First official haircut since May 6th...

This morning Brant, Barry and I decided to get out of the house for a bit.  We needed a couple of odds and ends from  Home Depot and were all craving breakfast from our local diner... Chubbys.  While we were enjoying a few laughs over breakfast, Brant mentioned that he needed a haircut and suggested that I take he and Barry while we were out.  I quickly agreed and Barry seemed puzzled as to why he would need a haircut.  He didn't realize that his hair was really growing in.  I think he looked in the mirror for so long and didn't see hair that it hasn't sunk in that it has all grown back (with the exception of a small patch around his scar).  I mentioned our "usual" salon and Brant quickly suggested Sport Cuts!  I thought about it for a minute, wondering why Brant would have suggested that place, then I recalled seeing the advertisement for that place.  We ended up at Supercuts... hahaha.

January birthday celebration...

Tonight, Barry and I met with Lexi, Joey, Dennis, Jill, Ron and Christy at the Pappadeaux's in Dallas.  We were gathering to celebrate all of the January Birthdays (Lexi turned 21, Barry turned 48 and Dennis turned 5? ha ha ha).  It was great to see everyone and eat seafood.  Barry had been craving Pappadeaux's for weeks now.  Thank you so much Dennis, Jill, Ron and Christy for treating us to dinner!  The next one is on us... even if it is just a home-cooked meal at our house.    Love you ALL!

So much to say, so little time...

I opened my eyes this morning and realized that it was January 21st!  Where did the time go? I was so proud with the pace at which I had kept up with the blog for so long and promised that I would not let days pass with out posting an update.  Truth be told, I have been working around 14 to 16 hour days over the last few weeks on a project for my previous employer.  I have been staring on my computer, working non-stop and when I do take a break, the last thing that I have wanted to do was more typing.

No time to waste in the Williamson household after the holidays.  It all begins on January 12th, Lexi's birthday.  This year was a milestone for Lex... she turned 21!  She also now has her own apartment and has just started back to class.  After that comes Barry's birthday on the 14th of January.  This year, we combined the two birthdays and celebrated with Rachel, Brad, Joey and Brant at a nice mexican dinner at Uncle Julios.  It was so nice to get away from the house and enjoy a dinner out with our children and their signficant others.  (Chelsea, we missed you and Russell dearly.)

Rachel and Brad took Barry to his favorite Indian restaurant for lunch on his birthday.  Afterward, they took him to the place they met over in downtown Plano. 

I really think the break from chemotherapy is helping Barry to gain a little of his strength back.  He is taking a couple of new prescriptions to help with alertness and energy level.  They may be helping a little, but nothing like what the doctor described should happen.  I have full confidence in Barry's new doctor to find the perfect combination that will help Barry.  Dr. Bennett is GREAT!

With each passing day, there seems to be a little improvement.  It is those moments that we hold on to and pray each evening for more.

Thank you, for everything...

Well, it is January 12th, 2011, my 21st birthday. Even though I am not at home, I know that my parents are thinking of me and I wanted to let them know how much it means to go through 21 years with so much love and support from their hearts and hands.

I know that life is to be cherished and I can only imagine the work it takes for parents to raise a child and give everything they have to make that child's life the best that it can be. I am proof of this love and can say with complete certainty that I have the best parents that God could ever have blessed me with. I can't imagine a life without my mom's and my dad's humor and intelligent insight. Not to mention the overflow of love that they share.

I have learned so much from them and to be officially an adult is a little intimidating, but I know they have taught me well. Thank you Mom and Dad for always being there and continuing to be there as I grow into my own person.

This video is of Natalie Grant's "Held". I have been following another family's blog who are in the same situation as our family and this song was posted in remembrance of those who have lost their fight to the horrible disease that is GBM and as an inspiration to those who are still fighting.

Continue BELIEVING!! God is watching and holding us up through these hard times.

Always BELIEVING,
Lexi

Great start to 2011...

We couldn't have been given a better start to a new year!  Barry's MRI looked great to day.  No new tumor growth.  Barry is also being take off all chemotherapy drugs so that he can regain his strength and finally heal after all of these harsh treatments.  We are so excited.  The chemo has really taken a toll on Barry.  He has lost 20 lbs in the last four months (which he didn't need to lose).  He has had so many of the negative effects of chemo that it was such a relief to hear that he will not have to take that any longer.

Man's best friends.... Now that's LOVE!