Dance Arianna

First of all, I absolutely need to apologize for taking so long to update our blog. We were so caught up with our travels and then with resting and then with more at home adventures- we simply haven’t had the time but things we are better settled now.  I know many of you are anxious to hear about our trip and I am honored to share the details with you all… it is a lot to write about and will take several posts complete but please bear with me (:

Before I begin sharing these wonderful memories I would like remind everyone that the photos put up on our blog come from our personal collections. We ask that you respect boundaries and not copy or repost any of the photos, music or any other item off the blog without our written permission.  

As you know, we were under direct doctors orders to go out take the girls to see great places, visit family and friends and just have fun- and that’s just what we did! We got on the road with high hopes and excitement in the air, jamming out with windows down, blasting Black-eyed Peas “Tonight’s Gonna  Be a Good Night” –one of Anna’s favorite songs! We left just knowing this would be one of the best trips ever and we were going to make sure to make e very moment counted.

 We arrived at Texarkana at about 1030pm to meet Jen and Trent for the first time. These remarkable people are friends of my cousin and happen to own a Texas Roadhouse. They wanted to do something special for the girls so they kept the restaurant open for a special meal for Anna and Alivia, and the girls LOVED IT! They decked the dining hall out with tiara’s, streamer, wands, and silly bands, all pink and purple of course (Anna’s  favorite colors) - it truly was a feast fit for 2 princesses! We had dinner and stayed the night since we didn’t want the drive to be too much for Anna.

checking in (:

We woke up and headed to Big Springs, Texas, but because of a softball tournament couldn’t find a room anywhere!  After much searching, we finally found a room at a not so great hotel but the girls must of thought it was the French Riviera (isn’t it so amazing how even little things can be so magical for sweet little girls?). We wanted to try to go swimming but due t o the windy weather we instead hit up the stores and then had a Nerf gun war in the hotel room. We stayed up late having pillow fights and eating junk food!

having fun!

The next morning, we got back on the road pretty early and headed to El Paso. After a very long trip, we were able to meet with family for dinner. It was so good to see Grandpa Enrique and Grandma Rosa! To top a perfect day off, the girls played in the water hose till the sun went down. The next day, we again had to hit the road but not before the girls got back rides from Uncle Beto! This turned into an all morning event but they had a blast! We drove to see Tia Cindy in Tuscan, AR where the girls got to play with their cousins, Mikayla, Ethan, and Gavin! The morning after that, we all met at Nana’s house and started our 3 car caravan to Anaheim!    Disney…we were on our way!

I again want to thank you for your patience as we update the blog- we should have another post very soon. Before signing off, I would like to share something with you all. Through our church, we were blessed to meet one of the most loving, giving and talented families in TN. They have been such a positive force in our lives and we can never thank them enough for it. They put together a song for our Anna about what she loves best- dancing. Please click the following link to enjoy the song, Dance Arianna, and again- to the West Family- from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.

Thank you a million times over

Because of the severity the effects chemo can wreak on Anna, her doctors think its best that we do our traveling before her first treatment which will begin August 29^th. The doctor will then again check the the tumor at the end of September to see her progress and response to therapy. ONLY THEN,  will we have a better idea on how to answer the ever present question, “how long?”.  We plan on traveling for the next three weeks so Anna may have the chance to see family, friends, and special places before we are forced to face the reality concerning if and when she will be called home.

 We read EVERY message and share them with both Anna and Alivia. Please know we sincerely wish we had the capability to answer each and every email, card, text, phone call and post - our time is simply invested in our two little angels and making every single moment Anna and Alivia have …AMAZING.

Having said that, we are simply touched and humbled by how many people care about our little girl and our small family- Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, a million times over. We can’t even begin to express our gratitude to every one of you who has thought of us, prayed for, or helped us in one way or another.  Unfortunately, with this tremendous amount of support has come a great deal of miscommunication and, regrettably misinformation. Because of this, we wish that if you would like updated and ACCURATE INFORMATION, please visit, www.ourangelanna.blogspot.com   , which will be updated by either Cindy  or Briana (Anna’s aunties, who will be with the family indefinitely).  

Again, we wish we had enough time to thank each one of you personally- we simply don’t- but PLEASE KNOW our family is so grateful and moved by every word of encouragement, and every act of kindness, and every loving gesture which has poured in since we received the news.