Mealtime with Jack

I have been meaning to document Jack at meals for a while but always forget. Yesterday the camera was on the table so I took advantage of it. Jack is so funny at meal times. He is a true two year old. He can't sit still and he is always all over the place. This is a five minutes worth of snap shots...this is how crazy it is everytime we sit down to eat.

So... sometimes I am not so crafty

This weekend after Grace and Jack were tucked nicely in their beds and the boys (TJ and Jason) were downstairs playing wii. Cami and I made gingerbread houses. We had picked out some great candy earlier at the store and were eager to get started. We used graham crackers instead of gingerbread due to time constrants. Things started out great I had done my tile roof it was on..I had my windows up with little flower boxes below. I was having some difficulty with my door and after fussing with it for a while it finally held but then the walls started to buckle the roof sagged and my cute little gingerbread house fell to pieces.

(the picture of my almost finished almost destroyed house)

And...here it is a second later..gone gone gone! At least the frosting was great!

The building process

Cami and her house. Look how beautiful it is! It even has a car port, a brick walk way and cococut shaving snow.

A close up of the masterpiece.

So I have to say that sometimes I am just not crafty...I tend to start out with good intentions but sometimes the end result is not what it should be. Plus on the positive side Cami had a degree in this stuff so how can I even compare? It was a really fun time with Cami though we ate a lot of candy and had some great conversation and we have cute pictures for some proof that I attempted it all.
On a sidenote... to redeem myself I have to say I made a dang awesome wreath today out of pine cones and it DID look like the one in my holiday Martha Stewart book.

Whitney Turns ONE!

Saturday I celebrated my "birthday"...it was my one year mark from my bone marrow transplant. When I got my transplant last year the doctor said now what is the date today to which I replied December 6th and he said your new birth date so a year from now you should be having a big celebration. When I was sitting in that bed on that day getting my brothers cells I could not even imagine what my life would be like in a year...if I made it that far this second time around. So it was quite the day this year when I woke up healthy, happy and having hair to celebrate this day where a miracle truly occurred. We had a big party at the Archer's house and it was a celebration in every sense of the word. Cami had decked out the house in balloons and had everything ready for the big party. It was great to have my family around me (both near and far) to celebrate. I just want to say that I have the greatest family the Balls,Brenchley and Archer families all made me feel so special. I have a great husband who showered me with gifts all weekend. I am blessed, blessed, blessed and truly had a wonderful 1st Birthday.

Cami and I after her toast...even mom and dad joined in all the way in Florida..but mom of course had diet coke instead of sparkling cider.

T.J the man pouring the glorious sparkling cider...Jason and I have consumed quite of bit of this the last couple of weeks....we get them for such a great deal at Sam's Club there is no reason not to.

The Balls crew all ready for the USU/BYU game. I did not attend due to the fact that I get crowd rage especially when we play certain teams*

The flowers Jason gave me to celebrate on the 4th one year since my last Chemo!

The "Birthday" sign on Cami's Garage

Sacrificing Sleep for Stories

Jack is now talking like crazy. It is actually sentences that you can understand. He is such a great mimic as well. He likes to help in the kitchen and he helps clean. One of the best things i have found of watching your child grow up is noticing similarities of yourself in your child. Jack has always loved his binkies and blankets. He always has to have at least two in his hand. Something that I did for several years. Lately one thing that I have really loved seeing is his love of books and stories. When he was little and I was going through my recovery from my spinal surgery I could do very little but I could hold him and read to him. He would often fall asleep in my arms as I read. Something that only I could do. It was so great to know that there was at least something I could do that no one else could take over and do while I was sick. I have loved every moment that we have gotten this last year at home when Jack climbs up into my lap with a book and we read together. He usually throws in one last request for one more story before I put him in bed. Last night when I went in to check on him at 10:00 Jack was sitting on his chair with a stack of books next to him just flipping through a book. He looked up at me casually and said "hi mama, read story?" So we read one of his favorites and I guess that is all he wanted because his eyes were closed as soon as he hit the pillow.

