Farewell July - You Will Be Missed!

I can't believe that we are already through July.
Over halfway through 2012.
Over halfway through the summer.

It seems like you just blink and the days are gone.

July was good for us.
July was good for me.

July marked the first month I have had any energy at all since my diagnosis 18 months ago.
July marked our Independence Day as a nation.
But Independence Day also marked 6 months of remission for me.

July marked my 33rd birthday.
A birthday I feel so blessed to have been here for.
The day after my birthday also marked my one year anniversary since my last chemo treatment. 

July also meant family trips to the lake and carload nights at the drive-in.
Good times on a budget - my favorite.

July meant rain, which our state so desperately needed.
And watching my boys play in it without a care in the world.

July meant service and sacrifice as my hubby and oldest set out on a mission trip.

Sadly, July also meant tragedy in the state I call home.
First with the wildfires in Colorado Springs.
Then with the Aurora shooting.
Our hearts continually go out to all those who have been affected.

July meant memories and lots of them.

I am grateful for this July and more importantly, the blessing that God provided in it for my family.
I am continually humbled by his goodness and grace in my life.

~{***}~

I hope your July was just as good as mine was. If you get a minute, drop me a note and let me know about your month.

Blessings,
Andrea

Birthday Celebration Part 3: {dinner & dessert}

Okay, I promise. This will be the LAST post about my birthday. But a lot happened this year and this is also a big way in which I document our life. So, bare with me.

After floating the river, we went to dinner with some friends. We went to The Stonehouse - definitely in the top 3 of my favorite places to eat in our town. It was a lot of fun with good food and great conversation. And guess what? I didn't take one photo! Can you believe it?

After dinner we went to our friends' house where they provided the dessert.
And it was sooo good.
Can you say Oreo ice-cream cake?

It tasted as good as it looked! 

Thank you to all my family and friends for making my special day happen. 

A special thank you to my hubby. 

Not just for my birthday. 

But every day.

Related Posts:

Birthday Celebration 1: Can You Say Sushi?

Birthday Celebration 2: Floating the River

{mitch+audra} ~ est. 7.31.2010

Today is my little sister and brother-in-laws 2 year anniversary. 

It is hard to believe that it has been 2 years already.

I love seeing their happiness and joy....

....as they build their life together. 

Happy Anniversary Mitch and Audra.  

Love you two. 

Photo of the Day: {birth order}

{birth.order.6.2012}

My children constantly make me laugh. If I would have tried to intentionally get them to walk this way there is no way it would have worked out.

Someone would have been complaining about how it is not fair that they were born after another person and would have wanted to petition God for a "re-do". Ultimately, at least one of them would have ended up in tears.

Yet, I look up and there they are. In their birth order. Perfectly spaced. Not one complaint. Not one tear.

Birthday Celebration Part 2: Floating the River

My husband is one of kind that is for sure. (Those of you who know him are probably shaking your head in agreement.) First, he loves me on a whole other level that I didn't even know was possible. I feel so very blessed by this man each and every day. So, things like my birthday and our anniversary - he seems to take great joy in because it is another opportunity to show me his love. And it really is amazing.

My hubby does not like to do the ordinary. In fact, if it is something that he thinks would be expected he won't do it. For example, roses on Valentine's Day. That would be a big no-no in his world. Instead, this last year he wrote this giant note out on poster board using different kinds of candy.

Back to my birthday.... He always tries to think of creative and original things to do and this year was no different.

This year he announced that he was taking me to float the river on my birthday. It sounded like fun. I love the outdoors just as much as he does. Okay, not in the survivor man, drop me off in the middle of no-where with only a pocket knife and I will walk 20 miles type of way but in the ohhh, isn't that lake so pretty and look at that butterfly type of way. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make myself out to be a girly-girl because that is certainly one thing that I am not. But there is still a bit of an extreme between what my husband enjoys out of the wilderness and what I enjoy out of the wilderness. (As you can probably tell by the photos I take.)

