Christmas Day 2012

After a fun, exciting morning with the presents from Santa... we packed up and headed north.  We were able to get on the road by 11:15am (I think) so we made it to Mop and Pop's house by 3:45 that afternoon.  As much as I thought these two would konk out in the car, the energy carried over to the trip there... only now we were all locked in seatbelts... thank goodness Mimi and Papaw gave us the portable DVD players for the car! (I was one of those moms that said we don't need the DVD players... but now I believe they are golden.)  We sang, read books, drew pictures, had a few fights, a few tears, all while watching Shrek.  Until Memphis.  

(scene:  Donkey singing "I'm a Believer" on the screen. )

Boy did we ever have a fun afternoon.  As usual, the Arnold house decibel level was not audiologist approved, and the way we approach this:  just talk louder. A merry time was had by all.  Silas and Avery barrelled through the door and did not miss the big tricycles meant just for them!  (Although the "S" on the seat could have easily been a monogram for Silas... right, Grace;) Cutest Schwinn bikes I've ever seen!  Silas and Avery absolutely loved them. In fact, Silas wouldn't even dismount to open his other gifts. 

Then Miss Avery said Mommy needed a turn...

Cousin Kaelyn even let Avery play on her scooter!

Fierce. 

Avery and Silas also received some sleeping bags - Minnie Mouse for Avery and Football for Silas.  They were a hit!

 "I love my new sleeping bag!  Look, time for a nap."

"Um... just KIDDING!  Silly people, you know Miss Avery does not nap!"

Two of a kind.   See previous post for Rocky bandage story.

Sweet moments.  We might have two sleepers here. 

There's nothing better than playing with Poppy!

My little snow angel.  Oh, and did I mention that it SNOWED Christmas day and the 26th!

My little paper boy.  He plays the part well.

Avery loves her ponytail like her mom.  Cutie patootie.

The End of an Era

Injection #144: DONE.  We have now competed the 4 weeks of daily infusions and 48 weeks of three injections of Interferon.  After it's all over, I feel like I've run a marathon every week for 52 weeks... but am so thankful I have been able to carry on semi-usual routines and work and such.  And I thank God for allowing my blood count production to walk that tight rope of chemo and function consistently the whole year - so that I could complete the entire year.  Many people who take the drug are required to stop a few months early due to blood count depression and susceptibility to infections/pneumonia.  What now?  Nothing!  We go back to Houston for follow-up CT scans January 23-24 and then every 90 days until the 3 year mark (November 2014...).  Then I will most likely get PET scans here in Jackson every 4-6 months until we are at the 5-year mark.

I can't go without mentioning my wonderful family who has stepped in this year to help with Silas and Avery (and my dirty house at times). I dearly love you and simply could not have done it without you.

And the inspiring friends, co-workers, family, and people we don't even know who have prayed ceaselessly and fervently - there are no words.  I can tell you that I felt them. Back when this whole thing started last September, I remember praying and resting through James chapter 5:  "Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray.  Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  What a relief to see that it is not the sick person who is praying the healing prayers here.... it is the elders/friends/family who are praying.

Unbeknownst to me, Bruce put together a little box of notes from special friends and family for my culmination of the chemo... As I walked back into the bathroom to change into my pajamas, he had a box sitting by the sink.  While I read those heartfelt and self-less notes I sat there and cried in thankfulness - there are so many emotions - and as my brother-in-law put it:  the beginning of a new chapter.

In a weird, crazy, sick kind of way, I am anxious about next year.  The 3 x week injections have become a part of my routine on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights and also serve as a comfort in knowing I am doing something to keep any cancer cells from living in my body.  Now I won't be doing anything except posing for pictures every 90 days ... and praying for not only wellness but also no fear. Every morning my daily battle is choosing not to fear .. maybe my thorn in my side, who knows.  But it is also a reminder of how blessed we are to be here on this earth with these two awesome children and the power of God's grace through it all.  Maybe if I didn't have to battle fear I would become a little complacent or begin to take for granted the grace. God forbid.

In light of the recent 'happenings' in our country (i.e. the EVIL that visited CT schools), we must refocus daily and continue to guard our hearts and minds, lest we become paralyzed by fear and sadness.  Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

I am going to borrow from our transitional pastor's words last Sunday:  Evil visited Connecticut that day.  And 2,000 years ago, evil visited Bethlehem when a king ordered every baby boy killed. And out of that horrid and unthinkable tragedy, in the midst of sadness and wailing mothers, God brought good into the situation....okay,  more than "good".  The BEST. He delivered his only Son into the world who was born in a manger and who would someday give His life so that we could live eternally with Him.

