iApril

April was such an awesome month.  Everyone's mood brightens as the spring weather really takes hold, and you can count on beautiful, warm days more often then not.  Our kids were obviously excited about the upcoming summer.  They were out sunbathing in 55 degree weather!

We had Luke home with us for part of the month, which was awesome.  I can't describe in words what it's like to finally be all together in our home again.  Something deep inside each of our heart is able to sigh with contentment.  And for Luke, it's always when he feels the best.  He loves being part of our family life, and watching everything happen around him.  He especially loves scriptures, songs, and prayers at the end of the day.  

April is General Conference, which is something Danny and I look forward to with great enthusiasm.  We came across a recipe for a giant chocolate chip cookie on one of our new favorite food blogs called Pinch of Yum.  We decided it would be perfect for dessert after the Priesthood session!  So everyone came to our house after the session ended, and we partook of the Giant Cookie.  It. Was. Incredible!!

Conference weekend also marked one year from the time that Luke came home post-transplant.  What a crazy year of ups and downs its been!  We were so glad that Luke could spend Conference at home with us again!  So far, he hasn't missed a Conference weekend at home. :)

Luke is such a character!  We love seeing him feel so good, knowing that there is a lot of time in his future where he won't.  It's crazy that he's almost two!  It's hard to remember that, when he can't walk or do the other things that you'd expect from a two-year-old.  But every once in a while he'll do something to remind you that while his body doesn't know he's two, his mind sure does!

Claire and Sophie wanted curls for Easter.  Seeing these two in pink foam curlers makes me think of being a little girl, and sitting for what seemed like forever while my Mom rolled my hair in these same curlers. :)

And Sunday evenings at Great Grandma Calls are always wonderful.  With Luke home, he got to come too, and he loved it!  It is so cool to me to see three generations of Calls visiting and playing together on a Sunday evening.  I married into the coolest family! 

We love having Luke at home, and we hate that it always seems to come to an end.  We had another round of chemo to do in April to get us where we wanted to be for transplant, so back we went.  The ICS is a home away from home.  Good thing we love everyone there so much, and that we're totally their favorites. :)  But seriously, how can this sweet boy not be your favorite?!

Johnny is growing up so fast!  And his interests are becoming more and more apparent.  Johnny is a boy, through and through.  He loves playing with Legos and blocks, and he was so proud of himself when he figured out how to build a plane with his blocks!  He's his Daddy's boy. :)  I can barely stand how handsome and grown up he's looking!  I want him to be my little boy forever...a little more obedient, sure.  But I know I'm going to miss this little Johnny when he's big!

It's really hard on the older kids when Luke is in the hospital.  We have to be careful about them coming to visit when Luke's counts are low.  It's a delicate balance between keeping Luke safe from infection, but giving him (and the kids) the social and emotional benefits of time together.  So far, it seems as though we're striking the right balance.  

Grandma Call took this picture of Luke once morning when he was playing in his crib.  I had just gotten a new photo editing app on my phone, so instead of getting up in the morning like I should, I started playing with this perfectly adorable picture.  I ended up with this cute little pic, and the slogan has become Luke's motto...and hashtag.  That's right, people.  Luke has a hashtag!  #fightingcancerwithasmile 

The best part of Easter was getting Luke home just before bed on Saturday night.  The kids thought it was the best Easter present ever!  I think Luke was thrilled to be home. :)

April saw Luke in the hospital, home, back to the hospital and home again.  But Johnny was so good to come and visit and play blocks with his poor, bored little brother.  We all look forward to when these two can really develop their relationship.  I can't say enough how hard it is on our family to be separated, or how good it feels to be all together.  It's not often that we're all together in Luke's room, and we usually can't keep the kids in that little box for too long before pandemonium ensues, but those precious moments are worth all the trouble.

With all this back and forth, to and from the hospital, we're interested to see what May will bring for Luke...and for our family.  I'm sure it's bound to be full of awesome memories!