A change will do me good

I turned 28 years old recently. And I have decided to have a 28 year old Resolution instead of the typical New Years one. You see, I never really put much thought into my New Years Resolution and because of that I just throw something out there as if I am going to change my life...but in reality, I just don't stick to them. But I have thought out something that I am going to begin doing now that I am 28 and growing up. Please keep in mind that this isn't a life changing committment...I made my life-changing committment many years ago and I really try to live every day as a changed person...like I said before this is a very superficial comittment that I am making to myself. Now that I am 28 years old I am going to wash my face and brush and floss my teeth every night before going to bed. I do also realize that most of you have been doing this since you were like 5 years old...but for me...this is new. For the past week I have been washing my face and brushing and flossing my teeth and I really like the new me and I am going to stick with it now. I feel really clean.

Update

I said I would update you on how Steph is doing (see previous post). So far so good because she actually has her chemo postponed until this Thursday, January 11th, because her mom has been sick this week. Please continue to pray for her and then some more starting this Thursday and for the 5 days following it. Pray that this chemo is effective and that Steph's cancer will be gone and will never come back again...pray for complete and total healing.

Please pray for Steph

Our friend Steph is 16 years old. She is fun to be around and is very likeable...if you ever get the chance to meet her you will discover how great she is! Steph is a part of our youth group and has been our friend for the past 3 years. Unlike most 16 year olds, Steph has been fighting cancer for the past year and a half. It all started when she was having leg cramps during track practice. They took her to the doctor thinking she might have a pulled muscle or something and discover that she has cancer in her leg and very small cancer spots on her lungs. She goes through a very strong chemo treatment and is in the clear. In fact, we held a party for her at church because she was in remission and she had made it through her chemo treatment and was cancer free!!! I wish that was the end of the story and we could say she went back to track practice and lived happily ever after, but only 3 months later does she go in for another scan to find the cancer rapidly growing all over her lungs. Then for months she tries a series of different chemo treatments and none of them are working...all the while the cancer is growing very quickly. During this time the cancer did not respond at all to her chemo treatments. Then something happened. There were lots of prayers lifted up for Steph at Faith Quest. And later I found out from Steph that she was losing hope...she felt like she might be dying...but she realized one day that she hadn't been praying. So she decided to start praying to God every day that He would help her. That's when she started a new chemo treatment. God was good and heard all of our prayers, and the chemo worked. Her cancer has now shrunk significantly. But it's not gone yet. It's not over yet. We have one last battle against this cancer. Tomorrow, January 4th, she starts her LAST treatment of this particular chemo...it's the LAST dose that she can get of the ONLY chemo treatment that has been defeating her cancer. I wanted to tell you this so that you will pray for Steph. She starts tomorrow January 4th and gets this chemo treatment for 5 days. Will you please pray every day for Steph? We really need God to kick this cancer in the butt once and for all. Please remember Steph. And I promise that when all is said and done that I will tell you the outcome as soon as I find out. Thank you for praying!

Here is Steph and her family at her Make a Wish trip...she got to meet the Grey's Anatomy cast and watch them film an episode!

The fun we had

I think there are a lot of reasons why Christmas always ends up being a good time. The excitement and laughter of family getting together is part of it. And of course there is always a good old fashioned baby-tickling that can be fun. Watching your nephew dress up in his new Superman costume...
Or maybe it's the guys doing the dishes after Christmas dinner...

Family - together playing games, eating good food and enjoying eachother's company...

And it could be your baby sleeping from takeoff to landing that makes Christmas travel so perfect...

The sparkle and glow of the Christmas trees, cousins playing together, Family Feud and Phase 10 until late in the night, eating excellent food, it's all of these things and more that made Christmas so special this year. I hope that yours was filled to the brim with family and friends!

Technology

So I was thinking the other day that when I first went to grade school, my friend's mom was the secretary and she did all of her work on a typewriter...I know this because we often played on it after school! By the time I was in 5th grade we had computers in our classroom and played the original Oregon Trail game. That was awesome! In 7th grade, we had a computer lab and that's when I learned how to type and make a basic excel worksheet. It wasn't until my Freshman year in college that I signed up for an email account. And I finally owned my very own computer after my Junior year of college. I say all this to say how quickly and how amazing technology progresses.

I can only imagine what technology will be like when my baby goes to school...power point presentations for show and tell and who knows what else.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

There's just nothing quite like having snow. Every season is so beautiful for its uniqueness...spring flowers, summer sun, autumn leaves, and snow in the winter! We had snow over Thanksgiving and it was glorious! It gets quiet, things slow down and it takes you back to snow angel days! I love snow!

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for...
Relationship with God
The best husband
Sweet son
Family
Friends
A loving church
Warm home
Refrigerator & cupboards full of food
Good health
The beautiful state of Washington
Starbucks coffee
Running car
Clothes
Target
Rain
Trees
Turkey & Cranberry sauce
Van Morrison's music
A good book
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Fresh baked cookies

I sometimes forget what I am thankful for. This was a good reminder for me to sit down and think of specific things God blesses me with. What are you thankful for today?