Relaxing in His goodness..

   The past couple of weeks have been amazing.  I almost don't know what to do with myself...besides pack boxes, make decisions for a brand new kitchen and bathroom, sell our current home and keep up with four kids.  Ha!  I just feel so thankful to be free from the chemo and the stress that comes with the blood work that is required of a child in cancer treatment.
   We did get the call from Ft. Worth that Clayton's next set of scans is April 19th.  We've already marked the day off on our calendars and are prepared to once again see that our little man is cancer free.

    Clayton is doing fantastic.  I can tell that he is full of energy in a way that he hasn't been in some time.  He's playing, laughing, joking and just being the little guy that he was before he dealt with Rhabdo.  One of the fun things that he and I used to do before his diagnosis was go to the yogurt shop and have a date.  He'd get his cup and fill it full of Cookies and Creme and Strawberry yogurt and then top it off with every cookie and candy on the topping bar.  We'd sit down and he'd polish it off as we visited.  I have always loved that he enjoyed that... Well, the week after he got his very first chemo, I was trying to bring back some normal and took him to the yogurt shop.  He excitedly made his favorite combination, took one bite, and ran out the door throwing up profusely.  I remember holding him, telling him it's okay, clicking him in his booster seat and quietly crying the whole way home.  To me, that was just one indicator of what all was to come. The harsh changes and reality that were before us.   Somehow we found a new favorite thing, enjoyed the days that he felt great, and forgot all about Yogurt.  Well, friends.. this week, he asked to go back to the yogurt shop.  After tasting all the flavors and thinking it over, he went right back to his old favorite.. cookies and cream and strawberry.  He polished it all off, and continues to ask to go back.  I know it sounds trivial to some, but this is just one example of him coming back to his "old" self and picking up right where he left off. It sure did my heart good!
    A few weeks into the beginning of Clayton's chemo treatment, I had another cancer mom ask me if I was "ready to mourn the loss of the little boy Clayton was"  ... she said that he would have lots of problems and probably never be that happy go lucky little ball of energy.  At the time, that was my biggest fear and those words bit right through me.  I will tell you all..he is BACK and he has not missed a beat.  I don't attribute it to anything other than God's hand all over him.  He has NO problems at this time from his treatment.  He runs and plays basketball..all four quarters.  He is smart as a whip. .. he HEARS... he jokes.. he has an incredible sense of humor, like his daddy, .. he TRUSTS God!  He is even starting to get little eyelashes and is growing some hair.  He is a MIRACLE.  I find myself answering questions about him every chance I get and just bragging on our God... our God that heals, protects, holds and promises good.  Oh.. I just want people to know!
    We have truly felt blessed as a family.  Our current house that we have loved and are moving out of got a contract on it before we even listed it on the MLS.  We got an incredible offer and are actually closing in a couple of weeks.  God is blessing our family.  He's still walking beside us and taking care of us.
   Through this journey, I have had the opportunity to meet many families dealing with difficult, heartbreaking situations.  I beg you all to pray with me for these kids.  The same God that continues to hold Clayton is with them and loves them too.  He is capable to do amazing things for each family.  I don't always understand why God answers our prayers differently.  Why Clayton did so well, yet other children are still suffering.  I don't understand it and never ever will...it seems as unfair as it was that Clayton had to even get cancer.  There are just no answers, but I KNOW that God wants good for them too.  Some names for prayer are Abby, Ethan, Krista, Olivia, Brooke, Logan, Reid (who just finished his treatment.. YAY), Aliyah, Faith, Hannah, Kinsley.. among many others.  Please pray with me for these kids and for continued health in Clayton.  We are so thankful for the prayers of His saints!