Don't take things for granted...

The past 9 months have been tough for our family, but I'm forever grateful that it truly has made us stronger.  I'm not sure where this post is going, but at 2:31am on a Wednesday morning, I can't sleep and I need to type....

I've always been a VERY thankful person, sincerely thankful.  My timing might not always be the greatest, but I count my blessings, I thank people and I don't take anything for granted, especially now.

When mom got hit in June, I asked the question "why" numerous times for a while....but I never got angry.  I can't explain it, but how can you get angry at someone else who I'm sure didn't do what he did on purpose.  I can't imagine he set out to drink and crash into my mom.  I'm not so sure I would have been so forgiving if Charlotte would have been in the car or if mom would have died, but getting angry does no good.  It is what it is and there is a plan for all of what has happened, one we will never know.  Somehow somewhere I do believe that people that have heard what my mom has gone through.  People reading the Caring Bridge updates or hearing the story from someone else has hopefully helped touched someone's life...Touched in their hearts to hear that our family isn't angry or hateful or wished any ill will on the person that crashed into mom.  What good does hate do?  NOTHING, it does NOTHING....you must fill your heart with goodness and just be GRATEFUL for the path that this road leads you on and know that there is a plan.  Who knows, maybe that's part of it...for folks to remind themselves to be grateful and not angry and enjoy life and not take things for granted...

Fast forward to last week...a friend of mine thru Relay is losing her husband.  Not to cancer, but to another terrible disease that I'd never heard of until last week.  WHY, this is what I don't get?  Why?  This perfectly healthy/happy/loving person is slowly drifting away at the age of 33.  Two of the nicest/kindest/most in love people I've ever met and my friend is now watching her dear husband struggle with breathing and the hospice nurses have told her it's just a mater of time...

I have cried so much in the past year.  I break down when I have to (just ask Victor), but when people ask how my mom is doing, I'm honest and tell them she's a trooper, strongest person I know (mentally, getting there physically) and that things are gonna be okay.  We can't undo anything, life is different since June 3rd, but it's gonna be okay.  We are GRATEFUL!!!

When I read the news about my friend's husband, I cried and cried for them.  I just don't get WHY?  Why is this happening to them?  Why is a kind/wonderful person who wouldn't harm a fly going through this?   I've known/know so many folks battling inoperable cancers, why is this happening to him?  There is no cure and nothing the doctors can do...

She started a Caring Bridge site, something that I don't wish anybody would every have to do, but knowing first hand that there is a need, I'm glad she stared it.

Bottom line in this post....yes, things may totally suck at times.  You may not feel good, you may be going through a really rough time, but are you BREATHING?  Is your quality of life pretty good.  Can you get out of bed by yourself?  Can you take a shower on  your own?  Those are things I think about every single day now.  Even as I sit here coughing up a lung, I know it's NOTHING compared to what so many wonderful people are going through.  People going through chemo and radiation.  People on ventilators in the hospital, little children are living with inoperable brain tumors and smiling, people who are sitting by their  husband's side while they watch him struggle to breath and just hold his hands not knowing if it will be his last breath.

I ask a HUGE prayer for K & D tonight and that love fills both their hearts and their family/friends as they say goodbye to D. 

Life is a very short and precious.  I personally believe that things will be so much better when we are in heaven, it just breaks my heart seeing friends go through what they are having to go through.  Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy/be grateful for the little things in life and don't take anything for granted....Forgiveness is probably the biggest thing of all...your heart has no room for anger...forgive and let go....

Ten on Tuesday...

Photo from Sunday morning...

1. Mom had a rough day yesterday, TODAY will be better!
2. I've been trying to stay as "UP" as I possibly can, last night I let things get to me.
3. I'm so grateful for the friends near and far that continue to check in on us and offer words of encouragement...it helps more than you can imagine.
4. I'm tired, really, REALLY tired.
5. Just when I think, what next, something happens, but things DO get better.
6. Charlotte loves Kindergarten!
7. I'm not being productive at all at home, so I've GOT to snap out of it.
8. This blog is normally ALL positive stuff, but today I just needed to vent.
9. I should still be sleeping, but I'm wide awake.
10. We are blessed and THAT is what I need to focus on today!
    

