The Long Family

Merry Christmas

2009-12-08T22:07:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Long Family,

I hope this letter finds each of you and your family under God’s gracious blessing and in true appreciation of this special time of year. I wanted to take this opportunity to express just how much you mean to me and my family.

The Longs have had an incredible year. There is never a dull moment in our home between three very active, ambitious, and healthy (PRAISE GOD) children under the age of six! As I reflect back over the last year, I am amazed at how much they grow and change in so many ways that a picture will not show. Their questions, personalities, desires, fears, concerns, and joy are always changing and are always an easy way for mom and dad to stay grounded in a world that moves faster than we often desire!

Sarah Elizabeth is now six years old and in the first grade. She is reading everything, including anything mom and dad spell to each other which is forcing us to come up with a new code to communicate – any suggestions welcomed! Sarah Elizabeth is now two years post chemo and is doing fantastic! She visits the clinic every three months for labs and a check up. She is maturing so quickly and is fully aware of how God healed her and gave her the strength to beat cancer. She loves school and loves to read! Sarah Elizabeth enjoys ballet, jazz, and has started tennis lessons. Her love for art has continued to blossom. I am so pleased with what a nurturing, caring big sister she has become. Sarah Elizabeth asked Jesus into her heart this summer and is really growing in her understanding of God and His love!

Stuart is now four years old and is attending Pre K every day. This has been a year of Stuart coming out of his shell. His personality has really exploded over the last year and is very evident in the picture on the Christmas card. Stuart also loves school, loves his classmates, and has developed a strong sense of independence and personality… (wonder who he inherited that from?) Stuart fell in love with sports – all sports this year. I was able to enjoy several nine hole rounds with my little caddie, cart driver. Swimming with no floaties, jumping off the diving board fearlessly, and the removal of bike training wheels were all firsts this summer. This fall I coached Stuart’s first soccer team (which meant his first uniform – real cool)! Stuart had a blast and does not understand why the season ended. Stuart is trapped between a big and little sister but remains a strong, fearless brother who cares deeply for the girls.

Catherine is now eighteen months old. If you took every strong personality trait from Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart and multiplied it ten times over… you would be close to describing Catherine. She seems to be a constantly moving blur of energy and excitement. She is the center of attention and lets no one or nothing get in her way. Catherine loves being outside, loves chasing after the big kids, loves to approach strangers with a book. She shows no fear or reservation and naturally has an appreciation of life that only someone who went through so much at such an early age can demonstrate. Amanda and I are constantly reminded of this as we change diapers and get a glimpse of the scar that is all that is left of the that early chapter in Catherine’s life. She has a clean bill of health and is becoming a beautiful little girl.

Trip (our Jack Russell Terrier) is now ten years old. He has lost the spotlight to the kids but is an ever ready companion for an evening on the sofa or a quick toss of the tennis ball outside. Trip had a few brushes with authority over the past year with some barking fits that attracted the HOA and Sheriff’s Department. He takes every poke in the eye, tail pull, and abuse the kids dish out in stride. His hair is turning gray and belly is growing… (Trip, not me!)

Amanda and I are blessed. We know exactly how lucky we are to have each other and share a family that is committed to serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will celebrate our ten year anniversary this year. As I look back over the last ten years I feel so lucky to have Amanda at my side. And, I know just how special the kids are to have a mother who loves them so much. Each night before bed, I make the rounds and check on each of the kids as they sleep. They look so peaceful, innocent, and beautiful in their father’s eyes. I wonder what they are dreaming about, what the next day holds for them, and what I can do make it better for them. It’s amazing to think that our Heavenly father holds the same thoughts for me and my family! I pray you have a year committed to enjoying that same love. Thanks for your friendship and what for what you mean to me and my family! I wish you the very best this Christmas Season and throughout next year!

In God’s Love,

Chad Long

2009-04-15T21:35:00.001-04:00

Catherine seems to be doing a LOT better! Thanks for your prayers. Amanda and kids made it safely to Mississippi and will return on Sunday!

