Do You Have Room? (New Christmas Song)

Merry Christmas!

This week we are celebrating the Savior's birth and I have so many reflections and blessings that I am so thankful for. I am so grateful to Eric's donor whom I think of daily, how much love and gratitude we have in our hearts for the Miracle of saving Eric's life by becoming his donor.

We are so blessed to be here at this point of our " Journey of Hope" Eric responding and doing well the doctors tell us they are very pleased with his progress. He went to the doctor the other day and his white cell count is 3.6 , red cells counts 4.41 with his platelets at 109. He is doing well, energy is getting better and loving working and being back to normal life.

Last year it was such a different Christmas for us. We had just brought Eric home and he was not doing to well, the nurses were coming in daily to take care of him and he was pretty weak. What a difference a year can make. We are so grateful to the Lord for allowing Eric more time with us as a family, for blessing us with his donor, for allowing hid body strength to continue fighting despite what the doctors were telling us and the test results were saying. We know we have had many blessings to be so thankful for.

I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and take the time as you are spending the Holidays with your family and loved ones to reflect on the Savior and his birth and all he has done for all of us. I posted this beautiful video about the Savior last Christmas on my blog and I love this so much I shared it with the Young Women in our Ward this past Sunday. I think it is an amazing reminder of the Savior's birth and us allowing him in our lives. I am posting it again and hope that you all enjoy it- it is one of our family's favorites! Merry Christmas and I hope we all have room for the Savior in our lives! I hope we all remember " Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." - Neal A. Maxwell

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

A year ago.....

A year ago tomorrow was the exact the day Eric and I fly home from Texas from his bone marrow transplant. I will never forget that day, we boarded the plane and Eric looked at me and started to cry as we took off and said" We are going home, can you believe it?" " I didn't know when I flew down here if I would be able to make this flight home."

Our hearts were so full of joy and grateful that Eric was well enough to come home again, to be a family again and see his kids. I remember on that long flight I kept looking at Eric sleeping and saying so many prayers, thanking the Lord, thanking his donor and asking for continued strength for Eric and his body. I remember it was a short day of being home when we also got bad news that he was rejecting his bone marrow transplant however after a week of fasting and prayers we received another amazing blessing- a Christmas Miracle he was 99% grafted with his donors cells and no cell abnormalities despite the tests results the prior week.

Another amazing reminder of what the Lord has given us and the continued blessings we receive. I can not help but reflect on the dates, the mile stones and the past hardest year of our lives with such gratitude in my heart to the Lord. I remember when Eric was first diagnosed with his cancer back in June 19,2002 he was in the hospital undergoing high dose chemo therapy and Elder Neal A. Maxwell called us at his hospital room and told me that he and the Quorum of the Twelve wanted to take Eric name in the temple that week and perform a special fast on Eric's behalf. The blessings the gospel brings and continues to bring to our lives amazes me.

I am so grateful to be on this part of our " Journey of Hope" for Eric, to be home a year from then and Eric responding so well. He is as his doctors tell us all the time a MIRACLE! I could not have been blessed more to be given the amazing blessing to be his wife, eternal companion which I cherish daily. I am so grateful to his donor whom we will get to meet in about 9 months from now, what an amazing gift- the gift of life you have given us! Christ like unconditional love, there are no words to express enough our love and gratitude.

One of Eric's favorite songs and mine as well is " I Know That My Redeemer Lives" Eric had told me he wanted this song to be sung at his funeral, he told me that it gives him great peace. I am so grateful that I did not have to plan that at this time but I know this is a beautiful song that will someday be sung at his funeral. Many times while at Eric's hospital bed side I would be crying and pleading with the Lord and listen to this very song, Eric is right the peace it provides. I know the Lord provides these beautiful songs to bring us comfort and peace in time of need. I am attaching this amazing song and video that I hope you will watch and feel the peace and comfort we feel when we listen to this beautiful song. Please click on the video/ song link that I am posting to watch and listen to it.

We are so grateful for all our blessings and thank all of you whom have shown unconditional love and support. Thanks for continuing with us on our " Journey of Hope"

Count Your Many Blessings....

Many times I would here the words from this amazing hymn in my heart and mind as I watched Eric struggle throughout his transplant, when I had my two children crying to me asking "Why?" or say " Mom but this is not fair, why Dad, why us?" Many times I would have to dig deep and sing these words from this hymn and it would always bring me peace and comfort and allow me to look at the blessing we do have, to focus on the blessings we had been given not so much on Eric dying and his cancer.

These very words helped me on days when I thought we would, could not possibly get through one more minute like this during Eric's transplant. I think of his donor and the ultimate sacrifice he made very unselfishly saving Eric's life. I have such love and gratitude for him even though we have not met I am so amazed by his unconditional love for a complete stranger. I have always told my two kids "Attitude of Gratitude" I remind them often and have a sign in the family room where we all can see and be reminded of this. All of us not just my family have so much to be grateful for, so many blessings not just at Thanksgiving time but all the time. We all can count our many blessings, name them one by one....These words we all can carry and sing in our hearts and minds to help us when times are bad and even more importantly when times are good.

So often we remember our blessings and reflect when things are good but I have learned through personal experience how important that is when things are not so good, when things actually quite bad. When we are going through trials and tribulations that is when our faith and strength is not only tested but grown. I know how grateful I am for all my many blessings, for Eric and his health, for his bone marrow donor, for my two beautiful kids, for my home, food on the table, the gospel and scriptures, my career, so many things the Lord has given us.

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God hath done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God hath done

Are you ever burden with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly
And you will be singing as the days go by

When you look at others with their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold
Count your many blessings, money can not buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high

So amid your conflict, whether great or small
Do not be discouraged, God is over all
Count your many blessings, angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

I can not tell you how much these words have helped me and provide me peace and comfort allowing me to recognize all of my many blessings even during hard times. I am so grateful to the Lord and I keep thinking about where just last year we were at and what was going on and I am so grateful to the Clark family and our "Texas Ward" being there for us when we were so far away from home, alone for the Holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you enjoy your holiday and most importantly remember to always count your many blessings!

18 Years- Happy Anniversary!

Today is our Wedding Anniversary, we have been married for 18 years! It has been the best 18 years of my life! I am so grateful for Eric's donor who saved his life and made it possible to be able to be celebrating another amazing year with my eternal companion. I look at Eric everyday and smile with such happiness that he brings me. I remember last year we were back in Texas Eric not feeling well for our Anniversary and Eric telling me that he would make it up to me next year.

