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The Mom of a Missionary

2011-03-09T09:30:00.001-08:00

Today is two weeks that Cameron has been in the MTC. It's a great feeling! Yes, I miss him terribly, but I know that he is happy, safe and learning so much! I know that that is where he should be. How can you go wrong by serving The Lord? In my opinion you can't.
I did get to talk to him last Friday, March 4th 2011. Apparently in his move down the hall to a different dorm room, he lost his 3 month supply of needle pen caps for his insulin pen. I was really grateful that they allowed him to call just like they said they would if it was in fact an emergency regarding a medical issue. We only spoke for about 3 min. He seemed good, just a bit tired. I told him I would make sure he got a couple of boxes no later than the next day. After we hung up I got busy and called the pharmacy. They told me you don't have to have a RX to purchase those. So then I called the Walmart Pharm closest to the Prawitt's to make sure they had some in stock. Called Meryll, who is Elder Matt Prawitt's mom and asked her if she would go and pick up 2 boxs and get them to Cameron. Since Meryll's husband Doug works at BYU, I thought it would be easy for them to get the pen caps to Cameron quickly. It all worked out! Cameron had them by Sat. =)
It was nice to have the reassurance too, that they would allow him to call if he really needs to for medical reasons.
If you want to follow Elder Bennion, check out his blog. I have a link to his blog.

Sunday Feb. 20th 9 am & Open House 6:30 pm ~ 8:30 pm at The Woods

2011-02-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Time is ticking fast...Cameron will be speaking in church on Sunday Feb. 20th 9 am at the Orchard's Chapel for any of you who would like to come. BTW Does any one know the best way to try and record (voice only) Cameron's talk? Call me with ideas! I would really like to have it recorded.

Then that evening at Bishop and Peggy Wood's home we will be having an Open House from 6:30 ~ 8:30pm Everyone is welcome.

The picture I choose to post was taken 1 year ago (last Sunday)on Cameron's baptism day. FEB.6th ,2010 I can't believe it has only been one year!!!! Cameron and Elder Matt Prawitt. So grateful for the example he was/is. We love you Matt!

2010-06-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Ok...random pictures but I am gonna post them anyways. This is from The Dance Festival "A Firm Foundation" that Cameron participated in this past weekend. From left to right Jordan Mullins, Me, Cameron, Melanie and Brooke Pyles. We appreciate them coming and supporting Cameron! It was so nice of them!

This is just from yesterday June 29,2010 when we went out to Lacamas Lake in Camas and even though it was really choppy Kodi decided to ski. Its a fun place to go. It is so close to home. We even had Cameron come out and bring pizza for lunch when he was done on the set of "Leverage." Yes, Cameron was selected to be an extra.Interesting experience for him LOL

2010-06-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Cameron and Grandma and Grandpa Ellingson at his Graduation Party!

The sign that a friend made for Cameron's party! GO Seasiders!!! BYUH

Guests at the Party! We were fortunate to have so many friends and family come and support and celebrate Cameron's accomplishment!

Cameron at Graduation!!! Go-Timberwolves Here he comes BYUH!!! So very proud of him and all the hard work he put forth to graduate with all A's this last semester. Many seniors kinda quit caring by the last semester but he really worked hard! So glad he transferred over to Heritage too! It has been awesome to have both the boys there with me. Kodi transferred over too at semester. Love Love Loved having them there with me!

What do I do everyday.....How does time pass so quickly

2009-11-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

Time just passes faster and faster each day! I turn around and fall is almost gone. We have been busy with college applications and filling out scholarship forms and mainly doing HOMEWORK~~~~!!!! I hate that teachers assign so much. (Here I work at a high school lol, but I am not the one who assigns all that work) Anyways, I really feel blessed to have my job and the boys are just busy being teens. I think this post really sucks, so I am just gonna write later when I am not so frustrated but I will post a few pics. Love to you all

Windows Live Hotmail from Qwest

2009-11-19T16:12:00.000-08:00

Windows Live Hotmail from Qwest: "HAPPY MOMENTS, PRAISE GOD
DIFFICULT MOMENTS, SEEK GOD
QUIET MOMENTS, WORSHIP GOD
PAINFUL MOMENTS, TRUST GOD
EVERY MOMENT, THANK GOD"

2009-08-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

VACATION IN SO CA!!!! So much fun! 100 degree weather, friends, family, beaches!!!

