RoverHaus

First Flight

2011-09-18T12:02:00.001-07:00

Just this week I got to experience my first non-airplane free flight in a paraglider.

What amazes me about this paraglider contraption is that it utilizes the same technology (fabric and ropes) that was around 400 years ago. Technically, Leonardo da Vinci, one of the early champions of the thought of human flight, had everything he needed to fly. He was never able to. But the flight issue just needed some time and some other thinkers to give their input to solving the problem.

With an inflated wing overhead, a daring jump off a cliff or a 3 minute tow behind a slow moving truck lofts you high enough to fly for 10 minutes, or for the really good guys, up to hours.

I hear people talk about the world's problems and how things are going to crash and burn. Maybe. But take our energy crisis. For some of the smartest da Vincis of our day, it looks impossible. But I think with time and other inputs, we will some day be pouring water in our gas tanks.

Don't worry mom, it's statistically safer than a morning commute to work.

sdiparagliding.com

Defeat of Jesse James

2010-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

About this time every year, there is this big celebration in a little town not too far from us and the kids get all dressed up to fit in with the festivities. (Crock shoes are optional)

Most small towns have things to celebrate and call it something like "Apple Festival" or "Swiss Heritage Days".

What does Northfield, Minnesota celebrate? They are still high five-ing each other 134 years after they killed two members of the Jesse James gang while they tried robbing the bank and what would be the demise of the Jesse James gang.

Each year they have a re-enactment where these bad looking dudes (who are just unshaven college students) ride into town on horses and rob the bank with six-shooters. Then the townspeople come out and shoot back and kill a couple of them and the bad guys ride off.

Makes a nice story and, more importantly, gives the town a reason to have three days of parties, bike marathons and parades. I confess, who really wants to attend Hog Days or The Great Potato Festival when you can go see two gang members get shot while eating a funnel cake?

http://www.djjd.org/

The only downside is you have to feel a tad guilty for celebrating the death of two fellas who not only had to die on that fateful day in 1876, but who have their deaths celebrated each year over and over by throngs of people who won't let it go and are still giddy they are molding in some grave.

Sexy Trail Riding

2010-10-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

Is feeling sexy when seeing your your wife wipe out on a motocross trail wrong? This one especially got me distracted. She buried the back tire in sand going up a steep hill. Hubba, hubba.

Thanks John and Traci for the amazing day out!

Maximus Von, the Cancer Fighting Gladiator

2010-10-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is what a tenacious, cancer-fighting 5-year old looks like as he's in the process of kicking cancer's butt. Don't let the stocking cap fool you. It's a trick to lure all the cancer cells out of hiding.

One more year and five spinal taps to go and we're celebrating big in Africa with Von and the whole family.

A big thumbs down to Leukemia tonight!

Getting the Stink Eye from the Mail Lady

2010-08-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

I have often wondered why the mail lady treats me so strange and will never warm up to me. I've tried so hard to win her over, get a smile back from her, or keep her from speeding off as I exit the house to meet her at the mailbox.

Today as I was cleaning my desk, I realized why.

I make books for a living. Good, clean books sharing great truth through powerful storytelling. I subscribe to a trade magazine that arrives each month and helps me stay current on fiction.

While processing my unread mail, I picked up this trade magazine and started making observations. I noted that it comes wrapped in a dark blue plastic wrapper and because of that, you can't tell exactly what type of magazine is inside.

Upon closer examination of said wrapper, the only writing on it is my address and a small little label that tells the curious observer something about the hidden contents of the package. The label says it comes from New Jersey from an outfit that calls themselves Romantic Times.

I never thought much of it, but I suppose the mail lady could have the wrong idea about me, the type of magazines I get, and why I try so hard to get her to smile back at me. Seems I have some explaining to do.

Can affirmation help you pass a test?

2010-06-08T20:15:00.001-07:00

There are to very different philosophies in raising children when it comes to affirmation. One says to affirm the intrinsic value of a child's worth. The other says to affirm the effort a child puts into things and affirming the outcome.

So if you're in the first camp you say things like, "Johnny, you're so smart." The second camp would say, "Johnny, you're such a hard worker at school."

A recent study showed that a generation of parents in the first camp raised insecure kids who feared to attempt great things as adults because society did not look on them with the same fondness their parents did, nor lavish them with praise.

The same study indicated that parents in the second camp raised kids who were more secure, attempted more things and did better because of their belief that effort was a factor for success over being just plain special.

I'm indifferent and admit to practicing both methods of affirmation often. But when Ellie, my middle daughter, demonstrated early on in the school year that math didn't come easy for her (like dance, music, and social skills did for her), I decided to experiment.

Any time she complained, struggled, cried, or worked on math homework, I affirmed her effort and work and marveled at her tenacity and sticking with it.

This week, after a long year of struggling with it, Ellie aced her times table and did it with seconds to spare. We celebrated with a Hot Lava cake and ice cream. I know it has her name at the top, but secretly, I think I can just make out my name slightly there too.

Grab a spoon, let's celebrate!

Do bunnies go to heaven?

2010-05-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

There is this scripture in the bible that says you are supposed to weep with those who are weeping.

I got some good practice at that yesterday when Daisy, our fluffy mommy bunny, died while trying to give birth to her litter.

So we laid her to rest way out back behind the shed.

I've never been to a bunny burial before so I was at a loss for words. But lucky for me, I've seen a few old westerns and just repeated what I remembered. I think I did a good job. I even got a Nacho Libre quote in without anyone knowing it.

All in all, apart from the tears and the Mardi Gras beads draped over the headstone, I think it was pretty normal.

One Wild Ride

2010-03-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Some things are difficult enough to go through that you don't want to talk (or blog) about them as you are going through them. But then you come to the other side, look back and well up with tears of gratitude and then it is safe to talk about.

What's crazy about Leukemia is that of the 15% of patients that don't make it through the treatments, it wasn't the cancer that got them but some other small dumb thing their body had to battle in the process. So parents (especially moms) and doctors have to watch out for are things like colds, pneumonia or infections.

Knowing this, I started praying when the nurse in the cancer ward says, "Wow, that's a record for me. I've never seen a fever that high." That was four weeks ago.

It was a long Monday night that I'll never forget. Von's body was using a 105.4 fever to fight pneumonia. He didn't recognize us, his parents, which gave me the oddest feeling beyond explanation. He lost consciousness and his blood pressure dropped and heart rate tripled. I have never prayed so hard in my life.

After stripping him down to skin and packing his limp little body with ice packs and wet towels, his blood pressure slowly started to come back up as the fever started to come down.

Six days after this difficult night, we celebrated Von's 5th birthday out of the hospital. And the thought hit me that had Monday night been it for him, his birthday would have been a funeral. Interesting that birthdays and funerals are both celebrations of a person's life. I'm so glad we had a birthday.

You can understand, then, the tears that overtook me today as I looked out my window and saw Von riding his little motorcycle, with his little fireman boots, with mom chasing him. And pneumonia far behind us.

We are so grateful to those of you who have held us up in prayer. Thank you from sincere and grateful hearts!

A Dance with Johnny Cash and memories of Ellie

2010-02-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Ellie Willaert's one year 'birthday' in heaven. Great for her, but for the rest of us, not so much.

Ever feel frustrated with knowing how to help someone like Ellie's family who is still feeling the loss?

Ellie's mom posted this today and I think she is on to something brilliant.

Me? I'm going to listen to Johnny Cash and dance with my daughters and thank God for Ellie's life.

I'd love to hear how you are going to honor Ellie's memory today.

==========
Many have asked what they can do to help us today. A very tough question and one that I really don't have an answer for. I think for me it would warm my heart to know that you all remember Ellie and what she brought to this world. We love to read of your memories of Ellie, so if you feel inclined, please share with us today. I thought I would list a few things that Ellie loved to do and maybe they will spark your imagination today - Enjoy.

Wear a splash of yellow today if you like or light a candle in Ellie's honor.

Enjoy a brownie or root beer float and love every minute of it with no guilt!

Read a book with your kids or play school and don't forget to let your little one be the teacher!

Dress your daughter's American Girl doll or play baseball with your son.

Go sledding or build a snowman.

Call your grandma or grandpa and laugh with them on the phone.

Color, color, color!

Enjoy a raised glazed donut with one of your uncles.

Dust off that scrapbook and make a page with your kids.

Pull out your Bible and read the story of Noah; one of Ellie's faves.

Put your dancing shoes on and listen to Johnny Cash, Hannah Montana or Nickleback.

Pray for someone.

Got to Hobby Lobby or some other craft store and just have fun looking all all the cool stuff you can make with your hands!

Go ice skating.

Break out the water colors or acrylics and paint, paint, paint!

Grab your camera and take pictures until you run out of memory!

Go and visit one of your aunties and give her a big hug and smile.

Play barbies with your little sister even though you would rather be playing with trains!

Build a fort in the living room, complete with falshlights and tunnels.

Go swimming and have water gun fights.

Make your baby brother and baby cousins giggle and smile.

Plant some flowers, preferrably yellow! wink, wink!

Make a gift for someone and hand deliver it with a big smile.

Get a treat from your local gas station!

Sing, sing, sing!

I could go one and on.....

Whatever you choose to do today, do it with happiness and joy and go all out! These times are hard for many of us; so many are in tough situtations and it can be hard to find the sunshine. Enjoy yourself and your family and while you take in that very special moment, let it burn in your memory and heart so it stays there forever.

The Gems in Old Journals

2010-01-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

As I often do when celebrating important milestones, I pried open an old and dusty journal to look back. I found an entry from about twelve years ago that captured a nugget that summarized how I felt when I had found the woman of my dreams.

In honor of twelve great years with her, I share the little gem with you today.

Although I Conquer...

Although I conquer all the earth,

yet for me there is only one city.

In that city there is for me only one house;

And in that house, one room only;

And in that room, a bed.

And one woman sleeps there,

The shining joy and jewel of all my kingdom.

--from the Sanskrit (and Jason's Journal)

Gary Cooper, Bob Hope and Homer

2009-12-16T18:39:00.001-08:00

I sent Christmas cards to a handful of authors that I feel especially close to this week.

Ellie had the job of licking the envelopes and putting the stamps on.

She must have dug through my office to find this little gem.

I'm not sure what my dear friend Lena is going to think...

"D'oh!"

Black and Blue

2009-11-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

I learned something today.

Dads who have sons in treatment for Leukemia with poor blood clotting qualities, should not sword-fight, karate chop, wrestle, or allow any other kind of roughhousing the night before a doctor's appointment...even if their son begs for another round or duel.

They should put these things on the instruction manual or something. Somebody should have said something.

Fresh tests today showed Von's platelet counts are really low. Platelets are the blood cells that help your blood clot. You can tell they are low when you get bruises all over your body after a minor blow from a Nerf sword.

A healthy platelet count is 150 to 450. Von's are down to 31 and at 30 they do a mandatory blood transfusion.

So after a few rounds of wrestling and running karate moves and a punch or two to the face last night, Von is looking pretty colorful today.

And yet he still runs around the house and wants to wrestle. Even as I type, he wields a sword and taunts me to an engagement.

Tonight, he has dropped his pants with pride and is showing his sisters all of his many shaped and sized bruises. To each one, the girls respond with a 'ewwww' and gasping air through their teeth in amazement. He loves it!

It looks like we will have to teach this kid how to knit or something.

It's all in the eyes

2009-11-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

Von is home from the hospital.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

He will go in on Monday for some more tests to make sure he is progressing properly, and if so, will get back on the normal chemo and steroids.

When they draw spinal fluid, they don't put him under for safety reasons. We've learned a trick after doing this a few times that has made all the difference in Von's ability to navigate the procedure.

The trick? Eye contact.

I used to sit in a chair or at the foot of his bed and talk during the procedure to let him know we were there for him. He would grunt, and writhe in paint through the laughing gas mask.

Now, using the eye contact trick, I get right near his face, look him deep in the eyes and I talk to him. I tell him stories of my childhood which he asks for every time. I tell him about my pet monkey, trips to the jungle as a missionary kid, and even though the mask covers his face, his narrowed eyes betray a huge smile anytime I tell about the events that lead to a spanking from Opa.

It amazes me with God-quality goosebumps...something as simple as Von being able to look into my eyes helps him gather strength. He quits squirming, grunting and stiffening, and just relaxes.

Think about that...eye contact, not just the passing glance but a deep draw of acceptance, understanding, compassion, affirmation, and care.

It sounds silly, but if you've ever experienced it, you know what I'm talking about.

I'd love to hear about your eye contact story.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Thank You, O-Positive

2009-11-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

O-Positive blood donors, I am eternally grateful!

You have saved a little boy's life.

In the old days, before blood transfusions, today would have been the last day.

