Today is Natalie's b-day, yes we already celebrated

Bone and CT scan - Friends, it is all good

I had my yearly bone and ct scans last week and the results were very good - no evidence of metastasis. Yes baby. I had the scans on October 21 and had to wait a week to visit with Dr Sharma about the results. Needless to say, it was an anxiety filled couple of weeks for me. I didn't sleep too well and was easily distracted last week. It is so easy to 'make a mountain out of a mole hill' when waiting on the test results. I definitely felt ok recently, but I felt ok when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2007. Anyway, I did a great deal of thinking about what I would do if the cancer came back. I am not referring to treatment or anything like that, I would definitely start treatment and try to beat this thing. The idea that kept surfacing is that I would share more of my thoughts on this blog, with friends and family, and just whoever was around to listen. Why is it that when I thought about my life being threatened or shortened, that I thought that I had something of value to share with others? Or why is that I would have been motivated to be more forthright about how I see life?

I thought of so many topics I would discuss on this blog if cancer was returning. Now, I am thinking about NOT discussing those topics because cancer did not return to my life. Crazy, isn't it?

Ok friends, enjoy your day and be great for someone who needs you.

Mary Kay

Natalie's Birthday Party - the second of two parties on Sunday

Sweet Natalie had a birthday party on Sunday. She actually turns three on Friday, October 30, but we were able to celebrate early. I took this photo of the Birthday Princess (that's what is says on her hat) just before she opened her presents.

Natalie really made me laugh because she took her time to open the card. When her mom, Stacia, asked her who it was from, Natalie acted like she was reading the card and without missing a beat said the card was from Aunt Jody. It really wasn't from Jody, but you would never have known that based on Natalie's behavior.

Guess what motivated Natalie to express this look?
It was a new bike from her parents, John and Stacia.

I like this photo because Natalie's two grandpa's are on either side of her.
Grandpa Greg is on the left and Grandpa Kris is on the right.

Sweet Natalie

Everything made Natalie smile at the party, even her birthday cupcake.

More of sweet Natalie enjoying life.

Natalie and her mom, Stacia

Natalie waved goodbye to us as we left the party.

Grandma Debbie and sweet Natalie

Sam's Birthday - yes, we had two birthday parties on Sunday

The birthday boy - Sam

Nancy and Brook

Sweet Brooklyn

Sam spent lots of time loving on his cousin Brook.

Sam, Brook and great-grandma Siefers. Sam is just in awe of Brooklyn.

More of Sam, Brook, and great-grandma Siefers. Sam is so proud to be holding Brook.

Anna decided to get in the action of holding Brook. Little Brook is going to be one tough little girl by the time the older kids get through with her.

Hallie sneaked a taste of Sam's cake.

Big Mick and Little Brook

Matt supervised Hallie and Anna while they studied the cake.

Sam had help blowing out his candles from Anna, Hallie and Garrett.

I think Matt was antagonizing Lori. What's new?

Anna modeled her Halloween costume.

Isn't life great? Anna helped Hallie with her princess outfit.

The final product - two princesses

Matt, what kind of video were you showing Sam and Garrett?

Mother/daughter Jo and Kelly

Kelly's dad, John (on the ladder), Joey and Garrett worked on the kid's play house in the back yard.

Garrett

Fun at the K-State football game

Susan and Nancy at the end of K-State's victory over Colorado on Saturday

More of Nancy and Susan at the game

Sweet Nancy

Happy 2nd Birthday to Sam

Sam the Ham

Happy Birthday Greg

I took this picture in July, but I knew at the time that I would use it for Greg's birthday photo. Happy Birthday brother-in-law.

Photos from a couple of weeks ago - you can tell by the weather

After the K-State football game a few weeks ago, Garrett, Anna and Sam stayed with us while Kelly, Susan and Debbie went shopping. What a way to spend the late afternoon - in the hot tub.

Sweet Sam

Garrett and Anna

More playing in the tub

After the hot-tub fun, the kids laid on the bed and watched Popeye videos.

I just could not resist joining the fun.

Garrett found my Sheriff's hat and showed his serious sheriff side.

Sam worked on his strength training.

Anna being Anna in the Sheriff's hat and playing the accordion.

More Anna

The Thielen Three - Anna on guitar, Kelly on the slapper, and Garrett on Accordion. The Thielen Three gave a free concert prior to leaving Manhattan for Dorrance.

Photos from a few weeks ago at the casino

It has taken me a long time to post these photos from a family trip to Prairie Band Casino with Barbara and the Bieber family. We had a grand time at supper on Saturday night with lots of appetizers and steaks, salmon and desserts. Thanks Barbara for hosting such a grand event. The Bieber family: Sara, Rob, Jane and Harvey.

The whole group: Nancy, MK, Sara, Rob, Jane, Harvey, and our hostess with the mostest Barbara.

Rob is an avid MMA fighter. I don't think Sara is too fearful of her brother.

Barbara - the best massage therapist in the world!

Jane, are you stressed?

Jane calls for a time-out from all the talk about what we should do next.

Harvey and son Rob share a laugh while looking at old family photos.

More laughs

And yet, more laughs for Sara and her dad Harvey