Show Us Your Life~Christmas Trees

I decided to join the blog hop with Kelly's Korner to showcase our Christmas tree. I normally have two trees, but due to my recent surgery we only put up one tree this year. I decorate my tree in red, white and blue since 9/11. I even found online a stars and stripes tree skirt, which I love!

My mother-in-law made red, white and blue bows to add to my tree as well as the
blue and gold bow on the top of our tree.

I also chose to do a patriotic tree because for many years my mom has purchased my siblings and me an ornament from the White House Historical Association. My mom still buys one for us each year. I started the tradition with my mother-in-law when Mike and I started dating and I continue to get one each year for my mother-in-law. This is one of my favorites and it's the 2000 ornament.

What a great day. . .full of blessings and prayers answered!

I was surprised about a month ago when several office personnel came to my classroom carrying flowers and other treats. I was then greeted by Rodney Beck who congratulated me on winning a nomination of Teacher of the Month for Gulf Coast Family Newspapers. It was a blessing that day b/c I had just been to the hospital for my pre-op testing and began to worry. God knew I needed this blessing to help me realize that I was making the right decision about when I was having my surgery. The students and parents said wonderful things that I hope I can live up to. The students and parents even made a scrapbook thanking me for a successful school year so far! How awesome to have parents and students that love, support and pray for you! I received a call yesterday that the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper was distributed. The elementary director at my school brought me five copies! I'm so honored and humbled as I read the comments. Thank you to all the supportive parents I have had in the past and now! You can check out www.gulfcoastfamily.org for more information on the Tampa Bay area.

The parents and students were so thoughtful and had a cake decorated with my favorite color along with my favorite flower! I enjoyed looking through the magazine today while still recovering at home.

On a different note, I went to the doctor today as a follow up to my surgery and found out great news! I went into the surgery not knowing if this would solve all the medical problems I had been facing. Today I got the answer that so many of you have been praying for. The pathology report came back with reports from a doctor at Harvard Medical School and the leading trophoblastic specialist in Great Britain all stating that this is a very uncommon and unusual case, but that all three of the doctors confirm that there was a 6mm tumor in the back of my uterus. This is a huge burden lifted from our lives. I am so thankful to Dr. Arango and Michelle for being so patient and willing to help in this long process.
Tomorrow, December 4, marks 6 years that we have been dealing with my medical issues. Everyone at Dr. Arango's office was celebrating with us on this wonderful news. I will continue to do blood work for the next few months to monitor my progress. Mike and I prayed before we went to the doctor and again after praising God for being faithful and answering our prayers(Your prayers~words cannot express my gratitude for all the prayers. I even received a phone call tonight from 4 little boys who called to check on me~those Fodrill boys are soooo precious.) We chose to end our celebration by enjoying God's creation which we live so close. I'm also thankful for a wonderful caring husband who has stuck with me~through sickness and in health~5 surgeries, tens' of tests, hundreds of needle sticks and millions of prayers. I'm so glad I serve a God who is faithful and still working in my life.

We will now begin the next chapter in our lives. . .

Thanksgiving 2009

This year Thanksgiving was very different, but am thankful on how everything worked out. I had surgery on November 18 so my parents, sister, niece, Grandma, brother and sister-in-law all traveled over 500 miles to help Mike and me after my surgery. This meant that my family and Mike's family would all be together for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to have everyone together. Grandma made a delicious ham, au gratin potatoes and pumpkin pie. Mike's mom fixed green bean casserole and yummy rolls. My mom prepared sweet potato crunch and broccoli salad. My Grandma made pecan pie. And I ordered a pumpkin cake from our favorite little restaurant Clubhouse (owned by Bob and Patti Towner). It was delicious and everyone was trying to figure out exactly how Patti made this yummy dessert. Thanks Patti for everything!!!

I am thankful for everyone's help, meals made, cards, texts, calls and prayers. I go back to the doctor on Thursday for a surgery follow up and for blood work to get results on Friday. The blood work will give my doctor information to know if the surgery was the answer to all of my medical problems. Thanks for praying and please continue to pray.