Change and all Its Glory

Well, I've only started this blog post about 1256563243 times and finally decided I had to finish it! I’m only a stay at home mom so I have all the time in the world to work on these posts right? Oh my goodness was my thought wrong. Our lives have gotten just a little bit more crazy than usual too.

The last time I did a post was in October! I certainly have a zillion things to catch you up on.

Carter and Jason playing with oobleck :)

Carter wearing mom's shoes!

Carter wearing dad's shoes!

Halloween

Our Halloween was a little crazy. We had a wonderful party of carving pumpkins with some less active members in our ward and the missionaries. It was super fun, and I was so excited to make our cute little costumes. We finally decided that Carter would be a police officer and Jason and I would be his prisoners! I had a lot of fun making our inmate shirts, and ordering Carter’s costume (I’m not that crafty) and it all turned out great. I was especially excited to walk around at the trunk or treat and show them off. Well…. Jason got home at his usual time, we inhaled dinner as fast as we could, got into costume, took pictures and were on our way. We were running about 30 minutes behind, but last year the entire community it seemed came to the trunk or treat and it went on until 9pm. As we pulled into the parking lot at 7, only 3 cars were left ha ha. We had missed the entire thing. As we drove home I was a little sad. We really didn't do anything for Halloween and all our friends did the smart thing and went out of town for the festivities, so we couldn't even crash someone’s party. Carter is in that stage though where he is afraid of everything, so it was probably good.

The time leading up to Thanksgiving

Well, after our Halloween extravaganza, Jason was contacted by Nestle for some more interviews. While I was going through my treatments, they had contacted him, but we really felt like it wasn't the greatest timing to switch companies and so we turned them down. Well, we were very surprised to hear that they had a different offer and wanted Jason to hear what they had to say. He had an all-day interview and the main HR manager left before Jason was even done, without saying goodbye. We thought that that was a very bad sign, but no worries because we were in need or want of nothing. It seems like a huge whirlwind, but a week later they had an offer. A day after that we accepted their offer, and a day after that we were house hunting in Spanish Fork UT.

The moving guys came Monday the week of Thanksgiving. It was the easiest move in my life, because I simply had to sit there and entertain Carter. The movers packed up everything! They ran all of our stuff and stuck it in a semi, and 4 hours later we were standing in an empty house. We didn't have much time to be sad though, because they needed us to be at our new place to unload the very next day. Monday they packed us up, Tuesday they unloaded at our new place, and Wednesday we left on our way to my Grandma’s for Thanksgiving. Talk about one of the craziest weeks ever!

The kiddos with their pumpkins!

Carter at the Halloween parade. 

We got all dressed up!

We made our costumes!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We were able to stay at my aunt and uncle’s in Nampa Idaho who I lived with during my student teaching. I love their family so much and it was so nice to chill with them for a few days. Carter loved all the attention he got, and I am quite sure I only saw him when it was time for his nap and time for bed.

We had Thanksgiving Friday afternoon instead of Thursday so everyone who was able to come would be there. We played games, ate so much food, ate pie right after everyone’s second helping, and we all got sick. Well not all of us, but we had to stay an extra day because Carter and I got the stomach flu. There is nothing worse than waking up to your sweet little boy puking all over himself in the middle of the night. Luckily it was only a 24 hour thing, and we got to stay an extra day with grandma and grandpa!

Moving

Monday after Thanksgiving was insane! We got back in just enough time to pump up our air mattress, put Carter down for the night, and then clean the master bedroom and bathroom in our old place. We were planning on staying the whole week to say our goodbyes and to get our house nice and clean for our land lords. After spending one night and a full day cleaning like crazy and living in an empty house, we decided we just needed to leave. I was able to say goodbye to some friends, and our neighbor across the street, but I was so sad that my epic girls’ night with all the awesome people I had come to know and love, never happened and we wouldn't have time. Wednesday Dec 3^rd we drove to our new place excited but so sad. Spring Creek was one of those amazing places that we hated at first, but realized we were meant to be there. We met so many wonderful people and it was always share a special place in our heart.  

A couple days after we moved in, we got the Christmas tree up!

My sweet little boy.

New Adventures in Spanish Fork UT

Well, this is our new home. It isn't my favorite, but we are planning on house hunting to buy a house in January. Another big grown up decision, and you know… I don’t like being a grown up anymore. We will definitely have many memories here. We just found out Jason doesn't get a lot of time off for Christmas, so in all 25 years of my life, this will be the first Christmas away from home. Except for I have to remember that where my parents live isn’t my home any more. The place I have with my wonderful husband Jason and my sweet little boy Carter; that is where home is. I am so blessed and have a wonderful loving Heavenly Father who has always been looking out for me. He was especially looking out for me when we were asked to move to Spring Creek Nevada. I wasn’t happy about that move, and I’m not very happy with this one, but change is always hard and what Heavenly Father has in mind for us may not be at all what we expected. Change is hard, but most of the time it ends up working out for the better. 

