week31

December 24th Christmas is coming! I wanted to take a couple of minutes and
share with you how lucky and blessed we feel our family is this holiday
season. When Michael was diagnosed with cancer, there was a heaviness
that hovered around our family. As Michael began his treatments and we
began to see that the tumors were responding remarkably well to the chemo
and that prayers were being answered, Chris and I realized that Michael could
be ok...we just would need to go through the process of healing. This healing
has been something that has brought our already close family, even closer.
We also realized what an important part friends and others play in our life. We
didn't know before this happened how many people care about us. People
calling, signing the guestbook on here, supporting our fundraising efforts,
and prayers have touched us in ways we didn't know was possible.

When we found out we were going to be blessed with a new baby girl (Hannah
Rose), we of course felt blessed, but very confused. From the beginning I
said to Chris that for me, that is when I felt Michael would be ok because I
couldn't believe God would give us a new baby and take away another child at
the same time. And, God is good to us...as Michael faces the last part of his
treatment (surgery) in January...we are preparing for Hannah's arrival in the
same time frame. Only God understands this timing.

At Thanksgiving, Chris said a prayer with the boys and I that was really true
and I've been thinking about it every since. He just verbalized the fact that we
have 3 great kids, Michael is headed to the end of his treatment and now we
have Hannah joining us soon. We have a business that is flourishing. We
have friends and family that loves us. We are blessed.

Thank you to everyone that thinks about us, prays for us and has helped us in
the different ways that you have. Each and every one of you are a part of why
we have what we have and we appreciate you. We want to wish you a Merry
Christmas and blessings to you and your family beyond what you have even
imagined.

Week 31- 12/21-27








					December 26th We had a great Christmas. We did it at Chris' brother's (Ken) home. Dan, Erin, Camren, Janet, Nichole, Ken, Natasha, Petar and our friend Elaine were all together along with all of our kids. Chris cooked a turkey and a primerib. Ken made twice baked potatoes. Erin and Nichole made fudge, deviled eggs and green bean casserole. We had so much food! After dinner we opened presents and then everyone played poker. We didn't get home until close to 2 am! It was so much fun to spend time with all of Chris' family. I've been teasing Michael all afternoon today about being lazy and telling him to get a job! He's been hanging out in his room all the time and playing on the computer. He just smiles and says after the surgery...