the swinney's

June 13

2020-06-13T12:54:00.000-05:00

22 Years

I wrote this blog post several years ago. I have added to it each year. It's good to remember......

1st year (1998-1999) our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year (1999-2000) we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year (2000-2001) we got a new titles...mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year (2001-2002) another baby girl...Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year (2002-2003) and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year (2003-2004) bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year (2004-2005) busy raising babies, working...ahh the simple life.
8th year (2005-2006) started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year (2006-2007) Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year (2007-2008) Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year (2008-2009) became a part of Grace Fellowship. Began working with Campus Outreach at JSU. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year (2009-2010) so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave went to Russia on his 2nd overseas mission trip, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year (2010-2011) we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year (2011-2012) Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year (2012-2013) another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager.

16th year (2013-2014) clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year (2014-2015) started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery, all three kids were in the band.

18th year (2015-2016) kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died. Abby got her drivers license.

19th year (2016-2017) Erin got her 15 year drivers permit and had another surgery. Samuel started playing basketball and was baptized. Abby went to all state and her first prom. I started teaching at Lincoln High School. We sold our house and bought a new one. Dave had clear scans!

20th year (2017-2018) Abby graduated from Donoho. Samuel got his permit. Erin went to her first prom. Erin got her license. Samuel started school at Lincoln. Dave left his job at Grace Fellowship and began working toward his masters in music at Colorado State. I continued teaching at Lincoln and loved Samuel being there with me. Dave's jazz band recorded at the Nutthouse Studio in Muscle Shoals. We had our first big snow on Glenwood Terrace! We took a road trip after graduation, up to Washington, DC and New York City.

21st year (2018-2019) Erin graduated from Donoho. Abby and Erin were baptized. Abby started working full time at Big Springs Dental. Dave continued working on his masters, spent several weeks of the summer in Colorado. Dave and I went to MD Anderson for his yearly scan where he had Clear scans!! Samuel got his license. Terrible tornados ravaged Jacksonville. We were able to help with clean up.We went to Disney World with Ken, Ann, and the boys.

22nd year (2019-2020) Samuel started singing and playing guitar. Erin started school at JSU. Abby got engaged to Wyatt. I was awarded CTE new teacher of the year. Dave became the band director at Jacksonville High School. Samuel will be a senior!!

I like to look back at this post and add to it each year. We have had a good life together. Here's to many more, Dave! Happy 22nd anniversary!

Jamey Johnson Benefit Concert for the Josh Powell Foundation

2020-01-13T10:43:00.001-06:00

I was recently able to share my Leiomyosarcoma story in Nashville at a Jamey Johnson benefit concert for the Josh Powell Foundation. It was an honor to be able to do this.

Fabi Powell, the foundation's founder (a passionate and amazing person) stated;

A Huge thank you to everyone who came out last Thursday for our 1st Annual Jamey Johnson Benefit concert. This event will forever go down as one of the most game changing nights in the history of JPF. Thank you to @jameyjohnsonofficial for donating your time and talent to help raise sarcoma awareness. Not only do you have one of the best voices in the history of country music, it’s your heart that shines even brighter. Thank you to our incredible speakers, @jsudave, @ayee.jadee, and @tylergjonesy for sharing your inspiring stories with the world. You guys are the definition of what JPF is. INSPIRING THE WORLD - ONE BATTLE AT A TIME. Your battle with sarcoma will continue to inspire the world for as long as you share it. Thank you to @mitzidawnmusic and the @nashvillerecoverycenter for joining forces with JPF to put on this epic event. Thank you to @livebeautiful_dr.mom and @ashleyenicholson for volunteering your time to help run the merch booth and accept donations. And last but not least, thank you everyone who purchased a ticket, a piece of merch, an auction item, and/or raffle ticket. It’s because of ALL OF YOU that the @joshpowellfoundation was able to raise $20k in the name of sarcoma cancer! None of this would be possible without the generous hearts of all of you. KEEP GOING!!!
Thank you Jamey, Fabi, Josh Powell Foundation, and Nashville Recovery Center!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXHhQrpT4Lc&feature=youtu.be

Life Updates

2020-01-02T19:54:00.002-06:00

It has been at least two years since we posted. Life is good. So, here is what has been happening with us;

Dave:
* Still cancer free (since 2011).
* Moved out of vocational ministry and fully into band directing.
* Began Masters degree work in music.