Eric you have already made it up to me just by being here by my side and doing better. These past few months have been one of reflection, memories some good and some bad of reliving each day and moment of where we were this time last year but mostly of being able to be thankful and recognize all the blessings the Lord has given us. Eric is doing so well and I am so thankful for our miracles and tender mercies the Lord blessed us with.

I remember a few times when Eric thought he would not possibly make it he had told me that he loves me so much and that even if he is gone that he really will not be cause he will be mine and the kids guardian angel watching over us and protecting us. He wanted to make sure I knew that so many times he would make sure to remind me of that. Oh how thankful I am that the Lord blessed Eric with more time and that at least for now Eric has been blessed to be still here with us.

Eric still has not been able to read the blog he says it is to hard for him but I am sure maybe some day he will in time when he is ready. Eric I am so happy to be married to you and your eternal companion. I love you so much I don't think in words I could ever express how much you mean to me. What peace and comfort I feel knowing that we are the eternal companions and that we will always be together forever. I am so thankful to your donor who saved your life and gave me the amazing miracle and gift of more time with you. You are my world, I wake up everyday happy and knowing that I am so blessed to have you!

Eric you are an amazing Dad whom the kids love to be with. The smile on their faces and the laughter they have when you guys are together is a BIG GIFT to me as I love watching all of you spend time together and making these amazing memories that we will continue to cherish forever! I know you know this but both the kids are so thankful for you and happy to have you healthier and home again! You are so funny, your sense of humor is never gone and you keep me on my toes with all of your funny comments and little "pranks" you do. I had missed that so much during those hard 5- 10 months you were really battling your bone marrow transplant. What a MIRACLE you are Eric and I love you so much! Happy 18 Years Wedding Anniversary! I know we will have many more, thanks to your amazing donor.

The Journey of Hope Continues....

Eric is doing so good! We went into his Cancer doctor appt yesterday and things could not be better they say. They remind us that we are not out of the woods yet, one more year before they can say that but he is doing pretty good. Other than he came down with a horrible head cold and cough that has kept him in bed the past few days. His doctor says since he has not been running a fever he is not worried yet to just have Eric get alot of rest to sleep it off and come in immediately if he starts a fever. Thankfully no fever yet!

Eric's blood counts have been pretty good other than we started to worry cause his platelets went down the last 3 weeks in a row which has happened before and caused us worry (last time that was a sign of his virus he had to have the additional chemo treatments for) but we are so thankful they went up yesterday back to 102. His doctor says he would like them higher but at least they went back up again. Eric's red cells are OK holding at 4.03 alot lower than normal and still in critical stages but holding in there, his white cells are at 3.3 also lower and in the critical marks but they at least want them above the 3.0 so all in all pretty good. Eric has to get all his immunizations vaccines just like a new born baby all over again so they have started that process. His bone marrow transplant wiped all that out, all the good and the bad so he needs to redo them all over the next 2-3 years in stages.

I am so grateful for our blessings the Lord has given us and for how good Eric is doing right now, for his amazing donor whom I can not wait to meet in another 10 months! I am grateful to the Lord for giving us this journey and providing us the lessons and spiritual growth we needed to learn. I am grateful also to Eric's work, his new supervisor Ken whom has went above and beyond to make sure Eric is safe and not pushing it, remembering all his health restrictions and not pushing him to much. Eric has a new case load at work which has been alot for him to learn but also good on him as well, less stress than when he first came back. I thank his co-workers for always being mindful of Eric and that he is still fragile, coming back from his bone marrow transplant and helping him out it means so much to me! When you almost lose someone you become very protective over them even more and you want to cherish everything!

The past few months have been a little harder I think for Eric and I. We have been reliving in our minds alot the stages of the last year and what was going on at each step. It's been a year so I guess it common for people to relive all the steps and hard days but I often remind myself the end result right now and where we are at in the journey and that is important to recognize the mile stones and how far Eric has come. Last year Eric and I were still in Texas trying to get his body to heal, missing our kids so much, worried about alot of things. This year we are still worried but we are at least home as a family with our two beautiful kids, Eric moving forward towards recovery, back to work, getting our normal life back some what.

I am so thankful to the Lord for all he has given us, the blessings, the tender mercies and most of all more time with Eric. Not a day goes by that I do not think of his donor whom saved his life, the sacrifice he made for a stranger, how awesome that is and know the Lord helped guide this miracle! I am grateful for the Lord giving our family strength to get through this trial, the hardest thing I think we all have had to do! I recognize that with the Lord all things are possible. I am grateful for all of our friends, neighbors, ward (HOME WARD AND TEXAS WARD), the Clark family, family, co-workers and even some complete strangers whom helped lift our burden and walked with us throughout our "Journey of Hope". I am grateful to my two amazing children whom have had to bear so much, I am proud of them how they handle it all and conducted themselves. They had to be very strong and we love and appreciate them so much! They are better people for going through such a hard trial and I see such amazing growth from them both through it not only emotionally but spiritually. I constantly remind them and ask them " Do you realize how blessed we are that Daddy is doing good?" "Have you remembered to thank the Lord and Daddy's donor today?"

I know they do I just don't ever want them to forget to be humble, grateful and thank to Lord and Eric's donor. Sometimes life gets so busy we get back to the hum drum of life but after going through what we have all went through I do not think there will ever be a day that goes by that we will not be so grateful! Our journey still continues but hope is also faith and our faith is strong, with the Lord all things are possible. We have always known that but sometimes the faith has been as little as a mustard seed on days, how grateful I am for the gospel and the knowledge it brings us all, the peace and comfort that we get!

Update...Doing GREAT!

Sorry for the gap in posts.....I have been away on a business trip to Florida for 3 weeks!! I am so glad to be HOME! It was hard leaving Eric and the kids but I couldn't get out of this business trip. Eric is doing so good and we are so thankful to the Lord.

He went to Texas again in September for his follow up appointments at MD Anderson Cancer Center/ his bone marrow transplant doctors. They said he is a miracle and they are so happy to see him doing so well. They still don't like how thin he is but other than that he is good. We received his results from the bone marrow biopsy they did there in Texas, Eric is still 100% grafted with his donors marrow!!!! We are so thankful to his donor and the Lord for this blessing! We are excited to meet his donor in another year!

