Brian's graduation cap fits me perfectly...Congratulations Brian!!

One of my closest friends, Jamie Treseder, came to visit from Columbus, Ohio, with her two children, Lincoln and Rex. I was scheduled to have my third round of chemo, but my platelets were too low. Nonetheless, we had a fun week together.

It was so nice to have Jamie, Lincoln and Rex stay with us while Brian was in Florida finishing his MBA. Jamie was so helpful, making dinners, cleaning up after the kids, and constantly entertaining, while I rested. Thanks Jamie! We love you and your family!!

Good times on the trampoline...

Two buddies...Sterling and Rex

Can't imagine having 3 toddlers and 2 infants...

Spencer, Sally and Lincoln watching a movie

Sally, Spencer and Lincoln at the Ft. Worth Zoo

Chemo 2

Brian's sister, Monica, his cousin, Ranee, and her daughter, Della, came to help out during my second round of chemo. We had a really nice visit. Monica and Ranee changed lots of diapers, got up with Sterling in the night, washed lots of dishes, made meals, and most importantly played with the kids...the most challenging at times. Thanks for all of your hard work. We love you!

Ranee and Monica, Substitute Mamas

Della, Spencer's latest crush...

Coloring Easter Eggs

My youngest brother, Justin (18), a Senior in High School, performs with the Kickapoo High School choir. They had a competition in San Antonio this past weekend. On their way to San Antonio, they stopped at the St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Denton, Texas, to receive some additional instruction from the UNT Denton choir director.

Denton is about 20 minutes from Keller, so Brian's sister, Monica, the kids and I took an excursion. The church was beautiful and the music was even better. We had a few minutes to chat and catch up before Justin and his choir continued on their way. It was so nice to see Justin. He is really growing up fast...I was just starting my freshman year in college when he was born...if you look really closely, you can see my new wig...it is a little wind blown and looks better when it's styled.

Two weeks ago, I was tickling Sterling on the floor. Sterling was grabbing onto my hair. I had a thought come to me, 'What if when I pull up, Sterling is holding a chunk of my hair?" When I pulled up, there was a rather large chunk of hair clinched in his hand. Fortunately, I haven't been too emotional about my hair loss. I called a friend in my congregation, Amy Howard, and asked her to shave it off. I am donating the salvageable, qualifying hair to Locks of Love.

Brian has less than a month left to finish his MBA at the University of Florida!!! My Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Mike drove up from Houston to stay with us during Brian's most recent weekend trip to Florida.

We had a blast...Kathleen and Mike are so good with the kids...they played games, read books, and came up with very creative activities like the Spring Duckling. Sunday morning, Sally and Spencer woke up to the Spring Duckling (a dancing, singing, stuffed duck with bunny rabbit ears). After they ate their breakfast, Sally and Spencer headed out back for an early Easter egg hunt. So fun...

I was so blessed to have Brian's mom, Pat, and his aunt, Rozzy, stay with us for 2 weeks during my post-surgery and first chemo week. They were wonderful help with the children, housecleaning and cooking. It was a special bonding time for all of us. We couldn't have done it without you, Pat and Roz!!!

Chemo Week 1

I had my first chemo infusion this past Wednesday, March 2nd. It was a 6 hour process. The worst part was the IV, of course. I was groggy throughout the whole thing. Brian sat by my side most of the time except when he made a trip to Chili's to get lunch.

It's day 5 of chemo and I have been blessed with a miracle. I haven't had hardly any side effects. My oncologist gave me one of the strongest anti-nausea meds, Emend. So, I haven't had any nausea or food intollerance. I have been taking naps every day and going to bed by 9pm. I also have been walking on the treadmill almost every day. One of the only side effects I have started to have is slight neuropathy-numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. It doesn't really bother me though. I attribute my ability to get through this first week of chemo so well to all of your thoughts, prayers, fasts and selfless service and the love of the Lord. Thank you!!! We are truly blessed...

"Miracles are everywhere to be found... When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. Whom God calls, God qualifies." President Thomas S. Monson

The second week of February, two of my best friends and roommates from college, Dawna Daugherty and Tonja Whitford, came to stay with me while Brian was in Florida for the weekend. Dawna lives in South Carolina and Tonja lives in California. We had a great time catching up, reminiscing, and having lots of girl time.

Dawna and Tonja really took care of me during their visit. Dawna came up with several awesome freezer meal recipes and they cooked all weekend. By the end of their stay, they had cooked over 30 freezer meals to use over the next few months. Tonja watched the kids while I went to have a CT scan and run some errands. Dawna completely organized my kitchen cabinets. Both Tonja and Dawna helped with the kids and housework.