Anyway, so we are on our way to float the river. We get on the river and this transformation began to happen in my heart. First of all, it was so stinking quiet! I don't get quiet. I have four children - quiet does not exist. Then there was the fun of working together rowing, avoiding being sucked under and dying, that kind of thing. Just kidding. There was rowing together but it was all pretty mild and not life threatening in any way.

Then, there was the picnic lunch. He was so sweet. He packed all of our favorites and we sat under a big tree just off the river and actually had adult conversation and, again, we just enjoyed the quiet. It was amazing and truly a moment I will cherish in my heart for the rest of my life.

On the river again, we made our way the rest of the way down. Almost to the end a friend of ours went by with a group of people and they all yelled happy birthday to me. It was sweet.

We finally go to the end and I swam in the river for a few minutes until my mom picked us and the boat up. It was amazing and definitely one of the very best birthday expenses I have had in 33 years. Thank you Jason for arranging it all and to my family for providing all the extra stuff like dropping off, picking up, and babysitting. Love you all!

These were just a few pics I took/had taken. I didn't take my camera with me because I was afraid it would get wet. I really wish I would have once we were on the river because there were some really amazing photo opportunities....maybe next time.

[the.beginning]



[the.end]

Sunday Scripture: {Philippians 1:6}

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 1:6, NLT

Photo Series: {Mountain Rain}

A couple of weeks ago we spent a Saturday at one of the lakes we are so fortunate to live by.
We got their early.
And at about 2:30pm the rain kindly signaled our departure.

Here are some photos I took of the rain after we left.
{The beauty of mountain rain.}

Photo of the Day: {center.stage}

Where My {HEART} Has Been

Does your heart ever just feel heavy?
Mine has lately.
I am sure I am not alone

The Aurora Shooting.
My heart has just been breaking for the 12 that were killed and their families.
I took some time to see their faces, learn their names, hear just a part of their story and what wonderful people they were, and cry tears for them. (I visited {here}.)

Then there are the others who are still recovering from their injuries. One special mama really touched my heart. Her six year old daughter was killed and she is in the hospital fighting for her life. The report I mentioned above said that she was in and out of consciousness and they had not told her yet that her daughter was gone.

I have no words to describe the sadness and pain that is in my heart for her. I just cannot even imagine being in that situation and what the entire family must be going through.
I can only pray.


The Columbine Shooting.
If you live in Colorado like we do, you can't have something happen like the Aurora shooting that doesn't take you back to the tragedy of the Columbine shooting.

Some of you may know that my husband worked for the sheriff's dept. that handled the Columbine shooting. Without going into a lot of detail, I can tell you that my husband's direct involvement in the aftermath of that tragic event is something that he has carried with him for the past 13 years and will carry with him for the rest of his life.

We think of and pray often for the families who were affected by the that event often and always will.


Our Hometown Tragedy
This week also marked the 3 year anniversary of our own hometown tragedy where a local police officer lost his life and two other police officers were injured. 

We have taken time to specifically remember and pray for {all} those who were affected by this tragedy.



My {heart} is heavy for these tragedies.


My {heart} mourns for those who were lost.


My {heart} grieves for those who have to survive those losses.


My {heart} prays.  

Life Just Happens Sometimes

I haven't posted in a few days because....well, life just happens sometimes.

My hubby and my oldest were on a mission trip last week. 

They went to a Navajo reservation where 31 kids ended up giving their lives to Jesus. 

Yeah, wow! God is good.

The very first night that my hubby was gone my baby girl came down with something.

She had a high fever for 3 days.

So, that required me to up the mommy mode and tone down the blogging mode.

She had no other symptoms other than a fever - which was good.

And, she still had her sweet, joyful attitude.

And her precious smile. 

Love that girl.
And her smile.

So, my hubby and oldest arrived safely home.
And I think it took 3 days for me to hear all of the amazing stories of how God worked while they were away.
It was so neat to see their joy and excitement.