I never fully appreciated the blood mobile people or the power of donating blood until today. I've donated blood in the past for the free snacks they gave afterwards. And besides, I didn't want my co-workers thinking I was soft and afraid of needles.

But today, seeing a donor's blood trickle into Von's body, and knowing that would save his life, gave me a deep reverence and appreciation for everyone who makes that possible.

O-Positives, thank you!

The hospital has some very tight limitations on who they allow to visit. Evidently, pirates who ride in on motorcycles, wielding Nerf swords, and speak with an Amish-Piratey accent are on the 'May Visit' list.

If you want to pray specifically for Von, his liver is in distress. We need some good news tomorrow morning when they do tests again.

The Bravest Kid I know

2009-11-09T19:21:00.001-08:00

Meet the bravest kid on the face of the earth. His name is Von. I think I shall call him "Von, the Brave".

This week has been a rough one for him. He has had fever for nine days and has been to the emergency room twice in the past week and today was admitted to the hospital because he has the H1N1 flu. His infection fighting cells are at an all time low, and he may need a blood transfusion in the morning. Although his body is still not certain of how to fight sickness in the way it should, his spirit and smile are strong and lasting.

Even though the photo looks like he undergoing some Nazi scientific experiments, underneath his mask there is a smile that says, "Hey everyone, relax, it will all turn out just fine."

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, Von the Brave!

What my wife doesn't want you to know...

2009-10-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

We have a winner. Dennis Crider, from Clevaland, OH, gave the best and most oppulant suggestions for a family reunion location. We have a meeting of the minds tomorrow and will put all of the great suggestions to good use. Thank you!

What did Dennis win?

Last week, while unpacking boxes fresh from the move, I ran across a dirty little secret my wife has been keeping from me all these years. I found a treasure-trove of shot glasses. How did these get into our house? Did we accidently pick up a box from a neighboring storage unit in the move?

My wife confessed to a childhood obsession with them. It's funny, I don't think she has been to a party or even knew what they were. I'm pretty sure she has never even used a shot glass in her whole life...but she has a collection of them. But I'm really thankful she did because decades later, I have something really cool to give to Dennis. I'm sure he is thrilled.

I have a few more of these bad boys, so holler if you need to add to your collection.

Crazy Uncle Earl

2009-09-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have a beautiful family...not a problem in the world. But there is this one issue....

I am one of the chosen cousins who has been assigned the job of planning our extended family reunion that happens once every four years or so.

The problem? It's my family. We have a trillion of them at last count.

I'm not exaggerating.

And we're not one of those low-maintenance families that can agree on stuff. You've heard of those families that all like to camp or all enjoy Disney type vacations? That's not us. You've seen the ones that all agree to wearing the same t-shirt and posing for the photo? We will be lucky to get Uncle Earl to wear a shirt at all.

I need your help. You most likely have a family and have attended a family reunion. Tell me about it. What did you do? Where did you go? How affordable was it? What was your favorite part about it?

Where do you go to have one of these things and how do you make it affordable so that everyone can participate? I'm looking for a specific suggestion on location or a type of event or activity.

My wife will judge the best comment and the winner will get...a new hula girl air freshener or something else mostly new that will be a delightful surprise to you.

Please help!

A Pile of Cash, Some Bald Kids, and a Medal

2009-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Thank You! You did it.

The Walkathon raised over $50,000. And you made something extra special happen. Because of your very generous response, Von raised over $3,000, more than any other team at this very large event.

He was called to the front to be recognized for it and he thought this was his cue to unpack his bag full of money andhand it over. He eagerly kept pulling dollar bills by the handfulls out of his bag and shoving them in the Director's hands while bills were being blown around in the wind. It was fun to watch Von get the concept of giving back and taking so much delight in it.

The starting line looked curiously like my high school prom decorations.

Von got to walk with Olivia, who is battling the same kind of Cancer he has and is just a few months behind him in treatment protocol.
Michelle, Lacey, Angel and Deanna raised their own funds on Von's behalf without ever having met him. Amazing people!
Vienna poured her heart into the fun run. (I like to think she gets her legs from her dad.)

Elle was still going strong at the finish line and could have run a few more laps.

And Sofie ran with the grace and the strides of a gazelle. She also beat a boy, I might add.

The the most significant part of the day for me personally was seeing Von run in the fun run for the 4 and 5 year olds.

I thought the little kids were running fifty yards to the orange cones as the finish line. The kids took off and I could see Von hobbling with his shoulders tucked and his elbows thrust out side to side trying to keep up. Because the drugs have affected his legs, he has to wear braces and...well...I just couldn't wait for him cross the orange cones not too far from the start line and be done with it.

As the kids kept running past the orange cones, it dawned on me that Von was going to have to run the entire way around this half-mile lap. I saw kid after kid passing him and as each one did, he would look over his left shoulder and watch the person pass. I knew he would never make it.

As a dad, I wished I could run for him and then without realizing it found my feet moving in a mad sprint to catch up with him before he got discouraged and turned back. I saw him ahead, still getting passed and slowing each time he saw someone overtake.

I caught up to him and pulled up on his left in silence. He looked over to see who was passing him, almost at a walk now, and then raised a tired and discouraged face.

His eyes met mine and a smile of recognition exploded on his face. And he said something profound that made me feel like a million dollars. He just said, "Dad!".

We ran together, me encouraging him and him throwing is elbows out in a renewed effort to go fast. I even had him dangle from my hand as I jogged and helped him get caught up to the group.

He crossed the finish line pretty spent from the long run but got a participants medal. You could say I'm a proud dad.

Why was that the highlight of my day? It made me think of this past year and the many who have given generously, have come alongside our family, who have prayed, extended grace, communicated, and cheered us on. It made me think that we, like Von, sometimes needed to be carried a little...and you were there.

Thank You!

Tomorrow's Big Day

2009-09-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the HopeKids Fundraiser and you have made it a success by some very generous giving. I have not been able to keep up with the personal thanks, but will be in the next few days. We are so overwhelmed with your kindness and support. Thanks to your generosity, Von has raised more than any other fundraising team by several hundred dollars.

We will stuff a briefcase full of some one dollar bills and hand these to Josh tomorrow to help Von connect with the concept of passing on your generosity as a way of saying 'thanks'.

Permit me to look back one more time this week before we wrap up the HopeKids week. This clip was taken when Von emerged from a dangerous and life-threatening fever. Some of you remember my desperate request for prayer. The next day the fever left and doctors (and us) breathed a big sigh of relief.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

How do I know it was a miracle? The video shows all this energy and life in him, that was missing just the day before.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and for giving to HopeKids on Von's behalf. If you missed out and still want to give before 10am Central on Sunday, you can do so by clicking here.

Darth Vader to attend the big giving event

2009-09-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Continued...day 5...two more days until the big giving occasion.

I found this video tonight and remembered the past year. But there is a family downtown Minneapolis tonight that is taking a video just like this of their kid getting his first chemo treatment and looking at the year ahead and wondering what to expect. We're going to do something to help that family through HopeKids!

I was again shocked today when I checked in on the donation summary for the HopeKids event. I thought there was a type-o. You have given on Von's behalf and he is the second highest giver (thanks to you) in the whole fundraiser. Thank you! (You can see the log on his contribution by clicking here.

This day reminds me about a story in the world's best-selling book about a man named Jesus who bumped into ten pathetic looking men with some awful disease, probably much like cancer.

In the story, the men were made whole and sent off along their merry way. But one man comes back to Jesus and does something contrary to human nature-he thanks him!

My heart wells with gratitude tonight because of your participation with us in exercising a grateful heart. Together, we're like the one guy that came back to Jesus to thank him.

If you're just now joining us, we are two days away from the event and can read about why we are doing that by clicking here.

If you still want to donate something small, you can do so here.

I'm working on a way to have a whole heap of dollar bills for Von to unload from his backpack and give the HopeKids director on Sunday as a symbolic way of saying thanks to Jesus, you, and HopeKids for this past year.

And if I know Von, he is going to ask us if Darth Vader can show up to the ceremony and do the honors in a deep voice.

Disco Bowling and Fake Tornadoes

2009-09-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Continued..day 3 of 6 till Von's big giving day...

Von is in Mexico tonight and is getting updates about the large sum of cash he will get to hand over to Josh on Sunday. Thank you all for the love and support. I was completely knocked off balance today with your generosity.

Von remembers this past year's doctor's visits, the early morning drives for an emergency hospital visit with fever and shakes. He can tell you how to vomit without crying and how to hold still and breathe into the Darth Vader mask while they do a spinal tap.

He remembers the blue mask he wore everywhere, the leg pain and braces, the medicines, the shots and the embarrassment of the curious stares as people realize eyebrows AND hair are missing. (He still asks me about the girl in the church nursery who said she didn't want to play with him because he was missing hair.)

Von remembers Ellie Willeart his peer in age and cancer battling buddy and remembers her funeral. She and her family are amazing examples of grace and Von will remember Ellie forever.

But Von also remembers bowling in blue disco lights. He can tell you how to make a tornado on stage from seeing the Wizard of Oz play. And he knows from shaking the scarecrow's hand afterwards that stage makeup is creepy up close.

He remembers being the reason HopeKids was sending him and his family to see the movie Up and can tell you it felt special. He can also show you how to yell at the ball game to get the noise meter on the scoreboard to go up.

He knows what it feels like to wear a 'free pass' wristband from HopeKids to the mall of America and the joy of handing these out to your sisters.

Now that we are through the rough part, we want to exercise a grateful heart and help make it possible for HopeKids to keep sending other little boys and girls and their families on normal little outings. You can make a small or large tax deductible gift here.

We are humbled by your overwhelming response. Thank you! We will be sending you a little special gift from Von. (Sorry, no fake dog poo!)

The Malaria Healer and Tool Belt King

2009-09-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Continued from yesterday...

Think of this, if you had to be told today your child is going to have to battle cancer for the next three years, and this first year would be a real doozie, the last kind of things you think about are planning a fun escape to the bowling alley, or making time for some important family photos, or springing for tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters to celebrate the little successes in the treatment plan.

HopeKids did just that for us. They helped us be a normal family through some abnormal circumstances. In fact, without them, this past year would have been spent thinking a whole lot more about cancer than about being a family and getting through.

This coming Sunday, Von and family are walking a 5K to help raise some money so that HopeKids can keep on doing what the do best. Von is looking forward to handing Josh the money he raised this coming Sunday.

Von got excited tonight when I told him that two very cool people have donated some money that he will be able to give to HopeKids.

Mary Kauffman, the Malaria Healer and second mom to me, made a very nice donation. She is the one who before nursing me back to health had picked me up off the floor during youth group and told the kids it was a malaria fever that made me pass out and that they didn't need to start a prayer chain for a drinking habit. Her mothering instincts came through and sensibly came a dollar short of the 'Affirming Weggie' donation amount. Thanks Mary!

Jamey Clayberg, the only man who appreciates construction tool-belts as a fashion accessory, gave the 'Knuckle Bump' amount. He is cool enough to know the real name of that move where cool guys hit their fists together without any fight erupting. Thanks Claybs!

You can also give Von a $5 "High Five" and it is pretty easy by going here.

Von is sending a special gift to Mary and Jamey. I'll post what that is tomorrow.

Fair Warning-Smiles Ahead!

2009-09-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

I'll be blogging every day for the next week in a shameless attempt to ask you for a small amount of spare change.
Yes, I'm sharing the photo of Von at his worst (and I think his best because of his smile) to get you thinking that direction.

The reason?

Von and our family want to give back to the people that have helped us be normal and get through our first year of battling childhood Leukemia. One year down, two and a half to go!

HopeKids is a small organization that focuses on doing small, ongoing, and thoroughly helpful things for families like ours.

If you've ever read our blog and thought, 'they need to quit having so much fun and get busy battling cancer', then blame HopeKids. They are the ones who provide all these opportunities for us to be normal instead of 'the family with the bald kid.'

I'll post more about HopeKids and what they do in the coming days.

For now, think about giving $5 to Von to give to HopeKids at the next HopeKids event. We set up a donation site to make it easy here.

Don't do anything quite yet. Tomorrow, you may have an incentive to do better than $5 and one can't live with regrets especially with a smile like this!

Hot Tub Rules

2009-09-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Conversation in the car last week while Von and I drove to the hardware store to buy sandpaper and guy things:

Me: Terry at Make-a-Wish called and said they are working on your hot-tub. How does it feel to soon be the owner of a hot tub?

Von: Good.

(long pause)

Von: Dad, if I take my medicine and they wash the cancer away and it is all gone, do I still get to keep the hot tub?

Me: Yes, yes, yes!!!

