It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

For those of you that know me you know that I love Christmas! I love to decorate for Christmas--it's the only holiday that I decorate for. I love to give Christmas presents and usually I'm finished with all of my gifts around October. Well, needless to say that this year has been different. I had such a busy summer that I kept putting off Christmas gifts until the kids went back to school in September. Little did I know that my fall held many other plans. BUT, I did manage to get things pretty well taken care of thanks to my trusty PINK computer and my AMEX!! I love to wrap presents and those of you who have seen my tree know that the presents underneath are all coordinated with the tree...gold wrapping paper and burgandy bows. People ask me if the presents are real. YES!!! I wouldn't spend time wrapping empty boxes. :) I don't love wrapping that much!

I love helping my kids make presents for each other. This usually happens the week before Christmas when all of my other projects are finished. Well, this year the closer we get to Christmas the more rotten I feel. I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to help my kids. I never should have worried about this! It has been really fun for me to watch them do for each other on their own! Emilee is the sweetest sister ever! She has been working on things that she came up with on her own. Jed's been working in the garage, and Victoria was even helping Samuel out tonight. I did ask my mom to help them. She's coming tomorrow night and I know that the kitchen will be busy Thursday and Friday. I can't wait!! I'm so glad that Grandma can step in where Mom falls short!

I've been feeling pretty weak and tired this week. I thought I was feeling pretty great tonight when Scott was headed to the store to get D-Con. It seems we've had a little mouse problem in the garage. I went along because Emilee had run out of supplies for one of her presents. We were gone for about 45 minutes total, and we bought 3 things. By the time I got home I was so weak I was shaking. It's very hard for me to not be able to do simple things like go to the store. That's ok. I finished my 15th treatment today. Tomorrow will be 16. I'll only have 17 more to go! I'm about half way. I'm glad I get a 4 day break for Christmas. It will give me a little bit of a chance to regain some strength. I'll take some Christmas pictures of the tree and presents and my cute kids in the next few days. I was a little sad to only have 1 tree. The last few years I've decorated 3. Now I realize that there is only 1 tree to put away and this year that sounds wonderful!!

Hanging on!!

After 9 radiation treatments I am doing great! I had a tough day on Saturday so Scott told me that I wasn't driving anymore. It's so hard to have your independence taken away! Sorry to say that someday I'm going to be one of those little grandmas that is a crazy driver, but NO ONE is going to tell me I can't drive...then or now! :) This morning I was feeling well so I got ready early and headed off as soon as I put my kids on the bus. Post office, Target, back to post office then off to Deaconess for my treatment. They were a little behind so I had to wait some. Then I was off again before the nasty side effects kicked in. Costco, Hobby Lobby, Sears and Down East, and right when I was paying in Down East I hit the wall. I shuffled my way back through the mall and drove home. I was so tired, but I did everything I wanted to do except go to the bank. Then, I made some lunch and fell asleep for a while. I woke up and wrapped the last of my kids' Christmas presents and cleaned out my closet. I made it back to rest on the couch and then got up and fixed dinner. By the time we sat down to dinner I was in so much pain. I ate and then made it back to the couch to rest. For Family Home Evening the kids and Scott made gingerbread houses while I rested. I feel so accomplished today! I'm tired and sore and I'm sure I'll really pay for it tomorrow, but I think it was worth it. We'll see what I say tomorrow. Oh, and my tummy seems to have gotten used to the treatments. I only felt sick once today, horray!!

Merry Christmas From the Jensens

Joy And Magic Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Merry Christmas From the Jensens Continued

I'm having a hard time getting what I want so it's going to have to be two different posts. Sorry. My tummy and my patience are both on the weak side! :)

Here's a sneak peak at our Christmas card for this year. I'm a little late at getting them ordered, and after my treatment today I'm wondering if I'll even get them out. I was so afraid I wasn't going to make it home today without getting sick. I made it today, but we'll see how tomorrow goes. I thought that maybe I'd be spending less time on the couch wrapped in my pink and green quilt in the days to come. Maybe not. The Dr said he didn't expect me to have a hard time until 2-3 weeks into treatments. Hopefully it stays just this icky and doesn't get any worse! For now...

Radiation Begins!

Today I found out what doing radiation feels like--absolutely nothing! It's pretty amazing that you can have that done to you and you don't feel a thing...for a little while. I've done really well today, but I have gone through spells of being really tired. It's been interesting because it comes and goes. I did find that after I ate I had more energy. I was really tired when I was hungry. This might be just what I have been needing! I went to the plastic surgeon today. He thinks I'm a great candidate for taking my tummy fat to use for reconstruction--I just need a little more fat. :) As I was complaining that I didn't want to gain weight he just laughed and said that it's every woman's dream to have her dr tell her that she needs to gain weight. I know...seems like a silly problem. The thing is that I finally after 6 years just got back to my pre-pregnancy weight and now I'm being told to gain it back, ugh! I can't win!! I told him I'd only gain it if he'd promise to cut it all out. He said it's a deal.

First things first. I have my appointment for radiation set for 9:48 every day until sometime in January (when I've gone 30 times I'm done.) Then I have to heal and then we'll talk about reconstruction. I had a friend email me a link to an organization that cleans women cancer patients homes for free during their treatments. I was accepted into their program and tomorrow the lady is coming out to do my walk through and schedule my first cleaning. I'm so excited to have someone come and make my house sparkly clean like I want it to be, but can't do! It's hard to look around and see a floor that needs to be vacuumed and not be able to fix it.

