faces of 2009

Im so blessed to have so many people in my life. ( this is not everyone) My life is full of family and friends, children and adults and all in between.... none of us have made it to perfection yet but we will keep striving for that goal...lol

how many faces can i put into one collage???

any body have a mint????

say cheese!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!!

Family,, nothin like it !!

Just a few more of my favorite pic when my family was here from Texas !! Kelli never looks a day older than she did 20 years ago, Hannan is such a beautiful young lady, and Mr Zack is the sweetest kid I know not to mention that he is gorgeous to boot!

We had so much fun sight seeing around the area, the Ozarks is such a special place, and I so glad that it is where I call home... Amy is such a trooper, even if she thinks that we are crazy she never lets us know about it, she just goes with the flow,,, I couldn't have picked a better sister in law..... thanks Kirk lol

This is part of the group that I forced out of the warm house to go down by the river to take pic in the freezing cold at sunset!!!! Yea it really sounds crazy now that I think about it. But just think we wouldn't have these pic if I didn't insist,,,,

another great shot of Kelli, Hannah, and Zack

Love you guys so much,, cant wait to see you again soon....

My Breast Cancer progress report !!

I'm so glad to announce that my last surgery is scheduled next week. Its been a long painful journey and to see the light at the end really feels great. Last month it seamed that I had reached the end of rope so to say, I was so fatigued and exhausted just dealing with the chronic pain of the tissue expander's. When I had my last appointment the Dr said that is enough.

My fight against this terrible thing called Breast cancer has opened my eyes to the world around me. I have more compassion for these that are hurting and dealing with illness of their own. If anything it has made me a better person, a better Nurse, and a better listener.

Each time I hear of another woman who is faced with this and must go through all the treatments and multiple surgeries that Ive been thru my heart just breaks. I wish we had a cure for this , before one more lady must fight this battle, before our daughters are faced with it as well.

I'm ready for 2010 !! I'm ready to start a year off cancer free.

Thanks all of you that were holding me up in prayer during a time that I was to weak to pray. If anyone knows some one or if you have any questions that maybe I could help with please feel free to ask me.

I'm a survivor, proud, strong, grateful and blessed!!

Simple things

I just love our fireplace,,I rushed home today so I could build a nice fire to snuggle in front of tonight...

<You all know that I'm a scrapbook crazy person!! Yea, Yea, Well I got a new toy for Christmas from Chase and Ashley... Jasmine Cricut cartridge, it it sooo awesome, cant wait to use it...maybe tonight..
I picked up this little book today on Relationships!! One of my New Years resolutions is to improve on Relationships, such as family,children,co-workers and spouse....



speaking of.....


Darrell got me a Vanilla Lime Yankee Candle. The simplest things excite me. I don't know if its the thought that someone picked it out or just that I'm a nut and love gifts !!! Face it we all do..

Loving the Holidays!!!

http://www.lifeasaphoto.com/

We are off today and are scheduled to work tomorrow on Christmas Eve. Today we went to town and picked up my computer.. Its so good to have it back,, Ive been using my laptop for 2 weeks and its just not the same.

Eva Lauren is leaving tomorrow to go to Texas with her Dad, he is picking her up in the morning. 17 years and this is the first Christmas that she wont be with me. I'm having a hard time letting her go but I know that she is a big girl and will be fine. She will be gone for 1 week.

Ive done some of the prep work for my Christmas Dinner so it will be a relaxing day of spending time with Darrell,, Chase and Ashley are coming to spend the day with us. I'm very excited to see them and looking forward to spending some time with them. Ashley has been very busy with work and Chase has been studying for his registry. So I hope they can just relax and enjoy Christmas!! !!!!

The grandbabies are all home with their parents enjoying special family time. We had our gift exchange last week at Crystals and she cooked a great Christmas dinner for all of us,, great job!!

I also stopped by my favorite store and picked up the new Pink Paisley cupid paper line,,, it is soooo cute,,

I am the Christmas Spirit

I am the Christmas Spirit
by Irving Caesar

I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.

I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.

I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old way.

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears-tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.

I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.

Buffalo City

Today Amy and I went for a drive and ended up in Buffalo City. There are so many place to explore here that it should never get boring. G & M had a great time climbing on the huge trees beside the river as my hormonal teenager sat in the car!!

 

 

 

today in Bull Shoals Arkansas

Today is a typical day for life in the Ozarks, cold windy and partly cloudy. The lake level is high for this time of year and needed repairs on the Dam have caused the Core of Engineers to open the flood gates once again. It is spectacular to watch the massive force as the water spills out into the White river. The loud roar of the water is amazing.

We live only one mile from the Dam on the lake side so I have to go below the dam to get this view!! Amazing I hope that you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Things I like about Thursday!!

1. I was really dreading my Dr appointment yesterday. I was expecting to get another breast expansion and go thru all the pain that I had last month. But guess what??? He said that it was not worth all the pain and that we would stop where we are now. Its not the size I would like to be but I can be happy just to have the pain go away... My final surgery is January 8 !!! This is where he removes these expander's and places the implant ... This is not really cosmetic surgery in my case but reconstruction!!!


2. After I recover from my surgery Darrell is taking me on another cruise!!!! I cant wait,,, getting excited already!!! we are going back to Cozumel,,, I know its crazy but its just the easiest to get to!!!






3. Tomorrow is our Family Christmas Party!!! We are having it at Crystals. Today I will do some shopping and get the grand babies their gifts bought and wrapped!!

Christmas Past!!

Looking thru pic tonight I found these from 2007! We really had a great time with Santa and Mrs Clause!

 

look how young Logan and Charis were!!! sooo sweet!!

 

Abby was not impressed at all,,,

 

 

Clinton Leaped into Santa's lap when it was his turn,,, I think he was the most excited!!

 

 

baby its cold outside!!

 

 

 

 

Am I the real scrooge??

 

Please remember to continue to keep me in your prayers!! Yesterday I felt like I had reached my limit of pain and fatigue! On the way home it seems that I cried harder than I ever have!!! Darrell was very supportive as always, but nothing seemed to help!!

I exist at a constant level of pain due to the current breast expansion! Top that off with 12 hours of taking care of critically ill patients. Some days its all I can do to make it thru the day. So many times I hear my compassionate co workers say you sure look tired today as they offer to lend me a helping hand.

At this point I'm not sure what is the lasting side effects of Chemo and Radiation or the current expansion process that I'm having done now?? All I know is that I'm tired. Tired of hurting, tired of going to the Dr and tired of dealing with it all!!

I have decided to not have Christmas at our house this year!!! Gasp, I know,,, Neither am I putting up a Tree. Last year I had 4 full sized trees up and the works!!! I feel like Scrooge,, but I cant help it!! I hope that I'm not letting my family down.

My Christmas plans are for Darrell and I to have a quite relaxing day. I will cook something special and watch old christmas movies and have a nice fire in the fireplace!!