Missing Pictures

Hey guys - looks like something went wrong with our last post and the pictures didn't show up right. I have corrected this and if you would like to have a look at them you can follow this link to view them in the original post.

Quarterly Update Part 2

Well, here is part 2 (with a part 3 coming soon- this is a long quarterly update!)

I have to share some of the wonderful things our little girl is doing these days. She is almost 3 and has just captured our hearts in so many ways- we are truly smitten! One of Annelise's favorite things to do is to help in the kitchen. She wipes down the table for fun, sweeps the floor with our Shark, and loves to wash dishes in the sink. - No, I do not make her wash dishes; she asks! She also keeps me company on the counter when I prepare food. She watches and says, "Me do that, Mommy," as she reaches to help. But lately her favorite is snapping fresh green beans!! She can actually snap the ends off of green beans and wash them in the colander! Ha! It's precious AND helpful! Her fine motor skills are truly amazing...another favorite pass time for her is building with Lego's!-not large Lego blocks for 2 year olds- small, tiny Lego's. She even has loved them so much, she's gotten 3 sets of her own of the new "Girl" Lego's! Wow!

Annelise also takes a shower most nights! She's a nut! And speaking of being clean, Annelise has a favorite pair of jeans (already, yes I know!), and she wants them clean to wear just about every day I let her. She will holler across the house, "Mommy, are my jeans clean?" I told Austin, I am going to be hearing that until she leaves for college! ;) and I'm sure I'll be sad when I don't hear it anymore!

Here we are in March for Caleb's 6th birthday! He wanted another sleepover party this year except this time the theme was Star War Lego's. He looks so grown up with his new shorter hair cut.  He puts gel in it now just like his dad.

Caleb wanted another obstacle course, so we designed a Jedi training-camp course. It was a hit! Here all the kids are waiting anxiously while we set up the course. They had a blast running through the house to Star Wars music and fighting with their swords!

We also divided the kids into 2 teams and had them make a creation using a predetermined bag of Lego's. They got pretty creative!

Awesome, guys!

Here we are celebrating again with Austin's family.

--playing with his new light saber! He also got the Star Wars Lego Wii game from Papa- he was beside himself and has gotten really good at it!!

Here's Caleb with KG and the new scooter she gave him! And from us he got a new, bigger bike!! He has already loved both.

In March one of our dear friends, Virginia, and her two boys came down to visit from KY. We had some good girl time because Austin was out of town, and she came without her hubby! Here we are at a park with a bunch of our friends. Man, have we multiplied since 2006!

This picture makes me laugh!! Virginia's oldest son, Jack, is only 4 months older than Annelise. Here they are cruising the cul-de-sac. Jack just looks so cool like he's been driving for years, and Annelise looks like she's tickled pink to be going on a date with Jack!! ;)

We loved having you guys!!!!

Here we are at Aunt Janie's birthday. We ate a delicious country meal at the famous Miller's out in Christiana. It use to be an old grocery store back in the day. They played live Bluegrass/folk music for us and everyone sang out!! ;)

Smile! 

At the end of March the Tenpenny family had a workday at Ma's house. Mom organized it, and it was a success. Here Annelise is helping her Mimi clean the shutters with her shades on. What a mess she is!

We also got a family picture of all the great-grand kids and Ma. From the left is Alexandria (Allison's), Grayson (Hunter's), Caleb, Aiken (Allison's), Grady (Joanna's), and Annelise. Six total!! Ma has been in hog heaven with all the babies!!! And she stays busy babysitting too! Can you believe she is about to be 80 this summer? She is truly amazing and such a gift from the Lord to all of us.

Here are the latest two great-grandchildren. Grady was born just 2 weeks before Aiken. They are destine to be close cousins just as Allison and I were growing up!

Part 3 coming soon!

Our Quarterly Update!

