Good Friday morning!!  It is my first day to go back to work after a wonderful summer (well most of it) break.  New school year.....here we come!  Praying for an awesome, healthy and fun year with the staff and kids.  Now if I can just figure out a way to take Tyler to school with me.  ha! ha!  I thanked God for the precious time that we had together this summer.   

Last night it was meet your kindergarten teacher night and I went and hung out and met the kids.  Oh the kids were so cute and some were shy.  Let me tell you, the shyness doesn't last very long at all.  Their little personalities start to shine after a few days.  The first day of school for the kids is Monday.  It is always such an exciting day!

Jeff and Angela are now on their way to Switzerland.  They are doing great and having an awesome time.

This is my Tyler pic today.  Yep....you are seeing that right.  He has his foot in his mouth.....just like his momma Jenna use to do. 

Prayer requests:  For the strength, peace and comfort for those who have lost a loved one.  Also some requests for a couple of people who are suffering with depression.  I also have a request for our prayer warriors to pray for someone who has severe anxiety right now.  This person has not been able to sleep at night and is exhausted.  Continued prayers for Jeff and Angela for safety while they are traveling around Europe.

Hebrews 6: 10 & 11:  For God is not unfair.  How can he forget your hard work for him, or forget the way you used to show your love for him--and still do--by helping his children? And we are anxious that you keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, so that you will get your full reward.

Never give up on anything God has told you to believe for.....Have a fabulous day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!!

How many minutes does it take you to get to work or school in the mornings?

Good Thursday morning everyone!  Oh this is my last day of summer vacation.  I know.....school staff members are so spoiled by their long summers off so it is hard to feel sorry for me.  :)  I am so going to miss my days with my sweet Tyler.  I will spend time with him now in the afternoons and on the weekends.  It has been a super fun summer with him!  Still hard to believe that I am starting the new school year!  Very happy about that! 

Some of you may be wondering what is going on with the  H.O.P.E. project.  I am doing it....have been.  Just on a smaller scale then I had originally thought out.  I guess God knew that a book was to be written on my story and that my focus needs to be on that for a while, which is a great thing!  I am very excited to be working with Marga. It is like she is thinking the exact same thoughts that I am.  Working on this project with her is fun. Of course she will be holding my hand and leading me through it all.   Everything to get it started just seemed to fall into place....the timing couldn't of been better.  As soon as we have a title I will let you know.  Please keep us in your prayers as we work on this project.  And yes.....we are taking our time on this book.

This is my Tyler pic for the day......enjoying a baby cracker that Nani gave him.  What a mess it makes but he loves it!  But most important look at the bib....it says Everything is better at Grandma's.  Isn't that the truth?  :)

You got it Gaynell....  :)

Prayer requests:  There are some requests for our prayer warriors here for some families who are really struggling right now.....in more ways then one.  They are scared, hurting, frustrated and feel hopeless.  They want prayers for peace of mind and strength that they know only God can give them.  Please pray that God will show them that piece of 'hope' to make it through another day.

Daniel 6 verses 25 - 28:  Afterward, King Darius wrote this message addressed to everyone in his empire:  "Greetings!  I decree that everyone shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel in every part of my kingdom.  For his God is the living, unchanging God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose power shall never end.  He delivers his people, preserving them from harm; he does great miracles in heaven and earth; it is he who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."  So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  Hope you enjoyed that story.

Have a terrific day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!

Have you ever won anything in a contest?  What did you win?

Good Wednesday morning!  Only 2 more days of summer vacation for me and then I start back to work on Friday.  This summer just flew by amazingly fast!  Did I have a good summer?  You bet I did.  Even though some of it was rough, I still managed to have a lot of fun, rested, hung out with friends, got things done and made some more great memories with my family!  Now I am looking forward to school starting and all of the activities that fall will bring to us.  I can tell you that from here on out till the New Year it is such a busy time for my family and I know everyone else.  Just make sure to take time to enjoy it!

I have a little story to share....while in the waiting room to see my neurosurgeon the patient that came out right before me was a man, about my age, who we didn't know, in a wheelchair that had obviously had recent brain surgery.  He was grinning from ear to ear and announced to us that the next time he sees the Dr. that he will be walking instead of being in a wheelchair.  The excitement and happiness that came from him and his wife was contagious.  It was an awesome thing to see.  Thanking God for many miracles.

Is this not one of the cutest pictures you have seen?  I can't take credit for taking this one.  Jenna took it.  Tyler and his dog Rusty were looking outside while daddy Ryan was mowing the lawn.  PRICELESS!

Jeff and Angela are now in Berlin, Germany.  They are doing well and having a great time.  We look forward to all of their stories when they get back home.Thank you for keeping them in your prayers for safe travels.

I would like to wish my dear friend Susy Davila a very "Happy Birthday" today!  Have an awesome birthday and a fun day!!

Prayer requests:  For those that are suffering from other sickness' and are trying new things all the time to help relieve the pain that they face on a daily basis.  They are taking life one day at a time and need prayers for healing and strength.  If you know someone like that right now....will you please lift them up and keep them encouraged.  Let them know you are there for them and are praying for them.

