Field trip, family & funder

Okay, so it's thunder. But I was trying to go with the 'f' theme and use alliteration. (No, I did not look that up, so if I am incorrect, please don't tell me!) The last several days have continued to be very busy at the Jones house. Friday Brayden had a big field trip - the last one of the year - to the Tulsa Aquarium. I was so thrilled to be able to go. True, my controlling nature may have had some difficulty with the idea of him being 2+ hours away on his own. Yes, with other responsible parents, yet without me! So I was so happy to be able to go and enjoy the experience with him. Since we were close to all of our family that lives in Oklahoma and it was Mother's Day weekend, we made plans for some stops along the way to visit family. First was Brayden's great-grandma, my wonderful Grandma Sue. She's a treasure and I've written about her here before a while back. It's difficult to capture in words what she means to me. It was wonderful seeing her and my Papa too. They're the most wonderful people and feel like home to me. It was an awesome day with perfect weather and Brayden again loved being able to be outside, playing on the tree that's been there since I was little. He got to feed the horse again and play with the dogs and get loved on by awesome great-grandparents.

We then stopped by Brayden's awesome family to visit his Nana Susanne, Papa G, Aunt Kimmie & adorable cousin Kynnli. We loved getting to visit with them and celebrate an early Mother's Day. I've always felt so blessed to marry into such an amazing family!! We didn't want to, but we finally headed back home. We had many more events happening over the weekend. Sunday we had such a lovely brunch at my sister's house and enjoyed my family all being together. It was a wonderful weekend to be fortunate to see so many of our family members and show off Brayden's full head of hair and adorable curls that are starting and his 'chemo highlights' as his Oncologist calls it. I loved spending the rest of the day with my sweet boy and cherishing the wonder that is motherhood. I'm so thankful for him! He & Dad did a great job of making me feel special and appreciated on such a special day.

Brayden's weekly blood counts yesterday showed a drastic drop. I was actually more comfortable finally seeing them come into a normal range for the first time in 5 weeks. If they had been higher yesterday, his chemo levels would have been raised. Brayden definitely seemed different yesterday. He's been more tired and sore yesterday and today. With extra sleep last night, I was hoping he'd feel better this morning. So even though his counts are back in range, I hope the chemo isn't wearing him down too much. We're back to being more precautious, although he's still in school. We're starting to see the countdown for the end of the year. He's not counting down as much as I am! It's a lot of work to help him at home!! I think I dread tests more than he does!! So I'm ready for a break this summer.

Last night's storms were crazy! My boys are both weather obsessors and the Weather Channel was on our tv all afternoon & evening! Brayden announced to me again that he's going to be a storm chaser. I've gotten past the, "Yeah, right! Not if I have anything to say about it!" I know that I certainly don't want my disapproval to push him into it, so it's become our little joke. He LOVES those storm chaser shows and we've always loved how he gives our family little meteorolgy updates when they call. So last night he was glued to the action. We were also worried about our family being impacted by all the storms. After watching more and more video, we think maybe Brayden has decided watching the storms from a distance is better. We'll see!

Crossing off the wish list

What an incredible week we've been having! After returning from Little Rock last Monday, it was Brayden's week to be on steroids, so we knew there would be higher counts as it stimulated his white cell production, thus giving us a little buffer to get out and play a bit more. For the weekend we had some fun outings! Brayden was so happy to be invited to a friend's birthday party and even happier he was able to go! He loved being with almost all the kiddos from his class and playing Lazer Tag! Another welcomed glimpse of normalcy. We were so thrilled to get to spend some time with our sweet friends and have a dinner out with them & Brayden too and get to go bowling! It was Brayden's first time to go since before diagnosis and he LOVES bowling. We decided quickly we were all a little out of practice and this is NOTHING like Wii bowling! He really touched my heart when he said during the game that he almost forgot he had cancer. This was certainly a little thing to do that was a BIG impact to him in just having fun and getting his mind off of everything. It was a big day to get to officially cross off another wish from Brayden's list he made after diagnosis. It seemed so far away until he could be able to do the things he loves so the wish list was a way for him to have something to look forward to. I'm so thankful we're having the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy crossing more things off his list. We got to hang out at Border's and his hot chocolate dessert treat was nothing short of dessert! 3 kinds of chocolate and whipped cream, sprinkles overflowing! YUMM! He was eating it up especially with steroids being in control!

Monday was back to the local clinic for chemo. No surprise that his counts were elevated after a week on steroids. Still, much higher than they've been in the past. If they are high next week and the week after, based on info from his Oncologist, his dosage of chemo will most likely be increased. All the blood results and happenings of getting chemo were over-shadowed by Brayden's activities at the clinic. He LOVES the nurses there and has added more casualties to his teasing and overall sarcastic nature. It got a little out of control (I think only for Mom) while there were giggles and shouting of sport team comparisons and the list goes on. Whatever he can find, he holds on to and loves giving the ladies a hard time. It's great because he always walks in with a smile and leaves with one too. I'm always amazed at how much they get right in there with him in the teasing!

Last night was another big day. We've been wanting to see another movie for a while, as there have been a couple new ones out he could see. It was SO fun! Afterward, Dad hopped in the backseat after so Brayden could ride in the front seat. We drove with the open sun roof and enjoyed the amazing weather while blasting some tunes and looking ridiculous as a family about town jamming like the family without rhythm that we are!

School is still going well for Brayden. There have been some adjustment obstacles but I've been so proud of how hard he's working to just fit in and get back into the swing of things. He wants SO badly to do well. He's only had to miss when we travel to Children's, so I'm thankful that his immune system is staying strong. It might have just a bit to do with the Germ-X in his desk, clorox wipes in his lunch box and mom's daily questions after his initial return about ensuring the 20-second hand washing process is still being done. Hey, he is still a 10-year-old boy that we ALL know struggle with washing those hands! I've said it before - at least I haven't made him obsessive about it but he's doing great remembering to be careful. Recess has been a bit tough for him. He wants to run just as fast as the other boys and play soccer like the good 'ol days. His stamina isn't all the way back, but has improved so much in the last month. He's getting there and we're thankful for those who are supporting him along the way in little ways we may not even realize.

Our evenings have been filled with enjoying the sunshine and hitting some golf balls, practicing the Presidents in order and realizing there is only a few weeks left of school. 4th grade seemed like it only just started in so many ways and it's almost over. Teacher Appreciation was last week and I hope we have adequately expressed our appreciation to the impact the wonderful teachers at his school have had. There is more to look forward to with a busy weekend approaching. Another Mother's Day. I'm thankful beyond words to take it all in. In my heart though is an ache for other mothers that have been drawn close to our hearts this year and in years prior. Please remember them in your prayers; those who have suffered the loss so deep to a mother...God has their names close to heart and I pray gives them a special comfort this weekend.