Monday, February 28, 2011

A little off… Day 836 28FEB11

Joshua headed off to clinic this morning like always to get his finger stuck and see what his counts are. His ANC came back at 588 and his platelets are up. Doctor O came in a took a look at him and seemed to think it was just a bump and was nothing to be concerned about. We, of course, are always rather edgy when his numbers go astray. Until the Doctors get worried we will just keep a watchful eye on him and just keep plodding down the path. The rest of the day was rather normal with me going to work and the boys doing school work and playing. Joshua has time tomorrow with his teacher and will, we hope, continue to stay focused and work hard at his school work. For the past several weeks he has managed to do pretty well and seems to be finding his stride with his multiplication tables.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sunny day… Day 835 27FEB11

We had another nice and sunny day which gave us a chance to be outside a bit. I got a little bit of work done in the garage and we got in some good hockey out in front of the house in the afternoon. The rest of the day was just piddling around the house doing the odd task , watching the Bolts play, and relaxing, a nice typical Sunday.

In the morning Joshua heads off for clinic to get his counts checked and that is all he is scheduled for which makes for an easy Monday for him.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Fun time… Day 834 26FEB11

Joshua had a full day of having fun. He left this morning to go over and spend some time with Carly. He took all of his hockey gear along with our net so that he could show Carly how to play. They even got some fishing in and both caught several fish. While he was over at her house Miss Allie showed up with her entourage and proceeded to brighten up our day. We had fun playing and hanging out with the kids inside and outside as the weather was lovely today. Christian brought over his new remote control plane and we got to help him get several successful flights in out on the golf course. Joshua made it home in time for dinner and had a wonderful time playing with his friend. We had a nice meal that REnee whipped up and then it was time for the kids to head for home. What a great way to spend a Saturday.

While se was here Allie decided to take my flip flops for a spin and Jamie managed to get it on video :)

Friday, February 25, 2011

End of the week… Day 833 25FEB11

Renee headed out early this morning to meet concerning Joshua's IEP for the future. She said the meeting went well and the IEP was headed in the right direction. I got to spend the morning with Joshua and Jarrod before I had to leave for work which was a nice treat for me. When I got home this evening the boys had a good day and were ready to watch the Bolts play against the Devils tonight. Joshua dusted off his lucky shirt and they managed to have a great game and win in regular time. As soon as the game was finished the boys got ready for bed and headed off to sleep. Tomorrow Joshua is going over to visit with Carly and we are expecting a visit from Miss Allie and her entourage :)

A huge shout of joy for our friend Demetri who finished his second battle with leukemia and came back totally clear and free of cancer yesterday!! He has been down a long and difficult road and stayed strong and fought his way free. We are so very proud of him and so happy for him and his family! You rock Demetri!!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Day of rest… Day 832 24FEB11

Joshua had a chance to get caught up on his rest today. He was still asleep when I left for work at 10 this morning. HE told me when I got home that he had also taken a nap in the afternoon. I think that the exertion of the trip and all the traveling finally caught up with him. He was chipper and full of energy this evening so it must have worked. We went out and played a little hockey before dinner and then settled down to relax for the balance of the evening. Renee's arm is still sore but is hopefully healing up and she should be bak to normal in a day or two. Jarrod is back to full steam on his school work and is motoring right along. Tomorrow Renee has to go and meet with the hospital homebound folks and Joshua's teacher to get his IEP in place for the future so I will have fun hanging out with the boys in the morning before she gets back and I have to go off to work.

Please say a quick prayer for our cancer warriors, some of them really need it right now.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Back to normal… Day 831 23FEB11

This morning we all got back to our normal tasks and schedules. The wonderful thing about going away is you have a chance to forget all the things that hamper or worry you every day. The bad thing is it is all waiting on you when you get back :)

Joshua got right back into school with his teacher today and did really well. He had a good session and stayed alert and focused the whole time. Jarrod also got right back in the saddle and tackled his science work today. I headed off to work and Renee started the task of unpacking everything and getting all the clothes washed from our journey.