Here are those family pictures I promised forever ago :) 

A Time to Celebrate

Moments in this life are so precious. I have really felt my Heavenly Father's love for me the past year and even more so the past few weeks. I almost always get frustrated with myself however, because I have these wonderful moments, that I never want to forget, yet I always forget to write them down. This time with my little baby Carter is something I'll never get back again and I have realized how important it is to record each and every moment. I especially become sad when Jason comes home and I tell him, oh Carter did the cutest thing today... but I can't remember. Yeah, it's pretty sad.

Well, we have had quite the exciting couple of weeks in our little family. I'll start off with some super happy news! Conference weekend I had yet another doctor appointment (yay me) and this time had a lovely MRI. If you have never seen or heard what an MRI machine looks or sounds like, youtube it. It is as fun as it sounds, but this MRI was the first one I've had since I was diagnosed. Afterwards we had our little appointment with my radiation doctor and I was honestly thinking bad news. He came in however, sat down, and with no emotion whatsoever told me that my MRI looked great. After seeing some pretty sweet pictures of my brain before and the pictures that were taken that day, I wanted to scream, WHY ARE YOU NOT SHOUTING FOR JOY?! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. It was hard to sit there during the rest of my appointment. I have been healed!!!

After finding out our news!

Now yes, I am compltely tumor free, but will need MRIs for a really long time to monitor and make sure my tumors never grow back. I was so happy that Heavenly Father did it yet again. He answered all of my endless prayers. Even if he didn't heal me completely, I know his hand is in everything that happens. Now, the only thing I would ask for is to feel better, but I think that is a very long story in of itself.

Well, to celebrate our awesome news, we spent the weekend with my sister and ate my favorite breakfast at Kneader's!! Then we listened to some much needed conference, which is always so refreshing, and Jason went to the BYU Utah State game. Yes, he left me but what can you say about men during football season? Lol, at least my man. It was so wonderful to stay with my sister, hang out with my niece and get my craft on. I was also able to make it to an old friend's wedding reception and it was beautiful! Congrats Allison Shaw :)

Now, there was another very important event that took place... my little baby grew up into a little boy. We got his hair cut, and it was so sad to see all his curls go. He really needed it though and I'm still trying to adjust. Sometimes I'll see him out of the corner of my eye and think, who's here? That certainly isn't my little man, but it is. It is so crazy how fast your kiddos grow up. I can hardly believe that he actually attended nursery for the first time last Sunday. That's why I need to write things down, so that when I'm sad and missing something, rereading the memory helps me relive it all over again. I hope all of you have had a wonderful conference weekend and weeks to follow.

Before... look at those curls!

After...he grew up!

 Well, this weekend the Osborn family did something they have never done before... family pictures! I can hardly wait to show you, but until then enjoy these two gems I found. Carter doing two of his favorite things, playing with his puppy, and playing with his potatoes. He has tried to convince however that they are in fact balls. Happy reading!

Tender Mercies

It has been over a month and I’m pretty sure I have started this post at least 38587 times. Life just moves on wither you blog about it or not I guess. So much has happened as well, it’s hard to think about where to begin.

I had my follow up appointment! It was 2 weeks ago and things are looking good! I’m pretty sure we zapped the little suckers that were in my brain. Although things may look good, how am I really doing to ask? Well, I am not 100% back to the way I was, but slowly and surely I am determined to get that way. I still need at least 1 nap during the day, and lately my blood pressure has been doing crazy things. Fainting/attempting to faint all day long really isn't all that it’s cracked up to be. Having a crazy cute 17 month old has been helping me get back on my feet. I love my little boy with all my heart and 2 dinky tumors are not going to knock me down any longer!

Last week I was able to travel back to the land of tri town. The main purpose, to get the heck out of Dodge and see my longtime friend in her wedding dress at her reception. It was awesome that my parents just so happened to get a condo on the beach at Seaside Oregon (one of my fave places) and were going that very next week. How could I pass up a deal like that?! So, after going to a gorgeous reception, seeing old friends, and showing off my sweet little Carter we hopped in our car yet again, and drove 5 more hours to Seaside!

