Give it up for White Blood Cells!!

Halloween was a huge success on all accounts.  Owen was able to grasp the concept of trick or treating rather quickly.  He and JJ went out for awhile and I stayed home to pass out candy.  They came back to call it a night and Owen decided he wasn't quite done yet, and they went around the block again.  We had a fun time for Cody's last big birthday bash.  Our costumes were so much fun and very creative as far as I was concerned.  The only bad part about the entire night was when a certain someone, who shall remain nameless, wouldn't let me play the cd's that I specifically made for Cody and his birthday.  How rude is that?  This certain person was trying to play the cd's that he made for him instead.  In my mind I was thinking, ok, I've known him since I was 13 and I think I have a pretty good handle on what kind of music he likes and what would make him laugh on his birthday.  I didn't want to cause more drama than what was already being created, so I kept my mouth shut and let him play his lame cd's.  Boo!!

When I woke up this morning, I knew it was going to be a good day.  I got out of bed early, before JJ went to work, so I could vote without having a toddler in tow.  When I drove up to our polling place, there was a line out the door and halfway through the parking lot.  So, I went home, hoping to make it back there at a time a little less crowded.  And I did.  I think my husband was secretly hoping I wouldn't be able to vote today, either because of my child, or my lack of patience, but I did it and I feel good about my contribution to this election.  Unfortunately, because I had Owen with me, I was only able to vote on the issues that I found the most important.  I sat him down, underneath the table I used to fill out my ballot, and let him play with my wallet.  This usually keeps him occupied for at least five solid minutes.  He was being so good and quiet....I should have known something was up.  I looked down and he wasn't there anymore.  He was on his way out -- halfway to the parking lot to be exact.  I grabbed my ballot and the credit cards that were scattered underneath the table and went after him.  Somebody actually called after me to tell me I needed to leave my ballot there and I couldn't take it outside.  I was a little miffed.  I mean, I want to vote, but my priority is obviously to keep my child out of harms way at all times.  

I also knew it was going to be a good day when I spoke to my dad this morning and he told me that Alika's white blood cell count went from 130 yesterday to a staggering 1100 today!!  For those of you who are not up to speed, Alika has been in the hospital for the past three weeks and after undergoing a near fatal dose of chemotherapy, he is finally on the cusp of recovery.  As long as his count stays above 500 for the next three days, he can be released on Friday.  We are ecstatic!!  I have had the opportunity to visit him a few times while in the hospital, and it was difficult, to say the least, to watch him during this transformation.  He went from being his usual jovial self,  joking about the food and watching the Broncos loose, to practically incoherent due to all the medication being pumped into his system.  It was the first time, throughout this whole experience, that I have actually seen him exhibit physical signs of his illness.  My heart goes out to you, Alika.  You are an inspiration to everyone in this family, as well as to all your friends.  I truly hope this is the end of the unfortunate relationship created between you and this disease.  Get that slugger ready.....by the end of the year we will be organizing a celebratory trip somewhere in honor of you beating this cancer and coming through a champ.  How does Vegas sound?  We just have to get you past Debbie first :)