A Good Week

The best and most amazing news...

Ben's scans were clear. Please see their blog www.caringbridge.org/visit/towne.

To add to the week, they started taking apart our deck. A crane arrives tomorrow to move it to the other side of the house. The kids can't wait to see that!

We leave for Side by Side camp on Sunday. A lot has happened since this time last year.

Party Pics

Well, I've been holding out on party pictures knowing there are some still out there to compile, but thought I would post a few. My biggest selection was from Tate's camera that included lots of pictures of food and his friends making crazy faces. So anyways here's what I could come up with. I think for some (Jordan especially) the bubblegum was the biggest hit. It seems so long ago, but a night we will never forget.

Our summer is going well. A friend asked the other day if I felt like I was just moving on. I told her it depended on the day. There are days that we forget all about cancer and delight in the moment and other days that fear seems to overwhelm me. Hopefully those days will fade away soon. We are incredibly blessed to have a summer full of vacations. So far we have hit Metaline Falls and Spokane, Virginia Beach and are headed to Mason Lake this weekend. Next week is Side by Side camp, then Black Butte and Port Townsend. And also next week, our "extreme home makeover" starts thanks to an unbelievably generous gift. It all seems unreal.

On a little side note, I ran 5 1/2 miles on Monday with my friend Jennie. I haven't done that in 11 years! Just a little bragging moment. Hopefully all the Kidd Valley onion rings will melt away soon.

Best Summer wishes to all of you!

The Extremes of Life

We are in Virginia Beach visiting my sister and brother-in-law and are having an amazing time. The extremes of life are really something. Yesterday while Jordan played on the beach enjoying his snacks, I swam with the dolphins. Really! I swam out and was 10 feet away from a mother and baby who played in circles around me. Can we really be here? 6 months ago Jordan couldn't eat anything and sat in a hospital bed with 9 tubes in him while we worried and agonized. Today we spent 5 hours basking in the sun enjoying the beach and family. I am extremely overjoyed to be here, but also am heavy hearted for those who are still in the opposite extreme. I'm not sure what to do with all that in my mind and heart except be thankful for today.