By Connie
Ben is turning 4 on Saturday the 20th!!!
First let me thank each of you who has kept Ben in your prayers over the past 5 months. I truly believe it has helped both him and his family. On the whole he has been such a trooper through his chemo treatments — he is currently in the hardest 2 months of the 3 year leukemia protocol. The worst (in my mind) is the strongest dose of steroids that he has just completed. Aside from being hungry all the time it messes with his energy and mood. Nina said he will get a monthly “boost” of steroids but it shouldn’t have this dramatic effect on Ben.
I want to give Nina loads of credit for keeping Ben healthy and fever free. Lots of hand sanitizer, a clean house, and being very mindful about outings! We were talking about how difficult it would be for those parents who have to work full time…and the challenges of finding daycare on top of all the clinic visits, etc. Not easy!!!
I made a “race car” quilt for Ben’s birthday (that was the theme) along with toys and clothes. I followed the pattern with the exception of adding side borders. I wanted it to be more square than rectangular. The pattern called for a charm pack but I have loads of fabric so once I had those collected,it was off to the races. I even quilted it on my new Bernina with straight lines. The coolest fabric is found on the back. This Happy Birthday fabric came from a quilt shop in Ames, Iowa. I love the fact that it could be used as a tablecloth – or whatever.
It is raining today so no work in the garden area! It is also Roy and my 44th wedding anniversary. We were babies when we said “I do”! Tonight we celebrate with his sisters and husbands. Enjoy your weekend and keep prayers coming Ben’s way.
Connie
Happy birthday, Ben! Turning 4 years old tomorrow. Keep up the fight and enjoy your special day!
Happy Anniversary. My how the years fly by. Ben and your family have my prayers. So sad that such a little fellow has to go through this but prayers do help and he certainly has a bunch going to heaven.
Happy Birthday, Ben being four is so much cooler than three. Hope you have a wonderful day. You have so many wishes of love comiing your way.
Best wishes to you and hubby for a happy anniversary and happy birthday to Ben. Prayers won’t stop. That is a dear picture of him and his friend.
Connie – Happy Anniversary t you and your husband. We have been married a few more years than you two but it feels Ike we’ve been married forever! Do you feel the same?
I’m so happy that Ben is doing so well. That is great..I’m sure there are stil many prayers going up for Ben and your whole family. I’m very happy for all of you.
Please keep us informed about Ben; and also about your new garden… Linda
Happy Birthday Ben !!!! Love his new quilt.
Dear Connie…Thank you ever so much for the update on Ben. He is such a sweet little man, God bless him and his sister as well. My prayers will continue for Ben and his family including his grandparents and honorary grandparents, Mary and Rick. Happy Anniversary to yourself and your husband as well.
My husband and I will celebrate our 52 years of married life in October…yup met in high school and still loving each other. I am so glad that Ben in such a little trooper with two loving parents. God bless each and everyone…best wishes, Louise
This is such happy news. God bless you all, I will keep on praying. Ben looks fabulous. Happy 44…our 45th is in December.
Happy Anniversary to you and Roy. Do you were married in 1972 – the same year as Ron and I were married.
Yes continued prayers for Ben and all the family as he turns 4.
Blessings
Rhoda
Prayers for Ben. Our nephew’s daughter went through this with the chemo and all for 2 years. She was only 1 1/2 when they discovered it in Iowa City. She was a brave little girl, she is now 9 and healthy and a beautiful little girl. So our prayers will continue for Ben and treatments and healing. Also, happy anniversary to you. We just celebrated our 58th. Where do the years go? Have a great weekend.
Connie, happy anniversary! It is our 43rd this week, we were babies, too, when we were married. In retrospect, that is not a lie! 21 and 22 years of age is so young by today’s standards, and the generation before ours got married in their teens. Oh my!
I read the posts about Ben word for word, and take it all in with thought to the parents’ and grandparents’ angst while this little guy copes with the great unfairness of disease. It breaks my heart to see his darling outward appearance and know that he might be in pain or discomfort or feel frustrated or hurt. He and the rest of you are so courageous and faithful in your steps forward, and I pray this obstacle is conquered soon.
