Good Tuesday morning!!  Ho! Ho! Ho! Only 18 more days until Christmas!! I read this quote yesterday and wanted to share with you all.

“There's more, much more, to Christmas Than candlelight and cheer; It's the spirit of sweet friendship That brightens all year. It's thoughtfulness and kindness, It's hope reborn again, For peace, for understanding, And for goodwill to men!”

I forgot to tell you all my story of when I checked the mail before I went to bed on the Friday night after Thanksgiving and received the letter from the hospital that my mammogram was abnormal.  As I told you before I started to cry.....but God was right there looking out for me.  Hidden under a piece of junk mail in the same pile of mail was a card from my Aunt MaryAnn.  She makes me beautiful cards and she had written on the card  "May the Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand.  A coincidence???  Not even.....it was a true blessing and miracle from God and God's perfect timing.  Even though I was still upset, what a comfort her card was.  I fell asleep with it in my hands.  Thanks Aunt MaryAnn.  I had been wanting to share that story with you ever since that night.  I love you!

I have another prayer request for myself.  I have a brain scan scheduled on Wednesday afternoon.  It is with contrast so that means they have to start an IV.  I don't have the port anymore so they now have to go to my arm.  Please pray that they can get the IV started.  Even though it has been a while since my last chemo treatment my veins are still trying to recover.  I won't know the results for awhile.  I will let you know the day I see my neurosurgeon soon.

Here is a picture of Tyler on the miniature horse that he got to sit on at the hospital party.

Thank you Henryk and Terrie Olstowski!! Movie night on the barn is always fun!  Yes Terrie, I do remember being each other's secret pals.  Fun!   

Angel Linda......sure hope that snow stops soon.  YIKES......that is a lot of snow.  I can't even begin to think what that must be like. 

Prayer requests:  For these men, women and children fighting cancer:  Lori, Lorri, Teresa, Jose, Lorenzo, Susan, Anna, Karen, Cova, Cyndi, Claudia's dad, Betsy, Chris H., Allen, Kenny, Maria, Samuel, Father Ruben, John W., Ken, Kristin, Patrick, Mike, Carolyn, Ron, Jeff, Becky, Jim, Wayne, Bill, Lara, Sharon & Diane C.  Please pray for them the strength to fight and that they will be healed.  Pray for a cure.  Also for their families.  If you know of someone else we could be praying for please e-mail me and I will add their first name to our list.  leslie@mgilbert.net

Luke 2 verse 10:  But the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!  To be continued....

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

Christmas question....Do you have any Christmas blankets out to snuggle in right now?  Yes we have a few. 

Good Monday morning!!  Oh Holy Night......the stars are brightly shining.....it is the night of the dear Saviors birth.....I love Christmas carols.  I am listening to Christmas music in my car to and from work.  I sing out loud with the CD and the only joyful noise I am making is to God's ears because if anyone else heard me they would cringe.....hahaha!  All that matters is that I am having fun and I am.  :)

How was your weekend everyone?  I had a great weekend!  Still celebrating!  I was able to get so much accomplished and have fun too.  Except for a couple of stocking stuffers I am pretty much finished with my Christmas shopping.  Now it is time to get the wrapping paper and bows out and start wrapping.  Hey Jeff......Saturday afternoon was fun!  Thanks for all of your help.  Love you!

I have a wonderful announcement to make.....my nephew Scott and his wife Audrey are expecting their first child on August 1st!!  Congratulations!!  The whole family is so excited for you both!

A Christmas elf by the name of Mary Gilbert, who is also my sister-in-law, left a Christmas surprise at my door.  When I got home from church yesterday, there was a beautiful fresh wreath hanging on my door.  It smells so good Mary!  Love the ornaments on it, especially the Charger one.  Thank you so much!  Love it!

Speaking of my Chargers.....they lost yesterday.  They certainly did not look like the power house team they did for the last couple of weeks.  That's okay though.  I still love them!  This Sunday we play the Kansas City Chiefs at home.  GO CHARGERS!!

Here is a picture of Tyler with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Pioneers Hospital's annual Christmas Tea Party.  He wasn't so sure about sitting on his lap.  Tyler has a snowman painted on his cheek.

Prayer requests:  Let's devote today to praying for our families.  Pray for our moms and dads, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, etc...Pray for them joy, peace, protection, good health and love.  Pray for their immediate needs and for God's blessings on their lives.

Luke 2 verses 8 & 9: That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord.  They were badly frightened.  To be continued.....

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

Christmas question......Do you have a Christmas countdown calendar in your home??  Only 19 more days until Christmas!  Enjoy the fun spirit of each day!

Good Saturday morning!!  We had a blast yesterday celebrating my 2 year anniversary of being cancer free.  I had parents and co-workers hugging and "happy dancing" with me.  Then when I got done with work,  Mike and I went off to pick up Tyler and take him to the Pioneer Hospital's Annual Christmas Tea Party, where we met Jenna.   What a great and fun way to kick off the Christmas season!  Tyler got his face painted, he sat on Santa Claus' lap and got to see Mrs. Claus.  Tyler also met Santa's elf's.  Tyler even went on his first pony ride.  There were tons of games to play and food to eat with the most upbeat and fun Christmas music playing.  The kids all received tons of goodies.  I will have a few pictures to share with you next week.  Thanks to Clyde and all the people at PMH who put that together.  We had the best time!

