An unexpected bump in our journey...

I had a CT scan this week to check out a lump in my abdomen.  I heard back today from my doctor that I have a tumor on my right kidney.  It is 7 cm, so close to 3 inches across.  I go in to see the urologist tomorrow afternoon and hopefully he'll be able to give us more information.

They can't tell whether it is malignant or not, so I'm assuming they'll be doing more tests, and chances are high that they will want to remove the whole kidney.  There were no signs of abnormalities in my lymph nodes, liver, or anywhere else, which is good.  

My sweet mom is flying in tonight and will go with me to the doctor tomorrow.  And my dear daddy cleared his schedule so that he can drive down tomorrow as well.  

Despite my fears, I feel quite at peace with everything.  I know things will work out even if I don't know exactly how.  Of course, prayers are more than appreciated.

Five weeks ago, tomorrow, I was in the hospital waiting room, anxious to hear how my mom and grandma were doing after their kidney transplant.  My mother gave up her right kidney.  To call this situation ironic would be a gross understatement.

Del Mar Vacation Recap

We had a great trip to California.  Unfortunately, the camera died after the first day and the charger was hundreds of miles away...

But we did get some good pictures of our time at the beach on Coronado Island:

We also went to Knott's Berry Farm, visited Paul, Jill, Kate, and Gwen at their beautiful new home, hiked Torrey Pines, enjoyed a visit from our friends Kyle, Bekah, and Emma Paredes, and relaxed at home... a lot.

There was quite a bit of leftover ice cream in the freezer when we arrived.

There was very little leftover ice cream in the freezer when we left...

We loved our visit.  And this visit reconfirmed my feeling about vacations: They are just as much (if not more) about the people you spend time with then about the places you go.  

Spending time with friends and family, even when it's just the three of us, or even me and Grant, trumps an awesome view or killer roller coaster.  It always will.  

So we've just gotta make sure our vacations include cool people in addition to the awesome views and killer roller coasters :)

Coronado on Dwellable

Beach Day

We loved Coronado Island.  Will loved it too, despite the smushed face he is making.  It was too cold for an actual swimming beach day, but we dipped our toes in the water and enjoyed the view.

Today we are off to Knott's Berry Farm and to visit Paul, Jill, Kate and Gwen.  Will was only 6 weeks old the last time we saw them so I'm excited he'll get to play with his cousins this time.

Vacation daydreaming

We are in San Diego.  Del Mar to be exact.  It is awesome.

Will has a cold (his first) and is taking a nap.  When he gets up we're going to visit Coronado Island.

But for now, Grant is cooking Brats downstairs and I am daydreaming about moving to a foreign country and buying a 15th century home... What?

Just watched this.  The family used to go to church with Grant's parents.  I may be a little obsessed...

Sunday Morning

It's our 300th post!  And it's going to be a good day.  I can feel it.  

There are teeny sprouts in the garden:

There's a smiley bubba:

There's a breakfast casserole:

And lemon berry smoothies: 

And ahh... the family room is tidy!

And notice Will's new chair!  It is adorable.

I hope you have a great Sunday.  Eat some good food, recharge at church, take a walk, (or better yet, ride a bike), and spend time with people you love.  

Nervous, but excited

I'm headed to Taiwan this summer to attend the Global daCi/WDA Dance Summit 2012.  Whoa.

And the schedule is out.  At this link, click on the Presentations at 11:15.  Bottom of the yellow box, Section 38... What?!

I officially have serious butterflies (not to mention serious work to do...)

I'm so excited!  And equally nervous! Like good ole Troy in High School Musical 4!

Little Updates

I've officially been Botox-ed.  The doc said it takes 10 days before I'll see results and I can't wait, especially after the hellish migraine I had yesterday.

Will and I took a trip to Utah last week as well.  I didn't take any pictures because my camera was making strange beeping noises and wouldn't take a picture.  Yesterday I realized the self-timer, the beeping self timer, was on.  Nice.

And our planter box is finished!  Planting has officially started.  Tomatoes, strawberries, onions, carrots- yum!