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!

On a Lighter Note...

There have been a lot of other events happening in the Holbrook household...fun and exciting ones that I've been meaning to post about. So, in a nutshell, this is what we've been up to for the past month...

* We got a new van! Buh-bye, Suburban. You are no longer a pain in our sides. We all LOVE our van ('07 Kia Sedona) and Curt and I are relieved to have a car with a warranty in case something breaks down!

* We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin in Snowflake! We had a fun time there riding the 4 wheeler, decorating the gingerbread house, eating the delicious food, playing Chicken Foot, and sitting out by the fire pit. Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook, Alayna and her friend, and Ashlie were there with us, too! Good times.

* Our baby is now walking!! There's no stopping Jake now!

* Luke turned 6 years old on December 4th! He had a blast with all of his friends at the party the Saturday before his birthday. We met Grandma Holbrook (Grandpa was out of town.), Alayna, and Ashlie at Texas Roadhouse for dinner on the 4th. Luke was so stinking excited to be able to sit on the sadle and have the waiters sing to him! It was so cute!!

* Ty (and Luke, too) has grown about 2 inches in the last 2 months! Ty has always seemed so much shorter than Luke was at his age, but now he is starting to shoot up.

See photos below...

A Life Full of Learning...

Looking back at our crazy pictures from our anniversary celebration last month, how glad I am that Curt and I spent that time together! Especially now that our lives have changed drastically since that post. Our lives are forever changed because of the news we received last week, but it has changed for the better. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week, for those who don't know. I don't know much else at this point, but hope to find out more this week.

Of course I am scared and nervous about having such a radical surgery and going through chemo, but I am more focused on the important things in life....my family, the gospel, Jesus Christ, my friends, serving others... I know I wasn't living up to my potential as a wife, mother, and friend before "the news". I pray that I can become who my Father in Heaven would have me be.

Below is a copy of an e-mail I sent out.

To all:



I am finally able to sit down and collect my thoughts and make sure I express to you all that I’ve been feeling.



I am so extremely grateful for all the prayers, meals, phone calls, e-mails, flowers, and concern on my behalf. I feel bad that I haven’t been able to thank most of you in person or to even be able to respond to each e-mail I’ve received. Please know that I have been touched beyond what can be described into words. I have never felt so much love from my family, friends, and church members as I have this week. This week, I have also been blessed with such a strong feeling of love FOR each of you, too. It has been incredible and I am determined to do what I can to influence those around me through my latest trial.



I keep asking myself…”What can I learn from this experience?” and I have felt such a strong desire to be an example to those around me. To help lift others up through my example and to maybe help strengthen their faith and assurance that God does love each one of us. I know He loves me and I have felt his love. He has sent each one of you to me at this time in my life. I have no doubt that my family and I will make it through this trial, but I also know that we will be ok no matter what the outcome is. I am going to put up a good fight, but I also accept His will for me and my family. I can’t see the “big picture” like He can, and I have total faith in Him. I know there will be days when I will struggle, both spiritually and physically, but I hope to keep those to a minimum!



So, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you have done and all that you will do for me and my family in the future! Just know that no act of kindness goes unnoticed and I have been praying that those who are helping us at this time will be blessed abundantly for their efforts.



Love,

Charlene

Random Photos of our Crazy Boys

Happy 7th Anniversary to Us!!

**This is what 7 years of marriage has done to us! Ha!

Curt and I got back today from a 2 day vacation to celebrate our anniversary (which is actually tomorrow the 18th!)!! Grandma Holbrook came over on Thursday afternoon to stay with the kids and as soon as she arrived we were OUTTA THERE!!

Curt had made reservations for us at the Doubletree Resort in Scottsdale, so we didn't go far! We had such a great time!! I haven't laughed that hard in y-e-a-r-s!! We went to the movies (twice!), shopped, ate, played Skee Ball, air hockey, and lots of other fun games at Dave & Buster's, rented movies to watch in our room, and just really truly had an enjoyable time!!

It is so easy for me, as a mother, to focus all of my time and energy on our kids and neglect my dear hubby. It was such an awesome opportunity for us to just focus on "US", and we hope to do that more often.

My mom wrote this to me shortly before she died: "...November 19, 2003... Yesterday was your 3rd wedding anniversary. It was so nice that Curt's mom watched Luke part of the day so you could spend some time together. It's so important to never lose focus on the two of you, or someday you wake up and realize you have nothing in common...just kids."

How right she was.

Of course, none of this would've been possible without Curt's mom and her willingness to take care of our rambunctious boys. The boys had a lot of fun with her and Grandpa and I didn't have to worry...I knew they were in good hands.

I Can Snugll Wif Mom

I knew that Luke likes it when I climb up into his bed with him and snuggle. I just didn't realize how much until I saw this drawing in his backpack after school the other day! It was sooo sweet and brought tears to my eyes. If you look closely you can see the ladder going up to his bed and I think those sticks are my arms sticking up in the air. Very cute and made me feel very happy that I made his night by climbing up there with him. It is something I will definitely do more often now.

My Fabulous Life...as of late

This past weekend I made my 2nd attempt at cake decorating! My friend had a baby shower over the weekend and I volunteered to make the cake. As it got closer to the shower date, I was in a panic and thought for sure I would screw it up! I decided to just do my own design at the last minute and am very pleased with how it turned out. I was so nervous at the shower and really wanted to make my exit when they were ready to cut and serve the cake! After lots and lots of compliments and encouraging comments, I was able to relax.

Along with starting up cake decorating, I have recently taken on babysitting full time during the week! I watch a neighbor's baby girl and will be adding at least one or two more kids to the mix soon, too. I am extremely busy now (and tied down more than ever), but I am enjoying it and am excited about the extra $$$ !!

We also have a new roommate! Ashlie moved back in with us last week and will be staying with us until she transfers to the U of A in Tucson. We're excited to have her around!

Halloween 2007