A little pumpkin to start your day...

xoxox

Chase

9/27

Today we have been married for three years! It feels more like 30, but hey whose counting? For the past 3 years, September 27th has been rainy, cloudy and even hurricaning. Today could not be a more beautiful fall day...maybe its a sign?

We have certainly had our ups and downs over the last three years. It has made us stronger and our marriage more solid and I think we give "unconditional love and through sickness and health" a whole new meaning. I could never ask for more in a husband, Alec is the perfect match for me and I feel so lucky to have found my soul mate and spent the last 3 years by his side. Tonight we went out to Pier 77 (thanks Mom and Dad!) and it brought back so many wonderful memories. We came home and watched our wedding video and looking back it was such a joyful night, we were so carefree and in love.

Now I have 2 men in my life who I adore(and who adore me!)...what more could I ask for?

Happy Anniversary!

Alec has been feeling a little better since last week. Katie, his nurse, told us he should not be in pain, and made an appointment for him with Dr. Allen to get things under control. God, I really dont know what I would do without Katie, she is our little guardian angel and keeps Alec in line for me. (He would rather listen to his nurse, doctor, anyone but his wife, guess "listen to your wife" wasnt part of our vows).

The Moguls came up for a weekend visit and Jon and Alec (who I swear are long lost brothers) got to play with their toys, (guns and fishing poles).

Jon brought his new gun...which is supposedly now outlawed in some states and is the same gun that killed Osama Bin Ladan, not sure if he was kidding or not...but Alec got to pretend his target was Bin Ladan...


I got a glimpes into what I think Chase will be like as a two year old...Katie and Jon's son Weston is all boy and keeps his parents very, very busy. He is a sweet and good boy, but always bumping, bruising, running around with no clothes on and oh yeah, taking a poop in a tidal pool and wanting to keep it and bring it home. Too funny. My Mom came to the beach with us and pointed out that Katie and I are two of the most girly-est girls she knows, yet we have these little bruisers who could not be more boy. (Chase now laughs when he toots, how the heck does a 4 month old know that a toot is gross, but funny?)) I have learned thus far...a boys life revolves around 3 things, toots, poop and boobs. This summer, my 5 year old cousin Josh was in Bar Harbor, while eating dinner at Geddys he sat under a mural of a naked mermaid (with boobs of course). He commented to the waitress "now I could just sit here and stare at that lady my whole life!" Oh my, little boys sure know how to keep us laughing!

Walking the beach with no pants...because thats how boys roll.

Weston and his Mommy...


Grandma and Chase...


We are still waiting and praying for a clinical trial. Nothing yet, but Dr. Allen assured us once again that Alec is at the top of the list. We ran into Dr. Urich and he said the same, all we can do is hope and pray!

Thank you all for the much needed prayers. They must be working because we are certainly feeling a little better than last week.

Love,

Heather,Alec, Chase, Millie

4 Months!

Today Chase (and Kelsey) turned 4 months! Yikes, this is going by way too fast. He seriously gets cuter every day, all the kid does is smile! And, I spend all my time making him smile, and really trying to make him laugh. His laugh is so cute and I will do anything to hear it...Alec tried to "turn me off" yesterday because sometimes I can be overly enthusiastic in my efforts, (literally, he used the remote and pressed off, but it didn't work). I love this age, I think newborns are cute and all, but 4 months is so much fun! He recently started to suck on his toes (which can be a problem when he has lint in between those little piggies) and he also flirts with ladies, yells and talks really loud (in baby language, he is smart, but not that smart), and is constantly causing people to stop in their tracks just so they can adore his cute little face. I believe he is going to be quite the ham, he just knows how to work a crowd. He brings so much joy to us, I just love this little man so much.

I know I am obsessed, because today I received an order from Kodak, I took and ordered 789 photos within four months. And those are only the "good" ones.






I am off to bed, its 8:30 on a Friday night and I cant wait to go to sleep. Chase still doesnt have that down yet, but we are working on it...

Thank you for all the prayers. No word yet on clinical trials, but we are keeping the Faith.

Oh, and Happy real Birthday to Bob COunihan, anyone who was born on the 23rd of any month this year might be over looked, and for that I apologize.

Love,

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie

Hoping, Praying and Waiting...