Lisa:
* Still teaching Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln.
* Loving our lively home. Always something going on!
* Is beginning Masters degree work in FCS.

Abby:
* Has a boyfriend! Wyatt!
* Graduated from Donoho in 2018.
* Is working full time at Big Springs Dental.
* Attended Gadsden State Community College, and about to go to dental hygiene school.

Erin:
* Graduated from Donoho in 2019.
* Attending Jacksonville State University, hoping to become a Physical Therapist.
* Still spends a lot of time with her friends from the Donoho days.

Samuel:
* Transferred to Lincoln High a few years back.
* Heavily involved in Lincoln's FFA and is taking dual enrollment classes at Gadsden State.
* Has begun singing a good bit.

19 years

2017-06-12T17:12:00.002-05:00

I wrote this blog post several years ago. It's good to remember...

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles...mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl...Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working...ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship. Began working with Campus Outreach at JSU. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave went to Russia on his 2nd overseas mission trip, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year-2011-2012-Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year-2012-2013- another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager.

16th year- 2013-2014-clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year-2014-2015-started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery, all three kids were in the band.

18th year-2015-2016- kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died. Abby got her drivers licence.

19th year-2016-2017- Erin got her 15 year drivers permit and had another surgery. Samuel started playing basketball and was baptized. Abby went to all state and her first prom. I started teaching at Lincoln High School. We sold our house and bought a new one. Dave had clear scans!

I like to look back at this post and add to it each year. We have had a good life together. Here's to many more, Dave! Happy 19th anniversary!

"No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

a wrap up of 2016

2016-12-31T15:26:00.000-06:00

2016
What a year you have been.
You have brought many changes to us.
I'm not hating you 2016,
you have been nice in so many ways.
BUT......
You were really weird in the political world.
Really weird!
You also brought some strange weather....
the heat.....and the drought.
BUT...
As much as I am looking forward to what 2017 will bring,

I am also thankful for so many things from 2016.

God was good to us.....even in the hard things.

Here is a little of what 2016 brought to my little family.

We spent New Years Eve 2015 driving from Houston.

Dave had clear scans to start off 2016.

We had an offer on our house in January...it fell through.

We had an another offer in March...it fell through.

Dave's sweet sister Brenda died in April. She was such a rock for the family. She is missed in so many ways.

Abby made all state band.

The kids finished their first year at Donoho.

Abby turned 16.

Dave and I celebrated 18 years!

Erin turned 15.

The kids started their second year at Donoho.

After 4 years, our house sold. (thanks Amber)

We bought a new house that we love so much.

I started teaching high school the week we moved.

Samuel turned 14.

Samuel started playing basketball.

We got a new puppy...Jovie.

So here's to 2017

more time with God
more prayer
more reading
more exercise
more thankfulness

........that list could go on, and hopefully I will add to it.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Christmas morning at Grace Fellowship

Christmas Eve

Lots of Changes

2016-10-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

So much has happened since I last sat down to write. We have been very busy with some exciting stuff!

We finally sold our house in Weaver. After FOUR years of trying to sell it, it finally sold in August. We bought a new house that we love so much. This has kept us quite busy over the last couple of months.

Our house sold and I started a new job all within two weeks. I am now teaching Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln High School. After 15 years at home with the kids and 1 year working at the hospital, I am back in the classroom. I am loving it. It helps that I really really really love what I teach!!!

my first day of school

These three started school in August. We now have an 8th grader, a sophomore, and a junior!!! How did this happen? They are all three in the band. Abby still loves her horn, Erin is as artsy as ever, and Samuel is the tallest 13 year old I know and loves dribbling and bouncing basketballs all over the house.

