Texas Twisters and Thank Heavens for Sisters!

It was only a week out from the monster truck fiasco and Round Rock was hit with sever storms with hail the size of grapefruit in some area. We were hit with a little smaller than golf ball size hail that managed to do 3,300.00 damage tothe toyota camry and damaged the already totally mini-van. It looks like a new roof could be a possibility too! We hate this as it was only three years ago that we replaced the roof. We were grateful that with the magnitude of it all the NO ONE in Texas was hurt. What a Blessing!

Right on the heels of that news was the alert that my only sibbling had some health issues that resembled bone cancer. After tests, prayers, blessing, and waiting...the news came back today that Nancy aka Hari Denise was cancer-free and that her foot was not broken. The last time that she broke her foot, she had broken 6 bones and the x-rays did not pick it up...so apparently it never healed properly and she has had many painful experiences due to it. We were all blessed with this good news and feel like we can breathe again.

The 12 year old Plymouth Voyager bites the dust

Last Saturday on the return home from a boy scout campout and 13 mile backpacking hiking, a monster truck misjudging a red light ran through the back window/hatch of our mini van. No one was hurt BUT the van is totaled as the damage was more than the worth of the auto. So, on Friday we ended up buying another mini van. Michael says that it really doesn't look that much different than the one we've had for the past 12 years. Truth be told, we had to have a vehicle that would make the trip to Philmont that had room for 7 folks. We are grateful for the blessing that it wasn't worse than it was. And we are grateful to move on and get things taken care of in preparation for the summer.

The summer brings:

Will going to New York for his Internship
Tammy and Will welcoming little Maddie
Craig and Michael going to Philmont
Kathy going to the Baltic...a trip with mom and sis!
Kathy and Michael possibly going to Utah
Will and Tammy moving after Maddie is born

It will be a busy summer for everyone!

Five Years! Cancer Free!

This time each year our family breathes a great sigh of relief as we plan for the coming year. Each year, we are reminded that life itself is a gift from God and that each day should be cherished. Each new year is a true gift. We are grateful that once again Craig is Cancer Free!
It has been 5 years and 3 months!!! It seems like only yesterday that we went to MD Anderson Cancer Center for the first time. Now we know our way around that huge place like pros. Now it's back to the planning. It's back to getting on with life. We are grateful for the gift of being reminded how blessed we really are!!!

Changes, Changes, Changes!!!

We always have something going on. Whew! The summer months are especially crazy. With the news of Dad's diabetes..All plans are kinda in the air. The April plans of attending Will's graduation, Tammy's Baby Shower, Kate's Birthday, and the Unbirthday celebration are still on! It will be a fast and furious week of celebration! However, Summer plans are hanging in the balance as we all try and figure out Plan B, C, or ever D. Plans were for Craig and Michael to go to Philmont, Me to go to Russia with my mother and sister (something that has been in the works for years and was just paid for) while the boys were gone. Plans for Tammy and Will were also up in the air. Now they have plans for Will to go to New York with his Internship and then to scurry back for the birth of their baby daughter and then to move immediately afterwards. Thank heavens for youth. It looks like it is doubtful for the doctor to give Craig the go ahead to go to Philmont with such short notice to get his blood sugar in order. So...who knows what the plans will all be. He had been selected for the 100% Club for a trip to Hawaii but had let it go for Philmont. We are grateful that we have had all these choices. We realize that many don't. We are a little bummed that all the items above were fully paid for with no refund. We are grateful for the gifts that we have been given from a kind heavenly father. We are especially grateful for family.

How Great Thou Art!

Once a year as we go to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas for a day long of testing for Craig. We are reminded just how blessed we are. We hadn't even made it to the Cancer Center. We had stopped at Denny's for a quick breakfast and I met a lady who told me that she was on her way to MD Anderson and that both her husband and her son had cancer. Her husband had lost his battle just the month before. She was praying with all her heart that all would be well with her son. Many, many people have their stories and many end in loss of life. These wonderful folks face every day KNOWING that their last is just around the corner. They are faithful, good people. You can feel the spirit so strongly when so many are praying for strength...These folks KNOW about mortality. I feel grateful for EVERY blessing that I have each time I go, I am grateful, at least for now, that Craig is doing so well and I am reminded once a year what a true blessing this really is. I am grateful for all the loving folks that lord has blessed my life with. My cup runneth over!

Diabetes Strikes Again!

It seems like the word diabetes has certainly become a household word in many Sharp Families as of late. Last night dad said that he didn't feel right and that he thought that he might be diabetic. Since he never complains, I had a friend come over and test his blood sugar. His blood sugar level was 283. Looks like we might be having our celebrations in a lot more healthy way. O.K. Val and Christopher, get ready to show us the ropes. We are counting on you.

We hear Kate took her first step yesterday. Way to go Katie Bug! We're all rooting for you.

Dallin, how's the big brother thing going? I know that you are a great one!

Maddie, can't wait to meet you!

We will see all of you soon!

And the Blog goes on....And the Blog goes on!

Finally, a blog update from the Texas Sharps. Back from the Caribbean Cruise, we have many wonderful memories. We learned a few things about traveling in other countries. It had been 30 years since Uncle Sam extended our family its' first out of the country experience and until this year we've stayed in our great nation. We learned that Crusing was different than we thought. We did enjoy not having Craig at the Computer or on the Phone while we were away. This was a first in years. We learned that the Jamacan phrase "No Problem" didn't mean what we thought and we learned a bit more than we wanted to about the importance of safety. We loved swimming with the Sting Rays in the Grand Cayan Island and loved the Mayan Ruins in Cozymel. It was great for the three of us to just be with each other and create our own fun on the ship. Michael loved the Giant Chess Set on board and played with anyone who would be brave enough to challenge him. We did get many pictures taken; however, posting them will mean another lesson for me from Valerie or Tammy. Both are eager to help me learn. I really appreciate that. Craig is in Phoenix this week on business and gets to go see his sister one evening. I am happy that he gets to visit her. Michael has started driver's training. Craig is his teacher. All is going well as he drives about everywhere we go as a family. We are all doing our best at the New Year's Goals that we made. I have to say that we've done rather well. We are looking forward to a visit from Kathy's mom and sister this coming week. Until next time....