Kasey Update

I just thought I would do a little update for those of you who have been praying for our friend Kasey. First of all, thank you for your prayers. I dont know if any of you have been in a similar situation, but having brothers and sisters in Christ unites us, no matter if you know the person or not. I have had so many friends that have been praying for Kasey that dont even KNOW him. But because he is a brother in Christ, there is a unity there. God is so sensitive like that, and I am so grateful for it all.

Onto Kasey...He had his surgery yesterday and it all went really well. They did confirm that it was an aggressive tumor, however. They ran some blood last week for a bunch of stuff, including tumor counts, etc. and they should have those results, along with the biopsy of the tumor, his CT scan and xrays he had done yesterday... by WEDNESDAY. Until than, they still sort of just wait. Once they get all the test results back they will be able to have a full idea of what's going on and from there decide on a treatment (radiation &/or chemo). Kasey is doing well after the surgery, just a little uncomfortable but thats expected. Lisa did great yesterday. It is so cool to see the little things God gives us in these situation that makes it personally comforting to us. Lisa used to work at St. Vincent, right down the hall from where we sat in the waiting room. So she was able to see so many of her friends that she has missed so much since leaving the lab. Also being able to understand the biology and medical terms of it all I think helped her to understand and was comforting. I was able to sit with her all day, along with one of her sisters which I think was also a huge comfort.

So overall they got through this first hurdle well and we are just waiting for the rest to drop. Ill do a short update after they tell me what they hear. I know its been hard for them to make tons of phone calls and keep everyone updated so hopefully this can help some of you get the updates. Your continued prayers are certaintly appreciated. Kasey and Lisa are such a beautiful couple and are laying this all in the Lord's lap so we know the enemy will try attacking them. Prayer can defeat though! Praise the Lord!!!

My favorite quote from yesterday:
Kasey: "Im lovin these sweet socks though. Double tread baby."
Girls: laughing
Kasey: "Atleast they didnt take my funny!"
Lisa: "Your funny isnt in your ball, hun."
Kasey: "You never know babe."

Yes, folks. He's still the Kasey we know and love:)

Prayers for Kasey

Yesterday we found out that one of our closest friends is battling testicular cancer. He went into the doctor yesterday to be examined when the doctor immediatly found a large tumor. He sent him over for xrays where the results led him to schedule surgery Monday morning. Until running the biospy following the surgery they wont know for sure, but the doctor seemed fairly certain that it was cancerous. Which means following his surgery Monday he could likely go through some chemo and maybe radiation for preventative purposes.

1 week ago there was no sign of anything. This wave of shock has blindsighted my closest friends. My heart is breaking for them, for myself, for their families, and for my husband. I literally watched Kirk fight off tears all night last night. Kasey and Kirk have been friends since birth. They were born on each other's due dates, a week apart. Their friendship has stayed intacked for almost 28 years. Their parents were in a bible study together when they were born, and for several years following. They prayed over the boy's future spouces, over their health and safety. And here we are now in our small group. Kasey and Kirk close like brothers. Lisa and I best friends with an annointing from the Lord. And our babies, who we pray the same prayers over. Kasey and Lisa are Landon's God parents. I know Im rambling, I just cant wrap my head around all of this. My best friend's husband, my husband's best friend. You seriosuly never expect this to hit so close to home.

At this point all we can do is... pray. There are still so many unanswered questions, and the possibility of nothing or something. These are the times when we truly must surrender in prayer to the Lord. When we must hold onto the scripture,"...be still and know that I am God." Please be praying for our friend, Kasey. Prayer for healing, comfort, peace, joy, contentment, unity, strength, and blessings. I am truly so thankful for this network because I know how many of you out there that read our blog really do pray over these requests...and we feel so thankful and blessed over that. That's why I chose to call upon you for prayers. Ill update this once we find out more....

Kasey-

Just know how much we love you. If nothing else out of this, may this be a time in your life when you are deeply reassured of how much people truly love you and care about you.

(here's some pictures...cuz its what I do!)
Kirk and Kasey at their 1st bday party

Kirk and Kasey at Kirk's 21st bday party
Kasey with Landon (1 month old)
The adorable Kauer family:)

Freaking Arce Phone!

