Our vist to the Salt Lake City Arts Festival

We decided to go to the Salt Lake City Arts Festival last Saturday.  This was our first visit to this particular arts festival.  Our girls had a lot of fun!

This car cracked us up!  Definitely belongs in Utah, well at least in the winter LOL...

Some of the art was breathtaking...

The children's crafts were a lot of fun!  Brianna and Christianna loved their pinwheels!

Love the look on Chrissy's face here.  To see life through the eyes of a child again.  So precious! 

Playing in the fountain at the Salt Lake Public Library.  Brianna got a little TOO wet...



Stress and the Ability to Overcome

A few days ago I wrote about the trials of life and the stress that my family and I have been experiencing over the past few weeks.  It is simply draining and, in a way, horrifying to wait and not be 'in the know'.  We received a call this past Friday from Troy's Oncologist stating that they do want him to have another PET CT scan which is scheduled for July 14th.  I must say that waiting and not knowing has to be the most difficult part of any medical issue.  Some days it seems as if we're 'pulling it off', not showing the stress and anguish we feel over the trials our lives are serving up and well, other days we are completely absorbed by our thoughts and emotions, fighting the darkness that threatens to pull us down with it.  I know for me the stress and thoughts of what might come haunt me.  I really do try to be strong and offer these thoughts and feelings up for relief but sometimes the pain nags at me so much I need to release it.  This is when the pain within my heart pulls so much that an enormous lump develops within my throat and God's cleansing love begins to roll down my face as an artists paint drips from the canvas.  So many special people in my life have been taunted by this horrifying disease.  Either themselves or their loved ones battling this crippling monster!  Some of them being blessed enough to overcome this disease while others have succumbed and passed on.  There are so many difficulties that arise from having cancer hit so close to home.  We were in a position in our lives where we had become comfortable with the thought of being freed from the struggles of this illness!  I have now come to realize that we are never truly free.  Those of us that have had cancer hit so close to home feel the pain and pull of this horrific disease every day of our lives.  It becomes an obsession!  To beat it, to cure it, to honor those who have fought so valiantly to rid their bodies of the cancer that threatens to consume them.

My prayer is that someday a cure can be found!  That all who suffer, have suffered, or will ever suffer the pains of this deadly disease will experience true healing and peace.

And, after reading all I wrote I realize that the content has nothing to do with the title... LOL oh well!

Until next time...♥ ♥ ♥

Flower's at the Farmer's Market

Last Saturday my sweet husband and I took a casual trip the the Farmer's Market and had a wonderful time together.  Some of the flowers we saw being sold there were so beautiful...

Family

Just wanted to post some recent snapshots I took while at a family reunion.  Family is precious!

Trials of Life

“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” ~ Chinese Proverb

Bittersweet refinement!  All too often we travel through this life without truly realizing the very miracle of our existence.  Consumed by daily stresses and routines we can fall into a ‘comfort zone’ with the state of our lives and our families’ health and wellness.

The past few weeks have been extremely draining emotionally for my family and I.  Back in August of 08' my sweet husband Troy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  After undergoing eight very aggressive chemotherapy treatments the Lymphoma was found to be in remission.  We were overjoyed with this amazing victory for our family and went on living our lives to the best of our abilities.  That is until a few weeks ago. Troy began experiencing stomach pains and we decided it was necessary for him to go see his doctor.  He made an appointment with his Oncologist who decided that Troy should have a PET CT scan done since he hadn't had one in over a year.  Dr. Hansen explained that this would show any issues within Troy's body.  We were completely shocked when we received the results of the scan stating that Troy has several lymph nodes throughout his body that were reactive to the scan.  With this news Troy's Oncologist decided to have a surgical biopsy done.  We thought we were cleared when we learned that the results of the three lymph nodes taken were negative but this was simply not the case.  Dr. Hansen stated that the results of the biopsy were inconclusive and that the three nodes that were taken were without cancer however, others within Troy's body may be affected.  His suggestion was that Troy be seen by a bone marrow transplant specialist.  Yesterday, Troy and I met with Dr. Hoda who is a Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist with the Intermountain Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic at LDS Hospital.  He told us about this very arduous process and the possibility of Troy receiving a transplant.  Needless to say we are incredibly overwhelmed and are once again in a state of waiting.  Dr. Hoda wanted to speak to Troy's Oncologist as well as a cancer board up at LDS Hospital before proceeding with his case.  This may involve yet one more PET CT scan within the next two weeks to check the progression of what was found in his previous scan.

It is times like these that remind us of what is truly precious and good in this life.  We are all given this most amazing gift of life and we mustn't take it for granted.  I can only hope and pray that this trial will serve to strengthen our family and the loving bond that we share. 

Until next time...

Beauty in Nature

Sometimes we just have to stop and take in the beauty that surrounds us.  Last week we took our girls 4-wheeling up in the hills by our house and had an amazing time!  During our 'in between' times I couldn't help but take notice of the amazing landscape around us.  Even though it is a dirt-filled play area there are beautiful trees, wild flowers, water, etc, etc, etc. 

Wheeling Good Times!

I can hardly believe that yet another school year has come to an end for our little Brianna!  We wanted to celebrate the start of her summer vacation in a fun way so we decided to go 4-wheeling this past Friday afternoon.  We had an amazing time and found some GREAT mud!!!  How can you not love nature and how can you not love riding crazy and getting dirty!  Ahhh, this is really living!

Here are some snapshots of our day.

 

Zion's

There is nothing quite like the beauty of nature!  Honestly my pictures don't even come close to capturing the true beauty and awesomeness of this incredible place.  Standing at this vast chasm was nothing short of breath-taking.  We go through our busy lives rarely stopping to partake in the beauty and strength of nature.  It is moments like these that make me realize what is truly important in life!