~Alyssa's Blessed Journey~

May our Lord Jesus Christ . . . comfort your hearts. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

 

Sorry I haven't updated - we have enjoyed our break!  Alyssa has had 4 of her 6 treatments in this lowered cycle and is doing great.  She is still gaining weight and eating like a champ.  Her counts were lowered due to an ear infection, but nothing serious.  We are really having a great summer and looking forward to Gunnar's arrival...oh yea, we have changed his name!  We are now naming this little bundle of love Gunnar *old norse meaning Battle Warrior* Matthew *hebrew meaning Gift of the Lord* so he's our little Battle Warrior for the Lord! 

I will be 36 weeks on Tuesday so we officially have 3 weeks to go!  : ) My Mom and Dad arrive here on June 28th, My Aunt and Grama *Honey* arrive on July 3rd and they will all be here till the 11th *my parents* and the 19th *Aunt and Grama*, Tony's Mom arrives the 18th and will stay with us until the 25th...so we are very happy to have all this family  here to help!  : )

Isaac will be turning 2 on June 16th and as long as my doc approves, we will be taking a trip to Atlanta, GA to stay over in a hotel then spend the next day *sat the 16th* at the Atlanta Aquarium.  The kids will love it!  Of course Father's Day is SONday so we'll be at church enjoying the day w/Tony. 

Tony and I just returned from A Weekend To Remember hosted by Family Life. It was here in Montgomery BUT the kids stayed at a family friend's of ours from church from Fri-Son...we really enjoyed ourselves and so did the kids. It was a nice get-a-way for us to reflect on our relationship and what God wants us to be as parents.  Something I recommend to any married, engaged couple...it was a life changing event. I thought we were close before...we are even closer now which is just amazing!

Well, that's about all for now.  We are good here...just waiting on Gunnar's arrival.  Getting the house ready and rooms good to go.  Alyssa is loving summer and swimming and playing w/all our neighborhood friends...it's been nice!!

 

We love you and as always appreciate all your prayers.  She has 2 more treatments then a 2 week break!  : ) YEA!!!

PS.  Sorry for anyone who has gotten deleted from our visit our friends page.  Because this site is free you can only have so many paragraphs per page so I had to add a page and therefore deleting a friend.  We still pray for you!

We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. 2 Corinthians 5:20

A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away. Proverbs 14:30

 

Hello!!!  So sorry I haven't updated in a bit...yes, no news is good news : ) but I do appologize as we have had lots of stuff going on!  Alyssa is currently on a break until next Wednesday - her MRI will be that day and we are looking forward to seeing what God is doing in her!  : ) I love the fact that he ALWAYS gives what he promises...he gives us peace that day and then good news!  This is an extra special day as we have 3 special people in our family that have never gone to see what Sis goes through w/chemo or an MRI.  My Aunt and Grama from San Diego are here and we get to introduce Gunnar to the clinic!  : )  My Mom and Dad were here from the 28th of June till yesterday helping out --- the kids miss them terribly and thanks to my parents we were able to record the birth!!  : )  My Aunt and Grama got here on July 3rd and will be here till the 19th.  What a HUGE help my family has been...we are so blessed!

So, Gunnar Matthew Key was born on July 3rd, 2007 @ 6:44 am...he was 8lbs, 1oz and 21"!  What a nice big boy!  The kids ADORE him - in fact Isaac wants to hold him constantly...he tells me "Mama, share baby!" and yesterday he grabbed my boppy, put it on his lap and started calling "Baby, come here...." it was too cute.  Alyssa is the BEST big sister EVER!  She was only a little over 2 when we had Isaac and was good then too, but more like Isaac then and wanting to hold and feed him...this time she is getting diapers, getting my boppy and just really helping out...and even "babysitting" Isaac when she wants to go out and play...what a special time we are having!

I was a bit worried that we would have a hard time transitioning from 2 children to 3 but it has proven to be just fine! I was also worried about nursing w/Isaac so small but nope, he doesn't mind at all and nursing is going really well.  I had a breast reduction in 2003 so my milk didn't come in w/Isaac but this time...let's say I'm a cow : )  I have tons of milk and so Gunnar will pretty much eat me dry and then sometimes take another 2 oz of formula!  He's my biggest baby!  : )  Alyssa was 6lbs, 13oz and 19"...Isaac was 7lbs, 3oz and 20" and now Gunnar my 8lb, 1oz 21" guy : )  I seriously couldn't be happier!  We truly feel complete! 

