My Baby Boy - A High School Graduate

Where does the time go?  It doesn't seem that long ago that Cameron was in First Grade talking with a sweet little lisp, cuddling with me, and looking up at me through those cute little glasses.  He has grown into the funniest, loving, and compassionate young man.  We are so very blessed.

I had Cameron's Graduation party at our house.  I threw the idea of having it at home last year and James said "sure".  Little did he know that I meant that and a couple of months ago mentioned it again and he said "call First Baptist Church of Lincoln and see if their fellowship hall is available", it's where I had Christian's party which was great, it's right across from the school but I had my heart set on having it at home.  I reluctantly called, unfortunately they were all booked up.  So my amazing husband worked his tail off fixing up our yard, decks, you name it.  Cameron and I raked and hauled lots of leaves but James still takes the cake on all the work he did, I was so proud of him, he gave me my wish to have this party at home.  Yes, our house is small, yes, it was crowded, but it was awesome.  Over 50 people came, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, church family, my cousin - Marcelena, from Texas!  It was wonderful!

 My mom, Marilee, Cameron, and my aunt, Barbara.

 He is so goofy and strong...

 Really strong...

 

This is my favorite thing on display at his party, a kindergarten self portrait.  It is so sweet and really captures him perfectly, an adorable, carefree little boy with glasses.  People asked me if I cried at graduation...I didn't, but when I came across this picture I teared up a little.  I miss my boys being little, they were so much fun, they still are just in a different way.  I know they have to grow up and that's probably why I didn't cry, I'm looking forward to the next chapter of their (my babies) lives and mine and James' as well.

"Children are a gift from God; they are his reward." Psalm 127:3

A New Way to Live

In a matter of 8 months, my mother and my aunt (my mom's sister) have both been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, my aunt had a double mastectomy a couple months ago and my mom's is so progressed that surgery wasn't even considered, it has spread to her bones and she just finished radiation and is now preparing for chemo therapy.  They are both doing remarkably well and seem to be feeling pretty good considering what they are going through.

This has changed my perspective in several ways, the most of which is what I'm putting into my body.  I really don't want to fight the battle of cancer, nobody does but if there is even the tiniest way that I can prevent it or postpone it, I feel like I should try.  I have read a lot about what kind of food I should be eating and the biggest thing I have found is lots of fruits and vegetables and no sugar.  So, I gave up sugar.  Bread has been the hardest thing to find without sugar, I did find some that has less than 1 gram but still haven't eaten much of it either.  I was also an avid diet soda drinker...I did away with that as well.

I have had stints of eating healthy off and on throughout the years and usually go up and down about 10 lbs every year or so but this new awareness of breast cancer has given me a new motivation. It really hasn't seemed like much of a sacrifice at all, my thoughts of food has changed from mmmm to a necessity to keep me alive and healthy.  There are things I want to do in my lifetime and I want to make the most of it for Jesus.  Yes, I know that God is in control and I may have to fight this cancer thing one day and I know it can be used for His glory, I have seen that first hand in the life of my aunt.  But I know that He gave me this earthly body and I need to take care of it. 

God is going to teach me lots of things through this journey with my mom and my aunt and I praise Him for every lesson and for every bit of growth and I will thank Him for every day He gives me with them and every day He gives me to live for Him.