Yeah for Saturday!

Even if you aren't going to school, Saturday is a day to look forward to.  Brendan has waited all week for his brothers and sisters to be out of school so they could play.  He couldn't wait for Landon to wake up -- he had to go wake him up so they could play.

 Brendan's also been waiting all week for Chris to be done with work and school so they could go snowshoeing.  Since Brendan couldn't ski this year, Chris and Kristen offered to take him snowshoeing.

 I watched Brendan all morning to see if he was up to this new challenge.  It's been a long time since he's been out doing something as physically demanding as snowshoeing.  I watched for signs of his blood counts dropping (he would be tired and winded -- lower red blood cells diminish the oxygen being delivered to the other cells), but he did great today!

They enjoyed seeing the deer and follow them for awhile through the trees.  Chris said that Brendan stayed out for about 20 minutes, but his poles were dragging a little by the time they got back.

 Brendan was reminded to keep himself hydrated every hour.  Here he is giving himself a syringe of fluids through his feeding tube.

 What a fun day!  It's great to see how much stronger he is getting all the time.

Tonight, after dinner (when things should have been winding down), Brendan started teasing Rachel and the two of them started tickling each other.  

 That turned into an all-out "snowball" fight.

 I continue to be amazed at how this experience has changed our relationships with each other.  The kids are so good to each other, not only Brendan.  Everyone is more willing to say, "I love you!" and mean it.  Hugs are given much more than ever.  We've learned to appreciate each moment and not let them slip away unappreciated.  Life is good -- and we know that more than ever!