Here is Gunnar's birth announcement...we just love this "not-so-little" guy : )  He looks EXACTLY like Alyssa did at birth. He has dark brown almost black hair and I'm not too sure about his eyes yet. To me they look as if they are going to be brown but they may be blue : )  Alyssa and Isaac both have the prettiest crystal blue eyes like me ... Tony has brown so if Gunnar has brown eyes then he will really be a mini Tony : )

Gunanr's birth was amaizing! The entire time God was center of our conversation and his presence was felt! My doctor who has now delivered all three of my little blessings normally gives us Psalm 139 as the verse to meditate on -- for Gunnar *who has my doc's middle name* gave him Matthew 6:33...I encourage you to read it...it's a wonderful verse for our son to live by!

Thanks for all of your contined prayer over our family!  I will try and update more often, but w/three little ones I'm not sure how often I'll be online.  Again, if you want updates before I give them our e-mail is thekeyohana@gmail.com  feel free to e-mail us anytime! 

Well, I better get off of here...Gunnar is making those cute little noises he does when he's hungry....time for Mama Cow to get milked  : ) lol!

With all our love....and always IN HIS GRIP,

The Key Family --- and baby makes FIVE!!!

   For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all
   gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the
   mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made
   it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down
   in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he
   is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock
   under his care.

   Psalms 95:3-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Hey everyone!  Good news!  Alyssa's MRI showed stability!  PRAISE GOD!  He is surely blessing us daily!

We do ask that you lift Gunnar up in prayer.  We took him to his 2 week well baby appt and his doc heard a faint heart murmur.  She assures us it's nothing to be worried about - we had an x-ray done and his heart is perfect.  It's the normal size and that's what she wanted to rule out. We take him back for her to listen to him again in 2 weeks - we pray that God heals him before then so we don't have to go to a pediactric cardiologist.  We know God has a plan for this lil man...already he has a testimony!  We have been comforted by many friends and family already telling us either they had/have a heart murmur-- that they are just fine.  So, praise God...he is so faithful!  In Corinthians it states that God allows us to go through trials so that we can comfort those believers who need comforting.  God has given Tony and I such peace about this that we KNOW Gunnar will be just fine.  We are taking him to be prayed over tomorrow at church as well.

Other than that everything here is wonderful.  Family has left : ( and I can tell you we miss them terribly!  We had my parents here from June 28th till July 10th, and my Aunt and Grama from July 3rd till the 19th...wow...we were pampered and they all made it so easy for me to recoupe.  My Dad is a WONDER Grampa or as Isaac calls him " Crappa" ... the kids sure miss Honey *My Grama* and their Great Auntie Karen and Grama Bunny *My Mom* and Crappa...we can't wait to see them again.  As some of you know my parents live in Guam so our next trip *unless we get orders there* is scheduled for 2009.  My Aunt, Honey and Pa *My Gramapa* are going to be here in March, April or May of 08 so that will be wonderful!

Tony returns to work Monday so keep us all in prayer!  I will be home trying to keep the older children occupied and nursing the baby at the same time!!  I know I can do it but I'll surely miss Tony's help!  Pray he has a nice transition back to work as well.

As always thanks to for all your uplifting prayers!  We truly appreciate them and know that the Father hears them!

 

In HIS Grip,

The Key's

 

As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:7

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

We went to the opthamologist last Monday because we were referred by Isaac's pediatrician.  She told us that his right eye looked a bit less pink than his left and to her it meant glasses...well, after his check up the doc came out to talk to me *he had already talked to Tony* and he said "Well, I'll tell you what I thought it was when I got the referral Friday. Basically I freaked out because she wrote that she saw a white retina and to me that indicates a Retinoblastoma" ...you can imagine my shock as that was never mentioned previously and with Alyssa having a tumor that word blastoma is very scary --- he went on to say that it is NOT Retinoblastoma and his eyes are PERFECTLY normal for a 2 year old!  He is slightly farsighted which all young children are and if he wasn't that would also freak him out.  We go back in 3 months to make sure that the farsightedness isn't getting worse because if it is as he grows that will mean he needs glasses, but as of right now it is nothing to worry about.  He said that what he thinks his pediactrician saw was the cresent that appears in the back on the eye as the light shines on it which is the farsightedness but if she doesn't know what she's looking for *the only do 1 week rotations in the opthamology clinic to get their clinicals out of the way* then to her it was not a normal thing. 
 
Our neighbor Sara works for this doctor and he told her this morning what he thought it was.  She was so upset and flat out told him "You can't tell them this!  They have enough on their plates w/their daughter...they wont be able to handle it" it was then she cried and started praying for Isaac.  We got there and were taken back and he did great w/the dialating and she did an exam and the look on her face was of relief.  She took her time and later told me what she was doing was to see if he could follow the light - he could - that indicates he has no tumor. She also looked in his retina to see if she sees the white that perhaps the pediatrician did ... and she did not!  I went to her house when we got home because she was home for lunch and we prayed and praised God.  She then told me that her doc *her boss* had already had the OR ready for Isaac to have surgery TODAY to take his right eye out!  I just balled.  She went back to work and called me again to say she read his chart and everything looked BEAUTIFUL! 
 
