Lighthouse Family Retreat

I'm finally getting around to updating the blog after the last crazy month and a half. This one is about our trip to The Lighthouse Family Retreat in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. This trip was the boys' first time on an airplane. They did pretty good. Only a few melt downs, but they seemed to really like flying. When we got to the Atlanta airport, our flight was delayed a bit and the plane to Panama City Beach was so small! Other than the 3 passenger plane I road in a couple of years ago, this was the smallest plane I've ever been on. Thankfully, it was a short flight. We arrived in Florida and found our way to the beach condos just in time for dinner. All our meals were served together under a tent in the parking lot by the pool. The first night was all about introductions and relaxing after the long day of flying. We had a Hawaiian luau and got to know a few families as well as the volunteers that would be taking care of us for the few days we were there.

The next day we started out with breakfast together, and then the kids had their "Flip flop" time, which was playing games, swimming, and making crafts, while the parents went to "Common Grounds". Common Grounds was a time for all the parents to discuss their experiences and feelings as their child fought cancer. It was a great experience, and one I'm not likely to forget anytime soon. That afternoon, we went on a Dolphin Cruise in Destin. We took a boat our into the bay (we couldn't go out into the Gulf because of the strong waves coming in from the storm headed our way) and we watched for dolphins. They even had an area in the bottom of the boat where you could look out a window right into the water. That was pretty cool. We didn't see any dolphins until the end of the cruise, but the boys had a blast riding on a boat. For dinner that night, they gave all of us visa gift cards so we could go eat out as a family wherever we wanted. So, of course, we ended up at a Bumba Gumps Shrimp co. (Nate's favorite place) The boys loved eating their kids meals out of a little fishing boat. lol After dinner, we walked down to the beach in the dark and enjoyed sticking our feet in the nice warm ocean water.

The next morning, we woke up and went straight to the beach to enjoy the sand and waves before breakfast. We then had our second Common Grounds where we all picked out a pic that spoke to us and why it meant something to us. The one Nate and I both picked was one of a brick wall with the word "WHY" spray painted on it. That's kind of how we've felt through this whole journey. Why? It was a very emotional (in a good way) meeting and we got to know the other parents even better. After lunch, we went straight to the beach to enjoy our last day at the retreat. They had to cut our retreat short a day since there was a hurricane coming in. Thankfully, Delta worked with us and got us on a flight out a day early before the storm came.

We had a blast at the beach. We weren't allowed to get in the water because it was a red flag day. Meaning the under current was too strong and dangerous from the storm coming in. But we found a lagoon just a few yards down the beach that the waves washed into and were able to play in the water there. It was pretty cool because there were tons of little white fish that the boys were trying to catch in the lagoon. We found out quickly that if you held still long enough, the fish would bump into you and tickle you. lol

That night was the parents night out. Our volunteers that had been cleaning up after us, cooking for us, and watching our kids while we were there took the boys to a big "Un-Birthday Party" while all the parents went into town to have dinner together at a nice restaurant. I think that was my favorite part of the whole trip. We had so much fun talking, laughing, and getting to know the other parents. We formed friendships that I will always cherish. When we got back to our condo, our volunteers had put our boys to bed and finished washing all our laundry. It was so nice not having to do anything! They are truly angels that have touched our lives!

The next morning, we woke up and were sent off by our volunteers with presents and a nice breakfast so we could catch our plane home. I was glad to be heading home a day early so I could get ready for my flight to Denver for my Jin Shin Jyutsu seminar the next day. But, we were sad to miss out on one more day to get to know the amazing people we met at our retreat. They really made it a special experience!

On the plane on our way!

 This was on the boat of the Dolphin Cruise.

 Sam loved the hat at the luau

 All the kids were feeding the seagulls on the boat.

 This is a picture of our delicious dinner at the Parent's night out.

 Max and Sam at the Unbirthday party

 We met a pirate on our way off the boat that was making balloon swords. He was such a cute old guy!

 Our topless mermaid that was a decoration in one of our bathrooms. We can't forget her! lol

 We loved the beautiful, powdery white sand!

Last chemo treatment and port removal! YAY!!!

