tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349736442024-03-20T22:35:16.204-05:00are you kidding me?!?!Glad to see you're here! Take a seat, read a bit, be sure to comment!! This is just a little peek into the life of a mommy of 2 in South Florida - trying to manage family, work and cancer and keep my attitude in check. Hope you enjoy!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-85966760704730076232012-11-03T22:51:00.000-05:002012-11-03T22:51:44.862-05:00yowza! I just realized I haven't written since May! That's just unacceptable, but, I <i>have</i> been a little busy. Let's see, I finished chemo July 7th, had the first of two reconstruction surgeries in September, had an emergency surgery a week later, and then just had the last one yesterday! Woo hoo!! Almost done...I'm in the home stretch.<br />
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This time last year I was walking around with a tumor - unsure of what was going to happen. Crazy what can happen to you in a year. This time last year, the doctors were telling me it was just a simple cyst and there was nothing to worry about.<br />
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Now, a year later, I feel like the breast cancer expert. I spoke at my kid's school for breast cancer awareness month. That felt a little weird. What do you tell a group of 9 and 10 year olds about cancer? They seemed to only know about their grandparents who died of cancer and their dogs that had tumors. But I left that classroom feeling brave and strong.<br />
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My body is still not yielding to my whims, but eventually, I pray, things will be back to normal. Or at least, maybe I'll yield to the new normal.<br />
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So now I just want to focus on the rest of this year. Thanksgiving. My favorite holiday all year is coming up quickly and I'm so excited for it. I created this awesome spreadsheet last year to manage what was cooking and when and what appliance would be used at what time...it's a thing of beauty for people like me. I love excel spreadsheets - I think they can make everything look great. And, it does make me feel just a little bit in control.<br />
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There are a lot of changes happening in my family - exciting, scary, thrilling, life-altering changes - it could be stressful, but miraculously enough, I'm not feeling any stress...first time in many years that I'm actually feeling true peace. It's as though God is just tying up all the loose ends. It's a great place to be.<br />
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<i>Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3</i>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-37515748146071754072012-05-29T22:44:00.000-05:002012-05-29T22:44:14.277-05:0014 weeks down...6 more to go...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After today, I only have <b>SIX</b> more chemo treatments to endure! While it may sound like a lot, when you consider that I had a total of 20 weeks of treatment, 6 more is a cake walk. I still have a very long way to go - 52 weeks of Herceptin infusions, two-three more outpatient surgeries and the agony of growing back my hair. But, this, the scary part will soon be over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This past week I've been asked by a few friends the same question, "how has this whole process changed you?" This is a very hard question to answer...so much has changed. I've changed physically, emotionally and spiritually. My priorities have changed. My attitudes and prejudices have changed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think I'm quicker to laugh. I think I'm a bit more patient with people (except when driving!). I'm definitely more protective of my time and that of my family. I'm quicker to say no to things I don't want to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">While having cancer is a real drag...it's hard...it's ugly and painful and scary, <i>today</i>, I wouldn't change this experience for anything (wow!- not something I would've thought six months ago). I've learned so much about myself. Like, I'm so much stronger than I ever thought I could be. I truly believe that I can do anything, can get through anything. I've met so many wonderful people...the people that I meet daily are so amazing and I now get to be part of that 'club'... the survivors.