Snow Break

When we get snow in Arkansas it seems the people go crazzzy like they have never seen it! Which means, snow breaks!!! I personally love snow days, and do not mind going into June for make up days. We do not plan a vacation based off the school calendar given out due to this reason! We have done many activities including making bracelets, Christmas tree decorating, playing in the snow, sledding, and visiting lots of stores! 

Christmas Is Almost Here!

Here are some of my decorations! I will post a tutorial of my wreath soon! It is super easy! 

We are snowed in somewhat right now with the massive amount of snow we received the last couple days! 

A Battle Raging Daily

Some days are well, and other days are difficult on the inside. Some days I feel I am in a constant battle after cancer. I pray for God to take away the sadness, and anxiety that I feel before a scan. Some days it is hard for anyone to understand until they have went through chemotherapy and survived. I am thankful to be a survivor, but do also have survivor guilt. I often see people around me pass on from this life because they lost there battle. Tears start flowing, and I think of their families and friends they left behind. I am thankful I am here with my family. For a while I have been researching how to deal with "Life after Cancer". How do you do it? When do you move on? Why is there a constant struggle?

All those questions I have non stop in my head. Last night I found the perfect article that sums it up a little bit. I know with this storm it will pass because God has brought me through so much. I still need prayer dealing with certain things. November 8th I have a CT scan, and appreciate all prayers!

Here is the article I found:

James Curry says the psychological stress of being a cancer patient set in after his treatments stopped.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• James Curry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2011
• He undergoes a battery of tests each month to see whether the cancer has returned
• The process causes him mental anguish, he says
• But he acknowledges it's a small price to pay for staying alive

Editor's note: James Curry is a producer for CNN International.

(CNN) -- In January of 2011, at 25, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I went through four months of chemotherapy and eight weeks of radiation.

As of this writing, one and half years later, I'm happy to be in remission, but many people think that is where the battle ends. For me, that's where the real fight began.

After all of the procedures were over and my hair finally grew back, the physical side of being a cancer patient was behind me. There was some relief in knowing that I'd no longer have to spend hours over the toilet vomiting partially digested Jell-O because that was the only semi-solid food my body would tolerate.

It was also refreshing to know that my appearance was slowly morphing from a powdery white, emaciated, bald, albino-looking bag of bones to a somewhat normal and healthy 25-year-old guy. But shortly after the treatment stopped, the psychological stress of being a cancer patient set in.

Every month, since my last day of radiation, I go to my doctor for a battery of tests designed to determine whether my cancer has come back and whether the treatment caused any residual side effects. It's a seven-day process that causes more mental anguish than any single person deserves.

The week begins with blood tests and scans. Then, I go home and wait seven days for the doctor to tell me whether I'm still in remission.

James Curry during his cancer treatment.

The period in between the tests and the results is the worst. Every time my phone rings, my heart sinks. I wonder if it's my oncologist calling to deliver bad news.

Are we close to beating cancer?

My mind spends a lot of time analyzing the "what if" scenarios. What if it comes back? Will I go through the treatment again? What if the chemotherapy and radiation caused some other form of cancer or did it cause a genetic mutation that's going to force me to be isolated from the human population and live in a clean room forever? I try to run every possibility through my head. That way, I'm be prepared for whatever news I'm given.

On the seventh day, I drive myself back to the cancer center, check in and wait for about two hours for my 15-minute appointment. (My doctor has a problem with punctuality.)

James Curry in the hospital in February 2011.

In the waiting room, I sit with many other cancer patients. Some wear surgical masks to protect them from germs, while others are in wheelchairs. Their situations seem far worse than mine was, so I don't complain.

After reading 16 magazines cover-to-cover, mostly about how to prevent cancer, and several rounds of counting the floor tiles, the nurse calls my name. My heart, once again, sinks because I know I'm about to learn my fate. I try to play it cool and act calm, but after she takes my vital signs, my cover is blown.

"Are you nervous, Mr. Curry? Don't be nervous," she says. That's easy for her to say.

She then peels the Velcro cuff off my arm and walks me to the examination room where I wait for the doctor. A few minutes later, he knocks on the door and then enters the room. He's usually carrying an iPad and some papers.

"Good news, Mr. Curry," he says. "The tests show no evidence of disease."

A sense of relief comes over me and my sphincter muscles loosen.

More lives being saved: Cancer death rates drop 20%

Before I leave, the doctor hands me the paper with the test results. I treat it like a trophy or diploma. I never fold the document, and I save all of them.

Before leaving, I make another appointment for next month, so I can then start the same process all over again. They tell me I'll have to do this for the next five years.

In between appointments, any cough, ache or pain forces me to wonder whether it's cancer growing in my body. As a cancer survivor, it's something I can't help but think of.

As time goes on, I'm getting better at managing the stress. The monthly exams are a small price to pay for staying alive. Some aren't so lucky.

Infant Loss Awareness

I miss these baby feet so much, but one day I will see her again!

DIY-Hanging Basket

I meant to post this months ago, and I am slacking on posting DIY's!!! 

I do not take credit for the hanging basket I made. I follow Shanty-2-Chic.com and LOVE her blog so much! GO FOLLOW AND GET IDEAS!

Here are her directions, she goes into great detail! Follow her!

Supplies:

2X6

2X4

Package of spindle (plain wood) come in a package of two

Kreg Jig

Kreg Jig Screws

Wood Glue

Paint

Cut List:

You will need 3 pieces of wood.

2 – 2x4x8

1 – 2x8x8 at least 24″ long

I LOVE MY HANGING BASKET A LOT!

HAVE FUN MAKING ONE AND ENJOY HER BLOG!

AMANDA

Days Fly By

How the days fly by so quickly when you have three little ones with busy schedules!

Buddy your growing up so quickly!

