One year ago this month, August 2016, Joel's Dad was diagnosed with Colo-rectal cancer. It was invading his lymph nodes and large portions of his intestines. It was stage IV metastatic diagnosis with not great odds of survival. It was fast and furious and terrifying. Immediate surgery was needed to remove the cancer from his colon. They operated and days after the operation, things went a bit haywire. Jim went septic and nearly died. Thanks to an amazing team of doctors and nurses, he underwent several emergency surgeries and was able, over the next month in the hospital, to recover and heal enough to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments. A few more unexpected surgeries to repair hernias and blockages occurred, but I'm so thankful to report that just under one year after his diagnosis, he was declared cancer free and in remission. They recently operated to reconstruct his internal organs, and he is well on the way to healing and hopefully a return to a somewhat normal life again. He was even able to spend a week this last month camping with the entire family at a remote lake in Idaho for our family reunion. It was definitely a time to celebrate his milestone of making it through such a tough year. Through it all, the family experienced so many miracles and blessings. The Lord truly watched over and protected Jim and Tami, and the rest of the family trying to help and support in any way possible. We have been so blessed.
In October of 2016, my Dad suffered strange pains that he thought might be a heart attack. Once they got him to the hospital, they discovered his gall bladder was extremely infected and inflamed, and was leaking into his abdomen. They took him in for emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder, and once in, discovered it was full of gangrene. If they had waited any longer to remove it he surely would have died. Thank goodness for modern day medicine for saving his life! He has since recovered and is doing so much better. We are quickly learning that life is a precious thing not to be taken for granted. Again, so incredibly blessed.
The kids have all grown and blossomed in their own unique ways. Claire is not much of a baby anymore at 4 yrs old, and completed her first year of co-op preschool, adorable and with a laugh that is contagious. Amelia, 6, successfully completed kindergarten and is now reading and still full of spunk and sass. Paige, 9, is precocious and outgoing and all tomboy, beloved by all she comes in contact with. Sydney, 11, still ever so shy, but so talented at all she attempts to do, and headed nervously for Middle School in the next few weeks. Ellie, 14, just moved up to Mia Maids in Young Women's and heading for her Freshman year in High School, is an avid runner on the cross country team and a talented artist. Haddon, 15, a Sophomore in High School, a driver now with a strong work ethic and a growing savings account, he also loves running and is excited about getting the next year out of the way so he can finally (!!!) date. Mom is feeling like time is a thief and I'm desperately trying to hang on to each sweet stage of these beautiful kids' lives.
And to bring it all full circle, one week ago, my amazing husband was put in as the bishop of our ward, the Valley Heights ward in the Boise Amity Stake. Both of us have been brought to our knees with humility and self examination, wondering if we're really up to the task at this stage in life. I know without a doubt that Joel will do great things - but can I really handle the task at hand?? Thankfully a loving Father in Heaven assures us that we will get through it, especially if we let Him lead. To say there is much to revel in and much to be thankful for is an understatement. I am just so thankful for life, and family, and the gospel in our lives to help us get through the roller coaster that it truly is. But MAN! Although there have been such scary parts, what a great ride it has been. I'm cautiously excited to see what the next twists and turns will be.
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