He's coming!!

Four years is a long time. We having been praying about meeting, and tomorrow is the big day! I'm kind of freaking out right now. He's actually in the same state as me. We're talking miles away people! 

I love the 4th of July, and it is going to be even better with him by my side. Eeeek! Who knows if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I'm so thankful for the doors God has opened. Our friends and family have been so supportive. We did it, Kev! All in good time, All in God's time.

Life has felt like a dream as I have been counting down the days. The crazy thing it, it's not! :D What am I looking forward to most? That first hug! I'm so excited.

Here's to fireworks, laughter, and a week with my best friend!

Tutu for a Cause

I had some extra tulle left over from making a tutu for my cousin's second birthday. I felt odd packing it away in our basement. Could there be another little princess that needed some poofy joy? Just then the Lord put Taylor Hall on my heart. Tutu number two needed to match the giraffe t-shirts that were designed for her prayer warriors. Thanks to Hobby Lobby, I found some coordinating ribbon that reminded me of her prayer bracelets. It was absolutely perfect!

I had to get a picture of the box that was all ready to go. I would have loved to climb inside with everything. I felt so blessed by the end of this. The whole project only took a few hours to put together, and I knew she would love it. On Sunday I read a devotional about Generosity based on Acts 20:35. It truly is better to give than to receive! Sometimes to get a blessing, we have to be a blessing. :)

Tay was cheesing it up after being at the doctor this morning. There are only three more visits to go and Radiation will be HISTORY!!

Everything she is going through makes me want to cry. The machines look like big monsters, but this amazing girl knows the routine. She even searches for her tube when the Anesthesiologist needs to administer the medicine. To quote one of her doctors, "She has an unusually good disposition for a child her age." What an answer to prayer!

"She's really cute when she crawls in it, it's a big poofy ball like a peacock tail!" 

-Julie Hall

Hopefully, Taylor will be encouraged to start walking soon. It would be wonderful to see her running around with her siblings! The Halls are taking this cancer journey one step at a time, and we're walking alongside them.

You are not alone baby girl! Jesus loves you.

God's Not Surprised

I struggled through last week.

My family is working through some hardships. Pray for us!  The events that occurred left me feeling upset and confused. Tears fell and I tried to put on a happy face. Some of you saw right through it.

On Tuesday I listened to a podcast while trying to fall asleep. The title Be Like Christ caught my eye. I enjoyed comparing it with my recent post about reflecting Christ. In the middle of his sermon Alistair said these words,  "Father knows best. Nothing is taking Him by surprise." Wow, I needed to hear that! It's funny how often we need to refresh our memories about God's greatness.

I am praying prayers of gratitude to God each night. In in addition to His presence, there are reliable people in my life that I can turn to for advice. What a blessing. One of my friends told me to keep my eyes on Christ and not on the situation around me. This isn't always the easiest thing to do! He also repeated the words from the night before, "None of this has taken Him by surprise."

Okay, Lord I got the message. I trust you.

“What is it that gives us equilibrium?

Well, to get up in the morning and to say 

Whether it’s raining or sunny 

Whether I am frail and forceful

I thank you today gracious God

That you are my Father

That in Jesus you have made me your child

That you have plans and purposes from all of eternity

 That you will definitely accomplish

And that today is another opportunity for me

to make progess down that road.”

-Alistair Begg

Significantly Less Metal in My Mouth!

Here are the torture tools lined up on January 11th! I was slowly lowered back in the chair, worried and ready to get this over with. You'd think after 2.5 years I would be anxious to get my braces removed, but I was really nervous. My brother had to get a filling after his were taken off. I guess this is a good time to mention that I have an irrational fear about getting my teeth drilled. I could hardly sleep the night before the big day.

*fires the starter's pistol* They're off! It really wasn't as bad as I thought. The worst part was having the cement removed from every tooth. I had to close my eyes and reluctantly keep my mouth open. After two hours I had a couple x-rays taken, retainers bonded to the back of my teeth, and one tooth repaired with a resin seal. It was pretty cool seeing my lower brackets still in one piece.

After taking pictures of my teeth, I sat there drooling with a mouthful of blue goop. (used to take molds of your teeth) The ladies were having a hard time finding a tray that fit my mouth just right. As I waited for impression #4 to harden, my orthodontist informed me that my wisdom teeth should be taken out soon. *ahem* That's another thing I'm scared stiff about!

When it was time to go to bed that night I felt really weird. I forgot how to sleep without constant pressure on my teeth. I pretty much cried for an hour straight. I was like a mother longing for her baby to be born, and then wanting to put it back inside of her! lol That happens all the time, right? I'm pretty sure it's not possible for a braces patient to have Postpartum depression. ;) 

In my deprived state of mine I actually said, "Mom, I miss my braces." I laugh at that statement now. Trust me, I don't miss them enough to have them put back on!

A week later I picked up my Hawley and Essix retainers! It has taken a while for me to feel comfortable sleeping in these bad boys. Most mornings I still want to gag if I say a large amount of words at once. That's always fun. I'm wondering what will happen when my name changes someday. Hmmm...

Farewell braces, it was fun while it lasted!