We the Jury Find the Defendant...

I've had the privilege of jury duty this week. I was a little nervous at first, but it's actually been pretty fun. This is my first experience, so I had no idea what to expect. On Monday, I joined a room full of strangers at the county courthouse. We have 3 judges and several criminal cases throughout the week. Because there are so many cases, we can be selected more than once. I got selected to sit on the jury for a case on Monday. I felt like I was on TV. I've never seen a real life trial. It was pretty laid back for the most part. The lawyers gave their opening speeches then called the 2 witnesses then gave their closing speeches. After that, the 6 jurors had to come to total agreement whether the defendant was guilty or not guilty. I make it sound light and comical, but I did take it seriously knowing this decision affected someone's life and near future. The criminal cases were for misdemeanors and the people can be sentenced up to one year in prison. We actually found him not guilty based on not enough facts and some doubt. Today, I had to go back to the courthouse but was not selected for the jury panel. I'm kind of glad about the decision because the case was about domestic abuse and I don't know if I truly could have been non bias. I have to go back tomorrow for more cases...we'll see if I get selected again. It's nice to have a little break from the hum drum of everyday work. It's nice to wear nice business clothes instead of scrubs. It's been a very good experience.

Happy Birthday Casey

Well folks today Casey Colson is 32 years old! It's actually been a birthday celebration week. Sunday, I took him to a birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant he likes. Monday, we had birthday cake at my parents house with my sister and nephew. And today, he's a little under the weather so we're gonna stay home, order some pizza, and watch a movie he's been waiting to see. Give him lots of birthday wishes and calls.

Home Sweet Home

My dad's coming home today!! Praise the Lord! He's eating pretty well. He gets full really easy and his throat is sore from having the nasogastric tube in for a week, but he's tolerating them pretty well. He's sticking to soft foods and seems to be digesting them well. He will still have his J-tube until after chemo/radiation. The feeding tube was surgically inserted to give him nutrition, basically formula, but they stopped for now. He is so happy to be getting out of the 4 walls of the hospital room. Can you blame him? I mean who likes to be woken up every 2 hours for someone to prick your finger or give you shots or take your blood pressure? I don't want to volunteer. The cancer did spread to his lymph nodes. They took all the nodes around the area and 8 out of 14 were affected, so all the cancer's out. Let's just pray the chemo/radiation get rid of it forever!! We still have a long few months to come, but I'm confident in the ultimate Healer. God is teaching me so much through this. To praise Him in the rain. When you're down the only way to look is up and you want peace and strength and comfort, and He wants praise. To have you seek Him and thank Him for the difficult times so we can learn and give Him glory. The Mercy Me song has personal meaning now. I can't thank you enough for all of your prayers...they were heard!

Bring The Rain

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Dad Update

I just wanted to give an update on my dad. He's out of ICU and on a step down unit. The morphine he's on makes him really groggy and he's confused most of the time. It's hard seeing him like that even though I know it's the drugs. Casey spent the last night with him and I'll stay tonight. Hopefully it'll be uneventful. He pulled his nasal gastric tube out of his nose this morning, had a nose bleed, and they had to put the tube back down poor thing. They have him walking to his door and back and sitting in a chair. Hopefully he'll be walking more and talking nonsense less. Thank you so much for your prayers and calls.

Good News

We just had a couple visits with my dad. He's off the vent! Praise the Lord!! He's breathing all on his own and he's sitting up and talking. He says his pain isn't too bad. They took him off the Fentanyl drip and put him on a PCA pump with Morphine so he can give himself doses. We talked to the doctor and he says he's doing well. They'll have him up today and sitting in a chair. Sunday they're going to have him walk around the ICU and he'll hopefully be on the floor by Monday or Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers!

Dad's Surgery

Well, my dad made it through surgery. The doctors say he did really well and he's strong. Yesterday was hard and I'm sure today will be harder. The cancer has spread to his stomach so they had to remove half of his stomach and 40% of his esophagus. They removed all of the tumor, so everything left is clean. I guess they can't tell if lymph nodes are cancerous so they are sent for biopsy and we'll get results in 5 days. Because the cancer had spread he will have to go through chemo and radiation, but won't start for 2 months until he's recovered. He's in ICU at Crawford Long on the ventilator. The doctors want the anesthesia to wear off gradually, so he should wake up today. If he breaths on his own and follows commands then they'll take the vent tube out. He's on a continuous Fentanyl drip for pain because the anesthesiologist wasn't able to get the epidural in for his pain block. They'll try again today. Apparently this is the most painful surgery you could have. So it's farther along than we thought, but hopefully they removed it all. He's got a 30% chance of long term survival meaning more than 5 years. I just hate seeing him like this. I know he's drugged and still under anesthesia, but he's so helpless. He's got a chest tube draining fluid from surgery, a nasal tube draining blood from his stomach from surgery, and a tube to breath. They had to give him some volume for his low blood pressure last night. I know the pain medicine can make his blood pressure drop, but it can also be due to blood loss or shock to his system. I'm hoping they didn't have to start of blood pressure drips last night. That's stuff I see and do every day just on a smaller scale. I know what they're for, it's just hard to see someone you love have to go through that. I'm feeling ok....a little scared because I just want to know what's going to happen. God gave me a night of wonderful sleep with no dreams or interruptions. I'm thankful for that b/c I went after work yesterday and stayed up 28 hours. We're about to go visit him this morning. We need your prayers now most of all. I can't thank you enough. I love you guys! Keep you posted.

