FIVE

Hello sweet blog readers. It has most assuredly been a super long time since I have posted on this website. I come back occasionally to be reminded of all the things I went through and how good God truly is.

(I wrote this post in June, but finally came back to finish it and share some wonderful news with you all!)

I wanted to celebrate with y'all that today marks FIVE YEARS of being cancer free! I can't even believe I'm typing that right now. It seems like ages since I went through all the things that happened in 2017, but it also seems like just yesterday. 

Today, we went to a restaurant with our family to celebrate all together. I cannot put into words the way our family has supported us over the last 5 years. They have been there to take my kids to school, to keep them over the weekend while I recover, babysitting while I recover from surgeries, making meals, cleaning my house, paying someone to clean my house each week, creating a meal calendar so that we had meals for months and months, and so much more. Their prayers truly carried us through the most difficult time in our life.

I want to thank all of you reading this. Many of you prayed us through that difficult year too. I cannot express how much that has meant to me. Your kindness and faith truly carried me through.

I will say that David and my children are so amazing too. This situation has taught them to be brave and strong. I hope it has taught them to trust God with their whole heart and to remember that He is always looking at our hearts and not what is on the outside. David was truly unbelievable. He is patient and kind. He is such an amazing caretaker. He loves so deeply and completely. My life is so much better because he is in it. 

I also want to praise God. He is my absolute best friend. I heard his voice so clearly that year, and I'm so thankful to serve a God that loves so deeply as well. His comfort was there during all of 2017 and every single day since. There have been SO many times that I've had a break down over worry that the cancer has returned. I'm constantly drawn back to him and reminded to trust him no matter what. Truly, it is well with my soul. 

Now that I have made it to 5 years, I just feel such a sense of relief. I am 100% aware that that doesn't mean the cancer won't come back. I know that it very well may, but I am so thankful for these last 5 years with my family and friends. 

Thank you for reading this and for praying. I will be forever thankful for all the wonderful people God has put in my life to encourage and support me. I love you all so much! To God be the glory!

Update

Hello friends and family!
I've been thinking about this blog a lot lately, and I thought it was time for an update. I hope you are all doing well. For those of you outside of Texas, I hope you are enjoying cooler weather. It is currently in the 90's here and it's MAY! This mama still has hot flashes, so let's just say I am ALWAYS hot! Ha!

Anyway, I wanted to thank y'all again for praying me through last year. It was so super tough, but I'm so glad it's over. I'm still constantly reminded of God's grace and love. The last 5 months have just been about getting back to a new normal. It's a new normal, so it's taken some adjusting. My body is different and my perspective is different, so that's taken some time to get used to.

As far as my body goes, I'm doing great. I'm determined to get all this chemo weight off, so I've been working out every day (except weekends), and I'm on a new eating plan that really just includes tons of veggies. Thankfully, I like veggies so that has been enjoyable. I still go to the oncologist every 3 months for blood work and check ups, and so far, those have gone well. I have one coming up in June. I also got the all clear from the radiologist to only see her once a year, and that was awesome too. My breast surgeon only sees me once a year as well. Have I mentioned that I have a TON of doctors?! I saw my plastic surgeon today, and I may have another surgery this year. With reconstructions, there are usually some minor issues that need to be worked out, but we will see. I'll see him again in August and we will decide from there. If I do decide to have surgery, it will be pretty short and hopefully simple. Basically, I'm doing great. My hair is getting longer and I feel like I'm looking like myself again.

