Bill's recovery

Last Friday marked the start of a long recovery process for Chris' father, Bill. As mentioned before, Chris' father is struggling through two different cancers, one called multiple myeloma and a neuroendocrine tumor. This tumor has affected his liver and as a result, had to have half of his liver removed, along with his gall bladder and appendix. Friday was a long day for Chris' family, as they waited many hours in the waiting room throughout the day before they were able to see him. I unfortunately had to work, so I was unable to be with my family during this trying time. As pain was high and his ability to sleep was low, Bill had a troubling first night. Although the doctor's were not able to remove all of the tumor from his liver, there are high hopes for his recovery from this cancer. Throughout the weekend, Bill continued to battle long nights of xrays and body scans, while continuing to find the strength to get up and walk the dreaded halls. Every day Bill looks better and better, with more color in his face and a livelier tone in his voice. Last night, for the first time Bill was able to do a full walk down the halls of his recovery floor. Days left in the hospital are unknown, as it all depends on day by day healing. We are hoping that Bill will be able to spend Christmas at home, instead of sitting in a hospital bed, but we are all letting God lead the way.

Please continue to pray for Bill and his family, as this is just a small step in overcoming his battle with cancer.

Stockings

Here is a picture of Chris and I's Christmas stockings.

Confused? Only one stocking? Well, this isn't actually either of our stockings. Our stockings are unfortunately at our parents' homes and we were unable to receive both in time for Christmas. So, this is a just a picture of our baby's stocking. Wait, what?! Yes, you read right - our baby's, well our future baby's. Chris and I are expecting our first child! Follow our journey from newlyweds to parenthood at littlebabygbean.blogspot.com. You'll have a lot of catching up to do! ;)

Oh Christmas Tree...

This will Chris' and I first Christmas together as a married couple. As some, or many of you may know, Chris and I did not live together before we were married. We tried to stay as traditional as possible, including no over night stays. So, being able to have this first official holiday together in our own home is sooo exciting for me! Unfortunately, as a single girl I did not have any Christmas decorations on hand to set our home up for the holidays. Thankfully, Chris' mother and godparents came to our rescue! They both donated a Christmas tree (thank you so much Ed and Mary!), lights, other Christmas decorations, and two boxes of all of Chris' holiday ornaments dating back from his first Christmas. So, as all these boxes lay in our living room for the past two weeks since Thanksgiving, I finally had the energy to do something about it. While Chris was out training, I rearranged our living room and set up our Christmas tree in front of our window. I hurried to put the lights up and open the curtains so when Chris came home he would see it from the driveway. Thankfully he was able to see it when he came home and said he was so happy! We spent the rest of the night going through his ornaments and his telling me stories of his childhood, as we drank hot cocoa by the fireplace with Christmas carols playing in the background. Okay, the cocoa and songs didn't happen, nor the fireplace scene - although, the story telling was fun. Here's a couple of my favorite Chris ornaments, along with our tree (which is tiny, but perfect for us), and Chris' Nativity scene (which I still need material for underneath). What a wonderful way to end a wonderful year!

Chris in first grade :)

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

If you have ten minutes to spare, please take a moment to watch this video of Louie Giglio speaking on the amazing works of God within the human body. Let it load before you start it.

*Some of you may not be fans of 'preachings' or speakers in general, but please keep an open mind and a faithful heart.

Happy Halloween

As we get older, we may not celebrate Halloween the way we use to, although it is still my very favorite time of the year. And with the holiday, it brings a warm tingling feeling in my soul. Many may recall this feeling during the Christmas month, and although that is a very special time of year as well, for myself it is the season of fall. There's just something about the turning leaves, crisp air, and grey skies that creates something magical. Add this magical experience with candy and scary movies - and I'm in heaven!!! :) Chris and I did not do much for Halloween this year, but you can imagine my surprise when he volunteered to dress up as a couple with me! We spent many long hours contemplating our costume, from Bonnie and Clyde to Batman and Catwomen. Finally it came down to the fact that we actually didn't have any plans nor a reason to dress up. So, we decided for something simple and classy and dinner with close friends. Halloween may no longer be about the crazy costumes and trick or treating at this time in our lives, but we can only hope it comes back around in a couple of years ;)

Please enjoy a little tune from my dear friend Billy Holiday and see Chris and I in our vintage 40's era attire.



Hebrews 11:1

As some of our closest friends and family may know, the Gannon family have been faced with struggle these last few weeks. Papa Gannon, Bill, has been diagnosed with 2 seperate cancers. One is a blood cancer called multiple myeloma while another has affected his liver called neuroendocrine tumor. While the road ahead may be difficult and trying, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time. We are so thankful for a loving and caring support system as we move forward in our hopes for Bill's health and strength of one another. We can only be faithful to a ever lasting God who has promised us a life of mercy and grace and it is because of Him "we are troubled in every way, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Happy Pounds

We have just passed our 6th month anniversary! Although Chris and I aren't really into anniversarys, or at least have yet to celebrate one. It has been a quick and easy 6 months, filled with happiness and bliss. And eating. Alot of eating. Ok, I've done alot of eating. Us brides do all this work leading up to the wedding, such as eating healthy and working out - all to look good in a dress to wear one day. Well, at least I did. The day the wedding was over, was the day I gave myself a break. Flash forward to today - 6 months later and an "undisclosed amount of pounds" heavier. Granted it may have something to do with all the ice cream we eat, hense previous post.