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4NklC45cn3t_OJk-9Vb5H4hp_YKmKdwGYcsvWfXz_64PShRE7HCoRm5wCZielwgVteGDxvkHxDr3sc__ZTch_eu-a7XXKVl_R6oismQrGLXYSUu-RFjSdJzuBo5-0F4VOB63YQ/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4NklC45cn3t_OJk-9Vb5H4hp_YKmKdwGYcsvWfXz_64PShRE7HCoRm5wCZielwgVteGDxvkHxDr3sc__ZTch_eu-a7XXKVl_R6oismQrGLXYSUu-RFjSdJzuBo5-0F4VOB63YQ/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Princess K and I cuddling on a rainyday</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My children have had the privilege of seeing what love really looks like in watching their daddy take care of their mommy. They've seen their mom at her weakest and most vulnerable. They've seen her act like a goofball, swinging her wig around to <i>"I'm sexy and I know it."</i> They've witnessed the generosity of strangers. They've seen the love of friends and family pouring out on our little family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The lessons my family has learned, and continues to learn, are priceless. While I wish I had never been diagnosed with cancer, I'm thankful for this moment. Thankful for miracles and thankful that God's grace is always enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">xoxo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">April</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> PS. I'm thinking I'd like to put a team together for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Walk/Run in Miami on October 20th. As a team, we would need to commit to raising $1000 - I think that's an easy goal...if you're interested in joining me, let me know!!! If we start fundraising now, it'll happen!!</span></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-57861475109528563192012-04-30T20:41:00.002-05:002012-04-30T20:41:54.244-05:00could it be the rain???Today was the second of twelve weekly chemo treatments...went well, five and a half hours sitting in a chair...not my idea of a great time, but luckily, it was raining and cold, so I cuddled up in my blanket and slept most of the day. So far, I'm handling this 'cocktail' MUCH better than the last. So much better, in fact, that I did not feel nauseous once last week! Thank God for miracles!<br />
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I met a lady at Chick-fil-A on Saturday who wanted to know where I got my hair cut! Of course, I felt compelled to tell her, it was a wig...she's a 5 year breast cancer survivor! The people that God puts in your path to encourage you is absolutely amazing! We sat there talking for probably 20 minutes, both of us crying over our chicken and exchanged phone numbers, with a promise to attend a support group with her.<br />
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I haven't wanted to commit to a support group because I'm not sure I want to sit around and think about cancer for an hour. I don't want cancer to define me, even though I know it will always be a part of my story. I have a new date to remember - November 18, 2011. That's the day <b>I </b>joined the ranks of the millions of women who have a unique story to tell.<br />
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But, as I meet people at the doctor's offices, and they tell me their story, I know it's all part of the healing process. There's an elderly woman I see every week who is here all alone, has lung cancer and she told me, very matter of factly, that she thinks about ending her own life, that she has no quality of life anymore. I cry for her, but more importantly, I'm trying to be her friend. She seeks me out in the oncology room now and makes sure to tell me that she'll see me next week...maybe she's turned the corner? I hope so.<br />
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Is this why I'm going through this? I've never asked why me. I don't think that's a fair question and it serves no purpose. Why NOT me? I'm no more special than anyone else, not a 'better' person, in fact, I'm a selfish, sinful person who doesn't deserve the grace He's giving me. <br />
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"Grace is the offer of exactly what we don't deserve. Thus, it cannot be recognized or received until we are aware precisely of how undeserving we really are. It is the knowledge of what we do not deserve that allows us to receive grace for what it is. Unmerited. Unearned. Undeserved. For that reason, grace can only be experienced by those who acknowledge they are undeserving." - Andy Stanley, Grace of God</blockquote>
Maybe it's the rain, but I'm feeling a bit introspective tonight. Praying tonight that God will continue to give me grace, not only in how I deal with everything being thrown at me, but in how I deal with the people I meet, my nurses, doctors, patients, insurance people. I'm coming out on the other side, healthy and whole because Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength."<br />
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Peace,<br />
xoxo<br />
A<br />
