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!!

Our Pride and Joy!

It is so amazing to watch as our "big boy" continues to grow up..it is also sad that he is growing up so fast.. He amazes me every day with new words and new ideas. I love picking him up everyday and being able to spend some mommy time with him.  I get him from school and then take him to my room where he plays with the expo markers and eats his snack...  I have to watch him from time to time or the expo eraser will be plastered to his face..  When we get home, he has to have his yogurt..unless we are out-and that is not a good thing!  It has been so much fun playing "beep-beeps", football, etc.  He did have to sit in time-out this week at school for tackling..so we have to make sure that he knows that we only tackle daddy and mommy.. He loves playing football.  He does also enjoy watching his share of cartoons-Blues Clues, Backyardigans, Oswald, and Max and Ruby.  

We have seen Santa a few times already at the mall this past week and Cade, I think has a few things confused.  He refers to Santa as "Chrimas," and then he says lap. So I believe he thinks Santa's name is Christmas.. so cute-I love it!!  Everytime we have asked him what he wants for Christmas he says a "bu-bike"-(blue bike)  We did get him a trike.. but it is red.. We hope he likes it!

We love our sweet boy, our little warrior and know that God has richly blessed us with him. As much as he has gone through and our family has gone through..we would not want it any different.  We are so thankful for what he has brought us and continues to bring us everyday-JOY! Cade is my heart! I love you so much "bubba!"

So Much To Be Thankful For!

I wanted to post some pics of all of Cade's artwork he has done in the past week.  He loves to color and draw and we are so proud of his work and so thankful for him!!

We have so much right now to be thankful for.. I could sit here and write many things that Chris are so grateful for.. our family, our new home, our new friends, Cade's health, etc.. The Lord has blessed us so much in a year and sometimes we forget to stop and just say "thanks."  

Thank you Lord for the times we struggled, because we grew closer to you in that time. Thank you Lord for the goodness you brought, because it reminded us of how good You are. Thank you Lord for the times we doubted, because it made our faith grow stronger. Thank you Lord for the times when we were scared, because You never left us nor forsake us.  Thank you Lord for sending Your only Son to die for us, because through Your sacrifice we learned true forgiveness and everlasting life!  Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory!)

Not worthy, but HIS

carlee

Another Turn In Our Journey

It is going on almost three years now as we have walked this journey with Cade trying to get this lesion removed from his eye.  Right now it seems as we have hit a road block..so to speak..Because of the complexity of Cade's lesion and its' location it has taken us a little longer than what we had expected.  His doctor here in Nashville has been very honest with us and patient as she is trying to make sure the procedure to be used will work and not do any more damage.. in giving us this information, she is very concerned about doing the procedure herself because of the bleeding and informed us that we should travel to Canada to have the procedure done.  That is not the route we our wanting to take, so we have decided that we will have Dr. Fay-his doctor in NYC-who has operated on Cade twice- finish up with the remainder of his surgeries. (we are still waiting to find out if this procedure will work) 

In saying all this, there is so much that has to be done before we make the trip back to NYC, but not alot of time as this lesion grows. There are some scheduling issues that have to be resolved with Dr. Fay and the neurologist in NYC  before we start scheduling flights and such.. 

There is so much that is not in my control and it has been so difficult for me.  I want to know exactly what will be done, when will it be done, what will be the outcome for Cade, will his eye be blue forever, I could go on and on....I know that the Lord is teaching me that I need to just let go and let Him work, but it is so hard..especially when it is your child. I feel like Job sometimes, even though I have not been through half of what he went through... and after his friends question Job about his sufferings, and then Job questions God.. He responds that all you need to know is to TRUST me. Maybe this is what the Lord is trying to teach me--to start exercising my "trust muscles." (Sarah Young quote)

Cade has another CT scan tomorrow-Nov 10. As he continues to get older these procedures seem to get a little bit more difficult for him..  Pray that he isn't scared and that this procedure will be helpful for all of our doctors in treating Cade. Thank you for all your prayers and  for holding our hands through it all!  We are so grateful!  Time to exercise those muscles--you know, the "trust" ones.

Not worthy, but HIS

What Now?

I am very thankful to have been a witness to history last night, as Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States. This was amazing-historically speaking, that just more than 30 years ago African-Americans were still denied the right to vote in some states, and now we have one in the White House. I was disappointed and sad for McCain and Palin, but came to the realization that the people have spoken and they have made their choice-it was clear early that it was not going to be good night for the Republican party.
So what now? It is now time for us to hit our knees and pray for this man and his administration as they lead our country...pray for safety for his family, pray that he will be surrounded by Godly men and women who will advise him in the direction of our country, and pray for wisdom and guidance. I think it is important to remember that we are Christians first, then Republican or Democrats. We are Christians first, then mothers, wives, friends, etc. We are followers of Christ first, before we follow McCain or Obama. To me that is the most important.. our work on earth should not change--to build God's kingdom--and to be "salt and light." It is much like my pastor said today on his blog.. "it is time to move on.." We will be okay.

Almost Here-Who Will It Be?

We are one day away from knowing who the next president of the United States will be.. I have been anticipating this day for about a year now.  There has been so much talk and rhetoric in the last few days, that I am so ready for this campaign to be over.. I say that I won't know what to talk about after tomorrow, but I am sure there will be plenty to talk about.  I know the Lord is in control of this no matter what happens..and we will all be witnesses to history, whether we will have the first African-American elected or the oldest.. that is pretty cool!  

We have seen and heard so much, we know all about each candidate, their families, their background, their views on all issues-social, moral, economic. We know all about the "Joe's " in this campaign, we know all the slogans-"change you can believe in," "spreading the wealth,"  "he is the only one who has ever fought for you,"  "drill, baby, drill!"  We have seen the thousands come from afar to show their support in every rally, we have watched every debate and know each of their mannerisms. We have seen the media pick each of them apart(really just Palin),  and we have heard every commentators view of each candidate. NOW it is up to you-the voter.  It is in your hands-it is your choice-be thankful for the opportunity to be involved in a democratic process and VOTE!  Your voice is your vote!