As I begin this entry, I see by the tiny clock that it is 4:18. (A.M ) And yes, Susan, I am yelling. Who does 4:00 in the morning? I woke up about 3:30 wide awake. I may be experiencing sympathy pregnancy insomnia with Catherine. We're close like that. Or it could have something to do with the huge gash in my head from an incident with a ceiling fan earlier or it could have something to do with one of the 10,000 things on my mind
We're moving to the woods. We close tomorrow ( or today) at 4:00p.m. A little less than 12 hours. Well, we PLAN to close then. This house buying has been over the top stressful. Seriously. Have you tried to buy house in the last couple years? Not an easy process this day and time. Did I mention the stress?
Said house is, well, amazing. To us, that is. It is my hubby' s dream. It sits right smack dab in the middle of 13.48 acres and is less than 1 mile from my parents. The house is about 3/10ths of a mile from where I lived as a child. Said house was built in 1984 (the year of our marital union...awwwwww) and is amazing and full of character. Oh, it needs some paint and a wall down and some doors replaced, etc. But amazing. Lots of pinterest projects.
Big kitchen, freshly remodeled and a great dining room. A great sunroom freshly cleaned by Susan Cloninger. Lots of nooks and crannies. The babes have already discovered some secret hiding places and have laid claim to their own rooms upstairs. (Like they will really sleep up there alone....)
The yard needs a little love. I can't wait for the fall so I can walk round and see what is there. I have already discovered a pear tree (full of fruit), a black walnut tree (full of nuts), a grapevine, a cherry tree, and blackberry vines.
There is a huge garage with a real wood burning fireplace. This should hold lots of car junk(hubby' s passion). Oh, and I say junk affectionately..:)
There is an old pool house, which is to become a potting shed, with an outside shower. (Great pinterest project)There is a wonderful place for my garden and there is an old chicken coop back in the woods. I am sure there is a lot yet to be discovered.
The greatest thing about the move, to me, is the location. A couple years ago I wrote about growing up in Dixon. Well, guess where this house is? That's right. There is a creek down the hill from the house and across that creek is where my uncle always had a garden. I played there as a child and in a few hours will own it..his house, built by him and my dad, is just up the hill. My cousin lives there now. The back side of the property backs up to two more cousins. The creek seems a bit smaller now but was a favorite Sunday spot for us Dixon kids in the summer.
We are so excited. It has been a hard decision. I love my house here on Wintergreen. My neighbors are wonderful. The location is great. But the woods are calling. When we made an offer and were immediately accepted, we both about fainted. I was up till 3:00a.m. one night looking at pictures, thinking and praying. Was this what God wanted for us? Did I really want to start this new adventure at the age of....., well, my age? Could I really leave my house I love and my neighbors I love more? I waited until the last possible minute to tell my neighbors/dear friends across the street. I cried about it. I prayed about it. Then I came to the realization that they are more than my neighbors. They are our friends and will continue to be and can come enjoy the woods with us. No, it won't be the same as being across the street but it will still be special.
So, I guess this is why I am up so early. I'm almost certain there is a nap in my future.
God is good and has blessed us beyond comprehension. I want to use everything I have for His glory and this house in the woods is no exception.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Winnin' with Quinlan....Update
Oh Yeah!!!!! My God is an awesome God. He answers prayers....He performs miracles...
QUINLAN IS IN TOTAL REMISSION.
I could go on and on but I don't know what else to say except Praise Be to God for His blessings on this precious child.
QUINLAN IS IN TOTAL REMISSION.
I could go on and on but I don't know what else to say except Praise Be to God for His blessings on this precious child.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Winnin' With Quinlan...and he will
The first thing I do when I start to blog, is think of a cute, catchie title. I have red that most writers never title their books until after it is finished. Well, since I don't write books, I usually do this first. But today I have had problems coming up with an appropriate title. Here are a few that came to mind:
Quinlan has been doing great. A little nausea and a day or two of emotional break downs but other than that, he has done great. And he looks good even with his shiny head...:) Darin, Quinlan's dad, has been a little under the weather and stressed. Go figure...Stressed? But he is on the mends and doing as well as can be expected, maybe better, than someone who goes through this horrible disease with a precious child. Keep praying for him.
