We Miss Him

We miss him. When Dad was diagnosed it felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Watching Dad fight cancer while being paralyzed was like watching a ship without a sail. Losing Dad was and is unimaginable. But I think now is perhaps one of the toughest times that we will go through. Reality sets in that Dad is really gone, and life goes on as normal. While Jason and I miss him terribly and know that our lives will never be the same, we also can return to somewhat of a normal life with our own families. Then there is my sweet Mom. Mom has no normal. I wanted to ask you to please left her up now more than ever. Your prayers carried us through a very long journey, but that journey is not over......... And in some ways it is just beginning. Dad has a new journey walking the streets of gold, and we have a new journey as we search for our "new" normal. We are so thankful for your support and prayers and ask that you keep lifting us up!

We Believe

So what do we do now? For two years our world has been consumed with caring for Dad-especially Mom. That is all she did…. all day….every day. All things considered-We are all doing the best we can. Mom is taking one day at a time, and for the most part she is coping well! I am so proud of how she is handing all of this. Her world has been turned upside down, but she is facing each day with courage and strength. Dolores, Ervin, Connie and Frank took her for a day in Galveston on Sunday. It did her good to get away for a day! She is going to the lake overnight with Jason, and she is planning a few days in the hill country soon. We have also planned a trip to Seattle to see Jamie in June that we are really excited about! I know it is hard for Mom to do these things, but she is reminding herself each day that is what Dad would want her to do.

We all know the stages of grief…… I think we are all still somewhere in the shock stage. Although we knew it was coming, It just does not feel real. How can he really be gone?

We are also in a place of peace. We are so thankful that Dad is through with the journey he took. He took it like a man and made us proud--We are so very thankful for the freedom he has found.

The love and support that we continue to receive is just amazing. We could not go through this without you. We truly are so grateful.

We Still Believe

A New Beginning

The first blog titled "The Beginning" said these words:

"Bring me joy, Bring me peace bring the chance to be free.....Bring anything that brings you glory. And I know there will be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes Jesus bring the rain."

We are feeling the pain, but Dad now has a new beginning that makes him whole, and free. Free from cancer, paralysis or pain. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 7, 2009 at 2:18. We are sad, and it hurts but we are so happy for Dad. He fought a long, courageous battle and he has won indeed!! We rest in the hope we have in Christ. The hope that we will see Dad again.

The visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 at Broussards on Major Drive in Beaumont. The service will be Friday at 11:00 at Crestwood Baptist Church in Lumberton.

God's love is very real even in the midst of our pain and sorrow.

We Believe

Still Fighting!

Dad is still holding his own.......man he is a fighter! When we titled this blog Fighting with our Hero we had no idea how true that would be! He talks crazy most of the time, but he is still able to communicate and harass us!!

He has had a few head aches, but other than that he is in no pain. We are so thankful for that!

Here are a few pictures from last weekend. We took Dad to Tyler's first T-ball game. We were were a little nervous about taking him out.....I didn't think it was a good idea! But when Dad said he wanted to be there, and Tyler said he wanted Papa Gene to go to one of his games there was not doubt in our mind.....Papa Gene would be there!!! We couldn't tell either of them no..... Just wasn't going to happen!

He did really well, and now Tyler will always have that memory of his Papa Gene at his first T-ball game :)

Does he still look good or what?!?

GO LUGNUTS!!!!

Favorites

Some of Dad's favorite things right now:

1. Popsicles
2. Ice Cream Sandwiches
3. Eating chocolate
4. Drinking Coke
5. Having his little flower take naps with him
6. Having Haley next to him or Louie in his lap
7. Fox News

Some of the things he dislikes right now:

1. Me trying to take pictures and videos all the time!
2. Mom leaving him for any length of time.....Ten minutes or 4 hours!
3. Me and mom not being able to read his mind and do exactly what he wants WHEN he
wants!
4. Getting out of bed.
5. Taking baths! (It is a fight every time!)

Here are a few pics from the past few weekends. Enjoy :)

Dad and his little flower :)

A proud Mama!

Do we look alike or what?!!

We played a game of Mad Gab and Dad was our time keeper

Dad and Sam...This cute little guy came all the way from Seattle to see Dad!

More of the Same

I have been struggling with what to post. I have sat down several times to update, and I am just at a loss for words. This is a hard phase to be in. Over the past two years we have gotten so many bad reports, but they were always followed by a good report. I think we are in some ways waiting for that good news. One reason it is so hard to accept is because Dad appears to be the same even though we know the tumor is growing rapidly. He sleeps a lot, but he still gets up and sits in his chair. He listens to Fox news, eats his treats and harasses his Lil flower...or me...or Jason...or whoever will listen! He is in no pain, and is alert most of the time when we get him up. That being said, We are definitely noticing a decline in his neurological state and some confusion.

We are spending as much time as we can with him, and enjoying making memories we will have forever.

We have been surrounded by prayers and support in the past few weeks. We cannot express our gratitude for the many ways that you are all showing that we are not in this alone. Please know that we appreciate everything so much, and we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.

We believe......Because when we look with an eternal perspective we know that there is indeed "good news" coming.....

The Gift

Didn't mean to leave you hanging.....Mom's gift was a really pretty watch :)

Here are a few pics from the past few weekends. Valentines Day weekend Dad wanted to take mom to the mall to get her a gift. He drove a motorized wheelchair...that was scary, but we all survived!!


"Three" peas in a pod


Dad had Tyler opening up Hersey's Kisses for him :)



Dad was tired but I was making him pose.....He just loves when I do that!!! ;)
I had to show off our matching watches!

Papa Gene and his biggest Cheerleader!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support....

We believe...

On December 30th, we got a great report, and I opened that post by saying: Folks, we serve an awesome God. Yesterday the news was not good, but we still serve an awesome God. The tumor has grown significantly, and there is nothing more they can do. Now is the time to enjoy every day that we are given. Dad is in good spirits, he is still going to fight.........We know he will fight until the end. That is what hero's do, right?

We are all in the process of wrapping our minds around what is to come. It all seems surreal. We are counting on your prayers and ask that you continue to lift us up.

We Believe