God's Provision for Jana

A little over a week ago, Jana went in for her regular mammogram not suspecting the events that would unfold before the month ended. The results prompted biopsies of 3 areas and a diagnosis of breast cancer followed (just this past Wednesday 5/27). Within hours of the news, God provided so many wonderful ladies from our church family who could empathize, guide her and give her resources. On Thursday we were able to talk with a Doctor who is a trusted friend and church member. Upon his advice and his request, Jana was able to get a last minute appointment with the best and most experienced surgeon in Tallahassee on Friday. The surgeon was very knowledgeable, straightforward and explained it clearly. The cancer is confined to multiple ducts (in situ) and has not invaded other tissues. Keep praying for Jana and our family to receive from God what we will need for this journey together. We still need to meet with one other surgeon, and possibly get a second opinion. Pray for wisdom for us, as there are so many decisions to make, and praise God with us for the care He has already shown our family!

Memorial Weekend 09

We had a great time at St. Teresa with the Wilders for Memorial Day Weekend. So great, we forgot to take pictures! Although the weather was forecasted to be stormy, it was perfect. We couldn't ride the boat in the gulf, but enjoyed the boat in the bay. Fishing, delicious seafood, crazy dance competion and other fun activities made for lots of memories. Doug went back to Celebration for services on Sunday, while Jana, Samuel and Lindsey joined the Wilders at the St. Teresa Church where Fred gave the sermon. Thanks Fred, Terry, Shannon and Mr. & Mrs. Wilder - Fred's Mom & Dad!

FSU Marine Lab Open House & Bald Point Beach

We spent most of the day enjoying the FSU Marine Lab Open House at their facility in St. Teresa. Lots of displays, demonstrations, hands on areas and good seafood! We couln't help but

go back by our favorite little beach area at Bald Point State Park till we had to go back to Tally.

Lindsey's Birthday - Wild Adventures

We took Lindsey to her favorite Amusement Park: Wild Adventures! She loves roller coasters and crazy rides. Samuel and Lindsey are about to ride Hangman - again and again... Lindsey did

n't Jana to ride the scary rides more than once, but they did find some tamer rides to enjoy together.

Happy Easter 2009

Easter Lunch

Enormous Easter Egg Hunt (Race)

With almost 700 racing after 5,000 Eggs, the Easter Egg Hunt at Church was a blast.

Bald Point Beach

We had a great beach day at Bald Point Beach (about an hour from our house). Of course, Samuel spent the whole time in the water with his nets and collected a lot of corals and sponges from the shore and water. Lindsey, of course, was looking for "photo ops."

Lindsey's Birthday

Lindsey woke up to a pile of gifts and a Cracker Barrel style breakfast!

Samuel's Aquarium

Fire Fish Goby

Coral Banded Shrimp

Zoanthids

Green Chromis

Leather Toadstool Coral

One of the two Clownfish

Yellow Tang

Wakulla Springs and Gulf Specimens Lab - Feb 8

Although the morning started out cold, it warmed up quickly. There was hardly anyone at Wakulla Springs. We watched divers go into the crystal clear waters in the deepest spring in the US. Not only could you see the mullet in the water, they were jumping like popcorn all over the spring. We saw lots of birds, fish, gators and other wildlife on the Riverboat Tour. At the Gulf Specimens Lab in Panacea, we enjoyed live salt water creatures of every variety (some even Samuel did not know the name of) and a lot of them you could touch.

Christmas in P-Cola

We took Gramps and Mimi out to Cock of the Walk to celebrate their 64th Wedding Anniversary on Christmas Eve!

We spent time with Bob & Deb, Nicholas, Natalie & Nicole

We celebrated Christmas at Grandma & Grandpas including Jim & Denise, Paul & Jeanne Marie and Jamie.

A Tally Christmas

Lindsey did a great job playing the flute in the Homeschool Band's Christmas recital. She is even teaching the cat to read. The church youth group had a Redneck Christmas celebration with wacky games, lots of moon pies and RC colas! And cold water could not keep Lindsey and Samuel out of the pool. Old lady Ginger is enjoying her new place.

Moving In To Our New House and a Birthday right before Christmas!

On December 9th we closed on our new house and started moving in with Grandma & Grandpa's help (See November blog for "before" pictures). We had tons of help from our church family over the next couple of days moving everything. Samuel had his room set up first and is the first to jump in the frigid pool. Lindsey wears herself out but has a bed to sleep in.

The next day, the first morning in our new house, we somehow cook Samuel a "Cracker Barrell" style breakfast for his birthday. He gets lots of gifts, but his favorite is the 55 gallon aquarium and accessories. He celebrates with his youth friends from church at Moes and at Logans with the family.

Disney World Trip

We had a great time in Orlando for a few days, Novemeber 13-16. We pack it full with one day each at three of Disney World's parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom & Disney Hollywood Studios. The weather was perfect, except for one downpour and being unseasonably cold on the last day. Almost no lines to wait in on all the rides and if there was a line, a fastpass came in handy. Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll Roller & Space Mountain Coasters, Splash Mountain and Toy Story Mania were some of our favorite rides. We loved the Illumi-nations, Indiana Jones and Fantasmic shows. And we were chosen as the Year of a Million Dreams family for the Car Stunt Show! Lindsey also was chosen to carry the banner in the parade.