Prayer Request & PRAISE

2009-04-13T20:36:00.003-04:00

Catherine awoke early Saturday morning with fever... which quickly changed all the Easter plans... So, we took her to the doctor on Saturday afternoon where it was determine dthat this was most likely a viral infection of some sort that should pass in time... However, her fever continued to rise and spike - reaching 105.6 about 3am Sunday night/Monday morning. We quickly put her in a tepid bath and treated with Tylenol until it came down to a safer 103...
Monday morning started out fine until she spiked again at 105.5! A follow up visit to the doctor revealed a double ear infection! We hope/pray that was the culprit and that the antibiotic will quickly heal and eliminate these SCARY fever spikes! Amanda had planned to make the Mississippi trip with Kristin and the Moyer kids today but delyed it untiul Tuesday - IF Catherine makes it through the night without any complications. The doctor did run bloodwork on Catherine and other than a slightly elevated WBC (hopefully b/c of ear infections) everything looked normal. SO, please pray for quick healing for Catherine and a safe trip to/from MS for Amanda, Kristinm and all 5 kids!

On a side note with a big smile as I type.... four years ago on Saturday was the diagnosis of Sarah Elizabeth's leukemia.... four years later she is doing so well! And, four years to the day... at a Saturday night church service Sarah Elizabeth has made the decision to ask Jesus into her heart! Wow, how great is our God! Talk about irony.... His saving grace is incredible! Amanda stayed home with Catherine and I took Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart. Sarah Elizabeth had a special service with all of the children, so I left her there and went to worship. It was standing room only so as the invitation began, I quickly picked Stuart up at the nursery and snuck into the back of the children's program. Stuart and I waited and watched the last few minutes of the service watching big sis up front. When the "heads bowed all eyes to yourself raise your hand if you just asked Jesus into your heart.." question was asked - up popped my little girls hand. "Mr. Bill" instructed the kids to speak to their parents about any decisions made so I never brought up the fact that I (Dad) ignored the eyes closed command. As soon as we got to the car - the questions, excitement started pouring out! We have prayed to Jesus to give her little life to God, recognizing that her salvation is through Jesus sacrifice for our sin. She reminds me daily that we need to talk to Mr Bill now... and I am excited that she is ready to start maturing her faith in God's time.

God bless.

Still here..

2009-04-05T20:05:00.002-04:00

We're still here - just busy, busy, busy. Sarah Elizabeth is playing soccer (shown above with her good friend, Addi). Stuart is growing and going 90-0... he is about to see the training wheels come off his bike. Catherine is doing so well, climbing up - crawling everywhere - and now a full head of hair! We will update soon with more pics and details!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-18T20:50:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Wow, it has been another incredible year for the Long Family! As I sit down to type this letter, I realize just how rare it has been for me to actually have the opportunity to ‘be still’ and reflect over the last year. Perhaps the greatest message God seemed to teach me through the course of Sarah Elizabeth’s treatment was to “live in the present – making the most of each moment!” So, to step back and see how many times He has carried my family through the moments (good and bad) is overwhelming.

Our year was marked with so many “moments.” On Valentine’s Day Amanda and I traveled to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where at twenty weeks pregnant the doctors diagnosed a mass in utero as Perinatal Neuroblastoma – another form of cancer in our unborn child. The next 18 weeks were full of anxious moments in weekly heart echoes, ultrasounds, and waiting rooms with nervous anticipation. In May, the moment arrived to travel back to Cincinnati for delivery and to say good bye to Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart for a few weeks. On May 19, Martha “Catherine” was born and instantly our moments of joy were mixed fear of the diagnosis and treatment as we spent countless hours in the NICU. Two weeks after her birth, the surgeons performed surgery to remove the mass. The delicate surgery revealed the mass was not cancer – simply a benign mass. I can still remember the smiles on the doctors face as they said, “this is better than best case scenario!” It is amazing for me to realize that God was in control and fully aware of each moment. Catherine is now seven months old. She is so beautiful, healthy, vibrant, and seems to light up the room with her smile.

