Memories Last Forever

For some life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds last forever. - Laura Swenson

When we first found out that Mom had terminal cancer, my mind went into overtime thinking about all the things I wanted to do with her in the time that I had left. A photo session with the family was at the TOP of my list! God, in His providence, had already gifted Melissa with a free photo session for the Spring with my wedding photographer, Emily Weis, as part of the Olivia Act that Emily signed up for. I immediately reached out to Emily asking if we could squeeze in a few family photos in addition to the photos Melissa would be taking with her girls. In all of her goodness, she said yes! Please bear with me  while I brag on Emily Weis for a moment. She is seriously the BEST photographer in her flexibility and the way she makes you feel SO comfortable for photos. She's so wonderful and sweet that you immediately feel that she is a friend. And let's not forget how great her photos always turn out - we all just about died when we saw the results!

The day of the photoshoot threatened thunderstorms during the exact time we were going to get them shot, but fortunately the clouds held back and we were greeted with breeze and sunshine. Emily had suggested we get the photos taken at the Historic Ambassador House in Fishers. I had never heard of the location but trusted that it would be a good spot. And it couldn't have been more perfect. The southern style home and flower beds were well suited for our tea party theme. All of us girls love love tea parties and will even break out the tea cups when we are having dinner together and fill them with water. :)

Check out her blog post with the photo highlights from the shoot - http://www.emilyweisphotographyblog.com/a-very-special-session/ 

And I saved the best for last - one of the main reasons I chose Emily for my wedding was because she hands over the original images and allows you to keep them and print them wherever you'd like! If you'd like access to the photos, all you have to do is open them here. Feel free to print them at Walmart, Walgreens, etc if you fancy one for yourself. :)

Here are just a few of our favorites that weren't in Emily's blog post! Thank you, Emily!!!

His love reaches to the Heavens

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies - Psalm 36:5

Thursdays after chemo (which now takes place on Tuesdays) are always Mom's worst days. We prepared as usual for that day by Melissa going grocery shopping for her to have good, healthy food for her to eat and packing her an overnight bag. Mom then came over Wednesday evening to settle in and sleep in the Guest Bedroom. This morning I woke up to check on her and she said it was the best night's sleep she's had in over a month - awesome! We waited all morning for her to have a fever but ... it never came! In fact she didn't feel quite as weak as usual! Thank you, Lord, for giving her rest and peace!

Mom has been borrowing a book that my Bible Study went through recently, Knowing God by Name, written by Mary Kassian. It is the perfect book for understanding the depth of God's multifaceted character. And a great way for her to know and understand Him better before she gets to meet Him! She has been loving it. "In Knowing God by Name: A Personal Encounter, author Mary Kassian focuses on 35 Hebrew names of God that describe His character, His relationships, and His purpose. As you learn the significance of each ancient word, you'll be awestruck by the Lord's magnificence and your heart compelled to worship and praise Him." I highly recommend this book if you want to get a clearer picture of who He is.

Long overdue update

Yard Sale Results!

This last Saturday we had the long awaited yard sale that my wonderful friend Jasmin volunteered to coordinate and host at her house in Irvington. So many people donated to the yard sale it was unreal how much stuff we had to sell! We had a steady trickle of customers throughout the entire day and by 5pm raised $400 through the yard sale in addition to the $7,800 that was donated through the fundraiser site! Wow!

Florida Vacation Update!
As most of you know, I work downtown at ExactTarget. Employees are able to join internal organizations such as ExactImpact, ExactWellness, ExactFun, etc. Well today, ExactImpact - the service/volunteer organization - donated $500 to the Florida trip! What a great company I work for! Before I close on this topic, I want to send an updated thanks to those that have recently donated to the Make a Wish! Thank you Rachel Johnson, Mary Ryan, Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy, Stephanie Schilling, Jan and Tony Elrod, Jerry Brenner, Sandra Maldoando, Louise Andrew, Colin McSharar, the Whetsels, and many more that chose to remain anonymous.

Mom's recent chemo
Mom had a wonderful week off from chemo - she was able to get her energy back and spend a lot of time with some friends and family. She saw her Uncles, spent quality time with her long-time friend Debra, and enjoyed relaxing with Melissa and her granddaughters, etc.

Little did we know it was the quiet before the storm. Last Tuesday she had her regularly scheduled chemo and then Thursday she was hit with a high fever requiring a visit to the ER. Thankfully she had spent the night at Aunt Cindy's house and she was able to rely on her to get her to the ER and back. She is ok now, but it was a scary couple of hours for Mom!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Mom is still feeling pretty good (no liver pain) - just a little weak at the moment.

Family Sunday Brunches

A note from Kristen ....

This past Sunday my Aunt Cindy hosted all of our family over for brunch. It's going to be a regular gathering for us so Mom can visit with her family as much as possible in the next year. Mad props to Aunt Cindy for hosting - it is no regular feat to get us all together in one place ... not to mention feeding us! Mom was 1 of 6 children so there are many cousins and aunts and uncles in the mix. We had a great time and were even blessed to have Mom's Aunt Janis and Aunt Lois (which are her mom's sisters) join us.