So True...

I think we all need this right now!

Just what the doctor ordered!

This smile is just what I needed to make me forget even if for a minute, what is going on around me! Ty is definitely a blessing to our family!

Ty and Nana

Tyler just adores his Nana.... He smiles, giggles and wiggles whenever he see's her face or hears or voice.... She is definitely one of his most favorite people in the world! 

Mom's pre-oncology appointment picture with dad! Come on mom! We LOVE you!

Ready to kick cancers ass!

Update as of today, January 30th

We finally were able to speak with Mary’s oncologist this afternoon.  Following the PET scan he ordered both an echo-cardiogram and a bronchoscope to look at her lungs.  She has been diagnosed with ‘small cell lung cancer’.  This is a rapid growing cancer that, per her doctor, responds well to chemotherapy.  Today was her first treatment and she will have three treatments (Mon- Wed) every three weeks.  While this is not what we wanted to hear, Mary has assured us that she has her gloves on and will fight this with the help of the Lord.  We were fortunate to have a number of friends from our church here to pray for the family and especially for Mary.  Jim and Kathy are still here and can relay their own thoughts as to how things are here.

We know that only through the healing hands of the Lord, Mary will overcome a new hurdle.

Mom's fight starts tomorrow!

So tomorrow, my mom begins her next battle against cancer... We are treating lung cancer and her lymphoma with chemo sessions more often than any of us would like or had expected. Tonight I invited a great group of people come pray over her as she endures her next trial. Thank you so much for Jeff L., Jeff & Shaunna, Ivy & Kelsey, Lisa (Grace), Norm & Karen, Uncle Jim & Aunt Kathy, our immediate family and of course Jeremy & Shelly via Skype! I am sure having you all there brought comfort and peace to he heart! Please keep my mom and entire family in your prayers and add us to any prayer chains! Without having to say it to each other, we are all very scared and doing our best to put it in God's hands! I love you momma more than words could ever describe except you're my soulmate! Please fight harder than you ever have and know that we are here with unconditionally love and support!

If I Had Only Known

I thought I would share this poem that my mom wrote shortly after my grandma's death.... It makes you appreciate the time you have with your loved ones....

 

If I Had Only Known

For Thora Kraus (Grandma)

If I had only known it was the last walk in the rain,

I’d keep you out for hours in the storm.

I would hold your hand like a lifeline to my heart,

Underneath the thunder we’d be warm…

If I had only known it was our last walk in the rain.

If I had only known,

I’d never hear your voice again…

I’d memorize each thing you ever said.

And all those lonely nights,

I would keep your voice alive inside my head.

If I had only known I’d never hear your voice again.

You were the treasure in my hand,

You were the one who stood beside me.

So unaware and how foolishly I believed,

That you would always be there…

But then came a day and you slipped away…

If I had only known it was my last night by your side,

I’d pray a miracle would stop the dawns…

And when you smiled at me, I would look into your eyes,

And make sure you knew my love for you goes on and on…

If I had only known, for the love I would have shown,

If I had only known.

Written By: Mary C. Braun

Loving my johnny jumper!

For Christmas, Ty got his first Johnnyn jumper and he loves it! He spins around and goes between two rooms and gives us a break when we are trying to get dinner together! Whoever created this was a genius!

Letter to my mommy

Mom,
I have so many thoughts and emotions running through my mind and heart... I am lost, broken and can't begin to figure out where to pick up the pieces.  We think of soul mates and you are mine. Without having to speak a work, we understand each other and know exactly what the other person is thinking. I have never had a friend like you before and can't imagine my life without you in it. I will also need my mom! I will never forget the time that dad called to say he was coming home from work early and we were hiding 100+s presents throughout the house in fear that he would figure out how much we spent! Driving in the car and singing and dancing to complete strangers in the cars next to us..... Hiding our purchases in the trunk until dad went to bed and then wearing it a week of two later- "No, I bought this ages ago"!  There are so many memories that I have with you mom and so many more to make! You CANNOT give up the fight of your life- you need the passion in your soul and heart that you had before! Think about your amazing grandchildren who deserve to have such an amazing and loving Nana.....and all of the people who lives you have touched in one way or another! I love you mom more than words could every describe! You are my best friend and I would be completely lost without you, your guidance, your love or support! You are my rock! I love you, I love you, I love you!

Love your daughter,
Erika Elizabeth
xoxoxoxoxo

Mom's next fight!

On Monday, January 17th, mom went in for a routine PET scan. The scan was just to check out her lymphoma and ensure it was still in remission. She had just finished maintenance chemo sessions in November with the outlook pretty optimistic. This past week, Monday January 23rd we heard the devastating news that not only was her lymphoma was back, but they had also found a mass in her lung. After undergoing tests, it has been determined that mom has been diagnosed with a new lung cancer, in addition to her lymphoma (both of which are currently active in her body). She has undergone a heart study to determine if her heart is strong enough to endure another round of chemo treatments. This round of chemo will be much stronger. Instead of going once next week to begin her treatments, she will go through treatments next Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday- definitively planning on taking a toll on her body.
As expected, we are all very scared about the months that lay head but also have a faith in God that he will once again give our family the strength to get through this trial. Lucky for mom, she has a great family who will help bear the cross with her! 
As her treatments begin, I will continue to update you- post more pictures of mom and hopefully get her to enter her own blog entries about how she is feeling! Please keep our family in your prayers and thoughts! 

Welcome to our crazy life!

Well, with all the changes that happen in our day to day lives and the inability for us as a family to get together as often as we would like, I thought I would create a blog that would let everyone interested in checking in on the Crazy Utah Braun Haus.... It seems like things change everyday and with a new baby- we learn new things and find happiness in life's simple pleasures.


With the changes between Tyler's growth (I want him to stay a baby for ever), Evan and Hannah who are turning into teenagers, the twins, Christian and Cera and of course, Chase who keeps everyone on their toes and of course how mom, dad, Jeremy and Michelle are doing.... My goal is to update this at least bi-monthy to keep you all posted! Happy Reading! Love to you all!