Now we are back to "normal".
Or as normal as our household really ever gets.

I hope whatever is happening in your life that you have a very blessed day.
And weekend.
Happy Friday!

Sunday Scripture: {Psalm 40:16}

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!"

~ Psalm 40:16, NLT

Photo of the Day: {butterfly}

Photo of the Day: {Bird's Eye View}

I have a thing for bids.
Well, I have a thing for a lot of things.
But birds are included in that.

I also have a thing for butterflies.
And ironically I was taking a picture of a butterfly when this bird decided to pose for me.
Happy 4th of July to me!

I am always trying to take pictures of birds.
But those little rascals just won't sit still.
They are almost as flighty as my kids.
Almost.

Anyway, this bird evidently liked his {or her} photo being taken.
And I liked taking it.

Photo of the Day: {Little Boy Blue}

[creide.jaxton.7.4.12]

Completely random.

Unpredictable.

Impromptu.

A flicker.

A moment in time.

To be {cherished} forever.

I {treasure} these gifts.

The gift of a look.

Or a [sweet] smile.

For I know they are here only briefly.

A whisper. 

One day they will be grown.

They will be living the life they have been {called} to live.

And I will be thankful for the memories forever etched on my heart. 

{amg}

Photo of the Day: {Beautiful Reflection}

I love this little girl.

Of course, as her mama, I think she is beautiful.

Inside and out.

I love her joy.

It radiates from her. 

A reflection of her {Creator}. 

{A+Y Design Gallery}

So, I have been wanting to do a post about {A+Y Design Gallery} since I first stepped into the gallery a couple of weeks ago. First, you have to know that back story. You know me, there is ALWAYS a back story.

Adam and Yesenia Duncan are the owners - hence the whole A+Y thing. Isn't that sweet. I just can just picture that carved in a tree in the Colorado woods somewhere. Anyway, Adam was actually one of my neighbors growing up as a kid. It was great fun for me. Adam and his two brothers did all kinds of crazy stuff that was very entertaining. (When you visit his gallery you should ask him to tell you some of the stories. They are hilarious.)

So, we all grew up and moved our separate ways, got married (order may vary by couple), had kids (some of us more than others), and then moved back to our hometown where we all started to attend the same church together. The same church that my husband is now the youth pastor at.

My husband started to get to know Adam's wife through a ministry outreach that he did at the place where she used to work. So, we started to get to know Yesenia, who is this amazing person and it is very clear why Adam made her his bride. So, now we are at present day...

Adam turned out to be this phenomenal artist/designer and craftsman. (I am hoping I am doing him justice here because there really aren't words for the work that he does. You will see in a minute.)  


Anyway, Adam and Yesenia recently opened their new gallery downtown. I was finally able to visit and I have fallen in love!


There are a few things that I absolutely love in this word:


1.) Almost anything vintage
2.) Handmade items
3.) Unique design using various elements - the more unexpected the better

Adam utilizes ALL of these elements (& more) and creates these amazing pieces. No matter what your style, you will find something there and if not, then he will design it for you.

I am not kidding when I say that his designs are world class quality - heirloom quality. You know, the kind your kids will be handing down to their great-grandkids.

Anyway, the reason why I am also so excited about this place is because this is where Jason bought my birthday gift from. I know, right! But you are going to have to wait for the big reveal on that one. I don't have pictures of it yet but don't you worry, it is making itself quite comfortable in my home.

But I will show you some of the photos I took of the gallery and some of my favorite pieces (other than the birthday gift.)

Please note - First, A+Y Design Gallery also features pieces from other artisans in the area, so some of their pieces are featured below. Second, my photos simply do not come close to giving these pieces the justice they deserve, so please bare with me.

