PUPPIES!

It was supposed to be my final weekend in the US
I thought that visiting my newest 'fur' grand kid was about the best way to spend it!
Not to mention I would get to be with my daughter, Amanda, and her husband, Joel.

Even though my stay here has been extended, it was still a great way to spend the weekend!
Here are all 8 Great Dane pups - 4 boys and 4 girls



















And here is papa - Tonka...hmmm...like the truck?

T

Tonka is as gentle and friendly as he is big!

These puppies were so friendly, they swarmed us! Do you think they know this will be the new mommy for one of them?

Here is the momma dog - Carmela

Papa! they loved Joel!

Dr. Bonney - watching over the activities... Some of the pups were so cuddly!

Think she's proud?

Awwww....

Believe it or not, Tonka is afraid of the pups!

I like this photo, just because...

The kids want a boy so they had three to choose from...this is one of the two they have 'tagged' - one will go to China and the other one will go to Santa Monica with proud new parents Amanda and Joel...

Amanda takes the bar at the end of July and I am expecting to take care of my new fur grandson during that 3 days since she will be staying in Pasadena. I am soooo excited!

P.O.B.C.

POBC was the announcement made by my doctor, Michelle Carpenter
Translation: “Plain Old Breast Cancer” – that’s the good news
The bad news is ‘cancer’ and ‘delay’
Who was it that said God’s delays are not God’s denials? I’m believin’ that!

I was to return ‘home’ to Kenya on the 16th of June and am still here
On the 29th of April I had my annual mammogram
On the 21st of May I had an ultrasound on the right breast (which showed no abnormalities)
On the 3rd of June I visited Michelle Carpenter, who found a lump on the left breast – go figure!

After declaring to her that I was to leave for Kenya in less than two weeks
She decided to conduct a needle biopsy – ouch!
On the 6th of June I had a digital mammogram to give Michelle more information
On the 8th of June she called to say ‘invasive cancer’ per the pathology report – okaaaaay…

On the 12th of June I had an MRI – more information, in fact too much information!
The MRI showed a lesion on the liver – sheeesh!
After a liver ultrasound and yet another mammogram I have decided - I’m done with tests!
On the 19th of June my entourage and I descended on Michelle – she handled all of us like a champ! I think she passed the test…

I feel as though I am suspended between two worlds
Between home in Kenya and here in the states
Between saying ‘yes’ to this new path and wanting to be elsewhere
The plan now is to have surgery some time in July and radiation in July or August

Praise God for His miracles;
· That my GP is thorough enough to send me to a breast specialist even when the ultrasound showed NOTHING
· That Michelle had a cancellation the day after I called for an appointment (her next available appointment was the 24th of June)
· That Michelle found the lump – she is pretty excited by this, usually she is just confirming what the GP has already discovered
· The liver ultrasound showed nothing but an innocent cyst
· The amazing people He has already placed in my path to walk portions of this journey with me

Please pray;
· That I keep my eyes on the One Who heals
· That I continue to walk this journey with Grace
· That surgery will be scheduled very soon
· That all who care for me have God’s wisdom and guidance

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
Joanna

THE Graduation!

May 22, 2009 - Graduation Day at Pepperdine Law School...

Here Amanda is hugging a class mate - don't you think her hubby, Joel, looks good carrying the baby? You will see her (the baby's) mother soon...
Left to Right: Ashley (Amanda's cousin), Amanda, Holly (Ashley's mom), Steve (Amanda's dad)

Beautiful redhead...

The gang's all here! My mom has her back to the camera talking to her son (my brother, Amanda's uncle) Jim, next to him is Joe (Holly's husband)

...now that you are thoroughly confused! Here is the awesome couple on the shuttle to the grounds...

...where oh where are we supposed to sit? I just had to snap this shot of Jim with the baby (whose name is Madalyn, by the way)

Joel sat very close to the stage (just behind Amanda) so I assume he got this shot. I tried to make it bigger, but it's not so clear - but you get the idea!

Amanda with Madalyn...

...with Madalyn and her mom Rachel...

...back at Amanda and Joel's I am holding Madalyn who is flirting with Ashley...

...motorcycle mom!

...feasting...yummy!

...anything good in the fridge?

...sweet Madalyn...

...the cook!

...what a handsome man!

...yummy food...good cook...

...eating the yummy food!

Amanda's Uncle Jim and her dad Steve...

...you can tell it's good when it gets all over your face!

Two redheads...cousins...

...again...you can tell it's good when it gets all over your face!

...making a toast...and it was a good one!

Rachel with Madalyn greeting Colton with mom Chantel...

Joel's diploma came in the mail on Amanda's graduation day...TWO GRADUATES!

Two redheads...part deux...

Colton with dad Sean...drinking!

Can you tell we love each other?

Amanda has the greatest friends! Here I am with Chantel and Rachel...

Chachi feeling right at home...of course he is home...

Amanda saying goodbye to Aunt Holly expressing gratitude for the beautiful pearl necklace / graduation present...

Is it over already?

Hopefully you can tell by the photos what an awesome day it was...we thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony, loved cheering for our girl and had an awesome celebration afterwards.

You shoulda been there :)