Happy Birthday Piper

Piper turned 9 years old and has basically told every single person she has seen today. Happy Birthday Piper!

Labs

Joey just finished a week of chemo. A week that was dreaded as his blood work was not looking good at all and getting worse by the day instead of better. But, his doctor decided he would do chemo even though his numbers were bad - that it would probably be worse not to do it. We were pretty worried. Today he had to go back to the lab as his doctor felt he needed to be checked immediately after chemo as this is when his numbers get even worse. It was a miracle. All of his blood work looked better and a lot better. That is basically unheard of for him on chemo week. Things always look a little worse right after chemo and sometimes a lot worse. But, this time things actually look good. Thank you to everyone that prayed for him. This is such a blessing for us. He is feeling pretty tired, which is to be expected on chemo week, but not that sick. He actually sounded pretty good when I talked to him today. He feels blessed. So do I. 

Bella in her usual good mood. She is almost always happy. 

The Past Week

I haven't seemed to have anything to blog about. Not much new going on and I just haven't been in the mood to write. I do need to ask for prayer for Joey. His numbers have never come back up from the last chemo treatment so his chemo has been postponed over and over. Now his doctor has decided that he needs to do it anyway - regardless of his numbers. So, he is starting chemo again this week and needs all the prayers he can get. He is already tired and has lost about 50 pounds and is just mentally and physically drained. This will be a hard week for him, Shannon and the rest of the family. I always worry a lot - my nature. So, please remember him in your prayers this week. 

I will just post some pictures from the past week and write more later. I have a lot of doctor appointments this week for the kids so that is going to keep me pretty busy. I am hoping to get to a store and buy the materials that Andrew and Bethany need to build a doll house. Actually, it will basically be Andrew building it for Bethany and then she will help paint and decorate - I think. They have talked about doing this for several weeks and I just haven't managed to get out and get the materials. So, hopefully this week. 

The groceries arrived and Piper always runs to meet the car. The driver never has to carry anything up to the house cause the kids run the second the car pulls in the driveway. Thank goodness for home delivery in an hour when you can't get out to go to the store!

Bible School

This was Bible School week at our church. It was really great. The kids loved it and had so much fun. I think Tess has told me at least 10 times tonight that Bible School is over and it was soooo much fun. Our church has the best helpers and teachers and they never complain about my kids and I KNOW some of mine are not always the best behaved. Piper never stops talking or jumping all over the place and Sarah will ask the same question over and over and over. But, always, when I pick up the kids I get such a nice welcome and no complaints. But, I usually ask as I know somebody has probably been a little wild or had trouble listening. 

But, it was a great week and I was glad they all got to go - it was Bella's first year. She was so excited and her teacher really seemed to like her and gave her a little extra help. It was a really good year for all the kids and they came home with a lot of stuff that they spent the afternoon playing with and looking at. 

Unfortunately, Joey can't get his chemo next week either. That means three weeks that he has been unable to start. Praying that next week his blood work will come back better. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. I worry when he can't get it, but in the scheme of things I guess three weeks won't make a lot of difference.  

We made ice cream sundaes one day after Bible School. Such little things can sure make kids happy.

Our 4th of July

We had a nice 4th of July and most of the family was here. I will post some pictures of our day. Also, Joey can't get his chemo again this week - numbers too low - so please continue to pray for him. This is the second week he has missed. He is able to eat a little more now and has had some pretty good days so that is good. Hopefully, he will be able to continue with his chemo in another week. 

Oh, and there are quite a few little ones missing in the pictures where we are doing sparklers and fireworks as this year quite a few were scared - many watched from the porch or steps. 

One Early Summer Evening

Monday evening was one of those evenings that makes the day end right no matter what has happened. I had Evelyn and Liam that day and in the late afternoon Joey and Shannon came by with their two - Joshua and Madelyn. As usual, they all went out and played and since Liam and Joshua are the same age they really love to play with each other. Sometime, early evening, Andrew hung the hose over the porch railing to water my hydrangeas that were planted about a month ago. Of course, the kids started sticking their hands in the water and then their feet and faces until one thing led to another and the hose was off the porch and in someone's hands. 

They had a blast. We let them do whatever they wanted, but did make them take turns holding the hose as nobody wanted to give it up. They ran and played and screamed for probably an hour and a half. They were having so much fun we had to go outside just to watch for a little while. It was a beautiful sight for me - my grandkids and my kids all running and playing together and having so much fun. Evelyn wasn't real interested in getting squirted and Madelyn stood off a little at first but Joshua, Liam, Piper and Bethany were all over the hose. Loved it. 

They were having so much fun we hated to make them stop. Joey and Shannon had to get their kids home and bathed and I mentioned that my daughter, Megan, used to take shampoo outside and wash hair after the kids played in the hose. They loved it and then didn't really need a bath. So, we got the shampoo and Shannon washed Madelyn's and Joshua's hair. 

It was a wonderful ending to a summer day and I knew this would be a night the kids would remember and so would I.