Only 4 more treatments : )

Yeah, this week is over for us. Ivee only has 4 more radiation treatments left. Today she had another swallowing test. She failed again. I saw it really well this time. You could see it go down her esophagus and her wind-pipe. So, we are once again truly on hold from giving her anything by mouth. Dr. Merchant will probably go over things with us Monday, but I am guessing that radiation has had some affect on her body. Before she passed her other test, but while we have been here she has failed both. Well, that is what's up. Here are some pics of the kids from last night. A church group from NC has been here this week, and they had a silly string war outside the Ronald mcd house. The kids had a blast. Also, there was a magic show, and Ethan and Brittney got to participate.
Here's Britt covered in string.

This is Ethan getting in on the fun. He stayed clean some how.

Here is Ethan with his new "girl" friend, Nicholah

And here is one of the "wars".

I'll post more pics later. They had a great time. We are sooooo ready to come home. Unfortunately my house will be a total mess. Emmett is having to put all his efforts into the upstairs, so the cleanliness is suffering. Pray for me : ) I'm going to do my best to not let it get to me. It's just a house. Any hew, Ivee is still improving physically. She is just going at her own pace. I have had to come to accept that I can only give her the tools she needs. It is not my "job" to make her do anything. Plus, you can't make a 1 year old do anything she doesn't want to do. Accepting that I am not in "control" is still a gradually learning process. We learn how to let go a little at a time.

This may sound weird, but I am trying to finish the "Chronicles of Narnia" books. I tell you, sometimes it can speak to me as loudly as the Word can. That may sound a little strange, but when you have an vivid imagination, as I can sometimes, you get totally sucked into the story. Anyway, today I was reading and there is a story in there of a child named Eustace. You really can't help but to despise him. He's a snooty know it all, who doesn't if you know what I mean. Well, in the story he is transformed into a dragon, and becomes quite miserable, which changes his heart. He is unable to communicate with the others, but earns their love and favor, which he never cared about before. And one night, when he is so miserable, physically, emotionally, spiritually, felling alone, he feels like he just can't take it any more. Then Aslan, the "lion" (and through out all the stories a "savior") appears out of no where, as he usually does. Eustace is fearful, but unafraid at the same time. He tells Eustace to follow him. He takes Eustace, the dragon, to a water well. There he tells him to undress, Eustace discovers that he is meaning he needs to shed his skin like a snake does. Eustace begins to scratch the scales and skin off, then after a moment steps out of it (like a banana peal), but as he goes to step into the water, he looks again and sees scales and skin. Many times he tries to remove it himself thinking it will be the last layer, and every time there is more. After many tries, Aslan tell Eustace he will have to undress him. Submissively, Eustace allows the "lion" to begin to remove the scales and skin. The first cut felt like it pierced all the way to his heart, but Aslan is careful and removes all the scales and tough skin that does not belong, revealing Eustace the boy. Aslan then throws him the bubbling fresh well water. It hurt for a moment, and then all the pain went away. He realized he was a whole boy again. Then Aslan took Eustace from the water, and dressed him.


When I read this, I almost cried in the waiting room. How often are we taken to a place, and changed by something so much that it can be painful, but in the mist, there is peace, and towards the end we reach a realization. That we cannot change what has happened to us. We can only allow what has happened to us to change who we are, and to affect those who are around us. We can't take away our pain, or shame, but the "Lion of Judah" can. It was only then that we can rest in the peaceful water and the cleansing of that water can wash away all the pain. We are made new.

Well, I know that was lengthy, and some of you have lost interest by now. Paula, this was as long as your comments : ) You know I'm kidding, oh, and I got your package. Thanks for the gifts. Anyone who likes books of adventure, even if you don't like to read, I suggest these books. Well, if your still with me (and hopefully all I typed made sense) God Bless you, and see you all soon.
Love Hope