Dave is still band directing, youth pastoring, and music ministering! He wears lots of hats. He is doing well. His next scan is in January. He has been cancer free for 5 years!! On my way home from school one day I snapped this picture.

Thankful for Gods promises and for daily reminders of hope.

18 years of marital bliss......or something like that

2016-07-10T18:28:00.002-05:00

June 13, 1998

A few years ago I did a blog post recalling every year of our marriage and the highlights of the year. I'm adding a few more years to the post. It's good to remember....to be reminded of what good things God has done. My sister Giny sent Dave and I a text this week encouraging us with all the Lord has brought us through. She said its good to remember what Jehovah Jireh has done in the past.....even make a list. So this is a list of each year of our marriage. The good and bad. God has been faithful to us.

Its good to remember......

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles.....mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl....Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working....ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year-2011-2012-Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year-2012-2013- another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager.

16th year- 2013-2014-clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year-2014-2015-started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery, all three kids were in the band.

18th year-2015-2016- kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died.

It's good to remember.

Happy Anniversary to us.

The Life I Planned

Has someone seen the life I planned?

It seems it's been misplaced.

I've looked in every corner;

It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize --

Things missing that were dear;

Promises I'd hoped to keep,

And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see,

Hands I planned to hold;

Now absent in the pictures;

Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned?

Did it get thrown away?

God took my hand from searching;

Then I heard Him say --

"Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans I have for you

Are more than you could dream.

You long to walk by sight,

But I'm teaching eyes to see;

I know what I'm doing --

'Till then, you must believe.

He's done so much, I felt ashamed

To know He heard my moans.

To think I'd trade in all He's done

For plans made on my own.

I wept over His faithfulness

And how He'd proved Himself;

How He'd gone beyond my dreams

And said to Him myself,

"No, my ears have never heard,

My eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans You have for me

Are more than I could dream.

"Yes, I long to walk by sight

But You're teaching eyes to see;

You know what You're doing --

'Till then, I must believe.

I felt His great compassion --

Mercy unrestrained.

He let me mourn my losses

And showed to me my gains.

I offered Him my future

And released to Him my past.

I traded in my dreams

For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead;

No certainties at all,

Except the presence of the One

Who will not let me fall.

Are you also searching

For a life you planned yourself?

Have you looked in every corner?

Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans He has for you

Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by sight,

But He's teaching eyes to see;

He knows what He is doing --

Child, step out and believe.

By Beth Moore

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God

has prepared for those who love Him.

{1 Corinthians 2:9}

Erin is 15

2016-07-10T17:30:00.001-05:00

June came and went so quickly I forgot to post about one of the biggest events of the summer. Little Erin turned 15!! On June 20th we got up early, went to the DMV, sat there for what seemed like forever, she took the test, and boom...... she is now a permitted driver!!

I never thought about this when the kids were little....oh you know.....the fact that they were so close in age and that for 3 years in a row I would have a 15 year old who needed a permit.....and then for the next 3 years in a row I would have a 16 year old who needs a drivers license.

Heaven help me!!

Her first drive thru experience......this was harder than the permit test.

I love this girl so very much.

She is a hard worker.

Organized.

An artist.

Clarinet player.

A dancing machine.

Faithful friend.

Baller in training.

Mamas girl.

Jesus lover.

So let's spend this year driving around and getting ready for a for real drivers license next June!!

