A Few More Memories from 2012

After catching up on some pretty momentous events in the life of our family, I just had to look back at some of my favorite pics and memories from December of 2012. It certainly has been a year to remember...full of change, yet overflowing with much to be thankful for. EZ has remained in complete response with stable numbers and no M-spike, no fevers, hospitalizations or serious illnesses. He stays active, busy and makes sure to nap when exhausted. Three years since diagnosis and life is good!

Christmas morning at the Dews

Christmas dinner at our house

What's a holiday without Monkey Bread?

Nick getting creative with my Christmas gift

Homemade goodies for staff at Cancer Center for our December visit

Gift from Patti...homemade cheesecake all wrapped up in ribbon!

Two of my favorite ladies...Debbie and Kim, who did not plan to dress alike!

Christmas in Black Mountain with EZ's folks

Always time for a dance with his mom

Superman on his two wheeler balance bike

Sisters who love to dress alike these days

Batman ready to skateboard

Emery dressed up with mommy's beads for Christmas

Yes, Emery had to go to Urgent Care after sticking this bead up her nose!

Another Christmas dinner

Snuggles with Grandpa

Gigi and Nathan in a close game of Bingo!

Mother/daughter time

Ice cream cake from Leah and Kyle

Happy 6 years!

The Dew Crew

From sweet Natalie

37th Anniversary dinner

61st Birthday celebration - New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!

More Transition and Change

September brought with it a number of changes. Nick had moved out and was adjusting to life as a first year dental student at UNC, Leah was recovering from her surgery, and Kyle was settling into a new job; both happy to be back in North Carolina. Then, after much prayer, and with the support of his family, our son-in-law Jamie made the decision to resign as pastor of our church. From preaching three services, to hospital visits, counseling, staff and committee meetings, funerals, baptisms, and weddings, there was hardly a free day or night. He had been teaching at our local college/seminary, in addition to full-time pastoring, and it left him stretched thin and missing time with his precious family.  He felt as though he needed a more single focus, and his heart was increasingly led toward teaching (and writing). He resigned on Sunday, September 2nd and stepped out in faith that the Lord would enable him to provide for his family. With his resignation came tearful goodbyes, the task of searching for a new home and preparing to move out of the parsonage, the only home their children had ever known. Not to mention the fact that we would no longer be one another's closest neighbors. We literally walked through the woods to visit...3/10's of a mile door to door, close enough for breakfast in our pjs!

The past 8 1/2 years have been a very special season in our lives where we were right there for one another through so many life changes; the birth and homecoming of both sets of twins, the illness, death and burial of my father, EZ's cancer diagnosis, transplant and treatment, and so much more. The parsonage had been a wonderful home and we could hardly imagine life apart at this point, yet we knew it was best for Jamie, his health, his family, and his career. Clearly the Lord was leading he and Tara into a new ministry, and the future was exciting. 

Well, it didn't take long to see where God was taking Jamie...two days after he resigned as pastor, he was asked by the President of the seminary to become the new Dean of the College at Southeastern! What? Dean of the College? What an honor, privilege and provision! House hunting began in earnest and they moved out of the parsonage and into their new home, just minutes from the campus, in November. God is good!

Baker/Dew moving crew!

The Dews on the front steps of their new home!

The parsonage (above) and their new home (below). Love the huge new open front porch!

Nick... always willing to provide us with a little comic relief!

At convocation in January, Jamie officially became elected faculty and Dean of the College at Southeastern. What a proud moment for his family!

 Binkley Chapel, Southeastern Seminary

What's a celebration without chocolate and food?

Another dream came true when Jamie was co-editor for a recently published book!

Though change can often be unsettling, we clearly see God's hand and look so forward to the future He has planned for Jamie, Tara and their beautiful family.

Catching Up - An Unexpected Diagnosis in September

Has it really been about three months since I have actually written anything on our blog (other than posting a few pictures)?  I would have to say that the "busyness" really began last Fall, and just continued on into the winter. As I look back it has become one big blur, full of life changes for our whole family...emotional, exhausting and exciting. As I catch up, I hope to become more regular in my postings again. I miss hearing from our blog friends!

Going back to September when I flew to Georgia to help with our daughter Leah's thyroid surgery, one very unexpected turn of events occurred when she went for her post-op appointment. Much to our shock and dismay, we found out that one of the three nodules they removed was malignant, and it was not totally contained inside the nodule. Yes, papillary carcinoma at age 29. Our sweet daughter would now face a cancer diagnosis, and though her whole thyroid had been removed, there was a slight chance that some cancerous cells could still be floating around in her body somewhere. Therefore, she and her husband chose to have her go through a single radio-active iodine (RAI) treatment, just to be sure any rogue cells were sought out and destroyed. The most difficult part of this would be the time of isolation from her family, especially her little girl, but it was something we all felt she should do. 

 This is the canister that held the radioactive iodine pill.

Here is Emery peeking out the window at Mommy during the isolation period.

