Today is a gift

I could lay here staring at these eyelashes for days. I remember watching them fall out one by one. I remember when they had all fallen out but one strand that lasted for weeks. I remember looking down at her eyelids pale and hairless and realizing my baby had cancer. That we were pumping her with poison. That I had no choice. I remember laying in that hospital bed holding her while she slept kissing her eyelids praying it would all just be over. And today after 19 months off chemotherapy her eyelashes are 100% grown back. 19 months, thats a long time of chemo. I remember that bald head, pale skin, chubby cheeks. But as I stare into this healthy Presley I see how deep we really were in the fight. With everyday her hair grows longer, her scars heal a little more and her childhood is being lived outside the glass. Today is a gift!!!

Elsa and Sven

This blog is well over due for an update. We know we wont win the contest for originality. I tried to convincing her to be anything but Elsa. She won. I didn't really mind but it was so hard to find the right fabric because every little girl is Elas this year. Oh well. I gave Crew 3 options..Olaf, Sven, or Kristoff. Without hesitation or every changing his mind, he wanted Sven. It seems that Crew is always the side kick. It will be a sad day when they want store bought costumes. I have loved making costumes every year. It has really helped my sewing skills. I use to dread putting zippers in, now that's the easy part! Happy Halloween from Sven and Elsa. 

We went to the ward Halloween Trunk or Treat tonight. 

groupies

Yes, the groupies (as Paul calls us) showed up at the airport to watch daddy take off and land for his first official flight with Grand Canyon Airlines. We are only a little excited about daddy's news job!!! 

We took our hand held radio and listened to the frequency 122.70 and was able to listen to Paul on the radio. The kids love to hear daddy's voice. If we have the radio then we able to know what runway and what direction he will be taking off so we can get the best pictures. 

The first flight was at 9:20 and we were not in a good location to see him take off. So we waited until he landed to get some good pictures. While we waited we went to a locate sandwich and ice cream shop for a treat. We also watched the sky divers!

At about 11:30 we watched him land and taxi back to the ramp. We were also able to meet him in the terminal and see him pick up his next tour group. We then "followed" him to the airplane (from the other side of the fence). Paul is the FO (First Officer) and they take a picture with all the passengers while the Captain is doing the pre-flight on the airplane. We watched the ramp agent to give him the signs to taxi to the runway. We jumped into the car and then watched his take off and enter the traffic pattern as he headed east toward the Grand Canyon.

Paul has worked so hard to get to be where he is today. I have meet a few of the other pilots and their wives and I know they think I'm a little over the top! (I know it's true) but I have had the opportunity to be married to Paul from the very beginning. I have supported him and make my own sacrifices to get us to where we are today. It's sill only the beginning of his flying career but its been a fun ride! I want pictures and I want to continue to be apart of his flying goals. I remember that first solo flight 5.5 years ago, and I was there at the airport taking pictures! 

Brovo Zulu  ( a job well done!) 

Moms Day Out-- NCCF

Last night was one of those night where you really didn't know what to expect and then you were blown away. I was picked for the Cancer Foundation Moms Day Out event. I really didn't know what to expect. I was told that the limo was going to pick us up at 11:30am and would drop us back off at 7pm and that we would be going to dinner. That's it! That is all I knew. I was hesitant to go.

11:30am We left the NCCF (Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation) in the Limo with a backpack full of pampering products for each cancer mom. That was our first gift. We were then greeted with roses and champagne (I passed on this one but the other girls were thrilled) by the butlers from the Cosmopolitan. We were escorted to the 61st floor and toured the penthouse that we would be using for the day. The penthouse was loaded with chocolates, roses and more champagne. Our favorite was the "butlers button". We were also given our itinerary for our services for the day. We spend the day in the spa getting our hair, makeup and nails done. Again, one of those times where you have no clue what to expect and you are blown away. It felt so good to just sit back and be pampered and made beautiful. I really enjoyed getting to know the other moms. We connect in so many ways. We have lived each others lives, fears and pain. Cancer moms are near to my heart, no one else know those darkest days.
After the spa/salon we chatted some more on the terrace overlooking the Las Vegas Strip from the penthouse. The views are spectacular. The penthouse was outstanding. For the day we were treated like the rich and the famous. It was a fun treat. We joked that we didn't know what to say, or how to act, but we faked it!

 The butlers showed up to escort us to the the STK steak house. Again, we were blown away by all the extras this hotel put on for us. Roses, centerpieces, personalized menus and a visit with the head chief. Lesly the "French Girl" was our ticket to an amazing meal who was able to get the chief to make it extra special. We cheered!  We Then were greeted by the Board Member from the Foundation who made this day possible with some fancy sock for the husbands and more chocolate! We are talking fancy chocolates.

Back in the limo headed home at about 9pm and not wanting the night to end. I'm so thankful for today. I was blown away by all that was put in for today for us cancer moms. I'm humbled and reminded that so many people do care and know this rough road we have all been on. We cried, we laughed and we united in our strength as cancer moms. Friends from life. We hope to have a reunion. Haha!
Thank YOU, Thank YOU! It never seems like enough. I felt spoiled, loved and beautiful. We laughed, cried shared our stories, and talked about how much better this felt than the hospital that we were all so use to. Last night I spend the evening with 5 strangers, who quickly became my friends. We had an amazing night.