Come on, Mom!

We had a great 4th of July weekend! Saturday we did a bunch of work around the house before it got HOT! Noah went to Bubby's to spend the night while I went to play Bunco at our friend Heather's. It was a very fun "unorganized" game of Bunco. Sunday - Dave, Noah and I drove to Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite and hiked the Wapama Falls trail (5.5 miles round trip). This was our second time hiking to the falls (much easier this time). Due to the late snow fall this year the bridges were covered with rushing water. So we weren't allowed to make it to the actual Wapama Falls but you do pass two smaller falls on the way. Noah is standing in front of one of the smaller falls in the picture above. We were able to see a Mama Bear and two cubs, deer, squirrel, and tons of butterfly's. As we were walking along the trail I stopped to take a drink and Noah said Come on, Mom. I don't know why but the way he said it and how he looked at me made me start to cry. If I could bottle up that moment I would ;) I turned around and acted like I was taking a picture of something so he wouldn't see me. Even as I type this now it makes me emotional to think of that moment. I guess in retrospect it was because we were having a "great day". There were times over the last two years that I couldn't think about great days. I use to appreciate the days and I still do but now I really appreciate the moments..... We hope everyone had a great 4th of July and are able to appreciate moments with their families too!

He Leads us....

Noah and I recently had the great opportunity to be involved with the Faces of Hope project that our photographer friend @ Heather Marshall Photography put together. The picture to the left is from the photo shoot. Trying to get Noah to give me a hug these days isn't as easy as when he was three. I love the picture and it really captures "us".

The name of our blog is "Our Journey" and I have always referred to Noah's diagnosis as a journey. I haven't been updating the blog as much as I would like to... And now that we are on Noah's last year of treatment I am going to push myself to update it at least once a month if not more.

The one thing I want everyone to know is that God has lead Noah and I during it ALL. Everyone asks it.. says it... or wonders... How do you get through something like this? He Leads us...We know that God isn't going to allow us see into the future. He promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball. We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow.

We only need to know that he leads us, and we will find Grace to help us when we need it. Heb 4:16

We believe God has a plan....

We believe God has a plan and we find our HOPE in him. Noah is right in the very middle of treatment. Nineteen and a half months of treatment to go!!! Seems like a long time but with that much of treatment behind you the home stretch doesn't seem that far off! We have been very blessed throughout this journey despite Noah's toughest days when I break down and ask... Why? I don't think I will ever understand why this has happened during my time here on this earth. I can only guide Noah where to look to during it ALL... so with that we choose to believe that God has a plan for us and we find our HOPE in him every single day!

Bake Sale! Cookies for Kids Cancer

Bake Sale! Cookies for Kids' Cancer ~

Finally.... A new post!

Finally... A new post! I almost forgot about my blog with everything that has been going on. Plus I usually send all of my updates out through my Facebook. Noah is back in school and starts playing the violin next week. Which he is very excited about! Our neighbors might not like it so much. He had a great 10th birthday party! We are very blessed with a great bunch of family and friends. Birthday's have become another "thanksgiving" we are so thankful that Noah's treatments are working and we are able to celebrate his birthday at home with our family and friends. We think about ALL of the kids who may have to spend their birthday in the hospital. It is the small things that you learn to appreciate so much more through this journey. We are in the process of putting together a bake sale for cookiesforkidscancer.org. A great organization for a great cause. Please check out the website if you get a chance.

Love,

Amy and Noah too =)

It use to be Wednesday's............

It use to be Wednesday's.......

Every single Wednesday we would drive to the hospital for Noah's appointment at Childrens Hospital in Madera. Noah told me that he would never like Wednesday's again. I thought to myself I wouldn't like Wednesday's either if I had to sit in the back of the car for two hours to get poked & sick from chemo. Then get back in the car and ride home another 2 hours not feeling well. I promised him that it was going to get better and tried to explain how important it was to get treatment for his Leukemia.

Most of the trips my mom would go with us so we could share the driving and not be so exhausted. But one day when it was just Noah and I he said, " Mom just turn the car around and go home." I wished it was that simple to just turn the car around and not have to fight this darn cancer.

Well now it is Thursday's and we are going every four weeks. Noah calls it a vacation from the hospital. Spinal tap every 3 months ( Noah hates that word & doesn't want to hear it). Just so happens the visit this week is the 3 month yucky Spinal. Headache happens everytime so far but I still HOPE & PRAY that this time it will be different. The most important thing is the test results which have been negative every time and we "THANK GOD"!

Noah is doing his very best to get back to being a kid again & it's so nice to see. Going to the skate park, Cousin Delilah's Party, watching a movie at the theatre. All the things we take for granted being able to do so many kids like Noah couldn't and some still cannot.

New Addition

We have a new Addition to the family and her name is Katie. Ever since Gizmo went missing our dog Khloe has been so lonely. I have been looking for a while because we wanted another black & white cat like Gizmo. Found her on Valentine's Day she is so cute & dainty.

Noah goes back on the 25th for his 4 week appointment. He is still plugging away on all of his school work. Despite another set back of him getting a bug last week he is doing well.

XOXO - Amy & Noah