That's we hope! I can't wait to get some flowers planted and have the mulching done!!! It's coming. I just know that one of these days, the sun is going to shine bright and everyone is going to be in a tizz working outside!!!
And that's why I decided I better get my inside work done first!!! Mom and Jody came yesterday and helped me house clean!!! Boy, I sure do appreciate their help and what a big, huge difference a few more hands can accomplish!!! We wiped down walls, cleaned windows, wiped up floors and dusted the baseboards and window blinds and furniture. It's a tiring day but what a good feeling to have that day behind me now!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Mom and Jody!!!
While we cleaned, these two played. It was a sunny day yesterday and gorgeous outside, so they got to spend the afternoon on the front porch barefoot!!! And eat cookies.
We got so much of the main floor housecleaned yesterday! I finished the rest today!!! It is rainy buckets outside now so my kitchen windows will have to wait to another day to be cleaned. All the other window screens were put in yesterday and now we are ready to let the outdoor breeze come inside as soon as the weather gets lovely!!!
...................................................
Our house has been filled with lots of children the past weeks. I babysit Felicia some when Linda works. She sweet and loves to play with Austin. Last weekend, Steve and Linda went to go see Dad and Mom in Arizona. Their children stayed here with us Friday night. The girls had a total blast having a sleep over!
And then after taking them home Saturday morning to be with another sitter, we set up for Ashlyn's birthday party. I told Ashlyn that she could invite three girls from school. We ate cake and ice cream and the girls had a good time together!
We did the Shopkins theme party!!!
And Ashlyn was given Shopkins as gifts.
This was sweet. Matthew jumped aboard with making this a fun party. He hid some Shopkins bracelets outside and the told the girls to go find them. They loved this!
Thank you girls for coming to Ashlyn's party!!!
And on Friday, I took a simple treat in to Ashlyn's class!!!
...................................................
And while we had a party going on, Mindy took Austin along to an egg hunt in town. He loved this!!! Austin found a 'prize egg' and won a set of gardening tolls. :))) Thanks Mindy!
................................................
This was something fun I did for Sunday's fellowship meal at church. We were told that it's going to be Mexican theme foods served and to bring a salad and dessert to go with the main course. I right away looked at Pinterest to see what I would find. Wallllaaa ...
Crispy, cinnamon and sugar tacos filled with a lemon, cream mixture!!! I combined two different recipes and came up with these.
The oringal recipe said to fill with apple filling. But that seemed more like a fall dessert so I mixed some cream cheese, heavy cream, lemon juice and zest and filled the tacos. Then I topped them with fresh strawberries. These turned out delicious!!! So, if you want to make a creative dessert, try these. Search Pinterest for the exact recipe ingredients!!!
..................................................
Update on Dad Lapp ...
We have so, so many people asking and calling to see how Mike's dad is doing. Thank you all for caring so much! It's hard to answer because it just doesn't seem like he's getting much better. He's still very weak. He asks Mom for water and ice chips. He drinks it and throws up. It just seems like whatever hits his stomach, comes right back up. Dad was having pain and he's now taking meds to help with that. Envita Clinic in Arizona has now started Dad on some low dose Chemo and Radiation. The doctors are hoping that this was loosen the cancer from around the pancreas and start relieving his stomach and have his digestive system functioning again!!! Dad is still not eating but is on IVs and nutrition through his port.
Each day is different. One day Dad is doing a tiny bit better and resting well. The next day he is throwing up a lot. The doctors keep doing tests to try to help treat his cancer the best way they know how!!! They are treating Dad as an emergency but not life threatening right now. There are friends and family that are taking turns to be with Mom and Dad in Arizona. Mike and his brothers have plans to go this weekend!!! Mike and I hope to visit together some time in May.
The update we received last night is that Dad's stomach is draining. His cancer is no where else except the pancreas. Radiation is working to shrink the tumor. Dad's liver is improving. Mom will start giving him shots for blood sugar account. Dad had blood work done and sent to Greece and that will help determine how to treat his body!!! He is still throwing up and really weak.
With all this news, we try to pick out the good parts!!! No, we wish he wouldn't have to be taking radiation or chemo but if it's helping to shrink the tumor, praise the Lord for that!!! We hate that there is cancer in his pancreas but grateful that it's contained there! Our liver has a lot to do with our health and with Dad's improving, that's great!!! The pancreas has a lot to do with sugar levels in our bodies. That's why Dad is loosing weight. To help keep those counts good, he needs shots. Envita Clinic is trying hard to get Dad back to good health and for that we are very grateful for!!!
So, keep praying for Dad!!! And Mom! Mom cares for Dad a lot and is under so much stress. Both Dad and Mom are fighting hard against this terrible disease!!! We are praying and standing in the gap for Dad's!!! We are all fighting for Dad's health to be restored!!!
This morning in the Daily Bread, this was the quote.
There are so many scriptures and songs that talk about God's goodness. About how God has a plan for our lives!!! I am claiming these scriptures and want to see God's hand through this very difficult journey!!! The Daily Bread also had this prayer today, "Lord, You are the One who never changes and You are so good to us. Calm our hearts today with the grace and peace that come only from You."
Mike and I were blessed and prayed over again last night at our small groups. Verses were read and spoken in life. It's so encouraging to know that other believers really care and bare each others burdens!!! Thank you!!!
I find a lot of strength and encouragement through songs!!! I have Pandora Radio playing a lot while I'm doing my house work. Today this song came on and I love it!!!
It's a rainy day today and I'm hoping the sunshine will shine later today!!! I made a quick stop at the greenhouse yesterday and I'm ready to go back and buy some flowers and get the rest of the garden foods planted!!!
I love Spring!!!
