No Mo Chemo

Life is still crazy in the Jeffrey-Jackson household. Michael is working 7 days a week for Pilot Catastrophe, if I have mentioned that yet. As you know the housing market has slowed down (not too much for Michael though.) He had a friend approach him about working for Pilot for a few months. We prayed about it and realized that God's timing could not be more perfect. I knew that is was going to be hard, but I feel like I am back in the days of "Single Mom" again. Don't get me wrong, there are no complaints from me. It is hard when you don't get a family day together. Well, to the point of this blog entry. It was my nephew's NO MO CHEMO party yesterday at Camp Grace. This place is heaven on earth that is tucked away off of Eliza Jordan Road. It is a beautiful property with a huge lake and rolling green hills. After three years of chemo treatment, Ethan is FINISHED!!! YEAH FOR ETHAN! We as a family are so excited and so excited for my sister that maybe life will slow down for her. Ethan's cancer treatments have been a long and devastating process for our family. Ethan was a happy almost 2 year when he was diagnosed. Then started all the treatments. As if that wasn't enough, when he was three, he went into cardiac arrest due to a respiratory failure. Ethan is now wheelchair bound. He can not walk, talk, or not eat through his mouth. Don't get me wrong, Ethan is a bright and happy child. He understands everything going on around, loves to be a part things, and is learning to communicate through sign language. The hardest part of this whole thing is Ethan beat cancer! We are suppose to move on and Ethan is suppose to begin his life again as a normal 5 year old little boy. I guess God had a different plan. Ethan is moving on in his life, just a little different than we thought. I pray for my sister the most. She has just been making it through life one day at a time. The chemo, doctor visits, and therapy visits have kept her so busy that she really has had time process Ethan's long term care. She is just living day to day. I really think that is all starting to hit her and she is mourning the loss of the Ethan we knew before the "incident" (we call it.) For those of you that do read this, please pray for her that she stays focused on the future and not re-lives the "what could have beens." As for the day, we had a great time with food, fun, and the water activities you could imagine. Ethan was so excited and a GREAT day!

Back to work I go...

It is has been my official first week back to work. I am working for CPSI in Mobile. I will be a clinical support rep. CPSI provides electronic medical documentation for hospitals. (And there are many parts.) My job includes completing hospital installs for hospitals all over the country and supporting them when they get up and going. I will train the nurses on how to use the system. Travel will be involved but there are perks to the job. I do get to keep the sky miles and hotel points for our personal use. We are very excited. Baylee has reminded me of all the places she wants to go! They would include Hawaii, New York, and maybe California. For now, I am going through intense training until December. For me, it is like learning Chinese. It is something totally different and a new challenge. Michael is a very important part of the puzzle. When I am on the road, Michael will be the new "Mr. Mom." Baylee will learn to adjust, but it will be good for both of them. They will learn to depend on each other. They get along great, I have faith they will do fine. Say a prayer though, just in case! I do have to dress everyday, meaning no more scrubs and crocs. My morning includes, ironing, actually fixing my hair, and heels everyday. Boy, I sure miss my scrubs and crocs! Please keep us in your prayers for a smooth transition for my changing career. I am excited for the new challenges ahead!

Volleyball Memories...

I am officially old...seriously. For those that know me I have had a really hard time with Baylee going into seventh grade. Michael reminded me today that Baylee will have her learner's permit in 2 1/2 years. OMG!! I can't believe that I am old enough to have a child that age. I really loved the years that I spent in middle school and majority of memories from high school. Truthfully, it doesn't seem like it was that long ago. Well Saturday, Baylee had a volleyball tournament at Gulf Shores Middle/High School. It was like a time warp! I could not believe that I was sitting there with Amy V. and we are watching MY child play volleyball. I took a little stroll up the hall and showed Baylee my old classrooms (Mr. Valine...remember Heather in the Ding Dong Mobile.) I loved middle school. It was so innocent...we had so much fun and I loved all my friends. Amy and I figured up that it was almost 20 years ago...20 YEARS AGO!!! At 12 years old, 20 years from now is when you go into the nursing home. Well, get ready Amy, we are headed to the nursing home. Don't worry, Amy and I will rock that nursing home!! Hahaha....here are a few pics from the tournament.