Fall

School has started, the weather is colder and we all have colds so FALL is officially here.
Summer is my favorite time of year, most think it's too hot but for me it's pretty perfect. Don't get me wrong Fall is beautiful with the leaves changing into reds, yellows and oranges and especially the PUMPKIN PIE. All the seasons bring something new but I love Spring and Summer colors best.

I had the opportunity to walk with my family this last Friday for the "Light the Night Walk" which raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. Our family raised over $600 which is really impressive for a bunch of poor people. Thanks to all those who donated. I received a special "Survivor" t-shirt, I was very excited to be one of the many survivors in attendance.

The last year has been a trial but I feel we have pulled through pretty well. Previously, I never had the opportunity to really volunteer at Kira's school. This year with no work and no major health issues I am able to actually be a Room Mom for Kira's class and volunteer weekly in Maci's class. I look forward to both with great anticipation. I am grateful to Ben and what he does for us so that I am able to be apart of the girls lives all day everyday.

We are a very lucky family and have a great time enjoying everyday we have.

Happy Fall everyone!

April

Summertime

The girls have had many sleepovers with Emy. She has become quite the photographer along with my niece Amber. Here are a few shots Emy has taken of Kira and Maci. I always love pictures of my girlies. Life has been sweet lately and the sun is shining what else could I ask for?

Nada

Happy Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day Ben. You are a wonderful dad to the girlies and a great husband. We could not ask for a better guy to take care of us. We love you soooo much!

Happy Fathers Day to Papa. We are so happy you can see what kind of Jelly Bean you are eating now. Love ya tons!

Finito

I am finito with chemo. That is all I have to say today. I'm going out to play.

Thanks for everything all and I love you.

Apey


Italian translation:
finito (significato generale) / finished (ended)

My Baby is 5...

Maci turned 5 years old. I can't believe it.

Love you Maci Dawn. Your such a monkey.

Memorial Weekend

I have a lot to be thank for this Memorial Holiday. I am officially in remission and I'm on the right track to getting better.

I happen to have a great family. Family has taken care of me in one way or another for the last 9 months. Everyone has pitched in when and where they can.

There is one person who has been here for four months, putting her life on hold for us. We could not have managed without Leigh and her support. Leigh quit grad school to come take care of all of us. I can't thank her enough. She has taken over as mother, cook, teacher, tutor and maid.

I originally thought I could take care of everything during chemo. Now I know that without the daily help of Leigh I would have failed miserably. I thought I was strong but to my dismay I am really not that strong. The only thing I had strength for was to survive.

This Memorial weekend is going to be bittersweet with Leigh leaving but also for us to start new. We could have not ever managed without Leigh. We will miss her terribly.

Thank you my dear.

Apey

Passport

I needed to get a passport picture for a trip in August. I have been dreading getting the picture since I do not have hair, eyebrows or eyelashes. I put it off for months, since I will have the passport picture for 10 years. That is a long time to have a crappy picture of yourself.

My parents gave me one of the best birthday presents ever. Tickets to see THE EAGLES, one of my all time favorite bands. I didn't want to go looking like a chemo dork, so I asked for a little help. I needed to practice getting "dressed up" before the actual concert. Leigh put on fake eyelashes, Debbie did makeup and I styled the wig.

Since I actually felt somewhat normal, Leigh talked me into going to get my passport picture. Debbie took Kira and I down to Walgreen's to have the picture taken. I checked the wig a hundred times and messed with it a hundred more. It felt weird to have hair on my head again.

Someone took my picture and I couldn't believe it. It was the best picture I have had taken of me in a long time. I'm not photogenic and it takes fifty shots to get a good one. I had them put the picture on a disc so I could post a decent picture of me on the Internet. Above is the result of the passport picture and I am actually pretty happy with it.

I am excited to get all "dressed up" again Saturday for the concert. It will be nice for Ben to have a girl to go out with instead of a chemo head. He says I'm cute bald but it might be fun for him to go out with the passport girl for a change.