what's making me happy

1. Chris's doctor told us today that he will not have any chemotherapy unless the cancer comes back!!!! He'll have CT scans and blood work every 3 months but we're hoping and praying the results will be fine and he's cured FOR GOOD! Praise the Lord-- this make me happiest of ALL!!!!

2. We got our house and can't WAIT to move in. I'll try to post more photos of it soon.

3. These shirts from Urban Outfitters (esp. that first one)

4. Auburn football season starts on Saturday. Holla!

5. It's a holiday weekend almost!

Closing Day!

Today at 1:30 the Carrekers will be the proud owners of this baby!!!

you be the judge

I want a haircut... Well. specifically I want THIS haircut. Do you think I should give it a try? Cast your vote in the comments. I can't promise I won't cut it regardless of the outcome but I WILL take your thoughts into consideration. ;o)

The pic of me is from last Thanksgiving when I had short hair. Just for reference...

And yes, Mom, YOU started it.

wasting time and loving it

how crazy are these yearbook photos? My friend Chris wrote about this today and I had to try it out. Go yearbook yourself and try to tell me it's not fun!

little one's first baby shower

Here are a couple of pics from the shower on Saturday. I didn't get a picture with the hostesses but they were WONDERFUL and I enjoyed the shower immensely. Megan, Brook, Lori, and Michelle did a great job. They were so creative!

The ever-so-cute table and treats!

Ashley, Lindsay, Lori, John, and Brandon Carreker (did I mention I'm sad they're moving to Austin?)

Tuesdays aren't always bad

Last Tuesday our little pup went out exploring and never came back... but THIS Tuesday we found out that Chris has NO CANCER IN HIS LYMPH NODES!!! We are overwhelmed with this news and can't say enough how much your prayers have meant to us. We are filled with joy today and realize that miracles DO happen!

Praise to our God-- He is faithful!

weekend recap

I hope this isn't too boring or basic but I just wanted to say a few things before heading off to bed and getting some much needed shut-eye. I promise I WILL get back to posting some fun things soon...

1. Chris is home and has been since about 3:30 on Friday. He's recovering well and feels a little better with each passing day.

2. We will PROBABLY know the pathology report tomorrow sometime but I can't promise that since we just have to wait on the reports to come in from the lab. Might be Wednesday. We really hope you'll continue praying for COMPLETE healing with us.

3. Rocco still hasn't been returned or shown up on the doorstep. It has been really hard missing him.

4. Our baby shower this weekend was a lot of fun and we are so grateful for generous friends and family who came and brought the most wonderful gifts! Thank you to everyone!!

5. The offer on the house still stands. There are a few details that need to be resolved but we should have a "yes" or "no" by this weekend. OH, please say a prayer that we can move soon and be confident about our decision.

5 hours feels like a million

when you're waiting on your husband to get out of major surgery! All went well yesterday. I'm home for a quick second to shower and do a few things. Chris is still at the hospital but doing great. Hopefully he'll be home today just depending on how his body reacts. We should know something about the pathology (cancer or not) possibly on Tuesday. I will update more later though. Thanks for all the prayers!!!!

Big Day Thursday

We met with the doctor at Southwestern on Monday. It went well. At first the doctor was encouraging us to just do chemo and forgo the surgery because IF lymph nodes are affected, Chris will have chemo anyway. Like I said before, he had two enlarged nodes and the doctors can't be sure if they're cancerous until they are removed.

Well... Chris had a second CT scan Monday at the doctor's request and guess what? The nodes had shrunk to normal size. The doctor quickly changed his opinion to encourage surgery rather than putting his body through chemo. SO... Thursday is the big day. Chris will have his lymph nodes removed in that one region and tested for signs of cancer. We are praying that they are 100% clear!!! If they are, Chris can choose whether or not he WANTS to have chemo in hopes of preventing a recurrence later down the road OR not do it at all. If the nodes are cancerous, he'll have chemo for the next couple of months for sure.

WOW I know that's a lot of info to digest. I can grasp it only because I've been mulling it over for 2 days now! Specific prayer requests are:
1. Surgery goes well and there are no complications during or after
2. His lymph nodes are free of cancer
3. That we will feel peaceful and calm as we wait
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We've put an offer on a house!!! PLEASE pray that all goes smoothly and that we will feel peaceful about our decision. We had to pay a little more than we hoped but really feel like it's a GREAT house that we'll be happy in.
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So, while all of that has been good news... today Rocco is missing. He slipped out of the house sometime today before lunch and we can't find him anywhere. It's extremely hard for Chris and me, as he brings a lot of joy into both of our lives! Please pray that he is returned to us quickly. I hope tonight he's somewhere safe and that tomorrow will be a better day!!
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My mom's coming tomorrow. I'm so excited about that!! We have our first baby shower this weekend!

"When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you"
-Brooke Fraser
Shadowfeet

Appointment Change

Just so you all know- our appointment that WAS scheduled for tomorrow is now going to be Monday, August 11. Yes, we're annoyed but are trying to rest in the fact that God's timing is supremely more calculated than ours!! Please pray for continued protection and healing over Chris and for a confident relationship with the doctors. Thanks! We love you!



via:: design crush

Hump Day pick-me-up

Dad sent this to me about a week ago but I'm just getting to uploading it. I hope you laugh as much as we did!

After crappy news this morning that the house we wanted is already sold, I needed this pick me up... maybe you do too. Make sure the volume is on.

recipe request

I bought some pork chops for dinner tonight. Anyone have a good recipe for me? Email it to me or just leave it in the comments if it's short enough. I need some inspiration!

she did it!

Whitney created a blog. I know you will want to add it to your list of favorites! It's in the links to "people we know" on the side bar to the right under "the tolberts".

We had a fun weekend. Went to a Bill Frisell concert and Mellow Mushroom on Friday night, which is a big deal because we have to drive 45 minutes to Fort Worth to eat there. It was fantastic as always but nothing beats the Auburn location.

Saturday night we went to Tillman's Roadhouse with a few friends and had a really fun dinner with them. Even after a 2 hour wait and no air conditioning, it was still so much fun. Adam and Alicia- thanks for catching that flight and coming down south!! ;o)

And... our friends Russ and Becky should have a little girl arriving any hour now! Becky has been having some contractions since late Saturday night. We can't WAIT to meet her!