Prayers all around

My heart is so heavy and I just need to put this out there. So many people I know are suffering right now. There are people in the hospital and sick, there are people who are dealing with loss, and sickness. There are people dealing with family separation. Marriages are being tested. The list goes on and on. But today we found out about the Collins' family and the loss of Troy, their dad. This family has been through so much recently with the loss of precious baby Cash (Troy's grandson) only weeks ago. I would like to ask you to join me in lifting them up to the Father. Their pain is more than I could ever imagine, but their walk should not be taken alone. Let's walk with them and cover them in prayer.

Bad Hair Day?...Not Even Close.

Well two days ago it happened. We were really praying it wouldn't but we planned for it and knew it probably would but Mom's hair started to fall out. She and Dad had decided that they would just shave it when it started and so that is what they did. I love my dad for a whole lot of reasons but one of the reasons that stands out always is his ability to take a bummer situation and turn it into one that you actually...enjoy. I am not sure if that is the right word exactly or not but I think it is pretty close. He makes things fun and helps you laugh when you wouldn't otherwise. He has a knack for humor and I strive to be like him in that way and many others. I don't know the details, but Mom said, "He made it fun." She took it remarkably well. She shed some tears as we all would but held her head high and realized that her hair does not make her the person she is. I was so proud the next day when she called me and said she went into work. She did not have to do that. I think I would have wanted to just stay at home by myself, but not her, she worked that wig. Losing her hair is not about to stop my mom. How blessed am I to have the two parents I have? We went to see her that night and the wig looks great! I also got to see her without it and she looks so cute. It was like God shaped her head for just this occasion. Anyway, she took a pretty hard day in stride and for that I am so proud.
Today is also her second round of chemo. Please pray the same prayers as before that the effects be minimal. She handled that well last time too and we truly believe it is because of the prayers offered up on her behalf. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Mom is leaning on His strength and making it her own. You all are such a blessing to us. Thank you for all your prayers. Keep praying!

Happy Birthday Cason!

Happy Birthday to you sweet Cason! You are a true joy to our family!

Fun Pictures

Cason playing in the dryer. ( I was right there...don't worry)
With Thomas (he is never far away)

Braden's first time to the lake (Cody, Dad, and Braden)

Braden smiling for the camera.

Update on Mom

Many of you would like an update on how Mom is coping with the chemo. Here it is: She is a real trooper. The chemo has had an effect on her in some ways but overall she has done really well. She snacks as often as she can to keep the nausea at bay. She has been going to work for as long as she can each day and I have to admit she stays a lot longer than I would. Food is tasting very different to her so things she used to like are just not the same. She tries to stay hydrated at all times but drinks taste funny too. She has tried many suggestions from other people, but if you have one you think may not have been suggested please feel free and I will pass it on to her. Keep praying because it is working. She goes in for labs tomorrow, then next Thursday is her second round of chemo. If you have any questions that I have not answered please ask them and I will do my best to answer. You all are great. We love each and every one of you.

Competitive Soccer

Well...after many nights of not sleeping and trying to combat a double ear infection on a two year old, Freeby and I decided to go on a quick date last night. It was really refreshing. Peggy (Freeby's mom) came to watch the kids for a bit and we left to go to Ghengis Grill. It was pretty good started unexpectedly. After Peggy left and we were counting down the time until bath and bed time, we started to play a game of soccer with Cason. After a few minutes he was disinterested so Freeby and I kept playing. We threw some rules in there and even kept score. After all was said and done, Freeby ended the game before taking it too serious and he beat me 7-5. I am ready and waiting for a rematch anytime. I think I have his number next time and who knows I may even get in a little practice before he gets home. Moral of the story: never stop playing soccer with your spouse and always know when to quit before it gets too competitive (or before your wife beats you).

Blessings

Last night at church was such a blessing. The sermon was wonderful. Worship was wonderful. Family being there was wonderful. But to be honest, I had a heavy heart yesterday. I think it was in anticipation of my sister leaving along with watching Mom go through chemo. I felt good but just had a heavy heart. I think Taylor was feeling the same way. When we heard Rick read part of Mom's blog during the sermon I think it made those feelings come to the surface. The tears really started to flow. I am not afraid to cry but try to avoid getting started because I am one of those people who once they get started, it is really hard to stop. If you were to look down our row you would have seen Dad and Mom, Taylor and Tyrel, and then me. Freeby offered to take Braden out and walk him so I could sit for a little bit in church. I guess my good friend Allison noticed I was alone and crying, so she came and sat with me. She hugged me and I shared with her that it is really hard to sing right now. It is not that I don't believe the words, it is just that the words mean so much and it is hard to say them out loud. I don't know if this even makes sense, but I am just being me and letting you know how I feel. Anyway, Allison, thank you for being such a sweet friend. Thank all of the rest of you for your sweet words of encouragement. This is a hard time and I know that when I have a hard time singing there are others of you out there who will sing for me until I can get my feet on the ground and sing them too.

Happy Birthday Freeby!

I want to wish you a very happy day! You are my best friend and a wonderful Dad to our boys.

Family Weekend

Here are a couple of pictures of the family weekend that we had for Mom. Aren't the shirts cute. Don did a great job on them. There will be more pics to come but this will get us started. Oh, by the way, Mom is feeling some of the effects of the chemo today. Please continue to pray. I know you will but as her daughter I have to ask. Oh, and, we picked out some wigs for her yesterday, and just let me say that even when she loses her hair, my mom is still just as beautiful maybe even more. She just seems to glow right now. You might say it is the chemo (ha ha) but I know it is the love of the Lord shining through. Enjoy the pictures!

