Happy 19th Birthday!

Man oh man!  Where in the world have the last 19 years gone?  I can't believe that Briana is 19 today!  We spent the day in Watertown today, getting her first month's rent paid, switching utilities  into her name, going to the school and appling for jobs!  It was a very productive day and before we left town she had a job!  She will be working at the County Fair grocery store as soon as she gets moved up there and settled in!  She is super excited about that part!  She pretty much was hired on the spot!  Way to go Briana!  We will leave for California on Monday and when we return home we will get her moved up there and settled in and then leave her.  She is super excited about this next chapter in life and I am excited for her!  I am not excited about the changes that will occur within our household as we all get used to her daily absence!  Something that we are not used to but will plow through as only we can!  She is not that far away that we can't see her often and she can't come home on the weekends.  Here are some pictures from her birthday tonight!  Enjoy!  Remember starting on Monday I will be blogging about our trip!  So please check back often!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Cathi

Crazy weather Monday!

So today has been a crazy severe weather kind of day!  We have spent a good part of the afternoon in the basement....well the kids have, I have been watching the weather and listening to our weather radio!  Things have quieted down a little bit but we could be in for more later.  We are suppose to head to Palisades State Park tonight for camping tonight through Thursday afternoon.....we will probably wait until tomorrow morning to head out camping.  Here are a few pictures I just took while there was a break in the weather.  Our trampoline didn't fair well through the storm.  I am not sure if it will be salvageable.  We shall see once things dry out outside.  UGH!!!!  The pictures with the water....it normally doesn't look like this.  You usually can't tell there is a small creek that goes through our neighbors fields.  :/

 

Father's Day and church camp!

Happy Father's Day to my AMAZING, WONDERFUL husband and daddy to our 4 beautiful kids!  God has blessed me beyond measure with such an amazing man!  Who would have ever thought over 22 years ago when he asked me out that we would have such an amazing life together!  It has been HARD many years, but it has been awesome even more!  We have been through so much together as a couple but also as a family!  God has somehow held us together!  Without our relationship with Him....we would have parted ways long ago!  Jesus has literally been the glue that has held us together!  Thank you Jesus for this godly man in my life and the lives of our children!

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day to my own father!  What an amazing man that I had the priviledge calling dad for almost 36 years!  Your love for me was beyond AMAZING!  You were always there for me, always guiding me.  Not only that you were my cheerleader!  Oh how I miss the sound of your voice.....those 3 silly words on chemo days...."you drippin' yet?"  You will forever be my HERO daddy!  Forever in my heart!  Your last month of life was filled with much heartache but oh the sweet memories....I cherish them to this very day!  I love you forever and always daddy! 

 

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law, Roger!  Thank you for raising such an awesome son!  Thanks for being a part of our children's lives!  We love you!!! 

 

 

 

My older two girls left this morning for the Hills to Camp Judson!  What an amazing God filled week they will experience at church camp!  This is Briana's last year and Mikayla's first!  I am so happy that they will be sharing in the experience together!  Girls.....I love you both and pray that the Lord will open your hearts and minds to all that HE has to offer for your life!  Keep your eyes on HIM through the good and the bad!  His path is always best....even if you don't think so!  See ya Saturday!

 



 

 



Full moon on Friday the 13th!

So last night I took advantage of the full moon and tested out my new camera with some shots!  It was a cool and windy night but the view was AMAZING!!!!  I am in awe of God's creation!  Living in the country has its advantages...this being one of them.  An unobstructed view of the full moon!  Thank you Lord for the beautiful moon!

                                                                                     

 

 

 

Life.....

Life continues to click along at an unbelievable pace!  I can hardly believe that summer is upon us already and Father's Day is just around the corner!  I have been thinking about my blog A LOT lately and I am not sure why!  This used to be my oulet and sounding board or whenever something was on my heart or mind, I would write!  My cancer journey has taken over my life and I have stopped writing here as I have been keeping up with my caringbridge site.  But I just know that something is missing!  So here is my attempt to get back into this blog again!  Writing about everything and anything for anyone who wants to read and follow along!  So since my last post what have I been up to?  Besides fighting cancer each and everyday!  I am watching my kids grow right before my eyes!  WOW! 

This beauty decided to grow up so fast and GRADUATE on May 17th!  What a proud, proud moment for me!  This blood, sweat and TEARS raising this girl!  I wouldn't trade a minute of it!  God has been patient with me and her throughout the years and while I may have it all together and think that we have the PERFECT relationship.....we DON'T!  We are a work in progress and we probably always will be!  Her and I are molded from the same clay, therefore we clash more that we would like!  Perhaps one day the two of us will have the kind of relationship that I have with my mom today!  :)

Then there is this one.....WHAT?!?!?!  When in the heck did she grow up and be old enough to get her DRIVERS LICENSE??????  Yes....she offically passed drivers ed today!  So when she turns 14 on the 5th of July, we will be taking her down to the driver exam station and getting her learners permit!  Which she will have to hold for a minimum of 3 months!  She will probably hold it until her 15th birthday and then she will go and get her restricted!  YIKES!!! She will start high school in the fall!   

Then who could forget him?  AWWWWW.......man how time flies!  He will be starting middle school in the fall!  SAY WHAT?!?!?!?  Yep...my chubby cheeked little dude is growing up right before my eyes!  What can I say about him?  He is quiet (except when he is mad at someone) and still has a tender heart!  Yeah that pretty much sums up my little guy!  I LOVE HIM TO PIECES!!!!

 

Then lastly there is this one......what can I say about my last little girl?  She too is growing up so quick and right before my eyes!  She will be in 5th grade this fall!  Last of my kids in elementary school!  She is a dancer and LOVES it!  There are no other words for her....just look at that face.....what's not to LOVE?!?!?!?! 

 

 

 

So that pretty much sums up where I have been lately!  My goal is to blog frequently....we will see if I accomplish that!  We are taking a family vacation in just 18 days to the Pacific Coast!  We are driving the California coast, seeing family, a new friend and the sites along the way!  We are gonna be gone 2 weeks and my plan (and hope) is to blog daily what we did and post some pictures!  I would like to get away from Facebook a little bit more....I seem to spend a lot of time on there, although I am better that I used to be!  But still more than I care to admit :/  So come along for the ride and let's hop on this road of life together!!!!  Where will the Good Lord lead us?  Let's see!!!