Update on Mom & Cranes

Great news!!!!
Mom had her last chemotherapy treatment yesterday!!!!



And this happened just as a bunch of cranes arrived to put her OVER 1,000.



Like I said before, we know he cranes are filled with good thoughts, lots of love and prayers. On behalf of my mother, my dad, and my siblings, I THANK YOU... You're the best blog friends!




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make a wish monday, featuring JAG

As you view this video, I'm sure you'll see 12-year-old Jag the way I came to see him after just a few minutes of being in his presence ... as a regular guy who sees life as fun, exciting and happy.

To read about Jag and his incredible family, go here.

Oh, and let me say one more thing about Jag. He's very concerned about "fairness". But not the way you think. You see, I'd taken videos and pictures of everyone in the family. As I was getting ready to leave, this is the conversation that took place:

Jag: Aren't you going to take a picture of Shadow?

Me: Sure, I'll get a picture of your other dog.

Jag: Cuz, you haven't taken one of him yet.

Jag's Mom: Jag want's to make sure everything is fair. Funny thing though, the only thing he thinks is unfair in his life is when I make him do his homework. When I mentioned to him that life isn't always fair and he didn't know what I was talking about, I called attention to his missing limbs. Jag said, "So? I can still do everything everyone else does."

My wish this Monday is for all of us to have the perspective that Jag has.

That is, focus on what we do have, rather than what we don't.

Thanks for the lesson, Jag. I know you have no idea that you were teaching me ... but you were.

Friday Pretties

I love lavender! Lavender essential oil can: remove nervous tension, relieve pain, heal burns, disinfect skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems.


Besides, it's really pretty.


And it has a pretty name.








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Stroll With Me

One of the perks of my awesome job is that I get to travel to Utah monthly. Utah is where Brad and I lived the first 6 years of our marriage. Most of that time we were students at the University of Utah (GO UTES!) and lived in student family housing. Today I took a stroll on our old stomping grounds.


My stroll was nostalgic because this time of year, 21 years ago I was a very pregnant young mother, holding Trevor's hand as we'd walk to the zoo or the playground.






Brad made up a bedtime story (I'm sure it gave the kids nightmares!) about this playground and a little ugly man that lived under some of the playground equipment. Although our oldest was the only one to play here, all the kids grew up listening to that story.






That bottom window was ours. I used to lift Trevor out the window for him to kick around a ball or play in a kiddie pool.




Ahhhhh! The majestic Wasatch Mountains! During this time I worked at the UofU Med Center. I'd usually walk the mile or so to work and totally LOVED crunching fall leaves along the way!



Anybody remember the old days when we'd anxiously check the mail to see if a letter arrived from mom & dad?


Thanks everyone, for indulging me during this stroll down memory lane.
Any place bring back such poignant memories for you that it almost hurts?


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Mom Update

Mom is doing quite well. Her last chemotherapy treatment is scheduled for Monday, so here's hoping her blood counts are high enough to close this chapter!


As of today, my mother has received 979 paper cranes!!!! WOWIE. Thank you!




And thank you 'll again for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, and show of love.




The cranes may look like they're made of paper, but we know they're really made of love.



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make a wish monday

Fall is my favorite season.

Who doesn't love crunchy leaves? And is there anything more vibrant than autumn hues?

So my wish this Monday is that fall hits full force and we all enjoy the cool, crisp feel of autumn!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

- George Eliot

Friday Pretties

When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than was there before. ~Clifton Fadiman


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