Breakfast with Santa, a Yearly Tradition

    December 11th was our yearly Breakfast with Santa, put on by the Auburn Parks and Rec Dept.  We have been going for years with the older kids, then took Jenna and Dustin for many years, and last year took our grandsons for the first time.  This year, my parents took us and three of the grandsons again, and Matt, Kelly and Shauna, too. 

    Keegan chowed down just about every bite of his adult-sized breakfast, but wasn't too thrilled to see Santa come around.  Cooper didn't eat much, but loved Santa and the squirrel mascot.

   Caleb was adorable and happy, and took it all in.

   After breakfast and the entertainment, we tried to get pictures on Santa's lap.  Cooper adored Santa, Caleb and Keegan, well, not so much...

I think this picture is just priceless!

   The boys were happier to pose with the Great-Grandparents than with Santa.

And Caleb always loves Gramma and Grandpa!

Caleb didn't mind the squirrel too much, as long as he was safe in Daddy's arms.  All in all, we had a fun time, and I'm sure we'll be back next year!

Thankful...

   Yes, I know Thanksgiving 2010 has passed, and that I'm six months (yikes!) behind on my blog, but I just have to thank God today.  When I started on my brain tumor journey, I promised Him that if I survived, I would give all the glory to Him, and I need to keep my promise.
   Yesterday was my two year check up at Swedish.  First I had an echocardiogram and saw Dr. Dewhurst.  What a kind man he is, and he had only good news for us.  My heart continues to function at low-normal, and I don't need another echo for two years.  I just need to go see him next year, which is a pleasure!
   Next was my MRI and visit with our angel, Dr. Sarah Jost.  Again, it was all good.  No sign of any regrowth of the tumor.  Have I mentioned we love Dr. Sarah?  She is the rare neurosurgeon who has both extreme surgical skill and genuine compassion and caring.  She loves to hear about our family, see pictures of the grandbabies, and she even brought up the crystal angel I gave her for her Christmas tree.  She said she still has the note I wrote her with the angel, and she can't wait to hang it on her tree.  She always gives me a hug when we leave.  I am so thankful God sent us to her!  She wasn't the surgeon we wanted, but God knew she was the one we needed, and as soon as we met her, we knew He was right.

The people I love most! August 2010

   So today I am thankful for my health and my life.  I can truly say that I LOVE my life.  I am so blessed to have a husband I love more with each passing year, children I love and am so proud of, and the cutest grandsons there could ever be.  I still have my parents to love and support me, as well as my Father in Heaven, who tenderly cares for my every need.  And I am SO thankful.....