Sam's Fam: September 2016

Sunday, September 25, 2016

A stressful time...and the things God showed me!

You can probably already tell from the title that this is a different kind of post. No worries, I do have a couple of photos to share of the kiddos, but not much to share about them. It's been a pretty normal week for the kids and I. There's just one thing that really stands out. And that thing is that I found out that a biopsy I had the week before was benign. Obviously, in comparison, nothing else really mattered this week. I did not have cancer, and I was so relieved! Let me back up a little. A little over a month ago I went to the doctor about my throat. After ultrasounds and doctor's appointments, it was determined that I could have thyroid cancer and a biopsy should be done. The odds were highly in my favor, as only 25-30% of biopsies with my situation come back cancerous. And thyroid cancer is very curable. So all in all you would think there was no reason to stress. Ha! Turns out when someone tells you that you could have cancer, your whole world kind of stands still while you wait to find out if you do. Now that the whole thing is over, I had to ask myself, do I wish it had never happened? And I can honestly say, no. And here's why. God showed up. He showed up like I personally have never experienced him showing up. And I can say without a doubt a fire was lit underneath my faith that I pray never dies down. In particular a fire was lit under my prayer life and my belief in the difference prayer really can make. I have to share one experience that I will remember the rest of my life. Sharing this story is really my main reason for writing this post. Throughout this past month I have struggled with anxiety and fear. I wish I hadn't, but I did. One morning I was really struggling, so I texted my mom and asked her to please pray for me. And she did. Right after I texted her, Thomas bit my knee! I screamed "No" at him and it upset him. So I ended up having to pick him up to calm him down. Well, he immediately wrapped his arms around me and fell asleep! He never does that. I mean it was in the morning, he wasn't even tired! And he proceeded to sleep on me with his arms wrapped around me for 45 minutes. And I can not explain it, but I just felt this peace while he was laying, sleeping on my chest. I called my mom later and told her about it. She got really quiet. She then said, do you know what I prayed when you texted me? I prayed, "Lord, I want to put my arms around Heather and comfort her right now, but I'm not there. Will you please put your arms around her and comfort her? Will you please give her Your peace? Thank you, God." Unbelievable. I started to cry because it was just so cool how God had used my 18 month old to answer my mom's prayer for me. And it made me realize that God really is listening to every single prayer we say, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal. And he can answer prayers in ways we may never be able to imagine! In addition to that experience, I also experienced God providing for me through friends who jumped in to help me with watching my children during all of my different doctors appointments, and checking on me, and praying for me, every single day. It was just so awesome to see and experience and feel God's love through them. And then the Sunday after I had the biopsy, when my fear was at it's highest while waiting for the results, our sermon at church was on fear. The principle being "Fear Not". It was so good, and at the exact moment I needed to hear it. That was God. And so when I look back on this health scare, I pray I will never forget how God showed up in amazing ways, and reinstilled in me that he is still doing everyday miracles, and that he does hear every single prayer, and that he will provide everything we need when we need it. And so I share this personal experience just in case anybody needs to hear that or be reminded of that. :) And for those who just came for the adorable pictures....I won't leave you hanging. ;)

GOOOOO DAWGS!

Crazy curly-haired babe!

Precious girl dressed herself for fall...to bad it was actually 90 degrees!

Big brother reading a book to sister!!

Reading to Tay and Thomas! He is so proud that he can read some now! (Still on the easy, beginner books, but they all three love it!)

Until next time...

Heather

Monday, September 19, 2016

Football Season is in full swing!!

The past three weeks have been good! Football season is keeping Josh pretty busy, so it's mainly just been the kids and I. We actually went to the season opener at the Georgia Dome. Josh's mom and his sister's family were all there, so we got to see them and hang out. It was lots of fun! We also went to the home game against Nicholls State. We lucked out and got to be in the Sky Box, so it was great! The game itself wasn't the best, but at least we won! That next week my parents came into town for a night. They came so they could go have lunch with Bryant during Grandparent's week. They also got to take him to the book fair. He loved it! And it was good to see them, if only briefly. Other than that we have had lots of play dates with different friends and stayed busy with school and stuff! Oh, one more thing, Bryant lost his first tooth!! Unfortunately he was actually home sick from school the day he lost it, so he wasn't super excited. But the next day when he felt better, and the tooth fairy had come, he was very pumped!! That's it for now. Below are some pictures.