"Where's my nutcracker parade?"

LOL. Larson asked me the other day if I posted the photo of his nutcracker parade this year (remember from last year lol.). He was sad to hear I had not had a chance to go through any Christmas photos yet. So, I hurried to find a couple and post them. So here is his "nutcracker parade" and also his gingerbread house he made and a cute photo of him!

Happy Birthday...

We love you and miss you Shelly!

Brown Mansion/ Penwell Gabel Calanders are out!

Check out June!! Isn't he CUTE!! :)
There will be a signing at Penwell Gabel on Jan. 3rd from 5-6. For those of you that know Larson (or anyone else in the calander), they would love for you to bring your calander to "autograph"!

Cake Balls!

OMGosh! These are the BEST things EVER! And so easy!
Take one cake mix-any flavor and make according to directions. When cake is done, crumble up (I used a food processor).
Take one can of frosting-any flavor and mix in with the crumbled cake. Form into balls. Dip into melted almond bark. ENJOY!!

So far, my favorites have been chocolate cake with chocolate almond frosting (with added almond extract to the frosting!) dipped in chocolate almond bark and red velvet cake with buttercream icing dipped in white almond bark. Tonight, I am making cherry chip cake with cherry icing dipped in chocolate. I also made yellow cake with chocolate icing (a personal family favorite flavor).
You can make it up with any combo that you like!
They are little bits of heaven and worth every pound you will put on eating them haha!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kevin, Kasey, Raisa and Larson

MySpace Graphics & Free Myspace Layouts

~Brown Mansion Calendar Shoot~

Be sure to check out this calendar when you get it in the mail (mid December)!!! Larson was photographed as Donald, the young boy. He had a BLAST! He was so excited to do this! He requested to be the June photo, but we'll see :).
One reason he was so excited to do this is that he LOVES calendars lol. We call him our "calendar boy". Ever since he was about 2 he has been facinated with dates. We can always count on him to tell us what day it is haha! He has always had a calendar above his bed too. Now, he will have one with HIM in it!
I can't wait to get it!

What I've been up to.....

Alot has been going on that I really didn't want to post until now. After we got back from Houston the beginning of October, I was sent to have an ultasound of the thyroid. Well, that lead to a biopsy that was done 2 weeks ago in Bartlesville. Not a fun thing to have done! Three needles poked into your neck! I had to wait a over a week to get the results of this (and let me tell you, that makes for a LONG week. Even keeping busy with 4-5 sessions a week, I still had some time to freak out a bit.) I finally heard from my Doctor in Houston and the results came back as "Non-diagnostic specimen due to lack of cellularity". Meaning, they didn't get any cells. On the bright side of that, they didn't get any cancer cells, but on the downside, they didn't get ANY cells. SO, I had to go in for a nuclear uptake scan (which I believe is similar to a bone scan, in that they give you radioactive stuff and then scan you and the radioactive stuff would stick to any cancer and it would light up). Ya, I'm real technical with this eh? It was a two day test, and I had that done this past Tuesday and Wednesday in Bartlesville. I think my anxiety level was out the roof this week! Well, yesterday, we got the results of that and it showed normal thyroid uptake!!! Meaning NO CANCER!!!!! :)!!
So, I was able to breathe a sigh a relief and thank the good Lord! I will repeat the biopsy in January when we are down in Houston, but I am not worried about it.
So, that's what has been happening in cancer land.

Now, in my real life, things are great! The studio is coming along. I just got back a few minutes ago from picking up my new flooring in Joplin for the studio. The contractors will finish Monday with the sheetrocking. We will paint this week, then have the new floor installed. I am so happy to see it coming along!

That's all for now! OHHHHH, I was going to tell you about a book I am in the middle of reading right now that I SO reccomend!! It is called "The Shack" by William P. Young. GREAT BOOK! Very moving and inspirational. I just bought the first book in the "Twilight" series today, so that is next on my list! After the "Twilight" series (I think there are 4 books in that series) I am going to read the "Left Behind" series. I need to make sure I get enough "me" time to finish them all!

In case I don't post before Thanksgiving, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksging!
~Kasey

Halloween Fun!

We are home!