Cameron and Kodi with their cousins in Murietta/Temecula. Taylor, Maddie and Reileigh (I know I spelled her name wrong!!! =( sorry Yvette)

This is their Uncle Rob. (Russ' brother) They LOVED spending time with him. He is a police officer and it really has made Kodi consider that as a career as well. They got to go and tour the police dept. and do all those kinda guy things...I didn't go with in case you were wondering!

Cameron and Kodi on our way up to Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains. So pretty!

Kodi holding their cousin Melisa's baby, Brin. It was so very nice to see Melisa and met Nick and hold their sweet new baby girl. So beautiful! Precious.

Those sweet boys of mine again at Newport Beach! Doesn't get much better than a hot summer day on the California beach. It's kinda weird though...there are several pictures of a blonde girl that I don't recognize..hummm Kodi do you have any idea why we would have pictures of her? ;)

2009-08-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

At Newport Beach! Man it was hot that day but we had SOOOOOO much fun! I love being there with the boys...on the same beach that I used to go to as a teen and young adult. Great memories there...

Class of 2010 Cameron R. Bennion~~~~ I love you Cameron!

2009-08-28T10:11:00.001-07:00

I can' t ever remember how to post pictures the right way, but at least I am finally posting some pictures!!! These are some of the proofs from Cameron's senior pictures we just had done this week. It is difficult for me to believe that my two boys are 18 and soon to be 16 years old. The time has gone by so fast.I am so very blessed to be their Mom. It has been a wonderful summer filled with lots of time together. The boys and I went to So. Ca and visited colleges there and have just hung out a lot together. I cherish these times and have really tried hard to remember as much of this time as I can. They will soon be gone....Cameron is just recovering from yet another surgery. He had a tonsilectomy on Aug. 13 and still doesn't feel to well. He lost 19 lb.s in 8 days...I know he didn't have 19 to lose so he is really thin. Eating is still a problem. Hoping it will get better for him REALLY soon. As for the pictures, we took some out at Camas Meadows Golf Club and then some down on the banks of the Columbia River. I totally love the way they turned out. I plan to take the boys down there together and just take a few myself of them together. It is sooooo beautiful even if Darrell doesn't think it is! =) I love the setting. Well, of to do some school shopping!

Cameron and Ali

2009-05-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Cameron and Ali before Prom 09. I will post more later, but I wanted to post a few before 7 months went by!!! Cameron is just a joy and I just love Ali too! Their prom was at the Tiffany Center in downtown Portland. It is a beautiful, majestic facility. Nothing like when I went to Prom. :)

2009-04-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am really bad at this posting thing...I will just keep trying but no laughing behind my back! I don't know what the heck I am doing and it's so frustrating!Anyways, the picture below is of the boys, of course being silly again while we were at Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

Yes, we are all fine but for some reason I just haven't been on the blog

2009-04-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

SPRING BREAK IN SEATTLE

The boys and I went to Seattle for 2 nights and had a blast. I loved walking all around Seattle with them. It was nice weather the day that we walked around, yet on the way up there it had been snowing! Go figure, snow during Spring Break! Only in Washington I guess. The boys are changing so much. Cameron is 17 and Kodi is 15 and of yes, they both have girlfriends...

Darrell's 30 year Class Re-Union in Randle Washington~ GO Panthers!

2008-09-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I went to Randle for his 30 year class Re-Union. It was a lot of fun. Get this, there was only about 60 people in his entire class. They had about 30 show up (just a guess) but it was a lot of fun. It was very casual (you would have to know Randle to realize casual is all they know up there) but anyways it was fun meeting everyone. Darrell was voted the one who changed the most! In high school he was voted nicest hair and now....he chooses to have no hair!

1st day of school for the boys~ Go TITIAN'S

2008-09-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Our 1st day of school was Wednesday September 3, 08. Cameron and Kodi are both attending Union High. They had to get boundary exceptions and that was tough! But we are all really happy that they are at Union, especially Cameron and Kodi. They LOVE UNION. It just opened last fall and is a beautiful campus. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation funded a lot of it and the district was picky in their selection of teachers. We are so glad that they got in~!!! It makes a huge difference each morning to know that your kids love going to school!

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

2008-08-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

CAMERON, KODI and I went up to U of W a few weeks ago to tour the campus. Cameron is putting it high on his list of possible colleges. The campus is beautiful! The architecture was amazing! Such a fun day together. Scary that my son is old enough to be headed off to college soon, but such an exciting time. I am so proud and so grateful that they both know the importance of college and have their sites set high. I love spending time with my boys and right now they seem to enjoy hanging out with each other and that makes it all the more enjoyable!

