A Heavy Heart For The Beam Family

Our precious son Tucker was born in May in 2000. Shortly before his first birthday a lump appeared on his right thigh. 10 days after his first birthday, he was diagnosed with a childhood cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. God healed him after a year of chemo, radiation, and surgery. He was cancer free for 6 years.

Feb 16th, 2008

In February of 2008, Tucker started complaing about his leg hurting, and we took him to the doctor. They discovered that Tuck had a second cancer, ostoegenic sarcoma.

God brought us through cancer the first time, and now we have completed our battle with the second tumor. We praise Him for a wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and support staff that have cared for us over the past year.

March 17th, 2009

We now face another battle against AML, a form of leukemia. We are in for the fight of our lives. It is March 17th and we start a 7 day chemo in the morning.

My prayer for Tucker has always been that he will be a good witness and have a worthy testimony. God has, and continues to answer that prayer. So many people have shared with us over the years that his story touched their lives. We pray now that this new part of our story will continue to touch the lives of others for Jesus Christ.

Love,

Jason, Courtney, Tucker and Lily



Below was posted on his Caringbridge journal yesterday:

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 5:50 PM, CDT

I guess the time has come for us to let you know Tucker's status. We have put this email off for as long as we can - but we feel like it's time to let all of you know. You have been so faithful to pray for us at a moments notice and we will be forever grateful. As we enter this phase of Tucker's precious life, we still covet your prayers.
We are not going to Minnesota. As we wrote earlier, he took a turn for the worse last Saturday. We still are not completely sure what is in his lungs, but the general concensus is that it is the leukemia spreading.
At this point we are working to keep Tucker as comfortable as possible. Dr. Watts and his team are working to find the combination of meds that will be the most beneficial for him.
Please continue to pray for our precious baby.
Joshua 1:9


My sister and brother-in law visted with them today for a couple of hours. The doctor has said there is nothing more he can do and Tucker will die. We all know that our God can preform great miracles and Tucker is in his hands. They have put him on morphine to help with his breathing and to make Tucker as comfortable as possible. I ask for everyone to pray that God's will be done in this situation and that peace will be with Tucker as well as his mom and dad if God decides to take him home. I know as a parent I would not want to see my child suffer but the thought of him being taken away would scare me as well. Please continue to pray for the Beam Family as they go through this very difficult time in their lives.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerbeam

Kason trying to figure out the pool

The Country Club Is Open

We had a great yet busy weekend...4 more days and I will have a new last name. I'm not real crazy about my new initials Angela Diane Dooley but I guess it fits me sometimes, right mom???

Friday was a great day because I only worked till 10:45 am. We had lunch at a co workers house that had open heart surgery two weeks ago and afterwards our boss let us off for the rest of the day. I had a couple of errans to run before I picked up little man then we headed home. Friday night was mostly spent hanging out at the house with Shaun and Mikah.

Saturday morning Kason was up bright and early at 6:30 am. What happen to him sleeping till 8 am I have no idea. We really didn't do much Saturday mostly just hung around the house. Later that evening I took Kason to get a much needed haircut, did alittle shopping for a baby gift and then had dinner at Chick fil A together. Shaun and Mikah worked on the house Saturday afternoon and got mostly everything back in place.

Sunday morning started off crazy and we didn't make it to church. Finally once we thought things were back to normal we went to Shaun's mom for lunch and then to Walmart to pick up things for the Memorial Day cook out at the country club aka my Aunt Robin's house. Sunday night me, Shaun, Kason and Mikah went to hang out with our friends Robert and Amanda so we could give them their baby shower gift. (her shower is the same day as our wedding)

Monday ofcourse was spent eating good food all day long and hanging out by the pool. Even though the pool was freezing Madison, Kason, Mikah, Shaun and myself decided to get in. Kason wasn't really for sure about the water at first but I think once it warms up he will do better. I also think the fact that his feet don't touch scares him just alittle. We had a really good day with the family.

This is going to be a crazy week...Between trying to finish last minute wedding stuff and packing for myself and Kason to stay with my mom and sister next week I'm sure I will be ready our relaxing cruise on Sunday.

Playing with my new camera...


Kason playing with his new t-ball set...


He loves Bananas and must have it in both hands....


Opening day at the England Country Club

A Banquet, Wedding and Alittle Shopping

This weekend was a busy weekend but a fun one.

Thursday night we had Mackenzie's Sport Banquet at GFBC. She received certificates in Cheerleading, Volleyball, Softball and Track. She received a extra award in Track for having the most points.





Friday ended alittle early for me (around 2pm) because we had to be at Logan Martin Lake by 5:30pm for my cousin Shelley's wedding rehearsal. I wasn't in the wedding but somehow I always get volunteered as the "Wedding Coordinator" aka J Lo. We thought it might get rained out but after a quick shower the plans were back on. We had a great time and enjoyed some really good food.





Saturday morning I was able to sleep in till about 10am. I just did somethings around the house until it was time to get ready for the wedding. Me and Shaun headed to the lake around 2 pm for pictures that started at 3. We were all hoping and praying it wasn't going to rain. Shelley must have said an extra pray that day because the rain held off and the wedding started at 5 pm as planned. She had already changed the location of the wedding because of the rain so instead of doing it outside on the lawn it was done under tents. However it still turned out absolutely beautiful. No one in the family can still believe that "OUR" baby is married. Congrats to Allen and Shelley Nicholls.







