opening day!

Isaiah spent the morning at the doctor's.  He's been up the last few nights with a horrible cough; we wanted to have his lungs checked-out just in case.   Everything is clear at the moment.  He'll be seeing his oncologists Wednesday for his regular blood test.  Please pray he gets some good sleep and that this cough goes away and his lungs stay clear.

Yesterday was opening day for Lincoln Little League.  Isaiah was so excited!  We got up early, participated in the opening day parade through town, then played a short "exhibition" game.  We'll be playing games one week night a week and every Saturday for the next 10 weeks!  Come cheer for the RiverCats and #6!

playing

Friday was beautiful in Lincoln.  We had the day off and worked and played in the yard all day.  The kids planted flowers and played tag.  We ate lunch outside and enjoyed a slow-paced day.  Sienna and Isaiah seem to have more fun playing together all the time.  They keep us laughing.  

busy days!

Thanks for checking in! Sorry for the delay. We've had some very full days. Isaiah started drum lessons - something he's been dreaming of doing for a long time.

He got a hair cut. The curls were beautiful but really getting in his eyes. We started baseball practice so we needed to shorten things up a bit.

We all went to Joaquin Miller State Park in Oakland for the day on Saturday. Isaiah joined me for the final few yards of the Sequoia 30K.

Have a great week. Thanks for praying for our boy. He's feeling great.

i'm well

Today a friend texted us and said, "We hope you're all well."  I read the text out loud as we made dinner and Isaiah chirped, "I'm well."  

He enjoyed our neighbor's birthday party and flew a new kite afterwards.  

Sienna made this delicious pear and raspberry pie which we all enjoyed for dessert.

a little better

The little man had another rough night last night - he was back in the tub and awake a lot.  But this morning (it is the morning, right?) he seems remarkably better and the itching is gone.  I just asked him if he was itching at all.  He said, "Not at all.  I just feel like a normal person."  

A couple days ago, I was admiring his ability to deal with all the appointments, pills, chugs, etc.  He responded by confiding, "I have some secrets."  

"What are your secrets?"

"I think three things: focus, strong and courageous, and Jesus.  I just think that over and over and

 over..." 

Isaiah with cousin Eathan

really itchy

Isaiah has been awake and itching since 12:30 a.m.  This happens occasionally when he receives a steroid after a spinal tap.   He's really tired and is working hard to cope.  Please pray for sleep and relief.

tapped

Isaiah was at the hospital from 9 - 1:15 today.  Everything went relatively smoothly.  His counts are high (2000).  

We woke up together at 4 a.m. to have some food before his fast began.  This was his idea...a result, I think, of applying his growing math skills (if the sleepy test is at 12, and I have to fast for 8 hours, that means...)

Spinal tap days are always difficult for several reasons.  We all dread them.  But it's amazing to see him - now for the 14th time - work through his fears and get his game face on and just focus.  It's an amazing process to watch.  Once he gets to the hospital he's in the zone.  He's playing and chatting but clearly very aware of passing time, the comings and goings of doctors, everything.  I'm always very proud of the way he handles this.  We pray a lot together and I always encourage him to be strong and courageous.  In recent weeks, he's been challenging us to be strong and courageous too.