Kart-Wheel Mentality IS Contagious!

Hi Everyone!

I JUST Had to share --- Mike's Claim to fame with our Wet-Nosed Kiddos is that he has taught them How to Shake and Sit --- WELL I upped the anti and Taught Dukers How to Kart-Wheel (Sort of) Hahaha! He TRULY is My Kiddo ;)

Enjoy His You Tube Debut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY1xexutNGQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY1xexutNGQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

XO Lyndie & Mike

Happy Father's Day --- MOM!

“I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich - M*A*S*H, Colonel Potter”

*** This Entry Dedicated to ALL Mom's On Father's Day That Are Putting in Double-Time ***

I know it was just yesterday that I was writing my entry to consist of my tribute to my Mom for Mother’s Day – and now we are here and for Father’s Day, I have only one person to dedicate this day to – My Mom as well.

A lot of people are fortunate to have a Mother and Father present in their every day lives, as for me, I was fortunate to have my Mother, who held the strength of Mother and Father in one casing. I admit, growing up I was a little envious to visit friends houses were both parents where there. Dad would always be working in the garage on his next project and when we bolted out into the yard, their Dad came running behind us, lifting us up way above his head swinging us all around. Or the times when something broke, because we may not have had the money right at that moment to have it fixed and with no Daddy around as a “handy-man”, we had to wait.

As I write that above, I cant add anymore things that I missed out on not having my Father in my life, my Mom did an amazing job of wearing all the hats in our small family. Growing up, my mom never complained about the fact we didn’t have a Daddy in our dynamic. I never was told anything negative about my Father through the years, she left this up to me to create my own opinions and develop my relationship with my Father. That within itself takes a lot of strength --- when Mom and Dad don’t get along and either one leaves the picture it takes a huge person to not influence the child either way – My mom was great at that and to this day I do not have a relationship with my father because of him.

My mom raised me alone (really since I was born) but physically alone since I was 2 years old. She overcame many obstacles as a single-mother. Working a full-time job starting off at 6.00/Hour, ensuring I was fed, dressed and well taken care of. If you ever here me speak of my mom, I never thought I went without. You will hear her say that she wishes she could have done more, but I never knew I went without – in my eyes and mind, I had a GREAT upbringing. Another obstacle my mom overcame on her own was raising a teenager girl into a young woman. Granted, I have never ever claimed to have been the perfect daughter (I was a hell-raiser at times) but I reassure my mom, it was nothing to do with how she raised me. I was a teenager, ran with the wrong crowds and made some stupid decisions. My mom ALWAYS had my back, never abandoned me and though I was disciplined (many times ;) she stayed strong though her punishments and stood close to her rules with me growing up and living under her roof --- for that I admire you mom for the strength and courage it took to raise me on your own.

In closing, I have nothing bad to say about my father, just that I simply do not know him. My mom is all I have ever known and all I know now. My mom sacrificed her own personal time throughout the years to ensure that it was about me…I feel guilty at times that my mom didn’t have more of an adult life through the years of raising me, but selfishly I am thankful --- she raised a true woman (though I have walked down some dark paths and made A LOT of wrong decisions) she raised a genuine woman who is true to myself and my morals.

Mom, you are a true gem. I don’t tell you enough, but I am so thankful GOD chose you as my Mom and Dad – I am thankful daily that he instilled you with all he did to ensure that I always was protected never harmed (except for some of those spankings ;) haha! You are rare mom in these days and times, and I am so blessed to have you!

XO Boongie

EVERY Day is Our Day!

“UP & Filled with MUCH Confidence for The Path Mike & I Continue to Be On --- We Are ALL Chosen By GOD To Journey Down OUR Chosen Path, & For The Times I Was Nervous For My Ability, I Am SO VERY Grateful That EACH Day I Am Instilled w/EXACTLY What I Need To Overcome Each & Every Day Given To Us – Lyndie Charnock (Face Book Status 6/15/2011)”

It has been a little while since I have really felt what I have felt after reading “Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria”. Don’t misunderstand, I get my daily email, but some days you just receive that one that hits home. Today’s reads:
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours - (Isaiah 61:7, NIV).”