My perspective is so different from before all this started. I've always loved Jesus, but man alive, do I love him more now. Don't get me wrong, there are SO many hard days and days where I feel fear just creep right into my heart. But, He's always there. He's always there to remind me that he still hears me and he still sees me. He's never let me down before and he won't start now. I mentioned to David a few weeks ago that I was thinking about going back to teaching full time once Henry starts kindergarten. We discussed it, and decided that maybe it might be a little too physically taxing for me right now. David was completely right about that, but I still felt a little disappointed. Well, God just provided anyway. I got an email a few days later from the director of Henry's preschool. She asked me to come interview for the Bridge K position for next year. (This is the year for kids who technically can go to kindergarten, but maybe just aren't ready yet.) I took the job, and I could not be more excited!! Henry will even be with me. Isn't that just so kind of the Lord? I was so bummed when I didn't get to be Henry's teacher this year, and God just provided a way for me to be his teacher next year. I am so very grateful, and so excited!

My kids are doing great as well! They are all 3 loving school and just the sweetest kids. They write about me being brave through cancer and how God got us through. Even though last year was awful, I'm thankful that that is something they got out of it.

It's only a few days until summer, and we are SO READY around here!! Charlotte had field trips last week, Annie has one tomorrow, and field day is on Friday. Things are winding down, and I am thrilled! We are going to be doing some traveling this summer, and I'm so excited! We've got trips to Minnesota and Colorado planned, and I'm working on one to New York City! I'm just so excited!

Thank you again for loving us through last year, and for always praying and encouraging us! If you're ever going through something difficult and need prayer or support, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to walk with you through it like you did with me. Also, if you have a friend that's diagnosed with cancer, send them my way. It's such a tough and awful road, but there are so many beautiful things along the way. Happy (almost) summer, friends!

Here are some pictures from the last few months. Basically, for Jomie and Carla since they aren't on social media! :)

Our family at Martie and Graham's rehearsal dinner. Did I mention my sister got married and my kids got a new uncle this year? So fun! (Henry totally had the flu in this picture. What a mess!)

Right before the wedding.

We went to the beach in March with David's family. It was SO fun, but pretty chilly.

Our first Easter in our new house!

I got to babysit Owen and Will one night, and it was SO much fun! I mean, aren't they the cutest?!

My sweet Annie got baptized!

Best day ever!

I sent this to David one day after I started my workouts. I'm sure he appreciates my ridiculous texts.

Muffins with moms.

Mother's Day with my goofballs.

Field trip with Charlotte last week.

Henry's spring program and PreK graduation day.

Annie and Charlotte's piano recital.

DONE!!!

I am DONE!! I seriously can't believe I just typed that. It seems like forever ago that I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but it also seems like just yesterday. I'm sorry for the delay in updating. I've had my final surgery and my final doctor appointment of the year, and I am feeling GREAT! Let me give you an update....

First, I met with my oncologist on December 4th. That was exactly 11 months since I was diagnosed. It was a great appointment. She told me to "go live my life." It felt amazing. I still have to take a pill everyday for the next 10 years, but after all I've gone through this year, that seems like such a breeze. She told me a few things I can do to try and keep the cancer from coming back (exercise, eat healthier, lose weight, take Vitamin D), but otherwise, we are just going to pray that every single cancer cell is gone and that the Lord never allows them to come back. I'll still praise him either way, but my hope is that I get to live a long and healthy life with my family, and that 2017 is the only time I have to walk down this road. It's been a brutal year, but God has been so good.
Ok, back to the doctor. Sorry, I get distracted. Ha! She said everything looked good in my bloodwork and that I was healing great. There are no worries at this point, and I will just go see her every 3 months for 2 years. Then, it's every 4 months for a year, and then every 6 months for 2 years. Finally, it will just be once a year. Yay!

The Friday of that week, I had my LAST surgery of 2017. Hallelujah! I think this surgery was harder than I expected, but it still went well. I was extremely frustrated the morning of the surgery because my vein blew. It's the first time that that's happened, and that nurse was not my favorite. Sorry. I was just really hoping that I wouldn't have to get poked anymore this year. The anesthesiologist and surgeon came back shortly after she put the IV in, and David pointed out to them that my arm was already swelling. They didn't like it either and said they'd give me a new IV once we were in the operating room. So, I was awake when we went back and had to have some gas while they put the new IV in. After that, I don't remember much. I woke up a few hours later asking David to take me to New York. Have I mentioned that I'm hoping that 2018 will be a year of traveling for us?!

