Too Long

So sorry to all of you. These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Things have been wonderful and life really is back to normal. Work has been very busy and I have enjoyed getting back to what I love. Ella's adding more words to her vocabulary everyday. Her newest additions are "grandaddy," "yes," "water," and my personal favorite "Joel." She says it all the time and it is the cutest (Joel doesn't think so). It is so amazing how quickly they grow.

I wanted to make sure I blogged today because I will be having my last reconstructive surgery Friday morning. They will just sedate me and the procedure should be pretty quick. In six weeks they will do the tattooing procedure and I will be DONE and looking great!!!! Thanks for your prayers.

Life in Bloom

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103: 2-5

Even though I try not to think about the idea of a cancer recurrence, sometimes I do. I try to get it out of my mind as soon as possible. Fighting cancer is not only a physical battle but it is also a battle within the mind. I am continuing to discover the balance of knowing I had cancer yet living my life to the fullest everyday. Some days are more difficult then others. I am following all the steps advised by my doctor to prevent cancer in addition to many lifestyle changes. However, I know that my peace can simply be found in above the words of my loving God. He can and has healed my disease. The best part is that is He has blessed my life with so many wonderful things.

Life is really getting back to normal. We are figuring out a little routine with my going back to work. Ella is still a little mad about it and not sleeping very well for Joel when I'm gone. Hopefully she will begin to accept it and start sleeping better. We've been doing a ton of work in our yard and we also FINALLY bought a grill. We broke it in with some great chicken last night. Now all we have left is to get a little grass to grow and we'll be done. My surgery restrictions end on Friday and all will be well because I can vacuum again.

My rose bush is really blooming and my hair is growing like crazy so I thought we should take a picture together. My hair is actually coming in with a lot of blonde and it's not curly. I will not know what to do with straight hair!!!


Oh, I received several questions about my secret to soft towels from the clothesline. Check out the following link for more info: http://www.mysticwondersinc.com/. When you use the laundry ball you don't have to use any laundry detergent. I hang the clothes on the line and when they are dry I put them in the dryer for about 15-20 minutes with the dryer balls. The clothes come out of the laundry very soft and smelling so clean. I love it!

Going Green

So, Joel has accused me of "going green." I really don't know how it happened. I mean, I lived in the land of "recycle and reuse" for 3 years (the Northwest) and did not recycle one thing. Maybe it all started with the rising cost of gas. Maybe it was my desire to feed my family healthier foods. I really don't know, but Joel's right.

I had Joel build a clothesline in the backyard where I now hang everything to dry. I've even found the secret to not having stiff towels. I know all you who are occasionally house guests will appreciate soft towels. I also bought several bins that I actually labeled cardboard, paper, and plastic and put them in the garage. And, my lowest green moment.....I put Ella in the jogging stroller and WALKED to the store to get a few things!!!! I know...it's like the little green recycling monster has taken over.

As I get used to my new found greenness, I have made a few promises to Joel. I will not hang our undies on the line. There are just some things the neighbors don't need to know. I will allow lights to be turned on but only at night. (Just kidding) Last but not least, Joel can still use hot water to shower. So, in the attitude of my new green counterparts, I encourage you to think of ways to conserve and maybe save yourself a little money.

Spring Fun

So many of you may not know that I love to garden. I find it therapeutic. I prefer flowers with bulbs and I have an organic veggie garden. I recently planted some trees we pulled up at my mom and dad's house. Ella loves to help me garden. Most of the time she just tries to eat the dirt but she really does love flowers.

I think my love for gardening started with my Granny and Papa. My Granny grew some amazing flowers and my Papa always had the best veggie garden. I remember "shuck'n" corn and "snapp'n" beans while sitting at their aluminum kitchen table or on the porch swing. I spent most of my summers as a child with my grandparents. There is nothing better than eating a tomato fresh off the vine or cutting a watermelon just pulled from the garden. I treasure those times with Granny and Papa. And, every year as my gladiolas bloom I think of my Granny and the wisdom she instilled in me. Granny went to be with the Lord January 12, 2002. (Yes, the same day of Ella's birth). I have often thought of her as I went through the past few months. I could often hear her quoting as she did everyday, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) I hope I can share with Ella the same wonderful lessons Granny taught me.

Sorry about the nostalgia. Sometimes it just comes out! I thought you might want to see a pic of Ella and her new swing set. She LOVES it!! She slides down the slide by herself and she likes to sit in her clubhouse and look for airplanes. We've had a blast just being outside.

My hair is really starting to come in along with my eyelashes and eyebrows (which fell out 3 weeks ago)! I even have to put product in to keep it from standing straight up! Thank you all for praying for my Grandma. She is doing much better and has returned to the nursing home.