It makes me happy to tears to think that Von is through the roughest part of his treatments and that the generous people at Make-a-Wish granted him a hot tub. It's perfect! Our whole family will get to enjoy this with Von over and over.

It is his hot tub and he is making up the rules. When asked what the first rule of the hot tub is, he says, "You have to wear a swimsuit."

That's a great start.

Thanks Make-a-Wish!

And the wish is...

2009-09-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Grab your suit! Von is the proud owner of a hot tub, thanks to the fine folks at Make-a-Wish!

A little bit of screaming and jumping tonight

2009-09-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The big day. I bet it will look a little like that big lady running down the isle on The Price is Right!

For the past 10 months, we have been using any incentive to get Von to do his best to fight cancer. In this photo, fake dog poop was the best carrot we could muster.

We've been telling Von that if he is a big boy, and takes his medicine, and cooperates nicely in his treatments, he gets to make a wish and it will be granted.

So tonight we will meet the Make-A-Wish folks and they will announce to Von that they will grant one of his three wishes.

1) Trip to Africa
2) Hot Tub
3) Motorcycle Sidecar

I can't tell you how handy this wish granting business has been to us as parents these past months. There will be some noise and celebrating tonight.

A Big Sissy Cries at Family Photo Day

2009-08-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm a big sissy. I cry a lot more these days. I'm still a big tough guy and will ride motorcycles, use duct tape instead of Band-Aids and will even let my wife iron my shirts while I'm wearing them, but still, I find myself more tender and aware of other people's pain these days. That's a good thing.

We had a family photo taken recently, generously arranged by HopeKids and donated by CT Ryan Studios.

HopeKids is an amazing and very generous organization that focuses on families with kids who are battling life-threatening illness. They host these ongoing events and create environments where families can have fun, be a family, and take a break from a disease.

At a recent HopeKids event, they arranged for family photos to be provided free of charge, knowing it is especially difficult for families with sick kids to find time or the emotional strength to go and arrange a photo session.

Several photographers donated their time and the families poured in to wait their turn and capture a little moment in life. I wish I could share with you some of the photos that were taken that day. You would see a few silly families, like ours, that were past the critical point of their treatment and were expecting great things ahead.

But most of the families you would see would be gathered around a wheelchair with a little life hanging on. Some families had a near-confident look in their eyes as they bravely posed with their terminally ill child.

I realized that for a few there that day, this would be their last family photo with their child on this side of eternity. And that is when I cried a little.

If you are someone's rich aunt or even if you just have been looking for a way to bring some comfort, laughter, or hope to someone's life, please consider a financial gift to HopeKids. I can guarantee you will make a difference in someone's life, but I can't promise you won't cry a little in the process.

Odd, Odd Names

2009-08-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

You know you are on some pretty stringent medical protocol when you are laying in bed and your four year old calls from the other room reminding you that you didn't give him his nightly medicine.

After the guilt pangs of being an awful parent, I take him downstairs to grind his chemo pill and put it in some applesauce for him.

"Which one is it?", I call to my wife in the other room as I try to choose between four different bottles of medicines with his name on them.

Before she can answer, Von says from the barstool, "Mercaptopurine" and pronounces it with perfection of a medical student with something to prove.

I smirk to myself that he knows how to pronounce this drug name. And as I look through the other bottles, I see drug names that look foreign to my reading eye but that sound familiar as I hear my wife reference them with Von all the time. Odd names. Names starving for vowels and attention.

Doxcyclene. Methotrexate. Dexamethasone.

Names that confuse and leave spell checker suggestion-less.

I think it's funny. Von can't say the word 'lemonade' without messing it up. But he can rattle off 'mercaptopurine' like nobody's business.

Big boy.

Marshmallows in the Beer Section

2009-08-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Want proof that stores need to put the marshmallows in the beer section and I.D. for buying them?

Pull out a bag of marshmallows in plain view for anyone to see. Fish some matches out of your pocket and say, "Hey, look at this? How did these get in here?"

Then watch what happens next.

First, the in-laws will probably show up unannounced with free food.

Then as the marshmallows are consumed, the laughs will begin and things will go downhill and out of control.

It won't stop there. Somebody will probably get some smore components stuck in their hair.

Meanwhile, the dog will be the only one maintaining his composure in the hopes of getting a nibble or two.

And before you know it, someone will probably get kissed!

Matches anyone?

And the Wish is...

2009-08-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, I should have shared days ago about Von's wish.

We've just been so happy in our new home unpacking and marking our territory, who has time to blog?

The Make-a-Wish folks came out to our house and interviewed Von to see what his wish is. They are amazing people and they volunteer because they want to make a difference in young people's lives. Their hearts are in it and they are the kind of people that you just love from the first moment you meet them.

So Von's three wishes (because you're supposed to have three wishes just in case one doesn't work out)...drum roll please...

1) A trip to Africa

2) A hot tub with special lights

3) A motorcycle side car

Yes, I know, all of these sound like MY wishes, but I promise they are Von's and are un-coached.

I cant' help it if Von has seen photos of my trips to Africa and heard stories. It's not my fault we spent the last 8 months at Papa Rolf's house and got to utilize his hot tub for excellent family times. Don't blame me for the coffee table book that was sitting out and had photos of a vintage BMW sidecar.

It just amazes me that people spend their valuable time and resources to give kids like Von a reason to keep on fighting things like cancer. It's a tough job. They lose some of the kids they are trying to serve.

I tip my hat to Make-a-Wish! They are truly making a difference!

Make-A-Wish

2009-08-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Today is the big day.

Von has been told for several months that he will have to make a wish for anything he wants that he thinks will help him fight the cancer bad guys in his body.

His answer has been everything from a HappyMeal to a wife to traveling in space.

I'll let you know tomorrow what he officially wished for behind closed doors in his interview with the Make-a-Wish people.

What would YOU wish for? (You can't say 'world peace').

Image management in our new house

2009-08-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

We're buying a new house today. At 2:30 precisely.

Then we move in. At 3:00 precisely.

They say first impressions are everything. I think I'm going to speak with a sexy Dutch accent when my new neighbors come over to meet us. That way, when they see Moses humping something, the accent will offset it all and we're good in the neighborhood for the next few years.

Don't you wish you were our neighbors?

The Curl on Top

2009-07-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

If you breathe air and have some sort of influence over a person who has less experience at it than you, get them and yourself to a local small town ice-cream place FAST and enjoy a messy and unhealthy dairy concoction that gets pooped out of a metal machine.

Summer is fading fast, and if you don't do this soon, another warm night and season will slip through your hands and you will be in a rest-home some day complaining about not enjoying life more. And while your at it, smile at the kid with acne behind the counter and tell him nobody puts the curl on top quite as good as he does.

Poetic Meter and Root Beer Gas

2009-07-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks. So for Saturday morning inspiration, I pulled open iPhoto to see what has happened recently.

We sauntered down to the lake for a boat ride with a pastor to a rock band. (I know, needs explaining). Von and Vienna shared an apple and my jacket. Life is good.

I enjoyed an afternoon bike ride with the kids to the local library to get poetry books. Then we sat in the sun and read poetry to each other, pretending to be literary snobs while drinking root beer. The pause for burps worked out great and helped the poetic meter of the readings.

The Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods have nothing on the kissing Lisa. Don't get me started...

I met Jesus this week at the trade show but didn't get his business card or his photo. I did, however, get a snap of the Roman Centurion as he cleared up my 'Dude, is that a skirt?' comment I made. Now that I see the photo, I need an image coach or stunt man so I don't look so motherly in my fighting posture.

Our New Car

2009-06-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

This is the new car we bought today. (Not really. It's our old car that we fixed.)

We only paid $3,500 for it! (Not really, we paid for it long ago but recently paid the transmission shop to fix it).

We are so excited about it. (Not really, it feels like the same old car but with a bunch less cash in my wallet to have to sit on while driving).

Tonight I tried to trick our family into taking a ride in our new car instead of lamenting the fact that we didn't spring for a new one. We pretended and zipped the family out to Target to buy some toilet paper and almonds.

It sure was fun looking for our new car in the parking lot when we came out of the store.

With a wife this stunning, who needs a really nice vintage Mercedes Benz?

2 Inches

2009-06-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Von is growing. No, I really mean it, he is growing.

For the past 7 months while Von has been on chemotherapy he has not grown one teeny centimeter. Chemo attacks fast growing cells like cancer cells, hair follicles and immune systems.

Von still has three years of chemo, but the really intense treatments were finished a month ago. His hair has started coming in and his body is gaining strength, but we have still been praying for Von's long-term health. His stunted growth was one of those things that we were willing to accept, but still we asked friends to pray.

Last week's checkup marked a month since he has blood or vitals measured. The nurse noted the measurements for weight/height/blood pressure etc. on her clipboard and proceeded to the routine blood and spinal tap stuff (which is always pleasant to watch).

The doctor came in to look at Von's chart and she noted a mistake on his height measurement. After sending the nurse back to re-measure and then checking it herself to make sure he was barefoot, she was utterly amazed.

In the last 30 days, Von has grown a little more than two full inches. I don't know how that is even humanly possible but I've got to believe God has heard our prayers and cheated things along for Von a little.

Getting this news was a great encouragement to us as parents, but you can't imagine the delight it brought to a 4 year old who has been two inches too short to ride a roller-coaster at the amusement park for what seemed like forever.

So to celebrate, we went to Mall of America today where Von was finally able to ride a roller-coaster.

Thanks God, for roller-coasters and little things like inches!

Chaps

2009-06-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

If you're ever in an Elder Beerman's store in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and they are doing a remodel and have their posters lying around, and your kids are with you and you have your camera handy, you too can have one of these photos.

Sorry, this one's mine, I'm keeping it!

Observations from the women's locker room

2009-06-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

I went to the gym this weekend and sauntered into the women's dressing room. Hold on, I'll explain.

It felt naughty enough that I had to re-read the temporary signs twice to make sure I wasn't just sleepy eyed and imagining it, but sure enough, the signs pointed the men to the women's dressing room.

(Evidently, a construction crew placing new tile in the women's locker room made the switch possible.)

So here are a few observations for most of you who won't be privileged enough to make the forbidden journey to the other side.

1) Girls have larger lockers than the boys do.

2) There are WAY more bathroom stalls in the girls bathroom than there are in the boys.

3) There is a little "don't look at me, I'm changing" privacy booth that the boys don't have.

4) Towels. There are three times the towels in the girls room. What gives?

5) Sauna. The girls was smaller than the boys. Girls must not do steam sauna's or maybe the boys need a bigger room so that they don't have to sit close to another man wrapped in nothing but a towel.

The most fascinating surprise about the women's locker room was the advertisements on the walls. In the men's locker the ads ask the reader about financial security and if they have a retirement plan and what would happen if their insurance ran out and who is going to look out for your family after you are gone. All stability and security related life issues.

The women's room? The ads surprised me. They were ads asking women if they wanted their kids to have the best summer ever, or if they were feeding their families healthy or if they thought their kids were getting the best education. All issues appealing to a female's desire to be a good caretaker. Interesting.

The health club will go back to normal locker room gender assignments next week so if you are really dying to see what the other sex sees as they get their game on to go work out, time is running out.

2009-06-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

A little over a month ago, Von was in the hospital, hanging on for dear life while battling cancer. (The re-posted photo is for Tom and is going somewhere.)

At that time, we had encouraged him to make a wish. The best wish he could come up with was to go to McDonalds. We told him to think bigger. He wished that he could have Moses, the family dog, come live with us in our temporary housing, which worked out.

After some more prompting to think even bigger, he came up with something. After browsing through my coffee table book showing some vintage BMW's, he came running into the kitchen holding the book while exclaiming, "I found it, I found my wish!".

This is what he pointed to.

This weekend we found a vintage motorcycle show put on by the Viking Chapter of the AMCA at the fairgrounds. I managed Von's expectations and said we might see a sidecar (or sidehack as the cool guys call them) but we wouldn't be able to sit in one or even touch as these were special motorbikes.

A piercing scream of excitement was how Von announced he found one.

Not only did we find a sidehack, we found Mr. Tom.

Mr. Tom. is the cool guy who, without knowing anything about Von's wish, asked if Von would like to sit in the sidecar. Von and I looked at each other in disbelief.

And then Mr. Tom fired up the the ride and asked Von if he wanted to go around the block. You could see his smile from a few blocks away!

A huge thanks to the Viking Chapter of the AMCA. You guys know how to put on a stellar vintage motorcycle show. And a very special thanks to Tom, who without knowing it, showed a little bit of kindness that will make a memory for this little kid for life!

High fives for the tree we bought today

2009-06-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

We are celebrating tonight!

We bought this tree today. The yard and house comes with it.

Three posts ago, I shared that Ellie used the bathroom with the door open while on a tour of the house making all of us feel right at home.