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<br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-17084429477692121322012-03-14T11:22:00.000-05:002012-03-14T11:22:22.563-05:002 down..14 more to go...I'm almost finished with round 2 of chemo. Side effects this time around were pretty awful. So much so, that we've decided now would be the time to take a leave of absence from work and make my new 'job' going to the doctor's office three times a week. Trying to be more proactive to prevent all the side effects and make it so that I don't feel like crap for 7 days.<br />
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Luckily, I only have two more of this aggressive, icky 'cocktail'...the last twelve weeks are supposed to be much more manageable and 'easy.' That would've been great to have known three weeks ago, but I digress. <br />
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In other news, I've lost all my hair. <br />
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When I said that chemo made this whole experience 'real' - I didn't really know what I was talking about. Having a towel full of your hair come out --- <i>that</i> makes it REAL. Since diagnosis - that was my first real meltdown. I thought I was totally prepared for it, you know, I bought my wigs, scarves, caps. Really thought it wasn't going to be a big deal. Boy, was I wrong. It was a big deal. And the completely raw emotion that erupted was unlike anything I could've imagined. Luckily, it only lasted a couple of hours and I decided it was time to move on...so I had a friend shave it all off. We experimented with a 'Flock of Seagulls' do and a Mohawk. Discovered that I'm lucky - I don't have a crazy, misshapen head and I can pull off bald like Sinead. <br />
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The bonus of losing your hair? I don't have to shave my legs anymore. This couldn't happen at a better time, with summer coming quickly. <br />
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In the meantime, I'm remembering Isaiah 41:10:<br />
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<blockquote><i>So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.</i></blockquote>Have a great day and be thankful for all the 'little' miracles in your life!<br />
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~AAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-85525460894431424192012-02-22T20:15:00.000-05:002012-02-22T20:15:01.259-05:00and the party has begun...Well, I've had surgery... I've "recovered" from losing a prominent part of my body...and now, I've started chemotherapy. <br />
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Chemotherapy...such an odd word and such an odd experience to go through. Sitting in that room for 6.5 hours made the entire thing very "real". Yeah, I was scared before being hospitalized, but it lasted a moment. Chemo...this is an entirely different animal and one I'm, quite honestly, terrified of. Imagine sitting in a room with people who look like they've got a foot in the grave already and you're the only one that appears to have any life left. It's very surreal and at times, felt like I was watching it all happen from the outside.<br />
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I did my first treatment two days ago, received my Neulastin (helps keep your white blood cell count up) yesterday, and aside from a little bit of queasiness, thought I was doing great. By no stretch of the imagination did I believe that this was going to be a cake walk, but I thought for sure I could handle it. <br />
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Then I got in the car tonight to drive home from work. All of a sudden every bone in my body ached and was tender to touch. I called the doctor, to make sure this is normal...usually, my experience has been, they tell you 'oh, that's normal, you'll feel better in a day or so"...not this time. No, instead it was, 'yeah, that's normal and it will probably get worse over the next day or two.' <br />
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Meaning, hold on to your hat, lady, cause you ain't seen nothing yet.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-8932360161092961032011-12-29T21:50:00.000-05:002011-12-29T21:50:12.006-05:00takin' a trip...down memory lane, that is. <br />
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I've spent the past two hours reading the past five years of blog posts. Amazing the things you forget. In 2007/2008 (by far, my best 2 years of writing), apparently, my daughter frequently put fruit down her pants. My son peed on the train table. I yelled at a woman in Wal-Mart, calling her a "big dummy"...I ranted about Christmas decorations coming up too early, reconnected with an old friend, and just lived life. I shared some rough times and some things that most people might be embarrassed to talk about...<br />