It was Carter’s first time seeing the Ocean! I must say it beats his dad’s first time at 25 years old. Poor Jason had never experienced the ocean before our honeymoon. He wasn't able to go with us this time either, little stinker has to work way too much! Carter could not get over the awesome ocean of sand, the first day we were there. He loved every minute of dumping sand on his head, trying to shake all the sand off, and then doing it over and over and over again. During the 3 days we were there, we went swimming (not in the ocean although Kira did), rode a carousal, shopping, watched movies, ate yummy food, Carter was totally spoiled by grandma, grandpa, and auntie Kira, and we loved spending time with my family! On Wednesday it was back to the real world for kira, Carter and I.

Walking on the beach with grandma and grandpa

He wasn't sure at first...

Then he loved it!

I love my little man :)

He loved his short little ride. It was so fun watching get excited as the pony went up and down!

He loved playing with his grandpa 

More fun in the sand!

I couldn't believe he actually went in the water!!!

My cute little traveler. This is what he did pretty much the whole way!

Once we got back to my parents place however, the fun didn't end there. My wonderful friends Danna and Alyson decided they would be awesome and visit me with some delicious angel food cake. It was so fun to sit and catch up on all the years that have passed. It felt like old times, except for our conversations definitely changed with stories of proposals, honeymoons, having babies, and all that fun stuff that comes with being a grown up. That night was the best night to end such a good short week.

Carter did an awesome job driving 10 hours to Washington with only a couple stops in between. I was nervous about driving all that way by myself, but it was a great excuse to visit my grandma, and my aunt and cousins. Carter loved finding out what place we would be staying next. He is such a good little traveler too, we might have to travel more often J

Life is so good! My Heavenly Father has blessed me more than I could ever hope for. All that I have I owe to Him. Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers! 

The Road to Recovery

Wow! We did it! Our little family endured 5 ½ weeks of radiation treatment! Looking back, I can’t believe it was that long, because it sure didn’t feel like it. We were finally able to go home Wednesday and have been enjoying a couple of days at home together. 

Carter and I after our little nap this afternoon :)

I was so excited to see Carter’s reaction to being home when we pulled up. Poor little boy was just like, “ok Mom where are you taking me today?”.  His smiles and giggles filled the whole house once he realized he had been here before. Slowly he remember that this was his home. His toys were brand new again, and every room was so exciting to explore. It broke my heart before (after my surgery), and it broke my heart again to know that our sweet little boy was so happy to be home! Hopefully we’ll be staying here for a while.

So… Tuesday I graduated from radiation therapy!! YAY!! It was such an emotional day. I was so excited to be done with radiation and having to drive 40 minutes every day for a 15 minute appointment, but I was so sad to say goodbye to the people I had gotten to know. My therapists were awesome!! They were always happy to see me, loved to joke around, and even told me that they were sad to see me go, but happy I didn’t have to endure any more radiation. Even though it was their job to take care of me, they really went above and beyond! I hope someday I can repay them for all the kindness that they showed me.

It’s so funny, because although surgery and radiation seemed to bring me to the end of all the craziness… it really is a battle I’ll fight my whole life. I guess I have greater lessons to learn. September we will have a follow up appointment to radiation side effects, and then October is when we actually find out if the radiation has done any good. We found out from our endocrinologist that more children will be possible, but sounds like a difficult road. I have been given strength from my Heavenly Father though, and I know that he will give me the strength I need for trials up ahead. 

Jason is running the Ruby Mountain Relay in my place tonight! I am so glad that he is doing something for himself. He has taken such good care of Carter and I through all of this craziness. He has continually shown love for me (even though I’m bald :P), and I could never ask for a better husband. He has had the last 6 weeks off of work, and now it’s going to be a huge adjustment to have him go back. We are going to miss him during the day. Carter is in love with his daddy too. I love being able to be both of my boys. Being with them has helped me get through so much, because they are my greatest blessings. Heavenly Father blesses us so much with our wonderful families!

Thank you for all of your continued prayers. We have felt them said in our behalf and have continued to be strengthened by them! Have a happy weekend!!

Radiation: Week 4 & 5!

23 treatments down... only 2 MORE TO GO!!!

What a wild ride this has been! We are so excited to be going home to Nevada soon. Utah has been fun, but there is just something more special about being in your own home (even if the town you live in really isn't that exciting).

This week (kinda last week because I'm so late posting...)we decided to switch things up a bit and stay with my aunt and uncle and their big family. I'm pretty sure Carter was so sick of seeing only adults and he needed some kid time! Plus the last time we stayed with them, he had a blast and happens to be the same age as one of my cousins! It has been such a blessing to be able to stay with family during this crazy time. Everyone has shown us so much love and support it touches my heart.

