Epic Road Trip ...part 1

Yesterday afternoon just before Edmonton, Alberta, Canada we hit what we believe was the half way point between Arlington Texas and Anchorage Alaska. We have decided that there is no doubt, if weren't certifiably crazy before, we are now!!!!

After researching routes, I know that the fact of the matter is there is no short route to Edmonton from Texas.... however, we're pretty sure that driving through miles and miles of miles or farmland (imagine driving through North Dakota for 3 days) in Southern Canada is about as long as you can get!!!! In addition to the fields, we have seen 4 deer... all d.o.a. on the side of the road, a chipmunk, and a squirrel... The highlight so far has been a 2 hour walk through North America's largest mall.... wasn't terribly impressed with the mall, but it felt really, REALLY good to walk.

We have really enjoyed it, most of the time, anyway... but, after way to many jokes about Canadian Mounted Police, yellow bellied maple sap suckers, and my northern accent (wait... that wasn't a joke????), we are VERY ready to head north and find the Canada you see on the post cards...

So we're off... Dawson Creek and the Alaskan Highway, here we come!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun and Even When You're Not!

I think I've probably used this title before, but it seems so true again....

The last 2 months have just flown by, and although we've had some fun times, memorable occasions and some good laughs, I wouldn't really catorgorize my visit to Texas this time as 'fun.'

As most of you know, my mom was diagnosed with esophagus cancer just after the new year. The Dr.'s prescribed a heavy dose of radiation therapy with a side of chemotherapy. Since God has blessed me to be a stay at home, homeschooling mom, , I decided it was once again time to take school on the road so I (and later Rian) headed to Texas.

While I'd like to say that Mom breezed through treatments, I can't lie.... I can however say what a 'trooper' she has been... No matter how bad she felt she went to each appointment, never missing or delaying one. No matter how much pain and disgust she felt, she always did her best to suck down several nasty protein shakes each day. (Ensure, laced with body builders protein....calories and high protein, yes! ...As for taste... Gerad took one smell and said "you're feeding these to Grandma??? No wonder she's sick!..." gotta love that boy's wit!) No matter how sick, she never really complained, although she did ask me to shoot her a couple of times. Luckily she is a very, very, good patient so I never even considered that request!

This trip has been mostly spent here at home (or at the Arlington Cancer Center) with mom and dad, but I have also been able to squeeze in some really fun stuff! First, I got to visit with my niece Randi. She is such an inspiration to me! Seeing how God has turned her life around is amazing, and the joy and contentment she has while she faces several more years in prison is amazing! Truly God's work in her life! In addition to that my dear friend Tish came to see me and we enjoyed at day at the Ft. Worth Stock Yards, something I had not done in years!

AND... the highlight of the entire time here has got to be making the trip to Arkansas to see Gerad graduate, with honors, from Harding University. We are so proud of him!!!

While in Searcy we also were blessed to visit with friends we had not seen in more than 20 years. It is so amazing how those bonds can withstand miles and years and be as if no time had passed at all.... God is so, so, good!!!!!

Mom's initial treatments are finished now, and she is ever so slowly getting her strength back. She is still 'living on Ensure' but she is pressing on and trying everyday to eat real food. In a week or two they will do more scans and then mostly likely remove what ever is left of the tumor with surgery.

I am so thankful for the prayers that I know have been poured out on her behalf, and ask that you continue to pray for her (and my dad) as she still has many hard days ahead! I also ask that you pray for me. On one hand I know I have to go, and am very ready to be home. But leaving , even on the best of days, is never easy. . . .

The boys and I head out this morning on the most Epic Road Trip Ever.... to make a long story short, I bought a vehicle while I was here, and the 3 of us are driving it back to anchorage.... in the very least, it should create some good blogging material!!!!!

My Spring Break

Now that Rian is safely home and all is back to 'normal' (like that even exists?!) I thought I'd tell you about MY spring break while we wait for Rian to finish gathering his thoughts on his trip.

Alhough the first days were extremely quiet, and I was VERY ready for his return after 10 days, I really have to admit that I quite enjoyed the time! The last couple months has been very stressful for me and my family (more on that later) so that time with fewer responsibilities and distractions was a very welcome break!

Rick took a couple of days of leave so we were able to tie up some loose ends, like finishing that quick Bathroom project (which turned into a month long ordeal).

I also took some time to finish the valance for my bedroom, do some shopping and spent a lot of time reading, praying and just enjoying the solitude. We also took advantage of the sunny weather and bright blue skies and took a drive out to the Palmer/Wasilla area to do a little sight

seeing.... we didn't see anything new, but everything looks so different with a beautiful layer of new snow on it.

Like I said, I was more than ready for Rian to be home! He had a wonderful trip and we have enjoyed hearing about it! He is in the process of writing a letter to those of you who supported him on his trip and once those letters have gone out I'll post it here for you all to read. I also have to say (because it makes me sound like a better mother) that I am a bit saddened that I am now going to be leaving him for a few weeks...

While life tends to be a bit stressful on a daily basis for all of us, the added stress in my life lately is due to the fact that my mother has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. While she is holding her own at this point (if you know my mom, you know that she is one tough cookie!) she is facing some pretty long days in the coming weeks as they begin radiation and chemotherapy treatments. We were planning a trip south later in the spring for Gerad's graduation, so it just seemed natural for me to head down a bit early and be there in case there is something I can do to help. I am hoping to leave early this coming week on a "hop" to Travis where I'll spend a few days holding that sweet grandson of mine before heading down to Texas. Rick and Rian will join me later.

Although we have had some really nice days lately, and spring is certainly on its way to Anchorage, break-up is my least favorite time of the year here!!! And, while I am not excited about the reason I'm leaving, I am excited about some consistent warm sunshine and green grass!!! I appreciate so much all you who have been and will be praying for my mom and all our family as we go through this difficult time. We have already seen God's hand in so many ways and are trusting Him to provide everything we need and to do great things through this.