Dedication Day

On Father's Day Sunday, we celebrated Josiah's dedication. My parents, grandparents, sisters and their families, Belleza's, Nicholson's and Josiah's God-parents, Steve and Debbie Conkle had lunch at our new, but not quite finished home. It was such a special day for Mike and I as we focused on our son and his life in the Lord.

Home Owners!

We've moved! After living amost 5 years in the parsonage behind the church, we built a house on 1.3 acres in Pine Grove, CA - just 10 miles from the church. We are enjoying the privacy and the spacious home great for entertaining. Mike and I are buried in boxes but make some progress every evening when the kids are sleeping. The projects are unending and the yard years of work but we love that it's ours. We're still in shock and feel like we're staying at someone's vacation home in the woods.

Chubby Bunny

Josiah has the ultimate signature Oates Chubby Cheeks. They are irresistible to me.

One for Isaiah

Maicee and Isaiah have a sweet relationship. With that in mind, Maicee got a Super Girl shirt for her birthday. She says it makes her think of him. We love you Isaiah!

Happy Birthday Maicee!

Maicee turned 4 years old on Saturday! She had our tradition of a donut for breakfast with candles. We went to the Italian Picnic Carnival in town for a few kiddie rides. Then we celebrated with the Peoples and had dinner, 'cat' cake with ice cream inside. I can't believe she's four. I have loved seeing her personality develop and she is always making us laugh with her descriptive and imaginative stories.

Superman Isaiah

Thank you for keeping Isaiah in your prayers. Nathan has created a blog just for Isaiah with details of his condition. I recommend you visit his site and comment so that he realizes just HOW many people are praying for them. I so appreciate all your support for my family.

isaiahoates.com

Isaiah boy

I spent the day at the hospital today. I wanted to bring food and support to Nathan and Carmen. The girls and I (and Josiah) took Sienna to a nearby park and played most of the afternoon there with her other cousin. Nathan and Carmen have been generously loaned a motor home and are making that their home base. Isaiah is still in a lot of pain and also dealing with the side effects of the chemotherapy. I saw him through his door, not wanting to compromise his health. One of his biggest battles right now is his almost non-existent immune system. He is still fighting the pneumonia he got before his diagnosis. Please pray for his immune system to heal, that cancer cells would react to the chemotherapy immediately so that when they do another bone marrow sample in a week, he will have improved. Obviously, they are so weary of being in the hospital and seeing Isaiah so sick. Please, please pray.