I can't tell you how drained I am right now.  This past month has been an emotional roller coaster for us.  First Gunnar having a heart murmur and then it being healed **YES we went and the doc listened to him and it was GONE!  She was in shock and asked us if we prayed...OF COURSE...why?  She says because I have no other explination for how it healed itself!  I truly thought he had a hole in his heart!  Of course she didn't tell us that!  But, PRAISE HIM!!!!!!!** and then Isaac having this possible tumor and he being miraculously healed.....I truly believe what she saw was there...Tony and I talked about this at home and we both prayed at the same time in different rooms at the clinic - I was w/Isaac and he w/Alyssa and Gunnar - I feel God is using our family to show this pediatrician THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!  And you know what? I'm honored that he's using us ... I feel like the enemy is trying to pry it's way in to give me doubt...but I can't let him.  I have so much faith that he can't shake it!  Now we need your prayers because we aren't sure if we are going to keep this doctor - this is the second time she thought something BIG and didn't tell us...what to do what to do????
 
So, to you I ask that you just continually lift our miracle family up to the Father.  We TRULY need your prayers. We need strength to keep our faith and eyes on God.  We KNOW he is speaking to us through our children and he is surely speaking to others.  Praise Him! 

Alyssa is doing WONDERFUL in her treatments! Only 2 more to go till she has a 3 week break. Her counts only lowered 30 from last week so it's not a huge difference.  All in all she's grwoing like a weed and blossoming like the flower she is!  I cut her hair a couple weeks ago and it's really adorable! I'll post a pic on here for you all to see!

Thank you for your continued prayer over our miracle family!

In HIS Grip,

The Key Family

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. Colossians 1:11

Alyssa is doing GREAT with her letters!

Issac has sure grown up!

Gunnar has the sweetest smiles already!

And here's Sis' new hair cut!  Just call me her stylist! ;)

 

I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those . . . who are lost. Luke 19:10

Jesus didn't come to set up a new political system or to spread

a new philosophy. His mission was to glorify God and bring us salvation.

 

Wednesday was Gunnar's cardiology appt...the juicy baby *Alyssa's new nickname for him is Juice* weighs 10lbs 1.4oz and is 22.5"!!!  Okay, first and foremost let me just say GOD IS GOOD!  He is so faithful and full of promises he DOES keep!  Gunnar's appt went well, as if you haven't guessed already.  They had did an ultrasound right in front of us and there was NOTHING wrong AT ALL.  Dr. Romp said that his heart was beautiful!  He listened to him as well and of course heard nothing.  He said he won't say there was never anything wrong because chances are there was a hole or a murmur and it closed up and healed itself *YEA WE ALL KNOW THAT WAS GOD'S DOING....BECAUSE HE MAKES NO MISTAKES!!!*  He won't put anything in his record to say he had a hole or a murmur as that will cause docs down the road to say "oh he has a heart problem...yada yada yada" he said we DON'T need to do a follow up EVER --- and some day during a check up when he's older he may have another murmur...we all have them and it takes the perfect time to hear it...YEA WE ALL KNOW THATS GODS PERFECT TIME!!!  So, all in all it was a GREAT visit. He did however try and take the glory from God when I mentioned that God was using us as a testimony of his FAITHFUL LOVE and showing his pediatrician that there indeed is a God who heals and does miraculous things...he goes "Well, I wouldn't call this miraculous because they can close up and heal on their own" my response?  "No, it is miraculous...PRAISE GOD because this isn't the first miracle we've seen!"  So....we have had a wonderful day --- we met a Grama and her daughter and grandson in the waiting room and were able to share our testimony.  She also had a testimony of her Uncle who had a stroke and is now trying to talk...the doctors told them there is nothing they can do and he will never be the same...her response?  God can heal him and will .... we have seen his miraculous works just in the last few days ... NO MAN CAN TAKE THAT FROM GOD! AMEN!!!!

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. Romans 12:12

 

Well we are off of our break and tomorrow will be the 2nd treatment for this new cycle.  Only 4 more treatments till our next break and before our new cycle begins we'll be off to Disney World!  YEA!!  We are really looking forward to the family time.

Let's see. Sis started ballet 2 weeks ago - and LOVES it! She is doing wonderful!  :)  I'll post some cute pics I took of her in her lil uniform before she went to actual class. I haven't taken pics of her in class yet - we don't have parent visitation for a little bit.  I can see her in class through the window but she gets distracted so I try not to look in there.

We are doing really well. We love having breaks that's for certain!  The boys are growing!  Gunnar is 11 weeks today...wow!  Isaac is such a good big brother.  He is getting over having ring worm (sigh) but all is well!