Daniel 6 verses 19 - 23:  Very early the next morning he hurried out to the lions' den, and called out in anguish, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you worship continually, able to deliver you from the lions?"  Then he heard a voice!  "Your Majesty, live forever!"  It was Daniel!  "My God has sent his angel," he said, "to shut the lions' mouths so that they can't touch me; for I am innocent before God, nor sir, have I wronged you."  The king was beside himself with joy and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den.  And not a scratch was found on him, because he believed in his God.  To be continued....

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!!

Tell me something that has made you smile today!

Good Tuesday morning!!  WOW.....I am one richly blessed girl because I have the BEST family and friends that anyone could ever dream of or ask for.  Your thoughtfulness, prayers and kindness is amazing! Thank you everyone for all the sweet comments, e-mails, phone calls and text messages yesterday!  Still smiling, still happy dancing and continually praising God for the good news yesterday.  I totally felt all of your prayers. My neurosurgeon said that he didn't need to see me for four months now! We celebrated last night with Italian food at Carrino's.  Nothing better then hearing great news on the one year anniversary that I finished my chemo.  Melanoma vaccine done.  MRI brain scan and results done.  Next hurdle....PET scan and results.  Once that is done I can breathe a huge sigh of relief and Lord willing I won't have to do any scans for 4 months!  Please keep praying that the PET scan results will be clear too.  THANK YOU!!  What a journey this has been and I am so very thankful that you have been on this journey with me.

My Tyler pic today is of one of the things that he loves to do all the time.....clapping.

I have my little sidekick with me for the next 3 days.  Looking forward to some one on one play time with him.  He and I are going to do some cooking in the kitchen today.

Prayer requests:  Cancer--Lori, Lorri, Teresa, Lorenzo, Sue, Anna, Martha, Cova, Cyndi, Claudia's dad, Betsy, Chris H., Kate, Allen, Kenny, Maria, Samuel, Father Ruben, John W., Ken, Kristin, Patrick, Mike J., Carolyn, Becky, Jim, Wayne, Ron and Jeff B. That they stay positive and encouraged during their treatments and healing process.  Also for their families for strength and encouragement as they take care of them.

I would like to wish a very "Happy Birthday" to my high school friend Ian.  Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown to me.  I know you are a great example of kindness to all who go to school with you.

Daniel 6 verses 17 & 18:  A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring, and that of his government, so that no one could rescue Daniel from the lions.  Then the king returned to his palace and went to bed without dinner.  He refused his usual entertainment and didn't sleep all night.  To be continued.....

Don't forget to enjoy whatever it is you are doing everyday.  Sometimes life is so busy and hectic we forget to see the joy in things.  Thank the Lord for joy!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!

Tell us something that brings you incredible joy........

3:00 p.m. update:  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!!  Brain scan was clear!!  My neurosurgeon doesn't want to see me again for 4 months!!  Yessssss!!!!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers!!  Going out to celebrate with the family tonight! Happy Dancing here!  Have a great rest of the day.  See you tomorrow!

Good Monday morning!!  How was your weekend everyone?  MIke and I are headed to San Diego at 8:00 this morning to see my neurosurgeon for my brain scan results.  My appointment is at 10:30.  My sister Monica will not be able to update you on the blog for me so as soon as we get home from the appointment, I will update you, which probably won't be until later this afternoon.  Thank you ahead of time for praying for me.  I have been at peace but the butterflies are in my stomach right now.  I guess that is normal.  Please also pray that the dead tissue in the one part of my brain is getting better and not so irritated anymore and for strength.

Praise God I am celebrating being off of chemo for 1 year now!!  WooHoo!!  Everyone do a little "Happy Dance!!"

We heard from Angela and Jeff.  They are having a great time in France.  They went to the Louve and they saw the Mona Lisa and were getting ready to see the Eiffel Tower.  They are headed to Amsterdam today.  Thank you for praying for them while they are traveling around in Europe.

This is Tyler's latest thing....making a little "o" with his mouth.  Hilarious!

Thank you Terrie O.!!!  Had so much fun!  What a relaxing afternoon.

Prayer requests:  Guidance and wisdom for a few people who have some tough decisions to make, and for my cousin Anthony and everyone who is in the military in Iraq for safety and protection and that they make it back home very soon. 

Daniel 6 verses 14, 15 & 16: Hearing this, the king was very angry with himself for signing the law, and determined to save Daniel.  He spent the rest of the day trying to think of some way to get Daniel out of this predicament.  In the evening the men came to the king again and said, "Your Majesty, there is nothing you can do.  You signed the law and it cannot be changed."  So at last the king gave the order for Daniel's arrest, and he was taken to the den of lions.  The king said to him, "May your God, whom you worship continually, deliver you."  And then they threw him in.  To be continued.....

Bless someone today.  Ask yourself what you can do for someone today to make them smile.  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!!  Thank you God for holding my hand.

Okay....so I was totally kidding about the Angelina Jolie thing.  I have received so many ideas on who could play me in a movie....it has been so funny!  Thanks for making me laugh everyone!