~November~ ...........so far

(to cover a few things that have happened)

Wow, this whole Thing I was wanting to do about naming something i am thankful for every day has turned into a FLOP for sure.


But I did the Alphabet Thankful things so that should count for something right?



November has been a MONTH to say the least and its only 1/2 over.



We lost a brilliant, loving, beautiful woman, Mitzi Malcolm (missing her so much) to Lung Cancer this month and it still seems surreal. I know things will never be the same without her. But, I am so proud of the strength that Jeff, Jeffrey, Dennis, Brandon, & Brady seem to show as they do their best to move forward. I am so blessed for all the time I had with Mitz and for the relationships I get to be a part of in Jason's family! Love you all so much!


We had a fundraiser for her last Friday (THANK YOU JULIE HIGLEY) and it went really well. It was fun to be together again in support of Mitz.
(a funny story about that night though)
Jason and i arrived at FOA ( the bar that the fundraiser was being held at). We got Khloe out of the car and were walking towards the building when we saw the East door already open. I was pushing the stroller with the diaper bag in it while Jason carried Khloe. We walked in through the east doors, made around the corner and BAM we walked in on a big DRAG QUEEN PARTY!! (now I am not against this by any means but did become horrified only because I was expecting to see Grandma, Uncle Jeff's and the rest of the families faces, not a room full of people in Drag.) I literally was face to face with one person in Drag- Red wig, white corset NO PANTS and fishnets. I turned to Jason red in the face and we just backed up slowly and went back out the door. In the parking lot we so more people from the family and advised them to steer clear of the East door, and we eventually found out we were supposed to go in through the WEST side doors.. BAH!! just a funny little twist to the way that night began. But things went really well after that little shock.

Our little girl is getting so big.. Already 11 Months 4 days old today.. The time goes WAY TOO QUICKLY!!!

This is the daily photo from our wonderful sitter Kerri (we LOVE KERRI) and it just shows how our sweet lil Peanut is turning into quite the mischievous little Dare Devil. This is her standing on the dishwasher door hanging onto the top shelf. hahah

It seems nothing really slows her down anymore.. Except she still isn't walking all by herself.. She can really "BOOK IT" across the room if she has something to hold onto (couch, wall, walker, laundry basket etc) if she has any of that it only takes her seconds to get to where she is headed.. Otherwise its this SPEEEEEEDY crawl that shocks me STILL when I see her do it!






On 11/12/2011 Jayden came over for a sleepover. To say Khloe loves Jayden is such an undertatement. He had Khloe laughing hysterically and I was fortunate enough to get a few moments captured on my camera here.. Enjoy!!!





See what I mean?? It was absolutely heart warming to hear that laughter just come BARRELLING out of both of them. Truly makes it obvious to the world why I am constantly reminded that I am ABSOLUTELY BLESSED!!!

10 day You Challenge

1.) 1 picture of yourself (finally got around to finishing this challenge- I'd say I failed it, but here it is anyways!

This is taken at work (where I spend a large % of my time.)

So I took a few seconds to add a picture of myself!!

Mitzi

(written by Amber Ehlers Malcolm)
In the past whenever someone was affected by cancer, whether through a family member, loved one, or themselves, I always thought it was terrible but I never thought that I would be directly affected by it. You just do not have a clue of what the word “terrible” really means until you are directly affected by it. A few months ago I did not even know what stage four cancer even meant…..now I do.

My mother in law Mitzi, whom I am closer to than my own mother, has stage IV non-small cell lung cancer at the age of 49. Back in July she was diagnosed with pneumonia, but the phenomena would not go away. One night she was taken to the hospital by ambulance because she could no longer breathe. In the hospital they did several tests, drained her left lung, which had 32 ounces of fluid in it, put her on oxygen and sent her home. A few days later she again went to the emergency room, by this time she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

She was scared and felt that she was never going to get out of the hospital, because she could not breathe. Just imagine not being able to breath, what a terrible feeling.

To make matters worse, when her doctor informed her that she had lung cancer, he basically told her to go home and die.


In the hospital they treated her terribly. They assumed that she gave herself cancer because she used to smoke (she quit smoking seven years ago). Nobody ever gives themselves cancer, and nobody deserves to get cancer. Her being treated this way in the hospital gave her no hope at living, not to mention she was already scared. The only support she had was her devoted amazing husband and her family and friends, who love her dearly.

