A Slight Curveball!

98% of this blog is about the kids.  It is about our family and our journey.  Today we are beginning a new one, one that we will discuss with the kiddos tomorrow.  I found out today I have cancer in my lymph nodes.  Tomorrow an MRI will hopefully shed some light on where it is coming from.
  It has been a long two weeks.  A month ago I went in for my yearly exam.  Because of my mom and grandmother's history with breast cancer, it was recommended I have a mammogram.  That was at the beginning of last week.  That visit resulted in a needle biopsy yesterday.  That ended in the dreaded phone call this morning.
  Since that phone call, we have had friends and family come over and love on us.  Our sweet pastor who is also a friend came and prayed with us.  I have cried a lot and had friends cry with me.  I have apologized to my dad because the last thing I want is for my parents to worry about me. 
  We packed up our little family and went to the zoo.  I looked a hot mess and didn't even care!  The kids had fun and it was a normal outing.  It is our summer that we have been so excited about and I just want everyone to be happy.
  I firmly believe that this can and will be used for God's glory.  I love him right now as much as I did last month.  Probably more.  I can already name ways that his hand has been in this.  I don't have any symptoms and feel fine.  Actually, I have felt pretty bad since this morning but I am pretty sure it is all in my head;)
  If you read this, I just want to ask for prayer.  Pray for Kevin and the kids and our families.  Pray that we are wise in what we tell them.  I think they can really learn some life lessons from this and maybe even bring them to have a personal relationship with our Saviour.  What a blessing that would be in itself!
  Pray I can put my worries to rest and give it all to him.  Pray for the doctors I am about to meet and for wisdom for them.  Pray that I can be tough and handle what is thrown at me gracefully.  So...yeah...if you could just pray!
  I have taken a few selfish along the way, which is something I don't usually do.  The first is me being silly before my mammogram.  The next is me being scared after the biopsy.  I think God was already preparing me for today.  I will throw in a few pics from the zoo while I am at it.

Savannah!

As soon as Kev got home Friday afternoon we headed to Savannah.  Big Da was home, we had a wedding to attend, and stayed till Monday.  It was a good visit.  The kids were able to play with cousins, and we were able to visit quite a bit.  Nonna spends most of her days/nights taking care of her parents.  She was able to be at home more and we enjoyed seeing her.
  We took the kids and Brayden to the park and they had a blast.  They also spent 2 days swimming in Nonna and Da's freezing pool.  I just couldn't do it.  Lacie got married and we were able to be at that.  Harper just loved having Big Da around.  Nonna painted her nails and toenails and put her hair in braids.  She looked the cutest!
  We don't get to Savannah often enough.  This was a fun weekend and nice to get away for a few days and visit family.  The kids are ready to go back!

That's a Wrap!

Friday the kiddos finished up for the school year!  It was a great day.  This was our 2nd year to stop for donuts on the way to school.  I would never do that to their teachers unless it was a half day and their day;)  We went to K's and everyone was happy to eat their donut...except Harper.  She doesn't like them, whose child is she?!?!?!?
  Harper and I picked them up at 11:30 and then headed to Stevie B's for lunch.  Boo Boo met us there and we celebrated their report cards and the fact that we are on an 80 something day break.  Wahoo!!!  We headed home after lunch to wait on Daddy to get home.  We are headed to Savannah for the weekend and that post will be next!

The Week of Programs!

Last week of school means lots of excitement, fun, and programs!  Turner had his Kindergarten celebration Monday morning.  Mimi and Boo Boo  joined Harper and I in all the festivities.  Kev has exams himself this last week, so always misses out on these events:(  But he doesn't miss much else, so all is well.
  Turner and his friends sang lots of songs and we were invited back to his classroom afterwards.  His teacher had the sweetest memory book for each child to take home.  Turner really has grown up this past year.  He also had 15 AR points for the year.  Only 4 kids in his class tested and we are so proud of him.  I don't think he really enjoys reading, but he is where he should be.  He mastered everything that was on his report card. Our boy had the best year and it was a great start to his school journey.
  Maddie had her program Tuesday morning.  The 3 kids with the highest AR points in 2nd grade had to get on stage and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Maddie was 3rd in the grade and 1st in her class with 145 points.  She made straight A's and had a wonderful teacher as well. 
  It has been a fun year having both of them at the same school!
  Wednesday night was GA Recognition at church.  Maddie had to get dressed up and had a speaking part.  The girls did a great job and really learn a lot over the course of the year.  I am so thankful for the ladies that invested in our kids this past year.  There was a reception afterwards for them with cookies and punch. 
  Everything is coming to an end at the same time...and we are looking forward to the break!