Quinlan had a PET scan last Monday, April 1st. The initial results from the people there was that it was "stable". What the heck did that mean? Stable? To me it meant it wasn't getting any worse. I was expecting to hear that it was gone. He had already made progress after the first treatment if you remember, so I was really expecting a miracle.
His appointment with his regular oncologist was today and they were told she would go over the results with him then. This morning around 10:30, I received a text message from Quinlan's dad. Yes, I had my cell phone out on my desk.(this is against school rules...ooops.) Anyway, I read the text about 10 times, trying to make sure my eyes were really seeing what I thought they were. Before I said anything to anyone, I had my teammate cover my class and I called Darin to be sure of what he was saying. This is his message, " Good news - Scans say there's no activity on Quinlan's knee, and no cancer anywhere else in his body. Bad news, we check into hospital today to start next cycle of treatment for the next 7 days". I had to sit down while I was talking to him. He said they were continuing with the treatments as planned as a preventive measure. I think that "bad news" is something that can be handled.
Surprised???? I was not surprised in the least. Amazed???? Absolutely. Amazed at what my God can and will do if we have faith.
Please continue to pray for Quinlan and his dad and his doctors. That is what has gotten him here so far.
- Ask and it shall be given to you
- Faith, Hope and Love, these three
- I told ya so
- take that, cancer
- Gotta have faith
- YES
- G.O.N.E.
Quinlan has been doing great. A little nausea and a day or two of emotional break downs but other than that, he has done great. And he looks good even with his shiny head...:) Darin, Quinlan's dad, has been a little under the weather and stressed. Go figure...Stressed? But he is on the mends and doing as well as can be expected, maybe better, than someone who goes through this horrible disease with a precious child. Keep praying for him.
Quinlan had a PET scan last Monday, April 1st. The initial results from the people there was that it was "stable". What the heck did that mean? Stable? To me it meant it wasn't getting any worse. I was expecting to hear that it was gone. He had already made progress after the first treatment if you remember, so I was really expecting a miracle.
His appointment with his regular oncologist was today and they were told she would go over the results with him then. This morning around 10:30, I received a text message from Quinlan's dad. Yes, I had my cell phone out on my desk.(this is against school rules...ooops.) Anyway, I read the text about 10 times, trying to make sure my eyes were really seeing what I thought they were. Before I said anything to anyone, I had my teammate cover my class and I called Darin to be sure of what he was saying. This is his message, " Good news - Scans say there's no activity on Quinlan's knee, and no cancer anywhere else in his body. Bad news, we check into hospital today to start next cycle of treatment for the next 7 days". I had to sit down while I was talking to him. He said they were continuing with the treatments as planned as a preventive measure. I think that "bad news" is something that can be handled.
Surprised???? I was not surprised in the least. Amazed???? Absolutely. Amazed at what my God can and will do if we have faith.
Please continue to pray for Quinlan and his dad and his doctors. That is what has gotten him here so far.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Winnin' with Quinlan...and he will
I visited with Quinlan and his dad after school today at Levine's. Quinlan is there for the week for session two of chemo. What a beautiful place. Beautiful yet so sad to me. Walking by all those rooms I just imagined what must be behind those doors. My heart breaks for those babies. When I arrived outside Quinlan's room, he and his dad were not there. I peeked in and saw the blanket I had made him across the bed so I knew it was the right room. I just assumed they were somewhere close by so I just waited in the hall. In a few minutes a couple doctors came and entered the adjacent room. Not that I would ever eavesdrop, but I couldn't help overhearing the doctor give the family good news. The spinal fluid was negative. Then I heard (what sounded like) joy and excitement. I was so excited for these strangers. I just looked to heaven and praised my God. What wonderful news. I saw a couple other children this time. On my past visits, I never saw another child. I think God knew I wasn't ready for that. I guess I was today. Both the other children seemed happy and were full of life. They were both bald but precious to see. May God bless them and heal them.