She finally was transferred to Huntsman Cancer Institute after being in the hospital for two weeks. It was there that we found out she was in stage four already and what type of lung cancer she had. It was also there that she actually was given hope by the doctors. Although she was already in stage four, her oncologist told her “you’re going to die and you’re too young to not fight”.


She spent three weeks in the hospital, and it was so hard seeing her in there. Just a few months ago she was living a normal life and now she is lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. Her left lung has collapsed and she had a tube placed in her back to keep the liquid draining. She got a little better every day, and they were able to bring her oxygen down slowly and finally take the tube out of her back. She started radiation in the hospital, which helped to shrink the tumor that was pressing up against her left lung.


Because we live two states away, it makes it even harder not to be able to be there for her. When I first learned of her diagnosis, I was really angry. I cried several times a day as I could not hold back, and anyone who knows me knows I am not a crier……but I could not help myself. When you love someone with cancer it gives you such a helpless feeling, because there is only so much you can do.

We have been to see her three times now over the past three months, exhausting all of our vacation and sick time. Now we have to build up more time before we can go see her again. It really sucks, because we know she needs us but we have to work in order to live and I know she understands, but I hate it.


The night before we had to return home I was sitting there with her on the couch and I could see little pieces of her hair all over her shoulders. I did not have the heart to tell her, because she really did not want to lose her hair. I was probably being terribly selfish, but I asked her to please fight this. She told me that she has to fight.

At his point we do not know what is going to happen, nobody does, we have to take it one day at a time. She is currently doing chemotherapy, which is very hard on her. I just wish I could be there with her to hold her hand when she needs her hand held, and talk to her when she needs to talk, and laugh with her when she needs to laugh, and cry with her when she needs to cry.


Lung cancer has a terrible reputation as being a smoker’s disease, but it is not. More people will be affected by lung cancer and lose their life to lung cancer, over all other cancers. Yet lung cancer has the lowest source of funding. Most people are not educated about lung cancer, and it is not something that people will get annual checks for. It is the silent cancer that you do not usually find out about until it is too late.

There are no symptoms, there are no lumps to check for, and it is usually found by accident. This needs to change! It may take some time, but by educating one person at a time, this will change! Please spread the truth about lung cancer and correct someone when they comment about lung cancer incorrectly. Together we can fight this stereotype and we can fight for the lives of those that are unfortunate enough to get it.

Mitzi passed away this morning..

Rest in Peace Beautiful Aunt Mitzi

12/6/1961-11/4/2011

Day 3

I am thankful for my cousin Roberta H Ivankovich. She has been such an inspiration growing up and continues to guide and teach me to be a better person. I don't know where I would have ended up without her!! She has taught me so much and continues to show me that I can accomplish anything. She is the greatest mother, sister, cousin, friend, you could hope for. She has a heart of Gold and deserves only the best!!! She works full time, goes to school, part of Make A Wish, successfully raising her 4 boys, and still manages to keep in close contact with her family and friends. I don't know how she does it all, all the time, but she does & I am so proud of her. Love you cuz!! Thanks for always being there for me through everything. You are truly AMAZING!!!

~ What I am Thankful For ~

A. Afternoons at home with Jason and Khloe.. (Any time at home with my family)

B. Becky Briggs Humphreys- She is going to be watching our sweet girl Khloe and she has always been such a great friend/sister to me!! :D

C. my Car- (Safe, gorgeous, and its PAID OFF) & Camping,

D. Dad- happy that the relationship has been rekindled and we are closer than ever now & he's a wonderful Grandpa..

E. Ellie Briggs Meyers- She has shown me what a sister is supposed to be. She is truly an amazing woman and great role model. Proud of her hard work and her motivation. She is always making me laugh. LOVE YOU SISTA!!

F. Family- My heart strings tug when I saw that word and picture Jason and Khloe.. I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR them both! :D Love my entire family so much (interesting how when we become parents our family seems to matter that much more)
Face book.... It helps me stay in contact with friends and family and it helps me survive the long work days!