Three Relays today...

I spent the morning shift with mom today...she had a bit of a rough night, but once I was there, she seemed FINE! Dad got there mid-morning (he needed one day of sleeping in)...My Uncle Terry & Aunt Lil were driving down from WA, so I headed out not too soon after dad arrived...

First stop was Tigard/Tualatin Relay. I didn't stay too long. It was spritzing rain pretty good and I stopped in to say "hi" to the folks there I know.

I went home to get the family, then off to North Clackamas (to visit with Dana, Julie & Sean)...things were rocking...Charlotte got some serious bouncy house time and we were able to visit with Dana....yeah!

Then, off to The Couve. We got to see Libby, Jill, Leann, Sam, Cheryl, Karla, Angela, Shirley, Marilyn, MJ, Kristina, Mark Little and many more! They are the biggest Relay in our immediate area and always fun to see what they are up to and spend some $$$$$$$....Mark also hooked us up with a 32" flat screen that Beaverton's Relay will be raffling off and then also raffling off the $$ totals (which will go towards one Teams FUNdraising)..double win!!!

The other big reason for us stopping by was to see my friend Jen from Camas. Jen was diagnosed with lymphoma a week ago Friday. She had two nodes removed on Wednesday (still waiting results to determine what type of lymphoma) and a full PET Scan this Friday. Please keep Jen and her family in your thoughts and prayers! She should know the results this coming Wednesday. Jen is AWESOME! We only live 45 minutes apart (across the river in Camas), but we try and get the kiddos (she has twin boys that will be 5 in August) together a few times a year. They were at Charlotte's 5th bee-day party. It was great to see Jen and her mom Cheryl and walk a couple of laps and TALK! So weird sometimes to think that cancer is what brought me together with all my Relay peeps..something that stinks and yet GREAT things have come from meeting all these wonderful people!!! :)

Surgery #6...

A numb day today. Mom had surgery #6...you can read the update on Caring Bridge. We take a few small steps forward, then hit a bit of a wall...Not sure why or when I'm gonna them, but I did tonight...So thankful that God is carrying my mom right now...that is the only thing keeping me so positive that everything is going to be okay...

I posted this photo today that my Aunt Lil sent of her, Uncle Terry, mom & dad from 1965...it just makes me smile!

Footprints in the Sand...

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."

This poem came-up twice today and when I got home tonight I had a wonderful card from my friend Jennie H and her hubby...she put this poem inside the card....totally what I needed to see today. THANK YOU Jennie!

Prayers for my mom and CaringBridge Site...

Here is the link to the CaringBridge Site I've set-up for my mom:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindagreen

Thanks for all the outpouring of well wishes and support. We are doing okay and really just ask that you all continue to pray for my mom, my dad and the great folks at Emanuel taking care of her!

For Doreen...

Tonight's walk/run was in honor and SUPPORT of Doreen. She is having the Gamma Knife procedure tomorrow to remove her brain tumors! Please keep Doreen, her family/friends and the medical folks taking care of her in your prayers!

Continued prayers...

Little Abigail continues to do well. She's still under 2 lbs, but the big news was that her daddy got to hold her for the first time EVER. ;) The photo just brings a smile and tear to my eyes.

You can read their story and leave well wishes for them on their Caring Bridge site.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherschafer/journal

Never take what you have for granted. Hug and tell those around you just how much you love them every chance you get. Life is a gift! ;)

Ten on Tuesday...

My list of prayer requests is getting so long, I can't believe how many times each day I end up crying for someone, some are friends and some are people I've never met, but I know their loved ones and others who I wish I could just make all the pain and sickness go away (but know that I can't)...

1. Little Tanner Jenkins, continued prayers for him, his family and the medical folks trying to figure out the best route in his new treatment. This little guy has been thru so much...