Eric has been busy as ever at work but I am so glad he was able to put in for a better case load to manage so that has decreased his stress a ton!!! We continue to feel that these small and big blessings we keep receiving are from the Lord and we are so grateful to him. We often talk about how last year at this time Eric was in the hospital in the middle of his bone marrow transplant back in Texas fighting for his life. We didn't know if we would ever see home again, if things would ever be normal again. I am happy to say that the journey continues and our journey of hope and been just that ... continued hope and faith in the Lord.

Life is a constant struggle and battle but day by day we move onto the next few steps of our journey and with it brings love, peace, hope and a new found love for life and family. We know miracles happen we have seen so many, we also know these things did not simply happen by chance but by the Lords loving hands whom is watching over us. We love and appreciate all of you our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers for your continued love and support!

HAPPY 1ST TRANSPLANT BIRTHDAY!!!!!

HAPPY 1St TRANSPLANT BIRTHDAY TODAY ERIC!!!! WOW..... I can not believe it's been a year already. It was and has been the longest and hardest year of our lives but we have made it so far!! I remember that we were suppose to have his transplant on the 8th of September last year but we were told that the donors marrow was still being flown from where he is to Eric in Texas through the night so that it wouldn't arrive until the middle of the night so they pushed his actual transplant day to today last year with it being lucky 9/9/09!!!

Right about now Eric was being prepared with all his medications and the doctor's were giving him a final check to move forward with his transplant. We are so grateful to his donor!! You saved his life and made it possible to be here a year later celebrating together as a family. We will always be eternally grateful and I can not wait to meet you in person and wrap our arms around you! You gave unconditional Christ like love giving your marrow to a complete stranger to save their life, going through some pain of your own to help someone in need without anything expected in return- that is true love!!

As his wife I am so thankful that his donor saved Eric's life and gave us more time! Eric now has more time for memories, a chance to watch the kids grow up, graduate from high school then college, a chance to go on missions, a chance to see them get married, a chance to be a Dad which I know he loves and will cherish. I remember we were just starting this journey of ours and we had no idea all the ups and downs... all the roller coasters we would be on but we knew and still know that the Lord was guiding us on this journey and we were being blessed with small and BIG MIRACLES and tender mercies along the way. I remember praying alot throughout the day ( like everyday) asking God to please protect Eric's body and to bless all the nurses and doctors with the knowledge and guidance they needed to allow Eric and his body to handle the transplant and not reject his donors marrow right away. I remember feeling and knowing of the Lord's love for Eric and I and that he was with us during the transplant. I felt a peace even when Eric was having the riggers/shakes, throwing up and not feeling well I felt a strong comfort, a peaceful feeling knowing that I was witnessing a miracle for my husband.

I am so thankful to not only his donor but to all of you family, friends, co-workers, ward and stake member's ( HOME WARD AND TEXAS WARD!!), neighbors, other transplant patients and their families/our new found friends, Patrick (who sadly lost his battle in June - WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!), nurses and doctors whom became like family when you are there all alone with no family they really step up and not only care for your loved one but you as well- for EVERYONE because without all of you and your continued love and support we would have never made it!!!

So today it a special day- Eric's 1 st bone marrow transplant birthday!! We will celebrate today as well as many more years to come each year acknowledging his new life and new chance, his new beginning! The joy and overwhelming gratitude I feel everyday when I see you smile and I am able to see your kids laugh with you, their eyes light up when they are with you and spend time with you- it's the most rewarding feeling and blessing!! I love you Eric with all my heart and although I know you won't read this blog right now as it's hard and painful you say right now for you I know someday you'll be able to read this and know how much we love you! You are a walking, living MIRACLE!! You and I both know this, we have had so many doctors tell us this is the end for you and to say goodbye but we had and still have a unique strong faith and knowledge and the power of the gospel in our lives that we know is the true plan, the one guiding all of this- the Lord whom has a plan in store for you and your journey is not yet done here. I know that you are meant for important things because you are still here... your work is still not done! We love you Eric and I am grateful to your donor and the Lord for all our blessings and you, for the chance to be here a year later saying " Happy 1 st Transplant Birthday" I love you!!!!

Moving Along...

Well it's been a busy few weeks... Eric has been back work plugging away working 12 hour days with no end in sight. Whewwww... he comes home pretty spent and tired but I know he is grateful to be back to work and getting back to "NORMAL." We laugh that we should be careful what we wish for right but seriously we are so grateful that we are where we are right now. It's exactly the month mark from when we started Eric's transplant journey. Last year at this time we had just found his donor and in two more weeks we were getting ready to fly down to start his bone marrow transplant! WOW!! I am so thankful to be at this point and seeing how far Eric has came.

We have had alot of reminders of how lucky we are, what a miracle Eric is recently with Eric's good friend Patrick passing away in June ( Eric and Patrick had the same cancer and started their bone marrow transplants together at the same time), Eric's Aunt Carol passing away a few weeks ago from her valiant battle with her cancer. We recognize the blessings and we cherish each day and moment we have as the gift it truly is! I reflect on my emotions I was feeling last year at this time I was crying alot , preparing to leave the kids for 5 months, getting them ready for school and knowing that we were about to embark on the hardest journey yet as a family!

What a difference a year can make! I am so thankful to the Lord for his countless tender mercies and blessings we have received. Sometimes you feel if this makes any sense a little guilty that Eric has made it and that he is doing good, you question things and wonder..." Why couldn't Patrick have made it then? " Why couldn't Aunt Carol have made it?" but then I remind myself that just because they passed doesn't mean that they are gone from us..we all have a mission and purpose in life and just because their physical body could not hold on any longer their spirits are fulfilling a greater purpose. They both are such amazing and wonderful people whom changed our lives for the better and we would not be who we are if we did not know them and have them touch our lives as they did!

Eric and I both know that our journey is not complete and we will still have trials, bumps in the road but we recognize with the Lord all things are possible and we can do anything. On paper this was a horrible, sad tragedy that shouldn't have worked out. Many times I had doctors look at me and tell me that this is nearing the end and that they would try to do all they can do to give him more time, keep him comfortable but I am so thankful that in those moments, those dark lonely hours I could turn to the Lord and feel his arms wrap around me and provide peace and comfort. Sometimes it would be just enough to give me a sense of calmness so I could close my eyes and fall asleep and wake up with a new outlook, more faith and hope, peace. That is what the Lord provides all of us..that overwhelming unconditional love.

