Some Fun Stuff from the Mouth of Dempsey... and Pics

This afternoon, Dempsey and Sawyer went to Farmer Boys with Granny and Granddad. After some amazing discussion yesterday, Dempsey decided he would NOT eat Farmer Boys food (he didn't want to "lose his strength"- as he flexed his guns) and would instead eat "home food" (food from home) at Farmer Boys while the others ate their FB lunch.

So, the trip to FB led to Dempsey eating a PB&J, cheese crackers, and strawberries. But he didn't eat those items. Nope. He ate (aka imagined) them to be other foods. Ex: PB&J = burger; cheese crackers = french fries; strawberries = ketchup.

His mind is always spinning with such creativity. I often wonder what excess is splattered against his brain walls and the creativity whirls around in there like the drum of a washer.
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At the dinner table, amid conversation, Dempsey says... "I'm 2 couch cushions tall."

For reference, he means he is two couch cushions from Granny and Granddad's house tall. LOL
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A few days ago, Jake asked Dempsey to put his shoes on. Dempsey's retort was, "On one condition... why do I have to put shoes on?"
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He really does keep us on our toes. The way he's picking up American idioms is quite surprising and fun because we never know when they will pop out.

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Trampoline fun!

Best. Investment. Ever.

Talias. Always Talias.

That hair! 

Dempsey-doo all snuggled up with one of the most awesomest blankets we were blessed with by Mommy's friend Raichel at Fur Accents. Go, check them out!

  

Dempsey helped make Strawberry Shortcake.

The boys had an incredible opportunity with our homeschool co-op to release doves.

Dempsey's ready to head to CHOC for his procedure day.

This kid LOVES his procedure days. I wish I did.

One of our favorite Child Life peeps- Ashley. This lovely lady is brewing TWINS!

Send some prayers and love her way, will ya.

Dr. Cherrin! Our favorite anesthesiologist.

We are STILL at it. Supplementing this kid like you would not believe- morning and night.

Holistic care (at-home protocols) costs us at least $1,000 per month!!

We still need your help.

Relentless.

Wave after wave... they keep coming. Relentless. An almost daily reminder that we cannot afford this journey on our own. We depend on the Body. We depend on God's economy to see us through.

If you have been a part of this journey in a financial way, I pray the Lord blesses you tenfold.

It often feels like I am the woman who is asked for her lasts... the very thing that will leave her with nothing. But she gives in faith. So, in faith we pour out the monies that God has provided and our bills are met. Our needs are met.

It is a tightrope walk- the managing of Dempsey's funds while working to take care of all of us in a self-care manner. We need the fun stuff too, otherwise this journey grows dim. The emotions of this journey are as varied as the humans that have joined us on it.

January's Beads of Courage

Dempsey's January set from Beads of Courage at CHOC.

This is one way we can find beauty amidst an ugly journey. Each bead tells a story.

Black beads symbolize pokes (needle through skin for any reason).

Blue symbolizes a clinic visit.

White symbolizes chemo.

There are 31 white beads. Why? Because he gets chemo EVERY DAY.

Dempsey doesn't care about the beads. "I" care about the beads! This journey is about each one of us, not just the patient. Each one of us- father,mother, brother- have given something, have had something robbed from us, and have also been blessed beyond measure.

God is so kind. He allows pain, suffering, trials and always offers fresh dew to our parched souls through words of encouragement... stitches across our broken hearts with each financial gift we receive... nourishment to our weary bodies in the form of time with good, intentional friends... hope through His Word.

I challenge you to find the beauty amidst your yuck today.