Kids and Messes

How is it that it takes so much longer to clean up what a kid can mess up in just a few seconds? I find myself undoing what Cason does all day long. Life would be much easier if it only took a second to clean up a mess that took a long time to make. Just a thought.

Surgery Went Well

The inserting of the chemo port went well this morning. She now has to go to chemo today from about 1:30-4:00ish. I will let you know information as I find it out. Thank you for your prayers this morning and always.

Hard to Hear

I did not post yesterday because, to be honest, I needed some time to digest the information given to us yesterday about Mom's treatment. As most of you know, I was not prepared for any of this buy yesterday's news, for some reason, just rocked my world (not my faith, just my day I guess). Anyway, we were told that Mom now has an aggressive stage 3 cancer that we must deal with quickly. That means that chemo will start on Wed. and last for 16 weeks. That is going to be extremely hard on her body. My prayer for that is that it will go by quickly and the Drs. can help keep her as comfortable as possible. The chemo will be followed by surgery and then that will be followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. Please join me in praying that the chemo be successful and quick to attack this disease.
Like Mom says, all the time, we lean fully on our God who gives us the strength to go through this but He also blesses us with each of you that we will also be leaning on. You all have been a source of strength already and I know this will continue throughout this long road ahead.

Family Fun

Last week after Mom was diagnosed with cancer, my uncle Don called me and said he was going to arrange for the family to get together for a sort of pep rally for Mom. I had no idea how he was going to pull it together or how many people would even stop what they were doing and come. On Saturday afternoon I showed up at the restaurant where we were all to meet and was amazed at how many of our family members left their own lives at home to encourage ours here. There were 30 people who showed up. Don had made t-shirts for all of us with a pink ribbon and "TEAM Sharon" on the front. Mom was so excited to see everyone. I think it really boosted her and made her feel special. Many of them also stayed and went to church with us that evening. We all wore our shirts proudly. We were a sight I am sure.
I want to say thank you to every single one of you who made this weekend as special as it was. Tom-thank you so much for putting all the out-of-towners up in the hotel. Don-thank you for thinking of the event, lunch, t-shirts, and travel. Tim-thank you for coordinating the other side of the family. Don, Juanda, Kendyl, Kyle, Matt, Jonelle, Cindy, Tom, Julie, Trey, Preston, John, Jan, Papa Dad, Nana, Max, Andrea, Tim, Shelly, Reagan, Bailey, Susan, Norman, Russell, Amanda, and Hunter thank you all for being the family that you are and showing us the love of Christ in your support of our Sweets.

Putting Our Shoes On

Last night I had the precious privilege to pray with and be prayed for by an incredible group of women. We (Mom, Taylor, and I) were among a group of women who I admire so much and strive to be like one day. Such sweet words were said and taken to God on our behalf. These women begged God for things we want and prayed protection over us throughout this whole process. We cried, laughed, and shared. It was so wonderful.
The thing that left the biggest impression, however, was their willingness to put on their shoes and walk this journey with us. There was no hesitation in allowing Mom and Dad to set the pace and they would all follow along to be encouragement and support. We all know even under the best of circumstances that cancer is a long journey and because God has blessed us so dearly, we do not have to go down that road alone. That is one of the biggest blessings of a church family. This is why Mom and Dad have been here 25 years. These people that we are surrounded by love the Lord with all of their hearts and it shows.
This situation stinks, with Mom having cancer, but it has already been such a blessing. I am ready and willing to grow in whatever way God has planned for me and I know I have every one of those women to help and encourage me. I am completely overwhelmed with love for each of you. I am also in utter awe of the God we serve who never ceases to amaze me with his grace and compassion on us.

Bone Scan

It's clear too! What a blessing!

CT Results

God is so good! Mom got the results back from this morning's CT test and all is clear on that. That means no cancer was found in her core area (chest, abdomen, lungs, etc.) This is a huge answer to prayer. She has also been shown God's power through her new Dr. It is so true that God has gone before us and put people in place to help us along the way. (Thank you Suzy J. for those encouraging words.) This Dr. brings a sence of urgency with a lot of confidence which, in turn, grants us God's peace.

Please pray for: the bone scan tomorrow morning. We will have results from that tomorrow evening.

Thank God for a clean test today and taking care of us each step of the way.

Link for Walk for the Cure Team

Tara has put together a team to do the walk in honor of Mom. Here is the link to our team if you would like to join or just find out more about it. Thanks Tara! you are the BEST!

http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?JServSessionIdr006=qqv7vlbwk1.app321a

Schedule This Week

I now have a schedule that I ask you to pray for this week for Mom. Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning she goes in for a CT scan. This will show chest and abdomen areas. Then Tuesday afternoon she will have a Dr. apt. On Wed. morning she will go in for the full body bone scan. This one is the big one that will put our minds at ease, or answer our questions. Please pray that these tests come back with nothing on them and that the cancer we have already found is all there is. Please also pray that the Dr. apt goes well and Mom has a peace come over her about the person or people who are being put in charge of her medical care. God has already shown us that He knew long before we did what was going to happen and He has taken care of us so well. I know without a doubt that He will continue to do this during each step we take. Thank you again for your love and support.