Thomas the Train Festival

 Playing withthe giant bubbles

 Jack and Alex playing on one of the old train cars

 Vic chasing the boys through a maze

 Alex and Jack having a sword fight with their new balloon swords

 They had to sit by eachother on the train ride

 Vic and Mihai

 Jack refused to take a picture

Looking at people's backyards

Yesterday, Vic and I packed Jack up and drove 90 min to the Thomas the Train Festival up in Heber City.  We were expecting (for the price) a huge festival.  Instead there were like 5 tents with either train tables, a sponge on tatoo station, a tv where you could watch an episode of Thomas and bubbles.  Yeah, for $18/person we were a little disappointed.  The money did include a train ride on Thomas, but when we just rode for 12 min in one direction and 12 min going backwards, Vic and I just had to laugh it off.  Although we thought it was ridiculous, Jack seemed to have fun.  He wasn't feeling 100%, so toward the end he was getting a little grumpy, but in the end, yesterday was for him, and that made it worth it.  We met up with our neighbors, so Jack and his buddy Alex had fun hanging out.  Oh well, what we do for our kids!

A Quote from a friend

I read this quote from my friend on Face Book.  Her 4yr old son has brain cancer.  I am  not a quote girl, but this one really made it to my heart.  When I start getting a little sad and depressed, I think of this saying, and I feel it makes me a little stronger:

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be...it's the way it is.  The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference."

My heart goes out to everyone who is battling cancer, and for all the family members who have to cope with it.  Like my brother said "Cancer should just get cancer and die." 

We are back!

Wow, I just managed an entire week alone with my dad, I told my mom I deserved a medal.  Haha, I kid.  Let me just say, on a  normal occurrence he is a stubborn Swede.  Now add on the pain the tumor brought on, the pain of the surgery, and not being able to function without help...yeah, you get a pissed off, impatient and grumpy Swede.  Even after enduring this week, I would do it again for him in a  heartbeat.  He is my dad, and I love him.  On the bright side, I feel like I can now call my self a redneck.  My dad had sole control of the TV, so I had to watch American Chopper, Deadliest Catch, a show about how to catch an alligator (no shirt or teeth required), and how to "Noodle" which is catching catfish by letting them bite your feet.  I am now ready for the end of the world.  :-)
We had to get up this morning by 5, our car was picking us up at 6 to take us to the airport.  We had the BEST service from the employees at Southwest.  They took care of everything for us, helped my dad through security, even helped put his shoes on.  So a big shout out to them.  Once on the plane, we were put in the front row, I thought we would get the row to ourselves.  The flight wasn't full, and everyone had walked past us to other seats.  Well, the very last guy, who was a 300+ cowboy (20lbs goes to his giant cowboy hat) sits right next to my dad and slams down his armrest right on dad's surgery site.  If you know my dad, he will not show pain in front of anyone, unless you are a doctor or family (again, that Swedish pride.)  I looked right at him, and his whole body just shook, but he didn't make one peep.  So I whispered in his eat that I would swap him seats, that way I could protect his bad side.  He opened his eyes, and said "yup, good idea."  The flight was good, only a little bumpy through the clouds, and my mom was waiting for us at baggage.  You could tell she was so relieved we were home.  She wanted so badly to be there for my dad, but just having surgery herself, she couldn't take any more time off of work.
My mom dropped me off first, and I didn't even stop to get my luggage.  I ran into the house and just grabbed Jack in my arms.  I missed my child soooo much.  I can't even describe the feeling I have being home and having him in my arms.  Nothing compares.  I know he had a lot of fun with Nini and Papa Dori, but I will not be letting him out of my sight for a while now!  Haha.  After a big bear hug, he says "ok, mama, outside?"  Yeah right, that is all I get?  Oh well.  So I took him outside and he drug me to the playground.  After getting him back inside, all he wanted to do was "cuddle with mama."  He shoved Vic off the couch, and said, "daddy, move please.  Mama and Jack cuddle."  I know that is not fair for Vic, but it totally melted my heart.  I know my baby missed me.  He wouldn't leave my arms, and when I tried to sit up, he just gripped my one had and my shirt, and said "mama stay with Jack." 
Thank you everyone for your thought and prayers, I know they meant A LOT to my dad and the family.  Every time someone posted on my facebook wall, I would tell him, and he would get a big smile on his face and say, "Oh, for nice."  Every day he is getting better, and able to walk further.  He is hoping in a week, he will be able to pack away his walker.  Now in two weeks, my dad goes back to start radiation at the Cancer Institute.  He will be gone for 2 weeks then.  Then in another couple weeks after he comes home, he goes back again for the same surgery on his other hip plus his shoulder.  The tumors there aren't quite so big, so he is praying it won't be quite so painful.  Keep the good vibes coming!

