thanksgiving 08

The kids had a GREAT time with their cousins this weekend: for the girls it was 48 hours of acting, putting on shows, laughing and secrets; for the boys it was non-stop Star Wars.



Yesterday we went to Powell's in downtown Los Gatos. Here's a post-gelato shot. Everyone was chilled!



We were especially grateful to be together this year. Last Thanksgiving landed during the 21 days when we were living apart to protect Isaiah from a possible chicken pox infection. We kept remembering back to that season (click here) and thanking God for the blessing of being together and feeling strong.





This morning Isaiah and his "best buddy cousin" Santana were on the phone discussing more Star Wars battle strategy (check out his badge!).

[Here's a pic of a lady pointing to a cute couple on the streets of Los Gatos.]

some good news

We had our regular appointment today at Sutter. Both Carmen and I went because we were anticipating a discussion with the doctor about a recent bone scan of Isaiah's back. I was, frankly, expecting hard news because I had sensed serious concern in the words and expressions of the technician who did the scan last week. And while there are still a few more tests that need to be done, and Isaiah's compression fractures are a significant and long-term issue, the GOOD NEWS is that the DEXA scan results show an increase in bone density. Maybe the broccoli and calcium supplements are paying off.

We remain very grateful for your prayers for wisdom, grace, and health. Thank you!

Here are some phone-photos of Sienna making sure Isaiah's teeth look good.

hair

We borrowed Sienna's hairbrush!


It's a 1970s throwback!

BIG hair fun!

have your cake and eat it...

The kids decorated a mini cake tonight. Mom made pumkin muffins and had leftover batter.

Isaiah had a bone scan Friday. We have a scheduled appointment Wednesday. We'll keep you posted.

Please pray for a strong back. Peace.

doing great

Sorry for the delay in updating Isaiah's blog. He did great with his fast and spinal tap last week. It's remarkable how quickly he bounces back from these things. The fasts are always challenging, but he draws great strength from knowing that others are fasting with him.

We talked several weeks ago about the role of our "will" in dealing with discomfort. I was surprised but encouraged when Isaiah repeated a phrase I used a month ago in the form of a question: as we drove to the hospital he asked me, "Dad, is your will telling your tummy, 'Sshhh!'?"

I smiled and said, "Yes! Is yours?"

He smiled back. I said, "All this fasting sure is making our wills strong!"

He said, "Ya.... but I kinda wish I could eat!"

fasting monday

We're already due for Isaiah's every-twelve-week spinal-tap and treatment. Carmen, Isaiah, and I will spend most of tomorrow at Sutter while Sienna spends time with her cousins. The most difficult part of these days, for Isaiah, is the required fast. Thank you to all of you who have already shared with us your plans to fast with him. The kids had a lot of fun dressing up on Halloween. They spent the evening at an Emmaus-sponsored Great Pumpkin Festival at Foskett Ranch School. Sienna dressed up as "Lucy" from the Narnia Chronicles; Isaiah was Batman. He told Carmen, "Mom, when we were going out to the car I saw a bad guy. But I knew I would get in trouble if I walked across the parking lot by myself so I couldn't go get him."