Sydney Kate Good

Sydney Kate 
Your's is the last birthday of the year and you couldn't wait -- you've wanted every day to be YOUR day and yesterday it was!

You came downstairs at 6:00 am singing Happy Birthday to yourself -- not knowing mommy and daddy were sitting on the couch waiting for you.

All day when someone called you sweetie or cutie-pie -- you reminded them you were "the Birthday Girl and you'd flash that "I'm the star of the show" smile.

Pappa and I hurried home from Texas to be able to celebrate with you.  Papa is a favorite with your little buddies.

With your mommy's kitchen still in shambles -- she insisted that it was going to be a great party for a special little 3 yr old.

Your little friend, Olivia came to celebrate with you.

You were the laid back baby and toddler -- always ready for bed -- you'd get baby and blankie and stick your thumb in your mouth and be off to dreamland in no time. 

Your cuddles are oooh so sweet!

You have been the one with the sweet little smile - singin' from the back seat- lovin' life and and watching your big sister for cues.  We love seeing what your curiosity gets you into.

You make up songs about your baby brudder -- and are proud of his accomplishments.




You wag "Baby" every where you go and often times the rest of us have to babysit her while you play.  Just like you're never far from Baby -- you always keep mommy in sight.

Papa is your best buddy and always ready to play jumpy, jumpy --
give elephant rides or ride you on his shoulders

You have your own fashion sense and your mommy is smart in that she let's you express yourself.  Here you are getting yourself dressed for the 5K last month. . . still sporting that Doc McStuffin bandaid from your "boo boo" the night before.

You went upstairs to find your supergirl cape to help you solve a puzzle. . . 

These pictures capture some of our favorite times with you.  They can't begin to say how blessed we are to have you in our lives.  

Growing . . .

Clara turned  7 weeks yesterday and I just have to post these new pics her momma sent us!  I so wish we could be there!

Our Story

The other night at bedtime – we were reading Bible stories and Campbell said,  

“I want to write a Bible story and have Parker and I in it, playing in Heaven.” 

The Bible stories are so real to her and she lives between the eternal and the now so much of the time as she relates what she just learned in Sunday school. That night, when she saw the Acts 2 story of the apostles with flames of fire on their heads - speaking in other languages -- She said --

 "I want fire on my head, too -- I don't know French and I want to to speak it."

Sydney came home from preschool with this picture of Noah  the other day – when her momma asked her what it was – she said --

"It's Papa -- he didn't have a nose or eyes or head and I rainbowed Him one"

This thought has been buzzin' around in my head for the past 3 weeks -- 

What if God were still writing the Book and my story was in it??? 

Growing up in Church we used to sing the old song
“this is my story—this is my song”

REALLY?  

. . . in black and white for the thousands of generations to read??

I like those stories of faith you find in Hebrews 11 –

BUT When you look at the OT people – they were people just like us --- the good the bad and the ugly of their lives it’s all there.

I can identify with those less than perfect people in the Old and New Testament –

What I like is that Jesus takes our stories and finishes them -- HE covers our story with HIS grace --

It's like Heb. 12 calls him "the author and perfector" of our Faith.

I'm countin' on that!!!

Sleepover

I love that verse in Rev. 2 or 3 to "do the things you did at first".  That's sort of what we've had when the girls come over for a play date recently.  They have to do everything they used to do  just to make it real. 

Jack joined us in the morning - as I'm a little better at keeping up with this busy boy!  He always has that precious grin.














Campbell and Sydney have been asking for a sleepover since first of July.  Recently they have been saying, "Nana, I think your boo, boo is better and it's about time for a sleepover" Yesterday we finally did it!   My energy is BACK!  I am feeling as good as I did before things started in early December.

IT was a fun day . . . 

Lunch at Chick Fil A

shopping at Wal-Mart

                                                           Time in the sand castle

PUMPKIN DECORATING - C decided to trace her shoe on the pumpkin????  not sure why? 

Papa built us a fire in the old smoker and we made s'mores outside before baths.

