I'm back to work, so the last few weeks have been busy. I'm so thankful that I am able to work from home. I just might have the best job ever!

Lily finished radiation to her foot and the skin in that area is healing very well. In the time that she was off from chemo, her hair also started growing back. After 5 days of chemo last week and 2 days next week, it probably won't last, but she looks really cute right now with a fuzzy head. Her white blood counts are low this week, so she is cooped up at home and I have to give her daily shots to get her counts back up in time for next week's chemo. She's so resilient, though, it's amazing! She is full of energy and literally bounces around the house (on my aerobic ball).

One of my fellow teachers put together another fundraiser for Lily!  Are we not incredibly blessed in terms of all the support we have received from so many people? Your love and kindness keeps us going! Thank you Cameron! Here is the info:

The “We Love Lil Clothing Event”!!

We are holding a “Back-to-School Clothing Drive” on August 6,  from 10: 00am-2:00 pm for Lily Lopez.  The Clothing Drive will be held at the LDS church located on 1010 S Recker, between Warner and Ray.

In order to help offset the cost of her treatment, and try and ease the burden of her family, we will be holding this clothing drive.  It will be really easy to participate.  As you clean out your children’s closets in preparation for school, please bring clothing that you no longer need to Cami Kistemann’s house, 2895 E Cathy Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85296.

We would like to have all donations before August 6.  If, however, you also want to bring your clothing to the church on the day of the event (August 6), it will be happily accepted at that time.  We will be selling the clothing by the bag.  All the clothing you can stuff into a bag provided for $5.00.  Please donate your clothing, and come to buy a bag or two.  Even if you don’t need the clothing, please come and lend your support.  Please forward this to anyone who you know would like to participate so that we can make this beneficial for everyone.   If you would like to help out further still, please contact Cami Kistemann at 480-626-1405. 

We had a much needed vacation this week on the beach in Mexico.

This was the view from our patio.

It was so great to be able to recharge and relax with no worries and no doctor visits!

Lily spent hours tirelessly searching the beach for cool shells, crabs and other sea life.

She acquired a huge collection, and immediately went to work making tiny sculptures out of shells.

We were also able to go to an aquarium to view more fish and other sea creatures up close.

Lily got to pet turtles

and hold star fish, as well as feed a seal.

We ate lots of yummy food, including the best clam chowder ever.

and best of all, we got to share the fun with good friends.

None of us wanted to leave!!

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping ~ Chinese Proverb

Lily hiking in Woods Canyon last summer

It has been 6 months since Lily was diagnosed and we have made it halfway through the treatment plan that her oncologists have recommended so far.

She has been through more in that short time than anyone should have to go through, but the biggest lesson we have learned is to appreciate the blessings of each day as they come. There is always joy and beauty to be found in the world no matter what your circumstances and we have many, many blessings to be thankful for. The hard days only help us to appreciate the good all the more, and lend a different perspective to what is truly important in life and just how precious it is.

Lily has a long journey ahead of her still, but I know she will be strong enough to face the challenges she is presented with. Lily’s perseverance and positive attitude is such an inspiration to me. She has taught me that you cannot hide from life; it’s there- the good and the bad- and it’s best to face it head on without fear. That doesn’t mean that I don’t worry (because I do) but I feel more and more like I am able to let go and accept life for what it is- terribly imperfect, yes, but also wonderfully beautiful if you are willing to look.

Beads of Courage

Lily with her beads of courage.

Each time Lily has a procedure such as a chemo infusion, radiation treatment or blood transfusion, she receives a bead to string on a necklace. She also has beads for hospital stays and surgeries, like the bone marrow biopsy and port placement surgery. So far, she has two and a half long necklaces full of beads.

This is an awesome program because it is a tangible way for her to see and show others what she has been through and how courageous she has been.

Mama's Marvelous Organic Juice



With no chemo for the past week, Lily's appetite has been good. She will even let me juice for her, which makes me really happy.

Here's our favorite recipe which makes about one glass of juice:

1 Apple

1 Cup of carrots

1/2 Large beet or 1 small beet

1 Handful of greens (chard, spinach, kale)

I always buy organic produce, but lately I've been able to use our own organically grown apples and veggies from my garden :)



Fresh picked dinner!



Why should we all use our creative power….? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money. ~Brenda Ueland

The phrase “creative power” is apt because creativity is the most powerful force that humans have been blessed with. When people tap into the love that is the Universe they can accomplish great and beautiful things. But creativity isn’t just about listening to your intuition and surrendering yourself to inspiration. It is about bringing that love out into the world and sharing your insight in whatever unique way you can.

To the musicians who played for Lily at the benefit show- Mergence, Black Carl, Badshoe- thank you for working so hard to bring forth your vision and wonderful talents into the world! You are some of the most "generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate" people I know.

This video was shot during the show that benefited Lily.