When Friday rolled around I was ready for one big exhale. Lucky for me, it started in just that way with a breakfast date with David.
In a rare change of pace, we had our sitter come for the morning so we could grab breakfast and catch up with each other at a time of day that my brain is still fully functioning. Does anyone else mentally shut down around 7pm?
After knocking out some of the to-do list and fitting in bootcamp (shoulders and biceps), we settled onto the couch that night with a Papa Murphy’s pizza and The Imitation Game, which was a really good movie- finally.
Saturday morning was all about celebrating some GREAT news!
After 5 months of treatment, Koda is in complete remission!
When we got the phone call I was overcome with happiness and Koda got several spoonfuls of celebratory peanut butter, which she gobbled right up.
There was some concern last week about her liver levels, thus the shaved belly for an ultrasound, but it came back clear. Now she has a month of liver medication and then we move to monthly check ups.
Though in the back of my mind, I know it is not a cure and the vet says the lymphoma will return, it’s just a matter of when, right now we are focusing on our happy pup who is full of energy and ready to play. We love her so much!
We all went hiking at Lake Norman State Park Saturday morning and had a blast!
They have a new feature of kid-specific pamphlets and Hailey had a great time with the scavenger hunt list.
That evening, we tackled something I’ve been itching to try for a while now.
Octopus! We simmered it for about 45 minutes in seasonings, then tossed it on the grill for a couple minutes on each side.
I served it on top of a lemon garlic linguine. The verdict? The skin was a little chewy/fatty tasting, but once you got past that the middle tasted like a scallop- delicious! Oddly enough, Hailey was not freaked out by the whole process and ended up eating about 1/3 of my tentacle. She never fails to surprise me on what she chooses to be adventurous with.
David worked Sunday so I got the girls dressed and out early to enjoy the playground while the temperature was in the high 70s- gorgeous!
I had a blast chasing them around the playground and doing the slide over… and over… and over again.
The afternoon was dedicated to some meal prep, then everyone was a little stir crazy (cranky) so we ate some homemade blackberry and yogurt pops
which proved to be a messy decision. We threw our clothes in the wash and headed out for a 3 mile walk and finally everyone was smiling again.
That evening the girls crashed early (both were asleep by 6:30!).
I finished up our pesto pizza on whole wheat crust and we curled up on the couch to watch another installment of the documentary series The Story of Us.
I was pretty proud that I nailed the crust. I like a crispy underside and get pretty pumped when it works out!
Now that early bedtime is coming back to kick me because Kaitlyn is up early, so off I go. Lather rinse repeat.
How was your weekend?
Did you get outside?
Watch anything good?
Any other history lovers out there?
John J. says
Ought to frame that family portrait – healthy and happy!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
I am still SO happy about Koda’s great news!!! <3 <3 <3 Hooray!
Brittany Dixon says
Me too! Puppy play date soon before baby comes!! 🙂
Alyssa @ RenaissanceRunnerGirl says
Definitely a history buff, it’s what I studied at Oxford 🙂
And I love octopus but have never thought to cook it myself – looks like it turned out great!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh man, come tell me some history stories! I love it but certainly have so much more to learn.
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
If it’s American history you like, I think you’d really enjoy books by David McCullough and Joseph Ellis. Both have written a lot of historical biography about the early national American period that is equally informative and richly narrated and engaging 🙂
Karen says
It must have been the week for good medical news because we received the same in regards to my husband. Just like you, we also celebrated with a hike on the Ice Age Trail near us.
As for that meal idea…octopus….Haily is much stronger than I would have been. There is no way ever I could try that!!!!!!
Brittany Dixon says
Karen that is wonderful news!!!!!! I have been thinking of you and this just made my Monday. So happy for y’all <3
Catherine says
Happy to hear Koda’s great news!! We went to Jetton Park for the first time & had a blast. We normally stick to Ramsey Creek Park but so glad we checked out Jetton.
Brittany Dixon says
Yes I love Jetton! The playground usually stays shaded and now it’s all upgraded too! Glad y’all had fun 🙂
Christina says
I love that you and David had a breakfast date – such a great idea! I love breakfast/brunch foods so much more than dinner foods. Give me bacon and eggs any day 🙂
Anastasia says
I’m so, so happy to hear that about Koda!
That playground looks awesome! It’s been hitting 80*+ here before 10am so we haven’t had much playground time as we don’t have any shaded parks around. There’s been lots of aquarium visits and indoor mall playgrounds for us this summer.
Heather says
Such wonderful Koda news!! We went to the zoo this weekend – it was pretty warm out. Also discovered it’s much less busy in the afternoon after naps than in the morning before naps! Hooray!
Brynn says
wonderful news about Koda!! We had a great weekend and definitely soaked in the weather!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
So happy Koda’s ok!!
And that pizza looks incredible – checking out that recipe ASAP!
Brittany Dixon says
The dough takes a few minutes to come together (I think it’s the wheat component) but once it has a chance to rise, it’s great!