Eric went to the doctors yesterday and he lost again 5 pounds.. his doctor was a concerned and said " Seriously Eric are you not eating I need you to quit losing weight!" I told his doctor that he really is eating more than he has in the last year and that I really don't understand why he keeps losing weight cause he is eating... Eric responded in his regular humorous way and said " Dr. Chandramouli I think my donor just must have an amazing metabolism and really in shape" we all just laughed! Eric's counts are pretty good his white cells fell a little to 4.1 (still good), red cells are 4.57 (they went up) and his hemoglobin is 45.8 with his platelets going up to 112!! All these are really good some of these levels are the highest he has been in the last seven years! We are so grateful to Eric's donor whom we think of often and how he has given the gift of life, unconditional love to save a strangers life! We are so grateful the Lord for Eric's health recovery process and his body being able to fight and be strong, getting stronger each day! We are grateful to all of you as well for riding this roller coaster and traveling this journey.. providing us love and support! We couldn't have done this past year without all of you and the Lord, the gospel and faith in the journey!

Update....

Well it has been a busy week since Eric went back to work. He is excited to be back and he has loved seeing all his law enforcement family/buddies. Eric was suppose to edge his way back but for those of you who know Eric well he doesn't know the meaning of that. His first day back he did 10 hours and the next days that followed 12 and 14 hour days just to get through all his case load and organized. He loves his job but I am not a fan of him putting in so many hours but what can I do. He came home his first few days and took 2-3 hour naps once he got home which is well deserved! I am proud of him for this next step he has taken to return to work and so early as most bone marrow transplant patients do not return until 2-3 years after their transplants. I am cautious but so proud of him and know that he wants to be back to a "normal" life again and that this is an important step for him towards that. He is a hard worker, wonderful man whom I am blessed to be married to.

We had some sad news the other day Eric's Aunt Carol passed away from her cancer unexpectedly she took a sudden turn for the worse. Her viewing and funeral is tomorrow and Saturday. We are so sad to have her pass but we know she must have loved the reunion with Eric's Dad (her brother) and her mom whom I am sure was there to bring her to the other side. I am not sure if it is just us lately but we feel so surrounded by this horrible "cancer" and we are feeling like we are losing more and more wonderful people to it. What a wonderful day it will be when there is a CURE for cancer!!

Eric is doing well he is still decreasing down on some of his post transplant anti rejection medications. We are still in the thick of paying for all his medications and moving fast towards our out of pocket maximum $8,000.00. I can't believe we will hit our out of pocket maximum for the year just in Eric's medications within the first 30 days of it! It is crazy, his medications are well over $10,000.00 a month alone, on last Friday I went to the pharmacy to pick up just 4 of his medications for 30 days worth and it was $4,453.00!!!! The pharmacist when she sees us just shakes her head and says" OK are you ready for the amount today- it's an arm and a leg!" Whew I can not wait to hit this out of pocket maximum and start having everything paid for 100%!!! It's hard to pay all your normal monthly obligations and on top of that come up with $8,000.00 all within a 30 day time period. There are not payment plans for required prescription medications that you NEED to LIVE!

That being said we are blessed Eric is doing well and accepting his donors marrow and 100% grafted with his donors cells! We recognized the blessings and miracles the Lord continues to provide to us and we are grateful. We have experienced on many occasions tender mercies from the Lord that without him I do not know where we would be. I am so grateful for Eric's donor and for his selfless unconditional love and act of kindness to save Eric's life! I pray for him and his family everyday and know that without him we would not have Eric here today with us! What an amazing feeling it must be to know you saved a person's life and for nothing in return just out of unconditional love! There are amazing people in this world and it restores my faith and hope.

Eric's counts are pretty good a few things went down a little but that is to be expected all in all pretty good.. Eric's white cells are at 4.4 a little down from last time, red blood cells 4.33 with his Hemoglobin at 14.8. His platelets went down a little from 110 last time down to 102 but still hanging in there. His creatinine is good and his kidney functions and liver is at the levels they expect right now. We just got done with Chelsea being in the Bountiful 24th July parade for her Woods Cross High School cheer team, the kids returned from Youth Conference/Quest and loved it! Just signed Austin up again to start football - there goes our Saturdays right! It is good though back again as a family making the memories we so have missed over the last year! All in all things are good at the Barker home and we are continuing on this journey hopefully coming down the hill now and piecing back together our lives. We know that with the Lord and our continued faith all things are possible!

Going Back to Work....

Well sorry for the delay the past few weeks not posting anything... We left off with Eric's friend passing away Patrick. Eric was not able to find a way to fly down for the funeral but he thought about him alot during the past few days and weeks. I know that Patrick is not suffering anymore and he is in a better place...it's just hard for us, the ones he leaves behind. We love you Patrick and the bond you and Eric share is eternal!

The past week our home has been really quiet. The kids both went on Youth Conference/ Quest with the Ward/Stake. We had to make them tribal wear for them to wear everyday up there, that was fun! A big thank you to my Mom who sewed them for us at the family BBQ!! We couldn't have made them without her, she gave Eric a class 101 on sewing it was fun to watch! The kids both got home last night and they said they loved it!! Chelsea and Austin both told us about how they re-enacted parts from the Book Of Mormon and at the end Pres. Terry was Christ in the second coming dressed in white, asking the leaders and them to " Come Follow Me" and how emotional/ spiritual that was, they said everyone was crying! They loved the "Faith Walk" -they had to be blind folded for it, the "Hold to the Iron Rod" trial where they were tested and tempted and how neat and fun that was! I am so glad they both went and had this amazing experience, it was a opportunity both Eric and I did not want them to miss! Chelsea had to adjust her work schedule, trade shifts, give shifts away- I told her she would be blessed for doing that in many ways. I missed them and I am so happy to have them HOME!!

Eric is going back to work Monday .....I have to admit I think it is to soon and I am extremely worried! He doesn't know the meaning of pace yourself, slowly go back or part time like the doctors have told him. He just goes...I know he wants so bad to get back to work though. He wants normalcy, he wants to be back at the job he loves, surrounded by all his law enforcements friends/buddies. He has missed it, I am thankful he loves his job so much and its a happy place for him not a burden I just wish he was not going back for a while longer so he could get stronger and more out from his transplant and recovery. I am a typical worrier so I am a bit over bearing but after you watch your husband go to deaths door and climb back and have a second chance at life you get a little protective! He went golfing this morning with some ward friends/ buddies Tori Hinkle and Paul Clements. I know he is enjoying himself and having a chance to start to piece back his life and normal things. I am so thankful to the Lord for all our blessings, for Eric being were he is right now and having another chance at life.