It's time to start searching for a photographer!

2008-07-25T14:50:00.001-07:00

I am struggling with the thought, but the time is nearing that we need to find a photographer for Cameron's senior pictures. Anyone have any good recommendations???? We are thinking of using one of Melisa's friends to do them, but she lives in Tacoma...I am not against going up there, but we had thought it would be fun to have them done somewhere in our area. Some place that has special meaning to him. Email me if you have suggestions! The picture up above is just one that Kodi took of him this past winter when they were up in the snow.

2008-07-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

They were trying to convince each other to jump! MacKenzie wasn't with us because she had to go home early to fly out to Texas to see her Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. (Cheryl, this is the couple that used to live in your ward and would help out with Jared's therapy) Anyways, MacKenzie would have froze in this area of the lake. It was way colder than the main body of the lake. There are little waterfalls back in this part of it and I am sure it is snow melt off. We had so much snow so late in the spring that the water temp.s and water levels are dramatically higher than they have been in previous years. That is one reason why there was so much wood in the lake, and lucky me, I hit a piece with the prop. :) OOOPS !

This is taken from the rocks where they were jumping looking down towards the bridge area.

It took a lot to convince Cassidy to jump. It doesn't look far, but it was. This is also where Cassidy cut her foot. Kodi did a good job being the paramedic bandaging her foot up. It was fun watching him be the responsible take charge young man.

Rian and Sadie, so cute!

Cassidy, Rian and Kodi over in the Marina area

Kodi doing the manly duties, chopping wood for the fire. The girls and I were just observing his boy scout skills!

Kodi and Sadie swimming in the marina area. She actually liked the water. One time we took off her life jacket and she did so good swimming. So cute, puppy dog paddling. She is the BEST dog. None of us know what we would do without her. She is a brave little thing.

Isn't the LAKE BEAUTIFUL!!!?????The sunset was gorgeous that evening.

The girls eating some lunch at the campsite

Kodi's chopped finger. It bleed all over the wood and the girls were a bit grossed out by all the blood.

Cassidy, Rian, MacKenzie(Kodi and MacKenzie have known each other since they were 3 years old. She used to be in my daycare) and of course Kodi

On the 7th of July I took Kodi, Rian, Cassidy and MacKenzie up to Cresop Bay/Lake Merwin to camp for 2 nights. What an experience. I should let Kodi tell the story, but I will give it my best shot. Cameron was supposed to come up but he got called in to work so it left Kodi as the only male. Chopping the firewood, unloading all the girls gear, setting up tents, (although the girls had to figure out how to put the the large tent that they were sleeping in at 11pm because they wanted to go boating instead of setting it up in the day light) Kodi set up the small tent that he and I slept in, made dinner and of course packed all the heavy stuff to and from the boat marina. Oh, he also had to put in a new battery in the boat, back up the truck and put the boat in the water (I don't back the trailor down into the water as well as he does) then go and park the truck while us girls waiting for him in the boat. Anything that needed to be done Kodi did it. He is thinking that going with a bunch of girls isn't all the great. He isn't going again he says unless some males go with us. I thought it was very funny. He was surprised at how much work it is to go camping! Yes, I bet some of you Mom's reading this will think that is funny. Camping is WAY to much work.

While we were camping Kodi cut his finger with the hatchet. Cassidy cut her foot on some rocks where they were jumping off, we got stranded out on the lake with a dead battery and had to be towed in by the river patrol (sheriff) because the boat wouldn't start, ruined the prop of the boat bacause I hit a piece of wood in the water. Hummmm what else happened...I can't think of anything else, BUT WE HAD FUN!!!! and that is all that matters.

We love you Jared Paul!!!!

2008-07-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Love this picture of Cameron and Jared. this was taken when Jared and Amy had just gotten here in June.

Low Fat Raspberry Summer Sensation Recipe

2008-07-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is just the best desert! Our neighbors invited us over for dinner on evening and she served this. It is Kodi's absolute FAVORITE~!

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Entertaining/HolidaysEvents/SummerCenter/RecipesAndMenus/SmartSummerEntertaining.htm?smid=1003013

2008-07-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

Cameron and Kodi out at Lake Merwin.

