Wednesday, February 4, 2009

things that make me smile

Lately, there is so much joy around us. The overall mood in our house could be so solemn and somber, but it is not. It is one of joy and celebration. So many things make us smile...


Gavin scored two goals yesterday in his soccer game. Who is this child? Where did he come from???

My Dad proved that at 62, he has the best headstand of all of us in the family from ages 4 to 62- his being the steadiest and strongest. It makes us smile.




Brian feels so stinking good. SO GOOD, lately. He is still feeling like he would rather do chemo right now since he feels so good. I explained to him again last night that the week and a half after chemo last time was hell - he was miserable, weak, tired, confused, unsteady, falling, nauseous, and sleepy. He didn't remember our trip to the doctor again and what the doctor had told us to understand why chemo isn't a good option anymore. I told him that for the first time, after seeing him the way he is right now, I would rather have weeks of this than months of him the way he was when he was doing chemo. The way he is right now makes me smile.


Brian loves me. He loves being in the room with me. My mom told me when I am gone he misses me and every time he hears the door open he looks around for me. That makes me smile.


I informed Grant that when he smiles instead of frowns it makes me smile. Smiles are contagious. So now he randomly walks up to me throughout the day and shows me a forced cheesy missing tooth smile. It is contagious, I tell ya.




A humongous roll of paper from a friend that can keep 4, 5 and 7 year old boys busy so we can watch the Superbowl - all smiles.


This weekend, we get to meet our newest niece - McKenna. That makes me smile.



We got some great notes from some family and friends that Sean, Brian's brother, is gathering on his behalf. If you have something you would like to share with Brian or a funny story or something that reminds you of him or something inspirational or just anything you want to say to Brian, please send an email to :
Sean is bringing them by once a week and they make us smile.


A full rack of wood for fires the remainder of the winter makes us smile:



Who doesn't smile when they see a baby covered in baby food opening like a baby bird every time the spoon comes near??




A fart that makes everyone in the room do this - well it doesn't really make me smile, it actually is kind of gross, but it made my brother, who dealt it, giggle uncontrollably.




Catching up, visiting, and talking to friends and family as if no time has passed since the last time we saw each other - THAT makes us smile.


KEEP BELIEVING

47 comments:

  1. Reading a post full of your smiles makes me smile!

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  2. Smiling with you, sweet Angie! My prayers are with all of you. God is so good to give you such sweetness. Love to you, Shawn from TN

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  3. I am so impressed with the headstand!!! Wow!

    And I'm glad you've enjoyed some smiles!

    Love,
    Beth

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  4. Oh, that looked like such a great family get together. I hope you were cheering the Steelers, so your Super Bowl Sunday was the best it could be. (I'm a huge Steelers fan, so it was incredible for us.)

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  5. THIS BLOG MAKES ME SMILE....and smile and smile!!! I am SO praising God for your amazing time together. YEAH!!!!!!!

    LOVE,
    Kris

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  6. Those things made me smile too! glad things are joyful at your house and that you have so much to smile about!

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  7. what a fun time for every one.
    makes me smile.
    The gift of laughter and Joy,an answered prayer
    It is the greatest medicine to the heart,
    so keep smiling, even the forced cheesy ones, any kind will do.
    Pay it forth, pretty soon the whole town will be all smiles.
    Praising God for all of His many ways to make us smile from ear to ear.
    Love Marjo :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

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  8. Angie,
    Just hearing of the joy at your home makes me smile!
    Thanks you,
    Gretchen

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  9. There is so much to love in this post. Headstands and smiles--oh my!

    You are giving such a gift to everyone by having the strength to tell Brian you want him as he is today.

    I wrote this for my friend and her husband last year, but if I knew you in real life I think I would have wrote the same thing for you and Brian.
    http://jugglinglife.typepad.com/juggling_life/2008/05/tuesday-tribute.html

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  10. Wow, what a headstand, If I tried that I'd have to be put in traction for a week. I admire anybody who can do it.

    Smiling with you, and praying for you.
    :)

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  11. THIS post made me smile. Thank you for that! :)

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  12. I am so happy for you guys..spending all this great time with family and friends..
    Brian you look awesome..This is proof what a awesome God we serve..I will continue to pray for you all that God Bless and keep you in his care...Thanks for the wonderful update..Love to all Anita, in Michigan

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  13. Angie - I so enjoyed this post - it is making me smile! I am so glad for you guys that you have this precious time and that Brian is feeling better to enjoy it also :)

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  14. Angie,
    Love love love the pictures! We missed you Tuesday morning.........can't wait to see you tomorrow night!

    Love ya
    Jessica

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  15. So glad there are things in this world, that God has provided, in order to make you smile! :) You all deserve a GOOD smile! :)

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  16. God is good.
    Gotta love BIG paper!
    Blessings to you all...
    Keep Smiling!
    Pax

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  17. This post is making me smile :-)
    So happy he Brian is feeling good. And your Dad is just awesome!

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  18. THat made me smile too. it IS contageous!

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  19. You are inspiring! My prayers are with you and your family!

