Good Bye 2011

New Years Eve day...... Wow. This year has been a different one. As we reflect on all the things we have been through. The ups and downs. The transitions. All the strange little things that have happened, all while we were wondering "why"? Why is this or that happening? Why is this not happening? Well, we know now why our house did not sell.  Obviously dealing with fixing up a "fixer" right now on top of dealing with Kayla's health would have been a little more then one family needs to deal with. I can only say thank you to God for sparing us that. We are so thankful that we will have the house that Kayla has grown up in to go home to to rest. Having her go home to a construction zone would have been unbearable. Now we know! So, if you are in a situation where you might be wondering "why?" just know that there is always a reason. Hopefully your ah-hah moment will not be so life changing! One thing I know is that cancer does not discriminate. Everyone goes through life thinking this type of thing only happens to other people. It won't be us. Well, you just never know. Kayla has had one flu her entire life (she was 2). Other then that, her health has been tip-top. We have mostly only given her organics since birth! We have done everything to give her (and Anthony) the best chance at health. Never ever eating fast food. Well, here we are on New Year Eve at St. Jude's in Memphis, TN. Here we are celebrating LIFE and the precious moments of every day. This experience has made us closer as a family for sure. We are trying to look at this time as a very special bonding time that might have slipped by if we hadn't had this unfortunate diagnosis. Maybe life would have just slipped by.... who knows. I just know we are here.

Today we got to go to the Liberty Bowl. It was Cincinnati vs Vanderbilt. We didn't really have a favorite team, so we went with the team that actually visited St. Jude the other day. Vanderbilt! It was a close game. We had so much fun! We had the nicest family behind us too. Lots of great conversation throughout the game. Kayla really liked the half time show. KC and the sunshine band played a few of their hits. It was fun! It was not so fun waiting to get out of the parking lot. We sat at a dead stand still for almost an hour with a kid in the backseat who really needed some Zofran and a bathroom to pee. Nice.

       Sorry, I know... a LOT of pictures. Some of you might enjoy them. Look at how close we were :)

Kayla's hair is about 1/2 of the way thinned now. She thinks it's hysterical. She is begging me to shave it. (especially as she keeps eating and drinking and pulling it out of her mouth) I just don't want to shave it if she is only going to thin and not lose it all. We shall see. Tomorrow is another day! It's not as bad as I thought on an emotional level. It really is annoying as it sheds. You kind of just want it gone. Strange.... it's like a teenager giving you hell. It's their way of making you crazy mad so that when they are gone you aren't as sad. Haha. I just know Kayla is beautiful inside. That is ALL that matters. Everyone in Memphis is falling in love with this little girl. She is making a lot of friends. Mostly adults. Not surprising to me at all.

Kayla thinking it's hysterical to pull out her bangs. Bald is BEAUTIFUL baby!!!!! 

 

 

Once we got back to the Target house to relieve some of those issues, we headed over to El Torro Loco for some Mexican Cuisine. Ok, it was really good! We know they are going to get to know us really well over the next few months. Finally, something that is "close" to what we are use to back in California. We are so spoiled out there. It will do... for now :)

Kayla is enjoying some sparkling Apple juice and is determined to stay up until 11:00 for the New Years celebration in NYC. We are having a lot of laughs and good memories. I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year filled with LOVE and Health! That is all we are hoping for now. Everything else just doesn't mean as much without it.

 Happy 2012 Everyone!!!!!!!!!! LOVE you all!!!!! Cheers :)