In a Nutshell...

July 4th: No treatments. Flew home and spent the weekend of the 4th with my family. Went to James River's "I Love America" celebration, then to Anita's on Saturday to see baby Brody and my brother, Kevin, who was in from St. Louis.

July 7-11th: Brought Owen to TX with me. What a hoot! We had a fantastic road trip down, and spent the rest of the week going to treatments and taking him to see his cousins (second or once removed or something like that) Jordan, Keirnan, Gabrielle, Alex, and Miguel. Celebrated his birthday with Gabrielle, Alex, and Miguel on Thursday night the 10th. He was elated.

July 11th: Owen's 9th birthday. At his request (and without any hesitation on my part) we spent the weekend with Kirk, Nanette, and Portia and their summer farm help, Jeremy (or Germy...however you want to say it!) on their farm. Owen wanted to ride 4 wheelers for his birthday, and boy...did he ever. He was thoroughly spoiled (pictures will follow...tomorrow). 4 wheelers, trip to Austin, new hat from the hat shop that made all the hats for the cast of Lonesome Dove...umhmm...big stuff, new belt, new UT hat (camo, too), fishing, tractor riding, golf cart riding, cattle buying, bow shooting, dirt, deer feeding/watching, more 4 wheelers, steak, steak, bacon, doughnuts, birthday cake. "This is the BEST birthday ever!" stated repeatedly. When asked on Saturday what he wanted to do on Sunday, he replied, "Everything that I did today!" What a kid! Thank you, Thank you Kirk and Nanette...and Portia and Germy!

July 14th-17th: Radiation and Proton therapy consumed our days from noon to 6 pm. Gotta love that commute into and out of Houston.

July 18th: Postponed one day of treatment to head home. Road tripped with Owen...phenomenal kid. Made a trip home in record time: 11 hours!

July 19th: Thoroughly cleaned Uncle Randall's car...he had let me use it (with very little notice...thank you, thank you Uncle Randall) to go to Houston. Washed off seagull "presents", bugs, and a variety of other road trip trophies. Vacuumed out dirt and hay from the farm, sand from the coast, and food from the trip. Smelled of new car scent when returned. Thank heavens for Armour All and high pressured washes!

Then, returned home at 2ish to repack Owen and Jeff for a trip to Rolla to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary! Congratulations to Larry and Roberta Davis! I hear the celebration was a fantastic success and immensly enjoyable...even by two tiny twins!

July 20th: Loaded two preschoolers and my extremely patient mom for a road trip back to Houston. Met my cousin Ed and my cousin Bob and his wife Shelly and their son Adam near Dallas for a quick visit. Realized at 8:49 p.m. (after even more potty stops) that we were not going to make Houston before dark, so we checked into a Hampton Inn and cozied in for the night. Got a full night's rest and a complimentary breakfast, and

July 21st: Made it to Houston by 12:00 noon, just in time to drop by Aunt Teresa and Uncle Howard's where Mom, Levi and Isaac stayed while I darted off to my 1:15 appointment. Picked them up a little after 4, then drove to our borrowed home in 106 degree heat in rush hour traffic. Started some laundry while Mom started supper, filled the wading pool for the boys, sprayed on some OFF, grabbed a glass of ice water and welcomed myself back to TEXAS!

A more relaxing entry will surely follow...soon. Just wanted you to know what's been going on since July began! My goodness...that makes me tired just to type it!

Hope your summer is going well. Anybody ready for some crisp fall weather yet?

Love and blessings,

Leslie