Liam Fight with Cancer-2 1/2 yrs Cancer Free

 Although the news is good scans are still always so tough. Liam now understands enough to know he doesn't like the hospital or the things that happen there. We were lucky and got an early sedation appointment so he got to come in his pjs. This go around was a CT scan which in a lot of ways has been nicer than the xray/us because the hard part is basically just when they take him to sedate him. The team has now figured out a good process where they take him and get him to sleep before they put in his iv or draw labs. It's always hard when they take him but overall its better for him. The waiting after they take him is torture it feels like minutes are hours. This was the first set of scans that I had Xanax and I took a couple of them to help me get thru. When they came to get me she acted like it was urgent which made me freak out inside but they just wanted me to be there before he was awake. It strange how you over think everything in a situation like this. I love when he starts to wake up and just wants to be cuddled. I feel like he's safe and I can protect him in this situation where I have no control.

Once he was good and awake we headed up to the clinic for our appt. Today was a day full of firsts. It was out first day in the newly remodel clinic. Dr Fluchel had also relocated to a Washington Children's hospital since our last visit so he was no longer our dr. I was anxious for all of the above. As I sat in the clinic watching the families that have cancer as part of their story. People from all walks of life..no one asked for this but each of them seemed like they were trying their best to make good out of a bad situation. A mom sitting nearby struck up a conversation while we waited. She showed me how to pull up Liam's results while we waited. I can't even express what a God sent that was that I didn't have to sit in suspense of the results. The results were great and for the first time since we started this journey the report didn't even note any mass. Again its strange I feel very strongly that Liam's time with cancer is over and that he will live a long and healthy life but that doesn't seem to calm the fears while sitting in the waiting room.

Shortly after we were called back and told that our new Dr's wife had had a baby and he was out so we would be seeing a different Dr that day. It was actually one of the Drs we saw while we were in treatment one weekend. He seemed great but specialized in a different cancer than what Liam had. We met with both him and his resident he recited what I had already read on the report. He said that even though the report didn't mention anything that he assumed that it meant nothing had changed but there was probably still a small area of scar tissue that would remain. I asked if there was something they could give me that I could give to Liam to help with the anxiety and he was shocked we didn't already have something so we walked away with both a prescription for Xanax and acyclovir for Liam's oral herpes. They examined Liam and then we were on our way. I'm always relieved to leave Primary's with good news and a chance to get back to normal life for an extended period of time. At this point we will come back in January(6 months from now).

Liam has wanted a fire station for some time but they are kinda pricey so I have been dragging my feet but we told him we would buy him one to have after scans. For a couple weeks he would tell everyone how he was going to get a fire station for being good at scans. When we got home Matt was good enough to help Liam build his fire station. I laid on the couch watching and before I knew it I fell asleep. Scans take a toll on all of us in different ways.  

Now he is a very happy little friend and we are happy to report our little miracle is 2.5 years cancer free. I love this little boy more than I could even express. He is my partner and my little buddy that is my shadow and I wouldn't have it any other way.

July Random

 It no secret we love sleep at our house. That would be one great thing we love about summer. Occasionally Liam climbs into bed after Matt leaves for work and I don't mind.

Another one of the library activities was a pirate camp. They had a full size pirate ship brought to the library and the kids got a chance to climb on it. They even had real pirates to show the kids around

Inside they had various activities that the kids rotated thru. They had games, crafts, and snacks. Im so grateful for a library program in the valley that plans fun things for the kids

Ogden Pioneer Day Rodeo

 This rodeo has become a yearly tradition. I have always loved the rodeo. There are few places that I feel more patriotic than when we are at the rodeo. We usually go on Tough Enough to Wear Pink but it didn't work out for our schedule so we went on Patriotic night. This year they did something a little different and had several military men and women carry out and spread the American flag. It was huge and an awesome site to see.

For some reason I forgot to take a family picture but managed to get a picture that everyone is at least in. We went to dinner before and the kids ate well so they each got to pick a treat to have. Im sure you'll never guess what they picked

Such a fun night with our little family. Im so grateful for all the men and women that have fought for our freedoms and the sacrifices they and their families have given for people they don't even know.