We are celebrating today the best news we've heard from Caleb's MRI results in 15 months!!! We are thrilled!!! The Oncologist walked in and said he was very encouraged! He went on to share that there was no signs of growth in the tumor and no significant signs worth being concerned about in the enhancement of Caleb's tumor! We just couldn't believe it!!! This is the 6th MRI in 15 months and each one has been a very serious discussion about either the slight growth and/or the enhancement of the tumor. Each time he has gone through the list of treatment and biopsy options and all the risks at hand. Although we have been so very thankful every time that the doctors have wanted to wait and watch, we've walked away with a lump in our throats. But not today! He came in ever so chipper, shared with us the good news, took a quick look at Caleb, and said see you in 6 months!!!
We are worshipping our Lord for his mercies on us today! We don't understand his plan for our son or other children that we see in the Cancer Center, but we know He has a plan that is good for each of us no matter what. And today we are rejoicing that His plan is still to protect Caleb from this tumor!!

We will continue to thank you all for your concern and prayers lifted up on our son's behalf. We are completely humbled that you would join us. We truly want to join alongside of you in the struggles you might be facing today as well- we are fully aware that each of you reading have struggles and faith points just like we do. Please let us know how we can pray for you. We truly mean it.

Now for the quarterly update...here's the 1st half of the update. I haven't finished it yet...


In January, Annelise was invited to a ballerina birthday party! This was her 1st dress up party! She put on her 1st dress up outfit we bought her for Christmas, and we added a touch of lipstick! She felt so pretty as she danced in the living room. It's so fun having a girl!!! ;) I use to love to dress up- Mom, Dad, and Ma can vouch for that one- I use to put on old slips, heals, wigs, and tacky costume jewelry finished off with red lipstick and purple eye shadow!! ;)

Here she is with the Birthday Girl, Sarah Beth! Sarah Beth is a sweet friend to Annelise- she's older than Annelise but they have fun together.

Annelise is loving dolls and is playing pretend more and more. It's so precious to watch and even more fun to join in. Here Caleb was an angel and played with her- she was all smiles to have him join. Here Annelise was playing the doctor while "Daddy Caleb" brought in his sick baby!

One Saturday night in January we had dinner with our old friends Beth and Jamie. Austin went to school with both of them and was in their wedding. They have 4 adorable children- their latest child, Sophie, was just adopted from China! She warmed up to me pretty quickly, and I just wanted to eat her up!! We love you guys, and are so encouraged by your steps of faith each and every day!!

Here we celebrated Will T's birthday at the bowling alley with our family. Will T's sweet girlfriend, Kayla, joined us too! It has been fun getting to know her over the last few months!! ;)

Grandaddy loved the bumpers as much as Caleb and Annelise!! ;)


getting a hug from Uncle Hunter!

Grayson was just as content as he could be in Ma's arms watching everyone play.

I love this picture of Annelise and Mimi. Annelise sure loves her Mimi!!...

...and she loves Caleb too! We caught her stealing a hug from Caleb at Newk's one Sunday- there's nothing sweeter than seeing your children love on each other. What a gift from the Lord these two are- and growing up so fast. We keep telling them to slow down!! Caleb is 6 now and Annelise is almost 3years.

In February, Austin and I took a long weekend trip to the Florida Keys for a transportation industry event where he represented the accomplishments of his team at FirstFleet. I am so proud of him and his team!! We had a restful time away.

For Christmas, Annelise got a convertible to drive around in the cul-de-sac. She has loved it!!!! At first we had to steer, run behind, and help her dodge obstacles in her way; however, that's not the case anymore! She's a pro- or so she thinks ;)   I hope when she's 16 she'll drive a bit more cautiously- Lord, help us! 

Also in February Hunter, Leslie, and Grayson came up for several hours for a play-date. It was such a treat to have them over!! Grayson is such a doll; I wish we saw more of him. He's going to be turning one in June- I can't believe it. 

Don't you just want to eat him!!?? 

I'll update the second half soon!

MRI on Monday

Well, I have fallen behind on posting... however, I do want to let everyone know that Caleb is having another MRI this coming Monday, April 30th at 9:30. We will be going back for results on Wednesday May 2nd and will keep you posted. This last month Caleb has seen the eye specialist and the Endocrinologist (hormone specialist) as well. I hate that we didn't post, but we have been very very pleased with the results of both! His eye sight is perfect, and the Endocrinologist couldn't be more pleased with the lab results and his clinical analysis of Caleb; we are thrilled!

 A year ago at this time the doctors were discovering that his tumor was affecting his hormones which almost led them to respond with treatment. However, since he has displayed no signs clinically of the hormone changes over the course of this year, they have chosen to wait and watch closely instead. We are so very thankful the Lord has protected him this year and thank you for being apart of this with us through prayer. We are seeing him answer all of our prayers and are truly humbled.

