Cops.Christmas.Carney.Cancer and ....Firefighters?

Well It's been awhile since we have had an update on our warrior. Reenie has developed somewhat of a pattern with her side affects, tired all the time, really tired every other day, pain all the time, really bad pain every evening after a shot but through it all never a complaint, hard to believe. Reenie has done just enough to make sure her family has the usually over the top Reenie Christmas yet making sure she is getting her rest when needed, or when her body tells her. I think she is doing a great job of managing her time when she feels good. I'm sure we (Ryan and I) could be doing more but that has always been the case, and we ARE trying to stay normal. A visit from the Broomriders (Reenie's high school friends)last week for thier Christmas gift giving brought some unwanted excitement, Tinley's finest escorted our Chicago friend Peggy into town, well it wasn't quite an escort I think it was more of a chase. Seems in Chicago you can do 40 on a side street and the kind officer from Tinley wanted to let the Chicagoan know it wont be tolerated in our town or something like that, but as we all know if you are female and cry and offer favors to the police you might not get a ticket...Peggy qualified for two out of three! no ticket!!. Reenie was also feeling good enough on Friday to attend a dinner and ceremony honoring Ryan and his class for completing the Firefighter II academy in Romeoville. The ceremony was a proud event and really important that Reenie could attend so it made for an awesome evening. With a little strength left we stopped by the Higgins for some Christmas cheer with the cheer moms (Reenie's friends from Tinley and cheerleading)(we have names for all her circles). A little shopping over the weekend with her girlz and quite a few naps, our fighter is ready for the holiday. Our friends, family and extended family continue to help us through this time, Kris received a pink tree of her own from her new aunt Jeri Lynn, the post chemo flowers showed up along with a friend, a friendly looking pink snowman hand crafted out of wood who now greets Reenie's visitors (Note: when things arrive anonymously Shannon or I take the credit!!), dinner from cousin Kathy, dinner from Patty R., and dinner from the Casey's (note: can't fit into my clothes I'm blaming everyone of you). To complete the week we had a had nice dinner and some drinks with the Massats and Reen was able to spend a special day with special friend Maureen to do a little shopping so you guys did it you've gotten your little patient into the holiday spirit...thank you. So we are please so far that it seems the chemo is working, I wish there was a way we could check every day that what we are putting Reenie through was working, the side affects have been somewhat manageable so Reenie has been able to enjoy some social time. We look forward to the holiday (I look forward to baseball) and some special time with family and friends. God bless each of you, you have made our Christmas season an enjoyable one when a month ago I did not think it would be possible this year (remember I'm looking forward to Sept, 2011 cancer free..Oprah..no more Lovie..etc) well thank you so much and love to all...The Haas'