It's back...

Well, that mass at the bottom of my right ureter is most likely cancer.  Saw my oncologist and she wants to do the surgery with her urologist colleague, Dr. Cupoto by her side.  She will operate on what is cancer related and he will be there to do anything urological related.  My CA-125 levels keep going up as well.  I'm at 39, which is outside the normal range, not terribly outside, but for me, that's a pretty significant number because when I HAD cancer 6 years ago, my levels were always within the normal range.

So surgery got postponed again, this time only 4 days - to October 1st.  I'm tired.  Tired of not feeling myself.  Tired of the abdominal pains.  Tired of paying doctor and hospital bills.  Tired of not being able to be 100% present for my kids.  Tired of going to doctor appointments.  Just...  So....  Tired....

But I can't be tired... I have to be strong.

Work Party at Hogle Zoo

Each year, Matt's work has a party.  This year, it was held at Hogle Zoo.  We all go to go after the zoo closed for the public and we had free reign of all the exhibits, train rides, carousel, and free fountain drinks.  We got to see the new "Utah" wildlife exhibit and ate a nice meal under a pavilion.  I wasn't feeling the best, but somehow Heavenly Father always allows me to experience times like these with Matt and the kids and for that, I'm grateful.

 

First Day of School 2024

Gavin entered 7th grade; Alayna, 4th.

Part of me wants to keep them little forever, but another part of me loves to watch them grow and experience new things.

Gavin officially entered middle school.  (It's in the upstairs of the same school, but he got his own locker and has A and B days where he goes to 5 classes each day.

A Schedule: science, art, PE/history, math, study skills

B Schedule: science, career & technology ed CTE, foods/health, math, English

Alayna has Mrs. Pierson and stays with her the entire time except for ROAR (a reading program) where she goes to another classroom and has Mr. Fitzgerald for her reading teacher.

 

Back to School Photo Shoot

It's tradition to go to the kids' school the evening before the first day and take some back to school pictures.  The kids were super excited to start a new year of learning at Lakeview Academy.  I'm so grateful for this school.  I have been so impressed with the smiling secretaries, the patient teachers, and a supportive administration.  This will be the first year without Mrs. Bills as the assistant director.  She retired last May, and I cried - in front of her - when we said goodbye.  She was so good with Gavin and would often call me to propose a new idea of hers that she thought would help Gavin when he struggled in grades 3-5 as he was learning to cope with autism/adhd.  She never made Gavin feel like less of a person and she never made me feel like less of a mother.  I have a feeling the school won't be the same without her, but Gavin has matured and developed the skills necessary to not need her anymore.  I know Heavenly Father put Gavin at this school because Mrs. Bills was there.

Gavin - 7th grade with 8 teachers (Mr. Cordero is his favorite)

Alayna - 4th grade with Mrs. Pierson

 

Summer Happenings

Here are a few things that happened this Summer:

Aunt Greta turned 80 on July 18th. Kim Mellor threw her a fun party at a park in Spanish Fork. 

Gavin made the Lehi swim team again (advanced level) and perfected his strokes, dives and flip turns. 

I gave Laynie. Few sewing lessons and she kept begging me for more. 

The kids dutifully did their "chores" each morning, earning Mom Bucks. 

Gavin prepared an epic Star Wars marathon party. We made gingerbread wookies and blue macarons - like what The Child likes to eat.  

I bottled lots of pickles and froze lots of berries this year. 

Cheering on Gavin (and Dad during the parent race). 

Sunday cuddles

Laynie got braces in early August!!!! She's been dreaming of this day forever!

See ya later, crooked tooth!

Brittney turned 45 and we celebrated her with a basket of B things!

The primary kids had an end of summer party. 

My garden did quite well in the cucumber and raspberry categories. We had a bad hail storm come through just as my garden was starting to take off in August and it set my tomatoes back, as well as my pumpkins and sunflowers.