Sweet Abby.... Sweet Sixteen

2016-05-29T08:47:00.000-05:00

She is 16 today. She has always been the most compliant child. My helper. A big sister since she was 13 months old. She's always been a daddy's girl. His sidekick. She's funny. She laughs when she's nervous. She's loyal. She can be a little messy. She loves music of any kind....and she likes it loud. She can catch fish all day with bread on her hook. She cries during movies. She is dependable and responsible. She loves playing the horn. She loves the band. She loves her friends. She loves her cousins, aunts, uncles, and all her grandparents. She loves Erin and Samuel and has always helped me take care of them. She is a conscientious student. She is learning to walk with God....and nothing could make us more proud than that.

Last Friday night we had a sweet 16 party for our sweet 16 year old girl. Abby danced the night away with her friends.

the party was just getting started!!

My three!!

How are we old enough to have a 16 year old? Time is flying by. Weren't we just having her 13th birthday party? We are so proud of her. She is becoming quite the little lady.

All State 2016

2016-04-25T22:02:00.000-05:00

All State Band 2016
Mobile, AL

Brenda Swinney Canterbury

2016-04-15T17:56:00.002-05:00

Dave's oldest sister passed away earlier today. She had a second aneurysm this week followed by a stroke. This is what Dave wrote about her earlier on my Facebook page:

My beloved sister Brenda went to be with the Lord last night around 3am. She always affectionately referred to me as baby brother. She was 17 years older than me. I was eating her wedding cake in my high chair at 9 months old. Her husband, Doc, was (and is) one of the most powerful influences in my life. I always strive to be like him. I grew up with her kids (Jeff, Stephanie, and Paige). Jeff, the firstborn nephew, was only two years younger. We grew up as great friends. Brenda was the stereotypical older sibling, always taking care of everyone. I am very proud of her, proud to have had her as my sister, and glad that she can't be harassed by illness anymore. Jesus, thank you.

She was all that he said and more. She was deeply loved by her family. While Dave was in cancer treatment, she came to Houston to spend a few days with him. This meant so much to him. I hope she knew how much he appreciated that. He said he felt like he had just gotten to really know her over the past few years. She was a good big sister to him. She was a good daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had many health problems, but was always so cheerful, always smiling. She pushed through her pain like no one I've ever seen. Thankful that today she is free of all her pain. She will be missed, but we can be assured we will see her again.

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Dave with his mom and siblings at his mom's birthday last year.

2016-03-17T10:27:00.003-05:00

Well.....the month started off with bad news. The sale of our house fell through, so we are starting over. And strangely, I'm content. I wasn't at first....but I am now. Realizing that there is always more to every situation than what I can see. We spent last weekend and much of this week working in our yard and doing some things around the house to get it ready for the market again. The yard looks so nice....ready for the beautiful blooms of Spring. Our house is nice and clean....I really love that house. It's so comfy and has a homey feeling. But we are ready to move on. So I hope it will be a special refuge of comfort to new owners soon.

Always lots going on with our family. The kids had intercession at school last week. Abby shadowed the band director at Alexandria High School. She loved it!!

Erin and Samuel did the community projects. The first of the week they painted murals for display in Anniston. Thursday they did work on a house through habitat for humanity. Friday they went to SIFAT in Lineville, AL.

my little artist

Always lots of band activities for us. Abby has been a part of the Alabama Youth Symphony Orchestra this year. She got to play in a side by side concert with the ASO a couple of weeks ago.

Donoho had their Spring concert. All three of my babes are in the Advanced Band. Abby and Samuel are also in the Jazz band.

Dave took the band to Music Performance Assessment where they scored all superior ratings.

Samuel and Abby were a part of the Calhoun County Honor Band.

Abby made the District Honor Band. The concert was last Saturday. She was thrilled this year to have Madelyn and Hannah with her.

Horn playing girls

The kids love their youth group at church. A couple of weeks ago the were able to be a part of the united DNOW with other churches in our county. They had small groups, worship with 2000 other teens in the county, did a big service project where they gathered food and clothing for our local food banks, and just got to spend some time getting to know God more.

This week is Spring Break. I have enjoyed having the week off with the kids. It felt like old times when we were all home together every day. The kids have 9 weeks of school left. 9 weeks!! It's hard to believe this school year is almost done. It's been a very challenging year for all of us. But....we've almost made it.

