Hokie Celebration and Hoops

I feel like Christmas break is going soooo fast. I miss my little preschoolers but we are enjoying laid back family life.  Kyle's birthday was several weeks ago and it was the same day as the big preschool christmas production.  For his birthday he wanted several of his buddies to come over and watch the Hokie bowl game with him.

David got to the party just a few minutes past kick-off and jumped right in with the boys. 

This was a great group of boys and they were so kind to Hope and David.  I cooked mozarella cheese sticks, pigs in a blanket, ordered pizza, and had a cookie cake made for the big event.  The boys hung out in our basement and cheered on the Hokies and it was wild when Hokies won in overtime! 

Hope is coming out of her shyness because she was all involved in "da boys" and the party.  She stayed downstairs and hung out with them:)

This morning Kyle had a basketball scrimmage so we were excited to go cheer on our Hornets.  We love our AAU basketball family and because of the holidays we have not seen them.  David wore his Hornets jersey, his new Jordans, and his Under Armor headband to look like his hero, Lebron James:) 

Christmas break gives lots of opportunity for snuggles.  These two mostly are so sweet together. 

For the party I made each boy a cup with their name on it.  When you get to be 11 no longer can you do a goody bag as a thank you for coming with playgdough and stickers in it.  I used my cricut and vinyl and made each boy a cup to use for the party and then they could take it home.  Hope insisted to have a cup but she wanted hers to be "girl colors." 

The party wore these two sweeties out:) 

I am so thankful for the great group of boys that Kyle hangs out with.  Mike and I really enjoyed spending time with those boys and they made us laugh.  Teh boys decided that the Hokies did not do well when I was in the room so they sent me to my room to watch the game:) 

Clinic and Hokies

This morning Mike and David left before sunrise to head to UVA for our monthly clinic visit.  Blood pressure, weight, and other vitals were great and where they should be.  Poor pumpkin had to go through an EKG which he hates.  There is no rationalizing with him-he hates those blasted stickers and he does NOT want them on him.  Sigh.  We do not have the EKG results yet.  It is vital to keep an eye of his heart functioning because of all the radiation and chemo he has had.  I really hate cancer.

His lab work came back good except for that blasted Creatinine.  Last month it was perfect at .7 and sadly just four weeks later today it had spiked to .9 which means that his potassium and BUN number are out of whack.  This is very concerning to us and they thought about giving him a bolus of fluid but the kidney team was consulted and they said to hydrate him at home and if we want to recheck labs in a week or so.  Despite our best efforts over the holiday he probably has not gotten his 60 ounces each day and between that and his sickness two weeks ago the kidney doctor is not too concerned. 

We did not get tragic news today but I just like leaving there with all great news.  That kidney function is as crucial as relapse in terms of his overall health and survival.  I spend as much time praying about his kidney as I do relapse.  Poor pumpkin.

David napped on the way home and he is excited to be hanging with Kyle and some of his buddies who are over to watch the Hokie bowl game with him.  Kyle's buddies are so awesome and inclusive to David and he is loving hanging with the big boys.  My heart overflows for what David has had to endure because cancer entered his life.  David; however, maintains a smile and a praise on his lips regardless of his circumstances.  I could learn a  lot from David Robinson.  Go Hokies!

Christmas Hangover

We have thoroughly enjoyed christmas break.  It is truly the most together family time we have all year and even though we have not had huge plans, we have enjoyed being together and trying to get our house under control.  It is so obvious that we have been in an alternate universe the last year or so because our house may look neat and orderly on the surface but open one closet or cabinet and you will see it is truly a wreck.  The last year of our life we have packed, unpacked, and our children have been blessed by new things over the last year. We are finally able to take some time and get rid of stuff they have outgrown, organize, and catch up. 

Mike and David head to UVA tomorrow for his December checkup.  I dread the lab draw for him, but the staff there is always so wonderful that it is fun to see all of our friends there and catch up.  I wonder when I will stop getting nervous everytime we head down the interstate for UVA???  We appreciate your prayers that tomorrow's checkup is stress-free for David and that we get good news.  He has not been drinking great the last year days so I pray for that darn Creatinine level for his kidney function. 

Tomorrow I am staying home because I am trying to get this house ready for some of Kyle's buddies to come over tomorrow night to watch the VT bowl game with him.  This is what he wanted for his birthday this year and he has invited several buddies over and he has planned the menu of junk food of goodies to eat while they cheer on the Hokies. 

I will update tomorrow after his clinic visit.  We are so thankful that you continue to hold us in prayer as we navigate our post-treatment life.  I will admit that it has been harder than I thought to finish treatment. I thought it would be this big celebration, and though we are thankful he successfully completed his regimen, it is very scary. 

Happy organizing and cleaning day!