keeper ironing...

Well, this is so late but I wanted to get these photos posted before we have another keeper meeting. The girls had a great time getting expert ironing advice and practice from Mrs. D.

The girls have such a heart to learn from those more experienced while others offer their assistance freely.

Even the moms are learning some tips.

happy 17th!!

Can it be real? 17? I am still reeling from this fact. It's true, I am late even posting this. I don't even have a picture from that day or near it. We had a hospital stay going on while he had a planned party with his buddies. We had to skip the family part as it was too complicated that day. His buddies came and it was fun even though this is the second birthday in a row that got side swiped by family illness, but we and especially he didn't dwell on it. Unselfish. Growing up. Becoming a man. God is working out all these things in his life. Thanks and praise be to Him.
See that sweet little boy above? He is turning into a fine young leader of a man there in the current photo.
Many blessings to you son.

countdown to a cure

We're counting down folks! Count down with us as we just finished the first of the last of #12 clinic days of his once a month chemo infusion! He still gets his other doses at home, but now we can say only 11 more clinic trips left. We are so excited! Our last visit showed better liver levels and some new and exciting changes with doctors and things look good so I am re-encouraged to look afresh at this coming year that seemed so long this last month. I know that he feels better due to less chemo being given at this time and I know he could get pretty icky still in the months to come...maybe even more fevers (although we are praying for no more everyone) but I am enjoying this reprieve from worry. This is a break for the mama too. You moms know what I mean. I am thanking the Lord for this time, knowing that He is always in control of how much chemo my little Braveheart should be getting and how much breaks in that process he needs. That eases my mind. God is always good.
Please look at the Braveheart prayer gadget on the right and feel free to add it to your blog and spread the prayers and keep up on the countdown with us!

Love you all.

on being admitted....

Swimming was fun. I even allowed him to jump into the pool from the diving board. There will be NO diving please sir! His buddies were there and they were doing what all active boys do...try to water wrestle and fake drown each other. "Easy there boys, watch his chest, slow down, please don't hang out in the deeper end this year." Honestly, my nerves are shot for the year, maybe two. Adrenaline, being now my unwelcome, familiar foe in whom I would like to banish forever as it tries to steal from me my essence. But wait...that is mine and His. I can't relax while straining to watch his every move, every head bob, even if he can swim. Decidedly, he isn't up to par in the strength department just yet. I am thankful for his heartfelt compliance.
Upon arriving home showers were mandatory, especially for him, the chlorine just adds to his 'toxic load'. Hey, when you live, breath and eat toxic drugs, one does what one can to keep things going..healing..protected. After the nice warm shower I knew he'd be tired but he was exhausted. He hadn't swam in awhile either so not so unusual you know. He didn't feel quite right and barely touched his steamed buttered broccoli. Thankfully, he did manage a small amount of applesauce. We have to time everything perfectly, doing the chemo dance each and every night.
After cuddling, it was time for bed. He just wasn't feeling right. This is sometimes our normal too. (my foe likes to appear here in small doses) I was concerned though since he rarely complains much but his voice was telling. Soon I felt that he was a little warm as I hugged/ rubbed him good night. Mmmmm....pressing my nose into his baby soft hair is my favorite part of bedtime. The temp is 100.1 which is a mandatory recheck in one hour. Isn't it amazing that there is this signal that something is going on inside our bodies? God's design is beyond our understanding. I prayed...watching the clock...contemplating what was likely to be my lot for the rest of the night. Selfishly I prayed that we could stay home..remembering all we had planned this weekend. I don't want to pack the bags, the car, the supplies, the child, drive in the dark, sleep on their beds and so much more. I know he feels the same. I prayed his temp would go down, playing with thoughts of 'what ifs', all the while knowing that this could be the beginning of something unseen by vision. One cannot wait even if it is a sweet little dream that is never realized.
I wonder to myself how do people do this without the hope of Christ? Will a day come when there is only restful sleep with not so many stomach churning worries as this? I long for the next year to go quickly. I stared from my bed upon the innocent face of my warm, slumbering child. So sweet, so tired. My eyes begin to feel heavy. It is time. The fateful recheck. My heart is heavy as I realize what I now must do and wake Glenn from his blissful rest with the news, hearing his grunt of sleepy concern.......I will come back for the boy in a moment. The suitcase is calling to me....

fabrically fun give away

Here is a fun bloggy gal I love to visit with beautiful fabrics and she is giving some away!!

Yeee Haaawww!!

Check this out.

wordless wednesday

goodbye chickies.....

I have to say that this has been one of the biggest blessings to our entire family! Everyone learned so much through this experience. The children gained immeasurable knowledge and skills in caring for them. It is such a miracle to witness the birth of each chicken and how God designed the whole process. We really loved our little chickie family. We were sad to see them go, but alas...we are unable to keep chickens here. We will be doing this again!!
Here is all their names at secret agent files!