CELEBRATE!!!

On September 6th, my family had A LOT to celebrate. On August 18th of last year, my poppa was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive colon cancer, which had also spread to other parts of his body. We learned that surgery was not an option, and were not given very much hope. My poppa has bravely been taking chemotherapy for over a year now. The tumors have shrunk to about half of their original size, but that shrinking seems to stalled now. September 6th was his birthday, one we were not sure we would celebrate with him.

September 6th is also precious Maddie Kate's birthday. Maddie Kate is my cousin Jessica's little girl, and my poppa's third great grandchild. She was born last year on September 6th...she wasn't supposed to be born until mid November. She had to fight for a LONG time in the NICU, but she is healhty, happy, and beautiful now. That day was very hard for her mommy because Jessica fully remembers what a battle they all have fought over the last year.

So, this year on September 6th my family learned what it truly means to celebrate life and rejoice in every day that God blesses us with. It has been a difficult year, and one that was very sad at times~but today we were able to forget about all of that and just be together as a family and be thankful for THIS day that the Lord has made!