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.

Together

I hate to post anything after Brent's video. But sadly, the photos are piling up on my camera. This will be a post of few words and many pictures in an attempt to capture the happenings of the last few weeks.

This is what happens when Keith gets tired of playing and wants to lie down...Cole and Ally join the resting party. I can assure everyone that very little resting actually follows suit.

Keith and Cole "sword-fighting".

Cole and Ally's way of "helping" with the yardwork. Any bystander can see how much yard work we do these days...very, very little.

Keith has enjoyed the sandbox on warm days this month. Trying to keep sand from getting inside his casts has proven difficult but possible.

Grandma B enjoying backyard time with the boys.

Cole: looking squatty in my rainboots.

This is what happens when Ally has a marshmallow craving.



This is what happens when Ally wants to dance.





Grandma Smart joining us on our annual pumpkin patch outing.

If I were as good as Brent and could put a soundtrack to these pictures to describe our life these last few weeks, it would include: Keith and Cole starting preschool, Brent and Darcee celebrating birthdays, Ally potty-training herself and sleeping in a "big girl" bed (the timing of these milestones were not chosen by me. I'm learning that Ally has her own timing and her own way and it's best not to battle her will. I will lose. Every time.), Keith receiving only one blood transfusion this chemo cycle and avoiding any fevers, visits from both sets of Grandparents, lots of visits with Evie and Syd, really fun visit with Aunt Erin, quick but very fun visit with all the Eckhardt sisters and Joe, Keith not sleeping much but somehow happy and energetic, Brent getting in one last dirt bike ride for the season with Clint, soaking in as much beautiful fall time outside as possible, Keith getting fitted for splints and viewing the end of the tunnel of his serial casting, continuing to receive much strength from the prayers and efforts of friends and family.
Phew! Busy but hanging in there.

Thank You

I first heard this song when Keith was in the middle of his radiation therapy and I started to play it almost everyday on the way home from his daily morning treatments. It was so hard to see him coming out of radiation every morning. I wished I could take his pain away, but this song just reminded me that all I could do was be there for him when he needed me. It also reminded me that so many others were there for him and us too. I put this video together, hoping to show just a snapshot of the many, many people who have strengthened Keith during this time. There are many more who aren't shown simply because we didn't have pictures.

Darcee and I have just been overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support for our family during Keith's diagnosis and cancer treatments over the last 7 months. Our families and dear friends have shouldered this burden right along with us, with someone here staying with us nearly every week to help out with the kids while Darc shuttles Keith to Doctor's appointments and I try to keep my head above water at work. Our parents, brothers and sisters have all spent considerable time and personal expense helping us out during this time. They've cancelled trips, taken off work, rearranged schedules and driven and flown many miles to spend time at our house, getting little sleep, helping out any way they can. Our mothers have been especially helpful. They come to our home and immediately go into "Mom" mode, taking care of anything and everything that needs to be done. Laundry, cleaning, cooking, entertaining, everything. They don't ask, they just do. We love having them and we are so grateful for their constant support.

Aside from immediate family, our dear friends the Eckhardts have been a lifeline during this process. Debbie is like a 3rd grandmother to the kids and she is always available at a moments notice to help out with Cole and Ally. She even rearranges or sometimes cancels her work schedule to accomodate Keith's doctor's appointments. She's set up "Debbie's Clubhouse" in her basement so that Keith has a germ free place to play that is away from home. Keith loves it and Cole and Ally love going there too. Jenny and Katie are also amazing. Jenny turned down a well paying summer job to spend most of her free time at our house, helping Darcee out with the kids. Katie also comes by often to help out. During the summer, almost every day when I got home from work, their green VW bug would be parked outside of our house and they would be inside playing with the kids and taking care of Keith. Apart from helping with the kids, I know Darcee loved having somone there to talk too while I was at work and I always felt so much better when I'd call Darc in the middle of the day and Debbie, Jenny and Katie would be over there spending time with her. Bill or "Bilshop" as we like to call him is equally amazing. He seems to have a sixth sense for stopping by when we need it most, just to see how things are going. There's been days when Debbie's been with the kids all day and Bill's been at work, but instead of going home to relax in the evening, they've come down to the hospital at night to bring me a meal and say hello to Keith. They always lift our spirits and there is no way we could have made it through the last 7 months without them.

We have also been overwhelmed by the small acts of kindness of so many friends, family members, and even perfect strangers over the last 7 months. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends have sent so many cards and care packages for Keith and the kids. High school friends, who we haven't talked to in ages, have sent meals or cards. Ward members have offered meals and put together care packages for our family. Co-workers and former co-workers have sent gifts to Keith and the kids and have volunteered to babysit and even contribute their paid time off to me so that I could spend more time with Keith. Neighbors that we hardly know have stopped by to see how Keith is doing and to drop something off for our family. Distant friends and mere acquaitances have sent flowers and/or made constributions to cancer charities in Keith's name. Perfect strangers have overheard conversations at the hospital and have volunteered to pray for Keith by name. Pretty much everyone we know has sent us a kind email message, blog comment, text or phone call, reassuring us that they are thinking about Keith and are continuing to pray for him. We can't tell you how much these seemingly small acts of kindness uplift Keith and our family.

Darc and I try to stay on top of thank you cards but I'm sure that there are some we miss, but I can assure you, not a single act of kindness goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Despite the challenges of the last 7 months, we have been humbled and strengthened by the sincere kindness shown by so many to our family.