Pictures to enjoy...

I am going to have to do better at capturing the evasive preschooler on film...

But for now, here are just a few of Ollie and the flowers in bloom...

More to come...

Yeah, it's a QWERTY type blog...

You know like on VeggieTales when QWERTY comes out and we sing the so what we've learned today song? We went home to Rock Hill this weekend to spend time with family and to love on my folks before momma starts chemo and I got to rattling around in my head and my heart and my soul. Dangerous, right? I could get hurt in there! But, I couldn't help but remember that my friend Jen keeps telling me and praying for me that I'll dwell on things that are "TRUE."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

And see that's the best part about reading God's Word and needing His Word everyday because when you need to "think about such things" -- you have His Word. And my mind keep going back to the reading I've been doing almost daily in that dear old chronological Bible. And the phrase "Be strong and courageous." just kept coming to mind all weekend. And as I was leaving, mom and I had both teared up and I just held onto her and told her to be strong and courageous - that she already was. God knows how much and how much He can fill us all when we just ask Him with a pure heart. So, when I got home I had to find all those "be strong and courageous-es"

Deuteronomy 31 - Joshua to Succeed Moses

1 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel…

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

23 The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."

Joshua 1 - The LORD Commands Joshua

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun…

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

1 Chronicles 22 - Preparations for the Temple – Directions spoken by David

13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 28 - David's Plans for the Temple

20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you...

Moses spoke them to Israel then to Joshua. The Lord spoke them to Joshua. David spoke them to Israel to his son. And these are just the ones that a quick search could find in the NIV. And I had to hold onto those words, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you..."

OH, and did I mention that my dear friend, Jen was home, too? And that we got to sing next to each other with our old praise band? And that we sang to the Lord? And that we all praised God? Yeah, God gives precious gifts to us daily even when we aren't willing recipients. And when I got home all the Irises in our back yard had busted wide open in beautiful whites and yellows and purples. Thank you God for the rain and the blossoms! Remember to thank God today - whatever the circumstance...As a dear friend shared with me from her heart, whatever God places in your life, He has entrusted it to you.

Jeremiah 29 says,

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Precious Parents

Okay, so I talked to my mom...and I had to share because she brought a grin to my face because she said when she starts to lose her hair from the chemo - she is going to just shave her head -- and daddy is too. So, when you see someone around Rock Hill with a very white, bumpy, scarred bald head that resembles my dad - it is. Mom will have a very pretty new 'do to sport.

Bless it - they are so precious. I'd shave my head, too...but boy that would be ugly unless I had a really giant pair of diamond earrings to detract from the glare off of my very white, bumpy, scarred, flat-spotted bald head. So for now, I'll leave them to bond baldly and I'll have to pass. But any of you are welcome to join in...you can be baldy for Barbie. =)

I really do love my mom and dad and am so glad that they're mine - only two nuts with so much love and patience could have raised a nut like me. God bless 'em.

Blossoms, Burdens, Blessings and Buddies

I'm so glad that it is time for new life - that spring is here and the azaleas are blooming in my front yard - I was so glad to see them today like an old friend.

So, wow, been a little bit since I last blogged. Lots going on. We recuped from our last SC trip only to be putting our junk right back into our suitcases again that we just emptied to go back. lol. Life from a suitcase - you do kinda get used to it. We're heading home again to see the "high speed" Wades who will be home this weekend, too. And we're gonna go spend some time with loved ones, too.

Burdens - Pray for my mom and for us. Mom just got the lab results yesterday from her ONCO test and the cancer from her tumors was bad momma-jomma cancer (carrying a 1 in 4 chance that the cancer could recur within 10 years) that will require her to endure chemo now. She goes to the doc on Friday so pray for that appointment, for her doctor to have the right method of treatment, for mom to have comfort in this leg of the journey, for her strength and daddy's, and for Christ's glory to be ever-present and ever-comforting - for His will in His timing.

Blessings - This week I've been reading from the Psalms. Check out just a few verses from Psalm 71 - Psalm 77 was so comforting, too. God surely/truly gives you what you need when you need it if you just take time to sit at His feet to read His Holy Word. Psalm 71 is a song to remind us of how good God is.

Psalm 71 (New Living Translation)

3 Be my rock of safety
where I can always hide.
Give the order to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

5 O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!

7 My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.

12 O God, don’t stay away.
My God, please hurry to help me.

14 But I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you more and more.
15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.
I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.

22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
for you have ransomed me.

Buddies - My kids really are buddies even when they are fussing at each other - it's not crazy, just hilarious...so here are my little buddies.

One is good of Ollie and one is good of Emma G.

