School has started, Siri especially seems much more grown up this year. I love that she was excited to run for student council! She was chosen as one of two kids to represent her class. Feeling very proud of my girls and thankful to be their mom. Jane is super motivated to be one of the top earners in her grade for the PTA fundraiser. Yes it pays for field trips, art class, etc, but more importantly, for her, she wants to be one of the kids that gets to ride in a limo to chick fil a for lunch! Soccer season has started for Jane and Ruby. This is Ruby's first season and although she wasn't in love with the first game (it was so hot!), she did score a goal followed by a trip to the store to pick out her own pack of gum :) She starts preschool this week. This is a huge day for me too. It's a day I didn't think we would see for her.
I loved the ensemble Ruby picked out for her first practice
Not only do I thank Heavenly Father for this blessing, but also that I'm ok. Mark and I had an annul visit to the dermatologist. My sister Liz has had melanoma removed from her arm when she was only in her 20's. Mark's dad and sister have had melanoma removed. And Ruby. Lots of reasons for us to make a visit. Last year the dr burned off a pink spot on my forehead, no big deal. It went away and looked like normal skin until a few months ago. She decided to biopsy it this time. It was a little more pink, but didn't itch or bother me. It was small, maybe half the size of my pinkie fingernail. I got a call about 2 weeks later. The woman was very calm and no big deal "it came back basal cell so let's get you scheduled to remove those cancerous cells". Uhhh...she just said cancer. To me. "Can I call you back?". I needed to have a moment. Yes, basal cell (the first stage of skin cancer) is very common. But it still scared me. So last Wednesday I had my annual physical (I had scheduled it months ago) and then made my way over to the dermatologist to have the Mohs surgery to remove the spot on my forehead.
As I walked into the office, there were multiple people sitting, waiting, with folds of gauze and tape on their recently operated on faces. One above her lip, a couple forehead, one on her cheek. All women, all older than me. Much older than me. I'm too young. No, not really. I spent all my summers at the pool, sometimes with sunblock on, lots of times not. I remember burning, blisters a few times, the skin on my nose peeling. I didn't know. I didn't realize how dangerous it was, that the consequences were long term. I want to teach and protect my kids, and sometimes it also means some scary parts in there too to get the point across. And I see that I can be better, more careful. Hats more often, umbrellas (lets get the parasol thing popular over here in the USA!), sunblock more often, better protective clothing, saying no to being outside at peak burning hours (summer or winter).
I really want to see insurance cover an annual visit to a dermatologist as a preventive visit. I don't think my family practice dr would have seen the spot on my forehead and think it should be biopsied. So although it will cost you an extra co-pay, go schedule a check up! And just like we all know soda and candy aren't good for us, neither is a tanning bed or a day at the lake without a swim cover.
Our dear friend, Alexis, passed away last month from Melanoma. Her "celebration of life" was on August 25th. I loved it. I love that she planned all the details...she chose who she wants to speak, the music, one of her caramel/chocolates for each person to have. It was beautiful and happy. I'm thankful that I had all the girls with me the last time I saw her, and that we were able to say our good-byes through text. I asked her to watch over for Ruby for me and she replied "I promise with all my heart. She's about to get one hardcore watchdog guardian angel!" People and relationships were important to Alexis, I love that about her. You can follow an instagram account and hashtag set up by her sister called livinlifeforlexisjane. Alexis said "My wish for everyone is to live freely, love fiercely, share laughter and spread joy". Alexis donated her body to Huntsman for research so that even if it helped just one, it would be worth it. She talked about "that one" being Ruby. I love you Alexis!
We've been soaking up the last few pool days...
this lady even went off the high dive for the first time last week!
Date night with Mark (thank you Aunt Liz!)
We were gone for 5 hours but it felt like 1.
So good for us to have some continuous conversation and time together.
And an early morning run. Makes me happy.
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