"We going to the Mesa Nande!"

We're all settled up in Mesa Grande! It has been beautiful weather. I forgot what it was like to see the stars so clearly at night, and hear all the noises of the night. It's wonderful to see all the creatures you don't see so much in the city, even in Ramona. We have a King snake that patrols the rocks around the house, lizards galore that let you get within inches of them, turkeys, cows, frogs, dogs... all kinds of good stuff. Katelyn loves the animals, she loves the country. She never gets tired of the cows. She's done exceptionally well with the drive as well. Sometimes she wants to watch a movie, but mostly she wants to look out the window. She can express herself incredibly well, I love to hear her speak to me. She's also thoroughly enjoying the pool, or "tool" as Katelyn would say. She is a little fish, obsessed with the water and quite the little swimmer. She can swim all by herself, she'll swim about 6' under water, to and from people or to the edge. She can climb out of the pool all by herself (elbow, elbow, tummy, knees) and she can crabwalk half the pool. She's also enjoying the slide! She prefers to go down on someones lap, but she will still take a ride all by herself. She is fearless in the water, just like in every other aspect of her life.

We went to cousin Tayden's first birthday party on Saturday. I can't believe that she is ONE! The time has flown. She is absolutely adorable and had a wonderful birthday celebration. The company was nice, and it was a beautiful day. There were babies galore! And, lots of girls. There were 3 or 4 little girls between two and three, so Kate had a great time with the kids. She swam most the time, and played hard. We had a great time. Yesterday we had breakfast at the Lovely Lake Henshaw Grille and spent the day basking in the sun by the pool. Kate was in and out of the water, having an excellent time. I started the first of the Twilight Saga. Then I finished it. I was in a trance and couldn't put the book down. Todd gave me a break... I called payback for golf. I forgot how much I enjoyed reading.

Kiera is getting so big. She is still the happiest little girl. She is made of pure joy, I know it. It's rare that she shows you anything but a smile. She talks up a storm and today I heard her first laugh! It was adorable! I look forward to many, many more!!! She goes to get some immunizations this week. I hate to see my girls get shots. I hate shots but I would take them all for those two if I could. She can't have any live, or partial live shots as it could comprimise Katelyn and her immune system. Kate can't get any immunizations for another 6-8 months. Then she has to start from scratch. When all the chemo wiped or her immune system so many times it included all of her previous vaccinations, so we have to start from day one. Breaks my heart.

Kate is doing wonderfully. Her last CBC came back clear as we suspect and pray for every day. She goes back in a few weeks for her 3rd checkup. October is only a few months away. I can't believe that ten months have come and gone. I thank the Lord everday for granting Katelyn health, and life. I continue to pray that she stay healthy and that the Lord hold her close to his heart, wrapped in his embrace, so that she never experience the pain and misfortune that she has already experienced. I pray that for both of my girls and all of the children I've come across that need the prayers themselves.

Special prayers are needed for Zara, Christian, Haley Simonds, Trayci Ozuna and many more. Zara is doing well. She recently experienced her first bacteria infection, which, from our experience is trying and very scary. Her counts are rising as the last chemo round is almost out of her system. She'll be coming home soon. She will be monitored frequently and as long as her blasts are under 5% she will not go to transplant. Christian went through transplant a few months ago and recently relapsed. He is undergoing more chemo and will start radiation soon. Unfortunatly his cancer has proved treatment resistant. Please pray for him and his family. Haley has had some complications with her kidney, they are not sure what to make of it yet, but we are hoping and praying for the best. Trayci is undergoing chemo after her masectomy. I know it has been incredibly difficult on her husband, my step-brother Peter, as well as their three children. Please keep each of these people and their family in your prayers.

Well, I need to get the kiddo's fed! Have a wonderful night. Thank You for checking up on us. As soon as I get internet in Mesa Grande I'll post some updated photos.

Love to All,
Krystal