Good Old Ned

This will be a huge year health wise for me. I was diagnosed in 2011 with a Menegioma Brain Tumor. The doctors in Utah just watched it every year and did yearly brain scans to track it. The tumor is located on the right frontal lobe of my brain surrounding the curated Rtery and impinging on the optic nerve. Because of location they opted to observe rather than surgery. However, this year I saw a new neurologist and had a new scan. He compared with previous scan and saw that the tumor was growing at a rate of 1mm a year which in and of itself was not to significant, but over the course of 5 years it has grown 5 mm which is huge. So this month Inwill be starting radiation therapy to kill the tumor cells. It's is a little frightening for me, but I know that I can do this. The above is a radiograph of the tumor.

Happy New Year 2016

A brand new year for the Mendenhall family. Len and I will have been married 42 years this year. Our children are scattered all over the U.S. And are doing well.

Misty's and her family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Brandon retired last year from the army and is now working as a civilian, Misty is teaching 2nd grade, and Kyla and Casey have both been accepted into the college their and will be moving out this month to live in the dorms. Misty and Brandon will now be empty Nestor's. Where does the time go?

Dustin is in Carbondale Illinois running his shop. It has been an interesting past year with so many changes in his employees. There were disappointments and back stabbing leaving him with only himself and a new apprentice working . This has caused him to work 14-16 hour days all week with very little time to do the things he wants and needs to get done. Lots of stress and anxiety for him. Hopefully 2016 will be a better year for him and he can take some time off.

Cory is stationed with the Coast Guard in Mystic Connecticut. He takes time to explore, photograph and paint many things in his area. He will most likely be transferred sometime this summer. He is waiting anxiously to hear where his next adventure will take him.

Pete and his cute family live here in Tucson not too far from us. We share many dinners, fun times, and game nights together. They will most likely be here another year or two. Jackson is on 2nd grade, Jordan is on kindergarten, and Jułiet is the princess of the castle. 

Farewell Dear Brother

This fine man our brother-in-law Jay Alan Henderson lost his battle with lung cancer on December 26, 2015.

Jay was a man of many talents.not the least was his way with people. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in his life. He always had a smile and a big bear hug for everyone.

Even though our family was far apart in miles, he loved our kids like his own. This cute picture was taken with Misty at our last family reunion on Pine Valley mountain in Utah. 

Even in his last few months and constant treatments, Jay remained upbeat and happy. His legacy will live on in his recorded music, his many theater productions and in the family he leaves behind. A life more than well lived, but much too short. Len is in Utah for the funeral. Farewell sweet Jay you will be missed more than you can ever know.

Misty's little flood

Wow Misty and her family have a a few challenges as of late. Yesterday she sent me this photo of their  living room! They had to move everything from the basement upstairs as they had a flood down their from a broken water heater! It's been extremely cold there in Colirado this week as they got their first winter storm of the year. Not a great time to have a flood and no hot water! Wow! She was cute though and said "Nobwirries Darth Vader is watching over everything! From his position among the furniture it looks like he was the first one saved from the flood ha ha!

Sibling fun

Jenny has been busy taking pictures this week as her mom is coming to visit! She had them enlargedbandnpu them in big frames in the entry hall of her home! She did a great job, she is very talented! After my own heart!

Juliet

She is our little resident Tom boy Princess! She is all sparkle, lace, tut, and ribbons but can hold her own on the  play ground or at home with her brothers. She giggle and sings and talks all day long. Her vocabulary is really advanced for her age I think! She always says to me "Grandma?"  And I say "What?" And she says "I really  love you."  I say, " I love you to!" And she says, "Thanks!" Or she will say "Ibreally like your hair or your shirt or you earrings!" She notices everything and compliments you on it and is you compliment her back she always follows it with a "Thanks"! So adorable! 

Jordan

What a handsome little man. Jordan is 5 years old and in kindergarten. We worried that he would have a hard time in school as he was a little home body. He has proved us all wrong, he is doing great in school and seems to enjoy it. He proudly shows off his art projects and talks non stop when he gets home from school. He is everything "Transformers". Always in character as one of the Transformers especially his favorite Optimus Prime.