Preschool Field Trip

I love days like today.  Beautiful sunny day - 72 degrees outside.  I got to lather myself up with sunscreen (of coarse!) and go on a field trip with Regan's preschool group.  

They had  2 police officers block traffic as we walked as a group from the preschool to our cute little downtown square a few blocks away.  The kids walked hand in hand in the cutest little line you ever did see.

Then, they got to eat ice cream on the gazebo that sits in the middle of the square while the mom's visited. Afterwards, we walked over to the fire department on the square. The firemen were very kind and let the kids   

go through the fire truck.  For some odd reason, Regan wanted nothing to do with that.  

 The kids then lined up and walked over to view the post office and then walked back over to the preschool.  Such a sweet and simple field trip. The kids loved it!  I loved it!  These are moments to remember.

Melanoma is NOT for the faint of heart - WARNING

A few months ago, Jeff's boss went in to get his moles checked and found out he had Melanoma skin cancer. Which got Jeff and I thinking that we should probably get ours checked out too.  Jeff saw a mole in the middle of my back that he was a little concerned about. After making a trip to the dermatologist, she did a biopsy of the same mole Jeff was worried about.  A week later, I received a phone call confirming that that mole was melanoma skin cancer.

Kinda made me sick to my stomach just knowing I had cancer, but I knew I'd be okay.  Luckily I have two wonderful friends who have been on this same journey. I was able to talk with them and realize what I was in for.  So last Monday I went in for a scheduled surgery to cut out the melanoma.  As I already knew, Melanoma can be an extremely dangerous cancer.  If not caught early, it is fatal.  Fortunately, Jeff caught it early.  

Melanoma is a tricky cancer. The cancer cells don't really stick together.  Some like to go off to the sides. So, in order to make sure they got it all out, they cut a large area.  Dr. Tuli  ended up cutting a big diamond shape in my back that ended up being about 6 inches long and 4 inches wide and about a half an inch deep.  Since they just numb the area that they cut, I was awake the whole time and got to see my diamond shape skin put in the dish that would be sent off for more testing. It was really weird, but interesting.  They ended up cutting all the way down to my back muscle. Jeff got to see it all. AND AMAZINGLY.... he did NOT faint!

 After they cut the diamond shape out, they pulled the skin together and then sewed it all up. I ended up with this....

I have since learned that every little movement that I make seems to be connected to my back.  Every reach, every stretch, sitting, even walking....which makes it so sore. There doesn't seem to be a comfortable position to sleep or sit in. Every thing is connected to the back.  Yesterday was the first day that I could move enough to dress myself without any help and shampoo and do my own hair.  Today I seem to be paying for it though.

I feel sorry for my kids. This week has been spring break and they've had to stay home and not do much. They have been amazing though. I am so proud of them. They are being extra loving and attentive and extremely helpful. They have really stepped it up!  Love those kids.

And all in all, I really can't complain.  It hurts, but it could be a lot worse. I don't have to do chemotherapy or radiation or anything. That is a HUGE blessing!  And most of all, I still have my life.  It may be a life that is different that before.  Staying out of the sun is going to be a MAJOR adjustment for me!  But, I'm grateful.  A little pain can teach you a big lesson.  

BIRTHDAYS!

At the end of February, Jeff sent me to Arizona for an early birthday get away.  I had the best time.  The weather was in the 70's and sunny. It was gorgeous.  So nice to go home and warm up. I filled my days with family, eating, movie, games, more family and friends. Everything I love!  I even got to speak at Ethen, Elizabeth's son's baptism.

Since it was close to my 40th birthday, my sweet sister and dear friend Heather Biggs put a party together for me.  We met at Laura and Brent's sub shop once it closed. 

Laura is amazingly talented and decorated the place super cute with pink and green balloons, centerpieces, etc. The place was darling. She even blew up pictures of me through out my life, connected them with ribbon and made adorable garland for the walls. It was fun for everyone to see themselves in the pictures too. She is so awesome.

Then I was surrounded by family and friends. Some friends that I hadn't seen in way too long of time. We played a game of music from the 80s, enjoyed visiting and super yummy food.

I LOVED every minute of it. I have been so blessed with such amazing friends and family through out my life. HUGE BLESSINGS!!

It was just THE perfect trip ever!

The day after I got home, Brennan turned 14!!!!!

Holy cow. I cannot believe my little guy is 14.  It's so scary how fast time goes by.  Brennan chose to have his traditional chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Then he chose breakfast burritos for dinner and Jello cake for dessert. That night, he and I went to the movies together. It was so fun to have some one on one with the birthday boy. AND look at that cute birthday sign below. My amazingly talented sister made it. It is so darn cute. We got good use of it right away!

Later that week, I went down to Mississippi to have my hair done by my dear friend Mary Berry. She surprised me by having my other camp friends, Kriss Norris and Alayna Weiss there to celebrate my birthday.  Alayna brought our favorite Mexican food.  We had so much fun just laughing and chatting away while Mary made me beautiful.  Wish I took pictures. Dang it! I just LOVE those girls. 

On Friday of that week, my most awesome friends here had a birthday lunch for me. We went to our Italian food joint and had more laughs, conversation, and yummy food.  SEE WHAT I MEAN?  I have THE BEST friends!!!!!! I was so spoiled.

On my actual birthday, Jeff decorated the kitchen so cute with 40 decor everywhere. It was so fun. We also woke up to sunny skies and warmer temperatures.  So, after eating my birthday strawberry shortcake for breakfast....we went HIKING!!! I loved it. And even though Brooke was making fun of me for being so old the whole way, it was so fun.  Later we enjoyed lunch and movies with the kids....then date night with Jeff. It was FABULOUS!!! I couldn't have asked for a better 40th birthday. I felt so loved.