In a moment the doctors entered Quinlan's room and turned to leave. I asked if they knew where he might be and they escorted me to the "teen room". Yep, there they were. All smiles and looking like twins. They both have shaved heads now and just look precious. Quinlan looked amazing and today had been a day filled with heavy drugs. His dad said he was more interested in getting out of his room this time. Praise be to God.
He is doing great. I hope this session goes as well as the last. He will probably be there until Friday. According to the schedule, he will have another PET scan on April 1st. I can't wait. I know the results will be amazing, even miraculous.
Please continue to pray for Quinlan and his family. His mom is back in Texas and I know it must be terribly hard for her to be away. Pray for Quinlan's dad as he stays by his side day and night. What an amazing twosome they are. Pray for the doctors as they treat this precious child. Pray they know what to do to rid his young body of this terrible desease.
I firmly believe this cancer will soon be gone and Quinlan will be back to his normal self.
Love to you all.
In a moment the doctors entered Quinlan's room and turned to leave. I asked if they knew where he might be and they escorted me to the "teen room". Yep, there they were. All smiles and looking like twins. They both have shaved heads now and just look precious. Quinlan looked amazing and today had been a day filled with heavy drugs. His dad said he was more interested in getting out of his room this time. Praise be to God.
He is doing great. I hope this session goes as well as the last. He will probably be there until Friday. According to the schedule, he will have another PET scan on April 1st. I can't wait. I know the results will be amazing, even miraculous.
Please continue to pray for Quinlan and his family. His mom is back in Texas and I know it must be terribly hard for her to be away. Pray for Quinlan's dad as he stays by his side day and night. What an amazing twosome they are. Pray for the doctors as they treat this precious child. Pray they know what to do to rid his young body of this terrible desease.
I firmly believe this cancer will soon be gone and Quinlan will be back to his normal self.
Love to you all.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Winnin' With Quinlan..and he will
WOW. As you all know, I am now considered a "walker". I walk every day that I can. And yesterday I walked with dialated eyes. Yes, it's true, I did. No. I couldn't really see where I was going but fortunately knew the way. Sometimes I walk with friends (when they have time for me) but most of the time I walk alone. On my "alone" walks I have an hour and 15 minutes to think, pray, dream, wonder and even cry. Yesterday my eyes were watering, but not from crying this trip. But it was an amazing experience. It was so amazing I thought I was going to have to sit down on the side of the road just to regain my composure. It was one of those times when the presence of my God was so overwhelming, I could barely pick up my feet. It was like He was walking right beside me. I could feel His presence so strongly. WOW.
I started wondering if I was the only person who ever felt this way. I know I'm not and maybe other people feel God's presence more often. Maybe other people are more receptive to 'God's presence than I am. Someone told me tonight that God wants to bless us all the time. I know this is true. I know He blesses me every minute of every day. Even in the hard times. Praise be to God.
We had an amazing event at schol today for Quinlan. We had a spaghetti supper that went beyond my expectations. It was a lot of work but we all came toghether and it was over the top. Yesterday while walking I was thinking of all that had to be done and all that others, even stranges had done. I can not begin to list all the people who donated money, time and items for our supper. It was amazing. We had parents of other students go over the top with their help in donating items, running errands and helping us out tonight, Not to mention all the teachers and administrators that stayed after school ON A FIDAY to help. My teammates have all been brought to tears this week by the kindness of others. I think that is why I felt so blessed yesterday and knew my God was at the head of the endeavor. Thank you God.
Quinlan is doing great! He and his family were able to be with us tonight. His parents, his grandparents, his uncle and friends and neighbors joined us. We had kids on our team stay after school and help us with everything. We have some amazing kids on our team. In this day and time when the world seems to be in chaos, I am reminded that it ain't all bad!!! There is love in kids and they want to love others.
Quinlan goes back for round 2 of chemo in a little over a week. Please keep him in your prayers. I strongly believe he will beat this cancer and be a stronger person for it. Please continue to pray for his precious family as they deal with a sick child. I know what that's like and it is a horrible helpless feeling. Pray hard. Pray for the doctors and caregivers to know what to do to get this disase out of his precious body.
God is good. I pray He will make His presence known to me or better yet, that I will be more receptive of the constant presence I know is there.
