WE ARE GOING HOME!

Roy and I have decided that it is time to go home! Texas, that is!!!!

It is just time! Not sure when or where but we are going home.

Roy has actively begun the search and his recruiter, Scott, has already but him in contact with a hospital in Texas. It is for a job that Roy will be able to return to his roots! Roy has had two real good phone interviews with them and will be going to a "face to face" interview next week!

PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!!!

We are gona go home! YEEEEEHHHAAAAAWWWW!

I got a call from Eric his morning!!!!!

Not sure if you knew but Eric is deployed again and he just called me!!!

He is doing fine on his mission. He ask that we pray for him and I will ask you and yours to pray for him too! Also, he is to test for Tech Sergent soon and he is studing now. He asked us to he pray that he studies well and gets his Tech stripe. Thanks for your prayers.

It was SO GOOD to hear from him!!!! I am one happy Mom!

Alot of you have asked........

Roy and I get asked alot about how it is to live in Wisconsin. Well, I was forwarded the following by a native Wisconsinite or Wisconsonian--I am not real sure which one it is----! This is our fourth winter and all if these are true and Roy and I have experienced 90% of them. It is very different living here--not bad--just different!

Jeff Foxworthy on Wisconsin

--If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 38 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Wisconsin. (This just seems to be "not right"!

--If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Park Falls is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Wisconsin.

--If you have ever refused to buy something because it's 'too pricey,' you might live in Wisconsin.

--If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Wisconsin. (it really is!--I was amazed! Also: it is not ice tea season either!!!)

--If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Wisconsin.

--If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Wisconsin. (we have had this happen ALOT!)

--If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Wisconsin. (seen this)

--If you may not have actually eaten it, but you have heard of Head Cheese, you might live in Wisconsin.(not only have I heard of it, I have tried it--taste like chicken!)

--If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Wisconsin. (done this--had to get the mail)

--If you have either a pet or a child named 'Brett,' you might live in Wisconsin.

--If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Wisconsin. (this is soooo true!)

--If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Wisconsin. (I have! It was weird!)

--If you know how to say Oconomowoc, Waukesha , Menomonie & Manitowoc, you might live in Wisconsin. (Believe or not--we can!)

--If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, you might live in Wisconsin.

--If every time you see moonlight on a lake, you think of a dancing bear, and you sing gently, 'From the land of sky-blue waters,'....you might live in Wisconsin

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE WISCONSINITE WHEN:

1. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway. (usually it's a John Deer)

2. 'Vacation' means going up north past Hwy 8 for the weekend.

3. You measure distance in hours. (this is so true--nothing is measured in miles!)

4. You know several people who have hit deer more than once. (this is sad but I do !)

5. You often switch from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again. (done it!)

6. Your whole family wears Packer Green to church on Sunday. (They really do that here! It is bizzare!)

7. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.(I am no where close to doing this!)

8. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings and funerals ). (Again--BIZARRE!)

9. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

10. You think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and venison.

11. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife or girlfriend knows how to use them. (Well, this is the qualifier for me--I do and I know how to use them!)

12. There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet Farm at any given time. (Yup!)

13. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

14. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow. (This is so true--the roads are HORRIBLE!)

15. You refer to the Packers as 'we.'

16. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.(Yup! road construction is called "Orange Barrel Season"--really it's true!)

17. You can identify a southern or eastern accent. (I am "pegged" the moment I open my mouth!)

18. You have no problem pronouncing Lac Du Flambeau.

19. You consider Minneapolis exotic.

20. You know how to polka. (I learned--Pulaski Polka Days!)

21. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.

22. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.

23. Down South to you means Illinois.

24. A brat is something you eat.(I am so relieved! I thought if was me!)

25. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed.

26. You go out to fish fry every Friday

27. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.(How true!)

28. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.

29. You find minus twenty degrees 'a little chilly.

30. You actually understand these jokes.(Sad but true--I understand them all!

Hugs and kisses to all--HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Cheri :) xoxox

At the begining of a New Year............

Well, it is the start of 2008! Happy NEW Year to all my family and friends!!!!!

Eric and Lenise came to Wisconsin for Christmas! Lenise had never seen snow and Eric had never experience this much snow!! We had 8" when they got here and during their stay, it snowed everyday and they left with about 12" total--maybe more!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!! WE all had a great time! For me it was heaven!!!!! They loved the snow and played outside alot. The woods picture is our backyard (just thought you would like to see the snow). Bailey was always at their sides and loved the snow as well. They both learned to knit using a loom. Lenise is wearing the red hat she made and Eric is not only wearing the hat she made him, he made a scarf to match the hat! (That is what he is working on in the picture above).

Roy has been put on insulin injections 4 times a day and is responding VERY well. The pain he suffers has been tolerable--doesn't go away--but he can tolerate it without wanting to "chop his hands and feet off". He still has bad days but they are very few and far between!

