The UgLy "C" word.....Cancer

About two weeks before we had Kelsey in the hospital, we got a phone call from Steve's dermatologist.  The biopsy they took from a suspicious mole on his back was definitely melanoma skin cancer, the most deadliest form of skin cancer.  Due to the believed stage of the tumor, we were referred to the Huntsman Cancer Center.  Wow, talk about an emotional, nerve racking 2 weeks!  I had expressed my concern about the 2 weeks that we had to wait before surgery, when the doctor told me that people usually have to wait 3-4 weeks.  Although that was comforting, it scared me at the same time - wondering if it was worse than we thought.

 

The surgery went well.  The tumor and surrounding tissue that was removed was larger than a golf ball!  After another waiting period (that seemed like ForEvEr!), the results were in.  There were no cancer cells detected in the surrounding tissue.  Our prayers were answered and a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders!  June was a very long month for us, but it made us realize how truly blessed we are.

Spring Has Sprung

 Springtime for us means, watching the earth renew it's beauty, planting flowers, and Steve's birthday. We enjoyed a nice little party, just the four of us.

  

 I'm not a very good gardener, but I do like to try!

 I patiently watch and wait every day, until my flowering tree flowers!

I had to add this picture.  Kelsey brought these to me to hang in my office.  It's our family's portraits. (7 months later, they still hang there.)

The BiG 15th Anniversary!

On June 24, Steve and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. It's amazing to me to think of all the things we've been through and all of the things we've accomplished together to get to where we are. Steve is my best friend, an incredible husband, and an amazing dad. I can't imagine our life any other way.

This year, I wanted to give Steve something a little different to let him know just how much he means to me. So, I made a candybar storyboard which not only was full of candy, but included a new pair of shoes, and a GPS. The girls and I spent half a day (literally) going from gas stations to grocery stores in search of the candy I needed. It turned out really cute, and was worth all the effort!

Steve, being the thoughtful man he is, gave me (with a little help from me) a beautiful custom designed anniversary band. And, yes babe, we can now be done with diamonds for a while :) ....

I love you with all my heart - here's to the next 15, and the next, and the next......

Looking for Elk in All the Wrong Places...

Last Thursday, Steve and I headed south for the elk hunt. We pulled into camp around 1, where my dad was already camped and saving our spot. The fall colors were out, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Friday afternoon, we decided to go for the little ride in the Jeeps in hopes of spotting some elk. Well, we didn't find any elk, but we found a big mud hole. My brother was the first to dive in, get stuck, and be towed out.
As soon as Jeff was out, Steve's cousin, who was so excited to find mud for his new Rhino, drove in, got stuck, filled up with water and mud, and then had to be towed out. Through it all, he kept a smile on his face. Way to go Dave!
Then, there's me. Being the only girl (aside from Dave's daughter), I couldn't just stand by and watch, I wanted in on the fun. So, after my brother dared me, I jumped in the Jeep and headed for the mud hole. My family knows that there's pretty much nothing I won't do, especially if "girls aren't supposed so".

I dove in, got stuck, and had to be rescued by my brother. It was still worth it!

Trying to give it another shot, my brother tried again to no avail. But, that was my glory, I rescued him and towed him out. Opening morning of the hunt, it was cold. Steve and I drove up to the skyline where there were blizzard like conditions. We had hoped for snow because it's easier to track the elk, but this was a little too much! We did find alot of tracks, but the snow covered them up quickly.

Monday morning the weather was getting better. There was still snow up on top, which fine, but made for a LOT of mud! Here's my great white hunter hoping to see something besides deer.

Beautiful view from the skyline.

I had 5 layers of clothing, plus my coat and orange fleece vest. I felt like the Pillsbury dough boy, and looked a lot like the oatmeal kid.

Even though the hunt was unsuccessful, I had such a great time hangin' out with the 3 most important guys in my life - Steve, my dad, and my brother.