Man, I hate going down there every 3 months lol!
We got all the scan reports back. All looked great (bone scan, xray and ct), but I need to have an ultrasound of the thyroid. Don't know what is up with that, but it is most likely nothing, as the overall results from the CAT scan were great and "nothing new". Tumor markers are up slightly, but again, nothing to really worry about. They tend to fluctuate a bit. The CTC (Circulating Tumor Cells) test from July were ZERO! We won't have the one from today for a couple weeks. We also do not have the bone marrow biopsy back yet. I had that done on Monday and all went well with it. I hope to have that report back next week. All bloodwork is looking great! I started up with my re-immunizations too. I realized I had LIED to my kids lol! THEY DO HURT!
We were able to rent a car on Tuesday and drove down to Galveston. They have alot to clean up there, but I'll bet they will for the most part, be back to normal in a year or two. Sadly, my favorite "Joe's Crab Shack" took a real beating! I guess after seeing Coffeyville last year, this wasn't as shocking to see as I thought it would be. I took a few photos and will try and get some posted as soon as I get a chance.
That's it for now! Off to spend some time with my kiddos!
~Kasey

ETA------I just got this email!

Hello Kasey,

Your Bone marrow biopsy was Negative for any disease. Good news!

Thank you,

Tobi Fisher, MPAS, PA-C
Drs. Champlin and Ueno
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

ONE YEAR!

I can hardly believe it is time for my one year scans! A year ago (I think TODAY!) I had my stem cell transplant. We leave Sunday and will be there until Wednesday. I will be having a bone marrow biopsy on Monday (under sedation because I am a big baby lol!). I think we are going to rent a car and drive down to Galveston on Tuesday to check it out now. It has made me sad what I have seen on tv. I just love that little beach town! We meet with my Doctor Wednesday and I have an infusion of Zometa, then we will be home.
Raisa and Larson have kept us busy with volleyball and football lately. Raisa is done with volleyball now and I must say, they improved 150% from just a month ago! Looking foreward to it all again next year! Larson made his first TOUCHDOWN last Saturday! I did not get to see it as I was in Iola at Raisa's volleyball tournament, but I am SO PROUD of him!!
For those of you that only visit this blog of mine, I want to share some great news posted on my photography blog. I now have a studio! I am so excited. We close on October 14th. I have some contrators ready to do some work on it---lay hardwood floors, sheetrock, etc. Luckily, it won't need much work.
That's all the updates for now. I will post when we get back from Houston!
~Kasey

Stand up 2 cancer!!

If you have a moment, PLEASE donate!!
http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/index.php

Larson Hoggatt....

for President?? What has my little boy gotten himself into????
(Be sure to click the play arrow at the bottom left of the picture!)
http://www.inews3.com/topstory.php?id=4c6172736f6e7c486f6767617474

Back 2 School!

Raisa started Junior High this week! She loves all her classes and is trying out for volleyball. Larson is in first grade and really loves school. Tomorrow they are going to the library and he's so excited! He loves to read! He is going to be starting flag football any day now. Looks like a fun fall and I am just GLAD to be here this fall!!
~Kasey

Hellloooo!!!

All is good here! Just RELAXING after a BUSY summer. I have taken this week off of work (to get myself caught up and spend some time with my kids before they go back to school!). Nothing much new happening.
We are going back to Houston the first week in October and will be there for the week this time. It will be time for my one year post tranplant check up. I can't believe that is coming up! I will have a bone marrow biopsy this time along with the CT and bone scans.
Well, I am off the computer now (trying to take a break from that too for the next week!). Talk to ya all later!
~Kasey

101 Dalmations!

Opening night is tonite! This show will have 4 productions--Tonight, Friday, Saturday and a Sunday afternoon. Come out and see it!

CAT scan results

Looks good!

I didn't realize I did not post this! Just been so busy the last week with swimming (the kids have their League meet tomorrow!), back to school shopping (yah! No uniforms this year for Raisa lol!), the play (101 Dalmations--Raisa is the Momma dog, Perdita, and Larson will be Pepper--opening night is this coming Thursday!!) and lots of photo sessions in between.

I will post some photos from 101 Dalmations later this week! It sounds like it is going to be another GREAT show for Childrens Summer Theatre!

