Eight Years Old!

Last year I couldn't think of anything more wonderful than Jace turning 8 years old! We just had to make it through the year. We had to make it to his next birthday. Now it has happened, and I am realizing how quickly time is passing. One of the more common expressions I use on both boys (in my best, yearning mother's voice) is, “STOP GROWING!” I try to cuddle them daily, and pull them into me for extended hugs...but they always pull away too quickly. My oh-so-tough little men are determined to one day be bigger than me. I tease them and say, “No more milk! And definitely no more veggies or anything with vitamins in it! Only junk food for you!” They just giggle at me, and wonder about my sanity. “Mom,” Jace says very matter-of-factly, “We can't stop growing.”

True.

Last week Hayden had to make a poster featuring the “Leatham Culture.” I asked him what he thought that meant. He replied by saying, “You know, like how our family is always playing sports- and how we go to church...how we spend lots of time in the mountains and with family, and how we love to eat Hawaiian Pizza...or Jimmy John's sandwiches.” I thought to myself, well, I guess he does “get it.” Then, when he actually put his poster together, he added that as a family we “fight cancer.” Jace saw the poster and exclaimed a little bashfully, “Why did you put that?” I reminded him that we DO fight cancer. "True that!” he annoyingly replied. “And we ARE pretty good at it.” For a lot of Jace's early life I wondered what I was going to do with his energy and spunk. Now I understand why he was born with attitude.
Jace is also sporting the longest hair he's EVER had in his life. In so many ways I have mixed emotions about cutting it or letting it grow. Everyone comments on his chemo “shag” and his blond curls (new since chemo). It honestly looks like he's highlighted his hair. Although he IS adorable with his hollywood hairdo, it's coming off next week. The chemo hair on the ends is pretty dry and hard to comb, and Jace is finally ready to lose the locks. He has a big day coming too, and he's so excited. On November 13th, Jace gets to be BAPTIZED and Confirmed a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Please join us for his special day if you can. If you want details on when and where, call us (208-356-3042). We will be eating after his confirmation, and our family would LOVE for ANY and ALL friends and family to join us.

Cheers to celebrating the 8th year with our amazing, cancer fighting Jace!

Chemo again on the 15th.

Less than two years of chemo left.

We can do it.