* Please pray that he comes off the vent today and breathes on his own. That was his worst fear.
*Pray for God to take his pain away, for the epidural to work. The pain medicine his on only decreases his respiratory drive.
* Pray the cancer hasn't spread to his lymph nodes and chemo/radiation works
*Pray for an uncomplicated and quick recovery

Dad Update

Just wanted to give a quick update on my dad. He'll be having surgery on Friday to remove the cancer in his esophagus. All of our prayers have been answered so far. The cancer hasn't spread so he won't need chemo/radiation after surgery. The cancer's small and close to the stomach so they'll just cut it out and stretch the stomach up. It sounds like it'll be a long and slow recovery, but that's ok. I can't thank you enough for your calls and prayers. It means so much to me to have such wonderful friends in our lives. Please pray that the surgery goes well and is uncomplicated. Please pray that he'll be able to come off the ventilator quickly unlike his previous surgery and that the doctor's will be able to get all of the cancer. I'll let you know the surgery goes on Friday!

We Made a Movie

Kai and Lisa came over and helped Kelly and I film this movie about Van Gogh. It's a project I did for my art education class. It's supposed to be for middle school kids, so you will probably like it. It's kinda big.. so it might be best to pause it for a couple minutes before you watch it to let the buffer catch up.

4th of July Fun

We had a great 4th of July. Kai and Lisa came to hang out at the Colson Manor this weekend. I didn't take too many pics....I should work on that. We had a funfilled weekend of eating....of course....board games...Monopoly and Balderdash...and a little bit of Casey's homework. Yes...that's right. We reverted back to our childhood days for a puppet show video. It was so much fun....I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Casey had to put together a video about an artist for middle schoolers. We learned all about Van Gogh. The video's coming as soon as Casey finishes editing. Hope everyone had a great 4th!





Trying to look happy after our big loss to Kai at Monopoly!



He was WAY to happy to have won a game he doesn't like playing!



And.....yes....Van Gogh the video!.....

More News

Well...we were able to get more information yesterday. We have some good news and already some answered prayers. My mom and I spent the whole day at the hospital with my dad. He had his barium swallow to help locate the exact cancer spot. Then we met with the doctor who read the pathology report from the biopsy. Apparently the cancer is in the early stages. Praise the Lord! It's near the stomach and is significantly small. He will just cut it out and stretch the stomach up. The doctor said that 50% of people who come into his office are already inoperable, so we are very lucky we caught it in time. Next week my dad will go through several tests to make sure his lungs and heart are strong enough for surgery and a CT scan to see if the cancer has spread. The doctor is leaning toward the cancer is just an isolated spot. He'll have surgery in 2 weeks and will be in the hospital 2 weeks. If the cancer has not spread then he won't need chemo/radiation. We were all very relieved after talking with the doctor. I know God will take care of him and is showing us His purpose and glory through this trial. Thank you so much for all your prayers. Please continue to pray that my dad's body will be strong enough for surgery. That they'll be able to intubate with no problem and he'll have an easy time coming off the ventilator. Pray that the cancer has not spread. I'll keep you updated after next week.

Update

I can't think you enough for your prayers this week. It means so much to us knowing we have brothers and sisters kneeling before our God with us. Well...our prayers have been answered in a different way. My dad does has esophageal cancer. We don't know much more than that. He's going to meet with a thoracic surgeon from Crawford Long, who we're told is the best in the country. There are some surgeries they can do to remove the cancerous part of the esophagus and either attach some of the small intestine or stretch the stomach up if the part is low enough. My dad will have a barium swallow tomorrow. I'm not sure what that will show us. I guess to see how it's hindering his swallowing. He'll also have a CT scan to see if the cancer has spread. I'm doing ok. We're about to go over to my parents, but I had time to right this while Casey's in the shower. Now we would love your prayers in a different direction.

Please pray:

-the cancer has NOT spread and is only very small in the esophagus
-My dad will be able to undergo surgery (He has compromised lungs only 30% and 70% lung capacity from problems with his bypass surgery years ago)
-The cancer is near the stomach so the surgery is less invasive

I'll keep you updated when I know more. Thank you so much for your prayers and calls.

PLEASE PRAY

My family needs some pray warriors right now. Today's going to be tough. I need prayer for my dad. For a few months now he's been having trouble swallowing his food and went to the doctor a few days ago. They did an endoscopy (which is putting a probe down his esophagus to look at it). Apparently it's very abnormal and they took a biopsy and we're supposed to get the results today. Please pray they do not find cancer or anything serious. Please pray that whatever is wrong can be fixed simply. His name's Dave Robertson. He's only 62 and has so many more years to experience. I know there will be a time in our lives when we have to bury our parents....I'm just not ready to do that yet. I'll keep you updated. I can't get rid of sad thoughts, anxiousness, and worry. It's 3:45 A.M. and there won't be any more sleep tonight. Thank you so much for your prayers to come. I know the ultimate Healer will take care of Him. I just not ready to say goodbye yet.

