To Infinity and Beyond

 "To Infinity and Beyond" have been the words flying around our house for the last 7 months. Our kids fell in love with Toy Story and Toy Story 2 as soon as they watched them. They pretended to be those characters, retold the stories, and begged to watch them over and over again. Then, to our surprise, Toy Story 3 began to emerge. This meant toys and games and coloring books and more Toy Story excitement. As Andrew entered the "cancer world" Toy Story came with him. We borrowed the videos from cousins and he toted his Buzz and Woody dolls with him to the hospital to sleep next to him in bed. Nanny found Toy Story pajamas and we tried to brighten his days with scenes from his favorite shows. Those friends have remained close through our battle and still stand on the front lines with us now. We invited them to our "Sundae Dinner" filling our table with toys, plates, napkins, and cups with Buzz, Woody, and their crew. Andrew still zooms around the house with Buzz flying through the air or pretends to push his fake buttons on his pj shirt to open his wings and take off. We have loved having a "theme" over the last few months and of course Andrew's mom has been sold wholeheartedly into it all.

 So of course as Toy Story 3 approached, we all waited excitedly. We counted down the days on the calendar, watched trailers on the computer and rewatched our old favorites with action figures in hand. All three of our big kids couldn't wait to "see" their friends again. We took them to the big movie theatre. We got there so early that we were able to go to the showing before the one we had planned. We filled our hands with drinks, candy, and soda and paraded into the theatre. The kids did remarkable well for their first big theatre show. The dark, loud noises, and huge screen brought out a few cries and snuggles, but overall everyone did great. The three kids heard the music begin and all at once screamed..."BUZZZ" and "WOODY!" They were there right in front of them. Andrew sat on my lap with his Buzz Lightyear shirt on. He munched on 6 cups of popcorn, several twizzlers, and diet Coke. He stared wide eyed at the huge screen the entire time and loved every minute of it. I saw the show through the eyes of my children  It was a good show, but for me a little intense. I wondered how Madi was holding up with the loud noises and special effects. I kept checking on Becca to make sure she wasn't scared of the bad guys and was having a good time. And I sat snuggled with the little blond haired boy that brought this story to life again for me back in December. Several times I even got teary just thinking of our journey together and how brave he had been. Then the last scene of Andy going off to college and having to say goodbye to his mom and his old toys almost brought me down completely. You see time as already gone so fast. I can't believe I have a 5 year old. I can't believe we survived cancer and spring and summer have come for our family. I can't believe my brave little boy is growing up. He is seeing big movies and talking about the potty and how he wants to do big boy things. I can't believe that one day I will be saying goodbye to him and having to say goodbye to his special toys. For that I am not ready. And I am thankful I still have a lot more time. The kids raced out of the theatre pretending to be the characters again. They have spent the last few days flying like Buzz or riding horses like Woody. The toys are all over the house and someone always has one of the characters. And life is as it should be. Kids being kids.

  Andrew goes this Thursday back to UVA for his monthly scans. For some reason it seems like forever since we have been there. I love that feeling, but I still get nervous going back. I still hold my breath that maybe the test results will hold bad news. I still wonder if our battle is over. And I still wonder how in the world we all made it through. Please pray that everything goes smoothly. Please pray that the test results come back clear and not in error. Please pray that we can drive home on Thursday to begin packing for a much needed two week vacation at our favorite beach spot. We will drive away as a family. Much different than we were this time last year. Yet, closer. We are all excited to get away from the rountine of daily life and enter into a world of time slowing down and relaxation. The kids will pack their favorite toy friends and show Buzz and Woody another world that is to "infinity and beyond."