In Defiance of Leukemia... We BEACH!

 Dempsey gettin' ready for the beach.

We're driving.... 

...we're driving. Daddy is so silly. You people think he's so reserved... ha! 

Unpacking the bikes and trike. 

We ride south. Dempsey in the lead (by design).

Stop for a snack and to rest little legs. 

We made it! Huntington State Beach, flood canal.

Hello, Ocean... we meet again. 

 Silliness abounds and my heart fills with joy.

Sun-protected soul mates. 

Silly Sawyer. Typical. 

Brothers in the water. My cup runneth over. 

More snacking to keep blood sugar levels acceptable. 

And back we go. 

Pedaling ALL the time on his trike is tiring! Sweet baby with his folded hands. Melts me. 

My gorgeous boy. Dempsey's journey is hard on him too. We can't forget that.

A day at the beach was just what this family needed after yesterday. The weather was perfect. The water temp was perfect. Granted, we didn't go swimming in it. It was the best day at the beach I have ever had. To see Dempsey run, jump, and traipse through the tiny waves was something dreams are made of. Well, at least my dreams these days. Today was PERFECT. It didn't matter that there were arguments, sleepy outbursts, tired legs, frustration, and whining. Nope, didn't matter. Why? Because there was also laughter, sunshine, salt water, waves, bike/ trike riding, smiles, taunting the limits of the waves, joy, exuberance, fun, family time, memories, and realizing that leukemia doesn't always limit life. Our cancer patient CAN (and should) be as normal as possible. Yes, we must watch his counts and be careful but he doesn't need to be in a bubble.

We don't know what the rest of this journey holds. We don't know what tomorrow brings. We do know he had a sh**ty day yesterday (sometimes curse words serve a purpose). We do know that he felt great today. What do you do when you are feeling great after surviving a nightmare? You LIVE!! You go. You do. You breathe in the air God has blessed you with and use the body God gave you. You stare cancer in the face and flip it the bird, with all due respect. You make memories. You scream "carpe diem" from the rooftops like those Newsies did. Well, they screamed "seize the day" but you get my drift.

**loooooonnnngggg pause for family time**

And then you try to put yourself back together after your baby starts crying and saying "My head hurts like it did at the hospital." Talk about freaking out. He ended up throwing up his dinner. Praise God that the vomit seemed to make his body feel better. He is tired and a bit weak but giggling and ready for bed.

Prayer requests:

Please for miraculous healing (I feel too weak for this long journey)

Pray against side effects

Pray against nausea

Pray against fevers

Pray against fear

Pray protection over Dempsey's body, mind, soul

Pray protection over this family

Pray protection over our marriage

Pray, dang it.... PRAY!!!

Pray to get us through this

Pray that Dempsey would be spared any more horrible moments

Pray that we will be ever more diligent about alternative healing methods and regimens

Pray for TRUTH

Pray for mercy

Pray protection over Sawyer's big brother heart and his mind (he is often under attack from the enemy's forces)

Pray as you feel led