This is the cover image of this site. It's mom's tree. If you're driving from Monmouth to Galesburg, where she takes her chemotherapy, this tree is on the right side of the road. Most people would drive by and never notice it. But mom did. She noticed this tree years ago, and claimed it as hers. 

In the summer you'll notice there are leaves all over the tree, except for at the very top where the branches are bare. It's like mom, missing a little here and there, but beautiful.

Dad has been taking photos of the tree every time he drives by.

Worshipping together on Christmas Eve, remembering that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness never overcomes it.

Excited to be all together again for Christmas with Mrs. Christmas herself!

Mom's Christmas photo vision - Christmas sweaters and puppies for everyone. Check!

12.30.15 Traveling to Kansas City for Hallie's new job at Village Presbyterian Church. 

12.30.15 When you can't figure out how to hang the curtain, just use a stable gun...

12.31.15 Mom had had a rough night, and it was clear she was having difficulty breathing and couldn't stop coughing. We believed, hoped even, she had pneumonia. It was New Year's Eve and mom didn't want to lose the day to being sick, so we bought some Mucinex and washed it down with bloody mary's. We wouldn't necessarily recommend this...but shoot they were good...

12.31.15 By New Year's Eve night, we knew we were done. Mom couldn't walk around anymore. We had brunched, shopped, and now needed to rest. So God found us this movie theatre with reclining seats, and we liked it so much we stayed for two shows. We brought the New Year in with "Joy."

1.1.16 The train out of Kansas City was going to be an hour late. So we had breakfast, and laughed some more. There was some anxiety around us. Us Hottle-Dye women tend to know things, and we knew this day wasn't going to end as we wanted. I'm grateful for the extra hour that morning. Thank God for late trains.

1.2.16 I was in the mountains of Montreat while mom was in the hospital those first few days. Doctors tried to ease her lungs by draining some of the fluid sitting on them. The weight of the world bore down on us, but the mountains of Montreat reminded me just how big God is. God is so much bigger than cancer. With this big of a God, there is always hope.

1.3.16 With so many dogs at home, no one wants for comfort. Peace and quiet, we might want for. Puppy therapy is the best therapy...

1.19.16 Her first chemo treatment, second time around. She wore her cancer-kicking shoes, and woke up this day feeling ready to take on the world, or at least cancer. Grateful for good days, and for chemotherapy. 

1.19.16 Dad isn't in a lot of these pictures. He prefers to be behind the camera. But we snapped him here. Always by her side...

1.21.16 What some might not understand about a diagnosis like cancer, is that it's exhausting. Simply finding the problem requires appointment after appointment, test, scan, biopsy. And if you live in a place like Monmouth, IL, there's a good chance you're traveling for a lot of these appointments. By my calculations, this picture from Jan. 21st was the 12th appointment she had in January. Including the three days of her hospital stay, that's every week day in the month of January being in a hospital or doctor's office. It's exhausting for a healthy person, imagine how bad it is for someone who doesn't feel well.

There are reminders of God's mercy everywhere, if we have eyes to see.

Mom got this tattoo after her first battle with cancer in 2009, when she helped Hallie move to Miami. (If you visit Hallie, you'll probably leave with a tattoo.)

She knew exactly what she wanted. Notice that cross is bigger than the ribbon that surrounds it. And "Believe" is what she always tells us kids, about everything. Everything will be okay, if you just believe.

We believe!

She has to be on "precautions" when she's admitted to the hospital, to keep our germs away from her fragile system. The gloves and mask get comfortable eventually. Just taking a selfie to remind everyone a set-back is no big deal! Getting those counts up, so she can be home again.

So glad Sawyer could come to visit! Tammi's always up for a visit with this guy. He wrote her a song we'll try to upload soon.

Hannah helps mom get rid of the hairs still holding on after chemo...

Even Hallie is peeking in the back...