Highlights from Houston

This Monday, as all Monday's are, was filled with appointments, Dr. visits, and treatments. However, this one was different for us for a couple of very significant reasons.

The first was that as we walked from office to office (which at MD is a significant walk!) we attracted some attention by our sheer numbers. Two very dear sisters, Abby and Anna, and one very dear brother, Caleb, along with two (also dear) cousins all attended the days appointments with us. It was so fun for Amanda to spend her time playing cards and giggling with her family as she waited between appointments. They really helped the time to pass by quickly.

Second, while Amanda was receiving a chemo infusion that they use along with the radiation, they came and told us that she actually only had one more chemo scheduled. This second chemo can be given along with the first with no adverse side effects and so they asked us if Amanda would like to go ahead and receive it while she was there. She said yes right away. And so, with her sisters, brother, cousins and I there, Amanda finished the last of her chemo treatments for MD Anderson. What a celebration! We were all so excited for her and she was thrilled to have another aspect of her Houston treatment completed and behind her.

And speaking of having family here...we absolutely loved having our family here with us in Houston. What a wonderful gift Nate and Lori gave to us by driving the family down here to Houston. David and Jennifer (Lori's brother and his wife) were so kind to open their house to all of us and it gave us such a wonderful place to spend our time together. The "teen-agers" all came here to sleep at night... we would do Amanda's daily appointments, then off we would head to the north side of Houston to spend the day and evening together with the rest of our family at David & Jennifer's. A bonus to the kids was that David & Jennifer have their own pool and the kids all spent hours playing together in it. (For those who are wondering...Amanda is welcome to swim in a treated pool. She must watch for exposure to the sun but the pool at David & Jennifer's was nicely shaded and the kids actually found that with the pool lights on they preferred to do a lot of their swimming in the evening and so she was safe.)

Every moment that I get to spend with my children is precious to me, especially this summer when some of us must be apart. I treasured my time with Abby, Anna and Caleb. Along with the memories that we created while being together again, we also created one very special memory... a surprise 16th birthday party that we held pool side. For those of you who may not know, Caleb and Amanda will turn 16 on the 12th of August. For the first time, they will not be together for this special day. An ice cream cake, lots of balloons and candles (16 to be exact), some presents and tons of pictures filled the early b-day party. What a treasure it was for me to see this memory, to take the pictures, and to thank God that our dear twins were together for another milestone. It would have been perfect if only the rest of our Columbia family could have been here with us as well. Amid the hugs and birthday wishes, laughter filled the area and I thanked God for the moment and asked that He bless the year ahead for us all and especially for these two precious young people and also that He would give us many, many more years of birthday celebrations to share with them.

Tonight is quiet. Amanda and I are here at the apartment, our family had to head back to Columbia this morning. We miss them already. But we continue to talk and laugh as we think of the fun we shared with them these past days, and we smile because we know that our time in Houston is coming to an end and soon we will all be together again back in Columbia. Now that will be a real celebration.

Until then, we will continue to celebrate the milestones Amanda completes, the memories we make and the new adventures that we find in each day.

Continuing to thank God for everyday and celebrating His goodness,

me 'n amanda joy