Our trip was fantastic and memorable and we enjoyed it immensely. The boys would have rather stayed in Maine for a few more weeks or at least until the spring thaw hit. Our last morning the boys got up and wanted to go snow shoeing and sledding one more time so we all bundled up and headed out onto the ice. It is beautiful to walk around in the woods and the snow albeit a tad chilly in the wind on the ice. After our outdoor activities we went back to our room to finish packing and then hauled everything up to the lodge to load into the van. Our flights went relatively smooth with only a delay in getting out of Portland due to high winds. We had pizza from Famiglia at JFK and then settled in for the flight back to Tampa. Here are the last of the pictures from out trip of the boys sledding and our last snow shoe walk. I also have a few short videos from our ski afternoon for you to watch. Enjoy :)















Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Back home… Day 830 22FEB11

We left Maine this afternoon and headed for home. The boys didn't want to leave and I have to say I would have liked to stay on a while longer myself. Our flights were nice and smooth with only a few minor delays. We are all pretty wiped out and the boys headed off to bed as soon as we got home and could find their toothbrushes. We are beat as well but it is that good kind of tired that comes from having a great time doing fun things. I have a bunch of pictures left to share as well as a few short videos that I will post tomorrow. For now I am off to join everyone else in dream land.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Maine Day 4... Day 829 21FEB11

It was snowing this morning when we woke up! The boys ran to the window to look outside and got real quiet for a few seconds. They thought it was really cool. It only snowed for a couple of hours which was just perfect. We had breakfast watching the snowfall outside the window by our table and then headed off to do some morning activities. At 10:45 we met up outside to load up and head to Shawnee Peak to go skiing! The boys and Renee have never been skiing before and I was Jarrod's age the last time I strapped some ski's on so it was going to be an interesting day. We got our gear and then headed out after getting suited up to get some lessons. We started as a group and as we progressed we moved off with our own people. I got a great young man named Collin who although he was only 12 had been skiing since he was 2. He was a fantastic instructor and had me skiing pretty quickly. After he thought I was ready we jumped on the lift and headed up to the top of the bunny slope. Jarrod was with me at the same time and we headed down together. It was a great ride and we made it to the bottom without too much trouble. Joshua, no big surprise, took to skis like a duck to water and did great. Renee was doing great until she fell on the same arm twice in a row and strained her shoulder so she didn't take a run down the slopes.  After we took a break Joshua became my ski buddy and we spent the rest of the afternoon carving up the slopes. It was a great time and the boys loved skiing. It got bitterly cold by the time we were wrapping things up and it was 19 with a stiff wind when we left to head back to camp. The ride back to camp was a chance for us to thaw out a bit and realize we were pretty darn hungry. Luckily dinner was waiting when we got back. The temperature this evening was -4 with the wind chill so the boys got their wish to feel below  zero temps while were here. I am sure we will all sleep like rocks tonight and I am also sure we will all be a bit sore and stiff when we wake up, but it was worth it :)





























Sunday, February 20, 2011

Maine Day 3... Day 828 20FEB11

Our third day in Maine dawned bright and much colder than yesterday ;) Last night the boys started work on a snow fort outside our room. They just attacked it like it was LEGO blocks made out of snow.




 This morning we got up and headed out for breakfast and then began the days activities. We  had some free time after we ate so the boys decided to go sledding. It was Joshua's first time and he had a blast, wipeouts and all. After lunch Renee and I went out for a long snow shoe walk down over the frozen lake and then back through the woods. In the afternoon it was Joshua's group who went snow shoeing while the parents challenged the teens again in a variety of games. Dinner followed and we got a chance to watch a talent show put on by all the kids which was really neat. The boys absolutely love being here and have had so much fun so far. Tomorrow we get to go to Shawnee Peak and go skiing! There is also a very good chance that it will be snowing in the morning which will be extra special for Joshua and Jarrod.









Saturday, February 19, 2011

Maine Day 2... Day 827 19FEB11

Our second day in Maine dawned bright and much colder. Most everything that was slushy or wet yesterday was frozen solid this morning. We began the day with a filling breakfast and then Joshua left to be with his age group and Jarrod left to hang out with the other teens. Renee and I met with all of the other parents and had some fun playing games against our teenagers :) Joshua went swimming before lunch in the indoor pool with a view of all the snow outside. After lunch we began our outdoor fun. Renee and I took Joshua on a horse drawn wagon ride to see the countryside. The horse team were huge draft horses and were beautiful animals. We enjoyed the ride a lot. Next up was ice skating with Joshua. He took a few minutes to find his balance and then he took off. Joshua is a natural on the ice and pretty soon somebody showed up with a few hockey sticks and we had a blast. I was the goal and the kids enjoyed trying to get the puck between my feet. Next while Joshua was playing inside Jarrod and I took a snow shoe trek through the woods and out onto frozen Lake Sebago. We walked across the ice to an island out in the cove and then hiked back. It was a really fun walk and we were pretty tired by the time we made it back to the top of the hill. Next up was a little sledding and I took a ride for old times sake. It is still as much fun mow as it was when I was a kid. The rest of the afternoon we rested a bit and then headed up for dinner. Tonight we went skating again and then headed up to sit by the fire and watch a movie. Tomorrow is forecast to be even colder with a good chance for snow tomorrow evening. The boys are stoked :)