This just got real

So your Pappy Hite has been battling Lymphoma for the past year now (after an 8 year remission).  He is the strongest man I know and has battled it while having VERY few restrictions.  He still came to football games, volleyball games, raised his cows, worked on rebuilding his cars, built a few buildings around the farmette, fixed up Grandma and Pappy Koontz's house for Aunt Jesse and family to move in among many other things.  But some things didn't go as planned.  Last year (2015) you were scheduled to go out west with Grandma and Pappy in June but due to treatments that needed to be postponed.  You two were awesome - you were disappointed but so encouraging to Pap and making sure he knew that you were not upset with him and that he needed to focus on getting better first!

In December of 2015 we thought things were better and the trip was being planned for this spring/summer.  He completed his treatment in November and was told he was in remission.  That didn't last long, by Christmas he had tumors growing on his neck.  We started looking at treatment options which led us to a visit to John Hopkins in Baltimore where we felt had the best doctors and research to make Pap better.  We met with Dr Jones (Director of Bone Marrow Transplant) who said that Pap was a candidate and that he only needed to find a partial match for a donor.  Aunt Jodi and I were there so we gave blood right away to begin the match process and Aunt Jesse was tested soon after.  We were happy to hear that we were all matches and good candidates.  After a little debate and some tough decisions (because we each wanted to be the donor) I was selected to be the donor.  It would be harder for Aunt Jodi and Aunt Jesse given the physical jobs that they have verses mine which can be done on a laptop from a bed if needed and ALSO they would be needed on the farm to help Pap with cows, house, mowing, garden, etc while I don't live as close to be as helpful.

When Pap was told about this he was NOT happy about the fact that he would need to spend TWO months in the city (not Pap's favorite place).  I told him that for most people when they need to dig deep and work hard it's get out and do physical labor.  For him, that's what he loves - his dig deep is to sit still and let his body work to kill the cancer and build himself back up.  It's not easy but it's worth it.  After we finished meeting with all the doctors and nurses Pap was real quiet.  I asked him what was bothering him the most about this - the pain, the city stay, the way his body was going to be VERY tired, what?  He said (with tears in his eyes) -'I'm going to let Cade and Addy down again because our trip is once again postponed'.  You two being the troopers that you are may have been disappointed but you didn't let that show to Pap, you simply encouraged him to work hard and get better.

So now we have dates - it's about to get real.  May 24th is transplant day.  We have lots of appointments leading up to that.  It's exciting, a little nerve racking and encouraging to know we are headed into what has a 95% cure rate for Pap.

Thanks for being awesome!  Thanks for supporting me and Pap!  He is our cheerleader always (even if he doesn't use pompoms) - let's be the biggest support team he can imagine so that he is back in the stands this fall with his cowbell watching his first grandson play freshman football and able head back to PSU to watch one of his favorite sports with his favorite volleyball player!!

Ok guys - let's do this - let's KICK CANCER!!

Pap with no hair - last time I saw him with no beard I was 3. 

Still out playing (they say working)

More YES!

I realize that quite often I'm on a mission in life and I've found myself telling you both 'not now - we don't have time' too often. So I'm really trying hard to just say 'yes' more often.  We have busy schedules so that you can do all the activities you love but I don't want this time to go by without memories for me to hold onto when you are grown. 

So I try hard to 'put you to bed' when I can - yes, there are nights when I'm too tired but I try even on those nights to spend some time talking to you. 

I love hearing how God is working in your lives. You tell me what's going on in school, with your friends, in your mind - that's priceless. I hope that you'll always share with me. I don't want to be too controlling of your every move yet I feel it's my job to guide you. 

So on a snow day when you guys beg me to take off work and go snow tubing - I did and loved it. 

When we were tired and over slept for church - we took the time to go check out God's amazing creation with a family hike. Addy's 'poor little legs and ingrown toenails' made it very tough on her but we had a great day just outside, walking and talking together. And Addy and I held hands the whole way back! 😄

My hope is that we remember these little moments. It's easy to remember the big trips, the holidays, etc. I treasure these surprise moments together and I know your dad does too. 

