Merry Christmas!
Wow, it has been another incredible year for the Long Family! As I sit down to type this letter, I realize just how rare it has been for me to actually have the opportunity to ‘be still’ and reflect over the last year. Perhaps the greatest message God seemed to teach me through the course of Sarah Elizabeth’s treatment was to “live in the present – making the most of each moment!” So, to step back and see how many times He has carried my family through the moments (good and bad) is overwhelming.
Our year was marked with so many “moments.” On Valentine’s Day Amanda and I traveled to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where at twenty weeks pregnant the doctors diagnosed a mass in utero as Perinatal Neuroblastoma – another form of cancer in our unborn child. The next 18 weeks were full of anxious moments in weekly heart echoes, ultrasounds, and waiting rooms with nervous anticipation. In May, the moment arrived to travel back to Cincinnati for delivery and to say good bye to Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart for a few weeks. On May 19, Martha “Catherine” was born and instantly our moments of joy were mixed fear of the diagnosis and treatment as we spent countless hours in the NICU. Two weeks after her birth, the surgeons performed surgery to remove the mass. The delicate surgery revealed the mass was not cancer – simply a benign mass. I can still remember the smiles on the doctors face as they said, “this is better than best case scenario!” It is amazing for me to realize that God was in control and fully aware of each moment. Catherine is now seven months old. She is so beautiful, healthy, vibrant, and seems to light up the room with her smile.
Sarah Elizabeth enjoyed many special moments over the year. Perhaps the two biggest milestones were the removal of her port in the early spring and the one year post chemo anniversary celebrated in November. She is growing up so fast. There were so many “first” moments – first day of Kindergarten, first ballet recital, first soccer game, losing the first tooth, first time to read a book, first sleepover… She is a wonderful big sister to Stuart and Catherine and deeply cares for them.
Stuart has realized that he and I are the only boys in the house. He longs for moments of time together with dad. Words cannot express just how much I treasure those moments. He is now three years old and the adventurous, dare devil, active, rebellious side of his personality is having its moments. Stuart has also been a great big brother to his little sister and (often to a fault) cannot keep his hand off of her.
Amanda and I are the proud parents of three healthy, wonderful children (all under the age of five) WOW! In our short eight years of marriage God has blessed us with so many moments together that have brought joy, fear, doubt, excitement, and love. But, most of all - these moments have brought us closer – closer to each other and the realization that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is with us in every moment!
May you and your family enjoy a wonderful Christmas and blessed 2009 – full of moments where God reveals His love and joy!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Chad, Amanda, Sarah Elizabeth, Stuart, and Catherine Long
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Longs are.....Thankful!!!!!
I am finally writing a post! Chad has been consistent about updating our blog and even MORE consisting about asking me to help him out every now and then. The problem is I have discovered Facebook and it is taking up my computer time. I am really going to try to do a better job of updating......
What an awesome time of year-Thanksgiving! My MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church did a great job last week of reminding us all that Thansgiving is such an awesome holiday. It is unfortunate that the Christmas hustle and bustle begins so early that Thanksgiving seems to get overlooked! At our house, we have so much to be thankful for. Sarah ELizabeth is officially one year "post-treatment" and doing wonderfully! Catherine had a 6 month follow up ultrasound of her abdomen this morning and it was normal.
Even though these are the "obvious" things to be thankful for, we have so much more!!!! A house that keeps us warm, a free country to live in, food to eat, clothes to wear, spouses and families that love us-I could go on and on! I hope this will remind you of all the things the Lord has given you as well!
We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
What an awesome time of year-Thanksgiving! My MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church did a great job last week of reminding us all that Thansgiving is such an awesome holiday. It is unfortunate that the Christmas hustle and bustle begins so early that Thanksgiving seems to get overlooked! At our house, we have so much to be thankful for. Sarah ELizabeth is officially one year "post-treatment" and doing wonderfully! Catherine had a 6 month follow up ultrasound of her abdomen this morning and it was normal.
Even though these are the "obvious" things to be thankful for, we have so much more!!!! A house that keeps us warm, a free country to live in, food to eat, clothes to wear, spouses and families that love us-I could go on and on! I hope this will remind you of all the things the Lord has given you as well!
We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Well, no pictures with the post.. but some important prayer requests and praises. First, Catherine has soem type of viral cold. She was up the better part of the night with congestion, gas, 102 fever, and discomfort. Please pray for her quick healing and for Amanda as she flies solo as I am about to board a plane on a business trip for the first part of the week. Secondly, Sarah Elizabeth is also sick. Following an ear infection, a cough developed that she could not shake... While having Catherine checked at the pediatrician yesterday, we discovered Sarah Elizabeth has Walking Pneumonia. So, she started a Zpack, and we hope for a speedy recovery. Stuart simply has a cold. Wow, amazing how the house changes with little sick ones. I hate leaving Amanda to nurse by herself - but know they're in great hands!
Finally, a great big praise. Tommorrow, November 17th marks ONE YEAR post chemo for Sarah Elizabeth! This is a HUGE milestone. Most relapses with ALL occur within the first year - so gald to have this one behind us! We are so thankful that God has carried us through and look forward to all the other milestones we have enjoyed - kindergarten, loss of teeth, first school play, firts sleepover..... I will update with pics and more details, soon. But, please cover us in prayer as I travel safe and everyone recovers quickly!
God bless!
Finally, a great big praise. Tommorrow, November 17th marks ONE YEAR post chemo for Sarah Elizabeth! This is a HUGE milestone. Most relapses with ALL occur within the first year - so gald to have this one behind us! We are so thankful that God has carried us through and look forward to all the other milestones we have enjoyed - kindergarten, loss of teeth, first school play, firts sleepover..... I will update with pics and more details, soon. But, please cover us in prayer as I travel safe and everyone recovers quickly!
God bless!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Finally an update!
Sorry for such a long delay in updating... Life is great at our home! God Bless!
All bundled up!
Cooking hot dogs at the fire pit! 
Ghost stories! 
Cool
Crazy
Happy GirlGod Bless!
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