2009 - The first year in my life without a public job.
Quitting my job was the last thing I envisioned for our lives. I loved my job and the people. Leaving employment without a backup plan was one of the scariest and most faithful things I've ever done. God had a plan. I followed it. His plans always work out.
2010 - I published a book and Sydnee graduated college.
I knew from an early age writing a book was to be written into my life. I just had no idea
when. Writing and publishing my book was the single most liberating accomplishment in my life, revealing a picture of my feet and showing the world what I tried to cover-up for the past 42 years! Sharing my story is freedom at it's finest! My book was God's plan for me. My life, my testimony but all his work. | Sydnee graduated Dalton State with a Bachelor's in Education after attending her first two years at North Georgia in Dahlonega. She now has her Masters and Specialist degrees. A bachelor's degree is something I've always desired but just can't seem to finish four years of college. I am ever
so proud of her accomplishments educationally and as a SPED teacher for the past 8 years at Eastbrook Middle School.
Sydnee was married on October 16, 2011 to her elementary school sweetheart. The weather was perfect. George Ross, who was scheduled to do the wedding, lost his wonderful wife a couple of days before. Jeremy Collums performed the ceremony at the Gordon Lee Mansion. She was a beautiful bride!
2012 - My husband was told he had 6 months to live.
I still remember the awful "punched in the gut" feeling I had when I heard these words from a Pulmonary doctor at Harbin Clinic in Rome. Steve heard the results of his lung biopsy at the same time me and his children did. We all looked at each other in bewilderment at the diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, for which there is no cure or treatment. We couldn't accept those words as truth. PRAYER AND BELIEF. Prayer and Belief.
Lisette Arabella Epperson, b. 11/20/2013. God describes these times in our lives best in Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. I've never tasted a more delicious fruit than my children and grandchildren! | Sloane graduated from Reinhardt University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. I am so thrilled my kids were able to enjoy the college experience. I didn't feel I could do those shared bathrooms with four toes! I am extremely proud of all of Sloane's musical accomplishments as well as returning to the teaching profession this year 2019. She is the Music Teacher at Northwest Elementary School. Yay!
2014 - My husband was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, Antisynthetase Syndrome at Duke University.
My attention had been focused on Steve's illness since I heard the awful death sentence pronounced on him by Rome doctors. I felt deep in my soul, after much prayer and seeking, there had to be another answer, a better answer. God got Steve into Duke University Pulmonary Department on my first call without a referral from any doctor. The office staff told us this just does not happen. It did! Steve was diagnosed by a fellow when he looked at his hands. Steve's hands were crusty with hard skin, cracked, broken open and bleeding. Antisynthetase Syndrome is a mixed connective tissue disease that overlaps with several other issues causing lung deterioration, muscle weakness and fatigue most often. The disease is very complex just like Steve! He receivestreatment to slow the progression of the disease. Large universities amaze me with their knowledge. Please, I urge you, if you have a health problem that isn't being helped, seek God first, then seek help from a teaching university medical center. Emory is a good selection.
2015 - Disney at Christmas is a Bucket List Item checked off.
2016 - Granmom X 2 and my youngest daughter was married.
Milisende Isabella Epperson, b. 9/20/2016. This baby girl came out laughing and hasn't stopped. She puts the J in Joy! Her personality is contagious. She changed my name from Granmom to Nannom because she doesn't want to pronounce it correctly, she can, the little rascal. Little Rascal is the name her sister gave her! | Sloane and Brandon were married on 11/13/2016 in a beautiful service officiated by Gary Smith in Chattanooga at The Church on Main. Brandon Singleton is a welcome addition to our family. He's musical too! He accepted Jesus during their pre-marriage counseling, joined our church and has played drums there ever since. Truly, God sent us this guy when we needed him the most. Watching him restores and keeps my hope alive for young men in the world today. He is nothing short of a blessing to me! |
| Photo Credit: @marylaurenphotography Mary Lauren Rethorn
2017 - Divorce Struck our Family
I would love to tell you I do not agree with this divorce, but I do. The relationship that my oldest daughter Sydnee thought she would have with her husband was a fairy tale, an imagination she had carried for many years. An untruth. Divorce hurts. Divorce leaves open wounds that are gradually become scars. Divorce is ugly at best. Divorce requires patience. Divorce requires strength. Divorce even requires lawyers and judges and court rooms. In the end, divorce is necessary. | FYI, I am open to speaking to anyone openly about the subject of divorce if you find yourself needing an ear, mouth or heart of experience.
2018 - Weathered our first Hurricane in Mexico Beach
155 Ocean Plantation Circle, Mexico Beach, Florida 32456. We moved in May 2018 and Hurricane Michael devastated our little town October of the same year. Thankful to friends, Adam Winkler and others, who helped us remove flooring and furniture to repair damages.
 
My dad suffered his fourth stroke in 2018 spending a week in Siskin Rehabilitation Center. Thanks be to God he is still kicking with minimal residual effects.
2019 - Hermie's attacked.
 
Neighborhood dogs attacked Hermie within inches of his life. He survived surgery and weeks of constant veterinarian care. He's our big, strong boy. We are so thankful he lived through it all. We built him a fence but he's a quick learner. He stays right in our front yard. If he sees a dog, he runs back to the house and scratches at our door.
And last but not least, my mom suffered a heart attack caused by excessive fluid build-up. She underwent a heart cath which showed no blockages. She is being treated with medication.
Our decade saw many welcome changes and some not-so-welcome ones. We look forward, as a family, to what the new decade brings. We trust God with our futures. His grace and mercy are abundant and everlasting. Sloane is pregnant with my 3rd grandchild, another little girl! We anxiously await her arrival in February. Other than this big event, our calendars are open and expectant!
Happy New Year 2020!
Lovingly365,
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