Take care!!
Kasey

Back from Houston

Well, we made it back from Houston. Same thing as last time (the first part of April), we are waiting on the CAT scans, but bone scan was clean and all bloodwook is fine! We aren't expecting anyting unusual to come up in the CAT scan.

I think the Doctor was more concerned with my finger. I had a run in with a firework on the 4th of July. Spent 2 1/2 hours in the ER. I thought it was broken, along with a BAD burn, right through the skin and muscle. They xrayed it and said it wasn't broken. Not much to do with the burn right now except keep Silvadine(?) on it and wait and see.
Well, that was on the 4th. Today, ONE WEEEK LATER!!! I got a call from the Doctor who was on staff in the ER that day. HMMMMMM....it seems my finger IS broken! Geezzzz, it was only an xray of the hand they had to look at. I am really getting fed up with this hospital! I don't think think they have EVER read an xray, ultrasound, mammogram, ct scan correct of mine. Bad luck, or bad hospital???

Any which way, our trip to MD Anderson went well again and that is the main thing!

Back to Houston

We are going back to Houston Sunday for my 9 month post stem cell transplant scans. I have scans all day Monday and we will visit with the Doctor on Wednesday.

I am looking foreward meeting several more women in the same trial while I am down there. One is in the hospital now, one will be there for her 3 month scans and one is getting ready to start the whole process and her journey now. For that is the reason this blog was started.

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.
- Stephen Covey

Funeral for Michaelle

Rosary will be at 7:30pm on Tuesday and the funeral will be Wednesday at 10:00am at Holy Name Catholic Church, Coffeyville with Father Ben officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery.
We have set up a Memorial in her name at Grace Academy Preschool in memory of Shelly (Miss Michaelle); contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337
This will be used to purchase outdoor play epuiptment for the preschoolers.
http://www.dwbfh.com/

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know w you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, 'This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.'
Today your life on earth is past,
but here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
and since each day is the same way,
There's no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

Michaelle was found.

Unforturnately the news was not good. What a TOUGH TOUGH day.
Funeral arrangements are being made for next week. We do not know a day yet.
We are all still in absolute shock.

Prayers for Michaelle

What a day. I wasn't sure about posting this on my blog yet, but, after seeing the hundreds of hits my blog received today, I am here to post.
First off, yes, Michaelle is missing. They have found her car at Roosevelt Drive with her purse, money, phone, etc. all in it. She has had alot of problems this past week that she has had trouble dealing with. She did take her car keys with her. We think she had every intention of returning to it. We don't think foul play was involved. It was hard today as each of us had to go in for questioning at the police department.
We want to THANK everyone from the bottom of our hearts that came out today for the search and rescue. We were overwhelmed at the response. We will all be out again tomorrow.
Thank you to those who have called or emailed your support.
Please keep praying for her safe return.

Maui Photos

I have finally had a chance to go through some of the photos taken while in Maui. We had such a great time there. We ate alot of really great food--Ahi, Mahimahi, tuna kabobs, spaghetti with calamari and my favorite--Macadamia Nut pancakes with butterscotch maple whipped cream and coconut syrup (what made that breakfast really great is we ate it at this beach side "Gazebo" restaurant while watching spinner dolphins right off the coast. Beautiful!)--ohhh and the pineapple---wow. We even had some shipped home and sent a box to my Mom, Dad and Brother, along with a box of macadamia nut chocolates (my sister got another gift, didn't want you to think I forgot her lol, and my parents received their box today!)
We went to the top of a volcano (there is one photo of that in the photos), had a great time at a Luau with free refills of MaiTai's, went in a "cave", swam with sea turtles, drove the Hana Highway (600 turns and 52 one lane bridges---took us 4 hours to drive the 35 mile stretch of Highway, but it was so worth it), shopped in Lahaina, snorkeled at Molokini, boogie boarded and even had time to just relax at the pool at the hotel. We even saw Helen Hunt hehehe--but, no photos of her, have to respect their privacy! One photo in there is of where they filmed the opening scene to Jurassic Park (you may recognize the cliff if you have ever seen the movie).

