Denny is Back?!?!?!

OK, so did anyone watch Grey's Anatomy last night? All I can say is "tear"!!!!! I was so shocked that Denny was there at the end, just sitting so perfectly on Izzie's bed. I think that my heart literally skipped a beat. Oh, and then she was able to touch him, her one and only true love!!! I had tears welling up in my eyes and tried to hide them from Mike with no avail. I know that Denny has to be a figment of Izzie's imagination, but tonight as I lay my head to rest, I will think of them together in a perfect world. If anyone has any insights on last nights episode, please let me know. I need some understanding!!!

Picture Day

I just thought that I would put up a couple of pictures of Brayden. Today was picture day and I thought that he just looked too cute. Of course I am biased - I am his mother ;-)

Wall-E

Hey Auntie Steph - My mommy found a Wall-E t-shirt for me (FINALLY!). I just thought that I would let you know. Thank you for looking around for one for me.
Love,
Brayden

My Dear Mom

Today my mom had surgery to remove her abnormally over-grown thyroid. Everything went very smoothly. She had the worst anxiety throughout the whole day, but still was able to find the courage to follow through with the surgery. Her thyroid had grown four times in normal size. It took about two hours to remove the entire thing. Now they are sending a sample of the mass to the pathologist to see whether or not it is malignant. The doctor told us that everything went very well and that we just had to wait for the biopsy report. I have a feeling that everything is going to be all right.

The night before the surgery, my amazing husband gave my mother one of the most beautiful blessings that I have ever heard. The spirit was so strong that even I felt comforted right away. It is so wonderful to know that the Savior knows exactly how we feel when we are in our own darkest hours. Not only did he atone for every one of our transgressions, but he also felt every bad and fearful moment that we have had to endure. He knows exactly how we feel and He gives us the strength to endure our trials.

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing husband who hold the priesthood. I love my hubby with all of my heart and am grateful for all of the sacrifices that he makes to be worthy of that power. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful mother who has been at my side during every part in my life, good and bad. I hope that I can one day be half the woman that she is. I am so grateful for the wonderful people that I have in my life. And to top it all off, I have the love of my Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I am a true daughter of His.

4-4-4-4

4 jobs I have had -
1. Twisted Scissor Salon
2. Taught tennis lessons for City of Sparks
3. Dental Assistant for my uncle
4. Wife/Mommy

4 movies I have seen more that once -
1. All Austin Powers movies - YEAH BABY!!!
2. The Christmas Story - Thank you TBS
3. Every Disney-Pixar movie
4. Ummm - Can I say Twilight?!?! I know I will see that more than once!

4 places I have lived -
1. Wabash - the house I grew up in
2. Moonlit - the house I lived in before I got married
3. Hillview Terrace - Me and Mike's first apartment!!!
4. Our little, brown house in Sparks - We have lived here for almost 6 years

4 TV shows I watch -
1. Grey's Anatomy - Love IT!!!
2. The Office - At one point in time Brayden wanted to be Michael Scott. Also, I was Pam and Mike was Jim according to Brayden
3. Scrubs - Mike and I have all of the seasons on DVD and we watch them over and over
4. Criminal Minds

4 favorite places I have been -
1. Hawaii - Maui, Kauai and Oahu (going to Oahu and Kauai in 2009!)
2. Mexico
3. San Francisco - I just love it there - it is like our second home!
4. - Disneyland

4 people who I text -
1. Brittney
2. Mom and Dad
3. Jen
4. Mike, but he hates it

4 of my favorite foods -
1. I love my Dad's homemade chicken soup
2. Pizza
3. When I was on chemo it was potatoes and crystal light - don't ask me why
4. Chicken - anything with chicken

4 places I would like to visit -
1. Tahiti
2. Fiji
3. Spain
4. Australia

4 people that I tag -
1. Jen
2. Mallory - when she returns from Europe - I'm so jealous
3. Steph
4. Brooke

Team Edward or Team Jacob

I am in love with the Twilight series!!! Call me crazy, but I think that I am actually obsessed. Right now I am in the middle of book 4 - Breaking Dawn and so far I love it. I just couldn't believe the turn of events. So, I am not going to go into specifics just for the fact that I know that some of you "weirdo's" out there haven't read it yet. I want to ask all of you other Twilight enthusiasts who you all prefer - Team Edward or Team Jacob? Which side are all of you on? Well, I would have to tell you that I am definitely an Edward girl. He is absolutely dreamy!!! In the movie Robert Pattinson was casted to play Edward and I think that he is exactly what I pictured in my mind. His facial features are practically prefect. Although, the kid who is playing Jacob is a cutie also.

