Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve! 

 Since Stephen & I met, each New Year's we've spent together has also been with youth at Lock-ins or at Winter Retreat.  I was so excited that this year's Winter Retreat is scheduled for January 2-4th, so we would get to celebrate New Year's together.  I imagined an evening out, dressed up and going to dinner and a movie or a party, or hanging out with friends.  Instead, we're at home because I have bronchitis, a fever, and asthma issues from the bronchitis. Yay. Not. The important thing is we're together, eating Whataburger & watching movies. 

Looking forward to a healthier 2014!  

Monday, December 30, 2013

Canon Rebel T3

For Christmas, my inlaws got me a Canon Rebel T3! I love the quality of pictures it takes, even though I have zero experience taking pics.  I'm looking forward to learning about photography, lenses, shutter speeds and more as I explore my camera.  

For now, here's a modpodge of snapshots from our Christmas Vacay in Olney:


Christmas Morning Selfie

Emma being tickled by her daddy

Stephen & me. :)

Sweet Sisters--Abby & Emma! 


Emma chasing Cole

Emma smiling while chasing Cole

Barbie Dollhouse. 17 steps? seriously?

Wait. You do what?!?

Barbie Dollhouse Completed

Uncle Stephen & Abbers 

Emma, Abby, and Aubrea

Emma & Nana's Christmas Tree

Sisters. <3

Santa Cole

Emma & Kaytie


Cheesin' Emma

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to you!

We're spending our Christmas with Stephen's side of the family in Olney, Texas this year.  

It's been a great time of family and fun! I love our family sing-along, or sing-song as Nana calls it. Almost the entire family was there except Stephen's cousin Kara & her husband and four kids.  So glad they got here last night (Christmas Eve) and that they've moved to Texas so we will be able to see each other more. :) 


Jesus is the Reason for the Season! 

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
 (Luke 2:1-7 ESV)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Uncle Santa

Yesterday (Sat. 12/14/13), Stephen dressed up as Santa for FBC Corpus' annual breakfast with Santa.  

My favorite part about it though was that our nephew, T, got to come see his Uncle Santa.  He looked unsure of Santa when he walked in the room, but once Stephen said his name, he was like Oh! I know this guy. :) 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thankful Thursday -- thanksgiving edition


So, so thankful for this guy. He's seriously the greatest ever. He stuck by me through all the molar pregnancy crapola & really served me how I believe Jesus wants us to serve others. 


I'm thankful for these sweet nieces. Aren't they just the cutest?!? They make me laugh so hard and are so loving. I can't wait to give then cousins one day! 
This little guy, my nephew T, makes me laugh so hard. I am so thankful for this little goober, for his HUGE, full faced smile and his sweet baby laugh.  

I am so so very thankful for my best friends, my cousins Megan and Tori. They support me through so much and love me despite my flaws. And they make me laugh SO. HARD. 

These sweet babies, Penny Sue and Sheldy Cooper. They are the sweetest furbabies  I could ever ask for. Penny especially can tell when I don't feel well and will snuggle up with me. When I went through chemo and was feeling like #?*! She would curl up next to me on the couch (or at my feet or on the ground next to me), and not move for hours. Such a good protective puppygirl. 

I can't post a picture of my last thankful post because my boss has asked me not to put pictures of her girls on the internets, but I am so so thankful for my nannying job, mostly because of the girls I nanny. E, 2 1/2 years old is absolutely hilarious. She's seriously one of the funniest kids ever. And the cutest. L, is 4 months old and has the cutest, squishiest cheeks that you can't help but kiss. The girls are like my own. I love then to pieces!  


That's all my thankfulness for now, though I'm going to try to start blogging at least once a week to jot down why I'm thankful for. 

Hcg/chemo update.

After the second round of chemo, my hcg level was at three. THREE! So much better than 3,700, but Dr. Mahmood wanted to see if we could get it down to zero, so he ordered another round (4 doses) of chemo. 

I finished that round at less than a two, so I guess that means between a 1&2? That was on October 18th that I got the news.  Dr. Mahmood said he was finished treating me & I said that I hope to never see him or his staff again, unless it's at HEB. 

My follow up treatment is getting a blood/hcg test once a month for about 6 months. On November 15th, I had my first test & my hcg level was 1! Yay! 

