WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!!!

Evelyn and I at the Rose Parade
Placing a rose dedication to Jazmin on the Donate for Life Rose Parade Float

"The Rose and my special message to Jazmin"

"ADORABLE"

"MY SPECIAL ANGELS"

IS THIS A CUTE FAMILY OR WHAT?

HAILEY IN HER FIRST TATTOO

WHAT A SWEET LITTLE FACE!!!

The beginning of the year has flown by. It's the end of February and I can't even remember what I did in January.

I've had a busy start of the new year. Hailey is growing so fast and Little Markie is talking and finally says "Nana". What a great feeling that is when you walk through the door and he says "hi Nana". That is a dream come true! I am still watching him on Mondays. This is my special time to spend with him and I wouldn't miss it for the world. We play in the sand box, take rides in the red wagon, go to the park, color, blow bubbles and just spend each moment together. He is a sweet little guy with a big heart.

My little girl is adorable! She is starting to coo and smile at us. I haven't spent too much time with her because big brother wants all my attention. So I try to show him attention while sneaking in some time with Hailey. I look forward to the next few months when she starts becoming more of a baby instead of an infant. I always loved the six month stage.

We are taking a trip to Lake Tahoe in a few weeks with the whole family to celebrate Maxwell's 21st birthday. It should be a blast! Mom and I will watch the grandkids while everyone else goes out at night. Nana and I are happy to have those moments with the kids and some quiet time at night once they are asleep to watch movies and the snow fall (hopefully we will have snow). The house we are renting is so beautiful with over 4,000 square feet with 2 master bedrooms, hot tub, game room and the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. Nana and I are going to cook our hearts out. Special moments with family is what I look forward to.

As for my health, I have decided to change course on my treatment. I have felt awful since last September when the heart doctor caused an accident while doing my heart bio. Then to top it off, Stanford changed my treatment to chemo every week. Then a month ago back in the hospital with problems in the intestines. I have had enough of this. I asked Dr. Akthar if I could take off the month of March with no chemo and no steroid. He is so sweet and considerate and said it is my choice and that no one forces me to do chemo. I have choices and if that is what I feel will help to heal my body and mind then do it. I will start a yoga class next week to help with the physical and especially the mental state of my body. I have been so depressed for months not feeling good, not exercising and not being able to enjoy quality of life. The doctors gave me a new heart to live, not to be depressed, sick and in pain every day. So I will take my blood work for the light chain count on Monday and depending on the results will make my final decision to stop chemo for the month of March. We will wait and see! I pray that I can have this special time to myself!!!!

I have been spending time at the trailer at least 2 or 3 times a month. I love it there because I don't think about my illness and the last 3 years. I only think about the moments in my life that bring me pleasure which are my husband, kids, grandkids, family and true friends.

There is a saying that "friends come into your life for a reason at this time and then go away". I have had many special friends like that and I thank them for the gifts they have shared with me during the times I needed them. My heart is always open!!!

In December, Evelyn (Jazmin's mom) and I went to the Pasadena Rosa Parade to place a rose dedication in Jazmin's honor on the "Donate for Life" Rose Parade Float. See the pictures in this post. It was a wonderful time and moments I will never forget. Evelyn and I stayed at the Beverly Hills Montage. We felt like queens!!! She had never been to Beverly Hills, so it was fun showing her around. We shopped on Rodeo Drive, well I mean we "window shopped". We did have a wonderful dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant Spagos. Evelyn enjoyed her new favorite drink the "aviator". Yes it made her feel like she was flying!!! Those moments are truly a gift!

I'm also excited and appreciate my brother Joey and sister Rachel for planning a family get together with all kids, grandkids, great grandkids each month. Sunday we had dinner here at my house. It was so much fun! We ate pasta, meatballs, garlic bread and of course fruit salad. Joey will hosted the get together next month and had a great idea. Everyone will decide on a food they would like us to make for the next month's get together and we will pull one suggestion out of a hat and make that dish. It will be a way that everyone gets to choose what they want. I think the popular dish will be pasta or gnocchi. Either way I'm just happy to spend time with my family.

They are the "AMOR DE MI VITA" (love of my life).

Enjoy the pictures and I can't say when I'll write again but I'll try to do it soon!

Love,

Debbie