KC/Jackson/Franklin

I started out in KC yesterday morning coming home from my mom and dad's, headed to work and try to catch up on some things that had to be done in the office and then climbed in the car to head to Jackson for Morgan's soccer game. We lost to USJ 1-0 (again) and it appeared as though they had some help from the officiating. We are very evenly matched and their girls are very good kids. We play Jackson Christian this morning and then head back to home.

Shelbi is in Franklin playing volleyball. They won two matches last night and play most of the day today. Sondra just left Jackson to head back and be there with Shelbi today. I think they won both matches pretty handily.

Mom had a good day yesterday and I talked to her late last night. My brother and sister-in-law are staying with my folks this weekend to just help out as needed. I am so thankful they are closer and can get to my folks as needed. I am planning on going back to KC next weekend unless I need to go earlier. Thanks again for praying.

Mom Update

I got to spend the past couple of days with my mom and dad and really enjoyed the time. It is obvious that mom is declining physically. She continues to have a great attitude and good spirits but the pain seems to be increasing which means increased pain management. The hospice folks have been wonderful and have answered all of our questions.

It was good to see my brother and wife and my nephew and former sister-in-law on this trip as well. The next few weeks and days will be interesting for all of us to begin to navigate together. My dad continues to do pretty well.

Thanks for praying for my mom and dad. It is obvious that people are praying. We appreciate it very much.

Big District Win

Last night was way too much fun! Shelbi's volleyball team played Goodpasture (our rival) and came away with a 3 game to 1 match victory. Each of the games were really close and the 3rd game we really just stole from them.

Shelbi played really well and had a good time at it. Tonight we play volleyball and soccer at CPA and they are important district games as well. Should be a lot of fun.

Talked with mom a few minutes ago and she sounded pretty well just really tired. Her strength is really limited and she tires from just sitting and talking. I fly up tomorrow morning early to spend a couple of days with her and dad and head home on Fri. morning. I am really looking forward to spending time with her and my dad. It is really a blessing to be able to go. A friend of ours has provided me with as many airline tickets as I need to go back and forth the next few weeks. An amazing, incredible blessing. I am very thankful.

I am still getting to run some and did 10 today in some really muggy weather we are having here in Nashville. I hope to get a couple of short runs in in KC while there and it will be considerably cooler.

I will update as I can. Thanks so much for praying.

Sunday

Today has been a pretty good day. Church and Sunday School went well and this evening we met with some friends for dinner. One of the couples are friends of ours who live in Hawaii and they are back in Nashville visiting their new grandbaby. Asher was born on Friday after a long labor time and then finally came by c-section. Mom and baby are fine.

My mom and dad with with hospice today and mom signed her DNR papers today and they got some good counsel on how to handle some things if and when they happen. This all seems surreal in a way and just seems so incredibly weird. I thought I might go out tomorrow but mom seems to be okay for now so I will go out on Weds. am and return here on Fri. The girls have some keys events happening and I want to be with them as well. It is really difficult to figure out where I need to be when.

Thanks again for praying. I have included a picture of my mom with Shelbi and Morgan.

Saturday

Last night was a good time at DCA Homecoming and the Cats won 35-7. It was a good way to celebrate homecoming. I got to be on the sidelines helping out with stats and then at half-time got to run out and drive the sophomore representatives onto the field. A good way to watch the ballgame and the half time homecoming festivities. Nicki Lemoines was crowned queen which was really cool. She is a great young lady who works very hard to include everyone in all things. Sweet girl and a great way to honor her and her efforts to be a great young lady.

It was late to bed for us last night, so I headed out for a 10-miler and it was almost 8am. Pretty warm still here in TN, but I finished pretty well and enjoyed running on the greenway. Sondra and I headed to Panera for a bagel and coffee and to enjoy one another's company. Good times. Headed over to Home Depot to get some oil for the lawn mower and a new spark plug. Works like a charm.

Called my dad about 11a to check on mom and she was having a pretty tough time this am. Trouble breathing and not feeling well at all. Got her settled down and they set up an appt. with hospice to come in tomorrow and begin that process. Sounds like mom needs some oxygen and some stepped up care. I had planned on going this coming Fri. but will probably try to head out on Monday and get on up to KC.

Please continue to pray for my mom and dad. We just do not want mom to have great pain. Her spirits are good but her body is quickly deteriorating.

Sports Update

Shelbi and Morgan both played last night and both got key team wins. Now that we are in district play all of these games are pretty important. I have to tell you that as a dad it is big fun to watch the girls participating in sports. Actually, I just enjoy watching them do just about anything.