Prayers every day for Ben and his family.
Connie and Roy,
We will keep Believing for Ben til he is all better and life is back to normal for Joe, Nina, Claire, and BEN!! God’s VERY best to all of them and you both too!
Love,
Becky and Tom
Little Ben looks so cute. Oh yes, prayers will continue for him!! Our neighbors’ granddaughter is in the same fight. She is older than Ben and doing well. The quilt is adorable.
Such an adorable picture of the children!
Happy anniversary!!
Love the quilt!
Ben has been and will continue to be in my prayers. I too, feel it is so unfair for children to have to suffer with this disease and not understand why they are sick. I am almost 5 years in remission and it affects me every time I have appointments at City of Hope seeing the children being treated there. Just not fair. Prayers that Ben will celebrate many more Happy Birthdays. Darling quilt, Connie.
Hi Connie,
Happy Anniversary to you and Roy, and Happy Birthday to Ben.
Dear Connie
Thank you for the great report for Ben. Prayers coming his way along with the family. The quilt is beautiful and love the birthday pattern. Marilyn
Thank you, Connie, for this wonderful post. Loved seeing Ben’s birthday quilt and hearing his cancer journey update. We celebrate our 44 years of marriage this fall ~~ long marriages bless many of us.
I continue to hold Ben and your family in my prayers. Nina is, indeed, a “mother bear” protecting Ben and her family and keeping all in good health so that Ben’s cancer care can proceed as scheduled. Cancer is definitely a family adventure ~~ one none of us would choose, however one that is filled with new priorities and many life lessons.
Blessings to you all!!
Martha in Maine
Love the quilt. Best wishes to Ben for a happy birthday and many many more to come.
Hi Mary, a beautiful (heart-filled) quilt for a beautiful young man. Leaving a legacy lasts a lifetime.
Prayers for all, Lois in Omaha
Hi Connie…..What a wonderful 4th birthday quilt for “Brave Ben”!! You know how we quilters love to see fabric selections and yours are delightful. Have been keeping Ben and his family in my prayers as you all go thru this journey. Thanks for your post sharing the picture of Ben and Claire and his health update with all of us blog friends. I know this is such a special anniversary for you and Roy in so many ways. HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO BRAVE BEN.
Love Ben’s quilt and seeing his cute little face. So glad he is getting better. Prayers for him continue. Paula in KY
Happy Birthday to Ben! What a great picture! And, Happy Anniversary to you! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way, always. Hugs, Tanya T.
I’ll keep praying. Such a happy, cheerful quilt you made. Love it.
Happy Anniversary Connie and Roy. Wonderful quilt for Ben. Prayers are with you all.
Happy Anniversary! Your must have been babies!! The quilt for Ben is so special and gorgeous! I’m sure he loves it. He will continue to be in my prayers.
Happy anniversary!!!!
Happy Birthday to Ben and Happy Anniversary to Connie and Roy! Lots to celebrate!
Tell me again about your new sewing machine! What kind is it and why you like it please. Thank you!
Thanks for the update on Ben. He’s a strong little guy. I hope he continues to do well and the suffering connected to his treatments continue use to be kept as minimal as possible. I’ll be happy for the day to come when you announce that he is well and done with medical challenges. He’s just adorable. We were traveling across WI and I thought of Rick being retired from his truck driving career. Not an easy job, from what I can see. Congratulations on your anniversary. Wishing you both many more years of happy times to come.
Belated Anniversary wishes Mary, my husband and I also celebrated 44 this year in March. I remember Ben in my prayers every day, it is nice to see this picture of him. Felicia
Happy Anniversary!
Re: Goats
Hi Mary, I am Janet from Prior Lake. My empty horse pasture needs some activity and the weeds gone. It has been suggested that goats could take care of this so I am asking the pro for some advice.
Thanks, Janet
Hi, Janet – nice to touch base with you again. Goats are not very good grass mowers actually – they would prefer to “browse” meaning eat at their head level at brush, leaves, grasses, bark on trees, etc. — eventually they will “mow” your horse pasture but I still mow mine with the mower – ha!