Reflections of 08"

I have been thinking alot and reflecting on the many things that have occurred in the past year with our family..Here is just a snipit(is that a real word?) of some things:

 At the beginning of the year we were on trip number 5 to NYC  for another surgery with Cade.  It was a very successful surgery, but scary as we watched Cade's eye bleed profusely within 3 hours out of surgery...scary, but the Lord was with us holding our hands and we were able to speak into the lives of another family going through a more difficult time with their child.. God is good!  Cade progressed and his eye seems to be getting stronger.. 

We celebrated Cade's 2nd birthday in March and these are always special days as we thank the Lord for another year.. It was the movie "Cars" theme. He is growing up too fast!

Beach trips are always a blast and something Chris and I look forward to every summer..in fact we are looking forward to our trip in June!! We have been going to the beach with my family since I was in highschool..not going to do the calculations. This past year we were at Myrtle Beach-alot to do, but a very packed beach-not going back-but loved spending time with our family!  

Chris and I also love going to Texas to visit his family. We stay for about two weeks and it is really the only time during the year we are able to visit with his entire family.. I enjoy the trip and now that Cade is getting older, I enjoy it even more! Very hot, but we love it!! We also eat at a place that is Chris' favorite-Bill Miller's-everyday..not kidding..everyday! I know Leah is laughing at that one!

In July, Chris and I purchased our first new home! Thank you Jesus!! It is something that we have wanted to do for some time, but financially it just wasn't possible for us.. The Lord really opened doors for us and provided us with a beautiful home and on top of that, wonderful neighbors who have become some of our greatest friends!

Cade began a new pre-school in August with me! Yeah!! I love having him on campus with me.. so convenient and so comforting knowing he is one building away.. His teachers love him and yes he has had his share of time-outs!  We are still working on that..:(

In November, Chris' football team(Davidson Academy) won another state championship title-the 2nd in three years! Go Bears! He loves his job and the kids absolutely adore him-He is an amazing coach and teacher and hope that Cade one day will be able to play for his daddy!!

We have had an amazing year, and yes, we have had our ups and downs, but the one constant has been our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. He has done the possible when it looked liked things were impossible. He has been our Provider, our Healer, our Comforter, our Sustainer,and our Hope! He has given us His mercy and grace many times! There were many times that I struggled with the unknown in regards to Cade and his medical condition, but that is when He became more evident to me-He became more strong in the midst of my weaknesses. All in all, Chris and I want everything we do, including Cade and his future-to reflect God's glory!  We are so thankful for another year and for what the Lord has taught us. Our prayers are that we continue to seek His face and trust His promises in this new year, and that we are open and receptive to His call on our lives! 

We love you all and are very thankful for each of you. Thank you for your constant prayers for Cade. We know the Lord is going to use him in a mighty way!!  

Happy New Year!!

Not worthy, but HIS

carlee

Watch out Bon Jovi!

Okay.. I couldn't resist posting this.. One of Cade's favorite gifts--and no, Chris did not get Guitar Hero for Christmas.. Hee-Hee!!!

Merry Christmas..and a Happy New Year!!

What a fun time it was to watch Cade open his presents Thursday morning.. He had a blast, and for the first time he actually enjoyed it.  He kept saying "nother one, nother one" after each present.  I think some of his favorites were the guitar, the workbench with tools, and his bike...at least that is what he tried to tell me were his favorites. We are so thankful that God has given us so many blessings this year and we can't wait to see what He has in store for us in 2009!!

Love you all!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

We hope you all are having a great week with your family.. We have had so much fun with Cade in the past few days. We did get to see Santa, but from a far off.. Cade just waved at him and that was good enough for him.. He is getting excited about opening his presents, but he knows we can't open them until Nana and Papa get here.  Chris and I are so excited about tonight.. We get to attend our church's Christmas Eve service. We have heard so many great things about this service and it will be our first since we started attending Crosspoint.  There are many of you that we wish we could be with during these holidays..know that we love you and will continue to post pictures as I get them.. So thankful for my salvation and thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!

