7 January 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 537
Caleb and brothers with shaved heads
I shaved my head this week. I wasn't too excited for it, but with my hair falling out while showering, in bed, and everywhere else, I decided to face being bald on my terms.
It was awesome how Monte, Isaac, Troy, and Quinn all shaved themselves too. I can't say they all look great but it means a lot that they did it with me. They're all some awesome brothers!
Ashton and Charlie
The last few days have been good for Caleb. The pain from the cancer has diminished significantly. He has even been walking around a lot without crutches and his limp is less, but the side effects from chemo are also taking effect.
Over the last several days, he has been losing his hair and so today he decided to take most of it off. Monte, Isaac, Troy and Quinn also decided to stand in solidarity with him and shave their heads, too. I have such handsome, kind and considerate children. I love them to pieces!
This week Caleb also had an MRI to see if the cancer has spread to his central nervous system and it was clear, so it’s NOT in his central nervous system!
Jenny with Caleb at second chemo round
Caleb also had his second round of chemo this week. It only took 4 hours this time and like Arkin said he was able to walk in without crutches. We hope that we can manage the side effects a little better this time. Today Caleb ate a huge meal when we got home and that is very different from the last time.
School has started again for all the other kiddos and we are getting into a familiar rhythm and routine.
Jenny caring for Caleb after chemo treatment
Caleb just started his second chemo treatment today (six total treatments each three weeks apart). And this time he walked in without crutches!
It feels like the treatment is definitely fighting the cancer that made it so difficult to walk before. Nausea was the major side effect from last time (they are giving him more anti-nausea this time around to help with that).
Owen in NICU
Owen finished his stay in the NICU and we got to bring him home this week! He spent the first two or so days requiring oxygen to help with breathing, and after four days they let us take him home!
As we were driving away from the hospital, I felt a lot of strong emotions. It was the first time Owen had been completely in our care. After many sleepless nights and long walks in the hospital it feels so right that we are all at home together.
Owen you bring such a light and joy into our lives! Every time we look at you we can't help but smile and feel overwhelmed how cute you are. You remind us how blessed we truly are to be your parents.
Lots of your family came to meet you this week; there are many people that love and care for you. We love you Owen, we are so glad you're home!
Caleb holding Endia for first time
Happy New Year! To start this new year I decided that I would shave my head with Caleb. Isaac, Troy, and Quinn also joined us in this adventure.
What do I have to say about it? Well, it is really cold. It feels super weird, and now I wear a hat a lot!
This week I had a interview at Swig as well. I think it went really well! All I'm doing now is waiting to see if they want to hire me, which could take a little while, depending on if anyone quits, or gets fired at Swig. Well, I love you all and I hope you have a good year!
Monte holding Owen for first time
This week for New Year’s Monte and I were able to hangout with Aiden and Riley for the day. Also work stared back up and I was not ready to go back.
Some of us were able to meet Owen. To get more driving hours, I drove up to Endia's and Cougar's house so we could meet him. When I got to hold him it brings back so many memories.
Riley and Gloria before winter formal
Winter Formal was on Saturday. Dad was our chauffeur for the day date. Aiden and Malian were in mine and Riley's group. We went to the mall and did a scavenger hunt for the day date. We had to leave a little bit early for Malian because she had to do her friends hair.
When I got home I started talking to London just about what going on in life. She helped me get my hair and makeup done. When everyone got picked up we went to take pictures at Daybreak.
After phots we went to Applebees for dinner. After dinner we had about an hour before the dance started, so we went to PetSmart and looked at the animals that were there.
We went to the dance and I had a great time. After the dance we went to Aiden’s house and watched Psych and talked.
Winter formal
For a Christmas present, Braden and Brooke took me to go and watch the new Hunger Games movie in theaters, and the movie was great.
Braden had already seen the movie, and he said he really liked it. There were a couple jump scares in the movie that Braden knew about. He also told Brooke about them, but I had no idea when they were, especially since I hadn't finished the book yet. So when a jump scare did happen I jumped in my seat.
Overall though, the movie was great. Thanks Braden, and Brooke for a great Christmas present! They also got me the Hunger Games book, and I have been reading a lot of it.
Family playing Overcooked
On New Year’s I was sick. I watched Mall Cop with Veidi because we were both sick! Mall Cop was super funny. We went to bed after that.
Oh yeah, and I got a buzz cut, and I was freaking out like crazy.
For a Christmas present, Ashton got tickets for a Jazz game that me, Kai, Troy, and Ashton went to. We got pizza. And we won the Jazz game!
At the Jazz game on the big screen there was a competition where the best dancer would get $500, and I tried! But I didn’t win. Otherwise, I would have $500.
London playing with Joanna and Ellie
Joanna
London and Ellie and me were wearing costumes when we were playing together. We wanted to make a show—a pretty dancing show.
London dressed up like the boy, and me and Ellie danced with her like when a man dances with a woman. It was ballroom dancing.
I felt happy inside because London is my best friend! She is so kind. She is my sister!
London ballroom dancing with Joanna
Last Sunday was New Year’s and Braden and Brooke and Ellie and Charlie came for Christmas and spent New Year’s with us.
We played Poker while watching Kangaroo Jack on New Year’s Eve. We all went to bed at midnight with a new year coming.
Family playing poker on New Year’s Eve
So for Ashton's Christmas present, he got tickets to go to the Jazz game. He took me, Troy, and Quinn with him. The game was against the Mavericks.
It was a really fun game, and the Jazz won by like 40 points! Also, Jordan Clarkson hit a triple double, that was significant because no member of the Jazz had done that in 10 years!
So yeah, we witnessed Jazz history! After the game, we had an amazing ride home! Ashton turned on the music, and whenever we played a song, we would all just belt out the lyrics so loud! It was too fun! I had a great time with Ashton, Troy, and Quinn!
Braden, Brooke, and girls flying home
One of my Christmas presents this year was tickets to a Jazz game. Troy, Quinn, Kai, and I all got to go see the Jazz play the Mavericks on New Year’s Day.
We witnessed a historic night for the Jazz, as Jordan Clarkson had the first triple double for a Jazz player in over 10 years! And the Jazz went on to be the Mavericks by 40 points! It was such a fun game to be at.
The ride home was almost just as memorable. We turned on the music and we all four belted out pretty much every song that came on pretty much the whole way home. If our voices weren’t completely gone from cheering at the game, they were after that!
Boys at Jazz game