Welcome to Summer!

Funny story.  My friends planned a little "Welcome to Summer" party for all of our kids for the last day of school.  Well, bad weather decided to ruin those plans until the TUESDAY after school got out (which was officially the start of summer vacation anyways, right?!).  Lauren and Courtney had rented a bounce house, had gotten bubbles and hula hoops, leis, popsicles and other snacks all ready to go.

The party was a surprise for the kids.  So, we hid them in Courtney's house until we were ready (blinds drawn on the back of the house).  Lauren and Courtney had even made this cute sign that said, Welcome to Summer and the kids were SUPPOSED to come through the back gate and run THROUGH the sign.  Here we are standing with the sign, cameras and video ready to capture their surprised and happy faces.  NOTHING.  All of a sudden we hear pitter patter, shrieks and screams coming from the house through the back door.  Opps.  They went through the wrong door, didn't BUST through the sign, and we didn't get any of it on tape.  OH WELL.  ;)

It was a fun afternoon anyways though. The kids jumped in the bounce house for hours, blew bubbles, ate loads of Otter Pops, and played on the grass and trampoline.  It was a fun day.

Memorial Weekend Fun

Trish came up for the weekend and what fun we had!  Unfortunately, most of our plans for the weekend got squashed because the weather was poopy!  We were planning to go ride bikes on the greenbelt and go to the Farmers market downtown Saturday, but it rained and was cold all day!  We ended up taking the kids to the dollar theatre and then for ice cream afterwords!

Sunday was Austin's birthday, in which he opened presents in the morning, had french toast for breakfast, went to church, and then after dinner, went on a bike ride.  We also made brownie sundaes that night, Austin's favorite dessert!  Monday was Austin's birthday party, so we spent the morning finishing the cake/cupcakes and getting ready for the POOL party.  Yes, fortunately the weather warmed up and was sunny on Mon, just in time for the birthday party!

Originally, when we planned Austin's party and made a list of friends, I told him to invite whoever he wanted, knowing most likely a lot of those friends would potentially be gone on Memorial Day or doing stuff with their families.  Turns out, almost ALL of them ended up coming!  Good thing it was a holiday though and many of their parents came to help with the mad caosis of kids (and make sure nobody drowned in the pool ;).  It was the first warm day since the neighborhood pool opened that weekend, so the kids were so excited to finally go swimming.

We let the kids swim for an hour, then we had a little picnic on the grass just outside of the pool with cake/cupcakes, watermelon, popcorn, and drinks.  The pinata was next and that was hilarious!  Eric made sure the kids missed the pinata most every try, as to ensure all the kids had a turn taking a swing at the pinata.  When the final kid ended up breaking open the pinata, it was a mad frenzy to the candy!  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday party, better weather, or better fun!  And most importantly, Austin had a blast!

The big SEVEN!

Two days after completing first grade, Austin turned 7.  I can't believe how fast those 7 years have gone.  I remember when you were a baby, Austin, always moving (literally), always happy, always curious and inquisitive about everything.  You were such a good baby and you still are a good boy.  We love you so much buddy.  You bring so much joy to our family!

I asked Austin what some of his favorite things are...

 

1.  Favorite toys:  "Building stuff."  Austin loves to build anything and everything from Legos to Kinex structures, to erector sets, to paper airplanes.

2.  Food favorites: "French toast, fruit, pizza, salads (yes, he LOVES salads finally!), broccoli, chocolate milk, mashed potatoes, and brownie sundaes."  (He LOVES brownie sundaes and rarely gets them ;).

3.  Favorite friends:  "Play friends: Mason, Easton, Jaxon, Brinlee, Stirling and Hyrum.  School friends: Jonathon, Thomas, Chris, and Carter."  Wow, that's a lot of friends!

4.  BEST friends: "Ok then, Carson and Tucker!" (good thing! ;)

5.  Favorite sports: "Swimming, baseball, basketball, and skiing."

6.  Favorite school subject:  "Science and math."

7.  Best school subject:  "Reading and spelling."

8.  Favorite activity to do with Dad:  "Golf and fishing."

9.  Favorite activity to do with Mom:  "Swim and ski.  And going to the park."

10.  Favorite relative:  "Grandma Nickie!"  Sorry everybody else! ;)

First grade=DONE!

The last week of school is especially fun for first graders.  They participate in Camp Learn-Alot, in which each first grade class does fun activities each day, has guest speakers (like a dentist and fireman), makes tie-dye shirts, and has a Field Day.  I was able to attend Field Day with Austin this year and join in on the fun! They participated in potato sack races, two-legged races, tag, and tug-of-war.  Austin had a ball, as so did all the kids.  It was fun to see them all just enjoy the activities.

