“Hello everyone. We had hoped and it even looked like the spot on Jackson’s lungs would not be cancer. But, after surgery to remove the spot we have now discovered that indeed it is a recurrence of the anaplastic wilms tumor. I just want to ask you all to continue praying for healing. We need a miracle more than ever now. The experimental drug had no effect on the cancer. So, now we will return to St. Jude Hospital on Monday to find out what the plan is for Jackson. Thanks.”

This little on-line cookbook project that I started five years ago is moving along at the pace of … well, sorghum. We are still working on the best bits (desserts for one). But we’ve made some progress. The cookbook has changed to a Wiki style (where users can add and edit on their own without going through me - yea!)… but we are still working out the kinks a little bit there. The other nice thing about using the Wiki is the search function is really quite good. Anyway, we’ve just posted the sorghum stuff if you’ve been dying to get your hands on those sorghum recipes whilst surfing the net at Starbucks….

More to come.

Born 2000!

People, have you ever had Johnny Cash stuck in your head? I’ve been Walking the Line since Saturday night. 5 days. Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. Johnny Cash all the time. David Allen Coe tried to butt in last night. But Johnny was having none of it. I’ve Been Everywhere with Johnny (I’ve been to: Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota, Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota, Whichta, Tulsa, Ottowa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, LaPaloma, Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo, Tocapillo, Barranquilla, And Padilla). I guess life ain’t easy for a Boy Named Sue.

So this week is the suckaversery of the last time I saw my mom. I still wake up from dreaming about her and get a hitch in my heart when I have to remember that she’s gone all over again. I see her everywhere. And want to call her. And hang out with her. And talk to her. And want her to come visit me again. I want her to kiss me on the cheek. And pray for me. And love me all the time no matter what. Nobody else is like a mom, ya’ll. I’d like to be a mom, I think. I’d rather do it when she was here, but I think I can do it like she’s here, even though she’s not.

This was a tough year, no lie. It was hard to talk to my Mom’s Mom, and her sisters. It was not fun to watch my Michelle and Jonathan and Robert and Kristin hurting. For the first few months I found it impossible to talk to Liz without losing it. Daniel. Well, Dan, broke my heart sometimes just to look at his face. And Dad, man. Sometimes it was like we lost him too.

But here’s the thing. Isaac has it all right. Isaac misses Mom. And he has special pictures and things of hers that he is keeping safe. But Isaac has this great capacity for joy. And for life. On a particularly sad day some months ago, Isaac woke up all groggy eyed as he does, and he rolled off my couch and looked at me and said: “It’s a good day to be alive.” And he’s right. It is.

You know, all those years Mom was praying for us like it was her job. Even before I was born she was making her case to God for me. And you know what? I think He gave her exactly what she wanted for each of us. He gave us just what we needed. And of all the things on her prayer list, I know that is what she wanted the most.

It’s a little comforting to know that I get to live the life that Mom wanted for me. I have nothing to complain about; period. I love my job. My husband is my best friend. Michelle, Jonny, Rob, KFree, Lizzy, Dan the Man, Zack-o, The Aunts, everybody is here for each other. All the time; night or day. And I am never lonely or afraid. I don’t need anything that He hasn’t already given me. And we all have that just-what-we-need in our own way. Looking at it now I see that God answered Mom’s prayers specifically and faithfully for each of us.

It’s been a long year. And I miss you Pretty Mom. But I’m alright in Houston. And getting better every day.

This is from a close family friend:

“I just wanted to also convey, that this was a real answer to prayer. The doctors originally told John that there was basically no chance (they said 2%) that the spot was anything other than cancer (hence, they started chemo right away). Also, the other real miracle is there are no other spots that showed up on the scan. As a result, the doctors have concluded that the spot was not cancer because typically when a Wilms tumor comes back, it spreads throughout the body. I have concluded that God is awesome, all-powerful, and answers prayers. While the doctors are not sure what the spot is yet, and will not be until after they remove it, I continue to have faith and believe that God has healed Jackson, and that there is no cancer in his body anymore (though the doctors are still being very cautious with their prognosis). I am still praying for Jackson, but they are prayers filled with thanksgiving and redoubled confidence. Thank you for your prayers, and for continuing to pray for Jackson. He still has a long way to go, but I know God’s hand is on him.”

Hey, I want to thank all you guys who have been keeping our little nephew Jackson in your prayers and provide you with a little update. After his last 10 day round of chemo, Jackson spent a week at home (with a short side trip to the hospital for a transfusion). Today Jackson went back to St. Jude’s for another scan. The scan revealed that the small spot that had caused the concern between Jackson’s heart and lungs was the same size as when they started the chemo. This leads the doctors to believe that the spot is not cancer. The doctors believe that if the spot were cancer it would have either shrunk in response to the chemo or would have grown as cancer cells do. The doctors plan to do a biopsy of the spot this week. The doctors’ analysis is very good news and God gets all the glory. The surgery planned for this week is dangerous as we are talking about a 4 year old and his little heart and lung. Jackson’s dad John asks that we all keep Jackson close in our prayers this week that he will have a safe surgery and the biopsy will show no cancer.

Thanks guys,
Andi

Born in 1987!

Well, if you didn’t get in on the Tourney Pick ‘Em, you’ll just have to do it next year. We have a lively basketball debate amongst the cousins. So far, nobody has come to blows…

Hope all is well out there in basketball fan land. Today, by the way, is one of the greatest days of the year. I hope you will all take advantage of it. Spring is finally here. It is St. Patrick’s day (As my grandma Mary Eileen O’Brien would say: don’t forget to wear your green and eat some corn beef & cabbage). It is Friday. And there are sixteen NCAA basketball games to watch today… including Iowa and UNI. Today is the perfect day to skip out early, find a big screen, and hang out with your pals. Have a great weekend everyone. I’ve got to go rummage through the pile of stuff I threw out of my closet while “cleaning” it to see if I have anything green to wear…. Cheers!

Well, it’s that time of year again. Where did the year go? What happened to Illinois? Dee Brown: Where are you? Where did Iowa come from? Will Bill Self need Kleenex? So many questions. And now it’s answer time.

Time to make your picks. To join the Frieden Farm Pick ‘Em league, follow these directions:

1. Go to the Yahoo! Pick Em Game Front Page by Clicking Here

2. Click on the “Sign Up” button to create a team.

3. Follow the directions to complete registration. (Or, if you already have a Yahoo! team, click the “Create or Join Group” button and follow the path to join an existing private group)…

4. When prompted, enter the following information:

Group ID#: 98745
Password: big10