Mommy's Helper

Parker loves to put the wet clothes from the washer into the dryer. He usually stands at the dryer door and I hand them to him. I handed him a wet garment without looking and heard it hit the floor. I looked down and he was gone. I looked all around me thinking he had slipped out or was playing behind me. Then I saw a hand reach out and grab the wet sweatshirt and pull it in the dryer. I love this kid.Parker also likes "being in on the action." He gets frustrated if he can't see what's going on. Tonight I let him "help" me wash dishes. Couldn't help but smile as soap and water were flying all around the kitchen.

After we finished up the dishes, the clothes were dry. So we pulled them out and put them in a basket to fold. While I was putting the next load in the washer, Parker made sure no one stole the clean clothes. I know that soon it will no longer be "cool" to help Mommy. So, I'm treasuring these moments!



UPDATE ON PAPAW: We got positive results from the latest round of blood work. The hormone treatments have significantly lowered his PSA level, which is what grows the cancer. While we know that this only buys us more time and isn't a cure, we are thankful and give God the Glory. He is in great spirits and in no pain. We are so thankful for that! We are also thankful for all the encouraging words, cards, and most of all your prayers.

Christmas 2009

Click below to see some pictures from the Todd Family Christmas! We had the Todd Family over to our house on Christmas Eve night, Santa came to our house on Christmas, then we ate the annual Todd Family Breakfast at Granmamma's! We loaded up the day after Christmas and headed to Mamaw and Papaw's in Rabun County! We spent a week there and even saw some snow! We had a wonderful holiday and hope you did too!

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December Happenings!

I'm behind on our December Happenings! I'll try to keep it short and sweet!

"My Mom made me wear this hat"

Finding the Todd Family Christmas Tree!

Forrest and Rita got married! It was a beautiful wedding and a FUN reception complete with a Mariachi Band! All the Todds and Holders danced the night away!

Dancing with Uncle Ike

Look closely for Joshua. He is holding Forrest up in the chair.

This was a traditional Mexican dance that was so much fun! Forrest selected three people who "hold him up in life" to hold him in the chair while all the wedding guests danced around and tried to knock him off! Not sure why we were trying to knock him off, but it was FUN!
Joshua was SORE the next day!
We dress up pretty well!

All dressed up...and a ball at our feet! Thanks Parker!

The Todds and the Holders! Meanwhile, while Mommy and Daddy are dancing the night away...

Parker had some good Mamaw and Papaw time! He loves this book that Mamaw brought. It has Parker's picture as all the characters! He thinks it is sooooo funny!Update on Daddy(aka Papaw): He is in great spirits. The hormone treatments have begun and we will wait to see how his body reacts. He lacks energy at times and gets weak if he over does it, but is in no pain. We have heard lots of positive things about the hormone therapy. While it will not cure the cancer, it does slow the growth down. We are also looking into some clinical trials to target the cancer that has metastasized in the bones. We continue to focus on the "happy times" and making memories. Joshua, Parker, and I will be headed to Rabun soon to do just that!

Stitches

Welp. I was really hoping that Parker would make it at least until his 2nd birthday before we made a trip to the Emergency Room. We were so close....so close.

I got a call from Mrs. Ann today around lunch that Parker had fallen and cut his head. She thought I'd better come assess the situation. Yep. Pretty nice gash.

Apparently, Parker was playing on the couch and attempted to climb onto the end table. His hand slipped on the table runner and he face planted into the table edge.

Our pediatrician was not in the office and the nurse recommended we take him to Urgent Care. So, Mrs. Ann and I loaded up and headed out. Now, Parker is none the wiser to what is going on or what has happened. In fact, moments after the accident he was chowing down on his lunch. Nothing stands between that boy and his food. He was excited to go "bye bye" and even took a nap on the way.

The Urgent Care doctor said that due to the location of the cut and how deep it was it could not be "super glued" as I hoped. It would require stitches.

Now...I need to pause here and say that I was bragged on by two different individuals on how well I was handling the situation and how calm I was. Surprised? Yeah, I was too.

Anyway, when I heard the word "stitches" I could feel the "freak out" start to rise. I willed myself to contain it.

The tears did flow as I had to hold him still while they numbed the wound and stitched it up. That literally broke my heart.

But, just as fast as the accident happened, the stitches were in and we were on our way home. Complete with our first "war wound." It's a good thing chicks dig scars.

Thankful for Happy Times

We spent Thanksgiving at Mamaw and Papaw's in the mountains. It was a great time, even with the "elephant" in the room. We had some hard family conversations...conversations I never thought I'd be having at this point in my life. But, we all promised Dad that we will focus on happy times. So, we did.

Like when Uncle Kolby tried to break a record of the most suckers held by a toddler...

Or playing peek-a-boo with Aunt Mere...

Eating a yummy feast that Meredith and her mom made for us! What a blessing!!!!

And giving Mamaw hugs....


And of course....soaking up lots of Papaw time.

And I will give thanks...despite the circumstances. Because my God is Great and He is Faithful.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Sovereign

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

I have come to the conclusion that the "peace that passes all understanding" is in actuality a "numbness." I think that it is God's way of just protecting us from our own human emotion. A time to just catch our breath and rest in the fact that HE is in control.

We got news a few weeks ago that my daddy has cancer. We got news this week that it is cancer that cannot be cured. The first part was hard enough. The second part was devastating. Even as I type this, I am still in disbelief. Something inside me keeps thinking that this is all a nightmare and I will wake up any moment or that some doctor will come rushing in and say "I'm so sorry! I was wrong! You are going to be just fine!"

I've been through every human emotion. And now...I'm just numb. I honestly feel like time has slowed down. Like I'm walking around with that lead apron on that they put on you at the dentist office when you get an x-ray. At times, life seems normal again. I get busy with work or life and for a little while I forget...but inevidently something is said or something happens that brings reality crashing back down. And just when I think I've taken two steps forward....I'm back to a sobbing mess. I imagine it will be this way from now on...the next "cry-fest" lurking in the shadows just waiting to hit me when I least expect it.

How thankful I am for my God and my salvation! It is the HOPE that I cling to and trust in. God is Sovereign. HE knows. His ways are most definitely not my ways...but His ways are good and perfect. I don't understand. And it still hurts so bad. And though my heart and flesh may fail me...I can say "it is well."

And with all my heart I pray for a miracle. 'Cause Parker hasn't been fishing yet...and he needs to learn from the best.

Mamaw and Papaw On My Mind

Mamaw and Papaw have been on our minds lately. This morning Parker and I had just finished saying a prayer for them when he walked over to the foyer table and got their picture. I about killed myself running to get the camera. We love you Mamaw and Papaw!

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