Our good friend Josh Butler needs your prayers. He is a close friend of ours who has dedicated his life serving Christ.  He leaves for Albania on Thursday so he can attend bible college.  We are so very blessed to know that he's doing what is in God's will for his life!  He is our pastor's son and also our drummer in our praise band. He will be sorely missed.  Please pray that the enemy does not attack him while he's gone for 2 years.  Be praying for peace and comfort for his family - especially his parents. Although this is what every parent prays for that their children will walk in the light with Christ and completely devote their lives spreading truth to the lost, it's still a sad moment for them as he's never been this far away for so long before.

Well sorry this is short, as you can imagine taking care of these little ones is tough work at times :)  It's a blessing though!  We love you and appreciate all of your prayers!!

 

In HIS Grip,

The Key's

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of
 my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice,
 encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless,
 plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason
 together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like
 scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red
 as crimson, they shall be like wool."  Isaiah 1:16-18

 

These ballet pics are before she actually took a class....so she made up these poses ; )

 

 

 

After bath *this is an avatar for my Mommies board that's why it's so small*

Gunnar smilin!

A Mini Tony *another avatar*

Short tummy time!

Sweet Gunnar

Mom and Brother

Silly Isaac!

 

Salvation that comes from trusting Christ--which is the message we preach--is already within easy reach. Romans 10:8

Jesus took the punishment that should have been ours, bearing the scorn, pain, and separation from his Father. We don't need an elaborate way to find forgiveness. Because of Christ, it's simple--ask and believe. What a miracle!

 

Praise God should be the title of this message!!!  We have been VERY busy as you can very well imagine w/three children under the age of 5!!!  First and foremost I have to give thanks to the Lord....he has done abunduntly ABOVE all expectations!!  Let me take a moment to just PRAISE HIS NAME!!!!

Not only is God looking out for Alyssa and her brothers - he is obviously present!  Alyssa had treatment yesterday and this is #5.  We get 6 treatments then a 3 week break.  Well, usually her counts are a bit on the low side by treatment #5....not this time!  God made her counts HIGHER than they were at treatment #4!!!  Her counts yesterday were nearly 1,000 .... that is ONLY GOD right there!!! Amen!

God TRULY answers prayers.  We have been contimplating me homeschooling the children.  I have a heart for it but wanted them to each experience kindergarten and atleast get a good foundation set in a good Christian school.  Well, I found a Chrisitan School near us -- they have a K-5 program along w/a preschool program.  I e-mailed them and said I had questions.  We went to Awana and shared w/some Moms there how much I had been thinking about it and how we wouldn't be able to afford school and ballet for Alyssa so we'd have to make sacrifices.  We are getting another vehicle as soon as Tony gets promoted because well let's face it a family of 5 with one car is not cutting it!!  Anyway, the very next day the school's director calls. We chat for a bit and I tell her our story.  She tells me about the program *AWESOME!!* and I know this is where God is leading us.  So, I mention to her that I know some schools have scholorship programs...she says "Do you need one?" I say "Well, at this point we aren't sure, I guess it would depend on the cost" she replies "God sent you to us. This is a ministry for us and I truly feel that you were sent to talk to me for a reason. I am the one who accepts applications and I'm just going to say Alyssa is approved." you can imagine my shock...well, I KNEW God was all over this!!! I had to contain the tears of joy....we talked a little more and I said "Well, how much would it be so I can talk to my husband" she kindly said "Mrs. Key, I won't be discussing money w/you .  I don't want you to worry about it AT ALL.  I'd only need you to purchase her books for the year and that's $55." Again....GOD WAS RIGHT THERE!  WOW!  Can you believe it?? I keep saying I can't butin reality I KNEW it was all God and with him NOTHING is impossible!! So, our sweet girl will be going to a PRIVATE Chrisitan School and she will only have 6 or 7 other students w/her!!!  They are okay w/her not getting immunizations and we are so excited!  Her teacher called me and we will be having a meeting w/her in the near future.  The cool part?  The director lives up the street from us AND the teacher's daughter has a friend w/the SAME tumor as Sis!!!  Now.....WHO CAN DENY GOD'S HAND IN THIS???????????????????  Surely you can't!

So, that's the first GREAT news!!!  Second, Alyssa will still get to go to ballet!  She will be at school M,W, F from 8:30 - 2 and ballet is Thurs!!! Now....I can't tell you all how amazingly awesome this is!!!  We leave for Disney World on Nov 3rd and will return Nov 13th. Sis' MRI is Nov 14th and what a glory be to God that day will be! I have NO doubt he will show his face that day and his miracles will be present!!!!!  We are so excited about Disney!!!  Sis has so much planned for her she's not going to know what to do!

