There's no place like home

We are so glad to be at home for a few days. We will know exactly how long we will be here once we hear from the doctor on Wednesday. Dave is feeling pretty good. He had some swelling in his leg on Saturday that was due to our ridiculously long drive on Friday. We did have it checked out just to make sure it wasn't something serious. We enjoyed going to Grace Felowship Sunday and then spent some time with family on Sunday afternoon. Today I have been doing some outside work. It feels so good to be doing normal stuff. We will update as soon as we know a plan.

Friday...what a day

Still waiting!! The surgeons were not at the meeting on Thursday so Daves case could not be presented. They will present it on Tuesday afternoon. So we should know something Wednesday.

Soooo.....instead of waiting this out in Houston, we packed up and we are almost home. We left around noon on Friday and it was an interesting day to say the least. We forgot about Mardi Gras.....I 10 was a nightmare. Then we ran into some rain. As I type we are still 5 hours from home and it is 11:04. We were delayed 3 hours by the traffic on I 10. But we are so looking forward to being at home for a little while. When the nurse called and said we wouldn't know anything till at least Wednesday, we packed in a mad rush and were out the door in 30 minutes. We have talked to several of you on our way today, but really wanted it to be a complete surprise that we were coming home. So SURPRISE!!! by the time this is posted we will be home sweet home or very close to home. We are gonna enjoy being at our house, going to church, and hopefully seeing some of you. Dave is still going to have to be careful to avoid getting sick. He is only a week out from chemo and his numbers were still kinda low. If he gets sick he will have to fly back to Houston and he really wants to be home for a while. Now for a few hours of sleep.

What we've been up to this week

We did not hear from the doctor today.  They were meeting this afternoon so we will probably know something in the morning.  We will find out if he starts radiation or continues with chemotherapy and when his  appointment with the surgeon will be.  I'll update as soon as we know.  We have gotten kinda used to waiting :)  We can see an end in sight and it has been a good week. 

After Dave's doctor apppointment on Tuesday, we went to the Museum of Natural Sciences.  It's free on Tuesday afternoons :) yay for free.  It is an awesome museum.  We will definitly be going back. 

this guy knew a lot about dinosaurs.....we were all mesmerized

Abby holding fossilized dinosaur poop.....she was not thrilled about it

strike a pose in front of the big dinosaur

he loves to pose by statues

 It has been absolutely beautiful here!  The kids have been swimming almost everyday.  We have been going outside to do our school work.  I even got a little sunburned yesterday.  The girls do a good job of getting their work done.....Samuel is somewhat distracted by the pool, birds, airplanes, people.....just about everything.


what a life......school work by the pool....ummmm where is Samuel?

Good News...finally

A quick update....then we are off to spend a fun day with the kids!!

The tumor has shrunk...a little.  Dr. Ravi will present Dave's case to the radiation oncologist and surgeon on Thursday.  They will decide then if he will have radiation.  We should know more on Thursday or Friday.  Then he should be scheduled to see the surgeon next week.  If they don't choose to radiate, he may have one more round of chemo.  Dr. Ravi told Dave to be proud that he had 70% of this behind him.  Needless to say this was the best visit we have had with him so far.  He said it is usually a 5 week wait on surgery because of the busy schedules of the surgeons.  So that would put Dave having surgery early to mid April.  Thanks to all of you who have prayed fervently for us!! 




 
We are at MDA now waiting on Dave to be called back for his scan. He has finished his labs and x-rays and now we wait.  His prep begins at 5:40 and the scan is scheduled for 7:40.  We will see Dr. Ravi at 9 am tomorrow.  Dave is very weak right now.  We are not sure why his energy level is so low.   The past two weeks have been difficult ones for him.  I will post an update as soon as we know something in the morning.  Thanks for waiting with us.

 I wanted to leave you today with a portion of a devotion that our sweet and encouraging friend Anna Lee sent us today.





 .....teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20





Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. --Frances do Sales

yeeehawww.....pictures from the rodeo parade

not sure why this little cowboy was frowning

after the parade....we had a good time....not sure why Erin looks unhappy

there's her pretty little smile

Abby got a good spot to watch the parade

Mama was snapping some pictures too

Mama can we please go swimming??

Why sure!!! Go right ahead and jump in. That's not what I said at first..but I did finally give in and let them swim. We did our school work outside this morning.  It was a beautiful day. It probably got close to 80 degrees here. After we were done with school, and after minutes of begging..I gave in and they all three jumped in the pool with their clothes on. We later went to the apartment and let them put swim suits on. So they actually went for a swim twice today.  I thought the water felt rather chilly, but the kids had a great time swimming....in February...that is CRAZY!



My three little monkey's

  Dave has had a rough couple of days.  He was up most of last night and slept a lot today.  He had his Neulasta injection tonight.  Please pray that he will not have the back pain he usually has after this injection.