I am so thankful for Eric's donor and saving his life! When we went to the doctors the other day Eric's counts are pretty good. His white cells are 4.5, his red blood cells are 4.55 and hemoglobin 15.7 with this platelets at 110 ( they went down a little but still good). All in all things are doing ok and we are slowly moving along. We are blessed and thankful for all the Lord has given us and know with him all things are possible!

Bitter Sweet Update...

It is a very bitter sweet update...First I want to let everyone know thank you for the prayers and love, support for Eric. We received a phone call last night from Eric's doctors that the liver tests results came back and his levels/ enzymes on one part had dropped back down to almost normal range but the other part of the tests they were a little elevated but not bad - they had went down from the last weeks results which is good they said. They do not feel he has Graft Vs Host in his liver...what a blessing!!! We are thankful to the Lord for yet another blessing, they said however they think the reason his liver levels went up like that is due to all the 100's of blood transfusions Eric had to have to stay alive he has now 3 times the toxic amount of Iron in his body/blood. This is a common problem that if left untreated can cause long term damage to your major organs and cause heart failure or liver failure. So that being said we are meeting next week to talk to his doctors on what we need to start to do to prevent this and not have on going problems.

It's very hard today cause just as you feel a brief sigh of relief and thankful we got some very sad and devastating news this morning. Eric's friend whom has the same cancer as Eric that I have mentioned before on the blog, Patrick Chong sadly has lost his 3 year battle with his cancer and passed away with his mother and family by his side. This has been very hard news on Eric and he hasn't stopped crying today since he found out. Our hearts are broken and we miss him already but we know he is not suffering anymore and in a better place. His Mom Janice was talking to us on the phone today and she mentioned how much Patrick and Eric bonded in the hospital while they were going through their transplants together, how much they loved and cared for each other and how much Patrick thought of their friendship. He told his mom Last week right before he went into his coma that he didn't want his mom to call and tell Eric he was not doing good again cause he was worried how Eric would take it and didn't want to make Eric upset and stress, he didn't want any bad news to affect Eric and his recovery. That was how Patrick was always caring about Eric and what an amazing bond and friendship they shared.

Patrick and Eric shared the some wonderful sense of humor which is one of the many reasons why I think they bonded so well. Eric and him always said who would have thought that we would meet under these circumstances, while we are both going through the worst time in our lives and fighting for them. They had a very strong and unique bond that was amazing and beautiful to watch. Eric and Patrick could make each other laugh even when some days it seemed there was nothing to possibly laugh about. They would walk those hospital floor and halls together with their IV poles and if you watched them they would be laughing and talking just like any good two friends would enjoying each others company almost as if they were not even in the hospital at all.. as if they were in another place. Our hearts are heavy and we want Patrick's Mom Janice to know how much he loved her and appreciated her. She was always there by his side, taking care of him and loving him- he was very blessed to have her and I know he loves her so much and appreciated all she did for him as he shared with us on many occasions.

Eric is having a hard time, the funeral is Saturday and we are scrambling trying to see if we can some how get a flight or buddy pass to get to his funeral on short notice. Eric really wants to go it's important to him. I am very worried about him, he really is taking it so hard - I pray the Lord will comfort him and Patrick's family during this time.I am posting a picture of Eric and Patrick together...this is the one we took on the last day before Eric was coming home to Utah. We will forever in our hearts Patrick cherish our time we shared and our friendship and know that you are in a better place now, not suffering anymore, no more chemo, no more hospitals, no more blood transfusions, no more tests and experiments...you are home! I am posting a link to Patrick's obituary and guest book http://www.newcomerorlando.com/ we will see you on the other side my friend...until we meet again!

Please join us in a FAST FOR ERIC....

I know I posted the other day that everything is good ....so we thought. We received a phone call last night at 6pm from Eric's Dr. Chandramouli that they are worried Eric has Graft Vs Host in his Liver due to one of the test they do regularly each week when we go in came back with Eric's liver enzymes high. They were fine on all the weeks prior tests so they feel that this might be due to what we worried about as you decrease some of these Immune Suppression and GVHD drugs the risk is very high for Graft Vs Host. His doctor said that he wanted to prepare us that in the Liver is not good and he is extremely concerned. So much so he and Eric's transplant Doctors in Texas spent over an hour on the phone discussing what they should do.

They are having us go in Tuesday morning to repeat the same blood work and liver test and if it still shows his enzymes high or higher he will go into the hospital for a Liver Biopsy. We are very sadden by this recent news and worried and we pray that this will turn out that it is not Graft Vs Host. Immediately they have placed Eric's anti rejection meds and GVHD back to the higher older dosage and told us not to tapper anymore meds down. We ask if any of you could please join us Sunday we are doing a fast asking that the doctors will be guided and that the results will turn our good and not Graft Vs Host. We also welcome any prayers as we know all of your prayers with ours have always helped and comforted Eric in the past. Thank you for your continued support and we are sorry about this roller coaster we are taking you guys on with us as you can see each day, each moment this cancer life can bring more trials and changes. We know the Lord is mindful of Eric and his health and we pray for continued strength for his body to fight his cancer, for his positive attitude to continue and his fears to be lifted.

Results are in....

Sorry for the delay everyone it took them a little longer to get all the final results in and call us from his doctors in Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center.. but they are in and they are good!! Eric's bone marrow results still show no signs of cancer and no abnormalities in his cells and his genetics show he is still 100% grafted with his donors cells! YESSSSSS!!!!!! We are so grateful to his donor and the Lord for this wonderful blessing! It has been a hard road and we still continue down this journey and know we will for years but we are glad to be where we are however mindful daily of how quickly things can change.

As many of you know from my last post Eric's good friend whom we meet in the hospital down at MD Anderson Cancer Center Patrick who has the same cancer as Eric MDS Myleodisplastia from Florida has relapsed and rejected his transplant and not doing well at all- his cancer has now turned into a secondary cancer Accute Lukemia. We got a phone call from his mom Thursday that he has been moved into ICU and has pneumonia and been placed on oxygen like what happened to Eric during his transplant. He has been graded like Eric was a level 4 and the next level 5 is death they told his mom to get all his brothers ans sisters and family flown in to say their goodbyes and to call their priest which they did. Eric has been devastated! He has been so upset by the news he just keeps saying why, why can't Patrick be blessed and be doing good he is such a great guy. I think it has really scared Eric especially with the recent reducing Eric's GVHD (Graft Vs Host) medications and the risks we are facing right now he said to me " That could be me in a few weeks you know, I could be doing good and then all the sudden back in the hospital" It is scary for me and the kids but of course more for Eric he is the one that has had to fight so hard to stay alive, to come from the brinks of death and climb back to life- every day knowing that tomorrow is not promised and hoping for it all at the same time.