Ok, so my phone is seriously DRIVING ME CRAZY! I dropped it yesterday when I was on a walk with my new stroller (a whole nother issue). The front wheel started shaking uncontrollably which caused my phone to go flying. I now can no longer use the:

*OK (select) button
*Down arrow button
*Clear button

I have recieved 14 texts today, none of which I can open because I cant hit "Ok." When I type to someone (which I can only do if I can get to their name by a number in my phone) and make an error, I cant clear it. So I just put an "X" after it so they know to ignore it. The worst part...I CANT get a new phone. I am switching over to AT&T in July and the company will take over my bill (awesome) but in the mean time I am out a functioning phone. I have insurance which means I could get a new phone just like mine without locking in a contract, but it would still cost me $50, when buying out early from Verizon would only be $60. This just sucks. My point of this post is to:

*Vent
*Ask if anyone has an old Verizon phone I can have to get me to July?

Landon goes to work....

....with Daddy. Ok, so literally, Kirk is in LOVE with Landon. I cant even rap my head around how lucky I am to have such an amazing father for a husband. He NEVER complains about watching Landon, changing Landon, taking Landon, NOTHING. He BEGS to do all these things. His heart aches everyday he goes to work. EVERY day. All he wants to do is be with that little guy. And one of his "daddy" dreams is to take Landon to work with him. We took him up there last September and he was just in awe of all the machines. Yesterday, however, Kirk had to drive a piece of equipment to Salem, than to Portland, and back home. So...he came home, strapped in the carseat to his giant truck...and off they went. Of course mommy had to get Landon ready to go, and what do you dress a Logger's little guy in? A hickory of course! Except....he didnt have one that fit so he had to wear one that was 6 months! It was so small. He was still adorable though:) Wouldnt stand still for a picture though (as usual) so I have like 15 random ones. Still...so cute if you ask me. Wait for the last one. Its priceless.

He is totally posing here! I can just hear Tyra Banks directing him! "Chest out, arm back, demior face!"

Our Nephew Finn

His older brother calls him "the menace." A sweet little boy...but fiesty!!! This only seemed appropriate:) We miss you Finny!!! (Miss you too, Li boy!) Cant wait to see you soon hopefully:)

Landon pics...just because:)

So my camera battery died about 2 weeks ago...and I could not find the charger for the LIFE of me. (Being a photogrpaher, that is like the worst!) I just had to let myself forget about it and trust that I would find it someday, some how. Long story short, I found it this morning (in the toy box, where else?) so I uploaded some of the pics that were on it. I had messed with the color settings in my camera and forget to set them back before snapping these priceless moments so ignore the horrible quality. Simply bask in the cuteness of my little man, just as I do:) lol

What I realized one day a few weeks ago is that I really hadnt captured him on film in awhile. He has learned to hate the camera (which sucks) so I had stop trying so hard. But one evening I just looked at him sitting in the rocking chair and was like, "My goodness child, you are a little boy! Where did my baby go?!" I figured this moment should be recorded, even if it took me 20 minutes to follow him around and get a "good" shot.

I wish this picture was more clear so you can really see his expression. This is his "scowl"~used when angry or being playful:)

What, might you ask, causes this smile? Just daddy:)

Note: I've come to realize that like 80% of my pictures of him are in this highchair! Its the only place I can get him to be still! lol

Wordless Wednesday

(phone pic:)

Tackle it Tuesday

So this is a common new thing amongst my fellow bloggers, so I decided to join in. Except, Im doing my Tackle it Tuesday entry on Wednesday because the chore I chose to tackle took me ALL day!

I painted the living room...and the hallway...and rearranged the furniture in the living room. Which, if you know what our furniture looks like, you know that that is QUITE the task to tackle. And, a creative one at that! Amazingly our funhouse of furniture (according to one of the guys who works for Kirk. Really?) feels like a much bigger room. Yay!

Oh, and nobody will probably even notice that I painted, but I do...and it feels good! Now I just have to do all the trim. Another Tuesday to tackle that!

LOL, you guys are no help!

Ok, so I am simply writing this post because I decided that I was done having so many pictures of myself plastered on my blog! So Im deleted that post.

But I wanted to say...you guys were no help!!! I appreciate all your thoughts, truly. I find it funny, however, that in the 7 comments I recieved, nobody agreed on a color!! I guess Im not the only one who is torn.

Funny stuff.

Now Im just at the mercies of my sister's busy schedule before I can get back in. Ill let you know what we decided:) (yes I said we, becuase she pretty much trumps my decisions in the end. Gotta trust the experts, I suppose!)

Lent update...and a question

Ok, so I figured since I asked you all to pray for me over Lent I should update you on what your prayers have been influencing. The first night was super hard and I just literally felt myself get super cranky. I was being short to Kirk and I was not in a "meet with the spirit" sort of mood. Earlier that day I had spent an hour in silence and prayer praying for people in my life and specific needs I knew they had. It was a really awesome time. But come "tv" time my heart wasnt there (the enemy, I know.) I did do my 20 month entry in Landon's journal...but than decided to just go to bed early. The next night we had small group so I was gone anyway, and last night Kirk and spent about on hour going over what we covered the night before (which was really great).