Sarah Elizabeth enjoyed many special moments over the year. Perhaps the two biggest milestones were the removal of her port in the early spring and the one year post chemo anniversary celebrated in November. She is growing up so fast. There were so many “first” moments – first day of Kindergarten, first ballet recital, first soccer game, losing the first tooth, first time to read a book, first sleepover… She is a wonderful big sister to Stuart and Catherine and deeply cares for them.

Stuart has realized that he and I are the only boys in the house. He longs for moments of time together with dad. Words cannot express just how much I treasure those moments. He is now three years old and the adventurous, dare devil, active, rebellious side of his personality is having its moments. Stuart has also been a great big brother to his little sister and (often to a fault) cannot keep his hand off of her.

Amanda and I are the proud parents of three healthy, wonderful children (all under the age of five) WOW! In our short eight years of marriage God has blessed us with so many moments together that have brought joy, fear, doubt, excitement, and love. But, most of all - these moments have brought us closer – closer to each other and the realization that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is with us in every moment!

May you and your family enjoy a wonderful Christmas and blessed 2009 – full of moments where God reveals His love and joy!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Chad, Amanda, Sarah Elizabeth, Stuart, and Catherine Long

Family Pictures

2008-12-11T13:52:00.003-05:00

A great slideshow is available to see - www.realitiesbyjill.com/long

2008-11-24T22:14:00.004-05:00

Catherine is almost sitting up!

Curiuos George at The Health Adventure!

Silly Stuart Sliding down the tongue

Sweet Sisters

The Longs are.....Thankful!!!!!

2008-11-24T21:59:00.004-05:00

I am finally writing a post! Chad has been consistent about updating our blog and even MORE consisting about asking me to help him out every now and then. The problem is I have discovered Facebook and it is taking up my computer time. I am really going to try to do a better job of updating......

What an awesome time of year-Thanksgiving! My MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church did a great job last week of reminding us all that Thansgiving is such an awesome holiday. It is unfortunate that the Christmas hustle and bustle begins so early that Thanksgiving seems to get overlooked! At our house, we have so much to be thankful for. Sarah ELizabeth is officially one year "post-treatment" and doing wonderfully! Catherine had a 6 month follow up ultrasound of her abdomen this morning and it was normal.

Even though these are the "obvious" things to be thankful for, we have so much more!!!! A house that keeps us warm, a free country to live in, food to eat, clothes to wear, spouses and families that love us-I could go on and on! I hope this will remind you of all the things the Lord has given you as well!

We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

2008-11-23T20:26:00.003-05:00

Well, everyone seems to be on the mend! Tommorrow at 9am Catherine will have her six month follow up ultrasound. This will be the oportunity to make sure that everything looks fine following the procedure that removed the mass. Please pray for no suprises and that everything looks fine!

God Bless!

2008-11-16T13:09:00.003-05:00

Well, no pictures with the post.. but some important prayer requests and praises. First, Catherine has soem type of viral cold. She was up the better part of the night with congestion, gas, 102 fever, and discomfort. Please pray for her quick healing and for Amanda as she flies solo as I am about to board a plane on a business trip for the first part of the week. Secondly, Sarah Elizabeth is also sick. Following an ear infection, a cough developed that she could not shake... While having Catherine checked at the pediatrician yesterday, we discovered Sarah Elizabeth has Walking Pneumonia. So, she started a Zpack, and we hope for a speedy recovery. Stuart simply has a cold. Wow, amazing how the house changes with little sick ones. I hate leaving Amanda to nurse by herself - but know they're in great hands!

Finally, a great big praise. Tommorrow, November 17th marks ONE YEAR post chemo for Sarah Elizabeth! This is a HUGE milestone. Most relapses with ALL occur within the first year - so gald to have this one behind us! We are so thankful that God has carried us through and look forward to all the other milestones we have enjoyed - kindergarten, loss of teeth, first school play, firts sleepover..... I will update with pics and more details, soon. But, please cover us in prayer as I travel safe and everyone recovers quickly!

God bless!

Finally an update!

2008-10-26T21:37:00.010-04:00

Sorry for such a long delay in updating... Life is great at our home! God Bless!

All bundled up!

Cooking hot dogs at the fire pit!

Ghost stories!

