4th of July 2013

Happy 4th of July from the Blue Birds Nest

We recently moved into the home my husbands early childhood home. 

Its been an adventure full of aches and paint, and ups and downs.  We are putting final touches on our common living areas and are moving to the bedrooms as the summer continues. More to follow on our Home Refresh Project.

We were so very excited to host 4th of July here with our friends and family!

I was able to find some fun Independence Day Decorations. There is something so wonderful about the Old Red, White, and Blue. 

Freedom, Liberty, Independence...We are so Proud to be Americans!

I especially loved those Red, White and Blue Hydrangeas from Fresh and Easy of all places! 

 We had all sorts of Yummy Goodness.  Mr. Schaaf was the ultimate BBQ Master and grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs.  Fresh Grilled Corn, a Shark full of Fruit, and some baked beans completed the menu!

Lots of fun and Laughs. We continue to be so very blessed by the people God fills our lives with!

The city of Lakewood, CA in one of the few places in Southern California where you can buy and light your own fireworks.  We all wasted a few bucks on Paper and Gun Powder.

Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day!

Instalately

1. Chasing the Sunset

2. My new Curtains...or Curtain...Super proud of myself for sewing these

3. My Least Favorite Chore...especially while my washing machine is busted...met some new people at the local laundry mat...plus side...all my laundry gets done in about 2 hours...

4. Puppy Central...Opie, Diesel, and Macy too..

1. Our Love Wall is just about done.. thanks Jenn for such an awesome idea. Post to follow with details!

2. Mr. Schaaf had our wedding vows engraved for our 6th Wedding Anniversary! Be still my heart!

3. Sweet Macy Girl, relaxing on our patio

4. Rally Monkey Take Off...my Business Trip to Texas wouldn't be complete without one of the stuffed animals Ryan has given me through out the years.

1. Tornado "War"s in Irving, Tx - I really don't ever need to be that close to uncontrollable mother nature again! 

2. Watching the Angel's at the Hotel Bar with my Co-workers.

3. Happy Day 1 of my 34th Year!!

4. My precious....My Mac Book Pro from Mr. Schaaf

1. Happy Birthday Greetings from my Coworkers

2. Taylor Tacos at the Taylor House

3. Sewing more Curtains and Valences with my Momma

4. Happy Birthday Uncle Bob

1.  Porker with the Young Family...i'm not very good...but it was fun!

2. Praising my Jesus at Calvary Church

3. Garden Grove Strawberry Festival...Nom Nom Nom

4. Sweet Diesel Cuddling his Shark

Instalately

Dinner with this Sweet Girl and her Family!!  She has a soft sweet spirit, it's a pure blessing to share time with her. 

Lets go Angels!! Lets Go!! Cotton Candy, Bud Light, Base Ball Butts, and my  Husbands favorite past time.

When in doubt...eat Cold Stone Ice Cream

We have recently moved into my Husband's Childhood home, that we are renting from my Mother in Law. This was our first Dinner at the New House. It felt so great to cook in my new kitchen!!

A glorious California Sunset!!

Something about this...was super exciting...Oh I wish I was an...

In and Out ...its what a hamburgers all about... This place and Home Depot seem to be our home away from home these days.

How many light bulbs does one house Need?? Light bulb Isle at Home Depot...who knew you could spend 2 hours learning about Light Bulbs...

My Husband

has cancer...

That sounds funny to me...as if he "has a Job", or "has a hat on", or "has a stomach ache"...

It doesn't seem so foreboding when I read the statement.

But that little statement is life changing.

He had surgery on Wednesday. It was a "simple" procedure that revealed a not so simple recovery.

The cancer has spread passed the soft tissue on his scalp to the bone of his skull.  He will need at least another surgery and now chemo or radiation therapy.

My heart is breaking, the fear takes over my thoughts, this is our worst nightmare coming true.

He is so brave, so strong, he is my heart.

I don't have many words...I ponder the very best and very worst of these situations. And find myself praying constantly.

My God is Good, My God is in Control,and My God loves my husband.

I am so thankful that our Jobs are being so supportive. We are super blessed by the support of our family and friends.

I know that we are in this season of life for divine reasons...I watch with anticipation for the almighty hand on our path.

Making Christmas at the Taylor House

We decorated my Parents house for Christmas today. It was great fun!

A storm rages...in the heat of October

My husband had cancer...he's had it twice

I don't even know how to pronounce it.....although according to his doctors in a quiet conversation..."Its the bad stuff"

After what feels like 300 syllables...it always ends with Cancer

Scars on his head tell the story of two surgeries. Two very painful parts of his life, that I'd missed.

Until now...

He has a new growth, one that we both wanted to forget and not see.

The growth has grown...we couldn't forget...the pain started...the aggravation...the unknown storm started brewing

But then...all storms are unknown...Its the not knowing that hurts me.

Not knowing what the doctors would do...

Not knowing how bad the biopsy would hurt him...

Not knowing how his struggle would break my heart...

Not knowing how many layers of tissue are left...and if it will metastasize into something else...

In the midst of this October heat wave, I find myself in an all consuming storm of fear.

As we wait for a phone call to confirm our fears...I ponder if I am strong and faithful enough to give this journey with my sweet husband to the Lord.

I know the captain of this ship Loves us. I know the captain of our ship has a plan.

I only wish I knew where our destination was....

Death Box - Day 1

So we got the Insanity Workout...affectionately named "The DEATH box".

Which is another reason why I shouldn't stay up late to watch night time TV...

Something happens in the middle of the night..
I find myself feeling like a world conqueror...who has the strenghth of wonder woman...

Oh..goodness...

So I thought I would record my 60 day journey here. I am sure that it will take a couple rounds to get to my goal weight..but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Day 1 - is the first of 4 Fitness Tests (Hardest test I've ever taken)

You work on a set of exercises and record the number of times you complete the exercises in a minute.

You have two wonderfully fit (androids) to observe while you sweat to death...

Here are my numbers:

Starting Weight: 257 lbs
Starting Blood Sugar: 331

Fit Test Results

1. Switch Kicks - 48
2. Power Jacks - 20
3. Power Knees - 56
4. Power Jumps - 20
5. Globe Jumps - 6
6. Suicide Jumps - 1
7. Push up Jacks - 1
8. Low Plank Oblique - 8

I worked out at 5:30 am...and by 8:00 am...my body was hurting...