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to my mom's blog to read the latest posts on:

• Infection
• What its like

I so appreciate your love and care for me, my mom, and my family during this time.

I deeply cherish your notes of encouragement. Please, keep them coming!

Here

I'm here.

Here in Arizona.

Here in my mom's hospital room perched next to her.

Here.

It's exactly where I need to be. Where I should be.

Being here with my mom helps to alleviate the stress of being miles away. I feel more relaxed and connected to what's happening with my mom's health and wellness, or lack thereof.

I still believe Jesus gave my mom the gift of living well these past 9 months - treatment free and in remission. It is a testimony of God's goodness and my faith has been strengthened by it.

But, heavy on my heart remains my mom's current health status and all of the unknown issues facing her and us as a family. I know the inevitable result but only God knows the journey leading up to it.

Thankfully He knows all and I feel deeply loved by this truth.

Its my desire that my roots dig deep into the soil of God's love. This poem by Amy Carmichael speaks to that longing.

"Love of my heart, my stream runs dry;
O Fountain of the heavenly hills,
Love, blessed Love, to Thee I cry,
Fill all my secret hidden rills.
Waters of Love, O pour through me;
I must have Love; I must have Thee."

The Snowy Day

It was a snowy day. The Little's were aching to get outside so we bundled them up for some winter merriment.Daddy showed C&C how to make snow angels.
snow balls
and how to throw snow that doesn't pack wellAnd how to shovel the drivewayThe Little's loved 'helping'.
And Daddy told them next year they can do it by themselves!
Right...

Heart-breaker

We have a heart-breaker in our family.

Carissa Joy.

On her fourth valentines day she was asked on her first date.

She doesn't remember his name but she told me that while she was at church a little boy asked her to go to 'Skate City' with him.

(she calls these her 'skating shoes')

I was cracking up because she doesn't even know what 'Skate City' is! It must be a young boy who has been introduced to the rink by an older sibling.

When Daddy came home from church she told him about the invitation. Dad responds by asking her "well what did you say back to him?"

She paused for a moment, tilts her head to side and said with a long "hmmm...I told him that I had to get bigger".

Get bigger.

the perfect answer.

And with that lead in dad reminded her that dating was a ways off.

I think we have a heart-breaker.

Remission Denied

My mom received the results of the bone marrow biopsy yesterday afternoon.

Remission was denied. She is not in remission.

The chemo did slow the leukemic cells however 5% leukemic cells remain.

While that sounds like good news (which it partly is) 5% wouldn't be much different than a higher percentage because the rate of multiplication is extremely rapid. This rapid metastasizing is due in part to her fighting two types of Leukemia (AML & ALL).

Dr. V is recommending further chemotherapy starting today. He strongly urged Sharon to accept the chemo now as waiting is not in her best interest.

If Sharon does not get these chemo drugs today her time here would be very short - possibly only weeks.

The hope is that this chemo will shock her system and get rid of the 5% of remaining leukemic cells.

Dr. V estimates that Sharon will be in the hospital another 2 weeks. She was admitted 3 weeks ago today. Please pray that her time will pass quickly as she truly loathes being in that tiny room.

As you can probably imagine my Mom was extremely downhearted yesterday. As are all of our family. I'm personally trying to absorb the grave reality and trying to discern what my next steps are.

Please, keep praying for my Mom and check back on this blog and my mom's blog www.strengthofmysoul.blogspot.com for updates.

Valentines Day

From our heart to yours...Happy Valentines Day! (2 days late!)

Its not a box of chocolates or a dozen gerbera daisy's...just some cute kids (whom I call mine) sending you big smiles.






























Happy Valentine's Day!

Proud Auntie

When I was in AZ visiting my mom in the hospital I got to meet my 3 month old nephew, Kyle Scott. He is so cute and snugly. Lucky for Jeff, Kyle got my baby bug juices flowing ;)Baby Kyle with his sweet Mama and Dada
Kyle, I am proud to be your Auntie!

ParTay!

Sharon (aka Mom, Nun, Nana)'s fifth day in the hospital was not ordinary.

We threw a ParTay!(Angie & Brian hugging Mom)

Just prior to Sharon being confined to her tiny room she was able to step outside the hospital doors and spend some precious time with those who are closest to her heart.

(Nana and her grandson: Kyle Scott)(Nana and Patty doting over Kyle)

(Angie, Melanie, Lorna, Patty, Sharon)

(Angela and baby Kyle, aka smiley guy)

(Angie and her Mom)

(the Nun with her son Brian)

A ParTay to remember!

Duck Pond

Today we spent part of our day visiting a local duck pond.
Don't think that the partially frozen pond kept us from feeding the brood. Why, the duckies were so happy to see us they flocked towards our car barely giving an inch to open up the doors.Stale bread and cheerios.
An equally delightful experience for our littles and the waddlers.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Thursdays.

Thursday is my day to catch up on my full time job of homemaker after my part time job of voice teacher.

This morning after getting the kids off to preschool I tackled laundry piles, cleaned up the kitchen, prepped tonight's dinner, made homemade turkey stock, planned two weeks of meals with a grocery list and coupons, and managed to make it to the gym for a 40 min. workout, all before picking up the kids.

While there are some days accomplishing these tasks at break neck speed would make my head spin, this morning was the contrary.

I felt truly grateful that I can serve my family by maintaining a peaceful home. I believe that our home is a sanctuary for our family and others to find refreshment, encouragement and rest - ultimately used for the glory of God.

I'm also thankful for the imported blueberries I purchased at Whole Foods yesterday. Even though they aren't in season the high antioxidant fruits made my day!

And, I'm thankful that my mom is doing well considering all things.

Thank you God!

"Therefore I will praise you, Lord among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name." 2 Samuel 22:50