So tell me what you think. Who do you love? But be sure not to spoil the fun and tell us how it ends. By the way, wouldn't it be fun if all of us girls had a Twilight party and went to the midnight showing for when the movie comes out?!?! I am thinking about it. But everyone would have to come in the Team Edward/Jacob apparel!!!

Friday Night Bowling

We went to the Coconut Bowl and put in a few games last night. We had a great time, especially Brayden. Every time we go bowling with my cousin Mitchell, we play songs that drive everyone else crazy. It is tradition that we play the song Master of Puppets by Metalica like three or four times. Mind you, the song is about twelve minutes long of just hard metal! We now that everyone there hates it, but we love it!!!

My cute little Bray-Bug!!!
This is what you look like after a long twelve hour day!
My favorite cousin Mitchell and my sister's boyfriend, Peter.

Mitchell is actually the one who gets to fire off the cannon at the UNR football games!

Brayden and his "Gary"! Do you love Brayden's personalized bowling shirt!?!?
My cute little bowler!

A Kiss For Kindergarten

Tomorrow is the day, Buddy. In the morning you go to school for the first time. A whole new world opens to you then. You are ready to meet it. You've handled your new kindergarten clothes so many times in anticipation of the day you would first wear them. And you've almost mastered tying your own shoes, except for the hard part - making the bow.

But I wonder how ready your mother is for this new life of yours? If I could, I'd hold you back just a little longer, close to me, where I can shelter your world and share your life.

Tomorrow when you take my hand for the walk to school, I will be the one who dawdles. "Just a few minutes longer", I'll tell myself, "only a few extra minutes to keep you all mine".

When we reach that door, you'll leave me, eager to join the others in the Kindergarten room. You'll walk through it without a backward glance. There I'll stand, wanting to shed a few mother's tears because my only baby has become a little boy. But I won't cry, I promise you I won't.

Instead I'll concentrate on being proud. Proud of you, and Daddy and me. Proud that we've made you secure enough, in five years, to stand on your own for a little while, before racing home to share the news of the day. How we've built so much security, I don't know. All we've ever done is love you.

I admit I'm a bit jealous. Tomorrow you will meet the ultimate authority. Soon you will tell me, with complete confidence, what has to be done because "teacher says". I must surrender part of my position to that other woman who is about to enter your life and your heart.

No longer will I know all of your friends. Diego and Preston and Hannah are old, familiar in our yard and kitchen. But tomorrow you will broaden your horizons and meet other children I shall know only through tales of the schoolroom.

You will soon learn to keep your own little secret as you master the art of making Christmas presents: the paper chains, the felt and glitter, bookmarks, the orange juice cans transformed with macaroni and gold paint to hold Daddy's pencils. And someone else's hand will help you do it.

But there is much for us to share this year, you and I. Over cookies and milk, you will tell me what "Teacher said" and "Michael did". And I will listen, enchanted as I view the world through your eyes.

It is hard to let go, my sweet son. For five years you have been my companion. Together we have surveyed the supermarket, devoured the dollar store and puttered our way through the plant shop. It won't be the same without your trusting hand in mine.

Tomorrow I begin a new life, too. Back I go to the carpool. Each Tuesday, I will fetch you and your friends and deliver you home safely. The rest of the week, I shall watch for you as another mother brings you home to me. Then we will catch up on all that went on in school, a pair of old pals huddled closely over cups of hot cocoa.

Yes, I hate to see you leave behind the sheltered world of home and Mom. But, I will always be with you. Love reaches beyond he doors of schoolrooms, beyond the boundaries of neighborhoods, beyond time and places.

In the morning, I will help you put on your blue and brown argyle shirt and your crisp new jean shorts, and comb your hair just a little bit neater. And we will be on our way.

But tonight - tonight, for the last time you are simply my baby. And I hold you now at bedtime just a little longer, cuddle you just a little closer, give you one more kiss before saying goodnight. In the excitement, you don't notice my stealing that extra kiss. I need it for Kindergarten.

I love you so much, Brayden.

Love,
Mommy

Swimming at Auntie Cori's Pool

San Fran, Sisters, Shopping and Scans!!!

