True Beauty!

Well, one of the best things about living in Colorado by the mountains is the short 45 minute drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. We officially went up there last weekend and got our park permit for the year. We decided to drive a little ways in......I stress the word LITTLE! The park ranger told us that some of the roads were a little slick so drive with caution...he was not kidding! I had permenent white knuckles half way down one of the trails and finally turned to my husband and said I am turning around. We did that on two trails....I remind you, that there are no guard rails on those trails, so one spin out on the ice and we were toast.....HOWEVER, we did manage to get some beautiful pictures. Some of these were taken by Kaitlyn so some of our heads are cut off...I apologize. I hope these give you an idea of why we call this country out here GOD'S COUNTRY! We miss you all and hopefully all of you will be able to visit and we can take you up here to see the beauty for yourselves because pictures do not do it justice.

Loss of Words!

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

I have neglected to write for a few weeks now, not because we have not had some crazy things happen in our daily lives, but because I have been sadened by a story that I happened to read on a blog site that I regularly read. I am not one to read other peoples blogs, but there is one that always catches my eye. She always has fun little stories, but on this particular day, my life was changed by the story she shared.
A small little family in Kansas was taking their 10 month old daughter to a routine check up for an ear infection that would not go away....they left the doctors office with news that would change their life forever. Their 10 month old Cora was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. They took her to a nearby hospital where she was going to receive chemotherapy. One thing spiraled into another, and two weeks after arriving, their sweet little Cora left life on earth to be with her Heavenly Father! The faith that these two young parents showed during all of this was beyond what I think I could have! Here is a young couple, blindsided with devistation, and still, they looked to the Lord for comfort. I think most people would maybe be angry at the Lord, but instead, they never questioned his presence!
I have continued to read this blog DAILY! Since reading this, I have had a different outlook on my life. I don't seem to "sweat the small stuff" anymore with my kids. I don't really care how many spelling words Kailtyn got right on her spelling test as long as she tried her hardest, or if Kysen slops up his shirt while he ever so diligently tries to get the spoon of spaghetti to his mouth. This stuff just does not matter anymore. This could have been my family that this happened to...this could have been any of us learning this devistating news. Cancer does not have favorites. Instead of worrying about these little things, I pay close attention to hug and kiss my kids more everyday. I make it a point to tell my husband that I love him before rolling over and going to sleep. WE just don't know what God's plan is for us, but we have to make sure that we treat each day like the last.
Joel and Jess' hearts are so empty right now learning how to cope with the new "normal" as she quoted in her latest blog. I cannot imagine having to go through this. The one constant that is pulling them through is their faith in God! They know that she is not sick anymore, that she is not in pain anymore. As they put it, God DID answer their prayers, maybe not the way that they would have wanted him too, but when they prayed for Cora to not be sick anymore, he took the sickness away by bringing her to her heavenly home where there is no pain and suffering!
The other really cool thing that has happened, is the support they have gotten. They have received 1000's of emails on their blog site from people they don't even know, from people overseas who stumbled across their blog and have been moved just as I have. Each one of them has prayed for Cora and her family just as I have. A Cora Playground is being built in this little girls honor and people are selling really cool things on a website where all proceeds go to this cause.
I know that you don't have any idea who this family is, nor do I, but I ask you to go to their blogsite and read about this brave girl and this awesome family. I ask you also to pray for the family as they try to continue on with their lives! I have been changed by this story as I am sure you will to. Cora will never leave my mind or my heart!

It was Snow Fun!

Well, our Colorado community got socked with some snow yesterday! It was enough snow that the kids could go play in it.....FINALLY Kysen could look outside and say It is Noing mommy! I thought I would share some of the fun pictures that we took of the kidos!





As much as we have enjoyed the snow and will enjoy more today, we are looking forward to it drying up so we can head out to Lincoln on Wednesday to see family and friends! I hope all of you have a super week, stay warm, and go play in the snow if you have any to enjoy!

