God is in the details.

There are things that happen in life that are too perfect to be coincidence. As if there is a great design at work and there is someone working all of this together for good. Those moments are what constantly remind me that God is real and that He loves me immensely. Here is one of those moments.

In the middle of July of this year I started a journey. I had been convicted for a while that I was too big. I had struggled with weight loss and weight gain on and off for years. July was different. For some reason by that point, something had changed. I had gone from the attitude of “I really should lose weight” to “I HAVE to lose weight.” This was my Facebook post from July 27.

I want to be there. I want to be there to see my kids' graduate. I want to be there to walk my daughters down the aisle and stand next to my son as he gets married. I want to hold my wife's hand as we get old and gray together. I want to meet my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. I want to be there. So today, I am trying something new. I am starting a new nutritional program to try to lose the weight that has been holding me down. At some point if you want change to happen you have make it happen. And so today, it begins. I will keep you all updated along the way.

And so my journey began. With the help of a great nutritional system, I jumped in with both feet. Over the last 3 + months, I’ve lost 100 pounds and really feel great.

One of the lessons that I have learned along the way is to cherish the journey. When I first decided to lose weight I was only focused on the finish line. If I could have skipped past all the struggles along the way, I would have. I was focused on making it to my kids’ weddings and growing old and gray with my wife. I wanted to be there. God has helped me to realize that life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. Happiness isn’t something you achieve at the end of the road, it’s the joy of traveling the road together. So while I still hope to be there when my kids get married and to be there to grow old and gray with my wife, I will no longer take for granted the gift of today. It’s not about being there then, it’s about the fact that I AM here now.

What does this have to do with God being in the details you might ask? You see, had I never felt that conviction and had I never started this journey 3+ months ago, I wouldn’t be nearly as equipped to handle the demands that life is currently putting on me. 100 pounds ago, I wouldn’t have had the stamina and endurance to be there for my wife and to take care of my kids. God was preparing me for this for months before that knot appeared on Elizabeth’s collar bone.  Although I was focused on the end of the journey and getting there, God was focused on preparing me for the next step in the journey.

So why post this? Do I want a pat on the back? No way. I am posting this for a few reasons. The first and most important is to give praise to God who was preparing our family for this battle long before we even knew we were going to fight it and to encourage you with the fact that you may not know what the future holds, but God does and He is preparing you for it. 

Cancer Doesn't Stand a Chance!

It’s been a tough few weeks. It all started about a month ago when Elizabeth noticed a knot on her collar bone. After consulting her doctor and then an ENT, she was sent for a CT scan and a biopsy. The results came back as stage 3 Hodgekin’s Lymphoma. She met with an oncologist last Friday where the diagnosis was confirmed and the plan for treatment was formulated. We were floored. I’m not sure that there can be another reaction to hearing that your young, healthy wife has cancer. The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. There have been a lot of tears shed and a lot of restless nights.  Yesterday, as I was sitting in a waiting room (one of my new hobbies by the way,) I picked up a word search book and found this message on the front page. It reads:








“Watching someone you love waste away is like riding a roller coaster. Sometimes you are on top, but most coasters have more valleys than hills, mine sure do.
What will I be without her??”










Such sorrow. Such sadness. My heart breaks for this person whoever and wherever they may be.  This note made me realize something. This is exactly where I could be. I could find every reason to be angry, depressed, upset, and fearful. and yet…. I have hope. Hope in a Savior who has already conquered death; hope in a God who is not the least bit surprised by this crisis and yet is unchanging both now and forever; hope in a Creator that knows and loves us as only our creator can; and hope in a plan that He has for our lives.  A plan that brings glory and honor and praise to Him.  My prayer is that we will be a shining light through which everyone around us will see Him!
So what’s next? This morning, Elizabeth started down a long road to recovery. She had a port put in and chemo will start on Friday. She will have treatments every other Friday for the next 4-6 months. The good news from her oncologist is that 80% of all people with the same diagnosis are totally cured after 4-6 months of chemo. We are hoping, praying, and expecting for that to happen with Elizabeth.