Britters and I went to San Francisco for a few days last week because I had to get some scans. So let me begin by telling you my expirence at my appiontment for my scans. Right as I was getting done with the PET/CT scan, the freakin' power went out. Thank goodness that I was out of the stupid tube before it went out. I know that there were other people there who were inside the machines when it happened and to top it all off, they had to redo the whole scan from the begining. So, I guess I shouldn't complain to much, at least I wasn't one of those other people!!! After that whole fiasco, I met back up with my sister who was across the street at AT&T park where she was watching the Giant's do thier batting practice. One of the players named Billy Sadler came up to her and started talking to her and then gave her a ball through the fence. I guess that baseball players can't resist beautiful, blonde haired babes like Britt :-) We then went to my appiontment with me oncologist whose name is Rob Goldsby. He is just awesome. I love the guy and he had just taken the best care of me through this whole ordeal. I have been very blessed to have him as a doctor.

After all of that boring doctor stuff, we went and got beautified at a local salon and then just did some mad shopping. I had a great time with my little sis! She always makes me laugh and just made the whole trip a blast. Oh, and by the way, my scans did come back great! I still have some spots in my neck, but they have not changed one bit. My brain, lungs, and heart all look great as well. Thanks to everyone for your love and support! I love you all!!!!!!!

Bay Bridge
Beautiful city of San Francisco
AT&T Park - Britt's ball from pitcher Billy Sadler
One of my favorite people in the whole world, Dr. Goldsby a.k.a. "Homeboy"!!!
The best place to eat - Cybelle's

Donner Lake - Part 2

Mike, Brayden and I had so much fun at Donner that we thought that we would drag our friends along. Chris, Sara, Tracen and Logan were up to going with us for another sun-filled day at the lake. All we did was hang out on the dock. The boys seemed to love it and so did we. As you can see, little Logan was one tired boy by the end of the day. It was so nice to be with our friends who we love dearly. Sara and I have been friends for a very long time and it is so amazing to see out little boys play together. Watching them makes me feel like I am really getting old. It's nice when I can get together with Sara because I start to feel like a silly teenager again. She is my sister from another mister!!!Thanks Karrasch's for the fun day! We love you guys.

Bray-Bug!!!
Cute Little Tracen!!!
Lovable Logan!!!
Two Hot Mama's!!!
Little Buddies!!!!
Mommy and her 'Bubba's'!!
One really white dude!
Ooddles of Noodles!!!
Sweet little Logan all tuckered out!
Blonde babes!

Donner Lake

Here are some more pictures of our week off. We went to Donner Lake for some hiking, swimming and shopping. I was a blast. Brayden has become quite the outdoor kid. He was hiking like a mad man!!! Then later that night we went to dinner at a place where Mike and all of his UPS buddies eat lunch. The place is called Zanno's and it has great pizza. We also found out that Truckee had an event every Thursday in the summer called Truckee Thursday's. They had bands playing up and down the street, craft booths and even a dog parade. We had a great time.

"Scanxiety"

Tomorrow I have to go down to San Francisco for a wonderful, fun-filled day of scans and doctor appointments. Every time these appointments come around I get what I call "scanxiety". I always feel as though I could vomit at any moment. I am starting to think that these appointments warrant some Xanex, don't you think? I have been lucky though. My appointments are now every three months instead of every 6 weeks. But still, it doesn't make it any less traumatizing. As of right now I have a couple of small tumors in my neck ,which have been radiated. They seem to not be doing much when it comes to growing. I just pray that it stays that way. So keep your fingers crossed and please keep me in your prayers. I know that it helps!!

There is one exciting thing about this trip. My sister, Brittney is coming with me and we are just going to do sister things. Of course we will start out our day with 3 hours of scans and about 2 hours of doctor appointments, but after that we are going right to Irving Street where we always get our pedi's and mani's. After that we will probably go out to dinner and out on the town. I just love that city. Of course during this trip there will be lots of shopping. We plan on hitting the outlet malls on Friday. I am totally pumped. Having her there with me and doing all of our fun stuff will take my mind off all of the cancer-schmancer stuff! I am blessed to have such an awesome sister!! I love you, Britt!!!!!!!!

Good Ol' Virginia City

We were very lucky in the fact that Mike had all of last week off. I was just so thrilled that Brayden and I would have him all to ourselves for and entire week. We decided to stay in town and just do some fun family adventures nearby. So on this particular day we drove up to Virginia City. Brayden had never been, and I thought why not. I hadn't been to Virginia City in a very long time, since maybe high school, and I thought it was a lot cooler that it actually is. When we got there and started walking do the main road, I realized that every other place was a bar. Not really the kind of place that I would like my five year-old boy to hang out ;-) We did however go and pan for gold, walk through the beautiful chapel, and go to a museum. All in all we had a pretty good time. We did finish the trip with some yummy peanut butter fudge, which for Mike and I, was the best part of the trip!!!