Pop Quiz - To be given tomorrow

Tuesday, March 8, 2007
Today is Juliette's 4th Birthday
Cayleigh is at UCSF, some 2 hours away from our home

Today was a rough day. I say that at very nearly laugh because I feel more exhausted today than I did when we had to drive back and forth to the hospital in Stockton twice a day - and we didn't 'go' anywhere.

We started the day off by getting the kids to school (ok, Nic did) and then spending time with Juliette in the morning. We took her to lunch for her birthday and let her spend the $11 Grandma & Grandpa Patchen gave her and the $20 Grandma & Grandpa Dulik gave her for her birthday. This basically consisted of following a *gasp* 4 year old around the toy aisles at Target for nearly an hour. Picking things up, talking about them, putting them down when we see something different, talking about them, "ohh I LOVE this", then putting it down, seeing something different, "ooh I LOVE this" - you get the idea.

Afterwards, Daddy took Julez to the baking aisle & they picked out the batter and frosting so that I could make her a cake. I picked up a package of cupcake liners and made the executive decision that I wasn't frosting a cake. Juliette was very happy with cupcakes. :)

We came home, Juliette sorta took her nap while Daddy picked up the kids at school and we did homework, went over the day etc. Then we all went to dinner (kids eat free!) at Strings tonight. Mommy & daddy spilt a spagehtti and Poppa and Nonny joined us and had steak. (Daddy didn't eat. He strikes eating when Cayleigh doesnt' eat. Since she didn't eat until after MRI today this was his fasting too) Me? Well, I've got milk to make so I've got to keep up with the nurtrients..although I don't think either of us feel much like eating lately.

I wish I had more to post about Cayleigh because, really, this is Cayleighs blog. But, I don't. I don't because we couldn't go see her today. She had her MRI today which, according to her nurse Michael via the phone, went well as she sat still. She, during one of my calls, was getting an ultrasound of her abdomen. I asked what that was for and he said just routine 'evaluations' for new patients. *sigh* It's been a very hard day. To be honest, I thought it would be easier having her at UCSF, but it hasn't.

All of the tests and everything - it pains me. I think of her tiny little self, knowing nothing else of life but what she's been exposed to, and I get so very sad. I am lifted, though, when I think of how much she will love her life once she is home, where she won't be poked with needles or woke up for exam after exam - where she will be showered with kisses, dressed in fabulous clothes, held nearly non-stop, prayed over all day long, touched, stroked, adored.. and just plain loved.

So, tomorrow is the 'big day'. I fear not, for the Lord is with me. I fear not because I know that God is in control. I'm certain that the enemy will try to rise his pathetic little head up and scare me - but I am prepared with the Lord's word, His promises and a faith that isn't shaken. I pray that the angels of the Lord Jesus Christ surround our family and protect us from the enemy. That the Lord give us strength. and that the tests are all NORMAL! PRAISE GOD!

Thank you all for continuing to pray. We love you all and appreciate you deeply