Texas Bluebonnets!

Enjoying easter with Mormor!

"Eggsciting" times! Lila dyes eggs for the first time!

Update:

I have been feeling so good that I have not been updating my blog. A few friends have been concerned, but there is nothing to worry about. --No news is good news, right?!

It seems like April has buzzed by. We are now into our last week of April and of course here in Plano there are plenty of April showers to shout about. We are looking forward to the May flowers that are around the corner. Lila has been a great helper in the garden. We planted some wildflower seeds in our flower beds and we are anxiously waiting for them to pop out. Everyday we have to go look and see the new growth and of course have to look for worms! "Lets go find worms" is Lila's way of convincing you to go dig!

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 29th, I will get my 5th round of chemo...We are on the homestretch and counting down the weeks! 5 weeks to go.

Here are some favorite "therapeutic" playtimes for Lila, Mami and Papi..something you might want to try if you are having a stressful day !:

1. Playing and building towers with Legos.

2. Digging for worms!

3. Playing with playdough..we love making tortillas!

4. Coloring...with crayons and markers.

5. Putting together puzzles.

6. Arts and crafts of any kind.

7. Playing w/ Lila's train as she challenges us to build a new track.

8. Cuddle up in Lila's tent and read books!

9. Listen to Papi play trumpet and Lila hum along.

10. Going for a walks with Lila, Papi, and Polka!

April Showers!

Circus time! Elephant ride!

Lila with easter bunny!

Papi and Lila in front of Thomas the Train!

I cannot believe it is April and March is past us. Finally Spring has sprung, hopefully our last freeze is behind us. It has been a busy couple weeks. Most importantly is that I have been feeling well. I had my 4th round of chemo on Monday and Dr. was very pleased with my progress as are we.

We are delighted to have Mormor with us again this week.

Lila has been showered with all kinds of fun and new adventures. At the end of March she got to see Thomas the Train and take a train ride. Wow she was so excited.
On Sunday we got to meet the Easter rabbit and went to the circus with Papi and Mormor. Lila and Papi rode on an Elephant for the first time!

We are now getting ready to celebrate Easter and thinking about how grateful we are to have eachother and share these special times together. Lets continue to "shower" each day with laughter, love, life, hugs and gratitude. Thank you for making my journey to recovery a smooth ride.

xoxoxo, J

Photos from Marcia's visit

Madrina Marcia and Lila

Can you believe we've been friends since 1st grade??!!

Jeanne, Beto and Lila at Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch!

Best Buddies! Oscar, Lila and Molly!

Half way there!

Last Monday I had my 3rd round of Chemo and Dr. visit. All went well. This time around I got some benadryl to offset the allergic reaction I had last time. It seemed to work as it was only minor. I also got my shot on Tuesday with less meds...and it also seems to be working. It is Sunday now and I am feeling good. I had a few aches during the week, but nothing major.
My highlight this past week was having my dear friend, Marcia, and her two children, Oscar and Molly, come visit. They drove from McAllen and stayed with us for 4 days. Lila was in heaven...thinking she had a big brother and sister watching out for her and having unlimited playtime. I think her favorite time was convincing Molly to put on some gloves so they could go find worms...and boy they found some big ones!
I continue to find strength as I am surrounded by lots of caring people near and far. Lila continues to find new life in all the little things Spring keeps delivering to us. Hooray for Spring! Beto makes sure all of his "girls" (Lila, Polka-our dog, and Me!) are taken care of...I just want to say Thank you to all of YOU reading this. Stay Positive in all you do I know I will. xoxox.

Going, Going, Gone!

Before I begin info on Photos: The two right pictures were taken by Lila. Left pic. of me taken by Beto--my new "hair"!

As I mentioned in the Top 10...we know the meds. are working because the tumor is shrinking! The Dr. was very pleased last week with the progress we are making. We are going to adjust a few meds so I will not feel so achy next chemo round.
It has been a good week. My hair was rapidly falling and was a little stressful watching it fall out. So yesterday I decided to go for the new "look" and had it shaved off completely. My friend, Wendy , met me at the salon and assured me it will be ok. And it was. I feel better, my head has no surprises...just white! oh well. I can now show off my new "doos": bald, hats and scarves and stylish wig!
Tomorrow, Monday I have another 30 minute round of meds...and on the 16th we go in for Round 3..

We will continue to try and eat healthy, stay hydrated and celebrate each day as it comes. xoxoxo.

TOP 10 celebrations in the Elizondo home!

It has been a really good week. We are all feeling good. The only downer was saying "bye-bye's" to Mormor on Thursday....but we know she will be back! I have been admiring Lila and enjoying her zest for all lifes little treasures. So here is a list of our TOP 10 daily celebrations :

1. Life!
2. Laughter...Lila's daily giggles with Papi!
3. Determination: hearing Lila say "No, I can do it all my self !"
4. Success: Lila cheers and says " I did it!".....-Lo logre!-
5. Lila climbs up and sits on her chair and successfully gets down:)
6. Admiring the movements of worms and Rolypoly's.
7. Listening to nature: birds chirping!
8. Going for walks and seeing tiny flowers.
9. Family and friends that have kept us in their thoughts and prayers.
AND.....number 10 is......
10. Treatment is working: Tumor is shrinking !

This list could go on and on. Lila has put a new perspective on Life..enjoy every moment in each day!

Finally Marching into March!

It seems like Winter is never ending...we were back into the 20's this past weekend, which is chilly for us. For all of you in the NE...sorry! Hang in there Spring is around the corner.

Well, we are marching along..leaving February behind us and receiving March! This past weekend I did feel some side effects, I was very achy on Sat. and did have a little nausea...it was over by the time evening rolled in, but not a good feeling. So, it was a quiet weekend for us.

Today, Monday, I am feeling even better.. I am trying to get used to my new "look" as I wear my hats and scarves. My hair is continuing to fall out..Lila is trying to understand why I wear my hat indoors...she asks" Your head cold. Mami?"....she then tries them on too!

Tomorrow is another appointment with Dr., labs and 30 minutes of meds...so we keep on marching to the road of recovery.

Thank you ALL.