2. My friend Heather and her baby girl Abigail. Little Hannah's funeral was on Saturday...I ended up not going because I was still coughing too much and didn't want to risk possible passing anything onto Heather. You can read their story, along with sending them prayers and well wishes on their Caring Bridge Site.


3. Victor's best friends' mom passed away yesterday. She had been having some medical issues, but she was doing better. She was a wonderful lady who I was lucky enough to meet her in person back in the summer of '06 while we were in NJ. Hugs and prayers to their family.


4. A friend from work's grown son passed away unexpectedly this past weekend. Hugs and prayers for her family as they deal with the loss of their only son.


5. A friend from work's father-in-law passed away this weekend. He has been ill for a long time, but no matter how much you prepare, you are never ready to say goodbye. Hugs and prayers to them.
   
   Good news....
   


6. My friend Libby had her annual scans and she's still in remission..doesn't go back to the doc for another year...that's 10 years cancer free!! YEAH LIBBY!!!


7. Charlotte rode her bike (still with training wheels), but she RODE HER BIKE on Saturday...HUGE deal for our little home.


8. President Obama was at our Ronler Acres Intel Campus on Friday. It was a big deal for Intel and for Hillsboro getting the Prez to fly in and meet with Intel employees...A big publicity spiel for both the White House and Intel....Kinda cool for folks that got to actually meet him. I don't get political on this blog on purpose, so this is as much as you will see from me!


9. Our little mini-irises are blooming in the front yard and I find it so IRONIC that it's suppose to SNOW tomorrow & Thursday...we will see if the weather folks have it RIGHT for the first time this winter??


10. Three weeks from today Charlotte, Victor & I will be getting on a plane for sunny Florida to visit the happiest place on earth...Disney World...can not WAIT!!!

Another BIG prayer request...

Little Tanner Jenkins can use all the prayers we can send his way...I saw his mom Reina on Friday at TriQuint and she was SO happy...they had great news, clear scans!!! Oh how quickly things can change. Please say a prayer for Tanner, his family and the great medical folks working to get his body rid of the cancer....you can also leave the family a special note on their Caring Bridge webpage: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenkinsfamily/mystory

If you attended Beaverton's Relay last summer, you all remember little Tanner...here is one of my favorite photos from last year that my friend Shelley captured...Rachel & Tanner giving each other a high-five during the beginngin of the Survivor lap!

We love you Tanner and we will continue praying and fighting for a cure with you!!!

Ten on Tuesday and BIG prayer request...

1. Can't even believe February is already half over....


2. All three of us have gotten sick or a cough in the past week...enough already!


3. Looking forward to a crazy/busy weekend and taking Monday off!


4. President Obama will be at the Intel Ronler Acres Campus on Friday...great PR for Intel and he'll learn more about Intel’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education efforts and how they benefit the Oregon community and the nation....Secret Service is already all over the place at the campus...I have NO plans on being anywhere near or driving on roads that might be impacted Friday by his visit....so NO, no photo ops or autograph requests from this girl!


5. Charlotte got to wear her Minnie Mouse dress to school yesterday as part of their Valentine's Day celebration...she was SO happy!


6. We took Charlotte to see Gnomeo and Juliet on Victor's birthday. Super cute movie, definitely two Gnomes up!


7. Had a blast Friday at TriQuint's 2nd annual Bake For Hope. Sold the rest of our completed turtles....100+ shells in progress for making more!


8. Excited about some fun stuff we'll have going on this weekend...including Parent's Night out with a Wine Tasting Party!


9. Super excited about a possible NEW FUNdraising idea that includes FISH!!!


10. Love the month of February....birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays...FUN!

On a serious note: Big prayer request for my friend Heather and her husband Tom. They had their twin daughters at 24 weeks/2 days gestation, weighing 1 lbs 8 oz (Hannah) and 1 lbs 6 oz (Abigail). Little Hannah is now in heaven and Abigail is continuing to amaze everyone daily. Please say a prayer for Heather, Tom and little Abigail.....my heart breaks for their loss and all the struggles they are and will continue to go through. I'm just so thankful that they have THE most amazing family, friends and continued faith in God and the power of prayer! You can read and leave a note at their Caring Bridge Site here.