Lynne says
Yeah for Koda! I’m so excited to hear that news! Please tell Koda I am sorry I got her gender wrong in my comment. 🙂 That is WONDERFUL! I love hearing those kinds of success stories with lymphoma.
We love octopus. We usually cook a smaller one that you did so the “suckers” are less offensive. I am certain that people would love it if they closed their eyes and didn’t know what they were eating. It’s truly delicious.
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, you’re so sweet! Koda doesn’t min at all 😉
Good idea to try the smaller ones- next time!
christina says
i think it’s so sweet you guys went to breakfast together. so important to have that alone time! you managed to make octopus look pretty on a plate. that’s incredible.
Sherry says
So happy about Koda!! Love the family picture. Hailey was much more adventuresome than I would be with the octopus!
Katie says
I watched The Butler on netflix this weekend, which I really liked! I am finally watching The Kennedy’s with Katie Holms playing Jackie, and its pretty good too.
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
That’s such great news about Koda! So happy for y’all!
Kate @ Baking In Yoga Pants says
I’m always so inspired by the positive attitude you have with Koda’s treatments. My dogs are my daily reminder to live in the moment and appreciate the little things. Seeing you put that approach into action is really awesome. Have a great day 🙂
Lesley says
Congrats, Koda! It never fails to amaze me how much some human love and support can help sick animals. Kudos to you guys for making the emotional decision to treat her and get her better, I can only imagine the toll the process took on you. I hope remission lasts a long time and she gets to soak up many more awesome hikes and days with your beautiful family. Enjoy!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh thank you for your well wishes! Having my sweet Koda snoring next to me right now makes everything more than worth it!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
SO great to hear about Kona! Wonderful news! Glad you guys had what looked like a fabulous weekend.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Oh, I’m so, so, so happy to hear about Koda!! Octopus definitely weirds me out, though I love fried calamari!!
Elizabeth says
Have you ever checked out FMTV.com or foodmatters.tv? They have tons of health related documentaries on there, thought you might like it. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I hadn’t heard of that but will definitely be checking it out now- thanks!
Danielle says
Yay! So happy for your family and Koda!
Definitely more adventurous than me with that octopus. I tried calamari once, but will never eat it again. It was not a good experience.
Christine says
Cheers to Koda and the great news! Yipee! And kudos for you cooking octopus, that is probably one thing I’d be weary of cooking! It looks so good though!
We celebrated our two year wedding anniversary with dinner and a movie! We saw Ant Man and it was really good! I love Marvel movies!
Cassie says
Good news for Koda! I tried a little outside time, but it was 95F + here, so it was limited.
Donna says
My heart is overjoyed for you regarding the news on Koda!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY YAY YAY. I love that you love her the way you do and she is so blessed to be a part of your beautiful family. I am sure the love she gives to all of you and vice versa is tremendously rewarding for everyone! SO VERY HAPPY FOR ALL OF YOU!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much Donna! <3
Elizabeth Evans says
Our weekend was good. We had some of Jared’s old high school friends (AV and Shake) & their families over for a cookout at our pool. It was really nice outside by the pool in the afternoon.
Brittany Dixon says
Ahhh love those blast from the past names!! I hope they are all doing well! Sounds like a great weekend 🙂
Laura @ Semi-Vegetarian.com says
Hurray for Koda’s great news! Have you ever watched any episodes of Drunk History? We’ve watched all the episodes they have streaming on Amazon Prime! It’s hysterical, but also educational as they tend to feature little known, but really amazing historical figures/events.
Mysteries at the Museum is another fun one. The host is a little cheese-y and Indiana Jones-ish, but the stories are interesting!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve never heard of Drunk History! Sounds hilarious though so I will definitely check it out- thanks! 🙂
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What great news about Koda! That makes me so happy!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
The weather here was gorgeous (sunny and almost no humidity for once!) so we were outside a lot 🙂 We had lots of birthday celebrations (for friends) which made for a fun weekend!
Sherri says
Great news about Koda! We only went outside to run errands, the rest was spent keeping cool in the house. Here in Memphis, it has been 100+ for weeks now and not even being in a pool is enjoyable at the moment!
Niki @ Life With Niki says
Those tentacles scared me- I have never tried octopus before and while I doubt I ever will, your pasta dish made me almost want to dive in ;).
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Congratulations on Koda’s remission! That is amazing news, and I am so so happy for the family! I tried octopus once a few years ago and was left with the same opinion. While I am glad I tried it, it was a bit too chewy for me to have it once again.
Jessica @ Balance and Thyme says
Congrats to you and Koda!! Peanut butter is a great way to celebrate. I too have a chronically ill pup without a cure. It’s all about making the most of the good times and loving them through the bad. It’s all we can do!
Julie says
So happy to hear Koda is in remission! What great news!!!
Jennifer says
Great idea to have a breakfast date! I’m going to have to try that. And Congrats on puppy remission – that’s excellent news!