It goes on to read; “Are you going through a difficult time today? Let this word bring you encouragement, too. We serve a God who goes above and beyond our expectations. He wants to give you double for your trouble. He wants to bring you restoration and make things even better than before. If you are facing challenges today or going through a time of adversity, remember, it’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. Your days are destined to shine brighter because God is faithful. As you stay in faith and are obedient to His Word, you’ll receive double for your trouble and see God go above and beyond in every area of your life!”

I know and trust EVERY day that Mike and I were chosen to be on this path. Not only were we chosen to be on this path, but I believe with all my heart the two of us were brought together to travel down this path together. I had a friend email me the other day which reads the following:

“On Sunday, I was at church, and my pastor preached from the first chapter of Philippians. The subject of his sermon was “Opportunities that Overcome Obstacles”. The story was when Paul was under house arrest, for being a follower of Christ. In the 12th verse, Paul said that the things that had happened to him has helped him spread the Good News…and for that, he was grateful. I thought about you in a major way…this journey that you are sharing with Mike…my gosh Lyndie…has totally helped you spread the Good News. You could have very easily used it as an excuse to be bitter, but it would have been a mere obstacle. However, you chose to use this as a tool of opportunity, and it’s soooo beautiful. You have allowed your opportunity to overcome your obstacle. There is no doubt that you and Mike are, and will continue to be ok. Paul said that he was imprisoned because of Christ, and that people became more bold and gained confidence in telling others about Christ because of his imprisonment….the same is true here. God chose you and Mike for this journey, because He knew that it would be to the glorification of His Kingdom. Reading your blogs has helped me gain a confidence that I didn’t know I had.”

I was so touched by this email and again it just reconfirmed that Mike and I WERE chosen to be on this journey. I receive emails daily from Family, friends and people that I have never met who have been touched and inspired by Mike and myself. As in the email above, I could have easily chosen to take this obstacle as a chance to be bitter and dwell upon the negative of the hand we have been dealt, but I believe that GOD has bigger plans for Mike and myself. During our journey, people are giving their lives to Christ, they are reconfirming their faith and in the midst of the adversity they are going through, I have confidence they see through us that if you truly give it ALL to GOD and must praise him for ALL good and bad.

Many times I have tried to take it back from GOD and handle it myself and with doing that I felt that I had some sort of control of the future or I could even change what has already happened…well by doing that I found I brought on more stress and distress, and after all as I have said before “Mike and I are TOO Blessed to Be Stressed!”

As it reads in this daily entry from Joel, he reassures us that for the troubles we are going through now, we are sure to come out with many rewards, because that is what GOD wants and has planned for us. I trust with all my heart as long as we continue to give it ALL to him, stay faithful, I know he will grace us with many blessings and beyond which WILL include Mike’s healing from Cancer!

Today you may be facing adversity – not from disease, but from anything in your life that you feel you do not have control of and your peace has subsided at the moment – don’t be selfish, Give it to GOD – he wants IT and as I always say, He will ALWAYS have YOUR back!

In closing, I wish you all continued days, weeks, months and years of peace and many hopes for your faith to stay strong and focused on GOD above!

XOXO

Fear Can Keep Us Up All Night Long BUT Faith Makes One Fine Pillow!

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how - Friedrich Nietzsche”

Well it has been an emotional past few days. Kade Kothman, a friend of Mike’s who he met a little while ago at MD Anderson (in fact his very first Friend at MD) has passed and went onto walk the streets of Heaven. As I had reported Kade left MD Anderson with Hospice to be home with his family. It was heartbreaking, but his family remained and still remains faithful in knowing that GOD used Kade here on Earth to touch and inspire many (including Mike and I) and he will be greatly missed, but know he is watching down on us all from behind those pearly gates. RIP Kade – The TRUE Urban Cowboy!

With Mike’s delay in getting his MRIs complete, we did not have the results at the usual time when we met with Dr. Groves, so we had to wait just a little while. Well it was worth the wait, because just today it is reported that not ONLY does Mike’s Spinal Fluid and Brain remain Cancer Free – But the lesions he had on his Spinal Bone (in previous emails and reports) is shrinking and healing as well! There are SURE signs of the Treatment working and the Cancer shrinking along with his Bones healing --- PRAISE GOD!

