In a nutshell

Here goes my lame attempt at catching up on our blog...

This last round of chemo for Keith has been the easiest thus far. Partly because we are getting the hang of how to best medicate him during the day and at night and mostly because one of the chemo drugs was cut in half this time which obviously lessened the affects on his body. They cut the dose in half because of the damage it is causing Keith's hearing. We were told months ago to expect him to need hearing aids due to both radiation and chemotherapy and we've reached that point. Because he still has several months to go in treatment, they felt it wise to reduce his dose and lessen the chance of further auditory damage. We have chosen to wait on fitting Keith for hearing aids. This will be a lifelong thing for him and we want it to be as positive of an experience as possible. He hears fine one-on-one right now and since he's not in school it isn't too much of an issue yet. Besides that, Keith is doing incredibly well. He travels all over the house on his own accord. He still mostly scoots but he has plenty of energy to scoot all day long. In fact, he prefers it to being carried. We love to see him embrace his autonomy and get himself to where he wants to go. He has adjusted to his new "boots" (Ankle-Foot Orthotics--A.F.O's) and wears them during all waking hours which was our goal. (At night he wears a pair of old casts now transformed into splints.) For awhile, that was a challenge but like everything else thus far, Keith has overcome that obstacle. 

Keith and I during his first of two blood transfusions last month.

Keith, discovering that part of his new AFO's are magnetic, thus proving their Superhero-ness!

Keith embracing his new best form of P.T. Yes, we let him ride in the house and anywhere else he has energy to ride!

In addition to cramming himself in strange and tight spaces, Cole continues to crack us up every single day with his delightful insights about life. For example, "Dad, does eating Smarties make you smart?"

"Mom, do you like marshmallows in your cereal? I like marshmallows in my cereal. Uh-huh. They're awesome."

"Dad, I'm just going to sit here in front of the fire and think about my Superheroes."

"Mom, who do you think would win between Iron Man and Dormammu?"

"Dad, who do you think would win between Rudolf and Santa?" (These conversations can go on for several minutes and mostly without Cole pausing to take a breath.) He's also mildly obsessed with the number 4 now that he is 4 years old.

I'm wildly obsessed with him. He makes me laugh every single day.

Cole squeezing "Baby Eddie".

Cole meditating about his Superheroes.

And Ally, where do I begin to describe this beautifully difficult creature? She absolutely insists on dressing herself which often gets her in situations like the following two pictures. She refuses any help and apparently prefers to tie herself in knots rather than accept our assistance. And yes, often her underwear is outside her clothing because she crams both legs into one leg-hole. But hey, she did it herself, right? Her favorite catch-phrase is "I DO IT!" And yes, it's always spoken in capital letters.

Ally loves to pretend she is going running with my gear. We all say goodbye and then once she reaches the door and comes back she announces to everyone, "I'm home! Ally home!"

For all her individuality and "personality" we'll call it, she is perceptive of the needs of others. Whenever Keith is crying for a drink, she's the first to find his cup and bring it to him. And when Brent is icing his foot (more on that in a minute) she is the first to say, "What happen Dada? Yo foot hutt?" Lately, she's the only one to provide Brent any sympathy over his busted ankle from an overly competitive Turkey Bowl game between the Burnett siblings.
I must warn you, these pictures may haunt your dreams. Proceed with caution...

Basically, Brent jacked up his ankle pretty good Thanksgiving Day. He's still toughing out the pain but I can tell it still hurts pretty badly, especially now that the Vicodin from his ER visit has run out. I've scheduled an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon next week in hopes that we can figure out for sure what to do with his club that used to be a foot. He's still been trying to help out as much as he can with the kids and he was even on a ladder last weekend hanging our Christmas lights! I think he's trying to prove he's not a complete invalid  because he knows I'm not happy about his ankle. It's obviously not his fault but I just can't be a nurse for anyone else right now. Especially the one person who helps me the most! So, sadly for him, I haven't had much sympathy for him. I know. I'm a mean wife. Every woman has a breaking point and I think I found mine this last holiday. Is 2011 over yet? I am ready for a new year.
To lift my spirits I found these photos that I forgot I took a few weeks ago.

 It's a good thing I have so much to be grateful for because otherwise I might go insane. Seriously. Look at those 3 faces. How could you feel anything but joy as you look at those children?

I also found these pics of two of the most amazing grandparents and parents we could hope to have:

Grandma B. reading stories to the grandkids after serving an incredible Thanksgiving feast. Her grandkids rightfully adore her.

Grandpa Smart roughhousing with Ally. She kept screaming, "Again! Again!" Thank goodness for a Grandpa with such youthful energy.

With all the challenges and uncertainty that 2011 has brought, I've never been so reflective and humbled. More than ever, I am grateful for all that I have in my life. Especially the small things, like a quiet conversation with my husband and time spent playing with my kids at home, and even a halfway decent night of sleep. I'm grateful for the perspective I've been given this year. And while there are things I might hope to put behind me about this year, the one thing I hope to cling to is the gratitude I feel for every single second of every single day I have with my family and those I love the most. Things can change so quickly. We've witnessed it in our lives and in many others' lives recently.  At the risk of sounding trite, I hope to never take any moment for granted. It doesn't mean I can learn to enjoy the moments when Keith is suffering. It just means that when there is even something small to be grateful for, I find it. And there are never only small things to be grateful for. Even I can't be that dramatic. I know there are many amazing gifts in my life and remembering those is the key to happiness no matter what happens.

