Chemo today...

Grace had her second round in Interim Maintenance 2 today. They have upped the dose of Methotrexate and will continue to do so each time she goes in (6 more weeks of Interim M). So far she has tolerated it really well. They also gave her Vincristine, which she usually doesn't tolerate well, but tonight things were ok. Vincristine is tough, though. Some side effects that we've noticed in her are jaw pain, drooping eyelids on occasion (very startling when it happens), extremity pain, muscle weakness. I really don't care for Vincristine. I just fake a smile in front of her when the push it through her port, because though I know it saves her life, its effects are so rough. The Methotrexate causes mouth sores, loss of appetite, and decreases her red and white blood cells and platelets (explains why she bruises so much).

Having said all this nonsense, she really is feeling pretty well and her numbers were good today-at four thousand two hundred. So, we're relieved to be chiseling away at the days left of her treatment-only 772 left to go.

On a better note, Grace is doing great with her piano lessons, loving art work, and amazing us with her great reading skills!

Tanner is seriously loving Star Wars and has a Destination Imagination (school team) competition this weekend. He's pretty excited! He has been doing awesome at basketball and was asked to attend the national young leaders conference in D.C. this summer. We are very proud of his hard work.

Eva is nearly over her yucky cold, poor dear and still manages to be sweet and wonderful. She loves going outside in our yard and jumping on the trampoline. When asked what she wants to dance to, she replies "lady ga-ga."

See-life isn't so bad...I just need to remind myself of that ALL the day long!

A day at Doernbecher...

On Saturday, our family had an amazing experience! We went to Doernbecher to give the hospital the nearly 7,000 dollars that Grace has raised for the children there!!! It was a profoundly moving experience-and we were able to share it with Nick and Max-JR's brothers. The nurses came out and cheered for Grace and her siblings that had worked hard to give back to the community of people that cared for Grace in the hospital. Grace decided that she wanted over 2,000 dollars for toys for the children there, more than 2,000 for shelter (such as the Ronald Mcdonald house) and over 2,000 for research- so children won't have to get Cancer anymore! It is empowering for Grace, Tanner, and Eva to realize that they never have to fall victim to circumstance, rather they can be proactive in their lives. And, it was humbling to have so many people donate to this worthy cause. Special and great thanks go out to Shele, Glen, Nick, Max, and Sam for getting the Team Grace bracelets that got this whole ball rolling. We really feel like this was all made possible because of your thoughtfulness. And, to ALL the people who supported us in buying them! And, many thanks to Lenz Financial who raised a great deal on Grace's behalf (thank you SO much Linda Smith!). We were AMAZED Crop A Cop officers who astounded us with their donations. And, thank you also to Oak Creek Elementary for raising money through Locks of Love (Jana and Stephanie Clark!) Everyone who had a hand in donating money to Doernbecher can feel peace in knowing that countless children and families will feel the love of your actions. We can personally attest how it eases an enormous weight when you lose the footing of normalcy and spiral into the world of the unknown-a life lived with Cancer. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

LOVE is not just a Valentine's Day delight!!!

We know something of love....


Love has decided to show up on our doorstep with baskets of treats for the kids. Love decided that we would need meals to make our lives easier. Love hopped on an airplane and shared physically and emotionally taxing days with us. Love held us close in the hospital when the news was more than we could bear. Love picked Tanner up from school when Grace was too sick to get out of bed. Love prayed for us. Love cried for us. Love ached with us. Love continuously made visits to our house with kind cards or care baskets. Love shaved their head in the dead of winter. Love mailed a little "thinking of you" note. Love planned surprises that would make us smile. Love sat with me in the hospital so the nights wouldn't feel so long. Love was all we could give when her body ached so badly that nothing else could cure it. Love was what her brother gave as he smiled through the fear...as his life was unalterably changed...as he watched her given gifts and he was happy for her instead of jelous...as he picked her up and carried her up the stairs because she was too weak to make it on her own...as he patiently stood by while his parents were too busy. Love was what her tiny baby sister could give as she pats her back when Gracie cries or when she says "luv loo Gacie." Love is all we can offer to them...these precious gifts from Heavenly Father. That feeling is too much...it seems so meager, and yet it is the only thing that really counts. Love is what gets us on our knees at night, thanking God that we have another day with them and that we're making it through. Love is what gets us off our knees and forces us to act, to help, to hope that we can offer more. Love is anything and everything that is good. Love is stillness, a stolen, quiet moment peering at your children's faces when they don't suspect you're watching them. Love is when you are sure you can't make it through, but love stirs in your heart and you have to...you love so much that you can't stop until you've done enough to make it alright. Love is what makes the bad bearable, the difficult- refining, and the good-even better.



"The love we give away is the only love we keep." -Elbert Hubbard



Painting toenails the color of love!We walked into the front room to find Eva had pulled out the candlestick holder and was busy training to be a rock star!


Wow...what more can we say?
Wow?

WOW!

Grace had her checkup on Wednesday and we were happily surprised! Her blood counts were at three hundred the week before, and the doctor expected them to continue to plumet. But, guess what? They were at 2,200 this week (or 2.2)!!! We cannot underestimate the power of prayer and we're so grateful that they are back up a bit.

This week we were fortunate to have Omi come visit us! JR's grandmother is an amazing woman and really helped us out. From meals, to watching the kids so we could get things done, to crocheting beautiful hats for Grace and Doernbecher children-we were grateful for the help! We miss you Omi!
JR's sweet brother is a guy unlike any other. He's handsome and hilarious, a wickedly good dancer and has a heart that is SO tender. He is also totally adored in our household. In fact, Max was one of the first words each of our children could say. We love you Max! Thanks for the wonderful new hair do for Grace face. We love it, but more importantly, Grace LOVES it!

Brok is JR's sweet cousin. He is the sweetest kid and we adore him. This week, he decided to chop off his really awesome hair and trade it in for another fabulous hair cut in honor of Grace. Grace LOVED it! We're amazed at the supportive gesture. In fact, we think there are a lot of amazing, supportive people to do that for Grace!