Married Life Lesson #13 Now what have I learned?
A. That being married to a personal trainer means nothing!!!! Ok ok, this is not entirely true. What is true is, being married to a personal trainer means nothing if I don't use my resources! Hello...I'm married to. A. Personal. Trainer. Life should be easy right? Oh, so wrong. My husband can't make me go for a run instead of sitting around playing sudoku. He can't make me stop eating 10 donuts when I should of stopped at four. Ok, one. What he does do is encourage me do to the following, or luckily, has learned to say nothing at all. I am an adult. I need to be able to make these healthy choices on my own. So, as much as it pains me, I have decided to jump back on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon and enjoy the ride. (Or sometimes not enjoy.)

B. That although there are extra pounds, there is a reason they are called happy. I am happy. These months of marriage have been amazing. I never would have imagined that being married would feel so peaceful.  Now, I may not be happy with the extra pounds, but at least I'm married to a wonderful man who loves me regardless.

You scream, I scream, We all scream for....

I think it's safe to say that Chris and I love ice cream!

 

Married Life Lesson #11 Thank goodness I married a personal trainer!

Merry Birthday Chris!

It's official. My first hosting experience was a success! Last night we celebrated Chris' 31st birthday a day early. For anyone who knows Chris, you know very well that Chris enjoys himself a good glass of wine on occasion, or a lot of occassions. So, obviously, I held a wine tasting party in his honor.

My wine choices for the evening included Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Lapostolle Merlot, and a cheap Redwood Pinot Grigio since Chris doesn't really drink white wine.

I'm so thankful for our lovely wedding gifts of wine glasses and wine decanters because they were perfect and came to good use last night!

I have learned that with any wine tasting it's important to offer hors d'oeurves that will compliment each wine, such as cheeses (gouda, havarti, swiss), dark and milk chocolate, strawberries, dried cherries, grapes, and bread and crackers to cleanse your pallet.

By the end of the night the wine bottles were empty and the food was gone. All that was left was very happy and full people!

Married Life Lesson #9 Chris and I are beyond blessed with friends and family who care deeply about us. We have such amazing roommates (Drew and Abby) who helped me organize and plan the whole night. I don't know what I would of done without them! We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends who were able to make the night fun, entertaining, and make a great birthday for my loving husband!

This must be what people talk about when they say "Eat, Drink, and be Merry."

2011 Bucket List

    There are many things that Chris and I talk about doing in our lives together. Heck, there are many things we talk about doing just in the week ahead. Life gets busy quick before we are able to stop and enjoy the time we have with one another. Between dishes, laundry, work, classes, wedding thank you notes, and just organizing our lives, it's much easier to sit and veg out on the couch during our down time than get up and be active in our relationship. Now, don't get me wrong, after all the craziness of planning and having a wedding, the time to relax has been appreciated. But now that we are getting settled into the joys of married life, we look forward to all the activities that live has to offer us. So, begins this years bucket list, in no particular order. Many things may seem simple, but in real time they have been simple enough to pass over. 

Go on our honeymoon

Go to the lake at Aunt Judy and Uncle Brad's

Rock Climbing

White water rafting

Spend Christmas with my family

Move Sadie to Omaha

Outside concert

Camping

Visit Sarah and Joe in California

Farmer's Market

Buy a Nikon D90
Make a scrapbook

Play putt putt

Volunteer

Go to a garage sale

Antique shopping

Have a picnic
Finish our wedding book

See a baseball game

Bowling

Have a game night

Movie night with friends

Have a sleepover

Go on a walk

Play sand volleyball

Set up the slip and slide

Drink a glass of wine under the stars

Fishing

Hiking

Read a book
Rag Bri-Bike Ride across Iowa
Perfect gluten free beer
Ride a Century
Finish the basement

I think this list is off to a good start. I think it may be obvious to decipher which ideas belong to just Chris and which ones belong to just me. (Hint: I think we all know Chris loves himself a good glass of wine under the stars while at a sleep over.) He's a romantic, what can I say?? ;)

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. 'Dragonslayer'

March 26, 2011. And so life as Mrs. 'Dragonslayer' has officially begun. What a truly amazing day. Although it was snowing that day, which wasn't expected, I wouldn't of changed a thing. Being a wife is better than I ever thought I could imagine, although I still have much to learn, like:

1. How to cook for a gluten free husband

2. How to wash Underarmor

3. Figure out a cool way to sign my new last name

4. How to accept that my husband has a bigger shoe obsession than I do. 

5. Many more to come...

Through all the changes of marriage, such as moving in together, sharing a closet, compromising on what tv show to watch, I will admit one of the biggest adjustments has been changing my last name. So much that I almost considered not changing it all. Not because I don't believe in tradition, but rather because I grieved the process of losing my former name. Thank goodness I have an amazing and loving husband who comforted my loss and supported the joining of our lives by choosing a neutral last name for our brand new family. The 'Dragonslayers'. :) Ok, so we're not really changing our last name, as I do thoroughly enjoy my real married name (although Dragonslayer is a close second).

Married Life Lesson #4 And through it all I continue to embrace being a Mrs. as it has shown me that it's not about losing a last name, but rather about gaining a new family (cue sappy violin music). Married life has brought me more joy and purpose than all that I have accomplished in my life thus far. I can't wait for what the rest of life has to offer our new little family (I just hope it's a certain little fat dog back home named Sadie Lou). Until then, let the fun (and challenges) begin!