iJanuary

There are so many moments that we capture with our iPhones.  It's so fun to look back and see these daily memories.  When you put them all together, along with the big memories that all have their own posts, I can really see our life in its entirety.  And I love it!  Even though nothing major happened in January besides Luke's radiation and the family influenza outbreak of 2014, there were a lot of fun moments in the month!

The kids started out the new year with some fun at Grandma and Papa's house.  There's nothing like the giant fort. :)

The best part of Luke's 10 days of radiation was the certificate saying he was done!  Way to go, Luke!

Claire is such an artist.  She is constantly at the kid's art table making one creation or another.  But I think her Daddy was most proud of this one. :)  

Even with the radiation, Luke was just doing so awesome.  He was growing up before our eyes!  He loved the horse that Santa gave him, and loved the independence that it afforded him.  

We spent a lot of time home as a family during January, and it was wonderful.  We found different ways to past the time together, though I think that the girls' beauty salon was one of my favorites. :)

Having a baby that was sick for so long, you really appreciate all the little things.  Like an 18 month-old sitting on the floor with his fruit snacks and bottle, watching his favorite cartoon.  Priceless.

And then the influenza hit.  I haven't been so sick in as long as I can remember!  It's not a flattering picture at all, but this sums up about 10 days out of January.  Not pretty, people.  Not pretty.

The oils really did save us.  They took care of Danny's nasty cough in 24 hours, and Luke's as well.  They helped to relieve the awful pain in my neck and back, and I really do think they helped us get over it quicker.  Thank goodness for doTerra!

And we ended the month on a high note.  Luke graduated into being a naughty little boy...just like he should be!  I love the horse, but I didn't take into account how much freedom it would actually give Luke.  Until I found him wrapped up in toilet paper and wet from playing in the toilet.  Gag.  I'm SO glad it had been flushed.  But my skin still crawls thinking of my little cancer patient playing in the toilet!  Ugh...

So there you have it.  Our month by iPhone.  I love it. :)

Where Did January Go?

I can sum January up in two words: Influenza and Radiation.  Between those two things, not much else happened!  Luke started the first of 10 doses of radiation for the tumor on his shoulder on January 2nd.  For two and a half weeks, Luke had to go without breakfast and be up to Huntsman Cancer Hospital by 7:30 am or so.  The details of this grand adventure will be in Luke's blog.  But suffice it to say, radiation pretty much dominated our days for that two and a half weeks.

It wasn't more than a few days into our first full week of radiation that influenza came to visit our house.  We all got our flu mists, with the exceptions of Luke, so we thought we were safe.  Danny was the first one to get sick.  He came home from taking Luke one morning, and just laid down on the couch.  His fever was pretty high, and he was miserable.  Luke started to show symptoms that night.  And it was the next day that I started to feel pretty sick.  Danny and I haven't both been sick at the same time for 6 years!  It was awful.  Luckily for us, our mothers came to the rescue.  Grandma Call took the older three kids for a couple of days so that Danny and I could rest, and Grandma Candy brought much needed groceries, dinner, and medicine.  I don't know how we would have survived without them!  After a few days, both Danny and I started to feel like we were on the mend, and then Claire and Johnny started to be sick.  We went a couple of nights with little to no sleep with the kids being sick.  I think it was due to the lack of sleep that I started feeling not so well again.  It only took one night before I was into the doctor.  I was in so much pain!  My fever was high again, and my neck and back hurt so terribly.  The doctor was worried about the potential of the flu virus crossing the blood-brain barrier and becoming viral meningitis.  He told us that if I got any worse at all, I was to go directly to the ER.  Fun.  So, Danny and I spent a day or so always wondering if I should go in.  Luckily, I started to turn the corner.  A few days after that, and I was back to my normal, tired self. :)  By this point, the other kids all seemed to be feeling better, and Luke was done with radiation and over the flu himself....and it was basically the end of January! :)

We did have a fun evening on Saturday, January 25th.  We celebrated Grandma and Papa's birthdays with a yummy dinner.  Papa requested Surf and Turf, so Danny smoked some salmon and we grilled up some marinated steaks.  It was an amazingly delicious meal!  And it was fun to all be together after a month of seclusion. :)

We found some fun gifts for Grandma and Papa this year.  For Grandma, we found a gorgeous preserved lavender wreath.  It was so doTerra-ey!  She loved it, and promptly put it on the door leading to the basement.  It looks beautiful!  And for Papa, Danny ordered a BYU oval "Y" hitch cover for Papa's new truck.  It was just what Papa wanted!  And it pretty much looks amazing on the truck.  We were happy to find such perfect gifts for two perfect parents and grandparents. :)

With January in the books, Danny and I aren't sure what to think about 2014!  Last year turned out to be the most difficult year of our lives...and at the end of 2012 I said the same thing!  If January is any indication, we're in for a trip! :)  I suppose we wouldn't have it any other way...

The Newest Sunbeam

That's right!  Johnny entered Primary with the new year, and became our newest Sunbeam!  Johnny has loved his time in Nursery, and I wasn't entirely sure how he'd react to the change.  But he loved it!  And he loves his new teachers.  But I think his favorite part is being with Claire and Sophie in Primary. :) I can't believe my handsome little man is growing up so fast!  I'm excited to watch his love for the gospel grow as he learns the precious truths taught in Primary.