How do I feel about cancer?

Well, I have lost lots of family and loved ones to the cruel disease. When I heard about Brother Barr passing away the other day, my heart broke. When Ron was in the heart of his chemo treatments, I thought often of Brother Barr... because of Ron's dark, sunken eyes... Brother Barr was an inspiration and seemed to just keeping marching on. My heart goes out to his wife... I still remember their engagement night at GBS. May God be with her and Brother Barr's children and family in a special way.
It is a mean disease... some people get cured, and some don't. Cancer took my grandma before I was even born, took most of Ron's grandparents, too. Took the very young man that prayed with my dad the night he got saved... It might have been Hodgkin's, too, not sure. Took two of my uncles in the past couple of years. Nearly took my grandpa. Took my good friend, Gloria Jean McGinnis' husband, Coy, a couple of years ago.
I am starting to see life in a new way... not that we are really even dying if we are in Christ, but that we are just continuing our lives in another place... not quite in the same way as we do here, I know. The good news is that Ron's grandma got saved just a few days before she passed away. It seems my uncles DID THE SAME THING! My mom's mom was a Christian. And, so, what seemed to be a bad thing, turned out fine... I will see/meet them again in Heaven!
I have a deeper love for Ron than ever... and, I really want to keep him here... I want to be able to hold him, cook for him, make him laugh, I just love my man.
His cancer was almost gone in the last PET, so we are hoping it will be completely gone the next. He doesn't want another PET for 3 months, so that might be what we are going to do. The radiation can continue to work for quite a while, so it might be the best thing to see what will happen after waiting a while. It is possible that he could be cured after this... I REALLY HOPE SO!
I think our family may go on a little vacation in a few weeks... I was hoping to go to another state, but, we probably will go back to the place we went on our honeymoon. I am starting to look forward to that! It is has nice cabins, a lake, a playground, etc... the girls will love it... the two older girls have been there before.
Ron looks great now... his eyes are not dark, and his blue eyes are gorgious again. He looks healthy and strong... he works, does ministry, spends time with his family, exercises, and seems to be back to normal! He hasn't had chemo since the big stem-cell transplant, he just had his 17 treatments of radiation, which has tweaked with his counts some, but he did very well!

Well, I have probably said too much already about Ron, so I am going to completely change the subject!
After much frustration in not being able to hire someone for a couple of hours one day this week, I decided to get very serious about the pile situation in my room. I got up about 5 yesterday, took Ron to work, got a couple of trash bags and starting throwing stuff away and getting rid of stuff... after hours of doing this, it looked like I had only made a little dent. Then, I got my growing piles of laundry (dryer has serious issues), and loaded it up and last night I went to a laundry mat for a fast catch up. Was very happy about this, even if it did cost alot of money (did I mention how I love the smell of Tide and Downy... it cheers my heart... really!). I drank lots of coffee, and did not get into bed until very late at night! Got a bit of heart-burn from the ordeal, but one has got to do what they must... I have been living in this mobile home for about a month, and I still have stuff to put away! You see, I used to have a basement and a very large storage room and many storage cabinets... that is all gone now... I have a shed, but once you get the lawn mower, bikes, double stroller, Christmas decor, and tools in it, there just isn't room for other storage, so it must go away, either by trash or giving away or selling... that is why I have the pile by my dresser in my room that needs gone through! That pile looks like a personal mountain to me and I take offense in having the situation! I declare war on that pile! PILE, YOU ARE MINE... YOU WILL BE DEFEATED, HEARTBURN OR NOT, EVEN IF I HAVE TO GET UP AT RIDICULOUS HOURS OF THE MORNING! YOU HEAR ME... YOU ARE GOING DOWN!

A few of MY favorite things...

1. The smells of Tide (not something I can alway afford) and Downy, Lysol, and bleach.
2. The stretchy-ness and powdery smells of Pampers, but I also do Luvs. (Not me, that is, but the baby.)
3. Chewy blueberry bagels with cream cheese, actually most starches and sweets... that is why I am 50 pounds overweight (plus, a little dose of depression... one of those clouds that like to hang overhead sometimes... when it gets nice outside again, I should feel better... it is a strange thing!)
4. Coffee with hot chocolate.
5. A new favorite that I think I will always want to have in my home! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Bought it because middle child decorated some walls... it is Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean... you would just have to try it and see the things it can do! It gets a high approval on my list!
6. Lysterine breath strips (pet-peeve is bad smells!)
7. 1% milk (very cold)
8. My trailor (unless someone tries to tell me how cheaply made mobile homes are... or, how dangerous they are in a tornado... it is a bit of a downer... but, I like it so much because we are going to own it, and I can decorate it however my little heart desires... which is why I painted a castle scene on the girls' bedroom wall with the words above saying "God's Little Princesses." I will have to share pictures later... it was very fun!)
9. Big yards, flowers, gardens, little girls picking "flowers' for their mommy, watching little girls learn new things, little girls' giggles (unless the giggle is from doing something naughty), little girls begging to cuddle, hug me, or scratch my back, little girls helping with "jobs", little nursing babies (mine is about weaned... bitter-sweet), little girls' kisses, did I mention I love my little girls? It is even more so when I get to enjoy them outside playing! I love the outdoors and fresh air. The combo of outdoors and little girls is very fulfilling. :-)
10. Packing my hubby's lunch for work and putting love notes inside each day (a new practice I started a week ago).
11. A clean house (still not there, but getting closer).
12. Christian radio (although I don't care for some of the preaching... too Calvanistic.)
13. Hair that smells clean... sounds weird, but I love it.
14. My hubby's hugs... He's a big, tough guy, and I feel very safe with him close (a bit personal, I know!)
15. The freshness of God's Word, and the peace of prayer.
16. The feeling after a job is well done.
17. Friends who aren't always in a hurry... they have time to talk for a few minutes, and it doesn't have to be important. They just like to be with you.
18. Shopping... a little challenging with 3 small children, but it is fun.
19. Heaters and air conditioners, electric, and gas (you don't miss them until you don't have them... learned that a while back when we experienced outages.)
20. Being able to go outside without my shoes... like the feeling of warm grass under my feet.
21. Long hair on girls... if it is combed, that is :-)
22. My husband's blue eyes! When he is down with treatments, his eyes tend to be very dark around them, but normally his eyes are gorgious!
23. My husband's heart-felt laughter! It is sooo contagious, I can hardly keep from laughing when I hear it.
24. Back rubs... I am an addict!
25. Topping the list... seeing someone get saved and giving their heart to Jesus... It is sooo exciting and is what makes me the happiest! That happened on Sunday at our church, and it was awesome!

Little things are sooo fun...

I have found that little things make my children smile... like playing at the park where we live, having supper outside on the picnic table, and learning the hand game of... "Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the door, and here's all the people" (They got a kick out of the last item for some reason... I think they would have me do that over and over half the day if I let them!) We got to do each of these things yesterday, and Faith also started with her pre-school work again... since we took time off for the move. I have also started teaching "character lessons," which I hope to start making an impact on them very soon. They beg to help cook, wash dishes, etc., but we still don't care for picking up those toys. Faith helped wash dishes yesterday, but I made the mistake of leaving the water running with her at the sink, as if she would turn it off when it was full... no, she didn't, but when the water was running all over the sink, she yelled for me... I was vacuuming, and not paying attention to the sink... it was my fault, because I didn't teach her to turn it off if she sees it too high.
A couple of my rooms are still a mess from the move (this is what can happen when one down-sizes quickly, and still has regular chores to do, etc.) Any ladies I know out there who would like to help me get caught up? HA... now, THAT is what I call being desparate! I have a hard time functioning right when my house is messy!
Well, I do need to get going... need to cook some lunch and get regular house chores going and start the girls' classes! I love how these character lessons even teach table manners and thoughtfulness. The other day, I complimented Faithy when she thoughtfully brought Daddy a drink without being asked... it was it a little container with a lid, and Ron didn't really want it at the time, but it was VERY thoughtful of her. I am trying to teach them to do things without being asked. Telling the truth has been a tough one for my oldest, and she is learning that the punishment is greater if she tells a lie. The middle's issue is repeating her desires over and over and crying/screaming/ whining, but I have cracked down on that, too. The rule is: ask once, if Mommy says "no," don't keep asking, and certainly don't go ask Daddy, or vice versa... or the consequences will not be fun. She'll get it! Hope's issue is... ummm... feed me, feed me, feed me! She is a chunk, and I probably overfeed my children (and, myself)... so, that is another area to work on this year. Oh, and another pet-peeve (sp?) is children who say "yuck" about their food... that is sooo rude, and I have been teaching my children that, too. They might think that broccoli is yuck, but it sure is good for them! Especially don't want to hear my children say that to someone else who has prepared a meal for them!!! I have heard older kids say stuff like that and refuse to eat what has been prepared, and it really bothers me... I had that happen at one of my teen girls sleepovers, and I had spent lots of time making a fancy speghetti dinner for them (glass goblets and all!), and almost came unglued when one new young person pointed at each item made and said, "I don't like that, I don't like that...". I preached her a quick sermon, and, I think she ate the baked speghetti, maybe even the salad, etc. Okay, enough of that!
My children are NOT perfect, so I can't say I have it all together... but we are learning.
Oh, another thing, does anyone know of a Christian piano and/or violin teacher locally that is good with children and charges reasonable rates? My piano needs tuned, and I would love to have an in-home teacher, but it doesn't have to be in-home. I have shopped around a little, but still not sure I have found what I am looking for.
First day today for Ron without radiation... I am happy for him... he was getting quite burnt.
He ate a pizza roll last night that apparently had some chicken or turkey meat in it... this made for a very sick hubby during church time, but he made it! If you know us well, you know that Ron is HIGHLY allergic to poultry. I had bought a bag of plain cheese rolls for him, but he had gotten hold of one of the girls' pizza rolls. He took anti-hystimines and some pain reliever, and that helped. Last time this type of thing happened, I think I ran to my neighbor's house for some Benadryl, because I couldn't find any in my cabinet. I am usually VERY cautious about reading the back of packages. So, if you have us over for a meal, and he asks about your food, it is not because he is being rude, it is because he must.
That is life here at the cook house.
You may e-mail me at sarahgbs@yahoo.com about the piano lessons is you know of someone who is a good instructor. Better go!

