Blessed Beyond Measure

We had an amazing holiday break! Loved having the extra time with my own little Christmas elf. She was so giddy to be decorating for Christmas and have the "Thankful Party" at Papaw's house. We baked, we decorated and we welcomed the Elf on a Shelf back into our home. If you haven't checked them out, you have to. You would be amazed at what that little Elf can accomplish! We finished up our time off enjoying the warm weather around The Woodlands. What a blast!

Today's appointment reminded me of one of my new favorite songs by Kutless called That's What Faith Can Do. I’ ve seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn ’t ever end Even when the sky is falling And I’ ve seen miracles just happen Silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new That’s what faith can do With lots of faith and even more prayers, I had an oncologist hold my hands today, look me in the face with tears in her eyes and tell me that I had a miracle. She explained that for no good reason, against all odds, there is no more cancer in my body. She explained that there was no good reason for my body to heal itself and she had no medical reason for what happened to me. But, despite the odds, all of my tests show no cancer- including the blood tests. She said that "someone" bigger than her was watching out for me and the only way she could explain it was a miracle. A true testament to what God can do! God is good!!!

This weekend, I decided I would delete an old email account that I don't use anymore. Well, it seems that is was somehow tied to blogger and my blog was deleted as well. I fell apart the second I realized I had deleted my blog. I immediately called mom and dad and we were all working at the same time to get the blog back. Nixon was cheering me on the whole time as I sat so sad that I had done something so silly. Eventually, I managed to get it all back and was so relieved. Nixon came running over to see it and said, "See mommy, I told you God would bring it back to us." She was right! So in my excitement of having the blog back, I decided to look back at old stories and I couldn't resist sharing the story about Santa picking his nose again!!

My friend Brandi somehow talked me in to going to the first showing of New Moon at midnight last night. We had talked all summer about the release date and going to the midnight showing, but somehow, I didn't really think we would do it. Turns out she is a girl of her word. It was organized chaos with hundreds of people there to see the movie. Every screen was showing it and the start times were staggered, so it was all very organized. And thanks to Brandi arriving four hours early, we got GREAT seats! If you love the books, like I did, then you will like the movie. Just don't see the movies without first reading the books or you won't "get" the obsession. I figured we would be in a room full of tweens , but there were tons of moms and even a few dads. I think I might have even converted to Team Jacob for just a minute. It didn't last though! Guess we will see how well I function on two hours of sleep. Wasn't this so much easier in college!

I am not even sure the picture does them justice. These WERE beautiful princess shoes that transformed Nixon into a magical princess every single day. She LOVED them! I finally convinced her that she needed some new shoes and she reluctantly let us get her some. Then daddy snuck these into the trash. Probably should have saved them for that moment when Nixon is a mom and her children insist on wearing something over and over and over . . . her time is coming!

I have learned a lot about myself through all of this. It turns out that saying, "You are stronger than you know" has a lot of truth to it. As I spent hours having tests ran yesterday, the "biggness" of all of this hit me. I was caught off guard somewhat the day I entered the Texas Cancer Center, if only by the name. I was humbled even more to see what people have been through as they sat in the waiting room. You feel almost guilty walking in with all of your hair and a "shiny glow" about you. That is how the doctor described me. She said, "Well, you sure look healthy. You even have a shiny glow." I think it was my pink shirt. Because I certainly didn't feel shiny. The truth is, I haven't felt shiny in months. And it all hit me last night when I laid down for my final test and the tech says, "How long have you had cancer?" I'm not sure, I explained. She left it at that and began the IV for the test. For w...

Working on change! I was looking for a new look and my good friend Emily inspired me to look in to www.shabbyblogs.com and I fell in love! Stay tuned for the finished version.

Got this from a friend at work and laughed out loud on a few of them! Had to share. 20 RANDOM GEMS 1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. 2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. 3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. 4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. 5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? 6. Was learning cursive really necessary? 7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. 8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. 9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired. 10. Bad decisions make good stories. 11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest...

I got some amazing cards for my birthday, but I have to admit- this one was my favorite! It's the first time she has ever written "mom" on anything. I, of course, cried. And freaked her out a little, but it's all good. Love it!

What an amazing birthday already! This weekend I came home after a math conference and opened a great present from my parents. This little charm may not mean much to anyone else, but it means the world to me. Dad always called me his peanut and I have been all too happy to pass on the name. It is going to be awesome on my charm bracelet. Also, Papaw passed on to me a ring that had been in Cindi's family for years. It meant a lot to me to wear a ring that meant so much to Bryan's mom and something intended to pass on to Nixon when she is old enough to appreciate it's meaning. I loved even more that it is a ruby, so I decided to do a little research on rubies. Rubies are said to encourage one to follow bliss. To act as a "plug" for holes in a person's energy fields. It is the wonderful stone for the first chakra as it stimulates our basic instinct of survival and strengthens both the physical and emotional heart. Not sure what all of that means, but I am reall...

The blood test numbers still aren't cooperating . So, I will be seeing an oncologist- hopefully this week. Will keep you posted.

This is the picture that made it in the paper this weekend about the KFHS game. Check out the cuties behind the boy who really made the paper.

This morning sickness is wearing me out a little. So tired of being un-pregnant. So, I am holding on to this: Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat--I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Luke 9:23-24 (The Message)

If you live in the Houston area, I highly recommend you give Christy Lacy Photography a call. She took some amazing pictures of Nixon and I. I just LOVE them!

Check out the war wound on this little punkin. She was trying to play jump rope with a scarf that just wasn't long enough and face-planted. She wore a band-aid all day today because it bled all over her bed last night. Poor kid!

We are loving our new Sunday School class. It is filled with awesome people and we have so enjoyed getting to know them. Last Sunday, we had a fun "get-to-know" each other activity and one of the questions was- "What was the greatest gift you received as a child?" I, of course, went for Cabbage Patch doll and was shocked that all of the girls weren't jumping on that wagon. It wasn't until the next mom answered that I understood that Bryan and I are just OLD parents. She said the best gift she ever received was a Game Boy. What?! Those didn't come out until 1989! I was 15! I felt better when the "old like us" guy sitting next to Bryan said, "Game Boy, I was thinking Atari!"