Experiencing a New Normal

I am so excited to tell you about something that a group of us having really been working on and praying about since January.  Have you heard about OR seen the trailer to the movie God's Not Dead?  Well, if you haven't check it out here ! OR  here is a brief synopsis of the movie: ….present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admi...

On February 14, Don and Glenda celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.  That is a huge milestone these days - so us kids took on honoring their special occasion. All the kids (Don & Glenda's five kids) each had a part to make the day extra special.  A chalkboard telling of their 45 years together. This picture makes me smile. We had told them to kiss and none of us were able to take the picture because they kissed so fast.  We told them to do it again, but longer - Don's response, "I don't want to kiss forever!"  Jon must be more like his Mom!! Our nephew Andrew wore Don's suit while our niece Megan wore Glenda's wedding dress.  Just a little info - Glenda only paid a little over $80 for her dress and vale.  Also when they had the suit pressed - they found a nickel in the pocket. No anniversary celebration is complete without feeding each other the cake.  My sister in law Shawna and I did the cake.  We t...

So I know what you all are thinking - Jon planned something so romantic.  Well as much as I would like to say that is true - it isn't.  In fact I spent half the day at a tax appointment!  If that isn't romantic I don't know what is!  However, it was our evening that made the day so special.  We spent it with a bunch of sixth graders!  TJ's good friend Joel had another dance in memory of TJ.  I had gotten a text from his mom earlier in January asking if they could do it again.  Who am I to say no when TJ's classmates are wanting to do this.  I guess I should rewind just a little bit.  You see Joel's birthday is February 6 - yes the same day TJ had his first MRI.  So, instead of Joel having a regular birthday party celebrating himself - he instead he joins the class together and honors the memory of his good friend.  Joel is such a great kid!  It's actually a bittersweet kind of thing.  It is a party that TJ would have ...

I had the honor of taking this amazing young lady out for supper the other night. To me it was so special. You see Elizabeth was one of TJ's best friends. This girl is so fun to hang with - I completely understand why her and TJ were such good friends. But what made it extra special to me was that it was all her idea! I love every chance I have to spend time with TJ's friends. I love hearing what is happening in 6th grade. I'll admit I fight the tears during some topics of conversation. Overall I feel so blessed that TJ had this amazing friendship with her and that now I get to be a part of it. Her humor reminds me of TJ and that makes my heart smile!  (On a side note the gentleman at the restaurant thought she was my daughter! I'd take her in a heartbeat!)  Thank you Elizabeth for making this grieving Mom's heart feel so full of joy - I can't wait until we can do it again!

February 10, 2012 was a Friday and it was the day we had been waiting for since Monday.  It was the day we would find out what these abnormalities on TJ's brain actually were.  For me - I was really hoping to find some answers as to what was going on with my son.  I don't think I ever really thought it was cancer, but maybe I was in denial.  That was one of these hardest days of my life - the waiting, worrying, praying, anxiety, sadness, anger - I believe every emotion was displayed that whole entire day.  I've blogged about this day before, so I won't go into all the details - I just felt the need to share.  The picture and the words of that day are so vivid in my mind - there are days I don't think I'll ever forget them.  Jon and I have had the conversation this week that we have no idea what it means (or looks/feels like) to live in remission.  We don't know the struggles of ongoing treatments, the constant worry o...

I have been trying to write this post for the last 3 days.  Here you go.... As I sit here I reflect on the day that everything changed - February 6, 2012.  It was a day full of many different things with many kinds emotions..  My Grandpa's 90th birthday!  WOW! 90 years.  Such joy and celebration.  It was the day of Jon's Aunt Delores funeral - such sadness over the loss of a God honoring woman who fought a courageous fight with cancer.  And the day of Thomas' first MRI - emotions of anxiety, worry, fear, nervousness.  Our emotions were all over that day.  I remember Jon and I picking up TJ at the school - that image of him walking out of the building is still so vivid in my head.  The MRI didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped and prayed for and left feeling a little uneasy and anxious for the results - which we figured we wouldn't get until the next day.  We ran a few errands - TJ was to...

Like every other household - it's been busy around here.  The boys are playing UPWARDS basketball again this year - which keeps us busy with practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights and games Saturday.  I've started a class called Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey - which I am absolutely loving and learning A LOT!  Jon and I are still youth group sponsors which keeps us busy (a fun busy though).  We are also involved with a couple of small groups - one from our church and another with some good friends.  The calendar keeps filling up and I look forward to those days on the calendar when it is blank.  I guess this could explain the lack of posts I've had.  But in all honesty I know part of it is a lack of desire - just seem to be in a funk lately.  Maybe some day soon I'll share with you what has been on my heart and mind lately (as soon as I can put those thoughts/feelings into words). 

Since Anthony and Will's birthdays are about a month apart we typically split the different between the two and have a big party to celebrate them both.  We've been doing this for awhile now (we did the same thing with TJ and Charlie's birthdays).  Well our calendar prevented us from doing that so we actually celebrated closer to Will's birthday (the day before) and decided to include a Super Bowl party as well.  So yesterday we invited my family over for cake, ice cream and presents and for those that wanted to could stay and watch the big game.  Everyone came and everyone stayed and brought snacks!!  Besides the outcome of the game we had a great time celebrating birthdays and just being family.   The boys with their presents!     Anthony requested a chocolate chip cookie cake - shaped in a football.  Will's request was chocolate and white cupcakes with the Broncos and Seahawks on top.  Still can't believe they ar...