weekly photo dump - December {week one}

Happy December!!

It has been a busy month so far!!  Mike and I had a FABULOUS time in Arizona visiting the kids!!  Our floors were finished while we were gone, work has been super busy, and I am really struggling trying to get in the Christmas spirit...just not feeling it!  Hopefully that will kick in soon!!

From left to right:
1.  I had some special snuggle time with Kodi.  He will always hold a special place in my heart!  He was the dog that made me realize that I liked dogs.
2.  I took a couple of days off from work while I was in AZ.  It was nice to have some time with Mike in the morning, not having to worry about any sort of to-do list.
3.  I ate so many things!!!
4.  We had several game nights...SO FUN!! (Except for the one time we played CLUE).
5.  I always bribe the kids into getting our annual family photo by a dinner out at Angry Crab.  So messy, but so yummy!!
6.  We had a gingerbread house decorating party.  I was happily surprised that fun was had by all.
7.  Pete usually gets mad when we leave him behind (we had a friend checking in on him & Dewey), but this time he seemed much better.
8.  Thursday morning we woke up to snow in Texas.  It was a little exciting, but I am happy the temps are back up in the 60's,
9.  Floors are complete!  Next up is trim (which should hopefully happen in the next week or so), then once that is painted...I think that is a wrap!  Whew-that was a crazy ride!!!

Enjoy Today!

an update from Josh...

I hope you are having a great week!  I have been pretty busy with work, so I have not been able to post, but I do have some ideas for my blog coming soon :)

I wanted to thank you for all the sweet comments and emails regarding Josh!  It is so nice to know I have so many friends (near and far) keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.  

Josh has been sending out email updates throughout his cancer journey and I thought I would share his most recent update (I think he should start a blog).

I am definitely overdue for an update, but here it is...

I have been in the hospital the past 2 weeks or so getting 2 more rounds of chemotherapy.  (This leaves 7 more chemo's, 4 of which are in the hospital).  I am very excited to be done with going to the hospital...  I got out of the hospital last night, and I go in to my oncologist's tomorrow for my outpatient chemotherapy (they are really putting these things back to back now!).  I am still on track to finishing in March.

A month or so ago I noticed that my heart was feeling a little bit different.  Almost like it was weaker, or not working quite as it was before.  I notified my oncologist and he had me go in for another echo-cardiogram (heart ultrasound).  The results came back the other day while I was in the hospital and it looks like my heart is not working/pumping in the normal range at this time.  A cardiologist met with me and notified me it was congestive heart failure and that my heart was working between 45-50% (normal is above 55%).  They did not seem too worried, which was a relief and my cardiologist is optimistic that my heart should return to normal over time.  The cause of the heart issue is from the radiation treatments that I received (because they were near my heart) as well as one of the chemotherapy's that I receive called Adriamycine (which is toxic to the heart).  They recommend I keep active by walking daily to return my heart back to its original capacity.

**Edited...I spoke with Josh today and they are NOT going to continue with the Adriamycine, due to the heart related side effects.  They will give him another chemo medication in the same family but with less side effects for Josh's heart. (I am kinda happy about this!!!)

  

Jessica and I have been doing well since our last update.  We have mostly been in the hospital, so we cherish any time that we have at home together.  We are very excited to be nearing the end and we are planning out all of the things we want to do once this phase of our life is over.  Life is good.

I hope you are all doing well!  I will definitely try to send another update soon :)

Love,

Josh and Jess

Enjoy Today!

A look back at 2015...

I hope you are having a great week!
I have been thinking about what I want to blog about in 2016 and I have a few ideas up my sleeve, so stay tuned...

 I don't get super personal here, but wanted to share a little about what has been going on in 2015.  You may want to pour a cup of coffee...it is a little long.

In November 2014 I moved to Williston ND, where Mike accepted a position as a pipeline operator for an oil company.  The thought of moving was very hard!! Leaving my kids behind in AZ, leaving warm and sunny AZ, starting over in a new state (with No Target), you get the idea...lots of mixed emotions.  I am so thankful my employer offered me the option to work remotely, it helped me keep a bit of normalcy.  

Since we moved in November, the weather in ND was COLD and SNOWY (luckily I grew up in Connecticut, so I wasn't too shocked at what winter was going to be like for me going forward).  Since I was still working 40 hours/week and learning my new surroundings (not a lot to learn...this may be a blog post), my blog took the back seat. It was a nice little break.  I am sorry that I didn't update you and let you know what was going on.  I have to say that every so often during my hiatus, I thought, I really need to start blogging again (I missed it), but I didn't know what I would blog about.  


At the end of May, 
Josh called me on his break at work to say "hi", after a little random chit chat, he mentioned he had a lump on his sternum.  He said he has been Googling it and jokingly said "mom, I have cancer".  I told him not to go online to get a diagnosis and to have his doctor check it out.  He said he would make an appointment.  Thankfully he kept his word!  He went to the doctor and they said they were 99% sure it was a stress fracture, but they wanted to have it biopsied to be sure.  He asked me if I thought he should do it, since he had not met his deductible yet.  I suggested to get it done for his own peace of mind!  I was not sure what he was going to decide, but I figured 99% is pretty good odds.  Luckily Jess (Josh's wife), told him to get it done.  