He will undergo his Mega-Chemo this Wednesday. We pray for continue minimal side effects and for the usually effects that take place a few days after treatment to subside and he continue to feel good as he heads off to Florida for 12 Days! As I mentioned in previous emails, I am going to miss the mess out of him, I know this trip will be so therapeutic for him and offer complete soul rejuvenation! For me, I know the break will be good for me also but it will not make it any easier – BUT I will have COMPLETE control of the TV and ALL my Shows – ha-ha!

Mike and I spent the weekend laying low and just relaxing with the dogs and even hit the neighborhood pool! As we were sitting there soaking in the rays, he looked over at me and said “Lyndie, I feel GREAT! I just am feeling so good!” Hearing this makes my heart soar with excitement and brings such joy! We have good days and bad days BUT because of GOD our good days have FAR Outweighed the bad!

As always to you ALL, we continue to thank you for all your prayers – we feel them daily and -because of them Mike continues to stay strong and confident that he WILL be Cancer FREE! He has claimed it along with Me and many others! GOD continues to grace us daily in so many ways and though this journey isn’t over, we have much peace.

XO Lyndie

R.I.P. Kade Kothman - The TRUE Urban Cowboy

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time - Mark Twain"

And Living Fully is what Kade Kotman Did. Kade Kothman Went To Be With The LORD Today - Mike & I Are Greatly Saddened, BUT Know He Is In A Better Place. Please Keep His Family & Friends In Your Prayers -- Thank You.

Ending With This Prayer From Mike & I:

"Dear LORD - As The Faith We Have In You Remains, We MUST Know That Kade's Departure to Heaven IS What You Have Planned. As He Embarks On His New Journey Through The Golden Streets of Heaven & Greets You At The Heavenly Gates, We Must Have Confidence & Be Joyful That He Is No Longer In Pain & Will Watch Down Upon Us As Our Heavenly A...ngel. Thank you For The Time You Have Allowed Us w/Kade & All The Joy He Has Brought To All He Knows. Please Be With His Family, Lisa Antoinette Kothman, Kyann Kothman, Sheba Kothman & Friends To Provide Peace During This Time of Transition. In JESUS Name Amen!"

XO Lyndie

Schools Out For Summer – Schools Out Forever!

"Trust In The LORD With ALL Your Heart, And Lean Not On YOUR Own Understanding; In ALL Your Ways Acknowledge Him, And He WILL Direct OUR Paths - Proverbs 3:5-6"

This verse gave me much comfort this AM and reminded me as always that this journey we have been chosen to be on is not for us to question – we must as the verse says NOT lean on our OWN understanding.

As always I am a nervous wreck before result days and with our last visit not being a bad one, but not as good as all others, I of course was nervous of this visit as well --- but I knew it was and continues to be in GOD’s hands and I must have complete faith. We have been very grateful in the times that we have been to MD, but last night was not all so great. Mike is generally in quickly when he has procedures such as MRIs and PET scans but last night arriving at 7:00PM at our scheduled time and still waiting to get in at almost 10PM – Mike became a little frustrated (as anyone would I imagine) and when they told us that we had another 1 ½ wait and then a 2 Hour scan to follow (putting us at home after mid-night) Mike as kindly as he could, declined the appointment and off to the house we went. He had to return bright and early today for the other part of his scan which went off without a hitch.

I was nervous because Mike being on the clinical trial we were under the impression that he must have the MRI results before they administer the chemo, but Praise GOD we were wrong and he is able to receive the chemo this afternoon. A huge thank you to MD Anderson for working with an overloaded schedule and getting Mike in tomorrow for his Spine MRI. Now don’t get me wrong, as his wife I was super upset for the fact that he had to wait that long last night and equally upset when he decided to leave, but Mike is a grown-man and there are times that I just don’t have a say so…this was one of them. I thank GOD everyday that we live only 15 minutes away from the hospital because when I get upset of the long waits, I immediately become humbled by all that are so far away from home, not getting to rest in their own beds or even in the comfort of a family or friends home. Mike feels this way as well and promises not to walk out on anymore appointments – haha! We shall see!