Just when you think it is over!

Child #2 started complaining of being cold and of a hurt head... poor little Charity was really crying. She looked like what Faith did when she took sick... strange thing is how LOW her temp is and right now she is acting fine, but I think she has it... whatever IT may be. I mean... it would be more obvious if there were a cough or vomiting or something.

The main bathroom (except under the tub... that is a big job for a future time!), girls' bedroom, and little hall floors are repaired, but their closet is only 1/2 done... now we just need the padding and carpet put in the hall and girls' room, and it should look really nice! Can hardly wait!

I think Ron only has two more radiation treatments left! Yeah for him! Hopefully, this will be the last cancer treatments he will need... that is the goal! Would be nice to put Hodgkin's disease away for good! Not sure when his next PET will be, but hopefully, it will be good news!

Oh, I didn't tell you, but I got that washer from my mom, and on the way home (VERY LATE AT NIGHT!), I was driving because Ron was exhausted from his crazy schedule and treatments, and I got chased down by someone! I thought... is this person trying to race me? I didn't look who they were, until my husband says, "Hey, Sarah, there's your Aunt Kathy!" There she was out of nowhere side by side with my car, waving at us... I don't get to see her often because we live so far away, and it was very ironic that she saw us passing through her town at that time of night going back home. We stopped, gave a hug, and said hi! She says my grandma checks daily my blog, so I thought I would say "HI" on my blog to my wonderful grandparents who I don't get to see often! LOVE YOU! *** hey, I can do that... it's MY blog*** In fact, I will just say LOVE YOU to ALL of my relatives tonight that I rarely get to visit or talk to, but I know that they read my blog! LOVE YOU!

Isn't it nice to be loved! Okay, I need to go love my girls' teeth before they fall to sleep and don't get brushed! Goodnight!

Rollercoasters

Emotions- are tricky things... and, I have had my share recently.
Moving- is quite the job... the more I clean, it seems, the more things get messed up.
Health- the more we fight to be healthy, it seems to fight against us.

Yep, it has been a BUSY week at our home with floor repairs, unpacking, painting, putting up new border, getting rid of stuff, throwing out lots of trash, you know the routine.
Can't put everything away until the floors are finished, but it is making progress, and it is going to be a beauty when it is all complete. I do like my mobile home! There is a park here for the children to play at with swings, slide, teeter-totters, and a merry-go-round. I think it will be a nice place to go to when the weather gets better.
We are sooo thankful to my brother-in-law, Larry B., and family friend, Jimmy H., who have put in MANY hours of work in getting our floors repaired. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
If anyone has tried to call my cell phone in the past week or two, you may have realized that I have not been returning your calls... it is not because I have a problem with you, but my phone got lost in all the stuff! Ron found it last night, and it is in the process of being charged!
I had quite the scare this week. Faith said she was doing summer-sauts (sp?) on my bed, and she fell off onto a paint can, and got a large knot on her head. A day later, she developed bad headaches, chills, upset stomach, and fever... I called the doc last night, but she thinks its the flu. I was concerned that there was a relation between the head injury and fever and bad headaches, but the doc didn't think so. There have been some folks at church that have had the flu, so maybe that is it... poor Faith... she has been so pale, and seems spaced out at times. I just keep giving her medicine for the fever, and doing the things mamas do for little sick ones... chicken noodle soup, 7up, popsicles, providing more time for napping, vitamins, etc. I had a nasty headache last night with an upset stomach, but no fever... I don't have time to be sick!
Well, family is needing me, so I had better go. Hope to get pictures on here when I get more time.

Winds of change...

Well, this HAS been an interesting week!
Wednesday evening brought in a wave of emotions as I could hardly control my laughter at church. First, I was talking to a friend about our floors needing repaired, because her husband may help repair them... I was telling her that any day except Sunday was fine. She joked that if we fell through the floors on Sunday, then we would want them to fix them on that day. Then we were talking about people falling through weak flooring, about working on Sundays, and I said that would be really an ox in the ditch... you just would have had to have been there! She said I was calling her an ox, I said I was referring to myself... I guess it isn't as funny if you are not there.
Then, another friend of my family asked me a question, but I could not understand what he was saying, it sounded as if he were asking something not very appropriate, but in fact, he was saying something totally different... but, another friend of mine heard him, and thought it sounded like what I heard... it is not appropriate to put on my blog, but the poor guy has a strong accent and when I finally understood his question, I could not control my laughter!
Then, I accidentally clocked my husband with my daughter's boot at church... poor Ron had a knot on his head! I would love to tell you the whole story, because it is VERY funny, although I did feel badly, I laughed harder than I have in a VERY, VERY long time!!! In fact, I continued to laugh about the boot throwing scene until we reached home! I could hardly breathe! It was a crazy evening! It was fun stepping out of the serious zone!
When I reached home the laughter stopped as I realized the heavy winds that had been in our area had knocked out our electricity! It was a cold night in our trailor! Ron went to work the next morning, and I was unhappy to see that I was stuck in a cold dark trailor with three little girls to try to keep warm. But, Ron contacted his family, who rescued us and we stayed at their place... now we are home, and looking at the mountain of work ahead. But, it was a nice break to get out of the house.
We got our income tax return Friday, and paid 40% of our trailor off! We hope to have it all paid off the next income tax return! What a provision of the Lord! He knows our needs and has not forsaken us! We may not have the newest of vehicles (it's a 92, I believe!)), the biggest home (although our mobile home is not really small), or the fanciest clothes (I do try to dress my family nicely), but we have everything we need and more! I pretty much feel rich! We've also got awesome friends and family who love us!
Moral:
1. Life might get windy, but it can't knock out God's power.
2. Laugh! It does the body good!

Home Sweet Mobile Home!

I DO love my mobile home, but the place is a disaster right now! Ron and his dad just brought in the last load last night; so.. we are moved in! Oh.. but, we are NOT settled in! We are forever indebted to his dad for packing, loading, and helping Ron move stuff day after day. Ron worked from very early morning till night... his job, radiation, moving, ministry, etc. What a wonderful husband who deserves a vacation now... but, instead, there is more work in getting things settled and in repairing the floors. I don't know how he does it. I had one day of waking up before 5 and going until late at night, and I felt exhausted! I love my 8 hours of sleep... actually, that sleep is often a broken 8 hours, of course, with getting awakened by a little one who is afraid, or in the bathroom, or climbing into my bed, then sometimes I get up with Ron to have devotions and eat before he goes to work, but then I like to climb back in bed until the girls wake up and start saying, "Mom, it's light outside. Wake up. I want cereal with milk." Then, my broken sleep tries to tell me that I haven't had enough sleep, I moan, lay there for a bit, then, force myself out of bed, just to start another LONG day of working on the trailor, sorting stuff, getting rid of what is not needed, feeding little mouths, finding things for little ones to do so that I can get through the mountain of packing boxes and bags, etc. Yep, it should all be unpacked and looking like a home by the end of the week, but then, we will need to get started on the floors. When it is all done, it will be beautiful, and we can go back to our regular schedules of preschooling, playing with children, cooking NORMAL meals, doing regular housework... that sounds nice! I am really looking forward to it!
Our phone number has changed, so if you call our old number it should tell you our new... I just have to find my phone stuff and get it hooked up today. I will not give out our number and address on this blog because of obvious reasons, but just call my old number, or ask my mother if you are from "down home", or talk with me tonight at church if you attend there. Teens and bus kids, you may continue to call our cell phones.
Well, I have a full day ahead, so I must be going! ***Oh, yes, that toe nail is coming off. Yum!***

Just stoppin' by...

