Amanda and the Hendersons

{Here is my disclaimer.....I have been using my phone for photos more often than not recently and so.....there you have it. A plethora of cell phone pictures........yes, I am lazy.} Parklen was given another pass today..... four hours spent outside of the hospital..... That kid was so excited for round two...... Smiling all the way. He enjoys normal things so much... Eating, playing, arguing, running.... boy stuff. You would not believe how much he enjoys every small detail...... mostly things that you or I may not even notice.... things we most definitely take for granted.... Things that we rush through.... tasks we find annoying, time consuming...... are exciting and fun to a child that has never felt well before.... He enjoyed a science experiment, some eating, some block building, car driving, game playing, eating, walking, running, eating, He really enjoyed his brother...... and his sister. Driving in the car on the way to the apartme

Do you have something to be thankful for? You know......really, everyone has something. Most every human being on this earth is blessed in one way or another. Although typically, we don't tend to concentrate on all of the things that we have. We often sway the other way.....focusing on the things we are missing......the things we  don't have. I have many things to be thankful for. Every day. Today however......I have abundantly more. As I sanitized the car this morning in preparation to pick up my boy for our afternoon tears kept welling in my eyes. As I walked up to the hospital room....tears filled my eyes. As I slipped on his socks and shoes and caped superman sweatshirt...... tears filled my eyes. The emotions that I felt were overwhelming....... It has been 46 days since I checked him into the hospital. 46 days side he has been outside. 46 days since he rode in a car. 46 days since he felt fresh air on his face...... 46 days since he saw th

I feel like a kid at Christmas time. I would guess that I won't be getting much sleep tonight.......(and it will probably be the night Phin decides to sleep all night............) I am just so excited about tomorrow. I love Thanksgiving..... every year. I love the family, the food, the chaos....... I am usually the one to cook, and host. and I look forward to it every single year. This year I will not be hosting the extended family............. We will be spending the holiday in Denver. We will be spending the holiday at the apartment. We will be spending the holiday with Parklen.......at the apartment. He has be granted a four hour pass for mental well being...... He is doing that  well. Never did we anticipate the speed at which he is moving....... He is just hurdling forward, and refusing to let anything stand in his way. He is so happy. We are so happy. I am, of course....super nervous for bringing him to the apartment tomorrow.... After all, happy or

Ok, so turning thirty has never seemed great. It always seemed, until recently.....to be a turn of events in the way of growing older. The day I turned thirty was the best day I have had in as long as I remember......and the blessings have seeped over into today...... I started my day out with some Paysen and Phinlynn snuggles....... Then headed over to the hospital to see my other boys.... Devan and I drank coffee together while Parklen snoozed away. At about 9 in the morning a cab met me downstairs........ As I climbed inside, alone......i knew I was in for an adventure. The hospital volunteers office was sending me down town......... I was going to a spa. I walked inside and instantly felt incredibly relaxed. The sweet gal at the desk escorted me back to a Eucalyptus steam room...... I spent quite a while just sitting there......breathing in the steam and letting my body relax a bit more. After putting on my given spa robe and sandals, I headed out to

Tonight is the last night of my twenties.... you know what? I had a great day today to bid farewell to this decade.... Parklen is doing so wonderful. Not exaggerating one bit. His counts have sky rocketed. The bone marrow is doing a great job of finding its new home. He looks amazing. He feels amazing. 24 days out. 24 days of everyone waiting for him to look bad and feel worse. 24 days of him doing the opposite. He is spending the night with his daddy......... I can only imagine the fun they are having. I got to see my big boy Paysen today...... the doctors thought it would be a good idea to let him see Parklen for a few minutes. He wore a mask and the two of them hugging was priceless. My handsome husband showed up with tons of goodies sent from home. Such thoughtful gifts from friends. I feel so loved. Looking forward to tomorrow........ and I am telling you, even if I tried.... I could not think of a better gift for my thirtieth birthday.... than k