Meet Jenny Wims...

In May 2010, I received an email from a woman who was "walking a similar path" as me. Jenifer Wims lost her husband to a rare form of bone cancer and was raising her 2 children as a single parent. Jenny's husband, Brad, was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma when she was pregnant with her second child. Brad fought his cancer battle courageously and after multiple trips to Germany for alternative therapy, Brad passed away on March 2, 2009.

After Brad passed away, Jenny was contacted by a few widows/widowers and found comfort in sharing stories with them. She offered that same support to me and I found it very healing to share with someone who had experienced the same loss that I had. She understood the pain that came from losing her spouse and best friend. She also "saw the bigger picture" and trusted that God had a plan for her life.

After a month of emailing back and forth, I called Jenny and we began to converse nightly on the phone. During one of my trips back to Houston to visit family, Chloe and I met Jenny and her kids (Zeke - 7 and Kaelyn - 4). Jenny lives less than 1 mile from the house where Sara grew up (and where Sara's mom still lives).

Jenny, Zeke, and Kaelyn

When Chloe and I got out of the car at Jenny's house, Kaelyn met us at the car and asked, "Where is Chloe's mommy?" I told her that Chloe's mommy was in the same place as her daddy. She smiled and nodded...and truly understood. Jenny, Zeke, Kaelyn, Chloe and I spent the afternoon barbecuing and swimming. Our time together felt so natural. We had a lot to talk about and I felt an immediate bond with Jenny and her kids.

During the months that followed, Jenny and I began dating. Soon after Sara died, I began to pray about the future. Though I did not put a list on paper, in my mind I desired my future wife to be a widow. There is an understanding between those who have lost their mates, and I love the fact that Jenny and I can talk openly about Brad and Sara. I love hearing stories about Brad and Jenny's lives together because that has formed who she is.

Over the past months, Jenny and I have spent lots of time together and our relationship has continued to develop.

Guadalupe Peak in west Texas

Christmas in Houston

Sea World

Randolph AFB Banquet

Watching a movie

During this past week in Lake Tahoe, I asked her to be my wife. We are looking forward to our future together as we mesh our families into one.

To read the Wims' story, go to www.thewims.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

November...

Life has been incredibly busy over the past few months, but we are doing well. Chloe continues to amaze me with all that she is learning. She recently started walking and is learning new words everyday.

We spent Thanksgiving in Houston this year and had a good time with family.

With the Gorman Girls

My dad has been volunteering with a hospice group, and Chloe and I went to visit some of his "old lady friends" while we were in Houston. Chloe was a hit and it was interesting to watch her stare so intently at the grandmothers when they held her. It looked as if she was peering deep into their souls.

Ms. Nelda

Ms. Nelda's husband was a pilot in the Air Force way back when and it was neat to share Air Force experiences with her. She has been to Osan, Korea and Misawa, Japan (two of the bases where we were stationed) years ago. She has bone cancer and was "not supposed to make it" to Thanksgiving. She has a strong faith in Christ and it was great to be able to discuss "life lessons" with her. She is 100% coherent and very witty and humorous. Chloe sat in her lap for a long time. We waited too long to get the camera out (it was nap time and she was growing impatient quickly at the end of our visit).

Ms. Dottie

Early morning after Thanksgiving

She Walks

We are looking forward to some downtime over the holidays. Thanks for checking up on us.

Happy Halloween...

Cousins

Legacy...

A friend of ours recently wrote an article for Wives in Bloom about leaving a legacy.

Click the link to read her writing.

Thank you, Melissa.

http://wivesinbloom.com/2010/10/legacy/

September/October...

Chloe and I spent the last week of September in Florida. We visited some friends from college in Daytona Beach and then ventured to Orlando and spent a day at Disney World.

At the Airport

Daytona Beach

Disney World

Pool at Disney's Yacht Club

The first weekend in October, Team SaraStrong had a strong showing at the Houston Komen Race for the Cure. We had a huge turnout and had a great time.

The next weekend (Oct 10), Team SaraStrong made an appearance at the Phoenix, AZ race (we did not make it to Arizona). Luke Air Force Base is the training base for F-16s, so lots of our friends from Korea and Japan are stationed there.

Team SaraStrong - Phoenix

The third weekend of October, we were in Dallas for another Komen race. The Fox 4 news station wanted to do a one year follow up on Chloe, so we talked to them after the race.

Before we left Dallas, we stopped by the Dallas Arboretum for some pics at their pumpkin patch.


This past weekend, Team SaraStrong was in Misawa, Japan for a Breast Cancer Awareness Run (Chloe and I didn't make it to that one either).

Team SaraStrong - Misawa

I have stayed busy with work, but Chloe has been enjoying her time with "T" (her Nanny Tracy). Here is a cute pic from one of their recent shopping trips.

At the Gap

Chloe and I are doing well. Though September brought many memories from the past, we made it through and are looking to the future. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. Look for another update in November.

Komen for the Cure...

The Dallas Komen team has reached out once again and is spreading "Sara's story." This video will be showing in the DFW area before the race on October 16, 2010.



If you feel compelled to donate, click here to go to my Komen fundraising page.

We would love to have you join Team SaraStrong. We will be walking in Houston and Dallas. If you would like to walk with us, click the city name to go to the sign-up page.

Thank you!

Chloe hopes to see you on race day.