Photos to Share & Updates

Lots of you have been asking and wondering why I haven't updated recently. Well, life is getting busy for us in a good way. I have more energy each day, and the kids are as busy as a 7 and 8 year old can be. Things have been great. Busy, but great!

Jenelle is doing well since getting staples in her head for her birthday. We had them removed last Monday and had a delayed cry, but did well. The cut healed nicely and did not get infected. Jenelle continues to amaze us with eating and walking. It seems she gets stronger each day. Two weeks ago, Jenelle's teacher called me to inform me that Jenelle "purposefully" used her "Bathroom Switch". As you may recall, Jenelle's teacher has installed a switch button that when activated by touch says the word "bathroom." To help instill the potty training, Jenelle's teacher has Jenelle press the button each time they take her to the potty. A few weeks ago, Jenelle was sitting in circle time. She got up out of her chair, walked over to the button, pressed it, then went to her teacher and put her hand on her shoulder. The teacher then took Jenelle to the bathroom across the hall, where Jenelle went potty on the toilet! Exactly what we've been hoping she'd do! Now we need to get a potty button at home!

As for me, I was at UCLA last week for another follow up. After decreasing one of my chemo meds, my blood work numbers have been great and my immune system is stronger. I started my round of ATRA (vitamin A) and will be taking a 15 day course. This is the one I have to take every three months. The doctor still wants to keep me on a part time work schedule. She is more concerned with the flu that is going around, and feels I will be part time until at least the end of December. As for work, I am really enjoying it and getting back into a routine. Slowly I've been able to work longer days and really feel I'm not pushing myself. I think my doctor's estimate is right, and I should be back to full time at the end of the year. Oh yes, and I'm still cancer free! ;)

Now for the photos... As I told you, we've been busy! Enjoy!

Here is our new 7 year old with a small cake on her actual birthday (a Thursday this year.) As we sang to her, she smiled!

Here is Jenelle at the small party we had with family. Grandma was holding her hands so she wouldn't grab the candles.

Jenelle enjoying some special time with Poppa George as we passed around the cake. Poppa George and Nana drove down from Visalia for her party.

On October 23, Jack and I waited in line for 3 hours at Barnes and Noble in Santa Ana to meet Jeff Kinney, author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books. Jack was so excited, and really loves the books. We are excited and thankful that these books have sparked a love of reading for him.


Jenelle was Tinkerbell for Halloween this year. As Jack ran door to door with friends, Grandma and I took Jenelle trick or treating. Our next door neighbor didn't recognize with with my new hair. Jenelle walked well and did half the street without her wheelchair. The neighbors were excited to see her.

Here is our Tink cuddling with Aunt Nicki.

And this is the only photo I got of Jack on Halloween. He was a man eating shark. Because he used his sister's shoes as a prop, he told his classmates the shark was eating his sister!

Football season has come to an end and the football banquet was last Thursday. Jack and his team had an awesome year and he really improved.

Last Saturday, Jenelle and her Challenger Baseball Friends from Tustin Eastern Little League got to participate in the 4th Annual Challenger Classic at Angels Stadium Grandma came along to help me. Here we are on the field with Jenelle!

Here I am enjoying the Visitor's dug out with friends Barbara Kibby and her son David Kibby. Barbara is a die hard Yankees fan (from New York) so she was basking in the "Yankees" dug out as she liked to call it.

Here is our team posing for our team photo. We had some pretty special celebrities join us including Fox Sports Broadcaster and former Angels player Rex Hudler (bottom left) and former Angels player Bobby Gritch (last row on the far right.)

And finally... a special photo for me. All season, Brett and I contemplated trying to take my photo next to this MLB "Stand Up To Cancer" sign (which is right next to the left field foul pole), but we never got around to remembering to do it when we went to a game. Finally, I got the photo - thanks Steve Polley!

So, as you can see... we've been busy! ;)

Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers. We'll keep you posted.