Iron Bowl Saturday

Intensity....even before the game begins!!!

Good thing we DESTROYED THEM!!!  

Rollllll Tide, Roll!!

Hope we didn't scare Landon off...I really like him!

(Aren't they cute?)

Our own personal Cheerleaders!!!

They entertained us throughout the game with the most hilarious cheers

An attempt at a Group Photo.....yeah, right!

And some random goodness.  Who can resist a good pickle!?

Thanks for helping him fish it out Landon....You are his hero!!!

****Update**** Photos are Up!!

No pictures for this post....yet!  I forgot to bring the cable for my camera, so you'll have to wait a few days to have some visual proof of our fun times in Gadsden.  I plan to take a lot of pictures today of our cheerleaders and football player.  Some Iron Bowl festivities are sure to bring out a little "Roll Tide Roll" in all of us.  

We're all here taking over my parents usually quiet home.  All in all, there are 10 adults and 5 kids (plus at least 4 animals) still here.  Thanksgiving day was a bit more crowded, but we all loved it.  It is so wonderful to gather together for fun and fellowship, and you can't beat the food.  Today the weather is drizzly and cold, so we are having to be a bit creative in order to keep the natives from getting too restless.  My mom is currently helping the girls make some homemade pom poms to have in time for kickoff....

Erin brought "the boy" home and everyone loves him.  Landon fits right in like he's known us all forever.  The kids have broken him in pretty well, and he is so great with them.  Especially Reeves!  He is very impressed by anyone who will play legos and football with him, and was so proud when Landon started calling him "Go-go".  He has definitely won his heart!  Let's just hope that "the boy" still likes us after he gets to experience the intensity of watching Alabama football with Chris and my Dad!

Greer has developed a passion for dancing that is absolutely hilarious.  I'm gonna try to catch it on video at some point today.  She simply can't help herself....once the music starts she's movin'.  Last night when I was rocking her to sleep, I started singing the lullabies I always sing to her.  The room was completely dark, and I could barely make out her face.  As soon as I started to sing, I felt a little wiggle.  She was dancing herself to sleep.  I LOVE this girl!!!

We're stuffing ourself again today, and watching a little football.  Tomorrow will come too soon, and we will all carry ourselves home.  Sadly we will not all be together for Christmas this year, but we have enjoyed this special weekend together.  I wish we all lived closer, but it makes times like these even more special I think.  I am so thankful for my wonderful family, and I pray that God brings us all back together safe and sound very soon.  

Wordless Wednesday

(Hide and Seek)

What took us to New York in the first place?

....besides a plane full of annoyed passengers who I am certain shared the following sentiment.... "It would have been a great flight had it not been for the screaming baby!" Yep, I was that mom...you know, the one with the screaming baby!

We were there for the Vascular Birthmarks Conference hosted by the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. This amazing organization hosts a conference each year for medical experts, patients, and their families. The morning was full of presentations by medical professionals who are experts in the field of "all things birthmark". There were hemangioma experts, vascular surgeons, dermatologists, oncologists, interventional radiologists, a neurosurgeon who specializes in Sturge Weber Syndrome.....the list goes on and on. I just took it all in, realizing that this conference was beneficial to me for both personal and professional reasons. I feel that God has a plan for me to be an advocate for patients and their families who may be born with a vascular birthmark. I look forward to the day when I can refer a patient to the proper medical experts.....so many patients fall through the cracks. This opportunity to serve others is one of the "blessings" that has come from Greer's birthmark journey.

It can be very frustrating to have a child with a rare condition. Friends and pediatricians and local specialists may give you a multitude of false (usually outdated) information, simply due to ignorance. I don't really fault them. It's like any specialty....new advances and findings all the time. I believe that it is the responsibility of a primary care giver to know when to refer, and to not be afraid to refer when they don't know what they are dealing with. The common sentiment is that "I wish they had done something sooner." Greer was blessed to have referals and treatments very early on, but that doesn't mean there haven't been questions along the way. There have been times when I have had to bite my tongue when someone says something that is outdated or no longer the standard of care for these patients (and I am not just talking about Greer's situation). You want the best care for your child. You get accused of being an "internet junky" who is trying to diagnose/treat their own kid. You may get labeled as crazy and over reactive, but in the midst of all that, you realize that you DO know what you are talking about. You get your hands on the latest research, the latest findings from the experts (of which there are only a handful), and they are telling you things that GREATLY conflict with what your local practitioners are telling you. I have met many families with these frustrating circumstances.

