Family, Faith, and Love

I have used this blog for many reasons: I love being able to go back through photos, and talk about goofy and random moments in Pete and I's life, love sharing moments of our baby girl's life as we learn and try to be the best possible parents, but ultimately I enjoy knowing that the people reading this are those whom I want to forever feel close to, no matter what the distance.  

With that being said, this post is a little different... it is about a hiccup within my and my family's life that will lead to one of the best heartbeats I can think of as of yet....

My mother is someone that I truly feel I don't have enough words to describe her amazingness.  I feel like I had a humbling yet truly amazing childhood.  She never missed a moment to show how important  my brother and sisters were to her- whether it was being the room mom, team mom, or just the one with the best trick-or-treat house- she was always right there and enjoyed more than anything showing us how special childhood was.  She is one of my very best friends, one of the best advice givers ever, and to this day has always been my biggest fan- cheering me on and supporting me even when I was thinking there was no hope.  She has always encouraged me to be the best I can be even when the going gets tough.  She has never missed one important day or moment in my life- period.  She has a way of making everything seem ok and bringing the best into every situation.  She is the toughest woman I know and the one I look up to with everything I have: if I can be half the woman, mother, and wife she has shown me throughout my life this world will be a better place.

On December 20th, 2011 my mom called me with the "biggest hiccup" of my life.  The news she shared truly brought me to my knees....

...my mother shared with me that night that she was battling breast cancer.

All I could think was, are you kidding me?  Why her?  What has she done?  This REALLY cannot be happening to my mom, God she doesn't deserve this ;(.....

Now, a couple months later, armed with so much knowledge, AMAZING doctors, and prayer from all over the country, she is currently in the first weeks of chemo and doing so well.  

This hiccup has been one of the hardest to deal with.  I just get mad, angry, and sad all at once, but when I talk with her she is none of those.  Maybe she feels it on the inside sometimes, but on the outside she seems calm yet strong and totally confident in the purpose of why all of this is happening. 

It wasn't until today when I came across this picture that I began to feel a sense of calm....

...God does NOT give us more than we can handle, and He knows the reason for why things like this happen.  I have always known there was a God and believed He would always be there, but I am telling you what.... times like these test you.  I just cannot be mad at Him, I need to know He has a reason and He loves my mom as much as we do.  I know my mom is a strong women and she will be just fine, but I know she will have many more wonderful moments like this with all of her grandkids and I KNOW that in a few months when the needle pokes, treatments, and regular doctor's visits end it will be a tremendous "heartbeat"!  

Family, Faith, and Love are powerful things.  I hope that through it all I can keep those at the forefront even when the going gets tough.  We love you Mom, thank you for fighting, thank you for your steadfast faith in who you are.... I love you.