Pray for Amanda

Amanda is John's cousin who is fighting Cancer at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.  They are trying to prep her body to receive a bone marrow transplant, but in order to do so she needs to be in remission.  Everyday I stay connected by reading her Mom's posts on facebook. It breaks my heart to think of how Sarah (Amanda's Mom and John's aunt) must feel going through the ups and downs day in and day out.  Her illness has really laid heavy on my heart lately.  She is 29 years old, basically the same age as John and I.  She has a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.  I couldn't imagine going through something this at this stage of my life, but Amanda has really faced this disease head on.  She is such a fighter and I pray that I could only have an ounce of the courage she does.

I have just recently felt such a strong urgency for everyone I know to pray for Amanda. If you are a friend of ours please pray for Amanda and her family.  Amanda really needs a miracle.  Her family and friends would really appreciate your prayers and support.  I was reading through my devotions the other day and this verse stood out.  It hangs above our Piano in our dining room.    

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 Amanda, I promise I will be joyful in the hope that God will heal you from your Cancer.  I will be patient because I know God works in His time and I will be faithful in prayer everyday for you and your family.  Get well soon Hun! We all miss you and love you so very much.

Bouncin' in a New Year

John had the day after New Year's off since the official holiday was on a Sunday, so we headed off as a family to Canlan Ice Arena.  They have what they call Bounce Mania set up for little one's to jump on.  When Cooper is a little older we'll actually take him there to skate.  We're not quite ready for that yet, he definitely has the "Wall genes", which means he's is clumsy as all get out. He wants to go a million miles an hour without actually paying attention to where he is going, which would not mix well with sharp blades and ice.

Anyway, we got to see the Komet hockey players practicing on our way in, which Coop thought was pretty cool, and he enjoyed watching all the people skate next to where all the blow ups were.  Here are some photos I captured of all the action.

I made it to the top Mommy!

Wheeee!

Such a cute smile!

JUMP!

I love him to pieces.

I love that Cooper is totally ignoring the camera, he's spent!

Well, that's all for now.  I'll update later on my finished DIY projects I had going on while on winter break. Although there are not many...unfortunately.  I was going to make a new year's resolution about finishing projects I start around the house, maybe next year.