Olivia

Our family received the most heart breaking news this week. Really for me it started on July 20th. We were at Cody and Jen's for a family barbecue and Ben said he needed to talk to me about Olivia. He explained that she had been having crazy headaches accompanied with throwing up. They weren't everyday but when she did have them she was on the couch and out of commission. I immediately had some major sirens going off in my head. I am a WORRIER, I am also the worst because I jump to worst case scenarios. I did not like the sound of her symptoms.

When I picked the kids up in Lodi on the 21st I was given her headache chart and some medication and instructions. She was having a good day and was excited to come. Things I noticed while I had her for four days. Sunday night through Friday (July 26th). She would get a very mild headache every night. She never threw up with me. She seemed fine during the day but was definitely more chill then normal. More than her head hurting she wanted me to massage her neck each day because it was tight. She literally fell asleep every time we were in the car. We were very active and busy but this is unlike her. So she seemed tired and achy. I gave her a big hug and passed her off to her Grandma Cavanass on July 26th.

 Ben and Katie's family started school on the 30th of July. The second day of school Olivia had to stay home because she had a bad headache and was throwing up again. She went to an eye doctor and they discovered there was pressure on her optic nerve causing swelling. Her vision had not yet been effected. On Thursday August 1st Ben sent our family a text that Olivia would have an MRI the following morning. I did not sleep that night. I went to the temple first thing in the morning and added them all to the prayer roll. While I was hiking I received a text from Ben that they had the MRI and there is a mass in Olivia's brain. Devastated doesn't seem to describe the emotions I was feeling. It was a very very hard day and I am just her aunt. But really I had been very worried since Ben talked to me on July 20th. This just confirmed my worst fears. I can't imagine the emotions Ben and Katie are/were feeling.

Friday and Saturday were hard and sad days. Just spent worrying and crying. I just have to do that. I still exercised and ran errands and visited people but inside it felt like a piece of me was dying. Seems dramatic but it was so heard to hear that news. Saturday we organized a fast and got everyone who loves Olivia involved. Honestly I only fasted for Olivia and her family and her doctors but today is the first day I have felt peace. Last night I got some sleep for the first time in three days. It was soooo needed. I wish I could go give that girl the biggest hug. I don't know that she will ever know how much I love her. But man I love that girl. I hate that she is facing such a difficult thing. We still don't know exactly what she is facing. Ben and Katie will meet with doctors tomorrow to discuss a plan and learn about the tumor. No matter what there are going to be some challenges for everyone in their family. Such a hard and horrible thing.

It is crazy that she is so smart and so active and so fun and yet there is a tumor in her brain. She doesn't look sick. She is as beautiful as ever. She bikes, dances, does swim team and still that mass has quietly grown. I am so thankful for eternal families. The gospel. For a ward that Ben and Katie love and that will buoy them up in this difficult time. For a Savior that has felt everything we will feel and understands this pain. I know we have a challenge ahead for our family but I know Olivia and everyone that loves her will fight with her. So now we pray and fast and love this beautiful girl!

The rest of California

Thursday morning after FortBragg we had breakfast and then loaded the car to head back to Oroville. We stopped and said goodbye to Grandma Brown and then were off. We stopped in Williams and had lunch. It was soooooo hot!!!!! We got back to my moms and we were tired. My mom took the kids to see The Lion King and I rested and cleaned. After the movie we had dinner and it was bath and bed time. The kids were meeting up with Katie's family the next day to go to a waterpark.

Friday the kids got up early. Olivia helped make breakfast and we just chilled until I dropped them off with their Grandma Cavanass. I hate saying goodbye to those kids. Just love them so much. I had so much fun with them.

Then I biked. My mom and I went to Marshalls and Ross. We met Aaron and Jacklyn in Chico for dinner. We went to Hulu's. Jacklyn's parents and sister were in town and so we had dinner with them too. It was so nice.

Saturday I biked in the morning and then hung out with my mom until the afternoon. In the afternoon I went and met up with Angelee. We did dinner and visited. It was nice to see her again. Then I stopped by Aaron adn Jacklyn's and watched a movie with them.

Sunday was church. I took Moki for a walk before church. I got home from the walk at 10:08 and church was at 10:30. I made it on time. I am proud of that! It was so good to see the Jagoda's at church. They are now home from their mission. It was fun to catch up with them for a minute. It was sooooooooo hot. Aaron and Jacklyn cam over for lunch. That was nice. Then I took a nap and tried not to move the rest of the day because of the heat.

