Year in Reflection

It is strange to look back one year ago. Things were so different, so many things changed for us, so many things now are oddly better than ever.

In August 2008, after approximately 4 years of tracking some weird irritation on Pat's tongue, the results of a routine biopsy came back as cancer. We had no idea what we were facing or what was ahead. We scheduled a 9 hour surgery for September 25, 2008 and waited. Everything stopped for us yet things around us moved at the same pace. We went on a planned vacation to Hawaii and tried to go about our "normal" life. I think we had a pretty positive attitude from the beginning, but underneath it all we were so scared.

The night before Pat's surgery, one year ago, I started this blog. The deal was that this blog was not to be all about cancer, but a blog about the life that was ahead of us - after cancer. It was to become a happy place to keep our families up to date on our lives. I'm so happy is has become just that. I look forward to many years of happy blogging to come. We can look back once a year with amazement at how it started.

Pat's surgery and recovery was the hardest thing both of us have ever been through, but we got though it and Pat is better than ever. One year down - 60 more to go! We eat better, exercise more and have a new appreciation of each other and of life. Thanks for being apart of our journey. We are getting so excited to start the adventure of having a baby. It turns out that our life is not exactly what we had planned, but it is oddly better than ever.

One Year Cancer Free!

On Friday we celebrated Pat's one year of being cancer free!! SO happy to reach this milestone. We had some friends and family in town for the baby shower, so we were able to celebrate the big one year with some special people. Keep up the good work Pat! Can't wait to celebrate many more.

Baby Molly

Baby Me.

Baby Pat

My friend Molly and her mom are throwing me a baby shower this weekend. I am so excited, it is going to be great! I thought it would be fun to put together a collage of our baby pictures so everyone could see what we looked like as little angelic kidos. Ha! I had to share some of the cute pictures we came up with.

I wonder what our baby is going to look like!?
I can't wait to find out!

5 Years Ago...

...we said I do. Happy Anniversary Pat!

I love you more and more everyday.

Apples, Pears and a New House

My sister and brother-in-law just moved into a beautiful, new house. The house is so cute and it has a big, bountiful back yard. There is a pear tree and two apple trees that are currently covered in fruit. Every time I go over there I can't help but take home as many as possible. I have also loved making apple crisp, Pat's favorite.

Potbelly Me

When I look down at my lap this is what I see. Ha Ha!

There's a baby in there, and it's growing!

Labor Day Camping - Silver Lake

Over Labor Day weekend we went up to Silver Lake and camped with some friends. Sliver Lake is south of Lake Tahoe and it such a beautiful place. We camped at Plasse's Resort and spent time hiking, playing Frisbee golf, and relaxing. It was a bit cooler than expected, but thanks to our tiny two person tent, Pat and I stayed nice and toasty.

There is a really cute resort on the other side of the lake from our camp ground called Kit Carson. They have cabin rentals and a great restaurant. We had Sunday brunch there and the fresh muffins were amazing!

Kirkwood ski resort is just a few minutes up the road. There is an awesome Frisbee golf course set up on some of the slops during the summer. It was so fun! I am not a Frisbee girl, but my husband continuously surprises me with his mad skills. Look at that form!

Year Two Appointments

University of California, San Francisco

Pat had a monthly check-up yesterday. It was quick and easy, and the kind of post-cancer appointment everyone hopes for. The golden words came from Dr. Schmidt "see you in two months". !!!! Pat's appointments will now be every two months for the next year. Yay! So thankful for our health today and everyday.

Good work Pat!

24 weeks

This is two weeks old, but I thought I should try to catch up.
I have been SO busy lately.

I hope to get a current picture up soon - baby D is growing!

Orzo and Roasted Veggies

One of my favorite recipes right now. It really packs in the veggies.
It is better than what it looks like in my picture - I promise!

Ingredients
1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
1-2 zucchini
(I'm sure any other in-season veggie would be good to add)
1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
light coat of olive oil
sprinkle with salt & pepper
1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta (I use whole wheat)
For the dressing
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Toppings:
4 scallions, minced (white and green parts)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
3/4 pound good feta, 1/2-inch diced or crumbled
fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Toss veggies, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on a large sheet pan. Roast for aprox 30 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
Meanwhile, cook the orzo for 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and let cool. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl. Combine all dressing ingredients and pour on. Serve topped with scallions, pine nuts, feta, and basil.

I changed it, but here is the original. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/orzo-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe/index.html

Cousins

Pat's cousin Jenni, her husband Dave and their 3 kids were in San Francisco last weekend. We could not get enough of their amazing family. Can we clone your kids? We went to a great playground in golden gate park. There was a huge spiderweb-like jungle gym and a slide that you slid down on a piece of cardboard. We had so much fun - we wish they lived closer.