Texas Trip, First Day of School, and a Prayer Request

Hi everyone!  Are you getting adjusted to school being back in session?  We are getting there, but the pick-up line is a completely different experience.  I pick up Emme first then over to Eli.  I still don't know what time to leave my house to get there early enough.  Oh, the problems of a mom. Ha!

Here are pictures of Eli and Emme on the first day of school.  If you follow me on Facebook then these are a repeat for you.  What I've learned from looking at everyone else's first day of school pictures is that I've got to step up my game on the sign they hold up.  What the heck?  Have you seen some of the signs???!!!!  Oh my.  I need to take art classes to even be on the same planet as you awesome, creative moms!  Oh well.  I was just happy we weren't late on the first day of school.  Oh wait.  We were. 

We had a blast in Texas last week.  Per my prior post, the doctors visits were amazing.  I already have more energy this week then/than (I never remember which word to use) I have had in a long time.  I'm not ready for a marathon, but I don't need to nap as much which is a big accomplishment.

Pictures in the car on the way there.  Our sweet friends, Jack and Brook Hudgins, gave the kids a box full of activities for the car.  They are so thoughtful!!!  One of Emme's gifts was a pair of slippers that she could decorate herself.  Girl heaven.

The kids spent the night with my nephew, Josh, and his wife Katie.  They have a sweet daughter (yes, my great-niece) named Charlotte who is between Eli and Emme in age.  They had a wonderful time.  Here is a picture of Emme and Charlotte.  Charlotte's shirt is hilarious.  It says "I was Charlotte first".  I didn't get it at first, but it is regarding the new Princess Charlotte of Wales.  So cute!!!!  Or cheeky, as they would say. Maybe.

My sisters took Eli to the Lego store while Katie and I took the girls to The American Girl Store.  Eli had so much fun there.  They bought him a very cool Star Wars Lego set that he finished building yesterday.  He has the patience for all those tiny pieces.  He didn't get that from me. 

Sooooooo, that leads me to the American Girl Store.  Oh.My.Goodness.  It was so fun.  The store is HUGE!  The girls just kept squealing with delight.  It was beyond cute.  We then took them upstairs to the doll salon (yes, I'm serious), but they were booked so we'll put that on our list for next time.  I was really hoping to get Emme's doll's hair brushed.  It looks like she's trying to grow dread locks.  The doll's hair is a hot mess.  Anyway, we looked around some more at the clothes and accessories until it was time for our Bistro reservation.  Talk about adorable.  The waitress brings a high chair, cup, and plate for the dolls.  The food was really great, too.  A perfect selection for kids and moms.  We are going back to Dallas in December for another office visit with Dr.Asbury, and we might swing by the store for tea and that salon visit. 

We also laid out by the pool, shopped, and just had a lot of fun.  It was a perfect end to the summer break, and I'm so grateful.

I don't want to go into great detail, but I would like for you all to pray for one of my dear friends.  She has to bury her stillborn baby boy tomorrow (he was 36 weeks so almost ready to meet the world).  I just can't even.  I really wish I could take the load for her, but she and her husband are going to have to walk this path together with the support of family and friends.  Since finding out, I've had a few other people I didn't know reach out to me about their cancer battles.  Sometimes it just feels like bad things are all around us.  I know it's not true, because we all have a LOT to be thankful for, but it just feels like that at times.  The song that keeps playing over and over again in my head is "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord".  It's a reminder of praising Him in the good times and bad.  I don't understand why bad things happen, but I do know that He is with us through all of them.  Here are the words to the song in case you or someone you know needs to hear them.

Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

 

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

 

 

XO,

Robin

Florida, Friends, and Fighting Cancer

Hey, hey, hey!  We returned last Sunday from a quick trip to Navarre Beach in Florida.  Our wonderful friends, Josh and Kendra Thompson, invited us and we said YES!  We love traveling with them.  You know what I mean.  Just because you're friends does not mean you travel well together.  They make traveling fun and so easy. 

I thought I'd share a few pictures from the trip. 

 

Emme was ready to go!!!

This is our view from the condo.  It's gorgeous and right out our back door!

We ate at Dewey's in Destin.  If you've never eaten there, you must try it next time you go.  They have a nice restaurant, and the original dive.  Eat at the original.  You won't regret it.  Gabe can't seem to order anything but the crab-stuffed, bacon wrapped shrimp.  Oh my.  I had the gumbo and it was amazing!!!!