Sure Do Love My Kidos

As I lay awake last night about 3a.m I began to think about a story I heard yesterday. It was about a mother who was driving down the freeway with her three young children. She had 2 daughters and a son who were all under the age of I think five. Well, sadly, a semi truck hit them from behind and killed all three of her kids. That was back in 2006. Soon after, her husband and her started a advocate group to help semi truck drivers become aware of their ability to pay attention and drive with caution, which I think is all of us at one point or another. Soon after all of this happened, she found out she was pregnant with triplets. Then later on she found out that she was carrying 2 girls and a boy. I literally had hairs standing on my back when I read about this. She believes that her children in heaven sent down three little bundles of joy in her! This shows to me how much our lives are in the hands of God. How much he plays a part in our lives. Also, on the news last night they told about a man whose car he was driving in Colorado went off of a cliff. Oddly, it landed on a rock that was on the middle of this cliff. The driver lived! AMAZING!! Then they told the wierd part of the story....the man was trying to commit suicide. Like my husband said, a higher hand had a role in that mans life. God was not ready for him in his kingdom. These two stories really had an impact in my life yesterday! God truly has a plan for each of us and no matter if we like it or not, we have to live each day loving what we have. I am so blessed to have my two children and a loving husband! I fell asleep last night content and got to wake up this morning at 6am to two little faces saying can we lay in your bed! Life is GOOD!

Granny Update

Well by the grace of God and with a lot of people praying, my Grandma is back in Hastings going through intense rehab after having triple bypass surgery last tuesday! I talked to her last night for the first time in a week. Keep in mind that I usually talk to her at LEAST once a day. So needless to say, it was great to have conversation with her last night. She amazes my by her selflessness. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was reading her new Bible that a friend got her and she was thinking about her family. Not once did I hear her complain about any pain she was having or how she wished this did not happen to her. She is always thinking of everyone else! I wish I could be more like her! I smiled when she said that after she is stronger she wants to come and visit us! To be able to look forward to continued life with Granny makes me so happy. Thank you all for you prayers and for your support! God is truly the ultimate healer!

Be Strong Grandma

As most of you all know, my grandma is so special to me. In October she had a major heart attack. She pulled through, got two stints put in, started rehab, followed the diet, and made a lot of progress. Well just last Friday she had another small heart attack, but this time there was some damage to the heart. He stints had failed.....why and how could this happen to such a wonderful and loving person. She gives so much of herself to the goodness of others. Well, the next step is to have a triple bypass tomorrow. So at 7:30 tomorrow morning, the hands of amazing doctors will take over and perform a miracle on my grandma. We know that the situation is out of our hands and in the hands of her creator. We know that she is a strong person with a lot more to do here on earth. I ask that everyone say a little prayer for her. I believe that the power of prayer is truly amazing. We love you grandma/granny great and get better!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well the Christmas season is past and the New Year has been rung in! Hard to believe. We had a busy holiday season and I am trying to get back to normal. My Mom and Grandma came down the whole week of Christmas. I think I got a lot of practice with my cooking skills. I think that I also gained 10 pounds also. We were able to wake up Christmas morning....wait a minute....we were woke up Christmas morning by Kaitlyn who was soooo excited to see what Santa had brought her. She asked him for a fishing pole...guess what, she got one. A pink and black fishing pole along with a tackle box for all her worms! She was beyond excited. Kysen was soon to follow, excited to discover that he got his first Thomas the Train Set. I kid you not, he sat on the table for an hour after he got it and played with it! I was beginning to think he was hypnotized from watching the train go around a hundred times. We then went to my aunt and uncles house where we had a feast big enough for the town of Fort Collins, and only 11 of us to put a dent in the bowls! We had a wonderful time with the family and I have to say that we were blessed my Grandma recovered from her heart attack so she could join us!
The next holiday was New Years Eve. We were blessed to move into a neighborhood with great neighbors who have kids. So we all piled in our house and ate, and ate, and did I mention that we ate? They left shortly before midnight and my kids went to bed at 11:30. Can you believe that Kysen kept his eyelids open that long!!! Don and I toasted in the New Year with a glass of wine! We had such a life changing event happen in 2008 so we are ready to see what exciting thing life brings in 2009!
As if this was not enough, New Years day we had the Huskers playing in the Gator Bowl.....what a game it was and even better that we pulled off a win. Lets just say I think I gained 10 more pounds this day trying to eat the leftover appitizers from the night before.......
So this brings us to 2009...resolutions have been made! We wish each of you a wonderful 2009 filled with prosperity and peace!