Holiday Fun

Let the Christmas Season Begin! Yesterday we pulled out the Christmas decorations that we haven't seen for two years and decorated our Apartment and of course our Christmas Tree. We got it last night and Jack was so excited. While Jason was putting it on the car he was clapping and saying "Yay Christmas Tree!" We decorated the tree after Jack went down and I think he was a little taken back to see it decorated and all lit up this morning. We are excited to have Christmas home this year all together!

The big kids playing Wii..gotta love sibling rivalry

TThe kids playing Wii even Ella got in on the fun

The Thanksgiving Spread

We had Thanksgiving at Darren and Amy's this year. The food and the company was great. I was just so excited to be healthy and to be with family. As sad as it is this was my first Thanksgiving spent with the Balls family. It was a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I baked myself a cake.

I baked myself a chocolate, chocolate chip with chocolate icing and sprinkles cake. Yesterday I got my results of my last scan and yet another clean scan. That is three clean scans in a row! Talk about celebration time so I thought that I would bake a cake to celebrate. Things are looking good as I head towards my one year anniversary on the 6th. The shingles have cleared up thank goodness and my immune system is doing good...I have just been dealing with sinus stuff but there will always be something small like that going on for a while. I am fairing well enough that they pushed my visits out two more weeks. So now I only have to go once a month, a major feat in itself! Things are going well my next challenge is continuing to learn how to fall back into normal life and enduring some intense physical therapy for the severe atrophy in my arms. Right now I am not able to straighten them at all. Hopefully I will get some more mobility but might not ever fully recover. Who knew recovery could be so hard..like all things it will all just take time. But good news is great and will keep me going and moving for another day.
So tonight I will dwell in the good news and when I have put Jack to bed, I will sit down to a large piece of cake and a glass of milk and celebrate this great milestone.

A post all about food....

The holiday season is upon us and already this year I have indulged on holiday food items that I have not been able to eat in two years! I started early around Halloween and had my first glass of egg nog (this was a big no no these last two years...something about egg and dairy together in a drink not so safe for the immune system) There is nothing like a good cup of nog in the morning to get your day started right? Whilst at the store last week with Jason for a simple dinner supplement visit I discovered or rather re-discovered all the holiday treats I get to enjoy yet again after a long absence. Things such as sparkling apple cider, in the hospital last year there was a little bottle that Jason got from a New Year's Party in the lobby of the hospital that sat on the counter in my hospital room just taunting me. I was then on a all ice chips diet so was not able to consume any sparkling cider. Also I am able to consume ice cream and I saw that they not only had peppermint but other flavors such as pumpkin pie and egg nog. I am not sure how I feel about the last two flavors but the peppermint ice cream brought me back to memories of my mom in the house on center street serving us a nice cup of this joyous ice cream post our Christmas eve dinner. I felt like a kid again when I thought of all the endless things I can enjoy this holiday food wise. What can I say food has always been and important thing in my life. When I was little I would often ask my mom what we were going to have for breakfast the next morning so that i could rest peacefully dreaming of my next meal. I cannot say enough of the joy that I feel that this year I have taste buds and I can enjoy life's simple pleasures. Kinda crazy to post about food but it is kinda a big deal this year! One last food thought if you are looking for a great holiday drink I would suggest the new pomegranate 7-up it is quite refreshing and delightful.

My buddy and me!

A little post to thank my little buddy at home for keeping me busy and my mind occupied...it is the best medicine. Thanks Jackson for reminding me what is important and how lucky I am to get to spend each day with you. (P.S you were a great helper in our cookie making experience.)

Some days are ROUGH!

