SUMMER FUN BEFORE THE BOMB SHELL HIT

Want to post some pictures from July and August that I was going to do after Des left, when they came for a visit in Aug. They came Aug. 14- 17.(bringing my mom with them) On the 15th we all went to see Little Mermaid. It was my very favorite play that I have seen at Tuachaun. Des left on wed. the 17th and she was scheduled for a biopsy on Thurs. and Friday the bomb shell hit. So I just haven't gotten around to posting the pictures I wanted to. This mom has moved into the Ogden home until I am no longer needed here. Have a few minutes right now so I thought I would post our summer fun pictures.
July 4th 2011

Haiven did NOT like the fireworks at all!!!

Love this picture of Luke, caught him right at the right moment. This was before the fireworks grandpa was relaxing on the hammock and Raylie climbed up there with him
August 2011

Emma rode back home with us after a short weekend in SLC. She stayed with us for a week before Des came down for the Tuachaun play. So we had some fun while she visited.

We thought it would be fun to a go feed the ducks, so after a stop at the Dollar store for some cheap bread and Brittany having some bread these little fellers were feed really good.

This is one of three turtles that we saw, they were so cute.
This was a swarm of little fish that loved the bread as well.
The ducks coming to visit Emma, Raylie and Logan.
Garfield decieded that Emma was pretty comfy to take a nap on.
Some random pictures of more fun

So the Journey continues

This is my favorite pic of Des when she was little. Her words, "I started out bald and I was cute" So as this journey unfolds, she will be starting chemo on the 28th of this month. My head is still spinning, this happened so fast and they are moving very fast which I am grateful for, but my "old" brain is still reeling. I am trying to grasp this whole thing. For those of you that follow my blog and not hers you can go to http://www.markanddes.blogspot.com/ to have the full story and updates. She is such an example to us, her family and many others that she knows. She has a very positive attitude which will get her through this whole messy situation.

I know that she has known all along that it was going to come to this point where she is at. I, her mother on the other hand was trying my hardest to WILL this whole thing away. (can I just say it didn't work.) This is a challenge that our little family has never had to deal with before. We have had our little ups and downs but nothing to this magnitude. I know that through it all, we all will become closer and stronger. I know that our Heavenly Father is watching out for HER and the whole family. It is really hard living 300 miles away, I know not that far but far enough that I cannot be right there. So I know I will find myself in SLC a WHOLE LOT in the next few months. So watch out Ogden Family grandma is moving in :)

I find comfort in a scripture that my sister in law sent me.

Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When the road gets rocky, I know I can always turn to our Savior who suffered for us all. He will take our pains and suffering away, as we let him.

So for now that is where our journey lies, she will beat this nasty cancer and we all will become stronger because of it.

PINK

Here we are on the day of Desirae's surgery, so grateful that she tested negative to the breast cancer gene and she will be having a lumpectomy instead of the alternitive. We are all wearing pink in support of her today. She came up with this idea one night when she couldn't sleep when I was here two weeks ago. We went shopping and came home and she got them painted and we jeweled them up. There are many wearing pink today in support of her, she has many wonderful people who have been praying and fasting for her I know she has been blessed through all of the support she has received and that a very Loving Heavenly Father has been and continues to watch over her and bless her.

We love you Des

Another lifes Journey

So life has thrown another curve ball, which we know happens. Being a mother and watching your children go through different stages of their life as they grow is a normal thing. Then they grow and things start happening that are truly beyond your control, you watch them go through horrible things. As a mother you want to take that horrible thing away from them and go through it yourself. That is where I am at.right now. I would go through this trial for Desirae if I were allowed to do so. I know that we all grow from our trials and that she will become stronger as she beats this cancer thing. I know she will. She has a great husband, and 4 wonderful children that will help her through it. She has parents that love her and sisters and a brothers that love her and are here for her to help her through the rough times. I know that is why Heavenly Father organized the family unit, for that support system.

When Des called me Fri 8-19-11 and told me her biopsy was positive, it truly never hit me (I knew what she said but couldn't wrap my head around it) until I was sitting in the Surgeons office with her and he was going over her options, it was like I woke up from this nightmare I was having only to find out that it wasn't a nightmare at all it was really happening. It was happening to my BABY!! That is not OK with me.

I know that she is a strong person and she will not let this get her down, I know that her faith is strong and those two things together will get her through this. The medical profession has come along way with beating breast cancer, so along with that and with her strong will, her strong faith, and family support she will beat this.

I will be right by her side in the Race for the Cure in May, can't wait to run/walk that with you Des. I love you :-)

July 3rd

Things on my mind right now. First today marks the 2 year mark of Dad passing away. It is always alittle sad when this time rolls around. This year was much easier than last and I am sure it continues to get easier. It was great being in SLC with my mom this year. And another thing that made it a much better day is Josh our first grandson was ordained to the priesthood today, he turned 12 a few days ago so made this day much easier for me. Thank you Josh!!!!!!!!!!
We were crazy and didn't get any pictures today both Des and I thought about it but then it was a very short lived thought because we both forgot. That can be scary!!!!
I guess I am getting used to Sharise not being here. I know that she was not around much before but we did meet in the middle sometimes. But I know this is what she needs right now and I admire her for going after what she is wanting right now. Love ya Sharise!!! (thank you Danette and Chad for helping her spread her wings) :)
Life can be pretty bumpy sometimes and not really go as expected, I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life. I know that when the bumps get to hard to handel, I can lean on the Savior for help to get me through.
And that is what is on my mind.

Family Fun in June

So excited for this week to come. Our Texas family and SLC family all arrived safely. Danette made it here on the 18th and we had some fun days at a couple parks, Jones Ranch, The Temple, lunches and boating. When Des arrived on late on the 22nd.

Thursday morning we went to the Antigravity Arena and lunch at the park.

Friday morning was Family Photo time and then the afternoon at the lake, with water skiing, tubing and wave running. I will add that not to many sunburns, but we did come away with one sprained ankle, so no ice skating for our little Emma for a few weeks. Thank you to the Mclanes for dragging their boat all the way from Texas, we had a great time on the lake.

Saturday was craft day with the kids and the the ladies did a fun craft. Saturday night was girls night out first Dinner, then a short stop at Old Navy and then to the Red Hill for a photo shoot.

First Day on the Lake

Antigravity Arena

Jones Ranch, notice the dog coming at Luke and the middle picture is how he ended up after the dog jumped all over him with his muddy paws.

Friday at the Lake

Ladies night out Photo shoot.
The ending of this great week we said goodbye to Sharise who is driving back to Texas to stay for a month. Then if all works out she will leave from Texas to head to Germany to nanny for 6 months to a year. I can't tell you how hard it was saying goodbye, with each child that leaves to start their lives, it is hard but I think that when that last one goes, it is alittle different. This empty nest thing is not all it is cracked up to be, I am sure I will get used to it in time but for now there is some adjustment. We love you Sharise and wish you the best in your journey, it is a great opportunity.

Girls Camp 2011

OK so for all of you girls out there that went to girls camp many years ago and had to set up all the awnings and tents and the screen tent, this is for you now all we have to do is lay out our bedding and we are off having fun at girls camp. Though they look a bit like a concentration camp it was great not having to set up all that stuff. We had a great time at camp this year, the weather was great, the snow was gone we just had a little mud, not to bad!!!!!