Not sure I even have to say it...

...this kid had his Dad's humor! It makes-a-me- crazy smile. :) Every time I walk into New York & Company he does this.

Many have seen it on Facebook, but this is for those readers do not have a FB account. :)

Where have I been?

Over a month with nothing to say? Actually, I have lots to say but I have decided to occupy myself with preparing for... uh-huh, yeah, you know. Well, here's to me being back! Maybe not daily, but regularly. :)

Salvation!

My Kalee just walked up to me and told me she said a special prayer. "Mom, I accepted Jesus into my heart."...and she also asked Him to help her be a good missionary.

My baby girl made me tear up. We had a pretty good conversation and I believe she feels it, not just reading it.

She has always said she wants to be a missionary...

Articles

A couple weeks ago I went in for a CT to get one more clean scan before I get my port removed. Two days later, the medical assistant called me to schedule a PET scan and make an appointment to see my oncologist to get the results of both. Last Thursday I went in for the PET scan and had a bonus (read about that story here). They poked me 3 times to place an IV. Before kids and cancer I would have passed out (and had a seizure). This time I just told her I was feeling icky and she sent someone else in to try. It was a bit chaotic because not only the reporter was in that confined area, but the corporate public relations gal for the hospital was too. I had to remind them to give me my lovely barium cocktail. For some odd reason I have acquired a taste for that goop.


Yesterday I got results of the scans. Doing the CT was almost a 'bad' thing. It showed a lump in my chest. Fortunately I have a thorough Doctor that immediately ordered me a PET scan. The results of the PET showed that the lump in my chest was just and enlarged thymus. It looks like my thymus might be overproducing to compensate for the lost time from last years chemo. Nothing that concerned him.

Easter Sunday my story went out in the local paper. You can read about it here. :)

I know I'm slackin' with the blog...but you DO know I will be consistent when Max is in the sand box. Right now we are just working on the 'to-get-done-before' list. :)

Street Smart

While in the car Kalee observed skid marks in the street.

Kalee: "What? How the heck did this street get stretch marks?"
Max: "Because no one rubbed coco-butter on it."

Yes, this is the kind of stuff I hear daily!

9, nine, NINE!!!!

What an amazing weekend! We got a lot done.
-tilled the garden
-plucked weeds
-cruised the lawnmower
-weed whacked
-tackled laundry
-explored at the beach
-lunch with friends on the beach
-delicious Red Lobster dinner *note-I actually ate something with a face. I had coconut shrimp.
-welcomed a friend in from doing humanitarian work in Haiti, and brought her home to surprise the family
-defuzzed the dryer vent
-Church birthday celebration
-drug the husband out to get new shoes
-discovered some delicious sangria hazelnut coffee
-hunted the dust bunnies on the ceiling fans
-stared in Max's eyes

Two beautiful babies, 7 moves, 5 ships (4 back to back), an overseas tour, countless deployments, cancer, and an approaching IA. If that doesn't count for a 'well rounded' couple then we sure have been 'seasoned' by God! Yesterday Max and I celebrated our 9Th wedding anniversary. Yes, I survived 9 years of being a Navy wife and he survived less than 9 years of my burning cooking. Lucky him-I think... Navy chow picked up the difference. :) Honestly I look at how 'not normal' military life is compared to whatever everyone else calls normal, and I'm grateful for the 'not normalness'. I'm thankful for every speed bump, curb, hill, and mountain we have endured these past 9 years. Life challenges possess just as much of a growing experience as opportunities do. I'm thankful that we have had the opportunity to hurdle over challenges... even if we physically are not by each others side 100% of the time.

I have grown to know, love, and be married to my best friend...the most amazing husband in the world. Happy Anniversary Babe!

It's official...

...IA orders are in hand. Screening has begun.

Saddle up the horses, we got a trail to blaze...into the unknown.