I was actually really sick after waking up from this surgery which was SO not fun. Thankfully I was able to get in the car and come home to sleep a little more. After I woke up from my nap, I felt sore but much better. The kids came home from school to see me for a bit, and then went to the farm with Dee and Pete for the weekend. It was great to recover at home with David and not have anything looming ahead for this year. The surgeon did a little liposuction on my stomach (don't get excited ladies, it wasn't much, and it's not noticeable), and MAN, that hurts. Last night was the first night I rolled over in bed and didn't cringe from the pain. That was probably the most painful part of this surgery.

I can't even describe how good it feels to be done. Some days I want to dance and laugh and others I want to cry. I just can't believe it's finally over. I don't really think it's sunk in yet. It's just fabulous! Everything went well during surgery. I met with the plastic surgeon today and he seems pleased. I still have some swelling that may take a few months to finally settle down, but that is apparently normal. He doesn't see any additional surgeries that are needed at this point, and I am so grateful for that!

This next year I will have TONS of check ups with 5 different doctors, but every time I get my credit card out to pay that $35 copay, I am going to thank God that I get to pay. This year, I haven't paid for any appointments since March because chemo was so expensive. I met my out of pocket max in March. Yipes! It might be annoying to pay that $35, but I will be so thankful that I get to because that means I haven't maxed out on chemo. Praise the Lord!

I don't think I can express my gratitude to those of you reading this post. Truly, your prayers and kind words this year have carried me through. This was the hardest year I have ever had to endure. It was difficult for me, for David, for our children, and for our families. Cancer affected the way I felt, looked, acted, and just almost

everything about me. I hate it, but I will always be grateful for this year. This year taught me so much about the goodness of God. It taught me so much about myself and my marriage. I have never ever loved David like I do now. (And for those of you that know me, I've loved him for a very long time.) He has protected me and cared for me in ways I never thought he would have to this year. He is such a gift to me. This year reminded me about my amazing family. Our extended family has stepped in the gaps for us this year and taken care of us. They've done our laundry, paid to have our house cleaned, cooked for us, and watched and encouraged my children. I could never repay them in a million years. This year has taught me what wonderful friends we have. Y'all, seriously, the people in our lives are amazing. Thank you for watching our kids, making us meals, and just being so extraordinarily kind this year. I could never thank you enough.

Mostly though, this year has reminded me about how awesome God is. I've been a Christian most of my life, but this year has changed my relationship with the Lord in profound ways. I can feel him carrying me through this dark valley of a year, I can hear his still soft voice in times of frustration, and I have watched him protect the hearts of my children. He has been so good to me. He has surrounded me with a church family that has been absolutely amazing, and he's showered me with his love in big and small ways. I will always remember 2017 as a year of difficulty, but also as a year where I saw God show up in countless ways. 

The past few days I have enjoyed being with my kids. (As we speak, they are playing the Wii and fighting with each other....oh, the joys. Ha!) We've had Christmas performances, piano recitals, family shopping days, and today we spent the day with our cousins. We went to a movie, had lunch, and decorated cookies. I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for these wonderful moments with my family. I am soaking up every single moment this Christmas season, and I will always be so grateful for this time with my family. Thank you for praying for me this year. Thank you for loving me through this dark time, and thank you for always being such an encouragement to me. I will keep updating. I am here if you every have a question about breast cancer or need advice. And, I am more than happy to talk to you about the Lord. If you're going through a time when you can't hear him or you are mad at him, that's ok. I've felt that too. I would love to just encourage you to keep pressing into him. Keep seeking him, and he WILL show up. It's not always in the ways we want him to, but I promise he will never leave you. This year is a testament to that. He never once left me.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year! I will celebrate every moment with my family and soak up all these sweet times. And, 2018 will be a year of healing, celebration, and hopefully lots of travel. I love you all and I will always be so thankful for your loving kindness this year!