So thankful for Dr. Mahmood and his staff! I very highly recommend Corpus Christi Cancer Center. 
(One of my last trips in for treatment)

Saturday, September 21, 2013

It's been three weeks

It's been about three weeks since I've last written, and what a busy three weeks it has been. 

My visit to the Hematologist was what I expected. My hcg levels were at 3,700 and rising, so the Dr. Mahmood told me I would be going on a low dose chemotherapy treatment. I began that treatment on 9/6/13. I had four injections of Methotrexate, the low dose chemotherapy. The first dose was ROUGH. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache; I had it all. The next three doses were much easier, just a little diarrhea, but nothing too bad. 

A week after I finished the first round of chemo, yesterday (9/20/13), I went back in to visit with Dr. Mahmood. MY HCG LEVEL IS DOWN TO 95!!!!! Praise the Good Good Lord! Yesterday I also began the second round (4doses) of Methotrexate. Dr. Mahmood believes this will be the last round. 

I will go back to visit Dr. Mahmood and test my hcg levels on October 4th. 

Please pray that this round of chemotherapy will knock the rest of the hcg levels out and we can move on to the next chapter in our lives.  

Monday, August 26, 2013

Jesus Calling

A couple of months ago, I purchased the devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

Here's what Amazon has to say about Jesus Calling:
"Jesus Calling is a devotional filled with uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year.  After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her.  It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue.  She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but journaling helped her grow closer to God.  Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages.  They are written from Jesus' point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.  It is Sarah's fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure."


 I've only really read in it a handful of times, but today I really felt God telling me I needed to spend time with Him.  I grabbed the bible study I'm currently doing, and then felt God saying to grab my copy of Jesus Calling.  I headed to Sbucks, grabbed some breakfast and a chai latte and settled in to spend some time with the Lord.


What was written as today's Jesus Calling devotional was absolutely written for me.



Today I go to see the hematologist; last week my hcg levels went up and I was referred to Dr. Mahmood at the Cancer Center of South Texas. To say I am a bit nervous is an understatement.  After reading the devo, I felt peace.  He knows what's going to happen.  I can't change it by worrying or being nervous.  I have to trust in Him and know that He has me in the palm of His hand.


John 16:33: 
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."



Psalm 105:4:
  "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."



John 14:27: 
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Lunch at the Gristmill

I ate lunch today at the Gristmill in Gruene. First time ever. It was so good (cheeseburger) and the view was pretty. Madre snapped a quick picture of me. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10370767/?claim=9bus4v9z6aw">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Weekend Vacay to Round Rock

This weekend (and part of last week!), we went to Round Rock to visit Stephen's sister Amy & her family.  It was relaxing, fun, and full of laughter, late night chocolate runs, river floating (first time!), and food. Lots & lots of food.


Emma's first time bowling!!

Abby loves 'smoking' French fries! 

Emma 'paid' for lunch with a toy credit card. The awesome waitress took it to the cash register, pretended to swipe the card, then brought E the card back, a pen, and piece of receipt paper. *big tip for her!

Stephen and I escaped for an afternoon of snocones & exploring Round Rock. :) 

Late night chocolate run to Walmart & we walked in to this! Walmart know...

Stephen & Emma played beauty shop. Notice his beautifully painted nails!! (He's so awesome!). 

Abby kicked back at lunch... Until...
...they started singing Happy Birthday to someone. Abby doesn't like birthdays. 

Stephen found Duck Dynasty loofahs. It's too much.

We went tubing on the San Marcos river on Saturday! It was my first time ever & oh my heavens, I LOVE it! It was so relaxing and fun. :) and, I didn't get sunburnt! Yay for SPF 50 baby sunscreen and reapplying.


It was a great weekend and I totally can't wait until next time. 

Thanks Josh, Amy &girls for an awesome time! We love y'all!!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Life is Hard, But God is GOOD!

Life has been hard here in the Strealy house lately. But in it all and through it all, we are still leaning on the Truth that God is GOOD.

Things happen for a reason, and I don't know what the reasoning is, but God does. It doesn't make things easier, but it gives me hope.

More than anything, I want to be a Mom.