Sometimes I feel at a loss to be able to repay everyone for all they have done, it is also so very hard for me to be of any help. I now know what it feels like to have no energy, and it's not the greatest feeling.

Radiation has taken it's toll on me, but don't worry... I keep smiling because I still have hair (besides many bald spots that I can hide)!!!!! I have been tempted to shave my head a couple of times because of all my bald spots and radiation burns, but then remember awful hair is better than no hair :) My energy is none lately, and I have been a little sick. It amazes me that I have been able to do so much while being here. That definitely doesn't include being helpful with keeping the house clean and watching children. I seem to always get out of those things lately...

While spending our time here, we've really tried to make the best of it! We've been on some crazy adventures too. Monday, we went to pretty much the best shaved ice shack we've ever been to! It's right by a lake in Stansbury Park and the flavors are delicious, not to mention pretty good prices! Ha ha, and Carter loved that we were right next to a body of water. Poor Jason chased him all over, but it tired him out pretty quickly!

Thursday we experienced our first Pioneer Day in Utah as a family. Sadly we didn't do a whole bunch, but celebrated with family and a BBQ.

Friday, my brother was reunited with his little family after serving for 9 months in Afghanistan. It is so amazing how many young men and women sacrifice so much time with their families to serve in te military. My brother gave up 9 months of time with his family, and for that I am very thankful! I am so glad he came home safe too :)

Sunday we were able to see my brother, talk to him face to face and see how happy he is to be with his cute little family. We extended our hang out time to Monday where we all met at Tempe Square, had a delightful lunch on the grass, and attended the Church History Museum. It was pretty awesome.

Carter found a chair just his size!

Tuesday we spent some time with friends and went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity. Let's just say that it was a mad house of fun for kiddos. It wore Carter out too! He loved it! The down pour of rain outside was pretty fun to watch too! I think lots of prayers have been answered with as much rain as Utah has gotten.

Carter's favorite ball in all of the Curiosity Museum!

Carter stayed by the water for forever!

Daddy and Carter getting blown away in the wind machine

The rest of the week we went swimming, shopping (headbands for this bald lady), and enjoyed spending time with our family. We can hardly wait to go home! Only a couple more days and then here we come Spring Creek Nevada!!!!

Carter feeding his cousin!

He is going to miss his buddies

I think he is ready to be in his own crib

Radiation: Week 3!!!!!

14 treatments down.... 11 to go!!!! I am over half way and still alive and kicking! Best thing ever too, I still have most of my hair!!!!!

I have really learned a lot this week, 1. I have the best and most wonderful family anyone could every ask for, 2. I have the most amazing husband I could ever ask for! 3. Hair is awesome even if it doesn't cooperate, 4. Being a mother is basically the best thing EVER, and 5. Utah is super hot in the summer.....

Family

This week the most AMAZING family had a reunion in Bear Lake Utah. Luckily I was able to schedule my treatment at a different time on Tuesday, and our little family was able to share in the fun for a day and a night. We got up super early, loaded the car, and started on our grand adventure to Bear Lake. Carter absolutely loved the big body of water we decided to jump in. We were there for 6 hours and he hardly was out of the water. When he was out of the water however, he was busy getting sand all over himself. He loved building sand castles with his grandma too.

I was greeted with so many hugs and smiles. It was wonder to feel like nothing is wrong with me for a little while. I was able to visit with aunts, uncles, cousins, and just enjoy myself. The water was so warm and Jason went knee boarding for the first time. we really loved it, and by the end of the day we had a cranky little boy who wasn't very happy to leave his beloved water.

After going back to the lodge we were staying at, taking a shower, eating dinner and chasing after our little man... I was able to sit and look at the wonderful family that I am a part of. It is so happy to know that we will be together forever. Our loving Heavenly Father has given us the wonderful blessing to be together for all eternity. I am pretty sure I have one of the most wonderful families to be a part of.

The next day we stayed for the legendary Ballantyne Olympics! We played awesome games, laughed, ate lots of junk, and grew even closer as a family. If any one is wondering, I was a part of the winning team... go BIG RED!!! Even though it was a long drive, we loved every second of being with our family!

 

 

 

Husband

So... I have been extremely blessed! Not only do I have the most wonderful family, but my husband is a pretty awesome dude! He has been there every step of the way for me and has even taken on the burden of watching a very busy 15 month old. He needs breaks just as I do when I'm the full time mommy, but he has never complained. I don't mean to be mushy, but he is the greatest friend I could ask for and greatest companion I could ever have to help me through the hard times our family has been through recently. He always has a wonderful positive attitude to lift me up and keep me going.