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All of you who have been part of this blog world of mine, mean so much to me. You've given feedback, you've watched as my kids have gotten bigger, you've listened to me as I worked through depression and weight gain. And, now you're here with me now, as I get ready to take on what is likely to be the hardest time of my life.<br />
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In reading tonight, I realized <i>just how much</i> I truly love to share...even if it's a mundane story, we can only learn from one another if we share with each other. So, here's to being transparent and open and getting to know one another again in 2012. <br />
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Have a Happy New Year.<br />
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Peace.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-61689780351009830032011-12-27T12:57:00.000-05:002011-12-27T12:57:07.541-05:00and so it goes...Not a lot to report..I've met with my team of doctors, had an MRI, cut my hair really short and have tried to not let cancer be the only thing I talk or think about.<br />
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We finally told the kids...they were really good about it. Princess K thought I was contagious and Little Prince thought it was hilarious that I'm going to be bald. They both have definite opinions too on whether or not I wear a wig or scarf...I really didn't think they'd care, but they do!<br />
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I have a PET/CT scan this week to see if the cancer has spread. My MRI shows nodes affected BUT that could be residual "activity" from the biopsy. And, surgery is two weeks from tomorrow.<br />
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Emotionally, I think I'm doing rather well...waiting to have my breakdown moment, actually. Praying that doesn't happen. I'm blessed to have so many people who love me and are praying for me.<br />
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I read this in a devotional the other day and cant get it out of my mind..."The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving him when he seems distant." -Rick Warren<br />
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My prayer during this season is that I will truly feel God's hand in my life and that I will come out knowing that his strength is perfect.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-25316174910753420072011-11-28T22:54:00.000-05:002011-11-28T22:54:15.068-05:00and the results are in...Before most of you hear about this through Facebook, I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on my recent breast cancer diagnosis. <br />
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I <i>have</i> cancer. I am not cancer. And, I hope to only <i>have</i> cancer for a little while longer. <br />
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It's completely natural for you to be curious, to wonder how I found it, what is my treatment plan going to look like, etc. I only ask that you give me and my family the privacy that we need. When we want to talk about it, we will. I do not mean that in a rude way, AT ALL. We've only had about a week to process, so we still have so much to work through. Like, how to tell the kids. Without freaking them out. <br />
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I so appreciate all your offers of help, prayers, support. They mean more to me than you could ever know. This is the very beginning of a very long process. Unfortunately, it's not a case of having surgery and you're done. I'll still be going on the cancer train this time next year. <br />
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In the meantime, I'll post here any thoughts, struggles, victories I have during this journey. Believing God for greater things!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-46299242343148274302011-11-15T23:20:00.001-05:002011-11-15T23:45:42.696-05:00and the saga continues...Well, I'm no further than I was a few weeks ago...just more worried and more scared. I met with the specialist for the 'drain' and scheduled it for this past Friday. As I'm laying there on the table, waiting for the numbing, the doc says, "well, if it ruptures, we'll drain it and you'll be on your way, but if it doesn't, then we'll have to do the biopsy." <br />
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Ummmmm...WHAT?!?! Three days ago, I was told me it was a cyst. What's changed? <br />
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"Well, it looks more like a mass than a cyst."<br />
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This was not going well. Not what I was expecting to hear.<br />
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Needless to say, there was nothing rupturing that day. So my biopsy has been sent to pathology and I'm waiting. I have an appointment this Friday to find out what this thing growing in my chest is.<br />
