Guess What...

Cancer sucks. I hate it more than I can ever remember hating ANYTHING. It frustrates me, inconveniences me, scares me and angers me. Those are all facts. But here are some other facts. Cancer pushes me constantly to the feet of Jesus. It keeps me on my knees in prayer. It forces me to remember what really matters. I can't bring myself to like cancer, I can't even bring myself to stop hating it. But that's okay because God never intended me to have cancer. He didn't create cancer and He didn't punish me with cancer. He is still in control and on His throne and even cancer can't change that. So take that, cancer, because you already lost!

Paxon Ray--December 25, 2010-January 4, 2011...

Today we sat in church and said good-bye to our precious Paxon Ray. I say "our" because God granted me the beautiful privilege of praying and loving Paxon long before we even knew his name. And I have, faithfully. My prayers have gone from daily, to hourly, to constant. And they were answered. Paxon rests safely in the arms of Jesus, whole and perfect. So now my prayer has changed. And I still pray constantly for comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding, because how could anyone understand saying good-bye to their 11-day-old. I can tell you with conviction that he has left a greater legacy in his shortened life than some others will leave in 90 years. God has moved and is still moving and He is using Paxon's story to remind people that all life is beautiful and worth fighting for.

Paxon Ray
Written and Performed by Kristie Braselton

We gazed at you in black and white.
We prayed for you night after night.
Paxon Ray

Those tiny hands and tiny heart.
We fought for you right from the start.
Paxon Ray

Only Jesus knew how long we'd have with you.
So we treasured every moment you were here.

Sweet Paxon Ray, with us just eleven days.
How we wish you could have stayed.
Sweet Paxon Ray, we will hold you once again.
One wonderful day, sweet Paxon Ray.

Oh the joy the day you came.
You were so small and yet so brave.
Our Paxon Ray.

Your fragile fingers gripped us tight.
You wouldn't go without a fight.
Paxon Ray

We know that now our Father has healed your heart for you.
And one day He'll make our broken hearts whole, too.

We weren't finished loving you.
Our little boy, you will always be.
No, we weren't finished loving you.
So we'll love you into eternity.



This road is dark, hard and old.
Our feet are tired, sore and cold.
Today uncertain. Tomorrow unknown.
But He is our light, our shelter, our gold.

-Paxon's Daddy (December 28, 2010)

My Year In Review...

In February we lost my brother-in-law, Scott. Their home was also destroyed in a fire. We traveled to be with my sister and my nephews for the funeral and the short time we had was a blessing to us. We took not one, but two trips to Legoland this year, even taking time to visit the new water park. Chris and I celebrated 14 years of marriage. M moved up in Scouts, becoming a WEBELOS. Z started Kindergarten. After much prayer and research we moved the boys into a local public school, which has been a huge blessing to all of us. We lost an old family friend to suicide and I lost an acquaintance to breast cancer. A friend went missing for several days, but was found. We continue to pray for her and her family. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have spent many hours undergoing tests and meeting new doctors. Chris graduated from the University of Phoenix (with honors, I might add!) with another business degree. M turned 9, Z turned 6 and AJ turned 1. Chris and I actually spent one whole night away from our kids. (Okay, it was like 12 hours, but it was still nice!) I read lots of books and made it through a couple of movies. We went to the movie theatre twice, once with everyone to see Toy Story 3 and then once as a couple to see the new Harry Potter. M started reading book 7 in the Harry Potter series and Z learned to read and got his own library card. My parents visited twice this year. We spent a lot of time with friends. I cooked meals for 5 families that had new babies at their house. We rang in the New Year at 10:00 with a few of our dearest friends and Chris and I fell asleep before 2011 even began. All in all, it was a wonderful year and I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us in 2011! Happy New Year, Friends! Praying right now that God will bless each and every one of you in many special ways this year. Love you all!