Birthday Boys and a "Happy Ween"

Today is Keith and Cole's 4th Birthday. Keith is in the hospital today and tomorrow for his 5th round of chemo. Brent and I were dreading spending the boys' birthday in the hospital but we have been so busy and have been partying so hard over the last 2 weeks that we honestly haven't had time to be sad about it. And Keith and Cole have had so much fun, they don't seem bothered one bit. I think if they were much older, it could be problematic, but 4 years old is a great age.

We partied first in Yakima with both sets of grandparents, Great-Grandpa and Grandma Hague, Snick and Evie, my cousin Tara and her husband Peter and close family friends, Patti and Dave. It was a big party and the boys made a haul. They are very loved little guys.

In addition to the party, there was lots of fun to be had in Yakima.

Then it was back to the real world including Physical Therapy for Keith. He was fitted for his new braces last week which allow him to wear shoes. They are causing a little bit of discomfort but we're hoping to work that out with the PT and orthotist this afternoon. (Keith is sleeping through pre-chemo hydration right now.)

 Here's Keith doing a little home PT. Brent built an incredible "bridge" out of PVC pipe and then decorated it with Superhero stickers. Keith is pretty good at walking on it without help. Ally's way of "helping" generally causes him to fall. So we try to get him using it when the Human Hurricane is in another room.

We had another birthday bash at home with Eckhardt's on Sunday.

 Jenny and Katie are working hard to convince Cole and Keith to get on the Beiber Fever Bandwagon. So far, Cole is holding strong to his father's indoctrination and saying, "Justin 'Beaver' is a wimpy kid." Brent encouraged Cole and Keith to use the JB action figures as target practice for their Superhero action figures. Awesome.

 Keith and Cole got some costumes to add to their dress-up bin. Perk to having your bday the day after Halloween.

 Debbie doing a little home P.T. while Keith throws magnetic Superhero darts.



From birthday parties to Halloween, it's all about the Superheroes at our house. We decided we could all benefit from some extra Super Powers this year. If we believe we're Super, we can be Super, right? At least that's what we're telling ourselves. Regardless, we created a memorable Halloween.

Wolverine, WonderWoman, The Incredible Hulk, Supergirl and Thor the Mighty pause for a Photo Op before taking on the world.

WonderWoman, Hulk and Thor the Mighty. Thor seemed happier than these pictures seem to illustrate...

Supergirl and Wolverine in a little pre-trick-or-treat work out.

Supergirl saying one of two things: "Happy Ween!" or  "Next house?"

Wolverine and Supergirl taking it to the Trick-or-Treat streets of Tigard.

Thor and Wolverine taking a break from being Super.

Funny story about Keith, I mean, Thor. I told him I was going to go make my hair look like Wonder Woman and he said, "Okay, Mom. And then I have to get my hair to look like Thor."  That kid cracks me up. Love him to pieces. Someday, he might have flowing blonde hair, but not likely. At least he has a nicely shaped head no matter what his hair ends up looking like down the road.

Hulk and Wonder Woman taking a breather from all their life-saving duties.

Hulk and Thor putting on their fighting faces.

Grandma Smart and Thor/Keith the Mighty.

Thor and his best girl, Katie.



Wolverine and his partner against crime, Batgirl.




Batgirl and Wonder Woman teaming up to fight some crime. (My sister Syd made me this sweet cape.)



Wolverine going above and beyond to help out a fellow Marvel man.

The Incredible Hulk pausing to gain some strength from the Mighty Thor.





Wonder Woman drawing on her super-strength to get Supergirl and Wolverine to safety after a hard-fought candy-battle. Hulk had to snap a picture before Supergirl and Wolverine were dropped on the sidewalk.

Funny story: Cole, I mean, Wolverine, was watching Brent get on his green paint and said, "Dad, I can't wait until I'm a dad and then I get to be Hulk." Yes, Cole, someday you will be as incredible as your Dad.

The Incredible Hulk receiving some super strength from his Supergirl.

Wonder Woman reminding herself that she's still super-crazy about Supergirl even if she has a super iron-will.

Supergirl enjoying the spoils of plunder.

The kids LOVED that our whole family were Superheroes this year. It remained the topic of 90% of Keith and Cole's conversations. Things still are not easy for Keith. He threw up before our church Halloween party, he threw up in the car on the way to the party and he threw up twice at the party. Yet, he still wants to participate and enjoy the moment. He didn't complain as we maneuvered his stroller up and down front steps for trick-or-treating and he struggled to get up to each front door. He loved getting candy even though he didn't eat more than about 3 bites. For Keith, it's just about being a kid. We love how he doesn't dwell on what he cannot do. He just lives for the things he can do. He inspires us every day. When I was tempted to be sad about how he and Cole were spending their 4th birthday, I just looked over at him in his hospital bed, chatting away about fighting the bad guys, completely oblivious to what he could have been doing and was simply enjoying what he was doing at the moment. I guess that's why he's Keith the Mighty. Love. That. Kid.

Cole, too, is remarkable in how he handles Keith's absence of presence and absence of playmate ability. He is always helping Keith, encouraging Keith and retrieving things for Keith willingly. You can often here him say, "Good job, buddy." or "You can do it, Keithy." He didn't complain that he didn't see Brent or play with Keith today. The first thing he asked me when I got home from the hospital tonight alone was, "Is Keith home, Mom?" He asked where Keith and Dad were and he was sad. But he just said, "I miss Keith and Dad," and then told me about his day with Grandma and Ally.
Cole was meant to come to Earth with Keith. It is no accident that they are here together. Just like Keith has been asked to withstand cancer and cancer treatment and the affects it will have on his future, Cole has been called to be there with Keith in every way. A lot is placed on his shoulders as Keith's twin brother. We can see Cole shouldering his responsibilities well already. Love. That. Kid. Too.