Packing up our Life

2016-01-28T10:15:00.001-06:00

I'm trying to pack up a house we have lived in for 13 years. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and just want to take a nap. I feel like this......

I'm going through drawers and closets, dishes, clothes, shoes, books, music, and everything else you can think of. I keep trying to remind myself of something my daddy always says and what Dave told me the other day....."Do you know how to eat an elephant?.......one bite at a time! ......that sounds gross now that I've actually typed it. But its true. I'm trying to take one drawer at a time. One closet at a time. I think the packing may be a little easier if I knew where we were moving. We are looking, but haven't found THE house yet. We are off to look at a couple of homes today. Maybe today will be the the day!

the end of 2015....a little late

2016-01-25T23:19:00.001-06:00

I've started to write my thoughts here several times, but I would get side tracked and I never wrote a word. October, November, and December came and went. So much to remember.....so much to write. I started this blog as an online scrapbook and journal of sorts. A place for me to share my thoughts and pictures of our family. Then in 2010 it became a place to keep everyone updated on Dave's health. After Dave was better, I found it hard to write. But, I'd like to get back to my original purpose of this blog. A place for me to scrapbook and journal through my life. So.......where to begin?

Back in July we put our house up for sale. We have tried to sell it on and off for around 4 years. We had just sat down to watch JSU play for the National Championship when our agent called. She had someone who wanted to see our house at noon that day......it was 11:10 when she called. We all jumped up and started cleaning our house. We were pulling out of our driveway when they were pulling in. They made an offer the next week and we had a contract on our house!! Now we have to find a new house....yikes! We close on February 19....so hopefully we will find something before then.

After being home with the kids for 15 years, I started working at the hospital in July. What a huge transition that has been for all of us. I thought maybe I wanted to go to nursing school...nope. no thank you. So glad I got a taste of hospital work before I ventured into that. I've been doing unit secretarial work. I decided to renew my teaching certificate back in the fall....so I took the Praxis in December and I am officially certified to teach again!! So I will be applying for teaching jobs soon.

Look what came today!!

So excited to see that!!

The kids made it through their first semester at Donoho. Lots of tears were shed but we made it. I'm proud of them. They did well considering all the changes that were thrust onto them.

Our holidays were a bit different this year. I had to work on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. We made it work though. We all learned how to be a little more flexible. We left for Houston on December 26th. Dave had his yearly scan scheduled on the 28th at MD Anderson. We got really good news. He had a clear scan. He has officially been NED for 4 years!

I'm sure there are so many more things of importance that happened during those months that I could write about tonight.....but sleep is calling, so the writing must wait.

Ahhhhh......September

2015-09-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

Finally! August has come to an end. This is probably the month I dread the most. Maybe dread is not a good word. August is just filled with so many things to do that we don't necessarily look forward to. But then September rolls in and we begin to get into a groove. 85 days until Thanksgiving.......114 days until Christmas.....how can you not get excited about that

The kids have 2 weeks of school behind them. They are getting use to their new routines. I think they are even starting to like it.........for the most part anyway. We are all adjusting to the homework. It's exciting for me to see what they are learning.

Friday was the first football game of the season.

It was a great night.

The weather was perfect and the band sounded great.

Oh...and the Falcons won the game!

So what am I doing since they are in school? I started working at the hospital in July. So Most days I'm at work while they are at school. Before Abby was born, I was a high school Family and Consumer Science teacher. Maybe I will do that again. Maybe.....we will see.

Welcome September. I'm glad you're here.

Back to school.....a new school

2015-08-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year.

The mornings are cool.

You can almost smell fall in the air.

Football season is upon us.

The leaves will be changing colors soon.

This has always been my favorite time of year.

When the kids were little we would go on leaf hunts and see how many different colors and shapes of leaves we could find.

This book was one of my favorites to read to them.