So what do you think happens when a bunch of "crazy" parents and adults living with vascular birthmarks and associated syndromes gather with the experts at a conference in NYC?  Those experts THANK US for pushing their research. Yep...that is what they did at this conference. They thanked us for being strong advocates, for asking questions, for searching the proper websites, for joining the support groups, and for sending them emails and pictures. They thanked us for BLOGGING! They thanked us for posting our stories on YOUTUBE! It was such awesome affirmation. Best of all....it made me not feel so crazy after all!!!

If you have a chance, visit this website.  I met so many wonderful people that day, and even got to speak with some who I have gotten to know over the past few months via the internet.  One of those families has gone to unbelieveable lengths to get the best possible treatment for their little girl.  You simply won't believe it!!!   Through it they found the amazing Dr. Waner. What he did for Kaylynn can only be described as a miracle, and you must see (and read) her story to believe it!  What makes it even more unbelievable is the battle her mother had to fight right in the middle of it all.....she was diagnosed with breast cancer after little Kaylynn was born.  I will be praying for their continued healing, and ask you to join me.     

Thanks to all those who made this conference possible.  Thank you to those "expert" caregivers who care enough to make a difference in the lives of soooo many people, and thanks be to God for miracles!  

Gee, Thanks!!!

So today, I got my first blog award!  I'm not sure that my ramblings are award-worthy, but I was honored just the same.  Thanks sooo much Aspiemom!  I can always count on you for a kind word or prayer.  Sometimes I wonder if I am merely blogging for my own benefit, and there you are encouraging me.  I am blessed by so many wonderful friends (both ones I can see and ones I can't)!  

This award carries with it a bit of an activity....so here goes!  I am grateful that it requires one word answers (but some of them made that impossible).  After my insane weekend at work (where I was in charge of LOTS of sick patients and the nurses taking care of them), I don't think I could muster much more than a few words! 

1.  Where is your cell phone?  coat pocket

2.  Where is your significant other?  bed

3.  Your hair color?  blondish-brown

4.  Your mother?  home

5.  Your father?  home (or maybe at the hospital working)

6.  Your favorite thing?  food

7.  Your dream last night?  forgot

8.  Your dream/goal?  for my kids to grow up happy and loving their Savior

9.  The room you are in?  den

10.  Your hobby?  blogging

11.  Your fear?  something bad happening to my kids

12.  What do you want to be in six years?  fulfilled

13.  Where were you last night?  sleeping in Lucy's bed

14.  What you are not?  fake

15.  One of your wish list items?  a better camera (and lessons on how to use it) 

16.  Where you grew up?  Gadsden (Alabama)

17.  The last thing you did?  let Nana in

18.  Your TV?  on some random channel

19.  What are you wearing?  Alabama Crimson Tide PJ pants and a black t-shirt

20.  Your pet?  Lily  is eating, Nana is sleeping

21.  Your computer?  In my lap

22.  Your mood?  exhausted....busy weekend

23.  Missing someone?  Yes....my sisters!

24.  Your car?  in the garage

25.  Something you're NOT wearing?  socks

26.  Favorite store?  Costco (my friends think I should be on the payroll!)

27.  Your summer?  Busy and so much fun (lots of time at my parent's condo in Destin)

28.  Love someone?  Of COURSE!

29.  Your favorite color?  Red

30.  When is the last time you laughed?  a few minutes ago (watching a video of Greer)

31.  Last time you cried?  Last night (listening to SCC Christmas song "All I Really Want for Christmas")

Thanks so much for the award....I can't wait to pass it on to some blogs I love!!!

What a COOL Gift!!!

So, as you have probably figured out, I love to read blogs.  I have traded in "blogging" for "TV viewing," and through it, I am finding that I am MUCH more fulfilled.  I have a few friends who don't "get it" and who can't figure out how I have the time to indulge in such things.  As I see it, it is a way to fill some of my "me" time with something meaningful.  I have read about and gotten to know some amazing people, and I feel like the things that I read and write about make a difference in the lives of others.  I am getting WAY more out of my "me" time by delving into the blogosphere than I EVER did watching mindless TV after the kids went to bed....

Virtual rant over....

Today, as I was reading one of my "regular" blogs, I happened upon this AMAZING PROJECT!  I am in the process of writing my own letter, but just to catch you up, here is the concept.  

