A New Years to Remember

11 years ago I had it all figured out. I had just graduated from college. I had a plane ticket purchased to move across the country, the perfect job offer, and thought that life couldn't be better. I had a plan . . . the problem . . . God had a different one.

11 years ago today, I met Brad. He really threw a kink in my plan. I DID NOT want to be interested in a boy from Oklahoma. That did not fit into my plan of moving to Washington state. So, I continued on with the original plan full force ahead! Until 4 days later when I slid off a highway on black ice in the middle of nowhere Kansas. The car (which was my sister's brand new car that she had let me borrow for the trip to Aubrey's wedding) crossed over oncoming traffic and rolled over narrowly missing a telephone pole and a gas line pole. This was definitely not part of the plan! I spent all of my graduation / moving money towing the totalled car back to Texas and taking care of as much of the negative balance on the car that I could. I spent over a week crying, not sure what to do with myself. I had my life planned out. I knew exactly what I wanted. And I felt my dreams slipping away. I did not want to stay in small town Texas! Then over the next couple of months, my priorities began to change. Brad came around more and more often and I was hooked. Plans changed! I got the perfect job here and I fell in love with the boy from Oklahoma.

10 years ago today there was no looking back. Brad proposed to me on a carriage ride in downtown Fort Worth on New Years Eve. And the rest is history. I wouldn't change a thing! We have been blessed with great friends, loving family, and two precious little girls. This is way better than my original plan! I am thankful that God is in charge. I am thankful that He brought Brad and I together, that He made it impossible for me to continue on as I had hoped, and that He continues to surprise us with unexpected blessings.

In this New Year, I wish your family all the best. May God surprise you with unexpected blessings as he has done for us!

Merry Christmas to All!

It's 7:30 Christmas morning . . . Brad is gone to work, the girls are engrossed in their Santa gifts, and I figured that now was a good a time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

We went to Starla's house last night for food and gifts with my family. We had a great time! My mom came, ate, and even rocked out a bit on Guitar Hero. It was nice for us to all be together again. I don't think that has happened since Thanksgiving. Anyway, enjoy the pictures. And I wish all of you a Christmas filled with family and friends. We are off next to the Cooks' house for a little Christmas breakfast - yum!

A Friend Loves at all Times

This post is dedicated to the amazing friends that God has blessed us with. New friends who have become such a special part of our life this year . . . people who have surprised us with their compassion and with how quickly we have come to love their friendship. Old friends who have stuck with us through the good and the bad . . . the ones who are always there for us, no matter what, who open their doors and their hearts. They are raw and real, and they accept Brad and I as is.

This year more than ever, I want to take the time to express how thankful I am for each of you. It's been a rough year. It's hard to describe how cancer seems to affect every aspect of your life, but I think that it has. It is such a scary word. And although my mom is doing fairly well with the treatment process and her doctor assures us that when this is over she will be fine, it has still deeply impacted our family. Between nausea and low white blood counts, her interaction with us has been extremely limited. But my friends have really stepped in and been a tremendous support through it all. They have helped out with the girls, given me advice, and taken us in as family. I miss spending time with my mom and dad, but these friends have given us a place to feel like we belong, like we are one of their own. And for that, I will be forever grateful! So thanks Sheila, Jessica, De'Ana, Keely, and Donna! I love you all!

Catching Up

Whew! I made it. School was out today at 1:00 and I am free for two much needed weeks of Christmas break. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job - the good days and the bad. It just seems like this time of year life gets so crazy that I find myself longing for the time off to just spend time with Brad and the girls doing absolutely nothing. Between work, meetings, and special programs at school, I feel like we haven't been home together in weeks. In fact, last week Brad and Lily went to OKCity for 4 days to visit Jay for his birthday. They came home Wednesday night, and Gracie and I left Friday night to go to Lubbock for the weekend. In between I had something going on at school both Wednesday and Thursday nights, so I haven't seen much of Lily or Brad in a while.

The trip to Lubbock was great. It was the first time that Gracie and I have gone out of town on a "special" trip, just the two of us. We went to see Amy Carr graduate from LCU (Congratulations again, Amy!!!). It was neat to be able to take my daughter to visit my Alma mater. I haven't been back to Lubbock in years. And I am so thankful that Gracie was able to see Amy's accomplishment. She adores Amy and I am thankful for the example that she continues to be for my kid.

My mom has started the last round of chemo. Only 3 more weeks left. Things seem to have settled a bit. She still feels pretty rotten some days, but it is much more manageable than a few weeks ago. The germy kids and I are just ready for her blood count to be normal at the same time that she feels like seeing people. I think that I can count on one hand the number of times that we have seen her over the past 2 months. We are counting down the days until January! After that, she will see a radiologist so that they can decide whether or not she will need to have radiation. Keep praying! I know that she is lonely and ready for it all to end, but most of all we all pray for total and complete healing.

We don't have big plans for Christmas. Brad's sister and her family are going to Michigan, so his dad may come here for a few days. We have plans to see my family on Christmas Eve if my mom is feeling alright. Brad (of course) has to work Christmas Day, so there will be a VERY EARLY morning Santa "reveal" and then I will get to torture my children the rest of the day making them wait until Brad is home from work to open their gifts. Sounds fun, huh?!? Wherever you and your family will be, I wish you safe travel, precious time spent with loved ones, and a very Merry Christmas!