California Camping 2009

Greetings friends and family,
We recently returned from a camping trip up near Eureka, CA. Yep, 600 miles from Lakewood. It took us two days to drive there. We camped for 3 nights with friends and then took 2 more days to drive back. Check out the movie we made. Sadly, there aren't any photos of our main camp site but you will see the camp from our way up, a day in the Redwood Forest, and then more photos of us camping on the way back to Lakewood. Jeff's uncle Devin and aunt Jan were very generous to lend us their RV for the trip. We had a great time and were able to see A LOT of California (even got to show the kids a little of San Fran as we drove through).

Much love to you all,
amy, jeff, ben and lauren

MRI on July 29

Hello,
Thanks for all the prayers and kind thoughts. I had an MRI at Cedars yesterday and despite my usual Neuro-Oncologist meeting with me (he is currently on Paternity-leave), it was a great appointment. Basically, my brain looks the same as usual. I have been off of the chemo drugs since April 1 and there hasn't been any tumor activity so we are hopeful that the 6.5 weeks of chemo and radiation plus the additional two years of chemo have had a lasting impact on the cancer cells in my brain. I have yet to regain my original energy, pre-cancer, but am hopeful that it will come in time. Prayer is always appreciated.

Much love to you all,
amy

Summer Update 2009

Hey,
Check us out - two updates in two days! I know the summer isn't over yet but we have done so much so far that I wanted to make a little movie to summarize the fun. You will see the following:

- our trip to Seattle and Portland in June
- the 4th of July
- our Anniversary trip to San Francisco
- our weekend in San Diego for Comicon

We still have two more trips planned before school starts so keep checking back!

Much love to you all!

amy, jeff, ben and lauren

10 years of marriage!

Hello!
July has been a busy month. We celebrated our Ten Year Wedding Anniversary (please watch the video we made!) (also, thanks mom for watching Ben and Lauren so we could get away) and just yesterday, we returned from a long weekend in San Diego (Comicon). Jeff worked while the kids and I played. Keep checking back for additional video updates from July.

Love,
amy, jeff, ben and lauren

p.s. I am having another MRI this Wednesday, July 29th. I will post the results. Please pray for a clean scan.

In memoriam

Jeff is now regretting his decision to ditch this jacket.

May it and MJ rest in peace.

Jeff has a birthday!

This Tuesday, April 28th is Jeff's birthday. We celebrated him on Saturday with a murder mystery party! It turns out our friend "Silky Steve" did it! For shame Silky! Here's a cup'la photos to getta taste a da drama!

Ben turns 8!

Today, March 24, is Ben's 8th birthday. We celebrated him on Sunday with a football themed birthday bash. The weather was chilly and wet in the AM so we opted for some indoor activities with the game of football at the end of the party. Please watch the party video to get a glimpse of all the fun.

p.s. Thanks to all those who thought of Ben and sent presents and money. Ben is getting his own savings account at the bank today (complete with debit card and all!)

Much love,
amy, jeff, ben and lauren

Coming to the end of the road

Hopefully, I haven't scared any of you with this title. This is good news, after all. It is official, at the end of March, I will be taking my last 5 day dose of chemotherapy. I have been doing this monthly dose for two years now and I am grateful that it is coming to an end. In May, I will begin to have an MRI every two months to monitor any tumor growth. It is possible that life will return to normal, although, I have been told it will not be the same "normal" as before (aka Pre-cancer). Of course, how could it be. My body has undergone all sorts of chemical warfare and I have been faced with the prospect of not living to 100 (like many other women in my family before me). I am still hopeful for many more years of life on earth - to be here for my kids, Ben and Lauren, ages soon to be 8 and 6; I just feel like God isn't done with me yet. So all that to say, please keep praying for us, this journey isn't over, not by a long-shot.

For a look at my "hair journey," watch this little video.

much love,
amy (jeff, ben and lauren)