We would do our school work in the sunroom and watch the leaves fall.

Oh how I miss those simple days.

School at home.

Adding and subtracting, learning colors and shapes, writing simple sentences, coloring page after page, and frolicking all afternoon.

Now look at them.

7th, 9th, and 10th grade.

So big.

So handsome.

So beautiful.

Growing up fast.

Going to school.

No more school at home.

School school.

School with other kids.

Everyday.

I miss my days with them.

They are smart.

They are sweet.

They will do well.

So all of our days are different now.

Change is always hard.

But change is often good.

I'm thankful we had school at home for 11 years.

Now we are ready for what's to come.

The fall is busy.

No time to sit around reminiscing.

School.

Football Games.

Band. Band. Band.

Costume parties.

Youth group.

Thanksgiving.

Christmas.

Then we will do it all again.

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

the year so far....

2015-04-21T21:20:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness. Where have I been? I think about posting here and then get busy and forget. So its catch up time.

Dave had his scans in December and got great news. The doc said he thought we could put this sarcoma behind us. What!!??!! Yep. That's what he said. How exciting is that.... So we will go back this December for his next scan. Once a year scans!! That's amazing. We are soooo thankful!!

Erin had the dermatofibroma removed from her back in November. It was an easy surgery and everything looked good. We were a little worried but all turned out fine. She is now playing the clarinet in the band. She is also turning into a good little artist. She will finish the 8th grade next month.

Abby has done a gazillion honor bands this year.....not really but it feels like it. The biggest accomplishment was 1st chair middle school All State. Needless to say, this girl loves playing her French Horn!! She is almost finished with freshmen year of high school.

Samuel. What to say about Samuel? He is playing soccer this Spring. It has rained ALOT, so he hasn't gotten to practice as much as he would like. He still loves playing with legos and dares anyone to touch his lego creations. He is almost done with the 6th grade.

I started back to school last August. I decided at the very last possible minute to register for an Anatomy class. It went really well. I made a B. This semester I have been taking Anatomy 2 and Microbiology. It has been a busy few months. I have really enjoyed taking classes. I have applied for nursing school and will find out if I got in sometime this summer. So....that's been a big adjustment. We are finishing up our 10th year of homeschool. I'm thankful I have been able to be home with these kiddos all these years.

Hopefully I will keep this blog more up to date. I do like being able to go back and see what was going on in our lives.

Long Overdue Post

2014-09-17T18:03:00.001-05:00

When Dave was first diagnosed, I searched and searched for anybody and everybody that had the type cancer he had. One thing I noticed was, it seemed once anybody and everybody got better or stopped treatment, they also stopped writing about it. I totally understand this now. Once everything seemed good, I wanted to think about other things. Really just didn't want to visit this subject anymore. I also felt a little guilty posting my good news when so many of the women I met through this journey were losing their husbands to this beast. I blogged my way though Dave's cancer journey. I did it because it helped me cope. I did it to keep our family and friends informed. I don't go back and read it often, but Dave does.He doesn't remember everything so its good for him to look back and remember what we were doing at certain times of the year.

I'm glad I wrote all those words so that I can remember.....if I want to.

Its been 4 years since his diagnosis. He was 37. Abby was 10. Erin was 9. Samuel was 7. I was unaware of what I could do If I had to...........how much I could handle. I was stronger than I thought. Nothing really ever seems the same after cancer. I guess we see everything through a different lens.

Dave had a scan in June. He got great news. No evidence of disease. 3 years of no disease. His doctor thinks we may be able to put sarcoma behind us. Did you hear that!!?! Put it behind us. Can you ever really do that? He still wants to see him every six months for a couple more years. Then he will move him to yearly scans. That's pretty good news!!!

We celebrated our 16th anniversary in June. The kids are growing up. FAST!! Abby just began the 9th grade. She loves music of all kinds, reading, and playing the French Horn. Erin is in the 8th grade. She loves drawing, painting, and is beginning to love playing her horn. Samuel is in the 6th grade. He loves soccer, football, and just began playing the trombone(and if you ask him, he is a master of all 3).

