Great News!

We took Ben back to Iowa City Hospital today to have his platelets checked and talk to the hematologist. He has had a rough road and has taken to writing in his journal a lot and chose to do this on the way to the appointment. When we got there, he wanted to fill out his own paperwork, which amazed me! We got some great news... after two weeks of a high dose steroid, Ben's platelet count increased from 20000 to 99000!!! (99000 is still low, but we will take it!) We were ecstatic and Ben and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes, both thinking that we would finally have a welcome break from worrying! We will enjoy the next few weeks and Ben can participate in PE and recess for now, so he was sooooo happy! We have to go back in a few weeks to see if the platelet count will keep going up or will go back down when he gets done taking the steroid. Ben posed with his hospital bracelet (he gets one every time we go) before he threw it away! Today is a happy day!!!

Dream Catchers...

Ben and Conner have been wanting to make their own dream catchers, so we finally took the time today to make some! The boys are pretty excited to see if they really keep bad dreams away...

Band Morning...

Another early morning for band practice, but with our new band shirts!!!

Valentines...

Conner and Ben had their valentine parties today at school! This year, instead of traditional valentines, they each had to write one nice sentence about each of their classmates and use that as their valentines. I loved that idea! They got to exchange their valentines and have ice cream sundaes!

More Snow...

Yep. Another snow day... I think this makes 8... or 9... who can keep track anymore?

Update...

Today we had to go back to Iowa City for an appointment with Ben's doctor. We got more bad news... his blood platelet count is now down to 20000, which is not good. He will start a steroid treatment and go back in 2 weeks, so we will be praying that this works! Keep our little guy in your thoughts and prayers. This is hard on Ben and since Conner is our little worrier, he is taking it especially hard, too. After an almost 2 hour drive back from Iowa City in the snow storm tonight, we made it safely home just in time for Ben to have a bloody nose... this kid just can't get a break right now... luckily, he is strong and he will get through this and hopefully be back to his normal active self in the next few weeks!

Another Birthday...

Today marks yet another birthday for me! A gourmet breakfast from my husband, gifts from my guys, and another fancy meal for dinner including smoked salmon! The three guys who I get to call mine are all I could ask for! Nick, thank you for making today special! I love you so much!

Band Concert...

Alas, with all of the snow days we have had, the boys' band concert was canceled (for the second time) this week, so they gave us a little concert after school today! We really enjoyed it and Ben and Conner took it very seriously! They are never excited to practice their trombones at home, but they really are learning and progressing! 

Snow...

After 1 full day of school this week, our guys were definitely suffering from cabin fever! Luckily, today they were able to get outside and play in the snow! Conner and Ben had a little snow ball fight while Nick worked on his snowman!