strong and courageous

Dear friends, if you're checking here you're likely wondering about Isaiah.  He's doing great.  He's strong, growing, and full of life.  He's been off chemo for 16 months.  We're down to one doctor appointment every two months.  We're so thankful.

Please head over to Nate's blog to read our Christmas 2011 letter and to see pictures from the year.  It's been a great season of life for us.  We'd love to share it with you.

Merry Christmas!

Friends,

Thanks for visiting.  I fear I've lost your faithful companionship via this blog in this recent five weeks of silence.  It's by far the longest I've gone without posting since May, 2007.

The truth is I've felt a surprising need to put this discipline down for a while.  The constant pressure of Isaiah's health served as a strong motivator to blog.  We were so aware of our need for support and wanted to keep those of you who pray for Isaiah posted and up-to-date.

Now that this long season of treatment is done, we've all appreciated simply moving on - thinking, writing, and doing new things.  Last week, Isaiah had his first doctor appointment in 6 weeks!  Six!

We're planning to publish this 3.5 year blog as a book for ourselves and, perhaps, some interested family members.  I'm considering starting a new Oates family blog as a way to share some of the wonderful experiences we're having in this season.  Maybe we'll just join Facebook.  But probably NOT!

We'll keep you posted and, for at least the near future, will keep this site online and active.

Some recent fun:

Sienna and Isaiah spent a few days with their grandparents at Disneyland (but they were, apparently, too busy to take any pictures!)

We just rearranged the kids' room which included building a hanging bed for Isaiah.  He's loving it.


The project included a trip to IKEA:

 Much peace!

Our baby is 1 year old!  un. be. liev. a. ble.

We had a great weekend which included three parties.  I felt like I hardly saw Isaiah.  He was mostly off running/riding/swimming around with his friends.  He crashed hard at 9, but seems to have had a wonderful weekend.  


While standing in front of the family calendar in the hall tonight Carmen reported, "We have a doctor's appointment every day this week!"  It's true.  Time to take a number and get used to waiting rooms.  Isaiah's at Sutter for a blood check Wednesday.  Carmen and I are at UC Davis Friday to meet with the psychologists about the results of Isaiah's "CIA testing."  


Here's a video Isaiah shot of Matthias.  It's cute, but it may give you motion sickness!


Enjoy the week!