January came and went just like that.  It was busy for us.  The biggest thing that happened was a water leak in our kitchen.  The floor started swelling until we couldn't open the pantry door all the way.  So we had to have a major kitchen remodel.  The leak started with the dishwasher so we had to get a new dishwasher and our oven was old and broken down so we also had to get a new oven.  When we went to buy those appliances we found a great refrigerator on sale.  yay.  I have an amazing new kitchen..... Thanks to our home owners insurance.  :))  I have enjoyed cooking in the new kitchen.  My oven cooks so much better than the old one.  Here are some pictures of before and after.

These are the before pictures.

look at the wet wood

This is our new kitchen!!

new deep sink :)

Abby has been busy with school and band.  She is really doing well and learning to play the French Horn.  She has a pretty good teacher (Mr. Daddy).  She auditioned for All-State which was very good experience for her.  Poor thing was a nervous wreck by the time it was over, not to mention how nervous this mama was.  She participated in the All-County honor band today.  She was nervous, but a great time.  Again, good experience for her.  She is learning to be a responsible young lady.  

Erin is working hard in school and loves any time she gets to play with her friends.  She is taking violin lessons and is becoming quite the little violinist.  She has her first recital coming up in March.  We did some rearranging in her room this month to make it more of a "big" girl room.  We moved the doll house out :( and put a desk in for her to do her art projects on.  She loves painting and making mosaics.  She also won Best Recipe at the History Fair. 

Baklava she made to go with her Geography project on Constantinople

crafting before bed

This is my 3 getting preparing their History Fair Project Boards

One of our favorite baby's had her 1st birthday this month

Samuel has been doing well on school. He is ready to start playing soccer again. He still loves playing football with his friends and playing with Legos and well just playing!!!!!

Dave is doing so well. He is healthy and happy. His next scans are scheduled for May 2. Our hopes for no recurrence get better with every clear scan. He is enjoying teaching Abby in band. This is what he's always wanted to do.

I am doing well. I stay very busy teaching the kids. I still love home schooling. I am even doing well in 7th grade math. ;). So 2013 is off to a busy start with no sight of slowing down in the near future.

December So Far

It has been quite a busy December for us. We finished our semester of school strong. December has been filled with lots of parties, cookies goodies, Samuel's soccer tournament in Dothan, time with friends and family, shopping, quiet family nights downstairs by the fire, Advent readings every night, Abby's first band concert, and a beautiful wedding of some sweet friends. The best thing about this December has been what our family has learned through this Advent season. We have eagerly awaited the coming birth of Christ, but more than that we have looked to the second coming with excitement. We had a very sweet candlelight service at Grace Fellowship last night.Today will will spend time with family.....eating too much I'm sure.....playing games and opening gifts. Here are a few pics from the month.

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party with CO

Mamaw and Grandaddy with all the grandkids

 I will leave you with one of the best songs ever.

My Thankful Post

As the Thanksgiving season is upon us, I have been thinking everyday about things I am most thankful for.  Yesterday as I was driving home from taking Abby to meet Dave for band, I was thankful for this beautiful part of the road.  It's a curve and a hill covered with trees of the brightest orange, red, and yellow leaves.  I am thankful for Dave for so many reasons, one reason is that he likes to do things with me.  He likes to shop with me, enjoys putting up the Christmas tree, take walks(sometimes), drink coffee anytime of day, and keep the house clean.  Some of these may not be his favorite things to do, but he does them because I like them.  I am thankful that I am able to continue to teach my children.  I am thankful for the days even when things are chaotic and it seems no one has learned anything.  I am thankful for our home.  It's cozy and warm and welcoming to friends and family.   I am thankful for Erin's funny personality, Samuel's quirky ways, and Abby's sense of humor. I am thankful for our family.  The ones that are near and far. And for the friends that are like family.  I am thankful for no signs of cancer this season.  I am thankful for time alone in the afternoon.  our fireplace. good coffee.  walks in the park.  McDonald's ice cream cones.  Christmas music.  I am thankful for the Gospel.  that it changed my heart. 

Dave got the news today that results from his GI test were good.  We are always relieved to get good results from any test!!  My dearest friend and her husband have not gotten good news in the last couple of weeks though.  Her husband has just been diagnosed with cancer.  They found it when they removed his gallbladder. He had surgery today to see if it was anywhere else.  They are not sure exactly where it originated yet, but they do know it had spread some.  Please join me in praying for their family.  They walked every step with us over the last 2 years and now it's our turn to do the same with them.  They have 3 children almost the same age as my children and I know how difficult this can be on the kids. 

Clear scans

Dave got another good report today from his oncologist. Clear CT scan. We are thrilled about good scans. There were a couple of things on the scan that the doctor told us about. One has to do with the hernia. There is another place that seems to be another hernia in the making. He told Dave to go ahead with his normal life and if need be he will repair that one too. The only thing he told Dave not to do was lift weights. I know this was a little discouraging to him. He has always enjoyed doing that. The other thing the scan showed was the wall thickening of the sigmoid colon.  He just wanted Dave to follow up with a GI doctor which Dave will be doing next week. Overall it has been a good day….other than a twelve hour drive in the car with the kids…..SERENITY NOW!!!!!!



We had a quick trip to Houston with the kids. We love to explore Houston and this time we went to The Health and Medical Science Museum. What a great field trip it turned out to be. We all learned so much. I think Dave and I learned more than the kids. We got to spend time with all of our Houston friends. This is by far our favorite part of the trip!! Samuel looks forward to getting to play football with his little Texas Longhorn buddies. Erin gets to play with her sweet little friends who love baby dolls as much as she does, and Abby visits with the adults of course.



We did not take any days off from school….no. no. no. We have been studying for tests, doing computer math, and lots of English lessons in the car. Again I scream…..SERENITY NOW!!! At least we will not be behind when we get home tomorrow. (I feel I must insert here....I love love love my children....but 12 hours in the car.....oh my goodness gracious alive!!)



October 11 marks 2 years from our very first appointment at MD Anderson. Oh how thankful I am to be on this side of the 2 years!! We will never take for granted God’s graciousness to us!!

it's that time again

Monday is scan day!  It has been 4 months since the last one.  I will post results when we see the doctor on Wednesday. 

Has it been a whole month since I have posted here?  wow.  Our school year is going well.  Everyone is working hard.  This summer we made the school room into a bedroom for Abby so now we have most of our school day in the kitchen and sun room.  This seems to be working well for us. The kids are taking a few classes at a local co-op.  They love this.  Abby is learning to play the French Horn this year.  Erin and Samuel are taking piano lessons.  Samuel is playing soccer in Jville.  Oh how I love the Fall.  The air is starting to feel cooler. The leaves will soon start to fall. Even the smells are wonderful. I love love love this time of year.  I always have. 

Dave will have his next scan in 2 weeks.  We are looking forward to a quick trip to Houston.  The kids are going with us this time.  I don't feel anxious about this scan.  I don't think Dave does either. He is doing really well.  He looks healthy and feels good.  So thankful!!