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.