Prayers...

In April, 2010, when Andrew was 2 1/2, a tumor was discovered behind his eye. The tumor was removed, but it was found to be an aggressive cancer. He endured seven months of chemo and six weeks radiation. In December of 2010, the day after his last treatment, he was rushed to the ER with an almost fatal bacterial infection. He survived.

He is now seven-years-old!! I don't visit here much, because during the ordeal, this is where I dumped everything--my rage, my fear, my sadness, my ugly, my hope, my everything. But I want all of you who supported and prayed for us to hear his updates. You helped me survive, and I am deeply thankful. Every once in awhile, I will check in to let you know how he's doing. Please continue to pray that cancer will never return to his body. Thank you.



Thursday, January 27, 2011

You Capture: Happy

note:  My husband has foot issues which keep him from exercising in normal ways the way he would prefer (running).  Instead, he has discovered other, unique ways to give his heart a workout (you will soon see).

:)
Happy.

Sometimes, in order to fully describe or portray an emotion, it is helpful to show its opposite. 

Take for instance, the way Andrew was feeling when we so cruelly dragged him
 out of his warm carseat (where he was sleeping),
and stuffed him into this backpack
 on a very cold (for Arizona's standards) day:

Definitely UnHappy. 



or the way John was feeling,
walking like this
up the mountain
while I took incessant pictures
 and the boys fought and fidgeted :




UnHappy.

(I put my camera away for awhile after that one.)

In contrast,
this is how Aaron felt helping his Dad exercise:
Happy! (that he didn't have to walk.)



And,
soon enough
(John might disagree)
we made it to the top.

John was elated to sit down.
Everyone else was Happy about the treats.


Sammy was Happy to be wearing a warm spiderweb hat.



I was just plain Happy.


Finally it was time to go back home.

Everyone got into position:


and descended,

Happy to be together on a beautiful day.



Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard's rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment -
 a little makes the way of the best happiness.
~Frederich Nietzsche

Photobucket












16 comments:

  1. Your hubby is hard core! Love the lengths he goes to for exercise :D And strange, I get lots of looks like that from him when my camera is in hand - hee!

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  2. Wow - that looks like more of a workout than running for sure :) That look is a common one around here too, only I dont usually put my camera away!! So glad you all were able to have a happy time together!!

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  3. Very impressive, and quite the work out!

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  4. I love the expressions in the third and fourth pictures.

    That looks like great exercise! Did you offer to take a turn (on the way down)???

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  5. oooh, and that quote is like the cherry on top for me! Thanks for taking us along on your hike Julie ;)

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  6. Your hike looks great and John did an amazing job. I love your unique (and funny) take on things :-)
    My DH also gives me looks like that sometimes....
    Oh, and Sammy is wearing a balaclava. You clearly have all the gear, you should drop by to ski sometime ;-)))

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  7. I bet your camera was pretty heavy, too. Great biceps exercise! =>

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  8. That quote was perfect! (and that last unhappy pic of your hubby was kinda funny) :)

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  9. Hey... Andrew's wearing my hat! Glad it fits. I actually didn't notice it until someone mentioned Sammy's hat so I went back up to see what everyone was wearing.

    Love the "unhappy" shot. My husband would do the same thing. :) All those hikes look like fun. I love to go hiking with the kids.

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  10. What a workout indeed! And the view from the top is amazing!

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  11. Wonderful pictures. You can tell he's getting a serious workout. :)

    Marla @ www.blueskiesphotoblog.com

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  12. Aaron's snaggle tooth is cracking me up! My son is an Aaron also. Gotta hand it to your hubs; he probably deserves extra kudos for all of that hard work. I don't blame Andrew for being a little grumpy when his nap was interrupted only to be dragged into the cold and up a mountain! I'm happy just thinking about what an awesome family day that was for you guys.

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  13. What a beautiful view you all had once you reached the top - a day together is a happy day, indeed!

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  14. Which mountain did you climb? The last mountain that I attempted to climb was in Tucson. See the word: attempted. I couldn't concentrate because I was so worried that I would see a rattlesnake or a mountain lion. Yeah... I'm dumb.

    These captures are fun Julie. :) Enjoyed every second of your story/captures... per usual.

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  15. Hi Julie, I don't know if you received my other comment. I clicked off really quickly and I saw the message still there. Please email me with address to send package. Hugs!Sharon
    sharonk@myclearwave.net

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