 Here are the cousins getting ready to play at the piano recital. Henry was there, but I have no idea what he was doing during this picture. (PS- they all did such a great job!)

 We decorated the tree after Henry's Christmas performance (as Joseph) and the girls' recital. Perfect day for sure.

 This was us today watching "The Star." Henry and George are on the far left of the picture, but you can't see them. They were there though. Ha!

 All 6 of the older cousins playing before lunch.

This was my LAST parking ticket thingy from Presby Dallas this year. Hallelujah!! No more appointments. No more questions, and no more black cloud hanging over my head. Here's to 2018!!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the face marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Herbrews 12:1-3
I hope I was able to live this out well this year.

These are just a few of the verses that the Lord has encouraged me with this year. Honestly, his word has been like a balm to my wounded body and soul. This week I am really excited about the story of Jesus' birth. I won't type it all out, but I love it. My favorite verse in the story is:

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

Obviously, I am in a very different situation from Mary, but I still can relate to her sweet mother's heart. I feel like I am treasuring up all of the things going on right now. I will forever be grateful to God for his love and mercy. Merry Christmas, friends! May you experience the love and joy that Christ offers in a new way this Christmas season.

Update

Hello friends!
Thank you for praying. I wanted to let you know that Volker went home to be with the Lord. He is no longer suffering, and he is celebrating with Jesus. It's so hard for those of us left behind, but Volker is healthy and happy again. Please continue to pray for his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Ana and Ericka. They are truly the sweetest people, and I know the next few weeks and months are going to be difficult for them.

Also, that sweet little girl, Lily is doing much better! She is off the ventilator and responding well. She's still got a long road ahead to a full recovery, but it seems like she should be able to recover. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving people even if you don't know them. Like I said before, this world is so hard. It's so hard to imagine being without our loved ones. But, I know that God's plan is bigger and better than ours. He loves us infinitely more than we could ever imagine. I'm so thankful for a God who intervened on our behalf so we could spend eternity with him. I can't imagine going through life without that hope. If you don't have that hope, please feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to talk to you about it anytime.

I had a successful surgery last Friday, and I'm recovering well. I promise to update soon. Thank you for praying, and for being so kind this year. Love you, friends!

5, not 4

Hello friends! I had a GREAT appointment yesterday with my oncologist. I have all kinds of great things to tell you, but today my heart is heavy. I will totally fill y'all in about me, but today, I am asking (really begging) for prayers for my friend.

This year, 5 people in my church have been diagnosed with cancer. Now, that may not seem like a big number to you, but for our small church, it's HUGE! We have all fought this year with the strength and support of our church family. Today, I'm asking for you to pray one of the five of us:  my friend, Volker.

I have had the privilege of knowing him and his sweet family for years. I was a leader in the youth group when his girls were in high school, and I'm so blessed to call them friends now. Volker had a successful bone marrow transplant this summer after battling cancer, but now he is struggling with several infections. He's lost a ton of weight and is very weak. They did a biopsy on his lungs today, and they need answers. Please pray they are able to figure out what's going on so they can treat him. Volker is a fighter, but he needs strength. He's in ICU on a ventilator, and they need to figure out what's going on and get him on the path to recovery. 

In these types of situations, we always want to step in and help in some way. There are a few things we can do, but really, we need to pray. This is how we can really help right now. They have close family and friends around them to help in the other ways, but they desperately need prayer. Please pray for quick and definitive results from the biopsy. Pray they can treat whatever is going on. And, pray for strength for Volker to fight, and for his girls to fight right alongside him. 

We started 2017 with 5 people battling cancer. We've all fought hard and endured this year. I'd like to end 2017 with all 5 of us still fighting. I'd like for all 5 of our families to look to 2018 as a year of healing and better times ahead. Please pray that this sweet family would get to celebrate Christmas together and look forward to next year as a year of healing and celebration. 

