Picnic on Park

Last Wednesday night we had our spring picnic at church.  A few guys in the church grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for us while a couple of guys entertained with live music.  It was the perfect spring day to be outside, not too hot, not too cold.  Everyone had a great time.  For me, it was my first "real" social event since having surgery.  Sadly I paid for it the next day, waking up pretty tired and sore.  But thankful to have been able to attend.

 our family

 Andy and Mr. Brandon playing football with the kids

 Catherine, Lily and Caroline

Pony rides

 Yesterday when we left "The Wizard of Oz" we headed out to the local animal shelter for their "horse day."  Caroline was SO EXCITED to get to ride a horse.  Only Gracie informed me it wasn't a horse after all, Caroline actually rode ponies.  Grace began to tell me the measurements of how you know the difference between a horse and a pony and it may have been just a little more than my brain could comprehend at the time. HAHA  Caroline loved every minute of it!!!!

Mrs. Jayne is amazing!!!!

 Two of my favorite girls!!!!  Not sure who was the happiest????

When we were leaving, Caroline said "I guess we can't buy a horse today, we brought Daddy's car.  I guess when we buy my horse, we will have to bring daddy's truck!"  A little later she told a friend "I got to ride a horse today.  Riding horses are free, buying horses cost a lot of money!!!!" Yep sister gall, you got that right!!!!!!

Wizard of OZ

We were so excited when we got the play list for this season at our local theatre. We have been looking forward to "The Wizard of Oz" play all year long!!  An added bonus was that Caroline's friend Tyler was a munchkin.  We have heard Tyler talk about all they are doing and couldn't wait to see it on stage!  It did not disappoint...it was fantastic!!  Caroline loved it although she was getting a little antsy after 2 hours.  

taking a picture in front of Dorothy's "bed"

 

 our favorite munchkin!!!!!

 Our favorite Ozian Cathy, a friend from church

 with my favorite girl...we may or may not have tried to take a picture together in front of the flying bike and door and it may or may not have fallen off the wall when my rear end hit it and everyone in the lobby may or may not have gasped when it happened... :-)  Oh the memories we make!!

 Aunt Doe's birthday present a few months late.  The Wizard of Oz is her favorite and I think she really enjoyed herself!!

Dentist Visit

 Caroline had her semi annual check up with the dentist today.  SO proud, NO CAVITIES!!!!  The biggest shock of the day was that girlfriend has 2 loose teeth!  YIKES, looks like daddy's work is about to pick up on the home front...mommy doesn't want to do teeth!  Also, the x-rays showed that her 6 year molars are in place and ready.  We should see them in the next 6 months...seriously, 6 year molars?????  Otherwise everything else looked great!!

Overwhelmed

This morning as I watched Caroline head off to school with her teacher, I became overwhelmed with the LOVE and support that EVERYONE has shown to me and my family!  We have been provided meals since the day I came home from the hospital and we have more coming this week AND next!  My sweet neighbor is taking Caroline to school 2 mornings this week and Mrs. Baker is taking her the other two.  (That might be the highlight of my surgery for Caroline-getting to ride to school with Mrs. Baker!)  I have received beautiful cards in the mail.  Sweet emails and texts just to say people are praying for me!  Both of our pastors came to visit me at the hospital.  Friends are encouraging me and praying for me today as I go for my follow up and get the results of my biopsies.  The lists could go on and on...

What a privilege to walk this journey with such an amazing community of believers!!  The Lord has blessed me abundantly and I am so thankful!! :-)

4, 3, 2, 1...

I can not begin to say how blessed I have been throughout the entire surgery experience.  The doctors, nurses and other staff at the hospital were wonderful!!!  My family has been amazing!  My pain has been minimal and I actually feel like someone again!  My mom has been here since Tuesday and has taken care of everything from Caroline to cooking, cleaning and laundry and even running errands.  Her extra set of hands were just what we needed!!!

My husband...oh my, I do believe I fell in love with him 10 times over.  I haven't needed for anything.  He spent the night with me in the hospital and was right there every time I needed him.  Since coming home, he has been so patient with me getting me whatever I needed/wanted.  (Poor fella even had to make an emergency trip to the drugstore this morning at 4am!!!)  He has been attentive to my every need and never once complaining!  The man even painted my toes for church AND fixed my hair on Friday!  YES, my friends, that is true, fairy tale love right there!!!!

And sweet Caroline...she wasn't sure exactly what to think.  She looked at me with the large band aid in the hospital and kept going on.  On Friday when the bandage came off, she looked at me and said "Hmm" and that was it.  She's been a little crazy and definitely vying for attention.  But overall, she has been super.  We have made games out of her helping me clean, she has helped me put my shoes on or helped me put on my lotion and make up.

