Grandma McClellan

On Wednesday my grandma will go to her first chemotherapy appointment. Last week they went to the doctor and found out that the radiation that they gave her 3 months ago didn't really work. Yes, it made the tumor in her liver a little smaller, but they found other lesions. One of those being on her spine. The doctor didn't come right out and say it, but this means that now liver cancer has become bone cancer. He did however finally tell my grandma that the chemo won't cure her, but it will help her to live a little longer and hopefully have more quality of life for the time she has left. When I talked to her last night she said that she is not nervous for the chemo to start, but if it shows after the first round it is not helping that she will not continue to do it. Most of you know I lost my paternal grandfather February of 2007 from bone cancer. He never did any chemo, but I know that once cancer gets that far, time left is short. I guess this is one more reminder that the time we have left here is short and we need to live everyday to the fullest. I remember President Monson talking about this at Women's Conference in May. I know that I still take days for granted. I need to be more grateful for things that I have and love. This just happens to be an unfortunate way of being reminded.

Our Weekend...

started off with a Rockies game Friday night. For Father's Day we gave our dad a ticket and then we all bought tickets for our family. We went and saw the Mets crush the Rockies. With all those kiddos it was quite the game- we had lots of fun!! Then on Saturday my littlest brother, Devin had the opportunity to go to the temple and receive his endowments. What a wonderful experience to be in the temple with my family. We had almost the whole family there. Katrina couldn't go, because of the baby and my grandma wasn't feeling enough to go inside. But they both waited outside for us and we got a picture with everyone. I think it turned out so great too!!
Then on Sunday, we went to Aurora to be with my oldest brother as he blessed his new little baby Wyatt. Again totally craziness with eight little kids 5 years old and under, but we had so much fun. We don't get the chance to be all together very often, but when we are we relish in the moment. Jason also shared the big news with us all that he is headed to Kansas next summer for his fellowship. He will be a specialized cardiologist. We will miss him for the 4 years that he will be there, but he hopes to come back here and work in Loveland. Isn't that super exciting for him and his family?!!

I think that this picture says it all.

On the drive home Sunday both the boys fell asleep. So when we came inside they just wanted to play. At about 5:30pm Jamison wasn't in the family room with us and he was really quite. Knowing that nothing good happens when a little one is quite, I decided to go upstairs and check on him. This is what I found. A little boy totally wiped out, who had climbed into his bed and fell asleep all on his own.

Round 2

I just thought for those of you who are wondering about the progress of the tattoo removal, that I would update. I went last Thursday night for another session. It was just as painful and the recovery has been the same. But none the less I am hopeful that by the end of the year it will be all gone. If you'd like to look at pictures again go here. If not I understand. I was asked some questions when I posted about it last time, so I thought this would be the easiest way to answer them.

First- my dad is a dentist, not a dermatologist. He has this laser machine that is used to remove gum disease. We thought if it could get rid of that, well then lets see what else he could laser off people. I am totally being a guinea pig, which I'm OK with. (Well me and my brother. :0) Although he has removed some other skin things on people. We keep telling him he could make some serious money on the side with the laser machine- he says 'I think not.'

Second- which was more painful, getting it put on or having it taken off. I really haven't decided that yet. They both hurt, but the pain is totally different. The laser is really fast. He is done in less than 7 minutes. However the week or so after is annoying. It takes it several days to scab and then all the swelling and oozing is a bit much. (This might be getting a bit graphic, sorry) The pain is like a really bad sunburn- you know that feeling when you bump it or the water hits it? Now getting the tattoo hurts too. Mine is really small but it took 30 to 40 minutes to get it put on. So imagine having a needle poking you for over a half and hour, that doesn't stop and it is really loud. I remember that it to took a couple of days to heal. I had to keep it covered and put neosporin on it. However it doesn't really scab. My memory isn't really good from 9 years ago when I got it, but I do remember it hurting.

Well it is becoming quite the experience. How about that for an update? :-)

Is This Your House?

UPDATE- so many people have asked me who's house this really is; it is our good friend and neighbor the Morris'. Well I think good friend, maybe not after this move. We came home and found this beautiful toilet out by the dumpster of a house that they are building across the street, we couldn't resist giving it Eric!! For some reason he promptly had Jamey help him remove it, only to put it on another friends doorstep a couple of days later.

Some people have the most random taste in decorating!