Austin worked so hard this year and got a really good report card.  All A's and lots of scores and grades above grade level (like reading, comprehension, spelling, and math).  He improved so much in all of those areas and really worked hard on his homework, spelling tests (completed all the challenge tests at 97%), and Read to Succeed program.  He is reading at a high third grade level already, which impresses me the most.  What a good student he is, I just hope he keeps it up!

When that bell rang on the last day of school and Austin walked out of the school, I suddenly was overcome with emotion.  On one hand, I felt joy from knowing how much Austin accomplished this year.  But on the other hand, I was sad because he is growing up way too fast.  Didn't he just start kindergarten yesterday?  I can't believe he is going into second grade.  I am way too young to have a second grader! ;)

Austin, we are so proud of you.  You never ONCE complained about going to school all year, you always gave it your best, and you grew and matured so much.  Your teacher also had great things to say about you, and we will always remember Ms. Carruthers.  She was the best first grade teacher ever!



Preschool Graduation

Even though technically Carson has another year in preschool, his preschool does a little "graduation" ceremony every year for ALL the preschoolers.  Carson was in one of his moods that day (probably because I had to wake him up) and was NOT going to sing the songs (although he did for part of one).  He also decided that he would NOT smile (as you can see per the pictures above).  He was, however, quite proud of his preschool folder which had all the work that he had done all year with pictures of different activities and highlights.  I think in the 3 days following his graduation, he probably looked at his folder over 12 times!

Way to go Carson!  You are growing up so fast.  You know all your letters and sounds and can write many of them (left-handed).  You are a smart boy and mom and dad are proud of you.  We would love for you to stay little forever, but we are also excited to see you grow and learn as you get bigger!  Love you buddy!

MRF Gala

What an amazing night.  I know the word "amazing" is overused and almost cliche, but it really was an AMAZING event and evening!

The highlight for me was meeting and talking with other melanoma warriors and survivors!  I met so many incredible, inspiring, and courageous people!  People from all ages, walks of life, and different backgrounds and stories with melanoma.  Some in remission, some in the fight.

I met a guy who has been in remission for almost 9 years from Stage 4!  His name is Erick Davis and he lives in Modesto, CA.  He is a patient of Dr. Minor's as well.  I heard his story a couple of years ago, but had never met him.  He is such an inspiration to me and it was truly wonderful to meet him face-to-face!  I asked him what he thinks he has done right to keep himself in remission for that long and he said, "Stay active"!  Love that!  I couldn't agree more...

Then there was a gentleman, David McMorrow, who lives in my home town of Pleasanton, CA.  He is in his 40's and is facing Stage 3 right now.  He is currently doing treatments at UCSF.  Great guy and definitely one to keep in touch with!

Mary Dynan is another inspirational survivor.  4 years in remission from Stage 4!  Another one of Dr. Minor's patients and such a sweet lady.  I loved talking to her.  It felt like I had known her for years.

There was a young girl, age 20, named Aine Kline.  She is in the middle of her Stage 4 fight about to embark on a clinical trial combining the BRAF and MEK inhibitors.  As frail and weak as she appeared, her spirit truly encompassed strength, bravery, and the "never give up" attitude!

Towards the end of the evening, I met a guy who is 11 years from his Stage 4 diagnosis!  His name is Brian MacMillin.  He has had FIVE recurrences since his initial diagnosis, but is still fighting and is still here.  I loved talking to him because he reminded me that we have to treat melanoma like a "chronic illness" because there is no cure YET.  He had such a positive attitude though--of holding out for something better and staying hopeful for the future!  His wife was equally amazing, those two are a force to be reckoned with!

I met another lady (and I can't remember her name), who lost her daughter, age 22, to melanoma a couple of years ago.  As devasting as it must be to lose your child to this disease, I was so impressed with her vision of moving forward, being an advocate for melanoma, and giving back to the cause.  A truly astounding woman and mother.

Then, of course, there are my own mole mates and friends, Sue Lescure (whom I have shared her story on here before), Emily and Mike McAuliffe (he is Stage 3), and Kari Worth (another Stage 4 survivor) who is 9 years out from her diagnosis and still fighting.  These friends have a special place in my heart for they have been such an incredible source of strength, support, and example to me in my own fight.  They all always encourage and support others in their fight with melanoma.  Sue and Kari were the Courage Award presenters at the gala and did a fantastic job.  I am simply in awe of them.  Sue is about the sweetest person you'll ever meet and will do anything for anyone!  Never do you hear her complain either (for all that she has endured).  She is truly remarkable.  Kari is a newer friend of mine, but I am so grateful for her in my life as well.  Her ability to just get the job done, keep moving forward, and live life fully are all attributes that I look up to.  Emily and Mike are two of the warmest, funniest, and kindest people.  I joke that Emily might as well be a melanoma survivor for all she knows about melanoma (and all WHO she knows with melanoma)!  They are so involved with the MRF gala each year helping on the planning committee.  Love them to pieces.

