We are happy to announce that on June 3rd, Sam was able to celebrate 5 years of remission from cancer! While we never will forget the 9 months of chemo, radiation, and surgeries, nor will we forget the months of physical therapy to follow, we are more focused on the triumph than the struggle. We are more than thrilled to be able to celebrate all that Sam has accomplished since June 3rd, 2005!
-June 3rd 2005 - Sam is officially in remission, Sam & Cheryl get engaged!
-Sam is able to drive again in the fall of 2005.
-He returns to Lewis University to continue his studies. He graduates in 2007 and continues until May of 2008 to obtain his teaching certificate.
-Sam & Cheryl get married on July 21, 2007.
-Sam & Cheryl buy their first home in Minooka in the fall of 2007.
-Sam lands a job at Minooka High School as a science teacher, a job that he loves!
-Sam has travelled to London, Edinborough, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Milan, Pompeii, as well as countless U.S. cities!
-He has seen and been to MANY Sox & Bears games, and has seen the Sox win the World Series, was able to be at a Bears playoff game, and be at game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals to watch the Hawks win!
-He has welcomed nephews and a niece into our extended family
-Most importantly, he became a dad to beautiful Taylor Grace Pavelka on November 24, 2009.
Every day is a gift, and Sam continues to enjoy every minute of it! Feel free to post any of Sam's accomplishments that I may have forgotten! 
Officially in remission (with a ring hiding in his pocket...)
London!
Graduation!
Our honeymoon in Italy - hiking in the Cinque Terre
Honeymoon in Italy - visiting Florence
Hiking the Great Wall of China
Our wedding!
Rome!
The arrival of our little miracle, Taylor Grace!