Well, I guess we know now that the silly Mayans were wrong.  But we have HOPE because of Christ and can claim the words of the hymnist as ours:  "Living, He loved me; dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away; rising He justified, freely forever; one day He's coming -- O Glorious Day!" (Wilbur Chapman, 1908)

Twas the week before Christmas...

Silas and Avery are so excited about Christmas... or, maybe they sense the mounting excitement and aren't sure why, but love joining in the spirit of the season.  I've always wanted to make a gingerbread house but haven't mustered the guts to try one from beginning to end.  This Mickey and Minnie Mouse Gingerbread Kit sounded like just what we needed.  A little silly girl found it "hiding" in the pantry and was beyond excited.

We attempted the "no-fail" gingerbread house and followed instructions included (well, sort of)... and carefully placed all the candies on the cake while Mimi held the walls up (so the icing 'glue' could harden).  Then about 5 minutes after the event:

Oh well.   We will call in the professionals next year.

Last week at FBCJ, we were busy in the preparations for Keyboards at Christmas, a fabulous concert with six grand pianos, the big Quimby organ, and about 60 musicians.  Silas and Avery came to a rehearsal with me one night and lucked up on our first piano lesson!  Thank you Mrs Eva!  (Note: Silas and Avery don't do anything without snacks ready and waiting:-)

Silas came home and practiced a little bit.

Impromptu photo session:

Grace and Micajah hosted their first annual Christmas party at their house - what a fun night!  Ralphael and his crew (our fellow Grenada native:-) entertained us with Christmas jazz.  The Gore gals even did a number with the singing butcher Marvin (if you haven't shopped at the Kroger meat counter, you've been missing out on Marvin's songs!).  Jingle Bells!

All in a day's work at MSMOC.  DEUCE!

Ho, Ho, Ho...

Earlier today, we decided to get Silas and Avery out and see Santa (for another try at meeting the jolly old man... if you remember last year's epic fail ("You Better Watch Out, Better Not Cry...")).  They were excited to put on their red shirts and take a picture... well, Avery was excited to take a picture. Silas still does not like to do that sort of thing.  Such a little man.

Here is Avery saying, "this is my Silas picture face."

They were both excited and saying "Santa!, Santa!" as we walked to the back of the store where we were greeted with a very friendly "Ho, Ho, Ho!" (unlike last year's stoic impersonator.)  Both Silas and Avery, on cue, turned around and held on to one of my legs and buried their faces in my thigh. This Santa was very good and tried to persuade the kids (thankfully, there was no one else in line).  Nothing we did convinced them to sit in Santa's lap.  So here are Dad and Mom in the pic again for 2012 (at least Avery smiled).  Oh, Santa has his hands folded and to himself because both twins were emphatic that he not touch them.  Oh well.  Fail. 

But I guess Silas and Avery are right. Christmas isn't about Santa anyway.  

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. —Isaiah 9:6-7

Thanksgiving. And Thankful, Part 3.

Saturday night after Thanksgiving, Grace, Micajah, Eleanor, Bruce, Silas, Avery, and I spent the night in Grenada for our 'Thanksgiving' dinner.  After dinner, Mimi wanted to get a picture for a Christmas card... (aren't they precious in their new Christmas pajamas?!)

Silas didn't.  (want a picture for a Christmas card, that is.)

No, he really didn't.

"Oh good grief, is it over yet?"

Guess he didn't want to pose with the ladies. 

These two are two peas in a pod.  They absolutely adore each other!

We finally had a fun ride on Papaw's new toy!!

Thanksgiving. And Thankful, Part 2

When we returned from Houston last Tuesday, the Warfs had already arrived for our annual Thanksgiving week festivities.  (well, mostly laughing and playing with the twins festivities, but nevertheless)  We played, played, ate, ate, played, ate some more, exactly what we wanted to do on Thanksgiving week.

And no, I didn't cook.  Anything.  We went to the Old Capitol Inn for Thanksgiving dinner... which was more delicious that I could ever describe.  Without any dishes to wash (or spilled drinks to clean up (we had 4 of those)).
It was a great week!