Eric is a very brave and amazing man, I have learned so much from him about love, courage, faith, strength and the appreciation for every moment. He is truly my HERO and I am so blessed to be his eternal companion. That being said as strong as he is I can see the fear and discouragement in his eyes, he doesn't have to say it - you look at him and see it there. He was saying to me the other day how sorry he is that the kids and I have had to deal with his cancer life and the stress, worry and hardship it has brought to us but I told him I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything! I mean that it has been hard but the Lord has carried us through and I know no matter what he will always continue to carry us. For that I am grateful and I feel a great sense of humbleness and gratitude.

The kids have been doing good...Austin has been busy with basketball camp, U of U Football camp which he has loved with Bradeon Godfrey teaching him (one of his idols), his baseball team has went to the Allstar Babe Ruth Tournament with nightly games and if they win tonight they continue on the the Championships!! We had to miss all this and we are trying to make up for lost time when we were gone for 5 months to Texas for Eric's transplant. Eric said to me the other day while we were watching Austin do a double play getting first base player and then the second baseman out all in the double play " Did you ever think that we would be here, right now again- I 'll be honest I had my doubts but I am glad I am here!" He is right we are so grateful! Chelsea has been busy with extra college classes she is taking on line, working, cheerleading and this week she has been gone to Girls Camp and I MISS HER SOOOO MUCH!!! She left Monday and she won't be home until Friday and its killing me! I know you would think that less laundry, no loud music, cleaning up after her and early cheer mornings I would be celebrating ( Eric says he is enjoying it) I would be happy but I miss her so much! It's so bad I found out that Heidi Finklea in our ward was going up to Girls Camp this morning and I ran a letter to Chelsea up to her and begged her to give it to Chelsea and give her a BIG HUG from me cause I MISS HER SO MUCH!

I know you would think a week would be no big deal right after having to leave them for 5 months for Eric's transplant in another state but I NEVER WANT TO HAVE TO LEAVE THEM AGAIN LIKE THAT! I hated being away from them. It was really hard for them and I really thought it would be Austin that would have had the hardest time but it was harder on Chelsea she said she hated and emotionally she has really struggled with that and still does. She said even though she knew we made a family decision that it was the best for Eric and his cancer to get this transplant and treatments down in Texas she felt abandoned, alone it was hard when everyone else had their Mom and Dad their for them in high school being a sophomore and everything new- she felt abandoned. For that I am so heartbroken and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for that to her. I always said it was the hardest thing I think I have ever had to do in my life, leave my children behind almost like I had left them/ abandon them and try to care and fight to save Eric's life.

As for Eric as I mention he is doing pretty good some days less energy and his memory short terms he struggles but the doctors say that is common post transplant and that some of that is also his medications. They say he will get better with all that over time. He is getting excited he convinced the doctors to let him go back to work ( suppose to be very little at first part time) Eric doesn't know the meaning of slow, little bit at a time ever since he has started to feel slightly better March on he has been talking about returning to work ( I think it to soon- the doctors have all told us usually a bone marrow transplant patient doesn't return to work until 2-3 years after the transplant - it hasn't even been a year yet! He was trying to go back to work around August but his work has been pressuring him to come back sooner, they wanted him back on 7/1/10 but he explained no way due to his doctors and them decreasing his medications right now and its so risky right now so I guess they settled for 7/19/10 he will return. I am not so sure about it and I think its to soon but what can I do he needs his job and medical insurance, he loves his job and wants to feel like he is providing again for us. Plus we start our lovely insurance fees and out of pocket again 7/1/10...his work goes from 7/1/09 to 6/30/10 and then the year starts over again on 7/1/10. So as of 7/1/10 we have to pay up front for his medications and medical bills the first $8,000.00 right away which will be within the first two weeks of July in his medications alone due to his prescriptions costs over $ 10,000.00 a month alone and so we will hit the $8,000.00 right away in the meds which is hard for us due to you can't do payments for pharmacies/ prescriptions...You pay the full price right then at the pharmacy or NO MEDICATION!

It's been a struggle but I continue to pray it will get better and we will be blessed because if there is one thing we have learned through all this - on paper this shouldn't have worked out, we should have lost everything by now and countless times we have continued to put our faith, trials and struggles to the Lord and he has always provided a way, a door opened, a miracle, another blessing. We feel alot of the times like maybe the Lord is getting sick of the blessings and miracles being handed to us but we continue to pray, be hopeful and grateful. Thank you to all of you whom have blessed us with your love, support, prayers, fasting on our behalf we know it has been from all of your prayers!!

Back Again from Texas...

Well we made it back from Texas / Eric's doctor appt's at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We had a short trip 3 days there and back to get back in time for the kids last day of school. It went well as most of you know we will not have all the final tests results back for 2 weeks so we will see then but his doctors were shocked how skinny again Eric is and more weight he had lost. Since we were there 3 months ago in March Eric has lost another 10 pounds! The doctors came in and the that was their first comment and concern, they asked if he is trying to eat extra healthly he replied " A little I guess but I am now eating 3 meals a day- better than I have been eating in months." They told us they don't want him to lose anymore weight so they suggested if we have to eat high fatty foods....I really don't know why he keeps losing weight since he has been dong alot better the last 3 months on eating.

His blood counts are holding pretty good his white cells are 4.00, Hemoglobin 13.4 and Red Cells are ok at 3.64 and then DRUM ROLL>>>>>>>>>>>>>His platelets for the first time in 7 years are over 100 he is at 105!!! YESSSSS!!!!! Way below normal and still critical but we are happy to see them go above 100. His levels are looking for his kidney function and his creatine and tacrolimus level is holding ok at 4.0. All in all we are happy but we are nervous... As we thought his doctors would they warned us that they are going to just start lowering slowly 2 of the 32 anti rejection/ immune suppressed medications he is taking to prevent GVHD ( Graft Vs Host Disease)- they reminded us this is the second most scary time after his transplant that they had prepared us for. They said that he has a 50% chance of rejecting his transplant and getting GVHD so we need to watch him extremely close. They warned us again about all the signs and the restrictions we need to be so careful of. I get so nervous for this and I am so scared we know a few people that did reject and get GVHD one passed away quickly and the other is declining but still holding on and they try to fight it. We are hopeful and we pray for the Lord to continue to bless Eric and help his body to fight!