Shelbi heads off rappelling this weekend with her senior class and the rest of us are looking forward to staying around the house. I am going to try and get Sondra to the cinema to see the latest Bourne movie. The girls and I have seen it already but Sondra needs to see it as well.

Mom had a pretty good day yesterday and she is supposed to be at her school this afternoon for the kids and teachers to see her. They had hoped to have a big retirement reception but have opted for a softer get-together the last hour of school. It should be a good time for mom and the kids and teachers. My mom has influenced so many lives through her teaching years. I know it has to be very rewarding for her.

My brother got to see his oldest son yesterday after many years. It appears that the relationships with my brother's kids are moving the right direction and we are very thankful for this blessing.

Thanks for praying for my mom and dad. I hope to include a picture of my mom later today or tomorrow so you can see who you are praying for. Thanks again.

After Weekend Update

We had a great weekend with my mom and dad. It is clear that mom is very sick but it is also evident that she has an incredible grip on all that is going on. The tumor in her brain is very active and the pain can be considerable at times. She never complains however. The medication she is currently taking seems to help alot.

Sondra and the girls made it to mom and dad's Sunday morning and we had a great time. My brother and his wife and I took the girls fishing for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon which was big fun. It rained on us a little but we had a good time. We caught 4-5 fish between us so the catching was not too good but the fishing was fun and the girls were a hoot.

Leaving mom yesterday morning was pretty tough for all of us. Sondra and the girls were sort of saying their goodbyes for now. I am headed back up to KC in a little over a week to stay for the weekend and give my dad and brother a little break.

Pray that mom's pain will not be too great. She is an incredible testimony to us all.

In other news, we are all doing good. Shelbi's volleyball won their district match last night and she plays again on Thurs. and Morgan plays soccer as well on Thurs. My brother and I have decided that we are getting shirts printed on the front that say, "I'm fine" to answer the question before we are asked. People have been so gracious and kind to us during this time. My dad is doing really well too and is an incredible caregiver to my mom.

Thanks for praying.

Mom Update

I flew to KC on Thurs. and have been with my mom and dad since. Mom seems to be doing okay for now. The brain tumor appears to be pretty active and effects mom's motor skills some (she has trouble walking by herself) but her mind is very clear. We have enjoyed telling stories, laughing together, and discussing some future plans. My dad is proving himself to be the greatest man I know. He waits on her, cares for her, protects and loves her. What an incredible model of grace and a loving husband. He has always been my "Jesus with skin on", not only talking about it but living it. Sondra and the girls come up today and should be here late and my brother James and his wife will be here later today and tomorrow.

The oncologist vist on Thursday was tough and a blessing at the same time. The dr. is a very kind physician who genuinely cares for my mom. He told us that the brain tumor is very active and that it needed to be treated immediately and gave mom three options for treatment. He did say there was no cure for this type of cancer. She does have a golf ball sized mass in her cerebellum, another spot on the top of her brain and there is cancer in her lungs and lymph nodes in the chest area. He said it would spread quickly. Mom has chosen not to receive any more treatment. We are all okay with this and support her decision.

Pray for her strength and that the pain would be minimal. It is obvious that many people are praying by the presence of God that we all feel.

9/11

It is the 6th anniversary of one of the worst days in American history and also one of the greatest days for Americans to rise up and remember who we are. Today also is the start of our second FOCUS conference and this one is in Panama City Beach, FL. A good place to have a conference if you ask me.

I present in the morning and then will fly back to Nashville tomorrow night and then head to MO to be with my mom and dad and go to her oncologist appointment with them. Thanks for continuing to pray for our family.

I got to do a 5-miler this afternoon and it was pretty hot and humid. This morning it was pouring so it did me good to wait a little while. We set up some conference stuff and then a buddy and I went to see Death Sentence which is the new Kevin Bacon movie. I thought it was terrible. It had no redeeming value to it whatsoever and I would recommend you choose not to go.

Mom's PT Scan Results

Mom got the results from the PT scan she took on Friday and unfortunately it was pretty grave news. It seems that the cancer has spread to her lungs and there appears to be another spot on her brain as well. As of now, the doctor estimates about 6 weeks to 3 months. The cancer is very aggressive and radiation would only slow it down some. They are most concerned about her lungs right now and seem to think that the course of the cancer will attack her bones and liver.

It talked to mom tonight and she is one incredible lady. I told her that whatever she decided to do was more than fine with me. My dad and brother of the same opinion. I would never want her to go through any treatment that she really would not want to do. I think at this point she is deciding not to have any further treatment.