Monday I biked, mowed my moms lawn, and then we headed to Jacklyn's to borrow their carpet cleaner. We used that on my mom's rugs. They looked so much better. Then we swam. Then I hung out with Angelee and swam some more. It was a great day.

Tuesday I made my way back to Utah. I biked before I left which was really nice. I also stopped in Reno and had lunch with Mikila. That drive is always so long. I didn't get home until 11pm.

California was great. I loved seeing all my family and spending time with them. I loved that we snuck over to Fort Bragg. I was proud of myself for biking 6 of the 10 days I was there. It is so hot there so that felt like a big accomplishment. I loved meeting Jen, Cody's wife. It was a great trip!

Fort Bragg

On Wednesday we went to Fort Bragg. We hung out at Jan and Lou's in the morning. And then mid morning headed to the beach. You never know what kind of weather you will have there but we were so lucky. The weather was amazing. 75 degrees and no wind. We played all day and we played hard.

We started out at glass beach. We went down to the beach and the kids played in the water and collected rocks. Braxton was having the time of his life. Olivia found a hermit crab. When she picked it up the second time he vacated the shell. SAD!

Little miss sassy!

 These kids are so cute.

 We decided we needed to feed these kids. so we headed to the parking lot for some lunch.

 Katelyn LOVED Janice. It was seriously the cutest thing.

After lunch we went on a bike ride. That was interesting. Braxton still has a lot of fear when it comes to biking so that was a real test of my patience and I may have failed.......oops! Lou, Olivia, Braxton and I biked while the rest of the crew walked. Well Katelyn biked with my mom and Janice.

Then we loaded up the kids bikes and Lou and I biked a little faster without them.

After that we ended up Sand Dollar (10 mile) beach. We spent the rest of the day here and it was awesome. Braxton was in heaven and played in the water the entire time. He didn't stop until we dragged him out. The girls did some water and some relaxing. It was a perfect afternoon.

 I LOVE Fort Bragg. It is the perfect playground for kids and adults alike. We played until way past dinner time. OOOPS! Lou bought everyone fries at McDonalds and then we headed back to Willits.


We made a stop at Grandma Browns. The kids loved throwing Molly's toy for her. We had a nice visit and took a few pictures.

We didn't get back to Jan and Lou's until well after 9pm. We got the kids some food and put them to bed. We skipped showering because they were all so tired. Poor Braxton was totally sunburned. DANG!!!! I hate that when I have the kids and forget to reapply sunscreen. This was my favorite day in California. It was so fun and nice.

California!!!!!

My time in California felt so busy, which I like, but man I was sooo tired afterwards. It started with a family barbecue in Redding at my cousin Cody's. I got to meet his wife Jen. All my dads siblings were there, my grandma, Ben and Katelyn came, as well as me and my mom. We also took gifts for Jen who will be having a baby boy pretty soon. By the time I biked in the morning, my mom and I shopped for a gift, did the barbecue, and then stopped and saw Aaron and Jacklyn on the way home it was a very full and busy day.

Next was Sunday. My mom and I went to church in Oroville. Then Aaron and Jacklyn came over for dinner. Then I went to Lodi and picked up Olivia, Braxton and Katelyn. They were going to spend the week with me while their parents worked. We got back to Oroville in time to got o bed!

Monday we woke up early because that is what Ben's kids do:) Olivia helped me make pancakes and then I went on a bike ride. Then all the kids and me headed to Chico to swim with Jacklyn. Aaron and Jacklyn have a nice pool at their apartment. We swam for a couple of hours. Jacklyn was awesome and jumped in with them over and over and over again.

 Braxton and Olivia were trying to be funny and not jump in. They jumped over and over and over.

 I hate getting my hair wet. LAME I know, but I enjoyed watching them!

This picture of Katelyn is my favorite. How did Ben make a child this adorable??????????? She is also at the actual funnest stage. She is so cute and loving and just the best.

After swimming we headed back to Oroville. Had lunch, changed are clothes and then headed to Willits to stay with Jan and Lou. Jan and Lou were so kind to let us come. They had a delicious dinner ready for us when we arrived. The kids and I slept in their new trailer, which the kids LOVED!!!!