Thanksgiving. and Thankful, Part 1.

Finally received the final path report - no malignant cells identified!  Praise God for continued health.  After the CTs last Monday, everything looked great except one lymph node that was a little larger in my May 2012 CTs had now grown in the November CTs.  Dr. K said the only way to know why was to have a few more tests run. So Tuesday morning, I had an ultrasound then fine needle biopsy (the only way to know if a node is 'reactive' (i.e. fighting infection, inflammation) or malignant is to stick a needle in it and look at cells under the microscope).  Praise God all is fine.  We return in late January/early February for more CTs.  Much, much, much to be thankful for.

Interferon update. Nine more injections. Yes, three weeks!  Friday, Dec 21 will be my last one:-)  Doctors have told me I will feel GREAT about 3 or 4 weeks after we stop the drug. Watch out, I'll be running around like I'm crazy!  Merry Christmas to me.  (oh, and to my refrigerator.  those boxes of chemo take up the entire bottom shelf.  Shoot, I guess now I need to start cooking.)

"That" time.

It's "that" time again.  Three-month scans.  Bruce and I fly to Houston Sunday afternoon and I have CTs of chest, abdomen, pelvis, and bloodwork Monday morning beginning at 6:00am.  Thankfully I see Dr. K later that same afternoon for results....so glad I don't have to wait overnight this time.  Like I remember every time Mom has check-ups too, I'm almost thankful for the anxious heart... lest I forget the miracle of each day we are given. 

I love November for several reasons (none of which are the men who've declared it 'no shave november' #creepy stache).  I love driving to work with the sun peering over the brilliant colors on the trees... I love having to grab a jacket before taking our afternoon walk...college football... Glutton Day (oops, Turkey Day)... Christmas decorations (after Turkey Day)... I could go on.  I love the attitude of thankfulness others exude (that we should be doing every day of the year)... like the post from this time last year (Enduring Hope), we simply cannot be fearful and thankful at the same time. 

We continue to believe Him for complete healing. 

The Psalmist said, "When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." (Psalm 56:3).  But still even better is what Isaiah said, "I will trust and not be afraid." (Isaiah 12:2).

Hallow's Eve, guising and such.

I'll do my best to recount last night for those interested.  It was a hilarious night at the Warf household... with two 25 month-olds and one 13 month-old (oh, and three tired adults who worked all day and had queasy stomachs from eating candy at work).  Micajah was out of town with work so GG and Eleanor came up to hang with us!  GG arrived and the two little ladies had to have a pre-costume fashion show.  A sweet friend brought Avery and Eleanor one of these dresses from Spain... she loved spinning and jumping with the fringe flapping.

And Eleanor spun around in her cute tutu!

 

We all had a pizza from Fresh Market (out of guilt to eat substance over pure corn syrup, not out of hunger) and the time came for costumes to be donned.  One had no problem trying on her "Jane" dress... 

She figured out her character rather quickly.  This is her demonstrating her banshee yell while climbing a tree...no, a chair.

Meanwhile, somebody had to be bribed with little chewy candy to comply with the dress-up game.

We tried to rehearse the Tarzan yell with fists on chests but it was more like a coupla screaming monkeys.  Oh well.  (and he still wouldn't let me take his pants off).

I handed Silas and Avery their bags before we left to trick-or-treat and Avery was ready to go.  Silas looked at me with a look that said, "woman... don't you know we have a basket full of candy on the table? Why in the world are we leaving to get some?" I had no answer. Smart guy.

Ooh, I need to clean my front door glass.  Again.
Little sticky hands... I love it.

After seeing all the other kids dressed up on our street, Tarzan and Jane got more "into" their characters... good thing it was warmer outside last night.

And I mustn't forget cute Eleanor... oops, I mean Pooh! Isn't she a doll?!

Her mom even let her have a Snickers!

Aw girl, I feel your pain.

As an aside... I saw a news report this morning where a guy about 30 years old spent his evening "re-distributing" the candy amongst the kids in the neighborhood... to make sure every one had equal amounts... no matter how hard or how long someone had to work to fill up their bucket. These kids totally picked up on things and were saying "that's ridiculous. I worked hard for mine and this person just got here." "that's wrong! not fair!".  Hmm.  If only adults would be so perceptive.

Vote wisely on Tuesday.