Why Humble Pie??????

 You might wonder why in the world did I name this blog “Humble Pie”.

I bet you thought, “that’s pretty arrogant, to say you’re humble”. HA

Well, it’s really not like that at all. 

If you have any history with “Humble Pie” (besides the 70’s band) you will know that it’s something that you eat when you are in a situation and you realize how stupid you’ve been or maybe that you said something really stupid, etc. It’s at that point, that you realize that you need to eat some “humble pie” and go apologize to the offended parties. 

“Humble Pie” is not very tasty and is not easy to swallow, but after it’s all said and done, I think it probably digests quite well. 

It’s basically humbling yourself to the point where you admit your wrongs, in a given situation, and seek forgiveness.  Very Biblical, if you ask me.

Naming this blog “Humble Pie” is just me admitting that I’m often found with a big slice of it in my mouth!  If anyone is ever the Queen of sticking my foot in my mouth – which is hard when it’s already full of humble pie – it’s me! 

And I DO say, I hope we can all continue to eat of the pie of humbleness.  It’s beginnings are very hard and tough and scratchy – but in the end it’s very sweet and rich and makes wonderful friends – even more wonderful!  (Kinda like sourpatch kids, worms, bears, etc.)

Remember this dear children – the hardest things to do are usually the most rewarding.

(like admitting you were wrong – in case you “just don’t get it”)

And now I hear a baby crying, which is my call to lay this entry to rest! 

Love Your Guts,

Hug Your Babies – on the way to doing this

Pray Big, Bigger, Biggest!

Janet :)  xo

What a Beautiful Morning!!!

It was a morning of tears, laughter, hugs, pictures and candy... and most of that was Mama Molly and Mama Gina.  

Who but God would orchestrate having little Mia and Hannah Jane just happen to be at the clinic at the same time on the same day?

Some of you have been following Mia's FB page (Prayers for Mia) and will remember that we met Mia, Gina - her Mama, and her G'ma last August.  In fact it was the last regular visit Hannah Jane had at the clinic and it was Mia's first.

Mia still had her hair and Hannah Jane had absolutely no hair.  If you have seen the pic's of Hannah Jane holding her "I beat cancer" sign...that was the day we met Mia.

Gina was a bit shaken, as that was just the beginning of a much longer journey than we have ever taken and we were ready to celebrate at the news of the surgery to remove Hannah's port-a-cath in just a few days.

All along their path, Gina could read our posts and see where her little Mia was heading.  

I hope you will continue to pray for their family, as you have been so wonderful to pray for ours.  

They believe in the power of prayer and just like us - we will never know how many people have bent their knee to bring our Hannah Jane and set her in God's lap.

Here are some pic's from our blessed day - oh - and by the way.... ALL SCANS WERE CLEAR!

Clear and beautiful!!! Are you surprised?  How Big is God?!

Love Your Guts - Hug Your Babies (long and hard) Pray Big - Janet :)

This from Molly...

What a blessed day at Brenners. We walk in, and low and behold there is miss Mia and mama Gina!!! Tears were flowing, pictures were taken, and success stories were all the rage! What a blessing! Then to top it all of we got the "BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, AMAZING, CLEAN SCAN" news! Thank you Lord for a beautiful morning! Oh yeah.....#hollerrrrrrrrr #cancercansuckit#justkeepswimminglittlemia #nobodycantakeawaythissmile #alldayerrrrrrrday

(8 photos)

A Return to the Wretched Horrible Awful

Today went on like any other day.

We all went to "City Lake Park" this morning, to enjoy a great picnic with Hannah Jane and Lola Mae's Preschool Class.  (Two of my Grandbabies)

We played.

We ate.

We sang.

We swung.

We rode trains.

We got dizzy on the carousel.

and then we came home and took naps.

     (my favorite part)

The rest of the day was more of the preciousness of life with 2's and 3's.

Singing/Eating at our fav. barbecue place... "little Richard's"... and then there is ... ice cream.

and today was put to bed.

Tomorrow, 

will be a wreck of humanity.

It,

will be a curse on all mankind.

   When we, of our family, are pulled back into the world of childhood cancer.

Tomorrow, 

our blessed Hannah Jane will go back to Brenners Hospital for the scans that she currently reports for every 3 months.

Tomorrow I will watch my baby - Mama Molly - "buck up" and be ever so strong for her sweet Hannah Jane.  

We will go and ask the questions.

We will spend too much time reassuring our little 3 year old that "it's ok".

We will wait, entertain, take snacks, walk, pray, entertain, and wait some more.

We will all try to be light hearted - while waiting to hear the report of "clear scans" once more.

and I watch

and I pray

and I cry

and I trust that God really does know what He's doing with my babies...

If you think of us tomorrow...please pray for our strength for our Hannah Jane

and my Mama Molly

and maybe even me.

I love you all!

Love Your Guts,

Hug Your Babies,

Pray BIG,

Janet :)  

Write the Dang Letter Already!

To write is to slow it down.....

I am a firm believer in the hand written note.  

To write a hand written note (which is becoming a lost art) you have to slow down, gather your thoughts, and take the time to actually write - if you can remember how.

You have to spell the words out (lol - brb - TO - rbmbct)...(btw - I made that long one up) (**)

You have to think about punctuation!!!! Which I am already challenged in.

Create complete thoughts...haha - I didn't mean to do that on purpose...how appropriate.

It really is becoming a lost art!

A handwritten note - even if you walk up and give it to me - means so much to me.  

     It means you took the time to find a decent  piece of paper.  This is a difficult thing in our house.

     You organized your thoughts and found the vocabulary to adequately express your feelings and what you wanted to convey to me.  

     Most of all - you took time, out of your busy schedule, to write down something that you wanted to share with me.  

How special does that make me feel... you shared something with me that was near and dear to your heart.  A sentiment, or something, possibly, that God directed you to share with me.  I love it!

And then, if you mailed it...well - that's another whole time consumption issue.

You have to sleuth out my address.

You have to create an envelope.  (Have you ever gotten a card or note and the envelope was way to big?  I love it - and of course I have done just that) and when I say create...I have actually cut an envelope out of newspaper before and mailed a letter in it.  (This was not done out of a spark of creativity)

You have to dig up a stamp from somewhere in the lost stamp land of the junk drawer.

It can be quite an endeavor just to mail a letter.

So, today, I dare you...double dare you...to sit down and write a letter.  

Maybe someone you knows needs encouragement.

I like to play a kind of "Russian Roulette" (did the Russians really invent that?) of note writing where I ask God to just impress on me someone and something to say.  It's quite interesting.

However you want to approach it..

 - sit down 

 - quiet your heart

 - gather your thoughts

and take the TIME to hand write a letter.

Love Your Guts,

Hug Your Babies,

Pray Big,

Janet :)

** the key to the above initials is ... "Laugh Out Loud", "Be Right Back", "Time Out", one that I made up, and btw is "by the way"  :)