The colors in Maui are just gorgeous! So vibrant and rich. Everything there is just so colorful.
So, here is a link to just a few of the hundreds of photos taken. Just click on the link and enter the passcode and it will take you to my ordering gallery (it was just easier adding it there---just don't place any orders of us LOL! Well, if you want some of the flowers or sunset, be my guest haha!)

Passcode: Hawaii
http://www.photographybykasey.com/ordering/index.php

Aloha!

What an AMAZING trip we had! It was truly the BEST vacation we have ever taken. Maui was just so beautiful! The water really was as blue as it is in photos. We got back into town yesterday around 3:00. We left Hawaii Tuesday evening at 8:45 (their time, which is 5 hours earlier than it is here) and we stopped in LA at 4:20am and Denver before finally getting into Tulsa at 12:45 pm. I have so many photos to share! I think I will just put them into a gallery on my website and post the link here. I should have a chance this evening to go through them. I will post more about the trip and what all we saw and did later today or tomorrow.
~Kasey

*Howie & Maggie*

Meet our two new furry additions to our family! This is Howie (the orange one) and Maggie (the calico). Howie is pretty ornery and Maggie is pretty cautious, yet sweet.
Just taking some time from packing (ok, I have spent WAY more time packing my camera gear than my clothes LOL!)
Anyway, enjoy the photo of our new cute kittens!

ALOHA!
Kasey

HAWAII!!!

HERE WE COME! We are taking a MUCH needed relaxing trip to Hawaii! We are leaving next Wednesday for 6 days in paradise on the island of MAUI! We told the kids last night and they are so thrilled! We are going to go snorkling at Molokini, go to the top of a volcano, go to some luau's, body surf (remember how Larson is the next Laird Hamilton lol!), rent some bikes, eat great Polynesian and Hawaiian food, and just HAVE FUN! We rented a convertible for the week (ya, baby!), so we will be able to take off and drive around the island. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on the beach of Ka'anapali. There at the hotel they have "Camp Hyatt" where the kids can go one evening from 6-10 and learn how to make lei's and hula and all about their culture, while Mom and Dad can go try all the nice tropical drinks at beach side bar ahhhhhhh! Paradise!
Be ready for LOTS of photos when we get back!
~Kasey

Happy Mother's Day!

To all you great Mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day!

I am embarrassed I have not had time to post on this blog at all in the last month. It has been crazy busy now and I have been trying to keep my other 2 blogs current. Larson has finished soccer and has started t-ball. Raisa is gearing up for swimming and graduating from Holy Name and (gasp!) getting ready to start Junior High! I can't believe it! Where did my baby girl in pigtail and braids go??? Larson will be graduating from Kindergarten next week.
Next week is also Raisa's birthday. We took her and 2 of her best friends to Tulsa and we stayed at the Radisson that has "Leapin' Louie's Lagoon" in it. They had a blast. Then, we took them ice skating Saturday with lunch at Joe's Crab Shack and then shopping. (Oh, and a trip to Maggie Moos Friday night, how could I forget that!)
Kevin is happy it is warming up for some golf! He plays in the mens league at the Country Club and we will do couples golf on Fridays when we have the chance. That is always fun! That's it for now. Everything has been going real well!!
~Kasey

The Lord's Prayer

Never too young to pray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4PQ30VkBk

Check out her version of "Amazing Grace" too!!

Economic Stimulus Program????

(Email from my DH!)

Just to let you know, Kasey…

I feel it is my duty as an American citizen to invest our stimulus rebate from the government of the United States into the economy as soon as possible.

I am only doing this in hopes of steering this “recession” away from a possible “depression”.

So, being the upstanding citizen that I am, I have chosen to make a donation to the used recreational vehicle peddlers.

No, no….don’t applaud me just yet. It gets even better…In return, we will be receiving this great token of his appreciation!!!

(see attached photo)


How can anyone not love this country!!!!!!! Together we can all do it…and this is my part.

Aren’t you just proud to be an American??? (Can you hear that song in the background?...I can!!)