I started wondering if I was the only person who ever felt this way. I know I'm not and maybe other people feel God's presence more often. Maybe other people are more receptive to 'God's presence than I am. Someone told me tonight that God wants to bless us all the time. I know this is true. I know He blesses me every minute of every day. Even in the hard times. Praise be to God.
We had an amazing event at schol today for Quinlan. We had a spaghetti supper that went beyond my expectations. It was a lot of work but we all came toghether and it was over the top. Yesterday while walking I was thinking of all that had to be done and all that others, even stranges had done. I can not begin to list all the people who donated money, time and items for our supper. It was amazing. We had parents of other students go over the top with their help in donating items, running errands and helping us out tonight, Not to mention all the teachers and administrators that stayed after school ON A FIDAY to help. My teammates have all been brought to tears this week by the kindness of others. I think that is why I felt so blessed yesterday and knew my God was at the head of the endeavor. Thank you God.
Quinlan is doing great! He and his family were able to be with us tonight. His parents, his grandparents, his uncle and friends and neighbors joined us. We had kids on our team stay after school and help us with everything. We have some amazing kids on our team. In this day and time when the world seems to be in chaos, I am reminded that it ain't all bad!!! There is love in kids and they want to love others.
Quinlan goes back for round 2 of chemo in a little over a week. Please keep him in your prayers. I strongly believe he will beat this cancer and be a stronger person for it. Please continue to pray for his precious family as they deal with a sick child. I know what that's like and it is a horrible helpless feeling. Pray hard. Pray for the doctors and caregivers to know what to do to get this disase out of his precious body.
God is good. I pray He will make His presence known to me or better yet, that I will be more receptive of the constant presence I know is there.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Winnin' with Quinlan
To update:
Quinlan Scism is an 8th grade student in my WIN class and 4th block. Precious, quiet, humble, sweet kid.
He was recently diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Stage 3B. He has areas in his knee, hip, shoulder and arm pit. He began treatment last Friday, February 15th and so far is doing great.
His road map for treatment indicated that after the first of the session, he should have a 20% reduction in the tumors. Yesterday's PET scan showed that the tumor in his knee had gone from a 6 to a 2 (I believe that's more than 20% :) ) and that the other areas were not as "bright" as they were a week ago. WOW. Praise be to God.
Quinlan's parents are amazing people and I am enjoying getting to know them. It must be so hard for them to watch their precious son go through this. Please pray for them. Pray for peace and guidance and patience and understanding.
We at KMMS have several events planned in the coming weeks to raise funds to help alleviate some of the financial burdens placed on a family at times like these. We are now selling wristbands that have our slogan "Winnin' With Quinlan" printed on them for $2.00. On Friday, March 8th, we are having a spaghetti supper at our school from 4:00 to 7:00. Tickets are $6.00 and include spaghetti, salad and bread. Deserts and drinks will be sold separately and you can eat-in our carry out. Also, we have two precious ladies that will be at the school giving haircuts for a donation.(Yes, the famous Catherine Logan Barker will be there with scissors in hand) And a student from the high school is doing a ZUMBA event as her senior project to help us out. I will have more details about that later.
Please consider helping us out. If anyone has contacts at the Dole plant in Bessemer City, I could really use your help getting lettuce donated. I hear they do this on occasion.
People have been so kind. At the grocery store today, a friend of mine (I won't mention her name) walked in as I did and we were talking about Quinlan. I told her I was picking up items to make a goodie bag to take over today. In a few minutes she found me and handed me a gift card and said that it was on her today. We both just hugged and cried. Amazing.
I had a great visit with Quinlan and his parents at Levine's this afternoon. What an amazing place.
I really believe that Quinlan IS going to win this battle. I have researched these crazy drugs and really don't see how they can't work. What amazing work has been done over the years in cancer research and discovery of these powerful chemicals used. I have really learned a lot.
My plea is for prayer. I do so believe in it's power and know God is at work in Quinlan's life.
My God is an awesome God.
Quinlan Scism is an 8th grade student in my WIN class and 4th block. Precious, quiet, humble, sweet kid.
