Wow Florida in two weeks?

How are you all?
I have been standing amazed today, all day. I woke up to the sounds of Randy on the phone with the University of Miami. He has been accepted into a stem cell research program that starts very soon! We have to get everything in order quickly and get his semester of school finished early so he can get all the evaluation processes started. It is a one year program with him gone quite often in that time.
Its funny how the timing on things happen. We were just talking last night that he felt urgency to get something done with the stem cell option.
We were thinking we'd have to go to China or Germany to go with the stem cell route. I posted on facebook last night and got a few responses from some friends that they knew some people. Then this morning he is in. The doctor doing the study said "your timing couldn't be more perfect." That has just been the way things work around here. Tender mercy after tender mercy. I am a thankful girl today.
We want to take the full year to see if this less invasive procedure will heal his heart. The stem cell come from his bone marrow. So its not a controversial thing that might come to your mind.
I just wanted to let you know what was going on with us in that way.
In October he should have funding restored for the transplant, if we still need to go in that direction, then we will.
We have enjoyed living in our cute new home. I've been decorating, planting, weeding and just loving it. (new calling - camp director!)
We miss our friends that we have moved from and want you to know that we think of you often! Hope you think of us too.
Have a wonderful and lovely week!
Tiffany Shepherd

Living in the new house

I really mean new to us. We now live in an older house that I am in love with. At least I love fixing and painting and decorating. I think that when everything gets crazy with work and kids and Randy's health issues, I find comfort that I can sew something, paint something, or plant something. I would even love to have chickens, I wonder if I can make that happen!

I just got an awesome garden cart off of craigslist for $35! It had two rakes and a shovel and a garden fork. I am excited to use them. I will be planting the cutest baby peach tree in my yard tomorrow. First I have to somehow find the coldest place in my yard. hmmm. . . .

I am also going to be canning beautiful and delicious (hopefully) strawberry jam. I have added a few new hobbies lately, its a good thing I can do them with my children so we are still spending great time together.

I am almost two weeks into a health challenge that has me done with diet coke! So far so good. I don't miss it . . . most of the time as long as I stay busy.