Faith

I've been thinking a lot about faith lately.  You know what I mean when I say the kind of faith it takes to move mountains.  I grew up on the mountains and I wonder how much faith it would take to move them.

We know it will take large miracles from heaven for Michael to have the cancer taken from his body and to be able to do some things that normal little boys do.  And I've wondered if I have the faith centered in Christ for those miracles.  Some days I feel like I do.  In fact, faith to move mountains and see miracles seems easy.  It's the other kind of faith that I am learning.

The greatest test of faith for me isn't strong enough faith to move mountains or see miracles, it's the kind of faith to humbly say, "Thy will be done." 

It's the faith to accept loss, even great personal loss.  The faith to accept persecution for having integrity, standing for what's right, living the way I know is pleasing to God.  The faith to put my feet on the ground when I'm not sure there is solid ground - and doing that in the complete dark.  It's the faith to accept when nothing happens and when answers are delayed.  The faith to accept the places life leads me, especially places I hoped I wouldn't ever have to go.  And the faith to do things that I hoped I would never have to do.  And then given all that, having faith that in the end it will all be okay, because of my faith that I am in God's hands.

Heavenly Father knows me and my family personally.  He has a plan for each of us.  I am learning that having faith in that gets me through each day.

treasures

Today marks Mikey's 13-month birthday and I can't help but be grateful for everyday I get with this awesome kid.  

Life is such a gift.  

Time is such a treasure.  

Today I'm going to take a moment to give those someones I love a squeeze, especially my children. 

My name is Michael Wheeler Part 2

I learned my first sign this week.  When I squeeze my hand, mom mom gives me a bottle with milk or nurses me.  My parents are so proud of me.  

I also realized this week I really like spaghetti.  It might be wet and sticky but it tastes oh so good!  I got it all over my face and hands so my mom gave me a bath.  

I love to splash the water even though it goes right in my eyes because I can't blink.  They get a little red, but it's fun.  

Pam, my physical therapist, came to play with me this week.  I like her so much and work so hard for her because she makes me laugh so hard.  She zirbitt's my feet and thighs and neck and rolls me upside down on a big red ball.  I love hanging  upside down and do it on my mom's lap too.  

I got a new car seat this week.  Now I can see my mom when we drive and even sometimes watch "Signing Time" in the car.  We drive a lot because I am getting radiation right now.  I don't really like being in the car so long but now I have my car seat and my woobie and a cracker, it's not so bad.  

Did I mention "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" is my favorite song?  I smile whenever I hear it.  

My mom and other people say the right side of my face might be working more.  It's no big deal to me either way.  All I know is everyone tells me I'm a pretty cute kid.  

I think I am happy just to be me.

Half-way

Today marks the half-way point through Michael's radiation. 
Although the trips to and from Denver are exhausting for me, I can hardly believe we are already to this point.
Michael is a super-trooper and keeps a smile inside his face.  You would see it if he could.

He's such a regular now, not only is he super popular among the doctors and nurses, even all the valet parking people know him by first name and can't help tickle his toes and touch his wispy blond hair.

But sometimes he is a bit more grumpy than usual too.  It could be the radiation.  Or maybe the tooth he's breaking, or his eczema, or constipation, or nausea, or the needle that pokes out of him all week long (not the sharp end - that part points in).  It seems like a tricky puzzle to put together everyday.

Our mornings start at 5:00 AM right now in order to arrive for our 7:30AM slot.  That's the time we are in the room being sedated.  It's a new schedule but watching the sunrises make it all worth it.   I count it a blessing to be able to be mother to this sweet amazing little guy.

Family Visits

We're just over two weeks into Michael's radiation treatments, so we have about four weeks to go.  We had quite a whirlwind for a few weeks with lots of family members coming to wish Michael a happy birthday and to offer their support.  It was a bit crazy at times, but we enjoyed being with family and the memories are priceless treasures.

Eating breakfast with the Wayment cousins before they head back to Utah.  They and the rest of the Bellamy family had surprised us for Michael's birthday just the day before.

Cousin Caitlynne will miss her little buddy

Aunt Julie lets a worn-out Spencer snuggle on her lap

The Bellamy family brought a bunch of colorful plastic utensils for Michael's birthday party.  We keep them in a white bowl for Michael to play with and they've turned into one of his favorite toys!

