An Aching Heart

My heart aches. It aches for mothers and fathers who will never hug or kiss their precious babies again. It aches for siblings who will never giggle together again. It aches for children who will never be able to seek their mother's advice. For husbands, boyfriends, and soon-to-be fiances who lost their soul mates, their best friends. My heart aches for a broken world filled with pain and sorrow.

On December 14, 2012, 20 precious angels were ripped from their families. Taken forever. I can't even imagine the horror that filled their last moments. The only thing that brings me comfort is knowing that our loving Father welcomed them into his arms immediately, and that they were filled with joy at the sight of their Creator, all horror and fear forgotten. Seven selfless, loving adults gave their lives trying protect these children. They are heroes and deserve to be honored and remembered for their last acts of kindness. I have always held teachers in high regard but even more so after hearing stories of how teachers protected children in the midst of a horrifying nightmare. I pray that our Savior will bring peace and comfort to all affected by this tragedy, that He would wrap His loving arms around them and never let go.

In the days that have followed this most horrifying event I have been shocked by the amount of people who have taken this event as an opportunity to push their own political and spiritual agendas. Again, my heart breaks. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I love Him with my whole heart, I can't imagine living life without Him. Without Him, I would be completely lost. That being said, I have been so frustrated by friends and fellow believers who have taken this tragedy as an opportunity to push their opinions on political and spiritual hot topics such as gun control and abortion. This is not the time for that! It is too soon, we are too raw from the horrific happenings of December 14. I agree that some things need to be addressed but let these poor families and the rest of the nation mourn the loss of precious life in peace before emotional hot topics are pushed in their faces. Jesus called us to first love God and then love others:

Mark 12:28-34

New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Bringing up these topics, at this point in time, lacks compassion, love and grace. What people need, especially now, is love and compassion. Please friends, lets remember to love first. Let's not get so distracted and obsessed with our political and spiritual opinions that we lose our ability to be loving and compassionate.

Boston in the Fall

The love the fall. Simply love it. The colors, the baking, the holiday excitement, the chill that eventually comes, all of it. I was pretty bummed to be leaving our home and friends and family during this festive time. I was sad that I wouldn't be able to decorate our home or host a family breakfast complete with pumpkin pancakes to celebrate the coming of fall. I was sad that my girls wouldn't be able to go trick-or-treating with their friends and that Kierra wouldn't be able to participate in the costume parade at school. The girls also missed their school pictures that are also taken in the fall. We wouldn't be able to go apple picking/flinging with our family. We also learned that we would miss Thanksgiving with our family. Boo. Simply put, I was bummed. I knew everything would be okay, we would make the best of our situation, it wouldn't be the same, but it would be good enough. Little did I know but we were in for a big surprise. Our fall turned out to be one of the most memorable falls. Filled with tons of trick-or-treating with friends, a costume fashion show, apple picking, leaves changing color and actually falling from their trees creating heaps of fun on the ground below. The girls were also given the opportunity to have their pictures taken by a professional photographer which was preceded by the girls having their make-up done by a real stylist (one who has done make-up for celebrities) all for free. We decorated our apartment with small pumpkins and a pumpkin candle, it was delightful. As Halloween approached some wonderful friends sent an entire box of Halloween decorations! My parents were able to visit and walk around Beacon Hill for Halloween night which is known for their amazing trick-or-treating and family-friendly Halloween spirit. For Thanksgiving we will be traveling to Plymouth for a Thanksgiving buffet at Plymouth Plantation. Our fall has far exceeded my expectations. I am so excited to share it with you all!

Look at these colors!

Halloween! We had three different Halloween events this year. First was a party at Christopher's Haven with a fashion show and magic show. So much fun!

If you look closely you can see Cowboy Matt in the background. :)

Angelina Ballerina

A Monarch Butterfly

Our adorable little friend who we lovingly refer to as, Maya Papaya.

