C'mon Ring Those Bells!

In a previous post I mentioned my recent medical journey. I haven been undergoing radiation on my leg for the last six weeks. In the lobby of the treatment facility where I go, there is a bell and a plaque with the following poem inscribed on it:

Survivor's Cheer
Ring this bell
Three times well,
Its toll to clearly say;
My treatment is done!
This course is run!
And I am on my way!

I had never seen anyone actually ring the bell and begun to wonder if anyone actually did. Then one day last week as I came in for my treatment, I heard the bell. I saw the joy and relief on the face of the lady who rung it. Her friends and family, along with the facility staff, were gathered around cheering her on. It was an amazing sight. The nurses later told me they've had people who were treated at other facilities ask to come ring the bell once they completed their treatments. (Of course they let them.)

Today I got to ring that bell. I completed my final radiation treatment. I didn't expect to feel so emotional, after all I have been doing this every day for the last six and a half weeks. I figured this would be just another day. But it wasn't. After ringing that bell, seeing my husband smiling from ear to ear, and hearing the staff cheer, I walked out the doors with a new outlook on life: I am now a survivor.

If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, I encourage you to find out if your treatment center does any type of celebration when your treatment is completed. If not, create your own. Invite family and friends to meet you there. Bring refreshments (I'm sure the staff would appreciate some, too!). Or simply arrange for a celebratory dinner afterward. You've earned it.

If you know someone undergoing treatment for cancer, buy him or her a bell. Attach a copy of the above poem. Offer to celebrate with them...and be prepared to clap, cheer, shout, whistle, and carry on for your loved one. You'll never know how loved it will make them feel.

Disclaimer

I will be hijacking my own blog for awhile. Let me explain...we used to have a secure web site where we could share photos of our kids with friends and family who live far away, as most of our family does. This allowed us to share everyday moments with those we wish could share them in person.

Unfortunately our site is down for the time-being. So I will be using my blog to post even MORE pictures of my children and our outings to share with our far-off loved ones. (I can't imagine why anyone would NOT want to endure pictures of my GORGEOUS children, but I apologize for any off-putting self-indulgence. ;))

I will still be posting the occasional book review, household ideas, comments on life and faith, or anything else that strikes my fancy; however, as time is limited I'm afraid most of it will be devoted sharing snippets of our life with those we love. Of course, you are included in that, so I hope you will join us for the journey...I'm sure it will be a wild ride!

Happy Birthday Bro-in-law!

As the oldest of three girls, I always wished I had a brother...more specifically, a BIG brother. I thought it would be so cool to have someone to look out for me at school, have my back on the playground, and (most importantly) take the brunt of the punishment from Mom and Dad!

I was fortunate to marry someone who had one of those. My brother-in-law is an incredibly talented and fun-loving individual. He goes by many names (Andy, Drew, Daremo, Omerad, Slim, etc.) and wears many hats (computer tech, deck builder, campsite coordinator, gifted photographer, Texas Hold 'Em champ, web designer, and all-around handyman). He's the one we count on to capture the great moments at family gatherings with his trusty camera, and you may have noticed he's become the "official photographer" of Chocolate Ink. I hope he doesn't mind, but I've kind of mentally adopted him as the big brother I always wanted...

Happy Birthday (Uncle) Andy! We love you!

Happy Birthday, Babe!

I want to wish my wonderful Hubby a very Happy Birthday today!

Then...
(does he look like Little Man, or what?!?!)

...and now.

Happy Birthday, Babe! I love you!

And Happy Groundhog Day to everyone else!

Designed for Life 2008 Women's Conference

"Life is full of surprises." That sounds so cliche...until you encounter one of those surprises.

Last week I attended our church's annual women's conference. (Thus the reason for my absence here.) Now, I'm not typically one for church women's gatherings. As a not-so-frilly-girl, I've come away from more than my share of women's gatherings feeling like it just "wasn't for me." But for some reason, I felt like I needed to go this year...and surprise! I'm really glad I did.

The speakers were phenominal. Vera Kasevich of Hillsong Church in Kiev, Ukrane, has an amazing testimony and passion for empowering women. She and her husband pastor in Kiev as well as in Moscow, Russia. We also heard from my friend Casey Gibbons, the wife of our youth pastor, Scotty Gibbons. Casey also has a tremendous story of God's faithfulness in her life and an amazing heart for girls and children.

For me, the highlight of the conference was being challenged (and I do not use that word lightly) by Christine Caine of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Put simply, Christine is a combination of passion, humor, and the power of the Word of God all rolled into a small Greek-Australian woman. She is an tremendous speaker and an amazing woman.

In addition to the powerful speakers, the conference held The World's Largest Baby Shower where nine new and expectant mothers from the local pregnancy care center were showered with gifts of strollers, rocking chairs, bedding and nursery decor, baby clothes, and baby supplies.

Two women were honored through the "Be a Gift" Foundation for their faith and courage in the midst of adversity. They were given makeovers and a shopping spree. One family was given a kitchen makeover (complete with new dishes and a fully-stocked pantry), while the other family received a 5-day getaway and a check to cover expenses for their son's medical treatments.

The conference participants also agreed to sponsor 500 Haitian children through Mission of Mercy to launch their ministry in the country of Haiti!

This was not your mother's women's conference! Gone are the days of blue-haired ladies sitting around knitting and sipping tea. Apparently, the new face of women's ministry is all about empowering women to live up to who God has created us to be. Now that I can get into! (The chocolates and chair massages are nice, too!)

I am definitely looking forward to next year's conference. If you're looking for a reason to visit the Ozarks next fall, this is a great reason to come. I can give you great tips on things to do in the area!

What's been your biggest surprise in recent days?

The Man I Love

I don't say it often enough, but I have an amazing Hubby. (Yes, I am going to be mushy, so if that bothers you, sorry, but it's MY blog!) ;) There really are so many reasons that I love him, but here is a small glimpse of the wonderful man I married and just one of the many reasons he is still the Love of My Life...

Today Hubby had a BIG meeting concerning a new project he's been given that is putting a lot of responsibility (and stress) on his already-overworked shoulders. (Hubby works in the information technology department for a healthcare company.) The meeting included his bosses, a couple VPs, and a new client they have recently signed who will be mostly Hubby's responsibility. The meeting lasted most of the afternoon, and at 6:00 they all decided to continue the meeting over dinner at a nearby restaurant. Despite pressure from his boss and the client, Hubby declined the invitation to dinner and simply expained to them that he had to get home to his family.

Lest you think I am sitting at home, ready to crack the whip should he venture in a few minutes late, I told him he should go to the dinner. (so as not to miss any information on the new project or to disappoint his bosses.) I'm sure he will suffer some teasing (or maybe worse) for his decision, but I know that doesn't bother him because that's not the kind of man he is. He's the kind of man who gives 110% to his job when he's at work, but when it comes to his family he gives 200% and he does everything in his power to be home at night to eat dinner with us, play with the kids, and help with bedtime. I knew it 7 years ago when we started dating, I knew it 5 years ago when we got married, but I was reminded of it again today..I got me a good man!