Miracles Happen

I probably should have just written on the blog as soon as the party for Odette was over.  However, it was late and I was tired and knew that I had to be up at 5:30 so I could leave in time to get Odette in for surgery in the morning.  I was so excited about the nights events that I couldn't fall asleep.  The Celebration for Odette was more than exciting and way more awesome than what I ever could have imagined!

Obviously I am ecstatic about her wonderful news and have been for a while.  But it was totally awesome to me to see and hear how many people were just as happy for the news as I.  I have always known that our family had a lot of people loving, serving, praying and supporting us through the last 14 months, but to see the people in person was, quite frankly, overwhelming.  And not everyone was even there!  There were so many that live miles away, had jobs to be to and sick children of their own.  WOW...this is the only word I can think of to express my feelings. 

Anyway, onto the party.  We had lots of ice cream and pretty much every topping imaginable.  Just as promised!  It was super duper yummy.  Of course I am a little biased because this is my favorite dessert ever!  We went through 18 half gallons of ice cream!  (Thanks to you who helped out in that area!)  And Odette loved the food as well...maybe she at a little too much because she was wired afterwards!

I also had gotten some balloons for the party.  100 orange balloons.  Each balloon represented 4 days of cancer fighting.  Yes, she was fighting cancer for 390 days.  (I know, 100 is a little too many, but a couple popped when I brought them home and some were hanging down on the stop sign to show people where to turn so we were at the right number by the time the party came.) We passed them out to as many people as we could, counted down from 10 and let go of all the balloons.   
WE SAID GOODBYE TO CANCER! 
It was so cute to watch Odette let go of her balloon and wave goodbye to it!  We had some purple balloons for her to keep because purple is the cancer survivor color.  (Guess I need to get some new Bad Hair Day shirts ordered and up!)

It was an awesome sight to see.

And it brought to mind very strongly that

MIRACLES HAPPEN!

Dr. Visit

Odette has to go to the oncology doctor once a month.

We check labs.

See how she is, or isn't growing.

Visit our friends.

Get to GO HOME after each visit!

This visit we found out:

Odette didn't gain weight, but she didn't loose any either!  (Pretty good considering her diet is ranch dressing, chocolate and mac'n cheese.)

Odette's counts look wonderful and she is almost "normal".

Odette isn't a baby anymore.

Odette's hair is about an inch long.

Odette is still loved by lots of wonderful people.

Odette doesn't like the hospital graham crackers.

Odette still likes to empty the box of gloves all over the floor.

Odette gets to get her port out on Wednesday!

Hurray for our little fighter...who is probably a lot bigger than me in many ways.

Vacation

When Odette got sick, we were told to not go further than two hours from the hospital. This meant that we were not going to be going on any vacations further than our own backyard for a while.  (Fortunately there are a lot of things to do in our "backyard" for the older kids.)  So when Odette got the all clear and my parents called and said they wanted to see the kids, we were on our way to Arizona.  Yes, even the heat of that place wasn't enough to make me turn back!  We were going!

ARIZONA WAS WONDERFUL!

(I could go on an on about it, so here is a quick recap.)

WE:

• SWAM A LOT!  (At least twice a day.)
• did some artwork
• played with a gigantic ball
• decorated Grandma's library at school
• played the Wii
• ate lots of yummy food--even Odette did!
• went to the movies
• had sleepovers with cousins
• made forts
• read some books
• a little bit of shopping for school clothes
• got lots of hugs and kisses
• rode on an airplane for the first time (Odette)
• slept a little bit
• learned how to make the biggest splashes in the pool
• "cliff" diving
• played with a dog
• Bahama buck's snow cones--the best!
• did dishes
• tried to dunk the uncles in the water without much luck!

We had so much fun, we can hardly wait to go back for Thanksgiving when everyone will be there!!  Hurray for family and a much needed vacation!

ITS A CELEBRATION!

It’s a CELEBRATION!

Come and help us celebrate the end of one “rocky road” and Odette’s good news of

CANCER FREE!

Tuesday, August 17^th

7:00 pm at the park on Lake Mountain Drive

(3663 Lake Mountain Drive, Saratoga Springs)

We will be having ice cream with ALL imaginable toppings!  If you have a favorite topping you would like to bring and share, please do. 

Otherwise, just come and enjoy!

This is our way of saying Thank you.  Thank you to everyone who did so much to help us over the past 14 months.  There is no way I could ever write enough thank you cards.  There are so many of you that have done stuff that I don’t know who you are.  Your prayers and thoughtfulness have not gone unnoticed! 
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!