Moving on, we proceeded with Mike’s visit with Dr. Groves (Brain / Spine) Doctor and as usual Mike remains Cancer-Free in those areas! He passed all his Brain tests and Dr. Groves left the visit with all smiles! He was even a fan of Mike’s new tattoo representing his Brain / Lung Cancer --- He is STILL trying to get Mike to do a tattoo that will incorporate his “Shark” Bite scar on his head --- ha! No time soon Mike says!!

In the coming weeks, Mike will remain to receive the Mega-Chemo for the lungs and because he remains to do so well with the Brain / Spine (and due to him being a part of the clinical trial) he will continue to receive the chemo for that as well. No other MRIs or Scans scheduled for this month, but as always I will keep you posted of all!

As I stated in my last email, Mike will be heading to FL at the end of June --- I am going to miss the mess out of him, but know this trip will be so good for his soul and it is well deserved!! Mike and I continue to thank you ALL for ALL you do! Making us a part of your everyday by prayer, messages, emails, phone calls or just thoughts is so extremely important to us and we are forever grateful! Because of all of you, Mike stays so strong and courageous through this journey, and though we have tough days and it feels so hard to face the day, we know that we have such an amazing support team routing for us all the way and every day --- it instantly gives us the strength to get right back up and continue to journey this path GOD has put us on.

In closing, as Summer fast approaches I always ask myself --- why did we want to badly to be grown-ups? HaHa! I sure would love to be spending our days pool side or riding bikes around the neighborhood all day and making lemon-aide stands – how about you? The days seem to be going by us so fast as each year comes and goes, and with it already being June, one month away from Mike being diagnosed a whole year, I am reminded to take time for eachother. Don’t let any unnecessary time go by that you can’t get back. Family and Friends have always been so very important to Mike and I and now more than ever since his diagnosis and we remain so thankful for the bonds we have created with each of you.

Wanted to end with this quote I find to be oh so true --- “The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you - Kendall Hailey”

XO Lyndie

After Brain Surgery – Nothing Scares Me!

“When you treat a disease, first treat the mind - Chen Jen”

Hey ALL!

Well today was another monumental milestone in Mike’s Journey! He now has a picline which will be VERY beneficial to the treatment he receives and give those poor veins a rest.

I have to admit, we were both very nervous about what he was about to undergo, but with such kind words and warm thoughts sent by all (and even very encouraging words from people who have underwent this procedure) our nerves were calm and became steel once again!

The procedure wasn’t as complicated as we had led ourselves to believe, and with a great RN administering it, Mike was relaxed, we both were until the paperwork started flying! Aye! As Mike laid there rested and calm, I broke out with major anxiety and became flush! I have prayed for strength throughout this journey and have been given it, but have not yet really had to provide Mike with any physical care as a nurse would – eeek! (Well other than my awesome back rubs ;) After breathing into the brown bag a few times, I was calm and was able to absorb all the information and I feel very confident I will be the best darn home nurse EVER!

MD Anderson does require us to take 2 classes to ensure we know what we are doing, which is A-OK with me! I realize this is something so common and the procedure is done several times a-day, but I just have to remain confident in myself that I will do great and if Mike is not careful, I might just decide to bedazzle the darn thing!

On a REAL Fun Note (And For ALL The FL Family), Mike will be headed your way at the end of June! He is looking so forward to this trip and as his wife, my heart could not be happier that he is able to take this trip! A trip to rejuvenate his soul and visit with his FL family! With this being a huge year full of ups and downs including all arounds, this trip is much needed and I bet you all in FL are looking forward to seeing him and hearing all about how he got that scar on his head --- Can you believe he is still telling people he was wrestling a shark! (haha!)

In closing, Family and Friends, we continue to thank you all for your kind thoughts, encouraging words, uplifting emails and just the time you take out of your day to put Mike in your prayers --- As I always say and it remains true ---- They are ALL felt!!

Mike and I wish you a very Happy and Safe Memorial Day weekend with loved ones! Don’t forget to thank a solider or even hug one if you see he/she!

XOXO Lyndie