Christmas in Cali Part 2

Lots of adventures while we were in CA over the holidays, but also lots of just chillin' and relaxing, which was a nice change of pace! We went to the famous Jelly Belly Factory, we saw lots of movies, we made gingerbread houses, we saw Santa, we went to a fun children's museum in Berkeley and at the famous Blondie's Pizza on Telegraph, we went go-carting, we bowled, and we saw some "fancy' cars (in Carson's words). Here are our favorite pics...

Christmas in Cali Part 1

I always love Christmasat home in Cali. Sure, I like having a "White Christmas" and you don't get that here, but it's also nice to have warmer temps (compared to home). I especially loved Christmas this year because it fell on a Sunday. Instead of opening gifts in the morning, we went to church, then had our usual waffles with strawberries breakfast, then opened presents. I can't believe how patient the kids were. Seriously. They were champs!

Trish was not with us on Christmas day because she was on a cruise with HER FRIENDS (no bitterness here ;), but she was able to come out the week before so we exchanged gifts with her then too. The kids, I think, were pretty pleased by their gifts. Some they had asked for, some they didn't expect. Seeing their expressions when they are opening presents is always the best gift of all!

The 3 of us girls went in together and gave a book of our Maui adventures and pictures to my parents for Christmas. I always love giving gifts like that because they are memories and my parents were TOTALLY surprised. The other memorable gift was Eric getting scriptures from TUCKER. Yes, I said, Tucker. While we were in CA (but before Eric came out), Tucker one morning chewed up and completely destroyed Eric's scriptures. The ones that Eric's parents gave us when we got married. It was a fiasco! So, because Eric needed some new scriptures after that incident, we thought it would be funny if they came from Tucker! Austin even wrote a card to him (from Tucker) that went something like this (again, all Austin, in Tucker's words):

Dear Waddy (Daddy),
I am warry (sorry) that I wripped (ripped) up your riptures (scriptures).
I won't woo (do) it again.
Wuv (Love),
Wucker (Tucker)

HA! So classic! We were so happy to be with Gwen on her first Christmas! The boys just adore her and love singing, "Gwennie the Pooh" to her. It's so cute! It was also so fun to be with Grandma and Grandpa, whom the kids WORSHIP! They could spend hours playing with Grandma and Grandpa. We are so blessed to have them in the kids' lives. Here's some pictures from the Christmas festivities and more to come from our adventures over those 2 weeks!

Grandpa Dick

While I was at my parent's house for the holidays, I stumbled upon this old gem of a photo. A picture of my late Grandpa Dick with one of my sisters and I. My grandpa passed away a couple of months ago. The last few years of his life were challenging for his health, especially the past year. On top of his own health problems, his wife, my Grandma Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Talk about tough times!!

When my Grandpa passed, there was a sense of relief in the family. Relief for him mostly, that he was in a better place, pain-free, able to move freely, and reunited with other deceased loved ones. He has endured a lot of pain, procedures, discomfort, and a poor quality of life these past few years. It was time for him to rest with his God. Thank goodness for that knowledge.

My best memories of my Grandpa were in my childhood--going to visit him in Southern California at his house with the pool in the backyard, us girls doing his hair like a girl's, reading books with him, and getting teased by him. He was an endless teaser, in a sweet, loving way and he always knew how to put a smile on my face. I also remember his "radio" room, his "doll" room, and watching sports. He was a great grandpa, father, and man and always gave to others before himself. We will miss him, but we know that we will reunite with him someday!

Christmas wishes DO come true!

I am so very thankful that I received good results from my scans. It's always a relief when those are over! My doctor thinks that I am doing remarkably well, so well, that he even noticed that the palms of my hands were slightly orange, to which I replied, "Well, it must be all the carrots I juice!"

My doc is a great oncologist/physician, but an even greater man. He is so in tune with me, this disease, and where melanoma research and treatments are headed. What I love most is that despite the grim prognosis for Stage 4 Melanoma patients that he has dealt with for over 20 years, he always remains genuinely hopeful for each of his patients. And what's funny is that he never seems very surprised by how well I'm doing. I guess that's a good thing, right?!

I am also grateful that we can continue on this path of scans, check-ups, blood work, and maintenance treatment every 3 months. What a blessing that is compared to last year where I was traveling there every 3-4 weeks!

I feel so good for now--strong, healthy, and back to "normal". I know that the things that I can control like my healthy eating habits, exercise, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep are ALL helping me. Of course, I am never over-confident when it comes to this disease because I know that no one is immune to it, and even though I know that God is ultimately in control, I feel that I'm at least doing my best to take care of myself. It's a little overwhelming at times, but slowly I am working on establishing better habits and doing the things that I feel is right for ME.

It breaks my heart to see other melanoma warriors not doing so great...It really does because often I feel guilty that I am doing well and they are not. It is simply unfair. I just pray that those still in the fight don't give up, keep their heads held high, and their spirits even higher. There is always hope, there are always miracles that happen, and there is a plan for all of us.

The Dominators Dominated!

Well, basketball season is officially over. Austin had a blast his first season playing basketball and learned a lot! It also made it more fun to have his DAD as his coach! Not only that, but his team totally DOMINATED the season and only lost ONE game! From the first game to the last, it was a night and day differece. The first game was hilarious to watch because nobody remembered what basket to shoot to, not to travel or double-dribble, not to pass the ball to the other team, and most importantly, how to rebound! By the last game, the kids were still doing those things, but not nearly to the extent that they were the first game. They really learned to work together and pass the ball, how to play defense and get rebounds, how to dribble down the court, and how to pass and shoot.

Austin still has a long way to go in his basketball skills, but he sure has improved a great deal! Eric was a great coach to those boys, and I'm sure there's more to come with that too!