2013 June 8

Cherilyn and Phoenix came for 3 days last weekend-we had a great time.  Phoenix discovered his fists belong to him; that he can direct  them to his mouth-most of the time.: )  His newly found skill of cooing and smiling is really cute!   We really enjoyed having them here-it seemed really quiet when they left for home. 

We had a day and a half to work outside getting things planted and weeded, then it was off to Portland for a couple of days to help Cherilyn and Todd with Phoenix and meals after Cherilyn had a minor surgical procedure done related to the birth. She is feeling much better, and again we really enjoyed our time with all of them. 

We came home yesterday, unpacked and worked outdoors some more.  Leland mowed the lawn and I planted little plants in outdoor containers then Leland made sure all the drip irrigation is working so everything is well watered automatically. 

We went to church today, and this afternoon took our bikes and a simple supper down to Maryhill Park.  What a lovely afternoon it was, blue sky, beautiful green grass and trees, the river, the bare hills rising all around. Leland has been biking out to the mailboxes, but this was my first ride of the season. It will take a bit to get broken in to a bike seat again!

I cannot help but reflect on June a year ago and compare Leland's health then with what it is today.  Last summer was a nightmare of illness.  We were consumed with cancer and the treatments which took an immense amount of time and made him really sick.  The worst of it was it did not work at all.  We are both so grateful to have found treatment which has improved his quality of life by so much, and are really looking forward to a good summer. 

We will be at the beach with the family next weekend, so I will not post again here until after our next visit to the cancer center which will be the 20th of the  month.