This is Jagger NOT smiling for me!

We noticed on the trip that Jagger and Emme paired up more than usual.  She was always trying to "help" him.  Lord help us if those two get married someday! :-) 

This was my view most days.  We were on the beach, too, but the kids actually preferred the pool.  Go figure.

 

Ice cream is always a good idea.

This trip came at a perfect time.  We learned last week that my tumor markers have increased quite a bit.  I saw the doctor yesterday, and I am starting a clinical trial tomorrow with another IV chemo and an antibody drug.  Tomorrow will be a very long day so say an extra prayer for me if you think of it.  It won't be as bad once I get this appointment behind me.  Dr. Beck is also very hopeful that this will work to kill off my cancer.  I haven't seen him that positive...well, ever!  It's going to be a rough road, but I'm ready for the fight.  The rest in Florida did my body and mind some good.  I feel like God has His hand on my head directing my every step.  There have been mainly curves and blind spots on this road, but I always feel His hand guiding me.  Sometimes the answer is immediate, but sometimes we are in a holding pattern.  Regardless, He is there.  We are ready to fight, fight, fight! 

Thank you again for all your prayers, messages, and gifts.  You all are so good to us!!!!!!!!  I'll keep you posted, but it might be a few days.  The chemo might make me sick and keep me in bed a bit, but hopefully not.

XO,
Robin

Tuesday Ramblings....

Happy Tuesday!  I haven't updated the blog in a while so I thought it was time.  Plus, I just love that y'all read it.  It is very humbling.


Last week I cut my hair.  It is a combination of the two pictures I posted.  I love it!  It is so easy and fun!!!  Mandy at Freshair is wonderful and so patient with me. :-)  I'm not good at selfies so sorry about the photo.

We also had a quick trip to Branson this weekend with Candra Brasel, Casey Harriman, and their kiddos.  We went to Silver Dollar City, rested, laid out by the pool and ate a lot.  It was so nice.  Here are a few pictures of the kids.  They're so funny.

I've also had some super fun surprise gifts left on our back porch.  I'm not sure who the sweet person(s) is, but THANK YOU!!!!!!! 

Ok.  This is such a cute idea, but it cracked me up!  Look at the title of the project below (the word "pot" is x'd out).  Ha!  I LOVE me a good sense of humor.

Some of our forever friends stopped by last week for a short visit.  We miss them so much.  They've been missionaries in Lima, Peru for the last 2 1/2 years, but have recently moved their mission headquarter to Atlanta.  Woo hoo!!!!!  Their names are Josh and Cassandra Foliart, and they have the most precious kids, Lucas and Sofia.  I'm going to get their mission information and post it soon.  They are so inspiring and the greatest followers of God I know. 

Sofia and Emme (melt my heart, y'all)

Lucas and Eli (born 4 days apart!)

I saw this on Facebook and hee-hawed, because it is SO TRUE.  Especially with Eli and Gabe.  What is the deal?  Anyone else have this happen?  Too funny.

I wanted to ask again that y'all continue to pray for us.  My tumor markers aren't decreasing so we are going a different route.  I'll keep you posted.  I still know God is in control and loves me.  Regardless of what is happening in my body right now.  I know without a doubt He can heal me, and that is my fervent prayer!!!!

XO,
Robin

The Sanctuary

Gabe and I just returned from a wonderful, kid-free vacation.  We have some extremely generous and caring friends who wanted to send us to a resort in Phoenix called The Sanctuary to celebrate the completion of my "big" cancer procedures (www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com). Since I was diagnosed last June, Gabe and I have been in doctor mode and have not been able to truly relax.  Well, let me tell you...we made up for that!  We slept in, laid by the pool, read, watched a gorgeous sunset, and stuffed ourselves silly.  It was FABULOUS!!!!  We didn't even watch television.  If that's not sacrificial love on my part, I don't know what is. :-)  Here are a few pictures from the trip:

We each had our own pair of flip flops for the weekend, courtesy of the resort...it's the little things, y'all.

The resort was nestled into this mountain.  Heaven.

It was hard work to lay by the pool everyday.

Watching the sunset from the resort restaurant.

 

Their "turn down service" included the next day's forecast.  Why can't I get this in my own home?

 

 

 

What a weekend!  I could get used to that, but I wouldn't trade my busy, sleep-deprived, peanut butter and jelly sandwich eating, in the car all the time life for the world!  Being a wife and a mom is the best....