Happy Anniversary!!!!

Today's the day! One year ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. What a year it has been!!! I am so excited to be almost done with everything. I am so ready to move on. I was reading this morning from a journal I started a few days after my diagnosis. I wrote, "I believe God could just take this cancer if He desires. If not, I will trust Him to take me on this journey. I believe He will guide me, strengthen me, and heal me." The journal entry goes on to say how much peace I felt at that very moment. I get so excited when I think of the testimony I now have and the amazing life God has given me! God has brought me through this experience and I have learned so much. Thank you to all of you who have gone on this journey with me. We can celebrate this day together!!

As many of you may know, Ella had a seizure last Tuesday. She is doing just fine now. It was very scary because she stopped breathing. I was by myself visiting my parents. We had to go by ambulance to the children's hospital in Augusta. Everyone took such good care of us. We don't know what caused the seizure. We have a few more doctors appointments and an EEG in the next few weeks. It didn't stop her one bit. In fact, she has started saying more new words and making sentences that actually make sense. We are just believing it is a one time incident.

Everything else is going great. Joel will be on a normal schedule for 6 weeks while he goes through training for the next level of management. We are planning a trip to the Atlanta zoo and the aquarium in a few weeks. Ella is so excited to finally see a panda!

We received a package in the mail from Wayne and April (Joel's parents). They had sent Ella a gorgeous dress for the fall. She of course had to put it on immediately. They also included some Irish Rovers CD's. I recorded this quick video of Ella showing her true Irish roots. Hope you enjoy!!

Long time....no see

Yes...we are all doing well. I know it's been too long and I am going down in history as the worst blogger ever. I have found it difficult to have a second to spare chasing Ella around all day. We have had so much to do these past few weeks. Ella is growing so much and she looks like a little girl now. Joel and I have a blast playing with her. She has started talking in complete sentences and you never know what she is going to say. She is very much into playing with play dough, coloring, stickers, and oh yes...the jewelry obsession. The other day we went to the mall and she HAD to wear a bracelet on both arms, a huge necklace, her sunglasses, and of course her pink tutu. I think we might have a little "diva" on our hands!

My hair has grown so much that I actually have a hairstyle now. It is SOOOO curly. I am enjoying how easy it is to fix, although the amount of product I have to use is steadily increasing because I have to control the poof!
We were able to take a trip to Washington a few weeks ago for Joel's sister's wedding. We stayed a few extra days to hang out with the family and see some friends. We had wonderful time. I will admit that flying into Portland, OR and seeing the beautiful landscape made me miss it....a little. Ella had a great time playing with her cousin Isabel and "Papa and Mimi." We were able to spend a day at the zoo in Portland with our friends Milan and Miriam. We got to introduce Ella to their son and had a wonderful time just catching up.
The day before we left, Joel, Ella, Wayne, April (Joel's mom and dad), and myself we able to take a trip to the beach. Ella was so confused when I was putting layers of clothes on her and telling her we were going to the beach. She just kept saying "No Mama, No!" But sand is sand no matter what coast you're on and we've got a little beach bum on our hands!
Since being back, life has continued as normal. I have officially completed all of my reconstructive surgery and LOVE the results. Joel has received another promotion with Lowes and we couldn't be happier. God continues to amaze us!!

On October 4th, Joel and I will be walking in the "Walk for Life." The walk is a local fund raiser for the women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Columbia area. All the money raised stays local and I saw the benefit first hand last year when I was diagnosed. It is an easy 3 mile walk through downtown Columbia and takes about 3 hours for the walk and festivities. If anyone local is interested in joining with us, please let us know.

Until next time....whenever that may be.......