A Mitt

This week Hayden and I traveled to Omaho, NE, for his baseball tourney during the College World Series there. We absolutely hated leaving Jace and Matt home (chemo timing wasn't good for the trip), but it was an experience Hayden and I will never forget.

On our way home, the flight attendant was a baseball fan. She inquired about Hayden's experience, and learned from Grandma that he hit a HOMERUN in this Slump Buster Triple Crown Tournament.:)  Hours later, as the plane landed, the intercom sounded:

"...And we'd like to wish the young man in row 8, Hayden from Idaho, congratulations on hitting a home run in his recent baseball tournament in Omaha, Nebraska, home of the College World Series!" 

Hayden's Homerun Ball 6-18-12

The people on the plane cheered.
I looked at my mom, and she looked at me in tears. (I guess we know why I cry so much...)
Then I said to her quietly, "If only they knew the better story..."

Hayden took $100 of his own to buy souvenirs on the trip. The first night  at the Kent State/Florida game, he found a Mizuno Mitt at a vendor's tent outside the CWS Ameritrade Stadium.  It was a great buy at $96. When I found him caressing it, he said, "Mom, I'm going to get this mitt for Jace."
I replied, "No you aren't. He doesn't need a mitt. Buy yourself something honey. You are at the College World Series! Get yourself some souvenirs!"
He said, "Mom, I really want to get Jace this mitt. He would love it so much."
I paused. Hmmm. What do I say? How do I discourage this selfless act?
"We will be here all week; at least think about it, and don't spend all your money the 1st night."
He hesitantly agreed.

He didn't spend a penny the next two days.  Hayden harassed me until we went back Wednesday to buy the mitt for Jace. Unfortunately, the tent was closed because of rain. Hayd was sick. He had his heart set on that mitt. Thursday morning on our way to the airport he prayed the Mizuno tent would be open. He cheered out loud when he saw it was and the mitt was still there. Riding home from the airport, again caressing the mitt, Hayd said, "I can't wait to see the look on Jace's face..."

Homeruns are cool, but don't you agree...That's really the better story?

As we pulled into Hibbard last night, Jace greeted us 1/4 mile before our house on his bike. Hayden jumped out of the car, hugged his brother and got on the bike. Jace automatically jumped up on the pegs, and Hayden peddled him home.

I really don't deserve such amazing kids.
Wow I love these boys.

"The Fighter"

After both of us watched Jace get sick following chemo this time, Hayden made me cry yesterday. Well, Hayden and a song... He turned the radio up and said, "I think this should be our end of chemo theme song..." The song was The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes feat. Ryan Tedder.  It's a song about not giving up. Some of the lines that fit too well are:

"...Until the referee rings the bell, Until both your eyes start to swell...

"...Give me scars, give me pain..."

"...If you fall, pick yourself up off the floor 
And when your bones can't take (any) more 
Just remember what you're here for...

"...Then they'll say of me...

There goes the fighter...

"...This one's a fighter." 

Jace awoke sick today, but insisted on going to baseball practice.  His back was hurting him after his LP this time, so his brother offered to carry him. Jace is looking forward to playing in a few games this weekend. He doesn't want me to talk about him having chemo.... because he doesn't want people to know he feels yucky.

WOW,  I love these boys.

We are down to one hand...Five more months of chemo. 

We can do it.

Love you all.

The Good, Bad, and...Warty

Good
*Jace and Hayden are both enjoying baseball, and Matt and I are enjoying the amazing friends we hang out with at games.
*Hayden has a summer job that he loves! Woo hoo for responsibility!
*We’ve finally felt the sun in large doses…and ahhh… we love sunshine.

Bad
*Jace's classmate recently said to him: “The only reason you have any friends is because you had cancer…” grrrr.  Matt had to hold me AND Hayden back from marching right over to THAT house…ha ha… but after a delicate conversation with Jace about this UNTRUTH, I think we convinced him he IS very likable.:)
*This morning when Hayden walked downstairs, I was shocked to see that he grew an entire foot overnight!! (ok, not really…but almost!!) I am thrilled that he’s growing, but I grieve at the thought of him “growing up!” How is it possible that my sweet boy is now too big to sit on my lap!?? 

Warty
*Jace has sprouted even more warts from chemo on his legs and feet. At last count he found over 110! Although they embarrass him, he did give me permission to tell about it on the blog for the sake of accurate details when we look back on this mess.  (If you are reading, and your children are Jace’s friends or cousins…don’t tell them about the warts. Ha ha. The Doc says they will most likely clear up when chemo is complete… but Jace really doesn’t want anyone “to think he’s a freak.”)
*The good news is, Jace found a funny way to get rid of the warts!  The last time he slid into home base, he skinned his knee so bad he took out 10 of the warty lumps  in one swoop.  He giggled with excitement when he noticed they were gone (and at the sight of his own blood). Then he said, “I better slide into home more often!” J

More chemo the 13^th… LP this time. Yuck.

We can do it.

Love you all.