We have had an emotional few weeks and hard reminders of the reality of cancer. We have had several loved ones pass away from their cancer and it has been hard for us to be reminded of the day to day risks and what we are up against. We know all things are in the Lords hands and we pray for continued faith. Eric good friend we meet during his transplant named Patrick whom has Eric's same rare cancer MDS/ Myleodisplastia recently has rejected his transplant and was told that his MDS has now rapidly turned into AML/ Lukemia he has had to immediately start to undergo more chemo and is very sick. We pray for him and his family and know that the Lord will watch over him. We realize each day what a battle this cancer is and know that the road is long and hard. We are so grateful for Eric's donor and think of how lucky we are and blessed that he donated to Eric and saved his life! We will always and forever be grateful to him- still can not wait to meet him! We ask that if any of you could please find it in your hearts to pray for Patrick right now he needs our prayers and we want him to feel our love and support around him as well as the continued prayers for all the sick that they may be comforted in their time of need.

I am so grateful to the Lord for all the blessings he has bestowed on us and know with him all things are possible! We will keep everyone posted as soon as we get Eric's final test results in the next week or so.

Off to Texas again.....

We are off to Texas again tomorrow morning we fly out to meet again for our 3 month follow up tests and appointments with Eric's bone marrow transplant doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We are making a short trip as it is the kids last week of school so we will be flying out and then two days of appointments and then flying back on Thursday 6/3/10....

We are hoping things are still looking good but as most of you all know we will not have tests results for another 2 weeks after we get home so around 6/17/10 ?? We are a little nervous as I have mentioned we are possibly going to be talking to the doctors about starting to decrease some of Eric's immune suppressed and anti rejection medicines so this is that second scary time they have told us for rejecting and having problems from the transplant. It is a slow process that is done over one to two years slowly decreasing dosages and watching Eric's body hoping his body kicks in on its own and fights off any viruses/ germs. It is scary but as the same time we know it is part of this journey and process we need to do in order to move to the next phase and steps of his transplant recovery. I pray for continued strength for Eric, for his doctors to continue to be guide by the Lord watching for what they need to do and any complications, I pray for continued strength for Eric and his body to keep fighting and responding, I pray for his bone marrow to continue to fight and for his donor and his family- whom we are so grateful for.

Austin finished his Eagle project educating everyone on how to become a donor on the National Bone Marrow Registry as well as collecting toys for the kids suffering from Cancer at Primary Children's Medical Center. It was a huge success thank you to all of you who donated it will make so many of those sweet children's faces light up and help lighten their day during their difficult journey through their cancer process and chemo treatments. The lady who organizes it there at the Hospital was so excited and told Austin that he has a larger donation than they usually see from other scouts Eagle project and that made Austin excited! I am posting a picture she took of him with his cart of donations at the hospital. It was a neat experience to watch you child helping others and from our own personal experience knowing what a difference it makes when you are struggling with this horrible cancer journey. They also gave Austin a letter of appreciation for his hard work and donations and she said with tears in her eyes " Now Austin I am sure you know how happy this is going to make so many of the kids here with cancer- you have done a wonderful thing for them that they will never forget and you should be proud of yourself!" She also gave him a quote that I loved by James M. Barrie who wrote Peter Pan... he said " Those who bring sunshine into the loves of others cannot keep it from themselves." What a great way to say it!! I am proud of him, he was also just ordained a teacher by his Dad which was a blessing to watch and gave a great talk yesterday in Sacrament on Sacrament Covenants. We heard in one talk yesterday at church how the best way to show our gratitude for our blessings to the Lord is to never forget them, to recognize them and be thankful for them everyday. We are truly thankful for all our blessings, our miracles and the love and guidance from the Lord in all things! We are also very grateful and thankful to all of you for your continued prayers, love and support!

Doing good!!

Update....it has been a few busy past 2 weeks with Eric's birthday and Austin's -- we are so grateful to be celebrating them together!! Eric is doing pretty good a few sluggish days here and there but I think sometimes he just over does it and before you know it he is tired. He keeps losing weight another 5 pounds again, the nurse asked him if he has a parasite he hasn't told them about cause he is getting skinner and skinner...I am not sure why he is really doing alot better at eating .

We went to the doctors today and his white cells are 4.00, hemoglobin 14, red cells 3.64 and his platelets are 97!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are happy to see those trending upwards again we had a little scare there for a several weeks. We are preparing to fly down again to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas to meet with Eric's bone marrow transplant doctors on 6/1/10. I tell you it seems like we were just down there but its already been another 3 months. I am getting a little nervous cause the doctors will decide this visit if they are going to start decreasing him off his immune suppressed and anti rejection drugs. They have been preparing us that this is another really scary time that sometimes they lose patients or they get GVHD or start to reject so I am obviously very nervous. If I could keep Eric safe wrapped in a bubble I would but as he has told me several times " I am not a bubble boy, you have to let me live my life...I have been given a second chance not to waste it and sit around and feel sorry for myself." I understand what he means I just get scared!

Not a day goes by that I don't catch myself watching him happy with the kids, laughing and smiling and I feel so blessed! I am so grateful to the Lord for our blessings and for his donor whom has saved Eric's life. I was thinking that last year exactly at this time we had just flown down and meet his bone marrow transplant doctor's for the first time and was starting the journey...I can't believe where we are a year from then and what Eric has been through. I know the Lord loves us and continues to guide this journey and I am eternally grateful to him.

The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways that end up working our better than if we wrote our own story...we had the chance to attend a benefit fundraiser concert for Make A Wish Foundation. It touches my heart so much to see what wonderful magical miracles these wonderful people do for these sick children. The smiles on their faces when they are granted their wishes is priceless it truly is AMAZING! Like they say " There can be miracles if you believe!" I thank all whom donate to such wonderful causes and put a smile on those beautiful children faces! It's breathe taking to watch and you know by that look in their eyes and that smile that for today, for that moment they have forgotten about their cancer or illness and can be a kid like they should be. It touches me to see the hope and joy in their eyes and I just wish I could take away their illness from them. Great job to the volunteers and the people who donate and make that magic possible!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!!! Today is Eric's birthday he is 36 years old today and I am so grateful we are celebrating another birthday today! Eric was first diagnosed with his first cancer at the age of 28 years old- Chelsea was 8 years old and Austin was 5 years old.....his second cancer was finally after two years of going down hill starting in 2006 correctly diagnosed on 5/2009 where as everyone knows he had to get his bone marrow transplant. I can not tell you how grateful I am and thankful to his donor and the Lord for allowing us more time to share as a family and to be together!!