2008-07-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am still not very good at this blogging thing! I am hoping that the picture will look better now since I cropped it!

2008-07-06T12:45:00.001-07:00

Jared and Kohen again. :)

2008-07-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Stefani, Kohen and Jared at our Family dinner June 08

2008-07-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

This was at our Family dinner on the 29th of June. It was so fun having Jared and Amy, Carissa and Shawn, and Micheal and Heather who all live far away. We miss you all!

2008-07-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

YES, we live at the lake...or should I say we would like to! The boys and I LOVE IT!

2008-07-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

Summer of 2008. Cameron will be a senior in just a few months.

2008-07-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

He will make a great Dr. some day! All his patient's will love him.

2008-07-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

I know I have probably posted pictures of this before, but this is the bridge that the kids go off the rope swing. The hard part is getting the rope up once you swing off.

2008-07-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Isn't this lake beautiful! !!!!!

2008-07-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, Sadie goes out on the boat with us! She has a life jacket and everything!

2008-07-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Kodi, Rian and Cassidy out at Merwin a few days ago. It was once again a really fun day. I love that the girls that have gone with us are such troopers about everything. No complaining or being wimpy out there! It is just so relaxing. This same trip Kodi figured out how to kick his ski and slalom. The only problem with that was we couldn't find the ski once he was done! After about an hour we finally found it!

2008-07-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is Cameron and Marissa out at Lake Merwin. They have been friends since the 6th grade. She is such a fun girl. She was amazingly tough out on the water! It was a really fun day. We would love to have you come up and go with us sometime!

2008-07-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

This of course was our family dinner back in May. Yep, I am just now posting it in July! So lame! But, I LOVE getting together as a family. I will make sure and post this past weeks dinner picture too. See you all soon and Happy 4th of July!

Kodi the soon to be FRESHMAN!!!!

2008-06-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Kodi and I got to work on a fun project this past week. It was a memory book and even though he didn't really enjoy it, I did. It was fun spending time just he and I. I love his silly comments, and how he treats me when we are out in public.

It is so fun to hear comments from the girls about how cute he is and what georgoeus eyes he has. He got to go to school with me on TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY. They all thought he was a sophomore....:) I am sure Kodi didn't mind that!

Isn't he soooo cute! I don't blame the girls for thinking he is handsome! psssss so does Stephanie! Shhhhh

Love my BOYS!

2008-05-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

This was taken clear back on July 11 th 07 We were down at "Beaches" resturant for Cameron's 16th Birthday. It was a nice hot day to be down on the Columbia River for dinner. Just you wait you young "Mommies" your sweet little man will be 16 before you know it! The time has past far to quickly. I love each age and stage though. I am so BLESSED!

2008-05-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is the deal. We need everyone who has an email address to go on to the link below and "vote" for juvenile diabetes. Apparently the organization with the most "votes" wins money and if the diabetes wins, the money will go towards research. We pray for a cure.
This is SUPER easy to do....the hard part is remembering to do it!!!! PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE!!!! :)

Beginning Sunday, May 18, and ending Sunday, May 25, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation will be among the top six finalists competing for a monetary award on SearchKindly.com. The organization with the most votes will win, so we need your help! You can vote every 8 hours throughout the week. Please start now! Visit http://www.searchkindly.org/index.php and vote for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

My follow up appointment was on Friday

2008-05-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

2008-05-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

I feel like our life is in limbo. No answers for Cameron's pain is wearing on me...yeah, probably him too! I feel so helpless. Nothing we do seems to help us get closer to finding out what is causing the inflammation in his bowels. We spent time up at Doernbechers Childrens Hosptial again this week, and feel like that was a waste of time. How can they just send a 16 year old kid home and just prescribe oxycodone! If they couldn't find anything wrong it would be one thing, but they can tell things aren't normal, but now what to do about it...it's breaking my heart. Nothing worse than seeing your child in pain and not being able to take the pain away. He doesn't want to eat anymore and he doesn't sleep very peacefully. Please keep him in your prayers~!

Below is a neat link that I found. It explains diabetes in very simple terms.

http://www.kidshealth.org/misc/movie/cc/diabetes/index.html

No news is better than bad news...???