I also have another prayer request. Goodness, I seem kinda bossy today. Sorry about that. There is a sweet family at my girls' school who is going through a difficult time as well. Their youngest daughter, Lily, was found in a pool this weekend. They have meet with the neurologist, and they are hopeful that she can make a great recovery. Please pray that the Lord would heal her brain and anything else that was harmed. Pray that she would start recognizing family and begin her road to recovery. 

Thank you for praying for Lily and Volker. I can't even imagine what their families are going through. This world can be so hard sometimes, but I'm thankful to serve and pray to a God that has overcome the world. I'll post an update on my last surgery this week, and I will keep you posted on these two sweet people. 

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Coincidence?

Do you believe in coincidences? I don't. I believe in the will of God. Let me tell you what's going on with me right now, and then I'll explain what I'm talking about.

First of all, I am doing well. Thank you, thank you for praying!! My scars are healing nicely and I hardly hurt at all. I've been able to start working out again, and that feels great. I actually just finished running 1.6 miles and I'm a sweaty mess. It feels great though. (I NEVER thought I'd say those words. Ha!) I've lost 11 pounds since surgery in June. Praise the Lord!! The last time I met with my oncologist, she told me that since I'm in menopause now, I'll probably only be able to lose 1 pound per month. Well, I should I have told her to hide and watch. Hehe. Have I mentioned I don't like being told what to do?! I'm eating better and working out, and I am determined to be down 10 pounds when I see her on December 2nd. I only need to lose 3 more pounds. Thanksgiving might throw a wrench in my plans, but that's ok. A little pecan pie might be worth it. Ha! Anyway, I'm feeling great! I have an appointment with my plastic surgeon a week from today, and I'm looking forward to that. Please pray that I would be calm for my last surgery. I'm SO excited to be done, but I'm a little anxious about it. I'm ready to have these tissue expanders OUT, but I have no idea what it will feel like to have implants. (I don't mean that as a slam for anyone that has them, I just literally don't know what it will feel like. I have lots of scar tissue and need to keep stretching to continue to heal. I just don't know how implants will make all that feel. Hopefully better.)

The kids are doing great. We had conferences with the girls' teachers last week, and they are both doing really well in school. We are so proud of them. I'm SO thankful for your prayers that the Lord would guard their hearts. This year has been so difficult, but I am so proud of how they have handled it. Henry is still absolutely precious and just the sweetest little cuddle bug. (I'm sure he will love reading that sentence someday when he's a teenager.) They all make me so proud to be their mom. I'm so thankful the Lord has given me that opportunity.

Now, on to my comment about coincidences. This week has just been so eye opening for me, and it's only Tuesday. I'm doing a Priscila Shirer bible study called "Discerning the Voice of God." It is absolutely amazing!!

This week in the video section, she talked about being in the desert. Well, I feel like that has been where we have been in 2017. It has just been such a hard year. Chemo, radiation, surgeries, baldness....you name it. It's been so very hard. But she said last night, "The key to seeing God's plan while in the desert is to take your attention off of the circumstances and place them on God's presence in the circumstances." HELLO! That is such an encouragement to me. This year has been SO hard, but God has been OH SO GOOD! Seriously, I've heard his voice and seen his fingerprints all over the place. A lot of times, that has been through you. Please know that every kind comment, prayer, and every meal has shown me the love of God. Thank you for being his hands and feet. But, it's still hard. Priscila talked last night about the burning bush that Moses saw. I don't know how many times David and I have talked this year about wanting to know what it is that God wants us to do, and how much easier it would be if we could have something like a burning bush. Last night Priscila said that "God manifests his presence in the desert." She also said that "bushes don't burn in palaces. They burn in deserts." Hello again! That's where we are, and I'm so thankful for her encouragement. Do you think it was a coincidence that I'm doing this Bible study right at this time? I don't. Our women's ministry at church is doing it, and they meet on Monday nights. Well, Monday was the only night, this semester, that we didn't have some type of activity. So, I decided that I needed to be home with my family. Well, my best friend at church lives farther away and couldn't come in on Mondays either. So, guess what GOD did? Our women's ministry leader bought another set of CD's to go with the book and my friend and I are doing the study together. We watch the videos on our own and then discuss them on Wednesdays before Awana. The Lord knew we'd both need it, and he worked it out and carved out a time for us to do it together. I truly don't think that was a coincidence. It was a miracle, actually. (For 2 moms with 7 kids between us, seriously, a miracle.) Maybe God knew that I'd have to walk through the desert to see his presence more fully. If I was comfortable in my life, I don't think I would have seen it as clearly.