Hair

As many of you might of heard, I have been in anticipation of losing my hair ever since this adventure began. It has been 3 weeks and guess what?! Only one little bald spot to report, thus far. I have decided I will never be angry at my hair again. It is such a wonderful thing to have hair, and being told I would lose it all has helped me to truly be thankful for it. Every day I lose so much hair, I smile when I see that I still have most of it. It might be unruly, crazy, disgusting, and in my face, but boy do I love that I still have hair!! Always be thankful for the things Heavenly Father has blessed you with!

Mom

I have loved every second of being a Mom. What a wonderful thing to have children!!!! Even though they stress you out, drive you a little crazy, and make you cry, they are totally fun and totally worth it! Carter has been a HUGE blessing and has been the source of much of our happiness lately. Jason had the wonderful idea of going camping Thursday night. We bought everything we needed, and even though I wasn't happy with the last receipt, that night will hold very fun memories for us. It was Carter's first time going camping!! I think firsts are so wonderful when your a Mom. I have been able to rejoice and share in each of Carter's firsts and it is truly wonderful! Carter had so much fun playing in the dirt, helping daddy with the fire, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows, and staying up late outside (his most favorite place)!!!! We will probably go many more times in the future.

Utah

Oh boy is it HOT! I am so thankful for AC. I think I would die if I had to live with out it. It is so nice to be here and have things to do everyday, but we are sure ready to be able to go back to our home in Nevada.

Next week we will be staying with my Aunt and Uncle. It's a bittersweet thing to say goodbye to my sister, but I'm sure she is ready to be rid of us for awhile!! Have a great week! Happy reading :)

 

 

 

Radiation: Week 2

My favorite sound ever, is Carter’s laugh while he and his daddy play basketball in the living room with a big bouncy ball and a laundry basket! Oh how very blessed I am to hear this sound so often.

It has been an eventful week, and I am happy to say… 9 treatments down only 16 more to go!!! There is so much to update you on!

The Fourth of July

We had a wonderful 4^th filled with lots and lots of FIREWORKS! For the first time ever we went all out, and ended up going to my brother-in-law’s sister’s house four a BBQ and awesome firework show. We all had many, many fireworks and took turns letting them fly. We were almost certain Carter and I would be watching all the fun from the window, but Carter surprised us all. After lots of crying and cringing from the loud fireworks days before, he loved watching the beautiful colors blast loudly in the sky on the 4^th of July. I think Jason was relieved he didn’t have a little son who was scared of such loud, big, things.

Carter with Daddy watching the fireworks!

Carter with Mommy watching the fireworks!

Our little family <3

Treatments

My treatments this week haven’t been too bad. Except for being a little nauseous with a head ache afterwards, I’ve been doing pretty well. I love that I go in to the cancer center at the same time every day, because I get to know so many wonderful people there. My therapists are so much fun and love to laugh and joke around with me. They always ask about cute little Carter, and laugh at all the fun little stories I get to share with them.

Tuesday we went to the zoo again, and discovered some new animals and new places. This time not only was the splash pad his favorite part, but Carter loved the small animal building. He laughed, yelled, and giggled at the muskrats that came right up to the window to peek at him. He thought the porcupines were oh so very interesting, and I think the thing he loved most is that they were all at his level. He ran to each window pointing and having a ball. Jason and I just loved to watch our little man get so very excited about the neat looking little creatures.

Daddy and Carter at the zoo (he wouldn't look at the camera)

Carter and mommy at the splash pad, it was so hot!!

Saturday our good friends from Logan UT invited us to their cute little girl’s birthday party at the zoo! We are so glad for our season pass, otherwise this trip to Utah would have been a lot more expensive than it already has been. After the zoo we went to a nearby park to celebrate and Carter got to hit his very first piñata!! We were so happy to not only see our friends and spend the day with them, but we were so happy to share such a special time with them and have another one of Carter’s firsts!

Carter's first pinata!

Blessings

It is so interesting that as we go through hard times, we are able to see the wonderful blessings that our Heavenly Father has given us. They didn’t seem to be so special until something drastic changed our lives forever. I am so very thankful that I have such a wonderful family to keep me smiling through this time. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who has been so willing to take my place for a little bit to be Mr. Mom. I am also so very thankful for modern medicine, wonderful doctors, and that my experience has been so very pleasant. We have continued to be filled with love and concern from family, friends, and even complete strangers. I know our Father never leaves us while we are going through hard times, he is even closer than he has ever been to us. For all these things, I can never thank my Heavenly Father enough! Have a happy week! J

Carter with his cousin... they had a little play date