My first Colorado Christmas...

More to come... :)

One big year.

Okay, I haven't actually written on this in a long time. So, here we go.

I had a great birthday this year, but at the same time there was a lot on my mind. Last year I celebrated my birthday in Iowa with my sister, our family and Drew who sweetly came to see me. Kelli had just been diagnosed with Cancer and at that point I had no idea how long I would be there with her and even if I did I would have never been able to anticipate the next 5 months. It had been a year and I realized over my birthday as I was sweetly celebrated by my husband and precious friends that I still had a lot to think about, "process" from this past year. Here's a quick rundown to catch you up...

Quit my job/Got new one

Went to Guatemala to meet my newest nephew, Jake

Got phone call that Kelli had cancer

Quit my new job

Spent the next 5.5 months in Iowa ( Jake came home !)

Treatments ended on Valentines Day

Flew to MD Anderson with Kel

Came home in April

Planned our wedding

Got married in June

When I got home there was so much to do with the wedding and I had done a bad job of talking with my friends about what my past 5.5 months was like that I just kind of jumped back into life where I left it. I never knew quite what to say when someone would ask about Kel, I had no idea how to explain what we had just been through.

So, now...almost a year from her first Chemo treatment, I sit and think on that time. Some days I still don't believe it happened. I remember good things though. I remember staying up late talking with my sister about our grandma, "Gowie", talking about faith, Jesus, being scared, believing and yes, death. I remember beautiful women coming over to sit on her living room floor and pray with her, more wonderful people bringing us food, treats, music, praying, loving and being with us. Sweet nurses sitting at the end of her hospital bed when she was scared and I didn't know what to say. I remember the mailbox full, ever day! So many cards, packages, comments on her blog...truly a people coming together in their love for my sister and faith in our God. Lots of nights sleeping on a crummy cot in her hospital room so she wasn't alone, I didn't mnd...there wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be. I remember our Dad and brothers surprising Kel with bald heads under their Santa hats and Drew coming to spend 10 whole days in Iowa to celebrate Christmas with us. I remember doing a silly impromptu interpretive dance with my sister in law on Christmas Eve just because it made Kel laugh :) I remember precious moments with my niece and nephews that I will forever cherish.

I remember one beautiful woman in particular who spent time, prayers and love on me that I don't know what I would have done with out. Jana's faith and friendship taught me, comforted me, challenged me and protected me. She told me I was silly to pray for something great and then expect the worst...she said The Bible said it was foolish to ask for something and not believe. She taught me how to stop expecting the worst and start believing God. A lesson that I need reminded of a lot these days. A lesson that I am so thankful that God used Kel's cancer and a sweet stranger turned friend to begin to teach me.

Well, this post was going to be about how insanely busy we are right now with, "The Holidays"... maybe tomorrow I will post about that. Today I am just thankful for the past year, all that it brought, the tears and the laughter and mostly I am thankful for a God who makes all things new and walks every step with us.

To be continued...

Christmas at Thanksgiving with my fam

Aunt Kelli and Cage

All of us.

My first two nephew...I can't believe how big they are

Cage, hanging with Dad

My most favorite neice, ever ;)

Jakey and Mommy

Cage loves Maddie

Sisters

Cage with his Mommy

Drew and I with Casey...our little dare devil nephew, we gave him bandaids for Christmas! :)

bits and pieces of my week...

Janie...so stylish, check out her little boots, headband and cute outfit :)
Sooo sweet! This little one is becoming one of my favorite parts of the week!


Out, celebrating my birthday with friends...more pics to come



Mary and Bailey at Wash Park last week in the sunshine :)

Freedom is not free.

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to service members and veterans both in the United States and abroad.
Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized service members. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded service members but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail.

"As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. 'The Holiday Mail for Heroes' program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."

Holiday cards should be mailed to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456
All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10.

Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

For more information, visit http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/ or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.

My brother Joe with his little man, Cage.

He will deploy for his 3rd time in February.

Joe in Iraq

photo booth and a priceless friendship...

hmmmm?

Check out Jess's form in the mirror ;)


Being our pastors

We are good looking.

Pastor Shawn and Pastor Chad :)

Peace

We love our boys :)

Jess and I had such a fun time last night, staying up way too late and laughing just the right amount :) We took about 100 pics I would guess, but these are my favorites...

New stuff

Martha and Luke got engaged :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( we brought her cupcakes at work)

Baby Titus, our new step-nephew

Baby Jane, our pastor and his sweet wife, Rachel's new little lady. Rachel gave me Jane today and said, " Don't let anyone else hold her please." I did a great job following that order !

Fall with the Freedbergs :)

Aviva, Gabriel and Maia

Thank you Lord for the beauty of fall, the laughter of kiddos and the simple joy to be found in a pile of leaves.

Darth Vador and Princess Leia

How CUTE are Daniel and Jordan in their halloween costumes!!! Their mommy sent these to me today and I had to share them, I can't get over how cute these are :)

"Luke I am your father."

Mary Ellen

I have been taking care of Miss Mary since she was two. She is so much fun (most days:) and I thought I'd show you how I spend two afternoons a week.

Mary who is now 5 has a style of her own, and is a great little actress and is constantly belting out her latest favorite song...she is into all thing girly and we have a great time together.