Our second event was trick-or-treating at the hospital. I don't know if my girls will ever be able to trick-or-treat like normal people ever again. Each girl left the hospital with over 15 pounds of candy. What does one even do with that amount of candy? Do we bring it home? Surprise a homeless person? I have no idea. An important detail I left out is that each sweetie had three costumes to wear. The hospital and volunteers are very generous. 

Love Bugs, a Witch and a Penguin?!?! Oh my!

Jake the Pirate

Tinkerbel

Our third and final event was a walk and a a little trick-or-treating around Beacon Hill. Amazing. Picture the crowds at Disneyland, high on sugar, squeezed into narrow alley ways and streets. The families here go above and beyond decorating and making Halloween a memorable event for all who visit. I longed to be a resident, sipping wine, handing candy out to adorable children... someday. :)

A Colonial Girl and a Fairy Princess

This was three stories high. CRAZY!

Spider webs and decorations were covered this neighborhood. SO much fun!

Next in our fall adventures is apple picking! We were warned that the apple picking might not be very good as it was the end of the season. OH MY GOODNESS. If this was "not very good" I would like to see what "very good" is! Apples the size of an infants head, people! Crispy, juicy, delicious apples that leave your mouth wanting for more as soon as you have finished the last. 

We had an absolute blast picking apples, eating apples, drinking apple cider and my favorite, eating warm apple cider doughnuts. So tasty! 

Now for some random fall pictures. 

Unintentional matching jammies! One of the best surprises ever!

Love and miss you all!

Radiation Vacation Update 5: The Tale of the Turnip

34 treatments down, 10 to go! It's time to count down people! We've bought out tickets and our flight date is set for November 28th! As our time winds down here I am finding that I am having some mixed emotions. I am definitely ready to go home, I am so ready to see faces that I love so much. I can't wait to be home and turn the page on this particular chapter of our lives. But, as much as I want to go home, I am also anxious about the future. I am terrible at waiting, and for the next six months we will be waiting to hear if Belle's tumor has grown, shrunk or has just sat nicely inside Belle's sweet little noggin. I have figured out that I better learn how to be better at waiting. Much of our time this past summer was spent waiting for doctors to tell us what our next move was, it was horrible. I hated feeling like we were not actively fighting this thing, that while we were sitting and waiting, this tumor could be growing. Now, after we have been in combat for almost three months, we will go home and try to return to a "normal" life for six months before we return to see if anything has changed. Blah. I'm sure it will all work out. "IT" has been working out for the last 5 months with strength from above, much prayer, and support from loved ones and strangers. I don't think I will ever really be able to express how thankful I am for everything that God has done for us and for everything our amazing community has done for us. You are all incredible and you each hold a special place in my heart.

We have met so many wonderful people here, another reason I feel confused about going home. I don't want to say goodbye to the faces we have seen almost everyday for the past three months, these people feel like family and we will miss them. Thank goodness for facebook and email. I hope with my whole heart that we will be able to stay in contact with our neighbors and proton friends, we are so blessed to have had them touch our lives.

Anyway, on to the Turnip. She is doing so well! Her energy level is climbing and she is having less headaches and nausea! A visit from Great Aunt Barb, Nacky and Papagogi (my parents), 15 pounds of candy (more on that later), and the realization of only having two and a half weeks left has brightened her spirits and she is flying high. At least once a day she squeals in delights and announces, "Only ten treatments to go!" Let's all close our eyes and savor her sweet joy, it's delicious.

Here is the long awaited picture of the Turnip:

This is what Belle does everyday. Isn't she brave?

At the Public Garden with Aunt Barb.

Why, yes, that is a spider on my Dad's head.

Someone got a new hat! She is quite shnazzy.

A bumpy bicycle ride with Papgogi! What else could you ask for?

Cuddling on the "T." We are such city people now.

Our Tucson blood is not made for this cold stuff.

Fun times at the Children's Museum.

CarniVAL!

I love that Belle is wearing earmuffs, or "earmuffins" as Kierra calls them, with a short sleeve shirt. Crazy kid.

That's it for now, more to come later!