Hospice and Communion

 

 This is mom doing one of her tube feedings.  I ended up having to take this over because her hands were too weak to hold it up.

 This was taken this past Saturday, August 20th.

 Amy and Gracie (who is wearing one of mom's crowns) and Mom.

My oldest two boys with mom.  Anderson was sick and had to stay back with Mary Ann.

 This was right after communion with mom.

This past weekend, (Friday the 19th to be exact), we made the painful decision to call in hospice for my mom. Her PET scan from a few weeks ago showed that the cancer has spread and her primary tumor is now taking up a majority of the room in her stomach. Her oncologist gave her two options at that time- hospice or one last chemo. For weeks, we, as a family, struggled with the decision. Mom was determined that her fight was not over and that she needed to try the chemo. She said she needs to be here to watch her grandchildren grow up and she wasn't ready to quit. However, her body has grown just too weak and she made the painful decision that it was time for hospice.

Hospice was at my parents' house by lunch on Friday, and by that evening, everything was set up.  Mom had some good pain relief and was on her way to being comfortable for the first time in 2 years.  On Saturday, my sister and her crew, Tyson and the big boys (I had already come home by that point), and my cousin and her crew all came to be with my mom.  Later that evening, the preacher at my parents' church, Dr. Gilstrap, came over and gave us communion.  As you can imagine it was so very hard...lots of tears were shed, but then again, it was the most spiritually bonding moment I've had between my family.  The preacher read a few passages, but this one obviously hit home for us:

John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Braces!!!

Last Wednesday, August 17th, Jake got braces!!  He'll probably only wear them around 9 months or so, but his cross bite (that we worked so hard to correct) is already coming back.  Grr.  Anyways, he loves them..for now. ;)

Fan Fest

 W and J with Gus

 W with LB Ironhead Gallon

 Stealing some of Daddy's shade

 Seniors Andy Kwon, Jamal Johnson, and Kevin Ellison

 Neighbors!!

This past Saturday was Fan Fest at Georgia Southern.  Some really smart person decided to schedule it for noon...in Statesboro...in August...on the turf field that has no shade.  Grr.  I think I lost 10 lbs that day from sweat alone!  Haha!  It was a blast, nonetheless. Tyson was super busy, so the boys and I just kind of hung out, played on the inflatables, and got pics and high fives from the players. 

First Day of School!

On Thursday August 11th, Jake started 3rd grade and Walker started Kindergarten.  They are finally back at the same school!  Woo hoo!!  Everything has gone well for both!

On Friday August 12th, Anderson started Preschool with the 2 year olds.  He was supposed to start earlier in the week, but he had some sort of funky viral throat infection and ran a fever for 4 days!!!  After 24 hours of being fever free, off he went to school!!  He has cried every day at drop off, so that will take some time for him to get used to.  The good news, though, is that his teacher used to sub in his classroom last year and he calls her his girlfriend. :)  I'm sure he'll have a great year once he gets used to having to be away from his mama.

Please excuse the low quality of these pictures- it was so dang humid and we were in such a rush, that I didn't have time to defog my camera.  A camera crew was following us in the school to see Tyson drop the boys off, and it was rush rush rush all morning long.  Whew! So glad it's behind us!

Dad's 74th Birthday

We celebrated my dad's 74th birthday on Aug. 6.  The boys and I were able to drive down for the day and spend it with my parents; we brought cake and presents...I think my dad was pretty excited. :)  Happy birthday, Dad!

Beautiful Eagle Creek

Click here for the article about Tyson's Baptism at Beautiful Eagle Creek