So.....Erin has to have surgery on Nov. 6.

During the summer of 2013 she developed what appeared to cyst on her back. We went to a local surgeon and they did a punch biopsy. We really thought it was a sebaceous cyst. It wasn't and they biopsied the tissue that came out. It came back as nothing so we just forgot about it. But the tissue grew back and this time was bigger. We took her to the dermatologist and she scheduled an appointment to remove it in the office. So we had the cyst removed in February of this year. They biopsied this time and it came back as cellular dermatofibroma. This means its a tumor and there is more in her back. It does not appear to be malignant......but it scared us to death. There is a sarcoma called dermatofibrosarcoma. So you see why we were a little on edge. We have been waiting since February to see a surgeon at Children's Hospital. We saw him today and set the surgery date. It is important to get this out

and get all of it....clear margins. It is not cancer!!! It is rare though(we are the rare family!!) It will grow and could be bad if we don't get it out.

So......we are gonna get it out.

16 years!!

2014-06-13T21:06:00.000-05:00

Its our Anniversary!!

16 years

2014-06-10T23:25:00.001-05:00

How can it be that I have not blogged in almost a year? I think about it all the time, I just haven't taken the time to post.

We had a great school year. I completed my 9th year of homeschooling. We completed 8th, 7th, and 5th grades. The girls are both playing French Horn in the band. Abby did several honor bands. She loves playing her horn, being with her friends, and reading (yay)!! Erin completed beginner band and is doing very well. She loves art and learning different ways to braid hair. Samuel just loves life. His favorite thing right now is having air soft gun wars with his friends. He also loves reading about history. We are continuing to do math all summer. The kids love this........well, not exactly.......but at least they are not complaining about it.

Dave is doing very well. Its almost time for his 6 month scans. He still sees his doctor at MD Anderson when he has scans. This August he will be NED(no evidence of disease) for 3 years. Its so hard to believe its been that long......and yet just seems like yesterday we waiting on that first appointment in 2010. As the years pass we are a little less nervous about scans. I think. Yes we are. Well....maybe a little nervous. He has had a surgery for the last three summers. It is nice to not be headed for any kind of surgery this summer.

We are praying for clear scans next week.

Please pray with us.

Dave Health Update

2013-07-23T13:47:00.001-05:00

Dave had clear scans in June!! We never ever get tired of hearing that. They also moved him to 6 month scans. That was very encouraging.

Monday he had surgery to repair an incisional hernia. He is quite sore today. Hopefully this will be the last surgery. They did a reconstruction of his abdomen. The surgery lasted five and a half hours. He said he is much more sore this time than his other surgeries. Today has been a hard day for him. He has had lots of nausea. We are hoping it passes soon so he can eat something tomorrow. He has been up twice today. He walked a few laps around the nurses station.

15 years!!!!

2013-06-13T15:29:00.001-05:00

I was looking back at my post from a few years ago and found this. It was a memory or two from every year of our marriage. So instead if writing a new post I decided to add to this one.

Remembering 15 years

Today, June 13th, Dave and I celebrate our 15th year of marriage. I thought I would make a list of some of the high lights of the past 15 years.

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo. Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends. Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles.....mommy and daddy. Abigail Grace was born.

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl....Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :) Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together. Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working....ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys. Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship. Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health" really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year 2011-2012- Dave had surgery to remove cancerous tumor. We received news of CLEAR SCANS!!! We began learning how to live life after cancer.

15th year 2012-2013-another surgery for Dave, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager.

It has been a happy 15 years of marriage Dave...I love you more and more I look forward to many, many more years!!

