Andrew Update

Sorry to have so many emails so close together!  But we appreciate you who pray for our boys and check on them!
Andrew got a lot worse before he got any better.  Dr. Adams talked with him and looked at his knee and told him to try some things.  He is actually able to run some - after not being able to walk one night last week.  It was so bad that Sam and I were running things up and down the stairs to Andrew in his room!  He is going to the trainer still and doing everything else he can to try to run.  He just did another two week infusion, and it only lasted less than two hours.  He only adds one site but doubles the medicine, so we think that is great - and no side effects  yet except the meds pooling under his skin.  And (bless his heart), he easily figured out (just with an email from his patient advocate) how to change the syringe over using the same tubing (so his mother did not have to do that!).
Sam ran in the 100's all day yesterday and this morning with an exception of a 43 in Sunday School.  After such a crazy two weeks, it is good to see those numbers and be able to take a breath and know we are on the right track, for now anyway.  And we will take it while we can get it.  We talked to a man at church yesterday who is in his 50's and has had Type 1 since he was two.  It's hard to hear how hard (and scary) it can be, but it was good to see how good that man looks - even after a horrible scare himself last week.  We just keep trying and being thankful for good days and nights.  And we will work harder when the numbers are not good.  We especially appreciate all of the help we get with Sam at school and the supplies that came from a friend the other week (along with "fun" stuff to balance out the test strips!).
Pete had a great trip to Alaska but is so happy to be home - as we are!  One of his amazing stories is about a group of people who work on the ship who came to a midnight Bible study/service.  Eleven gave their hearts to Jesus!  He talked about the beauty of Alaska, but that was the story that gave me chills (and him too)!  We appreciate all of the offers of help while he was gone.  We were able to get everything (extra) done.  The boys helped a ton (whether they always wanted to or not).  But it helps having people on call.
The boys all start school tomorrow!  Sam is fortunate (we are too!) to have Andrew and Peter's fourth grade teacher.  We love her, and Sam was born while Peter was in her class; so she has known him his whole life and has always made a point to talk to him at school.  So he already feels like he knows her and that she loves him.  She has already sent an email to us (parents) telling us how excited she is about the new year.  We feel so blessed, and we are ready for a great year.  So as I send off a fourth grader, a SENIOR, and two college students, I will be praying for them as they start a new year.  Lots of prayers will be going up for Hardin Park, Watauga High School, and Appalachian State too. 
Thanks again for all you do for our family!  I will keep updating our blog - www.sixvandenbergs.blogspot.com so I don't keep cluttering up inboxes!  Thanks!

"Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1