Christmas was very nice around here.  We all made out pretty well!  I am adding an album of photos from our visit to see Grandma and Aunt Mars (yes, names changed to protect the innocent). 

Sorry Avid, I did not take any of Christmas morning at the Avenger's Lair.  After one child getting up at 4am, and then getting to sleep in all the way until 6 am, I was still waking up by the time the gifts were all open!

 A final post from MudTreasure's blog:

Quote

For YOU... Willba's Blog Community

We thought writing this entry might give a little closure for some of you.  This is just a tid-bit of what happened in the last few weeks of Willba's beautiful life!  We are also including pictures that were taken at the Memorial Service.

---

We took our friend to the hospital on October 24, 2006, little did we know at that time, we had a one way ticket.  The next week was like a roller coaster for all of us and her family, the initial tests indicated liver problems and possibly cancer in her bones, and we were told there was ‘nothing notable’ in her brain, we all had hope.  The blood work showed some opportunities to get her to feeling better, and after a couple of hours she did.  The doctors wanted to admit her for further testing, and then from there we quickly got lost in what was happening.
 
By the end of the week our friend was in so much pain the doctors let her know that she needed to discuss with her family and close friends what to do if her heart should stop.  She gathered her bother, sister, her oldest son, and us together, and discussed her wishes.  This was very hard on her as well as all of us.
 
The doctor was still trying to fight this horrible disease, he gave her a round of chemo.  Before the next weekend her family had been told of the path we were all on, and the decision was made to make her final days as pleasant as we possibly could.  She was moved to a wonderful Hospice facility, with a wonderful staff that treated her like a queen.  From that point we had 21 more days to enjoy our time with her, until it was time for her to move on.
 
On Dec 5, 2006, we had her memorial service.  This was a celebration of her life, not morning her death.  The Chapel held a good size group.
 
During the service we could hear her say:  

'You people!  This is wonderful, what you have all done for me!  
 
You know, really, this is not for me, it is for all of you!  Keep in mind -- this is all part of life, it may be the part that really sucks!  Know now that I am not in pain, I suffer no longer, I AM cancer free -- I have moved on!  It is time for all of you to move on!  
 
I have a plan, that includes all of you later!  In the meantime - be there for one another - live life to the fullest – do those self breast exams – and if you are not comfortable about something – GET A SECOND OPINION – be sure to look at that glass as half full, not half empty, you will waste your life pining on what is gone, not what is left to be.  
 
Be sure to tell the people that you love, what they mean to you -- because life is way too short, and in the end the love and the memories are all that they have!  Remember - it takes a village to raise a child, to help each other, to get each generation standing on it’s own!  Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses, look at the art, and just FLAT out enjoy life!
 
All of you ROCK!  Thank you for what you have done, this is not good-bye -- it is see you later!  I love all of you!'
 

Willba, a piece of you will be with all of us, we miss you, your smile, your conversations, your way to find a little happiness in everything. We place these pictures taken by another friend (Marc) of your memorial – which some of your village worked on together so that we could prepare to move on through life, in your absence.
 
You ROCK!  We miss you!  And we will see you later!  We love you!
 
Thank you family for allowing us to make this entry.
 
Tiffany, Kevin & Sherry

Yesterday was the big day.  I "walked" in the graduation ceremony at John Brown University.  I could not be happier! 

I am posting some photos in an album above.

WOOHOO! 

The Balding Avenger, B.S. 

 From Tiffany......

Quote

Willba's Celebration Service

The service last night was AMAZING.  Everyone worked together to pull this off without a hitch!  I believe it's exactly what Willba would of wanted.  Jim (Willba's pottery instructor) did a wonderful job officiating the service.  There were lots of tears, lots of laughs and lots of hugs. 

 

We still have Willba in our hearts as she made a place for everyone in her heart.  I truly believe that she is my angel watching down on me.  I couldn't of asked for a better friend as she never let the "little" things in life get her down.  Even when she was going through all of her cancer treatments she always had a positive outlook and even though she was tired she always had a smile on her face.  Willba touched the lives of so many people and it was such a joy that she was my best friend for the short time that I knew her.  We shared many memories together and I will always hold those in my mind and will think about them often.

 

Thank you to everyone for all of the prayers and encouraging words.  They meant a lot to her family, Willba and I.

 

My love to you all!

Tiffany

 

PS - I will post new pics as I find time to get them out here!  I've been slacking lately!  :0)