Normal Blood Counts!!!

Since treatment has ended, Grace continues to go in for blood work every two months. She will continue to do so for several years just as a precaution.  We received word from Grace's favorite nurse, Katie, that for the FIRST time in more than THREE years-Grace has a NORMAL blood count!  Even her ITP (platelet condition) has a low, but NORMAL status! What a miracle!  I am using A LOT of exclamation marks!!!  Seriously!!!  We are SO humbled and thankful for all the prayers in Grace's behalf.  They worked!

Re-emerging...

After a LONG, rainy winter...spring has emerged.  We are SO glad! I guess we took a "blog hibernation period" but it's time to play winter catch up.  So, in order of events since January...

Ben decided to play dress up...in girls undies.  Not sure I want to try

to explain this one.

 Eva LOVES playing dress up as well-and "personal make up stylist." 

I turned 32 in January, and still am officially a cradle robber, since I've got four months age gain on my hubby.

 I got an awesome Cricut for my Bday!  Here were Eva's fun Valentine cards and homemade playdough.

Again...dress up...faux nails style.

 Red Velvet Valentine's Day "cupcake in jars"  Je Vous Aime!

Tanner's wicked battle wound from a metal piece off our couch base. It left a gruesome scar, but he thinks it makes him look like a man.  A long with his three arm pit hairs.

 Man beauty extraordinaire!  Need I say more?

 The Leprechaun's visited!  They even visited our "Lou" and then rewarded us by leaving golden coins.

Sunday Finery

The first Sunny day...Ding Dongs, Ice Cream, and sibling affections. Notice how we are relishing

in sunlight?  It's because we see it a handful of times in Portland.

 The same kiddo that dressed up in girls undies pretending to sleep on a Barbie bed.  Funny kid.

Easter finery...except that poor little Ben.  Sick and inside resting.

Christmas 2011

I'm a bit behind on posting our Christmas fun while we were in SLC, Utah.  But, if I'm going according to how I work these days, I'm right on time- being about a month behind. 

Anyway, we had no shortage of fun with our families over Christmas and we have pictures to prove it!  So, I'll let them tell the story....they do it more justice than I can with words.

Put on your seatbelt, this is sure to be a long ride...

The end!

UPPP

JR was diagnosed with a BAD sleep Apnea.  I think he has had it ever since I married him, although I don't think I'm the attributing factor.  ;-)   I hope.   Ten days ago he had a surgery called a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).  Poor kid-

Miserable probably is not a sufficient word for what occurs after they cut out giant tonsils with a root system that was deemed by his doctor to be the equivalent of a giant iceberg-large on top, but nothing like the base of it. Not only did she cut out his tonsils, but she removed his uvula and part of his soft palate as well.  So, miserable is probably too soft a description for his discomfort.  But, he has been a pretty good sport about it all.   Here's to hoping it solves his apnea!

Doernbecher Radio-A-Thon

 Poor Benny looks like such a bruiser!  He pulled a solid, wood table down on his face, resulting in a swollen eye a WWF wrestler would be jelous of.

Today was 99.5 The Wolf's Annual Hunt for the Cure Radio-A-Thon.  Grace was an honored Co-Host and LOVED it!  Throughout her experience with Cancer, she really felt the need to give and be proactive rather than caught up too much in her own discomfort.  It was one of the things that humbled us most as parents.  So, today- from the perspective of one who battled and beat Cancer she shared who story of her month and weeks long hospital stays but focused on all the fun and good memories she had at Doernbecher.  Kids are amazing aren't they?  They see the good in situations rather than the bad.  Perhaps that is why they come out so refined instead of bitter.

Grace was able to raise LOTS of money for our favorite hospital and even answered a few of the calls herself!  She's got star quality, I tell you.  Expect more from Grace.....lots more.