Took Ron to work this morning, so that I could clean at the old house... our phone is not being switched over until Wednesday, so this old house is where I get to check e-mails, etc., until then. We are probably 90% done with moving. What a job it has been!
I love my mobile home, and am looking forward to having the floors in the two rooms repaired... hope it gets done very quickly. Ron may try to do it himself to save money. The guy has been working like a mad man! He has his regular job, plus radiation, plus moving, plus teen and children's ministry, and still manages to do things with his children!!! He had to be on anti-biotics for a few days. He didn't want to go to the doctor because he was sooo busy last week already, but I KNEW he was sick, and NEEDED to be treated because of his immune system not being a normal one... so I threatened my poor husband, and he called the doctors and got some anti-biotics without having to make an extra trip to the doctor. He seems MUCH better!
We went to a youth rally Saturday night, and we had 22 people on the little short yellow bus... it is a joke in our youth group about our bus. Then, Sunday we had a nice group of kids in Children's Church... right now I am a temporary director, I think. I have been organizing people to teach Bible stories, object lessons, songs, games, skits, crafts, snacks, and even got someone to act as the Children's Church accountant... it is working out nicely. This week, we had a few kids that we not very easy to work with... a few who kept trying to escape the class. That was rather frustrating, but most of the children were great... and, the workers are wonderful. In April, another family is rotating in for 5 weeks, which would give me a break. Our regular CC teacher in doing her internship for college right now, and cannot do CC right now, but she still helps out. CC takes alot of work, and it helps to have many hands.
Not sure what is going on with Faithy, but she had diarrhea all night. No fever though. My guess is it is food related... she said her stomach hurt yesterday, but sometimes she says stuff like that when she wants to get out of something, but this was the real deal.
Hurray... this is going sound gross, but I had a black toe nail and the toe was all swollen and sometimes hot to the touch (this is NOT the same toe injury that happened with the kitchen chair, this is the opposite foot, and the big toe), I did this while cleaning a friend's sidewalk over a week ago, and I stupidly kicked the thick ice... anyway, the pressure in this thing was horrible... and, finally yesterday, it started bleeding and released the pressure. What a gross thing to write on my blog!
Baby Hope "prayed" for the first time yesterday. It was sooo very cute! My friends, Amy S and Amy L, were there to see the precious moment. I showed her how to bow her head to pray for her food. She bowed her little head and jibber-jabbered, and it was sooo sweet! She also blows kisses, and hushes people with her little finger to her mouth and saying, "shhh." She says hi, mama, dada, and dye (bye). If you compare Ron's baby pictures with her, she looks ALOT like him!!!
Well, that is a little summary of what is going on with our family lately.
Until next time... Watch your toes!

HA!

That was a pathetic post last night... that's what happens to me when I am overtired! Strange thing is that I have been having trouble getting to sleep. Think my eyes looked rather black around them this morning... got to stop fighting that pillow! It is getting the best of me! I have even tried taking medicine to help me sleep!

Guess what?! My parents are giving me a washing machine for my new trailor!!! I am so excited! My very own washing machine, and it is probably only 2 years old or less! The people we are buying the trailor from left their refrigerator and stove... they said we could have them, because the place they moved to already had what they needed in that area... amazing! God continues to supply our needs!!! We won't have a dishwasher, but one can survive quite well without one... still have to get a dryer, but if that is the only needed appliance, that is not a big deal! Funny thing is that another GREATLY desired item seems to have been supplied as well... it is one of those unnecessary things, but I really wanted one... it is a swingset! You see, they had this frame left at the trailor that went to a big swing (like a porch swing, but it isn't on the porch, but on a frame); well, they had given away the swing part, but left the frame for us. If we wanted we could attach the girls' chain swings to the wooden frame, and wa-la... a sturdy swing set for the children. I have been wanting one for maybe a year!!! COOL, HUH? They also left a very nice picnic table with an umbrella for us! I can hardly wait to show you all some pictures! No, we don't have a yard, really, but there is a park in the trailor court. Now, there is one other thing that would be really cool... if there would be someone in the court who teaches music! Would LOVE LOVE LOVE for my two older children to start lessons! God REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS! I'll try not to leave too many posts like the previous one... If you went to Bible school with me, or worked with me in NM, you know how I am when I am tired... either very hyper and talkive or depressingly sentimental... so bare with me!

Got to go listen to my daughter read her Little Owl book. She is doing well, but struggles a little with b,d, p, and g. I have been trying to come up with creative ways for her to remember them... it is helping some.

I know this might surprise you...

but, I think I am tired of doing a blog...
tired of comparing myself with all of my productive friends.
tired of taking time away from my responsiblities
tired of posting, but finding that really my blog isn't that exciting
tired, and probably need to go to bed, probably it has been a long day, probably the next couple of weeks have overwhelmed my brain until I am not my normal chipper self. Probably, I had better stop writing such a pathetic post, and go read my Bible which will convict, change, yet relax me.
Probably I will be glad when Ron's radiation is over, we are moved into our new home, my children are no longer ill, and bla bla bla...
SNAP OUT OF IT, SARAH!!! (I say, then I slap my face, and set myself straight.)
Okay, actually, there is good news... the radiation doctor is very optimist about Ron's cancer being taken care of after 17 treatments. That would be awesome!!! That is enough good news to just make this wife very happy... cause I really love my man more than I can say!
Then, today, we got the lean to our trailor! That was exciting! Never owned a home before, and this is a pretty nice one!
Whew! My emotions are on quite a rollercoaster! Isn't there a rule that one should not post when one is exhausted?! Oh, my blankey and pillows are calling for me! Goodnight!

Let it snow!

Wow! We got some snow here!

I thought Fireproof could be a nice tool to reach broken, or breaking homes. Good challenges. Ron is not really into movies unless it is one about the Bible or a preaching DVD... so, he hasn't watched it yet. He has been quite tired in the evenings, too... of course, he usually gets up very early. He worked hard today... he didn't have to go to his job, but he did shovel snow, WENT GROCERY SHOPPING, and did some other things. He can drive in just about anything... and, this weather was bad!

Baby Hope continues to be sick. I decided to not give her any of her soy milk (she appears to be allergic to cow's milk) today, and just nurse her (well, I did give her Sprite), I do wish her cough and diarrhea would quickly go, as well as the nasal greenery... poor little thing. Charity has it, too. I think Ron might be catching something, too... he has a sore throat, and I think he has a little bit of a cough. Faithy and I have so far escaped it. I don't want it!

I continue to pack, and our house no longer looks like a home... without the pictures and the curtains, and with all of the boxes, it is difficult to feel comfy.

Slow going...

Been sluggish today... got alot on my mind. Been packing some. Still need to finalize the purchase of the trailor, but it should be done soon.

The girls have poor little Hope stuffed into the TinkerToy bucket. Poor little girl! The funny thing is that she doesn't seem to mind anymore. It is just a part of her life to be put into clothes baskets, toy baskets, packing boxes, whatever they can put her in. She just "goes with the flow."

The girls and I played outside in the snow today, Faith did some schoolwork, we ate, I read to Faith and Charity, gave medicine to little Hope who is battling a cold or allergies, did a little research about a symptom that Ron is experiencing and about his radiation coming up, etc. I am feeling that wave of uncertainty today... why didn't all the cancer disappear the way it was supposed to? Will the radiation kick it? You are not supposed to be able to get radiation in the same area again even if it is years later (at least that is what my research says)... It's in the Lord's hands.

Just another day at the Cook house. Maybe I need a little coffee to wash away the hum-drums... coffee gives me quite a kick.

Got "Fireproof" in the mail today. I'm picky about videos, so I hope it is as good as it sounds... looking forward to the "date at home" with Ron tonight. Good to see that there are good Christian videos being made... I don't own a television, and I don't want one either, but we do occasionally watch a video, and have been looking forward to this "Fireproof."

My house is a wreck... but, how do you get a house clean when you are packing it up?! I think I am going to get rid of about a quarter of what we own by the time it is all said and done... the less you have, the less you have to clean up, huh?

Guess the news about what is going on in our country recently is a little depressing, too... How can people be so blind? How can they believe that murdering babies is okay? How can they use MY tax money to do something I do not believe is morally right? How can they teach children sexual immorality? I really hate the rapant sin! How can they threaten to take away our freedom of speech? Is our country going backwards? Oh, Lord, save our country from moral destruction, and save our Constitution... the things our forefathers fought for! Open our eyes! Push away the fog... the spell the people are under! Please, help our President to see the Truth and lead in wisdom!

Alright, I guess I had better go... got much to do, just thought I would spill my stress on you, so you could be stressed, too... aren't I a nice friend?

Results of the PET

We got the results yesterday, but were quite busy, as we were taking a group of young people to a youth outing in Franklin... counting our family, we had 15 on the bus. Very fun time!

Well, the results, according to the oncoligist, show that the cancer is 95% better. There are two small areas of concern in the chest area that showed up on the PET. They would like to do radiation on them, but we are thinking about that... there is alot of information to consider that I am not going into here right now, and the doctor is going to talk with some others and to OSU doctors to see if they think radiation is the best decision to treat these questionable spots. It is nice to know that the cancer is mostly gone right now. He has had quite a mean disease, and seems that it is a rather aggressive thing! It doesn't want to go away without a fight... so it is getting a fight! Thank you for praying... prayer is the toughest weapon there is!