(OK…you can applaud your patriotic husband now)


HAHA! Can you tell this has been a hot topic with us lol!
Him: I want a new golf cart
Me: You have a golf cart
Him: But I want new one
Me: You don't need a new one, the one you have is fine
Him: But it doen't have this....and that....blah blah
Me: It doesn't need this and that blah blah BLAH

Well, I guess I lost this one LOLOL!
I guess I better find out what I can do to stimulate the economy.........hmmm........a cruise is looking pretty good......

CAT scan results

ALL CLEAR!

Update on Terri---she came home from Houston yesterday and stopped by my house last evening. She is doing GREAT! Her seisuze meds got messed up and threw her into a series of seizures. She is talking and walking better than I have seen her do since last March--PRAISE GOD!!!!

What a great week!

~Kasey

Back from Houston

What a busy last few days we have had.
First the good news! My scans have still came back clear (well, the bone scan, we are stil waiting to hear about the ct, but I am sure it will be fine as usual as the tumor markers have remained the same).
I got to meet some lovely, GREAT, women while I was there who are going through the same trial I am in (remember, I am patient #1, or NUMERO UNO I would like to be referred to as in this trial lol!)
I met patient #3 (well, our husbands met first as we were both having scans at the same time). We went out for a nice dinner together at Pappadoux Seafood Restrauant. We spent about 3 hours there just talking. She has 4 CUTE kids ranging in age from 4-18.
I met patient #7 (or 8??) who is in the hospital now. I got to spend an hour talking with her. She is the exact same age as I am.
I met patient #9 for breakfast this morning (well, they were running a tad behind, so we actually ate while waiting hehe!) She is getting ready to be admitted tonight or tomorrow to the hospital to start her transplant.
AMAZING women!!! I am so happy to have had the chance to meet with them.

Now, for some not so great news. My friend, Terri Hill, just happened to have her follow up scans down there at the same time I was down there (she is my friend with the brain tumor). She flew down there with her husband and son, Jacie. This was Jacie's first trip down there. He wanted to see where Mom goes to the Doctor at. Well, she went in for her MRI yesterday and started to have a seizure. Then another, then another. One right after the other. They had to intubate and sedate her. We met up with her husband and son early yesterday evening. We took Jacie with us at that time (what a sweet kid he is! He even sat through the 3 hour dinner at Pappadoux's without complaining!) He stayed with us at our hotel last night. We took him to go see his Mom and Dad today. Terri was still intubated. I think it was pretty upsetting for him to see his Mom like that. He just wanted to come home, so we brought him home with us on our flight home tonight and took him to his Grandma's house. Please keep them all in your prayers. I hate to see them have to go through this.

So, we had a pretty busy last few days! I am just so THANKFUL to God right now for my clean scans. I don't have to go back for 3 more months. I hope to spend most of that time not even thinking about cancer. It has consumed too much of my life the last year and half as it is.

Time to get back to living!

~Kasey

Sweet Cathy...

I heard the news today. It came out of nowhere.
I wish I could run away,
but where would I go?
Is this my destiny? Something so unfair... What will become of me?
God only knows.

And they say the road to heaven might lead us back through hell.
Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, we will win this fight and bury this sorrow.
We're so alive, still holding on, not ready to die, so we LIVESTRONG.

My pride is left for dead, as my world gets shaken.
The thoughts inside my head are so hard to control.
I am staring down the unknown, but one thing is certain.
You could break my body, but you will never break my soul.

And they say the road to heaven might leads us back through hell, but we're holding on for more
than stories to tell.

Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, we will win this fight and bury this sorrow.
We're so alive, still holding on, not ready to die, so we LIVESTRONG.

You will be missed dear, sweet Cathy. Rest with Peace. Thank you for everything.
My heart is heavy tonight.
~Kasey

March 28, 2008

Well, spring break is over (how sad!). I hope you all had a great time. I have heard from several of you that you enjoyed time down in Branson, as did we. We rented a cabin and while Silver Dollar City was not open at the time we went, we did enjoy some shopping at the craft and outlet malls, and at Branson Landing. We played some mini golf, ate great food and all around had a great time. I really enjoyed all my family being here!
Larson has started back up in Soccer and will start t-ball soon. Kevin's golf league has started back up. Raisa is getting ready to start preparing for swim season. I am getting ready to photograph 115 kids in the next week and a half! Yep, busy time of year!
We are leaving for Houston Sunday again (we have been to the airport 4 times in the last 2 weeks, what's one more!) I can't believe 3 months have went by. I will post next Thursday when we get back! Please keep us in you prayers! Thanks!!!!

