The start of our journey with Ewing's sarcoma

When I started this blog so many years ago, I started it to keep my family who live all over the world up to date on what was happening with our family.  It was also started as a way to share all my couponing trips.  As you can see from the date of the last blog post it have been many years since I have last posted.  I think the main reason is because Facebook has changed so much over the years to where there really is no need for a blog.  And partly because I have become a working mother of 3 and quite frankly, I just don't have the time or energy or the desire to write blog posts.  I have never been a writer so I have let this blog fall to the wayside.  But God knew that someday I would be using this blog again.  And its for a completely different reason than what I had ever intended it for.  As we start this new journey I will try and use this to keep everyone updated on what is going on.   I can not guarantee that I will post all the time but I will try.  

As many of you are aware we have been asking for lots of prayers for our family.  Over the past 3 weeks we have been dealing with a health issue with Lorelai and yesterday we finally got an answer to what is going on. 

On April 16th, Larry took Lorelai into the city clinic because she had been complaining of wrist pain for several days.  We both figured that she had sprained her wrist or broken it.  The PA at the clinic ordered X-rays and when the results came back it showed that Lorelai had a bone lesion in her left ulna.  And this was the first time that the fact that Lorelai could have bone cancer entered into our life.  The next two days was blood tests and an MRI accompanied by additional X-rays.  The results of the MRI prompted her pediatrician to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon and a pediatric oncologist.  During this time, Lorelai's pain in her wrist had basically subsided and we were fervently praying that the cancer scare was just that, a scare.

On Monday, April 22nd, Lorelai, Larry and I drove all the way up to Temple, TX to Baylor Scott and White to meet with the orthopedic surgeon and with the oncologist.  Both doctors were polite and answered all our questions, but after leaving these appointments, both were pretty confident that Lorelai did have some sort of pediatric bone cancer.  Of course a biopsy of the site was ordered and on April 25th, Larry and my mother in law drove Lorelai up for her surgery.  Along with the biopsy, a bone marrow aspiration done.  Unfortunately, the results of the biopsy were inconclusive because the sample that had been taken was mostly dead bone tissue from inside of Lorelai's arm. The doctor called us back and gave us the bad news, but said that he had already scheduled a second biopsy for the following Thursday. This procedure was going to be much more thorough and was going take a sample from the far side of the bone where he was certain good tissue could be harvested.  Good news, the bone marrow aspiration was negative.  Because we were concerned that the cancer could have spread, the doctor ordered a lung CT along with the biopsy.   

Getting ready for 1st biopsy 

After the biopsy, didn't want to wake up.

On May 2, the 3 of us drove back up to get Lorelai's CT scan and second biopsy done. The procedure went well and Lorelai went back to school the next day.  The CT scan also showed that her lungs were clear, which is also good news.  Through all of this, she has proven to be a strong and resilient young woman.   She even went to her field day and was able to participate in some of the less physical activities with her friends.

She did so much better the 2nd time

Field Day 2019

Field Day 2019

On May 8, 2019, Larry and I took Lorelai back to Temple to meet with the orthopedic surgeon to discuss the results of the biopsy. I wish I could say that the news was good, but we were told that the preliminary results did in fact show a Ewing's sarcoma, which is what both doctors thought it was at the beginning. The news was devastating.

After the appointment at the orthopedic surgeon's office we met with the pediatric oncologist at the Baylor Scott and White Specialty Clinic. We requested a second opinion on the diagnosis and asked that the reports, accompanied by the biopsy results, be sent to Texas Children's Hospital for review. The oncologist was welcoming of the additional opinion and told us he would send them over. He suspected that the second opinion will confirm the diagnosis, given the number of doctor's who have already been involved in the process. 

Our next steps will be a consultation with pediatric surgery and to schedule the placement of a port to receive the chemo and other drugs that will be needed.  A PET scan will be next and has been scheduled for May 22nd.  And as soon as school is over , the plan is to start chemo treatments.  The schedule for the chemo is 12 weeks initially, then surgery to remove what is left of the tumor.  The last phase is another 16 weeks of chemo.  Of course the schedule is not set in stone and will be dependent on how Lorelai is doing and feeling.  

The road ahead is going to be long and hard but I have faith in God and that He is mighty and does great things.  I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this whole first part of our journey.  God has blessed our family with so many amazing and wonderful friends.  We love all of you and please continue to pray as we embark on this new chapter in our lives.  

