Our Trip to Texas

Zach and I traveled to Houston Texas to see a specialist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on May 5th. The specialist told us that the treatment Zach is getting in Indianapolis is similar to what she would recommend. She said that once these drugs stop working (we want them to work as long as possible) he might be eligible to become part of a Clinical Trial using newer Chemotherapy drugs. It won't be realistic for him to travel to Houston every other week, but there may be a closer hospital that is offering the same Clinical Trial. Our plan for now is to continue treatment in Indianapolis (Zach received another round of Chemo on Mary 10th).

After Zach's Thursday appointment we shopped at Ikea and ate at the Melting Pot before traveling to Galveston, Texas. In Galveston we visited an Aquarium, went on an Historic Homes Tour (Zach was a good sport and visited all 10 homes with me), walked on the beach, went swimming, and played games. We also visited a school benefit auction where Zach bought a certificate for a local restaurant and a certificate for me to get a manicure and pedicure. I enjoyed some pampering and we both enjoyed barbecued meat and sea food. Our flight back to reality on Monday came way too soon, but we are both thankful for the time together. The kids spent their vacation getting spoiled by their Ohio grandparents, aunts/uncles, and great aunts/uncles.

Mr. Zion

Miss Personality aka Princess Moriah

Happy Birthday Grandma Carmon

The Grand kids, their moms, and Aunt Cassie took Grandma Carmon out for her birthday today. Our stops were Portrait Innovations, Panda Express, and Cold Stone Creamery.

Our Green Play Room

In March I posted that I was thinking about painting the play room green. I got motivated a few days later while Zion was visiting my family in Ohio. Here are a few after pictures before all the toys got moved in. I am hoping to add some pictures on the walls and develop an organzing system so it looks nicer, but for now I am just happy to have the toy mess in one room most of the time.

Pictures of our Life

My cousins Heidi and Sam visited us the weekend of March 18-20th.


Jordan and Joy stayed overnight with us March 25th on their way to a wedding in Illinois.


We were in Toledo March 26th and 27th visiting Doug, Lanna, and their family. Shari made me a wonderful birthday cake.


The Bertsch family stayed at the Farmstead Inn April 1-3. We celebrated Elly, Ashlyn, and Moriah's Birthdays (Moriah turns 2 May 15th). On Sunday our family went to Milford for Abe and Julie's wedding.


Mom and Jason visited a few days over Jason's spring break. Mom and Cassie went with Zach to his chemo treatment on April 5th.

Heaven and Earth

Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. - John 11:43-44

I was telling Zion the Bible story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead the other day. At the end of the story, I thought I better explain that most people who go to Heaven don’t come back down to earth. I then said that “if Daddy goes to Heaven in the next few years, I won’t be able to come back to earth. I’ll have to wait until you join me in Heaven.” Tears swelled in Zion’s eyes and he said, “Daddy, you gotta come back. You can’t leave us.” I started weeping as well but I had no words of encouragement for my little boy. We just sat their weeping and hugging. Zion is only 3 ½ years old, but he understands a lot. It is hard to keep the Biblical perspective of Heaven when we love so many people on earth. But we need to love our Creator and Savior more.

Please pray for Zion, since this conversation he has made different comments about heaven and that he doesn't want Zach to go there. He has gotten sad when heaven is mentioned and gets really upset if he isn't awake to say good bye when Zach leaves for work. We know that he is struggling to understand all that is happening and pray that God can protect his heart and mind in the days ahead.

In Heaven we'll be with the person we were made for in the place we were made for. - Randy Alcorn