Been teaching my children today how to fold laundry, work in the kitchen, play tick-tack-toe, we even did school since I didn't do it yesterday, read to them, gave them piggy-back rides, put batteries in a new toy, had them listen to a Bible story, gave baths, fed them, diapered one, and chatted with Ron, and although my house isn't all clean, I feel pretty happy about my accomplishments! We have gotten rid of quite alot of stuff this week from our home in preparation to move in our trailor. ***uh, oh! The children have Hope in a box again, and they are pulling it around with a jump rope! I think she is actually enjoying it this time! I guess it keeps her out of the toilet... which has become quite a favorite of hers these days... YUCK!*** I think I am going to like the idea of owning a home! I might even like living in a trailor park, since I am a people person! It is funny to think 10 years ago, I was finishing up high school, and I had been terribly shy! Not anymore!

One of THOSE days!

I MUST HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED!

Well, the nice thing this morning is that when I got up, Ron had done alot of housework to surprise me! I was VERY happy! He did not have to work today, because of the holiday, but he did have a PET scan.
I decide to vacuum with my new sweeper while Ron used the shop vac for edges... it is called "teamwork." Well, that all sounds nice, but I bumped my middle toe on my left foot on one of my kitchen chairs... now it is the lovely colors of pink and purple and very stiff! (Oh, BTW, I learned that walking on the treadmill with a freshly injured toe was NOT a good idea... the thing hurt horribly afterward!) Grrr!
Then, as if that was not enough of an injury... I fell trying to give Hope a bath (who had an explosively messy diaper that leaked on her high chair and she was in a desparate need of a bath!). I hit my left knee on the hard tile floor in the bathroom, and now the top of my knee shares the same pretty colors as my toe.
Maybe tomorrow I should where a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and stay in bed! Didn't know normal household chores could be so dangerous!
Any suggestions? HA!

Sabbath greetings to all my lurkers!

Today, I want you to rejoice with me as God moved in a special way in children's church, and a child asked to see me after church, so I agreed...
Sooo... after the story, craft, snack, and game, church was over upstairs, and those children who needed to say their Books of the Bible did their recitation, and then I met with the little girl, Nadine, who wanted to talk about the lesson. She wanted to be the ark of safety... she wanted to ask Jesus in her heart. So, it was my honor to kneel at those tiny little chairs and lead this child through the sinner's prayer. Thank You, Jesus!

Yes, it's true...

Yes, it looks like we are going to be moving soon, if everything goes as planned. Our landlord has been awesome to rent from, but he would like to sell this house, and I can't blame him for that! So, we needed to make a decision... Do we buy this house which costs more than we can really afford? Do we find somewhere else to rent? Where do we go? Well, we actually did not have to wonder long when some friends of ours who recently moved offered us their trailor at a VERY low price! So, we are not moving far, and the trailor we are planning to move into is nice, and although it is a trailor park, it is a nice one... with a playground!

Three of the biggest things I am going to miss by leaving here is...
1. My awesome neighbors! I LOVE them so very, very much!!! I couldn't ask for better ones! I feel very connected with several people in this neighborhood, and I feel like crying just thinking about leaving them!
2. My big front yard... need I say more?!
3. Easy access to the stores I shop at most, and the short distance to the church.

But... I look forward to making new friends, playing at the park, and checking out the new stores... old neighbors are definitely not forgotten!!! After all, some of them go to my church!!! This new home will be much more affordable for us. One cool thing is that we will own it, so I CAN PAINT!!! Goodbye to the off-white walls... okay, I actually love this house we've been living in, but it has some serious issues, like a bowed roof, bowed floors, and bowed ceilings... and, not to mention a basement that floods fairly often... things that would really cost to get fixed. But, I still loved it... it is big and pretty, but, you have to go through life with an open hand.

Now, the task at hand is to pack, clean, get rid of lots of unneeded furniture, baby stuff, etc. There is also a little repair that needs done in the trailor, but I think we have some friends who might be able to help out in that area. The girls' room needs painted pink (got the paint for a VERY cheap price!), the lean needs signed, and much of our income tax money handed over (this is what makes this purchase possible!). We really appreciate how things are working out. The trailor is very pretty and very kept up. Even has a new heater and some new carpet... guess the roof is either new or in great shape (that is always a good thing:-) )

To me, I like the debt-free thing... we have never gotten into much debt, and I don't plan to now. We really can't... it would be unwise knowing Ron's health situation, to jump into something we cannot afford. We have been blessed incredibly by having health insurance... I know that God would have taken care of us if we didn't, but it sure has lessened the stress in our situation by having it... Take a GUESS how much money our insurance plan has had to pay in ONE YEAR! Let me just tell you, I could buy probably 20 trailors or a couple of houses for the amount we would have had to pay for LAST YEAR ALONE if we did not have insurance!

If you, my dear friends and family, are bored and in need of something to do in the next few week... I might be able to help you out with that! HA!

A special thank you goes to the kind person who ordered a vacuum cleaner and had it shipped to my door... one little thing... I believe I know who you are! Who else would have known? THANK YOU!!! I had been just thinking how nice it would be to have a new one... I actually had just about given up on my old one, and started using my shopvac. I am sooo amazed how God takes care of our needs, and we don't have to tell anyone... HE KNOWS!

HE knew we needed a home, He knew Faithy needs skirts, He knew we needed kitchen chairs, He knew I wanted Ron to have new dress shoes, and sooo many other things he has taken care of recently... I still feel in SHOCK of how well He is taking care of us. BTW, if you don't know the chairs, skirts, shoes, etc., stories, read precious posts. Only God can give you size 15 dress shoes for $6.50! I see His Handprints all over the place... not to mention those groceries that were given to us at Christmas-time! I feel RICH! Thank you, Lord! I love You! You are Good with things look good, and You are Good when things look bad.

Oh, and farewell, dear Brother James Adkins... until we meet again! You were a great soldier in the Lord's Army... your prayers, testimonies, and outreach has not been forgotten. You lived 88 years here, but the best has just begun for you. Give Jesus a hug from me, and tell Him thank you.

head-over-heals over life!

I was trying to post a video of Faith doing a summer-saut, but I am having trouble... I will try again!
Wow! I certainly have enough housework for about 5 women to feel fulfilled in accomplishing! Why am I posting on my blog, then? I am trying to escape!!!
I went to the eye doctor finally (I skipped some appt because I thought it was not that necessary compared to everything else... but, since I was having a floater problem, I thought... Guess I better go and at least count it as a yearly check-up. He says once again that the optic nerve shows some border-line signs of glaucoma, and he wants me to come back in 4 months. The pressure in my eyes are okay. At least right now, I don't need to get new glasses! That is good news!
Oh, in case I didn't tell you, I am no longer taking thyroid medicine for that annoying nodule... the specialist said it is not proven to help... so, why take something that isn't helping?! She also acted like my choking was "just a sensation of choking." Guess that vomiting session was a sensation! HA! If the nodule grows (they check this by ultrasound), then they can have it removed, otherwise, unless it annoys me too badly, I can just keep it as a souvenir, I guess. Sometimes they shrink on their own.
It is getting beautiful and white out here!
The kids are doing very well. I am seriously amazed at Faith's memory. She has been recalling and sharing stories from WAY back. She told me last night about how she had lost her fish net in the lake... I remember that time, and I had felt so badly about her little net we had just got for her. Ron had had her in the canoe and I guess she dropped it and it didn't float... it just sunk away. I can feel pretty sentimental sometimes... HA! This story came up while she was reading "Little Book #7" (for those ABEKA teachers), and she read the word NET. I find that listening to her read her little books is a great time to hear old stories! Faith is excited for Spring and Summer to come so she can go fishing again!
Skinny little Charity LOVES to be involved with Faith's school time, too. I am sooo happy to have this little one potty-trained! She is so independent, she wants to do everything "by myself," even through tears of frustration!
Hope is walking very well now. She is now 13 months and 1 day! She has learned a new trick. I was hushing the girls the other day, and Hope makes this hilarious face, and says, "shhhh." Cracked me up! The pediatrician's office called the other day to tell me some routine blood test of Hope's came back that she was slightly anemic, and to be sure that I give her vitamins daily. So, I have started giving her those nasty smelling, clothes staining, vitamin with iron drops. She doesn't seem to mind it at all!!! I think she actually likes the stuff! She is a doll! Looks sooo much like her daddy! Can't help but to give her a squeeze!
Daddy's about as busy as ever! I actually shaved the back of his neck last night for the first time in months! It's nice to see him with hair again!

It's just about time!

Faithy with her new guitar.


Charity with her violin.

The girls showing off with their doll house.

Daddy playing with Faith and Charity in the snow.

Two little beauties.

A purse I made for one of my neices for Christmas... Her sister loved it so much, that I have promised to make one for her as well... but, she really would like hers to be pink and light blue.

