Just Like Daddy

After we had eaten dinner, we had 45 minutes until TJ's bathtime/bedtime routine. Jesse has been wanting to cut the grass, but we have had such little rain that he has been holding off. Finally, a few days ago, it rained. Trent and I went outside to play while Jesse was mowing the lawn. At first, he held my hand and observed the whole scenario. He'd wave and talk every time Jesse went by. Then, he got braver and started walking after Jesse. He followed him up and down the lines Jesse was creating. He slowly decreased the distance between Jesse and him. When Jesse was doing the last little bit of our yard, Trent had made it so he was basically between Jesse's legs. So Jesse picked him up and they mowed the last part together!

Mowing Together

Caring Bridge Site

Sue has started a Caring Bridge site to help keep everyone informed on how she is feeling, how the treatments are going, etc. You can access it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/suekeller

One of the nice things about caring bridge is that you can enter your email address and it will send you a notification every time she updates it.

15 month checkup

TJ had his 15 month checkup today. He is growing like a weed! He is 33 inches tall, weighs 27 pounds, and his head circumference is 19 inches. This puts him in the 90th percentile for height, the 70th percentile for weight and the 70th percentile for head circumference. Anyone that has been reading this blog a while knows that we have been consistently in these percentiles since day one. He is right on track developmentally and is very healthy. So thankful!

Lesson in Futility and a Surgery Date

This week, I did a really thorough house cleaning. Not just 'going through the motions' cleaning, but really made sure everything got cleaned. I even started tackling/organizing the guest room, which will shortly be turning into Trent's room. But the house never stays that way, not even for a second. It's like the dogs and Trent see it as a personal challenge. I wash the windows and Trent determines that five minutes after I wash them is the optimal time to bang on them. I wash the floors and the dogs feel that's the optimal time to run their muddy feet on them or a sippy cup drips milk across the floor... Most of the time, it doesn't bother me and other days I have to remind myself that I'm cleaning for cleanliness and not for spotlessness because spotlessness will probably never happen. It's a regular lesson in futility, but I wouldn't change a thing!

Sue's surgery date has been set. She is having surgery on August 4th to remove the tumor in her colon.

The 'Regular' Vocab Words

Trent is getting more verbal each day. I am sure there are things he's saying that we just don't realize are words yet. He also tries to repeat things we say. Here are some of the ones we hear everyday:

Hi

Bye

Ma (Muh Muh)

Dad (Da da)

Milk (Mik)

More (Maw)

Ball (Baw)

Outside (Sighed)

I'm sure there are some words that I'm forgetting. He is so good at expressing exactly what he wants that sometimes I don't even realize if he's using words or not!

Having children is so much fun. It seems like each stage is more fun than the last. How can it possibly keep getting better?! I probably won't be saying that when they're going through their teenage years, but for now, I am absolutely loving it!

Doctors Appointments and a Plan

Dale and Sue had meetings today with the various doctors that will be assisting with Sue's treatment. She is really blessed to have some great doctors. A friend of mine used to work with one of Sue's doctors and I asked her what he was like. Her response was, "He's fabulous. He is very smart and compassionate." Definitely what you want to hear when someone is talking about your doctor!

Sue has two treatment options. The first option is to have chemo, wait for the tumor and liver spots to shrink, and then have two surgeries to remove the liver spots and colon mass. The second option is to remove the colon mass, then after she recovers from that surgery, start the chemo to shrink the liver spots. Once they are smaller, have a second surgery to remove the liver spots. It sounds like they are leaning towards the second option.

Both Dale and Sue were optimistic and had a sense of relief after meeting with the doctors today. Both doctors took their time to explain the procedures and answer all of the questions that were asked of them.

I read this verse today and it seemed applicable for the current situation.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thes 5:16-18)

Thank you all your prayers and sweet comments. I know everyone in the family appreciates them!

Not the News We Wanted to Hear

Sue called the doctor for the results from her biopsy last week. We were all hoping that the mass in her colon was benign and that the liver spots were nothing to worry about it. Instead, we found out that she has stage 4 colon cancer and that the cancer has spread to her liver.

Sue has felt an overwhelming sense of peace and strength from God throughout this whole ordeal, but especially after hearing yesterday's news. It's like it's overflowing from her. For that, I'm very grateful.

Please continue to pray for Sue. We all hope for healing and know that God can and does perform miracles when he chooses. We don't understand why this is happening, but pray that God can use her and will be honored through it. Please continue to pray for the rest of the family as well as we adjust to what this means in the upcoming days.

They have a meeting with the doctor today to further discuss the situation and treatment options. Please pray for the doctors as they make decisions regarding her care.