Beyond Bringing Up Boys

My mother-in law was given a preliminary diagnosis of ovarian cancer at Thanksgiving time. I have taken care to protect my mother-in-law's privacy--since it is her story--after all. But since she doesn't have a blog and many of you have written or called to inquire of her, David thought that it would be okay to give you an update. Glenda had surgery on December 20th. The tumor, which was malignant, was removed and many biopsies were taken. She was able to go home the day after Christmas. She has been weak but improving day by day. She returned to the doctor's office with some trepidition yesterday while all of us waited for a call to hear the outcome of those biopsies. We were elated to hear that she had no positive biopsies! She was given a stage of 1C, meaning that she will be treated with chemotherapy as though positive cancer cells were found in the abdominal fluid. We were already expecting this because the tumor size necessitated the surgeons' opening and dra...

I love my sister-in-law, Lisa, for many reasons. But today, I love her even more. Two nights ago, David grabbed a brownie out of my hand since, "you are on a diet...and you would be sorry tomorrow." Am I holding a grudge? You be the judge. Lisa evidently read my blog where I grumbled because I had to share my beloved Reese Peanut Butter Cups . Today in the mail, I received this beautiful box of jewelry with this note at the top (click on the pic to enlarge). Since I was alone, I opened and ta-da! My favorite treat!! And no one was here to remind me that I should be dieting... Chocolate craving satisfied, I have now forgiven David. And the diet...there's always tomorrow.

Where do you find friends who are willing to drive 6 hours with three kids to come HELP us paint our new house? This summer our friends from Louisville, Erick and Junia Hall, came to Georgia and helped us add trim boards and paint! What a blessing they were to us! Our kids got along beautifully. So well, in fact, that their youngest daughter has decided that she should come live with us since she and Samuel do not fight (evidently she was having a bad day with her brothers). We would consider an arranged marriage but after dicussing their strong personalities--we think that it might not be a match to last--but aren't they too cute? Thanks for being such great friends! For another great picture of Jericka and Samuel see Junia's blog .

I began writing in 2007 to “be real.” Not the “keepin’ it real, dawg” of our current culture but in an effort to openly share where-the-rubber-meets-the-road faith. I opened my days to you. I shared my fears and openly celebrated our successes. And you were kind. What began, as an avenue to share my life as a believer, has also become a lifeline through my lonely days of our move to Georgia. I have to say how grateful I am to you-- thank-you, friends, old and new who have come along beside me this year. I am amazed that you stop by and read my meager thoughts (and many are brave enough to say so!). The New Year arrived "quietly" in our home this morning. As quietly as possible when a two-year-old is sleeping nearby and 2 older brothers are outside on the deck with sparklers, despite freezing temperatures and gusty winds. (Kentucky freezing temperatures that is, 45 degrees) The boys were settled and we climbed into bed. David's eyes held mine and said, ‘It’s been a tou...