Help find Kyron...

7 year old Kyron Horman disappeared last Friday morning from Skyline Elementary School in NW Portland. Kyron is the son of an Intel employee and the outpouring for help to find this little boy has been like nothing I've ever seen in Portland.

I ask that you all keep Kyron, his family, the folks looking for him in your prayers and that he finds his way home safe and sound.

CaringBridge & prayer request...

Over the past year, I've grown to be so grateful for the gift of CaringBridge. It's a free, personalized website that connects family and friends during a serious health event. As someone that tries to blog daily, I know and understand the importance of staying connected with family/friends that we aren't able to see on a daily/weekly basis during the good times and hard times. CaringBridge makes it easier to share health updates and receive messages of love and support from all over the world, when times are the most difficult.

CaringBridge is a true gift!

This morning, we lost a hero. Little 9-year old Luke Jensen passed away and is now in heaven. I never met Luke in person, but I was at Relay in Battleground, WA last August and Charlie and I visited his campsite, Luke's Victory Squad. Luke and his family were truly amazing during all three of Luke's battle with leukemia. Most especially during this last part of his journey home. I was brought to tears with every entry from his parents on just how couragous their little hero was. Even at the young age of 9, Luke was helping his family deal with the reality that his fight was near the end. He knew he would be in heaven soon.

I would ask all of you reading our blog, to please lift up Luke's family and friends all over the world as they cope with the loss of their precious 9-year old son. Keep Luke in your prayers and rejoice that is no longer in pain and is cancer free!

Remember to tell those in your life just how much they mean to you! Life is short here on earth...live each day with purpose and passion.

Prayer requests....

Lots of them this week...thinking about all of you and sending you all lots of hugs and prayers!

• Our almost 1-year old niece Josie in PA...she was born with PDA (Patent ductus arteriosus--an opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart) a congenital heart defect (same thing I had) and the doctors are trying to decide if surgery will be needed. I had open heart surgery and spent my 2nd birthday in the hospital. I can only imagine what Chris (Victor's brother) and Linda (Sister-in-Law) are going through. Please say a prayer for little Josie, her family and the medical folks working to decide next steps.
• My Relay friend Jessica who is recovering from surgery last Friday. She's doing good and she'll be at home recovering for the next 4 weeks.
• My Relay friend Sue who had surgery today to remove the cancer from her liver. She's a fighter and I KNOW she's gonna kick this cancer out of her body too! She's a two-time Survivor and soon to be three-time Survivor!
• My cousin Dave who had an emergency appendectomy last week and is recovering at home.
• Continued prayers for Relay friend Jen's Grandma Dorothy. They are doing their best to make her as comfortable as possible.
  
• My friend and American Cancer Society Staff Partner Dana! Dana's cancer is back, but we are POSITIVE that the chemo treatment that she will have this Friday and her POSITIVE attitude will kick cancer out of her body for good! HUGS my friend!

Remember to tell give more hugs. Tell those you love that you love them as much as you can. Life is short and it's a gift, don't take it for granted.

Prayer request for folks in Haiti...

My mom called me this afternoon right before I left work to let me know that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake had hit Haiti. 10 ladies from my parent's church, Beaverton Christian, are currently serving down there and have all been heard from and are okay.

Please keep all those in Haiti in your prayers.

Keeping things in perspective...

It's been an "interesting" week at work...not bad, just really interesting...I didn't realize just how much I need adult interaction until I spent most of last week home with Charlotte (who was under the weather last week)...I love my child more than anything, but I'm not sure how stay at home parents do it???

I've been doing a lot of thinking/soul searching this week and a LOT of praying!

So many people I know had really, REALLY rough times last year...financially, emotionally, physically...2009 won't go down in my mind as the best year every, but it got me thinking about just how lucky and blessed our little family really is. I'm so glad I did our 2009 photo year in review...puts things in perspective and helps me focus on the happy, HAPPY times!