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It's a very unsettling, scary feeling. I don't feel like I can vocalize what is really going through my mind. People don't want to hear that you imagine the doctor telling you that you only have months to live. Or, that you've already thought about how you will tell your children goodbye. <br />
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And, while I'm obviously praying that this is just some sort of fibroid/benign tumor, I need to prepare myself on the off-chance that it actually <i>is</i> something to be worried about.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-1002967104449697932011-11-02T22:25:00.000-05:002011-11-02T22:25:55.822-05:00think pink...No, not preggers, although at least at the end of <i>that</i> ordeal, you have something wonderful to take home with you. No, I'm talking about something we, as women, are all scared of, something every time we feel a twinge in our chest, or feel something odd in the shower, or visit the gynecologist - we start to worry. At least I do. Did. <br />
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About two weeks ago, while watching TV, I laid my hand on my chest and felt something hard. My husband was out of town, it was almost midnight and I did what most normal people would do - I panicked! I called my mom, crying, not sure what I expected her to tell me...but just needed someone to tell me, right then, that it's probably nothing and not to worry. I cried myself to sleep that night. <br />
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I'm a bit over-dramatic (surprise!) and as I tried to will myself to sleep, my brain was being bombarded with horrible thoughts...all the 'what-ifs' that you really shouldn't think about at one in the morning. Alone.<br />
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My doctor was able to get me in the very next morning and sure enough, it wasn't my imagination. There was a large lump sticking out of my chest. He immediately, but calmly, called for a mammogram and ultrasound. He told me that I appeared very calm and commended me on that (being cool in tough situations is not my strong suit)...but what else can you do? He can't tell me what, if anything is actually wrong with me. So I decided to not invite worry into my life.<br />
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I went for the mammogram/ultrasound and was so nervous. I'd only heard horror story, after horror story about how it felt like your boob is being smashed by the garage door. Well, girls, I gotta say - it was NOT BAD AT ALL! Sure, it's awkward - but it doesn't even come close to what I had imagined it was going to be like. <br />
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The worst part of the testing is that no one can tell you anything...so you lay there on table looking for clues in the ultrasound technician's eyes...wondering if they're seeing anything. Then you wait for a couple of days. The doctor called me, and of course, I missed the call. When he didn't just leave a message saying "hey, everything's fine," I knew that I wasn't yet finished. When we finally connected, his voice was normal and he simply said, "good news, bad news."<br />
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"The good news is that it's a cyst and we want to have it drained/biopsied. The bad news is that there is a spot on the other breast that we want better pictures of." <br />
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Again...that 'spot' could be a myriad of things...so, he tells me to go back, do a spot compression and another ultrasound and then take all my images to a breast specialist (didn't know there was such a thing).<br />
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So, that brings us to today...had the 2nd round of mammogram and ultrasound this afternoon. The mammogram technician commented that it didn't look as bad as she initially thought (the films from last week show a fairly large and what I would call 'organized' mass), so, I'm taking that as good news. <br />
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In the meantime, I'm not going to worry. I'm not going to think about the 'what ifs' - or at least TRY not to and I'm going to encourage all my girlfriends to get to their doctors and if they suggest you go have a mammogram...don't argue with them, don't sulk...JUST DO IT!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-8634736439386966352011-08-04T18:37:00.000-05:002011-08-04T18:37:57.410-05:00really?I'm having one of those moments where I think that it would make me a happier person if I could just suddenly not know the people I know (except my hubcaps and kiddos, of course!). It's not like someone has offended me, I just am surrounded by people and circumstances that quite honestly, I do not want to deal with anymore. <br />
