...has CANCER. AGAIN. It's devastating and all encompassing. She is 24 years old. WHAT!?!?!?
This is Annie with me at our rehearsal dinner. Who's the cute guy smiling at us in the background? ;)
After finding a cantaloupe sized tumor named Harold in her abdomen last July, Annie was finally diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cellular Cancer.
This happened JUST before our wedding, but she was still able to stand by us on our special day before she began treatment. It was incredibly special. Isn't she STUNNING?
She went through 6 rounds of preventative chemo, which she was assured would leave her good as new. Her scans were clear in April and she started to rebuild her life again, Cancer free. She even came to visit Seattle. She LOVED the fish (and the guy selling them)! But Annie seemed to know that things weren't ever quite right.
The first week in June, Annie rushed to Mayo hospital in Rochester, MN in horrible pain, which finally led to the discovery of 5 new tumors. Chemo season two, round one is scheduled to begin this week.
It's sad and scary and extremely stressful, all emotions which are multiplied by the fact that I am so far away. Luckily, I am just one small part of Annie's HUGE support system and group of amazing family and friends. We've come up with some fun ways to support her as she beats Cancer again.
Meet the Flat Annies! I helped to create and organize a Flat Annie program, inspired by my Flat Friends program that I used at church this winter. People all over the place are sharing their adventures with Flat Annie, taking pictures for proof, and then sending them along with notes, cards, and letters to REAL Annie. Cancer may have knocked her Flat, but Flat Annie will keep living it up, until real Annie bounces back!
So far, I've taken Flat Annie to the Ministry Faire at church and with me babysitting. No, I was NOT a Disney Princess. It's a Renaissance costume!
Here's Annika. She made her own Flat Annie, and her baby sister Rachel and I posed with her.
We're also selling Team Annie T-Shirts like the ones the Flat Annie's are wearing. Let me know if you are willing to buy one; all the proceeds go to Annie and her family.
The best way to keep up on all the news and information about Annie and how to help is to join the
Flat Annie Facebook Page and read her
Blog.
There are many more ideas to show support and love for Annie in every way in the works, so stay tuned.
This is the beautiful cottage we rented through http://www.vrbo.com/ on Lake Fenton in Michigan. Jon and I convinced both sides of our family to join us for a long weekend of reunion and relaxation. EVERYTHING was red, white, and blue. I thought it might drive me crazy, but it was actually cute for a cottage.
We spent lots of time drinking...which the rest of the pictures will reinforce! Flat Annie and Ted tried out the deck together with a cocktail.
We also read a lot. Here's my beautiful little sister-in-law, McKenna.
We didn't have keys to use the jet ski, but I thought I'd try it out anyway. It was pretty windy, rainy, and cold to be in the lake much, but it didn't really damper our fun at all!
Jon was trying to convince everyone that I think his neck is ugly.
A group photo!
And another...Lorie was in love with the neighbors' pontoon boat, "Cinnamon Skin", and finally convinced the rest of us to sneak over for a photo. Silly!
Luckily, Annie was released from the hospital while I was there and I got to spend three days with her in gorgeous Redwing, MN. She took me up to Memorial Park, one of her favorite spots, to see the bluffs, Mississippi River, and the beautiful view.
I also got to meet Annie's amazing new boyfriend, Patrick! LOVE HIM!
It was just amazing to see the outpouring of love and support for Annie and her family from so many different friends. It seemed like fun surprises were there to greet her every time we came to her front door. 
I spent the Fourth of July with Annie. Here's us at the Farmer's Market in the morning and she was able to have a bonfire with some family, friends, and neighbors that evening. I can't imagine a better way to spend the holiday.
My favorite part of the trip was on the last morning when Annie woke me up before anyone else was around with a cup of coffee, and we had two hours just to ourselves, to chat and cuddle and laugh and cry. Amazing. I love my Annie. Keep fighting, Girl!
Last weekend, we spent Friday night learning to play Pinochle with our new friends from church, Rosemary and John, and on Saturday the Stefanski twins turned two! They had a crazy, over the top celebration as usual, and we were honored to be included.
Tomorrow night we fly to Michigan to reunite with our family at a lake house. We're looking forward to seeing everyone, relaxing, and getting a much needed break from our menagerie.
The best way to keep up on all the news and information about Annie and how to help is to join the Flat Annie Facebook Page and read her Blog.
Isn't this just the cutest picture ever!?!?!? Awwww.... Sorry, we're just so not photogenic that there's reason for excitement when we actually have a success! This shot was taken on Memorial Day overlooking the ocean on West Beach in Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.
We left after church on Sunday, and took Alley on her first big overnight trip. She loves riding in the car and spent a lot of time hanging out the window, sleeping on her seat, and scrunching herself into a ball on the floor when it got too windy!
Alley experienced sand and ocean for the first time! After we took the ferry over to the island we stopped in Langley for gelato, and the puppy began her exploration.
We stayed overnight at a hotel, and Alley took a nap in her crate while we ate an absolutely fantastic meal at The Oystercatcher in Coupeville.
On Monday, we took a two hour long 4-5 mile hike around Deception Pass and then ate lunch on the beach.
The weekend before, Jon graciously helped me babysit for the Stefanski three all day long on Saturday. I have stopped working as their nanny on a regular basis because I have a puppy to attend to now, so it was so nice to see them again!
Kaitlyn was going to town with their new kitchen set.
That's Jenna! She REALLY loves Jon.
Andre offers Jon a piece of cake.
On Mother's Day weekend, we spent Saturday hard at work in our yard. Jon modified his railing planters he made for our deck in West Bloomfield to work on the railing in front of our house here, and I filled them and this big round container with flowers. So far...I think they are looking good! Summer flowers have to stay in the front yard this year to prevent Alley from eating them. :) We also dug out a bunch of dead/overgrown/weedlike plants in our backyard, spread things out and added a few new things. It looks great!
May was full of sunshine and adventures! I'm hoping a rainy June doesn't seek its revenge. Not a lot of excitement for us here on the west coast, just a lot of love!