~Kasey

(Here is a quick snap of me and my Mom, Dad, brother Mark and sister Corinne)

A Great Day!

Today we go pick up my Mom, Dad and Mark at the airport! They will spend Spring Break with us. We rented a cabin in Branson for the weekend. Then, on Tuesday, we get to go pick up my sister at the airport! They will all stay for Easter. The kids are SOOOOOO excited. My Mom hasn't been here in a couple of years, my sister for 6 years (she came when Larson was born) and my Dad and Mark for almost 18 years!!
So, I don't think I will post much these next couple of weeks. I may post some photos though!
You all have a GREAT Spring Break and a HAPPY EASTER!
~Kasey

An Easter funny!

My family and I have been LAUGHING for a few years over these chocolate bunnies!

Can't Resist!

I was going to post this on my photography blog, but I really try to keep my kids off of that blog. So, this is another "Mommy post" here, well and a "Grandma and Grandpa" post (who, by they way are coming here for a visit during Spring Break----YA! I can't wait!)
I just love this photo of Raisa with her "new do".

Best Tax Lady!!

I have seriously got the BEST tax lady! If anyone is looking for a great, knowledgable tax person, call Debbie Collins at H&R Block!! She has been doing my taxes for both of my businesses for the past 6 years. She is not only great at taxes, but an all around great person. I just had to give a little shout out about her!
~Kasey

Wanted......

We are looking for a new kitten to join our family! Does anyone have any kittens they are looking to get rid of or know of anyone with some kittens? Or even a cat getting ready to have some kittens?? Please email me, call me at 251-8546 or reply to this post! We would like one soon. It has been too quite without Grady. We all miss him and think a new little kitten around here will spice things up a bit. So, please if you hear of anyone, let us know!
Thanks!!!!
~Kasey

Daddy's Girl

I think Raisa got 2 years older this weekend or something! Isn't she PRETTY!! (Ok, I am very biased haha, and as her Mother, I should be!) Amazing how much a new hairstlye can change her! Her and her Daddy enjoyed a great evening at the Daddy/Daughter ball tonight while Larson and I dined at McDonalds (his choice of restruants!) and played Battleship, Scrabble and Hi-Ho Cherry-O.

Whose that girl?

I may regret this one day, but here I am! My daughter, while helping me set up for a shoot today took this. I was teaching her the difference in broad lighting and short lighting and other "tools of the trade!"

With a heavy heart....

We had to say goodbye to our dear, sweet cat of 19 1/2 years~~Grady Drake. He will be missed so much!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Kasey

Sick, Sick....

I am sick of being sick! I went to the Doctor on Monday and tested positive for influenza. Yuck! I haven't had the flu in years. We have just passed it from one to the other here. Raisa had it first, then Kevin, now I, and Larson is showing the first signs of it now (hopefully starting him on Tamiflu now will help!). There are so many nasty bugs going around now. I hope you all have been staying well! I am officially ready for Spring!
~Kasey

Expelled-The Movie

Have any of you heard of this movie coming out this Spring? Here is the movie trailer:

http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playgroundvideo3.swf

Sounds interesting. I have never doubted we are all a work of God. Maybe sience can prove it after all? Maybe it is never meant to be proven, just believed.
What do you all think of this movie? Worth seeing?

Snow Day!

Wow! Don't you all just love how pretty all this snow is! I had some fun outside with the kids for awhile. Larson was too busy "working" to take photos, plus, poor kid was embarrased about his purple gloves lol! We couldn't find his, so it was his sisters or nothing! I am not a fan of selective coloring in a photo AT ALL, but darnit, every once in awhile you find a photo that looks ok with it. The kids went to a friends house after this and went sledding and snowboarding. They had a blast! I am just lovin' all this snow!

BUSY BUSY!

And lovin' it!
http://photographybykasey.blogspot.com/

Cha...Cha....Cha....

CHIA!

I finally found SOMETHING I can grow!

