I’m sitting by my hunny, listening to some Casting Crown, and trying to be quiet to let him rest.  I’m watching (and listening) to him sleep and just loving him so much.  As much as my heart yearns for us all to be together at home, we have been able to have some precious times together, just the two of us.  Who knew it would take cancer to get a date with my hubby!  I’m just kidding…but you have to find the humor.  We are still praying for Josiah’s white blood cell count to come up soon so he can go home before we head back to Iowa City next week.  His WBC was at zero last Thursday and he is only at a .8 today.  He needs to be at least at a 4.5 before he can go home.  God is more than able to get that to happen today, so we are praying to that end.  The kids are still doing well…although I believe Lincoln is working on more teeth, poor baby!  I’m hoping we can both get some sleep soon:)  Every night when I get to my parents house Ava comes running to the door and says exuberantly “my mom’s home!”.  It puts a smile on my face every time!  I just love my babies!

Well, Josiah is now up so I think I need to put my game face on and break out a little Four in a row!

Since I haven’t posted in a couple days, this is going to be somewhat random.  Josiah is still plugging along here at the hospital.  He has been fever free since Friday night and his WBC’s are up just a little, but his platelets were down again yesterday so he got some more of those.  They are managing his pain better which is a big blessing.  He is feeling well enough to be a little bored and his sense of humor is back which is a good thing.  He’s snarky as ever 🙂  Keep praying that he would be encouraged.  “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).  I think that does a pretty good job of describing how we are right now.

And now I’m going to switch gears and be the proud mommy…just because I want to and I can 🙂  Ava (3 yr. old) is just learning things like crazy!  Those of you that are familiar with her know that until about 6 months ago she really didn’t talk at all…now she is not only saying complete sentences, but she’s expressing her thoughts as well.  Yesterday I took the morning from being at the hospital to spend some time with the kids.  I needed some one on one time with Ava in particular.  Anyway, in the course of our morning, Ava disobeyed (I know, shocker) and I punished her and then had her sit with her hands folded in her lap to collect herself (not an uncommon sight in our house).  I was standing right there folding laundry and she just started praying that God would make her Daddy feel better.  I’m telling you, it was one of the most precious things I’ve ever heard.  We have always prayed with her, but only recently has she wanted to pray and I have never heard her pray completely unprompted like that before.  She just loves her Daddy and always wants to make sure he is OK.  I brought both of the kids to the hospital to see Josiah for a few minutes yesterday, and I think it was good medicine for everyone.  Speaking of medicine, Ava and I have been working on some memory verses (which she loves to do) and her favorite is Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine.  But a broken spirit dries up the bones”.  Ava definitely has a joyful heart and does everything with exuberance…I just want to bottle her up sometimes she’s such a joy giver!  Now on to Mr. Lincoln 🙂  I can’t believe he’s going to be 6-months old soon.  I just love this age.  He smiles at everything (especially his sister), loves rolling around and putting things in his mouth, recently found his feet (love that!), and I discovered on Saturday night that he has his first tooth!  He’s such a tenacious little boy!  He loves tenaciously and he cries tenaciously.  He’s made it known from the beginning that he just has things he needs to do.  I pray that we can help direct that energy for God’s glory.  I just love that chubby little boy…aka. Mr. Man, Buddy-Boy, Monkey, and Bubby.  Our kids couldn’t be more different, but I love that about them too.  God knew we needed kids that would go with the flow and keep smiling and having fun through it all…it’s contagious!

OK, my Mommy bragging session is over 🙂  It helps me feel closer to them.

Well, Josiah is up from his nap.  A rousing game of Phase 10 is next on the agenda I think 🙂