On April 24th, after peeing on a stick, I found out I would be one! But on June 7th, all my fears came true when I learned that I will not be one any time soon.  While urine and blood tests both confirmed my pregnancy, an ultrasound showed a tumor-like mass instead of a baby.  I had a complete Molar Pregnancy, where instead of the sperm fertilizing the egg once, it fertilized it twice.  This results in a bloody, tissue-y tumor like mass.  MPs only occur in about 1 in 2,000 pregnancies.  How lucky am I? not. Of those pregnancies, 1 in 40,000 turn cancerous.  So, not only did I hear, "You're not going to be a Mom," but "You have a tumor that could end up turning cancerous." Sucky, sucky day.  But wait, there's more. Once my Hcg levels get to zero (more on that below), I have to wait about year to get pregnant to make sure it doesn't turn cancerous.  So much for having a baby anytime soon.  The only way to remove the mass was to schedule a d&c.

June 18th arrived, the day of my d&c.  I don't remember much about it; Stephen, my parents, and my grandpa waited with me before the surgery.  Our pastor, Ron, came and prayed with us.  And moments before I was wheeled away, my aunt Maggie and cousin Tori came into town from Houston. It meant so much to me that they would drive all that way to sit in a hospital. The d&c happened; I was all drugged up on morphine; somehow I ended up at home.

The title of this post is Life is Hard (which we've pretty much covered), but God is GOOD!
He is so, so good:


  • When I found out I was pregnant, I did not have health insurance. I was able to get on Medicaid. God is good.
  • It was my first time going to the OBGYN, Dr. N. She was AMAZING. -- she answered all my questions before I asked them, and sent me down for a sonogram.
  • During the sonogram, Stephen and I both thought we saw a tumor instead of a baby, so when Dr. N broke the news to us, it was devastating, but we understood. God is Good.
  • We never ever saw a baby or a heartbeat. God is Good. (I can't imagine seeing it, falling in love with it [more than I already was], and then miscarrying).
  • Once again, Dr. N explained all my questions and fears so well. Then told me she would be out of town for 3 weeks, but I needed it done much sooner than that, so I'd have to see a new dr.
  • Many family members & friends prayed over me, for me, and with me. God is good.
  • Dr. G was just as amazing as Dr N, and the more I've been working with her, the more I like her and may switch to her for good. God is good.
  • The d&c was successful. God is Good
  • My Hcg numbers are going down. Not as fast as we would like, but are going down.  In a normal pregnancy, Hcg levels are around 40.  The day before my d&c, I was at 500,000. The day of, after the d&c, 100,000.  I've been getting blood taken about every two weeks (have I mentioned I HATE needles?) and they are currently (as of 8/6/13) at 2,930.  God is Good.
  • My doctor called me on 7/31 at lunchtime and said I would have to start a form of Chemotherapy the next week because my levels weren't going down quick enough.  She called me around 5:30 that night and said never mind, she talked to a specialist and I have until December (6 months) to get my levels down to zero. God is Good.
  • I was able to go to Youth Camp in June before the d&c. God is Good.
  • The week after my d&c, Stephen took the Youth on a Mission Trip to Tennessee. His sister, Amy, came down to CC and took care of me, my mom spent a LOT of time taking care of me both before, during & after the mission trip, and my friends Kacey & Katie spent lots of time with me.  I was rarely left alone. God is good.
  • I was able to go work at Kids Camp in July and had an amazing time.
There is still so much going on in our crazy stressful life right now, but I keep focusing on the good God is doing in our lives. I know I really need to grieve the loss of this child (because in my heart, it was a child--even though physically/scientifically it never was).  I'm just not 100% ready.  So right now, little by little I'm getting better physically and emotionally. My life is hard right now.  Really, really hard. But I know God is good. 


This song has meant so much to me these past few weeks.  

Some lyrics: "Your love never fails."  "You make ALL things work together for my good." 



And finally, the verse that I kept repeating in my mind after my friend/boss sent it to me the day I found out--notice the word says when, not if

Isaiah 43
2When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.






Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Spring break

Spring break is one of my favorite times of the year. A break from the norm, spring like weather, and typically relaxation time.

I'm totes excited about this spring break. Starts this Friday with a Tim McGraw concert with my cousin Megan at the Houston rodeo, followed by Camel and Ostrich races on Saturday and some hang time Sunday and Monday.

Tuesday we will spend time with my SIL and nieces, Wednesday a day trip to San Antonio/San Marcos with my Madre and Aunt, and then hanging with the youth the rest of the week.

Friday, please hurry!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Windy City!

Technically, Chicago is called the Windy City, I believe, but Corpus Christi is also known as the Windy City. Yesterday, she proved herself to be the Windy City!  All day long, wind was howling, and I could hear things blowing around all over the place.  