Here's a picture of me with my new friends at Cancer Care Northwest. I wish I could remember their names. I know I'll get to know them a little in the next 6-7 weeks! They are so nice and kind. It was hard to become a regular. I didn't like parking in the spot reserved for radiation or oncology patients. I really would rather not be one of those "special" people! I'd be so happy to give that spot up for someone else! :) I was so grateful though as I looked around at the people in the clinic that I'm still strong and healthy! I have so much to be thankful for!!!

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Shutterfly is doing a promotion for bloggers this year. 50 free Christmas cards!! Here's their link http://http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/ Shutterfly is great!! Try it out yourself!

Giving Thanks!

Today I sit here with my heart over-flowing--unfortunately my eyes start to do the same!! :) I wanted to post this tomorrow, but this morning I have a quiet house all to myself so I'll do it now. This year has been such a whirl wind of emotions! I think back to January and packing up our house that we loved so much in Meridian. We left with many mixed feelings. It was hard to say our good-byes to those we love so much--wonderful neighbors, amazing schools and teachers, and dear, dear friends. We packed up and said our "see you agains" and headed for the place that we hold near and dear to our hearts--Spokane Valley. We thought we had a house right where we believed we wanted to be. At the very last second that fell through so we ended up where we are supposed to be. We have renewed friendships with some wonderful people and made some new dear friends. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father knew where we were supposed to be!! Our children have blossomed here! I sit here in my house in the sunshine and feel so happy that we didn't end up where we thought we were supposed to be.

I am so grateful to be alive and know that I will have many wonderful years ahead of me. I am grateful for my wonderful doctors and all of their staff at Cancer Care Northwest. They have truly been an answer to prayers! Dr Moline's skilled hands have been a blessing! Dr Nichol's wisdom has saved us much trial and many hard times! Dr Lamoreaux's inspired advice will be a blessing for years to come! I am so grateful for the referrals I got for these wonderful doctors. I'm grateful to know many people who have gone through what I've gone through who weren't afraid to share what they've learned with me. I pray each day that I will have people put in my path that I can help as these people have helped me!

I am grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so thankful for the opportunity I have been blessed with to grow closer to Him and strengthen my faith in His ability to help me. I know I could not have done this without HIM!! I am grateful for the beautiful world that He created for me. I have enjoyed looking at it while I have been recovering. It is such a blessing!

I am thankful for so many angels--both here and the ones we cannot see. I have had people help me in ways that I never could have dreamed of. I am so grateful for everyone who has come to my rescue during this hard time. I am so grateful for the prayers, hugs, emails, phone calls, cards, meals, help with kids, warm bread, help with all of my nasty tasks (drains, baths, helping me dress--thank goodness only a couple of people had to do these things!) rides for kids, help with YW activities and lessons, etc, etc, etc!! I hope to live long enough to repay everyone!

I'm so thankful that I can be a mom to 5 amazing kids! I'm also very thankful for the wisdom to know when to be done having kids. I can't imagine going through this with my arms full of little ones!



Sam, I'm thankful for your sweet smile, for your bright little mind, for your willingness to help out, for your cute excuses in the middle of the night (well, maybe I'm more thankful for the nights I don't have to hear those little excuses!) for your quick wit, and for your never ending love. I'm grateful that you're in first grade and loving every minute of it (and blowing your teachers away!) I love you little buddy!!

Emilee, I'm so thankful for your willing attitude! You always want to do everything you can to help me. I am so thankful for this! I'm thankful for your determined spirit that never gives up and keeps everything going smoothly. I'm so thankful that when we so badly wanted another boy that you used your determined spirit and came. We are so grateful that we got to have you in our family! I love you Em!!

Julia, your sweet and cheerful attitude have really helped us all through! Your always cheerful disposition (even when you're disobeying) is a boost to all who are around you. You are kind and thoughtful to those you know. People are always wanted to be your friend because everyone feels happy when they are with you. Thank you for keeping me going! I love you Julia!!

Jed, thank you so much for always doing everything you are asked to do right when you are asked. That is truly a mother's dream!! Your compassion has been so wonderful! You are wise beyond your years and a joy for me to watch as you learn and grow and grow and grow! I knew you'd be my red-headed buddy before you came, but somehow you've turned into my big red-headed buddy. Thank you for being such a good big brother to Sam! He loves you and wants to be just like you. Keep being the good example that you are! I love you Jed!!

Victoria, you've turned into such a beautiful young woman! I am so proud of you and all that you've become! I know that it has been hard for you to help around the house, but I'm so thankful for all you've done. I'm so impressed with your determination to train for the half marathon. You will feel so good for your whole life if you keep it up. Thanks for sitting by me and making me laugh. It's been good medicine! I love you Victoria!!

Last, but not least, Scott (or Sweetheart as I call him.) You have been so good to me during all of this upheaval this last year! Not very many husbands would do what you've been willing to do for me, and for this I am so grateful! You have cried with me, laughed with me, and told me to move on and quit crying when I needed to. Your strength and wisdom are amazing! Thank you for giving everything you have for your family. We all love you, but I love you so much!! Thank you for being the man of my dreams!

Sorry for being so mushy! My heart truly is overflowing, and so are my eyes, but I couldn't let this day pass without counting my blessings. I have way more than I even listed. I didn't think that anyone would want to read a post that long! My love goes out to each of you. Hopefully over the next 6-7 weeks as I sit on the couch I will be able to get my Christmas cards sent out. If I don't I'll post them here and you'll all know that I am thinking about you even if my energy doesn't allow me to send one to you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I said last night that this will be my best Thanksgiving ever--I keep getting told to gain weight. When does that happen? Enjoy your loved ones. I've learned that not much else matters!!