But all good things must come to an end...and just like that, each one of them walked out the door this morning.  Andy first, then mom and finally Caroline just left for school.  And just like that, I am alone.  So sad to see each one leave...but the good news is that other friends and family members are waiting to help!  I used my Mom and Andy while they were on vacation and now I will use those who are off or who aren't working this week.  So blessed to have so many people who love me waiting to help our sweet little family!!

And after getting C ready for school and a few blog updates complete, I am done.  Gonna take a nap and see how things look when I wake up!! :-)

Flowering the Cross

 So very thankful that I was able to attend church on Easter morning.  That has been my goal since surgery!!  It wiped me out and I am sure there will be a long nap in my future but still so very thankful to be there.

Strawberry Picking

 Hard to believe that it's already time for fresh strawberries!!!  YUM!  My aunt made me pound cake and sent it with my mom.  I heard that the strawberry farms were open and nothing sounded better than a good slice of pound cake and fresh strawberries.  My mom and Charissa took the girls and picked some fo the yummiest strawberries.  Thanks Charissa for the pictures!!

our two buckets

 they had fun!

And we are home!

Praise the Lord, all went well and we are home!  I had a wonderful experience in the hospital.  Surgery took a little longer than Dr. Player expected but he thought everything looked good.  My family and friends have been serving me well.  Thankfully I am  not in pain, just sore.  I am moving a lot slower than I thought I would be.  Caroline isn't quite sure what to think but is handling me being slow pretty well.  I plan to get lots of rest over the next few days and take it easy.  Thanks for your prayers!

Happy Birthday Momma

Today is my sweet momma's birthday.  Given the fun in store for me today, we decided to celebrate last night!  Andy cooked dinner and we had strawberry pie-her favorite-for dessert!  Given my mother's servant nature, she is right in her element taking care of me and my family, even on her birthday!

Soccer Game with Friends

 Somehow I forgot to post these pictures from the last soccer game I was able to go to.  The last game was the weekend of the bridge run...bummer. This was a fun game because Caroline's sweet friend Catherine came to watch her play.  AND she played her friend Maci's team.  Lot's of girly fun and excitement!!

Once Caroline got over the starters of soccer, she really enjoyed the game and can't wait for the next "practice."

The things she says

The things Caroline says never cease to amaze me!!  You never know what she is gonna say next.  Here are a few of my latest favorites:

1. M: Caroline when Mommy has surgery, do you think you can be the lady of the house and take care of things Mommy usually takes care of.  C: Sure but I don't drink coffee and I can't read my bible.  BUT I can wash the dishes and clean my room.
2. A: Caroline it's gonna be cool today.  C: So should I wear a 3/4 length shirt.  A: Sure, that would be great.  C: But I don't have a 3/4 length shirt!
3. A: Caroline would you like a doughnut for breakfast or a biscuit from Hardee's?  C: You choose...you are the man of the house!"  (this is while I was at the bridge run)
4. Andy and I were talking about having a difficult conversation with someone and Andy said he didn't want to step on any one's toes.  C: Me either cause I have my soccer cleats on and they will hurt!!!
5. We made bird nest/Easter baskets/butterscotch haystacks for the zoo trip.  Caroline was putting jelly beans on top of them.  Then she same to a row where she only put one jellybean on each one.  When I asked her what she was doing she said "Well I know the Mommy's don't like to eat a lot of candy cause it's not good for their clothes so I only put one on theirs."

Where she gets this from, I don't have a clue!!  But I do love her dearly!

Easter Egg Hunt

 Today was our annual church egg hunt.  Let me be honest in we almost didn't make it.  We were all tired, all have head colds and a nap sounded so much better.  Except Caroline woke us up and asked if it was time to go...well yes it is I guess! :-)  I am so glad we went.  We had a great time, the weather was beautiful and Caroline had so much fun with her friends.

the bunnies at the party

 on a mission

 Caroline discovered that lot's of eggs were hidden under the straw.  It became her mission to find every one of them!!

 Counting her loot.

 Looking at each one...

 the horse tire swing is always a hit!!

 see saw tug of war, girls against boys

 relaxing with friends

 our sweet family

Saturday filled with birthday parties

Today was a day filled with birthday parties!!!  We started the morning with Gray's bowling party.  Caroline had a ball!!  It was a good reminder that we need to bowl a little more often...good family fun!!

 The birthday boy!!

Sadly I didn't get any pictures at the second party.  It was a frozen party!  The girls had talked all week at school about their dress up for he "Frozen" party.  We arrive at the party and Caroline is the ONLY one dressed up!!  I was terrified for her, just waiting for her to realize...guess what she never mentioned it!!  Needless to say, my girl was ready for bed tonight!

Dying Easter Eggs

Tis the season to dye eggs!!  We were pretty happy people at our house!!

concentrating....

the tips of her fingers were green from the dye

our finished product!!