Online Christmas Card

Hi Dear Friends and Family!

I included my blog address for many friends and family to be caught up on our year. It has been a doozy! To start, back in February, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a really dark and terrifying time, but by God's grace we pressed on. In March I started chemotherapy which I finished on my birthday on June 26. My Mom, the wonderful lady that she is, came in March and stayed to help until September. She was a huge help and blessing. I don't think we would have made it without her! I was allowed to rest about a month after chemo and I had surgery at the end of July. I had a double mastectomy, which was by choice. I only had cancer on one side, but I opted to do both sides to prevent any chance of recurrence. I also did the first phase of reconstruction with the surgery, so I only have one to go (probably late spring or early summer of '10). After that, the pathology report was good and all the cancer was gone. In October, I began radiation. I had 30 treatments (Mon-Fri) every day until the week after Thanksgiving. With the main bulk of the treatments being over I am now going to the Dr. every three months as follow up. I also have a drug infusion every three weeks that is specific to the type of cancer I had. That was a very short synopsis of the past 11 months, but overall I would say that I fared really well. God has been with me through it all and has brought many people to my aid. I have received well over 60 meals from some of the loveliest people! I have received the nicest cards and well wishes! I have learned to trust God even when I'm terrified...

Now, to the rest of the family. Andrew is working at Loma Linda University and loving it. They just gave him an additional contract so he can quit his part-time graveyard job that he doesn't like. He is very happy about that. His job is a blessing! He is also getting his Master's degree. Noah, our oldest son, is in 7th grade. He is doing it at home for an online public school. We thought he needed more of our influence at home at this time. He is as spunky as usual! Kyle is in 5th grade this year and doing great. He was accepted into the GATE program because of his excellent test scores. We are really proud of him. Lauren and Brooklyn are in the first grade. They are in the same class and are adapting well. Brooklyn had a difficult time adjusting to a full day of school. They have all dealt with the whole cancer ordeal remarkably well! Besides my full time job of cancer, I still manage to sub at the kid's school once in a while. Mostly, I'm home with Noah doing 7th grade! I'm finally learning algebra! Ha! Ha!

Overall, we are all doing great right now. There are chances that cancer could return or have complications from treatment, but right now we're good....and we'll take it! I like the saying, "God is good...all the time." It's so true! God bless you this Christmas and always!

With love,
Janice & The Family




Brooklyn's School Picture












Lauren's School Picture

















Kyle's School Picture
















Noah's School Picture























Brooklyn (green) and Lauren (pink) singing at a school performance.





Noah (his hair is much longer and shaggier now!)




Here's Kyle!




Our dog Riley!





My first day of chemo. Friday the 13th of March!

My Blog...My Right toBrag!

I am so proud of my son, Kyle, who qualified for the Gifted and Talented Education Program this year (GATE). His test scores qualified him to be considered! Yeah Kyle! Now, I know, I know....all kids are gifted and talented,I see that in my other kids, but it's not easy to make it so...Cheers for Kyle!

The Weirdest Thing Happened To Me...

I was walking into the grocery store a couple of days ago and this older lady was in front of me with her cart. As I drew closer, I noticed she had a shellacked picture of an old guy in the front of her cart. She turned and asked me if I had a use for a picture of an old guy...I told her, "Sorry, but I don't." She then continued to ask the person behind me the same question. I'm not sure if she was trying to sell it for groceries or if she was trying to give it away, but it made me smile because it was weird. I told my son about it and he said, "That's so random." That's okay, I like random...it makes the day interesting!
Have a great day!

A New Frontier!

I have embarked on a new frontier. Noah is doing 7th grade at home with the California Virtual Academy. I have to say yesterday, the first day, was not too bad. It took him 2 hours to do his pre-algebra, but it got done. We were also able to finish all his other assignments. I say "we" meaning I have to be in charge of making it get done! I did get frustrated with him a couple of times, but not like I thought I would. I did say a prayer of thanks, at least once, that he was home with me and being influenced by me. That idea made me happy. I feel like I'm making a difference for my own child for a change.
Have a great day!
Janice

I Love June!

June is my favorite month! I can't help it. I love the end of school (why? I can't tell you cause it means two months of kids at home!) I love my birth month! I love the change that it ushers in through grade level changes, graduations, weddings....I love the warm weather, and vacations (not that I get to go on one this year!) This year, much to my displeasure, my enjoyment has been a little dampered due to cancer treatment, but I love it just the same. This June, my last chemotherapy is on my birthday, June 26. I am going to celebrate that day with my sister. We are going to a hotel and spa and relaxing for an evening. I am looking forward to that! I hope nice things happen to you as well this month. Yeah June!

Yes, I Am Crazy....

I have officially gone crazy. I am going to homeschool my 7th grader, Noah, next year. I have no idea how this will go: Will he give me grief each day? Will he live through this experiment? Will I stroke out on this experiment? Nonetheless, I have decided to do it. Luckily, I have no hair so pulling my hair out isn't an option! Hopefully, it will go well and be the answer to my prayers. Why, you ask? Well, many reasons...First, he's been threatened with it many times, so I must follow through (Not that homeschooling is a punishment...so don't take it that way!) I have always wondered if traditional school is right for Noah. Also, he has such a need to please his friends...(not us at all!) that his decision making skills are poor. I really feel that some one on one time with him will influence him more than the 1000 mini lectures he gets each day. He has had a fairly good year of 6th grade being in the least amount of trouble than other grades, but I'm concerned he will get lost being given too much freedom. Have I convinced you yet? I'm still trying to convince myself...but it boils down to this: If I don't step in during this window of opportunity to influence him, then the window will close and I will lose this chance. He means too much to me to not try it. So, pray for me...I'm going to need it. Pray for him too...I'm a task master when I'm in teacher mode!
Love to you all~
Janice

The Simpler Things In Life

I just read the book Recipes and Wooden Spoons by Judy Baer. It's Christian fiction that's easy to read. At this time of my life, I need to read things that make me feel lighter, you know, better than when I started reading it. Anyway, it's about these sisters running a bed a breakfast where they grew up. They are living in a small town with interesting people at every turn. One person in the book is a chef and makes treats all the time (cookies, truffles, cakes). I like that! That must be my release too! Although I don't like the clean-up. It also reminded me to enjoy the simpler things: eating outside, cultivating creativity, helping others, enjoy quiet time, making good food. I'm kind of a mover and a shaker who likes to keep going, so I need to be reminded to slow down and enjoy the simpler things.
One thing I've done recently that I enjoy is sewing back pillows for my outdoor patio chairs. I saw some that I love in a catalog I can't afford that were about $35 each. I made mine for about $7 each. I'll include a picture. I find that hugely satisfying! I also weeded a planter next to the patio set that been needing to be weeded for a long time. I planted some green and red peppers, and cantaloupe in there. Yes, I'm trying my hand at farming in a small way! I also planted some tomatoes in containers on my porch. Well, that's what I've been up to. My next project is re-covering my dining table chairs. I hope this inspires you to enjoy the simple things aroound your home...it's made me happy.
love to you all,
Janice