Ok, feeling a little better...

Sorry for the delay everyone, I came down with a mega sinus infection.  Dad is doing very well.  Although he honestly didn't think he leg could feel worse than it did prior to the surgery, after getting up the first time with physical therapy, he retracted his statement.  Haha.  I kept telling him, he would be in pain, but you know how stubborn this man can be.  The doctors upped his pain meds, and even though he still was in pain, he was able to manage to get up and walk a bit with his walker.  Every day got better and better.  On Thurs he got discharged from the hospital, and we were picked up in a limo again.  Yesterday we just hung out at the Cancer Institute, got some dinner and dad made me watch his redneck shows.  I will be so happy to have control of my TV! 
Today dad had a follow up CT scan with contrast, other than that we have been bums.  Just strolling around the center, get smoothies, and reading.  We leave tomorrow at 8:40, and should be back home in Utah at 11!  Wahoo!  Even though I am so excited to see my husband and baby, I know that dad really needed me here this week.  He gets to come back in two weeks to start radiation treatment and then he gets to stay here for two whole weeks. 

Post delayed....

Sorry everyone, I promise to write an update, but I have come down with a horrible cold.  I think going between airports and hospitals, the odds were not in my favor. 

Just a quick update, Dad is doing great.  We think we get to move back to the cancer institute today, and hopefully fly back to Utah on Sat.  Every day he is getting better and better about getting out of bed and walking.  

Arizona day one (long post...sorry)

Alright, where do I begin?  Ok, so yesterday morning I had to say goodbye to my little boy.  I think that has to be one of the hardest things for me.  I have only be separated from my son for a total of 4 days since he was born.  I will be gone for a week, and it was freaking me out.  I just wanted some pics of him, and me and him, but he wasn't having it.  It probably wasn't a good idea to give him a present right before I wanted to take these pictures.  He was all about his new camera.  He knew something was up, as well.  He was very clingy to me (more than usual) for the past few days.  He was gripping my hands, and yesterday morning he kept telling me "mommy don't go".  So, yeah, I was a wreck by the time my mom and dad came to pick me up.
Once we were at the airport, Southwest had a wheel chair all ready for us.  We were able to zip really fast through security.  The plan ride was pretty rough.  Not only was Utah having that big wind storm, it was going on in AZ as well.  So the plane dropped a few times, as did our stomachs, but it went by pretty fast.  We got another wheelchair at the AZ airport as well, so dad was pretty comfortable for the journey.  When getting our luggage, mine was missing.  Talk about freaking out!  Of course dads makes it through with only 3 outfits, but come on, I am a girl who loves her clothes and shoes.  I had a overflowing suitcase I packed, and it was not being loaded onto the belt!  So after a little panicking, I circled around, and found it roped off in a different area.  What in the world?  The lady guarding it said it was put on a different flight, but she has no idea why.  Seriously?  Well, I didn't care, since I had my luggage back.  The driver the Cancer Institute sent, came to pick us up in a limo.  Not too shabby, people, not too shabby.  Upon arriving to the cancer institute, I was amazed at how they really tried to make the place as homey as possible.  It is the perfect combination of hotel/hospital.  Our room was just as nice as the hotel room I am currently staying in.  They have a chef, that makes your meals.  There is a gym just down the hall, and a garden roof patio.  Of course dad wanted to take me on a tour, so easy for him, since I was the one pushing him everywhere!  Haha.  After getting some dinner, we ended up back in our room, dad put it on the most redneck show (I think he did that on purpose), so I just ended up reading.  We were both wiped out, and crashed around 9.
The next morning we had to wake up at 3:30am, because the driver was picking us up by 4:30 to take us to a hospital in Scottsdale.  The driver, Tim, kept making the LAMEST jokes for the 40 min drive.  By the time we ended up at the hospital, I couldn't help but laugh.  He was so nice, but I don't know if I could handle him much longer.  He was a hugger, and wouldn't let me just shake his hand.  Since we were not going directly back to the cancer institute, we had to bring our luggage with us.  I had a room at a hotel across the street, but until dad was in surgery, I was the one dragging the luggage around.  Dad's surgery lasted about 2.5hrs, and the doctor came in and told me it went perfectly.  When dad finally came out of recovery and was brought to his room, he was in really good spirits.  He was joking around and being his usual self.  The shuttle came and picked me up at 6:30, but right before I left, he ordered his dinner.  He was only allowed mostly liquids still, so he was giving cream of chicken soup, and some ice cream.  He then asked if he could have two ice creams, haha.  My dad loves his ice cream.

