Pick Up the Phone!!!

Today was such a blessed day. I got to spend the day with Mom. We had such a treasured time. We laughed and cried and then laughed some more. We, as a family, have always believed in saying what needs to be said when it needs to be said. Today was no different. This was the first time I have actually seen her since we found out that her cancer is back. It was so needed to just see her and be with her. I'm sure, in some families, this would be just a sad time where everyone cries and stays down. Not in our family...we have way too many reasons to keep rejoicing even when the tears come. I won't share too much of what we said to each other but we left no stone unturned.
On day one, we were in shock! We grieved the news and mourned deeply.
Day two, we were more hopeful about treatment and maintenance of the cancer.
Here we are in day three and I am somewhere in the middle. Reality is starting to set in and my emotions come in waves. Today is about accepting what is before us (while knowing God could change it at any moment) and dealing with what we know.
I write all this to encourage anyone who is reading this to not wait. Pick up the phone and say what needs to be said. We are not sure of tomorrow. Make sure the people you love know you love them today. I have no question about the love Mom has for me and visa versa. Life is too short. Don't wait for Valentine's Day (there you go Kenneth), make sure your loved ones know where they stand with you now.
I pray that as my children grow up, they never have to question for a single moment my love for them or that they never have to wander if I am proud of them or the job they are doing. I have been fortunate to have a mom that has never left me wandering or questioning. Her legacy will live on in that way and hopefully many, many others. I love you, Mom and always will!

I'm Back...

Well...I think it is time I return to blogging. We Mom got sick two years ago, blogging was more than just fun for me. It was an outlet and a way to connect with people that I would not otherwise have had. Now that her cancer has returned and our lives are going down a path we had hoped to never see, I think writing and keeping others in touch is part of my role in all of this. Because there is so much to cover, since the last time I wrote, I am going to just start with today and write like I have never left.
Mom had her procedure today to remove the fluid from her lung. It was obviously covered in prayer because it went better than expected. God is so good to grant us those little gifts in the midst of a storm. Dad was with her, which was perfect. She is taking the rest of today to rest and regain her lung function.
Taylor and I have stayed on the phone with each other often over the last few days and I am sure for the many days to come. She is such a blessing to me always but especially in times like these. Our needs are so similar during hard times and she provides strength for me. Many of you are praying for her while she is away and I ask that you continue that. She is with Tyrel, which is the best place for her to be but, being away from here is hard too. She will come here when the time is right.
I have been nothing more than amazed and awe stricken at how God has answered the prayers many of you prayed that my children would allow me to grieve and concentrate on what was at hand. That was more than answered by God. Cason and Braden, I'm sure, can sense something going on and they have been more than wonderful (which is not always easy to say with two boys).
Freeby has been my rock. I am so thankful to have him by my side. Please continue prayers for him too as he stands beside me through all of this. His role is a difficult one that is ever changing due to an emotional wife and changing circumstances.
I am rambling and realize it but I want to end with this...My parents have always been "the perfect couple". I say that not to brag but because I stand in awe at how wonderful they are for each other. I am so proud of the way my dad is and has always cared for my mom. I am proud of the way my mother has always stood beside my dad with more respect and adoration than you can even put into words. God is blessing them through all of this but they have never taken their eyes off of Him and because of that I am full of joy even in a time of utter sadness.
Thank you for your love and support.
(I will get used to writing again and not ramble so much...sorry.)

I do exist...

I am overwhelmed with trying to start this up again. I have been absent for so long. But, I am contemplating blogging again. There may be more to come...

A Year Ago Today

Today marks the year anniversary of when we found out that Mom had breast cancer. In some ways I cannot believe it has already been a year and in other ways it has been the longest year of our lives. I don't want to relive much of it at all, but now that we are one the other side of most of it, I can say I am very thankful for so much of it. God did some wonderful things through Mom. She is so much stronger than I could ever have imagined. I am so proud of the way she made it through and continues to live life to the fullest. I am proud of my dad for being the strong support that he has been while being so compassionate at the same time. I am so thankful that Taylor and I had each other to go through it all with. I am thankful for both of our husbands for letting us grieve, rejoice, laugh, cry, talk, or whatever else we needed to do at that moment. They were and are wonderful. Life looks different on this side of things. No moment is taken for granted and I thank God every day for giving us a yes on Mom being healed to this point. I thank God for the lives he has brought into our because of her illness and for the ministry she did while going through the hardest time in her life. Mom blessed so many while being in a challenging place. It teaches me that there is always room to let God use me. This post is just a jumble of thoughts but I think it is good to reflect back and be grateful for what God has done in our lives. I also look forward to where He is taking me...

