Ahh.  I really truly have missed writing.

My family and I are in the midst of working through some major things.  I am not at liberty to share them here on this blog, but keep my family in your prayers.  And know that maybe someday it will be in a book that I may write someday! :)

So, onto life!

I am now 32 years old.

I do not dread getting older.  In fact, I don't really feel like I truly enjoyed life until after I got married.  (Well, appreciated life enough to enjoy it.)

 

I don't always talk about God on here, but know that He is on my lips and in my heart CONSTANTLY throughout the day!  Cancer, kids, family issues, and just plain life is overwhelming!  And there is really only one Person who controls it.

And it is not me.

When I was about 20 years old, I was having a ROUGH day at work.  (I worked at Lowe's in the flooring department.)  I had just dropped a 5 gallon bucket of carpet glue from the top rafters and there was glue EVERYWHERE!  I was just about in tears with everything that was going on in my life.  And I had some major things going on my life at that time as well.  In walks my Aunt Debbie.  She handed me a card and a Willow Creek angel.  The card was an invitation to a bible study she was starting.  Game changer right there.

Ya see, what you also don't know is that MY Aunt Debbie is the reason I love Jesus.

Every Wednesday night, she would pick up my two sisters and I and take us to First Assembly.  We started at Rainbows, then to Daisies, and then onto Missionettes.  This time is when I created some of my most treasured memories.  The car rides there and McDonald's afterwards.  Where the play place was outside, and there was the hamburger spinner that we would spin in until we puked.

This is where my love for Jesus began.

Back to my day at Lowe's.  I had kind of started going to church with my boyfriend, (who is now my husband), and navigating all this new found freedom.

So, I happily went to this bible study with my Mama in the faith.  She had carefully selected 12 girls, (I think), including my sisters.

 

This bible study has changed my life.

My Aunt and all the girls there walked with my through some pretty rough stuff.

And guess what?

 They still are.

This bible study just celebrated it's 11th anniversary.

Aunt Debbie has since passed the torch to my other better half, Leah.  And girls have come and gone, and come again.  But this gathering of women who love Jesus has nursed me back to health over and over again.

For this, I am thankful.  This group, and all the women past, present, and future is why I am still here today.  And in my right mind!

I am not sure why I decided to share that with you all today.  I guess in light of what is going on in my life right now, it is these friendships, this bible study, and other women who may not even be part of this group that help me get back on my feet.  All sisters in the Lord.  Taking care of each other!  Can I get an Amen?!

That is what is on my heart tonight.  And that being said, BRING ON THE PICTURES!

Oh Jordy, Jordyn.  How we love you fat baby!  You have made our family whole!  You made me love babies again!  I am lapping up every drop of your smiles and giggles!  You are a healing balm to my soul.  On those REALLY hard days, I love that you let me snuggle you REALLY tight!  Maybe that is why you are named Jordyn.

This child melts my heart.  That is all.

Laney graduated kindergarten.  She got the "Class Diva" award!  All while waiving her hand like a movie star to receive it!  And she turned 6!  Laney, as always, pushes me to new limits of parenting.  She is paving the way for her siblings I guess!

And Gabs.  So so cute.  And SO SO HAS A DEATH WISH!  She is constantly climbing, jumping, and running everywhere!  She thinks she is a super hero.  In particular, Bubbles from the power puff girls.  She has named Jordyn, Baby Bubbles.  She is currently obsessed with her newest cousin, Owen.  And really, we are all IN LOVE with him!  Gabs has nearly drowned 5 times, and is in love with "baby bugs" which are usually dead bugs she finds on the sidewalk.  We call her "Sticky" because although her long hair is gorgeous, it is awful to take care of with suckers, popsicles, and really any time she eats!

And lastly, Ike.

We have an end in sight.  His last day of chemo is 1/14/14.  The day before Jordyn's 1 year old birthday.

We could not be more excited.

Clinic has been ROUGH!

Ike remembers things better now.  He is stronger.  He fights harder.  So, life with him has been tough as he navigates all this new knowledge.  We have had to have some hard talks about death and and why we take this stupid medicine.  Plus all the emotions that come with getting poked.  Always a new challenge right?  Some things get easier, but you exchange it with something else just as hard.  But the day will come when we will no longer have to go in for monthly check ups.  Ike will live a long wonderful life.  For that I am always grateful.

Whew!  Here's to you if you got through all this!  Hopefully it will not be another 3 months until I update!

Adios!