Spring Break

Spring Break was a much needed break after the past few months.  We started the week with a baseball tournament in Hornlake which was in the previous post.  Followed by family time, sinus infection, softball game, softball practice, baseball practice, another baseball tournament and wrapped up the week with dessert with friends.

Hannah has really come into her own little sassy personality.  Below she kept stealing Hunter's hat and putting it on her head.  We were at the high school softball game that dad helps coach.  Every time she would see him walk across the field she would say "Go Grandad"  then when someone would hit a ball even a foul ball she'd yell in such a proud voice "Grandad did it!"  I love this sweet girl!

I am glad the boys play so well together

Heather's sun room flooded and soaked the boxes she still hadn't unpacked.  We all went over to help.  Me feeling horrible with a sinus infection I opted to play with the girls and brought over meat for hamburgers.

Izzie enjoying pickles(well the juice anyway)

Hunter took a break from playing outside to hangout with Hannah

She was so excited

throw a box in there and it gets crazy

My family are such good sports.  They know I love to eat at Old Town Spaghetti Store in Jackson so we drove up there on Friday.  It was yummy!!!

I love them sooooo much!

Friday it rained all day so the baseball tournament was cancelled.  Saturday morning Suzy called and said Will wanted Hunter to go with him to a new place called Skyzone. 

Boys getting ready to jump

dodge ball

hoops

We ran into 5 of the Memphis Tigers and the boys had a blast playing together.

Hunter was dripping with sweat after their 90 minutes of jumping.

Haley decided to ride with Mamaw & Grandad to Nashville to watch his softball girls play.  After the girls game mom took Haley to Rocky & Mandy's to meet the new baby.  Haley was so excited.  Stella is almost 4, Cy is 7 months(I think) and GG (Gwyneth) was born last week.  I can't wait to make a trip to Nashville to see these little ones. 

Hanging with her cousins

Sunday Hunter was playing 3 games since the tournament was cancelled.  They wanted to get some practice in and there were out of town teams wanting to play.  It was a beautiful sunny day.

Happiest little girl

my princess

Huntman

We ended spring break with a yummy dinner with the Feathers at Huey's then headed to the Crenshaw's for brownies.  I love having the Crenshaw's for neighbors. 

I feel very blessed and am so thankful for the much needed break!

Baseball Begins

 Friday was opening night for Arlington Tiger Baseball.  Amanda and I decided to take the boys to dinner since Rob had to work and Trace was out of town and the game wasn't until 9:00.  We went to TGI Fridays.  It was so funny listening to the boys talk about the game.

excited

getting ready for his 1st at bat

1st at bat

Saturday was a little warmer.  We played two games on Saturday.

Amy thought she would be funny

 

I love these guys!!!

Izzie wanted a picture with best friend Logan

Izzie had her babies and was ready for the game

Hunter pitched the Saturday night game

We have 5 new players this season.  Not liking change I was a little worried about how it was going to go.  Well the boys lost two games by one run and one game by 4 in the last inning.  However winning isn't everything.  The boys played great together and had fun.  All three games were close good games.  I was very excited with how well they played.  As far as the families go I am so excited to be around these families.  I think we have a great season ahead of us. 

GO TIGERS!!!

CANCER is CANCER

It has been 10 weeks since the day they found the "nodules" that turned out to be cancer.   It's been 6 weeks since surgery to remove my entire thyroid and 2 weeks since my radioactive iodine treatment to kill the remaining cancer cells.  Every day I feel a little better.  My energy is coming back, my neck is healing and we are slowly getting back to normal.  I even started back to the gym this week.  I go back to the doctor in 5 weeks for more blood work and will continue this process until all my numbers are where they need to be.  It feels good to know I am almost Cancer Free!

As we get back to normal I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the impact having cancer has made in my life.

Before cancer my train of thought was very different.  I was selfish and let things & people bother me.  I would get worked up over what I now consider to be silly things.  I have always tried to overlook selfish people and not be a complainer but sometimes you get caught up in everyday struggles and drama that you get sucked in.  I had my eyes opened to what it means to have a "real" issue or "problem."

