This Award Goes To....

Recently I have felt as if I have the world on my shoulders. It felt heavy there for just a short time. It seems the world isn't that heavy when you have so many wonderful people helping you carry it along the way. I would like to give the Atlas Award to the following people or groups of people.....

1. Marion, my Sister in Law.. She was the first to be here. She (and her sister) knew what was coming even though Jeff and I were in denial. I am so thankful for her knowldge (although it was learned the hard way with the fight against Cancer with her Mom). She flew into Tucson knowing I had 5 kids at home and offered to do what needed to be done. AND she is coming back for another visit. I'm glad The Kids didn't scare her off ~grins~.

2. Desert Skies United Methodist Church.. Wow. This church is amazing. I get chocked up just thinking about all that they have done. Food, extra fridge, visits, food, prayers, love, food, babysitting... I especially give this award to Jennifer. This lady is amazing and answered her phone when I called even though she knew I was probably going to ask for some child running favors.

3. The Moms.. I might be the only daughter/daughter-in-law that can say she had her mom and her mother-in-law in the same house for 2 weeks and would have them here again, together. They both jumped in with serving food, doing homework, walks to the park, baths, love, fun and giggles. I don't think my kids even missed me while I was at the hospital with Jeff cause they had it all (and then some... Cocoa, the dog, still misses Memaw and Marion cause she got a few extra scraps that normally don't come her way). I can just imagine how it feels to see your child dealing with such stress (Jeff and me). Thanks Art, Kathy, Q and Izzy for lending Granny out for a spell.

4. Tammy, Sabrina, Allison, Amy, Russell, Silvia, Mary and so many more.. From siblings to friends to cyber friends I've never met in person, your phone calls, cards, facebooking, e-mailing helped me so much. For those that just talked about their lives to take my mind off of mine, I can not thank you enough. I know you wanted to ask what was going on but helping with my mental breaks meant to much to me. The gift package of love that I got from some mom friends had me in tears thinking about how many people we have in our lives that we touch but also touch us.

5. Facebook Family.. I swear, where did I spend my time before this wonderful piece of software cyberspace home? The ability to talk to old friends, keep in touch with family far and near, chatting with new friends... it is amazing. I loved being about to keep all of you informed. Seemed to be for selfish reasons. I loved know so many people were out there cheering Jeff off. We had to have had people sending up prayers from so many states and countries.

I know we still have more to go but Jeff did get the word "remission" from his last bone marrow. Now to keep him there. There is more chemo, more dr appointments, more hospital stays, more stress, more joy... we are not done yet but let me just say that I'm not afraid of the weight. With so many giving a hand to hold that up, I almost think it is filled with air. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Something To Remember If You Come Visit My House...

if you bring a bottle of shampoo, you know something like this...

Don't leave it in the bathroom (like most people do) because my kids might do this with it....

When I asked why use the WHOLE bottle of shampoo in their bath they told me "We LOVE bubble baths!" Sigh. It's what I get for doing laundy right next door and thinking they were just giggling with sisterly love.

Thank Goodness I Have a Thing For Bald(ish) Men....

In no particular order....

I think is started with this guy and I don't ever LIKE to clean...

He Is Home and Life Finds a New Normal...

Jeff has been home for a week. Although nice it has caused a little stress. The "what if's" and what the future holds is a little scary. The kids are much happier to have him home and have to check in on him all the time. Jeff has so much more treatment ahead of him. I know we are all anxious to find our family groove again.

We made it to church on Sunday. The girls had on their new dresses but were not in the mood for The Perfect Picture. sigh.

And then a swim party that afternoon.

And since Georgia went swimming in her new bathing suit the other girls had to try theirs out too. They can not wait for the swimming pool to open up down the street.