(my support crew, Grace, Cami and Gordo)

A while ago before a hospital visit, I was filling out some papers before a hospital visit..just some general questions to see what you could handle I guess...so there was this one question that asked how do you feel about staying in the hospital to which I responded " I strongly dislike staying the hospital." Throughout the last couple of years I have added to that list of things that I "strongly dislike". After yesterday MRI scans near the top. I had to have an MRI of my spine last night to follow up some impurities found in a ct scan a couple weeks ago. Instead of getting my pet scan this time I had to get a ct scan because of insurance issues. So the MRI was a follow up of the ct scan to make sure all looked well. Let me tell you it was miserable. I had the worst anxiety attack in that tube. I was in there for an hour and when I came out I was drenched in sweat,my feet were numb and I had to call Cami into the dressing room to help me get dressed before I passed out. I was really distraught and I am still trying to recover from it. I am amazed at how the body reacts when you hit your limit. The one thing that kept me sane in that tube was breathing of course and I kept repeating over and over the talk that I gave in Stake Conference two weeks ago..which was on Faith. As I repeated those scriptures and principles that I had memorized over and over they started to sink in. Life is hard and sometimes all we can do is just breath and repeat a mantra( mine is I am strong I am strong...I AM STRONG)and say a prayer to keep us going till the Savior takes over. When I came out of that tube and literally came to the light it was a gasp of relief and a satisfaction that I had just yet accomplished another hard thing....but not on my own.

(my little angel she always has a way of comforting me in the way I need it.)

We are blessed in our afflictions and so I was blessed because since it was late scan I spent the night at Cami's house. Cami went with me for the scan and after we went out to dinner just the two of us. We couldn't remember the last time it was just us and it was wonderful. There is nothing better than converse to someone who was there through it all and able to give her female perspective. It was a rough night at which drugs finally aided early in the morning.
Then in the morning there came an Angel to my bed. Grace the sweetest thing came climbed into bed with me talked to me, stroked my hair and made sure my head was on my pillow so I could sleep. She even ran and got her book of faiery tales and read them to me. Later after some retail therapy I was still feeling groggy and Gracie climbed into bed with me yet again. Surrounded my head with pillows and pulled my blanket up. Soon the room was filled with Gordo my little protector and Cami. We sat there and spoke of things to fill our coming days with happiness...it was a good moment. A moment that I needed. Some days are rough...really rough with this recovery and having moments like that strengthen me to get through the next day even when I think it is hopeless. Thanks Grace. Gordo and Cami for refreshing reminder that the Archer family has got my back when it comes to support!

Wrestling Skills

This last couple of days Jack has had a cold. It has been yucky and there has been A LOT of nose wiping. Jack is getting really sick of it so every time he needs it wiped he runs away. So I have sure gotten my work out this week chasing after him and wrestling to the ground to wipe his nose. Jack thinks this is hilarious and laughs the whole time. Yesterday it seemed like we did this routine every two min. It had gotten to the point that he would come up to me and just stand there for me to notice his drippy nose then laugh and run away. He is a character but I have to say I am rather sore today from preforming all those wrestling moves all day yesterday. I think I got some good practice in though so today hopefully, I come out more victorious in our matches. (below is a video of Jack to prove my point. He had just been standing in front of me waiting to notice then he took of to his room and shut his door. Sorry if it is a little shaky.)

Halloween

It is at the end of a very good day that it is good to post. I had a wonderful Halloween and it was made even sweeter because it was a day of marked improvement. It was great to be out doing the things that I couldn't do last year. There were several times today that tears came to my eyes because I was so happy to be here, to be healthy and life was pretty normal and we were out doing normal Halloween things with Jack. He sure ate a lot of candy today but I kept saying "hey it's Halloween so go for it." I will probably regret that choice tomorrow when Jack is coming off his sugar high. Jack was a cowboy and made the rounds today. We had a Jack O' Lantern pizza for lunch with Papa Seth. Jack took a trip to see his great grandparents then we went and visited Grandma Pat and watched the costume parade at her school. Jason also took Jack around at work and we visited with some friends then ended the night at the Aggie basketball game. Jason and I concluded the night with silence and scones. I made every treat that I wanted and probably ate way to much candy but hey it is Halloween and it is good to be able to celebrate it like it should be celebrated. I have said it before but I will say it again "the bitter is bitter but it sure makes the sweet even sweeter."