{This is an inlay in the floor of the gallery and is just dripping with sweetness. Another thing that I love about this place is the husband/wife team behind it. Adam is the designer but Yesenia completes her husband in an amazing way and obviously provides a great deal of inspiration to him. You can also see her touches throughout the store as well.}

You can learn more about {A+Y Design Gallery} by vising their website or their Facebook page. Please be sure to give them a "like" for me while you are there. :-)

Sunday Scripture: {1 Peter 2:24b}

By his wounds you have been healed.

~ 1 Peter 2:24b, NLT

Birthday Celebration Part 1: Can You Say Sushi?

I was treated to a birthday lunch this week. It was delightful.

The best part....

I was able to share it with this man. :-) 

My [Other] Birthday Today

Yesterday was my birthday and it was amazing. I will share more about that later. But today is another big day for me....

One year ago today I received my last chemo treatment. 

Wow. 1 year has gone by? Really?

I have a ton of emotions today. I am so grateful first of all. There are just really no words that will do this justice. I am grateful that I am still here. I am grateful that I am not in treatment anymore. I am grateful to be a survivor.

I feel an excitement that this is REALLY behind me. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am really past this and sometimes I am scared to believe it. Like if I really believe it and then I find out it isn't real I don't know if I can withstand the heartbreak. But, that is where faith comes in.

I also feel sick to my stomach when I think about one year ago today and what I was doing. I really do. I honestly hate thinking about it because it brings back how awful I felt. I can even smell and taste how it felt - yes, chemo has a taste - and it is terrible. So, I really try not to go back there for long. However, it does enhance my joy and appreciation of today to do so.

Anyway, I know that many of you have walked along this journey with me. Some in the flesh and others by reading my blog. I appreciate you all. For if it weren't for your prayers and support I know that today could have been very different. And not just for me - but for the four little precious people who call me mama and the one big precious person that calls me wife.

I think I rejoice mostly for them.

Today is {My} Birthday

Happy Birthday to {ME}

Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of my birthday. I just really didn't feel comfortable with people making a fuss over me. I felt awkward and unsure of how to respond. The normal person would just say "thank you" and move on but not me. I start analyzing how I should say "thank you". If I say it one way someone may think I am prideful and if I say it another way they may think I am not grateful. Oh the pressures! Why could I not have one of those cute southern accents where everything sounds nice when you say it?

Anyway, in a nutshell - prior to 2011 I had neutral feelings about my birthday. Oh, I also did not like that whole getting older thing either.

Post 2011, I {REJOICE} on my birthday. I am overwhelmingly grateful just to have the opportunity to be here on this earth as a wife and a mother for one more year. I feel beyond blessed.

Now I dream of being 70. For if I am 70 I will have finished what I started here. I will have fulfilled my promise to my husband on our wedding day - the one where I said I would grow old with him. I will have raised my babies and seen them graduate, walk down the aisle, and have babies of their own. I will have even had the bonus of being a grandma myself and perhaps even a great-grandma. Wouldn't that be splendid. All of these things are such wonderful treasures that I long for. I just want to finish well.

So, today I am rejoicing at the fact that God has given me {33} years on this earth. Again, I just feel so grateful to even be here writing this for you to read. It is a good day. :-)

Blessings and Love to All! 


~Andrea

Photo of the Day: {Frog Boots}

[creide's frog boots 2012]

These babies are kind of a staple around our house. This is actually Creide's 3rd pair. He loves them. First, his favorite color is green, so that made them an instant hit. Second, I think he likes how easy they are for him to put on and go. And that is what this kid does...go.go.go.

He would {and has} worn them everywhere. I think even to church. I know some of you are probably disgusted right now. How dare I let my child wear something so inappropriate in the house of the Lord? That is one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is that we are supposed to give our best to the Lord. In Creide's mind - these are his best. This is the best pair of shoes he has to offer. But that is just another perspective.

My perspective. Life is too short. I am going to pick my battles and this is just not one of them. I am just happy that the kid has made it out of the house with shoes on. (Yes, we have actually left the house without shoes before - but that is a whole other blog.)