While we told the kids that mom is sick, we didn’t use the word cancer because we feel like they are too young to understand all the different types and severities of cancer. (We didn’t want them to get scared because of their peers’ previous knowledge of cancer.) We told them that she has Lymphoma and that she was going to be getting medicine over the next few months that will make her pretty tired. If you have contact with them, love on them and feel free to let them talk about it if they need to.

Please join us in praying that:
• the chemo is effective and she is completely healed after 4 rounds/ months
• our children’s lives aren’t totally turned upside down and they are not overly stressed and fearful from the situation
• everyone will see God’s goodness and faithfulness through this journey.


We understand that this is a lot to digest. There just isn’t an easy way to say it. Please forgive us if we didn’t have a chance to tell you personally. We love you all and know the battle has already been won!!

"That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:10

Shutterfly Holiday Card Campaign

I LOVE Shutterfly!!!  I use them every year to do my Christmas Cards!!!  

This year will be no different!!

Check out their new card design styles for 2013 - 5x7 folded tri fold; back of card designs   

Classic: Traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram
o   Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter, Instagram pictures are perfect for this style
o   Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments
o   Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun
o   Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas
o   Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights

***They are even allowing me to do a giveaway!!!***

All you have to do is visit www.shutterfly.com and comment your favorite Holiday Card!  The winner will be randomly selected and receive $50 off a Shutterfly Order and FREE SHIPPING!!!!  You can also be entered by pinning your favorite card with the #PhotosYouLove hashtag!!!

The giveaway will take place October 21, 2013 and be announced October 22, 2013!

Now, check out some of my favorites!  

You might be receiving one in your mailbox real soon!!!

30th Birthday

I am not sure I could have had a better birthday!  I felt loved all day long.  First thing in the morning, before the kids were up, I got a text from my friend neighbor to check my windshield wiper.  I found this envelop with $5.  Amazing!

All of my babies woke up singing and telling me Happy Birthday.  They were so excited!!  My sweet husband made me breakfast and took me to Starbucks!

I get to school and my co-teacher gives me a card with a Starbucks card inside!!!  Holla!!!

Then, TOTAL SURPRISE!!!  So impressed they pulled it off...These two students with the help of two teachers decorated my office and like I said, total surprise.  I had no idea!  They also gave me the birthday crown I'm wearing and a nutty butty.  Sweet girls!

My sweet friend teacher gave me this crazy cute plate and a card!

Introducing, for the first time (I think), Fannie Wells!!  She is my guardian angel.  Seriously.  God put her in my life exactly when I needed her.  She retired and I took her position.  She has been with me through two pregnancies and an adoption supporting me any way she could, including subbing for all of my maternity leaves.  Today she was subbing for another pe teacher and she brought me lunch!!!  She knows my favorite food is green beans...so any time she cooks them, she brings me a plate.  Spoiled.

Rhinehart's room also decorated the door for me.  Now, it helps that my birthday is so close to Dr. Seuss' birthday...but...

We had Chickfila for dinner and funfetti cake!  Snuggled with my babies and watched some Bubble Guppies.  

And then I got to go for a run and as I

 was running by, it clocked my speed.  Jokes.  I am sorry, but I think that is so funny!  I really do.  

Another year in the books and it was a good one!  Praise Him!

The Wonder Twins

These two are hilarious.

Moses and Mama

I'm in love.

30 with the Girls

I have been so blessed with a fabulous group of girls from college.  Not only were they tons of fun then, they still put forth the effort to get together and are ridiculous amounts of fun now.  I had no idea friendships could be this wonderful!  Love.  Them.

This picture represents 6 college degrees, 4 masters degrees, 6 owned homes, 6 marriages, 8 children, 3 full time jobs, 4 part time, and a rockin' stay at home mom!!!