Farewell 2009, and Good Ridden

I didn’t write very much last year because my life was consumed with situations that I “couldn’t” write about. So I was respecting other’s privacy and I am glad to say goodbye to 2009.

I am thankful for all the wonderful life lessons that I learned along the way, and I am thankful for the strengthened relationship that I have with God. We have been through a bit this year now God & I are pretty tight. :-) Ok, maybe I’m still clinging to his pant legs (or robe), but either way I’ve accepted that fact that I need Him dearly. It is because of Him that I can walk out of 2009 a better daughter, friend, wife, mother, and woman.

2009 was quite a year:

A battle with cancer that truly tested limits, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Relational roller coasters

And then the year ended with the deaths of my step-dad and grandmother (my mom’s mom). My poor mom’s world was turned upside down at Christmas.

However I can still say that 2009 was QUITE a year!

My mom is beginning to cope with all the secrets that are being revealed about her husband’s life. My heart breaks for her, but I know that God will pull her through this crazy time.

My dad kicked cancers butt! He had battled with liver cancer while being on dialysis for kidney disease and this Gladiator of a man fought and won. The cancer had grown so big and resisted all chemo, and then after the doctors tried all that they could, we turned to family prayer: all 12 kiddos, and eight grandkids. Then within days the tumor started dissolving… granted it turned into liquid that had to be drained, LOTS of liquid that had to be drained. The draining process took another 2 months, but all is heading in the right direction. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but I am thanking God that my Dad’s appetite is back, that he is looking stronger, healthier, and happier. I’ll write more during another post, because the story is truly amazing. I have received permission to share this wonderful journey with you and to give God all the glory that He deserves. (The doctors are still baffled… and amazed).

All roller coaster rides have been exited and are no longer in operation.

What if… #2

Join me in the What If game. Let’s start off this week with an easy one, or at least easy for me.

If you could wear only one color besides white or black, for the rest of your life, what would you wear? Questions, with such finality “the REST of your life” can be a bit difficult for me… it sounds like such a commitment. However, my answer would be blue. I love blue, it’s my favorite color. Now, always, and forever.

If you had to name your single worst fear, what would it be? Sharks!!!! I’m breaking out in a sweat just thinking about them. It’s a GREAT thing that I live in Oklahoma.

If you could eliminate forevermore one cause of death on earth, what would it be? Cancer!

If you could go back to any age and start a different life, what age would that be? Five. I may go into detail about that answer someday… but not today.

If you had to eat in only one restaurant for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Right now, I’m not a fan of eating out… we do it too often. But if I had to choose, it would be In The Raw. They have great salads, steaks, rice bowls, appetizers, and of course both cooked and raw sushi. I would need the variety.

My apologies

If you are coming to this site via a link that is not working then I apologize. I had to take down a few posts that were referring to a family health situation. Although we are still requesting prayer.

I had tried to be vague while requesting prayer to respect everyone's privacy but someone's privacy wasn't respected and the last thing that I want to do is to make a difficult situation more difficult.

Revised post:

Just a month ago, I was sitting back after a family gathering thinking to myself that I was one lucky individual. I absolutely love my family!! I even wrote about it on Facebook. (Yes, I am a dork like that. When I am happy I love to shout it from the rooftops or Facebook). I felt so lucky to have recovered from my cancer scare and just felt well... lucky.

Within the last few weeks, my husband was injured and had to have surgery on his knee, and then another family member found out that they had liver cancer.

Needless to say, our world has been rocked. I have been praying and pleading for strength for both my self and my other family members 100s of times throughout the day.

Regarding the liver cancer:
In the beginning I felt strong and confident, and I was able to easily calm others and talk them through the process of what was happening to our relative. However, I can honestly admit that I need more information about "the process and the procedures" myself. Not understanding what is happening to their bodies and not knowing what to expect is creating a fear that I can't seem to fight off. I am amazed by the strength of our relative and am proud at the way they are fighting the cancer.

If anyone out there knows anything about liver cancer I would LOVE some information and advice. I would also love advice regarding diet... what foods are easiest to hold down.

I am so thankful to God for taking care of Corey throughout his surgery and he has been healing really well. He is even going back to work tomorrow, just five days after his surgery. I am thankful that he feels good enough to do that. (Unless we are on vacation, he has a difficult time staying away from his office, and sometimes he has a tough time even during vacation not calling 10 times,. His business is his baby). So I know that even taking off a few days for his surgery was hard for him to do. He enjoys his job.

While I haven't been posting as much because my mind has obviously been on these matters, I have been reading yours and have been pulling from your strength as you walk through and overcome different trials and have thoroughly enjoyed laughing at your posts because I can honestly say that I have NEEDED your humor more than you know.

These situations were the catalyst for the Bloggy Kudos post. I honestly don't think I could be walking through these sitautions without the strength, humor and reminders that God's hand is in this! So again, thank you!