belated Easter pictures...

Happy Easter!

This year, Easter has taken on new meaning. When we heard that Grace had Leukemia, we became vunerable in a way we'd never been before. Suddenly something that happens to "other people" was happening to us. Faced with the fact that our child has a potentially terminal illness, suddenly the concept of eternal families became so much sweeter. We know that our family is forever, and neither the bonds of death or wordly sorrow can destroy that. We know that because of our Savior Jesus Christ-and his marvelous sacrifice-we can live with our Heavenly Father again. It has been a comfort to know that nothing we have experienced, big or small, has escaped our Savior's notice. Not only does he care about our sorrows, he has borne them with and for us. In 2 Kings 20:5 it states, "I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee." I read in a book recently a quote which reminds me that to be healed doesn't necessarily mean cured in the way we may ask for, which explains why sometimes hardship doesn't make sense. It said, "You can be cured without being healed, and you can be healed without being cured." Interestingly enough-this came from a person who'd lost a loved one to Cancer. So, after the long and dreary winter we watch the buds on the trees renew themselves, the flowers show promise of blossoming, and life continue on-good and bad. We look to the spring as our promise that after the dead of winter-there is life!

Avarie Giles and family

Hi Everyone! We are so excited and humbled by people's generosity! So many people have helped support the Giles family! We're planning on sending the money their way, so if anyone else would like to donate, I know they would be grateful. No amount is too small to relieve their burden. To see more about Avarie, look down a few posts.
Thanks!

Dear Grace,

Did you know that when you were born, there were fireworks? Literally! There were fireworks! You were born on a Utah holiday- a day which celebrates Pioneers and their faith, fortitude, and ability to overcome great hardships. How appropriate, don't you think? Mom and dad have felt fireworks with each of your milestones-your first smile, first words, the first time you turned your head and batted your long, dark eyelashes and made dad give in, the first time you sang in primary, the first time you overcame your fear of needles (or rather just learned to cope), the first time you walked into the hospital on your own two feet instead of me carrying you. Yours is not a typical life, Grace. But, that just means your destined to grand things!

Yesterday you hit a milestone! You've struggled so much-too much to explain, but there is light at the end of this dreary tunnel. You have made it through Interim Maintenance, and in two weeks you begin Maintenance with a spinal tap and chemo. Wow! You have made it through 8 months of the most taxing ordeal I can imagine for a precious, tiny child and through it all Grace you have been tender and you have smiled. Even in the hardest moments, Grace, you have smiled. That is quite a testament to who you are. When we visited the hospital for chemo yesterday you were gleeful at the news that you'll now only have to visit the hospital once a month for chemo, instead of weekly, and have spinal taps only every three months. We will give you three chemos and other medicine from home nightly for two years, but I think these next two years will be easier on your body than the pain you have known. Your blood counts were higher than they have been in 8 months, also-at a very high 9.7!!! I can't even tell you how grand the fireworks were in our eyes yesterday Grace! We are so proud of all you've accomplished in the last 8 months.
Mom and Dad hope you can take all you've learned (and all that you will learn in the next two years of fighting Cancer) and live a greater life, for the experience. It is our hope that you will continue to smile, because life is good, despite the challenges. Our friend, Stacy sent me this quote-I love it! "We sometimes see subtractions when we're ill. They're not just subtractions. I'm not me minus anything; I'm me plus this experience. Whether it's good or bad is a subjective thing."
You are infinitely strong, little Grace. Remember God. Remember He has walked with you. Remember you were never, are never alone. Remember love. It is everything. Remember one of our favorites:
"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."
We love you! Love,
Mom and Dad

Holy battle wounds!

Grace made me promise that I would display her Cancer battle wounds...hence, the fierce bruises that are a result of low platelets. It got me thinking... most the doctors compare this experience with Cancer to a marathon. I'm going to go ahead and veto that, and say it's more like a war! If you read the post below, you'll know some days feel quite like we're in the trenches. But, I think Grace, with her unique strength would be a fantastic Captain! She got through her 48 hour spinal tap headache and though her tiny body is wiped out, she pushes forward.

Tanner, her finest soldier, undoubtedly wears the brow of a boy who has seen too much. He is ten, but in his expression is worry that cannot hide. And, Eva-well she's more like the drummer that makes the battle sort of interesting and poetic. She just smiles and happily jumps into life like it's bliss!

So though the past few days were quite the battle, and there are no guarantees about what tomorrow brings, I'm glad we have today. Because today we are ok-in large part due to friends who helped us out today!