Monkey Boy

We have had just an awesome weekend - actually a great few days. Mike's strength has been such a blessing after the extra blood this week. I have to say, that I never gave much thought to blood donation prior to this cancer walk, but now I am going to be a donor for life. I am sure the blood donor has no idea what he or she gave to us. But it is huge.

So we spent the weekend doing family stuff. Elizabeth had softball practice. She is excited about her new team here. They are called the Yellow Jackets and they will be getting cool yellow and black ring socks. Her games will start in April and run through the middle of June. So that will keep us busy a few nights a week. On Saturday, we took a shopping outing together as a family. We went to the new Super Target, Big Lots, and Tuesday Morning. Mike did go. We load up the wheel chair and Elizabeth and I take turns pushing him around. The funniest thing happened at the Super Target.

Mike wears this heavy duty germ mask when we go to public indoor places. It is somewhat round and has a silver bar that you squeeze to conform to his nose. This is just to protect him from germs. He also wears this black stocking hat to cover his bald head. So we are pushing him through the toy section at Target and this little 2 -3 year old boy points at Mike and says, "Look Mommy. There is a Monkey!" His mother was appalled but we laughed, because he kind of looks like one. Plus, Mike has this on-going thing with me when I ask him to do too much. He will tell me he is not my "Monkey Boy" and then he will make great monkey noises. That little boy's comment just made us laugh. So today when we got out of the car for church, I said, "Come on Monkey Boy". It's my new pet name I think.

It has been a good week for the most part. We have laughed together at a few things and it has been awhile. We also seem to be having more real everyday conversations. It is so heavenly or of heaven. I don't know where we are in the battle of this cancer, but this is a nice stretch. To have family time, nice weather, and laughter. Life is blessed.

Today, we finally took Elizabeth to Town Lake Park. We also took the dog. We walked around the lake, bought duck food, fed the ducks, watched the turtles, and got some much needed sunshine. Actually we had quite the "small town" Texas Sunday. We went to church, went to the park, and then drove through Dairy Queen!

We also got a visit today from my Uncle Dick. It was very cool. We were able to help him reconnect with one of his fellow Army soldiers from Vietnam. He hasn't talk to him in 40 years, but told us stories. He found out he lived in TX and we were able through the internet to track him down to Boerne, TX. Dick called him and they talked and he will be meeting him in Denton on Tuesday. They haven't seen each other in a long time and both were reluctant to hang up the phone. When they did, Dick broke down in tears. He was so happy. He said, "It is so hard to explain." Mike and I both told him we understood. It is hard to explain to anyone outside the military circle, but their are times when your fellow soldiers (airmen or whatever) become family. We understand the tears, because it is the exact same way we feel every time we get a phone call, email, posting or visit from those we have served with.

Finally, Mike has been eating small things for a few days now. Not a lot, but bites here and there. He even ordered chicken nuggets at DQ (he ate 1) and had a bite of my dipped cone. I know everyone will recognized the miracle in that last sentence.

Tomorrow is Chemo... (sigh).... But tonight is a blessing!

Prayer Needs:
Our house in FL to sell
Mike to develop a hunger
Mike to drink more
Chemo that it will only attack the cancer cells and kill them permanently and that the side effects will be minimum
Financial Wisdom
Spring Break - Elizabeth is off school next week. I want to pray that we will have the strength to do some local outings with Mike and that we will not be consumed with Medical Issues and appointments.

Praise:
Children
Unspeakable Joy of watching Elizabeth feed the ducks
A roof over our heads
Uncle Dick's visit from MN this afternoon
US Military
Blood Donors