Soccer Wrap Up!!

Soccer ended last Saturday and it was decided we were going to play rain or shine.  Rain it did, and play we did!  Without a doubt the kids favorite game of the season!  We had an awards ceremony afterwards and the kids all got trophys.  The parents were really sweet and gave Kev a gift card to Outback and Cracker Barrell.  I love watching him serve in this way and he does such a great job with the kiddos!  It was a fun season.

Our First 5K!

Maddie and Turner decided a few months ago they wanted to run in their school's 5k.  They have been meeting at the school on Thursdays at 7 am to train.  I knee they couldn't do it by themselves so I signed up too.  Let me tell you how much I trained-zip, nada, not at all!  A few years ago I signed up to run the 1/2 marathon for St. Jude.  I ran 5-6 days a week and loved it.  Then I got pregnant with Harper Doodle, had my usual morning sickness, and training and the 1/2 marathon came to a screeching halt.  I have nor run since.
  So Friday night I was a bit nervous but planned on staying with Turner and figured I would be ok.  I am so proud of all of us!  It was super fun and a ton of people were there.  We ran in the rain, lightening, and finished the race.  Maddie finished 4 minutes ahead of us and Turner did awesome.  We ran much more than I thought we would.  Daddy and Harper were waiting on us at the finish line and Mimi and Boo Boo were at our house waving as we ran by.  Harper came up me, gave me a hug, and said "good job mommy".  Melt my heart!!
    They had Chick Fil A waiting on us and the kids played with their friends for a bit.  We had to skip out early to get the big kids to church.  They had an end of the year party going on that they couldn't miss.  Several of our church friends ran the race as well.  We love our school and church -Bartlett is a great place to race our family and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
  Guess what I did yesterday?  Ran in the rain and this girl is getting back in the game.  I feel so much better about myself when I am active and it is time to get back to it.  Praying the 100 degree weather holds off a bit longer:)

Gymnastics Banquet!

Thursday night we had Maddie's gymnastics banquet.  T and H went to Mimi's to play while we were there.  Maddie had a great season but there have been a bumps since it ended.  They bumped her up to level 5 which was a ton more time and money.  Our girl kind of seems on the verge of burning out, so that didn't seem the route we needed to go.  We were really praying for clarity and what was best for her/our family.  We have decided to step back and try the Xcel program out this upcoming year.  This means a lot less time in the gym, a lot less money, and a very happy girl.  She loves gymnastics, but doesn't want it to be her life.  I think this is going to be a win win for us all!
  That being said...the coaches have been wonderful in working with us and figuring out what is best for Maddie.  I appreciate them for loving and looking out for my kid.  Several of Maddie's teammates have ended up leaving and going to different gyms for different reasons.  It has been a hard few months. 
  Back to the Banquet - several old teammates were asked not to come.  We missed them being there and it made the night a little different than last year.  But Maddie enjoyed sitting with her friends and had fun.  She also received awards for Highest Floor score, Highest Beam score, and Highest All Around score for the level 3's this season.
  We are looking forward to this next year and what it will bring.  It is going to be totally different and I just pray that others can see Jesus in us, especially in the midst of storms.  We are all learning life lessons on this gymnastics journey!

Field Day #2!

Turner had his field day this morning.  It sprinkled on and off, but felt great outside.  Turner is a funny kid I tell ya.  He wanted us to all be there, but he sure didn't want us talking to him or getting in his way.  It was so funny!  He very much marches to the beat of his own drum.  He was very excited and was always cheering on his class and jumping up and down.  He ran in 2 relay races and they won both times.  He was booking it out there.
  They have concessions where you can buy candy and popcicles.  I was going to buy Harper one and asked his teacher if I could bring him one.  She said of course.  I go and ask him if he wants something and he said he needed to check with his teacher.  I told him that said it was ok.  He had to ask her himself.  At school, he doesn't want to do anything that might get him in trouble and he definitely wants to always please Mrs. Connerly.  Wish we could bring her home with us;)
  We are so proud of Turner and he has had a wonderful year.  He loves school and Kindergarten has been nice to him.  I am praying now for next year and hope the experience is just as good for him.  His first field day was a success!