Memorial for Michalla

We weren't planning on doing much this Memorial Day. Lilly's foot is broken and we weren't planning on going anywhere... Until Lilly woke up. She said, "It's Memorial Day so that means we need to go see Michalla." So we went. 

We met Michalla's mom at the cemetery. It's always so good to see Teri and reminisce about Michalla. I love hearing stories about Michalla and how she used to be "before cancer." 

Lilly chose to get a plaque for Michalla that says "The ones that love us, never really leave us." I think that holds very true with Lilly's and Michalla's relationship. Michalla is still very much a part of Lilly's life. Lilly talks about her daily. And she can't wait until her and Michalla will one day be reunited again! Oh what a glorious day that will be!

Lilly feels like a piece of her will always be with Michalla on her headstone. Lilly and Michalla had special a journal they would write in back and forth. Michalla drew Lilly some "Leukemia Ribbon Butterflies" and that's what's on her headstone. 

When Lilly was first diagnosed (and still had hair) and had to go to the Emergency Room, Michalla sent this picture down from her room upstairs. It brought such joy to Lilly. It's one of our very favorite pictures, and it's on Michalla's headstone as well. Such a neat experience for Lilly to see part of their friendship set in stone. We Love You Michalla!

On our way home, we stopped at Smart Cookie where Michalla used to work and got some delicious cookies. It was a great day!

Trip to Southern California

Last weekend we took a mini trip to Southern California. Two of Lilly's and Emery's cousins were having special days... Sydnee was getting baptized and Skylar was getting blessed. We are so glad we were able to go to California and that Lilly stayed HEALTHY! I had this irrational fear that we were going to end up in the hospital like we did when we were in Florida... 

But, we didn't. Yay!!

My sister and her family live in Pasadena, so we decided to take a little trip down to San Diego and see the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. It was really neat. We had a lot of fun and made some great memories.

The girls loved to pan for gold. It was a little cold and rainy that day, but it didn't matter. As long as there was water involved, the girls were HAPPY!

Lilly and Emery are direct descendants of an ancestor who served in the Mormon Battalion. It was neat to find him on the registry and read a little bit more about him.

What a great day!

On our way back to Pasadena we stopped and walked around the San Diego Temple. Wow, it's GORGEOUS! Sydnee calls it the Elsa Castle and I kind of agree with her. 

The next day was very special for Sydnee. She chose to be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We love you Sydnee and are so happy for you!

The following day, Skylar was blessed. We are so excited to have a new cousin in the family. All girls... Maybe one day one of us will have a boy - but probably not. I love my girls!

That afternoon we headed down to Seal Beach for the day. We kind of felt a little jipped when we went to Florida, that we didn't get to spend time at the beach because Lilly got so sick. So we really wanted to go to the beach while in California. Both girls loved it! Emery has no fear. We really need to get her in swimming lessons. She's quite dangerous and it makes me nervous! 

What a fun weekend! Now if only California didn't have such bad traffic, it would have been perfect! ;) We're glad we were able to have a fun weekend and spend it as a family.

Busy week!

Lilly has been going back to school full time for the past month and a half and she LOVES it! She was chosen to be Star Student this week and has enjoyed telling everyone more about herself. 

Monday- She brought an "All About Me" poster to share some of her favorite things with her class. Her favorite food is pepperoni pizza and her favorite treat is cupcakes...

Tuesday- Lilly got to bring a "Show And Tell." She chose to bring her giant microbe - a white blood cell named Whitey. She told them that white blood cells helps fight off infection and that's where her cancer was - in her blood. 

Wednesday- She got to bring her favorite book and read it to her class. She chose "There's A Wocket in my Pocket" by Dr. Seuss. "Did you ever have a feeling there's a Wasket in your Basket? Or a Nureau in your Bureau? Or a Woset in your Closet? But the Yeps on the Steps, they're great fun to have around ...and the Zillow on my pillow. I don't care if you believe it. That's the kind of house I live in, and I hope we never leave it."

Thursday- Lilly's class all wrote her a special letter. She has made some really great friends in first grade and has the best teacher ever. We LOVE Mrs. Wilson!! She also brought her favorite treat to share with the class - CUPCAKES!

Friday- Lilly was sad to miss school, but happy to go to clinic. She loves seeing all of her doctors and nurses. They are like a second family to us. We had to go to clinic early and meet with the child psychologist. Lilly is part of a study up at Primary's and it was time for her to take another cognitive test. She was so excited! She loved taking the first test over a year ago, and loved taking it again. It's basically a memory test, and she's so so good at it. She also got chemo and a spinal tap as well. She's so used to it now that it doesn't bother her to get accessed or get chemo or go to sleep in the RTU. It's almost a "normal" thing to her now. Which is sad, but I'm glad she's getting used to all the hard things she has to do.

Lilly is not shy. Not one bit. In fact, she decided to show everyone in clinic the dance that she's learning. There's no way I would have done that at the age of 7 and be the center of attention. I'm so glad she has that kind of confidence and a great self esteem. She will go far in life - I just know it! This isn't the "cut version" that she dances to (I just found the song on YouTube), so she gets a little confused at the end, but she does a great job!

But, one of her FAVORITE things she got to do today was paint Dr. Engel's nails!!! She's painted Dr. Doug's nails before, but never Dr. Engel's (aka Mike Wazowski). He was such a good sport and requested TWO different colors - one for each hand. It was so fun for her!

It was a good day. Now she starts steroids for five days, which isn't fun. It's an emotional roller coaster, but we get through it. I am amazed at the strength and positive attitude Lilly has. She is so strong and so brave and she is one incredible girl!!!