Wednesday, June 29, 2011

THE END!

The end of chemo treatments as we know it ended JUNE 24th 2011. Nearly three and a half years after hearing those three awful words, we made it. In the beginning, I truly never thought we would get here. Looking at a five and a half year old and imagining him as almost nine, was something that I could not wrap my mind around. But he did continue to grow up and I am pretty sure our little kiddo has passed with flying colors.

I have to admit that we have very mixed feelings about being finished with treatments. On one hand, I am so grateful we made it this far with no problems, but on the other, we are no longer actively preventing his leukemia from returning. Which in turn, means that the word 'relapse' is always in the back of our minds. The probability of this is very low, but Jake has always done his own thing and never seems to do what the doctors say he will. He is an all or nothing kind of kid! And it is scary, but we are pretty darn sure he will be perfect from here on out! He is as healthy as can be and we have had NO problems for such a long time now. We could not be more proud of him. He is not thrilled to be finished as he thinks PCMC is a big party waiting to happen just for him. I know I have said it before, but he doesn't remember the things that Jeff and I do. I am pretty sure that is a huge blessing. Especially considering this kid remembers EVERYTHING. He just knows that doctors equal fun. And we would not want it any other way. Congrats Jakers. We love you and are so proud of you!

This was posted a couple of years ago when we hit our one year mark. I have been meaning to put another HAPPIER video together of the last few years, but can't bring myself to even go through the videos again. I had a hard enough time going through the pictures. It brought back way to many feelings and memories that still hit a little too close to my heart. Because I didn't do a new one, I thought I would post his old video again.



And, of course pictures over the last few years. I enjoy the end ones the most--the ones where we have three healthy happy children. I was very teary going through the first ones again. We had some not so fun moments in there, but some amazing ones that I never want to forget. I am in awe of all that we have learned from this trial. And I know we would not be who we are today without it.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

win a trip to paris...

Want to win a trip to Paris? I DO! Click on the link to enter! http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Cabo

Soooo, if any of you are looking for the perfect vacation, honeymoon, anniversary or anything trip, you have GOT to go to this resort. We stayed at the One & Only in Palmilla. There really are no words to describe it. It was beyond beautiful and the service was amazing. We had our own butler for crying out loud! It was the perfect 10 year anniversary spot! It was hard to come home after five days of perfect. Here are a few pics from our trip...
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Some of our favorite things from this trip were:
Mi Casa--the best Mexican restaurant ever! Seriously, so so good.

Playing football on the beach and getting taken out by the ginormous waves

The last night, there was a wedding at the resort and they shot fireworks off right underneath our room.

Getting asked if we wanted some cigars, and then when we turned them down, "How bout some weed?" Honestly ridiculous. I will never allow my children to go here on their own.

Reading and reading some more.

As bad as it sounds, no kids. It was so nice to be with just Jeff and I. This is the first trip we have taken totally alone with no one else since our honeymoon. Kind of sad and we really need to do it more often.

Listening to the ocean all day long.

Getting spoiled rotten by the staff.

Watching the 'butlers' spray down all the ritzy ladies at the pool with their "oxygen shot" to help cool them down.

Our balcony. Our butler brought us breakfast every morning and we ate out on the balcony. AND there was the coolest lounge chair out there. We could have spent all day there and been content!

Pretty much just about everything was perfect about this trip and I can't imagine a better place to spend an anniversary. The last ten years have gone by way too fast! They have been crazy at times but so so good!