Mark Schultz - Different Kind of Christmas (Live)

This is a beautiful song for those many of us that are missing that special someone that is no longer with us. This song was written for his wife that lost her dad.  We all miss someone at Christmas time, and usually holidays can be the hardest.  You remember traditions you shared, and special things that remind you of that person. I miss my father. Every Christmas he would take me with him to help him pick out that special piece of jewelry for my mom. I swear my dad was a hopeless romantic!! He was taken from this earth way too soon (age 42, but who am I to judge) So many things I wish he was here for. But for now I will hold all the sweet sweet traditions and things he taught me while growing up close to my heart. To all the loved ones that are not with us. I love you!!

9 Keys to survive the Holidays

I read many many things through out my day by Dave Willis. So at times I need to pass along some of the things I find value in reading. "9 keys to survive the holidays".

It’s that time of year when we’re gathering with loved ones, giving thanks for the blessings in our lives, overeating, exchanging gifts and making memories. It can also be a time of year when financial stress, family drama and the chaos of travel can steal your joy and make you wish you could hop into a time machine and skip the holiday madness altogether.

I don’t know what life looks like around your Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree, but I want this to be a wonderful season for you and your family. After all, it should be “The most wonderful time of the year!”
Here’s a checklist to help you keep your marriage and family strong all season long:
1. Keep a “no drama” policy.
The holidays can throw you around some relatives who might love “drama” and they’ll try to pull you into it. Choose to rise above. Diffuse it with laughter and joy. A healthy family should always have more comedy than drama!
2. Be a peacemaker. 
Christmas, after all, is celebrating the birth of “The Prince of Peace.” In Jesus’ example, work to promote peace in your home and extended family. Offer love and respect to people even when they don’t deserve it. Don’t treat your family the way they treat you. Treat them the way God treats you.
3. Stick to a budget on gifts.
Don’t add unnecessary financial stress by overdoing it on gifts. Your kids and relatives don’t need more gadgets clothes as much as they need you to be at your best. Give thoughtful gifts; not expensive gifts.
4. Be present.
Fight the temptation to escape into your smart phone instead of engaging in conversation. It’s possible to be in the same room but in a different world from your loved ones. Be fully present and actively participating in the moments. Make memories, not regrets.
5. Be motivated by love, not guilt.
You can’t be everywhere at once, so there will always be people who are disappointed that you couldn’t spend more time with them. Don’t make your schedule based on trying to make everybody happy (which is impossible). Schedule based on maximizing the moments with your loved ones.
6. Don’t neglect your spouse.
Don’t put your marriage on the back burner through the season. Share the moments together and make time alone together a priority. As a tool to help you grow in your communication and sexual intimacy with your spouse,
7. Don’t neglect your body.
I love to eat, but when I gorge myself on ice cream and turkey legs for a month, I pay the price! A lack of exercise and a ton of calories ends up making me grumpy and sleepy. Enjoy the good food, but don’t go crazy. Also, find time to get some exercise. You’ll feel better.
8. Have fun!
Refuse to allow stress to steal your joy. Give yourself permission to push away from the stress and enjoy the beautiful moments. Have fun and make beautiful memories.
9. Don’t forget the reason for the season.
The presents and food is awesome, but don’t forget to honor God who makes it all possible. Keeping your focus on Him has a way of bringing everything else into it’s proper place.

The hussle bussle begins...

 Count down to Thanksgiving and pressure of the Christmas buying begins and budgets always seem to get blown.  Santa is already set up in the malls. What? WHY? Can we get through one holiday first please!! Well I guess not. He must need more time to get those lists and check them twice, or ten times!! Sales begin in the stores and you wonder, "will they be better on Black Friday".  People already making those mental notes of things they want to buy and what day they will choose to go stand in line for hours to get that price on that one product. Yes I am guilty of this too. Later you find out they have just as good of sales later in December as well. But maybe there is an adrenaline rush in the planning to go get that awesome price. Ya, until you stand in line and fight crowds of people, you suddenly feel yourself saying "get me outta here".  Heck now they even have "Pre black friday sales".
 This year I feel so over it all. I don't feel like going into the malls, or standing in the black friday lines.  I just want to enjoy the holiday as it comes. Lets slow down please. Lets enjoy each other and make time to do special things with the ones we love.  I love making traditions and adding new ones for my kids through the years. They have really grown to love them and appreciate them too. In fact, they count on them and I don't dare change them. Maybe this is a vent, or maybe this is me just thinking out loud about the holiday craziness. Take from it what you will.

