2010 in Review

What a year it has been. I'm getting ready to publish my 2010 book and wanted to share a few thoughts to wrap up the year.

We started off 2010 in Bakersfield, CA. Ben was in the middle of his clinical rotations at Kern County Medical Center. Things started off pretty quietly, until February hit. My Sister in Law Sara Campbell Baker found out she had a brain tumor. The doctors assured that it was benign and that it could be removed and she should be just fine. Her first surgery was thought to be successful, but Heavenly Father had another plan for sweet Sara, and during a 2nd Surgery Sara slipped out of this world and back into Heavenly Father's arms. It happened on Easter weekend, and the true meaning of Easter and our Savior's Resurrection was felt and gave us comfort. I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of weeks with Brad and the kids....moments I will treasure forever!

We also lost Ben's grandmother Mary Carr in March of 2010.

As I look back, March also held a glimpse of Kimber's future. We joined with some friends from church to do the Great Strides Walk in Bakersfield. It is a walk for Cystic Fibrosis, the disease that took my first husband, Charlton's life. It is a disease that for some reason has decided to haunt me in this life! Little did we know, that we were walking with our own little CF'fer!

We loved our time in Bakersfield, and made friends to last a lifetime! Holdyn misses her friends from Preschool, Charlotte, Keilan, and Roegan, but is excited to be in Crazy Grandma's preschool here in Fredonia. Late July we moved from Bakersfield as Ben's rotations there came to an end. With a couple months off and only 8 weeks left as a Medical Student, we headed to Fredonia, AZ. July and August brought lots of family camp outs and fishing trips. We loved spending time as a family as Ben studied, took the USMLE tests, and we all played!

During this time we decided to get us all in for check-ups. Kimber was still having her issues and the Dr's thought it was still a milk allergy. We'd been convinced otherwise as her parents and asked if we could have her tested for Cystic Fibrosis.... Ben knew enough from being a Med student and I knew enough from Charlton that we were beginning to see signs. The Dr. agreed and ordered the test. The results were undoubtedly POSITIVE for Cystic Fibrosis. We were immediately admitted for a 2 week stay at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. It was interesting to see and meet Doctors and RT's that remembered treating Charlton when he was young. His family also came to visit often and were a great support! We were overwhelmed with love, packages, and visits from friends, family, and even some strangers. Now we are making monthly visits to the Phoenix Children's Hospital (our insurance won't cover us if we go to PCMC) and trying to make the best of it. With our new life as a family with Cystic Fibrosis, we now have to schedule things around Kimber's daily treatments and make sure we make every minute count!

While Kimber was in PCMC Ben went to Bakersfield and Roswell for a total of 8 weeks to finish up his 4th year of Medical School! He is currently DONE and we are waiting for his test results. Then comes the Match! We will see where we are going to end up for Residency in a few short months! I'm so proud and grateful for all that Ben has accomplished. He is amazing! He will also be the first to tell you he didn't make it through alone, he had a lot of help from above, and for that we are eternally thankful!

Around this same time we were informed that Charlton's mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She is currently being a strong warrior in her fight as she continues treatment!

I've been blessed with a great job opportunity to use my Sign-Language! I was interpreting for a deaf student at Kanab High School. She has moved to St. George, and the doors opened again with a student who can hear, but doesn't speak. So I am working with him at Kanab High School and we are signing up a storm! I've also been blessed with the opportunity to teach an ASL Class for the High School Students. Both are well paying jobs we are fortunate to have!

We had a great Holiday season with our wonderful families! However, another bad news moment hit around Christmas. One of my very best friends since childhood was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. Whitni Nisson Reese has started Chemo and is still awaiting answers as to what type of cancer it is. It is rapidly progressing and we've spent lots of sleepless nights thinking and praying for her! We are praying for the best, as there are still lots of unanswered questions! She has always been a fighter and this is no different, she has a lot of support!! We love you Whitters!

I'd say from this last year the main thing I've witnessed and learned is to look for the positive! We've been slammed with different tragedies, yet during it all, I've seen an overwhelming amount of blessings! There are so many Christ-like people around who jumped up to take action. I feel humbled to have witnessed it and felt of love from friends, family, and even complete strangers. I hope I can be more like some people I saw, jump at the opportunity to serve, support, and love those who are fighting overwhelming battles!