Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Monday, March 15, 2010

Bella and Disney





















(UPDATE on Make A Wish Trip....fyi, Bella is absolutely healed and we know and believe with every part of our being and spirit that Leukemia is gone forever and will NOT ever return! However, the medical industry considers Leukemia a"terminal" cancer, so therefore, she will be granted a Make A Wish trip.)

We just returned from a trip to Orlando, FL to spend a week with Grandma and Grandpa. While visiting them, we spend two days at Walt Disney World touring Magic Kingdom, Disney Studios and Epcot. Phew.....3 Disney Parks in two days was a whirl wind, but wonderful. Bella was so sweet and her absolute high lights were meeting Mickey and Minnie and riding the Goofy Barnstormer Roller Coaster.

This was NOT Bella's "Make a Wish" trip, we are waiting to apply for that trip in December as Bella will be done with Chemo January 2011!!! Bella is completely healed by the Power and Victory of Jesus, this trip will by celebratory of our finished accomplishment of Medical Treatment. We are hoping to take the Disney Cruise, our other thought is the Nickolodean Cruise (Bella's first character love is still Dora and then Disney)...it will be totally up to Bella and at 3 1/2, she will be more apt to make her desire known.

Inter-venous chemo this week and steroids, all will be well.

Blessings to all of you.


10 comments:

Gail said...

I'm sure Bella will want to come to Kansas to meet me and Johanna. A cruise sounds nice too!!
Glad you had fun in FL. The pictures are great!
Gail

Vanessa said...

She looks GREAT!! Praise the Lord for her healing!!! My girls can't wait to go to Disney again!

The Adoption Journey of Baby King said...

Bella looks sooo good. It looks like a great time was had by all.
Nico wants to take the Nickelodian cruise. Maybe we should plan a Guatemalan/Nick Cruise??? :-) Luca's new found TV show is Diego or as he calls, "ee-way-i-woe".

Leah Maya Benjamin said...

she is sooooo cute in that skirt! that looked like fun other then I guess a little rainy. I didn't know they gave make a wish trips to kids who are healed? I thoguth just for the terminal ones.
Glad you had a great time!

Leah Maya Benjamin said...

Thanks for filling me in, I'm always so glad when you have an update! I was just confused becasue she is doing so well and I have only known about make a wish trips for kids that are not goign to make it much longer, I'm so glad Bella is doing wonderful, I can't believe how much her hari has grown already, of course these guatemala girls do have the most gorgeous hair.

Leah Maya Benjamin said...

opps sorry, me again. I am the crazy photographer of the family.

Joanna said...

I love each and every one of those pics. Hearing that Bella is doing so great just melts my heart. I hope we can meet your family soon. Praise God!

Maureen said...

Oh my gosh, Susie, your family is so beautiful. Bella is precious....I loved the song. Glad you had such a nice time in Florida! My best to you and your gang!

Maureen

Amanda said...

Love to see that your family is doing so well. Disney can kill you with all that there is to do. But it's soooo fun! So happy for your family that Bella is doing so beautifully and that she is LOVIN' LIFE. Our Savior is AWESOME, isn't He?

Love,
Amanda

trooppetrie said...

i love these pictures, i can not wait to hear about your celebration in the new year.