2008-04-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a very trying few weeks. Cameron is still not any better. When I called his Doernbecher Dr. to find out the results of his test, the nurse told me that the Dr. was gone until MAY! Yep, I guess we were supposed to just wait till she got back to find out the results. So, today he had an appt. with his pediatrician Dr. Burns. The good news is that he does NOT have lymphoma, and the bad news is they aren't real sure what is causing the inflammation in his small bowel. She thinks that some of the pain could be from some medication he had been on and so she took him off several things including his vitamins just to try and start from scratch so to speak. It could be crohns but they aren't sure of that either. I tend to think it is crohns, but what do I know. It leaves me a bit frustrated that they don't know the cause of the inflammation...and even more frustrated that my son is still in horrible pain. FYI don't even call me right now unless you want to hear me cry and mumble on and on not make any sense. (that is what happens when you don't get much sleep for weeks at a time!:( So, we are still in the dark, but I am happier than you can imagine that it isn't CANCER!!! Now, just please continue to pray that he just gets better or that they figure it out and SOON! I don't know how much more of this Cameron can take. Thank you for all those who have emailed and left messages. Sorry if I haven't been good about returning calls. It is just a tough time for us right now...Love to you all, Dayna

We are back home from Doernbecher

2008-04-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

We are back home from a long visit at Doernbecher's today with Cameron. The inflammation in his small bowel was biopsied and we should know more in about 5 days. He is glad to be home, but in more pain than when we went there. Cameron came up with another silly name for this Dr. His name is Dr. Zhang and in Cameron's anesthesia state he started calling him Dr. Hong Kong! He's pretty funny when he has been knocked out. We pray for a diagnosis soon. We will post when we know more.

The link below is where the boys go when ever they have to be hospitalized. This also happens to be the connected to the same hosptial that Jared Nelson (my nephew) was air ambulanced to when he was in the roll over accident back in Sept. 05.

http://www.ohsu.edu/health/clinics-and-services/doernbecher/

2008-04-07T20:24:00.001-07:00

This was sent to a diabetes board that I read and contribute to. It is a place where parents sof children with Type I diabetes chat/post messages about, yes you guessed it, diabetes! I found this post particularly touching. My heart aches for all the many children that are affected by this yucky disease. It just breaks my heart to hear of the many thousands of children like Cameron who have diabetes. This little girl is just precious...it makes me think back to Cameron being just 3 years old and having to get 3-4 shots a day.

This is the message sent in by the Mom of this child who has Type I diabetes...

I meant to share this a few months ago but I just came across it again while working on photos. We had a rental house while on vacation in Florida in December. The morning of the drive home, I was running around packing everything and most of the toys/art supplies were already packed away. Kaitrinn and Shealyn discovered the condensation in this alcove and spent almost an hour drawing on the windows.It was a HUGE area- about 15 ft long by about 4 or 5 ft tall (as high as they could reach). In the midst of all the smiley faces, hearts, flowers, and rainbows little girls tend to draw... was this..."I want a cure." directly behind her.

Cozmo pumping

2008-04-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Cameron has done excellent this first full week of pumping. Anything new has it's challenges and even if it is supposed to make things easier, it just doesn't always seem easier in the beginning just for the simple fact that it is a new way. I am sure that it will get easier and quicker in the weeks and months to come. He had problems getting the "set" to adhere to his skin a few times, but that seems to have gotten better. For this first week we have called his diabetes educator/CDE before every dinner, so I feel like we have had a new family memeber! Good thing we love Tina. She is so helpful and never makes us feel like we are a bother. I tend to be a bit fussy about making sure things are done right so we have had to call her more than others ...anyways I think so. It was nice that he was able to start it during spring break because it is tricky learning how to do everything.

Cameron and his Cozmo

2008-03-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Cameron went on Thursay and started his Cozmo pump! It was a bit scary for him and I both, but I am so jealous! It is a really great way to deliver insulin. No more shots! Cameron has had great diabetes care thru Kaiser. This is Tina, his CDE. (certificated diabetes educator)We actually meet her when he was in the hospital for his knee surgery last Feb. Then shortly there after began doing pediatric diabetes management at Kaiser. We feel lucky to have her "hold our hand" thru this first week of pumping. She is so patient and helpful.

You tube about The Cozmo insulin pump

2008-03-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a little video of a brave little boy using an insulin pump just like the one Cameron will be getting on week from today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZME28D9rco

Cameron is getting a COZMO insulin pump!