Charity enjoying her "gingerbread house" that she helped make in Sunday School... not really gingerbread, but very yummy... I know because I helped make and eat Hope's!

Faith with hers!

The mess of groceries... Thank you, kind friends, for the gift!

Can't say that I am a professional cake decorator, but I gave it a try... Thanks to all our friends and family that were able to come, we had a pretty good turn out for a one year old's birthday party! They seemed to like the peanut-butter-chocolate icing cake best! I just LOVE icing!!!

Hope's First Birthday. I think she liked her cakes!

Sarah, the not-so-great hunter... actually, I don't find much of an opportunity, since I must find babysitters for my children, and ever since that big hospital stay of Ron's, I try to not overwhelm my children by my absence.

Pray for us, as Ron has a PET scan next week to see if there is any cancer activity.

Maybe if I shared my resolutions...

Maybe that would hold me accountable if say 100 people were reading my blog and saying... SARAH, YOU PROMISED!!! Hmmm, sounds like a good strategy... want to be an honest person, so maybe I will give it a try...

1. Would like to help 12 people to come to know Jesus as their Saviour... of course, I would be happy to see more, and I know that I cannot force anyone to give their life to Jesus, but I can tell them about Him and pray diligently for them. Ron and I have some new kiddos on the church bus... and, the timing for these children is amazing... Ron came across them the other day and invited them... their biological dad just died in a traumatic New Year's car wreck here in Dayton. Been seeing some folks we haven't seen in church for a long time return, and I am absolutely LOVING IT!!! God is on the move in this time... He is working in lives! I have felt kind-of overwhelmed at all the bad news going on, and know that Jesus could return anytime... then, I see HOPE in the reaching out of souls and in the voice of Jesus.

2. Read through the entire Bible. This is going quite well. I am actually feasting on it... been seeing the Scriptures in a new way, and it is sooo convicting and rich!

3. Loose 50 lbs. Sounds like a lot, unless you say... average 1 lb a week... doesn't sound too bad then. Think I am down by 2... 48 more to go!

4. Be consistent in teaching my children school and Scriptures. Ron has been taking care of reading them their Bible stories (they really look forward to this time with daddy), but I want to get them to memorize more Scripture, too.

Well, I need to get going... the house looks like 5 tornadoes ripped through... Guess they did!

We're still kickin'

Okay, I guess I made it sound like we got rich on the last post... not quite, but the gift was alot to us! I think it was $ 430. It certainly helps!!!

God has been majorly supplying our needs!

First, Faithy was outgrowing her skirts, and I had looked and looked, but could not be satisfied with what I was seeing in the stores. So, New Year's Day I went to a thrift-store that was having a 50% off day, and found a gold-mine of skirt that fit my girls. I love buying skirts that look beautiful and new at only 35 cents or so each!!!

Then, I had this great desire for Ron to have a new pair of dress shoes. Dress shoes are very expensive, I found out. And, rather interesting to find when your husband wears a size 15. Would you believe it if I told you I found a shiny black pair that looked like they were only wore maybe once at the thriftstore for about $6.50. They are not leather, but still, for that price, how can one pass it up. He wore them this past Sunday!

Then, this is going to sound kind-of strange, but we felt we needed to replace the chairs we were using at our kitchen table (they looked really bad!!! They weren't that bad when we got them from the doctor's office that were throwing them out, but now they were very torn up.) Well, guess what?! I went to another thrift store selling at 50% off another day, to find what?! Six hard wood sturdy chairs with a table (I don't think I really need the table, but they were selling it as a set), for only $50 plus tax!!! I was sooo excited. I had been looking around for chairs, especially on-line, and I found out that they are VERY expensive!

There are a few other little items, too, that I found that are very helpful. I just love thrift-store shopping, don't you?

Then, I don't think I told you this, but I was wanting a skillet for Christmas, and guess what my Mom bought us?! A set of iron skillets... these things should last forever. I really like them... don't like washing them, but I like cooking with them!

I think of that verse, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Ps. 23:1

God has been sooo good to us.

Might have another answer to prayer... but, I cannot say anything until we have come to a complete decision on it. Just pray for the un-spoken.

Ron goes back to the oncologist in a few days. I think they will probably schedule a PET scan to see if there is any activity. Please pray about this, too. He is working, but I know it makes him tired. His hair is really growing back now... and, it actually isn't blond, but it is very soft.

Just talked with a kind lady over the phone on Monday who works for Focus on the Family. She has taken an interest in our family and is praying for us. I feel quite honored. Thank you to each of you for praying for us and for caring. You, my dear friends and family, have made a great impact on my life. I see how much love is in the family of God.

Have pictures to share when I get to go to the library and up-load them! Or, when I get our lap-top up and ready for internet use. This computer doesn't seem to do the job very effeciently!

More blessings!

Long story, but another church we are not even affiliated with gave us a card with a large amount of money in it... the name is APEX. It was through someone Ron knows in his job that they heard about us... WE WERE SHOCKED!!! Plus, a couple of ladies from that church came and cleaned my house a couple of days later!

Ron also cut down a tree for a neighbor, who paid him well... not as much as was required by a tree company (of course, Ron didn't want that much), but it made it possible for Ron to buy a long desired item... a laptop! It sure looks scary to watch him climb up in trees and do this type of job... I don't always watch him, because I think it would just make me a nervous wreck. He hasn't been doing this side job really since he has been out of the hospital. It is hard work, and he doesn't want to push himself too far... but, he's been eating healthy and exercising, and I must applaud him for that! Now, I need to join him :-)

Then, our church stopped by one day with... MORE GROCERIES!!! We are definitely NOT starving!!!

We had a very Merry Christmas! Faith loved her guitar, and Charity her violin, and Hope the wrapping paper... HA! They got a beautiful dollhouse and other gifts from Mimi, different little toys from Grandma, an outfit from Aunt Pam, candy from Aunt Rachel, etc. They had lots of fun!

AAAAAUGH!!!

Last year, it was some groceries but a mountain of presents (thanks to Kenwood Bible Methodist, Wesleyan Evangelistic Church, and especially an enormous amount from Grace United Methodist... I mean that church did something I have never seen!!! It took DAYS to open all of those presents!!!). This year, it is GROCERIES, and I am not talking about a few bags or a couple of boxes, I mean, I could invite my whole church over and just feed mac-n-cheese, and I think everyone would get filled!!! I am trying to find room for all the food, cleaners, detergent, and everything... guess what church did this?! THANK YOU, FRANKLIN BIBLE METHODIST CHURCH!!! What can I say?! ...but, thank you so much for caring about our family and doing this for us!!! Now, I want to know who my spy was!!! How did you know what size diaper Hope wore... how did you know what foods we liked... how did you know I was out of some of those things??? My children think they are in Heaven, I think... I mean, they absolutely LOVE mac-n-cheese!!! AND... the CHOCOLATE... oooh, that is my weak spot!!! Those fattening little truffles are nearly GONE ALREADY!!! MMMMM!!!! Well, I need to go find places for all of my goodies... any volunteers to help put it all away... I can make you lunch... he he!

A Merry Christmas from ours to yours!

Our princess, Faith, and our little love, Charity... this photo was paid for by my friend, Trisha Perkins, while she was watching my girls the last weekend Ron was in the hospital.

Our Little Hope

This is a picture of a picture taken at Walmart (the burgandy stripes are from my comforter on my bed). I know think you are not supposed to copy pictures taken by professional photographers... does anyone know if this violates that?

Ron's hair is growing back... but, it looks blond and is very soft.

A Good Night's Sleep

Although Charity still had that runny nose, we mananged to sleep quite well last night (I think too well for Charity... she had an accident), and without cold medicine (read previous post), and I was very glad not to be kept up all night.

The girls have been "reading" books, playing David and Goliath (I think that is why one is a "giant"), and eating cereal. I was trying to get the house cleaned for Saturday's celebration and strip the girls' bedding. I stop to get on the computer, and Charity climbs on my lap, and I realize how wonderful it is to have such precious little people... I have been overly stressed lately and not always felt so thankful, but I really am blessed. I love my runny-nosed, mess making, "Mommy, I need you" calling, "I can to do it by myself" crying, beautiful little girls. I am proud to be their "Mommy Lion." If this doesn't make sense to you, that is because you don't live here :-)

Milestones

Sooo excited to announce that Faith has begun to read!!! She is only 4! She is learning to sound out blends, and surprised me a couple of days ago when she read her first 3 letter word. I felt proud to be able to teach her that important step!

Ron has been back to work since Monday. I felt sorry for him last night. He came home from work, ate, went to do some business, then went to the church board meeting, then visited with me, brushed Faith and Charity's teeth for bed, gave them a drink of water, then... what do you think happened?! Faith and Charity were waking up off and on ALL NIGHT!!! Come 4 something in the morning, I HAD ENOUGH... I was VERY frustrated!!! I gave them a little cold medicine with antihystamine in it... and, finally, they fell asleep for several hours... which was nice for me because I nearly felt ill with exhaustion... but, it was too late for Ron. He had to leave for work. I am sure he will be ready for a nap when he gets home. The girls are in such better moods now that they have gotten some rest. Charity has had a cold, but I am not sure what was up with Faith. Glad I got some rest... I am in a much better mood, too :-)

Charity is doing FANASTIC with potty-training now!!! She occasionally has an accident, but she is basically finished with the training!!!

