Thursday, April 16, 2009

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.

16 comments:

Reagan Leigh said...

I'm so glad that you are having some relaxing time at home with everyone. I sure wish you would come to my house and organize my chaotic house (and life)! But really, I hope at some point you and Zoey can make the trip to visit your sister and pop in to see us! Or maybe come to visit us and pop in on your sister?!?! Thinking of you often,
Tera

Stephanie said...

I could seriously just inhale joe and Zoey in one quick breath,what super pictures, and how lucky are you with your soon to be house guests!Sounds like so much fun,maybe they won't want to leave.I like this post Heather, you sound happy again. Kisses and hugs, Stephanie

Bea Braun said...

Soooo cute!!! Zoey is absolutely darling. Lucky Ava is going to get some adorable hand me downs. Glad to hear you guys are getting to spend fun quality time together. It's usually those quiet, do-nothing moments that are the best. And lucky Jessica and Matt to have you guys to help them out. Sounds wonderful to have them all under the same roof.

We're keeping Zoey in our prayers.

Bea

Unknown said...

Hey there my friend...so glad you've had kids this week, home with you, watching movies, enjoying those quiet, sweet moments with your kids. LOVE the photos. Love the top picture and how Zoey has her little legs crossed and joe looks so content, and Kurt and I laughed at the sweet photo of Zoey...such cute bunny ears and such a happy expression...both brought smiles to our faces. Glad you are all doing well! My prayers continue to be with you all as well as my love and friendship!

Anonymous said...

Enjoyable moments, enjoyable photos - glad you are having a good, fun week Heather.

How sweet - Zoey looking up at Taylor while she reading her new storybook to her.

Take care

Bluebelle

Anonymous said...

Making order out of chaos, so that is what "puttering" is. That's what I always call it. No question that it is therapy... Taylor is prettier every day and the beauty is also radiating from the inside. Zoey is just the little bunny princess, and Joe, what can we say, just Joe! Thinking of you all, get some rest! Christi Harman

Kisses For Noah said...

Heather~ you are such an inspiration! I'm sure you hear that often but I mean that with the most sincere heart :) I love reading your words because you paint such a vivid picture of both the blessings and challenges your family faces. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Your family (and most especially Ms. Princess Zoey) are in my daily prayers. (((hugs))))

The Hearne Family said...

Dear Heather and Miss Zoey,

I am with you as I feel your excitement; the end is just around the corner! Summer 2009 is going to be full of special family moments and lots of sunshine!

Hugs & continued prayers,
Tish & family

Kele said...

LOVE hearing you guys are having some good, easy times. REALLY love the pictures, all of them! And I think I need to get with that friend of yours who was doing the picture collages for you, the one who turned into a flake and hasn't done the last two?!?! Yeahc, I need to tell her to get busy again, because that bunny picture deserves front and center of round 4's collage!!

Cheri said...

okay...those are such cute pictures! The one of Zoey looking so sweetly up at Taylor needs to be framed, just precious! I love how her little feet are crossed, Reid does that too and it always makes me smile... and Zoey is looking so big in the bunny picture! Joe, what a crack up! :)

So glad you are able to rest and relax and just enjoy being home without having to do the juggle of running back and forth to CHLA...and having time to tackle some projects too, that always feels so good.

I'm so glad your husband was able to take a couple days off too, you all need this down time!

Scrappy quilter said...

I too am so glad you are having some relaxing time at home. It's wonderful to read. Zoey is absolutely priceless in those bunny ears. I so enjoy reading your blog and sharing in Zoey's life in this small way. Continued prayers for her. Hugs..

Anonymous said...

Just checking-in...I am refreshed and encouraged reading about your family. Thank you.

My prayers are being answered.

Barbara

Jennifer Ortiz said...

You and your daughter are so inspirational to me. Throughout all she goes through she always has that beautiful smile on her face!!!

Victoria Strong said...

OHHH! She looks so darling in those bunny ears! And I love the photo of the story reading -- her loving gaze at super sister! Thinking of you guys.

MJMILLS said...

too cute! glad to hear you are doing so well at home. please please let me know if you got the shirt with the bag that i sent awhile back, knotyladee@aol.com. I need to call the company if you never got the shirt. I know you have better things to do, but I want to make sure zoey gets the shirt! thanks!

Hi, I'm Alysha -But you can call me Lysh said...

I just found your blog thru a fellow Reece's Rainbow blog and I just have to say..what an amazingly uplifting blog :) Your beautiful Zoey's life is an insperation for sure!! You all will be in my prayers~Here's to many more moments of enjoyment! :)