2008-03-20T20:07:00.001-07:00

On April 13th it will be 13 years ago that Cameron was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. I recall the day that I looked at Dr. Burns for answers about my sweet baby. He was only 3 1/2 years old, and was so very sick. The nurse didn't believe me nor had Drs. prior to Dr. Burns. Luckily, she is a very insightful Dr. who loves and listens. Cameron was immediately hospitalized at Kaiser Sunnyside in Clackamas Oregon for 4 days. When his blood work came back at the clinic he was in the 800's and then when we reached the hospital he was over 1000. Normal is 70 to 120. Children die from elevated blood sugar, and I feel fortunate that Cameron was not one of those. He was very sick, and continues to have challenges, but I have always felt that he has so much to do for our Father in Heaven here on earth. He has such talent and skill at everything he does. I was blessed to be choosen as his Mom. He is an amazing individual who is so courageous. He stands for truth and honesty and puts forth more than he takes in all he does. He has taught me so much. He at a very young age was so mature and responsible. When he had only been diagnosed about 3 weeks, I remember him pinching up the skin on his little leg and piercing his skin with the syringe to administer his insulin all on his own. Not many 3 year olds would have the courage or maturity to do that. Perhaps, even many adults. He is an example to me! At a very young age I was able to count on him to do exactly as I said.

Being proud of your children is common, but there is nothing "common" about Cameron. He is an amazingly courageous young man and is an example to me. He never gives up. He never settles for mediocracy. He is an inspiration to me.
Now as he turns the corner on his journey with diabetes, he will toss the syringe and vial for the COZMO insulin pump. It is the greatest latest tool in managing diabetes. By no means is it a cure, but just another means by which to helping mangage "the beast" if you will. Diabetes is not an easy condition to manage, but Cameron is not your average 16 year old boy. He has done an amazing job and always does what he needs to do to be healthy. My hope is that someday soon there will be a cure for this ugly disease. Unitl then, we keep looking for better ways to control it. Do the shots quit hurting? No, he just is very brave...please pray for a cure.

I just love this song...isn't it beautiful! Life is good!

2008-03-16T19:22:00.003-07:00

2008-03-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cameron and Fancy!

2008-03-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Cameron and his new girlfriend "Fancy"

Just teasing! It is a friends puppy. Cameron just brought her home for a few hours cause puppies make everyone happy! Right??? She is sooo dang cute. She snuggles right on to your shoulder when you hold her.

2008-03-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

What can I say, I love my boys. They are so incredibly important to me. Being a Mom is my very favorite calling! I am so THANKFUL

2008-03-04T21:19:00.000-08:00

Even though this was taken several years ago, I love it. Cameron, Kodi and Jade feeding the sea gulls at Grandma & Grandpa's. We will miss the beach for sure when they move to Silverton.

2008-03-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

The new pug playing in the sunshine on a spring day.

2008-03-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

Harley and Sadie the day Harley went to heaven.

2008-03-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

Sadie on left, Kodi age 13 and Harley.

Harley Dec. 9,1996 to Dec. 28, 2007

2008-03-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

This is our Harley the Hound Dog. We rescued him 11 years ago and due to congestive heart failure he died Dec. 28th 2007. We miss him daily. Sadie is lonely without him. He was such a sweet, calm and easy going pug. We often think we hear him coming down the hallway. It just doesn't seem the same since he has been gone.

Kodi doesn't remember not having him since he was only 3 when we got him. We love you Harley!

2008-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

This is the newest member of our family. He came to us last Wednesday evening from a close friend, Todd. He had found out that Harley, our Pug of 11 years had passed away the end of Dec. due to a heart condition. He found this new little 1 year old on craigs list who's name happen to be Harley. We aren't sure yet if we will keep the name. It just seems a little weird to be calling him Harley when "our " Harley is in our back yard in a little pine box. He looks amazingly similar. I know all of you think pugs all look the same, but not to pug owners! He is a very spunky, wild and crazy puppy. We are contemplating renaming him the following: Ted, Tommy, Fred .....So let us know what you all think!

