Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Family Changes

     Our little Hazelnut is doing very well this week!  Besides a loss of appetite and some fatigue, she is otherwise feeling much like herself.  She has been up playing, taking walks through the halls and spending much needed time in the playroom.  We should finish up by early Friday afternoon and be discharged soon thereafter.  Then we come back Sunday night for the grueling week of the IL-2 and Ch 14.18 combination.  All of this being said, I would like to take the opportunity now to share with all of you some of the changes our family has been experiencing outside of Hazel's treatment.
     In November of last year, as many of you can remember, Hazel was in the ICU fighting for her life.  It took everything we had to stay by her bedside and put our faith in God to pull her through those harrowing days.  During the second week of her stay, Aaron and I received the surprise of a lifetime and learned that we would be expecting another baby.  Upon discovering this news, we were utterly shocked, overwhelmed and even broken.  I had spent the entire month of October in the hospital with Hazel, only returning home for one single weekend.  Aaron and I made responsible birth control choices and I had been so unbelievably stressed that we never even imagined this could happen.  We both made the decision to keep the news to ourselves until Hazel was in a more stable place and until the two of us could be excited to share the news.  Now, I am 21 weeks along, Hazel is doing wonderfully well, our family and close friends have shared in our celebration, we have discovered that I will deliver in July, just weeks after Hazel's very last inpatient stay; so we feel elated to finally share this news with all of you!  We have chosen to keep the gender a surprise and it has truly given us something exciting a wonderful to look forward to this summer.



     Due to our unexpected family growth (5 children, can you believe it?!), Aaron and I began praying about a possible move to a bigger home.  We didn't necessarily believe it would even be possible, but we wanted to put the option completely in God's hands, and if he provided a way for it to happen, then it would be in His will.  Well, in His faithfulness, He not only provided a possibility for us, but He gave us a new home to move into that will be absolutely perfect for our family.  We just sold our current home last week, and will be closing escrow sometime at the end of March or beginning of April.  He showered these transactions with His guidance, and most importantly with His provisions.  As wonderful as this has been to receive such a blessing, it has presented us with quite an overwhelming schedule (on top of the already busy one that we have).  So we put our complete trust in Him to provide us with the support we need to get through this move!
     As I have been praying about, and adjusting to these two new changes God has brought to our lives, I have felt something in my heart that I hope is what God is trying to show us.  Hazel will be finished with treatment, and will hopefully be cancer free, we are having a new baby and we are moving to a new home.  All of these things seem to point to a new beginning and a fresh start to our family.  I feel as if God is showing us he has a bright and beautiful new chapter in store for us, and I pray that it is so!  

35 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! That's wonderful news all around!!

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  2. So happy for The Hammersleys...Peace and prayers <3 Maryann

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  3. I'm so very excited about your wonderful news...all of it! Your faith in astounding and reaps many rewards in His name. God Bless you all!

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  4. Congratulations!! Blessing to your growing family, I am sure Hazel will be so excited!!

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  5. What an incredible surprise. I'm crying tears of joy for you all. How wonderful!

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  6. How amazing!!! Congratulations!!!!!

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  7. How amazing!!! Congratulations!!!!!

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  8. May GOD continue to bless the works HE has begun in you.

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  9. Wonderful news on both announcements! May your new beginnings be showered with God's blessings and love. Congratulations!

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  10. congratulation on the baby and the new house. Continued prayers for u all.

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  11. Oh my gosh congratulations!!! Do you know the sex of the baby? How have the other kids taken the news? I'm so excited for you and can't wait to meet the newest member of the family!!
    Lots of love,
    Lauren

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  12. Wow congratulations!!! We are so excited for you guys. God bless you.

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  13. Wonderful. We will continue to keep not only Hazel, but your whole family in prayer and include the new little one as well. Many blessings,

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  14. Congratulations on so many blessings! Miracles continue to happen and we can only know God is the proof in that. So thrilled Hazel is getting better and better and the voice for so many children.
    You will always be in our prayers!!
    ❤️ The Kelly Family

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  15. Congratulations on all the wonderful news! I pray God will continue to bless your family and give Hazel a complete healing. Hugs!

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  16. Congratulations and best of luck! May God Bless your family!

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  17. Congratulations to you all! Your faith has brought you threw so much and You will forever be in my prayers. Hazel is loved by everyone. Got Bless you all. When do you find out what your having and will you share this information?

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  18. Trosero Sergio Borneo IslandMarch 7, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    Amitofo. Congratulations to new member.

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  19. All the best with the new baby and the new home. Maybe you all live long and happy lives! Prayer for health and happiness.

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  20. God bless you guys! Praying for health for not only Hazel but your whole family. I pray for Hazel everyday! Best wishes!

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  21. Congratulations on your new baby and new home. You sure are experiencing some life changes. I pray this round of chemo goes well for Hazel and there are no severe side effects. May you continue to feel His presence blessing you with peace, comfort, strength, and healing. God Bless.

    COLE's Prayer Team

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  22. May it all go well for you and your family. :)

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  23. God bless you! SO excited for your wonderfully growing family. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
    ***It looks like your new baby is smiling in your tummy! How sweet :)
    Kelley

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  24. WOW! Congrats. I am so happy to hear Hazel is doing better. She is a tough monkey!

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  25. Congratulations! Isn't it nice to know God is control and He knows what is best for us!

    Kathy D.

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  26. Best ultrasound picture EVER! what a sweet happy little pea you have growing in your tummy. :) I just found your story, I have a baby Hazel too, so your story popped out amongst the rest. I will be praying for your family daily. I am so sorry that you all have to go through this. I know we don't know each other, but know that you have people out there who care and are praying. God bless you and your family! Love, Dara

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  27. This is beautiful news! Congratulations!

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  28. Congratulations for the wonderful news of a baby on its way! I will continue to pray for Hazel.
    Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy GOD is with thee whithersoever thou goest, Joshua 1:9

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  29. Such wonderful news -- wishing God's blessings on your beautiful family.

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  30. the creator also made a cancer cure, wots more powerful than that.... 'apricot kernal' ...theTruthAboutcancer.com

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