Tuesday Lou and Jan took us on a picnic outing to Montgomery Woods. This is a redwood forest close to their home. We did an easy 2-3 mile hike and had a picnic in the middle of the hike. The kids all did a great job. The trees were huge and made it so we were pretty much in the shade the entire time.

 Love thee kids so much!

 Braxton is so handsome and ALL boy!!!!!

 It was a beautiful day to be out.

We headed back to Jan and Lou's after the hike. We stopped and bought ice cream because it was national vanilla ice cream day????? My grandma came up to Jan and Lou's for dinner. We visited and played Old Maid. Old Maid was the game of choice this trip. The kids were tired from playing hard all day and they were all asleep by 9pm. Win for me!

Summer

I love that in the summer I have the chance to do things with so many different people. Sometimes I get a picture, many times I do not:(

This summer Jacquie Carter and I have hiked every Tuesday and Thursday morning that both of us have been in town. I don't have a picture but I love hiking with her. We hike fast and visit about everything. It has been a blessing in my life. It has been extra great because we have been waking up early to continue hiking which is really good for me.

Amy Davis also in my ward has been great too. We walked on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings during the school year. We have walked at random times this summer but I soooo appreciate the company.

Amber and I were able to go to Goblin Valley and Rocky Mountain National Park. We both love to hike and bike and are always up for almost any adventure.

Angelee came to town and stayed with me and then I saw her again in California. I love spending time with her and her family. It was so fun to see her twice this summer.

Erica and I biked one evening. So fun! I don't have a picture but it was fun to get out and bike together.

Jana and I have played basketball and visited. She is the best because she lets me come hang out anytime. Sometimes I just can't be home alone and I am so thankful I always feel so welcome there. That in part is because of her husband Ben as well.

I promised Brittani Pugmire I would play basketball in the mornings when I was in town this summer. It has been awesome. I love seeing her and I love playing basketball. I am grateful she encouraged me to do so. There is a very fun group of ladies that play in Alpine and I have loved doing that some mornings.

Sariah was in town in July. We got together on the 10th and hiked in the morning. I love that we can catch up so easily. I love talking to her and it is so fun to be exercising while we do that. I fell really hard and messed up my leg and both wrists, totally lame, but the hike was great. I am still recovering from the fall but I am so glad we got to get out and spend time together.

Jeneca Beasley and I got together and biked one evening. It was so fun. She lives in beautiful Midway and the evening was perfect. We biked on the dirt trail that parallels the train above Deer Creek. It was soooo good to see her.

Hannah is the best. Seriously has changed my life having such a good friend at work. We both were doing a lot of different things this summer but we snuck in one camping trip, some lunches and a hike to Stewart Falls!

 I feel so blessed to have all these ladies in my life along with many others. It is such a blessing to have friends!

My Mom was in Utah

My mom came to Utah while I was at Rocky Mountain National Park. We got to spend some time together when she got back. She was in town for almost three weeks so she got to do lots of visiting. She and I also watched Sam and Amanda's kids for an extended weekend. It is always fun to have her in town.

We took the boys to the children's museum one day. We visited Sam's family and swam on another day. We went to the zoo. She had a chance to visit all her siblings that live in Utah. We did Sunday dinner a couple of times. It was fun.

The zoo was fun but it was sooooooo HOT!!!!! It was fun to hang out with these cute kids. Amanda, Katie, and Loralie came too.

 On my Dad's birthday we swam at Sam and Amanda's with the kids. Amanda made a delicious chicken dinner. We ended the night having ice cream and singing happy birthday to my dad. That was actually so perfect!

My mom and I almost got all the kids to church on time when we had them:) Right as we were leaving Emerson had a NASTY poopy diaper. It got everywhere. He and my mom stayed home. Audrey was so cute in her little dress.

 While we were watching the kids we took them swimming. We went to the park. We played a lot at my house. It was low key and fun, well except poor Audrey was teething and seemed pretty miserable. Luckily Moki kept a smile on that girls face.

 Audrey loves the stroller.

 Emerson building a fort.

 My mom and I got Emerson a new bike for his birthday!!!!! So fun. He is already a champ on it.

 The plan when my mom flew out was that I would drive her home and visit in California for a little over a week. We stopped by Sam and Amanda's on our way to California so she could say by to the grandkids.

Emerson did not want to be in the picture.

We didn't stay too long because we had a long day of driving ahead of us.