My little Hope turns ONE this Saturday! Can you believe it?!

I had been searching for several days for my cell phone (I had let Hope play with it when it turned up missing), and finally found it yesterday. I searched high and low, and I even went out in the rain yesterday and went through our trash dumpster thinking somehow it could have gotten thrown away... it was really gross (baby diapers are never fun to rummage through), I searched about everywhere I could think of. Then, yesterday, knowing how the girls like to play in closets, I searched through mine. I had put a laundry basket of nicely folded linens in my closet, and I could see that several articles were on the floor... so the girls HAD been in there messing around. I dug through it, and REJOICED when I spotted the familiar little pink cell phone! I felt like calling everyone I knew... then, I thought about it...
You know those Scriptures about the lady who lost the coin and she was searching EVERYWHERE until she found it, then she rejoiced!
Isn't it wonderful to know that God searches for us that way! He wants us sooo badly! He will even dig through the trash! Isn't that beautiful!
Ron pointed something else out to me. If people really want God bad enough, they will seek Him with all their hearts... they will go all out!
I love it when Scriptures seem to CLICK in a new way. It brought tears to my eyes thinking about how badly God wants us... He isn't ready to throw us away! Praise God!

Two posts in one day...whew!

Well, what happened to Hope was... well, how do I explain it... um, the older girls were playing "manger scene" (Faith was Mary, Charity was Joseph, and poor little Hope was being forced to be Baby Jesus). Well, Baby Jesus was not appreciating "his" mangers, and I kept getting after the girls to leave Hope alone. For some reason they got into the closet with her, and in the process, smashed two of her fingers badly... I was very angry with "Mary" (She wouldn't let me call her Faith for a while) for hurting "Jesus." I became an evil ruler ready to show my power... don't worry, they didn't have to escape Bethleham. Her fingers should be okay, but it did take some skin off, and they are still red, and a little sensitive... we'll see how they look tomorrow.

Anyway, I didn't tell you that I made myself a camo skirt, face covering, and part of a shirt yesterday... bought the cheapest material I could find in Walmart, which happened to be flannel, so I was very happy that it should be warmer than the other nicer looking camo material. I am NOT a seamstress, but I like to try stuff now and then... been working on a quilt, too, but it certainly is NOT professional... I am just kind-of throwing it together and hoping for the best... It is tough to do when one had three children four years and under.

Did I mention how many baths I had to give today?! It has been a very messy day. Between potty-training accidents and baby with "stuff" going up her back, and speghetti being eaten very messily (is that a word?), and the routine daily baths, I think my children should be the cleanest in the state.

Why, oh, why, do I feel so frustrated with my children that I have to apologize, but then when they are sleeping, I just want to squeeze them. You should have seen how cute they were earlier. They fell asleep on the computer chair, and their heads were together, and well, I just had to have a picture... do any other moms have this thing going on? One moment you just can't figure out how they can be, well, so... ummm, baby-ish... why can't they get along without complaining that so-and-so is in their chair, has their toy, is in their way, you know what I mean? Then, the next moment they are like angels... kissing, hugging, telling you how great you are, how they want to be good all the time, how excited they are about Heaven, how they love Jesus, wanting to help do "jobs" in the house, playing church, entertaining the baby (without stuffing her in a box... I mean, manger), and just awesome to have around. I'm sure I did the same to my mom... it was just one of those days here.

It is almost midnight, and Hope is awake. Not sure what the problem is, but she is having trouble going to sleep and staying asleep tonight. I did let her drink some cow's milk the last couple of days (I still nurse her, I was just experimenting to see how she would like it), I am not sure if it settles well with her... sure hope that Hope ;-) goes to sleep soon!

Ron is planning to go back to work Monday!!! Can you believe it!? Fatigue will probably be the biggest issue. He got his central line out Tuesday, and, I guess all his counts are doing well. He should have his next PET in a couple of months.

Christmas at the Cooks

Well, since I just left a massive comment on my friend's blog, I realized that I could share some fun information with you all.

First of all, our house got decorated for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving this year. The children have been having way too much fun with the tree... It is probably not something you would ever see in a catalog... just fun for the kids.

Planning to only get each child two things for Christmas... they don't need anything really, but my two older children have been praying for something. Faith has been earnestly praying for a guitar... pink, at that! Charity is praying for a violin. Well, Faith's guitar and Charity's toy violin are proudly being hidden in my closet. I am a little disappointed in the guitar, as it has a crack in the paint around the neck and looks like it would be pretty easy for a pre-schooler to break... but it is pink and 25 inches, and rather cute... now I need to get it tuned. I found both items online. Hope's is getting a musical octopus and a classical music CD for babies. Charity is also getting a set of Berenstein Bears books that I ordered from Focus on the Family. Faith WAS going to get finger paints, but I let them use them today... oops! I was hoping to preoccupy them while I cleaned their room. (I am getting rid of some more toys and clothes, and don't want them to mourn their disappearances, but they have A LOT of stuff!)

Here's a piece of information that might interest you in some sort of way. I, Sarah, have my hunting license... yes, I, Sarah, may have the privilege this year of getting a big buck!!! I actually target practiced with a crossbow the other day, and found it quite fun.

I do have a some fear of guns since I went to a little four old's funeral a few years ago. It was a family Ron and I visited and brought several of the children to church, and, sadly, the twelve year old accidently shot the four year old. I still remember that little boy's constant runny nose when we would visit their home. I had never been to a funeral with such a small casket. I felt badly for the child who shot him, too, as I know he must have felt terrible... Don't know how the child got access to the gun, but, anyway... let's talk about something else...

Has any of you ever been bit by a spider? Nearly two weeks ago, I got these terribly itchy, yet painful spots on my back. Thought it would just go away, but they were miserable. Finally went to the doctor yesterday to see what was up. She said it could have been shingles resolving or it could be a spider bite. Since they were so itchy and there was only one small area with three spots, it must be spider.

Baby Hope just got hurt. Gotta go!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot to be thankful for, as I have had a year of HOPE.

H- Happy and hard hours, but hours nevertheless, with my family of five

O- Operations and ongoing treatments that went well for Ron

P- People who pray

E- Extra energy for evergoing tasks; eternal life

Today, I saw lots of family, and that was really special. We ate at my grandparents house, where my girls saw fit to entertain everyone.
Charity fell in love with my Uncle David, and she told me that she loved my dad (whom she used to be afraid of, but she has grown out of much of her shyness).
Faith told my grandmother that she (grandma) has "squishy arms," and that she (Faith) has squishy cheeks, but they don't have lines in them like my grandma's! I could have fallen over! Just wait, Faith, until you grow to be 80, and see if your skin doesn't get squishy and wrinkly! My grandma looks great to me, and I am glad that she has a good sense of humor.
Today, Faith told me she wants to be Daddy's kid and Mommy's kid... I was glad, because she doesn't exactly get a choice :-) She also told me again how much she loves me... she says she loves me all night and all day! She lay in my bed last night chatting with me for a very long time... she is growing up so fast, and could go on talking to me for hours... which I enjoy, but it was time for her to go to sleep, and quite difficult to turn off the chatterbox (wonder where she gets that!).
Hope took a little step or two the other day... it won't me long now!
Well, I need to go check on my girls... Faith keeps getting out of bed to report that Charity was on her side of the bed, and was kicking her. Maybe having them share a full sized bed with each other wasn't such a good idea after all!

Just another day at the Cooks...

Not that this gives anyone warm fuzzy feelings, but I had an endoscopy today (still trying to resolve the swallowing problem), and found that I have a medium hiatal hernia... I know, it is common, and I am not surprised after all the years I have had heartburn and reflux issues. So... now I get to take medicine for the thyroid nodule AND for the hernia... yeah! Maybe they both are working together in a scheme... HA!

Faith has been saying such sweet things to me lately. She tells me all the time how much she loves me. I just love it, of course!

Got a prayer request for you... would you all pray for the young people we work with... my heart has been heavy for them, and I would like to see them allow God to move in their lives. Thanks!

Father and daughter deer hunting...

***edit*** Just thought I would throw in that Faith didn't actually see him shoot the deer, because they were in a trailer or some-sort of building where they could stay warm but still shoot a deer... and, no, she did not watch him gut it. She had fun, but sometimes does not like to get too close to a large animal. ***end edit***

Faithy and daddy went deer hunting, and Ron shot one tonight! Don't know if this excites you, but it does us... well, Faith didn't like it as much as Ron did, but it does mean meat for our freezer.

