We are at day 45 today!

First, we apologize for not posting about being able to go home for graduation before we left. We are so sorry! We intended to, but when we got the call we just got ready and left without posting about it. We were told that Terry's lab work looked good, and we were free to go for the night, and to enjoy graduation. There wasn't anything more we needed to hear. We didn't even find out the numbers/blood counts. We just left. The escape plan was already in place, so it didn't take us long. We did call home to let them know, but that was once we were on our way because the phone was busy when we tried the first time.

We got home about 1:30 and had a wonderful day. Adena had planned and prepared a great meal - one of Chase's favorites. There were many others who helped her, even with cleaning. Thank you Ellen, Shawna, Idris, Shelly, Marla, Dana, Ariel, BrittanyJo and anyone else that helped. I shouldn't have started giving names, because I don't want to forget anyone, and there may be some that I'm not even aware of. Thanks to all.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for dinner and graduation, and thanks to everyone that helped make Chase's day a great day. We got to see a few of his gifts last night and this morning, and they are pretty awesome. Thanks for all of those too! We are certainly aware of all of the kindnesses shown our family and to Chase personally. Thank you! In fact, he mentioned this morning that he should do this more often, cause he made more money for graduation than he did in a full weeks work. I guess this was really 13 years of hard work. :)

Here is Chase and his great friend, Ryan.

It was a good feeling to drive down highway 26 again and to turn into our yard and then to walk into our house. We enjoyed being home and visiting with family and friends, and we were so glad to be with Chase at graduation. We didn't have the best seats in the house, but we were in out of the wind and cold (until we got out to give him a hug). Thanks again to all who helped make his day special, for the love and attention, and the gifts, and the photos, etc.

We visited a bit more this morning before we left, and finally pulled ourselves away. We really do like being parents and having such wonderful children. We feel the desire to be there with those that are still at home, who still need parents to teach, love, and support them daily. We want to be there with them. We recognize the difficulty in this separation, but we are so grateful that it is temporary and that it will provide for us all, a better way - a quality of life that we haven't enjoyed for awhile now.

We also recognize the difficulty in stepping in and taking responsibility for the family, and we are grateful for the willingness (and availability) of those doing that. We really love our family. We have gone from 2 to 19 (counting the two that will join our family in August).

We knew we needed to get back to SCCA and continue to take care of Terry's health and get his hydration for the day. It was a tricky escape for us and we enjoyed it, though we worried about it. Things turned out well though. The traveling was even pretty good. Traffic got worse the closer to Seattle / SCCA we got, but it was a fairly easy drive this time.

We were experiencing a lot of different feelings during the last couple days, but probably the strangest feeling was after we stopped at the clinic for Terry's hydration and then started back to the apartment. It actually felt good to be back. I guess we knew we are where we are supposed to be at this time. There was a feeling of comfort and peace. We were so worried that we were going to get too cold or somehow cause a problem. We tried to be so careful, not wanting to undo or set back what we have worked so hard for for the last 2 months. We do remember signing the papers promising to do as our doctors instruct and require of us and staying within the limits they set. Even though we were given permission, we were still taking a chance that was concerning. We continue to pray for good reports and no ill effects of this trip.

We also continue to pray for our family - each person, individually. We know that our Heavenly Father is aware of you. He loves you. Remember Him. Remember to pray. He will help you through it all. and Be happy!