My Prince

Today is the day that I get to celebrate the greatest gift ever given to me by the Lord, next to my salvation in HIM!!  I get to celebrate our 16^th wedding anniversary!!  Yes, I’ve been married to the greatest example of a man, that I’ve ever known, for 16 years!!  As many of you know, my bio dad was gone before I was a year old and when I was sixteen, I reached out to him and he told me that I was, “dead to him.”  Then, my Step Dad was gone before I was nine years old.  The boys I dated in high school both cheated on me.  Thus, I wasn’t too trusting of men by the time I got to college. 

So, when I met this man, I wasn’t the least bit interested in dating.  However, the Lord had other plans!  He brought a man into my life that very quickly tweaked my view of men.

This man committed himself to me. 

This man showed me how to turn to the Lord for direction. 

This man taught me about the right attitude in sickness.

First, just a couple weeks after our third wedding anniversary, he was diagnosed with cancer.  When, I told him, in the recovery room, the first words out of his mouth were, “cool, I get to be a cancer survivor!”  Most people cry in fear at a cancer diagnosis, but not my man!  He showed me what it means to Trust in the Lord…Proverbs 3:5-6

He beat cancer in record time, too!  Diagnosed 9/11/06 and declared cancer free 12/11/06!!  Wow!  Praise the Lord!!

Not too long after his diagnosis, came mine, upwards of 20 seizures per day.  Wife unable to drive, work, etc.  Yet he balances the load with such grace.  He loves me in sickness & in health.  Though he’s not had much health to love.  The sickness is what he’s had the most of…most men would get frustrated that their wife couldn’t do so many of the expected tasks.  Not my man, he loves me and if he sees a need, he meets it.  All while trying to work full time.  When I apologize for not doing what I expect to be able to do, he tells me how much he loves me, and not because of what I do.  In my opinion, he loves way beyond what most men would do if put in a similar situation.  He truly honors the Lord in his love for me!

Finally, ‘Til death do us part.  He meant it.  Two years ago, he faced it, head on…again, with such grace.  He stood/sat by my side, sacrificed work, etc.  Most men would say that they couldn’t miss work for over a month, but not my man.  Again, by my side, with the promise of a lifetime.  He has loved me beyond what I could ever imagine. 

To My Prince, I am so grateful to the Lord that HE placed you in my life.  It doesn’t seem fair to me that you have to stick by my side, but for your love, I am forever grateful!!!  I Love You, sweetie!  Happy 16^th Anniversary!

Love,

Your Wife for Life!!!

#HealingForHaylie-Post 104

Haylie update - Aug 20, 2019

We have had a lot of changes over the past week, but overall, I think they will all be for the best. The first big change was when we received Haylie’s chemo and steroid schedule and placed it next to the school schedule. Reality set in and we knew she would be missing more cheer events than she would be able to make. Cheer camp made it evident that her body just wasn’t ready for where we set our expectations. I emailed her cheer coach and we had to withdraw from being a cheerleader this year. It was tough, but she took it pretty well. She has turned her energy to soccer now and she is so determined. Today she had her first scrimmage and she got out there and gave it her all. She still has to go in short bursts, but man am I proud of her.

The second blow came when her hair started falling out again last week. Wow, that was tough. I tried to deny it for the first 2 days, but when massive amounts where falling out for us to find on her pillow the next morning, I just cried with her. It totally took us by surprise because the doctors told us she shouldn’t lose it again. Apparently, there is a small percentage of kids that lose their hair on vincristine (a chemo drug) in maintenance. Not now...middle school is tough enough with a full head of hair, and she was just starting to look like a normal kid again, not the cancer kid look. We had to just give that to God too. He is so gracious, because the last 2 days, her hair has stopped falling out and it appears she will still get to keep it. Hallelujah!!!! Huge win! We have gotten less attached to things like hair, but oh, it still hurts every time it has fallen out. We have taken so many things for granted in the past.

Lastly, and the biggest change officially happened today. Haylie will not be going to her middle school, but will be attending iUniversity Prep. It’s an online school that will be flexible to work with her chemo and steroid schedule. I didn’t want to post on it earlier because we were still in the registration process. We had her interview this morning and she is officially registered! We got her class list this morning and she is very excited. We have been working with her new school and her old school and everyone thought this would be best because she would possibly be missing up to one week or more every month. The online classes will give her flexibility to work ahead before steroid weeks so she can stay caught up on all the curriculum.

The hardest part for us to commit to online school was the social aspect. I told Haylie we have to make it very intentional on getting together with friends more often. She has missed seeing her friends everyday the most this past year. So please, reach out because she definitely wants to see friends.

Today was the first day of school in our district. It was hard not having Haylie go to middle school like all her friends, but I knew it was the right choice when she spent the morning throwing up and not feeling well. I am so glad that was not her first day memory back at middle school. Instead, she was able to film a commercial for Children’s Health Dallas that will air in September. She also received a signed autographed picture from the cast of Fuller House today. That totally made her day. Thanks Buckley!

We have had a few setbacks, but overall it is good. She is still moving forward strong. Thank you everyone for the continued prayers. We can still feel them. God continues to go before us.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jer 29:11
#HealingForHaylie

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#HealingForHaylie-Post 103

Haylie update - August 6

I just wanted to give a quick update and say thank you to everyone for your prayers. Haylie is doing so much better. The steroids are finally getting out of her system and life is getting back to normal. We had a great weekend with family in Houston celebrating Michael’s birthday. Saturday was a great day with cousins, swimming, playing and even Top Golf.

Today we reached a huge milestone! She made it back on the field for her first soccer practice since she was diagnosed. I almost cried as we drove up and she took off running to the field. I honestly haven’t seen her actually run in several months. We have waited for this day for a long time. She did so good! I fully expected her to have to sit out for most of practice but she fought through it and stayed the entire time. She is getting stronger everyday. I’m excited to see the great things in store for her this year. God is faithful.

#HealingForHaylie