Before we had planned to move out of the country, Chris and I had already planned several trips. We are getting ready to go to Las Vegas tomorrow. Four days in the desert, away from our kids. This will be the longest we will be away from them, in their 5 years on this earth.

We decided to go to Vegas as a reward for ourselves. Christine just completed her first college course in her life. She just found out she got a “B” as her final grade. I am extremely proud of her. This course challenged her. She took a Spanish class. After announcing we were leaving the country, people asked if we were making plans to move earlier, due to Chris and her college course. Nope, not the case. Chris has always wanted to speak Spanish. I remember about 10 years ago I bought her Rosetta Stone, so she could learn. That didn’t last very long. About a year ago, she emphasized again, her desire to learn…so we got her enrolled in an online course through Kansas City Kansas Community College. Again, it was the result of the election that got us talking about leaving.

We also have more travel plans to take a cruise in 2025 over Spring Break. We are excited for each adventure. The Lopez family is making sure we enjoy everything life has to offer. 2023 for me, was horrible. I was diagnosed with Stage 1, Breast Cancer. In June of 2023 I had a double mastectomy. In September I started Chemo, and I finished my last treatment December 27, 2023.. During this time, I read, “Survival Lessons”, by Alice Hoffman. I highly recommend it. One of the recommendations the author gave was to plan a trip, so you would have something to look forward to during Chemo. So that’s what I did. In May of 2024 our family went on a F – you Cancer trip. Some of my family joined in and we went to Charleston, SC. Basically, we through a dart at a map! Over my birthday in June, we went to the Branson area in Missouri and enjoyed family fun time as well.

Fast forward to now, we’re packing for Vegas! We have tickets to see Winona Judd, and a couple of other comedy shows. Chris and I have been to Vegas 3 other times, but always with other people. I can’t tell you how different it will be to not have the kids with us. But they are in good hands with my parents.

Until the next post, stay safe everyone!

“Vegas Baby! Because no great story every started with, “This time in Delaware…”” – Author Unknown