This picture is from January when the kids got excited about a few snow flurries...they were so disappointed that we didn't have a good snow this year - but I wasn't! ;)

Good News!

Well we have good news from the Endocrinologist!  Caleb is biochemically NOT in puberty! Wow! We are thrilled!! Three months ago, the doctor said his puberty hormones had dropped, but this time he specifically said he wasn't in puberty!! Yay! Some of his growth hormones have dropped; some have stayed the same, but he is not jumping off the charts-he's tracking right with the growth curve just right above 100th percentile. So, we are relieved!!! Man, we feel so blessed that the Lord would see fit to protect our son once again-- He doesn't have to--every time I walk into that hospital and I see all of the children coming in and out, I am reminded that our health is a gift- it is a part of his plan for my life today and apparently Caleb's today too--but he allows sickness as well. He uses all things in our lives to draw us closer to Himself and to mold and shape us into His image. But we are so thankful that today He has chosen for Caleb to be unaffected by this tumor!! Thank you all for your many prayers! 

I also wanted to go back and share about our wonderful Christmas!!

Before Christmas we got to make candy again with Ma - her famous hard candy. The kids loved helping, which means sampling a piece of every flavor.

Christmas was full and fun at Mom and Dad's. We enjoyed having the new addition, Grayson, aka Baby Ga Ga (with a long A sound) with us for Christmas. He was so precious--here he is trying to pull Annelise's hair! Caleb got Star Wars Legos- his very favorite right now and Annelise got a white convertible car that she can drive!! She was beside herself!! She drove it in the yard with Austin running after her steering it for her because she wouldn't watch where she was going but only stare at us and smile!!! It was hilarious!!

The next day we enjoyed Christmas at Ma's with the extended family. Christmas breakfast at Ma's is an old tradition that Ma has kept for years. She's also wearing her Christmas apron that I remember as a child so very well . I love old traditions- they are rich in memories. 

Here is Grayson with Alexandria- my cousin Allison's baby girl. They are 6 months apart. The two are starting to play together. It's precious!

I just want to eat those cheeks!! He looks more and more like Hunter with a little bit wider face. 

Caleb got to play Santa with Uncle Kelley this year!! Ha! Kelley looks like the real thing- except skinny!!

Annelise is getting some lov'in from her daddy!

- stealing a hug from my youngest brother Will T. He just turned 27 this month! Wow! I'm getting old!

On Christmas Eve we celebrated with Austin's dad, brother and family. We enjoyed a lunch and some presents!

Annelise got a babydoll stroller from her Papa- it's been one of her favorite gifts! She strolls her babies, feeds them, sings to them, and puts them down for a nap in "Ca's" room with music playing on a CD- with of course a blanket and pillow -- it's precious! 

Caleb got more legos!! We've been amazed at how fast he can build a set--and amazed at his creativity when he's making up something new- he calls that "making up something out of his mind." We love it- however, the lego mess is something I don't love--he easily got 1000 new pieces for Christmas--I about went crazy-but we spent several hours sorting legos into colors, and that has helped. 

On Christmas Eve night as a family we decorated a Gingerbread house. It was really fun! Our Christmas Eve traditions are 1) doing a family activity together like baking cookies or a Gingerbread house 2) opening up their Christmas PJ's to wear on Christmas Eve night 3) opening up their special keepsake ornament that represents their year- Caleb's was a cross because he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior this year and Annelise's was a purse- because she has fallen in love with purses this year! ha! 4) Caleb and Annelise opening the gift from each other- this tradition was mine growing up 5) and lastly we retell and/or read the story of the birth of Christ.

What a sweet Christmas Eve we shared this year!

Caleb woke up to more legos- surprise! And Annelise to a tea set, an easel - she loves to draw and paint, and a cash register for the both of them! They also got a ring pop in their stocking which is an absolute must- Caleb reminded me several times! 

Here she is drinking real tea  from her set and eating a chocolate chip cookie. She invited Caleb and Daddy to be her guests. I was the tea and cookie server. 

And by far my favorite gift was a  Christmas platter of Caleb and Annelise's hand and finger prints. I will cherish it always!