Enjoying the moments ....

This week the boys and Taylor have been off for spring break.How great it has been to be able to relax and do absolutely nothing.No hectic schedules,no early rising,no lunch making and most of all,no driving to CHLA.Having Zoey home this week has been such an incredible added bonus to it all.Although we can't actually go and do much of anything,this time together,has been just what we all needed.I have watched 4 movies with the kids this week.More movie viewing in a short time period,then the entire last two years.I have managed to do some spring cleaning and organizing too.Jess and Matt both graduate from Pepperdine in 2 weeks and both will be moving in here for a bit until they get established at their new jobs and have some money saved to venture out on their own.No small feat in today's economy.I will selfishly love having them here.In fact it is my underhanded way of starting that compound that I talk about so often!Space is at a premium around here though, so I have had to do some creative space making.I actually love organizing,weird I know,so it has hardly seemed like work.I love taking chaos and making order.I think it's the control freak in me.The boys have had swimming lessons every morning this week.Taylor and I have switched off taking them and staying with Zoey and today,Mark surprised us and took the day off.Tomorrow too.I so wish we could go and do things as a family unit but no can do.At least Mark will be here and try to squeeze in a few fun things with the boys.Taylor heads to San Diego this weekend to go to Sea World and visit Caitlin and Danny.Matt has his senior Volleyball game tomorrow night and with his parents in Chicago, I will go and be stand in mom.So we have a few things going on here and there.Zoey and I have transitioned to being home effortlessly this time around.Makes me realize how ready I am to reclaim our lives.Zoey is doing well.No cough and only a slight remnant of a stuffy, runny nose.She is tired though.With each passing round you see how much of a toll the last almost 6 months have taken on her.I think I see it the most because I am with her the most.I cannot wait to be able to bring her out into the sunshine.Take her for walks.Get her back into the world again.The home stretch is here.Monday we head back for labs.I am certain she will not be anywhere near ready for the final round.Chances are round 5/6 will begin around the second week in May.I have to pause sometimes and think about this journey we have traveled since October.I have to speak out loud : My child had cancer.My child had leukemia.My child is in remission and is winning this latest unfathomable to most,battle.The last two years have been riddled with fight after fight.War waged on so many levels.Each one Zoey has faced and triumphed.This can be no different.I have no idea what God has in store for us all.For Zoey.But I do know that this life,Zoey's life,has changed us and our family in indescribable ways.Magical,joyous,beautiful ways.Heart wrenching,difficult,inexplicable ways.This week I have lived my moments knowing that normal or a new normal, is within my grasp.Once again I feel capable and confident.And that,quite frankly, scares me.I have stopped just short of comfortable because each time I have found myself dwelling in that particular comfort zone,Miss Zoey has decided to shake me loose from that place.For now, I will take capable and confident and thank God for bestowing that on me.I thank Him for that and so much more daily and I especially thank you all,Zoey's own personal fan club for praying for her and the rest of us, as we continue to make our way through our days.

* Zoey in her little bunny ears that came from her friend Gwendolyn.Gwendolyn's mom,Victoria,also sent a beautiful book called "Thisbe's Promise".I love children's books and this one has gorgeous illustrations and more importantly an amazing message.Zoey sat with Taylor so sweetly as she read it to her.You can go here and purchase the book and the proceeds go towards a foundation in honor of Thisbe and her brother Noah who suffered from a motor neuron disorder.My very favorite part of the package was a picture of Gwendolyn in her bunny ears and her darling hand print on a card.Thank you Strong family.We will treasure all of it, always.
*The picture of Joe just cracked me up.He was listening to his ipod,loudly I might add ...and just passed out ... just as you see him.Classic picture I thought.