Playing the Field..

     This week has been strangely normal.. and not something I'm disappointed about.  Baseball is back in full swing, and if you know our family, you know we do a lot of baseball.  Just going out to the game makes life seem "normal". 
  
     This past weekend Cort had a baseball tournament.  His team did outstanding and WON the championship.  These precious people who have become our extended family, got together and decided to play the tournament in honor of Clayton and his "battle" to be a "champion" and win against cancer.  The boys so kindly signed the winning plaque and presented it to Clayton.  SOOO precious. 

Clayton with all of the baseball sisters... It's fun to hear Cort talk to his baseball teamates and ask them which one of his buddies will become his "brother-in-law" when Clayton marries his little sister.

               Clayton proudly receiving the trophy the big boys gave him for being their inspiration.  I'll tell you what, this little guy is certainly a walking example of bravery, in my opinion, but I'm ready to give him a break and let someone else be the brave one for a while.  Too bad it doesn't work that way, right?  I took him to get his intown chemo treatment on Wednesday.  Even though this is not a BIG chemo, it still requires his port to be accessed and just fear for a little 6 year old.  Well, this week, he just got MAD. I mean MAD.  This was the first time since this whole experience started that he broke down and screamed and just let go.  He screamed the whole way home.  Once we got home, I let him scream it out. He was unwilling to let me talk to him, so I just walked outside on the porch and waited until he was done screaming. After I heard him calm down,  I came back in the house and sat down by him.  He wouldn't look at me or answer me, which reminded me that he's probably mad at me for being the driver that takes him to these awful places were people poke him and all that goes with that...  Anyway, as I sat by him.. with tears and hurt all over my face, I proceeded to talk to him.  Just to tell him how sorry I am, how I would do anything to take it from him, how I pray and beg God to make it easy for him, how unfair it is, how long it is and how I am so sorry that it happened to him.  He doesnt respond, but suddenly looks up and seems okay.   I honestly can't believe how a little 6 year old boy is doing what he's doing.  He has to be terrified.  Lord, please continue to hold him and be what I can't be for him. I can't describe to you how frustrating it is to be unable to "fix" this for him.  I realize we are doing what we can to fix it permanently for him, but the leading up is just awful.  Bless his heart.  He is only on week 6, and there are 42!  Lord, give us grace to move forward.  Please be for Clayton what I can't be for him!

    We are approaching his 6 weeks of radiation.  Please be in prayer for our family as we decide where to do this.  We started off being set on doing it in Houston, but after a great experience at Cook Childrens, we are praying about the possibility of doing it there.  We realize that what is best for Clayton is the obvious most important thing, but keeping life as close to normal is part of what is best for Clayton too.  Being in Ft. Worth would allow us to keep life a little more normal.  Please pray for us as we try to make a good decision that will give Clayton the best result possible.

     Thank you all so much for your love and support.  We couldn't be doing this without you all praying for us and pulling for us.  We are so blessed to have precious friends, families, neighbors.  Take a minute today to be thankful for your Christian family.  How beautiful is the body of Christ!

 The Lord brings PERFECT PEACE to those who are steadfast.. because They have trusted HIM...
 Isaiah 29:3