5 Months and Feeding Later

We are done with feeding therapy!!!! Braden did such a great job and caught on much faster than expected. We are so thankful to have had the therapist and others that we did but, we are even more thankful to be done. The verse Deut. 31:8 may have become my new favorite verse. It reads, "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." This verse has meant so much to me over the past year but specifically with Braden's eating. I never doubted, for one minute, that God had gone before me and prepared the people that would be there to help us. He surrounded me with evidence that He was there. He gave us people to help, but also people to walk the journey with us. I am amazed and humbled at God's attentiveness to the details that took care of us. So I say, bring on the cheese, pizza, fruit, green beans, etc. God planned our journey for us and we are thankful to be able to go on this journey with Him. Thank you for all the prayers for us and for always asking how he was doing. Your thoughtfulness has meant the world to us during this trying time. Blessings friends!

December 2009

Here are some pictures from Christmas time and then there will be updates on everyone to follow. (Many have been asking about Mom, so that is where you can find that out.)

Freeby and me in the snow. We forget to take pics of just us sometimes, so I love this one.
Freeby, Cason, and CoCo making a snowman.

Cole, Jake, Sydney, Cason, and Braden on Christmas Eve.

I got decorations for my house! I cannot wait until it is finished so I can actually decorate.

The boys in their new playhouse.

The boys wanted to take a ride in the snow. It was cold, but they still had a blast.

Cason, stepping on the gas!

Santa brought the boys cars for Christmas. They love driving them. We are so blessed.

Aunt Tay Tay and Uncle Ty gave them a weed eater that Cason was so excited about. He wanted the goggles and wouldn't take them off. He was so funny. I was crying because I was laughing so hard.

Braden looks so cute in the goggles too! Thanks Taylor and Tyrel! These are gifts that keep on giving. Hilarious!

Ok, Updates...

Freeby family: We are all doing really well. We love living here with Sweets and Ha Ha but, we are excited about our house. We cannot wait to have it finished and get to move in. We are guessing it is going to be ready in late February or early March. Cason has really enjoyed watching the process. We drive by it most days and we talk about what is being done. He will later explain to me what they are doing on the house that day. So cute.

Freeby is still enjoying his job and we thank God every day for where he works and the people there. I am at home with the boys every day and love every minute of it. Cason keeps us all on our toes and keeps us laughing all the time. Braden is learning and growing so fast. He has just started saying bye bye and waving. Melt my heart. His feeding is going great! He is eating so much better now and we just have a few more things to learn and then feeding therapy will come to an end. That has been a long process but we feel God has blessed it all along the way. Overall, the Freeby's are doing great. I do have to admit though, that I am thankful to see 2009 behind us.

Mom and Dad (Sweets and HaHa): Many of you ask me how Mom is doing so here goes...Mom is doing really well. She is working full time now which is very hard on her but, she does extremely well. There are days when she is really tired but, most days she does great. She goes in soon to meet with her next surgeon to figure out the schedule of her next surgery. We will know more on that later. She also meets with a dermatologist this month to remove some skin cancer that they found recently. I have not really said anything about this due to it being minimal compared to what else has gone on but, to be honest, I am kind of in denial about it due to the simple fact that even the smallest things overwhelm me at the moment. The doctor does not seem too worried by it. We will know more after they take it out so, I will let you know what we find on that too. We actually thought Dad had it to on that same day but, thankfully, his came back normal. Dad is doing well. He sure loves God and people. He works so hard everyday. We are so proud of what he does and the life he lives.

Tyrel and Taylor: Tyrel is still deployed. Right now, we are hoping he gets to come home mid-February. This could change, as it often does, but we are praying that he comes home quickly! Taylor is hanging in there. We were so thankful that she got to come home for Christmas and she will come home again for our cousin's wedding in about a week. She is so tired of being alone, which I cannot blame her. That is no fun at all. She continues to work as much as possible, though keep her busy. We talk to her multiple times a day and try to keep her company the best we can.

Thanksgiving Day 2009