Two posts ago, I shared that another couple bid $30,000 more than we did and we were crushed.

I am happy to post tonight that the bad guy bidders couldn't make good on their offer and the house is ours.

If you're near somebody, high five them and tell them the Rovenstines are finally going to settle down.

Then pull out your map and start scheming a trip to enjoy some Lisa hospitality on our back porch.

What Happens in Chicago Stays in Chicago

2009-06-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our little temporary motorcycle gang (and that one homeless guy in Chicago) for some good and entertaining times this weekend.

We all have some friends that are good at being Christians.

Then there are the friends we have that are just fun to be around.

David, Lamar and Van are good at both and that is why I love hanging with them so much.

Road Trip Therapy

2009-06-04T06:32:00.001-07:00

What do you do when you offer asking price on a house you really wanted after 6 months of looking and someone outbids you by $30,000?

You do a little road trip therapy on a motorcycle with friends, that's what!

I will head out tomorrow at 5am to meet up with some buddies from Ohio in Chicago.

The last time I did any motorcycle road trip therapy was in Africa. I know, it's not the same, but Chicago does have deep dish pizza and besides, there can be some pretty wild characters on Michigan Avenue.

Making Yourself at Home

2009-06-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

We made an offer on a house today. We knew it was the right one for us.

How did we know?

While in the middle of the tour, with the owners present, Ellie sat on the toilet to go to the bathroom with the door wide open.

Yep, feels like home!

Happy Birthday Moses

2009-05-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

You could have shown me these photos a year ago and I would have punched you in the throat for suggesting it would come to this. I never would have imagined we would backslide to become a Dog Family.

Everyone knows a family falls into one of two categories. You either love dogs or don't get them. We were the latter and we loved mocking Dog-people behind their backs.

Sure, we would nod in interest at their dog story, but when they turned their head, we would chortle a laugh in our shirt sleeve. Oh the satisfaction of clucking your tongue in disgust when a human had to touch one of these filthy four-legged creatures.

But that has all changed. Non-Dog people, get ready to mock.

We got Moses as a pup a year ago to give the kids a distraction as we transitioned to a new culture, house, and friends in Mexico. It worked. Problem is, he stuck and now we love him.

He is the best-behaved, most docile, lovable, gentle, and obedient dog we have ever known. And he is ours!

Happy Birthday Moses! In just one year, you've won the hearts of some pretty stiff critics.

(Did I hear some tongue clucking?)

Dads Don't Do Tights

2009-05-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

I tried tonight, like any good dad, to relate and be cool with my daughter Ellie. I replicated, in my mind, one of her dance moves she gracefully pulled off at her recent dance recital. She nodded at me with an affirming laugh and appreciateive eyes that said, "I still love you, Dad."

It wasn't until tonight, when I saw her photo, that I realized she is truly gifted. The gesture of her hand...the gentle leading of her index finger and the delicate curving of the middle finger that is paying tribute to the other fingers, is amazing.

I don't know if this hand gesture has a ballet name or not, but I do know that you have to be gifted for it. I tried it and only could come up with a gang symbol.

I sure am proud of this girl. She danced a solo in the spotlight before several hundred people and I was not only proud, but very impressed. Amazing!

At her age, I was still scheming so that I could become the guy who drove the ice-cream truck when I grew up!

Dear Mr. License Plate Maker Man

2009-05-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Minnesota License Plate Maker Man,

Thank you for all your hard work in making the license plates for all the motorists of Minnesota.

I was informed with a hearty laugh at the local motorcycle dealer when I inquired about the odd size of my new Minnesota plate. Minnesota is the only state to have an odd size license plate.

You ought to know people are poking fun at your odd plate size and mixing your name in with other words when they have to drill out holes to make the plates fit the standard bracket size.

Yeah, yeah, it's creative of you, and we appreciate it, but still, something for you to think about.

With kindest regards.
p.s. I heard your license plate maker buddy in Ohio taunting his plate design being superior to yours. Are you going to take that?

Cell phone tells all

2009-05-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

I have kids. Four of them.

The rule is they can't use my phone because it is a business phone.

I found these photos on my phone today.

Somebody is going to bed without ice-cream tonight.

Spring is in the hair!

2009-05-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Houston, we have peach fuzz!

Von is officially through the really rough part of the treatment program. It's only been 6 months, and even though we still have three years to go, we're feeling just grand about graduating into the maintenance stage.

It means we can travel a bit more as a family, enjoy some crowds and outdoor activities, have fewer weekly hospital visits, and as an added bonus, Von is growing hair. No more stares or commentaries on his appearances from other little kids in the cereal isle.

If you were needing a haircut and putting it off, consider a celebratory haircut in Von's honor, now that he will be growing some of his own.

The Facial Hair Feeling

2009-04-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've never been one who is good at growing facial hair. I tried the pirate-esque goatee this year but was accused of being a gay meth dealer. So that didn't work out so well.

But what situation in life can't be improved upon with the addition of a little fake facial hair?

It's convenient, temporary, and it sure gets you looks from the girls!

My dad, Von and I donned some fuzz recently before we walked into the Japanese steak house to celelbrate Vienna's birthday.

The result?

Let me just say there were three guys at the table that didn't have any shrimp tails thrown at them.

An Appalling Camcorder Discovery

2009-04-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

I found a clip on our camcorder tonight that shocked me.

I had pulled the dusty thing out to convert some old family movies to DVD. Curious about where we 'left off' on capturing life, I played the last recorded scene.

It wasn't pretty.

It was shot exactly a year ago in Ohio where the family used to live. Before the tape goes blank you see an unforgettable scene with a mom and her children eating cereal from plastic bowls while sitting on the kitchen floor. There is no table, the room is bare, and a puppy in a crate looks on anxiously.

The irony of the scene is that the last thing the camera man asked the people sitting on the floor before the screen goes blank is "Hey kids, can we trust God to work things out?" and there are some early morning sleep-tarnished nods answering in the affirmative.

This was the Rovenstine clan a year ago. Having thought we sold our house, we moved all of our stuff into storage for the move to Mexico. The kids had said their goodbyes to friends, we were sleeping on the floor, and we had already brought home the new puppy Moses that was supposed to be a guard dog for the home in Mexico.

When the sale fell through, we were stunned and living like animals for a few weeks before we came to our senses and got busy living. (You can read about the revelation on that decision here.)

It's been almost 52 Sundays since that morning and I have to sit back and marvel at how it all worked out and how God seems to know what he is up to. Sure, there have been some high summits and a few swamps to muck through, but what an awful shame it would have been if that was the last story the camcorder had to tell.

Which brings me to a promise I'm making to myself. There will be more God-trusting moments on that camcorder before I end up in the old folks home.

Home Again

2009-04-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you, our dear friends and family, for praying for Von over these past few days.

We are thrilled to report that he is home tonight with family and has no fever.

Thank you Lord!

This snap is of Von leaving the hospital, riding shotgun on a pile of goodies Lisa got while getting some long-overdue shopping therapy accomplished one afternoon while I took a shift with Von at the hospital.

It's great to be a family again.

A Hot Head Cooling

2009-04-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

You know it is serious when the generally positive nursing staff quits joking with you, starts getting awkwardly quiet, leaving the room to speak to each other in hushed tones, and calling the doctor after each time they come in to update her. It was a very long night, and Lisa was a trooper through the sleepless ordeal, but thanks to your prayers and God's handy work, Von's fever started to fall today and his counts started coming back up. Thank you Lord!

He still has a little bit of a fever, but you can tell by his energy, the color in his face, and the frequent request to stroll down the halls to visit with the nursing staff, that he is completely better.

Need proof? Viewer discretion is advised. Von pulls down his shirt to show you his 'poit' which is his 'port' and tells you about an accident which necessitated clean undies and pajamas.

This kid has made a complete turn for the better in the last 24 hours. Thank you for praying for him.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update on Von

2009-04-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

An update on Von is long overdue. But to be honest with you, I'd rather have the job of cutting my grandfather's toenails than to have to think about how to communicate about Von, how he is doing, and thinking about what comes next.

I've realized that for the past six months I've tried hard not to be defined as the family with cancer. (My very first ever blog entry on The Dead Guy's Yard is how I would like for people to think of our family.) Yet everything we think about, talk about, pray about, and blog about ends up revolving around Cancer. We asked for adventure, and brother, we're getting it!

Thanks to all of you who have asked about Von and how you can pray. I'll blog here to give you an update and you can pray as you feel led.

Von was admitted to the hospital last night after a fever. He is in his last week of the delayed intensification treatment stage which was is part of the first six months of a three year treatment process.

He currently has a 103 degree fever which isn't coming down which proves critically dangerous for a cancer patient who has no immune system and low blood counts. He received a blood transfusion today and his color and mood has improved. The doctors are vague about what this means and how concerned we should or should not be.

He isn't eating and processing fluids well but we bought nice gifts tonight to bribe him into eating and trying to use the boys room more often. He has a heart murmur due to his hemoglobin being 5 when normal is 15. Two days ago his white blood cells were zero which means his immunity was non existent.

He will be in the hospital until he improves. Lisa and I are taking turns being with him and still being with the girls and doing the normal stuff like going over spelling test homework and getting them off to school.

My in-laws have been amazing to live with and very supportive and helpful. The fine folks I work with have also been extra gracious and helpful as I've been trying to keep up.

The two photos here make me laugh. They reflect a little bit of the variety of emotions and information that we process as a family. Lots of ups and lots of downs. But I've got to tell you, compared to lots of the little kids we see on the 8th floor at Children's, we are very blessed.

I'll keep trying to blog and keep you updated. We really do need your prayers for Von right now.

Thank you for your love, support and prayers.

A Half-Dozen Years

2009-04-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Vienna!

Oh, the stories Mother-in-laws could tell!

2009-03-30T15:12:00.001-07:00

It struck me the other day when I found plastic tub of my wife's nightgown things under a pile of boxes in storage, that we've been living far too long in a temporarily suspended state of life. Yes, I know, there is more to life than nightgowney things, but still, at some point you've got to unpack and get busy living instead of waiting for something to happen.

We've been living in my in-laws basement (better than it sounds) for five months now. Don't get me wrong, they have been absolutely amazing. But when you get comfortable letting your body make noises in front of your mother-in-law, and when she can say she has seen you running for a towel after a shower (don't picture that, please), you know it's time to get your own place.

Finding a house sounds a lot easier than it has been for us. Because Von can't be around serious remodeling projects, buying a fixer-upper like we have in the past is not an option.

And because we've moved from a part of the country where real estate is valued at one third of the prices here, sticker shock has been more of an electrocution.

And even though Von has a three-year treatment program ahead and we know we are here for the duration, it's been hard to emotionally move past the 'just wait and see what is going to happen' mindset and realize we have to settle down into this new and strange tundra and buy a house.

So we made two offers on two houses this weekend. And we waited. And waited. And then went to a Timber Wolves game because we couldn't stand waiting. (Thanks Hope Kids for making that possible!)

We're praying. You can too if you want. If not, I may have to tell you a few more embarrassing things that my mother-in-law has seen that'll make you blush.

Dad's post-business-trip gift

2009-03-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

When I was a wee little guy living with my parents in Guatemala, my dad went off on a business trip to do whatever it is that missionaries do when they go on business trips.

He was gone a week and when he came home, we asked him the usual question that showed concern and care for him and how his trip went.

"What did you bring me?", is the way I think we phrased it.

I remember this one time when my dad brought home a monkey. Yes, a monkey. Not a stuffed animal or some toy monkey, but a real live monkey. An eating, playing, tree-climbing, dog-food eating, chaos causing, and poop throwing monkey. Every little boy's dream!

I went on a business trip to Dallas last week and on my drive home, I got to thinking about this monkey. I thought about how we had to leave our family dog in Tulsa with my sister because of our temporary house situation in Minnesota. And while I was driving through Tulsa, I decided to do what my dad did and bring home a very impractical gift to the kids. With my wife's blessing, I picked up Moses and we shared each other's company for the remainder of the trip to Minnesota and arrived in very late.

Yesterday, our family took Moses for a walk. Von, who has been coached, prompted and even harassed to come up with a wish for the Make-a-Wish program was riding on my shoulders when he said something with profound enthusiasm.

"Dad, I wish-ded for Moses to come home and I got my wish!"

No, it's not a monkey, but it brought delight to my family, which I think is what it is all about. The best proof I have is a photo taken at 2:30 am when we woke the kids to see the 'monkey' bad brought home from his business trip.

A Huge Sissy

2009-03-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Don't stereotype me...I cried again yesterday when my girls got three little care packages in the mail and a note from Mia Hamm...and I'm feeling like a big sissy for it.