Jason and Jack watching the Aggie basketball game, a great conclusion to the day

Good Times

I did not realize how many pictures I had until I put them all together. Sorry for the picture overload. Just thought I would share some of the good times we have had this fall. Jack is growing like crazy and man is he a little character. Hiding in cupboards, eating crayons and longing to go on big boy bike rides with his dad. We spent the weekend in Salt Lake and got to see all our family living in Utah it was great. We had some good times at Thanksgiving point with Cousins Tyler, Ella and Grace and Aunts Amy and Cami. It fun and great to be out in the nice weather. I think I had just as much fun as the kids, it was so nice to be out and such a change from last year I loved it!

Because they are still young

This weekend Cami came up to Logan to spend some time and to help me. My sister is amazing she totally cleaned my house, cleaned my carpet and helped me organize things that I just have not had the energy for. Grace came with her and she and Jack had the best time together. They love each other so. It came time for the tub and each of them were begging to get in while the tub was filling up so we decided to put them both in at the same time. They are still young so we can do that right? They were super cute together and Gracie cleaned the "baby" by repeatably dumping water over his head with her cup. It is so fun to watch those two together and we are trying to get in all as much "cousin time" as we can before we leave.
Thanks Cami for all your wonderful help...you saved your tired, shingle ridden sister from a breakdown!
(I also want to send a huge thank you out to Pat for taking care of Jack and letting me rest this week as well. I have some wonderful family that helps make life a little easier)

A Nemo Band Aid Can Fix it All.

These last couple of days have been "sick" days for mama at the house. Jack is getting old enough to kinda grasp the concept that I don't feel good and notices a difference. I have been saying "ouch" a lot and just this afternoon was telling him that I had an owie and that I hurt really bad. Jack responded by running into the bathroom and bringing me the box of Band Aids. If only life could be as simple and solutions as easy as from a child's point of view. Such innocence I love it, if only a cool band aid could fix all our ailments life would be cake.

Such is the life of a transplant patient

I have a story to tell about a weekend in a life of a recovering transplant patient. Here is the time line of events. Thursday:have good report with doctor all is well...we go off the bad medicine and we celebrate! Friday: Wake up with funny tail bone pain, think nothing of it I was in the car all day. Later discover itchy rash. Saturday: No progress just same old rash and pain Sunday: Cannot sit too much pain. Monday: Call down to talk to a nurse, explain symptoms I am told to come in. Drive down to Salt Lake back to the Huntsman, Doctors tell me I have SHINGLES! Not to worry (they tell me) it was bound to happen and they put on more meds. I can't believe how fast things happen with this cancer related stuff. Oh my it keeps my life interesting. Sorry if I gave out too many details but a point needed to be made right. Anyway don't cry for me I am fine. Just going to be medicated for the next couple of days and I have to sit on a pillow. On the bright side I got new sunglasses during this doctor trip..because I broke my other ones on the last doctor trip. (proof is in the picture). Oh such is the life of a transplant patient!

*Another bright note:I am giving Jason some great practice. So when he is a PA he can relate to his patients..yeah my wife had that, and that oh yeah and she had that too!

(not sure what shingles are? Just click on the highlighted word shingles and it will take you to a definition)

A Simple Wish

Today is my older brother Jake's Birthday. This last year he gave me quite the wonderful gift. His good healthy cells so that I can fight my lymphoma and take care of it for good. How do you thank someone who has basically given you back your life? Growing up in our family Jake and I were each others "mold". Cami and Kate were so much a like and Jake and I had some similarities but it wasn't until this year when that statement became truly a reality. So today I wish Jake all the happiness that he deserves and I thank you Jake from the bottom of my heart. I hope you have a VERY Happy Birthday!

