Thanks!

I am asking for your prayers. Please pray for healing, strength, and the finances to help my mom beat this cancer. I am posting a link below to take you to the site I recently set up. It will fill you in and update you, and give you an opportunity to help where you can. I am fundraising, but more than that I am asking for your prayers.

Today was her second chemo session. My mom is a very brave woman, and I am so proud to call myself her daughter. She is amazing. The way she faces uncertain circumstances with such faith and courage is an inspiration to me.

And all of you are an inspiration to me. Thank you for your positive, kind words and support. I couldn't ask for better family and friends, and this includes my online friends too.

Raise Money Online

What Easter means to me...

Easter is not just another "holiday" to me. Yes, I do enjoy the family meal, baskets, candy, laughing and fun. But, I also remember what was done for ME, and what was done for you too.

I am so humbled and amazed that God gave his son, that Jesus gave his life, in one of the most brutal and unimaginable ways, to give me everlasting life. That I, an unworthy sinner, have been given the opportunity to have a person relationship with Jesus, and to be forgiven- just because I ask. He who has created everything beautiful and good. He who loves perfectly and without condemnation. He who loves me unconditionally, in the most perfect way. I do not have to go through some high priest, or anybody else to get to him. He is there, waiting for me. I can approach him with no fear. I can pour my heart out to him, and  leave ALL my worries and anxieties with him. He holds me, comforts me, and gives me hope. He made all of this possible because of his gruesome suffering and death. Our eternity together awaits us because of his unbelievable, but undoubtedly real resurrection. My Savior lives, and my heart rejoices! Jesus died on the cross for my sins and inadequacy. He has victoriously defeated the sins that entrap me. Whatever I find, whenever I find it, He's redeemed it. Renewed it. The parts of me that feel unlovable, unusable and broken are created, cherished, and healed by Him alone. My selfish, unrighteous, imperfect ways are forgiven because of Jesus, and because of Him alone.

How could I not be full of joy, love, and thanksgiving?

I am forgiven.

I am loved.

 ...and so are you!

There is nothing too big, or anything too horrible.

"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading..."

1 Peter 1:3&4

This evening my parent stopped by to give Caleb and Addy their Easter gifts. My mom made them each a beautiful blanket and they were both thrilled. The smiles on their face says it all...and now they are all cozied up in bed, waiting for the arrival of the Easter Bunny!

This is the first year of our new tradition. Because the traveling was becoming too much for our children, we decided to do the "every-other-year" thing. This year we will spend Easter day with Ross' side of the family, and next year with mine. I am hoping for a more relaxing day.

Happy Easter to ALL of my family and friends!

Music to my ears!

Caleb was our entertainment tonight. This kid loves to "write" his own music!

The roller coaster I am on...

Life has been a roller coaster for me lately. Actually for my WHOLE family.

My mom was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer a few weeks ago, and had her first chemo last Friday. With me always being the "sick" one, I never really understood how hard it is to watch someone you love be sick (and in pain). Both of my kids have had surgeries. But the pain lasted days, not weeks and months. I have experienced every emotion possible over this past month. Anger, sadness, worry, and lastly hope. What is life without hope? I don't even want to know. I do however know that my mom means the world to me. She is not only my mother, but best friend, mentor, a great person to laugh with, my health advocate when I can't be...and so much more. She has taught me how to be the strong person I am today. She will beat this. In the mean time it really sucks.

To top off the emotions (yes, I can get emotional), I miss my brother like crazy. There have been many moments that I just so badly want to pick up the phone and call him, or have him here to joke around with. That is our very inappropriate way to handle tough times. We are strange. I like strange. I miss him.

There has been drama that I have been thrown into (and jumped right back out for my own sanity), my own health issues, and what feels like a million other things being thrown at me (all at once). If there was ever a time I needed it, many prayers, nice words (or at least not mean ones), and hugs (and maybe a little understanding) would be nice. I have the best family and friends in the world, and my God is taking care of me.

He has already given me two beautiful, cookie covered smiles to wake up too every morning and wee little arms to wrap around my neck. A wonderfully supportive husband who will let me talk his ears off (not too sure if he is really listening after the first few minutes, but that doesn't matter!). And hope. I do have hope. This too shall pass.