Scatterbrained Update...

I pray as I type this that our Andrew's Army troops are well and encouraged with God's unfailing love and grace washing over each of you!  Each of you are more deeply loved than you could ever dare to imagine, so I pray that regardless of where you currently find yourself...  standing on a mountain top with breathtaking views having come on the heels of hard work shlepping up that mountain one step of faith at a time OR in a valley where you feel surrounded by the enemy on every side and some how those enemies never seem to tire (they are always well fed, well rested, and always exercising so their muscles are intimidating)?  In case you wonder where we are, we refuse to set-up camp in the valley because despite our extended stay there (like almost 6 years) it is not our home, but instead the classroom that God uses to refine us.  I guess that's why my most recent prayer has been "God what ever you are trying to teach us, please help us be quick learners and give us some reprieve."  We continue to choose to "not be afraid and believe" because we know the character of God who is the author of our life's story.  This does not mean that our life is any easier, instead I have to tell you the past 3 weeks have been brutal and relentless as Andrew's pain continues to be at an all time high, despite increasing the dose of some of his heavy pain meds (although we might be seeing some improvement, Andrew was able to stay at school for a full day two times this week, so that's a huge praise).  To give you an idea as to what type of pain meds he is on, we have to take him to see his oncologist tomorrow just so they can lay eyes on him and document that they've seen him because his oncologist and pain Dr are getting harassed by the FDA because of all the narcotics they write for Andrew (thanks to the opioid crisis in our country).  Just a quick PSA- we ALL struggle with some sort of sin (if we didn't, then we would be Jesus and that would be a whole other issue) and for some that comes in the form of addiction to pain pills.  If you, or someone you know, is battling this addiction, my heart goes out to you because I know you would give anything to get out from under it and had you known it would be this hard when you took that first pill you would have run the other direction... really fast.  The thing about this addiction that is so frustrating is that it not only negatively effects the person with the addiction and their family, but it negatively effects all the people out there who genuinely need these medications due to SEVERE chronic pain.  Andrew can barely get through the day with ALL of the pain meds he's on, so when there is a hold up on refilling his prescription because the pharmacy can't dispense what they have decided is too much at one time or refill it too soon or David and I have to feel like drug dealers anytime we are trying to proactively refill Andrew's pain meds in preparation for making sure the school has enough on hand, we won't run out while out of town, etc it sucks the life out of you (while scaring the day lights out of you at the mere thought of Andrew missing a dose of his pain meds).  I pray that anyone reading this does not take the sharing of my heart as a personal jab or judgement against you, but instead a plea to do what ever you can to help put an end to this opioid crisis.  I don't believe that vision is possible without calling on the Lord, so let's not leave Him out of this important conversation.

I apologize for getting off on a tangent, so to recap...  this has been the hardest 3 weeks of this journey yet (excluding the first 2 weeks after Andrew's diagnosis on Feb. 22nd) because Andrew has never experienced this level of pain and discouragement.  God has called me to reevaluate what I want more... His blessings (healing my boy) or Him (an intimate relationship with Him...  to know Him better).  It all relates back to leaving my boy on the alter (trusting God with his future whether that mean He chooses to heal him on this side of heaven or not) and taking him off when I get scared because I can only truly experience intimacy with God when my hands are open and willing to say "Thy will be done."  The lyrics from one of our favorite songs best sums up where I strive to let my heart and mind rest...  "your world isn't falling apart it's falling into place, stop holding on and just be held."  There is purpose for our suffering, so instead of clinging, we will be held by the One that holds our future.  Will you please continue to pray us through this lesson and this season?

The kids at Campbell Elementary raised a ton of money for TOKC (Triumph Over Kid Cancer) in honor of Andrew during Pediatric Awareness Month.  The paper dolls in the background are what the kiddos decorated as a symbol of being a part of Andrew's Army.  

This is how Andrew has been watching the Astro's play... reenacting every play!  He is not our sporty kid (which is a blessing in disguise because it would have been ever harder for him to have to give up something he loved because his body couldn't handle it), but the World Series has brought him a whole lot of smiles because its been fun to cheer Altuve (we always root for the little guys ;-) and team on as a family!

I haven't talked about Abby much lately, but she continues to be a sweetheart and pursue excellence at everything she does, whether at school, soccer, taking care of her siblings, etc.  Abby's happy place is on the soccer field and we absolutely love getting to watch her do what she loves.  Her nickname is "goose" because she's my wing girl, always ready to jump in and help where needed and eats up every second of a mommy and Abby date she can get (we try to build this time in weekly).  Will you please pray for her that she would never feel forgotten about and also that she would learn how to extend herself grace when she makes mistakes (we talk a lot about getting "better" not "bitter") or not even make a mistake, but not perform to her fullest potential?  It's hard for me to even imagine how a 10 year old is able to process and navigate this incredibly difficult journey, much less to do it with so much grace, but she does and does it so well (praise be to God and God alone). Thank you for praying for our sweet girl!

Here is Abby expressed in pictures this weekend...

This is the only pic I have of Abby playing soccer this weekend 😂...  in the middle of the pic you can see Abby and the girl she was defending.  Can you tell why we always root for the little guys/girls😉.  She may be tiny, but she is fierce!

 Playing basketball with the big boys at our church's Fall Festival!  This kid only has one speed...  full out fever...  ALWAYS!  These pics were taken before the game got serious.

 Helping Grace play games...

 Helping Grace at Gigi's Playhouse...

Watching David play soccer...

Grace continues to keep us on our toes as always...  On Wednesday at swim lessons she slipped off the step while she was playing, waiting for her turn, and went under water.  The mom of the sweet boy she was taking lessons with had a better view of her than I did and immediately yelled her name, so I ran over, stepped in the pool, and plucked her out.  Grace didn't cough or anything after I pulled her out (although she did cry because naturally she was scared), so we don't think she inhaled any water (proud of her for holding her breath that whole time, as she worked to try to get back on the step), but to say it was mortifying is an understatement.  Grace has developed a cough, so we took her to the ER last night to get a chest x-ray, just to make sure she wasn't developing pneumonia or unhappy lungs from her scary underwater experience.  Praise the Lord everything looked fine.  PRAISE THE LORD for His constant protection and provision for this kid!!!

Fall Festival fun...

Grace loving her time at Gigi's Playhouse!

Last weekend we had our second annual, hugely successful gala for Gigi's Playhouse!  Thank you to all that have supported Gigi's Playhouse, it is truly changing the lives of those with Up's as well as those that serve our kiddos and their families!

Our amazing board!

My hot date...

Some of my favorite people posing for Prom 2017!

Thank you, Andrew's Army, for hanging on through this crazy ride along with us!  Please continue to join us in praying that we will "not be afraid and believe!"  Believe that God can and will find a way to heal our boy!