 Saying goodby to my baby (I was a wreck!)

 I gave Jack a little present before I took off, he got his own camera.

 Dad in the limo, on the way to the cancer institute

 Right before going into surgery

 Dropping off my luggage at my hotel

 Dad after surgery, he was doing amazing!

 The view from his hospital room

 Dad was getting bored and loopy from just laying around all day.  Here he is with his two ice creams.

Eating my breakfast at the pool.  :)

I then went back to my hotel and crashed.  I was so tired.  Of course I wasn't too lucky, my dad called me at 6am, to check up on me.  Really?  I told him I was going to strangle him through the phone.  I couldn't get a shuttle till 10am, so I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went outside and sat by the pool and ate my breakfast.  Here are some pics of our Arizona adventure thus far.  I will fill everyone else in on day two tomorrow!

Why Mother's Day is so GREAT!!

Yes, Vic got up and made me breakfast (which if you know my husband, you know he can't cook), but the best mother's day gift, is just waking up every day to my beautiful son.  I am so fortunate that I have such a healthy, strong, smart, and beautiful child.  I feel we take it for granted sometimes, how fragile life can be.  My son is everything to me.  It is because of Jack that I get recognized for today, so thank you sweetie, you make me a better person!  I love you!

 Poor little guy developed seasonal allergies this year.  His eyes are all puffy! 

Yanni

Last Saturday night, Vic, his mom, his cousin and myself all went out to the Yanni concert.  For all you Yanni haters, let me just tell you, that Greek can put on a concert.  He had the audience laughing, crying, yelling, and at one point some type of yodel.  He gets the absolute best musicians from around the world to play his music.  I never gave him a second thought before I met Vic, and was reluctant to even take the time to listen to his music.  Then Vic had it playing one day while we were dating, and I instantly fell in love.  The drummer is well known, and a lot of rock backs envy  him.  There are also dueling violin wars, which sold me.  I LOVE violin music. 

On a completely different topic, we just found out Jack has acquired an allergy to cats.  He was fine a month ago, but every time we go over to my neighbors house, I end up having to run home to get the benadryl.   Poor little guys eyes swell up, and his nose itches him really bad.  They even came to our house the other day, and just the dander that was on their clothes stuffed Jack up.  I feel so bad for him!  I have never had an allergy to anything.  So I don't really know what it is like.  I guess we will never be a cat family....sorry Vic!