From the bottom of my heart

My cup runneth over today. My heart is bursting from the seams. I am overcome with gratitude for the kindess of friends, family, and strangers. My good friends Heath and Mahogani Thurston are putting on a 5k for me and my family, in April. I've known them for years, we go way back. In fact our Mothers were best friends when we were growing up. I know if she was alive today they still would be best friends. I just want to say thank you to Heath and Mahogani, and thank you to everyone; for caring enough to do something. For being involved in our lifes, for making a difference, for reaching out. One question that we have heard over and over again from people is "What can we do?" Thank you to everyone for asking. Thank you for doing. Thank you for being. Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for giving us hope. Thank you for helping us to feel that we aren't alone in this. Thank you for making this burden lighter. I am going to beat this. We are going to beat this together...wow, it's so nice to say that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Soup for the Soul

I don't know how many of you would be interested in this, but I'm going to share a recipe with you that I created. I love food, and I'm obsessed with food blogs. I love trying new things and sharing the good ones! TO all of you who know I love broccoli, I'm sure you're not surprised that it's the main ingredient! Here goes!

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Melt 1 T. Coconut oil in large sauce pan
Add 1 T. Coconut butter, stir together
Add 1 diced medium yellow onion
Add 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
Add 1lb. or more broccoli florets
Saute lightly
Add 2 bay leaves
Add 2c. homemade veggie broth
Add 2c. homemade almond milk
Add 1 pinch nutmeg, ground black pepper and sea salt to taste
Place lid on pot and cook on low for 5 minutes. Take soup off of heat and leave the lid on for 1o minutes or more (depends on how soft you like your broccoli, I like mine fairly crisp)
When ready to eat, salt and pepper to taste, and remove bay leaves!
Delish, and creamy!

Let me know what you think!

Slowing down

There are days where I'm not feeling to hot. When I have to slow down and take it easy. I honestly don't get sick that often, but when I do both Andy and I start to wonder if it is "Cancer" related, or not. This past week has been like that. By slowing down it has helped me to be grateful for when I do feel good. When I do have the energy to take care of our home, children, husband, and myself. My health is invaluable, priceless. Times like these I'm so grateful for good neighbors, family and friends. I'm grateful I can call a friend for help, or my Mother in law ( I got lucky to have a wonderful one). No, it's not very fun being sick, but maybe a good reminder for me to slow down and enjoy all that I have. I am blessed, so very blessed.

Angels among us

A few days before Christmas we heard a knock at our door. Andy answered it and called for me to come and see. On the porch there were 2 boxes of wrapped gifts with our names on them. We both looked at each other in surprise. The kids were ecstatic, they were jumping up and down asking if Santa had come early this year?! We were shocked, and brought them in the house. We decided the kids could each open 1 gift before Christmas. Ella opened a game, Noah opened some spider man boots (which he has worn day and night since that day). Ella asked again if Santa had come early. We had the privilege of explaining to her that there were "Angels" on earth. These "Angels" were watching over us and gave us all of these gifts. She asked if "Angels lived in Heaven? We said yes, and they are on earth as well...they were sent from Heaven. "So, these angels love us?" she said, "Yes, they love us, was our reply." During this entire time tears were streaming down my face, my heart was filled with love, bursting with gratitude. We knelt and thanked Heavenly Father for such kindness. Andy and I are so grateful, so touched that someone took the time to think of us, and give us such special and thoughtful gifts. We had a wonderful, and memorable Christmas. May God Bless those Angels among us.

My Baby

Dear Ella,
My beautiful baby girl. I remember the first day I saw you. I knew that my life would be SO much better then it had been, and it is! You were a sweet bundle of Joy, and you still are. You teach me everyday by your example. The other morning I was busy getting ready for the day. The door was open to your room and I heard you talking. I peeked in, and you were kneeling on the floor talking to Heavenly Father. My heart burst, and I walked back to my room, knelt down and followed your example. thank you for reminding me of what's important.
My baby. when I talk to you about being my "big girl" you are quick to remind me that you will always be "my baby"! You always will, no matter what age you are, and I will always be your Momma.
I want you to know how special you are. I know that God sent you to us for a reason, and I am honored to be your Momma. You are so sensitive to the spirit, mindful of others, and loving toward all. You are such a good sister and friend! Little Noah adores you, and wants to be just like you!
I am reminded each day just how thoughtful you are. No matter what I'm doing you are always asking if you can help! You happily set the table, sweep the floor, help me make my shake. I'm so proud of you, and thank you for wanting to help!
I want to thank you for always asking God for my cancer to go away, the first time you said that I cried...you are so young, and know to much already. I know that your Faith, has helped me feel better. I love you my little one. I love you my angel. You're the best thing that has every happened to me, my sweet baby. Never forget how special you are and how much are are loved. I am blessed that I get to spend everyday with you. I wouldn't want it to be any other way. Love you to the moon and back Ella.

Love Momma

Broccoli

A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to start adding some other veggies to my diet (don't worry I'm still drinking my 4 quarts of green drink), actually it was Andy's idea. That was Andy's first question for me after we saw my Oncologist; "When are you going to start eating?" Lol!
I decided the first veggie would be broccoli because I used to dream about eating it! I know that sounds crazy, but when you're eating the same thing everyday things start sounding really good! So, I steamed it for 3 minutes, drizzled olive oil on it, added real salt, and pepper, took a bite and....it was AMAZING! So delicious, and sweet! I was surprised that the flavor was so mild and tasted like heaven! I couldn't get enough of it! I of course took it slow because I wasn't sure how my body was going to react to eating it. I responded fine...a little gassy (sorry Andy). I never knew how flavorful broccoli was. I. Love. It. SO happy to be eating again. I also tried cabbage, red pepper, romaine lettuce, green beans, celery, zucchini, snap peas, and they were all SO good! I think I'll try Kale next...who knows, it might be just as sweet and tantalizing as Broccoli!

Good News!

On October 27, 2010 we met with my oncologist up at the Huntsman. I had gotten my CT scan on Monday and we were going into see him for the results. I was quite calm the entire weekend leading up to the tests, until the day we were to receive the news. We were both quite nervous and excited. It had been a rough three months with a lot of ups and downs.
We sat down and grace the Physician Assistant told us that there was one tumor in my abdominal area that had grown 2mlm in 6 months (which is amazing considering back in February to May most of them had grown 2-3mlm in 3 months). She then said that a couple of them had shrunk a bit and that all of the others were stable (they hadn't grown in 6 months). She then said they didn't feel like we needed to do chemotherapy at this time and that I didn't need to come in for another check up for 4 months instead of 3! She did an exam and I told her that I knew I was going to get better from this and that I was going to beat it...she replied saying that I wasn't going to, but that she would like me to keep proving her wrong like I have been! I told her I planned on it! She said to keep eating healthy, exercise and to keep proving her wrong! At the end of my consultation my oncologist Dr. Gauw said to us while shaking his head "I don't know what it is you are doing, but whatever it is keep doing it because it's working"! That to me was a payday, and it's made it all worth it!
While walking away from our consultation I was overcome with joy and peace. We have been working so hard everyday for this. Yes it has been a difficult yet rewarding journey, and yes I know we still have a ways to go...but we are on the right path. I know it. I feel it. I live it. Thank you to everyone for your love, support, prayers, faith and hope...it's seriously helped us more then you will ever know.