My Beauties...

WARNING: Shameless dog mom post ahead... I just can't help it!

I took the girls to the doggie spa (the groomer) on Saturday and they came home smelling so sweet and looking so pretty that I just had to snap a couple of pictures to share.

My Sweet Petunia (a.k.a. Tunie) - This girl is a little bundle of love and energy. She's the most snuggly dog I've ever had and would be perfectly content just spending the day in your lap. She drools like crazy when she sleeps and has a bit of an underbite, but we love her anyways! She doesn't know the meaning of the word 'fear', and can often be seen running around the house at mach speed as if her hair were on fire (usually with a pair of stolen socks in her mouth). She loves everyone and everything and has been such a fun little addition to our family.

Miss Cookie (a.k.a. The Monster) - This little girl is the best thing that has ever happened to me (right along with Steve, of course). She likes to think she's the Queen of the house, but she's also afraid of her own shadow. She lives to see Steve come walking in the door every day, and I swear there are times when she would flip me "the bird" if she had fingers. She snores like an old man when she sleeps and could sleep 24 hours a day if we let her. She also has Steve absolutely wrapped around her teeny tiny paw. She's been the best dog I've ever had in my life and brings so much joy into our home every single day.

I love these two more than is probably considered normal, but I don't care. I know they're not human kids... But they're OUR kids. They are the center of our world here in the Jones house and we couldn't imagine it without them!

HOMERUN!!!

Yesterday at 3:00pm, I had a follow-up MRI with my endocrinologist.

At 4:25pm, I was given the "all clear".

For the first time in at least 7 years, I am officially TUMOR FREE!!!!

I cannot even begin to say how relieved and excited I am. I was so beside myself at the doctor's office that I had to sit there for about 15 minutes before I drove home. I honestly didn't know if this day would ever come. There were so many times that I wondered if the headaches and side effects were just something I was going to have to learn to live with. It's scary, but I started to understand why people with chronic conditions sometimes start to lose it. There were so many times that I thought to myself, "I am done!"

It's been one loooooong roller-coaster ride filled with too many ups and downs to count. Seeing as how I've never really been a huge fan of roller-coasters anyway, it sure is nice to say, "See ya later! I'M GETTING OFF!!!"

Thanks so much to my family and friends for listening to me whine, being my cheerleaders, and keeping my spirits up when I needed it. Without you all, I never would have made it through this with my sanity (or whatever is left of it). I can't say it enough... I am a lucky, lucky girl!

I am SO looking forward to 2011 and all it has in store for us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!