Steve and Melinda

This past weekend we had a chance to celebrate Steve and Melinda's recent engagement with a cruise on the Duffy Boats in Newport.  My college girlfriends and I brought appetizers and drinks and we had a great time just being together and celebrating Melinda and her great fiance.  We even rounded up all the husbands for this special occasion, which is unprecidented!

Payton Hope Kaufman

For Labor Day weekend we headed down to Arizona to celebrate Payton's arrival with Brian and Amy and my brother Robert.  We had a great time together and so enjoyed loving on this precious little one.  She's such a sweetie and Brian and Amy are doing a great job as new parents.  Here are some favorite photo's from our time together.

Payton

 

New Cousins!

Uncle Robert

Uncle Robert bought us this very loud Winnie the Pooh train.  Sadie loves it, I'm still not sure. :)

Cousins and Second Cousins

Missy & Jude, Me & Sadie, Amy & Payton

Wow pictures suddenly became quite an ordeal!

Robert and Jude

Visiting Grandpa & Grandma Moss

Last but not least, Sadie loves Amy & Brian's dog Harley. 
 (Maybe a little too much)

Wait for it ...

Ewwwwww!  Notice she even opens her mouth for it.  She wants so bad to kiss the doggie.

It's A ...

BOY!!!

So we just got home from our ultrasound appointment and can hardly believe IT'S A BOY! That means we have something all new to wrap our minds around.  Daddy has his little boy so maybe he can give up on taking Sadie shooting, Uncle Robert has a little boy to try to make naughty, and I have lots of new decorating to do and clothes to buy. :)  I can't wait!  Anyway, we're thrilled and thankful and also appreciating our little Sadie even more.  I think I'm more attached to the bows and girly things for her now than ever since I don't know when I'm going to get my next chance.

Requesting Prayer

A little more than a week ago we received news that my Grandpa, my Dad's Dad, was being admitted to the hospital because his blood count wasn't right. Following tests he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. This was hard news for our family considering the great loss we've already experienced this year. It's hard to believe that it could be in God's sovereign plan for us to be back at the hospital walking the incredibly hard road of cancer with another loved one so soon, and yet it must be. For some reason God, who knows where we've been and where we are today, still mourning my Dad, has allowed our family to remain in the eye of the storm. Why it is that it seems here on earth we overcome one heartache just to be given another I will never ever understand but I trust that someday we will see it all clearly and for now it helps us set our eyes on the things unseen and the hope that we have in Christ.

Anyway, following this news and our initial processing Grandpa received additional tests to determine more specifics about this disease and how it should be treated and following these the doctor seemed very positive about him overcoming it with proper treatment and we are so thankful for this report.

Following this he began treatment but was only able to receive 3 1/2 of the 5 recommended doses of chemo before they had to stop because of the side effects that it was having. So, now we are praying that this amount of chemo did the job, that Grandpa's body would quickly regain strength, that he wouldn't catch any other illnesses during this time when his immune system is compromised, and that God would continue to carry each of us as we struggle through this time in our own ways.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family and if you'd like to read further updates you can find them at www.caringbridge.org/visit/alvinmoss or click on the link under my family and friend blogs titled Grandpa Moss. (Note: either of these links will ask you to sign in and create a password, at least the first time you use it, as a way of keeping it more private)

Congratulations Brian and Amy!

Payton Hope Kaufman was born very early Sunday morning.  She's 9lbs 1oz and everyone is doing great except me who is dying to be there to celebrate with everyone. :)  We're planning on heading to Arizona Thursday night so I only have a few days to wait and then I'll have many more pictures of this little cutie!

Congrats Amy! I'm so happy for you!!!