Happy Moments

A beautiful handmade quilt from Matt's second cousin Theresa

Finding a silver dollar in the grass in our yard

Letters from chemo angels

Total immersion in arts and crafts or pretend play

Making stuff out of carboard boxes

Mollie is like a different person once the steroids have worn off. She is content, focused, and sweet. She's busy being five and being a big sister.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sigh of Relief

Mollie woke up feeling great this morning! Yesterday, I had to pick her up early from school because she was so tired. She even took a 3 hour nap in the middle of the day! After her nap, we cleaned up her room while Lucy cooked in the play kitchen. Mollie's room seemed really cluttered, so we removed some larger items, rearranged furniture, and now it feels much calmer in there. She is saving up her money to buy a bean bag chair since she's outgrown her rocking chair.

Last night we had an interview with NBC Augusta's Bridgett Williams. It will be broadcast for the Children's Miracle Network Celebration (telethon) at the end of the month. Mollie was a little shy, but she did a pretty good job answering questions. It's hard to be put on the spot like that!

The interview caused us to reflect on the journey, how our lives have changed. For us, the changes have been mostly positive. Yes, there is always fear and the heartache of seeing your child in pain, but we don't have any control over that. What we can control is how we live. I think this experience has forged stronger bonds between us and opened our eyes to seeing the joys in each day.

Struggling with Steroids

This weekend has been challenging, to say the least. The steroids have really hit Mollie hard, and she's having some leg and jaw pain from the vincristine as well. The steroids seem to manifest themselves in Mollie as an inability to make decisions, especially about what to wear and what to eat. She gets so frustrated and we end up going around in circles and Matt and I end up getting angry. It is impossible to tell where the steroid effects end and the five-year-old exerting control begins. Tomorrow is the last day for the month and we can't wait! Three weeks and one day until the next round.

Despite the difficulties, we have managed to sneak in a little fun. Friday night, we went to a Brews, BBQs, and Blues event at a local outdoor amphitheater. Lucy had the time of her life and Mollie tolerated it. Then, Saturday, Mollie and I went to the Team in Training info session, followed by a trip to the park so the girls could play in the newly opened water park. Today, after a very tough morning, Mollie played on the trampoline at Isabella's house and we went to the Greenjackets game (Mollie ate some Dippin' Dots and then slept the whole game).

Matt and I both think it's important to encourage Mollie to get up and do things, even when she is on steroids. We don't want to push her too hard, but we don't want her to lay around the house watching TV for 5 days a month either. It is hard to find the right balance and to know how hard we can push.