It's our favorite time of year.....

It is almost here -our trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. This Thursday night we leave for 10 days away to the "downeast" coast of Maine. This is the first year that we are renting a cabin and staying a full week and not just doing a long weekend. Maine quickly became one of our favorite destinations when we were on our first trip out there five years ago (we rode the motorcycle out there in 2004)- we vowed then and there that we would make it our tradition to visit there every year. It's our special place. It is so beautiful and peaceful....and the Lobsta' - is oh so good.

Mmmm Yummy

On Saturday night I treated my husband to a wonderful dinner at Mancy's steakhouse in Toledo. (well in the end I really just made the reservation and he paid!) To say the least we were stuffed when we left. The meal was wonderful. We decided to forego the whole anniversary gift thing - since really there is nothing that either one of us is in need of other than the company of the other! aww so romantic.. So yeah this Tuesday (June 9) we will be celebrating our eight years of marriage. Let's hope this year is a little more laid back than the last year!

Your Brain is Normal.....

...and I have medical proof. I went back to the neurologist on Monday for my followup appointment and she was very happy to tell me that my brain is normal. I asked if I could get that in writing to show the skeptics! She did say however - there is no medical explanation to why all of a sudden on Good Friday I was experiencing these horrible pains in my head. It could be a fluke, a one time thing or they may come back - its really hard to say. The medication that I am on is very effective in treating it - so its not like we are at a loss for what to do if it should happen again. She does have me on a regimine to slowy wean off the medication to see what happens. I had already started decreasing my dosage before I saw her and so far so good. I pray it stays that way.

What's New?!

Well it has been a while since we posted so here is the short list on what's new...

- Matt is DONE with chemo!! Praise God. It was a long long road but he completed the journey and I am so proud of him. At times it took a swift kick in the butt to keep him going! =) but it was all out of my love for him- right Matt?
- We had a little get together with some friends recently to celebrate the end of our chemo journey - Good food, Good times and Great friends!
- Tomorrow (May 7) Matt has a surgery procedure to take out his port that was installed in his chest for chemo. He cannot wait to say goodbye to that!
- Tomorrow I also have some tests...I have a MRI and MRA of my brain scheduled. I haven't really shared much about this - but I have been having a little issue/something going on in my brain that started on Good Friday. I like to tell people the issue is that I am just so extremely intelligent that my skull can't handle my brain any longer! (I don't get many people to buy into that, surprisingly) I can tell you that I have already had a CT scan and there is no growth, tumor, ect. I was told by my neurologist that the MRI/MRA probably won't show anything either - but that will be a good thing...kinda? Although I would like to know what is causing these sharp pains in my head. So far its been all regulated by a medication.
- We have been spending lots of time - hugging, holding, and giggling with all the visiting nephews and nieces!
- Spring is here! Matt and I have started walking in preparation for our annual Maine trip and hiking in Acadia National Park (can't wait!!)
- I (Julie) started working part time. So I get to enjoy doing things around the house on Wednesdays and Fridays!

So there is our "short" list!! Until next time....Happy Spring!!

The end of the journey is near!

Tomorrow (April 20) Matt will begin chemo session number 12 of 12 - so this 8 month journey that we have been on is finally coming to an end.. Can we get a collective AMEN to that! What a blessing that you all have been -family and friends. You have stood beside us through this and we are eternally grateful. We love you all and just want to say thanks a million times over.

You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Psalm 73:24 NLT

Vacation Pics Continued.....

Barbados Port


Bay of St Lucia


St Lucia


Train in St Kitts

Beautiful St Kitts

St Kitts

We LOVED Antigua

Beautiful Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (can't remember what the statue was for!)


Matt zip lining thru St Lucia


This was the CUTEST little boy - I wanted to bring him home for my souvenier!


Jaco Falls in Dominica

View of Dominica Port


Harbor in Antigua

We were so lucky to get to see all of these beautiful places and also so very lucky to get to spend this time with mom. Normally once a year we (mom and I) have a Mother/Daughter trip - but this year we decided to let Matt barge in on the fun! ;-) We got to see 6 new places in all (we had previously visited Barbados in '07) Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua, and St Kitts.

Pictures..... FINALLY!!

Me as we dock in St Thomas


Matt and I in Antigua at a Fort


On the train ride in St Kitts


Waiting to Dock in Dominica

Antigua again - but it was a good pic =)

Towel Art - mom couldn't wait to get back to the room every night to see it!

Mom and I in St Kitts

Mom and I awaiting a fun filled day

Our Ship the Carnival Victory

Ok - so those are the pictures of us at various places...