The boys are getting big! Isaac is just the sweetest big brother and Gunnar ... well he's a ham! Smiling all the time and just a sweet spirit!!!  I will attach some recent shots of the kids....especially Alyssa w/ballet...she's truly a wonderful talented ballerina!

Halloween will be super fun this year! It's on a Wednesday so we are all wearing our favorite bible characters to Awana...Tony is Noah, I'm Noah's Wife, the boys are Lions *2 by 2* and Alyssa is our guardian Angel.  I know Angels don't really look the way she will, but how would I portray a real Angel??? I don't have an ox head available and surley can't teach Sis how to ride a wheel :)

Okay, thank you thank you thank you for continually lifting our princess up to the father.  He hears you and we feel the mighty works of his hands!!!

 

BLESS YOU!

 

We love you and I'll update when we get home from Disney!

 

In HIS EVER POWERFUL AND MIGHTY GRIP!!!!

The Key's

The LORD their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Zechariah 9:16

Picture a muscular shepherd carrying a frightened lamb through a storm, above swirling river waters, to the safety of the fold. The shepherd's steps are sure, and his hold is strong.

 

Gunnar reading a hymnal :)

Before we left for Church....all smiles!

 

Isaac what a ham!

Sweet Sister and her ballet friends :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25

Life is like a marathon--excelling requires training, discipline, and self-control. The spiritual life is the same, and to win is to know Christ our Lord and love him with abandon.

Okay as if my last entry didn't move you to dance for Jesus this one is even better!  Alyssa and I went to chemo on Wed together...we spent a great day of chemo and shopping ; ) Her counts came back and were 2,000!  WHAT???  I was in total shock ... but then I was like YES ... Our Father is taking care of Alyssa!  : ) I am so grateful to him ... he is truly doing above what we even pray for!  I did ask that we all be amazed at her counts and boy were we!  They were even higher than they normally are AFTER a break!  PRAISE HIM!

So, we leave for Disney Nov 3rd....we are so beyond excited!  This last treatment was her last until Nov 14th -- that is double duty day ... MRI and chemo --- but Sis says her tumor is gone and she won't need chemo --- PRAISE HIM either way!  Her protocol is close to completion and if God wants her off treatment now then so be it - he'll show us!  Alyssa has been saying her port will come out when she is 6 - well, that makes TOO much sense.  Treatment ends now and she's almost 5 *well in March* and she has to be off treatment w/no tumor growth for 1 year ... that WOULD make her 6 --- I think God's talking to her again ... just like he told her that it wasn't time to take it out right before it grew...Alyssa knows things. What an amazing child!

We love you all so much and just pray that we have amazing weather while we are on our trip! Also, Isaac has a follow up eye exam on Nov 20th ... we KNOW he's fine, it's just a follow up to see if his eyes are developing as they "should" for his age --- WHICH WE KNOW THEY ARE!   Also, my bff's little baby boy was diagnosed w/a heart murmur --- SAME EXACT MIRROR IMAGE as Gunnar had ... we KNOW h's fine too --- we CLAIM it in Jesus' name --- but please storm heaven for sweet Preston Michael too!

The next time I update you I will have a novel of how wonderfully amazing our trip went!  : ) Keep us in prayer!!

WE love you all --- Thank you so much for your FAITHFUL prayers!!!

In HIS everposerful Grip,

The Key Family

Salvation that comes from trusting Christ--which is the message we preach--is already within easy reach. Romans 10:8

Jesus took the punishment that should have been ours, bearing the scorn, pain, and separation from his Father. We don't need an elaborate way to find forgiveness. Because of Christ, it's simple--ask and believe. What a miracle!

 

 

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked. Proverbs 4:25-27
Scripture maps out for us how we should walk--straight ahead with no sidetracks. Plan your course ahead of time and stick to it.

