THANKS!!

Just a quick update. My aunt woke up today and despite still being on the respirator this morning, was still able to communicate with her daughter and the doctors. The doctor who gave her little chance of surviving the night was shocked. She was able to remember the discussions she had with people yesterday and they think she'll be in her own room tomorrow!! Thanks for your continued prayers on her behalf. I know the road ahead won't be easy, but I am so thankful she made it through this roughest time.

Please Pray for My Aunt

My Aunt Edith, shown below on the left, has been battling esophageal cancer since 2007. She seemed to be doing fine, but then they found a brain tumor last week. They operated yesterday and took the tumor out. It seems the esophageal cancer has metastasized. She had complications after the surgery (bleeding on the brain and swelling), and they aren't sure if she will make it. In fact, they had said she may not make it through last night. They did say she was surprising the doctors and had woken up enough to communicate with her daughter and granddaughter. She even told them she would make it through this. :) She was able to move both sides of her body, which was an improvement from before the surgery. She is my mom's younger sister. My grandma, shown on the right below, is 93 years old and very close to her only remaining daughter. Please keep them in your prayers today. My aunt is a Christian. The doctors were planning on doing a CAT Scan during the night, so they would know more today. Thanks for your prayers. This picture was taken in March, when I was able to meet up with my cousins and aunt and grandma in Gainesville, FL, after picking up Chrissy at PCC. They live in Illinois, but were visiting my 2nd cousin. I am so thankful God allowed me to see them this spring. I hadn't seen Aunt Edith in over 14 years.

Sunrise on Perdido Key

I am not normally a morning person; I am more of a night owl. Well, when staying on the beach, I become both!! haha Here is the sunrise that was worth getting up early to see this morning!! Please pray for Chrissy as she has her peer teaching this morning. She is very excited about it, though!

We Made It!!

We arrived on Perdido Key around 1:15 p.m. on Sunday. We met the girls at a Mexican restaurant we have been wanting to try for awhile now. It was great, by the way! Anyway, it was wonderful to see them, again, and even made me cry. They were like "Mom, why are you crying?" haha They'll understand one day when they have kids of their own. :)

Sam, Chrissy, & Mary

TJ, Nancy (with horrible hair day hair), & Theron

Mary, chilling at the condo


Chrissy getting to work


TJ wondering why I am taking a picture of him playing a video game haha


Chrissy and I sat out on the balcony talking for a bit, as we watched the sunset.
Me, but you can't tell how pretty the sky was behind me.


The view from our balcony. It is a huge balcony that wraps around the side of the building. There are two master suites, so the twins got one and Theron and I took the other. Both master suites overlook the water and have glass doors to the balcony. Awesome view...and great to sleep to as you can hear the ocean at night very clearly!!



Nancy & Theron on the balcony, watching the sunset

Pretty, pretty


These are the lots right next to "our" condo. There used to be a hotel/condo in one spot and I think, houses on the others, but the hurricane a few years ago took them out.
Another beautiful sunset! I love the wonders of nature God has blessed us with here on Earth.
He is awesome!! Like my little nephew once said (after I showed him a rainbow and explained that God made it just for us), "What's God gonna do next?"

Traveling to Florida

Theron, Sam, TJ and I left on Saturday morning around 10. We headed to Pensacola to see Mary and Chrissy. In western Virginia, just east of the TN border, there was a lot of snow still on the ground from the stuff that came through a day or two before. It was pretty and made me turn on my Ipod Touch to the Christmas music!

TJ Goes to the Optometrist

TJ had been having headaches and they were getting worse, so Theron took him to the eye doctor. He said his eyes are having trouble focusing when he goes from reading the board at school to looking at his book or paper on his desk. So, he is to read with these glasses and look over them to look at the board. This has already helped his headaches. YEAH!! Isn't he cute?

Sam's Actual Birthday

Since her birthday was on a Sunday this year, we had her big party on Saturday. On Sunday, after church, Nicole, Virginia & Bethany came over and spent the day with us.

Sam opening her gifts from me and Theron

Pictures by Mikaela

Mikaela LOVED my camera and wanted to take pictures. She took a million of Bill Bryan, although she didn't like him much. haha It was so funny, but she just didn't like him. She would laugh at me when I did something, then he'd do it and she'd just stare at him. It was hilarious. By the end of the evening, she did give him a fist bump goodbye and giggled when she did it. She is SO adorable and we can't wait to watch her again! Bill and Darlene Bryan
Bill

Bruce

Bill & Darlene

Happy Birthday, Sam!!

Samantha, our "baby", turned 13 on November 9th. She wanted a family party this year, so we had my sister, Lisa, and her family (Bruce and Bethany) over for dinner along with Darlene, Bill, Joey, & Johnny Bryan. Nina, her 3rd sister, was also invited. We had a great time. Happy Birthday, Samantha! You were our little gift from God, & He knew just how to make me smile again. I know my mom would have loved you and enjoyed watching you grow. We love you and are very proud of you!!

Samantha opening some gifts

Sam blowing out her candles. Andre came, too, as he was hanging out with Johnny, Joey and TJ that evening. I think he had fun with our craziness, too.

Lisa, Theron, & Bruce in the kitchen getting some food...we had Red, Hot, & Blue BBQ.

The teens and Bethany eating dinner.



Mikaela wanting to take a picture. She got to spend time at our house, and we had SO much fun! She made us laugh so many times.

She loved Sam's presents!


This little tin was her favorite!

The teens went out and played their own version of kickball/baseball after dinner.

Late Fall in VA

Here are a few pics I took while driving the other day...no, I wasn't looking through the viewfinder or even at the screen...just holding and shooting. :) I love Fall and wanted to get some pics of my favorite spots before the color was totally gone. The leaves peaked early this year.

This happened mostly on one day...by the next it was almost bare. Yes, it is inevitable...winter is coming. :(

Busch Gardens & Hershey Park

Here's a picture that the kids and I had taken when we went to Busch Gardens one last time this summer. Theron had to work at the last minute, so we went anyway. It would have been more fun with him, but we did have a good time. It's neat now that we all love to ride the coasters. The picture below is one we got from our ride at Chocolate World at couple of weeks ago. Not sure why they take pictures (other than to make more money, of course) on this ride. I pretended like it was an exciting roller coaster and TJ shows how he really felt abou it. haha He's so crazy...wonder where he gets it?? This is the best ride, though, because you get a free small candy bar at the end.

Puppet Show At TBC Fall Festival

The teens were in charge of the puppet show. They did a GREAT job!! Here are a few pictures of the show and the behind the scenes.

Pastor Mike and Sam's and TJ's puppets

Pastor Mike and "Manny Armstrong" (TJ)




All the puppets talking about the Train to Heaven



Another picture of the puppets

Behind the scenes with Sam, Nicole, Nina, and TJNicole, Nina, TJ, Andre, and KristinaEveryone with their puppets