Merry Christmas!!  We love you all!!  (this was a early present from "GiGi"-he picked it out, and it took us an hour to put together, and a matter of minutes for it to be torn apart..go figure:)

Life's Jigsaw Puzzle

Well, disregard the previous post. About 6 hours ago I was preparing for our trip to New York. When I got home I thought I would call to confirm Cade's appt. with the neurologist in NY-who would be working along with Dr. Fay.   After speaking with the clinical coordinator,  I was told that Dr. Fay would not be there this week and there  was obviously a MISTAKE in the scheduling. After I hung up the phone, the very first thought that came to my mind was that we had been given an answer to our question in regards to the doctor situation. The next thought was what about all the money we had spent in preparation for this trip, and then I broke down. After a calming word from my mom, who is always there for me, I realized that this was confirmation from the Lord that we should remain in Nashville and allow his doctors here to complete the procedure. I then realized that this was no MISTAKE, but the Lord's work at hand in a matter of hours.  We have to look at the big picture, we have to see that He has a bigger plan for us. It is similar to looking at a piece of art. If you hold the picture right up to your face you can only see colors and shapes, but when you look at it at a distance you can see all the quality work and intricate details and see the layout of the work of art..This is what is difficult. We can't always see the portrait, we just see colors and shapes. Hope that makes sense.. it does to me.. 

I have been reading the book "Cast of Characters" by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. In the chapter on Joseph, he says," We've been given only one piece of life's jigsaw puzzle. Only God has the cover of the box."  So true that He is the only one that knows what the puzzle will look like in the end. I am so thankful for His providence and thankful that He always answers prayers.

(p.s. I do have to admit I will miss not seeing NYC in Christmas)

so Not Worthy, but HIS,

carlee

Back to New York, but during Christmas!!

We are traveling back to New York this Thursday to meet with Cade's doctors for a re-evaluation. We are praying that the Lord will give Chris and I wisdom as we discuss further treatment for Cade.  We will be making some important decisions in the next few weeks in regards to this visit and who we want to finish up with the remainder of the mass. Please be in prayer for us as we travel and as we embark on, Lord-willing, the last part of this journey. We are asking for the Lord to direct our steps in the decisions to be made..  

On a lighter note, I do have to say that I am quite excited about being in NYC during Christmas. We have never been in the city during the Christmas holidays.. we have only gone before the lights are up or after.. I am so excited to see the tree in Rockefeller Plaza, the ice skating rink,  and to see the city lit up at night. Because this is just a visit with no surgery involved, we should be able to enjoy the city a little more.. This might be our last trip to the city.. who knows?  The picture is  of Rockefeller Plaza..  Will update you all on the visit. Thanks for praying.

carlee

The Quote Says Pretty Much Everything!

This picture and quote catches my attention everytime I visit this particular blog that I have been following lately.. It is someone who has been through extreme pain and has seen the Lord work in and through every circumstance.. I love it, and it hits home for me.. Whatever it takes Lord, bring the rain.. May you be glorified through the difficult times and may we be able to praise you through the storms--Casting Crowns song.

Not Worthy, but HIS

carlee

Thanksgiving/Christmas

We drove to Chattanooga for Thanksgiving this year. I was so excited because I got to see my sister and my nephew. I haven't seen the both of them since last Thanksgiving. Holland, my sisters little boy is about 4 months younger than Cade. So I was excited to see them interact with each other. We decided to also celebrate Christmas since it was the only time we would all be together. It was so much fun to watch the boys play and open their gifts. I do have to say, I think Cade will be like I was when opening Christmas presents.. not one expression to tell if I loved or hated the gift..Each kid got to open their gifts one at a time.. and that was neat to watch.. I love being with family and hate that I don't get so see them that often.. my sister especially.   I am so thankful for my mom, dad, brother and his family, and my sister and her family.  I am truly blessed!    Love you all!!

carlee

Roll Tide!

Yes, I am an Alabama girl and proud of it.. The Crimson Tide ended their season 12-0, with a number one ranking, and on their way to the SEC championship game this Saturday.. Chris can't stand it due to the fact that Texas got the shaft this weekend due to BCS standings... I thought they would have been in the Big 12 championship as well.. He was not a happy camper.. We love our college football and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Bama play every Saturday..It is just in my blood.. I grew up there so it is a part of me so to speak.  I hope they play well this Saturday..Roll Tide Roll!!