G. God.

H. Heaven... I know family & friends are there and I'll one day be reunited with them.
Our Home- I love that we have our OWN place- it's amazing!

I. my Imperfections- They are what make me unique and make me, ME!

J. Jason- he is my best friend I am so blessed to be in his life.. He is truly the greatest man I've ever known and the World's Best Daddy. LOVE YOU BABY!!

K. Khloe- Our Baby Bear, Our Peanut, Our Precious little Punkin, Mommy's whole world, The single GREATEST thing that's ever happened to me since becoming Jason's wife.

L. Laughter- is my favorite sound in the world. Especially if it is coming from a child!

M. My Family- without you I would be so lost. LOVE YOU ALL!! (So important it had to be mentioned twice).

N. Nana-my grandma- she basically raised me I love you Nana

O. Outdoors. I am such an active person- all summer we are outside.

P. POTATOES-one of my FAVORITES!! ALL FORMS OF POTATOES (mmmm)

Q. The Quilts from Carol- she is so talented and has spoiled us with her great work!

R. Roberta- she is my role model. Amazing person with a heart of gold... She has been a great teacher for me growing up and I only pray I am as good a mom as she is. Love you so much CUZ!!

S. So many things: Sight, Speech, Smiles from my Daughter, Snuggles from her too.

T. our Truck, its amazing and we have been able to help so many family members and friends move with the truck and its a HOT ride! :D LOVE IT.
Tuesdays- It's Mother/Daughter Date day and I cherish every moment of our day together!

U. Understanding what is really important. In the last year I have grown so much. I am proud of who I am and who I am surrounded by. I am thankful to be a part of so many amazing peoples lives.

V. Vampire Diaries- A nice escape from reality weekly..
Salt n Vinegar Chips- suddenly I'm finding them incredibly delicious!

W. Work friends.. Roberta, Melissa, Anna, Danielle, Jodi, Tammy, Helen, Anel, Candace work is much more fun with you gals! :D
Walks with the fam
Will Renz- & All the AMERICAN Soldiers who are out fighting for our Country. Thank you for your Service!

X. x-tra meat on my sandwiches, X-tra CHEESE on nearly everything that has cheese, I don't like feeling cheated.. come on now

Y.YOU!!!

Z. ah ha getting enough zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's- Something I took for granted before I was pregnant. hahaha, now I am usually lacking the sleep I used to get.

(funny.. The last time I wrote this back in 2009 it was all small, petty, materialistic, kinds of things.. This time its all deep and sentimental.. Guess I really AM getting OLD)

2 songs

Lee Ann Womack- I Hope You Dance
A song that has HUGE meaning to me. Leading back to my amazing cousin Roberta.. I feel like this is a pep talk for me each time I hear it. When I am feeling defeated or down & I hear this song It's as if my Cousin is in my corner singing it to me. She gave me a cd YEARS ago with this song on it and an amazing heartfelt letter that expressed that this song reminded her of me, that she hopes I always dance. Now being a mother, I feel that will be something I too will and have already passed down to my precious Khloe. An amazing song about HOPE, about not giving up, about accomplishing anything so long as you just get up and do it "I HOPE YOU DANCE" and it keeps your grounded too! :D Thanks cuz- this is an amazing song, but the meaning behind it makes it SO VALUABLE TO ME! :D XOXOXO






Brantley Gilbert- Country must be Country Wide

On a much less serious note. THis song is simply AMAZING.. Each time I hear it I feel PRIDE.. Pride to just be this small town Country GIRL.. To have an anthem to what we all know to be TRUE.. COUNTRY MUST BE COUNTRY WIDE!! Embrace it.. Country music is my FAVORITE! :D

November- A month to express what we are thankful for.

Today I am extremely Thankful For Kerri Mildenhall Rose she has been Khloe's babysitter for months now and Khloe loves her dearly. She is expecting a precious girl in December and we will be switching babysitters. She will be missed, but we are so excited for her.

Khloe is going to be in great hands though, thank you Becky Briggs Humphrey...s. So I can be at ease with the transition that will take place soon, because I trust these two with my life (obviously). I cannot tell you enough how blessed J & I have been to have found 2 very amazing people, both so eager and so happy to watch our little girl. She is our WORLD. Thank you both SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!! :D