Our morning ritual of hot cocoa as soon as we wake up.  They loved using their momma and uncle Marshall's cups

. . . 
....... I love the SWEET BED TIME ROUTINES ---
stories, prayers, a bunch of hugs and lots of questions --
S:  I just have one question--- why do I have to go to sleep? said one tired little 3 yr. old.
C: "Nana, why is it so much fun to come to your house?"  

WOW kid, that'll get you another invite REAL soon.

I can't wait until this little gal can come visit Nana and Papa for sleepovers

Clara's hospital visit - daddy has had some LONG days.

GOD Talk

Sydney has prayed to go to preschool for almost a year.  On the first day she walked in the door, turned around to her mother and said, "LEAVE"!

Friday night we were sitting around our kitchen table and I asked her, "Sydney, did you go to preschool yesterday?"

S:  I did and God was there.

J:  Did HE talk to you?

S:  Yes.


So on yesterday as the girls excitedly got together in the car and caught up with each other, 
Campbell asked Sydney,  "Was God at preschool today?"

S:  No.

C:  Where was HE?

S:  He was up in Heaven coloring!

I want to live today knowing HE is up there tuned in to my activities -- like Sydney feels HIM with Hers.

Happy One -- ONE MONTH Today!!!

Clara's keeping her dark hair  -- proud g'ma & g'pa

It Takes A Village

Terry's words at all the help and support of the 5K Susan B. Komen was "It takes a village!"
My "village" turned out to walk, push the double seater bob stroller, buy a shirt, or made a donation.
Some of my teacher friends wore their "Joy for Jan" shirts on yesterday.

Wasn't sure I could make it the whole way.  .  . put on my big girl socks I got from my sister-in-law, Char, and headed out.




When your 5 yr. old granddaughter is walking the first mile holding your hand --you kinda have to suck it up and keep moving!!!

On the way home, Campbell told her Momma, "I think Nana won that race."  We're all winners sweet baby girl, if we can stop this dreaded disease to protect your momma and you and Sydney Kate and Aunt Katie and Baby Clara!!!
I know that's what your Grammy and I want from this. . .

Having friends along the route to talk to --Pam with a hip that is fragile - painful - --Marianne  an 18-month survivor -- my 3 little "Goodletts" and their momma, her friends, Cori and Heather and lots of our Church family who wore shirts and walked -- Ron and Cheri -- thank you bunches!!!

Love this gal!  We've watched her grow into a beautiful woman.  Cori's always been a spark of enthusiasm and lots of laughter!  I so loved being able to catch up with her this morning



Yeah Cademon for running 3 miles with your daddy at the early morning run!!!

Cademon got 2nd place in his division

I loved it,  -Roman doing the walk with his Aunt Renatta -- the day of his birthday party!!!!  WOW

And then from behind came our 3 Obert-thornes with their momma -- Yea -- Rey, Luke and Kennedy it was so good to see you all!

!!

I got to walk and talk for a short trek with Stephanie a young mom I have been praying for -- and she for me.  We share a mutual friend, Cassie who has kept us both informed of the other person's progress.  It was great to be able to meet her!  She's kickin' it!!!

Pit time for the crew!!!  Momma was armed with lots of snacks.  Part of the way momma was pushing all three and uphill at that!

Crossing with my fav #1 Cheerleader -- she planned and organized this whole day!!

Close to the finish line was Mondo, Leeca, her parents, Mike and Neta and their extended family.  Just the push I needed to make it across the finish line!

Our little "Goodletts" make it all GOOD!  

My village, as you've heard me say before, is made up of sooooo many special people who each in their own way have lightened our load.  You make me laugh -- you bring me joy!

I got a "good job grandma" text from Clara yesterday afternoon!