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  20. That picture of your dad gives us proof of what we've long suspected -- you come from a "headstrong" family. (You also married into one, but you already knew that!) Loved today's post. It made me smile!

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  21. I found you through On The Upside. I'm so impressed that your dad can do the headstand. The only way my dad would do the headstand is if we could turn the TV upside so he wouldn't miss a second of FOX News or the ticker of the stock market.

    Here's something to make you chuckle...my 13 year old daughter just said to me the other day..."What do you expect, I'm only smart 1 time a day." I'm still laughing. This is the child that wanted to know if she could go to the movies, and just exactly when did the 7 o'clock movie start.

    You are in my prayers.

    Kaye

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  22. What a fantastic post...YOU GUYS make me smile! Love you all...can't wait to catch up. (hopefully tomorrow night)

    Love, Shawn

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  23. What a great post !!

    Love,
    Mike, Kathy & girls

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  24. HOLY CRAP that headstand with the splits gets a "10" for form!

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  25. What a lovely post. I've got catching up to do and was soooo hoping for good news on this visit.
    Those ARE beautiful things to make you smile!

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  26. What a beautiful post! So uplifting and inspiring.

    And, the fact that you included handstands and farts . . . classic.

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  27. So glad your all full of cheer, and good spirits. So happy that you have family that can come and see you, and add to your memories, as well as theirs. " A merry heart doeth good like a medicine". You have a amazing ability to see the humor in each day. Don't take that lighly, it's a gift.. You see the cup half full, I have the amazing ability to see the cup half empty.. and I struggle with it. I admire you. I love the poet Helen Steiner Rice, and feel she was so connected to God, and He spoke words of encouragment through her, in her poems.I'd like to add one here.
    "Where there is love"
    Where there is love the heart is light,
    Where there is love the day is bright,
    Where there is love there is a song,
    To help when things are going wrong...
    To make all things seem more worthwhile,

    Where there is love there's quiet peace,
    A tranquil place where turmoils cease...
    Love changes darkness into light
    And makes the heart take "wingless flight".
    And Mothers have a special way
    Of filling homes with love each day.
    And when the home is filled with love,
    You'll always find God spoken of.
    And when a family "prays together",
    That family also "stays together"
    And once again a Mother's touch
    Can mold and shape and do so much.
    To make this world a better place.

    Hope this didn't take too much space, but just wanted to let you know, your positive outlook is the glue that holds your family together. Praying for you daily... Grandma Snicklefritz.

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  28. KEEP SMILING

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  29. Sweet, fun family.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. My family has been through this. We're still going through it. I send you my love.

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  30. I am smiling too!!!!! :-))))

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  31. This blog entry made me smile. It makes all the things I frowned about earlier today seem sooooo stupid that I will smile the rest of the day. No matter what.

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  32. I can't believe your dad can do a headstand! WOW. And, I'm so in awe of how many smiles you create.

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  33. This warmed my heart. AND WOWZA your Dad is agile! Me thinks he was a gymnast! :)

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  34. You, Brian, your familly...you are such an inspiration. You are amazing. Sometimes inspiration makes me tearful, because my heart hurts from all the goodness. But today, I am smiling just for you.

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  35. I didn't read the other comments, so I don't know if anyone else said it, but:

    This post makes me smile.

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  36. I have been following your blog for a few months now and I have to say that you and your family are an inspiration!

    I just want to make one small comment. Don't give up too soon. I believe the mind can heal the body and with Brian feeling well right now, he could be doing just that!

    You and your family are in my thoughts.

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  37. So glad to hear that there have been many smiles! And that Brian is good these days. Continued prayers...

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  38. Angie -
    You are a ray of sunshine, and your pictures make me want to come hang out with your family (especially your dad doing a headstand!)! I pray that you continue to enjoy laughter and smiles, and cherish every moment.

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  39. Babies, toothless smiles, headstands, friends, firewood, farts - this post has it all!

    Praying in Texas for you and your family.

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  40. Angie, it is contagious!!

    Your post made me smile!!

    Wishing you many more days, weekends, and nights with this same kind of *smiles*. Well, minus your brother and the gas that is!! :)

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  41. Angie..I am so glad that you are finding things to smile about. Your family and your courageous attitude really make me smile.

    Ashley

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  42. God bless you! I am smiling for you and your family. I hope you continue to have the peace and ALL the smiles you and your family deserve. Enjoy the moment....right here...right now!

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  43. You make me smile! I'm so thankful for these days your family and friends are experiencing together! How wonderful to KNOW that you are loved by your husband. That is a gift. Bless you all. My prayers are for continued celebration.

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  44. Loved the headstand pictures of your dad! Keep smiling! Still thinking and praying for you and your family!!!

    also loved seeing the pictures of John, Ben, and Jason! Everyone looks so much the same, yet so much older! Im glad youve had some great ole friends to visit! That always makes me smile to see old friends from Rolla!!!

    Jill Bruss

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  45. i really do think smiling is contagious. thanks for sharing all your smiles. =)

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  46. This is a very happy post! I enjoyed it very much.

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  47. Thank you so much for sharing these smiles. It warms my heart to see your family have such happy moments.

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