Because a blog without pictures just isn't a blog...

Kyle is a pretty private guy (understatement of the year).

He isn't a fan of photo's or being the center of attention.

He is also not a man of many words.  He is kind of like a "gentle giant."  Quiet, kind, and the hardest worker I personally know.  He would give you the shirt off his back and not even give it a second thought. He never, ever ,ever complains if he has to help someone or do a job.  He just picks up his shovel, or cleaning rag, or tool and hops in his car and goes off to lend a hand. 

Happily, and without complaint.

He is a great big kid at heart and usually more comfortable playing Lego's with his nieces and nephews than

talking to the grown ups.  He would rather take six 18 year old boys and his son on a hike in Zion National Park than have to chit chat at a dinner group with "real people."

The greatest loves in life are his family and his children.

Nothing else comes a close second. 

So this whole cancer

thing and having people pay attention to him is hard.

And humbling.  It's a new thing for him to cry openly

in front of people and he keeps saying, "I hate telling

people this news...I just feel like I'm ruining everyone

else's day."

(Yes, never mind that it's "ruining" HIS life--he's 

MORE worried that he's making other people  sad--

Typical Kyle.)

I keep telling him, along with everyone else, that he

should feel good to know that so many people love him

and care about him.

That, also, is humbling.

I pretty much travel with a camera attached to my hip,

or hand, or IPHONE.  I am (now) extremely thankful for

the 1000's of pictures I have taken over my lifetime.

(Even for the 5342 pictures I took last year on our

beach trip...My family has made fun of me for years and

moaned and groaned about all my picture taking...The only

thing I have to say to you all now is "HA!")

Two Sundays ago I snapped a few of Kyle 

and "his girls".....

Olivia (9), Kyle and Ruby the doodle

Eliza (13) & Kyle

Grace Catherine (16) and Kyle

This is USUALLY what we get

Group hugs

Me and the old man...seriously?

This week we had a fun surprise in the mail from

some dear friends in New York City.

She called it a "vacation in a box".

We called it dang good Italian food!

She sent a sampling of cheeses and meats 

from one of our favorite places...Italy!

Kyle and I met there 24 years ago serving missions.

Kyle and the girls testing all the food.

Along with crazy cancer cures, our sweet friend and 

neighbor Sam brought Kyle some Tab to try.

You know, since Kyle can't stomach Diet Coke

anymore.  Sam, the Tab just isn't cutting it either.

Although Josh did crack it open and give it a thumbs up-

what do you know? Maybe you have a new convert on your hands!

And lastly, the joys of simple things...

After his endoscopy, the Doctor said his stomach looked

clean, but he would send the biopsy report just to verify

100% that things were good.  It's a good mail day from

a doctor when the letter starts with, "I'm happy to report...."

We are HAPPY to read that report.

(Even though they spelled his name wrong...)

Crazy side note:

Kyle is officially named "Mark Kyle Nielson" but has NEVER EVER

gone by Mark...well, with all the doctor-y things everything

is in his "legal name".  It drives me crazy at every 

appointment, and check up, and blood draw, and lab test to 

hear them say, "Mark...."

We keep telling them it's "Kyle", but he remains Mark.

And we keep thinking, "Who the heck is Mark?"

I guess Mark is his cancer name.

And that's what I've got for today!