These kids are AMAZING!!

July 2016

I am so proud of my kids this week. They all deserve some kudos, they have been all going through more than they should have to, but I know they are being blessed.

Nick has been doing well. He has been busy unfortunately with doctors appointments. Due to the fungus infection they found in his spleen he had the pleasure of going to the eye doctor 3 times in the last week in addition to his day at clinic for Chemo. The eye doctors did find fungus in his left eye that is able to be treated with the IV meds he is currently receiving. He will get to go to the eye doctor, most likely, weekly to keep an eye on it. Nick is not thrilled about that! We are trying to see the bright side and at least it isn't in both eyes and the two spots in the left eye are fairly small. His chemo last Wednesday was his 4th and last chemo in the first stage of his treatment. Tomorrow he has to go in for two procedures: a lumbar puncture and a bone marrow aspirate. These will help determine the next stage of treatment as well as determine if the treatment is working the way doctors planned.

In Nick's little bit of spare time he finished his Millennium Falcon that was a gift from some neighborhood friends, started his home hospital schooling and had a fantastic time with a visit from his Aunt Debera (Bryan's oldest sister who lives in Arizona). It was great having Aunt Debera here, she lifted everyones spirits and was a great help. We love her!!

Alex has been busy with soccer and work. The weekend that Nick got sick Alex attended a Soccer Referring Clinic for Utah Youth Soccer. He has been working 2-3 games a week and seems to be really liking it. I had the pleasure of going and watching him play last week at my alma mater -Highland High School. That was fun! Alex played awesome... I love watching him play soccer. He plays midfield and is great at it. He is a smart player and reads the field well.
Alex has been a great helper at home and has graciously taken Kate to gymnastics for me a time or two. He is keeping up great grades and I think he is one awesome young man. I am so proud to be his mom!

Kate, well where do you begin. Any of you that personally know my Kate, happen to know she has a spunky and confident attitude. I often joke that Heavenly Father crammed about all the personality he could manage into the little bitty girl. Kate has been having a hard time with Nick being sick... she cries when Nick is sad or in pain and it is heartbreaking! She has had the pleasure of speaking to the Feelings Lady at her school on a weekly basis and it has really helped her deal with everything, she loves going to see the Feelings Lady and says she always feels better afterwards.
Kate is also working very hard at her gymnastics. She just moved up to Level 5 last week and she is so EXCITED!!! I am so proud of her for working so hard and for knowing what she wants and giving it her all. She inspires me to be a better person!

All in all the last about 10 days have been good, we are getting into a little bit of a routine at home and the kids are adjusting to what is now our new normal (as normal as we can be given the circumstances). I am so proud of all of them. Nick is teaching me to be brave, Alex is teaching me to be strong and Kate is teaching me to be fearless. I love them all for the lessons they teach me and the love they give me. They are my sunshine and I thank Heavenly Father every day for the gift of being their mother!

To all of you that have brought meals, treats, gifts or prayed for us- Thank you so much! I can not express enough the gratitude I have for all of you! It has been a very humbling experience to receive such an outpouring of love from so many wonderful people.