charlaanne

“Everyday is a blessing. I have good days and better days. I can’t have a ‘bad’ day when everyday is a blessing and gift from God.” - Galin

Galin has been receiving stronger doses of chemo that require him to spend time in the hospital vs. the outpatient chemo he was receiving. In a few weeks he will have further testing to see how this new treatment is working.

I keep looking at him and thanking God for blessing my life with such an optimistic, gentle, and strong man. I marvel at his unwavering faith and trust in our Heavenly Father.

Thank you, my dear friends, for your love and care. I cannot adequately express how much your prayers and words of encouragement mean to me.

xox
Charla

Lily anxiously awaits the father daughter dance each winter. Thankfully Galin felt good enough to attend this year. Goodness...I sure do love these two and their sweet relationship.

Christmas 2018

We had such a lovely day with all our children celebrating the birth of our Savior. We played games, made sugar cookies, and stayed in our pjs all day. I didn't want the day to end! 

Luke 2:1-20

Jaxson said it was his first time decorating gingerbread houses. 

Jaxson fell in love with our elf, Oliver. He talked about him to anyone who would listen and played with him all day long. He was pretty upset when Christmas was over and Oliver had to leave until next year. 

Lily's favorite Christmas gift was a pink robe and Jaxson's favorite was a stuffed dog he named Rifle.

making breakfast Christmas morning

on our way to look at Christmas lights

Have I ever told you that Galin asked me to marry him on Christmas day? I was 17 and he was 18! We were driving down a country road in his little red car when out of the blue, he asked, "Are you ready for me to ask you a really big question...will you be my wife?" I happily said yes and I would say yes all over again a million times. I love being his girl.

xox
Charla

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. II Chronicles 20:12

Last week we got some really disappointing news. The chemo treatments Galin has been receiving are not keeping up with how aggressive his cancer is. His last chemo treatment was supposed to be at the end of January and we were looking forward to taking our first family vacation with Jaxson to celebrate.

Our doctor told us at this point it is going to be a long battle. This week there will be more tests and decisions about future treatments.

To be honest it has been a struggle to not give in to fear (and there have been many days that I have.) A few things I have found that help when my heart feels heavy is to start praying for the many people I know who are going through a hard time, thanking God for His many blessings, surrendering Galin and our future to God, and telling God I will trust Him no matter what.

What have you found that helps when your heart is troubled?

This photo was taken a few months ago before Galin’s hair fell out.
xox
Charla

Happy 2019, my friends!

We celebrated New Year's Eve at home with these two cuties. I prepared a Mexican feast and we used our fancy dishes. Two people (I am not naming any names ;) spilled their orange punch all over everything right before we started eating. Good thing I already got my photo!

xox
Charla

We have had a pretty relaxing December. It sure has been fun having this little guy around!

Merry Christmas Eve friends! 
xox
Charla

Lily and Riley

Each time I create a pattern for my etsy shop I sew it several times to make sure all the pieces fit together just right. Several months ago Lily and I were going through a box of things I created while working on my Posie pattern and Lily fell in love with this doll she found. She just needed some clothes and a name so I made her a Little Red Riding Hood outfit and Lily named her Riley.

earlier this year