Clever Nonsense: My Own Independence Day Celebration...

This Independence Day was a very special one for me. Not only were we celebrating the freedom we have on a daily basis living in the USA, but I was also celebrating a more personal freedom. I am still cancer free!!! I had my regular lymphoma screening on June 24th. On the 26th I met with Dr. Fanale and got the news that I am still dancing with NED! (N0 Evidence of Disease) I am healthy and that much closer to my one year mark of being in remission come September 14th. Thank you, Lord. I go back on September 24th and if all is clear then, we'll start re-immunizing my body. I've got to start all over just like a newborn. After that, I hope to start scanning every 6 months vs every 3. It's so hard living your life in three month chunks, and then waiting in that sterile doctor's office to hear if you can continue on with life as 'normal', or if your life will once again be distrupted and you're facing a life or death situation.

So, this 4th of July was even more meaningful and boy did we celebrate! Since we had family all over town, we went house hopping. We started by walking in our neighborhood's annual parade. The kids rode their bikes and we walked. Nothing like a 2 mile walk at 9am! We then headed to my moms, had some yummy bbq and pasta salad, then went over to the Vargas' side. That was a blast, we didn't realize so many Vargas' were in Houston and I loved meeting new family. Then we headed back to dads and played a little bit of poker (won a whopping $2) and finished the night off with an apple martini and fireworks! Poor Valerie, she still despises fireworks. That's my baby. lol

Here are some photos of family and friends celebrating Independance Day...Hope yours was just as relaxing and fun.

Getting ready to start the neighborhood parade. Seth was riding with his boy scout troop and the rest of the kids rode their bikes, well except for Valerie who had the best seat in town!