In all the hussle and bussle...remember it is not really all about that gift. The true gift is your time and your attention to those you love!!

Happy Sweet 16-Letter from Mommy

Happy Birthday Beautiful Daughter!! 

Words can not describe the amount of love I have for you. You make me such a proud mommy! You have been through a lot in this past year, but you have truly shined through it all. I know with out a doubt that the Love you share with Jesus is where your strength has come from. I see you continue to seek him every day, I see you thank Him in all you are grateful for and as a mother to see this, it makes my heart complete.  You have learned that with Him everything and anything is possible. You don't talk it, you LIVE it!  I am blessed to have you as my daughter, and my friend.  I look forward to watching the many blessings God has for your life. Take each day as it is and enjoy the little things. Don't rush growing up, because time goes so fast. Cherish your family, value your friends, and always know God has your back! 

I love you 

Mommy

 Make a Wish.....

A few of us that Celebrated the BIG ONE WITH YOU! We all LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

 My daughter and sweet little niece that get to share the same birthday!!

Happy 16th

and Happy 3rd to Little Eira xxoo

Get Up..Get up...Don't give up!

Yesterday was one of those grand old classic days where you wake up and it seems everything through out that day seems to go south. No sleep the night of surely doesn't help for having a very clear head or patience for anyone or anything. You ever have those weeks? Maybe it is money stress, relationship, friend, schedules, rejection, people pulling at you from all directions, a work deadline, health issues, loss of a loved one, appointments that fill up your date book more than you want? For me, it seems things a lot of times come in big giant waves. It can be great one day, and then here comes the big wave again. When you get knocked down and exhausted in life where do you go? It's easy to sometimes, get busy, and start doing things on your own or forget God is just waiting, or maybe you don't want to bother Him with your issues, but in fact, He is the one that I have always found to be constant. It is important to have someone you trust too. A good friend, or a pastor, someone.  I love talking to my best friend. Nothing like our discussions of total honesty.  She gets me. She understands my thinking, and my feelings and my life better than anyone. Maybe better than myself sometimes. But God is the only one that can give me strength at those moments I feel defeated. I am learning all the time. I am far from perfect. I have flaws. But God loves me anyway. Just like he loves you. We have to talk to God in these times and not forget that he will help us through, why is that so easy to forget.  As I wept in bed last night I cried out to him. I realized I had not spoken to him for a couple of days. I was taking care of things myself. The wave came over and He was there. He met me right where I was and today, I feel better. My mind is more positive than my circumstances and that is the key. There will always be things, issues, or a struggle. But our minds can over come them and circumstances do not have to control us and steal inner joy.  So if you are struggling today, don't let someone steel your joy and take a day, a hour away from you. Get up, pray, smile and know you are beautiful inside and out AND no matter what the Big Guy always has your back!!

JJ Heller - What Love Really Means (Official Music Video)

Great artist!! Had to share this song with you ...Enjoy

Sunsets

 Cardio is a part of my every day routine. But I absolutly love when I am out running and I am stunned with the beauty of a sunset. Something about them that makes me feel so at peace and in awe.  I stopped for about 10 minutes to watch and every minute it looked different. Lately the sunsets around here have been amazing. xoxo

Trick n Treat

Despite all the extra stuff we had going on, I still had my little one to take door to door. Sometimes as parents we do not feel up to doing things, and I certainly did not feel up to dressing up as she insisted to go out through our neighborhood. My older daughter was headed out with her friends, but took a few minutes to paint my face, and little Grace went through her box of stuff to find me some of her dress up ears.  We put together some last minute costumage and went out.  Soon as I see my little one skipping with excitement my mood of not wanting to do this went away. She very much missed me being gone with Bailey and was so excited to go out with her mommy!! My feeling of not wanting to became great joy and we had a super fun time!  Sometimes it is just those little things and time our children want from us. xoxo

Son's Heart Surgery Update

3:00 a.m came very fast this Wednesday. We headed out the door to be at the hospital check in by 5. His surgery started by 7a.m.   We anxiously awaited to hear any updates in the large waiting room that was filled with other families also in similar situations. Seemed things were taking longer than I felt they should and the occasional updates didn't seem to come as often as I would have liked. 

 It turned out to be a very long 7  hour procedure.  He was awake for much of the time and asleep for maybe 2 hours of it.  As a mother, this broke my heart in half to see and know what my son was going through.  They had catheters in each leg and through his neck.  I can't imagine!! What a brave boy and I am so proud of him and his strength!