Today, I did some reading in the study about Esther. I actually read about lots of people God used in scripture, but the one that stood out to me the most today was Esther. I read Esther 4:10-14. Just 4 verses. Basically, the king had issued a verdict to get rid of all the Jews. Esther was the queen, but she was also a Jew. Esther's cousin Mordecai wanted her to go see the king about this edict. It was dangerous for Esther to go. She could have been put to death for approaching the king without being summoned. I can imagine that she was afraid. But, Mordecai said to her, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?"  I know these verses may not mean much to you. I've read them before, but today they amazed me. First of all, they tell us that God is going to save his people one way or another. Mordecai is sure of it. If he doesn't use Esther, he'll use someone else. What faith! Also, Esther could have kept her head down. She could have just stayed safe and comfortable in the house of the king. How many times have we done that? How many times have we enjoyed God's blessing and mercy and kept it to ourselves because we were afraid? People might think we are weird or crazy. I know I've felt that way. But, Esther was so BRAVE. Her courage and bravery saved an entire race of people! If God can do that through her, couldn't he do that through us? I'm not saying we will all save an entire race of people, but we sure won't do anything at all if we keep God's blessings and love to ourselves.

I absolutely do not think that today's Bible study was a coincidence. What does God want to do with this cancer journey? If I keep my thoughts to myself, his mercy will only reign in my life. I want his love and mercy and faithfulness and goodness to be in your life as well.

My kids go to Awana and choir every Wednesday night. Henry and I go to choir. He is going to be Joseph in our Christmas production this year, and I can't even describe how precious he will be. We are working on memorizing the verse of Genesis 1:31. "God saw everything he had made, and it was very good." The girls work on new verses each week. The last 2 weeks, Charlotte has been working on memorizing Psalm 23. For a 6 year old, it's a long Psalm and she's needed some help each week. Today I was reading a book about World War 2. (Don't be impressed....it's a Christian historical fiction book about a family during WW2.) Anyway, someone dies, and they quote Psalm 23. I was struck anew with God's love in that passage. Is it a coincidence that I keep coming across Psalm 23? Nope. It's God's reminder to me that he has walked through this desert with me.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23.

I know today's post might sound preachy. Honestly, I'm impressed if you're read this far. :) I just want you to be encouraged if you are walking in a desert like us. God is still there. He's still walking with you. He's using this difficult time to strengthen our character and get us ready for the next chapter he has for us in life. He wants us to be brave and share his love with others. He wants to use each and every one of his followers to show his love to those that don't have it. To change an entire generation. We can be strong and courageous because he is always with us. (Joshua 1:9) Look around you today and ask God to show you the things He has for you. They aren't coincidences. They are his hand moving around you. Don't miss it.

If you ever want to talk about any of this or have questions, please leave me a comment. Send me a message on facebook. Call me if you have my number. I'd love to talk to you about how good God is, even in the desert. If you are looking for a Bible study, go get "Discerning the Voice of God." If you can't afford it, let me know and I'll send it to you. It will change your life. God is so good.

I love each one of you reading and I'm praying for you today. I pray you would see God's hand in your life. Even if it's in the desert. Thank you for lifting us up this year. We still appreciate your prayers, and your kind words mean the world to us. I'll keep you posted as surgery gets closer.