Deer-2 Matt-0

 Poor Matt the time of day when he drives seems to be when all of the deer are out. This time once again on the way to work. The only difference is that its the drivers side rather than the passenger side. So we called Old School Body Shop up and had them save us a spot in their schedule. Matt took it in to have it looked at so they could order the right parts but they said it would be probably six weeks before they could get it in and have all the parts. Matt is a man of many talents so he used zip ties and duct tape to put it back together so he could drive it until they could get him in. The timing could work out great because we should be in Disneyland about that time so we will see. I may have also bought some deer whistles to deter deer from even coming near your car when your getting close to them. I guess we'll see if they work. At the end of the day I don't really care about the truck I'm just glad that Matt is safe...trucks can be fixed.

Hair Cuts Aren't To Bad With The Right Equipment

 Liam has hated hair cuts since forever. In an effort to make it better I ordered a new cape and clippers that would make it better to cut it at home. We tried it out and it was very helpful. Along with watching a show it did the trick. He didn't love it but there was much less crying and sadness. I hope he continues to get better with time of being scared about things like this. We're trying to do everything we can to help him with that.

Finally A Day At The Lake

When we moved to the valley I thought we'd basically live at the lake but then I guess life happened. Last year we didn't even go because of the low water level and the bacteria in the lake wasn't healthy. So I was happy when we were able to get to the lake and enjoy some time in the water and sand. Hallie was playing with Paityn so we missed her but had a great time. I took the wagon to haul all of our stuff but it was so hard to pull on the sand I wasn't sure we would get it there but we did. We also took a paddle board and a kayak

Once we got there and settled it was actually quite enjoyable to sit in the chair and watch the kids play. I went for a swim and played for a while and then sat back in the chair and just watch them be kids. We need to find a better solution for getting our stuff in and out though for sure.

Bear Lake Camping...Year 2

 I can't say that this is something that I look forward to myself but I do love how much the kids look forward to that and it makes it completely worth it. Every time we load up to go camping we aren't sure if everything will fit but miraculously it fits. We went back to Bear Lake KOA and got set up. The week was supposed to be record heat so we tried to plan accordingly. After setting up with grabbed dinner at the the burger place down the street before coming back to get settled for the evening. 

The next morning we got up and headed out to find a beach spot. Because we go on Saturdays its always been super busy but we found a spot. The kids went back and forth between the water and the sand pit they were building.

We set up a couple sun shades and chairs along with a blanket for us to hang out on. The water was so low the beach wasn't great but we made the best of it.

Liam and I went out on a kayak and not far out I tipped us over. I grabbed Liam immediately but he was so mad at me. But I made him get back in and we went for a ride in the kayak without further incident but he still at times brings up the fact that I tipped over the kayak and he didn't like that.

When we got back and showered we rented a few bikes and stuff to ride around with the kids in. They all wanted to take a turn driving

Some of the kids headed to the club house to play and others went to the volleyball court where they were having a hula contest. They all did very good and ended up with a lot of candy. While the kids ran around we ordered pizza and then had dinner.

Some games were played

I think one of the kids favorite parts of camping is these bunks that they sleep on in the tents. They are pretty cool and they make it so there is space for everyone in the tent. 

On Saturday night as we all sat around the fire we decided we are going to try somewhere different next year. somewhere with fewer people and more space so we'll se what that amounts to. But we have another camp trip under our belts and we survived and even managed to have some fun.

Rig's Baseball

A couple weeks after Kinner's games Nic let us know they were coming up for Rigs games and we had such a great time the last time we decided to pack up and do it again. We got to spend more time with Nic since she wasn't coaching so that was fun to get to visit with her more. Maddi joined us for one of the games before having to go to work. 

It was once again so hot. We did our best to pack water, body armor, and plenty of snacks. Along with sun shades, blankets, and chairs. We don't pack lightly pretty much ever. Nic has her little tribe of the teams families so we all sat together and of coarse Hallie orchestrated games to keep them busy.

Poor Gray laid on the blankie pretty much naked because he was so hot dressed and being held. He's so cute so we have to keep the kids from mauling him.

The boys lost one and won one so they played a 3rd time we decided we wanted to stay so Matt came to meet us after he got off work. The weather finally cooled down some as the sunset and this sweet boy slept for a good portion of the game. He is such a good baby. He gets drug from one game to another and seems to handle most of it in stide.

Unfortunately they lost the game so they wouldn't be playing the following day so I was glad we stayed to watch. It was a late night but we all had a good time. And as always it was great to make memories together and spend time.