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

October 2010

Hi all! So I totally realize how far behind that I am. I started this posting the first week of November and for whatever reason didn't finish it. I was browsing through all of my "on hold" blogs and saw this one still un-posted and it looked very lonely :-). I was tempted to delete it but realized that I HAD written several paragraphs already so I decided not to waste it. :-) So, here it is....

Another month down in the wonderful year of 2010. We have had such an exciting year that I just want to take a few moments to record some thoughts, events, and really just whatever about this past month! My goal is to do this for each month from here on out but I have a lot of thoughts and ideas that I currently am writing about and hoping to post soon so I am not sure if that is an attainable goal or not.

The month of October marked our 2nd son's 5th birthday on October 30th. This was a very exciting time for us. We can't believe that he is 5 now and it is so very bitter sweet. Sad because he is just growing so fast but oh so sweet  because he is doing so many wonderful and amazing things and I just really like the person that he is becoming. He is such a blessing and I just feel so honored that God chose me to be his mommy! (Will be posting about his birthday celebration shortly.)

We also gained a new family member this month in celebration to Ky's 5th birthday. We actually adopted another four legged friend from the local pound. He is a yellow lab, around a year old, and is so sweet. A perfect addition to our family. Ky named him Fletcher and he is quickly adjusting to the busyness of the Gressman household. A perfect place for an energetic puppy!

This month seemed to be marked with a lot of bitter sweets. At the beginning of the month we had to say goodbye to the pastor of our church which was heartbreaking as we will miss him so much. I do not think he will ever know how God has used him in my life, my husband's life, and the lives of our children. We don't know how we would even be close to where we are today without his wisdom, love and support. The sweet side of this is kind of two-fold. We deeply respect our former pastor and know that he is following God's will and that is exciting for us to see. Secondly, we have gained an incredible new pastor that Jason and I deeply respect and many times are just left in awe of his character and values. He is an amazing man and we can't wait to see how God uses him.

Another bitter/sweet, October 15th marked the Infant and Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day. This is something that Jason and I are too familiar with unfortunately. I was asked by a dear sweet lady that coordinated the very first candlelight ceremony in our town  in honor of this day to actually come and share some of my poetry as well as a few words about what we have gone through. (To read more about that go here.) It is a topic that is very close to my heart and I continually pray that God is able to use me to help someone else that may be traveling this very difficult path in their own life. I have a few more pieces that I have been working on regarding this topic so I will save my words for those.

Another month behind us in 2010 as the holidays approach. We are excited to make new memories this year with our family and friends. God bless you all and we can't wait to continue to share. :-)