This is what happens at bath time after an increase in chemotherapy medicines.  As if Joaquin losing his hair once isn't bad enough!  Since his treatment is 3 years long, he is expected to lose his hair several more times.  It is not something a mother can ever get accustomed to.  When the hair begins to thin again, it becomes a constant reminder of the cancer his little body is trying to fight.  My first instinct is to shave my own head.  It gives me a sense of control over something I have no power over.  This time rather than doing it in a Britney Spears-esque manner, I will go to Washington DC and do it with 46 other mommas that fight for their children too.  It is a privilege and honor to be one of these courageous mommas.  SEPTEMBER 21..stay tuned.

Back to School Blues...

The back to school feeling the past few years has been awfully bittersweet.  As I see children walking to school down our street, I get the excited fall-is-coming-new-crayons excitement.  Then I remember that my boys wont get that sense of first day of school excitement. At least not for awhile.  I feel the constant urge to remind myself that LIVING is much more about spending time with our loved ones and treasuring the precious moments we have together in health. 


School is only one aspect of life.  On this day we are celebrating our blessing in God allowing us to keep Joaquin.  Keeping Rafael at home with Joaquin has taught him how to be of service to his brother, patience, and the appreciation of the little things like marbles and making pudding.  I hope I am properly taking advantage of my time with the two of them.  The extra time I have them at home is a privilege NOT a burden.  Even if sometimes I like the idea of shooing them off on a bus and having a soap marathon on t.v. while eating chocolate and sipping wine. HA!  I love my boys.  And now, I patiently wait for my box of homeschool goodies to come in the mail. :)

random!

Nachooooooooooo!

Victory

Mucha Lucha

bottoms up

Beastie Boys

Brothers

Clinic companions: conejito knuffle and snoopy