Alaska!

In August we were more the blessed to find out that we were going to be going to Alaska for Ethan's "Make a Wish"wish.

The trip was amazing that it is hard to put in words how much fun we all had as a family. The highlight of course was seeing Ethan enjoy seeing whales, puffins, and much more. Ethan loved the puffin birds enough that he decided he wanted to go to the sea life center and check them out up close, so we did, when we got to looking into the place they had a puffin encounter that taught you about puffins and then allowed you to hand feed them this was incredible to see Ethan get excited about this and want to do it!

Of course, as an emotional Mamma I was misty eyed many times as I watched him enjoy this trip.

The train was very relaxing and beautiful the Alaska Make a Wish bumped Ethan and crew to gold star statues and gave us a wonderful time!

The cruise was equally relaxing and was enjoyed by all we loved being cold and watching for many things we have never seen before. We experienced many firsts on this trip these memories we will treasure for our life time.

The dog sledding tour was delightful and interesting to watch. The kids loved holding the little pups!

The kayaking was also very fun!!! James our guide was great, and gave us a memorable tour of Bear lake, so beautiful!!! I have to also chime in about the weather it was sunny every day we were there and just chilly enough for a sweatshirt. We loved the weather!

In our extra time we went to the Sea Life Center and also enjoyed a show in Anchorage, a well as Anchorage Museum. We were so very busy, but so happy to be together. We laughed a lot on this trip and after a year of suffering it was a healing suave for our Ethan.

Words will never be enough for how grateful we are to Make a Wish for making this such a wonderful wish for Ethan and Family.

One Year Anniversary

The start of September is here and with it has brought about many memories of the challenging year.

Ethan has gone through. September 1, 2013 was the day we found the tumor and then on the 6^th we learned it was cancer. These are dates that I will never forget. They are etched in stone in my memory. The whole year of Ethan’s story is much to process and I am sure for Ethan will take his lifetime to fully understand all that he went through and is still going through.

Ethan has started his sophomore year and is one month in. It has been a work in progress to independently get him to the student that he desires to be. He has a very strong determination to push his brain every day and give each subject his best. Drew is at home with Ethan Monday-Thursday afternoon doing homework and on Friday’s I get to hang out with Ethan. Even though Ethan is taking half school days 8:15 to 12:15 it is a full load for Ethan’s brain. Ethan still has chemo fog and can have this for some time. The brain has the knowledge, but he forgets. Often times he understands what is being taught in school, but then forgets in the afternoon. This is a struggle emotionally and can take a toll, but with Ethan’s Dad at his side he is overcoming his school days and giving his brain a boot camp like workout every day.

 Along with his fight to get his brain back, Ethan is working on building up his muscles. Thanks to Shelby (our very own physical therapist) has worked up a plan for Ethan to work out those muscles. Ethan came to me the other day and said,” Where is my Shelby plan I need to work out.” Thank you Shelby!

I asked Ethan if he had anything he wanted to say on the blog?

 Ethan says, ”Thank you for all the support and prayers I have a long ways to go in recovery, so please keep praying for me. Thank you!”

I echo Ethan’s gratefulness in the support and prayers. There is no doubt in my mind that I was able to walk this journey with Ethan because of God’s grace in my life. On the day that I got the call from Drew that the tumor was cancer my brother Jon and sister Kelly were with me, I felt numb and a bit in shock of the news, Jon’s first words to me were “this is not a surprise to God” these very words directed my thoughts to look beyond the test results to God’s plan for Ethan, to trust the God who made Ethan has a plan for him to prosper him not to harm him. By faith each challenge and each surgery, was approached with my faith in that I will trust that God’s love does not ever fail, by faith trusted in my savior to heal Ethan and cure him from cancer knowing full well I did not know the outcome, but I did know the savior already did the hard part he died on the cross for us and because of this sacrifice we would never be separated from God’s love. God’s overwhelming outpouring of his mighty healing powers on Ethan will be another memory of God’s grace and love in our life. I know that those who have walked this past year with me I will forever be grateful for the love you poured into me, from my family and friends who just cried with me and prayed over me to the many that I do not even know, who prayed daily and still do for Ethan. I pray that as ya’ll have done for us may God richly bless you for walking this journey with us!