Progress Update

Just a little progress report. I went to the doctor this afternoon and it was another great visit. It was short and the news was wonderful. Today I was totally taken off of my immuno-suppressant. What does that mean? Well it means that my immune system is able to work for itself now. It also means that I am only fighting low doses if any Graft vs. Host disease. It means that my body is responding. I will hit my year mark on December 6th so we are less than two months there, how exciting. So after the appointment we went out to Red Lobster to celebrate. I had crab of course, it seems I tend to always celebrate with crab. A thanks goes out to Jake for the gift card and for the wonderful cells. A little shout out to you brother...thanks again for giving me such a great gift..the gift of life!

Change..nothing is as constant as change

I meant to write this right after conference on Sunday but lately our computer has been dominated by Jack. He has fallen in love with little Einstein's which we downloaded onto our computer (as you can see above). I am sure all of you agree that conference was quite wonderful. I loved it so very much and for some reason this conference hit me hard. I think it has to do with the fact that when they talked about trials and hope and getting through the rough times by depending and leaning on the Savior I felt good that I was on the other side of the spectrum. I have to agree with all that was said that at times it seems like you will never make it but you can do it. I loved President Monson's talk he gave in the Sunday morning session about change. I knew exactly what he was talking about and was such a great reminder to celebrate the little things in life and have joy in the journey. I loved that he said (I am paraphrasing here) "Time never stands still it must steadily march on with the marching comes the changes. Find joy in the journey now. Not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for the elusive and nonexistent future where you will find the time to do what you want to do. There is not tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today."
I really know that this does make a difference. I thought of all those times I was in the hospital and the doctors would make their rounds and I would tell them that I was having a hard time being in seclusion and not being at home. I missed the mundane things like getting Jack dressed, making meals for him and Jason, getting him ready for bed and reading and playing with him. When I was depressed that is the place I would go...I would be at home taking care of Jack. Now I am at that place and I still have to remind myself to enjoy each day....it is hard even when I thought I would never forget or complain. I am thankful for a living and Prophet who is called of God to give us these inspiring messages. Sorry this is so long but I will end with my favorite part of his talk. Rather than dwelling on the past we should make the most of today. The tiny fingerprints that appear on every just cleaned surface, the toys scattered around the house, the piles and piles of laundry scattered about the house will disappear all too soon and that to your surprise you will miss them profoundly. What is most important almost always involves the people around us."They do not love that do not show their love."
I thought this picture was the perfect representation of that last statement. Just later on Sunday afternoon this what Jason and I found when we went in to get Jack up from his nap. Apparently he just wanted to emphasize President Monson's point. We will miss this when it is gone.

Jason the Birthday Boy

Jason Willard was born 26 years ago today, so we celebrated! It is always great because Jason gets the best gift of all each year, conference on his birthday. We had a good morning just being together and honoring Jason. We had the Balls over and had a delicious birthday brunch with all of Jason's favorites of course. Cupcakes were consumed after the brunch and later tonight...maybe when Jack is tucked nicely in bed we will eat his birthday pie. I love celebrations and all the good food that goes with it. I am thankful that this man was born and that we can celebrate his advancement in years together! Happy Birthday Jason!

Jason was reluctant to wear the birthday crown but I know he secretly loved it.

Jason blowing out his candles, Jack wanted the cupcakes, well actually just the frosting.

The birthday party after consuming the birthday brunch.

Florida...Here we Come!

It is with great pleasure and extreme excitement that I am able to announce that Jason has been accepted to the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Physician Assistant Program. We will be moving to Orlando Florida sometime in May prior to Jason's start of classes at the end of May. Jason got the call yesterday morning and the person he was talking to broke the news by saying"So how is the weather in Utah?" To which Jason responded "It is starting to get cold." To which the man then responded "Well how would you like to move someplace warm!" When Jason repeated these words I feel to my knees and started to cry. I have been wanting to go someplace warm to recover and now I get two years of sun, heat and humidity...the perfect combination for my recovery. That is not the only pro to moving to Florida. Jason is weary of the heat but is reminded that he will be in the air conditioning all day and inside most of our time there. Plus he will have a wife for the winter months. As Jason has been applying places I told him I would go anywhere but if we were somewhere with harsh winters he would have an absent wife and son. Now we can be together and I don't have to leave him for the heat. But we are not moving there for just me. This is a great school for Jason and he will be doing what he has always wanted to do.
I am so very proud of my man and look forward to the upcoming change in our lives. We are still in a state of shock. Jason reacted the same way he did when we found out that I was pregnant. We hadn't expected it at all and to have it happen so fast left us in shock for months. His face looked exactly the same except this time he didn't start scrubbing down the cabinets. We thank you all for your support and kind words and we hope to make these remaining eight months in Utah memorable.