Hey, does anyone out there know what to do if someone keeps calling you and hanging up several times a day? I have caller ID, so I tried to call them back, but it was busy. I Googled the number, and there are lots of other complaints about the number... I would maybe report it to the police, but I think the number is from CA and probably related to telemarketing... I am a busy woman, and could be in the middle of something important (like changing a diaper or washing a mountain of dishes), and do NOT appreciate prank calls. I reported it to one website, and I plan on reporting it to my phone company, and see what they say. What do you think?

Besides caring for my children, cleaning house, doing laundry, cooking, shopping online for Christmas presents so I don't have to run all over the place to find what I would like the girls to have and at a low price, and reading a novel (not sure that fits in the pattern), I have been trying to finish a quilt up that I started over a year ago for my mother-in-law... you would probably laugh if you saw it... very unprofessional, but it does look like a quilt. I thought I might as well see how difficult it was... you'll never know if you can do something if you never try. There are major mistakes in it, but I think she will like it still.

So, how are you my dear friends?! Been missing those comments... but, I am a lurker, too. Just loving to spy on people. HA! Hope everyone is doing well. Until next post... good bye!

Going back to "normal" step by step

You may not believe this... but guess what Ron has been doing?! We have friends who own land where they feed and lure in deer with corn and clover, etc. They have trailers or somesort of buildings that people can sit in and be out of the weather and hunt. So... Ron shot at a deer last night (with a bow... it is not gun season yet), but the scope was off, so he missed twice! They fixed it last night, and out he goes again this morning!!! He is hoping for a buck this year.

He and his dad went to Columbus for Ron's doctor appointment yesterday. The doctor told him it was okay to do the hunting. I haven't gotten to see his numbers yet, but Ron said he believes the platelets are back to normal, and the hemoglobin was getting better, and, athough his white blood count sounds a little low to me, it is stable. Drumroll... the big concern was the creatin (sp?) levels, which they were watching because they had been high after the treatment... and, it sounds like they are now about normal!!! Yeah! If Ron feels up to it, he could even start work as early as next month... but, I do hope he doesn't overdo himself. I think his tastebuds might be starting to work now too. He eating a little more. For those who haven't seen him, he's lost some weight, but he looks good. He is getting his central line out December 2... yeah!

The girls and I had a big day yesterday. We went thrift store shopping, then to Burger King Playland, then the pet-store (a favorite of the girls), and to Wal-Mart. Because Ron was in The James on his b-day, the girl didn't get to celebrate his 33rd b-day with him... so yesterday I bought a cake for him, had it signed, and we had a quick little celebration with daddy before he left to hunt.

That's what is goin' on here... back being a family, and I am very glad!

Here are a few more thanks...

Thank you to Esther Beatty for being my laundry lady. What a great help! Also, helping with laundry was my MIL and Trisha P.

Thank you also to the holiness churches out there who have live-stream church services... What an awesome help while Ron was in the hospital. Particularly, Franklin Bible Methodist and Hobe Sound Bible Church. We also enjoyed some programs from Focus on the Family. Even though Ron couldn't physically be in church... he and I had church with you in his room.

A Special Thank-You!

I am sure to leave someone out... if I do, please say something... it is not intentional.

First of all, allow me to explain the babysitters. NO children under the age of 12 are allowed in the unit. Ron would have to put on a mask and walk out to the family waiting area to visit the children. I felt that I needed to be with him as much as possible, because in this treatment one can have tough side effects, and it can get a bit lonely. I am usually very picky about babysitters, if I even leave my children... Even though I tried to be wise and the babysitters worked hard to help my children, it was difficult for the kids, and different for this stay-at-home-mom. They are doing fine now, and I am sooo grateful for everyone's help.

Thank you, Ben and Sonya Blowers (pastoring the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church in Columbus), for helping numerous times babysit my two older children... You have a very nice church and a lovely family... the girls still talk about Shayla. And, thank you, Beth Blair (Pastor's Wife from Zanesville Bible Methodist) for referring me to this kind family.



Thank you, Martha Brugger (also a pastor's wife from Marion... I hope I am getting this all right, a fellow Bible Methodist!) for watching my older children overnight one night, and on another occasion taking them to the Columbus Zoo.



Thank you, Amy Sowers (a dear friend and homeschooling mom from my church), for watching my older children one weekend.



Thank you, Karen Beatty (a long-time friend of the family, and also from our church) for watching them for several nights.



Thank you, Trisha Perkins, Kimberly Brown, and friends for watching them the last weekend of Ron's stay at the hospital. It was neat knowing that my children were getting to sleep in their own beds.

And... BIG THANK YOU to Ron's parents for staying with me in Columbus and watching Hope so that I could get to her easily to nurse her. I know that the past few weeks were very tough for the both of you.

Thank you, GBS, our church family, relatives, and loved ones, for the nice cards.

Thank you to Josh A for visiting regularly, providing preaching CDs, a bag of cookies, and the other nice gifts. You were such an encouragement to Ron.

Thank you, Melonie M, for being my travelling buddy and for helping to rescue me when my car wouldn't start.

Thank you, Pastor Manley, for visiting Ron... He really enjoyed your company.

Thank you to my parents for spending a day with Ron, me, and the baby.

Thank you to Gloria Jean McGinnis for visiting, and helping me when I had a choking spell ;-)
Thank you to 8th Street Wesleyan Alliance Church for the prayer shawl.

Thank you to the many friends who have prayed with and for us, who gave gas cards, and other gifts while we were there... wow, what a blessing you have been!!!

Thank you, Brother Brugger, for stopping in for a visit.

Ummm, maybe I shouldn't have done this... I know there are so many others who deserve recognition, and I want you to know how much everything has meant to us. May God bless you!

Thank you to our church...
You know, they did something really neat. Personally, I really don't like Halloween... I really don't want any part of it, so I thought it was so cool when I found out that they were having a special thing for the church children and teens so that they wouldn't get involved in other Halloween-ish stuff, and my two older children got to go to the little kids part. I think it was a harvest type of thing, and they had a good turn out from what I heard. I heard that the teens were outside playing a guitar (might have been Ron's), and singing Christian music around a chimnea (not sure how it is spelled).

It was a little sad to me, as we normally take our youth group to their activities, not to be able to go to Youth Challenge... but, I heard good reports from our young people that they had a great time... Our pastor is the President over Youth Challenge, and the teens had a blast watching his face turn red during some funny part of the service. I received a late night call from some of the teens one night, just reporting in on all the fun. That was really cool! I also heard that Youth Challenge had prayer for us... now that was really encouraging... youth pastors and youth praying for a fellow youth pastor in desparate need of prayer... well, your prayers were answered, and Ron got out of the hospital rather quickly, and he seems to have gained lots more energy and he seems to be getting a little more back to normal... although, they are not planning on doing anymore scans for probably two or three months... just pray that his cancer will never come back (Lord willing), because stem-cell and bone marrow transplants are very difficult for one to go through... I don't want to see him have to go through that ever again!!!

Thank you to one of my teens who called me a couple of times while we were in Columbus... Thanks, Jenn, you made me not feel so left out!

And, a major thank you goes to the West Broad Street Missionary Chapel for giving me, my children, and Ron's parents and sometimes brother, a very nice apartment to live in while Ron was in the hospital! THANKS SO VERY MUCH!!!

Thank you, Dr. Devine, other docs, nurses, FELLOWs, PCAs, housecleaning, Nutritional Services, Social Workers, transplant coordinators, all the people who were involved in removing and storing his stem cells, etc... Thank you for working hard to make sure Ron did well through this! For giving him excellent care! For giving me good training! For working hard to beat cancer!

If I have forgotten you, please pat yourself on the back, and count yourself thanked... It is almost 2 in the morning, and I need to get off of this computer!

THANK YOU!!!

Husbands are great for many reasons...

1. When you are out of town and your vehicle refuses to start... who are ya goin' to call?
2. When your right headlight, left turn signal, and windshield wipers kill over... who's usually available?
2. When you have raked leaves until you are exhausted, who can carry the load?
3. When the house has a gas leak, and the fumes are high enough for an explosion... who knows what to do?
4. When the gutters are clogged, and you decide to be macho-woman, and you climb on the roof, just to remember that you are terribly afraid of heights... and, you are frozen, unable to move, and crying your eyes out like an infant because your mind won't let your body step back onto the ladder to get off of the roof... who gets a big kick out of ya?

Well, I have certainly had quite the past few weeks.
The first incident is a long story, but I had a friend with me who had a friend who had AAA... Ron was in the hospital, so I had to make decisions without him.
The second situations were taken care of by my father-in-law, Ron, Perk, etc. It was funny, I am sure, to see me trying to fix that turn signal... I had no clue at first, so I climbed under the van, and did all sorts of stuff trying to get the cover off of that thing... all I was missing was this little extention thingy and I could have done it my myself, but I am glad that Perk stopped by to pick something up, and offered to help us in any way, so I took him up on the offer, and told him about the turn signal. (Excuse the major run-on sentences... I am in a hurry... Momma duty is calling.)
The third incident was after we came home from the hospital and there was a HUGE amount of leaves in my yard. I wasn't really THAT exhausted, but it sure was nice when the pastor showed up with his lawn mower and blew alot of leaves to the bottom of our yard... that made it look way too easy!
The fourth incident was during Ron's hospital stay, and I called the landlord and our gas company, and the gas company came quite quickly, and fixed a spraying pipe in the basement!!! The girls and I stayed overnight at my neighbor's house that night.
The fifth incident was today... Ron later went up on the roof and did it... he probably shouldn't have, but he did. He still thinks the sight of me stuck of the roof crying was quite the sight.

