In Case They Ever Wonder

It may seem strange to refer to my mom as "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything," but if you've read the children's book (one of our Halloween favorites), you know how appropriate it is. Now I, myself, have always been a fraidy-cat. I don't watch scary movies, I make Matt go to the car if I forget something at night, and I've slept in between my mom and dad...as an adult. But my mom... Well, she isn't afraid of anything. Now I've always loved having a mom who isn't afraid of anything. She's always had the attitude, "why should I be afraid?" And she isn't simply naive. For after all, her father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, her God knows the plans He has for her, her Bible tells her that no weapon formed against her shall prosper, and she knows a thousand other promises that make her sure she doesn't need to be afraid. Having a mom who isn't afraid of anything is pretty great because it makes everything...

May 9, 2010. I've thought about this date for months now. I've known it was the date of Parent Child Dedication service at TPC since well before I had Lillie. I've known it was the day after Sophie's play in Atlanta since her school schedule came out last August. For months, I've known that, once again, Mother's Day and Dad's birthday were landing on the very same day(the second weekend in May can be an expensive one in our family)! I've known that May 9 would be an overwhelming day for our family for quite a while now. But only in the past three months did I half-dread May 9, 2010. Since we had just been through my aunt dying of cancer only four months after diagnosis, I wondered a little over three months ago if we would be celebrating Dad's 59th birthday. I wondered if he would ever get the opportunity to spend much time getting to know his newest grandchild and whether he would live to see her dedicated to the Lord. Then after I felt like he migh...

Hope is a special word in my family. Olena Hope came into our lives over ten years ago, and our family has never been the same. Hope's name could not be more appropriate as her story epitomizes the meaning of the word. I was proud to name Lillie after Hope , and this Easter, I was thrilled that Lillian Hope was able to be in Franklin to celebrate her very first Easter. And though she spent most of her first Easter service snoozing on Aunt Pammie's shoulders, (no offense, Tato), Lillie was the cutest bunny cutest bunny ever stuffed into an Easter basket! Will had a blast dying Easter eggs for the first time. (He would dye everything in the world blue if given the chance!) And Sophie really grew in her understanding of why we are celebrating. She hasn't stopped talking about Jesus' death and resurrection in the weeks that have followed. I am hopeful that her growing interest will lead her to respond to her Father's love. In his Easter message, Dad powerfully shared...

We are celebrating life as we walk this journey with my dad! Though Sophie spear-headed the coloring of Tato's head, the entire family joined in the fun! Patti-Grams even put the finishing touch - a red lipstick kiss - on Tato's forehead! Though we were a few days before the "official report," we were also celebrating Dad's good doctor's report on Friday. The "official" report came in yesterday, revealing "no signs of lymphoma!" Thanks be to God! We couldn't be more thrilled or more thankful! Though he must continue his treatment, we are hopeful that the Lord is using the doctors and medicine to bring about Dad's complete healing. Read more about his journey at Pastor Rick's Journey . Our hearts are singing! We will not be silent! O Lord our God, we give you thanks forever! Psalm 10:12

January 2010 Watch Alabama win national championship, very nearly inducing early labor - check Herniate disc in back resulting in an ambulance ride and trip to er (iv number 1) - check Stay in bed on pain meds fretting about possible c-section and lack of preparation for baby - check Go in labor 10 days early, but deliver healthy, beautiful perfect baby girl (iv attempts 2-4, epidural) - check Have MRI, or rather attempt to have MRI 48 hours after giving birth ("No, I don't think I'm claustrophobic, I should be fine...) and have subsequent panic attack ("Get me out of here now !) - check Take Lillie twice during her first week of life for billirubin check for jaundice, once from a woman who, in her own words, is "terribly ill" and "will definitely not be at work tomorrow." - check February 2010 Get call from Dad suspecting a diagnosis of cancer - check Celebrate Will's 2nd birthday day after cancer diagnosis- check Travel to Franklin with two ...

The past two months have been tough, but my, how Lillian Hope has helped. She is a beautiful reminder of the goodness of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.- Romans 15:13

Sophie claims she "prayed her heart out" for a little sister. She points to different places in our house where she prayed that our third baby would be a little girl! She could not be more excited about Lillie getting old enough talk and to play dress up and princess with her. She has big plans for a "Girls' Club," and the three of us teaming up against Daddy and Will for every manner of competion. She already holds Lillie every day, reads to her most nights, and declares her love to her around the clock. Sophie hasn't considered the possibility that she and Lillie won't always be best friends. She hasn't thought about the inevitable arguements she will have with her younger sister. She can't yet imagine that Lillie will ever get on her nerves or that they will ever be jealous of each other. That they will ever want to pull each other's hair out seems ridiculous to her. Them hurting each other's feelings is the farthest thing from her min...

Whew! I just returned home to Atlanta, and I feel like the air has been let out of a balloon. I've been gone just shy of three weeks, and it is hard to believe all that has transpired. I am so thankful I was able to go with the family to meet Dad's oncologist, hear more about his lymphoma, and most importantly, to hear the plan of attack that will bring about his cure. Just after the appointment, our family went to lunch to debrief and "rehash" as Dad says we girls like to do. I felt like I had "caught" the confidence that Dr. Murphy exudes. Though I am the least "half-full" member of our family, I listened as the doctor encouraged us to view the glass as he does, "all the way full." Now I don't know that I'll ever get there, but I was at a solid three-quarters full after the appointment. At lunch I noticed that my normally "half-full" father looked like someone had drained his cup. Now, I pride myself on always being th...

We are working on keeping our head up around here. Dad did an amazing job letting TPC, our extended family, know about his new journey today. On Tuesday, we will meet with the oncologist and hear the plan of attack. This has been a tough week, and an even tougher 72 hours. It is one thing to deal with Dad having cancer; it is another thing to hear that the diagnosis is more serious than we originally thought, and then another to hear him relate the events of the week to a few thousand people and to realize this very personal struggle we are dealing with affects many others. Again, my mind is still swirling with thoughts and emotions that I'm sure I will process for weeks and months to come. In the meantime, we are working hard to keep our heads up - specifically our eyes lifted up to the One from whom we know our help comes. But I am oh-so-thankful that He understands when discouragement and frustration set in. He isn't afraid of our feelings, be they anger, fear, or sadness. H...