2013-02-04T12:40:00.000-06:00

January came and went just like that. It was busy for us. The biggest thing that happened was a water leak in our kitchen. The floor started swelling until we couldn't open the pantry door all the way. So we had to have a major kitchen remodel. The leak started with the dishwasher so we had to get a new dishwasher and our oven was old and broken down so we also had to get a new oven. When we went to buy those appliances we found a great refrigerator on sale. yay. I have an amazing new kitchen..... Thanks to our home owners insurance. :)) I have enjoyed cooking in the new kitchen. My oven cooks so much better than the old one. Here are some pictures of before and after.

These are the before pictures.

look at the wet wood

This is our new kitchen!!

new deep sink :)

Abby has been busy with school and band. She is really doing well and learning to play the French Horn. She has a pretty good teacher (Mr. Daddy). She auditioned for All-State which was very good experience for her. Poor thing was a nervous wreck by the time it was over, not to mention how nervous this mama was. She participated in the All-County honor band today. She was nervous, but a great time. Again, good experience for her. She is learning to be a responsible young lady.

Erin is working hard in school and loves any time she gets to play with her friends. She is taking violin lessons and is becoming quite the little violinist. She has her first recital coming up in March. We did some rearranging in her room this month to make it more of a "big" girl room. We moved the doll house out :( and put a desk in for her to do her art projects on. She loves painting and making mosaics. She also won Best Recipe at the History Fair.

Baklava she made to go with her Geography project on Constantinople


crafting before bed

This is my 3 getting preparing their History Fair Project Boards


One of our favorite baby's had her 1st birthday this month

Samuel has been doing well on school. He is ready to start playing soccer again. He still loves playing football with his friends and playing with Legos and well just playing!!!!!

Dave is doing so well. He is healthy and happy. His next scans are scheduled for May 2. Our hopes for no recurrence get better with every clear scan. He is enjoying teaching Abby in band. This is what he's always wanted to do.

I am doing well. I stay very busy teaching the kids. I still love home schooling. I am even doing well in 7th grade math. ;). So 2013 is off to a busy start with no sight of slowing down in the near future.

December So Far

2012-12-24T09:24:00.003-06:00

It has been quite a busy December for us. We finished our semester of school strong. December has been filled with lots of parties, cookies goodies, Samuel's soccer tournament in Dothan, time with friends and family, shopping, quiet family nights downstairs by the fire, Advent readings every night, Abby's first band concert, and a beautiful wedding of some sweet friends. The best thing about this December has been what our family has learned through this Advent season. We have eagerly awaited the coming birth of Christ, but more than that we have looked to the second coming with excitement. We had a very sweet candlelight service at Grace Fellowship last night.Today will will spend time with family.....eating too much I'm sure.....playing games and opening gifts. Here are a few pics from the month.

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party with CO


Mamaw and Grandaddy with all the grandkids

I will leave you with one of the best songs ever.

My Thankful Post

2012-11-14T22:04:00.001-06:00

As the Thanksgiving season is upon us, I have been thinking everyday about things I am most thankful for. Yesterday as I was driving home from taking Abby to meet Dave for band, I was thankful for this beautiful part of the road. It's a curve and a hill covered with trees of the brightest orange, red, and yellow leaves. I am thankful for Dave for so many reasons, one reason is that he likes to do things with me. He likes to shop with me, enjoys putting up the Christmas tree, take walks(sometimes), drink coffee anytime of day, and keep the house clean. Some of these may not be his favorite things to do, but he does them because I like them. I am thankful that I am able to continue to teach my children. I am thankful for the days even when things are chaotic and it seems no one has learned anything. I am thankful for our home. It's cozy and warm and welcoming to friends and family. I am thankful for Erin's funny personality, Samuel's quirky ways, and Abby's sense of humor. I am thankful for our family. The ones that are near and far. And for the friends that are like family. I am thankful for no signs of cancer this season. I am thankful for time alone in the afternoon. our fireplace. good coffee. walks in the park. McDonald's ice cream cones. Christmas music. I am thankful for the Gospel. that it changed my heart.