Happy Birthday Jesus

I invited a few of our friends over for a "Happy Birthday Christmas party" two days before Christmas.  It was so great to let the kids hang out while the mommy's sipped on coffee.  We all sang to Jesus and ate birthday cake.  I might have to do this every year!

photos

Why is it so impossible to get a photo of the three kids all smiling?!

Merry Christmas!

Carmen's Christmas play

Carmen had her school play before Christmas and it was so adorable.  She loved performing!  This girl was beaming with joy and light the entire time!  Her teacher came up to me and said, "So, I hear from Carmen that you have a baby in your belly."  No!  Apparently Carmen gave her great detail about this mystery baby.  There are no more babies in mommy's tummy unless Jesus decides to come!  It was awesome to get to attend the performance this year.  Last year, I was getting a mammogram and MRI.  Crazy!

One year

Exactly one year ago today I received the devastating news that I had highly invasive breast cancer. I stand here today to show that Jesus Christ can bring beau...ty from ashes and is in the business of restoration. My Healer has guided us every step, protected, and provided faithfully. Thank you friends and family for all your love, prayers, and support. I am forever grateful!
Hug your loved ones a little tighter this Christmas season. Nothing lasts forever on this earth except our eternity.

"— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61:3)

 

Thanksgiving break in Tulsa

Thanksgiving was spent in Tulsa this year.  We spent the week.  Matt flew a couple of the days his first trip, so it worked out for me to be around family while he was gone.  We all went out for dinner on Wednesday night to celebrate Pam's birthday.  We had such a great night!  A babysitter came and played with all the kids.

 

We all drove an hour to the lake on Thanksgiving day.  It's always fun to spend time at the lake!

We have so much to be thankful for this year!  God is so amazing!

Design

I got approved to do some design work for Browns bridge church!! This is so exciting to start designing on my own on the side. I am so grateful for this opportunity! Now I better get to work!

God's living words

We spent the week of thanksgiving in Tulsa at Matt's parents house. I got to meet Stephanie (Matt's cousin's sister in law) who is just now battling breast cancer with three small children. She had her first chemo today. I was able to pray with her and her mom. It was a humbling feeling to know what they were about to face, but to show them how Christ can give us so much joy and hope through the pain. I am grateful for the opportunity to help her in any way possible like so many people helped me. 

I gave her a few hand written note cards of verses that my friend Anne had given me. I explained that out of all the gifts people had given me, God's living word was the best gift that I continued to rely on daily. I'm praying that this chemo kills every single remaining cancer cell in her body. 

Flying

He's back! Matt had his first flight in 11 months last week. This is a huge milestone for our family. He went back to training the week that I got released from physical therapy. I am feeling stronger every day and can finally take care of our babies on my own. It's time for Matt to go back to providing for our family and enjoying his hobbies. He has been more than an amazing husband and caregiver then I could have ever imagined. We are so blessed to have him! It has been a tough year especially on Matt! We love you daddy!!!

Carmen's Thanksgiving feast

Carmen had her Thanksgiving feast at preschool last week. It is so adorable to see so many cute little 3 and 4 year olds bring thankful. Parents weren't invited to this exclusive party, but her teacher sent these cute pics!

Tree

We put the tree up early this year because we were gone a week for Thsnksgiving in Oklahoma. I've never been one of those people that decorates for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but we are choosing to enjoy this whole season this year! Last year was simply insane! It was honestly hard to get that Christmas tree out. Last year when we were putting all the decorations up we had no idea what our future would hold. We were living in so much fear. Praise God for his healing and for Jesus! We are trying to soak in every minute of Christmas this year!

Halloween!

Halloween was amazing again this year! The kids absolutely love getting dressed up and hanging with the neighborhood. It was actually really cold and rainy, but we suffered through and had a bonfire with the neighbors. It was so much fun!! We feel blessed to have so many great neighbors!