So here is to family game nights...

And funny faces....

I love you both!!!

Saved!!!

Cade attended sleep away camp this summer for the first time. Some of my favorite childhood memories were at church camp. The friends that I met. The stories that I heard. And most importantly the Holy Spirit filling me to the brim!!!

Cade enjoyed the music. He made new friends and got to know old friends even better. He spent time really reflecting on his life and his choices. And in the end he realized that he has been saved - that Jesus loves inside him and that he wants to live his life for Christ!  That's the best thing a parent can ask for - ever!!  

The work continues. Keeping your faith when it seems impossible. Trusting God when you want something besides what he has planned for you. Encouraging others to walk with you. And loving people that are tough to love because only through God can we love like he loves. 

I'll be praying for your journey always my son!  Xoxo

Determination

This has been a theme over the past two months for both of you.

Cade started football practice in July after a rough season last year with the broken collarbone. He didn't go back scared or worried. He went back determined to play hard and win a starting position at center. He didn't start the season there but by the first official game - he had established himself the starting role. He has so far had a great two games of consistent snaps and even was awarded start of the game at the last game. Way to go Cade!!

Addy rejoined the Teal Tornados for the third year this year. After playing some club ball and Rec ball for several years she has conquered a consistent and hard overhand serve. There is always room for improvement and she has been satisfied but continues to perfect it. Last week she took a rough round at serve receive. She just couldn't get herself in the right position at the right time to make a clean pass to her teammates. After several bloopers I told her 'it's ok, take a deep breath'. She quickly fired back 'it's NOt ok'. She was right really and I couldn't have been prouder of her determination. She was fighting a nasty head cold and could have used that as an excuse but she dug deep. 

I know I talk a lot about sports but sports aren't the most important things in life.  Digging deep and not settling for less than what you know you are capable of is a life lesson that can be learned through sports.  There are always two roads - the easy road and the hard road. Some days we just decide to take the easy road but for the best long term results the hard road is the right answer. 

Another important lesson you can learn from team sports is that we aren't all made the same way. Some have more natural talent than others. Some are better at serving, hitting, tackling, throwing, etc. than others but it takes everyone working together to make a winning team. Except people for their strengths and weaknesses - this will help them to except you for your strengths and weaknesses. 

Love you both!!

Middle school man

Cade you are very involved in middle school these days. Student council, PTSA, yearbook, peer mediation, etc. 

You played the national anthem before a basketball game 

You paint faces for spirit week

You were making morning announcement regarding the purchase of candy grams. 

Getting cold outside

December has been busy but sweet family memories have been made along the way. 

Decorating.  

Elf visits from Ellery

Snow ball dance - Cade took Megan Aulabaugh

Bake days with Karen Paulik

We went to Follow the Star - an awesome live Nativity

Addy's chorus concert - 4th grade

Addy and Savannah McClintoc

Cade's orchestra concert - with Reece McDonald for 5 years now!!

Giving gifts - my favorite!!!

Watching movies by the fire sipping hot chocolate - great church service today on Peace. Let's be the peacemakers God called us to be!!

Addy surgery and mom out of town

I'm in Chicago for a week of Microsoft conferencing. Should have been a fairly fun and insightful week however....

Days before I left I got the call that they wanted to do Addy's toe surgery this week. We have waited for months to get this scheduled and it been ingrown and infected for a year now. It bleeds on a daily basis and hurts terribly. How could I say 'no - you have to wait longer'. 

Then the day before I leave we hear that pappy Hite has lymphoma back for round two. It had been eight years since his first battle. This time in his chest and abdomen. 

NOT the best time to be out of town. 

Praying that God's plan is in action and that his healing hand is already starting.  Oh my Harry Jay and Addy Jaye - I love you both more than you'll ever know.