These are Emma Grace's dance buddies in their costumes for the recital. Yesterday was picture day. They are all Disney Princesses.

Ollie loves running around the dance studio!

Hope your day is full of blossoms, blessings, and buddies.
Give the burdens to the Lord...He can carry them and you.

Have you ever read the Bible in chronological order?

It is really an experience...now, I'm not saying that it is easy...not by any means. It has been tough at times, but I am so glad that my women's small group back in SC included me in on it! Right now we are reading through - chronologically - of course - the life of King David. I must say for the first time I am mostly ahead of the reading schedule. I love reading about David, who screwed things up a lot and who was afflicted a lot, but still who God called a man after His own heart. I so desperately want to follow after God's own heart -- less of me, more of Him. Some days I still cannot believe that God knit me together in my mother's womb, that He knows the number of hairs on my head, that I am one of miracles! And if you'd have seen the day I had yesterday...you would wonder why I would say that (if you didn't know the Lord)! Yesterday I certainly didn't feel like miracle status...it was a tough staying at home raising kids day. UGH. I was ready to list the kids on ebay or craig's list or give them to the church to raise (that happened in the Old Testament, why not now?). I felt like an utter failure as a mommy yesterday. But God always teaches me something through those days, too. And after hanging out with the youth last night (without the fidgets) and watching Louie Giglio's talk (again) on "Indescribable" - I came back to how big God is and how small I am - and how much I needed to remember that - and then last night I had to go back and read the song of David in Psalm 30 -

Psalm 30

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

And I just had to thank God (again) for how BIG He is and how small I am - and how mighty He is and how weak I am - and that He loved me so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to save me. That He's here when I fail and He's here when I succeed...That He's here in the weeping and wailing and in the dancing and praising. He's God...Thank you God, you are God. And I know how much God has done for me and my family and I stand in awe. I am still awestruck that my mom is already back at work full time. Pray for us that the ONCO testing may be expedited, so that we can get on with the gettin' on and tackle the next leg of the race for her. Pray for our hearts and minds and spirits for new strength each day. And remember to be thankful every day for the Maker who gives you each new day.

Monkey Business

Grandma Jane and Pa bought Ollie a monkey for his birthday while they were here on his real birthday. Every so often, sissy pulls it out and Ollie drags it around...

See my monkey, mommy?

I think I'll lay down with my monkey, he may be tired.

Let's go see daddy and sissy, monkey.

Daddy, see my monkey?

Ahhh, the monkey.

150th post!

So something special is in order and since Nik tagged me to do 7 randoms...

Here we go...

#1 My second toe is slightly longer than my big toe. yeah, how's that for starters!

#2 I hate - loathe - despise feet - especially stinky or hobbit-hairy ones.

#3 I do love shoes - they cover up aforementioned ugly feet in such a nice way.

#4 I am a germophobe - we have sanitizer for everything from hands to carpets to toilets.

#5 I am a chemist - I heeded my calling to be a mommy at home than the call of the world to use my BS in Chemistry - it will always be there, but my kids will not always be under my roof.

#6 I have a dent in my noggin - for real, a real flat spot on the top of my head from an idiot doctor that pinched the top of my head when I was an infant - it's not something you can explain - you must feel it with you own fingers - lemme know. ;)

#7 I once was a driven, don't get my door for me because I am WOMAN, can do it all, don't need you in my way, don't need anybody gal --- Jesus took that wretch and delivered her and won't give up on her when that old self creeps back up and gracefully grows me daily into a woman after his own heart blessed to care for her family full-time (even if some day it may claim my sanity.) He blessed me with a voice and allows me to use it for him every Sunday leading worship. He is God...He is amazing...

Now, I'm gonna tag...so, make your list of 7 Randoms and tag 7 More People to join in the randomness.

Chris - my precious (lol...when he reads that)
Evans
Rick
Jennifer
Moody
Lottie
Nik - back at ya! Thanks for the "light" fun in my day - you know I need it.

Hanging out...

just happy to be back home, back together under one roof - it resembles "normal."

Lollipop Guild?

What do you do when Big Sister got a lollipop and Lil' Bro begs for one, too (because he knows if sissy eats it, it must be good)?

You give the 13 month old who is cutting 4 front teeth a lollipop for Pete's sake!

And you watch him devour it and be happy - until you take away the beloved stick.

And sissy just watches the commotion from afar...
As usual...
Unless she is the cause of the commotion.

Belated Birthday...

So 2 days before my son turned 13 months old,
we finally bought him his first birthday present - his first wagon!!!

Since Ollie woke up Sunday morning long before Sissy, he got to explore it all by himself. He had so much fun just hanging out with mommy and his new wagon.