Recovering Well

Hello friends!
I hope you are all doing well, and that everyone had a fantastic Halloween yesterday. We were SO thrilled that it didn't rain all evening so we could go trick or treating. Henry already asked me this morning when the next Halloween was. My kids loved every minute, and I have to say that I did too. I love getting out and seeing my neighbors and all the precious kids running up and down the street. Their joy is contagious!

I wanted to thank you for your prayers for my surgery. Everything went really well. I had the surgery done at a surgery center in the hospital. After everything we've been through this year, I hadn't been in that part of the hospital, but I LOVED it. The nurses were absolutely fantastic and it was just super nice. My IV went in well, and I'm SO glad to only have one more of those this year, hopefully.

I'm almost 2 weeks out, and I still have a little soreness. The recovery was a little more difficult than I thought, but it was still easier than a C-section. I have 3 scars on my tummy. (Don't worry--I will most assuredly not be sharing pictures. Ha!) The scar on my right side is about 10 mm and the one on my left is half that. Then, I have one in my belly button. It's been kinda tricky to find comfy clothes that don't hit right where they aren't supposed to. I'm feeling much better though.

I did have a tough week last week. I had an infusion of a drug called Zometa. It's a drug that's been recently approved by the FDA to strengthen bones before bone density loss. The new pill I'm taking can cause bone density loss. I was expecting a headache or some mild bone pain, but I truly felt like I was dying of the flu. My entire body just hurt and I could hardly get out of bed. I'm so thankful for a kind husband who will step in during unexpected things like that. And, all our friends were so wonderful too. I'm glad that's over. I didn't really have a peace about that drug, so I was frustrated that I took it. But, after meeting with my breast surgeon this week, I think I will continue taking it. It's only once every 6 months for 2 years. (3 more treatments) Apparently, I'm at a greater risk for the cancer coming back in my bones. She said since I'm so young, the cancer is so hormonally driven, and because some of the cells were particularly nasty, it increases my risk. This medicine will help strengthen my bones and try to keep the cancer out. Please pray that it does. Please pray that this is the last year I have to battle this awful disease. If it comes back, I know the Lord will walk with me through this process again, but I just hope it doesn't. I do know that David and I have done everything we can to keep it from happening. At least I won't have to worry about doing something different.

I have about 5 1/2 weeks until my LAST surgery. I seriously CANNOT wait! These expanders are super uncomfortable, and I am ready to just be done with everything. I am so excited about Christmas this year. I feel like I didn't truly get to celebrate Christmas last year. I went through the motions because of my children, but I had a dark cloud hanging over me. I am ready to celebrate this year though. I may or may not have turned on Christmas music today now that Halloween is over. (Just don't tell David. He's a purist and only listens to Christmas music after Thanksgiving. Not me, and definitely not this year. Ha!)

We've been busy around here, so I'll include a few pictures at the end of this post. I hope you are all doing well as well. I hope Halloween was fun, and that you spend the next few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving giving thanks for the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on us. Please know that I thank God for every single one of you reading this blog. You have prayed for me this year and been the hands and feet of Jesus to me and my family. There aren't words to express how thankful I am for you. Enjoy every minute of the holidays this year. I know I will. I will soak in the joy of my children, the love of my family and friends, and the miracle of the birth and life of Christ. If you need a church to visit over the holidays, there is always a seat next to me at North Highlands Bible Church. :) I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week, and I promise to update soon about my next surgery.

Last Friday, we celebrated 3 years in heaven for my Mamaw. I miss her everyday, but I know she's so much happier there.

David and the kids carved pumpkins.

I took the kids to get ice cream this week after school. Then, we went to Crate & Barrel and helped Aunt Martie register for her wedding. SO FUN!

Dee had a birthday on Sunday, and we all celebrated together. All the grandbabies were there. They are the sweetest!

Trick or treating with friends. I had Little Red Riding Hood, Hermoine (from Harry Potter), and Batman. I love these kids!