Update on Rhea-Lynn

We got some awesome news!!! This is written by my other sister Jenny. She summed it up so perfect I just decided to use her update:) Thank you so much for all your prayers. Keep 'em coming!!

Here the scoop!Rhea-Lynn met with the brain surgeon, Dr. Robert Spetzler this afternoon. He reviewed her MRI's and said:

1. It is definitely a "low-grade tumor" (low-grade= better than high-grade).

2. It is almost certainty NOT malignant (cancerous) right now... but it could turn malignant or grow at any time in the future. Rather than take a chance, he wants to remove it.

3. It is NOT an emergency procedure, but does need to be done.

4. The surgery is called a "Tumor Resection". There is no functioning brain tissue within the tumor, but the tumor is located in an area of her brain that is surrounded by functioning brain tissue. When he operates, he will remove as much of the tumor as he can without getting too close to the functioning brain tissue surrounding it to risk causing damage.

She is scheduled to have the surgery Monday morning (as in THIS Monday Morning... February 2) at 7 AM. The surgery is at Barrow Medical Institute, which is located in St. Joseph's Hospital. She and Jeremy are going tomorrow for a Functional MRI Scan and for Pre-Surgical Testing. That way she'll be all ready to go first thing Monday morning. She will be in the hospital for 4-6 days after the surgery, and will need to take off 4-6 weeks of work for recovery. After her surgery a pathologist will determine what type of tumor it is (benign, malignant). From there there, Dr. Spetzler will decide on what care/treatments to do. Oh, he also said that IF they treat it with radiation, it's not the type that causes hair loss. (R-R was REAL happy to hear that)Dr. Spetzler is very confident that she is going to be JUST FINE. Rhea-Rhea is SOO EXCITED... pumped out of her mind, actually. She just wants to "ditch it"! She would have gone under the knife tonight, if it were up to her. The secretary that scheduled the surgery was cracking up. She said she had never seen someone so excited for brain surgery! It really is a miracle that she was able to get in so soon. Dr. Spetzler is world renowned and has a very busy schedule. The fact that he is wanting, and available, to operate, even though he doesn't consider it an "emergency", are proof to me that Heavenly Father is listening to our prayers and taking care of Rhea-Rhea. The last few weeks have been difficult... sitting around... worrying... trying not to worry... trying to be busy... trying to sleep.... and so on and so forth. Rhea-Lynn is a strong girl and for her, facing surgery is actually easier than facing more waiting. Ya know? Keep up the prayers. They work!I love you all,Jenny (aka: Nen)

Ice day #2

We had another ice day today!! This time we had a lot more ice:)

Jeff took the kids out this morning (before it started melting) to slip and slide with the sled!P.S. Keep praying for Rhea- Lynn. Her appointment is at 2pm Az time!

Angels

Preston painted this cute picture of angel wings last night and it made me think of Rhea-Lynn. Her Dr. appointment is tomorrow (finally!!). Please pray for clarity for the Doctor, and peace for Rhea Rhea and her husband Jeremy.

Rhea Rhea

This is my beautiful (inside and out) baby sister Rhea-Lynn. She was in a car accident just before Christmas and totaled her car. She left from the accident feeling ok. About a week or so later she started having headaches, so she went in to see her doctor. They decided to schedule an MRI. She has herniated discs in her neck, but that was not their main concern. They discovered a brain tumor on the left side of her brain. Needless to say we are all very worried. She is in the process of waiting for her appointment with the brain surgeon who is the best of the best. We don't know if it is cancerous yet. I am asking for prayer and lots of it!! She is such an amazing person and so full of love. We all recognize how this car accident is a blessing because without it, she may not have found the tumor. Pray for a miracle!!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives."- William Parks

Heavenly Father has blessed my life and I am filled with love for....
a sweet teenager that still climbs in bed with us Christmas morning...

this precious Christmas angel ...

this "mom"

this husband that loves me...

a big fluffy dog!

this "dad"

expressions like this....

and this ...

Nanas and Pop pops that spend the night on Christmas Eve, so as not to miss our kids on Christmas morning...
a family like this, who even though they are far away, I feel so close to...

and my family. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve we get to open one present

PJs and slippers!
PJ pants!!


Who says teenagers can't wear pjs with snowflakes and polar bears on them?

They fit!

So cute!

Cookies, carrots and milk for Santa and the reindeer! Good night and Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Jeff just turned 39!

We had a little family party to celebrate his last year in his 30s!

We had bread pudding (Jeff's favorite!) and opened presents. Can you tell we like the Santa hat around our house?? Rach posing it up and yep that is a huge black bow on Jeff's head:)

Jeff got a shotgun for his birthday. He said he need to practice with it for when Rachel is a teenager!! Rachel takes over the camera....the rest of the pictures are from her perspective.

Silly Preston
Jellybean, the hamster

Preston and Daddy playing with the new toy

our vacuum.. very random

laughing boys

mommy
outside practicing their aim!

Preston

We are so lucky to have such an awesome husband and dad that takes such great care of our family!! Happy birthday daddy! We love you sooooo much!!