Update on Chelsea

Chelsea is doing so well! She has now been off chemo since June of 2007, we have had numerous MRI's and CT scans, and so far (keep your fingers crossed and her in your prayers) everything is still stable and not growing. The 2 brain tumors seem to have had thier growth stunted by the extensive (15 months) chemo and we HOPE and PRAY that it stays that way for a while. In the meantime, she's living the awesome life of a very healthy and happy 13 year old. Tonight she is going to a Jr. High "lock-in" sleepover at the YMCA with her friends. She loves music, hanging out with friends, shopping, movies, and especially yappin on the phone! We are so happy and relieved that she is doing well. In May she has been invited to go to the Brittish Virgin Islands with some of her friends and Dr.'s, Nurses from the Shining Star Foundation, and she CANNOT wait for that! She will be away for a little over a week! She also looks forward to the summer, no school and going to visit Grandma and Grandpa Heffelfinger and hopefully Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brian and Addie in Phoenix. Here's a recent pic of her....I'm so glad to see the life back in her eyes and her healthy again!

Kids at the Fountain Pond

It was an awesome day again last Saturday, so we loaded up and went down to the Fountain Creek Park, here's a pic by the lake-ish, pond-ish thing, and fed some ducks and CRAZY geese! Cailey was holding a piece and one came up and bit it out of her hand, another one opened it's wings and went running and hissing at Collin. I think there's something in the Pond that's making them crazy. I love how Cailey has her eyes closed and Cal-boy looks like he's in a lounge chair (notice the play-hiking clothes) We can't wait till Spring!

We are cuddley people

Aw! I love that my kiddos still love to cuddle and snuggle with me! They must kinda like me! The boys and Chels even still smooch me when I drop them off at school! Happy Valentine's Day everyone! XOXO

Sassy Cailey Mae

As the youngest member of our family, Miss Cailey Mae can definately hold her own. She runs the show, and is totally efficient at gettting her brothers to cater to her and do what she wants...she pretty much has any man wrapped around her little cute finger! Most of the people who know her and I well say she's my little Mini-me. I'd have to agree, she's got the sass and the smile...and is generally pretty energetic and definately NOT shy! She's such a compliment as the last member of our family and fills in any empty spaces. Someone once told me that "having children is like wearing your heart on the outside of your chest".... definately true. When they are sad, I am sad, when they are sick, it kills me that I can't make it better. And often, I find myself watching them sleep, wondering how the time has gone by so quickly.

New Step family!

The Hodkins kids have a new step brother and sister. Thier names are Kristen (9 years old) and Jake (6 years old). Kristen and Jake are lots of fun and we are so glad they came into our lives! We love them lots!
in the picture L-R, top to bottom is Chelsea, Kristen, Cal, bottom, Collin, Cailey and Jake

Movie Night Snuggling!

Every weekend at least one of the nights- we all climb up into my bed and have a movie night...it's a ritual now...off to the movie store, pick out 3 or so movies and then come home, pop some poppycorn and snuggle up for some family time!