whew! busy!

We have had a busy whirlwind few days. It has been so good though. I have been working on getting report cards written, a course description written and planning done with the teacher i am going to be working with, Linda Holley. It has been fun, but tiring. Scott has been busy at work trying to get everything lined out for three worship services and two Sunday Schools coming up in August. Our pastor and his wife are out of town, so Scott gets to preach on Sunday. I am very excited about that. He does a great job. I keep forgetting to write about what happened while we were in Bartlesville. Made me so mad...Scott and his dad went into a gun store (imagine that). The worker there made the comment to Scott something like you lookin to buy some hair? Scott said he just stood there a minute. He finally said, I have to beat cancer for that to happen. People say the stupidist things sometimes. I am glad Scott told me after we had left. Kind of a reminder for me and everyone to watch your words and your prejudices. You never know what people have been through or are dealing with. Don't make assumptions and watch what you say. Enough of that soap box! The kids got to go on the sled dog ride today. After they got to play with the snowdogs. It looks like they had a ball. The kids got my love for animals, so they were in heaven getting to play with the puppies! They will be going whale watching next I think. I am sure missing them!

Praise God!

What a great day! The dr says that Scott's cancer is GONE! She said that he will need to meet with the neurosurgeon just to be safe. He has loss in bone there where the cancer was, but Dr. Toma was not concerned. She suggested taking calcium. We asked about his port and she said her philosophy is why wait for the cancer to return, take it out! She feels we are done with cancer! She also said there is no guarentee, but that she is very optimistic. I can not tell you what a relief that is for us! Scott will go back to the dr in three months for another CT scan and MRI and blood work. He is anemic, but that should resolve itself soon. Wow, what a relief all this is. Thank you all for praying for us. I was a nervous wreck last night. I thought there was no possible way I would sleep and God just was so faithful to let me have a good nights rest. I know God was in that, reading Psalm 29:11. "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." I certainly have felt that peace today. I was reading some of my verses I have bookmarked through this journey and read Psalm 50:15 this morning. It reads, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me." I want God to recieve all praise and honor for Scott's healing. He made a horrible situation bearable. He put people in our lives along the way to help and guide us. I am so thankful for my faith. How do people do it that don't believe? We are anxiously awaiting the day when we hear the word remission! I will continue to blog. This has been such a great tool for my emotions. Thanks again for your love, support and prayers! Rachel

The Waiting Game

I had this great note typed all up last night and for some reason we lost our internet connection just as I was getting ready to post it....argh. So, here it goes again!

Scott had his CT Scan and MRI yesterday and his blood work done. We now have to do what I do the worst...wait. This has been an incredibly long journey and I am so ready for us to know where we stand now. God has been faithful in providing for us so many things throughout the journey. We are so thankful for our family and friends who have loved on us and supported us. From March until about June we didn't have to worry about dinner, it was brought to us. That was amazing. Not to have to worry about what to cook was so nice. Plus, it really helped with our budget. People have been so kind to take care of our yard. It is amazing to hear a lawn mower and realize it is your yard being cared for! Thanks. I am such a girly girl that I normally do not do the lawn, not that I can't I just haven't ever had to, and what a relief that was to me not to have to! Some of you have been so kind to give us gift cards for various places and even dropped a little money in the mail for us. Thank you. Cancer is amazingly expensive. One of the biggest shocks to me was that everyone expects their money up front. Not to menition that we had to pay for 5-7 prescriptions each round. And for the hundreds of you that sent us notes of encouragement, thank you! You will never know how that kind word was so special to us. I am sure I am forgetting to thank someone else, but most importantly I want to thank those of you who have prayed for us. This should by all means have been devastating to our family. God has given us the peace and comfort that you all have prayed for. We have seen His hand every step of the way. Now, it isn't easy. Let me tell ya. Not easy at all. There have been many sleepless nights, tummy aches and tears. But through all that we have felt God's presence stronger than ever before. THANK YOU ALL!

The kids are doing well. They are staying in Soldotna, Alaska right now. The guys will do fishing and I am not sure what the girls are going to do the next few days. I am sure they will find something. We Skyped with Gary and Ashlie and sweet baby Addison last night. Jess was texting me during that time and had the idea to call and put the kids on speaker phone to talk to them. Didn't work very well, but at least they got to say hello! Addison, by the way, is amazing. She is very long like Jessica was as a baby and very skinny. She loves to put her hands up to her face. I wish we could be there soon to see her and hold her!

