SPRING!

 

We have enjoyed the nice weather this week by spending as much time as possible outside.  Here are a few shots that have been taken in March.  The days of cabin fever are nearly behind us, and I am SO thankful!  This winter seemed longer than most for some reason.

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There will come a day!

I am hearing this Jeremy Camp song on the radio as I get ready to take the girls and go to the church for Sue's visitation. I am posting the lyrics, which I had never before stopped to think about, because they give hope in all situations! I am SO sad for those of us left behind, particularly Sue's husband, children, and grandchildren, but I am SO glad for Sue that she is in heaven! I knew her well enough to know that she is already marveled by the "rest and the wonders anew!"

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

(Chorus)

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing

Gretchen

Gretchen wrote a beautiful post regarding her last few weeks with her mother, and I wanted to share it here because I was so touched by her sharing it with her readers. If you link over there are read it, please leave her a comment of encouragment! Click here to get there.

Update on Paige's mole!

Paige's surgeon called me at work yesterday, on a Sunday. At first I thought he was calling about a patient, but the secretary told me he had asked for me by first and last name. So then I was a bit worried, why would this busy Surgeon call me personally on a Sunday afternoon? Anyway, Dr. Savage told me that he had been out of the office for a few weeks, and was spending the afternoon in his office working on paperwork. He had received Paige's pathology report from the lab in New York, and he called me at work to let me know that the reports came back absolutely and 100 % negative! I was very thrilled to know that they were able to exclude melenoma completely, I knew that it was a possibility that they wouldn't be able to. Paige's regular physician had attempted to "shave" the mole off in September, which had somehow causes the cells in the sample to appear different than they actually were. I am no chemist, so I don't know how this works, but apparently the mole is just a regular "congenital nevus" after all! I was also touched that Dr. Savage would hunt me down on a Sunday afternoon to keep me informed. He could have easily sent a letter, had his nurse call later this week, or even leave a message on my personal phone. This report is a huge blessing to us, and I appreciate all prayers for a good outcome for Paige!

Have camera, will travel: Baby A and Baby B are 9 years old!!

Have camera, will travel: Baby A and Baby B are 9 years old!!

check out my sister's blog this morning.

New Bikes

 
 
 
The day after Paige and Peyton's birthday, James and I took them shopping and let them pick out new bikes. Their bikes were getting VERY small for them, and they both requested new ones for their birthday. Peyton went right for the first one she looked at and rode it around us while we looked for one for Paige. Paige was having a hard time picking one out. She did end up with a bike that fit her personality, but it is a "bit" large yet! When the sun was out yesterday, despite the chilly weather, the girls tried the new bikes out in the driveway...I think they like them!

Happy birthday Poppa!

 
 
 
 
I picked out a few of my favorite pictures of my dad. I love the close up of him in his sunglasses. This picture was taken in Canada, one of his favorite places to be. The most recent is a picture of him watching dishes while Ella watches him. I guess she was hoping he would start throwing snacks her way, he probably was when no one was looking! One of my all time favorites is of him with the girls at a swim meet in the summer of 07. This was such a difficult time for our family, and mom and dad were probably the most stable people in Paige and Peyton's lives. They are faithful to attend all the girls' events. It was always important to him that they didn't get too cold and that they had a warm dry towels for their early morning meets. Another is of him playing in the yard at my house with him in the summer of 2006. He was working on the pen in our yard to hold our puppy in. He was showing me his shoe, because somehow he had stepped in one of the dog's "presents." Thanks for all your help dad, and I hope you have a great time tonight at the steakhouse!