Blogapalooza!

Raisa started her own blog! I wasn't going to post it on here, but she talked me into it. She has been having alot of fun with it. I also helped one of her friends with hers. TOO FUN!!
http://i-friendz.blogspot.com/

Happy Feet

Two girls with way too much time on their hands LOL!

Larson's Valentine

Since I shared his sister's Valentine, Larson wanted me to share his too!

Back to Work!

And it feels SOOOOO good! I had an awesome session tonight with a little one year old. I will be posting a few sneak peaks on my photography blog http://www.photographybykasey.blogspot.com/

That is going to be one hard session to narrow down!

Here are a couple of my kids while messing around yesterday.

My Girl....and a thank you!

Here is my girl.......who actually wanted me to take some photos of her! I was messing around with a new Orchid backdrop I just got. Isn't it puuuuurdy! I have several one year olds coming for sessions this month and I think it will soon become a favorite of mine!

Actually, we used this photo to make up her Valentine cards! Here it is, along with another one of her best friend.

I am going back to work this week and am SO looking foreward to it! I will still post on this blog, however, I am trying to get my life back to normal now and not think of "cancer" too often. So, since we won't be going for any new scans or anything for 3 months and I am feeling GREAT, there won't be many medical updates. I want to thank everyone so much for all the support!!!!!!!!!!! Your prayers and thoughts have brought me to tears many times! They will NEVER be forgotten. I am such a different person now because of it. I am very blessed!

~Kasey

SCAN RESULTS

PET/CT scan-----No evidence of active cancer!
Nuclear Bone Scan-----No evidence of active cancer!
Chest XRay----Negative!

All scans still clear!

Dr. Ueno was real pleased how everything is going. My blood counts are still a tad low, but the Neutrophil Absolute Count is looking good. White count is still down a bit at 3.2.

Tumor markers are down to 44!!!! (Remember what I started with a year ago!) Normal is 35, but the Dr. said they are usually the last thing to creep down and they are still headed in the right direction.

So, we had a VERY good and short visit. I don't have to go back for 3 months. I will go back every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 2 years, then yearly (and boy am I looking foreward to that!). I am going to have my central line taken out here tomorrow. I will probably have a power port put in later in the Spring (they can do blood draws and infusions through this), however, my Dr. is trying to talk me out of it, so that is up in the air.

That all for now! Thanks for reading and sharing in my good news (and for the prayers)!

~Kasey

Off to Houston!

We leave for Houston tonight (not sure exactly what time our flight is--maybe around 7:30?). I can't believe it has been 2 months already! I will have scans on Tuesday, but we won't know results until Wednesday when we meet with my Doctor. We will fly home Wednesday night. I will post either Wednesday night or Thurday how it all went! Please keep us in your prayers!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Kasey

Here are a few snapshots from Christmas of the kids, Kevin and I and also a couple of Raisa's New Years Eve Party. Talk with you all soon!

~Happy New Year!~

Just having a little fun in PhotoShop! I hope everyone has a very happy new year! 8 is my favorite, lucky number, so I am thinking I will LOVE 2008!

We go back to Houston next Monday for scans on Tuesday and a visit with my stem cell Doctor on Wednesday. We will fly home Wednesday night. Just a quick visit!

I have been gearing up to start back to work in another week and a half. I am so excited! I will post some images from sessions on my Photography blog--
http://photographybykasey.blogspot.com/
So, be sure to start checking it out in a couple of weeks!

I have photos from Raisa's new year's eve party, but they are still on the cf card. I guess I am too lazy today to download them haha! We gave Raisa a digital camera for Christmas---I can't wait to see what she comes up with! So far, lots of photos of friends and her hamster. Speaking of the hamster, how many of you out there have kids with them? Do you know the feeling when they come up to you and say "Uhhhhh, MOM, I CAN'T FIND MY HAMSTER!". Ya, heard that tonight LOL! Luckily, we finally found it in a closet upstairs, where, coincidentally, we also keep his food!! Lesson learned for her. Now, in her defense, she has had a hamster since she was 9. (Her first one lived for 2 1/2 years). This is the first time this has happened. I hope the last haha!

You all have a great week and a HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!

~Kasey