The Little Triathlete

Carter has had a great past few weeks. If he could spend every day engaged in sports he would be thrilled and this has been pretty close.

He started swimming lessons for the first time and did a great job. At the end of 10 lessons they have an open session for parents to watch. We were so impressed with how much he learned in a short time. He has always been comfortable in the water, had little reservation, and found ways to get around; but never learned formal strokes. This week that all changed...
And I have tried numerous times to teach him to swim and float on his back, but he wasn't into trying for mom. However his teacher, Miller, was apparently just the inspiration he needed...
Now if that's not comfort in the water, I don't know what is!

This week was also the end of the baseball season. It has been another great time and we are sad to see it end.

This past week Carter is attending Challenger soccer camp taught by British Soccer. If they ever come your way, don't miss out.
He is having an absolute blast. Little did I know just how thankful I would be to have somewhere for him to get out his energy during one of the hottest weeks of the summer. None of them care that it's 98*, they are having a great time!His coach, Steph, has been inspiring to the kids. They teach not only skills, but integrity, teambuilding, sportsmanship, responsibility, and hard work. She has created a strong little team of ten who are loving every moment. I honestly think he smiles the whole two hours. He loves it so much he even sleeps in the jersey! (It has been tough to get it washed each day.)Tomorrow is the last day and we will be sad to see it end.

(Wish me luck, too, because the moms get to play soccer for the last day and I think Coach Steph will turn out to be tougher than she looks :)

Fortunately, fall soccer starts the week after next. Can you even believe it?! I know I can't!!

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Julia is doing okay. It's been a tough week for her. Chemo treatment is such a 'one step forward, three steps back' process. Her body was recovering well from the past rounds and she was doing good. Then we hit back with the 'heavy' drugs and now it seems we're back where we started again. She's been feeling bad and it's hard to pinpoint exactly where or how. She cries and whines most of the day. I am digging deep to keep my gentleness through it all because day after day whining- whatever the reason- is hard to handle. We are trying to mediate her pain and discomforts with the medicines, but it changes so often its hard to feel like we're controlling it. Hopefully something is making a dent...

She is back to not eating as much and food in general has become a hurdle. I've heard from adult chemo patients that chemo completely changes your tastebuds. The food you crave, tastes nothing like it should. Your tastes change from one bite to the next and nothing really tastes good. She's hungry, but can't decide what to eat. By the time she chooses and its made she wants no part of it. She's been existing on toast, plain waffles, and frozen blueberries. At least these things work some of the time.

She's been very tired, but not sleeping well. She gets up several times during the night and has been up by 6am or sleeping in until 9:30am. Carter has been a great big brother, finding things they can play and keeping her company in her pain. I am blessed to see their relationship continue to grow through all of this...