I found this pair at the thrift store with the Target tags still on them. Not bad for $3. :-)

Perspective

One of the blessings that cancer has given me is perspective. I feel like I have always cherished the important things in life and I am a very sentimental person by nature. But when I thought there was a chance I was going to die – and if I am being honest, there were many moments that it more than crossed my mind – it changed everything. It was the game changer of all game changers in my life.

I thought of things like - what is my husband going to say at my funeral? Or, what is my husband going to say to my daughter on her wedding day if I am not here to show her my love and support too. Or, how can I shower my kids with enough love right now to last them a life time. But honestly, we should all be asking ourselves those questions, not just when we are facing cancer or some other life-threatening illness or situation.

The question I ask myself - if something happened to me tomorrow – did I get it right? I am not talking about perfection because I know there is no way I am going to hit that. But did I tell and show my husband I loved him totally and completely? Did I do the same for my kids? Did I show my kids how much I loved their father and what a good marriage looks like so that they can later apply those lessons to their own marriages? Did I put God first?

Don’t get me wrong, I do not think you should consume yourself with worry about these things. First of all, we are not supposed to worry {phil 4:6} but also because then there is a chance you will become immobilized by fear and worry. Besides, worry isn’t going to fix any of these issues anyway. Only action will.

Jason and I have been blessed with the opportunity several times now to share our perspective fresh from the trenches so to speak. It is something we cherish. As heart breaking as it is to relive those moments in our life, we cling to one another’s hands with tears streaming down our faces, we remember and we are beyond grateful that we are both here to share this perspective because we came so close to it being a different story entirely.

The other day I was talking with a girl about my perspective and she said, “I hope I do not have to go through what you did to have the perspective that you have.” That summed up my heart condition in a nutshell. I want to share and inspire people to make the changes that they need to make before it is too late, so that when they get to that final moment the can say, “Yes, I got it right.” 

Blessings,

Andrea

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. {Philippians 4:6 NLT}

Photo Series: {Rainy Day Fun}

I have so enjoyed selecting my "Photos of the Day" and I am thankful to all of you for hanging in there with me and actually looking at the photos. It has been a great opportunity to post some of those heart favorite photos or even just some random photos without the pressure of the writing.

The "Photos of the Day" have been great. But sometimes you can't just pick one photo to represent the full memory and sometimes collages just don't work either. So, this time a am doing a photo series.

If you all share my same hometown you know that we received a huge amount of rain this past week, which was such a blessing for some wildfires in our state. It doesn't rain super hard like it did here very often so it was neat to see the kids' reactions.

That day also marked some downtown festivities so the boys actually got to play in the rain, in the middle of Main St. How cool is that! So, that is what these photos are from. I also wanted to note that these were completely impromptu. They receive no direction from me whatsoever. I was simply hiding under and overhang snapping away. I hope you enjoy.

{My Independence Day}

This year 4^th of July represented a lot for me. Not only were we able to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this country – like that we have the right to own a bible (and read it whenever we  want), we have the right to speak freely about our beliefs and non-beliefs - and the list can go on and on. But it had a great deal of personal meaning as well.

One of those things was that it marked the 6 month anniversary for me being in remission. 6 months. Can you believe it? There are moments I still can’t believe that the whole thing happened. I feel like I just woke up from a nightmare.

Anyway, we had a great day (without fireworks due to the high risk of fire in our state) but fun nonetheless. Here is a glimpse…

We were so blessed to have such a wonderful day together. I hope your 4th of July was just as special.

***Just so you know who's who in the picture collage: 1.) My hubby (upper left) 2.) Cale (oldest son - upper right) 3.) Creide (green boots - age 4) and Ky (age 6) 4.) One of the lakes at Grand Mesa in Colorado 5.) Kearyn (my baby girl - age 2) and Audra (my little sister) 6.) Ky and our pup Gauge 7.) Hubby and Creide 8.) Creide and Gauge

Photo of the Day: {Puppy Love}

This is our boy Gauge. Isn't he sweet. :-)