Cool

Crazy

Happy Girl

God Bless!

Beach Trip

2008-08-14T20:34:00.006-04:00

Well Summer is flying by so fast... we keep meaning to update but it has been so busy. It has also been a wonderful summer. I am constantly asked by so many... "SO, how's the family?" or "How are your children?" For so long there has been so much to that answer that it would require a sit down session... Well, the truth is we are all great! I mean it. Amanda and I catch ourselves at times simply looking over our shoulder in anticipation - but our God is so good. We are all well and enjoying life each day to the fullest.

As you can see in the picture above, Catherine is making herself quite at home. Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart cannot keep their hands off of her - literally... which is a source of friction especially when she needs a nap. But, (above) Stuart made some room to watch cartoons early one morning. Catherine is growing so fast and occasionally surprises us with a good night sleep. Her smiles light up the room... and unlike our two oldest.. she tends to share more of them with mom.

We just returned from a short visit to the beach with some of our good friends. This is the second straight year we have made this trip and it is becoming the highlight of each summer. We are already counting the days until next years trip. It really makes us appreciate just how blessed we are to be surrounded by wonderful friends we consider family.

More to come!

Stuart's 3rd Birthday

2008-07-20T20:32:00.003-04:00

For the last few months Stuart has told us, "I'm three now..." Perhaps it is because all of his friends have celebrated their big day and his was last on the calender. Well, his big weekend arrived. We all had a blast!

Over the last three years so much has been posted about my two girls, Sarah Elizabeth and Catherine. They each had their own caring bridge sites where so many people lifted them up in prayer. The girls each made countless visits to different doctors, clinics, and underwent procedures. Stuart (Praise God!) has not! Yet, Stuart has been through it all. However, I am sure that Amanda will agree that he has been more impacted by the rocky road we traveled than the girls. You see, as we stayed cautious with Sarah Elizabeth's exposure in the last two years of chemo, Stuart was also very close. And, most recently with Catherine's delivery and procedure in Cincinnati - it was Stuart who had the toughest time with all of the bouncing around between friends and family - creating a lot of anxiety. With all of that being said, it is amazing NOW as we seem to further resemble a healthy, HAPPY, normal family that Stuart seems to be "coming out" and really starting to shine! Perhaps it's just me reflecting back on how well things are and really opening my eyes... But, as we celebrated the birthday this weekend and spent time together... I looked up and that little boy is now riding a scooter boldly down the driveway. That little boy is asking big questions, jumping off the side of the pool with no floaties, wearing underwear to bed with no accidents, and CRAVING "just the boys" time. That little boy is such an incredible little man. He cares so much for both his big and little sister. It almost seems as God placed the secret in his heart early that those two girls were going to travel an unusual road early in life and they'll need you to be the brother that loves and stays with them through it all. I am so lucky that God has blessed me with three wonderful children. And, selfishly, I so proud one is a boy. Stuart will never be the middle child. In our family, he's the boy!

We are all doing great. Tomorrow is a big day. Sarah Elizabeth has her check up and immunizations for kindergarten. At the same time, Catherine will have her two month appointment. Both will receive a shot(s). Stuart and I are going for morale support and to hold them down. I leave for Las Vegas on a business trip later this week. So, Amanda and Kristen Moyers are loading our three and her two into the suburban for a 10 hour drive back to Mississippi where grandparents will anxiously await arrival - that's right 5 kids under age 5 and two moms - 20+ hours round trip... crazy, huh? This may be the biggest prayer request posted!

I am sure there will be stories to tell... Thanks for your continued prayers! God Bless.

One month later!

2008-07-06T20:39:00.005-04:00

I know it has been quite a while since we posted.... So much going on... Summer is in full swing and we are having a blast. It is so hard to believe that exactly a month ago, Catherine was hooked to all of the equipment in NICU post surgery in Cincinnati with Amanda and I. Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart were in Mississippi with family. It is amazing how much incredible the last four weeks have been as we settle back into a routine... if there is one with three children all under five. God has been so good to us. And as many of you remark as we see you back home, "I followed the caringbridge site daily - praying, waiting for the updates... it seemed everything always turned out to be best case scenario - it always seemed to be good news!" We could not agree more! We feel so blessed to be home together happy, healthy, and completely secure in God's grace. At the same time, it is so easy now to look back and see just how God carried us through Sarah Elizabeth's chemo and Catherine's surgery and stay in NICU that all along His perfect will was being done.