I worked yesterday all day and will do the same today. Everything is really feeling like it is coming together. I finished my little handbook yesterday, which is always a relief. Today I think I am going to work on my lesson plans for the first few days. Anyway, I hope you all have a great day.

Wow, Can't Believe it is Saturday AGAIN!

This week flew by. The best news of the week is that my niece, Addison Elizabeth Schooler was born on the 24th at 2:21 San Diego time! She is amazingly beautiful. She is a little squirt, 5 lbs 15 oz! I can hardly wait to get to see her and get my hands on her! It will be a while :(.

The kids went white water rafting today and to a dinner theater tonight. They will be going on a 12 hour safari tomorrow. They are having a ball.

I went to OKC this morning to pick up a few things for school. Then this afternoon went to school and worked until about 7:30. My room is starting to feel like it is coming together. I am really ready for school to start! THat means my kids will be home! YAHOOO! I am sure missing them.

Scott goes in Monday for a CT Scan and an MRI. He will then meet with his oncologist Dr. Toma on Wednesday. We went out to eat this afternoon and I asked if he was nervous. He said he is most nervous about what the neurosurgeon will say about his bone in his neck/back. I am a basket case. Scared doesn't even begin to explain my emotions. I am on the verge of crying all the time. Just so many things to wonder about. Makes my tummy hurt to be honest. I just want everything to be ok, normal. It has been so long since we have felt "normal". I try not to let cancer define who we are, but it is incredibly hard. I know God is in control and has us in His hands. The waiting is so tough.

Wednesday

Scott and I are having a great time in Dewey. He went to some antique stores with his parents today while I went to my Great Expectations conference. I had a good day. Learned a lot about the brain. I am wiped out tonight though!

I talked to the kids last night. They had a ball panning for gold. They all found some and put it in a container. They rested today. They walked to the store, Fred Meyers, like Walmart. The kids each got a picture frame that says Alaska. They will travel tomorrow, then they will go on a bus safari type thing...really technical I know. They will see lots of animals and get to hike a little. Sounds like fun to me!

Scott is feeling well. His color looks better every day. He has little hairs starting to pop up back on his head. Can't tell what color it is yet. His eyebrows and eyelashes are continuing to fall out. Funny how it all works. I am just so thankful that he is feeling well.

Dewey

Scott and I made it to Dewey. We drove by where my conference will be in Bartlesville. Seems easy to get to. I am very directionally challenged. We are staying at Scott's parent's house. It should be a relaxing week here. I am happy that Scott is getting a break away from doctors and tests and poking. I know he is as well.

I got quite a bit done at school this morning. I made a good dent in the mess in my room. I will feel better once that is all together. I made a huge mess trying to clean out all the kindergarten stuff. I am glad to have things organized.

The kids are having a great time. They have really enjoyed playing in and by the river. I think they may be panning for gold today. I have tried to text a few times but haven't gotten a hold of anyone today.

I got a new iPhone today. Mine kept messing up, so I am glad to get it. No real big news in the last few days. No news is good news I guess

Friday

Scott is doing G-R-E-A-T! He worked today and then went to sight in guns with some friends this afternoon. He seems to not be so tired tonight. I think he is getting his strength back. I am so thankful!I worked today.

Got some things together with the other prek teacher I will be working with, Linda Holly. I think we will get along great. She is so nice. We seem to have the same teaching styles and I really enjoy being with her. She has taught several years and I am excited to learn from her! I got some new teaching materials at the big sales yesterday that needed to be laminated. We don't have access to the laminater at school, so I took it up to Mardel's today to laminate. I had 33 feet of lamination! Yikes! I almost have everything cut out. It will be worth it becuase everything will last longer.

The kids are in Fairbanks, Alaska now. They are going to pan for gold tomorrow and go on a riverboat tour. They are excited to get started on all the excursions! They are also going to the real North Pole in the next few days. I told my mom to be sure to take lots of pictures! I am attaching some pics of the kids my mom sent today. Jacob is the always funny guy...wonder who he gets that from!?