I'm not one to do a list of new year's resolutions...but I'm big into goals...this is the first year I haven't really written them down anywhere, because once I write them down, that's it...I've gotta make them happen...

I've also never done something that is big in the "scrap booking world" as of late, which is focusing on One Little Word for the year. Ali Edwards is a local Oregon gal, who is know around the scrap booking world. I was fortunate enough to take a class from her back in the fall of '05 and I love following her blog.

Anyway...I've been thinking about 2010 and how I'm gonna make sure it's GREAT. Not just GREAT for me, but great for everyone around me!

My 2010 word is....

HAPPINESS!!!

So, what does this mean? It means I'm gonna keep waking up every morning and be thankful for my life, my health and my HAPPINESS! I'm gonna wake up every morning and be thankful for the health and happiness of my family & friends! I'm gonna wake up every morning and make a conscious decision to make THAT DAY the best I can. I'm gonna wake up every morning and put a smile on my face and make it my goal to make as many people I can around me smile too!

Life is too short to worry about the small stuff. Life is too short to waste your energy on stuff that doesn't matter. Life is too short to not try and help your fellow man whenever you possible can. Life is too short to not try and make a difference!

So, everybody out in blogland reading this...think about what YOUR one little word will be for the year. Remember to be thankful for all that you have. Think about how you interact with folks on a daily basis and think about how you can make a difference in those around you!

I would like to end my little 3:30am blog entry (yes, it's really 3:30am) with some prayer requests....

• 5-year old Gavin, my niece's schoolmate is still in the hospital. His brain tumor was removed, but he's dealing with other medical stuff and I know he could really use your prayers.
  
• My friend Shelley's grandpa and her dear mom Karol. Grandpa is still hanging in there, but her mom has been in the hospital and will be there for the next 7-10 days while they try to get her better!
  
• My friend Jen's grandma who is in the care of hospice now.
  
• My quilting buddy Jenny, finished up her last round of chemo and she goes in for a scan on 1/20...hopefully I'll see her at my house for our monthly WeBee Quilters meeting if she's feeling up to it.

• My Relay friend Sue...Sue and I became friends last spring. She's started her own Relay Team this year.."Relay This" and she's just an AMAZING person. Sue's beat 2 different types of cancer in the past 2 years and on New Year's Eve got the call that none of us want to hear...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE say a prayer for Sue, her family and the medical folks taking care of her as they start the next chapter in her story. Yes, her cancer is back, but in a note she sent me on Tuesday, It is stage IV.....but since I am so abnormal, I plan on being the abnormal one that beats cancer a 3rd time!
  

Sue's note reminded me of the power of positive thinking, the power of prayer, the power of having faith and the power of LOVE!

I'm tired of shedding tears for so many who have been and continue to be touched by cancer. I'm tired of hearing that someone else I know or knows someone I know has been diagnosed. I'm tired of not having all the answers...but what I'm NOT tired of, is knowing that I'm doing my small little part in FINDING A CURE!

This week was a good week. No meetings or appointments after work. Time with my daughter and hubby in the evening and time to reflect on the good stuff all the stuff that adds to my HAPPINESS in 2010!

Lighting a candle for many tonight...

and sending lots of hugs and prayers...

• Joe Dober's family (classmate of mine that died last weekend saving his son in an accident on their property), the memorial is this Saturday...
• The missing hikers on Mt. Hood -- to their family and friends that they can find some peace during this tragic last week...
  
• Jen's grandma, who is being moved to a hospice facility tomorrow...
  
• Shelley's grandpa, who has been moved to a hospice facility...
• Little Gavin in CA (only 5 years old) who is classmates with my niece Kaylie...his brain tumor has come back...sending lots of hugs to the little guy and his family...
• My quilting buddy Jenny, who is finishing up her latest round of chemo...
  
• The Schmitt family who are constantly in our prayers and we continue to DREAM BIG for both Doreen & Rick!
  