Someone signed us up recently for ‘Super Sibs’ which focuses specifically on the brothers and sisters of those who have cancer. "Super Sibs" understand cancer kids are getting packages, cards, wishes, attention and a lot of fuss made over them. But they focus on the siblings because they know the brothers and sisters of the are part of the team and sacrifice of getting through cancer.

Things I didn't think about until my girls got an individually addressed care package with each of their names beautifully written on the front of it.

1) Sometimes, siblings have to go days before someone calls them by their own name (instead of "so and so' brother or sister").

2) Sometimes it feels like nobody ever asks them how THEY are doing.

3) Sometimes, the doctors and nurses forget that they are even in the room and that they have questions and concerns too.

4) Sometimes, they can't be with their parents as much as they would like or do the things they would like to do because everyone has to be at a doctor's visit or be cautious of germs.

5) Sometimes they feel jealous, confused or fearful that someone they love is sick and they get all the attention.

So I read through the letter sent to our girls from Mia Hamm, Olympic and World Cup Soccer Champion, and when I get to the part where her brother Garrett struggled for his life with a bone marrow disease in 1996, and she was part of it, I got all weepy. (You can Google Mia Hamm and see just how powerful that sibling relationship was.)

So while Von is the rock star of the day, and needs to be the center of our attention for this season, I'm going to remember that there are three other little Mia Hamm's in the making right before my very eyes.

Baby, it's cold outside!

2009-03-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

A couple of inches of snow and 9 degrees wasn't enough to get in the way of a fun family outing to Papa's hot tub.

My friends in Ohio are seeing 69 degrees today. My friends in Mexico are enjoying 68. Nairobi is a chilly 61. My family in Oklahoma are enduring 40. My pal in Moscow is just above freezing at 33.

In Minnesota? It's 9 degrees and for the locals here it is just getting toasty enough to pull out the lawn chairs and fire up the BBQ grill.

Dumb Souvenirs

2009-03-05T09:41:00.001-08:00

It's the giant toothpick purchased at the Texas travel stop or a snow globe with a Cactus from Arizona for some. For others it's something more practical like a shot glass with 'Six Flags' printed on the side, or a Florida shaped magnet that holds the shopping list to the fridge.

When I was a kid, it was the sight and smell of the wax lion molded in the machine before my very eyes at the zoo.

I argued with my mom once on why X-Ray glasses from the back of a comic book would make a good souvenir before going to summer camp. I never got to experience that souvenir, but I'm sure they really do work.

As an adult, my new favorite dumb souvenir is the timeless photo booth experience and photo.

Ellie (pictured in the center) scored 100% on her spelling test recently after much hard work and practice. No time to waste! We ran out for a banana split to celebrate...and for a chance to act a little goofy.

I promised Ellie that I'm not the only one who has a soft spot for dumb souvenirs. I told her my blog readers have them too.

Right?

Ninja band-aids

2009-03-04T22:09:00.001-08:00

After a rough few days of processing a new treatment stage for Von, celebrating his 4th birthday, and getting some challenging news about potential side effects of the next three years treatments, we're back on the sunny-side. Everyone is allowed to have a few days with a question mark on the horizon, right? (Thank you for thinking of us and praying for Von!)

At the hospital this week, I was amazed with how creative those doctors are. Not only do they hand out the coolest band-aids, but they come up with really clever names for things you don't want to talk about.

This week Von started a new treatment phase called 'delayed intensification.' (You're supposed to say it with the deep voice of the guy who does the voice for movie trailers.)

Doctors say this is the phase of treatment where they mix it up and throw a new set of drugs at the cancer and try to lull it out from hiding so they can zap it with something more powerful than what they have been doing.

Delayed intensification. What a mockingly convenient name! The Germans call it 'Protocol 2' which I like much better. 'Delayed intensification' is just insulting because it infers some sort of procrastination on the patient's part and now it's really going to hurt.

Protocol 2, said with a thick German accent, is what we are calling it around our house.

I got to be the one to hold Von down this week at the hospital while they injected one shot of chemo into each of his legs. (You would've been proud of me. I didn't cry this time!)

Here are two photos of the afterglow. One shows the look of feeling betrayed by dear ol' dad who used brute force to restrain him for the event.
The other shows his brave boy smile when I told him I was going to blog about him.

Actually? The smile's not too bad. I've faked worse.

Excellent News!!!!

2009-02-25T18:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks to so many of you who have prayed for Von recently. We got some great news today!

The results of the MRI Tuesday showed that there is no sign of Avascular Necrosis. AVN is the condition where the steroids they use to kill the cancer in the bones actually kill the bones themselves. You don't think of bones as being living but image being an adult with a 4 year-old femur that died and never grew. It is a condition that has no cure yet, so you can imagine when this came up as a possibility, were were very disheartened.

But thank you for praying for him. He is well enough to blaze ahead with his treatments.

This is incredibly good news and I can't tell you how happy we are to get it. Thank you God!

My wife captured a couple highlights of the MRI day. They had planed on a 4 hour procedure, but it ended up only taking one and a half hours.

They put Von in a diaper for the MRI. He thought that was pretty funny. And when they place him in the MRI tube he closed his eyes really tight. At first Lisa thought he was scared and closing his eyes to forget about what was happening, but then it dawned on her that he was trying really hard to go to sleep. He thought he had to put himself to sleep. Thankfully the drugs take care of that in about 8 seconds. This picture is after the procedure. there is something very peaceful and eerie about seeing a person unconscious.

Tomorrow Von starts back up with Chemo. It is his birthday tomorrow, but we're not telling him. We're going to celebrate this weekend as tomorrow will likely be tough for us all and he will be too sick to enjoy Darth Vader cake.

AVN free body. What a beautiful birthday gift!

No Cash Value

2009-02-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

This little ticket caused quite a stir Sunday.

We went to little Ellie's funeral and prepped the kids beforehand and told them we would be viewing Ellie's body in a casket. We told them that it isn't polite to touch and that you're just supposed to stand there and say goodbye quietly in your mind, and above all else, please don't say anything or ask any questions out loud.

The line was long and during the wait Von kept playing with this ticket. I told him to put it away but he protested that he wanted to give it to Ellie. I explained he couldn't give it to her and told him to hide it in his pocket for later.

So finally we get to the front of the line, we hug Ellie's parents and hurt with them a little, and then walk over to the casket. My girls did beautifully. It was a special moment.

But Von kept squirming in my arms, and kept trying to lean over to put this ticket in the casket. The following was heard by pretty much everyone in the funeral hall.

Me: Put the ticket away, son.

Von: But dad? I want to give it to her.

Me: She doesn't need it.

Von: But dad, it's for when she wakes up!

That was the point where I could sense a few stares in the room through the back of my head and I quickly exited while whispering an apology to Ellie's parents. I can't imagine the loss they are feeling right now.

But what I liked about the whole deal was that while Von couldn't comprehend the significance of the occasion or the irony in an interaction between one future cancer survivor and one who didn't, he knew something was different and special about the event. He kept saying, "I feel sad", but he didn't exactly know why. He thought up the idea of expressing compassion through the giving of a gift. He insisted on expressing his care even when I told him it was useless.

Compassion. Care. Empathy. I'm not sure what the experts call it, but I think it is love in action. I think God gave humans this built-in capacity for it.

The ticket now has a home in my wallet in the little window over my driver's license. And every time I see it, I'm going to remember Ellie and look around for someone that needs some love in action.

No cash value never felt so good!

Monkey Boots

2009-02-23T22:36:00.000-08:00

You know you have good friends when you have a bad day, gripe and complain a little, and they still come around and want to hang out with you.

You, my blog reading friend, are one of those pals! Thank you!

I'd like to ask you to pray for Von tomorrow. Some of the drugs he takes to kill the cancer also attack muscles, bones and structural components in his extremities. Recently he has not been walking as much and tires easily. (I get this way when it comes time to mow the lawn and will have to remember the medical terminology to try and use on my wife as an excuse.)

Von got braces recently and loves wearing them. I've been so impressed with our family and visitors who come over and make a big to-do over the fact that he gets to wear these and how cool they are. At his age, he looks to us for how he should respond to stuff and it's an easy sell if you call them Star Wars boots or his monkey boots. (He puts a half-peeled banana in between the bottom of his feet and the braces and eats it like curious George eats a banana with his feet.)

You and I would want to get out our long pants to cover them. Von? He asked Lisa on the way home from the hospital to stop at Target and buy him some shorts so he could show them off.

Von's treatments will last three more years, but the more intense treatments come in the first six months. We're entering month five and six and then it is on to the maintenance stage.

Because of the intensity of this last stage before maintenance, he has to be healthy and ready to take the last barrage of steroids and chemo. They call it 'delayed intensification' with is a really convenient phrase for 'the poopiest part of the whole deal'.

Today Von was flagged at his checkup for some abnormalities in his bone structures and they suspect the steroids have done damage and are hesitant to proceed. He goes in for a 4 hour MRI tomorrow to see what is up.

I'd like to ask you to pray for his protection while he is put under anesthesia for that long. I'd like for there to be nothing wrong with him and I'd like for us to be able to proceed to the last stage of the first 6 months.

Thanks for your love and support! If you're in the area, stop on by. We'll invent some new names for Von's boots together and eat a banana in any fashion that suites your fancy!

A Good Cry Over Pizza

2009-02-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

I cried at Chuck E. Cheeses yesterday.

When you hear that, you probably envision a grown man blinking away a few tears before anyone can catch him clouding up.

It wasn't that. It was the other kind where your shoulders shake and you have to borrow your kids pizza stained napkins to wipe the tears. The kind where you don't look up, because if you did, you might risk sharing a personally humiliating moment with someone by making eye contact with them.

Some times, a person just needs a good cry. It's been a while since my last one.

Ellie Willaert is a sweet little 4-year-old girl that we met on New Year's Eve at a cancer fund raising event. When we met her, the inoperable brain tumor in her head had already disfigured her face and was challenging her motor skills. But she was beautiful and we fell in love with her.

That very night, my girls wanted to pray for her before bed and we each took turns. Then they said they wanted to pray again, and I had to finally cut them off after round three. We loved her.

Ellie passed into eternity, Friday night, her delicate little body finally finding permanent rest laying between both of her parents in her bad at home. Good news for her. But for the rest of us? Not so much. (You can pray for Pat and Niki as they have a funeral Monday.) http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do

So when I got the news of Ellie's passing, I loaded my two youngest in the car and bolted to Chuck E. Cheeses. I hate that place and whenever they ask, I always find a reason to be busy or invent some diversion that makes it just not possible to do.

But I went to Chuck E. Cheeses. I did it for my kids and I did it for Ellie. In my own weird little way, I wanted to thank Ellie for touching our lives in a very brief but significant way. And it was there at the Chucksters that I lost control and started to cry.

Coming away from the experience, I'm realizing that there are only certain parts of life that I process in real time. My tendency is to enjoy the laughter, excitement and adventure in real time and not put it on a shelf for consideration later. I enjoy and process these in the present. But when it comes to loss or pain, I like to put things on the shelf and tell myself I'll think about them later.

These past 4 months have had a lot of changes, losses, disappointments or things that just didn't turn out how I wanted them to. When I got the news of Ellie pasing, it was just one of those things in the loss category that I put on the bookshelf for processing later.

Then, in the most unusual of places (like Chuck E. Cheeses), I take one book off that shelf, to consider and process, and they all come falling off. I end up on the floor, picking each one up and evaluating it and yielding up the ones to God that I don't want to put back on the shelf.

Some day, I'm going to tell my grandkids about Ellie Willaert. I'm going to tell them this beautiful girl helped me realize that loss and pain are part of life and that talking about them with God, with family and friends, when they happen is way better than ending up processing those alone with all the crazy noises, games and bad pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's.

A Hug for the Chimney Cleaner Dude

2009-02-03T07:11:00.000-08:00

I had a blast with a little social experiment this morning based on a video I found on one of my favorite blogs. (Thanks Mike!) You can read Mike's more mature take on this video here.

After watching this video, I had to think of my father-in-law, Rolf Garborg. He is the most affirming guy I know.

I once witnessed him on an affirmation rampage at a little cafe in the Swiss Alps. It was amazing, after affirming the hostess, the cook, and the old men smoking pipes by the fire, he proceeded to affirm the dog.

Then the chimney sweep guy comes this morning and is explaining how a chimney works I go all Rolf on him. There is magic in the air that doesn't fade, even after I try to give him a hug.

Please watch this clip. It's 16 minutes and I promise that you will thank me afterwards and that you're even going to want to send me a message about your very own Rolfesque experience.