 

Finally they could be around one another and this reunion and hug was the sweetest moment!

 Time for Grandma to head home. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

We couldn't be prouder of the faith and courage Leah showed when faced with her unexpected diagnosis and consequent treatment. Learning from her Daddy, she remained positive and hopeful, knowing that the Lord had this, and she would be fine. He would be with her in the storm, and He was. All of this is now in the past, her Synthroid levels have been adjusted, she will be closely monitored through blood work, and she is thriving as a busy young mommy of a two year old! We are certainly grateful for how everything turned out.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Red hearts, red roses, chocolate in heart shaped boxes, tiny hard heart shaped candy with cute sayings: 'BE MINE', 'LOVE YOU',' KISSES FOR YOU', etc., romantic cards, candle light dinners, red drink glasses and plates, chocolate flowers, jewelry, and more chocolate. I remember grade school when my mom would get us a bag of those inexpensive valentines cards and I would spend the evening before writing my name on each one, picking out one or two special cards for the pretty girls in my class and not so nice looking ones for my buddies.  The next day I would exchange all those valentine cards with my classmates and laugh about the funny ones I would have recovered from my buds.  I would also find that one special cards from that girl two rows over that I never paid much attention to and wonder what I had done to be so deserving.  

Linda has always made the day special, with cards and candy, but even more special by setting the table with unique dishes, goblets and flatware that could only mean it was Valentines Day.  The kids and I are always treated to an extra good dinner, like the steak and shrimp feast that she will have for us today. Our girls are married now and are off continuing this tradition with their own families, but Nick still gets a special Valentine Day card and has been reminded "You bet you will be my Valentine until you meet your future wife".

Over thirty seven years ago I asked Linda to be my wife. My permanent valentine. This last Sunday our pastor spoke about the importance God placed on marriage and how that besides Him, our spouse should be #1 in our lives. Not just on anniversaries or birthdays or holidays or even Valentine's Day, but everyday!  

My diagnosis in January of 2010 forced me to reexamine my priorities. It became very clear that Linda should be, and I needed her to be, my #1. I did not have to look far for a role model.  My multiple myeloma attacked my sacrum, that boring bone that connects our spine to our pelvis and just as important, shields all the nerves for the lower half of our bodies from the pressures caused by sitting bending and twisting. The myeloma ate away about 70% of my sacrum so I have diffulcutty performing mundane tasks like sitting, putting on socks and shoes, tying shoes, clipping toenails or applying lotion to my very dry lower legs and feet. For the last three years Linda has done all of these menial tasks with a smile on her face and love in her heart. Just like Jesus did when He washed His disciple's feet. What a fantastic role model. As Tom Cruise said in one of his films, and in so many many other ways, "She completes me."  I realize now how very blessed I am to have her in my life.

Linda, thank you for being my Valentine. I could not ask for a finer wife, caregiver, friend, lover and permanent Valentine.  Happy Valentine's Day!

A Snowy Retreat in Boone

It has been a while since I posted, and several of you kind blog readers have emailed us on how we are doing. In short, we are doing quite well. My numbers in November were continuing to improve and Dr. Kritz decided that I only needed to come by for a check up every two months.  What a difference from going to the Cancer Center daily for radiation, or being hospitalized for 31 days, or having blood work and bone strengthener every month. It may be old age or chemo brain, but I am having difficulty remembering the last time I had a Cancer Center checkup. Linda just reminded me that I do have one coming up February 22nd.

January was a busy month, so Linda and I decided to head to Boone on Friday, February 1st. The forecast called for snow, and what's better than being by a warm fire in a cozy cabin in snowy Boone? We met with good friends on Friday evening and enjoyed a wonderful meal together. Our friend John snapped a photo of me when I was out on the porch enjoying the cold weather and a view of Grandfather Mountain:

Here are the ladies:

We ventured out as a group on Saturday evening to Char, a restaurant in Boone, and after a wonderful dinner the skies opened up and the blizzard began.

Our MDX has four wheel drive and we had no problem getting home, but slipping and sliding for others was in full mode, and even our friends had trouble getting back to their mountain home. The snow continued that evening and into the following day, and we got a total of about five inches of the fluffy white stuff:

Linda and I ventured out each day for a walk with the dogs and they had a great time:

By Wednesday, most of the snow had melted when Linda and I ventured over to Bass Lake near Blowing Rock to enjoy a cool winter evening there:

The time always goes quickly and the time to pack up and leave always comes way too fast.   Heading home on Thursday we stopped by Chapel Hill to have dinner with son, Nick, and finally arrived home about 9pm. This morning I snapped a shot of Milo recuperating from his snowy time in Boone. I think I will join him and go take a nap.

2012 Christmas Card

As we attempt to catch up on the last few events of 2012, I wanted to share our Christmas card. Though we weren't able to send one to each and every one of you, we want you to know that your love, prayers and support are a big part of our wonderful life. We pray your holidays were merry and bright!