• Tamara & Chad as they await news of their upcoming possible addition to their family (hugs)...
• To those traveling near or far over the next few weeks, be safe, be patient and be kind...it's not worth rushing...
  

I keep saying this over and over, but be THANKFUL for everything. Remember to tell your family & friends how much you love them when you see or talk to them...Life is a gift, make the most out of it and don't ever, EVER take it for granted!

Hugs to all of you out there...we love you very much...K, V & C...

Papa Green's eye...

Continues to get better. He still can't drive or go back to work, but at least he doesn't have to keep his head face down 90% of the time.

Charlie and I went over there tonight for dinner and Papa and Charlie had a lot of fun horsing around without overdoing it.

Thank you for the continued prayers and happy thoughts for dad and his eyes! ;-)

What a beautiful Sunday!!!

WOW...the view on our drive up to see Jenny in Yacolt, WA...What I thought was going to be an "okay" weather day, turned out AMAZING! Sunny all day long, semi-clear skies and fun times.

Charlie and I spent about 1 1/2 hours visiting with Jenny (before Sybil started whining)...we headed back towards home and she was OUT before we got to Battleground...

Jenny starts her 2nd round of infusion on Thursday...sending lots of hugs & prayers to Jenny and family during this latest hurdle in her fight! ;-) She went into remission 2 years ago, she's gonna go back again!! Positive thinking and prayers are an amazing thing...Charlie and I will come visit again soon (I'll bring Victor next time to help entertain her so we can visit more).

We also went up to mom & dad's for dinner and to visit...Dad is still having to keep his head down 90% of the time so his retinal will have a chance to heal properly...imagine keeping your head face down 90% of the time...he's going stir crazy, but he knows that doing what the doctor ordered is the only way he's gonna recover. Love you dad (mom too), thanks for having us up for dinner tonight.

Prayer request, a funny and new pennies...

Okay, this was going to be a fun post, then my mom just called and seems that dad's "good eye" has had a set back and he's going back in tomorrow to see what's going on and possibly another surgery. He had laser surgery on August 29th on his "good eye"....Things were going well then tonight he went outside and then he had a what he describes as "5 times worse" symptoms and he said it's like looking thru a "dust storm". Mom was 3 feet in front of him while I was talking to him just now and he couldn't even recognize her...Please say a prayer for my dad and the medical folks that will be looking at him tomorrow...getting old is good, but this falling apart thing stinks! LOVE YOU Dad!!!

SO, the FUNNY part of the post...I literally had just gotten off a Relay For Life Awards and Recognition Task Force phone meeting when I heard a loud crash coming from my bedrooom and crying....I went in to see if Charlotte was hurt and what had happened...SHE IS FINE...she was crying because "I broke the TV mommy"....well, she didn't break the TV, she just decided that she didn't like the DVD I had popped in to help keep her occupied while I was on my phone meeting and decided to change it herself...problem is, even on her tall bench, she had gotten the old DVD out, but then somehow must have pushed too hard...the entire DVD player was off the back of the TV, but caught itself on the bookshelf and all 10+ DVD boxes and the 2 remotes had taken flight and landed behind the dresser that the TV is on....I had to get her to calm down, blow her nose then retrieve all the items that went flying...GOOD NEWS, I found her missing pair of Dora PJ's (See, everything happens for a reason)...Her DVD is now playing and life is good again...Oh the drama of a 3 year olds...

Lastly, am I the only one that missed the memo that we are getting NEW PENNIES with new logos on the back for the first time in over 50 years?? I got my first one yesterday...Mr. Lincoln, you just aren't the same anymore....The new pennies seem like they weigh less and quite frankly look "fake"...you can read all about it here...apparently it was announced on Sept. 22, 2008...I missed it by almost a year! http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/lincolnredesign/index.cfm?flash=yes

Here's a photo tonight of Charlotte back in her new "nastics" (gymnatics) suit and she's doing her famous "I like to move it move it" dance, hence the reason her body looks kinda out of wack!