Up getting our Christmas Tree Nov. 2007 North side of Mt. St. Helens

2008-02-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Cameron 16yrs. Kodi 14 yrs. old, Dayna and Darrell

Post Radio Active Iodine:)

2008-02-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

This hypothyroid stuff is sure nothing to get hyper about! It has been 3 weeks since my Radio Active Iodine treatment, and I must say I still don't feel quite normal. Someday, someday maybe I will feel like "me" again. My family has been wonderful. I appreciate all the calls, food, cards, and most of all YOUR PRAYERS. This has been a faith building journey for our family. I remember being told the story of Charlies Monument, and of how thru our struggles we become stronger. Thru lots of challenges recently I think we as a family are becoming stronger, and leaning on our Father in Heaven. It is only thru Him that I find true comfort and strenght. The cancer is not gone, and I won't know for a while what the next step will be, but I am certain that everything will be fine. This (the cancer) is only going to be a "bother" in my life, and not something I will allow to consume and control my life. I went back to work 2 1/2 weeks ago, although I am not there everyday, I am trying really hard to be there as much as I can.
I am so very grateful all of you, our friends and family who love us. Hugs to all of you! Dayna

I am too lazy to post, no, just too hypothyroid! LOL

2008-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I am really not all that lazy, usually. I have been really busy trying to get my body free from cancer. My family has had to pick up and help our family function.
It has been really helpful to have Cameron driving. Darrell has had to become Mr Mom and luckily he works so near by that if I really need him, he has been able to come home right away.

This journey has been good in some ways, but in all honesty, very challenging. Everyday is a blessing, but not free of sadness or sickness. It has been a few months now since I felt fine. Now that my final procedure is completed. (Just got home on Sunday 1/20/08) from the Radio Active Iodine RAI treatment, I can kinda see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. On Wed. 1/16/08 in the wee hours of the morning, I got out of bed thinking I was having a low blood sugar, but apparently from what Darrell and Kodi have told me I was going into a hypothyroid coma. I hit the front of our fridge with my forehead, broke the outlet face plate where the fridge is plugged in, and continued flopping around the kitchen floor. They luckily were able to get me to awake without any ER coming. I called my specialist, Dr. Laura Vessely and let her know what had occured. Hence, they moved my RAI treatment forward and I went in for my treatment early. Apparently normal thyroid level, or your TSH level should be in the 1.5 to 6.0 range. When they did mine, the Dr. said it was near a 100. The scary part about that was that I didn't have any warning. I don't remember passing out or convulsing. I don't remember much about the ordeal. All I know is that I am feeling better, and I am grateful that Darrell and Kodi happened to hear me.
I have been wanting to post some pictures of my scar, so I will try and do that soon! I think it is kinda cool!
Thank you to Mom, Linda and Sissy for making all kinds of No Iodine food for me. I was pretty depressed a few times, and Mom got hear me have a melt down. I asked her to go to the thyca web site and look over the recipes and tell me what I should make. I couldn't even think. I didn't know what to make! It took to much thought for me. Yes, it is all due to the hypo thyroid condition. I have been in a fog!

Love to you all!!!!

2007-12-04T22:59:00.000-08:00

Even though this picture is from the beginning of 2007 I wanted to post it. The Piovesan family is very dear to us. We miss having them at our house everyday. I am sure you have heard me mention their names. We love you Devon, Dakota and Dawsyn!

2007-11-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I miss all of you and wish we could see each other more often. Doug, you are in trouble if you come in to town and don't at least call me. I NEED a hug from you!!! Love to you all Dayna and family

A routine visit turned into a scary dream...

2007-11-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

It's silly, I can't even begin to know what to write. Imagine that, me Dayna speachless! So here it is. I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer on Thurs. Nov. 1, 2007. I went into the endocrinologist for a routine appt. and was wanting to get approval from the Dr. for an insulin pump. I instead came out with a thyroid biopsy and the high possibility of papillary cancer. Upon having the biopsy, I was told it would be about a week before the results came back. So, getting a call while I was at work (I work at Heritage High School where Cameron goes to school) was very much a startling, frightening moment. The lump/mass is fairly large, and I am scheduled for surgery Dec. 6th at Kaiser Sunnyside Campus. There are two surgeons and it should take about 3 hours. Below is a link to ThyCa which will tell you the good the bad and the ugly of Thyroid Cancer. I am very optimistic that this is such a curable form of cancer, that I WILL do fine! The boys are doing fine. It is just a difficult time for all of us. I am grateful for the calls and emails from many of you. Thanks so much for thinking of us. Love, Dayna

http://www.thyca.org/newly_diagnosed.htm

2007-11-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

Mom, Kodi and Cameron in the back ground. We love the Oregon Coast. This was a beautiful day. We stayed down there for hours just enjoying each others company.

2007-10-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

2007-10-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

2007-10-21T17:37:00.000-07:00