Finally we got to talk to the Doctor.  His news was not exactly what we wanted to hear, but our son was safe and he was doing good which was just as important after going through something like this. The Dr basically said he was hoping for more conclusive results. He did do the ablation to the areas that he saw problems with. But one specific area he could not get all the way from the angel that he went from. He said with some people he HAS seen that when that area heals up and scars over, the scaring itself creates the full block, so that the circuit can not go through that area. This then would be a great success. We are praying hard that this is what will happen for our son.  

For now he is recovering and still in the hospital. They have him on heart medicine to keep his heart regulated while healing. He will go off medications in 4 weeks which will then allow us to see if it worked.   If he has episodes again, then they will do another similar procedure on him again, but from a different approach and angel that would reach that entire area where the main problem is.  We will be praying that is not necessary.  The only option we have is to keep in Faith and believe God has this all planned out and things will work out great either way!!!  No matter how old my son is, to me he is always my baby! All I want is for my children to be healthy, my family to be healthy!! With all we have been through in the past 6 months I keep asking God for this daily!! 

1. **In case you missed some of my past posts, my son has a condition called, Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormal fast heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers, or the atria, of the heart.

Natures Beauty

I love to go for morning runs and this time of year is breath taking to me. I just can not get enough of this fall weather. The last of the bright vibrant leaves are barely hanging on for another day and one good wind I am sure they will be gone. This morning it was 65 degrees at 9a.m. I put on my head phones and music cued.  The air felt so good and sun so warm on my skin. This scenery is uplifting to me, I wish it lasted longer!!! Some times you just have to stop, look, breath in, breath out, and Thank God for the beauty He places in front of our eyes to appreciate!

Strong Woman

My family has a second vacation home near where we live.  This weekend my mom brought my Grandma out to visit and get out of town. It was great to see her, But when I walked into mom's house  to see her for the first time since the funeral a week ago, I saw her from the back sitting on the couch was like a pit in my stomach to see her sitting there, seeming frail, and I know with a heart broken, and with out my Grandpa next to her. I walked up to her to hug her and so happy to see her.  I think it was good for her to get out and about for the most part. But I can tell she is going through the motions right now as any spouse would be. The night before they left I hugged her goodbye. I about lost it hugging her. It took all I had to keep my tears back. I feel so sad Gramps is gone, and so sad to see her having to grieve like this. My grandma has been through so much in her life. I swear she is by far the STRONGEST woman I have ever known in my life. She has certainly had a lot of joy and happiness, but she has also had much pain, loss, and grief. Her faith in God keeps her going and keeps her strong.  I admire that about her. I think her strength goes down the line....

Joyce Meyers... Managing Emotions

Prayers for my Son

As if the walls can't tumble in any more. Thursday the 16th, we finally got to see a cardiologist for my son. They believe he has SVT  They need to do a surgery called Catheter Ablation They will go in with the catheter and find where the electrical wiring is firing off.  I am still reading up on this and don't have all the facts. You can click on the underlined link I highlighted above to read more if you want to.  But my understanding is that when this is successful the child does not ever have issues again!  As a parent of course we always worry about our kids. But every time I start to worry, I TRY to just talk to God. This surgery is Wednesday the 29th. He will stay the night in the hospitol and get to come home Thursday sometime. Praying and believing all goes perfect!!!

With all this stress I have some how developed TMJ in my jaw from sleeping with my jaw clentched down I guess. I am trying chiropractic care and a new oil I am picking up from a friend of mine. I can handle this. I just want my kids and family all healthy!!

Good things are coming our way!! I feel it and believe it !!!

The Angels lead him to heaven~ Saying goodbye to my Hero

On October 15th I got the call that I was dreading every time I would see my mothers cell number on my phone. I was sitting in my house, just finished dinner and was cleaning up things when I got the call, I missed it because my phone was charging. When I looked at my phone 30 minutes later I saw she called. Called them back and My step dad told me. I literally broke down, sobbing. My family heard me from the basement. I lost my hero!! He suffered so long from emphysema COPD. He fought west Nile last summer. He was the strongest person I have ever known by far. He would have bouts of hard times with his health. Then he would push through. My Grandpa was a contractor his whole life, and even at 92 years old he was still developing his land and currently just finished 2 more homes and was about to start another to sell. He did extraordinary things in his life and I admire him so much. My mother had me at a very young age and this man has always always been here for me.  