First I must appologize for not updating right away.  You know me!  : ) No news is GOOD news!  Alyssa's MRI on Nov 13th was GREAT!  Stability at it's finest : ) God is doing exactly what he said he would do...keeping that tumor in his hands and keeping it under control.  I was praying about it on our way to Awana that night and Alyssa said "Mama, whacha prayin about now?" I said "I'm thanking God about your tumor and asking him to keep his thumb on it" **side note -- God is beyond our every dream.  He is just bigger than we can ever imagine so to me his thumb holding the tumor in place is a beautiful scene**  Alyssa in her sweet 4 year old voice says "Mama, he already took it..." I said "Oh really?  Where'd he take it? Did he put it in his pocket?" "Nope, Mama, he took it to the cross!"  Well...there you  have it ya'll.  Alyssa was once again used by our Father to speak to me.  He does this often you know.  It was music to my ears. I NEEDED to hear that at that very moment.  I was just filled w/peace and warmth...our Father is wonderful.  His promises are never broken.  He promised me healing...and here you go...it's in the palm of his hand!  Alyssa has also shared w/us that her port is coming out when she's 6...let me do the math for you.  On Nov 13th her oncologist *we love her ... Dr. Spiller* told us we'd finish this cycle and be D O N E with chemo!!!  We'll do MRI's every 3 mos and after the first year her port will be taken out.  So...Dec 19th will be her last treatment...PRAISE HIM!!!!!  She'll have MRI's in Feb, May, Aug, Nov...when the Nov scan shows no change *meaning no growth...if God wants it to shrink we know he'll make it happen ; )* then we then will schedule her port to be taken out. Most likely we'll wait till after the holidays...her next MRI will be in May -- she will have graduated to the every 6months -- her port will be removed somewhere between Feb and March ... she'll be 6 March 5th ... tell me that God hasn't used her yet again to predict something ... if you remember we made it to her last MRI for every 3 months.  We would have scheduled her port to be removed BUT Sis was adiment about her port NOT coming out.  She "needed" it -- she was very upset thinking about taking it out ... this she was certain.  Then that scan showed growth.  Just slight growth, but nonetheless it grew.  So now when she tells us God has visited her and touched her port and said she is healed.  We believe.  Children are HIS gifts to us.  HIS little miracles.  So, we believe.  We are claiming her statement to be truth from our Father because he is truly speaking to her and through her.  It just overwhelms me with great joy!

Okay....our Disney trip...Alyssa's Wish...talk about a GLORIOUS present!  We can't thank Magic Moments enough!  Give Kids The World Village was absolutely a dream come true...FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!  What a blessing!!  We met some really great families there and we were all basking in God's glory - he was around every corner!  We were just in awe of the entire trip!!  Disney World was great, but Give Kids The World Village was a Disney all in itself!  The kids didn't even want to leave!  I have created 2 albums full of pictures from the entire trip!  Alyssa went to Bibity Bobity Boutique and was pampered as only a Princess should be...it was awesome!  We went to Sea World and Universal Studio's as well.  We plan on taking another trip in a few years w/my parents - we will visit GKTW again and perhaps this next time Gunnar can enjoy it too : ) He slept most of the time ; )

http://picasaweb.google.com/TheKeyOhana/Disney2007?authkey=e9qgfZMrvHY

http://picasaweb.google.com/TheKeyOhana/DisneyTrip2007PartDeux?authkey=uRbbVpyzg_A

Gunnar is 5 months old today!  What a great baby and big boy he has become!  Alyssa is such a sweet sister and Isaac...well, he's a ham and a half!  Sis has her Mary, Chosen By God dance recitle coming up - she is an angel - and what a beautiful one at that!  I will have pictures of that ... it's December 15th.   Tony was promoted this month! He is now a Technical Sergeant *TSgt or E-6*!  GO TONY!

 

Thank you for all of your prayers - we really appreciate them.  Just knowing we are being lifted up to the throne is comforting all in itself!  Enjoy the pictures!!!  I will add a few here of the CHRISTmas pics we took yesterday and the link to the Disney photo's as well!

 

In HIS Grip,

 The Key's

 

PS...AUDREY'S UMBRELLA ~~~ I want to thank Natalie - Alyssa's Fairy for all the sweet gifts and letters you sent Sis this past season.  She really enjoyed receiving mail from you!  AU -- the best!  ; ) Keiki Cards...thank you for all the sweet home made cards! Alyssa L O V E S to receive mail so it really warms our hearts that there are organizations like you out there.  Absolutely wonderful!

 

 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith
  but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother
  or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you
  says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,"
  but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied
  by action, is dead.   James 2:14-17

 

Our attempt at CHRISTmas pictures : )

 

 

Gunnar - 5 months old!  What a happy baby!

Alyssa and Isaac on our friend Ruben's motorcycle!!

Alyssa just as pretty as can be!

Whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31
As you tackle each task today, think, "I am working for God's glory!"

Good morning our wonderful prayer warriors!!!  What a day to say thanks be to God!  This past Wednesday was Sis' LAST DAY OF CHEMO!!!!!!!!  God is done!  We are greateful and can't thank him enough for looking after us as he has!  What a soverign Lord we serve!  Man oh man I can't imagine how our lives would be w/out him!!! How can people NOT seek him?????  OOOOHWEEEEE! To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!! 