There is this guy (a guy who will not yet reveal his true identity) who is doing something UNBELIEVABLE for his wife this Christmas season.  Instead of giving material gifts, they have challenged each other to come up with something creative....something that doesn't cost any money.  Instead of buying gifts for each other, they will be giving their money to some worthy causes....a passion that has grown in their hearts as they participated in mission projects this past year.  

This "unsuspecting wife" is a mother of young kiddos, and as mother of young kiddos myself, I know just how challenging it can be!  Her sweet husband is on a quest to create something that has developed into the "Mother Letter Project."  Basically, the "Mother Letter Project" will be a collection of letters of advice/insight/perspective/prayers/devotions from other mothers.  This sweet husband is even going to let all of US in on the fun by sending us a copy of the finished project!  

SO......

If you would like to participate in this VERY COOL activity, PLEASE visit his blog.  I am very excited to see how this thing turns out.  I see a bestseller in the making!!!

Happy Writing, and Merry Christmas!!!

May we all find a way to be this creative, frugal, philanthropic, romantic, holy, and giving this holiday season.

Urgent Prayer Request for Alan Henley!

**Update** I just spoke with Jennifer, and Alan has been admitted, and is settling  in at the hospital.  Jenn has been saying all week that something just "wasn't quite right", and those suspicions were confirmed this morning.  He became unresponsive, and she called 911.  By the time they were getting him into the ambulance, he was coming around.  She called me while they were loading him up, and she was really scared.  Pray for peace for her, and for him to get this infection under control.  There are still a lot of questions right now.  I'll keep you posted, and please visit their caring bridge site for more frequent updates.  

Jenn just called me in tears, and to tell you the truth I don't know what is going on.  They are headed back to the hospital and the ambulance is there.  She wanted me to take care of Skylar, and she is devastated that she won't be able to have lunch with the girls.  My heart is just breaking for her right now, and we need to cover them with prayers.  

I'll update as soon as I know something more.  Click here to read about their journey....they need our prayers now more than ever!!!

Some Thank You's are in Order

Charcey, Bubba, Reeves, and Lucy's beautiful paper leaves!

With Cousin Kay out on the town!  We visited her office

at the ABC studios, and she even gave us a tour of the 

Regis and Kelly set....

The Brooklyn Bridge

We spent Sunday site-seeing around downtown with our

own personal tour guide, Kay!

Our trip to NYC would not have ever happened had it not been for some wonderful women in our life!  We are blessed to have grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and cousins who love us all enough to be there when we need them.  I just wanted to thank them each for their help and love.

Charcey (my mom), came down on Thursday in time to pick Lucy up from school.  She and Bubba (my grandmother, her mom) joined her to help with the kids and to spend some time with them.  They got to enjoy their favorite fall activity by playing the leaves.  As for Bubba (aka Bubbs)....no, that is not really her name.  That is the endearing nickname I gave her over 30 years ago as the first grandchild.  How can you turn down that first grand baby....they get the privilege of naming the grandparents (I bet she regrets giving me such an honor!)?   All in all, they had a wonderful time playing hard and eating yummy goodies.  They even left me those beautiful paper leaves to come home to!

There was a changing of the guards on Saturday, and Honey (Chris' mom) took over.  Honey did not disappoint (as usual)!  She is responsible for our vast movie library, and every time a new flick comes out on DVD, she is sweet enough to buy it for the kiddos.  They had a blast watching "Kung Fu Panda" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth".....we sure do love our Honey!  Unfortunately, Honey ended up in the hospital on Monday morning!  Sure assures me that it had nothing to do with the kids, but I told her that sometimes they make me feel like I need to be admitted for testing!!!  She is back home now, and everything looks good with her heart.  She has had issues with it for a while, and it is good to know that things look pretty good for now.  Please pray for her as she recovers, and that she feels good as new very soon!  

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Kay!  Kay is Chris' 2nd cousin, and she has lived in NYC for 20 years.  She was so kind to welcome us in with open arms (in the midst of a major remodel she has going on in her apartment....it is looking fabulous)!  She was our personal tour guide, and she even spent an evening babysitting Greer so we could enjoy a Broadway Show and a romantic dinner!  We couldn't have asked for more.  We love you Kay, and we can't wait to come back and see your apartment when it is all finished....it is going to be gorgeous!!!  I hope you have gotten caught up on your sleep....Greer gave us all some very early wake up calls while we were there!

We love you all, and we thank God for you everyday!