Pinewood Derby

Entering their car-getting it weighed and such...

Some of the other Derby cars, check out the one made with 2 cans of chili!

Carson getting his turn on the practice track

On your marks, get set, GO!!!!

The Primary kids lined up waiting for their heat

And he won, AGAIN, and AGAIN! Austin's car took #1 place out of all the primary kids cars!

Proud Grandpa and Austin with their trophy

Mom and Carson cheering on in the sidelines

My Dad and Austin decided to build a car and enter it in the Ward Pinewood Derby. What made this even more exciting was that there were all kinds of races you could compete in, including regulated and non-regulated BSA. When we explained to Austin what that meant, and what kind of cars you could build, of course, he wanted to race a non-regulated one, so they could put booster rockets on it! My Dad had a better idea though...why not make a "hybrid" car that you can do both? Genuis. And that's exactly what they did.

Over the past week, my Dad and Austin worked fervently on their model car, making it aerodynamic, fast, and with the ability to add or take off weights (to make it under regulation), and then with the option of adding a booster rocket to the back. They even painted it black, and added decals on it. It looked pretty sweet, I must say. There were several names for it-The Black Widow, Night Fury, and Meteor, so I'm not sure what it ended up being called. The event was a success and so much fun! Families of all ages were there to participate in, raise funds for the Boy Scouts, and of course, be spectators in the races. We signed up for 3 races and ended up only doing one because it was going on too long, but Austin's car took 1st place! He raced it in the Primary Kids division. There were probably at least 20 cars and his car won every elimination round and then the final race! We couldn't believe it! Austin's face was priceless-pure joy and excitment at their victory and what made it even better was the trophy and ribbon he got for winning. What a night. There will be many more of those to come in the future!

Still going strong...

The long-awaited news of my PET scan results was delivered on Tuesday-negative of metastatic disease! Quick recap though...before I started the clinical trial a month ago, I had to do a CT scan, which showed a "mysterious spot" in my liver. You can imagine how freaked out I got about this. If it were malignant melanoma, that would change EVERYTHING. My diagnosis, prognosis, staging (I would be Stage IV at that point), and of course, my treatment plan. It would mean that I would be OFF the trial and would have to choose another course of treatment (which I wasn't too excited about since the last decision on treatment was grueling). My Oncologist in S.F. didn't seem too alarmed about this "lesion", however, because it's very common for cysts and other benign lesions to show up in organs like that. But of course, we couldn't rule out the other possibility and I always have to prepare for the worst.

Fast forward to last Friday. I had my PET scan done (which is done every 3-4 months at this point), and it was another nerve-wracking experience. Scans create so much anxiety because they are truthful and also, you are keenly aware of how quickly everything could change. A LOT of prayers were said last week though, along with fasting, and I do have to say, that I felt a lot of peace. I wasn't sure what that peace meant (if it meant my scan results would be good or even if they weren't, I would still be ok), but I did feel good about things. I still had the occasional doubt creep into my head, but for the most part, I focused on the positive. And when it came down to scan time, I reaffirmed those thoughts by praying, singing church songs in my head, and most importantly, positive affirmations like, "I am cancer free" over and over in my head. Well, it worked!

The Lord has once AGAIN answered our prayers and I can breathe a little bit better now (at least until the next scan!). I am soooo thankful and grateful for this answer and know that Lord has indeed heard my pleadings and followed through with HIS will. There is no doubt in my head that He has provided miracle after miracle, and answer after answer, to me. What marvelous blessings those are! My faith has grown leaps and bounds going through this, and I can honestly say that I am grateful for this trial in my life. Not that I didn't have faith BEFORE, but this experience is changing my life for the better. I am so much more grateful for everything, even the smallest things, but mostly for the ability and opportunity to LIVE. I just want to live my life. Be here for my family. See my kids grow up. Be healthy and strong. Stay positive. And NOT LIVE IN FEAR everyday for it to come back and get the best of me. Cancer is a real beast, and I am determined to do big things to fight it. I tell the Lord everyday that I am an instrument in His hands. I will do whatever He wants to help people-whether that be fighting this disease, or helping people become stronger physcially through healthy living (my expertise!), but mostly, helping people build their faith and trust in His all infinite power. I sincerely feel I have a greater purpose in life in doing so, and I hope I will follow His heedings and promptings to help His greater cause.

On another note, I had my second injection today. It went well and I started feeling side effects again (this time a little earlier though). It's the only time in my life I'm grateful to be sick! And luckily they only last a day or two. So, we are doing well, trying to enjoy life's moments and living day to day!

Backyard Project

The last couple of weekends was spent helping my Dad build the outdoor play structure. Austin especially was "Grandpa's little helper", because when it comes to tools, he is right there! It has been so fun for the kids to have a slide, swing, climbing wall, and of course, the sandbox to play in right outside the back door. Carson's favorite is probably the swing, and Austin's, the sandbox and the telescope!

Truck races

The kids love racing trucks up and down the hallway. They love doing it at our house, but especially love in Grandma's house because she has an extra long hallway! Plus it's louder because of the hardwood floors! And let me tell you, it's LOUD!!!

Happy Hollow

My sister, Trish, was here for a few days and we took advantage of the beautiful weather one day to go to Happy Hollow. The kids loved petting and brushing the baby goats, playing on the playgrond (which was like Swiss Family Robinson), and of course, going on some rides.

Austin's latest thing...

This kid loves to build STUFF. Anything. Like airplanes, trucks, houses, guns, space shuttles, pretty much anything BOY. And he's quite good, let me tell you. He definitely gets his mechanical/engineer skills from his DAD. He loves to build with Tinker Toys, legos, Kinex, blocks, anything. In this picture, he built a farm-and quite the farm, at that, complete with helipcopter pad, barn, fountain, pool, and house. Such a creative little genius. You're going to do BIG things someday, Austin!

My "Therapy"

Cycling has always been "my therapy". Of course, I do it first and foremost for the great exercise benefits, but it comes with so many other benefits as well. I love being outside, so riding along a scenic road continally reminds me of the beauty of the Earth that God has created for us. There is nothing better than breathing in the fresh air, getting your heart pumping and your muscles moving, and enjoying the view along the way. Years ago when Eric and lived in SLC, I used to take advantage of all the canyons down there-Emmigration, Millcreek, Big and Little Cottonwood, etc. It was like being in another world riding up those steep, breathtaking canyons. Boise is another landscape and one that I'm still exploring, but finding beauty in. And then there's CA. Spring is my favorite season here because it is so green and lush everywhere. My parents are fortunate to live near SEVERAL of my favorite rides out here-hilly, scenic backroads with lots of nature to partake! I had to bring my camera one day to capture these views!

My other big reason I love cycling, well, any exercise, for that matter, is the mental benefits it gives me. It's the ONLY time of day that I'm not consumed in a million other things, worries, stresses, tasks, kids, the list goes on. It's just about ME. And I need that time to myself everyday. It releases me. It gives me peace. It makes me feel good and IN CONTROL of myself. And cycling especially is a chance for me to pray, ponder, and meditate. It's very freeing!

Easter

The eggs

The boys w/ their eggs

The hunt in my parents' frontyard (which was perfect for an Easter egg hunt)

Found one in the rocks of the waterfall!

And another-a little soggy though (from the rain)

Austin finding lots of eggs!

Grandpa and Austin looking for the hard-to-find eggs

Just my height!

What cute little buggers!

That's a tricky one, Mom!

Carson heading down the path towards the fence

Austin really liked finding the ones in the trees!

All done! Lots of painted and plastic eggs to eat!