So it happened today.

I knew it was just a matter of time before it would happen. He's a boy after all.

I was sitting at my computer while Jacob was watching his movie (he boycotted his nap but was in desperate need of "quite time"--as was Mommy), and he was eating a bowl of trail mix.

"Uh-oh. UH-oh, UH-OH!" I could sense the panic in his voice immediately and I ran over to him to see what brought it on.

And what do you know. Two m&m's. One in each nostril. I quickly pulled the first red one out, but that yellow sucker was in there good. And for some reason he felt the need to keep sniffing, which just kept lodging it further and further into his nose, to the point where I couldn't even see it anymore.

Most of you know that I'm not a very calm person by nature. But for some reason I remained totally calm and tried to push down on the outside of his nose while I used my nail to scoop out that yellow candy. Finally these stupid acrylic nails have paid off--we avoided a trip to the ER and Jacob learned a much needed lesson in "noses are just for smelling."



But it was pretty funny that he had bright yellow-dye snot for the remainder of the afternoon.

Hoping for a cure.

Could this really be my first post of the new year? Where have I been? Busy, that's for sure. Honestly, I finally got around to taking down my Christmas decorations just last weekend. I was kind of putting it off, kind of dreading it, and kind of just wanted to leave everything up until next year.

But all good things have to come to an end, and suprisingly, I can actually say that this Christmas was good. It was good to be with family, it was good to see the look on our children's faces Christmas morning, and it was good to have our annual open house. In fact, that was great! Traditionally, our family hosts an annual open house as a time to get together with loved ones, to eat yummy food, and to just enjoy the holidays. This year was different. We decided to turn our open house into something that could honor my dad, that could spread the word about the American Cancer Society, and to raise money to fight this awful disease.

As a means to accomplish all of this, we created our first ever Tree of Hope. Our guests had the opportunity to purchase a purple snowflake ornament in memory or in honor of a loved one affected by cancer and decorate our tree with it. I was amazed at the outpouring that took place (especially considering the downpour that was taking place outside!) We had over 75 people attend and raised nearly $700 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event!

This is why I had such a difficult time taking down "Christmas" at our house. Because I knew that every single ornament on that tree represented someone who was and is deeply loved. Someone who will never be forgotten though time may pass. Someone who should have been there this holiday season.

So as I tucked away each ornament I thought about how each of those people heard the words, "You have cancer." How every year more and more people will face this awful reality and how we are getting so close to a cure. A cure that I know can and will happen. And I thought about how awesome it was to have this Tree this year. To give everyone the opportunity to remember, to give back, and to heal. I know it was healing for me and I hope that as we continue to have our annual Tree that others will find healing in it as well.