Laughing and Crying

2009-01-30T07:57:00.000-08:00

Ever run across a photo that evokes a feeling so strong, your body involuntarily waters your eyes or causes your diaphragm to contract exerting a blast of air that comes out as a laugh?

That's really weird, isn't it?

I ran across this photo today, and audibly laughed and teared up, both at the same time. Not sure how that works or why.

Maybe the laugh because I'm reminded of what a ham my son is. Maybe the tears because I'm so thankful for all of my family.

If you don't have a few of these photos setting out where you can see them now and then, you really need to pull them out and start laughing or tearing up.

Oh, and I've had a few folks ask if I took these photos I've posted recently. Actually, a very talented and patient friend of ours did. She's amazing and she won't judge you when you go through the normal stress that comes from family photo events.

Noemi Hedrick is brilliant and if you are in the area, contact her about making your family look good. You can see more of her work here. www.noemiphotography.com

Industrial-Strength Words

2009-01-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

This is my son. He currently has no hair.

Last week he was standing before the bathroom mirror and he said, "Dad, I'm lossing dem" as he pointed to his eyebrows.

He's bald, not because he thinks it is cool, but because the cancer fighting medicine he receives evidently doesn't play nice with hair follicles.

Which is why an experience he had this week was particularly devastating. Von met a new friend at the health club while my wife worked out. And up until this point, he thought bald was beautiful. A well-intentioned little girl in the play place let him know it wasn't when she told him "I don't like your hair."

He was devastated and his facial expression betrayed the fact that his confidence was badly shaken. It probably isn't the last time in his life a girl will break his heart.

What struck me about this was that I appreciated what the little girl was trying to say. She wasn't used to a bald, white headed 3-year-old and it struck her as odd. She was being honest and translated, her comment meant, "I'm not used to seeing this and I'm not sure what to make of it."

No harm done. Back at home, mom, dad, sister's and grandparents blanketed him with affirmation of his true coolness. In no time at all, he was back to his normal self, which made me extremely grateful for family and the industrial strength potency of our words of affirmation.

Kids are honest. You've got to respect that!

Boobs in Church

2009-01-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

They say the first impression is a lasting one. I hope that is a lie.

We met Brady and Kris at a cancer fundraiser recently and fell in love with them instantly. If you don't have friends like Brady and Kris, get some!!

They invited us to church and being new friends and all, and not really knowing them yet, we wanted to make a great impression.

They saved us seats up front next to them and a few of their friends and family. I had Von sitting on my lap during the sermon because he isn't well enough to go be with other kids.

Everything was going just great until a quit spot in the pastor's sermon. I was drawing pictures to keep Von entertained and quiet.

Lawnmower. Riffle. Glass of water. Frog. Flying Saucer.

Then he says, in that airy voice kids use when they think they are whispering but actually talking loudly, "Dad, draw boobs!"

A few heads turned and the folks immediately in front of us shifted in their seats uncomfortably.

How do I know Brady and Kris are amazing friends?

They accept the family with the 3 year old (and dad) who both appreciate boobs.

It Could Be Worse

2009-01-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

I walked the girls to the bus stop this morning. It was -28 degrees. Without windchill factored in.

In case you didn't see it, that is a dash in front of the temperature. A dash, for crying out loud!

Which makes me ponder the marketing minds that came up with that naming convention. Why the dash? Any increment of measure describing a temperature which is precedded by a dash, can't be a good sign. A dash.... and I don't think people like it. Hey, they don't like the cold, why give them a negative association with it by putting the negative or minus sign in front of it.

Instead of just complaining about the cold, I'm going to make some suggestion for improving it.

Nobody likes the number zero. (Sorry zero, you know it's true). Couldn't they have just put the zero degree mark way colder than what it will ever get so that everything is warmer than zero? It's insulting to say you are 'below zero'. How low is that?

Or might I suggest inventing a new symbol, something that looks like a hood ornament on a fancy car, and prefacing the temperature with that. We could then call it "Mercedes Benz 28 degrees" instead of -28 degrees.

An acronym reminding them of something positive might work. "It is ICBW 28 degrees out." (It Could Be Worse).

It's -28 degrees and humans have to live here. At least give them something positive to think about while they are walking their kids to the bus stop and struggling in a coat-turned-straightjacket because of the plastic shell freezing in the wind.

The upside? I found one this week. We made an offer on a house. The realtor waived the termite inspection. Being from the South, I got a little heated at this. She said there are no termites in Minnesota.

There can't be, it's ICBW 28 degrees out!

First Day of School

2009-01-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is a big day!

It's the first day of school for our girls. We've been in denial about it for a while, but we finally embraced the reality that chemotherapy and homeschooling aren't great pals.

The girls will go into school tomorrow and Lisa will turn her attention to helping transition our home to Minneapolis and to focus on Von.

I can't wait for the family dinner conversation tomorrow night. Last time they had a first day of school, they came home and told me about having to get toilet paper from the toilet paper lunch lady. Just imagine what school in the US will be like.

Faux Hawk

2009-01-01T15:59:00.001-08:00

It's not a great photo, and you can't really tell from the angle, but yes, it IS a Mohawk.

Mohawk haircuts have never been my thing. My wife's cousin called it a Fauxhawk because I don't have a full head of hair anymore, but if you ask me, that's just a technicality.

Von and I got the trimmers out the afternoon we were heading to Uncle Kent and Aunt Betty's house for Christmas dinner.

Aunt Betty didn't think it was a good look for me and my mother-in-law had a graceful, but mild look of concern, as it was two days before the scheduled family photo session.

In the end, it all worked out just fine because it only lasted a day. I think because it was technically a 24 hour period that I had this, I can say with honesty, "I used to have a mohawk".

Invest in Leather

2008-12-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

I think I'm going to be in the market for a good pair of leather chaps or one of those vests that has the leathers stringey things that hang down in the back.

The worlds most talented fiction editor, was giving me some fair warning advice about the beauty of my daughters this morning.

She says: "You’re going to be in for a few rough years when those girls hit their teens. I foresee fighting off the boys with baseball bats. I recommend you keep the bald look and maybe grow a super long goatee so you look mean. Get a few tats. Invest in a leather vest."

I'm an XL if anyone wants to know.

Red Rider

2008-12-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

We cleared the dining room table yesterday to take some family photos. I just had to capture the look on Von's face after getting a Christmas gift.

"Ages 10+" it says on the packaging.

I figured that since he's been such a brave kid with all of the other dangerous things we have been doing to his body to shoot the cancer dead that, a little BB gun with parental supervision isn't going to hurt anyone.

So far, so good.

Stop the ride for a moment. I'm feeling sick!

2008-12-20T06:14:00.000-08:00

Pause with me for a moment and reminisce. We're all feeling a little weary of this daily fight with this invisible enemy called cancer. (I think it's supposed to be a capital 'C' but I'm not giving it any more attention than it has already getting from our family.)

This is a photo of our children back before we learned we had cancer. It was taken in Mexico and the whole family went with me to a photo shoot for a furniture product line. My very good friend Luiz makes this stuff and we borrowed Mexico's largeest TV mogul's vacation home and yard for the staging. Just as we were wrapping up, it started to rain and the kids just had a blast. We quickly threw everything back on the truck and ran back to normal life.

Yesterday we started a new set of treatments for Von that are more intense than his first two months and already he is having side effects from the drugs. (What is ironic is that society won't give a 3 year old a plastic bag for fear of harm, but passively accepts shooting them up with drugs that make sores in their mouths, causes their intestines to bleed and sprinkle in surprise vomit episodes.)

We attended a Christmas concert as a family last night. During the intermission, a lady approached us who found Von's bald head familiar. She introduced herself and in the process we learned she had a son with Leukemia just like Von. As she spoke, I realized she was speaking past tense. Not wanting to ask the obvious, but wanting to express concern for her son, I asked, "How old is he now?".

She said she didn't want to answer that so as not to discourage us. After pressing her a bit, she shared her son passed away suddenly at month 5 of treatment after everything was seemingly going well. (What did we expect, we did press her for it).

So we left the concert early, and drove home feeling very sober and serious about cancer and realizing it is something that has no certain outcome. Lisa was crying a bit and Von kept offering her kleenex and asking her why she was crying. Sweet little kid. Takes after me, actually. :-)

Back to Mexico. I looked at that photo this morning and realized how each day is so precious...even if you don't have cancer. How can I learn that lesson for good and enjoy today and the moment without quickly moving on to the next project. Am I the only one that wrestles with that?

At the time I took that photo, I was rushing off to the next project, the next obligation, the next opportunity. If I could go back, I would have set the camera in a dry place, and then sprawled out on the lounge chair and let the rain pour down and spread my arms out like the guy did in the movie Shawshank Redemption at the end.

My challenge to you today, cancer or not, is go do something small, special, memorable, or sweet for someone in your life and take a mental picture. I promise no matter how silly, dumb or trivial it feels, you will never look back with a feeling of regret.

Blue Eyes

2008-12-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law Rolf shaved his head a few years ago when his good friend was going bald from cancer treatments.

At the time, bald wasn't yet cool, and it was a fashion risk, but in order to love and support his friend, Rolf did it! And like most kinds of sacrificial giving, he found something personally beneficial in the process. Not only did he get to support his friend, he also found a new and good look for him and it stuck.

So when Von had to lose his hair, and was left with some awkward stubble from the hair clippers, Rolf knew just what to do.

A little shave cream and a few sibling's concerned looks later and Viola!

It's funny, I never realized how beautiful his eyes were until the hair got out of the way. Maybe people should, instead of trying those fake eye contacts to enhance their eye color, try shaving their heads first. Or maybe...not.

Explanation?

2008-12-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

I found this photo in my photo library today. I can't explain it.

It was evidently taken while I was away this weekend moving things out of our house in Ohio and getting it ready to transfer to the new owner.

Any suggestions for explaining what Sofie and Von are doing?

Clean Shave

2008-12-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

We passed a landmark tonight. Instead of being in denial that Von is losing his hair, we decided to embrace it and say goodbye to it together as a family. Most of the times, the hard things in life are easy when you have family around to see you through.

It's funny, it doesn't bother Von in the least. Mom was fighting a few tears, but off the sparse little fuzz came. There were about 20 other extended family members there to cheer him on.

And the best part was watching him look into the mirror and seeing him discover a new texture on his little head. He is a good little trooper and we are pretty proud of him.

Pay-it-Forward

2008-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or do I have the coolest friends in the world?

I received a very nice gift in the mail from Rae, my friend out on the East coast. I was one of her winners on the 'pay it forward' experiment. (You can see her blog here.)

She sent:

Magnets-Beautiful but practical.

Eucalyptus Hand soap: If you are a man and you use hand soap, this is the only fragrance you can use and still feel manly.

Reflection Stones: Handy because they double as weapons if needed, but beautiful reminders of great traits. I use them as place settings for our four children. Each one has a word that I associate with each child. I place them at the setting. Dream. Reflect. Grace. Strenght. What great reminders for us all!

Cool huh?

Here are the official "rules": The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, cute, & nice to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on.

Unfortunately, due to postage costs, I can only pay it forward within the United States.

If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. Just a gift that will make the person smile. There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy! If you'd like to join in, be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment. You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. I hope people like this idea. It's a small way to bring a smile to someone's face!

I know I won't be able to top the cool factor of Rae, but I will do my very best and will at least promise not to send you a fruitcake.

Thanks Rae!

Underage Bird-feeding Habit

2008-12-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

Don't tell anyone. I know I'm not old enough to have one yet, and I'm not really proud of it, but...yes...I have a.....bird feeder.

I've seen these at my grandmother's house and in the old man's garden across the street. And if, at the next Monday night football you bring it up, I will deny it.

But last week I was inspired after hearing from an old friend. She was telling me about how her family has been slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life. She cited the Cardinal outside of her window, sampling the delicacies offered in the feeder, as a case in point. It reminded her of how God cares for us, just like her bird friends were being cared for.

After getting some good news this week in the 'what do I owe the doctor?' department, I found the unstopabble urge to celebrate God's care of our family and bought a bird feeder. (They didn't even ask for ID to see if I was old enough.)

I'm looking forward to seeing the first bird come and eat and remind me that God is taking care of me.

At least that is how I am explaining the bird feeder in the yard. I'm still working on a good explanation for the plywood cutout of the bent over grandma in bloomers in the front yard. I'm open to any suggestions.

Some people....

2008-11-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

Once in a while you hear about these people. You know them, they are the ones they make movies about.

I blogged yesterday about finally getting around to something I had been putting off. Today I bumped into a friends blog entry and it knocked my socks off! She did something last week that, through no choice of her own, she had put off for years.

I'm so proud of her that I'm going to send her a gift. But, shhhh...don't tell her when you leave a comment on her blog.

You can read about her amazing achievement here.

Some people...

