Okay this was lots of fun, but I’m seriously deleting the Pinterest app. Nicky was a faithful assistant, staying with me till the end.

Justin’s classmates will be here shortly. Justin is here. He is happy. And we are blessed.

Dear God,

As I reflect on past birthdays and special moments, I am acutely aware and eternally grateful that You have spared Justin’s life, by Your grace. Please use his life for Your good purpose and to Your glory.

Love, Katie

Justin’s birthday is Saturday. He received his first gift this year from Spain, a drawing made personally for him by a special reader.

I’m grateful for a God whom is much, much bigger than cancer. I’m grateful for a God-ordained medical treatment that can deliver a seventh birthday.

I’m busy preparing his shark-themed party courtesy of Pinterest, which I, actually, try to stay away from in order to avoid feelings of complete mom inadequacy.  Anyone who can turn their refrigerator into a work of art, and I don’t mean with your kids’ drawings and the shopping list, is way beyond my domestic abilities.

Also, this Saturday, Michael is performing in Pitman Broadway’s production of Dinosaurs After Dark. I have learned that adequate sleep, talking things through a LOT, and theatre camp has done wonders for Michael’s anxiety. His therapist feels that he no longer needs services at this time, so we are happily moving on.

I blew everything off this morning to watch Discovery channel with Nicky. Just hanging out, doing what he likes to do. Thankful for that time together.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Grace be with you, my friends.

From New Jersey, we witnessed the moon “block out” the sun at about 75-80 percent. The sun appeared like an orange crescent through solar viewing glasses, but looked normal to the naked eye. Our backyard did not become dark, but there was a noticeable difference in the lightning. It wasn’t like cloud coverage, though. The sun was still shining in a clear sky, but, for a few minutes, the sun seemed just a little dimmer. Kind of shadowy.

Very cool experience. The kids loved it. Even more amazing to know our God holds it all together in His hands.

His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. Who made the great lights—His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:6-9

1. Assemble protective eyewear. (Well, hopefully.)

2. Acquire junk food with spacey titles.

3. Find people as nerdy as you are. (Your kids will do if no one else will come.)

4. Bore your kids with a story of when you saw an eclipse in the eighties, which, of course they think is the Stone Age.

5. Turn it into a teachable moment by forcing your kids to watch videos on the NASA website.

If you are in our area, you should be able to view a partial eclipse starting at 1:21pm. Enjoy!

Since his team of oncologists have agreed, at my request, to cut back on dosages of Vincristine, Justin was re-evaluated for CIPN (chemo induced peripheral neuropathy) as well as heel cord shortening by his physical therapist. He has made significant gains in range of motion of his right leg, but very little on the left side.

Justin will resume physical therapy and a most diligent amount of stretching at home. We hope to improve by January or the next step will be to possibly cast his left leg, in hopes of stretching the heel cord to a length which would enable it to function properly. Currently, his left foot is turning outward to compensate for weakness. The idea is an attempt to prevent this from becoming a permanent thing.

Of course, nothing is certain about his chemo dosages at this point because his white blood count is still too high and there are concerns with his liver toxicity screening.

It’s a waiting game and a one day at a time thing and push on little soldier and buck up buttercup and a focus on being grateful for excellent medical care and, above all,  grace.

Thank you for your support, kind words and prayers. Not a single word is unnoticed, unread, unappreciated. And, more often than not, I’m hanging onto those encouraging comments for dear life. Grace be with you, my friends.

An IV was successfully placed in Justin’s wrist. It was painful but fairly quick.

Justin’s white blood cell count is too high again but his doctor does not want to increase chemo because his liver toxicity screening came back at high levels last month. Another screening was done today and we’ll receive those results tomorrow.

Meanwhile, it’s back to high doses of steroids and all that goes along with that.

We are tired, but oh so grateful for a relatively easy day.

The words of this song are pretty much exactly where I’m at with God. (Video on website gracesteps.co) Thank you for prayers and kind words.

Photos include scenes from Creation, the Fall, Noah and the flood, legitimacy of the Bible, the Reformation and paleontology from a Creationist point of view. Botanical gardens and, yes, that is Jeff is holding a python.

Do all kids fight over pushing elevator buttons or is it just mine?