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I'm tired of pretending that I find your life humorous, or cute. I'm tired of excusing your behavior. I think it all boils down to the fact that I'm going through a very selfish period in my life. Selfish, not that it's all about ME, but selfish, in that I don't want my energy to be sucked dry by stupid people anymore.<br />
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Sorry for the rant, but I DO feel better now. <br />
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Enjoy your day!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-59293443437315372282011-07-29T19:22:00.004-05:002011-07-29T19:35:45.187-05:00No, I didn't have another kid...Just wanted to take a sec to explain that the child pictured here (and on my Twitter account) is NOT mine!! He's my nephew and I just liked this picture, although I'm not really sure why. <br /><br />I don't get to see my nephews much and since during this particular visit, we really seemed to bond, I just wanted to re-live it again, at least for a little while. Now, since I'm here, I might as well do a little bit of updating....so here goes.<br /><br />On the work front, things are great...I think I've finally moved into a position that I can sink my teeth in and grow with. Hubcaps is doing well -- working WAY too many hours right now, but praying that will subside and we can get back into a fairly "normal" routine.<br /><br />The biggest thing happening in our world right now is that I made a very difficult decision to take my kids out of private school - the only school, friends, teachers they've known - and move them into a Charter School. I'm a little bit nervous about all the growth and learning opportunities (for all of us) that are just around the corner, but each day since making the decision, I just feel like God has been confirming that the <span style="font-style:italic;">right</span> decision was made. <br /><br />I told them a couple of days ago that I had finally made the final decision and they took it like champs. I know they're nervous about starting over and making new friends, but I can tell they're also getting excited. Yay!! <br /><br />I'm going through this very reflective period...maybe it's normal when you hit your mid-30s? I guess it's just hitting me that I need to be much more protective of, not only my time, but protective of anything that disturbs my familial peace. I feel like I've finally realized I don't need half the people in my life that are just taking up space and that I need to be much more selective in who and what gets my attention. It's a hard balance, I know...but I've decided that in <span style="font-style:italic;">this</span> area of my life, it's OK to be selfish.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-84478716702951711042011-03-30T20:36:00.002-05:002011-03-30T20:38:15.850-05:00biblical bad words...So, apparently the word "piss" is in the Bible! Yeah, I know - shocking, right? I stumbled across this little nugget when looking at a blog about Ezekiel Bread and how awful it tastes. I thought it was a joke until I pulled out my handy iPhone and opened up the Bible app - tada - there it was... 2 Kings 18:27 and Isaiah 36:12 in the King James Version. The verses are both talking about men who eat their own dung and drink their own piss. Disgusting. And people think the Bible is boring. I think this just might be the beginning of a quest to see how many bad words I can find in the Bible...if it's in The Book - does that mean it's acceptable and no longer taboo to say??Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-73737654512675777672009-08-24T22:26:00.003-05:002009-08-24T22:31:59.516-05:00it's been a long time....Over six months. Yikes. I'm terrible at this. So much has been going on I don't even know where to begin! The last six months seem like a blur to me. I'm sitting here trying to remember what all we've done and the only thing that stands out is that we moved last month. I think I've lost all my memory skills. I really cannot remember one thing. You really do lose brain cells with each child. <br /><br />Speaking of children, mine are doing great! They just started back to school today and only a few tears were shed (by me, of course), so all in all, it was a successful day.<br /><br />I promise, again, to get better at being more consistent but for now, I'll just ask that if you're reading this, you'll say a prayer for my brother in law, Bram and his family. Bram is 43 and suffered a stroke last week. He is in rehab, but has a long road ahead of him. <br /><br />Thanks. Peace.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-31624578567374330162009-02-22T17:07:00.001-05:002009-02-22T17:07:32.707-05:00just updating...nothing is going on. no news to report. Sorry.