My Masterpiece

2008-11-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

Let me show you what I've been working on for the past three weeks. It took a long time, but it is finished and I'm so proud of it.

No. Sorry, not the painting but hanging the painting on the wall, that was in the works for three weeks.

We got a 15 thousand dollar medical bill in the mail yesterday, which is a great way to see if what you said around the Thanksgiving table about being thankful was really true or not.

So this morning, instead of thinking about bills, I looked around for something that I could do to help me feel like I was doing something productive. And there it was...the painting done by my wife's great-grandfather Arne Berger. Arne came to the US in the early 1890s from Norway. My guess is that he must have been paying tribute to his newly adopted country by painting George Washington's Mt. Vernon.

Three weeks ago, my wife asked, 'Can you hang that painting?'. I've been putting it off all this time. And it took me all of 130 seconds to do. And now I'm wondering why I put it off for so long and why it felt like such a daunting task?

I could have felt this great three weeks ago.

What 130 second job have you been putting off? I'd love to hear about it!

Once Upon a Time...

2008-11-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for Sophie, Luke, and Phoebe Johnsen.

Don't know them? You should! This little story is for them. Sophie, Luke, and Phoebe are not only real people, but they represent the many people who have loved us and helped Von these past few weeks. Thanks to all the Sophie, Luke, and Phoebes out there!

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who went to the doctor. The doctor looked at the boy and tried real hard to smile as he gave the boy some bad news.

"You are a very sick little boy and you are going to have to get better."

The doctor said there were two things he would have to do to get better.

"One, you will have to take some really yucky medicine, and two, work your best at being brave. If you do these two things, you might just get better." The doctor said this in the best smile he could to help the boy feel better about the bad news.

The little boy squinted at the doctor and asked, "How yucky is the medicine? Yuckier than raisin ice-cream?"

The smile left the doctors face as he had tasted raisin ice-cream before and was sure the medicine was far worse.

But the boy did his best and took his medicine with only a little bit of crying. He pretended the medicine was gummy worm pizza and he took it all.

The first part was done and he was happy that he could do this by himself, but the second part, the part about being brave, was something he couldn't do by himself. And he was feeling not happy about that.

The little boy asked God to help him be brave but for some reason, God didn't make him brave. The boy was really sad now because he knew he could not be brave by himself. But God had a better idea.

God whispered into Sophie, Luke, and Phoebe's heart and told them about the little boy who needed some help in being brave for the second part of his getting better.

They thought about what could help the little boy feel brave. They thought about giving him a chocolate factory, a used car, and a truckload of monkeys. But in the end, they knew the little boy's parents were afraid of monkeys and would probably say no, and besides, used cars are hard to find these days.

So they gathered up a whole box of fantastic and delightful toys, games, balls, books and activities to send off. But Sophie said something was missing. She held up some zebra colored wrapping paper and they all set to work wrapping all the gifts and quickly sent them off to the little boy.

The little boy was not feeling brave that day when the box arrived. He had been standing in front of the mirror trying to get his hair to go spiky to feel brave. But most of his hair was gone now and there was no spikyness to it. He asked God again to help him be brave so he could finish getting well.

The boy dropped his comb and ran upstairs when he heard his parents announce a package had arrived.

He read the cards from Luke and admired his handwriting. He smiled at the photo of Sophie and Phoebe. And then he ripped into the zebra colored gifts. Slowly but surely, he started feeling loved and warm inside. As he opened each gift, he started laughing and feeling stronger and stronger.

That night, he snuggled into bed and thought about Sophie and Luke and Phoebe and thanked God for them. He was now brave and could finish getting better. He asked God to do something nice for them...maybe some spikey hair and a truckload of monkeys.

The end.

Neighborly Gestures

2008-11-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

We have visitors! Opa and Oma flew in from Mexico to be with us this week. One of our first stops was A&W for floats. You can see root beer float sized anticipation on everyone's face. (They don't have A&W in Mexico.)

This morning, I found the following view out my office window downstairs.

It's a lake in the process of freezing over. Von and I, strangers to lakes you can walk on, went down to poke around and investigate.

After morning coffee and a few well-placed pieces on the traditional Thanksgiving holiday puzzle, I overheard this conversation between my 5 year old daughter, Vienna, and Lisa.

V: Mom, it snowed outside. Can we shovel the driveway?
Lisa: Yes, please!
V: When we are done, can we do the neighbors?
Lisa: That would be nice.
V: Can we do all of the neighbors everywhere?
Lisa: I think you're going to make lots of friends today.

So shovel the drives they did.

They did about 4 driveways when the realized it was an ambitious plan and came in for hot chocolate.

One lady left her driveway and said, "Good shoveling". Vienna quipped, "for free" as she drove off. Vienna returned to the house mad that nobody offered to pay them. It was a great teachable moment for all of us to remember to serve without expecting anything in return. Then if you do get something, it's a bonus.

Now that we are in Minnesota, I'm sure we will get a few more opportunities to shovel some driveways and perfect the serve without expectations principle.

So the Rabbi says to the guy...

2008-11-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

There is this old joke about a guy complaining to the Rabbi about his house being too crowded and small and how he needs a bigger one. Do you remember this one? (If you can read in a NY accent, you should finish the joke this way to make it better.)

The Rabbi prescribes that the guy brings in a goat, his mother-in-law, some pigs, and some neighbor's lawn furniture from storage, and says to live that way for a few weeks.

The man does what the Rabbi says and comes back after a few weeks and wonders how this has helped his situation any.
(You sure you're not remembering this one?).

The Rabbi says to kick out all the extra people and animals and furniture and come back the next week. The guy comes back the next week and kisses the Rabbi. His house suddenly feels so much bigger, less crowded and he has all the room in the world.

How does this apply to us lately?

Von has been on some high dose steroids that have affected his mood. He has been quite a grump at times and throwing fits and making demands that would make the most confident of parent's cower in shame. I actually cried last week when he threw a fit in a public setting. The flood of emotions came over me as I wanted to explain to people that this wasn't really my kid acting this way, but it is the drugs talking.

But this week he is off of the steroids after a month and I have to tell you what a little gentleman and comedian my wife and I have raised. And the best part is that his incessant giggle is back. He laughs at everything and erupts in a highly contagious, squeaking giggle that makes the grumpiest of old men snort a laugh or two.

It is still the same kid we had a month ago, but perspective is everything.

Has this change of perspective ever happened to you?

Things Girls Do Better Than Boys

2008-11-12T19:58:00.001-08:00

Girls can do the splits and lift their legs high in the air. Boys can't.

Girls look good in tights. Boys don't.

Girls can go to shows and dress up in the confetti that drops from the ceiling. Boys wouldn't.

Grandma Mary took the girls out for a special girls outing and saw the Rockettes and enjoyed what girls enjoy most. What a treat.

Meanwhile, back at the hacienda, Von and I got to hang out and spent no time worrying about how we look in tights or trying to do the splits.

Life is good!

Husky but Happy

2008-11-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Want to see something weird?

The boy on the left is actually the same kid on the right. He did okay for a guy who wasn't even trying. He won the cheek category in the local bodybuilding contest.

He is on steroids and a plethora (finally got to use that word) of other medications. This causes him to retain water and gives him a swollen head. When I came home from being gone for 6 days, I really couldn't believe how big his head had gotten. Only 4 more days of these particular steroids and his face will start going back to normal.

The highlight of today was Papa Rolf taking Von and me to the movies. Von had to wear his face mask and with his swollen head and pale skin, we got a variety of reactions. There were some strange looks, a few awkward avoidances, and one verbal 'awwwwww'. I thought the girl saw a puppy in Barnes and Noble but when she walked past and elbowed her boyfriend to look back, I figured she was talking about Von.

Yesterday Von got excited when we told him he got mail. He got two very nice handmade cards in the mail from some very sincere and amazing friends at DaySpring Cards. Jon Huckeby, an illustrator, designer, and super funny guy headed that up and as you can tell by Von's face, not only is he looking husky, he is happy.

Thanks Jon! Here's to you, shark week, and using your superpower talent for good. You guys truly know how to share God's heart and love...in a plethora fresh new ways!

83.5 hours

2008-11-06T22:09:00.001-08:00

Here is where I spent the last 84 hours of my life.

I left Mexico on Sunday 6:30 PM with our stuff and our dog and drove to the border. And I drove. And drove. And there was still more driving to do.

This morning, at 6:00 AM, I arrived safe into Minneapolis. (Thanks God!)

That is about 2,000 miles, two all-nighters, a few cups of coffee, five motorcycle tie-down checks, two new U-joints, 7 radio talk show hours, 4 new tires, 32 toll booths, 3 hours of US Customs inspections, and one teenage boy dog with more pelvic trusting moves than a dancing John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

The highlight was having my dad along for the Mexico leg of the trip.

I'll have to post a few photos and thoughts on the event. For now, I'm going to rest and enjoy a little family snuggle time.

(Since the photo is low resolution, I should explain the wet marks on the pavement are from the dog's water dish.)

Introductions are in Order!

2008-10-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to a future cancer survivor.

We got some really great news today. It's 'normal progress' news, but it IS progress and we are thanking God for it.

When Von first arrived in Minnesota two weeks ago, his cancer levels were at 30%. Last week, they were at 7%. Today, they were at 0.8%. If you ask me, any cancer-describing number that starts with a zero is reason to have a bust-out-the-windows celebration.

My smart wife explained to me how Leukemia works and that this is just the beginning of a Lord of the Rings type battle.

It goes like this:
1) Cancer cells show up in the blood and bone marrow. They not only demand equal treatment but say they are the new guys in charge and they're going to multiply and even the local authorities won't stop them.
2) You beat back these cancer cells as fast as possible before they know what hit them and before they mutate or get more sympathizers to join them.
3) You defeat the rogue cells in the blood and while it looks like they are defeated, they are really moving to a safe spot in the spinal fluid to regroup.
4) You do some delayed intensification treatment to chase them out of the spine. you lose hair in the process and have some other painful side effects, but it's worth it. You flushed them out of their hiding place and killed them all...but they have one last stand planned.
5) Since you thought you killed them in the bone marrow, and the spinal fluid, the cells think the best place to make a last stand is back in the bone marrow and blood, so they regroup.
6) You once again do battle and finish every last one of them off in the blood and bone marrow.
7) You look at the carnage on the battle field and wait to see if there are any fakers laying 'dead'.
8) And you wait.
9) And wait.
10) And after 6 years from your first battle with the cancer cells, you are officially pronounced the victor. You get a burger king crown and go on to rule your kingdom in peace and harmony. And if you were gracious in the battle, you might just get to marry the sweetheart that was looking on during the ordeal.

Ok, I know that isn't the most medically accurate way to describe it, but since Von likes fighting the bad guys so much, I think it works and that is how I am describing it to him.

If you're near a root beer float, a record player with your favorite opera singer, or close to someone that looks huggable, celebrate with us today. God is good and we had the gift of today to enjoy it!

(And a special thanks to Hans for the most excellent encouragement card. I have some friends in the biz that might be interested in talking to you!)

Just a Spoon Full of Sugar...

2008-10-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you, Mary Poppins is a liar! The sugar thing doesn't work.

In about three years, when this is all through, Von will be a master negotiator. He is learning the art now and practicing twice a day every time we engage him on taking his medicine.

We both have something that we want.

Me? I want him to take two squirts of his medicine. One that tastes awful and one that tastes really awful.

Him? Anything BUT the medicine.

So here is how it goes:

Me: Time for your medicine.
Von: (Mumbling through a hand covered mouth with panicked eyes) I don't want medicine.
Me: You have to. It's not open for discussion.

And then the discussion starts, him stalling for time, me looking for leverage to get him to take his medicine.

At the hospital it was easy. We had fake dog poo and the leverage I had was promising he could roam the halls placing the thing on the floor to trick the nurses. It worked beautifully, every time, on the same nurses. But at home, sisters aren't as impressed and...no leverage.

Sometimes, because of his salt cravings, he negotiates a pizza or chips or he negotiates a sit in the hot tub.

Once he negotiated for me to get a 'poke' with a syringe because he had to get one.

But tonight I made a tactical error in the negotiating process and the photo shows he knows he had the upper hand. He masterfully suggested a trip to Home Depot (complete with protective face mask and in his new 'pajamies'). But when I agreed to this too quickly, he knew he had me and asked for more.

"Home Depot AND a bag of Cheetos."

We shared the Cheetos after we got home. Win. Win.

Big Mac

2008-10-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a Big Mac in years. But last night I had one that I will remember for the rest of my life.

This morning, I found three photos on my phone that tell the story.