Then it was off to meet Jeff and Ryan and to celebrate the rest of the night by eating Italian food at Carrinos.  So much fun and we were stuffed!  Of course we kept enough room in our stomachs to end up at Jenna & Ryan's afterwards for cupcakes!  What a day!  Then when we finally made it home I looked through the mail and receved the sweetest cards from so many friends.  THANK YOU!!!  What was written in those cards meant the world to me.  Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments and e-mails too.  Happy tears right now....

Here is a picture of Tyler with one of his new birthday toys.  He loves riding around on it.

I have a quick question for anyone who has had this before.  What do you think of the baby Einstein learning stuff?  Like it?  Should I look into it for Tyler?  Looks like they have some cool things.  Let me know.  leslie@mgilbert.net

Looking forward to another fun and busy day today.  My son Jeff and I are going to take care of some stuff for Christmas and then I am getting together tonight with a few friends for some more Christmas fun.  I absolutely love this time of year!  It is wonderful seeing so many kids excited and families in the Christmas spirit. 

I would like to wish my dear friend Shelly Osuna a very "Happy Birthday" today!!  Have a super fun day today and eat lots of cake!  :)

Tomorrow is church and then my San Diego Chargers are at home playing the Oakland Raiders.  GO CHARGERS!!

Prayer requests:  There have been several prayer requests from parents who would like prayer for their children.  That God would give their children the wisdom to make the right decisions in life and that the parents know how to help them.  Also for a friend who had a minor surgery yesterday.  That she will heal quickly and that the test results come back good.

Luke 2 verses 6 & 7: And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the villiage inn.  To be continued....

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!  See you on Monday!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!  Remember to take the time to remember the reason of why we are celebrating Christmas.  It is the celebration of the birth of our Savior!!  Thank you God!

Christmas question of the day.......what do you put on the top of your Christmas tree???

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND TO ALL OF US!!!  2 YEARS OF BEING CANCER FREE!!!  THANK YOU GOD!!!  MIRACLES DO HAPPEN AND ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!  PRAISE THE NAME OF GOD!

Good Friday morning!  Yay!!  So happy that the weekend is here!  After I get off of work this afternoon, Poppi and I will be picking up Tyler and meeting Jenna at the hospital where she and Mike work, for the annual Holiday Tea Party and to have Tyler see Santa Claus. Yes....Santa is taking a little break from the North Pole and will be visiting the hospital this afternoon. Of course I will get pictures of Tyler and Santa and share with you later. 

Then it is off to CELEBRATE my 2 year anniversary of being CANCER FREE with my family!!  I have to say again what a journey this has been!  For the last 3 years we have prayed for, encouraged, laughed, cried, loved and celebrated each other.  By God's grace and healing power I am able to celebrate this day with happy tears of joy!  Take a second right now and do a little "Happy Dance"!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Thank you all for believing and having such tremendous faith.  God bless you all!

To all of my Waggoner School co-workers.......I am bringing donuts this morning to kick off the celebration!

Here is Tyler making a silly face......

Prayer requests:  For a woman who tried committing suicide, and was unsuccessful because a friend found her in time.  She has two young children and is still on a suicide watch.  Please pray for her whole family, especially her parents right now for strength.  Please pray that she gets the help she needs and will find peace and joy in her heart again to live.

Luke 2 verse 1:  About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation.  verses 3, 4 & 5:  Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration.  And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David's ancient home--journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth.  He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.  To be continued....

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

Christmas Question:  Do you have any lawn decorations out for Christmas?

Good Thursday morning!  Still smiling HUGE here! How is everyone's week going?  I wanted to tell you about what I experienced when I was in my room waiting for Dr. McClay to come examine me and give me the news.  As I was sitting there I knew so many of you were praying for me at that exact time.  I know this is going to sound crazy but bear with me for a moment.  I felt this ring of light surrounding Mike and I, like we were being surrounded by angels or something.  I had this overwhelming sense of peace and just knew in my heart that everything was going to be alright.  I felt like we were being protected.  So I cannot thank you all enough for praying for both Mike and I and our family.  When I say that I felt your prayers.....I meant it.

I found this prayer when I first started this cancer journey.  I pray this prayer often and it has helped me so much.  Dear God, with your help I will endeavor to keep my heart merry each day, because I know that a merry heart does me good like a medicine.  Thank you, Father.  I will endeavor to walk in the joy you impart to me, because I know your joy is my strength.  Amen.

Here are a couple of pics from Joaquin Jaime's 1st birthday party.  This is Jenna, Tyler, and Aunt Jenny holding her nephew Joaquin.  Jenna and Jenny went through school together.

Here is Jenna holding Tyler who was very happily playing with a balloon.

Thank you to Gina, Amy and Grace for HOPE.  Grace.....you are an angel put on earth and I thank you for the blessing.  May God keep HOPE alive in all of our hearts.

Prayer requests:  For those who are fighting a chronic disease.  I have received a request from someone who would like us all to keep them in their prayers because daily life is such a struggle and from time to time depressing.  This person has asked for strength and relies on God's grace daily to get them through each day.  Let's continue to pray for a cure from these dibilitating diseases.  Thanks everyone.

Matthew 1 verses 19, 20 & 21:  Then Joseph, her fiance, being a man of stern principle, decided to break the engagement but to do it quietly, as he didn't want to publicly disgrace her.  As he lay awake considering this, he fell into a dream, and saw an angel standing beside him.  "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "don't hesitate to take Mary as your wife!  For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning 'Savior'), for he will save his people from their sins.

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

Christmas question???   Do you hang a wreath on your door?  Yes I do.