I told her again that I was disappointed that the cancer has returned, but I am not discouraged. I am planning on going to Missouri on Weds. and being there for a few days. Sondra, Shelbi and Morgan will come up on Saturday if all goes as planned.

I would ask you to pray for my mom that she would not experience great pain. Her faith is incredibly strong. Pray for my dad. He told me that it is an honor to take care of my mom. Pray for my brother and his wife. Pray for my family as well. These are not fun days, but are days that we will walk through completely trusting that God knows what He is doing. Thanks for praying.

Weekend Update

Mom had her PT scan yesterday and will probably get results the first of the week some time. Dad and I had a good conversation yesterday and I was reminded once again what a blessing it is to have parents who are so faithful and loving. My brother and I are incredibly blessed to have the parents we have.

DCA football was not good last night. We turned the ball over way too many times and lost 31-15. CPA is really not that strong. They had a good qback and a very good receiver/safety (#22-Weir celebrated his birthday by intercepting a pass and catching one for a long touchdown). Our offense was weak but our defense was fairly good.

Soccer played this morning and won 5-0 so they play @ 6p tonight in our pool championship. I think we have USJ. Morgan played really well today.

I will keep you posted on my mom.

Mom Update

My dad called a couple of minutes ago to report that my mom went in for a MRI this morning because she has been stumbling around some. Many of you will remember that mom went through cancer treatments this time last year. The MRI revealed a mass in her brain and she is scheduled for PT scan tomorrow. If cancer does not show up anywhere else in her body, then they will operate on her brain, and if it does show up elsewhere then it could be a pretty tough process to homegoing.

I would appreciate your prayers for my mom, Frances, and dad, Charles, and my brother and I. I know many of you have walked through similar experiences. I ask that you just pray for God to be glorified which is my mom's request.

44 Today

Today is my 44th birthday. In some ways it is hard to believe that I am 44. Not that 44 is old, but it is older than I ever imagined myself. I always see myself younger than I actually am it seems. For some reason, I think of myself as being younger all the time. I do not think I dread growing older, it just seems to just happen.

I am not one that struggles with mid-life crises either. I have no desire to unbutton my shirt and expose gray, chest hair or buy a sports car. I think if I could just master being a good husband and dad, then I would be content. I guess I fear that I will grow too old to really be good at those things. I am some what of a slow learner I guess.

Sondra took me to her favorite place to eat today for my birthday. I enjoy eating there but I love being with her. A really good birthday present for me is just getting to spend time with her. We have volleyball tonight and then home for some lasagna and german-chocolate cake. Sounds good to me. I am hoping for an iTunes card and maybe a new shirt. Makes no difference really. The flat screen tv would be great since our good tv died, but I sure am not holding my breath on that one. When it comes right down to it, the older tv we have works just fine.

My sister-in-law and I share the same birthday but she is a year older than me. Happy Birthday Bronwyn if you happen to read the blog.

Lake Day

Yesterday after church we headed to the lake to jet ski, boat, tube and just lay around. It turned out to be a good day weather wise. Fairly warm, but not the 100 degree stuff we had earlier. We had a bunch of our kids' friends out there and it was just a good time. It is always fun to be with a bunch of teenagers who like each other and ones that you do not have to worry about them doing stupid. Other than a couple of folks falling off the tubes it was all good.We had burgers, dogs, chicken, and lasagna for dinner that our friends' parents whipped up so it was a good closing to a long, fun day.

This morning I slept until 7a. Amazing. I hardly ever sleep that late and it sure felt good. There was a 5k and 10k race close to Nashville but I decided not to run it this year. I did run 5 from home and then came home and ate some waffles and then turned on the US Open tennis and then went back to sleep. A good, lazy day. I did run the vacuum in the house and help with the laundry though so I am not totally worthless today.

Looks like a busy work week this week even though there are only 4 days left.

Only Meant to Do Ten

Last night we went out to a great little Mexican place in East Nashville called Rose Pepper's and enjoyed some great conversation with some friends and really good food to boot. I had played golf earlier in the day and it was pretty disastrous. This left shoulder of mine was aggrivated last weekend helping some folks load up their trailer after our FOCUS event.

This morning I headed out to run 10 and got to the turn around point and thought I would just add a little more. I did not carry water with me but knew where I could get some so I just kept running. I ended up running 14 which is okay, but I really needed to carry water with me. Thankfully the temp is cooler but the humidity is back so it ended up being a tougher run than I really wanted to do.

Looks like we are going to go out and eat tonight to celebrate my 44th on Tues. Too much going on tomorrow and Monday and then ball games on Tuesday, so we will celebrate tonight. Should be fun. I am enjoying the weekend so far and got a pretty good nap today so that is always good.