Happy 11th Birthday, Natalie!

Natalie, our oldest, is 11 today. She is a good big sister and has been a huge help to our family this year.

She named this doll Elsie Dinsmore, her favorite book character.

Nathan most enjoyed having friends over for the WHOLE day, and eating spaghetti and cake. (Oh, and having his hair styled while his sister and friend were playing beauty parlor!)

Fishing Derby (The Whopper)

This weekend was busy with birthdays, graduations, and a fishing derby. All the kids caught a fish (with a little help from Daddy), and Nathan got a trophy.

Up close and personal with a firetruck and a fireman.

Melissa flipped out when the fish flipped around on the ground.

The Whopper. He had to throw him back, but Nathan had the taste of success.

Nathan's 2nd fish. Not quite dinner, but boy, was it fun.

And She's Breakable

Whenever I sing Mr. Roger's old song "You are my friend, you are special" to little Melissa, she adds at the end, "And I'm BREAK-able." I don't know where she came up with that, but it has turned out to be applicable.

Yesterday when Nathan and I were at Children's Hospital for his treatment, the girls were being babysat, and Melissa had a fall. When we were done, I had to drop off Nathan and take Melissa to the doctor and to get X-rayed. There wasn't a break, but it seems like she sprained or slightly fractured her elbow, and it is an owie. As we walked out of the doctor's office today I sang that song and she ended with "and I'm breakable."

It was good to see her laugh.

How You Can Appreciate Your Country

My dear friend Missy has been living in Canada for a few years, but wants her children to appreciate America. Her post is worth looking at.
http://wwwhatsgoingonhere.blogspot.com/2009/05/they-got-to-do-it.html

Happy Birthday, Dania!

Dania turns 8 today. She is a great sister and Nathan's best buddy.

Nathan got to crash the girl's tea party.

First, The Good News.....

Thank you, all, for waiting so patiently to hear the MRI results. Thank you for your love and prayers on Nathan's behalf. I'm sorry you had to wait and wonder. My prayer and wish was that the tumor would be gone, but my hope is that God is good, no matter what.

Nathan was a brave, good boy and held still so well without anything to watch for the first time, since the MRI equipped with the DVD player was occupied. The MRI tech seemed happier and peppier than normal after it was done, which got me wondering. Then, up in the oncology clinic, Nathan's nurses were extra happy, like they had something up their sleeves, which got me wondering.
The doctor came in very happy and said something like, "Well, the TUMOR is doing very well."
I said, "There's a 'but', isn't there?" Then he showed me the pictures from 3 months ago and from now. Aaron came in and the doctor said the same thing to him, and Aaron said, "There's a 'but', isn't there?"

First, the very good news: the tumor is reduced by about half of what it was back in September! Thank you, Lord. Now, the concerning news: there appears to be another cyst (fluid-filled sack) right in the area of the tumor. At least, that's what they think it is; they could be wrong. It's small, and is thought to not pose much of a problem. If it grew very large, then it could block the ventricles where brain fluid drains, and he could get brain swelling. That would mean another brain surgery to drain the cyst. They think there's a small chance it would go away on its own, or it may just stay the same size and cause no problems. The solid tumor is what could do permanent damage, so it's the most important thing that it is shrinking.

The nurses DID have something up their sleeves: they brought him in a belated birthday cake and gift.

Nathan accepted the results very matter-of-factly, without any fear, and was happy to see the tumor looking smaller. He just wanted to get on with the really important business of hammering wood and building something (they're calling it a fort) with Dania, which they have been working on every spare minute. That's what he thought about during all the hammering noises of the MRI.

Waiting....

Hiya. Our computer and I were not getting along lately, but I think it will behave now. Just wanted to let all of you know that Nathan is scheduled to have another MRI this Wednesday morning. For me, waiting the three months for this one has seemed like six months. I just want to know how that tumor is doing. We'd appreciate prayers for that day if you think about it. Thanks!