Christmas Day 2008!

On Christmas morning, Daria was full of excitement and being so cute! She couldn't wait to get downstairs. When she finally came down, she went right to the Christmas stockings (which definitely surprised Shari ). The problem was that, of course, Shari was waiting with the video camera by the Christmas Tree (in the living room) and when Daria hit the bottom of the stairs she went to the fireplace which is in the family room. So much for planning!

Daria enjoyed all her presents. This year, since she was 5 now Santa brings all of her presents unwrapped so that she can see them all right away and not have to take the time to unwrap everything! Thank you Santa for this amazing present for Mommy, not having to wrap each and every gift!

Another thing that occurred this year was that Daria realized that Mama and Summer's stockings were empty. She told everyone for weeks that "Mama and Summer were bad and Santa didn't bring them anything." Shari wanted me to send a special "Thank You" to a person who shall remain nameless for not filling her stocking :-)

A dollhouse! Just what Daria asked Santa for! She must have been a good girl this year!

Posing with her Hello Kitty backpack

The gift-opening excitement

Daddy and Daria. This is what the holidays are all about!

Daria with her beautiful wooden bird from Nordstroms! Nordstroms decorates for the holidays each year with these birds and the first time Daria saw them, she fell absolutely in love with them. Tom arranged to get a bird for Daria and she LOVED opening this gift, as you can tell from her precious expression on her face!

Christmas Eve 2008!

The Olbrich family tradition is to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. This year, the tree got decorated on Christmas Eve morning instead of at night because Tom had to work that afternoon and evening. Shari's parents had come the night before so that they could be a part of the decorating which they have done each year.

The morning of Christmas Eve, around 7:30am, Shari heard little voices coming from downstairs. Shari knew that Daria was very excited about decorating the tree and that she had conversation with Tom the night before about what time they would start. Now, this is supposed to be a "family" tradition and there they were decorating the tree without anyone. So Shari asked them to slow down, get dressed and allow her to get some pictures :-) The tree did indeed get decorated and everyone enjoyed a special breakfast that Shari had prepared since they weren't going to be having their traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

The eager tree decorators!

Daria placing her ornament very carefully

Look at this ornament, Mama.

Daria and Pop Pop together on Christmas Eve.

First Night of Hanukkah!

Following are some pictures from the first night of Hanukkah 2008! This year, since Shari was still recovering from her treatment, Aunt Max was with the Olbrich's to celebrate too! Aunt Max made a yummy Hanukkah dinner that included Potato Latkes.

For the last 2 years, Daria has said the prayers over the candles repeating them after Shari. This year, right from the 1st night she started to recite them all by herself. Shari also decided that Daria was ready to be able to light her own Menorah by herself. Daria was so excited about this and told everyone that "she was saying the prayers by herself and lighting her own Menorah with real fire on the top." (which means that her candle was really lit with a flame). This was a very big to do in the Olbrich household this year!

Their Hanukkah tradition is to have Daria open 1 present each night of Hanukkah. And of course their crazy dog Summer gets in the act every year! She loves to open presents and rip up the wrapping paper. This year was no different.

What a big girl lighting the candle herself on her own menorah!

Daria helping Mommy light a candle too.

Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Daria and Mommy on the first night of Hanukkah.

Daria and Aunt Max

Summer enjoying her gift (and the wrapping paper!).

Chemo Round 3 update

Hi everyone,

On Tuesday, December 16th, Shari completed her 3rd round of chemotherapy treatment. Tuesday was a very long day for Shari. She left the house at 7am and didn't get home until close to 6:30pm. Despite being tired and drained, Shari did experience her usual Day 1 side effect of feeling "high" from the meds. Yesterday, Shari felt decent. There was some more significant bone and joint pain than she usually feels this early in her chemo cycle, but it wasn't too unbearable. Shari did also experience some nausea yesterday. Anticipating how she would feel in the next couple of days, and despite her side effects, Shari actually mustered the strength to complete all of her gift wrapping for the upcoming holidays. She is so inspirational!

Shari's friend Max (or Crazy Aunt Max) returned from Boston yesterday and will stay with Shari through Sunday. Max is such a wonderful support for Shari, Daria, and Tom.... making sure that they all have what they need to make it through these tough days of Shari's chemo cycle.

