Bloopers, Outtakes, & Fun

First off, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!! 🎄🌟🎅🏼 Hope y’all are skiing, or beaching, or site-seeing somewhere fabulous....OR having awkward family conversations about politics and such. Seriously though, wherever you are, no doubt it is full of family and love and goodwill! And a T-minus countdown to get back home. 😜

We just wanted to share some funny pictures or incidents that happened in the last couple of days. And at the risk of sounding redundant, we wanted to say how appreciative we are for all of you. You can’t even imagine, nor could I begin to list, the regular check-ins and kindnesses that are bestowed upon us. There really aren’t adequate words to express what the support means to us. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. ❤️

First up, our 4-year old niece Lila. This love bug is a quick study. And with a whip smart 6-year old sister, she’s usually on top of her game. But apparently, she has spent the last 4 (almost 5) years hanging with her tíos under the misconception that we were just pals. She was confused when told that her daddy had a brother-in-law, let alone that the BIL was tío Craig. My brother said she gasped when he said we were married. When asked what she thought and she said that we were buddies, he said, “you thought they were just friends that lived together? Like they were just buddies?”. And she exclaimed, “YES!” With a giggle. She called us on speaker phone to chat about the revelation. It was hilarious. Perhaps tío and tía need to bump up their PDA. 👫

pics of these two little stinkers:

Next up. An ongoing text exchange between my friend Stacy Mackintosh and Tommy. Who’s Tommy? Your guess is as good as hers. 😂😂

We were putting together a holiday gift basket for all the BMT (bone marrow transplant) nurses in the unit. They are highly specialized, incredibly invested in their patients, and deserve so much recognition for their dedication. In addition to the gift basket, Craftmark routinely sends cookies and muffins to the delight of the nurses! So while we had the contents of the gift basket covered, we didn’t have the creativity to execute the poem we envisioned going with it - short of it starting with, “Roses are red....”. So my brother suggested we give him the highlights of the message and he’d write it for us. Here is the poem and a sampling of the gift basket.

To arrive at how that last piece was executed, let me introduce my cousin Kendall. She is on here for two reasons. One is for the encouragement video sent to C from her precious little Paulmer. ❤️ And the second is to give accolades for her ability to knock something/anything out in a moments notice. I threw the poem at her in an email, needed it to look cute and be laminated, and wanted some pictures of our beautiful boy Bingley to have on the wall in our new room. Did I mention we moved rooms? George and Weezy are movin’ on up! 🔝 Response time immediate. Hand delivered in less than 24 hours.

C had his last chemo pill on 12.24! Bone marrow biopsy tomorrow 12.26! We know in our hearts it is going to come back with the results we want. But just for good measure, please put all of your collective thoughts, prayers, energy, spiritual vortexes, healing crystals, shit - magic beans(?) together and WILL it to have the results we want. ❤️

Here is C taking his last chemo 💊!! “Chug, chug, chug....”!

Really, guys? Did you honestly think there was any shot of this actually happening? Empty bottle 😳

Manuel, our brother from another mother, sent this video to sum up 2019. Enough said. Enjoy. 😂

Our BFF Maria (who also happens to be a therapist) was concerned about C’s vitamin D, mood, energy, focus, etc. so she did her homework and this came for him in the mail. Light therapy. 🌞🌅

Our moms each left or sent packages of fun stuff for us to open together today. Total mom things. Items that are well thought out, have our best interest at heart, indulge us with a little treat we would otherwise deny ourselves (my once-a-decade hankering - Whataburger!), and because they love us, hate that they couldn’t spend Christmas with us, and only want us to be happy and healthy. ❤️

And here are some pics from the last couple of days too! And yes, he looks tired, the dark circles are pretty prominent, his voice is pretty quiet and hoarse, he’s lost quite a bit of muscle mass, and he’s fairly easily fatigued.....but it’s because he’s been kicking ass for weeks! My. Person. ❤️ Couldn’t love him more.

This hilarious headband in a gift bag from our dear Jenny Adams - it has made the rounds.

These socks and sweater from C’s friend Cindy. And we are genuinely sorry for the unfortunate placement of the game of miniature bowling. 😬

****I do clean his clothes - I’m not sure what we have going on here. 🤭

These amazing prezzies from our bestie, Ainsley. ❤️

And lastly, a sampling of the mugs for our medical team (doctors, NP’s, PA’s, pharmacists). With a note of self awareness and understanding - that these are the messages in their thought bubbles above their heads each time they come in for rounds....

And honestly, there are so many of you that check in daily. Take time out of your busy lives to make sure that we know you’re there. The Dorns (Mickey snd Mary Jo) left who knows what hilarious package on our porch for me to bring to the hospital. “Made a pic for your collection” they said. C and I can only imagine 😂! Our bestie Ash made us pierogis (C’s Christmas Eve family tradition), and ran them by the hospital on their way OOT. A much needed hug and delicious holiday staple. Our builder Tom Barrow, and now incredibly encouraging friend (who is intimately acquainted with shitty cancer), gifted us some meals with their favorite chef (I just saw this email tonight!!!) upon our return home. Their group has been incredible. My aunt/uncle stand in the cheering section for us on the daily. Always texting to check in with encouraging words. C’s new AML club buddies. Hugh checking in on him today from OOT, and The Shatz‘ stopping by the hospital to check in with us and see how he was doing. 🙏🏼 Our families near and far are unrelenting in their support. I know y’all know it’s the intangibles that mean the most to us - I mean for sure keep the tangibles coming - I don’t want y’all to deviate from what makes you comfortable - but the friendship.....that’s the stuff that feeds the soul. We love you guys! And here’s to many blessings for you and yours in 2020! And obvi for us too! ❤️

Hope this finds you all well,

C & A