Chop Chop

I finally did it! I've been wanting to do it for a while. The girls at the unit I work always tell me "I want your hair" and "your hair is so pretty" It's so sad to see their beautiful hair slowly start to fall out and thin out during chemotherapy. I've really come across some beautiful little souls while working with children with cancer. Really, people I will never forget. I wish I could do so much more for them. Cancer is not prejudice against the young, the old, the rich, nor the really poor. It shows no mercy. Stupid cancer. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in those parents footsteps. To be physically and emotionally exhausted from the roller coaster of good news and bad news.

Now that I've been there for 7 months I have been able to see people from learning of their new diagnoses, to chemo, radiation, and sickness overcoming their little bodies. I remember the first time I witnessed a family receive "the news" I remember their teenage son had been admitted for "evaluation" into the oncology unit. I remember his younger sister, brother, mom and dad all gathered around him laughing and having a good time entertaining their older sibling. The doctor called them into the conference room and a little while later they came out with the saddest most disappointed faces I'd ever seen. I remember I had to go into their room a while later and I remember how quiet everyone was. Dad was in the corner trying to comfort the crying mother and the son was just laying on the bed looking so guilty about something that he had no control of. All I could do was muster out an awkward smile and try my hardest to hold the tears back.

Oncology unit changes you. I've definitely had a different outlook on life. It's hard to complain about anything seeing what hard lives these little 8 month olds, 2 year olds, 15 year olds go through every day. Needless to say, I am grateful. Grateful for the little part I have in these amazing kid's lives. And, for meeting some amazing families.

I wish I could give them health, or even a couple of weeks at home with their families. But for now, I will donate my hair and hope that it will be of good use to somebody, some little girl. 

         Here are my 14 inches if love :)

Las Vegas

 

The week that we went to Texas we were able to squeeze in a couple of hours with my Vegas family since we were leaving from the McCarran airport. It was a win, win! We drove in at about 6pm and met up with Marsix and Alex. I think our favorite thing to do is walk the streets of Las Vegas. There is so much to see! I love Vegas, there's always something fun to do, even walking the Strip with a blast with Marsix and Alex. We decided to go eat at a taco joint that they loved, and it was delicious!

After wards Alex had talked about a park made out of shipping containers and we keep wanting to go visit every time we go. Unfortunately this time they told us it was 21 and over only and well Vanellope did not make the cut. We didn't want to walk in without them so, maybe next time we will be able to check it out.
Since the park was closed we went and walked the streets of "Old" Town Las Vegas. It felt like a Hollywood vibe.

 

 There were lots of characters dressed up. They were really good! There was a Michael Jackson that looked almost identical. You had to pay a dollar to snap a picture though so I only took one with his hunk, who by the way, surprised me when he called me 'chaparrita'

There were some truly talented people here. The guys making paintings using spray painting was awesome. 

 

They also had a zip line that went all along the street, we would've done it if the wait wasn't so long, next time!

 

The day we got back to Las Vegas we were so exhausted we just hung out with Marsix at home and got our Vanellope fix. I love going to visit them, they make us feel right at home. On our way back in the airplane I looked out the window and saw the Hoover Dam. I asked Mike if he wanted to stop by on our way home and he was all for it. So, on our way home we made a detour to the Hoover Dam.

On our way there we saw some signs for a helicopter tours. I wanted to surprise Mike with a helicopter ride for our anniversary but I decided to go on this tour instead. It was a very quick loop around but I think it was more of the thrill of being on an airplane.

 

Mike suggested I go in the front so I could get the floor view, very sweet of him.

I thought I took more pictures than I did, but I couldn't really see anything on my camera screen or hear anything. I aimed my camera towards Mike and thankfully I got him in this picture.

 

Copilot!

 

It was fun to check of 'helicopter ride' off our list of adventures, hehe

 

After our tour we had to check out the dam on foot. I cannot even begin to image how this immense project was built. The work that was put into it, the people who worked long hours, oh man!

It is absolutely amazing, I mean, back then they didn't have the same technology that we had. It's like the Egypt pyramids, amazing! 



 

I love my husband and his willingness to take cheese pictures with me and for me, love ya Mike!

What an amazing place, definitely a must see!

 

Father's Day

We have celebrated another Father's day with Papa. So thankful for this man and his example. He's also an amazing father in law and I couldn't be more thankful for him. He is Michael's best friend and has taught him so much how to be a good husband. We're thankful for his willingness to help us so much with our house projects too. I don't think there's anything Walt doesn't know how to fix.

For his Sunday dinner Papa, requested Hawaiian Haystacks. It was my first time trying them and they were quite delicious!

Ridge and Odin came over to celebrate Father's Day. We sure love those two!

 



 

June 15th is also the day we celebrate Butter's birthday. I can't believe we've had our little guy for 2 years now and that I could keep something alive for that long, hehe! Odin was very excited when he learned that it was Butter's birthday and kept reminding us, "It's Butter's Birthday"

I thought it'd be cute to make some cupcakes for Butter. They don't get to have sugar too often but when they do, man oh man they are happy 

 



 

We tried to get the dogs as tired as possible before busting out with the cupcakes because last year Butter went on a sugar high and went CAR-RAZY.

 

Here's Ridgey pretending to be a dog too. Before stopping him from drinking the doggy water, I took a picture first, of course

 

The pups just could not wait to eat the cupcakes

 

There was drool coming out of Butter's mouth, he could hardly sit still.

 

Butter is pretty good and listening to "stay", Gus on the other hand had to be held back JUST in case he ate Butter's cupcake.

 

And of course, we sang Happy Birthday! I have an awesome family who will gladly go along with my craziness.

 Odin was nice enough to "help" Butter blow out his birthday candles.

 

Butter chugged his cupcake down when he saw Gus coming and ate the entire thing, including paper

 

Here they are waiting patiently to eat their cupcakes.

 

I love this pup. We took them to the dog park today and my sweet boy mostly stayed by my side the entire time. He's so sweet. Whenever we are home he's always about a foot away. Gus follows Mike mostly, and Butter follows his momma. He also likes to lay by me and put his paw on me so I can massage it, his favorite thing to do. If it was up to him he'd have me massage his arms and paws all day every day. 

 

This pup is also a smarty pants. He is just so desperate to please me that he'll do anything I ask. Don't get me wrong, he still has his puppy moments when he rather chase a squirrel than listen to me, but after all he is a dog. A great one that is.

So patient!

 



 

2 years old, and I hope we have many, many more to go!

 

After cupcake desserts, Papa opened his presents.

 

Katie bought him delicious fancy shmancy chocolates. Papa was even nice to share some.

Katie also got him a Lowe's card for all those house projects he's been working on.

Mike and I got him some earphones to listen to Armstrong and Getty and hooks to hang up his bike

Happy Father's Day Walt! Thank you for being the greatest Father in Law ever!