Fighting for the Children

                                               
                                                            
One of my students, Kelzie, has made me aware of the pressing need for support of children going through cancer treatment. Unlike Breast Cancer - childhood cancer research is underfunded.
Kelzie is close to Kodi, a six-yr old girl fighting the battle of her life with courage.  Our FCCLA, NHS, STUCCO and the remainder of the student body sponsored the fight last week and raised over $3000 for this effort.
At tonight's game some 60+ families of these children will have their own section in the stands at Owasso's Homecoming Football game.  
Kelzie brought Kodi to my classroom last Thursday afternoon and I was able to give her a special survivor bracelet given to me during the worst of my treatments.  
These young kids go through lumbar punctures, chemo, platelet treatments and so many other procedures during a week.  They have reactions to their medications just like we big people do - My heart hurts thinking about them going through these procedures.  

This link shows a compelling video that our students saw last Thursday showing local children in this fight against cancer.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lu776j1iglf2mb2/My%20Movie%202.wmv?dl=0

Waiting

Just about the time I was gaining momentum - I fell and then got a case of bronchitus - I found myself a few days ago thinking I was never going to feel like my old self.

BUT GOD -- I love those two words -- They are the interuption to all our moaning and groaning -- all our wimpiness --

BUT GOD -- each day sent a reminder that I WAS kickin' it with encouragement from someone and that part of the growth process in all of this was learning to WAIT.

Waiting to heal, 
or the next treatment 
or surgery.  
We've come so far -- so much healing has happened.  


I find that with 2-3 weekly doctor appointments, teaching and general not feeling well -- there hasn't been a lot of time for spontaniety and fun -- getting through a day of teaching and making it home to rest made up most of my days.

Yesterday I got to have the girls for a play day - -- it was oh so good to have them here.  Just listening to their chatter as they played was such good Rx.

Sydney:  God is nice -- We don't want to make him sad.
Me:  What makes him happy?
Sydney:  Children!!!


Campbell:  When you are feeling just a little bit better can we have a sleepover?
Me:  Yes, we'll do that soon
C:  Good, then we can do whatever we want!
Campbell has been known to say, "Nana and Papa's house -- where the answer is always 'Yes"'!

They had to do all the usual things we do.

We had a picnic outside and played in the sand castle -- made cookies and watched kid tv -- and even sewed.  Getting in their world puts it all in the right perspective.  

And pictures of sweet Baby Clara keeps us smiling!

3 weeks!

To Clara

Papa and I loved getting to meet you for the very first time.  We spent the weekend cuddling with you -- we just couldn't get enough snuggles because long distance face timing just isn't the same!  It seemed like you'd never get here. You're the answer to all our prayers.  We know God has something very special for you

You are never far from
Momma's arms

 Daddy can't get enough of you ---

We adore your cute little faces

Yes, Sweet Clara - we waited a long time to get to meet you!

and we even got to be your very first baby sitters!

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 1:17, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (NIV)

This was in my Proverbs 31 devotional this morning -- I needed it.

My last 3 days haven't gone as planned --

Extreme dizziness from an anti-cancer drug causing me to  fall out of the tub getting ready for Church on Sunday (don't even do the visual on that one) followed by a trip to the Urgent Care instead of Worship--

Missing a call from my surgeon's office that they were changing my appointment -- only to show up yesterday afternoon (in extreme pain on my right side b/c of the fall) and wanting to know how it was that they hadn't written down my appointment -- ooooh RED FACE HERE when I realized I hadn't found that message on my phone.

Embarassed that it was "my bad" -- but ever so thankful the doctor would go ahead and see me and check out my soreness.

Last night was a restless night in a pain that no meds could touch -- 

BUT GOD -- holds it all together -- HE keeps us glued together and content in HIM.   I couldn't help but remember my standing up -- not falling down passage -- "Now to HIM who is able to keep you from falling" -- from Jude 24.

It's going to be a day of LEANING IN and LEANING ON HIM  --- AND enjoying daily pics from this precious little one!

We can't wait to meet this little one in person this weekend!

Dear God, Help me let go of the constructed life and embrace the connected life, even if it means I don’t get all my work finished. Remind me to be still in Your presence so I might remember that my soul is made to find my rest in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.