Gramps, no matter what, you did no wrong in my eyes and I know I did no wrong in yours. The life time of memories, and the special bond we have always had will be a treasure I will hold so dear and close to my heart forever. Words can not express how much you will be missed by us all!! I am so thankful we got that time together a couple ...weeks ago to talk, shoot the bull, and give you that last hair cut you needed. You were to me the ONE MAN in my life that has been here for me ALWAYS with out waiver, and I thank you for that!! Tonight we all hurt and miss you, but I know you are BREATHING the fresh air of Heaven right now and that is priceless. I know the angels were singing as they welcomed you home!!! I love you…always and FOREVER, my Gramps, My hero!!

Function mode:101

Seems lately for several months now there has just been one thing after the other going on. Seems there is not one second for a breather.  To say the least this past year has been a challenge for our family. Cars and water heaters have broken down, but all I care about and want it for every one in my family to be healthy.  Going from one child's health issues to another now trying to figure out what my son's issues are with his racing heart.  Last week I got him to the clinic during one of his episodes and they got his heart going 210/min. Unreal to me how fast it gets going. When I read on the Internet it sounds to me like Tachycardia. But there are different types of tachycardia it looks like. I did get him in to see a specialist after begging to the nurse on the phone at the Heart Doctor clinic.  I know my son is worried and so I am. I am definitely not sleeping well thinking about it and so many other things going on in my life. Hopefully we get close to answers on Thursday this week for him. For now he is on a heart monitor he wears to capture and record any episodes he may have.

My grandfather is still hanging on. Or I guess you could say God is waiting. I am not sure why God is waiting, but he is. He is struggling to breath more and more suffering every day that goes by.  My grandfather is catholic and called the priest to come and pray with him a week ago. I am very happy he did that. I knew he is a believer, but this definitely gives gramps and every one reassurance as to where he is going. I talk to my mom who sees them daily and helps out a lot I know it gets harder and harder to see him suffer so much. A lot of sadness on our family to watch him suffer this way. 

Where to find strength in everything?  The only place I feel i can get a sense of peace is  through God.  Some days I may decide to carry it all myself, and other days I am at his feet !! Some days I would rather just stay in bed, but I know I have to keep on keeping on because I have 3 children counting on me to be their strength as well.

Update for Amanda

There is nothing better than picking up the phone and hearing from your Dr, "we have great news".  Yes finally Amanda's blood work showed her inflammatory levels being normal. Thank you Lord for this answered prayer and healing!!  We knew in our hearts that this reading would be a good one. But nothing better than hearing it!!  Amanda has gone through a lot of different changes lately and I know that God has amazing things planned for a very bright future. She truly is an inspiration. Her heart is so big and loving. I am very proud of her!

Autumn

One of my most favorite times of the year is Autumn. The beauty that seems to change weekly.   I always want to hang onto those leaves and it is sad to see them fall, but watching there beautiful transformation can be breath taking, just like watching my daughter grow up before my eyes.

Soon the leaves will fall and a new season begins. For now I will soak in every single day of Autumn that I can. Life is precious, soak it all in, even if it seems like something small. 

Moments to Treasure with my Grandpa

For many years my grandpa has battled emphysema. The past 5 or so he has had a lot of touch and go moments. Last summer he also got West Nile and that sure had him down and out for a long time. This past year has been his hardest by far and honestly it is a true miracle he is still here. My grandpa is very strong willed. Even in his 90's he is still a contractor, building homes and developing his land like he always has. He never retired I guess you could say!!   "There is always a project to finish up"! 

 Family said he was not doing very well and had not eaten for about 3 days or sat up at all. So I decided to drive back and spend some time with him. When I got there he looked pretty lifeless. Struggling for each and every breath. I honestly did not think he would make it through the night. Any small movement would take his breath away and he would panic that he could not breath. I stayed out at the house with him and my grandma to help with anything I could and spend time with them. The night was long as he would choke or be gasping for air. My "mommy ears" heard every little thing and I would jump up to see if he was ok. Him and my grandma are very blessed to have all their kids live in the same town and it is so nice to see how every one helps where needed.  Hospice is there from time to time to check in on them. But basically at this point there is nothing that can really be done as he is in the last stages of the disease. 

 After a long night, the next morning he suddenly sat right up in bed. I could tell, wow, this is going to be a "good day". The morning nurse said "I think he is excited his granddaughter is here".  He sat up all day afraid to lay down again in case he could not get back up. He was talking, his color looked good, he ate breakfast and a great dinner. I cut his hair for him which made him feel great!!  My grandpa has a ton of fun awesome hair!!  I massaged his back, and helped him be comfortable. But the best thing was I spend all day talking to him,   He still had things to get done and contractors to talk to, so he was also still "doing business".  What a switch from the days prior.  My mom said "The calm before the storm".  I am grateful God gave him that day because later that night so many family members came to see him and he was able to visit with every one.   