It's not exactly "to scale" for den play, but he didn't care and since it got very cold here Sunday afternoon, we had wagon rides in the house in his new Step2 Wagon for Two with Tag-Along Trailer. This thing is definitely "high speed."

In the wagon, there are two molded seats with seat belts screwed into anchors, two cup holders, two drain holes in the floorboard, and a built in cooler under one of the seats --- and for ease of being "take along" -- the wagon handle folds completely underneath.

The tailer is great too and from reviews I've seen, it will hold up to 40 pounds easily and will perfectly seat an infant carrier type seat (not for me, dear Lord, not for ME to use for that purpose, but for our friends here with babies).

Like I said, Ollie loved it -- all except for that the door threshold (another "safety feature" for me so that the kids aren't climbing) -- is just a little high for his short legs right now.

SO, Happy Birthday, Ollie-Bollie - mommy and daddy really do love you even if it took us a month to buy your present and even then it's really for our convenience -- and even if your first words on seeing it were "no, no."

We came home Saturday...

and being in the car for 5 hours traveling mostly I-85 will make you crazy...
so here are some pics of my Nuthouse...

Updates and such...

We were home for a week - for Emma Grace's spring break - last week. Thanks to all the Grands for "keeping" us while Chris was on a work trip. We stayed with the Whisonants for the week and spent lots of time with all the grandparents. It was great and I am still undoing all the spoiling (me and the kiddos)!! =)

Mom went back to work half days last week and this week she is taking on full work days with only a 10 pound weight lifting restriction on her capability. She seemed to be so glad to return to some "normal" - even if we were there for some great fun and distraction nearly every day last week. Ollie got stroller rides with Grandma Barb and Emma Grace played outside so much even her crocs needed a bath when they were done playing.

We are waiting to hear back from mom's "ONCO" testing - so we are waiting, still. After this testing (being done in a lab in CA), we'll know if mom just needs hormonal therapy or "big gun" chemo. Pray for patience and peace in the wait, for great check ups with the surgeon in between, and for the Holy Spirit to reveal in mom's mind and heart the correct choice for her health and for her docs to have Divine choices to give her to make. Keep praying - we all feel it and appreciate it so much. There are still days, where I know the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf because some times there are still no words to pray -- BUT I know that God is enough and will rest secure in His strength and not my own.

God is good - all the time.

Come for Me...

Charlie Hall's song says,

"Jesus today I am tired, I need your music to come and inspire,
I give myself to be refined in this fire, but Jesus today I’m so tired"

Our dear friend led this song as an offertory on Easter Sunday at our home church. We needed to hear the whole song that day - the day before my mom's mastectomies, but we will continue to need it every day. This song speaks to me - to my life - to how I'm wired to worship God - God we all - I - need your music to come and inspire.

Here's to another Sunday morning lifting up the name of Jesus for all to see Him and not us.

Afterwards, we'll be packing up and heading to Rock Hill for a bit to visit and love. See ya real soon and ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Psalm 139

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

A dear sweet friend and teacher of mine shared this verse with me and today was the day that I needed it. God knows, His hand is here, He is - and that's all I should need today...as we wait.

Updates...

So, mom's surgeon called her at home today - yeah, a surgeon personally called a patient...how's that for service (it makes up for some of their not-so-shining moments)? Lots of questions and answers from that conversation - lots still swimming in my head. But, good news...the doc can't wait to see mom in her office on Friday because she thinks mom sounds great as does her recovery. If all goes well, she will allow momma to return to work for 4 hours a day NEXT WEEK! This is only 2 weeks after her mastectomies! The docs are going to "scrutinize" (my word not theirs - how I understand it) the cancers that were removed from the mastectomies...one of the two cancers she had was a "bad momma-jomma" (again, me, not them - very aggressive cancer on a scale of 1 to 9 - 9 being most nasty -- hers was a 7)...so they are going to "scrutinize" that to see if it really was a "7" and this is supposed to reveal what sort of percentage rate exists on it popping up somewhere else or ever again...I'm so glad that I know my God who can take care of that! It's all a waiting game - wait for the post-op surgeon's appt, wait to try going back to work, wait to talk to the chemotherapist, wait on more reports, wait 3 months to watch the nodule in her lung...wait, and wait, and wait...see a recurring theme???

Mom does - it is patience!

Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning;

Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 1:10-12
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Please continue in prayer that we "will be strengthened with all his glorious power so that we will have all the endurance and patience that we need. May we be filled with joy, always thanking the Father." Pray for all the waiting and testing. Pray that this cancer wasn't a "7." Pray that the nodule in the bottom of mom's right lung is nothing or ceases to exist. Pray. Amen.