So, let's see...what's new in the Key house??  No more chemo....no  more chemo...no more chemo!!!! Does that say how happy we are????  Gunnar is now 5 months old and yesterday he said "mama..." Tony said he didn't but I was about to feed him and in the squeakiest voice yelled "MAMA!" then this morning he's been babbling "mmmmaaaaa mmmmaaaa" : ) makes me smile because Alyssa and Isaac both said "Dada" first!  He is such a little angel and couldn't ask for a HAPPIER baby....he is the sweetest little baby EVER!  He got his first tooth as well!!!  I think the other one is starting to come in now....Isaac is SUCH A BOY!  What a little ham...he's a Mama's boy *fine by me!!!* and just into everything! Alyssa of course is a Princess to the core and on Wed she weighed 35.4lbs and was 39"...she has grown into such a little beauty!  She LOST her first tooth on December 8th....what a day!  Her new tooth is trying to come up....where does the time go? I have one who lost one and one who's getting one...in fact the same tooth!!! It's their central insisor!!!  : ) Wow!  Tony is now a Technical Sergeant and of course I'm the General of our home ; ) haha...we are doing remarkably well!  Alyssa's counts were 1,000 on Wed! They were 760 the week before...*ahem* PRAISE GOD!

Tony's Mom is here for CHRISTmas and we are having a blast w/her! She is even working out w/me every morning while I do my Denise Austin!!!  It is such a blessing to have her here...she will be here till the 27th so keep her in prayer for safe travels back to Ohio *GO BUCKS!*

This CHRISTmas we have alot to be thankful for...what a gift from the Lord that Alyssa's last treatment was Nov 19th!  In 2005 her last treatment was October 19th...I wanted to take her off 2 weeks ago but the Lord woke me up out of a deep sleep and told me to keep going till the 19th...he said he was finished and the 19th would show his glory!  Well, her counts were 1,000....that IS his glory!!!!!  What a great God! 

I have a request...my long time friend Kay sent me an e-mail about a girl she has been friends w/for many years. She knew I would do anything in my power to help this woman.  She's a young Mom and batteling a brain tumor.  She was recently diagnosed and really needs our help.  Prayer is the most obvious thing but also if you could help at all by sending her empty ink cartrages or old cell phones she can take them to be recycled and get money.  She's about $3,000 short of her goal which is NOT far!!!!  Here is her link:  http://kelsy.pledgepage.org/  I'm going to be collecting for her and I pray GODS GLORY IS SHOWN no matter what happens.  I ask that you lift her up daily...whenever you think of the color purple remember to pray for Kelsy.  I don't know if she even likes purple but I figure that's the way God will bring her to my mind. Not sure why.  Thank you a million times plus more!

You all have a very merry CHRISTmas and may the love of CHRIST surround you today and always!!!!

In HIS Grip,

The Key's

Here are the links to our Picasa Web album of Sis' last day of chemo and the video of her NO MORE CHEMO song!!

 

No More Chemo

Our patients have the sweetest s-m-i-l-e's

Our patients have the biggest h-e-a-r-t's

We love to see them everyday,

But now it's time for us to say;

Pack your bags, get out the door,

YOU DON'T NEED CHEMO ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!

 

Link to album:  http://picasaweb.google.com/TheKeyOhana/LASTDAYOFCHEMO?authkey=kB4e2646gFI

Link to video:  http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e381/thekeyohana/?action=view&current=100_2620.flv

 

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  James 4:8-10

 

 

 

 

 

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!!!

 

We have had a wonderful break from chemo! I can't believe it's been 3 mos already!  Where does the time go?  We have kept busy and just enjoying our time as a family and praising God that he allowed us to be done w/chemo!! 

Alyssa is doing really well in ballet and of course loves every minute of  it!  She always talks about school and is looking forward to starting this fall.  I think she's really looking forward to going shopping for school clothes...hee hee what a girl! 

Isaac and Gunnar are doing great. Gunnar is 7 mnths old and crawling which means he's into everything ;)  Isaac is just loving being able to go outside and enjoy this crazy weather...it's been warm here a couple of times.

Sorry to cut this short, I must put Isaac down for a nap...but next Wed is Alyssa's first MRI since chemo's end...please keep her in prayer and us as well.  It's always a nervous time. We know Gods will WILL be done and he's right here with us!

GLORY BE TO GOD!!!

 

In HIS Grip,

The Key's

 

Jesus...the sweetest name I know!

HAPPY EARLY 5th BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!!!

 

Tomorrow is Alyssa's 5th birthday!! I can't believe my lil baby is going to be 5!  Where does the time go??? Isaac will be 3 in June and Gunnar just turned 8 months yesterday....wow!

We must praise Jesus...Alyssa's MRI showed stability! Once again God's grace is among us!!!  What a glorious God we serve....I am so thankful to him for all he does...

Let's see...nothing much to report. We have been having some CRAZY weather...please keep us in prayer regarding that.  We had an F3 tornado come through our city, thank God no deaths. Our neighborhood was not touched...again, Gods grace!! 