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-32588880480088547752009-02-04T15:12:00.002-05:002009-02-04T15:16:22.387-05:00sick and sicker...So the past week has been nothing but illness in our household. Fun, fun, fun. Especially when I'm working a new(er) job and really shouldn't be missing so much work. But, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?<br /><br />Last week, Princess K had tonsillitis, Little Prince had sinus infection followed by NASTY cough and now I have some nasty virus that the doc says will linger for about two weeks. It starts with sinus congestion and pressure, combines some coughing and follows up with diarrhea. Fun, huh? So, I've missed work the past three days, am going stir crazy and am sick of laying around. Going in tomorrow, no matter what. <br /><br />Anyways, enough of that, how have you all been???????Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-84700975210151367122009-01-08T19:20:00.003-05:002009-01-08T19:25:03.743-05:00happy new year....Yes, I know! We're already almost to the half way point for January 2009 - I can't believe it! Time sure is flying; but, so far, 2009 is giving me no complaints (knock wood). <br /><br />Things at work are busy, which I am enjoying (as much as work can be enjoyed) and everyone in the house is healthy.<br /><br />As for my mental state, things are going really well. I'm feeling VERY normal and even starting to feel a little bit of my creativity coming back. We shall see what lies ahead. <br /><br />The kids are doing great. Excited to be back at school after a two week vacation. I am amazed every day at the things they say and the new things they're learning. Love them so much.<br /><br />Well, that's all I've got to say right now, but I'll be back sooner next time. I promise.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-15093342086304129122008-12-19T16:38:00.001-05:002008-12-19T16:39:30.766-05:00update to the war in my brain...Things are much better for me. I am continuing with my therapy and it seems to be working, the only drawback, that I've noticed is that I just don't <em>"feel"</em> creative anymore, but I think maybe I'm just making excuses. Anyways, thank you all for your prayers and your kind words of encouragement. I truly do appreciate them all!!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-23126606591642688112008-11-26T22:22:00.002-05:002008-11-26T22:29:55.776-05:00Top Ten for 2008....This year, I've decided that I need to make a list of the top ten things I'm thankful for. Some will be obvious and others just might be silly, but I'm thankful nonetheless. And, by the way, these are not in any particular order, just in order of the way they spilled out of my brain.<br /><br />I am thankful...<br /><br />10. ... that my two gorgeous children are relatively healthy and have no serious medical conditions.<br /><br />9. ... for my gorgeous husband who puts up with me and even cleans the house and does laundry when I don't feel like doing it.<br /><br />8. ...for the smell of Downy fabric softener. Puts me in a good mood every time I catch a whiff!<br /><br />7. ...for a clean house. Enough said.<br /><br />6. ...for a place to live. Too many people don't have the privilege.<br /><br />5. ...for friends who put up with my psychosis/neurosis, whatever you want to call it.<br /><br />4. ...for facebook.<br /><br />3. ...for my new job.<br /><br />2. ...that I haven't totally screwed up my life and have made relatively good choices.<br /><br />1. ...that God's grace is sufficient.<br /><br />Hope you have ten things you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-1545360701215487422008-11-21T08:50:00.002-05:002008-11-21T08:52:22.214-05:00my name is april and i'm a ...facebook addict. Okay, there, I admit it. I said I wouldn't even use it, but now, hourly, here I am, checking to see if some blast from the past has found me. And you know what? Usually, it is something, or rather, someone that I've thought about many times and didn't know how to go about locating them. So there. I'm officially a facebook addict who doesn't even go on her myspace page anymore.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-52600284398173477372008-11-05T21:39:00.005-05:002008-11-05T21:45:20.754-05:00help!!!....I need birthday ideas for Little Prince's SIXTH birthday which is fast approaching - we're down to 24 days!!! And, I have absolutely <em>NO</em> ideas on what to do. There are <em>EIGHTEEN</em> kids in his class, plus another maybe ten kids that he just knows that I must invite, so it needs to be something economical (read: <em>CHEAP</em>) and yet cool enough for six year olds.