Spring Break

Spring break started March 2nd.  

We made a tent over Monroe's bed for her to sleep in over break.

Saturday morning, we went to Paradise donuts.  We rarely go now that we live across town.

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Roe

Monroe and I went to a junk event in town.  A lady asked to take our picture because we were twinning.  Monroe had to change her clothes after she saw what I was wearing :)

That afternoon, we went to the horse races.

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On Sunday, we met the Lairds at the park.

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 The boys with Quinn

Cleaning the house

Watching the birdies

On Wednesday, we went to North Platte to visit my parents.  I have been there to see them twice since my dad's diagnosis, but Zach and the kids have not. 

Pierce helping Grandpa on a walk

 We decided to stay in a hotel while we were there.  We thought it would give my parents some space and make the trip extra fun for our kids.

 Monroe took advantage of the pool every chance she got.

Our hotel setup--kids in one room, adults in the other

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 They look so big in real swim trunks

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Monroe doing a front and back flip

Graham jumping in

Monroe swimming to where she could touch

 Graham had a fist full of french fries

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Staying in a hotel worked out so well.  My parents came over each day and watched the kids swim and then stayed to play cards after the kids would go to bed.  Our three enjoyed hotel life.  We ate most meals at my parent's house and enjoyed time outside.

 Drinking the milk like Monroe

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Spring break was good to us!  We love having the week off work to spend together.

My dad has cancer

My dad started having some weird symptoms in December.  He was experiencing night sweats, lack of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, etc.   He decided to head to the doctor right after the holidays.  On January 2nd, the doctor ran blood tests, and immediately scheduled him for a CT scan the next day.  From the CT scan, they scheduled a biopsy of a mass in his abdomen for two days later.  At this point we were fairly sure it was cancer because of how quickly everything was moving.  

A week later, we got the diagnosis that he has B Cell lymphoma, a curable cancer that responds well to chemotherapy.  This news was encouraging.  They ran more tests in the next week and we waited for results before starting treatment.  On February 5th, we found out that the cancer is in his bones, and that he was very sick.  They actually admitted him to the hospital with very high calcium levels.  He had not been eating well and was quite weak.  The cancer has created two weak spots in his bones, one in his neck and one in his right hip/thigh, so he is wearing a neck brace and using a walker.  

He started Chemo while in the hospital and has had two rounds.  I was there for his second round.  The chemo has not made him sick at all.  In fact, he is feeling much better since starting.  He has a much bigger appetite (which is needed because he is down 55 pounds), he is more mobile, sleeping better, and in better spirits.  He will have chemo every three weeks for a total of 18 weeks. 
My parents have had a wonderful support group of family and friends who have been praying, visiting, bringing meals, sending cards, cleaning their house, and loving them.  We are praying that he will continue to feel good and make progress toward healing.