Fast forward a week or so....
I received another call from Josh on his break at work, this time, he told me that his doctor just called to let him know that his biopsy was CANCER (I was in total shock!!!).  I don't remember much from that day, I was numb, I kept thinking that I was in a bad dream (did I really just get that news??) I kept waiting to wake up and everything would be back to normal.  Unfortunately, it was not a dream.

What did this mean, 
what was going to happen? (so many unanswered questions!). Josh made an appointment with an Oncologist and found out that he had  Osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer, and his was fast growing).  His doctor assured him that they were going to set up an aggressive treatment plan and he was going to beat it (it was curable!)!  

I went to AZ for a visit in July, because I needed to see the kids, and I wanted to be with Josh during one of his chemo treatments (luckily I have been able to visit numerous times).  

Since his cancer was so aggressive, he has to get his chemo administered in the hospital in very large doses.  He had already had a couple of rounds of chemo and decided to shave his head, since his hair was starting to falling out. 

He and Jess have had such a positive attitude through all of this, I am so proud of them.  But I would change places with him in a heartbeat if I could!  It is heartbreaking to see your bald kiddo in the hospital getting poison pumped into his body.  But I choose to be positive, that poison is killing the cancer, and making my family stronger. 

I am so thankful for Ashley, Nate and Jess' family, who visit Josh in the hospital.  And I cannot express how thankful I am for Jessica (that deserves an entire blog post on its own)!!!!  She stays with Josh (overnight), during EVERY treatment, she is just so GREAT!!  It makes me feel so good to know that he has so many people that care and love him, especially when I cannot be there.

At the half way point...
In September, I flew to AZ for Josh's surgery.  He had his sternum removed. Let me just say, this was even harder to watch, seeing him in so much pain.  He handled it like a trooper and bounced back very quickly.  He got the results back and the margins were all clean!!  He is cancer free!  Such fantastic news!!  It was so great to get that part of the treatment behind us!  Josh started radiation and he said that part was a breeze (compared to everything else).  It was great to know that at least one part of this treatment wasn't too bad for him!  

Mike and I drove to AZ in November (with the dogs) to visit the kids.  It was so great to be together as a family!!  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I was glad that Mike was able to be with Josh during one of his chemo treatments too.  

Right now...
Josh is in the final stretch (however, it doesn't feel like that for him, I am sure).  He has 8 more chemo treatments to go and then he is DONE!!!  I am so excited for him to get back to his normal life and his job (he is getting a promotion when he returns, because...he is AWESOME!).  

I don't want to leave Ashley out...
Ashley's license request was approved by the board and she finally got her L.P.C. license (I am so proud of her!). She has had so many obstacles on this journey, what a relief that that part is done!  She has had her share of difficult situations last year as well (I am not sure she wants me to share them on the blog), but like her brother, she is getting through it and helping others as she goes.  I could not be more proud of the person she has become!!

As I mentioned above, I am able to work remotely, which I love (especially since I don't have to drive in the snow!).  It has also allowed me to fly to Arizona several times to visit the kids and work while I am there (to save on my vacation time and not miss much work), and I like seeing my co-workers too!

So there you have it!
It has been a crazy year!  I hope you will join me in 2016 by enjoying each moment and try not to sweat the small stuff!!  

Oh yeah, and always get the test done!!  Even if you are 99% sure it isn't serious!  And if it is bad news...try to remain positive and try to find humor in the hard times, that has kept me sane (and the roller coaster ride a little less scary).

Enjoy Today!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! 

I know it has been ages since I have updated my blog.  

I am really hoping that in 2016 I will be more active here!  

Lots has happened in 2015 that I will update soon.  

But in the meantime...Merry MERRY Christmas!!  

May 2016 be your best year yet!

Project Life Wednesday {BD party for the girls}...

Happy Wednesday! 
I am still plugging away at 2012. Here is the spread I did for Ashley and Jess' birthday back in July, LOL!  It sure was fun using lots of pink!!

Full layout 

(click image to see larger)

left page

(click image to see larger) 

right page

(click image to see larger) 

Enjoy Today!

Project Life Wednesday {catching up}...

**Thanks June for pointing out my wrong date!!  I fixed it (not sure what I was thinking), LOL**

Hi all, 
Its looking like Wednesday is going to be my Project Life day. I have been on a roll, and I am almost caught up with 2012~woot!  Here is my Thanksgiving layout (and you thought I was late with my Christmas page, LOL!!).

When I was scrapping this layout, I realized that I didn't really take many photos on thanksgiving (not sure why~I must have been filling my face and having fun), which made putting my page together really quick!!  

We also took our annual Christmas Family photo that same morning (which I will NEVER do again!!), and decided to make a page to include the outtakes, which make me laugh every time I look at them!!  I seriously LOVE my crazy family!!

 Full Layout (click image to see larger)

Left Side

Right Side

Enjoy Today!!

{Project Life} Christmas Scrapped...

