Since she hasn't been able to get to school...

School came to her!!!

We have continuously been impressed by Grace's school class (and their parents) and Grace's teacher Miss Pruneda. Grace wants to go to school, but frankly-there are multiple reasons that hasn't been possible, just some of which are exhaustion, not feeling well, and also the emotional issues that accompany childhood Cancer. Grace is really afraid to leave us, since her world was flipped upside down. That's why we were particularly touched that her class would extend themselves to us in this wonderful way. Miss Pruneda organized a fieldtrip to our home and the kids had circle time in her bedroom as they went over division and math work. Then they had recess in our backyard. It was a really sweet experience. Sadly, Grace was on steroids that week and she cried the entire time they were at our house, but she still was so glad they came. I think all the attention overwhelmed her. Not to mention she has felt so horrible and exhausted all week. It was eye opening for me to see just how taxing situations are for her in which she has to be "on." Grace tries really hard-she's a really happy little girl. And, yet her body just can't quite keep up with her mind and desires right now. But, I'm so proud of how hard she tries to keep up and how much she desires to enjoy life. Thankfully-her steroids are done for the week, and by the end of this coming week the effects will be leaving her body. She has tolerated her spinal medicine this week, but the rest of her medicine has really knocked her out. She begins oral Methotrexate tomorrow, so we'll see how that affects her. She's had it Intrathecally (spinal taps) often, but never orally. We love her spunk and we love her smile. We hope to see it a lot more as her body adjusts to her new chemo schedule.

Rhododendron Gardens and Children's Cancer Association Event

A few weeks ago we took advantage of the sunshine and Grace's two week break from chemo. She is such a different girl without medicine in her system. It makes it hard to allow myself to administer her medicine, but I know it keeps the Cancer away. Since she had some energy, we went to visit the Rhododendron Gardens. It was SO beautiful! We wished Tanner wasn't in school or JR at work so they could join us, but we make do-just the girls!

Also, a few weeks back, a group called Candlelighter's sponsored a really fun event. We attended a night at Out of This World, which is such a fun indoor play place for kids. The kids enjoyed the giant inflatable slides, mini cars, and climbing structures. It was a blast, and I can't tell you how it made JR and I feel to see them smiling so big and being so carefree. It has been a long time since we've really seen Grace play like that. It's amazing how we took those precious little moments of play for granted until she didn't have the energy to do it anymore. Needless to say-it was an event we'll remember!

A get together to thank everyone who has been so supportive

We will be in Utah on May 8, and would love to see you. My parents will be having a pot-luck dinner at their house from 5:30 to 7:30. All of you are invited and we would love to personally express our gratitude for all your support. Please bring your favorite dish and come and enjoy a fun evening.

Their address is 1411 E. Perry's Hollow Dr. , Salt Lake City, 84103.

Grace's spinal tap and maintenance routine and kids update

First, I feel I need to explain this picture. Grace has always been fascinated by the fact that as a child I used to have an imaginary friend named DEE-DEE. I told her that when I was little and was asked what DEE-DEE looked like I explained that DEE-DEE looked exactly like me just with glasses. Since I told her this she would show up at random times wearing glasses saying "I'm DEE-DEE" and laugh. I think she thought I was a little crazy and was hazing me for it. During this time we were also talking about animation, computer graphics and how movies sometimes make things that aren't real. We decided to make a picture of Grace and her imaginary friend DEE-DEE. Grace was really into it as you can tell by the facial expressions and the change of outfits. Anyway, with a little photoshop and cropping Grace got a kick out of seeing her "evil" or visually challenged twin.

Gracie had chemo today and a spinal tap. She is really worn out, but taking it well. Although we are happy that Grace will be visiting the hospital less during this Maintenance phase we were saddened to learn that will all the new medicine she will be taking at home, she might not be as energetic or even as pain-free as we imagined. She has been amazingly strong and even today mustered up enough strength to ride in the bike chariot with her sister and eat a little. At other times she was laying on the couch or sitting at the kitchen table with her head in her hands. We are so grateful for how well she is doing, yet it is so hard to see Grace struggle in such a way. She tries hard to smile, laugh, and be the girl she used to be and yet her medicine weighs on her heavily.

Eva is great and loving the great weather. Today, stealing a second to eat my breakfast, she managed to sneak outside, drag a chair to the trampoline, climb up, unzip the netting, crawl in, zip up the netting, and yell "Dad, bounce-bounce!" She is constantly climbing, jumping, and laughing. She is full of pure adventure and joy.

Tanner is loving baseball and Soccer. For once in his life he is actually playing on a team with kids his own age and it is great. He also is doing great in school and soon is going to surpass both his mother and father in math since he is in pre-algebra right now. He has a big day tomorrow, his school is finishing up their maturation classes. He asked us today at the dinner table if he could play "Hooky". Guess he is going to have to sit and try not to laugh tomorrow with all the other boys snickering.

belated Easter pictures...