The Latest Happenings

In a nutshell...

* One of my best buddies drove all the way from northern CA to spend a few days with me last week! It was GREAT to see her and I am so bummed that I didn't take any pictures! I miss her...sniff sniff

* My sister Christie also came to see us! She flew in on Friday evening and left again for Ohio that Sunday. Although it was a quick trip, it was so good to see her. The boys loved having her at our house for a couple of days. Hopefully she'll come back soon because almost everyone was crying when we dropped her off at the airport.

* It is our family goal this year to have Family Home Evening every week for the WHOLE YEAR! We're going 3 weeks strong so far! Our reward for reaching our goal......a trip to San Diego!! The boys are stoked to go to Sea World, the zoo, and the beach! Ty prays for Sea World every night (so cute). We may even throw in a trip to Lego Land because we've heard so many people raving about it. NOW all's we have to do is save $$$$ for the trip. That's the hard part.

* Curt got his first "break" from the kids on Saturday! That is certainly worth noting because he's taken on a lot since I've been recovering from my surgery. He spent several hours golfing with some of his buddies.

* My dad and his wife Debbie are coming to spend a few days with us this week! They should be here in a little while and I am very much looking forward to seeing them. They are going to help with the boys so Curt's mom can have a little break. The boys are so excited to see Papa and Grandma Debbie!! Luke keeps begging me to let him sleep with them! Oh brother.

* My first round of chemo starts tomorrow...and I am a bit nervous, to be honest. I'm just looking forward to getting it over with and our lives getting back to normal (if that's possible!).

Ty's Picnic at the Park With Mommy!

Christie's Visit From Ohio

A Beautiful Quilt of My Boys!

I feel bad that it has taken me 3 weeks to post about this because I am still so touched by it. One of my best friends, Trisha, made this quilt for me so that I could take my babies with me while I was in the hospital! This was her first time ever at making a quilt and she tackled it in a week and a half! I am still amazed every time I look at it and I can feel the love that she has for me and my family. A-mazing.

My Wonderful "Falyim" and Friends

I have received countless cards, flower bouquets, e-mails, phone calls, treats, meals, prayers, visits.....all from my amazing group of friends and my incredible family! It has, without a doubt, been the most humbling experience for me personally. I continue to say that I have been touched beyond words, and that I have gained an even greater desire and excitement to be able to, in turn, do all I can to serve them when I am able to.

Now, on to explain the photo above...

One of our dear friends (you know who you are!) has a cleaning lady coming to our house once a week. I am sooo grateful! The day after the cleaning lady and her crew had come, I was at the kitchen sink and happened to glance over at the shelf in the family room where I had set the cute "F-A-M-I-L-Y" block letters that Alayna made us for Christmas. I tried not to laugh too hard because my tummy is still tender when I do, but it was so hard not to! Apparently, the cleaning crew rearranged the letters after dusting the shelf....obviously, they no speaka English!

We Got Our Baby Back!

Hip Hip Hooray! Yesterday Curt and I picked up Jake and brought him back home! Even though he has been well taken care of at Grandma's house, I was just missing him way too much to be without him for another second.

Jake seems so happy to be home and to be in is own bed. His brothers missed him, too. I think Ty is happy to have someone to tease again.

I can't put into words how happy it makes me to have our family all together again. These past couple of weeks have definitely made me realize how much my family means to me and how blessed I truly am.

The Many Faces of Ty

Post-Christmas/Surgery Update...

Well, we survived! Here's a quick re-cap...

* The night before my surgery, I really wanted to do something fun with our boys. So we decided to take them to Peter Piper Pizza where they could play and get all of their energy out. All 3 boys had a great time...as for mom and dad...we definitely did it for the kids! I had a headache by the time we left, but it was well worth it to see the boys having so much fun.

* Tucking the kids into bed that night was rough on me. Luke was crying because he was afraid I was going to die. My heart breaks for him. We did our best to comfort him and to let him know that I was going to be ok. Luke wondered how Noma knew she was going to die. We explained that the doctors gave her medicine and it just wasn't working and she wasn't getting better. It's a tough tough lesson for our little boys to learn, but I can only imagine how this experience is going to mold them and help them to become the men that God wants them to be.

* Marla (Grandma Holbrook) stayed with the boys while we were in the hospital. She then took them to stay at her house once Luke started his Christmas break.

* On Curt's 29th b-day, I was in surgery for about 11 hours. Curt and Rich (my father-in-law waited in the waiting room the whole time. We were hoping they had some recliners or couches for the guys to rest on, but they didn't! Curt had a couple of his buddies come visit him and bring him food while he was waiting.

* After a day in ICU, I was moved to the regular floor. They discharged me on Friday, December 21st. The doctors were amazed at how well I was recovering. I was and continue to be amazed! I thought I would be in so much more pain than I am, but I guess I have a high pain tolerance.

* The boys came back home so they could sleep in their own beds when Christmas morning came. The Pajama Elf dropped off some jammies for the kids on Christmas Eve. Luke was so excited because he peeked out the window and saw the elf's leg as he was running away! I'm just glad he didn't recognize that leg! Luke was saying, "Mom!! I saw the pajama elf's leg! He's a REAL person!". It was cute. The boys were excited to get their new jammies, except for Jake. He was ready for bed, so he wasn't a happy camper. When Luke opened up his jammies he was so excited..."NFL!! NFL!!" and Ty said, "It's TARS (Cars)!".

* Christmas morning, everyone had fun opening their presents. Rich, Marla, and Alayna then came over with breakfast burrito fixins'. That evening, we went to Rich and Marla's for yummy dinner. By that time, I was pooped and ready to hit the sack. The boys stayed over at their house for the next few nights. They've had a lot of fun spending so much time with their grandma and grandpa. We are so grateful for them and their willingness to take care of our boys for us. As sad as it make me sometimes, I know that I cannot recover without some help with the boys. Jake will be spending the most time at their house because I can't lift anything for another 5 weeks or so. It's impossible for me to take care of him by myself and I hate that! But, this is only temporary and I know Jake is in good hands. He's been such a happy boy, except for when he was sick, and it does do my heart good to see him having a fun time with grandma.

* Each day I continue to feel better and am anxious for life to get back to normal. I meet with both of my surgeons next week and on Wednesday will get the oncologist info.

* We continue to feel extremely blessed and are so appreciative to all those who have helped our family. From the phone calls, to the prayers, we thank you so much!