Sunday was a very special day because we got to witness my neice Madison being baptized. It was such a special moment and I was glad I was able to share it with my family. We had lunch provided for us at my sisters church and then me and Shaun headed out for our adventures day. After a quick trip in Lowes (if that is possible) we had to stop by to check out a side job then it was time to head to the mall. I told Shaun I think this was the first time we had been to the mall together and actually shopped. The trip was all about him anyways so he really couldn't complain to much. We finally found his outfit for the wedding and I must say he looked really handsome...his attire will be linen khaki pants and a white button up linen shirt. We did more shopping for him mostly just shorts and polos. I must say Shaun is alot different when it comes to buying clothes then the ex husband. We managed to survive the shopping trip and then decided to have Sumo's for dinner. Sushi...YUMMIE!!!! Afterwards we went to Target to pick up a few things but decided to go ahead and get somethings for the crusie..mostly just travel stuff (shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste..you get the point). By that point my feet were screaming at me and we headed home for the night.

Even though it was a very busy weekend we got alot accomplished.

Happy Hump Day!!!

My Mother's Day card from Kason...



Yesterday while we were eating dinner Kason was in the front living room playing...I noticed he got really quite so I decided to go check on him. I figured he was doing something wrong. I was right...he decided to throw the dirt from the pot all over the floor. It's hard to see just how much dirt he threw because it blended with the carpet.

Mother's Day Weekend!!!

I had a great Mother's Day weekend...Kason stayed at his dad's Friday night and I went to eat with my parents and then hung out with Shaun at the house. Saturday I slept in alittle. Why is it when you don't have your child at home you can't sleep in but when he is home you are wishing you could get more sleep??? Saturday was spent cleaning house and cutting the grass. Later that evening I had to go to Madison's dance recital at Alabama theater. She looked cute as a bug in her outfit and did really good. Forgot my camera so I don't have pictures :( That evening Dennis brought Kason back to the house and we hung out with Shaun and Mikah. Sunday ofcourse was Mother's day and me, Kason, Shaun and Mikah went to my parents church and then to my moms for dinner. Afterwards we went and spent sometime with Shaun's mom then headed back to the house.

We have a busy second half to the weekend...Thursday night we have Mackenzie's sports banquet at GFBC. Friday night I have my cousin Shelley's wedding rehearsal dinner at Logan Martin Lake and then the wedding on Saturday. Sunday we are going to my sisters church because Madison is getting baptized and Monday Shaun is getting another epidural block. Kason will be at his dad's starting Thursday until Monday even though I will miss him alot I want have to worry about if he is trying to jump in the lake all weekend. :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

My Letter To Shaun

Shaun,

May 30th will start the beginning of our new life together as well as for our children. When I think about getting married, I know it’s more than just about a dress, flowers, and invitations. To me, getting married means sharing the rest of my life with you. Growing old together - 'til death do us part - with a lot of living in between. It means growing, changing and living through the good times as well as the bad. It means loving each other even when it is difficult.

I look forward to a happy life with you, Kason, Mackenzie, Mackayla and Mikah, but I'm not so unrealistic that I think we won't have any problems or difficulties. Those will be the growing times when our love and commitment will be tested, and we will emerge stronger, wiser and more deeply in love.

I want so much to love you the way my mom loves my dad. I want to be cherished, to be the most important person in your life, to be your most intimate friend. I want to be your wife. I want you tenderness and affection, your kindness and you strength. I want to be there for you when you feel happy and on top of the world, and I want to be there when your spirit has been crushed. I want to feel protected and secure in your love and to trust you at all times. I want you to feel safe with me and never to be ashamed to talk about your fears and weaknesses. I want to encourage you to stand up for your beliefs and always to do what is right. I want to stand beside you as we go through life together.

Neither of us will ever be the perfect spouse, but we can strive to please God and to do His will. By doing that now and after we are married, I know we will have the grace we need to help each other and our children get to Heaven. And, after all, that's really all that matters in the end.

I love you,
Angela

Teacher's Appreciation Week

This is Teacher's Appreciation week so I decided to get Kason's teachers (Ms. Brenda, Ms Marsha and Ms Deane) alittle something special to tell them thanks for all they do.

The Countdown Is On....

24 days until our wedding...


Madison Kindergarten Graduation



I leave the house for a few minutes to grab us some dinner the other night...Shaun let Kason go outside. Needless to say he was in the bath tub when I got home.



My Sweet Little Boy


We went for our follow up check up with the ENT yesterday and received the all clear. Kason's hearing was normal and no fluid behind the ears....YEAH!!!! No major plans the rest of the week. Kason is going to his dad's Friday night and I'm sleeping late Saturday morning. We have Madison's dance recital Saturday at Alabama Theater. Hopefully I will get to make it this year..last year Kason had his first round of strep throat and I spent my 1st Mother's Day at After Hours Clinic.

Before I Was A Mom...

Before I was a Mom,I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried.I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at nightwatching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just becauseI didn't want to put her down.I never felt my heart break into a million pieceswhen I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.I never knew that I could love someone so much.I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby..I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

To All The Wonderful Mother's In The World...Happy Early Mother's Day!!!!

Mackenzie's Jr/Senior Banquet

Mackenzie & Hunter






Best Friends...Geena & Mackenzie


The Group


The Dooley Girls...Brenna & Mackenzie