Please keep Shari in your prayers over the next several days. These are the days that are the toughest for her in her chemo cycle and she will experience the worst and most significant side effects over the next few days.

During her treatment on Tuesday, Shari and the oncology team revisited Shari's targeted therapy regimen. You will recall that Shari was having significant reaction to the targeted therapy drugs (severe body rashes). She had been taking the drug 2 times per day, but when the reactions started, they discontinued the drug altogether until her body healed. Shari then started taking the targeted therapy once per day. She has not had any of the severe rashing during this time, although she does still have itching and peeling of her hands and feet. Because she has reacted fairly well to the once per day plan, they decided on Tuesday that Shari would start taking the targeted therapy drugs 2 times per day, every other day. On the days in between, Shari will just take it once per day. Please pray for Shari that this gradual ramp up will work for her body and not cause her any severe reactions as it had before!

Shari's next chemotherapy is now scheduled for January 5th, but may be pushed back to January 12th. We will update the exact date in a post soon.

Best,
Shannon

A Rose is More Than Just a Rose...

Shari just completed Round 3 of chemotherapy yesterday (an update on that is coming next). Before we get to that, though, we want to tell all of her friends and family about Shari's "Rose Angel". The day before each of the 3 chemotherapy treatments that Shari has completed, Shari has found a rose on her front doorstep. The rose is always accompanied by 7 different inspirational quotes written on index cards and paper clipped to the rose.

The rose is given to Shari anonymously. She genuinely has no idea who keeps leaving her pre-treatment rose and inspirational quotes for her. While one part of Shari is very curious about who the mystery gifter is, another part of her happy to have it remain a mystery. She is very thankful and appreciative of this anonymous "Rose Angel" who is so thoughtful and provides her with this wonderful pick-me-up right before each of her treatments.

So, to Shari's "Rose Angel" whomever you are, Shari wants you to know this.... She appreciates you and your generosity more than you can know. Your gesture really puts a smile on her face and helps her get through her tough days. You are very much loved and appreciated!

The Nutcracker Tradition

With Daria being the ballerina that she is, Shari has started a tradition with her to go see the Nutcracker Ballet each year during the holiday season. They've been doing this together for the past 3 years. Their yearly tradition looked slightly different this time because Shari and Daria went to see a different production of The Nutcracker and they went with several of their playgroup friends! My daughter Madison and I were part of the group that went to The Nutcracker, and Madison and Daria both had a great night! And, truth be told, Shari and I had a great evening out as well! We got the girls dressed up and took them out to dinner before the show. They were so excited. Here are some pictures:

Shari and Daria at dinner.

Daria showing us her best ballerina moves.

So graceful.

Best friends.

Shannon, Daria, Madison, and Shari enjoying our night out together!

More updates soon,

Shannon

Birthday Blessings

On December 10th, Shari celebrated her 29th Birthday (Again!) :-) To celebrate this very special occasion, Shari had a Birthday Tea with Tom, Daria, and her dear friend Jann. This was a perfect opportunity to celebrate all that is wonderful in Shari's life. Here are some pictures from that fabulous day:

Aren't they a beautiful family?


Mother and Daughter

Aunt Jann, Daria, and Shari

Precious angel

Happy Birthday, Shari. We all wish you a year ahead full of health, blessings, and happiness!

Shari is so stylish!

On 11/22, Shari's friend Mair came over for the "final buzz" and they took off the remainder of Shari's hair. After this session, Shari was mostly bald, although there were still a few small patches of hair remaining. Daria got to help this time around and as you will see from all of the smiles in the picture, they had a great day together!

Shari is ready to become bald!

You can see Daria's hand in the picture "helping" Aunt Mair!

Daria got a turn with the clippers too!

Saying goodbye to Mommy's hair.

And embracing it all with ..... SMILES!

And after this buzz session, here is how Shari is working her new Bald look. Doesn't she have the best head shape?

To top it all off, here are some of the FABULOUS hat and scarf looks that Shari has been wearing lately. She looks so very chic!!!

Stay tuned for more fashionable updates soon :-)