While my cancer was not the "worst" type of cancer....CANCER is CANCER.  The worries, the uncertainty and the fear of the unknown are very real regardless of the type of cancer or the severity.  I have learned many lessons throughout this process.  Lessons in faith, patience, gratitude, kindness, unconditional friendship and unconditional love.  I have often said to people struggling with things "let me know if you need anything."  I actually learned that while that is a nice gesture there is a difference in being a talker and a doer.   Even though I truly meant that I would help out if needed,  I never realized how hard it is for people to know what to ask for and how difficult it is to ask for help.  I have been touched by people who just showed up with food, gift cards, rides for my kids and some even handed us money.  I also found myself very moved by phone calls and text messages.  It takes just minutes out of your day to call or text someone but it meant so much to me to know that that person thought about and made time for me. 

I am thankful that this to happen to me.  I know how strange that sounds but it's the truth.  I now know the power of prayer, what it means to fully give your cares & worries to the Lord and to be a selfless giver.  I also now know that God is in control and has a plan for me and my life.  So yes as strange as it sounds I am thankful for the struggles that have taught my family so many important lessons in the past 10 weeks.


Here are a few very important verses I leaned on throughout this process.

 

Colossians 3:23

²³ "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters"

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ⁵ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight."

Philippians 4:6-9

⁶ "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

 

 

AMS Basketball Banquet

AMS hosted their basketball/cheer banquet at Woodland Hills Country Club.  Rob had to work and since it cost $17 a person we decided that Hunter and I would go alone especially since he was free.    This is the same place that we had our football banquet so we knew what to expect and weren't surprised when the food wasn't good. 

Hunter was chosen to introduce Coach Boring.  He was nervous and didn't want to do it.  We told him what an honor it was to be picked and how proud we are of him.  He did a great job and you could not tell he was nervous.

Hunter got the Tough Guy Award.  Coach Boring said Hunter is a hard worker and he could tell him to set a pick and he loved watching the other team bounce off of him. 

6th Grade Team had a great season

I had to take this picture of Hunter & Trey Inman because I have a cute picture of them when Trey was 5 and Hunter was 3.  They are growing up to fast!

Hunter made a new friend during basketball season.  He has played baseball against Tate for many years but never really got to know him.  They have so much in common.  They are very athletic, hard workers and focused.  I am glad they became friends.  I have enjoyed getting to know Tate's parents too!

Basketball is officially over and we have our first baseball tournament this weekend.  Go Tigers!

Happy 11th Birthday Haleybug!

It's hard to believe that it has been 11 years since we welcomed our 8lb 2oz. baby girl into this world.  Haley you are such a blessing to our lives.  We love you so much and are so very proud of the young lady you are becoming.

Since Rob started working 2nd shift we decided to have Haley's family birthday dinner on Sunday night after church.  We went to Exline's in Bartlett.

In true Birthday Diva fashion Haley worked the room getting pictures with everyone.

Haley & Carter

Haley, Izzy & Grandad

Haley with Uncle David & Aunt Kim

Haley with Uncle Jason & Aunt Amy

Haley with Aunt Heather & Mamaw

Haley & Charlie share March birthdays Charlie's is March 1st

Wow this is rare they are close to each other and still smiling

Haley with Uncle Cheetoh & Aunt Tommie

Haley with Mawmaw

Haley opening a few presents.  

Mawmaw learned to crochet again and made Haley a lime green hat.  She loved it.  We always tell Haley she has a hat face.  She looks so pretty in hats.

Mamaw got Haley a new shirt and Pandora earrings.  Haley was so excited.

They(mamaw & grandad) went to Jared!!

Happy 11th Birthday baby girl!

Izzy only wanted Haley all night.

Rob & Monette

Kim putting in Haley's feather

I love my family!

 

After school Hunter, Haley & I went to the movie to see Journey to the Mysterious Island.  After the movie we decided since Rob works from 3-11 we would go eat dinner with him for Haley's birthday.  

Happy Birthday sweet girl we LOVE you!!!