Eric is the most amazing guy you'll ever know and everyone can't help but get a big smile on their face when you think of Eric and who he is! He is the most dedicated, amazing husband and father and he has always lived life to serve others and make them laugh not to mention puts us his family first ALWAYS! He has an amazing ability to make you laugh even when you are not in the mood for laughter he brings out the funny side in everyone. He is kind and loving, has a HUGE HEART and wants to help everyone!!! That is I think one of his best qualities about him... his willingness to serve others with unconditional love! He would do anything for anyone, we were recently driving down to Costco in Bountiful and he saw a few teenagers wreck pretty bad on the road off a motor scooter wearing no helmets...without hesitation the kids said " Dad hurried and pulled our car in the middle of traffic in the road and placed the hazard lights on and jumped out to assist the teenagers, asking them if they wanted us to call their parents, ambulance,etc" Even though he really shouldn't be around many people right now and in those types of situations due to his health precautions Eric can't help himself... he is a natural and wanting to help others.

As his wife I have been married to Eric for 18 years now and we dated for 2 1/2 years I have always known he is an AMAZING MAN!! I have always been told by all of my family and many friends that I scored the jackpot when I found Eric, that we have a "Fairytale Marriage" I couldn't agree more!!! I am the luckiest woman in the world to have Eric as my eternal companion, husband but most importantly my BEST FRIEND!! The past few years with Eric;s cancer and all we have been through has been the hardest but most humbling experience of our lives. That being said I wouldn't have traded the trials because within these trials we have grown closer, closer to the Lord and grown spiritually more than I could have ever imagine. I thought my love for Eric could not ever be any stronger but I can tell you I love him more and more each day. Watching him decline and struggle and fight for his life, for every breathe he takes and climb back from deaths door was the most humbling and amazing thing I think I have ever experienced.... he is so strong, such a fighter with an appreciation for the gift of life. He fought and continues to fight for every breathe he takes and as the kids told him " Dad you are our HERO- you show us everyday what courage is about!" They are right he is our HERO and we love him sooo much! We are so grateful to his donor who saved his life and made this Birthday and many more possible for Eric- he is also a HERO! We can not wait to to meet him in person in about 1 year and 3 months and put our arms around him!

Happy Birthday Eric!!! We love you more than I think you will EVER KNOW! Thanks for all you do for us and for just being you and letting us see the true example of love and serving others! We look forward to this birthday and many more not to mention your second birthday- your bone marrow transplant date 9-9-09!!! We are so thankful to the Lord for the miracles we have and continue to experience each day for you! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Update...

Well it has been a little longer than a week sorry about that.... Eric has been doing ok the past few weeks his blood counts have been kind of strange going down consecutively which we are a little concerned about. This game of cancer doesn't have a play book, we don't always know what is coming our way...a curve ball, walk or sometimes we strike out!! ( Can you tell we are in the middle of Austin's baseball season ) Well I think we are just experiencing a little few too many strikes lately right now in a row then we want. The doctors tell us to not worry to much but as many of you know we have learned sometime that despite them telling you not to worry you still do and sometimes those worries turn out to be us having a gut feeling about things and they end up being something you find out later is worth worrying about. I am hoping that these last few weeks with Eric's counts going down and he has had a few days that in his words " feel like when I first got home -sluggish, weak and just not feeling very good" that they end up just us being worried for nothing a few curve balls....

I am sure we are just being paranoid but sometimes I just can't stop thinking about those weeks before we were suppose to come home-around Thanksgiving time and Eric all of the sudden started seeing his platelets falling each time and they kept telling us not to worry but then after several weeks they finally listened and did more testing and that was when we found out he had that EBV virus that he had to do chemo for the next 4 weeks right before we came home. Again I am sure we are being paranoid but this is the fun game of cancer and the things we worry about. Eric's white cells are 3.6 which is good those went up a little and he seems to run in between 3,2- 4.4, his red cells are good at 3.31 a little low but ok, his platelets are the ones that have been falling and they are at 80 so again we are hoping and praying they will go back up.

We are looking forward to Eric's and Austin's Birthdays coming up... Eric's is this Saturday May 8th and Austin is May 13th! We are so grateful that Eric is doing better and home and for his donor whom without him saving Eric's life we would not be able to be where we are today and Eric looking forward to turning 36 years old... it will be fun Eric now has two Birthdays his first birthday and then his new second Birthday his bone marrow transplant birthday which is 9-9-09 !!!! I look forward to many Birthday celebrations and we are so grateful for them! I feel so blessed to have Eric home again and doing better, spending time with the kids, as a family. We are so grateful to his donor and recognize the Lords hand in all things in our lives!

Cinderella Goes to the Ball...In Silver Sparkling Sneakers?

"Hey Cinderella... Where are your glass slippers?" Response from Chelsea
" Right here Mom....silver sparkling tennis shoes, a girl has to be comfortable these days!" Chelsea went to Senior Ball/ Prom last night and had a blast! She looked soooo beautiful! I couldn't stop smiling seeing her so happy and with her Daddy in all her pictures. As she would tell anyone " My Daddy is my Prince, my first love!" It was so nice to be able to get lots of fun pictures with her Dad, brother Austin. She is growing up so fast how blessed I feel to be in this moment right now... Eric doing better and healthier, home as a family enjoying these precious moments!

We are blessed to have Eric responding to his bone marrow transplant and here with us all as a family like we love to be! This is what it is all about....seeing her go on dances, seeing her happy, seeing both of the kids grow up and making wonderful memories that we will always have. This is why Eric fought so hard and continues to fight, this is why we have went through the past years fighting so desperately to save Eric's life.. our Eternal Family! I'm posting alot of pics sorry they are so many cute ones so forgive me! There is one of Eric reminding Chelsea of her curfew " Cinderella remember don't be late" Soooo much fun, we are so proud of Chelsea and we love to see her happy and smile! It's been a little while since we have seen that with her Dad's health worries in all. What a joy it is as a mother to see the happiness on all of their faces, what an awesome reward! I love you guys!! So Chelsea( Cinderella)- GO ENJOY YOUR BALL!!!