Monday, September 23, Max went in for his final chemo treatment. He had had scans the Friday before and everything looked great, so we were all set to be done with this nightmare! He did a great job getting both chemo meds, and even sat on Dr. Barnettes lap to get a few pics. He was such a tease to the doctor and nurses that day. I think he could tell it was all coming to an end. They finished off his last chemo treatment by singing him a song, bringing him out a poster and a gift basket, and having him ring the bell 3 times on his way out. Of course I bawled like a baby and felt so much relief that my baby wouldn't have to be poisoned anymore. Once he finished chemo, they took us straight to same day surgery and removed his port. It took about an hour for them to take it out and for him to recover. As we sat in the parent waiting area, I thought back on the last time we had been in the room and how much I had cried and how stressed out I was. This time, Nate and I were still a little worried, as parents always are when there has to be a surgery. But we both had such big smiles on our faces knowing that we had made it through the storm and this was finally coming to a close. Max cried a lot when he first woke up from surgery, but calmed down once I got in the room with him. He threw up on the way home, but that was the worst for us this week. I thought he would have a rough week after his surgery and getting chemo all in the same day, but as usual, he amazed me and has been playing and running around all week. He's such a hero! He has fought this disease with all his might and has come out of this so strong. I'm just so proud of him! He also has just a little bit of fuzz coming back on his head and a few eyebrow hairs coming back in! I can't wait for his beautiful hair to come back.

We had a great raffle fundraiser on Max's 3rd birthday a few weeks ago. We had an awesome turn out, even with the crazy storm that blew through Utah County that day. We had an awesome rockin' band called "Geezer", an adorable clown named "Lollipop", as well as popcorn, lemonade, and some amazing gifts to raffle off. We had so many donors and sponsors for this event. I was truly humbled by those that were so willing to give. We were supposed to have a bounce house, which my boys were looking forward to the most, but it was too stormy for them to set it up. But they still had a great time with the balloon animals our clown made and dancing to the music. Thank you again to everyone that came out that night and supported us. And to those who also supported us online. I will post some pics from the event under here. The amazing Megan Hess did the photography for our event and the pics were priceless. Thanks again Megan!

We have a lot to look forward to the next couple of months. Nate started a new job and will hopefully be starting school before the end of the year. We are also going on a two trips to Florida in October. The first is called The Lighthouse Family Retreat which is for families who have a child who has/had cancer. They are paying for us to fly to Panama City Beach, FL to stay in condos with other families and talk about all of our different experiences. They pay for our stay and all our food. What a great organization to help families make friends with other cancer families, share stories, and have a good time on the beach as a family, not having to worry about anything for a week!

Our second trip will be our Make-a-Wish trip to Disney World. We couldn't be more excited for this one! We get to stay at a resort just for wish families called Give Kids The World, and we get to visit all the Disney Parks as well as Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld. I think I'm most excited for Harry Potter World! I know, I'm a total nerd! I think it will be so much fun to be at Disney World during Halloween time. I can't wait to see how it's all decorated.

I'm also going to be going to seminars over the next few months to learn to be a Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner. It's a Japanese art of healing. It's kind of like acupressure, not acupuncture. I'm very interested in this for many different reasons, but especially for Max as it's been used to help cure cancer, as well as help cancer patients not have as bad of side effects from their chemo treatments. My sister is already a practitioner and has worked on me and my boys and I am amazed by the way the body can heal itself. If anyone wants me to practice on them before I'm certified, just let me know! I go to my first week of seminars the week we get home from our first Florida trip. I will literally only be home in October for 1 week. lol Oh how I'm going to miss my own bed! But it's going to be an exciting month.

Again, I can't express how much we have appreciated everyone for your prayers, support, love, donations, time, and help. I find myself telling people more often how much I love them. Even people I've never said that to before, but I just feel so much love in my heart for all the help we have received from family, friends, and even complete strangers. So, if I tell you out of the blue that I love you, don't be too wierded out! lol

 Our lovely clown Lollipop

 The beautiful Gwen Hales manned the popcorn and lemonade station for us all night. She's truly amazing!

 These were our balloons that were to be our decorations since it is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, but they only lasted a few seconds before they blew up into the power lines. lol Oh well, at least I tried!

 Our rockin' band Geezer.

 These were just a few of the amazing items we had to raffle off.

 Max loved his balloon pirate sword and pirate belt!

 Max just adores both his Grandpa's.

 Sam showing off his dance moves on the stage.

 The SIC Tattooing shop were our biggest sponsors, donors, and even closed their shop early so they could all come out and support us. These are some seriously amazing people!

This is the saying under the bell. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

Last Chemo!!! YAY!!!

 Headed back for surgery.

                         Max with Dr. Barnette. Seriously, this guy is an amazing, fun, and a very caring doctor.