Summer Days

I love these summer days! Summer is extra special for us since my husband is a teacher and he gets the summer off too. The kids love having their Daddy home with them for a while. At the same time, by the end of the summer, we are all ready for the routine that school days bring.

We have had a very relaxing summer, but one filled with all things medical. :) Since my chemo ended in June, Emma has started all her stuff at the orthodontist, Hallie is continuing hers, and Hallie and Nathan have both had their tonsils and adenoids removed. Tomorrow I have my first consult with a plastic surgeon to talk about my reconstruction. I have decided to put the surgery off until February when my treatments are over. I did not relish doing both at the same time.

So, for another week and 1/2 we will rest, recoup, and try to enjoy these last hot, lazy days of summer break.

Favorite Memories

For those who wanted to see it, here is my "finished" bracelet! I put finished in quotes because it's really not done yet I think. I plan to add a few charms here and there as I find things that represent some of my favorite memories.

The little suitcase charm actually opens! On the front it says Italy and Paris. My husband and I actually went to Florence, Rome and Paris together about 3 years ago and it was amazing! It was my first trip overseas and I loved it!

The soccer ball charm with the heart on it doesn't need that much explanation. My husband played soccer growing up and our kids have been playing since they were about 4 years old. We love to go as a family and cheer each other on. It's one of my favorite things to do!

I guess all that's left for me to do is to keep living each day and making more memories with my friends and family!

Final Beads

Now that I am a few weeks out from my last chemo, I finally felt like purchasing my last 2 beads for my "chemo" bracelet. A fellow Dillon mom, Amy, was so amazing and sent me a gift card to purchase my last bead. She sent enough that I was able to purchase a "C" charm for me too! Amy seems like an old friend to me, even though we have yet to meet in person. Our sons were in the same crib in India and we hope to reunite them again someday. I love that I have been so blessed and encouraged through my adoption journey and now through this cancer journey by the same group of women...and only 1 have I ever met in person. Someday I hope to change that and be able to give them a great big hug, but for now a "thank you" on the internet will have to suffice.

The blue bead is for Nathan, my first baby boy! He is such a joy to me and I have found it to be true that a little boy does hold a special place in his mother's heart!

The brown bead is for Micah. When I saw the brown, coppery color I knew that was the one. It reminds me of the beautiful color of his skin. Words could never describe the gift from God that he has been to me and to our family!

And so, my 6 beads have been purchased...one for each chemo finished. I may purchase some more charms to further personalize the bracelet, but for now each time I wear the bracelet, I will be reminded of the 6 chemo rounds completed and the 6 reasons I am choosing to "fight like a girl,"...my family!