Parks, the Dog, Family, Experiences

Still no jobs. While that gives us some moments of concern, we are happy to be able to share so much uninterrupted time together as a family unit. We know that most families never have this opportunity and we are soaking it up. Despite not having Mon-Fri jobs, we are still earning an income. How? Through NeoLife and doTERRA. Did you know that those are two business we are a part of? No, I don't have to actively sell items (neither do my teammates). We are earning money simply because people have prioritized their family's health in such a way that incorporates whole food nutritionals and essential oils. As they purchase the products for their family's consumption and enjoyment, we earn a commission. It's such a beautiful thing... residual income. If you are ready to join my team of wise, health-conscious folks, please reach out to me or visit the links above.
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Visits to Manitou Park

Jake's assembled birthday present: Lego Saturn V

The boys and I got Jake the Lego Saturn V for his birthday this year. I think he's been talking about it for a few years now, so we felt it was time. Not to mention we had plenty of time to dedicate to building it. The boys worked on it in stages. It was enjoyable for all three of them. The best part? Jake set up time with each boy to play with it. What a good daddy!

Me, Kamatz, and Morning Tea

Military Reserve sunrise, Storey Park play, Foundation Training

As you can see, there is plenty happening. Lots of park visits, including dog parks (not shown because it's hard to get pics while making sure Saoirse behaves herself and remains safe. Saoirse loves being outside and going for walks. She thoroughly enjoys the dog park experience and is typically asleep before we get home (very much like a child). Dempsey, like Saoirse, requires ample opportunity to release his energy stores. We've noticed he does better, overall, on days he gets to go to a park and be active. It's different in Idaho because we don't have access to our trampoline, which is what he would use daily to burn energy, build muslces, and blow off steam.

Morning tea is vital for my psyche. Chai Rooibos from Yogi is my favorite right now. Add to it some raw honey and a little milk (I still need to find a new raw milk supplier) and I'm good to go. Jake has been enjoying an orange flavored tea.

Kamatz still resides in our bedroom most hours of the day. He emerges at night to eat and go potty. Why? Our best guess is that he smells the landlord's dog and cat around the house and he believes they're still here - which they are not. Not to mention that he isn't really fond of Saoirse. At night, when she's in her crate, he feels safe enough to handle his basic natural needs. Now, when anyone is in the bedroom longer than 3 seconds, he appears and is quite meowthy until you give him love/ attention. He purrs louder and drools more here. I think he is just so desperate for affection he can't contain himself. Idiot doesn't realize we are available all day long outside the bedroom.

Foundation Training was awesome. It has some similarities to yoga as it only uses your body and focuses on stretching. My chiropractor, Dr John Hickey, is the only certified Foundation Training Instructor in Idaho. He is passionate about helping people take care of their whole self... not merely get adjusted and go on their way. Know what else is fun about Dr John? He's letting me help him with his website... I'm working behind the scenes right now, so none of my work is published for you to see yet.

The air continues to crisp up and we enjoyed some rain a few days ago. I've always loved the smell of rain and it is no different here. Jake and I both walk Saoirse is the dark morning hours in our turn. The main difference is I walk her to Dutch Bros where she gets a treat and I get caffeinated. Jake walks her around the streets in the hood and often takes her to the military reserve (that awesome sunrise photo). Yesterday, Saturday, I took Saoirse to Dutch Bros and then to a dog park. It was still dark when we arrived at Morris Hill Dog Park at 7am. Around 7:30am another pair showed up. A woman and her pup, Jules. The woman and I had a lovely chat. The kind of lovely chat you have when the person you're talking to is of the same mindset you are. It was such an enoyable connection that we exchanged phone numbers and are making plans to meet at the dog park again or for coffee, at the very least. It is so much easier to meet people here. Why? Because people TALK TO YOU here. They genuinely care about your story and they are quick to share their story as well. It's beautiful and this extrovert loves it!

We have missed church for two Sundays now due to head colds. When we are sick we stay home. We want to make friends, not enemies, and keeping people not sick is a good way to do that. The hard part is the church we have enjoyed attending (twice) doesn't stream online or record their sermons. Thankfully we have other churches nationwide that do.

​Dempsey has had two appointments at St Luke's thus far and his third is coming up the end of this month. This one will be his first procedure day at St Luke's. I think Jake and I are a little nervous, with it being a new place, new routine and all, but Dempsey is excited, of course. We are beyond grateful for Dempsey's positive outlook on this whole journey. I still hope and pray we get to end his treatment early (for a myriad of reasons) but, if we can't, then I am being blessed by Dempsey's success and attitude about it all. It is incredible how he just owns his journey, never complains, and trusts us even when it's hard. He is a walking miracle. We are deeply thankful for your continued support, presence, and prayers over our marathon with cancer.
By the way, the cancer thing doesn't end when his treatment does. He will not hear the term cure until he is just shy of 13 yrs old (EOT 8/5/19; 13th birthday 8/17/24) . Then, we will always have that fear living in our biology, if not the forefront of our minds. He will always have to be more diligent than the average person. Any little physical blip and those fears will come flooding back. So, the marathon doesn't end when treatment does and we don't fool ourselves into thinking any different. God is good. He is faithful. He is IN IT WITH US. He is for us. He is orchestrating a tapestry that is larger and more glorious than we can imagine and we are honored to be woven into it.

​Cheers.