All in all, I definatly feel the enemy working in me; through wierd thoughts I never would usually have, laziness and distraction when I should be meeting with Him, and an over all crankiness. At the same time though, GOD is revealing to me how unimportant tv really is, how powerfully he can work in my life when I open up to him in new ways, and just over all what the purpose of all of this is. So, thank you to those of you who prayed for me this week...and I would love to have them through out the next 5 weeks, too. I just know that God has something big he wants to teach me...but only if I am able to surrender to him and fight off any tempation the enemy is sending my way. I hope all of you are doing well in your sacrifices too. If you let me know what you are giving up, or just anything in your life right now, I will definatly add you to my prayer times.

TOTALLY random side note:
So I gave our infant carseat to our neighbors when they brought their adopted son home from the hosptial Christmas Eve (long, but amazing, story there). They ended up finding a Chicco one that they gave to us as trade. I still have our original stroller, however, and I have been really wanting to sell it to get a jogging stroller. I posted just the stroller on CL and someone is getting it on Sunday. But here is my dilemma....do I get a single jogger or a double? No Im not pregnant yet but the thought is probably in the next year we might try. It just seems sort of a waste of money to get a single that we wont get years use out of. It also seems silly to get a double when I only have one kid! lol:) What are your thoughts (moms). Also, we dont have money to buy a nice one anyways...but we probably wont have the ridiculous $400 to buy one EVER! (p.s. I know that there are random people who blog hop and read my blog from time to time, so even if I dont know you Id love to know your thoughts! lol)

Our Combo Kid

What are your thoughts?

Irony/Perspective

My two biggest stresses most days:

• Not having anything to wear
• Never being able to keep up on the laundry

Hmmm....

MY post...Blog and Lent

This blog, like most things in my life, regularly has to do with Landon. This post, however is about me. There are a few things I wanted to share.

1.) I spent like an hour last night designing a custom background for our blog, only to realize that it has to be uploaded as a 2MB file and photobucket only lets you do 1MB, unless you pay for a membership. So, until I figure out where another image hosting site is that will allow me a 2MB upload...it will have to sit on my desktop:( Oh and some how I deleted my playlist and now the link doesnt work:) So no music (which might make some of you happy, I dont know.) SO BARE WITH ME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. MY BLOG WILL PROBABLY BE LESS THAN APPEALING TO THE EYE!

2.) Im not exactly sure when Lent is supposed to start, but I think it is this Tuesday. Atleast that is the 40 day mark before Easter so that is when I am starting. Traditionally it is a catholic pracitce, but for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and knows of the amazing sacrifice he made for us, Lent is a powerful way to try and connect and in the smallest way, relate to the suffering Jesus did for us. Last year I gave up MySpace, which was huge for me. I didnt, however, fill my time with diving into the word or prayer. I just gave it up. This year my desire is to truly experience the suffering and be pulled in deeper than I ever have before.

Here is my list of considerations:
*makeup
*Facebook
*TV
*Eating after 7:00

The Verdict
*TV and Eating after 7:00

This is really going to be hard for me because TV is "my time." And Im pretty sure that eating after 7:00 (usually while watching tv) is my biggest factor in weight gain. Its just that Landon and Kirk are in bed and I get to relax on the couch and just vedge-diving into my shows. So now, with both my boys asleep, I will have a few hours of, literally, quite time. I PRAY that I will use this time to meet with the Lord, dive into the word, and truly grow during this time.

Here is what Im giving up:
Monday- How I Met Your Mother
Tuesday- American Idol, Privledged, The Office (repeats on TBS)
Wednesday- American Idol, One Tree Hill
Thursday (my big night)- Greys Anatomy, The Office
Friday & Saturday (movies with the hubby)
Sunday- Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters

As you can see, I am giving up A LOT, which is probably a good thing. I just ask that if you think of me after 8:00pm, would pray for me? Prayer for diligence, obedience, and suffering. Yes, suffering. I want to suffer through this so I can draw close to the Lord.

Let me know what you are giving up for Lent so I can pray for you too!

Landon 18 (well, 19) months

Landon will be 20 months next week (which just sounds stupid). Its sad because at this point we no longer really say how many months he is, instead its like "he'll be 2 in 4 months." Anyhoo, he had his 18 month apt at 19 months cause its as soon as they could get him in. I just thought I would post his stats:

Weight: 25.8 lbs (40%)
Length: 34.5 inches (90%)

The doctor was amazed at how much he is talking, which always makes a mommy proud:) He is quite the chatter box!

We love you sweet boy!