1) Von shivers, acts funny, and after waiting a day for him to improve, we take him to the hospital where they admit him. He gets the Iron Man port put back into his heart and he is overcome with sadness (and some salt cravings) as he realizes he has to spend a few nights back at the hospital.

2) Uncle Kent and Aunt Betty hear that Von is in the hospital, and Betty being a cancer survivor, and having a grandchild who survived cancer, dropped in to encourage us. Knowing we were famished and that Von was craving fries, they brought McDonalds. Von, deeply touched by their kindness (or just happy to eat) goes into goofy-face mode.

3) After Kent and Betty leave and the McDonalds bag is tossed into the trash for a three pointer, Von feels a deep sense of satisfaction and offers to give me a head rub. (He gets this from his mom). I receive his kind offer and feel the happiest I have in a few weeks.

I can't quote it exactly, but there is this scripture in the bible that says if you give a cup of cold water to someone, God is so blessed by that that it's almost like you are giving him the cup of water and he promises you won't lose your reward. I had to think of Uncle Kent and Aunt Betty and their bringing a Big Mac to the emergency room last night.

I'd like to think that if my interpretation of that scripture is close to right, at about 10pm last night, God had a Big Mac, thanks to Uncle Kent and Aunt Betty.

Thanks Kent and Betty!

Mr. Genius

2008-10-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

We had a visitor yesterday.

Bret dropped into town to do a worship concert gig. He is a fascinating guy. His specialty is making people sound good, especially when the pressure is on and they have thousands of fans in the stadium that expect their favorite musician to sound just as good live as they did on their CD. I could go on all day about how cool Bret is and the master artist he is with a soundboard and effects. He is pure genius!

I work with his wife, Barbara, who is also a genius. She writes, edits, and helps me figure out important stuff like if I put too many commas, in this sentence. (And she does it without being a smarty pants, which is why she is so loveable.)

Barbara sent a whole heap of goodies for Von with Bret and because they have two boys, the things they sent were perfect for our little guy.

(Sorry B, you can't tell from the photo but he really was happy with the gifts, especially the necklace that lights up like Iron Man's heart).

The drugs Von is on affects his mood and all he wants to do is eat salty things. He keeps asking for pizza and specifies 'with salts on it'. He also gets a little grumpy at times but the upside, he also gets really goofy.

Yesterday's lab tests were given to us over the phone. Von's cancer levels are slightly reduced and his progress is normal.

Normal....

As a parent, I can't tell you how disappointing 'normal' is. It wasn't bad news, but it wasn't glowing either. I wanted, "We've never seen a little boy fight cancer with such success!" I know, it's only week one.

I was reminded today of Psalm 118:8: "It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in people (or doctors or lab reports).

You may need to help me remember this again in a day or two.

First Checkup

2008-10-22T20:47:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all our friends and family for the overwhelming amount of prayer and love we are feeling.

Von goes in for his first weekly IV chemo and a follow-up bone marrow biopsy to see how the treatments are working on the cancer.

You can pray for that to go amazingly well. As you can imagine, Von is anxious about having to return to the hospital.
(Although he is hoping to see, and someday marry, the nurse with a purse, Carrie).

It was cute today. Von overheard Lisa talking to a friend on the phone and heard the concern in her voice over his well-being.

He said in the cutest little man voice, "Don't worry about me, Mom. I'm going to get better."

We are agreeing with Von.

Thanks for your prayers!

(Now that I look at this photo, I'm realizing he wears this shirt a whole lot as most of his other blog photos have this shirt in it. He has more than one shirt, I promise!)

85%

2008-10-21T17:31:00.001-07:00

Today was a really good day. I enjoyed the gift of today, the people around me, the food before me, and the sunshine outside. It's amazing how the good things of today become when you are unsure of the things of tomorrow.

It's funny how our finite human minds want assurances for tomorrow.

Relating to the issue most on our minds these days, Von's life expectancy is one of those areas where we want an assurance. The doctors are squeamish about throwing out numbers, which I respect. They don't want to play God in the patient's life (and probably don't want to get sued either).

If you press them, they won't tell you Von has an 85% chance of living or a 15% chance of dying, they will tell you that the incidents of his type of cancer see an 85% cure rate.

Cure rate/chance of living...call it what you want, the temptation for me this week has been to look to a percentage and cling to it for some sense of comfort and put my heart at ease. And in that number, I have found no hope or sense of comfort.

I've asked myself if a 90% would make me feel lots better or a little better. What about 95%? I even raised it to 100% chance of living in my mind, and even that felt empty.

Through this, I was reminded that God is the only thing I can look to or find comfort in. He knows the number of my days. He knows the number of Von's days. (Yeah, he knows yours too!) I have given Von's future over to him and in that, I find a sense of peace that God has a plan and it will all work out in the right way and time.

Yep, today was a good day.

Punch to the face

2008-10-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

I am daddy-happy to report Von was released from the hospital today and will continue his treatments as an outpatient. It was difficult. Can any parent hold their kid down so they can get chemo shots in the thigh and do it without crying a little and wishing it was them instead? But he was a brave boy and settled down after a promised visit to Papa Rolf's hot-tub. It is good to be a family together in a home again.

I remember a time when I was a kid on the school playground on a nice fall day, enjoying recess when I was stunned by a blow to the face. The first 5 seconds of that incident were like the first 5 days of this week since we learned Von has cancer.

On the playground, there was this feeling of confusion, before the pain arrived. Something had hit me. Or was it someone? The class bully? My head turned and searched for answers in those few seconds before the pain arrived.

Then as the pain started warming up my face I quit looking for the school bully or asking questions about why, and started examining the damage to see if there was blood and to feel if there was still an ear attached to my head.

After feeling an ear, I became aware of the silence in my peers as they looked on at my pain and wondered what my reaction would be. My focus shifted from the damage to my face to figuring out what I was going to say so that I didn't look like a complete fool for it.

After those brief 5 seconds, I found that a stray kickball had hit me in the face, knocked me silly, and I would recover.

I thought of this today as I looked for a way to describe this past week. I've wanted to communicate and express our gratitude to friends and family for an outpouring of love and prayers. But I guess I'm still like that kid on the playground that is a bit dazed and silent trying to figure out exactly what hit him, why and the next steps to take.

Tonight, we sleep in a normal bed, Von by our sides, and rest in the fact that God knows what he is doing even when the occasional stray kickball meets an unsuspecting obstacle.

Iron man

2008-10-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

I got to meet Iron Man today.

I flew to Minneapolis today with our three girls and caught up with the little Iron Man, Von, and his amazingly hot mom in the children's hospital. They told me Von had been grumpy and fussing quite a bit. But when he saw his sisters come through the door, he quickly started showing off.

He showed us how to recline the hospital bed at the touch of a button.

We learned how the blood pressure cuff is really called the 'hugger' that hugs your arm.

He also showed me the coolest trick. You can press this one button and a nurse comes busting through the door in panic to see if you are ok.

"See dad?", he said, proud of himself for figuring it out and pleading for me to try it.

Von saw the movie Iron Man (well, parts of it) recently and really has found something to connect to in it. In the movie, the hero was operated on after being wounded in a battle. A doctor put an aparatus in his chest to keep him well that looks like a saucer. So when Von got a saucer shaped port that delivers chemo directly to his heart, he thinks he has graduated to 'iron man' status.

"See Sofie? Iron man!" he beamed while lifting up his shirt.

It was great to be a family and together again and see little Iron man at work fighting the bad guys in his body. Iron Mans, even the almost 4 year old versions, need a family to fight the good fight.

Jr. High Swimming Pool Locker room

2008-10-15T17:21:00.001-07:00

Today was not the worst day of my life.

Today doctors told my wife and I that we need to start a 3 year regiment of Chemo treatments for my 3 year old son because he has Leukemia. (Kudos to the doctors for being masters at delivering bad news. I bet my mechanic must have skipped that class.)

My spell checker tells me that this disease is foreign to me. And while I've heard of it, I don't really know what it means.

As a younger man, I once imagined what it would be like to get some really bad news like this.

It feels so weird now that it is happening....like I’m supposed to be more dazed than I am. I always thought something bad like Leukemia would be the worst day of my life. Actually, the worst day of my life was when I had to change in front of my peers for Jr. high swim lessons in my pre-pubescent existence. I'm still whirling from that one.

I cried some today. I did fine at the grocery store and at the service station that fixed my flat. I was strong for my daughters in explaining the more naive version of Von's sickness to them. In my sadness for what Von and Lisa will be going through, I came to realize that God is ok with us crying.

As my friend Rick Suarez told me today, King David, the man after God's own heart, did two things in the Psalms. He praised God and he cried out to God. That makes me feel good. Big warrior David not only did the right thing and praised God, but he also did the human thing and cried out to Him.

In the next few days, I'm going to cry a little, praise a little, and be sure to laugh a little. Von and Lisa wouldn't want it any other way.

International Travel

2008-10-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

I have to brag on my friend John Lasater. (Not the guy with cool cowboy shades)

He isn't one of those guys who has trotted all over the globe. But you wouldn't know it by the way he eats tacos or rubs shoulders with the locals here.

First, his art...it's amazing and he was gracious to spend a week with us, teaching us to paint and exposing us to a different way to view light and colors. Amazing!!! www.lasaterart.com

This is my very favorite piece he has ever done. (Can't collect this one, already sold!)

It's amazes me how universal art is. Each time John would paint in public, people gathered. And even the most hardened and practical person walking by couldn't help adjusting their course to get a peek at what was behind the easel.

He's also fast and focused. The rainclouds were building and the light was fading, but John whipped out what I think was his best piece in just moments. It was a dizzying whirl to watch, but the end result was amazing. (My wife also got in on the action and got to paint as well).

Not only is he talented, he is humble. He did this painting in 45 minutes during a church service and then gave it away to the 'bird lady' after the service. (The bird lady deserves her own blog entry and explanation some time)

And we would dump him off at these places to paint, and leave him there for hours and he acted like it was no big deal.
And everyone loved him. He made friends, got offers for bottles of whiskey in exchange for his art, and coaxed the town hermit out of his house for a peek at his art. He is a real pro at this international travel thing.

Thanks John! Let's do it again real soon!

Artist

2008-10-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

Do any of my blogger friends recognize this guy?

Here he is painting a pond on the golf course. He is here all this week and this afternoon we head out to an old Hacienda.

Will post some of his work later this week.

I'm also posting a photo of what I was supposed to be painting yesterday. I'll refrain from posting my interpretation until the Master Artist can give me a few pointers.

Our Family is Growing

2008-10-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Between wrapping up a major publishing project, surviving a silly mountain biking accident leaving me mono-handed for a few days, and spending a week in the US on business, I've gotten a little behind in blogging.

Big news! Our family is growing. We have a teenager living with us and will be the house-helper (fancy word for maid).

Her name is Eva and she is a Mejica Indian who is beautiful and simple. I hope we're not ruining her. My girls are here introducing her to Tom and Jerry cartoons.

Our girls love her and Von must still think she speaks English by the way he talks to her.

Our friends say it is an incredible opportunity for her to be here in our house. But honestly? I feel badly for her.

Imagine leaving your little Indian village in the mountains, being transported 7 hours away to live with a family that doesn't speak a language you understand and then have to wash their laundry and take out their trash and be on call 24 hours a day only get $30 a week for it. (Am i the only one that think this appears a whole lot like child slavery?)

We're trying not to spoil her with too many fun things like CD players and modern looking clothes. My parents tell us that for Eva, with only a 3rd grade education, it's an incredible opportunity for her and the pay is better than what she can get elsewhere.

She has her own private quarters and her wardrobe has doubled (by my wife's and my mom's help) in the first two days she has been here. And she giggles all the time, which is nice to hear, but also makes me suspicious that she saving up stories on the Gringo family to share with her family back home.

Spanish is a second language for us and for her, so it will be interesting. For now, we'll take it easy on her and ease her into the maid role at our house. Hopefully between the love we will pour out on her and the Tom and Jerry Cartoons, it won't be too bad for her.

Old Men in the Park

2008-09-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

I love Mexico. There is something about the simplicity of life here. Sure, people work hard, and they have bills to pay, and their teenage kids are teenagers, and the neighbor's dog barks at the wrong time of day. It's no utopia, but it's simple and that's why I love it so much.

On Sunday nights, we often go to the town square. There is a large gazebo, vendors selling ice-cream or roasted corn, people hanging out, and lots and lots of old men.

Why are old men so fun to watch? You've done this too, I'm sure. You drive through a small town and see some old guys on a park bench talking about what old men talk about, and you just love them.

My sister Charissa would call them 'cute'. I prefer to think of them as charming.

And some day, I'm going to get to graduate to the ranks of old men and sit under a tree in the park somewhere with other old men. And finally, finally I will know what old guys talk about that keeps them entertained hours on end.