Grandparent Visit

February 26-28:  We were lucky to have my parents come for a weekend to watch the kids play basketball and to babysit for us while we attended the YMCA Gala.  We had a fun filled weekend... games, movies, playing outside, basketball games, cookie decorating, face-timing Aunt Kassie, and a fun date night for me and Marc!

Macey's 6th Birthday

February 19:  So Macey's birthday was on Monday and we did have her party, but we didn't get to do a family dinner, or breakfast cinnamon role, or presents... so we had a "re-do" on Friday to celebrate our oh-so-sweet 3rd child... 

Lindsey's Last Chemo

February 16:  I had such the HUGE privilege of traveling through this cancer journey with my sweet friend Lindsey.  I'm so glad she asked me in the start of it all to come do a treatment day with her.  I'm so glad her sweet friend Jade organized different family & friends to send flowers to the treatment center at EVERY one of her treatments.  I'm so thankful that her HUGE smile and shining personality stole the hearts of the doctors, nurses, and staff who worked with her through this process.  I'm thrilled that she walked this road with honesty, transparency, humbleness, and most of all used this time to grow in her relationship to Christ and point others to HIM.  I'm so amazed that she continues to use this experience to encourage and lift up others.  I'm honored and blessed to call her friend.  She will never know (this side of Heaven) how many lives she has touched.  She is a hero.  An amazing woman.  This day was so special and one that I will not forgot!    

THIS smile!

 

Lindsey's Sister-in-laws made this awesome sign for her.  One of her favorite nurses made the banner to decorate her area.

Liz, Sarah, and I sent a basket of goodies!

Worship by Garrett and Adam

   

Tears of Joy at the sound of the final beep!

Lindsey, Jade, and Me

As each patient leaves their final treatment, they get to ring the bell--as friends, family and all the nurses/staff gather to cheer them on... tears of joy and applause of pure celebration!

Lindsey's "Cheering Section" for this final treatment--yes, we all had matching shirts on.  Lindsey's motto throughout this process, "We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure.  Hebrews 6:19"

 

I made these cookies for Lindsey to pass out to the nurses.

You must watch until the end of the video... Lindsey's smile at the end is so priceless!  She has always had (in my opinion) the BEST smile, but seeing it on this day, in this situation, with this music... Amazing! 


These words from our sweet friend Sarah sum this up perfectly:"This is one of the most beautiful videos I have seen. I keep watching it and crying, feeling the JOY and the HOPE of Jesus present in this moment. It's so evident. Not just because she is finishing such a long and life changing phase of this journey, but because of the music, and the cloud of witnessed surrounding her. I believe with all my heart that THIS IS CHURCH. Not a building. Not a service, but a community of imperfect people rising up in the midst of sorrow and joy. That beautiful Lindsey smile continues to inspire me and so many others."

Macey's Paw Patrol Party

February 15:  THIS girl!  And her love for Paw Patrol... a group of animals who are best friends.. that help people--it's a show that was made for my Macey!  We went back and forth a bit trying to decide what do for Macey's party but it really wasn't hard--she wanted to invite her WHOLE class (and some other friends) and she wanted a Paw Patrol party!  I had fun planning some activities.

We came up with the idea to make a little "Paws-port" for the kids to travel to different activities and earn stamps.  When they arrived at the party, they got to decorate their "paws-port"...

The FRONT:

 

The BACK:

 

Their activities included:  Coloring their Pawsport, Dog Treat (Cookie) Decorating, Pin the Badge on Skye, Doggie Bone Toss, Musical Chairs, and a Pinata.  After completing each fun game/activity they got a pawprint stamp.  

Dog-Treat Decorating (They each got to decorate 2 doggie bones to take home):

Eating Lunch:

Pin the Badge on Skye--Sadie helped Macey make this awesome poster and she also helped me at the party:

Doggie Bone Toss:

Gifts:

Musical Chairs:

And of Course--Cupcakes & Ice Cream:

Finishing off the Party with a Pinata...

Macey birthday fell on a Monday that the kids were out of school.  She had been sick the two days previous so I was so thankful she was feeling better.  I was also preparing to travel to Iowa for Lindsey's final chemo treatment (on the next day).  I felt like Macey's birthday kind of ran by in a blur--preparing for her party, making plans to be gone overnight, rushing to clean up, driving to Iowa... I'm glad we got to have her party--she loved having her friends their to celebrate with her!  Luckily we had a little re-do to celebrate as a family a few days later.