Disneyland Celebration for End of Chemo!!!

To celebrate the end of Grace's chemotherapy, Shele, Glen, Nick, Max, Sam, and Gate were kind enough to take us to Disneyland!!!! This trip was nothing short of F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!!! Every thing was so amazingly planned out, including dining with Disney Characters, a full princess makeover for Grace (and Eva, though she was too shy to do it), VIP seating at the water shows, and so much more. The kids were in absolute heaven. Even though Grace had chemo the week before, it didn't stop her for a moment. She was in Disneyland with people she LOVES after all, and no amount of toxic medicine would put a damper on that. On Saturday, October 16, she took her final dose of 6-Mercaptopurine, a medicine we hate giving her. To mark this momentous occassion...she did a little dance off right in the middle of magical Disneyland and couldn't have cared less who watched. Other family members even got in on the action. Thank you SO much for the memorable trip. We will never forget such a sweet and grand finale to a very challenging few years. You helped prove that the "happiest place on earth" isn't so much about the places you visit as the company you keep.

Grace's FINAL round of Chemotherapy!!!!!!

In Chinese, the concept of crisis is represented by two characters: one meaning "danger" and the other "opportunity." On August 15, 2008 crisis emerged. Grace was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Today, on October 8, 2010....she was officially declared Cancer free and not only fought, but conquered her battle with Leukemia. She was a tiny girl when she was diagnosed. Today we see a lovely young lady, brave and strong and not at all the same child that began this battle. She is so mature, wise beyond years and GRACEFUL through hardship. Out of "danger" and crisis, Grace made opportunities. In doing so, she has taught her family how to love more deeply, how to feel more acutely, how to perceive more carefully, how to serve more wholeheartedly, and exactly what God's GRACES feel like.

Today the kids decided to bring a gift for the last time at the hospital. One of Grace's favorite things to do after chemo is unlock the prize chest and pick out a fun toy, stuffed animal, game, or art set. So the kids took their money that they have been fundraising and went to "dollar tree" and bought over 150 toys to restock the toy chest so that the children still going through treatment will always have a good selection. I think they felt really good about it and it even brought a tear to one of the receptionist's eyes. In walked our family of 6 with cookies for the nurses that we all helped bake, 9 bags of toys for the chest, presents for our doctor and head nurse, and an whole new feeling of being done with this. We have seen each one of our kids sacrifice for this cancer. Of course not on the same level as Grace, but they have all been effected by the C word and it was nice to finish as we started, together, hopeful, optimistic, and ready for whatever comes next. Here are some pics from today....

Tonight JR and I took a deep, long,good breath and I think for the first time in two years and two months, we will go to sleep with a different set of thoughts on our minds.

Latests...

We LOVE watching Tanner play soccer! He is having such a blast!

Ben+ mealtime= fun, laughter, and endless sticky grains of oatmeal that are not the easiest to clean up. On the plus side, all the protein he's been consuming has him tipping the scales at a whopping 22 pounds. A little perspective-Eva our three year old is only 30 pounds. Ben's catching up, Eva!

The lower picture is a "preview" of school pictures. We had to snap some of our own. I love the equality and ease of school uniforms. Our children, however, do not. It stifles their creative liberties with clothing, so they say. I for one am all for bypassing the resurgence of 80's rocker gear.

Illness, like necessity, must be the mother of all invention. I think my kids are bored to death with the cough/cold they have because they are devising all sorts of hilarious play games. Todays game was "paparazzi," of course invented by Grace. She has the funniest sense of humor and dressed Eva up like a star "undercover." She told Eva to run because she was the paparazzi and would take her photo! And, that she did. Though Eva seemed less like a camera shy super star and more like a crazy diva. Maybe Eva is famous for those wicked crazy splits she can pull. Ouch! Grace also told Eva today that she better hurry and wash her hair in the shower, or she was sure to get dreadlocks. Seriously?

Lots of catch-up......

Tanner received the Aaronic Priesthood today and he will now be able to pass the sacrament at church. He is getting so mature and big. We are so proud of him for what a great young man, brother, son, and boy he is. It was hard to see him look so grown up in his suit.

Our sweet Eva is loving having some Mom time when Grace goes to school. Although most of you know she is painfully shy in public she is such a ham at home.

We are on countdown for the end of Chemo and the end of most home meds. To keep an eye on the prize and to get some feelings out, Kim came up with the great idea of having everyone write down some feelings about Leukemia, cancer, chemo, and our lives right now, she then made a paper chain and everyday we tear one link off and count down until the end of Chemo.

First day of school!

Camp Harlow! Candlelighter's is a great organization for children with cancer that sponsor's events such as Camp Harlow. We spent 3 days in a cabin swimming, horseback riding, miniature golfing, riding bumper boats, horses, and go-karts, playing night games, singing by the campfire, and sleeping in sleeping bags. The kids had an amazing time and were able to meet kids their age who knew what it is like to live with a sibling with cancer, or to go through Leukemia treatments. We are always amazed at the strength and charity of these organizations.