready, and allow Heavenly Father to strengthen her.  During the day, many friends, leaders, and family help to make her day extra special by dropping off gifts, texting her and leaving all sorts of wonderful birthday wishes on FaceBook.

In the evening, off to the play we go.  The play is adorable, I could actually hear parts in the music, and Aly was able to finish without fainting on stage.  On the way home?  She basically crashed.  It's about 10:30 p.m. and her eye is puffed shut.  I'm pretty sure it's a good case of pink eye, but there are no Urgent Care facilities that are open.  We head down to the ER and within an hour we are out.  On the way to the ER, she laments:  "Can it get any worse today?"  Yep, it did.  But the shot worked miracles and her eye is on the mend.

Maybe next year will be better.  But, I am thankful she has such a positive attitude, that she is determined to accomplish all her dreams and goals, and she can laugh when she really wants to cry.  I can't believe that our little girl is now an adult, with adult goals and dreams.  Aly has so many great talents and characteristics.  We laugh at her need to be organized in every aspect of her life, her lists, her determination to accomplish her goals.  She is such a great example of dedication and devotion to her Heavenly Father.  So many nights, I find her reading her scriptures before she starts her homework...even if that is at 11:00 p.m.  Her faith amazes me.  I absolutely love being her mom!

Happy Birthday, Aly....it's one you will always remember. 

It's been a wild ride...

It has been an interesting month with beautiful "high" moments and some "low" moments as well.  So, here is the recap:
The week before Christmas, I started experiencing some stomach "issues".  First, it was just cramping and nausea, but as time progressed, my stomach was not cooperating and eating became quite painful...especially after 2:00 p.m.  We lightly called it the night-time disease.  But since I have a history of stomach problems, we started the testing at the first of the year.  Beginning in January, I had an ultrasound and upper GI series.  These revealed that I had "polyps" in my gall bladder, but nothing that my GI specialist thought was prelude to surgery.  These tests did help to eliminate such diseases as stomach cancer and gall bladder diseases.  Next was an Endoscopy, and then much more waiting.  So, in the meantime, my meals are getting very small and my nausea is a 24/7 thing.  Since I can usually find something positive....I was shedding a few pounds....YIPPPEE!!!!!

Next up?  Brad.  Yes, during this time, Brad was preparing for his own surgery.  On January 29th, he had LASEK performed on his right eye, hopefully correcting his astigmatism.  Since this is more extensive than LASIK, the recovery time is also a little longer.  This was done on a Friday, and we thought that by Monday, I could have my next test, which was a HIDA scan.

Monday, February 1st, I went to my HIDA scan, which was at Banner Gateway - a couple miles from our house - by myself.  Brad's eyes were still sore and recovering.  However, the scan could not be completed due to a "blockage".....duh?  They asked if they could give me an injection of morphine to restrict the passageway and force my gall bladder to light up on the screen, but that didn't work either.  Because of the drug effects, Brad was suppose to come and get me, but I VERY carefully drove home...under the influence of a very nice drug!  That afternoon, we took Brad for his eye check-up and decided between the two of us, we were quite the pair!

Now, not only can I eat one small breakfast, but the pains in my stomach are a little more irritating.  It's starting to cause some concern.  Monday night we patiently wait for the doctor to call and give us information.  Nothing!  Tuesday we are told he has the report and just needs to read it and figure out what to do.  No call.  Wednesday, I'm starting to stress a little. 

Did I fail to mention that in two days, Aaron and Savannah are flying in to surprise the family  AND in four days, our beautiful grand-daughter is going to be blessed??

FINALLY, we get a call Wednesday evening from our GI doctor, telling us that it has become an "emergency" and we need to get the gall bladder out asap.  Fortunately, we know a surgeon.  He grew up with my sister, LaNae.  Our doctor calls him.  Dr. Gray, the surgeon, calls us late Wednesday evening.  Yes, we need to schedule the surgery for tomorrow evening.  ONE day before Aaron/Savannah fly in and 3 days before the blessing.  OK...this is an out-patient thing..right?  Shouldn't be too much....right?

Oh, yeah....it's me we are talking about.  Nothing is ever, ever normal.  Inside, I know this and wonder just what is going to happen.  Thursday, I spend my time cleaning and wondering if all will go well.  Thanks to a beautiful blessing by Russ and my sweet husband, my fears are calmed and we head to Gilbert Mercy Hospital.

We meet with Dr. Gray, and I jokingly tell him that something will go wrong, so he better be prepared.  He tells me he has been doing this for over 15 years and I have nothing to worry about.  Surgery goes well.  Coming out of the sedation isn't quite as easy.  I can't seem to get a grip on reality, I'm as nauseated as I am sore.  Finally, after a few hours, I'm coherent enough to try and stand to get ready to go home.  Unfortunately, as I stand up, one of the incision areas starts to bleed.  Mind you, it's not an "ooze" out of the bandage, but enought to drench my clothes and the sheets.  GREAT!  I lay back down and the nurses stop the bleeding.  45 minutes go by...and we start again....with the same results.  After the third attempt, the nurses call Dr. Gray, who can't believe that it could be that bad.  They persuade him to leave his home (it's now about 10:30 p.m. or later...I can't recall).  He comes down and on the fourth time, with the same result, he informs me that he has NEVER seen anything like this.  He proceeds to give me about 7 seven stitches and they admit me to the hospital.  I'm sick and wanting to go home.  After all....Aaron and Savannah are due Friday evening!

Friday, around noon, I'm discharged.  The nurses take out my IV, and once again, my blood starts to ooze down my arm.  I leave quite a mess for the CNA to clean up! 

Friday evening, Aaron and Savannah arrive!  Their plane from Philadelphia was the last one to get out before the big storm hit!  They were very lucky!!  We are so glad they are here!!

Sunday, February 4th is the blessing day of our Jade!  It is a beautiful Sabbath day with all our family, all of  Jenny's family together to celebrate this special day.  I'm able to walk into Church and enjoy sacrament meeting.  We all met afterwards over at Tyler and Jenny's for wonderful food and company.  I grew a little tired, but was so grateful for the strength given me to enjoy this day.

So this last month of events has left me with the wonder of how very blessed I am.  While I struggled with what could have been wrong, I kept asking my Father in Heaven to strengthen my faith.  Did I trust Him enough with this next struggle in my life?  What if it was life threatening?  Did I still trust Him?  Every time I asked myself these questions, I knew that I did.  No matter what, I wanted to be the type of daughter that trusted and believed that my Heavenly Father would love me, give me strength, and provide a way to "endure all things".  But with each new obstacle, there was always a tender mercy waiting for me.  Tender mercies that I recognized?  A worthy husband and brother-in-law who took the time to give me a priesthood blessing and the great comfort that brought, a husband who put his own discomfort aside to take care of me, a surgeon that just happened to have time in his schedule and I knew from past surgeries (he put in and took out my port), Aaron and Savannah's plane coming in on time and their desire to help in any way, inner and physical strength to be in attendance of the blessing of our sweet grand-daughter, and most of all, the most wonderful family.  In every way, I love them all!