Ok, ok, so I have rambled on and on about the people I met.  Now, for the actual event!  When we came in (I was accompanied by my parents, sister, and our friends, the Mitchells), we were greeted,  introduced to the event planners, and then had our pictures taken.  The banquet room was absolutely beautiful.  There was food and drink lining the perimeter and in the front entrance.  I honestly didn't get a chance to eat much because I was meeting and talking with everyone!

About an hour into the event, they started the program with a few special speakers including Boris Bastian, who is a world renown melanoma and genetics scientist and physician.  Then there was another guy, Frederik something-rather, who gave a compelling and hopeful speech about the exciting research in melanoma that is currently happening and progress that is being made to eventually finding a cure.   Dr. Swetter, a dermatologist who heads up the Stanford Melanoma program spoke, as she was being honored for the Humantarian award.  Then the Courage awards were handed out, with me being last.  I gave the closing speech on behalf of all the Courage Award recipients.  I thought I would be nervous, but I wasn't at all actually!  I spoke from my heart and really tried to convey to the audience what it's like to live with this disease.  The fear, the anxiety, the doubts, the worries, but also the hopefulness and the determination to be never give up and to live life fully.  It was indeed emotional (how could it not be!), but I was grateful that I wasn't a blubbering idiot up there either!  I held it together pretty good, I thought! ;)

I will post a video of my speech when I get a copy.  My dear husband really wanted to see it, since he couldn't be with me.  For now though, enjoy a few pictures!

Me and my sister, Trish

My parents, sister, and I

My dear friend, Debbie Mitchell

The fabulous Sue Lescure, introducing the Courage Award recipients

Trying to hold it together during my speech!

One of the guest speakers, he gave a great speech!



Some of the survivors, and Dr. Swetter (far right)

I can't wait for the event next year, I definitely want to be involved more!  All in all, it was a wonderful event!  I left feeling hopeful, blessed to be alive and healthy right now, and so grateful for the new friends that I made.  I am also super grateful to my parents and family who have continually supported me and been there through everything.  I wouldn't be here without them!

Being a MOM..

Being a mom is the most difficult job in the world.  It is a job that requires your attention 24/7 with no pay and often no praise.  But it is also the most rewarding job in the world and the most important one.

Being a mom means you wear many 'hats' or roles--chef, nurse, teacher, tutorer, maid, chaffeur, referee, cheerleader, discipliner, coach, nurturer, psychologist, and even friend.  When you're a mom, you become a master multi-tasker...you learn to sleep with one eye and one ear open, you put sunscreen on your kids first, you give your kids extra helpings at dinner before serving a plate for yourself, and you give them all the extra blankets when you're camping to make sure they don't get cold.  As a mom, you sacrifice everything just so your kids will be happy, and you do everything to create harmony, balance, and love in your home.

There is no greater responsibility than to be a mother.  I am so honored and blessed to be the mom of these 2 muchkins.  They keep me busy, they give me my continued determination to fight, they keep me "fun", and they help me to want to do better.  There are days that I want to literally pull my hair out and throw in the towel, but then there are moments that remind me that this tough work is worth it.  Like when Carson climbs into my bed first thing in the morning to snuggle or when Austin says his prayers and continues to pray for me and my healing, that I think, "yes, this is worth it."

They bring me more joy than I ever thought was possible and I know that without them, I wouldn't fight as hard to be here.

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there!  Take the time to relish in those "small moments" that put a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and remind you that you are doing the most important job in the world.

Mothers' Tea

Every year Small Hands Preschool has an event called, Mothers Tea, in which all the moms of the preschoolers come and enjoy a little performance of songs from their kids, handmade notes and necklaces, and then get served a little luncheon.  The girls dress up in aprons and the boys in adult size botton-up shirts and ties.  It is super cute.

Carson was being a little shy singing the songs, but he kept flashing me his cute smile, so it was ok! We enjoyed a yummy lunch together and had fun chatting with the other kids and moms.

Cinco de Mayo

We celebrated the Cinco de Mayo with our friends this year.  It one of our friends 30th birthday, so what a day to celebrate both!  We ate yummy Mexican food, wore mustaches and sombreros, and played Mexican charades.  Even the kids got in on the action!