I also took the opportunity while there to sit and pray with him. I really felt God nudging me to do this.   At the end of his good day I had to go, travel back home. I prayed with him before I left and we told each other "I love you".  This was so hard to leave because in my heart I just knew it would be the last time I get to talk and spend time with my grandpa!!!  

Tears stream down my cheeks as  I write this!  I know he did not want me to go yet and that is hard too. It would have been hard leaving at any time. That night or the next morning, all the same.  I feel extremely blessed that I got to have this one "good day" with him.  It gave me the opportunity to remember him this way and really treasure every single minute we had.   I am not sure I could handle seeing him take a last breath. I did not feel I wanted to be there for that, but rather treasure the good. If you have not noticed already, my Grandpa and I have always been very close. He is probably the ONE man who has never left me and has always been here. He has adored me just as I have always adored him!  I will love him forever!!  

Something to always remember-Dream Big

Sometimes events in life our done to us not the show our weakness but to discover our strengths. I learned who doesn't look for you, doesn't miss you, and who doesn't miss you doesn't care for you.  That destiny determines who enters your life, but you decide who stays.  That the truth hurts only once and a lie every time you remember it.  There are three things in life that leave and never return: words, time and opportunities; therefore, value whoever values you and don't treat as a priority whoever treats you as an option.  Don't love what you can't trust.  Don't judge what you don't know.  Don't live life waiting for something to happen.  People who succeed in life are the ones who takes chances, and who don't look for others opinions to dictate there life.  That dreams are built for those to BELIEVE in them!!

Relationships Come & Go

God Says, " The reason some people have turned against you & walked away from you without reason, has nothing to do with you.  It's because I have removed them from your life because they cannot go where I am taking you next.  They will only hinder you in your next level because they have already served their purpose in your life.  Let them go and keep moving forward.  Greater is coming." Says the Lord.  

When someone is in your life and suddenly they are gone with no explanation just try to remember "they weren't meant to be there anymore".  I have experienced this, and I have several friends right now that are experiencing relationship pains that leave them with unanswered questions. It hurts me when they hurt and I can't take it away. But, instead of asking yourself "why", just try to trust that God always has our best interest at hand and CHOOSE to not be a prisoner by holding on..Like God says "Let go and keep moving"...

My "Helpless" feeling in my heart that turned into "HOPE"!

Today I am feeling helpless or maybe I am just feeling totally alone!!!  My daughter has Crohn's and I can not take it away. (God Can) She is in pain again, and it breaks my heart!  I want this disease gone!! I hate seeing her in pain and struggling.  I treasure the days when I ask her "how are you feeling", and she says "Good mom".  I felt like things were going ok and getting better, but turns out her tests came back elevated this time.  They want to put her back on Steroid. this time a lower dose. Now back to all the meds she was on in the beginning.  I have asked the Dr if we are jumping the gun going bk on the steroid and is she sure. Turned out later she called back and said lets wait. Sometimes the tests can show elevation due to fighting a virus. Which Amanda says she has not been feeling good like she is getting a cold. Steroids is not just an easy thing. You go on it, you are on it for 6 weeks at least because it takes time to wean of of them. I was glad they are waiting. I am not sure how Amanda feels, I know she is scared of the pain and I know she will know if the pain is familiar then we will put her bk on them. I will still continue to believe in a miracle

 It seems that in the past month we have been attacked at every angel. Try to get ahead and then other things come up, go wrong, or break. Just in the month of August my family needed an EKG, and Eco Cardiogram, 2 MRI"s, several x-rays, 2 up coming surgery's, dishwasher broke,  a big chunk of asphalt fell out of a truck and shattered car window(not covered by insurance), car broke down totally a week later and the next day our water heater sprung a leak, and broke down $1780. (those things are spendy). All in all, i just want every one healthy. But when all this stuff happens in just one month, you get to a point where enough is enough already.

When I have gone through big amounts of stress, usually towards the end of it all my lower back gives out. Yep that's what happened so off to the chiropractor for me.  My friend was talking about Crohns and told me to call this man Jerry who has a daughter that has crohns and is doing very well he thought calling him would be well worth while.   Well interesting enough this name "Jerry" has come up to me through many other people over the past 2 months. I just never picked up the phone. I did not want to bother anyone. Today is different though. I am at my wits end with every thing, I feel alone, and I need to talk to someone that can maybe give me some insight or hope on what other options I can do to help my daughter.  I have prayed for God to bring the right people into my life. Well I think God has been doing that and I just was not listening.