I think I like my job at the bank! It is busy so it goes really fast--they put me in the drive thru alot and people don't get out of their cars to come into the bank when it is below zero and there is over a foot of snow on the ground! My co-workers are great and I enjoy them. They are still not sure about me though--ya' know--the "Cheri Factor"! They have told me a joke that I thought was soooo true! I will share it with you--see if you agreee--

"How do you know someone is from Texas?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------They tell ya!"

We are planning to go the Frankenmuth, Michigan the last weekend in January for the "Snow Festival". We are really looking forward to it! We did not get to go to Jacksonport, Wisconsin on New Year's Day to watch to crazy Polar Bear people jump in the lake, this year. It was one of those few and far between days where Roy was hurting badly. So--I worked on a blanket I am knitting for our bed and watched the Rose Bowl Parade and putzed around the house! It was nice. It was a calm, peaceful way to start 2008!

Love to all! xoxox :)

HALLELUJAH!

Roy is responding well to the insulin injections!!!!! I am SO grateful to the Lord! He is getting relief from the agonizing pain he suffers with the neuropathy in his feet and hands! He is even considering reduce the amount of pain medication he takes! I am so glad to have and know a merciful and compassionate God. Roy is beginning to be more of his self everyday. It is so nice to see and have my 'ole Roy back. He doesn't appear to be in agony and is sleeping well. He is not falling asleep on the couch every night and is laughing and joking again! He also is not scowling anymore! Praise the Lord!

My knee is doing better! I have not worked at the YMCA for 4 weeks and I think the non-activity has allowed it to heal. On 11/26, I will start to teach swim lessons on Monday afternoons. I think that is going to be fun. I am a little worried about my knee but I think being in the pool will be MUCH easier on it!!!! We shall see!

My job at US Bank is going okay! I think the hours will work our good for us & the people I work with seem to be very nice. That is a blessing. I have been doing on-line teller training and IT IS BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am hopeful that I will be on a drawer today. I am scheduled to work this Saturday (11/24) and my "anxiety meter" is rising since I have not been on a teller window yet. I reckon I will be "flying by the seat of my pants" on Saturday--it feels like I do that a lot!

Eric and Lenise are still coming for Christmas! But they will be here longer than they first figured!!! I am very excited and hopeing that it will snow. Neither Lenise or Eric have been exposed to much of the "white stuff" so I am hopeing it will be A LOT! As of today, they will be here in 28 days and we have no snow!!!!

Update on our friend Keith: he has completed radiation and starts chemo today. I talked to him Sunday and he said he feels really good. We are grateful for God's mercy as he is not suffering too much. Thanks for remembering he and Kay in your prayer--please continue.

HALLELUJAH! God's mercies are new every morning!

Good news!

God is GOOD!

So much has occured since our last entry:

1--Roy had trouble with his kidneys shutting down. It was very serious and he was NOT doing well. A couple things came into play: the doctor adjusted his medications & sent him to a kidney specialist AND I asked for family and friends to pray. Praise the Lord! Yesterday, the kidney specialist reported that all the test and ultrasounds show everything is normal, some of his test results are even better than normal!!!!!! Roy is going to start insulin therapy for diabetes very soon. Due to the kidney issue, his sugar numbers have been high and all over the charts--not good-- and he doesn't feel well because of it. Now that God touched his kidneys, the doctor is addressing this. We are glad!!!! GOD IS GOOD!

2--I injuried my knee while working at the Y. An MRI showed no damage but there is A LOT of pain. So I am doing physical therapy and take medicines. The doctor does not want to do surgery yet so please pray for me--it is very painful. And I miss working at the Y.

3--I have gotten a part-time teller job at US Bank. Monday thru Friday 10:30 -- 2:30. Just started yesterday. I think it will be okay. More on that later.

4--ERIC AND LENISE ARE COMING FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! I am beyond excited and have started counting the days!!!!! (40) YEEEEEHHAAAW!

5--Finally, I am requesting prayer for our good friends, Keith and Kay Zimmerman. (That is a picture of the four of us!) Keith has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He has started radiation treatments for 3 weeks followed by chemotherapy immediately there after. They plan to attack it agressively. Please pray for Keith and Kay, their kids and families, that God will hold them tightly as they walk this path together and with Him.

BLESSINGS!!!

Updates!!!!!

Eric is home from "over there"!!!!! Praise the Lord! He got home last friday 9/21. He is sore and has allergy issues but other than that he is in one piece! Thank you for your prayers!!!!

It is week three at the YMCA and believe it or not--I am not as SORE!!!!! HURRAY!
I have learn basic football techiques and basic swim instructions. At least enough to look like I know what I am doing!!!!! I can also fake it very well! I am enjoy it alot too!

Bailey seems to be responding to the medication. I take her to the Vet tomorrow for a test to see if the dosage is correct. She seems to be her happy self more often. More when I know!

Roy is doing better. After the esophgus blockage scare a couple weeks ago, he is finally having a procedure this Friday 9/28 to see what is going on and to take out the blockage. Please pray on Friday. Also, GOOD NEWS! The doc took Roy off of anti-inflamatory drugs and his kidneys have responded POSITIVELY!!!!! Although his joints hurt but his kidneys are happy!

Happiness!!!!--Cheri