Andy had the past 4 weeks off from work because the baby had a nasty fever and some other major problems as a result of having no immunity, all because of nasty chemotherapy. :(
So, after the week and a half~give or take~that I was in the hospital, Andy help up the fort with the other children at our Seattle house. Then, we spent time together in Seattle, plus traveled when the baby's counts were high enough, but not quite high enough yet to start the next round of treatment. Gotta love those windows of traveling opportunity.
During that time, Andy and Daniel went on a Boy Scout hike to Entiat Meadows. It was a 30 mile hike in 3 days. Daniel has been on many, many hikes with his troop, yet said this was the hardest one he's been on.
Of course, it's the one Andy chose to go on...he was barely walking, moaning and groaning, and was sore for days after returning. But, he got a few good pictures on the hike.
They saw a bear and 2 deer came close to their campsite.
While the boys were hiking, the other children and I went to visit Marge's family.We had an awesome time, regardless of the long drive. It's 3 hours each way, and the weather was atrocious, in the 90s, I think.
Steve and George worked on replacing their roof the whole time we were there. Hot weather to be doing hard labor, but it will look grand when it's done.
Marge's neighbor has a mental illness or something, because she was doing some very scary, horror-movie-like things the 2nd night we were there.
We had the children all go upstairs while waiting for police to arrive.
After all the excitement, the children all watched a movie downstairs. I really wished then that I had brought the camera instead of sending it on the hike with Andy.
There were 14 children in the room, plus Steve, watching the movie.
Earlier that day, we went to South Spokane, to a simple water park. It was in such a nice area.
With this leukemia, I have had my mind open to the possibility of moving to a larger city sometime in a few years. This is so that if the baby were to relapse later on and needed a bone marrow transplant (3-6 month process), we wouldn't have to be separated as a family again.
So, after driving to the water park, I was impressed with how close it was to major hospitals in Spokane, yet felt very rural. Plus, it was so pretty.
So, after driving to the water park, I was impressed with how close it was to major hospitals in Spokane, yet felt very rural. Plus, it was so pretty.
When we arrived back at our house, I looked up real estate for that area.
Wouldn't you know I picked the million-dollar neighborhood... nice.
The homes didn't look like million-dollar homes, but I don't want a postage stamp yard either.
The cousins who went, had a great time at the water park. It was hot, but there was a breeze, so it was the best of conditions.
Marge and I even went on the water slide. We also took the smaller children down the slide.
The baby didn't like the slide so much, but LOVED the lazy river. Everyone commented on how cute the baby was. :)
We got back to our house a few hours before the boys got back from their hike.
Our case worker was so wonderful to bring us some needed documents on a Saturday, because she understands how our windows are few and far between for visiting home.
That week, we also had 4 visits with case workers in 2 days, because we were home. We're getting closer to the adoption!! It should be final within 2 months, I'm guessing.
The following day, we went to church all together!! Then, we headed back to Seattle.
On the way back, we saw a dead porcupine with all the quills, a pretty dead deer, and an opossum.
Andy had been saving change all year. He had a big jar full when I told him about the Ronald McDonald House Charities fundraising project for this summer. It's the summer of change, so they are having kids collect change in their communities, neighborhoods, etc., then bring it in for a chance to have a lunch with Ronald McDonald.
We decided to donate the jar, but not for the lunch. :)
Lilly and Maggie put the change in the collection box.
They saved all the quarters for last. There were at least 15 or 20 quarters and they split them evenly (who got to put which ones in) by state.
Andy's extended time off ends tonight, as he returns to work tomorrow.
He brought the oldest children back home yesterday.
I have the little girls and the baby with me.
Our friends invited us to dinner tonight.
It was so wonderful to get out of our room at the House, but I felt so bad when I realized that both the girls don't eat seafood (neither do I, but I thought at least one of them liked it), which was the menu.
Our hosts were so gracious though. I enjoyed visiting with them, and learning about Indiana, genetics, seafood preparation, and pediatric dental care in relation to Down syndrome.
They prepared LOTS of yummy food.
They had purchased dungeness crab, oysters, and halibut from Pike Place Market.
It was fascinating to hear how they made Rockefeller oysters (broiled on a bed of salt!) and the crab. I didn't know that Atlantic crab has a different taste than Pacific crab. Interesting stuff.
Andy would have just feasted!
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