Concluding 2009

We are about to conclude an amazing year. A year that we shared fears that we were unable to vocalize, relationships were defined, gained medical terminology we would have preferred to never know, financial strains, limited sleep, our faith was tested and yet God clearly showed his provisions. Our lives have been adjusted more so than any other time (marriage was such an easy transition and Eden was the most perfect baby). Today we are together and so extremely thankful for all of our blessings. We have been given our daughter, in Remission! A true answer to prayer.

We have/will celebrate Christmas with each of our families and yet we were able to be home on Christmas Day. I think the year has taught us the importance of home. We both clearly remember the day they told us Eden would be a frequent inpatient at the hospital. I immediately wanted the security of home as much as possible. We love being home. We were able to be in Our Church Christmas Eve and share our Christmas Gift with our church family, those that have spent much time on their knees praying for Little Eden. Christmas morning Eden has us in the kitchen a little after 6 to make our Baby Jesus birthday cake. She had even discovered, on her own, that the candles from the candle light service at church would be ideal for the cake. It just brought extreme Joy to us for her to even have the slightest understanding of the meaning of the day. Her own nativity set that she received this year has assisted with reiterating the Christmas Story (thank you Jensens it is her favorite gift.) Eden was heartbroken when we took the Christmas Tree down and Kurt explained to her that just because Christmas day is over we can still celebrated baby Jesus everyday. The lessons we learn from our children . . . I hope to put a little Christmas throughout all of 2010.

On the medical side of life Eden continues to tolerate her treatment extremely well. She started maintenance in September and to date she has yet to have the desired blood counts. Her ANC is normal, which defies what the chemo is to be accomplishing. We are anticipating the counts to drop in the next couple of weeks or the 100% dose of chemo that she is on will be increased. As much as we have enjoyed her feeling great we want to keep cancer out of her little body. The effects of 11 months of chemo has became evident as her lab work has showed numbers out of the desired range. The Drs will try to push the limits and will closely monitor her organ functions before decreasing chemo. We ask for your prayers!

Thanks for following us throughout the year you have carried us in so many ways! Happy New Year!