Friday, July 1st

Wow!  Can you believe it’s July already?  Crazy!  Although with everything going on right now, I love that time is flying by.  When all this is done, I hope it goes by very slow so I can enjoy every minute.  I hope I don’t take it for granted ever again.  🙂  Sorry I haven’t written much lately.  It’s so hard this time of year.  It’s so nice out – finally – and since it is light outside so late, I tend to forget what time it is. 

Let’s see…..Tuesday, both my sisters, sister-in-law, their kids, me and the boys went to Charlton Park.  It’s a neat park that has all the old buildings set up like an old town that you can tour through.  Very fascinating!  The highlight of our day?  My sister Liz made strawberry shortcake for dinner.  Yes, you read that right.  My family eats strawberry shortcake for dinner.  We always have and I hope that’s a tradition that never stops.  🙂 

Wednesday was kind of  a crazy day.  Jacob and I had to get up early and be at the hospital by 8:30 for Jacob to get his counts checked.  They were ok.  All but his white blood cells and ANC okay.  His wbc were very low.  Hard to tell with how well he was feeling.  We had to hang around Grand Rapids for a couple more hours because we had an appointment with the radiation oncologist at 12:45.   Well, I had a crazy idea Tuesday that we were going to head back up north after the appointment Wednesday.  Why not, right? We were missing Ken like you wouldn’t believe and we didn’t have to be back until the following Tuesday night.  So, after Jacob’s appointment, Rachel met us at the hospital and brought Caleb so we could just leave right from there.  We ended up leaving Grand Rapids around 3:15 and got home at 10:00.  The trip went very well.  The kids did really good and no whining!  🙂  We made pretty good time, I thought, since we had to make 3 stops.  IT’S SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!

Thursday Ken had to work, of course, so the boys just lounged around and I did laundry – lots of it!  And just tried to put things away and get unpacked.  It’s too bad that Ken has to work every day but Sunday, but at least we get to see him.   Today was just grocery day.  Ran into Marquette for some food.  Hoping to get to the beach tomorrow when Ken gets home from work.  AuTrain….here we come!  Our favorite beach!!  Sunday, our only day that we’re all here together, we have to run to Marquette to get Jacob’s blood counts checked.  Why Sunday?  I do not know.  I asked for Monday, but no!  So, in the morning, we have to run in to MGH.  If his counts are low, then we have to stay for a transfusion.  Not what I want to be doing with our only full day with Ken.  Also mad that we’re going to miss church.  So please pray that his counts are high so that we can have a wonderful day and enjoy our day together – not inside a hospital. 

Monday, Ken has to work, so the boys and I will probably head to Marquette for the parade and then head to Trenary for the fireworks.  Our favorite place to be on the 4th.  Tuesday, we have to head back downstate.  🙁  A very quick trip, but with all the stress there’s been lately, we needed to come up.  Even if it was for just a few days.  Not sure when we’ll be able to make it up again, so wanting to make the most of it now.  Wednesday, Jacob will have his PET Scan in Grand Rapids.  Please pray for a clear scan!  Thursday we have to head back to Grand Rapids for Jacob to get his counts checked and Friday, we have to go back to Grand Rapids again for Jacob’s MRI and Bone Scan.  Very busy week!  And lots of driving.  Not my favorite thing to do, but it will be nice to get the tests done and see where Jacob’s at.

Please be praying for Jacob’s tests next week.  Pray that his counts will be higher on Sunday so he won’t have to have another transfusion.  Also, please pray for us as a family.  We really appreciate them.  Things have been very stressful lately and only God can change that!  We need Him now more than ever!  He’s such an awesome God!!!  Never leaving our sides through this whole ordeal.  We’re just gonna keep trusting HIM!

Happy 4th of July everyone!  Enjoy your time with family and friends!  Never ever take them for granted!