Catherine is doing great! She has been a great baby - sleeping and eating well! She has been perfectly content sleeping through errands, an overnight MOPS retreat with Amanda, a day at the water park at Dollywood Splash Country, church, countless trips to the pool while Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart swim, and even a 4th of July firework display! Catherine has dodged the bullet with a rough fever and stomach virus that hit Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart pretty hard!

Amanda and I have overwhelmingly busy... just getting caught back up. I still feel behind with work. We realized that we have taken very few pictures... some of that can be attributed to it being the third child - while a lot of it can be simply living in the moment (a valuable lesson that I know God was teaching me through our trials). So, we will make an effort to get some additional pictures added soon!

Where do I begin with Sarah Elizabeth and Stuart? Wow, they are growing up so fast before my very eyes. I measure their height on the inside of our pantry door. The last measurement date was 3-11-8. I measured them both this morning before church - they both had grown over an inch in less than four months (almost two inches for SE)! Even more - they seem to be so maturing so quickly. Two weeks ago they both attended our church VBS (Sarah Elizabeth's 3rd this summer!). We purchased the cd with music from the week. It is amazing to hear them belt out the lyrics to "OOOOOooooh wanna be more like Jesus... OOOOOoooo wanna be more like HIM!" To take it one step further.. today at church - Stuart was in the nursery, Amanda stepped out of worship to nurse Catherine - leaving me with Sarah Elizabeth as the Lord's Supper was served. Sarah Elizabeth turned to me and said, "let's talk about this bread - broken body - wine - blood... stuff" It turned into one hundred questions - all of them legit, solid, to the point... and quite honestly, very humbling. She was so in tune with everything happening. It was not the most reverent Lord's Supper I had experienced but most definitely one I will never forget!

Well, we will do a better job of updating! We look forward to the rest of the summer as the countdown to Kindergarten rapidly approaches!

God Bless!

There is no place like home...

2008-06-18T20:57:00.005-04:00

Well, we have been home for 10 days as a family - a healthy, happy family I will add. There truly is no place like home. It has been quite an adjustment settling back in (specifically for Stuart). The three weeks of bouncing from friends to Cincinnati to Grandparents to Uncles/Aunts seemed to shake his security. This compounded with the new little sister has left him looking for attention - good or bad. However, we already see signs of improvement.

Catherine is doing wonderful! Her incision is healing well. Our local pediatrician saw her last week and was thrilled at just how good she appeared following such a major surgery. She is gaining weight, eating well, and has actually been sleeping good (typically up once for a feeding). Her prognosis is just like any newborn! She will have a follow up ultrasound in November for observation purposes only. I cannot put into words just what a relief it is for our family to put this chapter behind us and look forward to a healthy, happy, bright future free of chemo, worries, doctor appointments, and fear! We have been so blessed.

Sarah Elizabeth's monthly check up went well. Unfortunately, her left ear tube inserted only three months ago has come out - and (of course) she had a nasty ear infection. She seems to be on the mend and feels fine after a rough weekend. In fact, she is in round 2 of summer VBS and seems to love her time at Nativity's VBS!

Amanda... where do I begin? I am amazed! One month after delivery... house back organized, clothes washed, pantry stocked, kids happy, Dad happy, running errands with all three, nursing, girls night out (last night - Catherine's first), at the pool today with all three. And, she looks great! I mean it. I guess it seems as such a load has been lifted off her shoulder that she is floating on air. In many ways we both seem to be floating in elation at the new road in which God seems to be leading us.

Father's Day was Sunday. Wow, father of three... three wonderful gifts from above... three different ways that God uses to teach me new things every day. I am truly humbled at the love that God allows me to feel as a father for these three children. I also stand in awe at how lucky my family has been to be carried through the valley as we start our climb up the mountain. God is good!