It is the best of jobs.  It is the most difficult of jobs.  It can cause the greatest of pain. There is nothing as fulfilling and exhilarating.  There's nothing so depleting and exhausting.  No area of your life can make you feel more like a success when everything is going well.  No area of of your life can make you feel more like a failure when things go wrong.  (The power of a Praying Parent)


Monday was one of those days where nothing seemed to go right.  School was difficult, the kids were bickering with each other, the house was a mess, the couch was covered in laundry, and we were working on history fair projects which were spread out all over the living room.  I felt like a big ole failure at the end of the day.  We had our mom's meeting Tuesday night to turn in semester grades and attendance sheets and I was greatly encouraged by some older than me homeschool moms who have done what I am doing and have lived to tell about it :)  I really needed the encouragement not only for school, but for parenting in general.  It really is the best job...even with all the hard stuff that comes with it.....and through all the ups and downs of the week we finished our history fair projects!!

I am spending a couple of days with my sister this week.  She had surgery on Tuesday and then my nephew broke his arm Wednesday night.  So Erin, Samuel, and I are here to help for a few days.  The kids love getting to spend a few days with their cousins.  

I found a yummy recipe on Pinterest that I thought I would try on them in the morning.  I made it a little while ago and it is in the fridge ready to be baked in the morning.

French Toast Bake

Ingredients

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)

1 cup brown sugar

1 loaf Texas toast

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Melt butter in microwave; add brown sugar....stir till mixed.

2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around

3. Beat eggs, milk, and add vanilla

4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan

5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer

6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast

7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture

8. Cover and chill in fridge overnight

9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar

11. Serve with warm maple syrup

Doesn't that sound yummolicious?  oh yeah... that's a real word :)

Dave is doing great.  He worked at the lake a little last weekend and I could tell it really took everything out of him. I think he's back to 100% and then on days when he goes nonstop, I can see the effects of so much chemo.  But other than that he is doing great.  Next scan is in March.  We will hopefully drive out with the kids, enjoy our Spring Break in Houston, get some clear scans, then head home.  

Now to go cuddle with my two babies...my 9 year old and my 10 year old babies : ) 

Roll Tide

BCS National Champs
Roll Tide!!

They were ready for the game....

A Happy New Year

Dave and I rang in the new year in Chattanooga with friends and students from all over the country.  We spent the last few days of 2011 at the Campus Outreach National Conference.  We heard great speakers and had some really good time with the students and leaders.  As the clock turned to midnight, Dave reminded me what a difference this year brings.  Last year there were so many unanswered questions as we began 2011.  As I have said before, we enter this new year hopeful!!


I started planning for our new semester today.  One very positive thing about this new semester is that we are not overwhelmed with activities.  I am excited about getting back into a routine.  I love the holidays, but I am ready for some scheduled days! 


One thing I have noticed as I have followed other people with sarcoma is that when they get better, they stop updating.  I totally understand why.  You want to move away from the world of cancer once you are feeling better.  It's discouraging sometimes because it seems there are no good stories out there.  No encouraging words.  So I wanted to update on how Dave is doing.  His last chemo was 7 months ago.  His last radiation was 6 months ago.  His surgery was 4 months ago.  He got the news of clear scans 1 month ago.   He is pretty much back to normal.  I don't notice him being as tired.  His hair is slowly but surely coming back.  He laughs alot.  He is scheduled for scans again on March 22.