I contacted Jerry, we ended up talking for over an hour. This conversation opened my eyes wide to God's love for me and my family.  He talked to me about so many things. How our minds/words are so powerful, we have to change our negative thoughts and words into positive thoughts and words spoken out loud. He showed me specifically how to pray better for Amanda and how to pray for the protection of us all. Mostly to BELIEVE she can and will be healed.  I know now why God kept bringing his name up to me through other people. Later he asked me if I had any ineffectiveness in my life that I have left on the side and not delt with. My answer: Yes.  He explained to me that when we have ineffectiveness in our hearts that it limits us from God's true blessings. He reminded me of how important it is to not harbor those things in my heart and I should deal with them. He guided me on a great prayer to do so with each person in my life I need to forgive and let go of. I guess I just felt that things were not really affecting me, so why deal with them. In reality that was the enemy telling me that lie. In reality I do need to forgive so that I am not limited the true blessings that God has. Little did I know that we would be talking about me at all, but I guess God needed me to hear it.

I shared all this with Amanda and family. Prayed with her and over her.  I do believe God is healing her, it is done. I do believe that God is working in all of us and that there are some pretty amazing blessings coming around the corner. This is not where God wants us, but he is working to get us where he wants us.  Jerry and his Wife plan to meet up with us this week, I am looking forward to some amazing prayer time with this wonderful family!! I also look forward to having our daughters who are close in age connect. I think for Amanda having a buddy to connect with could be so great for her!!!

 Life is hard, some people get hit harder than others at different times in life, but I have hope again. It's time to put on the armour and fight back!!

Update on Amanda

Many family has wondered how Amanda has been doing. She is currently off of the steroid they had put her on along with a few other things that she is done with now. For now she is only on the Crohn's medication 6MP.  This past week she has had some pain in the esophagus area again which she has not had for a while now. We try to adjust her diet and just trying to figure out what may cause it to act up.  She continues to get blood work done every 2 weeks to check her inflammatory markers and to make sure her liver is processing the medication correctly.  Her life has changed in the fact that she just can not go out and eat whatever every other teenager is eating, she is tired more often and needs to listen to her body and rest when she feels that way. Her immune system is very low right now from the steroid. It wiped out the good bacteria and the bad out of her body so now the body has to rebuild.  Food and nutrients are very important for her overall health and strength. This could be a challenge since school just started and many kids get sick and will be around her.  But all in all, she makes the best of each day and it has not really stopped her from doing all the things she loves to do. She has an amazing heart! We continue to pray for remission and for God to bring the right people into our lives that may be of some help and or support!

she loves to be my little model and help me practice my fun with photography!!

IF any one reading this blog struggles with autoimmune this is a great book and a must have!!!

Summer here and gone

It is so hard to believe summer is coming to a close. This summer has been different in many ways for sure. So many different doctor appointments with many of us going through different things. I think between us all we have covered all the pretty major testings that are done. From MRI's to Eco cardiograms to Colonoscopys and a couple different surgery's. We have had cars break down and water heaters bust out about all in the same 3 week time frame. Despite all that somehow we still managed to get in some fun or relaxation where we could. Times can be hard and tough,  but you have to keep standing tall and fight through it!! 

Girl Cousin Fun!! From 15 to 2!!

 I love this picture of the kids Great Grandma Hope!! She is a precious sweet Grandma. So caring and never ever forgets to send cards on our birthdays. I wish we lived closer to her to see her every single day!! Love you so much Grandma!!

 Our kids and my brothers two little munchkins!! 

 Got in several camp fires and gazing at the stars!! My favorite way to relax, besides the beach!!

 Probably one of Gracies favorite things to do was get to the water park!!

Little Eun Turns 6

I can not comprehend how much time seems to go by so fast. My sweet little Gracie turned 6 on August 4th. Her bright smile, sweet giggles that go on for hours and her little sassy but sweet personality make every thing so complete!! If you know her well, you know with out a doubt that Frozen is her all time favorite movie. She knows it word by word and acts it out in costume every single time she watches it, and trust me she watches it ALOT!! :-)  Happy Birthday My sweet Eun!! We Love you with all our hearts!!

Since we had the party Sunday so more people could make it, On Monday we went on a picnic to the park! My little sweetie is growing up way too fast. Kindergarten is right around the corner