Pray, Pray, Pray

Last Thursday, May 27th , we received some news that is both frightening and shocking to us.

I have always wondered how people face trials that are so difficult. I think to myself, how do they deal with it? I know the answer: God and God alone. Just a year ago when we lost Josianne, GOD was the one who carried us through. I know that God's grace and mercy are poured out upon us when we need it. Even though I know these truths, when bad news is laid upon you, it still rocks you and shakes your world... At least that's what happens to me. Then I am met by God's grace and mercy...once I get my focus back on Him and off of the problem.

Back to last Thursday...

Through a random stream of events, we found out that Greg has prostate cancer. Cancer: that has to be one of the scariest words to me. I hate that word, and everything that goes with it. I am thankful that it has been found, but unsure and scared for the future. Who wouldn't be? I'm just being very real. I trust God and his plans, but that doesn't mean that my feeble mind and heart struggle to accept things that are difficult.

The plan:

We have a week full of doctor's appointments. Please pray for us and our children, I really don't think they will know the severity of everything right now, but we will have to inform them to some degree.

On June 3rd, Greg has a CT scan and bone scan. Our prayer is that the cancer is confined to the prostate, we will know after the scans. Until then, we both fear the unknown. Pray with us for confinement of the cancer and that peace would be so overwhelming. On Monday, the 7th, we meet with the surgeon. He will go over all of the scans and will give us more direction. As of now, if confined to the prostate, the options are surgery or chemo. We are blessed to live so close to St. Louis, therefore, we are at the heart of a major medical hub. There's a surgeon at Barnes Jewish Washington University who performs a robotic surgery removing the prostate; this surgery is less evasive and recovery is much quicker in comparison to the old school prostatectomy. There are many more details to fall into place, please pray that all would go as quick as possible. Greg is ready to finish this chapter in his life; I am too. I feel as though the last 5 days have been so long. It's as though we are walking under a cloud. Other moments, we are busy eating up life, and doing fun things...just like normal. All with the cancer word now in our lives. Did I mention that I hate that word?

Last night, as I closed a day of family fun as we celebrated Memorial Day, these verses were part of my devotion (thank you God for your perfect timing). Again, please pray for us; Thank you...as I know you will be lifting us up as we are standing in the need of prayer.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let if be afraid." John 14:27

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for YAH, the Lord is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26: 3,4

Happy 7th Jannah Grace

Tell me it isn't so! Tell me that my sweet girl is not really 7 years old...I just can't take it, she's growin' up too fast! Regardless of the fact that time is going by way too fast, today was the day to celebrate Jannah, as she turned 7! The day was hers, Greg was off, and we made it a whole day of celebration and fun. It was all her pick and boy, did she keep us busy!

Our day started with donuts from none other than, Krispy Kreme...it was sooo good. Especially when we walked in and were all handed a hot one; they said it was a sample. They didn't have to twist our arms to "try" it; like we didn't know those hot ones are addictive and delicious! After filling up on sugar, sugar and more sugar, we set off for the St. Louis Zoo. The day was gorgeous and there was a nice breeze blowing, the best part was that the zoo was not overly crowded! We took our time and enjoyed watching and observing all the animals. Jannah's favorite animal was the giraffe, Jordan's was the snakes!

Do I need to tell you that Jannah wanted me to take this picture? As well as the posing with sticks picture. Jordan did strike many poses for me with the stick...I must post that later, it's a good laugh!

After the zoo, Jannah requested that we go to the hibachi grill for dinner...so we got dressed up for the occasion, she was so excited to put her dress on to go out to eat, along with some of my make-up and lipstick! She really thinks she's older than7...

After dinner, it was time for cake and presents! She's waited all day to open them...and she was excited to finally get her hands on those presents!

Happy day my sweet little 7 year old!

*Jamison wants nothing to do with the camera...that's why he's not in one single picture! Just thought you should know that!

And then there was blue!

Oh painting, how I like and dislike you all in one! We moved in our house last August; we are really happy to be here and love our home. The only problem was that there were sooo many white walls, we knew we had to paint! Being in the military and moving around so often, we have never painted, BUT we decided it was time to make this home "ours." So, back in September, we started painting all of the walls. My daddy helped out a lot when they visited last November...actually he and Greg painted almost the entire time he was here! And, they did the majority. G and I have been slowly working on finishing up the rest.The boys' room was next to the last room to paint. Not sure why, we just kept holding off on that room! But, last weekend it was supposed to be raining, and I told Greg we should paint, what else were we going to do?!?!? I get such wild hairs sometimes!!! Alas,the color was picked out, we started prepping the room, and realized we were out of rollers! So, at 9 something, Greg ran to Home Depot; isn't it always nice to finally be motivated to start something only to find out you are short one thing, just one important thing? We didn't let that stop us! On Saturday night, around 9:30, we started painting. Little did we know this project would be so time consuming, not sure why...but it took forever to complete! After we were all done (on Sunday), we were so pleased and glad to see it over! I like it * a lot * Every time we paint, I'm always a little nervous about how the color will actually turn out...you know going into it that it always looks different than the color chip! We have learned one very, valuable lesson in painting. Here's my painting tip: Always, always, always buy the sample can; it's worth $3, and try it out before you commit to the $40 can and have a color on your wall that your not crazy about! Trust me!

