every captive thought

So not s'much the news we wanted today on Jude's blood work. His urine tests came back normal but his blood work wasn't what we wanted. We will re-do it next week. We are praying it will all be within the normal range when we re-do it. Thank you for your prayers. I am wondering if this is what every month will be like from now on. I got the call from Dr. Regueira today at 1:30 and waited until 6:00 to find out more information. I felt like I was holding my breath for 4 1/2 hours just for a little tiny glimmer of hope. And clearly the Lord is working on my inability to wait because this all happened at the end of the day on Friday and we can't do anything until Monday.  I trust Him though that this is for our good and His glory.  That is the only way it makes sense. ~~~~~ James loves to sing the alphabet.  And I especially love his grand finale! 

James and Jude are still both fighting this cruddy coughing runny nose nastiness and I'm just about tired of it.  This is how James schlepped in after his nap this afternoon...with my pillow and one of the tv remotes.  I don't even know how or why those things ended up in his room. But his look tells me he knew better. Later we filled up his water gun and he shot everything in sight...including me and his brother. He even got the mayor (to-be). Jude loved the shoot out.  I can see it there in his eyes...he's planning his retaliation...as soon as he can walk.  James better watch out. James accidentally (totally on purpose) spilled a bottle of bubbles today and this was his response.  For some reason I'm not feeling the sincerity.  Never mind that there is a bug in his hair.  I swear I bathed him just this morning.  For reals. We are still waiting on Jude's lab work.  I hope we hear something tomorrow.  And hopefully James will b...

Brad has been out of town for work and finally got home tonight!  James waited up for him.  He was bored and tired of waiting.  I held him off with fruit snacks...which you can see his jowls are stuffed with. More waiting and still hanging on to those fruit snacks...I think he's storing them up for winter...or should I forget to pick some up at the store. Brad FINALLY got home and James ran and got his suitcase and drug it into the bathroom and sat on it like he was never going to let him leave again. They got caught up on some serious man talk. Judie Bug was just as happy to see his Daddy!  Things are just so much more fun when Daddy's home.  He's the life of this party. I know this is going to sound cheesy but isn't there just something about laughter that makes things feel better.  I remember when we were in the hospital with Jude and that first night we didn't sleep.  I was sitting in the recliner and could hear the nurses out in the hall lau...

James, Jude and I went to Nana and Papa's today. Nana was making a delicious chocolate cake...such a perfectly Nana thing to do!  James was standing by to do the important job of licking the spatula for Nana.  He's so helpful. He LOVES to play in Nana and Papa's backyard.  He always gets right to work first thing watering the trees and flowers for them.  He thinks it is his important job.  But the second his clothes get wet...off they come!  But it doesn't slow him down. Then he blew some bubbles. Did a little swinging with his good friend "Poo Boo". Then he did a little flying. Tonight I went to my first Relay For Life meeting.  It was bittersweet.  I was all pumped up to go and find out what all I can be doing to help our team meet our fundraising goals...but once I was there it was a big huge reminder of WHY I'm there.  That sounds stupid.  The thing is...it is easy to become very self-centered in all of this and become so consum...

We had our appointment with Dr. Regueira today.  We will get the results back in a week or so.  We are going to wait until next week to get James' tests done because of his allergies.  James is so independent lately. It's kinda freaking me out. When did he get so big?

We are so excited that our friends Bonnie , David and Emery Williams have joined our team to relay in honor of sweet little Emery who also has neuroblastoma. You can click their names above to be directed to their page to make a donation in their name. Here is a link to Bonnie's blog .  She has been a great source of comfort and information as she is further down this road.  She contacted me while we were in the hospital with Jude and has been able to answer several of my questions and calm my nerves.  It has been a blessing to have her prayers and experience on this journey.

I hope your Easter was a wonderful as ours.  We went to church with my Mom and Dad then had an Easter egg hunt and lunch.  We enjoyed our time celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and spending time with family.  Nana hung out with the boys in the back while the Easter bunny (aka Dad and Brad) hid the eggs in the back yard. James was all hopped up on cough syrup and therefore totally relaxed and chill.  All he cared about once we let him outside was  opening each egg and eating as much candy as he could.  He didn't get the whole concept of gathering up all of the eggs first and then eating later.  I bet next year when he has a little competition from Jude he will be a little faster on the gathering part. We have our appointment with Dr. Regueira tomorrow (the oncologist).  Jude should have his first round of tests tomorrow unless it has to be put off because of his ear infection.  We are praying for a good appointment, good test results...

In honor of my Dad and Jude and their battles with cancer, Brad, James, Jude and I are participating in the Relay For Life with the American Cancer Society.  All donations go to benefit the ACS as they work to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Please click HERE if you would be interested in making a donation or joining our team.

Strange how one month can seem like a year.  One month has changed our lives.  One month ago today we saw Dr. Ross walk into the room...the look on his face told us everything.  One month ago we heard him say to us, "Your son has cancer."  One month ago we sat with  Dr. Honey and cried as she told us the plan for Jude.  One month ago we were admitted to the PICU with our 6 month old son. One month ago we were terrified, shocked, and sad.  One month ago the Lord ran to meet us in the Valley Of The Shadow Of Death.  One month ago we didn't know where we would be today.  Today we are hopeful, encouraged, and blessed....still shocked and sad at times...but at peace.  I can truthfully say that we are at peace.  Jude's prognosis is good...no, it is great!  We are hopeful and know that the Lord is faithful.  We have fabulous doctors that we love and trust.  Doctors that have become our friends through this crisis. We wen...

Happy Good Friday!

BSF this morning was just a blessing.  I needed it.  Mom kept the boys for me because Jamesie has had allergy problems and I didn't want to take him with a runny nose.  I don't like it when other mom's bring hacking, runny-nosed kids...ya just never know what's really going on behind all that snot and coughing. When we got home Jude still wasn't drinking his bottle very well and I wanted to see what was going on because the doctor's office will be closed tomorrow for Easter.  Turns out he has an ear infection.  Bummer.  Sweet little guy wasn't even fussy.  I wouldn't have known anything was wrong if it hadn't been for his lazy appetite.  I pray he will get well quickly and have no yucky side effects from the antibiotics.  I will have to talk to Dr. Regueira to see if this will mess up his tests that are scheduled for Monday.  I pray not. This morning I embarrassingly ran off at the mouth in my discussion group about all that is causin...

I love how the Lord is so personal and knows us so intimately that He sends just the right person my way with just the right words of encouragement.  I won't lie...this has been a very difficult past several days.  As the reality of this sets in more and more I guess I am struggling with the adjustment.  I'm not handling it very well and I am disappointed in myself.  I am so thankful that the Lord loves me enough to be gracious and patient with me.  I need that kind of grace. My Mom came by to get Jamesie today.  He went to run errands with her.  They went to the grocery store and he saw some donuts and conned Nana into them and a Sprite. When they got back to Nana and Papa's he watered her flowers.  Then Papa took him for his FIRST ice cream from the ice cream truck!  What a treat! He got an ice cream sandwich.  I always got that hand with the bubble gum stuck to it...two treats in one! Cats out of the bag on that one now.  I...