We are taking Alyssa and a few friends Rollerskating on the 15th in honor of her big day!  This weekend we are going to take her to Libby Lou's for a makeover and to the carosel to ride it all day   That will be fun!  She can bring 9 friends so I think we'll let her and Isaac ride it and perhaps go ice skating too. We'll see!  Tomorrow for Puggles they are going to Chic Flet so that will be fun for her too!

Okay, sorry so short, time for dinner!

 

Lots of Love from the Key's!

 

IN HIS GRIP!!!!

 

God's grace is sufficient!

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his rightousness with their children's children.  Psalm 103:17

 

Can you believe it's almost time for another MRI????  May will be the next one...6 months has past? Really...wow..time flies when you are resting in the Father's arms...we know this MRI will show us stability as the others have, afterall, God said it was nothing for him!  So, we claim it!

Let's see...Alyssa has kept me busy taking her back and forth to Ballet...which she loves.  She is so good too! Her next and final end of the year recital is May 3rd wow...it's going to be great!  She is ready for school to start...Mama's not though!

Isaac...that boy keeps mama buuuuuuusy! On my toes that's for sure!! WOW!  He is doing great and growing and just ALL boy!

Gunnar...is now 9 months old and EVERYWHERE!!!  He is already trying to walk....where DOES the time go???

Well, we are doing great as a family, enjoying time outside together and hanging out...which I need to go dinner is ready!!

As alwasy thanks for your prayers! We feel them!

Please take a look at our friends website! It's really cool!!!  www.moderndaypaul.com

In HIS Grip,

The Key's

 

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for us.  Let us tell of his works with songs of joy.  Psalm 107:21-22

 

 

IN HIS TIMING SHE WILL BE HEALED...IN HIS TIMING...AND HIS TIMING IS PERFECT!

 

Well, sorry it's taken me so long to update about Alyssa's MRI.  We don't have internet so I am on not on the computer as much anymore. 
First, let me say that we really appreciate your prayers and now is a time of divine intervention.  Alyssa's tumor did grow 2mm this past MRI but we are not discouraged!  Nothing goes through the Father without his approval!  So, as of right now Tony and I have sought our Lord's guidance and have decided to wait till her next MRI August 13th.  If it does not grow, we watch and wait. If it does, we do treatment.  This time an oral treatment that I can administer at home. It's a 28 day cycle...off 28 on 5. Sounds great. She'll be on Temador and we've read great reviews on it. So, if our
Father chooses that for Alyssa, then we are going to be obedient and go with it. 

If he has her and us waiting so be it as well.  She has no symptoms so we are optimistic.  We will be traveling home this summer and are looking forward to the trip!  We also added a new addition to our "furry children" Bronco Nagurski, full blooded flasy fawn boxer :)  you know we love our boxers!

Sorry this is short, I hear Gunnar, mr walker is ready to eat!!!  If you'd like to see updated pictures of us go to http:www.tnmoore.nabuonline.com you click on clients, then on our pic, our password is keyfamily and our username is keyfamily.  We just took those pictures and had a great time doing so!

We love you all and appreciate all your prayers...

 

In HIS Grip,

The Key Family

 

THE SECRET THINGS BELONG TO THE LORD

Don't put a period where God puts a comma....

 

Morning all!  Thank you for all of your prayers and to Fairy Jalina...you are the talk of the house, Alyssa loves hearing about Nickolas and of course Isaac and her both are overjoyed when they hear they have Fairy Jalina mail -YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A BLESSING THIS SUMMER...THANK YOU!

So, this month is a busy one in our home, First, we celebrated Gunnars first birthday!!!  Can you believe that?  Second, yesterday was 4 yrs ago that Alyssa had her tumor biopsied...wow, what a day at church it was for me, it was all about faith, and without even knowing it a man who was preaching in placeo f our pastor's who are in peru *PRAY FOR FOUNTAIN OF GRACE PERU TEAM!!!! --- ALABAMA AND TENNESSEE PERU TEAMA!!!!* Without knowing it Kevin gave me such a blessing as to what he taught...it was amazing.

We are going to Alyssa's MRI on the 13th of August so we'll update after that day, today I'm babysitting my bffs children so i have access to the internet today lol.

As always, please keep praying for Alyssa and for us as well; we have had a WONDERFUL summer so far, our trip home was nothing short of amazing! 

 

Thank you for all of your prayers....we know our father hears them!

 

On a side note, keep me in prayer, I have started a business *on the side* doing nails and feet I call it sweet feet and hands ;) just pray for customers :)

 

you can always look us up and see new pictures at my myspace page == www.myspace.com/gloryb2godyupyup

 

With all our love, and as always in HIS grip!!!

 

The Keys

 

JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!