Work In Progress

We are tremendously thankful to everyone who has checked in, prayed or helped in some way. There have been meals and gift cards, care packages, note cards, text messages, prayerful comments on our support page and social media, and financial gifts. For weeks, two neighbors have been alternating with our lawn mowing. A team from Keller Wiliams Realty came and put in new garden mulch in June. A friend from church prepped the gardens in the spring and another neighbor dead-headed the peonies after the blooms wilted. 

There is so much to running this household! Many days it feels like we're constantly chasing the weeds — literal weeds thriving in our 28+ year old landscaping as well as the emergences of illness in one form or another. So, truly, it has been humbling and bolstering to reflect on your caring support. 

It has been about 11 weeks since my surgery and already 5 months since finding out I had cancer. My general post-surgery energy level has been growing. Honestly, it is so refreshing to be more active again and not tied down by drain tubing! (Except now I have a chest cold.) The fistula healing remains mysterious with no drain fluid to watch and only symptoms to give clues. I am growing curious and eager for that August 10th CT scan to provide clarity and reassurances. 

Larry is still healing from cellulitis (currently in the second round of antibiotics) and pouring many hours into a work project that has been consuming. Even as wiped out as he is, he amazes me every day with his perseverance, loyalty, servant heartedness, and ability to juggle so much as dad, husband and employee. 

Carly seems to be experiencing a change in her chronic gastrointestinal issues. So we're working with her motility specialist and gastroenterologist on that. Nonetheless, and to the credit of persevering and caring staff, she's really enjoying her summer. 

We're having a lot of fun watching Carly do things with her nephew  too. Water play on our deck is currently a most natural and manageable activity for them to do together. And now that I'm back to being able to babysit, I pick him up early from daycare every Wednesday afternoon. We have a blast together all the way until his bedtime and love giving his mom and dad space for their own time. 

Josh and Alex are such wonderful help and companionship to us. Alex has spent much time coordinating meetings with contractors for bids on projects we need to address. Since there is some overlap with things they also need done, God has mercifully created a few efficiencies in that process. Possibly it will even result in some discounts for both families. 

Even though Erin is much farther away (thriving in San Diego), we enjoy rich connection with her. Though geographical distance limits physical presence, we thank God for FaceTime, frequent texts, and the power of prayers. She's coming for a visit in about 2 weeks and God is opening doors for more frequent visits. SO thankful and can't wait!

We hope you know how much your encouragement and prayers matter. 

One ultimate goal we're still working toward is to replace our wood deck with no maintenance decking. We have a very large deck so this is an expensive endeavor. We have been getting  bids on the job and are still growing our savings to do this as soon as possible.