Playing musical instruments with Uncle Ken's family at the Swetsville Zoo

Playing in the giant sandbox with cousins at the Swetsville Zoo

Cousin Jared cooling off on the slip-n-slide on the Fourth of July

Spencer would rather stand-n-slide

The weather can be unpredictable in Colorado, so Whitney is prepared for all seasons

Having fun with the Wheeler cousins from California and Rose cousins from Pueblo

We had quite the full house when Jeff's and Becky's families came to visit us

When we started running out of space in our house, many of the cousins enjoyed sleeping in a tent in our backyard

Cousin Brendan reading Michael a story

Cousin Logan couldn't get enough of the splash park

This splash park comes with a splash river, too!

Michael's not quite sure what to make of this particular furry little cousin.

The cousins were fascinated by the marble machine at the Children's Hospital while waiting for Michael to finish with his appointment

Jeff's family rented a 15-passenger van for their trip to Colorado.  There were times when we filled every seat (and still needed a second vehicle)

Firefighter Mikey at the Children's Museum in Denver

At the Children's Museum Spencer made some bubbles that were bigger than he is

Whitney and Spencer trying to catch a smoke-filled bubble

Liz's Aunt Cay and a few of her cousins stopped by our home briefly when they were in Colorado for a wedding

My name is Michael Wheeler part 1

Hi.  My name is Michael Wheeler and I just turned 1 year old.  Since I can't read or write or even speak yet, my mom is writing in a journal for me.  She wanted to share a little bit about what she wrote about me on Sunday so here is goes:

Today is Sunday so I went to church with my family.  I fell asleep in my mom and dad's arms for part of it.  I went for a stroller ride tonight with my family.  I really like stroller rides and I played with colorful plastic spoons and knives as we road along.  I love to play with those things and play with them a lot on the floor too.  I also like music.  This week, when I visited my doctor at the hospital, they brought me a birthday cake with a big "1" on it.  As they sang, "Happy Birthday," I clapped my hands along with them and kicked my feet because I was so excited.

I love my family a lot.  My dad was told that if I could talk, I would tell him how much I love him.  It is true, when dad is around or comes home from work, I get really excited and hope he will pick me up.  I love my mom too and I am always happy to see her.  If I could say words, I would tell them that and that I know how much they do for me.

A couple more things about me.  I like to feed myself but I don't like sticky, wet food on my fingers.  Yuck!  So I eat a lot of cereal and bread.  I don't like eating food from a spoon and shake my head to tell my mom and dad, but they still make me eat it.  I am learning to drink from a bottle.  That's hard because my face doesn't work.  I love my brother Spencer.  He makes me laugh hard.  I like my sisters too but they are on vacation at grandma and grandpa's so I miss them.  I like to make sounds and have someone copy me, especially squealing sounds.  I am learning to sit all by myself.  My family is proud of me.

One Amazing Birthday Party!

Michael had an amazing first birthday!  We held a birthday party in our backyard for him back on July 2nd, complete with bounce house, cotton candy machine, and face painting!  The weather cooperated beautifully, with a nice cloud cover so it wasn't too hot, and no rain until after the party was over. 

First, let me tell you a little how this thing came together.  Originally I had planned to have a simple backyard party with cake and ice cream.  However, my dear friend Sandra asked if she could take over the planning and I couldn't resist taking the stress off my plate.  Little did I know what an amazing party she could pull off in just a week!  Sandra starting calling businesses and friends like crazy in Fort Collins telling them all about Michael and his special birthday.  People were so incredibly generous so everything for Michael's party was donated by businesses or paid for by friends.  We just can't thank people enough for their goodness.  (We've included links to some of the businesses if people want to "like" them on facebook to thank them for their generosity.)

There are a lot of pictures coming so sit back, relax and enjoy! Thanks to good friends for snapping pictures for us.

Thanks to Marcus and Whole Foods for donating two huge birthday cakes and several large fruit platters.  Marcus delivered the goods himself so he could meet Michael.

Sorry for the blurry pic but it was so great to meet Marcus in person

Sandra, master party planner with one of Michael's huge delicious birthday cakes provided by Whole Foods

This cake was made by American Baking Girl

He loved it except when his face broke out in hives afterwords!  I'm thinking we have a food allergy of some kind.

A huge thanks to TCBY for donating all of these single serve frozen yogurts.  We went through 175 of them.

One of our favorite visitors:  Hazel and her parents came all the way from Denver to help Michael celebrate his birthday!  Hazel has the same type of brain cancer as Michael and recently finished her radiation treatments. 

Alyssa was our fantastic balloon artist. She made swords for the kids.

After the party, our 6-year old Sarah told us she wants the same party when it's her birthday.  How do we top something like this?  Sorry Sarah, this was a once-in-a-lifetime deal!
-Liz