Picc gone and Chemo done!

Lydia had a ct scan on Thurs. and a full blood lab work up to determine if her PTLD was gone.  She showed no traces of it so she is officially done with Chemo.  Yeah!!  Scott, her home health-care nurse pulled out her Picc-line on Friday.  She loves bathing with both arms in the tub now and free reign to splash and play.  It was very exciting to get rid of the Picc (until she had to get stuck for labs today).  But, we'll definitely take the pokes over the risks and implications associated with the Picc.  We feel very blessed that she did so well with the Chemo and didn't have to be hospitalized for illness during that time.  She is a tough cookie!

Spencer turned twelve on Sunday.  Ohhh, that means me and Brian are getting old.  Spencer recieved the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday as well.  It was a very special day.  He had been looking forward to it for a long time.  He has been very responsible and helpful lately.  We have him tend for us often and he takes especially good care of Lydia.  She loves him lots and loves to play with him.  He is very cute with her.  Spencer has a good sense of humor and is fun to be with.  He has been extra responsible with his school work this year which has helped me a lot.  He loves to go hunting, fishing, play basketball and make things (including Lego ships still).  His buddy Ryan fortunately enjoys the same things so they have a great time together.  I am very grateful for my Spencer and love him very much!

Done with Chemo!

Lydia had her last chemo treatment on Thursday, Feb. 24th.  Yipee!  She will get an extensive blood draw and a cat scan in a couple of weeks to make sure there are no traces of PTLD left.  We have been very blessed that she has done so well with her Chemotherapy.  I'd say losing her curls is a pretty small price to pay.  I'm so grateful that she didn't get nausea or have to be hospitalized over the past five months.  She is a vibrant, full-fledged two year old doing getting into all sorts of two year old mischeif.  I love it!

Dallin was baptized on Saturday.  I felt a special spirit as throughout the week while I was making preparations for it and especially on Saturday.  I know he was doing what Heavenly Father wanted him to do and that he will be blessed for it.  He was extra helpful throughout the week.  He cleaned his and Lydia's rooms really well and said he would clean the whole house, but didn't quite get to it.  He has been very happy and helpful the past few months.  He loves to work on projects with Brian.  He is very goal oriented and organized.  All of the kids loves to play with him.  I can't remember when the last time was that he had and angry tantrum like he used to have.  He is doing fantastic in school.  He excitedly tells me many details of the things he is learning in history.  Many of his subject requirements he has mastered according to his teacher.  At his last parent teacher conference, she couldn't think of goals that he could work on so she asked him if he would like to do a report just to have something challenging to do.  He chose to do one on the Minutemen.  I love my Dallin!

Alyssa turned 10 in January.  Wow, she's growing up.  She has been talking about boys lately.  She loves to read, read, read and "play" school in her free time.  I think the past couple of years have been especially hard on her.   Because she is by nature so pleasant and a peacemaker instead of being a "squeaky wheel",  I think her needs and desires have often been put on the back burner.  I joined a mother/daughter book club with her in hopes to give her a little more of the attention that she needs.  She is such a sweet, good girl.  She is so cooperative and helpful.  I hope that we can do better at meeting her needs.  She got glasses a couple of weeks ago.  I think she looks very cute on her.   I love her very much!