On my way home from work, several fences were blown over in the neighborhood where I work. 

Grass fires, home fires, and fires at refineries broke out! Power outages throughout all of south texas.  According to KRIS 6 News' Facebook page, almost 7,000 people lost power. 
Nueces: 3,095
Kleberg: 1,484
Refugio: 1,159
San Patricio: 584
Jim Wells: 540
Bee: 220
Brooks: 205
Duval: 143

Our power went out several times, but just for a minute or two at a time.  The power at the church, however, kept going off, so Stephen got to come home from work a couple hours early.  Lucky boy. :) 

My cousin, Megan, who lives in the building next to ours took this picture from the front yard... She said the wind was blowing the trampoline around like it was nothing!


So how fast was the wind blowing?  According to the National Weather Service: 

CORPUS CHRISTI INT'L 63 MPH
ALICE                            63 MPH
KINGSVILE NAS 56 MPH
ORANGE GROVE                     59 MPH
MCMULLEN CO TARGET FIELD         56 MPH
WALDRON FIELD 55 MPH
ROBSTOWN                         55 MPH
BEEVILLE                         55 MPH
COTULLA                          54 MPH
MCCAMPBELL-INGLESIDE 53 MPH
CORPUS CHRISTI NAS               54 MPH
GOLIAD                           54 MPH
GEORGE WEST                      53 MPH
PORT ARANSAS                     51 MPH
LAREDO 49 MPH VICTORIA 49 MPH ROCKPORT 47 MPH
PORT LAVACA 45 MPH


It was seriously some crazy windy weather!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Lent

Growing up, I was always startled by people with black smudges on their foreheads on a day called "Ash Wednesday." My mom would explain to me it was to signify the start of Lent, a season of 40 days before Easter. From what I understood, people who celebrated the Catholic religion would give something up during this time to reflect on what Jesus had done on the cross.  Honestly, I never really understood Lent or the opportunity that it gives us as Christians to focus on God.  

For the past few years, I have taken the season of Lent as a time to give something up, 40 days of no sodas, 40 days of no Facebook, and last year 40 days of only Christian Music (giving up secular music).  

A Pastor friend of mine, Mike, posted on Facebook last week, asking what we were giving up for Lent this year.  I had been praying about it for some time, because I really do like the time to refocus on Jesus and the real meaning of Easter.  This year, I've felt that God wants more of me; more of my time, my thoughts, my prayers. When thinking about what takes up the majority of my time, it is absolutely TV/Netflix. During E's naptime, I tend to prop open my laptop and watch 2-4 episodes of Dawson's Creek. That's 2-ish hours I could be spending praying, reading the Bible, and/or worshipping. I also watch several hours of TV at night with S. 

So giving up TV, what does that mean I'm going to do with those several hours? Watch a movie? Sleep? Ride my bike? Paint? Play games?  No. Not this time. I'm going to try to read the Bible-- the WHOLE Bible instead of watching TV. I found a Bible in 90 days (actually, 88--it gives two days of no reading) plan and divided it by two (44 days). I've already started reading (since now we are 42 days out), and it's challenging.  I'm enjoying learning new things and reading parts of Genesis that I'd skimmed over in the past.

So here's to 44 days of reading the Bible, of not watching TV, of worshipping, of praying, of intentionally pressing in and letting He who saved me, change me.

My friend Mike also sent me a link to this blog. It's a great read on Lent in the Protestant faith: http://blog.renovare.org/2013/01/30/why-lent/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-lent

Here is a quote from said article that really encouraged me to participate in Lent in a different way this year; to prepare myself to be changed. 

"Maybe we need to consider Lent as one of those seasons of intentionally pressing in. Culturally, we are distracted by many things. If we do not pay attention to our souls, our capacity to be open to God’s creative work in our lives is diminished. The season of Lent presents an opportunity to reflect on the state of our souls before God, the contour of our lives with others, and, above all, the prevailing promise of Jesus’ resurrected life as it breathes new life, new courage, new hope in us and through us, for the sake of the world."

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Serious Ramblings

Serious: of, showing, or characterized by deep thought.


Ramblings: straying from one subject to another



So, basically, this blog will be deep, random thoughts of mine. 

I'm not promising to blog every day, every month, or even every year, but I will do my best to keep friends & family updated on life.