The power of friendship, love & prayer

I was going to originally title this one "A day at the park", since that's what it was. It was a beautiful day for the park too & we thought this time we'd go to one of my old favorites, Murray Park! I wanted to take the kids out to play with their friends, who have had a rough week, and enjoy the sunshine! These are very close friends to our kids, as Chris & I managed to get pregnant about the same time every time (really, not on purpose) and have raised them together since birth. We actually have a lot in common, including growing up right by each other (though we didn't meet until later years), exact same birthday, and much more. So, it's interesting we would have 2 boys & a girl about the same times too! (It's when she had #4 that I decided that was where the likeness stopped! :}). So, the rough week(s) started when their son, Jacob, started getting sick with flu like symptoms. They took him to the Dr, and then ended up staying a few days at Primary Children's Hospital to be told basically that he has blood clots to his liver & an enlarged spleen. This was rough, poor kid! But, he did get necessary medication & got to go home. Though he was weak, he really wanted to join us for the park too, so we let him come along, though he just rested on the hill.

Suzanne joined me, and it gave us a chance to get our girl talk in (you know we never get enough! :}), and be entertained by these kids!
"What's that boys, you're trying to cross somewhere you shouldn't be?!" :}

"Oh, these treats are SOUR!" :}
Kaley's best friend, Bailey. They are only 9 days apart (and no, we didn't plan to rhyme their names, it just worked out that way :})

Then there's Madison, who is just as cute as a bug!

Am I just biased, or are these some of the cutest girls out there?! :}

I think they got it all in between throwing the ball, playing on the playground, climbing trees, hula hoop, and running around being their silly selves.

But, now, as the week has progressed, it's become a lot more than just "A day at the park". Things have gotten much more serious & Jacob has now been diagnosed with cancer. This is so heartbreaking to hear, and hard to watch your friends go through such pain. Life's all ready been a struggle for them, so not sure how much more they can take! Though, as a believer of things happen for a reason, and God has a plan, I have to only hope this will make them/us stronger in the end. I know it doesn't make sense; but, I do believe that. I think of how a simple afternoon at the park became more of a bonding moment, and a time so important for Jacob, and his siblings, to just enjoy life. I love seeing my kids truly appreciate their friendships, and making the most of them. This family is almost like their own. And now, as this new battle begins, I know it's going to take the power of all that combined, and a WHOLE LOT of prayers, to get them through this!!! All I can ask is that any of you out there please include Jacob, and the Moulton Family, in your prayers. And hey, if that's "not your thing", it's never too late to start!!!

We love you Jacob....may you get better soon!!!