Eating out is a blast!

Bliss Cupcakes in NWA are the best! Especially the icing shooters!

Blessed and happy with how God been there for us in time of need!

Marriage Undercover by Kristi Neace

Marriage Undercover

(Re-post from 2011)

Some months back, I received a phone from the wife of an officer in a very large department. She was at her wits end struggling to hold on to her marriage. The enemy had quietly snuck in unnoticed, and had begun unraveling the very fibers which had been woven together at the altar years before.

A pulled thread here, a tattered, unmended corner there, and before she knew it, her husband had bought into the lie that the pattern was more appealing on the other side of the tapestry, so-to-speak.

With so many years invested into her marriage, this wife has decided to continue to work the loom – to stand for her marriage. However, the enemy keeps whispering thoughts of hatred, betrayal, and unforgiveness into her heart. The damage is irreparable, or is it? I believe this marriage can be saved through the grace of God. Yet, many more just like it will tragically end in divorce all because we’ve lowered our borders and allowed the enemy to cross over. Somehow, our cover is no longer up.

Let me say this with all earnestness and love I can muster…guard yourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually; keep your marital bed pure; and above-all, blanket your marriage with prayer.

So how do we do these things in a world so saturated with sex and a “do what feels good” attitude? Let me first say, it’s not easy. Temptations lurk around every corner. But here are a few guidelines I have found helpful – many that come straight from God’s word.

• Never place yourself in a situation with a person of the opposite sex to whom you are not married. Now I realize that many cops have partners of the opposite gender, and with that, you don’t have much choice. However, if at all possible in any and all other instances, steer clear of one-on-one interactions.
• Limit your time in front of mindless television shows and movies that glorify and promote promiscuous lifestyles. They are not God-approved, nor helpful to you as the audience. Junk in equals junk out.
• Never fall into the trap of “sharing” your marital issues with a co-worker, neighbor, friend, etc. Your issues should be ”shared” with your spouse and/or a trusted, Christian counselor or clergy. I’ve seen many marriages fall into affairs when one spouse begins seeking consolation from a "good listener".
• Be careful what you expose yourself to on the Internet. Men…if the computer becomes a stumbling block to you, then throw it away! Pornography is degrading, detestable, and wholly unpleasing to God. Ladies, Facebook friends and pen pals through chat rooms are not real. They may be real people, but if they begin pulling you away from your spouse, then they are number one enemies.
• Happy hour is not your friend. It is only a place to mingle with folks who are desperately unhappy. Believe me when I say, I’ve seen it!
• Do not entertain thoughts of someone of the opposite sex. It may seem harmless to you, but it will soon begin to undermine your marriage.
• Ladies, watch what you wear. I see countless grown women trying to dress like their teenage daughters. C’mon. You can be stylish and attractive without sending the wrong message.
• Cover your marriage in prayer.
• Pray for your spouse daily.
• Pray for God’s wisdom and for Him to show you how to please your spouse and support him or her.
• Protect and carve out date nights with your spouse.
• Make sure to keep those romantic flames alive.
• Remember to serve God and put Him first.
• Finally, guys want respect and women want love. If you can remember to meet each others needs in these ways then God will bless you, and your marriage will thrive!

Whew! I know this was an exhaustive and toe-stomping blog, but the enemy is on the prowl and ready to devour our marriages. We need to blanket them with God’s love and direction. So let me ask you, is your marriage undercover?

So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate. (Matt. 19:6 NIV)

Blessings,

Kristi

That's What Faith Can Do

Prayer Request

This past week has been hard getting on Facebook and seeing so many friends hurting because of someone hurting with cancer. It is a tough word, and it has hurt so many families including mine. It hurts, I pray that each one heals quickly! I pray the pain does not linger in there body. I know what the pain feels like, and there is not much you can do except lay and moan. Thankfully, we serve a loving and powerful God! 

Onto the individuals that need prayer:

*Michelle's son Brady's girlfriend who found out she has a second round of cancer

*Janet from church. Read her story: 

http://janetpate.blogspot.com/2013/09/his-strength.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ILiftUpMyEyesToTheHills+%28I+Lift+Up+My+Eyes+to+the+Hills...%29

*Tiffany Daniels, her grandmother who has cancer, but she is now on life support

I left this quote with my friend Michelle tonight. It is one I found when I was going through cancer:

"You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you. Wherever you are, God has put you there. He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are."Dr. Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of U.S.Senate

Praying

I saw this that a friend from church posted. I pray daily that my children sat a good example at school or where ever they are. Importantly, that they are around friends who will guide them in a positive way and towards God. 

We are blessed with a wonderful church: Bentonville First Baptist where they are fully engaged in Awanas, and Sophie's first year of GA's! This year will be Allies first year of Awana's and look forward to seeing her grow in the Lord!

 

Have a great week!

Allie Is Three

Our youngest turned three on 8-9-10! We are beyond blessed with her! She is a miracle! Two weeks after having her I found out I had cancer. Doctors do not know till this day how long I had cancer with her. They did say even if we had found out they could not give me chemo treatments. We are beyond thankful she is a healthy sweet girl! God has blessed us and brought us through so much!

 

 

I am thankful God gave you to us!

Allie Soraya:

Very grown up in just a span of three years

 You are a sassy little girl with a big heart

Pink blanket and baby puppy are your favorite things especially at night

Talk all the time...in full complete sentences

Very outgoing and love people

Pinteresting It Up!

I have been going crazy on Pinterest for projects! This week I ordered a Silhouette Cameo! My friend  sold me on it. I saw hers this past weekend and I feel in love. There are so many things I can do with it. Especially with wood, fabrics, etc. I am excited to start using it for my bags and wood projects!!! Below I have attached some pictures of the projects I will be doing when I get it in!