The highlight was our Girls Night Out. One of my closest friends in Keller, Sarah Reed, came along. We went and had our eyebrows waxed first. (I had scheduled to get my hair shaved w my hair stylist, Ha, but chickened out. We didn't want to stiff her on business, so we decided to get our eyebrows done.) Then we went to dinner at Cristina's Mexican, one of my favs. We finished the night off with a trip to Barnes and Noble and Cheesecake Factory. Thanks to my good friend, Joanna, I didn't have to find a sitter...we had a blast!

I was so sad to see Tonja and Dawna go...but can't wait for a fun girls outing next year. I am so blessed to have such good friends. Thanks, Tonja and Dawna!!!

Ben and Tina came to visit us during our snow storm week. Their flight was one of the only flights into Dallas that wasn't cancelled. Hopefully they didn't get cabin fever at our house. Spencer and Sally kept them busy putting together puzzles and playing games. Ben played in the snow with the kids. Spencer and Sally had a blast jumping on the trampoline with Ben and Tina once it warmed up outside.
I was just starting to turn a corner in my recovery from my hysterectomy and cancer debulking surgery when Ben and Tina came to visit. They were so helpful. They did the dishes every day, helped feed the kids lunch and prepare other meals. Ben and Brian worked on a special project to add shelves in our walk in closet. Tina helped dress the kids every day, changed a lot of diapers and even vacuumed and mopped my floors. I cried when they left, for obvious reasons. I wish they were able to move in with us during this difficult time in our lives. When Spencer realized that Ben and Tina were gone, he started to cry. This morning he saw the pictures I am posting and said, 'I love Tina and I love Uncle Ben!'

In February we had the best snow storm. It lasted four days. The temperature was below zero. It iced two days in a row and then snowed on top of the ice. Dallas doesn't have snow plows. They just throw down a lot of sand. Needless to stay we were stuck at home for the rest of the week.

Spencer and Sally loved going out in the snow. It took longer to get them dressed than it did for them to go out and play and then, decide to come back inside. But they had a great time!

The week after Christmas we were blessed to have a visit from my brother, Thann, his wife, Carrie, and their two daughters, Sydney and Berlyn. We had been anticipating their visit for a month or so, but the timing was perfect. Spencer, Sally and Sterling loved playing with their California cousins. Uncle Thann played 'tickle pig' with Sally. We watched lots of dvds and ate popcorn. Carrie made her famous tacos. Brian and Thann stayed up late watching sports. Carrie fell in love with baby Sterling. Sydney and Berlyn helped out with the kids...played lots of soccer, went to the movies and had mini concerts. I had much needed quality time with Carrie. We wish we lived closer and can't wait to visit them in Cali so we can meet the twins, Carrie is expecting to deliver them early June. xoxoxo

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9:6

We found out I had ovarian cancer two days before Christmas. We try to focus on the Savior more during the Christmas season, but this Christmas was all about Him. We decided to make Christmas simple by giving Spencer and Sally one present each. Spencer wanted a bike ; Sally wanted a kitchen. Brian and I were given the gift of eternal perspective. We all know that our mortal life will someday come to an end. However, I have always taken for granted my physical health and expected to live through my nineties. So, this new experience with cancer has definitely been a reality check. We spent our holiday crying alone and together, pleading with the Lord for his tender mercies to help us through this trial. And of course, relating the news to close family and friends.

My favorite memory with Sally and Spencer was our Nativity tradition. Brian read the account of Jesus' birth in Luke 2 and while the children reenacted it.

I have never felt the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, more than at this time in my life. My favorite doctrine in the gospel of Jesus Christ is that of eternal life and salvation...that families can be together forever. I know this is the greatest gift that I can receive because of the love of my Heavenly Father and the life and sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16

I always thought I'd have one more child, but we recently found out Sterling will be our last one. It's nice to know that we are through with the childbearing phase of our life. But sometimes I wish I could have that fourth. It seems so final.

I had a laparoscopic surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and my left ovary this past December. The surgery was a success--easy in, easy out. But the pathology was not so great. My ob called us the following day to let us know that the pathologist found cancer cells in the ovary and cyst.

I had my hysterectomy and cancer debulking surgery on January 14th. I recovered remarkably well because of all of the prayers and service from family and friends.

Since then, it seems like our lives have changed completely...daily appointments with the oncologist, various radiologists, surgery scheduled and completed, chemotherapy...it seems to change everything. Yet there are so many wonderful constants...our beautiful children, my loving, supportive, hardworking husband, compassionate and concerned friends, neighbors and family, the gospel of Jesus Christ, family prayer, Sunday worship. We've been so blessed with visits from close family members and friends.

My chemotherapy is scheduled to start March 2nd. Wish us luck, or better yet, pray for a miracle.

Brian and baby Sterling (4 months)...you can see where the kids get their good looks. Sterling is the best baby, ask anyone. He only cries when he is supposed to cry...hungry, tired, wet/dirty diaper. Otherwise he is a happy camper.

Spencer and Sally...Both are great helpers. They love jumping on the trampoline, watching their shows (Star Wars and Caillou), going places and playing with their friends.