Without any further delay, here's to the newest color in my life...

Little Gymnast

Jamison finished his gymnastics session at the Little Gym; we did a mommy and me class. I enjoyed my time alone with him, and he looked forward to "mastics" every week! Like Jordan, he also enjoyed the bars and rings. I 'm thinking we'll be taking mastics again...for now, it's onto summer fun though, with no time constraints and schedules! Yippee!!!

They are all waiting on their medals, once Jamison got his...he decided to be uncooperative for the camera!

We love our Grandparents!

Boy, do we ever love those grandparents! I just wish we lived closer to them! These are just a few of our memories from when they were here a few weeks ago for Greg's promotion ceremony. Come back and see us...soon!!!!!

Karate Kid

Jordan finished his last week of karate at the Little Gym. He took a gymnastics class for a little while, but got bored with it...so we gave karate a try for a couple of months. The session was from Jan-May, gave us something to do since going outside was not much of an option during winter! He was most excited about getting his medal and even wanted his picture taken! He learned a bit and was quite good at the bars and rings! For now, we are taking a break...ahh, summer, how I think I 'm gonna love you!

Take Me Out to the BALLGAME!!!

When you live 20 minutes from St. Louis...I think it's mandatory to become a St. Louis Cardinals fan! We will ALWAYS be Atlanta Braves fans at heart, but...this was bound to happen! We were dressed and ready for the game...can you see that? The 1st and 5th graders from Jannah's school sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch. It was so much fun and what a fun experience for her. I stepped back in time as we boarded the school buses to head down to the game; it's been a while! The boys were excited about the bus ride...and they weren't disappointed, it proved to be fun for all!

My love and I! Hey, these are the same colors as the Braves!

Sophie & Jannah...they met the first day of school, and have been kindred spirits ever since; could be that her parents are fellow Georgians!

In case you're wondering, this was his game face! He was content, the whole time! No surprise there!

The main event!!!! Not a good picture, rats! But, they sang their hearts out and the crowd cheered! Jannah is kneeling on the bottom row, about midways.

My favorite part of the night was when we got there and saw all of the people and vastness of the stadium, Jannah said to me, "we have to sing in front of all these people?!?!?"

Remember the MOMents

Jordan, oh, my sweet Jordan. I just never know when a sweet and tender side of Jordan might show up. When it does, be ready to have your heart touched. Today, after being out all morning, we came home and had a little while to play outside before nap time. My children think the 4 empty lots across the street from our house is their play area; we always go right over there for who knows what kind of adventure! Right now the lots are full of weeds, dandelions and this flower (see below). Jordan picked one and gave it to me, he was proud of the one he picked. I hugged him, BIG and said that I would have to put it in a vase inside. Then I told him maybe we could cut some more and he quickly got an idea...He wanted to cut them. So, he and I cut flowers for a good little while; I had a little handful once we got finished. He told me it was my "mom's day present". That was just precious to me. I told him my heart was happy and he said it was because he gave me such a good present. Mostly, I just loved following him around the field, holding and gathering all of the flowers he was cutting for me. My favorite part was the pride he took in his own actions, he was so pleased with himself for doing something that was touching someone else's heart...thank you Jesus for this MOMent!!!

This is exactly where Jordan wanted these flowers to go; I agreed that it was a perfect spot!

Mother's Day 2010

To my sweet children: May you always know that my love for you is deeper than you can fathom. I loved you before I knew you and my love for each of you has only gotten stronger through the years. Thank you, God for the blessing of being a mama.

Happy Mother's Day to our Mamas! We love you and appreciate you for all you have done and still do for us!

Lt. Col Promotion Ceremony!!!!

Well, I'm not sure if either one of us can believe it, but it's true...Greg's officially a Lt. Col!!!! I believe in him and I believe he has what it takes and I'm oh, so proud of him! I think I just can't believe he's this far in his military career and that he's old enough to be a LT . COl! There...I said it! Are we really old enough for this? When we married almost 11 years ago, I remember thinking the Lt. Col's were old and mature and their wives were too! So, what does that make us? Don't answer that question! On a serious note. I am very proud of Greg. Through the years, he has faithfully served his country and given of his time and efforts in so many ways. He is humble and wouldn't say this, but I can brag...he's good at what he does!

This journey has been a lot of things. It's been happy, sad, tiring, exhilarating, fun, not so fun. We have been stationed in Washington, Florida, Arkansas, Korea, and now Illinois. We've always tried to have the motto of "home is where-ever the military sends us." It's been fun of explorations for this south Georgia girl that never planned on leaving her hometown. We've made some incredible and lasting friendships over the years as we've moved around. We have seen the hand of God in our lives and know that even when we don't understand his plan, we can trust in Him.

I am honored to be the wife of Lt. Col Bailey and to stand by his side as he serves God and our country, the good ole' USA!!