Let me catch my breath......

It seems like life has gotten so busy that I have not had time to stop and catch my breath. With working and running the kids, down time is rare. Nicole is involved with color guard in the band. She just got accepted into the choral group "Chansodie" (If I spelled that right which I doubt!) Nicole also landed a part in the upcoming fall play, coaches the middle school sport stacking team and is in the youth group band at church as the solo vocalist.

Tyler plays soccer, signed up for student couselor (which totally blew me away) and is a runner for the high school band. Lexi also plays soccer as well and signed up to sing in the choir.

And me....well, once again I got volunteered to be the frazzled taxi driver. LOL

We recently had a birthday party for Lexi who turned 7 on Aug. 30. Below is a slideshow of that event. Too many pics to post on one post.

Lexi also played her first soccer game the last Sunday of August.




I will try to post when I can. It's gotten really hard to do that though.


We've been helping a lady at church who also had ovarian cancer. She also had the same doctor. Hers seems more likely to return than mine will. She can be mixed up at times so meeting her needs tends to be a challenge. Her name is Shirley if you could keep her in your prayers and our church as we try to navigate her needs.

End of August Activities

At a local health faire I had a table for Ovarian cancer awareness. We had to use Nicole's camera so the quality isn't as good.

While I was at the Health Faire Norm was taking a class on vehicle accident rescue.













That night we went to a movie on the square of our town












Lexi turned 7 on Sunday












Me, myself and the person in this picture :)




That afternoon Lexi played her first soccer game for the season












First day of school yesterday

I was so upset at myself. I finally could go back to work and the first day went great! Then i came home and decided to mow and then mulch. For some dumb reason when i was done mowing I reached down and touched the muffler. I got a 2nd and 3rd gegree burn on my hand so I am off the rest of the week. I was so mad. Going between crying and wanting to throw something.

Psalm 23

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD. Ps. 23




In his classic book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller gives a striking picture of the care and gentleness of a shepherd. In verse 3 when David says, “He restores my soul,” he uses language every shepherd would understand.
Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it is very difficult for them to get up again. They flail their legs in the air, bleat, and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually suffocate. This is referred to as a “cast down” position.




When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up, and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.




What a picture of what God wants to do for us! When we are on our backs, flailing because of guilt, grief, or grudges, our loving Shepherd reassures us with His grace, lifts us up, and holds us until we’ve gained our spiritual equilibrium.
If you’ve been cast down for any reason, God is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. He will restore your confidence, joy, and strength. — Marvin Williams




This Shepherd of mine knows each trial, each snare,And at just the right moment my Lord will be there,On His shoulders to carry each burden for me—Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd, and always shall be.




The weak and the helpless are in the Good Shepherd’s special care

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

Teal Toes!

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Help spread awareness of this silent killer by painting your toenails teal, the ovarian cancer awareness color. When people ask you about it, spread the word!
For more information, see www.TealToes.org.

Summer almost over......

Today i went to work to help set up for the beginning of school next Monday. Hard to believe they are going back already. I'm hoping this will be a better year and I can work straight through.

Nicole's band recently had their picnic at the end of band camp and they gave a performance for the parents. They don't have their uniforms in yet but hopefully will before their first football game.

Norm's fire company recently had a vehicle accident class.

This past Saturday the fire company also had a Hook and Ladder fest which has been well attended. I wasn't feeling well that day so i didn't help. Not sure if it was the flu or what. They had the Philadelphia Phillies Fanatic there. Tyler was motioning to his dad to come and the Fanatic came over instead and sat down next to him.









Yesterday we went to a local air show.























Norm and Nicole watching the slies. I also hung around taking photos of clouds and other things to use as backgrounds for further projects.

Tyler and Lexi collected Locust shells.










Coby and I

Happy Dog!








As soon as I can get it completed I have another video I made for our church ladies upcoming program called Eve. They played it last Thursday. I need to finish converting the slides so I can upload it to Youtube.

On Friday I go to set up for an Ovarian cancer awareness display I will have at a local church. They have a clothing giveaway and a health faire. September is Ovarian cancer awareness month.

More images from my garden

At least the bees and butterflies are enjoying my hummingbird feeder. I even had the pleasure of one butterfly landing on my shirt.

I had made a video of my journey to the right. I am hoping You-Tube does not have an issue with it. If so I will take it back down.

Tonight I go to Worship Team practice and see if the computer will crash on me. It's been doing it lately. Makes you learn to save stuff.

Answered prayer

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I have been praying for something that was partially related to the after effects of my cancer and yesterday, not only did He answer that prayer, but He answered it twice. The first time I was near tears when I realized He had given me what I asked for and the second time I was in complete awe. Thank you Jesus! You knew exactly what I needed! The balm for my soul.....

My Butterfly Garden

I've been trying to get a hummingbird in but haven't had much luck. Recently we were surprised to see another butterfly bush growing that we thought died a couple of years ago. It's a purple one. I want to try and encourage more limbs and blooms till next year.

Some good news!

The nurse from my oncologist called me back with my CT Scan. They did not see any cancer nor did they see what may be causing my stomach cramping when I eat. That last part was good and bad news because they would mostly see if cancer was causing that which they did not see any. My doctor did tell me if there is a gall bladdar issue, he would need a totally different test for that but at least we know there is no cancer there. He is on vacation so I probably won't get his take on it till next week.

Thankful

I am thankful for all of the new cancer survivor friends I have made that have provided encouragement. It's hard to to turn to those at church because most are still going through it and I want to lift them up and not bring them down with my emotions. I have found some of you on Facebook. :)

I went for my CT scan today and that was the easiest IV I have had in a very long time. He used a vein inside my right elbow and it hurt very little and he didn't have to stick me again like they usually do. I'm not sure when I will find out results but I am praying everything is clear.