Embarking on a new journey into the life of a law enforcement family

        Roughly 9 years ago, I said I Do to a Navy Submariner.  As of yesterday night I am now married to a Police Officer.  Looking back I never thought that I would eventually be married to some one in law enforcement.  When I met my husband he had actually told me that he was going to be a career sailor.  I thought ok that's fine, that seemed like a good plan for his life.  I was only 18 at the time and didn't think that I would marry him anyway so if that was what he wanted for his life that was fine.  4 years later we were married and on our way overseas.  At that point in my life, I never thought I would get to go Europe let alone live in Europe.  But I had accepted the fact that my husband wanted to be a career sailor.  I eventually even got use to being a Navy wife.  We were lucky to have been stationed in Italy where he didn't have to go out to sea like he had to when we were dating.  Then in 2007 we had our first daughter and things started to change.  We were looking at the end of my husband's contract and seeking God's will on whether he should re-enlist or not.  Then we had our daughter and we thought do we really want to raise a family knowing he would be gone half the year?  God showed us His will that we do not re enlist and that we should re-enter the civilian world.  Once we made the decision to separate from the military, my husband started looking for work.  He got hired by a company where one of its branches operated out of Las Vegas.  After another 4 years, I was looking at my life and wondering how did we get here?  How we are actually moving to Las Vegas?  But God has funny ways of revealing His plans.  Las Vegas had a lot of ups and downs.  We faced financial trouble when my husband got laid off and we faced emotional trouble when things didn't go as planned with our church.  But through it all God had his hand upon our family and he guided us out.  And then another 4 years later, we moved back to my husband's hometown where he got hired on by the local police department.  After 18 weeks of mental and physical hard work, my husband graduated on June 7th and got swore in as a police officer.  And yet again I am asking how did we get here?
           After 13 and half years with this man, my life had changed more than it has ever had.  I know a lot of my friends haven't even left the town they were born and grew up in.  Change can be bad or good depending on how you choose to accept it.  When I met my husband I never dreamed that I would get to live in Italy and Las Vegas.  I never thought that I would have two of the most beautiful, rambunctious, and intelligent daughters anyone could have.  I never thought that I would find the ultimate love of God and grow in my faith and trust in Him.  I never thought that I would have gotten the chance to serve in a ministry that would plant a church in the heart of Las Vegas and watch it grow from a church of 5 families to a church of a hundred.  And I never thought that I would be able to become the proud wife of a police officer.
        I have noticed that my life tends to change in cycles of 4 years.  Every 4 years seems to bring some kind of change that is life altering for my family and I.  I don't know if that means in 4 years, my life will be changing again.  I actually hope not.  I never liked and will probably never like change.  But God always brings about growth when He does bring about change.  I don't know what the next 4 years will be like as we embark on another new adventure.  What I am sure of is that I am ready with whatever God has for us.
This post actually went in a totally different direction then I had planned.  Oh well, that's life.  Here are some pictures from my husband's graduation.

Receiving his certificate 

Getting sworn in

Me pinning on his badge

Signing his oath of office

My husband and his dad

Our family

My husband and his mom

My husband and his younger brother

Celebrating with a fellow officer

Great Kroger Finds

I had to make a quick run to Kroger the other day and noticed some greats deals that could be had.

There's a Maruchan coupon for .50/1 Maruchan bowl or Maruchan Yakisoba in the 2/10 SS and the 5/19 SS.  This makes it free since my Kroger doubles. 

Maruchan Yakisoba any variety .89

use .50/1 Maruchan bowl or Maruchan Yakisoba SS 2/10 (exp. 5/31)

or .50/1 Maruchan bowl or Maruchan Yakisoba SS 5/19 (exp.7/15)

Final cost: free (if your Kroger doubles)  I thought it would be a money maker for me but the register only doubles up to the actual cost.  So the coupon value was .50 and I got an extra .39 bonus coupon making the item free.

 This week Kroger has a deal for Heinz Ketchup 32 oz bottle 2/$4.  That is what I went to buy.  While I was there I noticed this shelf tag for the Heinz Stand Up Pouch which is regularly priced at $1.00.  The coupon I had was .50/1 Heinz Ketchup no size or variety limit.  With Kroger doubling coupons, this would have made this item free.  As you can see I probably was not the only one that figured this out.  The shelf was completely empty.

Heinz Stand Up Pouch $1.00
use .50/1 Heinz Ketchup SS 5/19 (regional coupon, some inserts only had .25/1)
Final Cost: free (if your store doubles).

There is an Ibotta offer that gives you back $1.00 for the purchase of 1 Capri Sun.  My kids go through juice like crazy so I feel like paying 1.18 for a pack of 10 is a good price.  

Capri Sun Original $2.18

redeem $1.00 Ibotta offer

Final Cost: $1.18

Free Redbox Movie Today Only at Kroger

Redbox and Kroger has teamed up to give us a free movie today May 26th.  Just enter code KROGERFREE at Redbox locations located at Krogers.  This may work at Kroger affiliates such as Smiths.  (found this on Krazy Kroger).  This code will only work today.

.50 Corn Dogs at Sonic

I know is this a little late in the day but I just found out that Sonic, in honor of National End of School Day (who knew there was such a thing.), has .50 corn dogs all day today.  There is still time to go for dinner and for those of you on the West Coast you can also take part in their happy hour where drinks are 1/2 price.  I am pretty sure happy hour is everyday from 2pm-4pm .  So go and get a 1/2 price cherry limeade and a corn dog for .50.  For those of us that missed happy hour, at least there is still .50 corn dogs.

Kroger 2x points Fri-Sun thru June 30th

Kroger has this promotion going on that allows you to earn double fuel points when you shop on the weekends.  This only works Friday through Sunday and end June 30th.  All you have to do is load this coupon onto your Kroger card.

Overload of Freebies

I subscribe to what I feel like is the best freebie blog out there.  The owner of the site is a college student and a guy at that.  He posts freebies as soon as they are available and if you can even get texts letting you know when a new freebie is available.  The site is called FreebieSharks.com.

So this is what I got today in the mail.  I honestly can remember where I got some of these so you will have to forgive me since I won't be able to tell you where or how to get them.  The one thing that stinks about freebies is that many of the better ones are limited, ie only 500 samples are being given away which also means they are only available for a limited time.  But I thought that I would post this up so that you can see the things that you can get for free.  All you have to do is fill out a form.  So make sure to sign up or like a freebie website and start getting your own free stuff.