Jack Turns Two!

Jackson Cooper turned two on the 25th and we sure celebrated, multiple times. Jackson has so many people that love him that he had three celebrations all with different members of our extended family. As I mentioned before Jack and my dad had a combined birthday party on the 21st. He was able to blow candles out on his cars cupcake and received new clothes, new cars and a new boat to play with in the tub. We were at Cami's house on Thursday on his actual birthday. It was great to celebrate with Cami and Grace. We had a great birthday breakfast where Jack was able to open his presents. He got a train set from mom and dad and Mack from Cami. It was so cute when he opened the car from the Archers he pulled it out of the paper and said "whoa" then for the rest of the day he would not let it out of his sight. I had a doctors appointment in Salt Lake that morning so after that was done we all headed to the zoo. Jack and Grace were super cute. It was great weather and we had a great picnic of all Jack's favorite things. We had mini cupcakes there and Jack would just eat off the frosting and hand me the rest of the cupcake while he proceeded to get another one. Jack got really hot because for some reason his mother dressed him in a long sleeve thermal shirt...so at the end of the zoo trip we took of his shirt and let him run around. He acted like a true boy and love having his shirt off. It was quite the funny sight.
We got home Thursday night and he was able to open present from Grandma and Papa Balls...so many fun books! Jack also got to see his daddy and was so excited to show him all his new presents. Then on Saturday we went out for Pizza with Pat, Seth and Ranell. Jack acted like a true two year old during the dinner but it was fun to be with his grandparents and aunt. I think Jack is all partied out...he was too fussy and had to come home from nursery yesterday. So we are going to keep it pretty low key this week in hopes that Jack will calm down and recover. He has been quite the party animal. Thank you everyone for making Jack's Birthday so special he is one spoiled little guy with all the people that love him!

Our whirlwind trip to Florida!

I have returned from the land of palm and vine and have things to report. We flew to Florida last Wednesday to spend some time with my family and more importantly for Jason to have an interview with a PA school in Orlando. We were there for six days and we sure did pack it in but is was fun. Jason interview was on Friday afternoon in Orlando. Jason looked so good in his suit and it truly was one of those moments where I was very proud to be his wife( not only because he looked so good but because I know how much work he has put in to get to this point in his life). I meant to get a picture of him all good looking in his suit in front of the palm tree lined school but I forgot the camera at the hotel. We are still waiting for the news but feel confident in the fact that whatever happens we will end up where we are supposed to be. We spent the night in Orlando and had a great time. We swam in the fun hotel pool,celebrated on Friday night at a great buffet restaurant in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Went through a Saturday morning session in the Orlando temple with my parents and Jack got to spend some quality time with the Brenchley family.
We had a huge birthday bash on Sunday for dad and Jack's birthday, including all my mom's family in Florida. Mom has truly taken on the southern hospitality and the southern cooking. We had the best ribs I think I have ever eaten it was great. Jack became quite attached to Pepi (what he calls my dad..we don't know where that came from but it works) because of all the pool time that they had together. He also ate everything his Nana Mary fixed for him and she showered him with toys galore and was always willing to play "toys" with him whenever he demanded it. However I think the greatest love affair is with his Aunt Kate. Those two have quite the connection. He followed her around and always wanted to be with her and got very distressed when she was not around. It was great to see him bond with all of them.
It was a great trip, I am exhuasted but it was totally worth it. Jack turned two yesterday and I have fun pictures to share but the celebrations are still continuing through the weekend so I will post on that when I have all the pictures of all the celebrations.