A Weekend of Celebrations

We've had an eventful weekend. On Saturday night, our friend Kate Lovelace got married. Some of you may remember her from North Georgia. Kate and I went to church together and were in the youth group. The wedding was beautiful....the dress....the ceremony....the flowers. Everything! Sadly I didn't take a picture of her. I'm kicking myself for it now. It was great to catch up with old friends from church. Then on Sunday.....Mrs. Mary Catherine had her 1st baby shower! Yippeee! She's 30 weeks now and looks beautiful. MC got tons of great gifts. We can't wait to meet the little guy!!







It was great to see Caroline!






She got lots of great stuff! Everything a little boy needs!



I had to put this pic up. As I was writing my blog, I heard the sound my dog, Chloe, makes when she stretches. I looked around, but no Chloe to be seen. Then....I thought...hmmm. I look under the couch we have in our office and this is all I could see. Her cute little nose and paw sticking out! It made me laugh. She sure is creative when she wants some privacy!

Happy Birthday to Kai

Today is Kai's birthday! He's the big 3-0!! We had a party at the Bassett abode on Saturday to celebrate his big day. Give him a call and wish a happy birthday!!




Feeling a little bummed about being 30!



But quickly got over it after seeing the cool XBOX cake Lisa, Casey, and myself made for him.



Complete with controllers and everything!!



We had a great time grilling hamburgers and playing games.














Kai even got a Super Soaker from Brooke!



Time to dig in!!



Even Meg got to join in on the eating festivities!



He's totally stoked in his birthday hat!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...

I just got back from a girls beach vacation. We went to St. Augustine. What a beautiful place. It was perfect weather, warm sun, cool breeze, salty air. What more could a girl ask for. I got to catch up with my dear friends Brooke, Valerie, and Mary Catherine. We had some great conversations, hard stomach hurting laughter, and quiet relaxation. We took Casey's GPS, Dora the Explora, to help us on our journey down under. We she was "helping" us find our condo she made us pull into a Dentist office...and just like Michael on "The Office" Dora made us turn into a dental store (as Val calls it)!! I'm just thankful it wasn't a lake! We also celebrated Brooke's birthday while we were down there. We gave her a little surprise party. Check out the pics!




Isn't MC cute preggers? We went for a walk on the beach our last night.



MC icing Brooke's cake....baby boy Tritt needed some chocolate. Of course....she didn't eat any though!




Brooke and her surprise party!




She got REALLY great gifts!!



Chillin' at the beach...in the shade of course!





We went to some really good seafood restaurants. One was Saltwater Cowboys. Yum!



Here's Saltwater Cowboys...I thought it was a really cool setting!



Getting ready for a night out!

Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. We had great fun with some friends playing tennis (our new fav sport), swimming, cooking tons of food, going to a Braves game, and just relaxing. On Friday night we got to see Eric and Jennifer at the Braves game. It was a major mutilation...when we left the score was 10-1. Yikes! Then we went to the Basset abode for severals days of packed in fun. During our grilling escapades we caught the grill on fire 3 times!! Well...we're learning. Here are some pics!

Chloe enjoying the mile-long ride to Grandma's!!

Casey's REALLY excited about the Braves Game!



The Colsons!




We're going to the movies! Yea! Indiana Jones!


Oh yes...those are giant playing cards!



Nothing says spades like giant cards!




Kai's losing! *Not really...the boys killed us with a score TOO embarrassing to write*




Learning to play tennis! Wimbledon...here we come!!

A little bit of sunshine in our lives....

Well....we made it back from Destin. We had a very relaxing vacation. The weather was rainy and overcast, but we were able to lay on the beach for a little while and take long romantic walks. We ate some yummy seafood and watched some movies. We saw Chronicle of Narnia while we were there. I highly recommend it if that means anything to ya.Very good! Here are some pics! Enjoy! **I'm not sure why these pictures are so big!





Casey's Sandcastle....he made from scratch. The pics don't do it justice. There's a tunnel all the way through!

A random tree Casey thought was cool on the way home. It's the simple things that amuse us!

Beachbound....

We're headed to Destin for the week. We leave bright and early in the a.m. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to show ya'll. Hope everyone has a great week. Don't be jealous that we'll be laying on the beach all day listening to the relaxing sounds of the waves while the breeze softly cools us and taking long romantic walks on the beach under the stars and eating lots of yummy seafood. Wish all of you could come with us! What a great hangout THAT would be! Pics to come....stay tuned!

Hawaii Chair

Look at this! It's hilarious. Now this is multi-tasking!!

Baptism....

Baptism is a time for reverance. To follow God in obedience after salvation to wash our sins away. A joyous, but serious moment in our lives. So check this video out!