July is flying by!

Jacob and Shiloh

Sunset


Shy Jacob

Maria and Andy

We finally got the hot summer weather we were wishing for + a few grass fires in our area in the last week just to add some excitement, and make us remember that it is drier out there than we think!

The boys are all home safely from their summer bible camps. All three had fun and came back with amazing stories of the all the activities they did.

I LOVE SUMMER!

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  Love having company over and sitting out on the deck watching the sunset

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  Love sitting by the pool sipping a cold drink
  


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  Love summer time radio and all the Hits on Hits 1



Love that we don't really have a schedule or have to be anywhere early in the morning




Love that Andy has time off to spend with us enjoying all the great weather



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  Love that this summer Andy is helping the boys build a half pipe for skateboarding in our yard


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  Love floating in the pool with my Jakey!

My oh my where has the time gone..........

Life through us a curve ball in February when we found out that my Mom had Breast Cancer again. They tell us that it's odd it came back in the same spot as her previous cancer 4 years ago. They also say that with ductal carcinoma, that once the breast is removed there's a 96% cure rate. Hmmm, so now we are faced with a more agressive form of Breast Cancer, 6 months of chemo, possibly followed by radiation. Quite the curve ball!

So, to fast forward from then till now I'm going to list it all in bullet form below:

• In March Mom started the first phase of her chemo. She would be seen every 3 weeks for Adriomycin(chemo drug).
  
• She was to expect some nausea, but they assured her that the drugs she was prescribed would do the trick.


• After each chemo treatment, I would go over and spend the night there just in case Mom or Dad needed anything.


• She seemed to do well the first three days after chemo but we now know that it was the very strong steroid they were giving her that made her feel good.


• Once she stopped taking the steroid, she wasn't feeling well at all.


• Had a whole host of side effects like nausea, chills, fever, mouth sores


• The first 2 of the 4 cycles she rebounded quite well after not feeling well for a week.


• The last 2 cycles however weren't as well tolerated.


• Mom missed Michael's Confirmation as she had just had Chemo and wasn't feeling well. A happy day for our family, but we missed having her there with us
  
• Mom caught a respiratory infection which lingered and drained her of any energy and appetite.


• We took the boys to Palm Springs for Spring Break and had a GREAT time in the hot sunshine. We loved it there!
  
• Went to the Joshua Tree National Park(boy was that interesting and sooooooooooo HOT in the desert!)


• Soak City USA was a blast! So much fun.


• Andy took the boys golfing one afternoon and I went out to the Desert Hills Premium Outlet....and that was amazing
  
• Met Jason, Jen the kids, Granny, Grandpa in Disneyland for a day. Fun in the sun(89F). Shut down the park and drove back to Rancho Mirage. Arrived after 1 a.m. with sleeping boys.
  
• Mom went in for her first treatment in phase 2 and she developed a fever a few days prior, couldn't shake the respiratory infection, so the Oncologist prescribed 2 antibiotics and her chemo was delayed for a week.


• She missed Alyssa's First Communion as she was so sick she had to go to the ER


• Phase 2 consists of 12 appts. for chemo once/week in conjunction with the clinical trial drug Lapatanib which she takes orally at home daily for 1 year.


• Michael and Nicholas went to the Kamloops Tournament May Long Weekend with Nicholas team bringing home the Gold and Michael's team brought home the Silver


• School went by so quickly this year!


• The boys all did well.


• Christopher was presented with awards at the year end assembly: Honor Roll(4 terms),Special Merit(All G's for 4 terms), Top Student PE 8, and an award for Most Improved for Band! So proud!


• Michael did well despite some struggles this year. A, B+, C+'s and one C. Not bad!


• Nicholas did well with mostly all A's and some B+'s
  
• Jacob did well even got above grade level in some subjects!


• The weather this Spring, and into July has completely sucked! So cold and rainy.


• I know we need the rain, but having to put on the fireplace in July is completely ridiculous.


• Now summer has arrived, it's hot, sunny and I LOVE IT!


• Mom had completed 6 out of 12 of her treatments and I'm happy to say that she's doing well. Has energy again, is thrilled she can now drink coffee again and is doing well.


• Andy's off work this week.


• Christopher is away at summer camp for a week
  
• Nicholas is away at summer camp for a week


• Jacob and Michael are at home having fun with friends


• BBQ's everyday!
  

That's it in a nutshell. I will set a goal to blog every day this summer............we'll see if I can fulfill that wish!