Promise

I've been feeling so tired lately with absolutely no energy. I have a cold to top it off. No biggie, but random thoughts keep coming in my head like "It's come back". "You probably have cancer in your bones now". Or that headache is actually brain cancer. I just have to remember that the enemy is a joy killer. He can plant these terrible thoughts in my head. I have to stay focused on Christ and the hope I have in him. 

As we were driving away from Roman's baseball game tonight, it happened again with a vengeance. I was overwhelmed with the idea that the cancer had come back. It was so fierce, that I was silently caught off guard. I mentioned it to Matt and he reminded me that I am healed. I looked up and showed Roman that a little rainbow was in the sky. I mentioned to the kids that rainbows represent God's promise. Then it dawned on me, this rainbow was for me. It disappeared in about 30 seconds. Matt and I were amazed. God didn't promise me that I will forever be healed on earth, but he does promise a future with him. Whatever my future holds, I have the hope of eternity in heaven with Jesus. What a promise!

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)

Wheat

We finally jumped all in the wheat bandwagon and drove to Woodstock, GA to stock up on whole wheat, barley, spelt, beans, millet, kamut, olive oil, honey, natural salt, and good yeast. That's right, the Franks are milling their own wheat! 

We've been wanting to do this for a long time. We bought the mill a few months back, but just now since I'm done with cancer treatments, we're able to go all in. 

Once the wheat kernel is cracked, it starts the oxidation process and loses all its nutrients in 72 hours. This is why store bought whole wheat always says it is enriched with vitamins and nutrients. We plan to mill the wheat and then make our bread weekly. This will not only save money, but we will receive all of the nutrients that God originally intended. The bible describes how to make bread. 

“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself..." (Ezekiel 4:9)

So we bought these ingredients and made Ezekiel bread. It is amazing!  I made pancakes this morning with the Ezekiel mix and then made pizza dough for dinner tonight. 

A few friends that brought us food while I was sick would bring us homemade bread and muffins from their milled wheat. They would pray over it for healing for my body. I believe it worked. This is just another way to be natural and feed our bodies real food.

We stocked up!

Homemade pizza dough with artichoke and kale pizza on a roasted garlic/red pepper ricotta spread. Topped with mozzarella and feta. It was amazing!!

There's nothing better than homemade food!

Baseball

We started roman in baseball this fall just to try another sport. I think he's liking it! I love watching the games! We are on the team with Luke from down the street and Preston from church. It's great to have friends at the games. Hudson loves watching the game and Carmen loves cheering on her brother also!

Carmen and Madeline cheering on the boys

Coach Mike. Roman got on first!

Tulsa

I went to Tulsa the weekend after Labor Day for Pam's surgery. We knew she needed the hernia/esophagus surgery, but she waited until we were all done with my cancer surgeries to have it done. Bill called the day before and asked if I could come to stay with her in the hospital. Of course! After all they've done for me, that's the least I could do! I know that God wanted me to be there. The weekend went smoothly. Pam did great considering. I was able to spend a lot of time with the triplets. 

Saturday night, Matt's brother, Mike, just happened to have an overnight flight in Tulsa. He flies for netjets and has only ever flown to Tulsa a few other times. What a divine intervention! We were able to see him land the plane and then he got to see his mom in the hospital. 

On Sunday, Bill, Pam, and I watched my church service together live on the iPad. I was able to pray out loud with everyone before I left and just thank a God for a smooth surgery and great weekend. I'm so grateful to my mom and Matt for watching the kids so I could go. 

Grateful

Carmen really wanted Roman to sleep with her tonight and we tried, but once again they just kept each other awake. She was frantic when I had Roman go back to his room to bed. Part of me started to get annoyed. It's been a long day, and I just want a moment to myself. Then I sucked it up and layed with her while she calmed down. She softly grabbed my hand and held it tight. I just held her while she fell asleep and thought about how my little three year old is so precious. One day she'll be a grown teenager and won't want me to hold her while she falls asleep. I am so grateful for these kids. They can be SO difficult and crazy at times, but I'm so grateful to be their mommy and needed by them. Every single day with them is a gift from God. 

