For His Service

Dec. 15, 2010 Dear Friends and Family, Another year has flown by. So many things have happened; some good and some ..not so good. January 8, 2010, John-Michael turned 6 years old and had his yearly MRI and there was no significant growth in the tumor. Good news! His next MRI will be 1/13/11 and we expect the same news. We enjoyed 3 different snow storms, well as much of a snow storm as Georgia gets. The kids had fun with snow/ice ball fights, making snow angels, and miniature snowmen. Russell took Noah to see a Braves game, and they actually placed decent ball this year. Aunt Linda and Uncle Carl were able to visit with us…all the way from Oregon. Russell took Noah to Franklin, North Carolina for Noah’s 12 birthday. They enjoyed seeing Steven Curtis Chapman in concert one night and seeing the hysterical, family-friendly comedian, Tim Hawkins, the next night. For several months, our 15 year old Chihuahua, Lupe’, had health issues. She passed away 3 months ago. We really miss her. Russel...

Today, I ran in my first 1/2 marathon. I completed 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 27 minutes. After completing a 1/2 marathon, I have learned a few things. 1. Shoes and music are two of the most important things you need to run well. 2.I am so glad there was Gatorade and water every 2 miles. 3. I found out that I could run more than 2 hours without my bladder exploding, as it tries to convince me otherwise... 4. I have a husband that I think would follow me to Spain if he had to...down town Atlanta with at least 13, 000 people is crazy enough... 5. I am so proud that I did it! 6. I am thankful for good peer pressure.... thanks, Kathy Lee!

Sometimes you just have days like that. Yesterday was that kind of day. I just felt weepy, kind of out of sorts...a depression for various reasons. I had to make John-Michael's yearly MRI appointment. He goes in Thursday, Jan. 13 th . I try not to think that there will be any negative changes to the tumors, but his increased nerve pain has me wondering. I also had to make his yearly appointment with the NF ( neurofibromatosis ) specialist. He can't get in before the end of March. That was both disappointing and surprising. My family is still grieving the loss of Michael, and some forgetting to grieve as those who DO have hope...knowing we will see him once again. It hurts to see others hurt. There are friends going through their own various trials that make me feel heavy hearted. Sometimes there are just days like that. That's when I try to remind myself that God delights in me (Psalm 18:19)...and that He is STRONG and He is Loving... (Psalm 62: 11-12)... . And Finally.......

Our nephew, 18 year old, Michael, died suddenly and unexpectantly two weeks ago. It seems so unfair for him to go so early. One week before he passed away, he went to see a pastor and made a confession of faith. Russell had to speak at Michael’s funeral this past week. I thought you all might like to read what he told them. Thanks for praying for the whole family. Good evening. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Russell and I am Michael’s Uncle. I don’t know how much you might know about me, but if you heard it from Michael, it might not be true. You see, I don’t know what stories his mother told him about me and our growing up together, but I do know that anytime she needed to threaten Michael with the worst punishment she could think of, she would tell him, “I’m going to send you to live with your Uncle Russell.” And apparently, that would do the trick. So if what you know about me comes from Michael, please get a second opinion. Let me begin by telling you what Bishop B...

I met Russell in 1986 and we married in 1989 . God has granted us a great love for each other and great patience with each other. He and I are very different. He is an introvert; I am an extrovert. He is logical/ analytical and I am all heart. It works...He stole my heart 24 years ago and I do not want it back. I thank God for 21 great years of marriage and look forward to all we have ahead....

I think we all have days that we wish we could redo. I had one of those this week. Madeline, my daughter who is almost 10, was swinging outside with my 6 /12, year old son, John-Michael. John-Michael is my son that has NF, a tumor disorder. I am overly motherly, overly protective with him because he is the baby and because of his health. This is one thing that I have to be aware of as I parent him. I know it isn't' good for him and I have to make myself not baby him to death. Anyway, they were swinging in our backyard together and John-Michael had decided to swing with a 2 foot long stick. Well, I don't know if you all let your kids swing with sticks, but I don't even like them playing with sticks. I am forever saying, "put that thing down." She didn't alert him to the danger and tell him to put it down. John-Michael didn't remember those many, many conversations that I have had with them about sticks. He comes in crying....he has scraped himself with ...

Look at her.... isn't she lovely? My precious Lupe' was a chihuahua/ papillion or a long-haired Chihuahua. We really miss her. It is hard to believe it has been several weeks without her. I keep thinking she is here. We miss her so much. This is why we decided to look for and find a papillion/ poodle....basically Lupe, minus the shedding. This is Olivie (Ah-Lee-Vee) our 7 week old papipoo. I once heard someone say, "isn't that a gynecological process gone awry?" LOL...anyway, we get to drive 7 hours to go get her in less than 2 weeks. I think she is just sweeter than sweet. 8 years ago, we did the puppy thing with Dirk, our schnoodle. I remember those nights of getting up every 3-4 hours to let him out. I am trying to get extra sleep now in anticipation of that. :) I will keep you all posted.