Joel's Journey: Valentine Party

Friday, February 13, 2009

Valentine Party

After a day of grocery shopping and then getting home and "doing" a party, I am going to sleep late in the morning......so nobody call:) We had a fun time, Anna's wonderful dessert was amazing, and I "snuck" only one of the Reese's Butter Cups and Terry got some Starbucks truffles and I had to have one of those, so that's it for me for a while!!!! Mercy and I had to get in the party spirit and we painted our toes Valentine Red!! I am grateful for the girls help to pull this off, I think all the guys have very happy belly's right now! Thank you Lord for the blessing of family and the fun we can have together!

Happy Valentine's day!!!!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: I just love the way you do things so special for your family and with them. That party table looked fabulous and the food also.
Good job to everyone, I am sure they all enjoyed.
Happy Valentine's Day !!!

Hugs,
Marie; February 13, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Jessica said...: The top photo is precious... your little sweethearts!

The decorations and treats are beautiful!; February 14, 2009 at 5:34 AM
Brouwer Family said...: You are amazing at throwing celebrations! Could you have another "competition" so we have a chance to win some of those amazing looking goodies! I don't always remember which of your children are the chefs but I think that they have a future in catering!; February 14, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Mountain Mama said...: Oh what fun! Beautiful family. Beautiful table. Beautiful treats. A beautiful LOVE!!!
Happy Valentines Day; February 14, 2009 at 4:22 PM
debi9kids said...: Hi. I just saw the lovely comment you left on my friend Jess' blog (Tuesday's mom) and wanted to come over and thank you for reaching out to her.
She truly needs the support of other moms who have been where she is now. It's so heartbreaking. (I am sorry for your loss as well)

It's also nice to meet another Christian mom of many:)
Hope you have a lovely holiday with your beautiful family.
Most sincerely, Debi; February 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Lindsay said...: Cindy,
Thank you for your comments on my blog...www.rememberingavi.blogspot.com. Your prayers are appreciated and your strength is inspiring. Please continue to pray for me and Avi... as I will continue to pray for you and Joel....
Lindsay- Avi's mommy; February 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Jessica Kate said...: On this day of love, thank you for reaching out to me. We are escaping for a week to delay reality, but as soon as we return home, to a home that feels empty, even tho it's full, I'll get in touch.
I'm confident that you have much to teach me.
xo,
Jessica Kate
Tuesday's mama; February 15, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Christine said...: The treats look so delightful! I hope your day was blessed!; February 16, 2009 at 9:31 PM

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Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.