Finally on our way HOME

We have just walked off of the ball field. Yes, I know that it is 10:30p.m., but when your a Tarheel these are the hours you keep. Our boys did a phenominal job today. We came up short by one run in the last inning in the championship game tonight. After battling through 4 games today our guys walked away as the runners up. What a blessing it was to have been here to watch them play. Our Blake did come through with a home run along with a few other of his team mates and I couldn't be prouder of the way he played the game. We are now loading up all of Ash's things and we are fixing to head on home to Longview. Well, Dave and Blake will go home to our house and all of us girls will go to my in-laws until our remodel is complete.

Ash still has the three blisters around her mic-key button, but I am feeling better after reading Gwens( sweet Ivey's mommy) comment. I am going to try the Mylanta around it first thing in the morning. I pray this will be a simple solution. Other than the blisters our Ashley Kate looks great. She is laughing, cooing, playing, and loving her life. I am so thrilled to have her back with her brother and sister. As I was watching Blake play ball during the first game this morning I turned around to see the most beautiful 9 year old girl walking toward me. My heart jumped with joy and I hugged and squeezed that young lady until she squirmed away from me. It felt so good to know that we would all be together again.


I am feeling a little overwhelmed when I think of all the "figuring things out" I have to do tomorrow, but underneath that feeling I only feel gratitude. I know that after a few days I will settle into the guest room and get some kind of a routine down for my Ashley. I will have to drop her labs off at the hospital in the morning and then I will begin to make all of her appointments for the week. All I know at this time is that she will see the pediatric oncologist at Children's Hospital in Dallas on Thursday morning and then she will get her chemotherapy. If she does well and is tolerating it then we will travel back home to Longview that evening.

Although we are feeling very tired at this point in our lives, we are more than grateful to find ourselves in this place at this time. What a long path it has been to get here. We are praying that our Ashley will thrive in her own environment and that this cancer will soon be a thing of the past for her. Dave and I are looking forward to raising all three of these amazing children to find their place and their purpose in this world. I believe that the Father has big plans for them and I want them to know how important they are to Him. What an exciting task that He has given to us. We are more than blessed.

Thank you all for your patience with us during this time. I know it is taking us a while to make it home to Longview, but once we get there I will post and update on a more regular basis. I so appreciate all of your prayers for us during this time. I know that you were brought into our lives and into Ashley's story not by chance but for a reason. You have all blessed me beyond words with your faithfullness and with your friendships. I do thank God for you. Good night and God bless you and your families. Trish