We are still waiting (and praying) for a new clinical trial to come along. Dr. Allen assured us that Dr. Urich continues to search day and night for the right trial for Alec and we are in good hands. In the meantime, we are tyring to stay busy, which is always a good thing when your anxiously waiting for a drug that will save your life.

Two weekends ago we had Kendalle and Steve's wedding in the Cape, and it was beautiful and so much fun. It was great to see all my highschool friends and be together. Alec was with his college friends Friday night to Saturday and drove all the way down to the Cape Saturday night. What a good husband he is.

This past weekend we stayed home and Chase got to hang out with his Auntie Charlotte on Friday and Auntie Jilly (also known as Auntie Silly Jilly by her other newphew Jack) on Saturday. Chase is so lucky to have so many women in his life who spoil him rotten. Sunday we went to church (we really needed that!) it always feels so good to let some of our worries go and know that God is in control. Alec did feel well enough one night to go for a short ride on the boat and although there were no fish to be caught, it felt so nice to be doing what he loves to do best.

These last few weeks have been really hard. Alec does not feel well and it is hard for me to see him this way. I am so use to him runnning around the house, always on the go and doing 10 thousand things. It makes me sad and scared. But, every day he is here, is a day closer to that clinical trial that is going to cure his cancer. It is so hard to wait, I can say throughout this entire process waiting has always been the hardest part. Waiting for scans results, waiting on pathology, waiting for the doctor to come in the room with news, waiting for a new plan, waiting in the waiting room, waiting in Boston traffic, waiting for a phone call from a doctor...waiting, waiting, waiting. Alec's Mom said that waiting and praying go together and I say...aint that the truth.

This week we are just hoping, praying, waiting, trying not to let the bad thoughts creep into our minds, and remembering that God has a plan.

Thank you for all the prayers and support. This has been an especially hard time for us and it comforts us knowing how many prayers are being said each day. We could not ask for more. (OK, we could ask for God to answer those prayers STAT!)

Love,

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie

Chase out fishin...

Lord, bless this baby boy...

Lord, bless this baby boy...walk beside him, hold his little hand, and be his Guide. Someday, those sweet little wobbly legs will grow strong and brave, taking your son into the world on a faith journey only God can imagine.

We hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. What a beautiful weekend to wrap up summer. Sunday we celebrated Chase's baptism and we are excited for him to start this journey of life with God by his side. Alec and I are so grateful for all our family, friends and church community who were able to share such a special moment with us. It was wonderful day and we will always hold it close to our hearts. Many of our family members were very moved by the church service, by the minister, Jan and by the warm and kind members of the church. Everyone wants to come back on another Sunday (including Nana, who never misses a Catholic mass!) We were honored to have Jan baptize our precious baby and feel so blessed that he will grow with God in such a safe, open, and gracious church community. Thank you to all for making it so special!

We enjoyed the gorgeous weather and basked in the sun for one last weekend. I finally got to go boogie boarding (waves were huge) and although I was tempted to wear Chase in the baby carrier so he could enjoy the ride, I thought he better stay under his umbrella. Although we got to enjoy the waves, Alec did not get to go out in the boat because the seas were just too rough. We had a house full of family so there was never a dull moment and it was nice to stay busy and surrounded my loved ones after getting the news last week, it makes all our troubles seem so far away.

The news hit us both hard and we are trying to cope. We just keep telling each other...one day at a time, and it is never to late for a miracle. We have heard story after story of miracles, a person who is given six months to live and suddenly is cancer free. We do believe this is possible for us, with God anything is possible.

Thank you all for the prayers and support and for those who shared little Chase's special day. No matter what life throws at us next, we know we can count on God, our family and our friends to get us through anything, and for that we are so, so grateful.

When Jesus spoke again...
he said. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Love,

Heather, Alec, Chase and Millie

Chase and his God Father, John and Jaime
Nana and the proud parents...
Chase and his Auntie Beth and Uncle Chris...

Chase and his God Mother and Grandma!
Auntie Jill and Uncle Bri!
Chase's Godfather giving him a kiss!
Millie...
Cousins...
Guys after a round of bean bags...

Auntie Beth, Auntie Tina and Kelsey!
Me and Juju
Daddy and his boy...