Please Read!

Nichy has a family in the U.S. who is very dear to our hearts. Brad and Michelle Jones have three children- Spencer, Greg, and Ashley. Brad picked Nichy up at the airport the first time he came to the U.S. He was also Nichy's basketball coach, teacher, and held many other titles as well. Brad is like a father to Nichy and took care of him when he had nothing and noone to turn to. There were times in college when Nichy did not have a dime to his name and only a caferteria meal plan! Nichy knew he could always go to Brad's house for meals, good times, and love. Nichy has watched all three of their children grow into young adults.

Greg their middle child is twenty. When he graduated from high school, he went to the Army reserves so he could get his college paid. March 26, 2009 we received the news Greg had a "mass" on his brain. He was immediatly sent to Childrens Hospital in Little Rock for surgery on the tumor. A biopsy on the tumor indicated the official diagnoses was medulloblastoma, a rare cancerous brain tumor that primary affects children.

On Tuesday March 31, surgery was performed to remove the tumor. Surgery was successful but, for an added precaution radiation and chemo treatments were administered for the next two months. May 2009 Greg completed chemo and was cancer free.

Unfortunately on October 15th, 2010, an MRI revealed Greg had a reocurrance of his tumor. Greg decided to enroll in a clinical trial at St. Jude November 2010. After two months on clinical trial treatment an MRI revealed Gregs tumor had doubled in size, and thereforetaken off the trial. The experimental drug was not effective.

Medically speaking Gregs disease is considered incurable. He has less than 5 percent chance of long-term survival. We are attempting to raise money for Greg so he can take several trips visiting friends and family members, as well as speak to groups about his experience. Greg wants to share his hope and comfort that his faith has provided him during time in his life. He is not looking to have a vacation or fun-filled adventure but more importantly, allow people to see real faith in action.

This is one of those things you ask why? Why Greg? He is such a great person and so young. It is not fair, and I could go on and on. However, if you talk to Greg he is upbeat and completely trusting in God. I admire his strength and faith.

He is going to come visit us in Argentina and a few other places. I hope that you can find it in your heart to give a small donation. He does not need much and a simple $20 from a few people could go a long way.

I never imagined I would know someone going through a situation like this. It is surreal. The news of the clinical trial not working is very fresh. We ache for their family and Nichy feels like he is loosing his brother. He hates that he has been out of the country during majority of the hospital stays. Words can not express how much love and gratefulness we have for this family. They have always opened their home to us and given Nichy unconditional love and support. We are excited for Greg to come to Argentina and know it will be a wonderful trip.

Donations can be made directly to Greg Jones at 2963 Strawberry Drive. Fayetteville, Ar. 72703. I will be mailing checks from my house at the end of this week and could enclose yours also!

Gregs story is also on www.caringbridge.org/visit/gregoryjones

Panama Pics

We went to Panama downtown and walked around. There were amazing Christmas Decorations and people everywhere! Gabriela loved the giant Santa.

Uncle Chaca and Gabriela! Her favorite Pananamanian Uncle.

Gabriela's Abuelo named his taxi after her!! I love this picture!

Girly girl!

Gabriela's personality is emerging! I catch myself thinking to myself all the time "how did I get such a girly girl." Growing up I played sports, didn't wear makeup, and dresses were rare! Gabriela will be three in April and everyday she says things like "I want to wear a dress," "put a bow in my hair," and "Mommy I need lipstick!" The lipstick is thanks to her Aunt Lindsay! I never in a million years thought I would be dealing with this at such a early age! She has such an opinion what she is wearing. I have learned to give her two choices when it is time to get dressed. Everyday she continues to amaze me and put a smile on my face! I love being her mom!

Hello 2011

I can't believe its 2011! This was the first New Years with out Nichy since Gabriela has been born. After Panama we came back to the U.S. and he had to be back in Argentina for practice. Nichy is playing on a really good team this year. This is a good thing, but it also means more games and tournaments! He is in Ecuador now, and they just qualified for the Liga las Americas finals. Next month they will be traveling to Mexico. Gabriela and I are wrapping things up in the U.S. getting ready to return to Argentina. We have never been home this long for Christmas , which is nice but we are ready to be with Nichy!

The year 2010 was a big year for our family, and if I had a motto it would be "Everything always works out."

*After being dissapointed several times looking for houses we finally bought a house! It is a great first house for us in a great location!

*This summer Nichy had an offer to go to Japan and play with a former teamate. It was a situation where he hated to turn it down but did what he felt was best. This year started rough in Argentina. I know we both thought "why did we turn down Japan. However, things have turned around and the team is playing great.

*For the first time this year Nichy was not starting. They signed a big time player in his position and he was coming off the bench. It was hard for him and he did not enjoy sitting on the bench! I felt like it was going to be a LONG season! I happy to say he has earned a starting position back and playing great! In addition he saved his body for the first couple weeks he wasn't playing as much! Of course he didn't look at it that way!

Nichy got his green card, but it is lost in the mail! After stressing out about him not being able to enter the U.S. We all went to Panama for Christmas. This was a blessing because Nichy had not been home in over 10 years for Christmas!

*Gabriela is potty trained! After stressing and starting and stopping. The end of the summer she was potty trained and doing great. I made the mistake of starting when we both were not ready! I stopped and started again when I felt the time was right.

*Nichy and I have always wondered what would we do "life after basketball." This summer we started the Tumbleville Express. It was a stressful summer and caused a few panic moments like "what have we gotten ourselves into, and "is this going to be a big flop?" It was very scary because we were stepping out of our comfort zone. I am happy to say the business is doing great and we have bought another bus and expanded.

*Zac and Addie are doing great. I have always worried about Jude and prayed really hard for their family. I am happy to say they are doing great and re-married. Zac is working in Nigeria six weeks on 3 weeks off. It is a great job and experience for him.

*Lindsay and Andy are expecting their second baby! We all have one child and the pressure was on to have the second. My Dad even said he is leaving his retirement to whoever has the next baby! Looks like Lindsay and Andy won!

*Nichy's Dad is living at home and healthy. This is another situation we have prayed about and always worried. Being in Panama for Christmas was great because Nichy's Dad is home and he is so good to Gabriela. It is such a blessing to have him healthy and a part of Gabriela's life.

*My Dad is managing the Tumbleville Express. The last couple years he has worked a lot of hours. It has aged him and we did not feel it was healthy. When I approached him about working for me. We both had concerns but it has worked out great. The business has been a success because of him! I am so lucky to have him.