Hi all! 
I sure hope you are not getting tired of seeing my Christmas photos!! I am trying to get caught up on my Project Life album, so I can start my 2013 Edition. I am trying to decide how much I want to do with my PL album this year.  I don't think I have enough exciting stuff going on to do a week by week spread, but I am def hoping to take more photos than I did in 2012!! It was a crazy year for me, adjusting to my new job/schedule. I think I am finally getting it figured out!! 

 Are you doing Project Life this year?? 

 I LOVE that you can make it exactly what you want!! 

 Full Page 

Left page

Right Page

And I must have been on a roll, because I just realized that I am short a page, because I decide to add this full size page of our family~but like I said earlier!! You can make it what ever you want!!   I am going to add it to a page protector by itself, since I probably won't make another page to make it a traditional  2-page spread. 

Flexibility gotta love it!! 

  Enjoy Today!!

I am working on linking up my supplies in the future if you are interested?!  

I get a lot of free stuff on Pinterest!!  
You can Follow my Project Life Board HERE.

Project Life {Christmas Eve}...

Last weekend I had some time to work on my Project Life  album.  Even though I am a little LOT behind, I decided to scrap Christmas and Christmas Eve (since I had already edited the photos and it was still fresh in my mind).  It felt SO good to be scrapping again!!  I would like to get one layout done each week (not sure if that is a realistic goal for me or not...but it sounded good in my head!!).  

I know I have shared my LOVE for PL in the past, but I love, love, LOVE that you can make it as simple or decorative as you want!!  Check out the new designs for 2013!!  My FAV is the Honey Edition!!  I cannot wait for it to be available!!

                                      

*I use the digital edition of Project Life

Enjoy Today!!

weekly iphone photo dump {November week 4}...

From left to right:
1.  Our office chipped in to buy Power Ball Tickets...We didn't win :( 
2.  My cube is getting a little holiday~ish!
3.  Mike and I went out for lunch on Saturday at our USUAL spot.  They have the BEST guacamole!
4.  We find this occasionally when we go upstairs to get ready for bed.  CRAZY Pete!!  Sometimes I wonder what he would do if I turned the water on, LOL!
5.  My Christmas Cards arrived the other day!!  I get them printed at Costco, they do a great job!!
6.  Getting ready to deck the halls at the Clark house!
7.  I am currently reading THIS  book.  I am thinking about changing up my blog in 2013.  I really miss posting on a regular basis.  Stay tuned!!
8.  This guy is the best tree fluff-er around!!  Since living in AZ we have gone "artificial"~ because, it is a dry heat around here!!  And YES we wear our PJ's on Sunday afternoon~that's how we roll at the Clark house!!
9. Our Front door is "decked" for Christmas!!

Enjoy today!!

Happy BLACK Friday!!

Hi all!!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  I am off to work today, so no Black Friday shopping for me!!  

Enjoy Today!!

August desktop...

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Things are still crazy around here, but I wanted to pop in with a link, and to share my August Desktop calendar.

Download Shabby Miss Jenn's August Desktop for free...HERE.

I use SMJ's calendars for my home/work desktop EVERY month!!  I love her designs and it is so easy to just drop your photo behind the image (in a photo editing program) and save to your desktop!!  EASY PEASY!

This picture was taken on Father's Day, 3 of my FAVORITE peeps!!

Enjoy Today!!

a mustache party...

 **April 22,2013 - Links have been updated!!  ENJOY**

Warning: Picture overload for today's post.
Last Sunday we finally celebrated Mike's birthday (it was 2/11), our family is WAY too busy these days!  I am happy we all had a Sunday available to party it up!!  I decided on a mustache theme, since I have been seeing lots of stache items on Pinterest. I also wanted to find some games for us to play, and I was happily surprised to find some online.

First we started with lunch, which consisted of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and iced tea (some of Mike's fav's).

Then we played a couple of games...

First up, was pin the mustache on Burt Reynolds.  You can get the download HERE.  I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was excited to participate (we are a pretty competitive bunch).  

 
We had to trace the mustaches and remove them because some people were  "feelers".

 

Josh ended up being the winner!!

Next we moved on to Name that Stache, download the cropped stache photos HERE/Full photo HERE/Cards HERE/Answers HERE.  Enjoy!!

Nate won this one!

Then we had some Birthday pie (since Mike is a "pie guy" recipe HERE, and yes I bought a pre-made graham cracker crust~don't judge!!!), and then opened presents.
*and if you notice I have no curtains hanging up in my family room, it is because Mike is using them as a prop for his current series at church. I get them back next week, LOL!!

 
Some ammo from Josh so they can go target shooting~silly boys!!

Of course I set up a picture station for us to model our "staches"  and I had to laugh at some of the outtakes!!  Mustaches printouts HERE (I just taped them to skewers).

We started off with a normal pose.

Then we thought we could use the mustaches for eyebrows (apparently Jess and I didn't get the memo).

Then we said lets put the mustaches all on Mike, since it is his birthday (Ashley and Nate didn't get the memo).

Ashley still didn't get it!!

Success!!!

 And when you do some sort of belly dance from a seated position, you know I am going to blog it!!
 

 It was funny stuff!!

Good times!!

Enjoy Today!!