Big girl bed

Carmen has been waiting to get in her big girl bed for a while. We gave her the guest bed from in the basement and couldn't switch it out until Matt's parents left. They were using the bed when they stayed here for so long. It all worked out in perfect timing. Overall Carmen has done great at staying in her room at night and during quiet time from 2-4.  She gets a star on her chart every time she stays in her room. Our baby girl is growing up!

She asked me to come back and take a picture of her after she was sleeping. I can do that!

No more crib days for this big girl! I used to have to climb in the crib to lay with her. Not anymore!

It's over

I went to the gynecologist today for a yearly check up. She was the one that I went to when I originally found my tumor. She's great! She checked me and said there is no reason why I can't start holding Hudson slowly. I was so relieved! I feel like I've missed out on my baby's first year. I ran home and picked him up and swung around. It was hilarious because Matt started yelling at me. It took a lot of convincing him that I'm ok. I just cried. It's over!! It's all over! No one can truly understand how difficult this entire cancer situation has been for us, mostly Matt. He had to be the main provider, childcare giver, and my nurse. God healed me for a reason, I just need to live each day desiring what he wants for me. I pray every day for the Holy Spirit to lead me. 

I got back in my car to meet a friend for lunch and heard this playing on the cd, "take my life and let it be for your glory" over and over. I just knew it was God. He wants our whole lives. Why not let our creator control our lives?  I am forever grateful to my God for letting me live a few more years with my family. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Carmen preschool

Carmen started her first day of 3yr old preschool on September 2nd. She was so excited! A lot of focus has been on Roman starting school, it was exciting for her to get attention. She really seems to like her new teachers Ms Sarah and Ma Tanya. We are thrilled for our sweet girl!

Hudson 15 month

Hudson turned 15 months old in August. We just got his stats yesterday. It was the first time ever that Matt took a kid for a check up. Poor Hudson had an ear infection also. We had no idea!  He's growing so fast. Here are his stats:

Weight: 27lb 8oz

Height: 34-1/2"

Head circ: 19-3/4"

Hudson is a big boy. He wears mostly 24 month clothes, size 5 shoe, and size five diaper. 

He's our most picky eater. He will eat almost any fruit, but is picky with veggies. I'm way more go-with-the-flow with his meals. He is served everything that we eat and usually ends up throwing half of it on the floor for Captain. Oh well. We're in survival mode:)

Hudson is a talker! He says momma, dadda, more, all done, apple, eat, diaper, ball, and much more. He seriously is starting to repeat everything we say! It's amazing. I feel like he is way more advanced than our other two were at this age. This morning he started singing happy birthday on his own!

Speaking if singing, Hudson's favorite song is twinkle twinkle. He sings it and gets excited when I sing it too. 

Not only is Hudson a big boy, he also has a big personality. Big boy yells all the time. We think it's to fight for attention in our crazy home. He never stops yelling or talking! He also has a temper. He's already telling me 'no'! We have already had to discipline him. 

Hudson tells me when he goes poo poo. He tells me when he wants his milk or water. He is getting more and more verbal. 

Hudson knows most of his body parts. He can point to his head, ears, nose, mouth, and hair. He's been giving hi-fives for a while. He loves to clap his hands and dance a lot too. Mister personality!

Hudson loves balls! His favorite hobby is to walk around in the backyard with a ball and a bat. 

We love you sweet Hudson. It has killed me to not be able to hold my baby boy. I feel like he's growing up before my eyes. I can't lift him out of his crib or even to put him in the highchair. I had a melt down the other day about this, but I know this too shall pass. Hudson loves his daddy and Meema. They have been huge helpers with him. God has big plans for our big boy with all his personality!