I sure am happy that the family is back together... have been thanking God for things I have never thank him for... even children's messes!!! At least that means my children are near!

Hope can now just stand right up in the middle of the floor! She also sounds like she is trying to sing sometimes.
Charity is back into the swing of things with her potty training... HURRAY!
Faith is praying for a certain item for Christmas, and after she prayed for it the other day, she came back and told me that Jesus said YES. We started pre-school again today.
We have been playing SOOO much the past few days, and I love it!!!

If you are in the mood for soup beans tonight, stop on by... having some trouble getting a couple of children to eat much of it... although, they don't have a choice but to eat some, because I don't want them to go up picky about what is given them to eat.

Well, "daddy" keeps telling me that the family is waiting for me to get done on the computer... which means HELP!

So, signing off... and, remember not to climb on roofs if you are already afraid of heights.

Finally home!!!

Ron was discharged Sunday afternoon, and after taking a nap, we left for Dayton!!! Ron went to church, but sat up in the balcony away from the crowd, and wore his mask (a must, for now). How exciting it is to have our family back together!

I have to take good care of my man. I am honored to have the job! I like being his nurse ;-)

Just thought I would share my happy heart! Have a great night!

Bebound!!!

Hurray! His white blood count has begun its climb!!!

He had a platelet transfusion a couple of days ago, and today he is getting another transfusion because of his hemoglobin count. I am getting classes on caring for his central line, and other discharge care... hmmm, I wonder if I can get an honorary degree for all I have learned :-)

If his other counts all improve, he could go home as early as this weekend or Monday. He is cheerful and has his great sense of humor back. Plenty of energy! And, wow, has he been witnessing!!!

Thank you, dear friends and family, for praying! This was a very tough thing to go through, but I thank God for being with us each step of the way, and for taking care of our needs.

We have made friends with some really neat people!

Oh, before I forget, I think my little baby is about to walk!!! She stands now for a little while after letting go of the furniture. Where is the time going? Charity is talking like a big girl! Faith has fallen in love with coloring. They have huge imaginations... and, well, they are my little bundles of joy!

Okay, yes, I am happy this afternoon... happy that soon our family will be back together! Rejoice with me!!!

About the lowest point...

He has most of the common side-effects people receive with this treatment... but tries to be active at least once a day... like taking a walk, etc., which is good. He tries to witness some.

Faith and Charity got to see their daddy for the first time in about a week and a half this morning. It went VERY well! Last time, it was very sad as Faith fell apart when we had to leave him. This time, she had no tears, but lots of love to share.

Hopefully, the counts will start their climb within the next few days. I can hardly wait.

It is not a walk in the park...

The stem cell transplant was Tuesday. Ron has not been feeling well, especially today... but, he did get to witness to another patient today by praying with him. He still tries to walk on the treadmill some, and has so far kept down a couple of bites of his lunch... which is better than nothing. His counts are starting their dive.

Thank you for your continued prayer for our family.

another update

Ron just finished the last chemo a little bit ago. He is doing well so far. The transplant is scheduled for tomorrow, and then if all goes well, he might get to go home in a just two more weeks. I can hardly wait!!!
The children are okay... missing Daddy, but doing they are doing fine otherwise.
I have to tell you that I am so thankful that my good friend Gloria Jean McGinnis was with me the other day when I had a moment of not being able to swallow my food (remember that thyriod nodule), and I threw up big time in the Wendy's here in the hospital... I was so embarrassed. I don't usually do that, but I was choking... what a memory.... She just kept running for more napkins. I actually had a good laugh about it later! It is funny now, but scary then. I certainly hope that nodule shrinks really soon.
I am having fun learning my way around here. When I first came up, I kept getting lost. Now, it is very easy (well, if traffic isn't too heavy and I have good directions).
I am so grateful for the fantastic babysitters I have, and all of the other support we have received. I have received backrubs, got travelling companions, received laundry help and financial boosts, got cards and have seen visitors, heard prayers, received hugs, free lodging and... well, you name it... it means sooo much. I just want to say THANK YOU! Most of all, I want to thank God, because He is teaching me some things during this time... I have not been abandoned (although I may not always "feel" He is near, I know that I can trust Him! He is the One who has worked out our needs.)

*I just edited this post... sorry if you did not get to read what I wrote earlier, because you would have been SHOCKED! I didn't proof-read it (and, it is still poorly written, but definitely better than what I had written), and it looked like I was saying something that I was not, and I laughed out loud when I came back and read it later! It would not have been good if you had read it. If you are a close enough friend, just ask me what I wrote and I can tell you in person. OOOPS! How embarrassing! HA!

little update...

Here we are at OSU Hospital... and, I am using the laptop they loaned Ron. Ron has had several doses of chemo in the last couple of days. Everything is on schedule. God is helping us. Ron has had many opportunities to witness to medical staff, etc. We are sooo thankful for the support we have received from friends and family. We have even had some BIG surprises already with friends we haven't seen in a VERY long time popping in to say "Hi." They were sooo encouraging!

Not much of an update, I know, but at least you know that we continue to press on!

LET ME BE REAL FOR A MOMENT...

Well, the stem cell apheresis is completed. Ron is glad! It was getting old getting poked over and over, and sitting for 5 hours at a time while they did this procedure... plus, getting all those Nupogen (sp?) shots every morning does give bone pain. I was able to be with him one of the days while they did apheresis (not for people who cannot handle watching blood being pumped out and through a machine and then returned... can be a bit woozy to watch if you ten d to get light-headed). The minimum requirement is 2 million stem cells and 5 million is the highest goal. In three days, they were able to get about 3.5 million, I think. They quit after that.

That was the easy step! He starts the BIG deal on his 33rd birthday... this week. Poor Ron! We are so thankful for all of the great Christian and family helpers we have lined up! We have house watchers, fish sitters, great trustworthy babysitters, mail collectors, laundry service, house cleaners, etc. I even have a lady friend at church who gives me backrubs!!! Wow!!! God is taking good care of us!!! Please, pray for our little girls as this will be hard for them, I am afraid, with their schedules being messed up and their parents not being there all the time. Well, I will be with them part of the time, but it is still tough.

Please, pray for Ron! The stories we have heard about this procedure is not fun! He will need prayer and your friendship! He has done sooo very well through everything, I am amazed! I know it is because you are praying for him!

This month marks about a year since we started this journey... beginning with the first biopsy... oh, what a journey! I never knew the struggles that families go through, marriages battle... yes, it is a battle. New thoughts, uncertainities, disagreements, hurts, a roller-coaster of emotions... pains physically and emotionally. Spiritually, there are mountains I have had to hurdle. Sometimes, it is like I am in a fog... not sure which way is up. Or, in a bad dream, waiting to be awakened back to that day when we first found out the news... hoping to be awakened and told it was just some nasty infection and that 10 days of antibiotics would take care of it all. Told that my fears were in vain... but, nay, here we are not sure what this all means... knowing this must fit into a great plan, but not sure how... you want to know what it is really like behind the happy mask... well, now you know a little, but you cannot know in whole unless you have walked this path. I lay in bed last night thinking about if Ron didn't make it through this transplant... I imagined myself yelling at him that he could not leave me... we have three little girls to raise! Oh, God, give us more time together! But, then, God knows best... We don't have to understand.

Ron is at church with Charity. I am home with Faith and Hope. Faithy is sick with a fever and pains and aches. I sure hope I don't catch it! I want to be able to be with Ron at the hospital, and I won't be allowed if I am sick.

We had some good family time this past week. I am thankful. Whatever happens, it will be okay, because God will carry us through. Thank you for your loving comments and prayers!

Forgive me for being drab today, but, I thought I would let those who are going through simular things know, it is normal to have confusing feelings and extra struggles. I just choose not to go around sad all of the time, because we are in good HANDS!

The new look...

I know that the pictures below are a bit overwhelming, but when I have a chance to go to the library, I like to be thorough... since it is very difficult to upload pictures on my computer, I felt compelled to catch you up on some fun photos. There is more I would like to share with you, but I would have spend more time on the computer at the library.
How do you like the new look? I like it quite well... I tend to get bored after a while, so I was ready for a change. You must stroll to the end of the page to see a large picture of our family! Ron doesn't care for the picture because of the look on his face, but it is difficult to get a decent picture with everyone looking okay.
This next week, things are planned to start the stem-cell transplant process, so please pray for us very hard for the next 6 weeks!!! It is goin' to get tough... help us hang on by praying for us, would you?