He was recently diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Stage 3B. He has areas in his knee, hip, shoulder and arm pit. He began treatment last Friday, February 15th and so far is doing great.
His road map for treatment indicated that after the first of the session, he should have a 20% reduction in the tumors. Yesterday's PET scan showed that the tumor in his knee had gone from a 6 to a 2 (I believe that's more than 20% :) ) and that the other areas were not as "bright" as they were a week ago. WOW. Praise be to God.
Quinlan's parents are amazing people and I am enjoying getting to know them. It must be so hard for them to watch their precious son go through this. Please pray for them. Pray for peace and guidance and patience and understanding.
We at KMMS have several events planned in the coming weeks to raise funds to help alleviate some of the financial burdens placed on a family at times like these. We are now selling wristbands that have our slogan "Winnin' With Quinlan" printed on them for $2.00. On Friday, March 8th, we are having a spaghetti supper at our school from 4:00 to 7:00. Tickets are $6.00 and include spaghetti, salad and bread. Deserts and drinks will be sold separately and you can eat-in our carry out. Also, we have two precious ladies that will be at the school giving haircuts for a donation.(Yes, the famous Catherine Logan Barker will be there with scissors in hand) And a student from the high school is doing a ZUMBA event as her senior project to help us out. I will have more details about that later.
Please consider helping us out. If anyone has contacts at the Dole plant in Bessemer City, I could really use your help getting lettuce donated. I hear they do this on occasion.
People have been so kind. At the grocery store today, a friend of mine (I won't mention her name) walked in as I did and we were talking about Quinlan. I told her I was picking up items to make a goodie bag to take over today. In a few minutes she found me and handed me a gift card and said that it was on her today. We both just hugged and cried. Amazing.
I had a great visit with Quinlan and his parents at Levine's this afternoon. What an amazing place.
I really believe that Quinlan IS going to win this battle. I have researched these crazy drugs and really don't see how they can't work. What amazing work has been done over the years in cancer research and discovery of these powerful chemicals used. I have really learned a lot.
My plea is for prayer. I do so believe in it's power and know God is at work in Quinlan's life.
My God is an awesome God.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Be Still
It is so very quiet in my house this Christmas morning. The only thing I hear is the soft twirl of my Christmas village lighthouse as it spins it's light around. "Be still and know I am God." This came at me like a bolt this early morning. Be still. No rushing, no panicking, just Be Still.
This is the first Christmas morning since our first year of marriage that we have been alone.
It will, however, get loud soon. I have 20 family and friends coming for lunch at 2:00. So, Be Still, I will for now and just bask in the presence of my Savior. My heart is full. Full to over flowing. How so blessed I am. My precious family, my precious friends, my precious husband. My list goes on but I will think of these for now.
Last night's church service was a message of God and His reason for the season. He sent His precious Son to me, for me. Me. Little ole me. Sometimes it is more than I can wrap my head around. So, I just wrap my heart around it and go with it. He loves me, He cares about me, and He will never leave me.
This has all made me realize that I need to be much more than I am. I need to be his representative. I need for others, everyone, to see Him through me. I want this so much.
Be Still. Be still and feel God and know He came to you and for you. He loves you that much.
So Merry Christmas. And my you all feel the presence of the Savior today and everyday to come.
This is the first Christmas morning since our first year of marriage that we have been alone.
It will, however, get loud soon. I have 20 family and friends coming for lunch at 2:00. So, Be Still, I will for now and just bask in the presence of my Savior. My heart is full. Full to over flowing. How so blessed I am. My precious family, my precious friends, my precious husband. My list goes on but I will think of these for now.
Last night's church service was a message of God and His reason for the season. He sent His precious Son to me, for me. Me. Little ole me. Sometimes it is more than I can wrap my head around. So, I just wrap my heart around it and go with it. He loves me, He cares about me, and He will never leave me.
This has all made me realize that I need to be much more than I am. I need to be his representative. I need for others, everyone, to see Him through me. I want this so much.
Be Still. Be still and feel God and know He came to you and for you. He loves you that much.
So Merry Christmas. And my you all feel the presence of the Savior today and everyday to come.
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