<br /><br />Now, the good news is that tonight we went to dinner where they have a balloon artist and Little Prince asked the guy if he could come to his birthday party....so we've got a start, but how much can one guy entertain that many kids?!?! The problem with having the party at my house is I don't have a lot of room outside for the kids to play...I was thinking of doing an "old fashioned" party, with the old standard party games that kids don't play anymore, like pin the tail on the donkey, etc.<br /><br />So, here's the contest. I want your ideas and in return, you'll win my undying love and adoration! Let's all get those creative juices flowin'.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-13529372245593851482008-11-01T02:22:00.005-05:002008-11-01T02:33:17.353-05:00and the winner is....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoXu5Y_1StxvVBif5aE_Ey9BgSRFwcY541RNWlGylYYjGDBNs80cKeVtKzu1rBQceAxRn8G1j1YgucfA8ZGETgf0a3FzWVT6DB01KxaBjllmQ3khtuNjvxLymRdiaW9R1xp41Uw/s1600-h/DSCF3618.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoXu5Y_1StxvVBif5aE_Ey9BgSRFwcY541RNWlGylYYjGDBNs80cKeVtKzu1rBQceAxRn8G1j1YgucfA8ZGETgf0a3FzWVT6DB01KxaBjllmQ3khtuNjvxLymRdiaW9R1xp41Uw/s200/DSCF3618.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263586470045651874" /></a> Here's the pumpkin for 2008...isn't it great?? We took the kids to the "pumpkin patch" and this little guy won the prize! Here's a couple pics of my other little pumpkins, too, that'll have to make do until I can get the Halloween ones uploaded.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrOlMfyucwS9lbwlkLR204K_dc-paP1akOoNYqO9DCsooqHQMxWHeLIW4bMVBF8QmoBghRKrWkImkU43LMx9Q6zhuULI4K5L-aATdQlNWT2gKLSpab31Eqm0NgniDgqlg-t_02g/s1600-h/DSCF3585.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrOlMfyucwS9lbwlkLR204K_dc-paP1akOoNYqO9DCsooqHQMxWHeLIW4bMVBF8QmoBghRKrWkImkU43LMx9Q6zhuULI4K5L-aATdQlNWT2gKLSpab31Eqm0NgniDgqlg-t_02g/s200/DSCF3585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263587255805530578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT-gepe-SKw76d3bkxdGUvpUo3zBdut2Nj07n3eKkujVAfrvoi-3vSCozj66aJEBNiUPcqbjNjLMTM1GJqYK3vr_i8CJW0Sfj4atX3mqJYYKOwfXzyP2tXCihevRlxZfs7dx1gg/s1600-h/DSCF3586.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT-gepe-SKw76d3bkxdGUvpUo3zBdut2Nj07n3eKkujVAfrvoi-3vSCozj66aJEBNiUPcqbjNjLMTM1GJqYK3vr_i8CJW0Sfj4atX3mqJYYKOwfXzyP2tXCihevRlxZfs7dx1gg/s200/DSCF3586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263588160916272290" /></a> Hope you all had a happy haunting day and got lots and lots of treats!! <br /><br />OH! On a totally different subject, Little Prince asked "Lauren" in his class to be his girlfriend and she said yes!! Could it get any cuter than that??? It's 330 in the morning and I need to get some rest. Peace out.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-22424816708008211442008-10-20T21:08:00.002-05:002008-10-20T21:24:34.916-05:00war...Really. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, but...<br /><br />Apparently, the war inside my head is still raging and there doesn't seem to be anything (aside from medication) I can do about it. I got to thinking this evening that I <em>used</em> to do my best writing between the hours of midnight and two in the morning. I did my best housework. I did my best scrapbooking. <em>They</em> say that made me bipolar. Is that really true? Nah. I can't be bipolar. That's for criminals and weirdo, psycho people. Maybe I am just one of those people who actually IS a nightowl. Maybe I really CAN function on less than four hours of sleep a night. Maybe I'm just moody. Maybe??<br /><br />Only problem with that thought process is that I finally burned out over the summer and unfortunately, those things that I was doing so well during my manic episode have faltered greatly. My house is a mess. I haven't done ANY scrapbooking since January. The calendars aren't updated. I just feel, I don't know.....blah. Did I mention my house is in a constant state of chaos?<br /><br />I do not like the chaos. I do not like the mess. Right now I'm thinking I would rather be in my manic state, if that makes any sense. I see the shrink lady on Friday, so maybe she can offer some insight. I know that people who are manic depressive or bipolar as we now are referred to, almost always want to come off their meds becuase they feel fine or they feel better in their alternative state.....I don't know. I just don't know.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-19590378979066896942008-10-20T13:16:00.001-05:002008-10-20T13:18:44.859-05:00we're sick...AGAIN...Took Princess K to the doctor, yet again, because she is full of snotty stuff and keeps vomiting at night time when she's trying to sleep....<br /><br />anyways, turns out the amoxicillan isn't cutting it, so we've put her on a stronger antibiotic and decongestant, so hopefully, in the next day or two, she'll start feeling better!!! <br /><br />It's never-ending, isn't it??Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34973644.post-83886714251248236822008-10-07T16:14:00.002-05:002008-10-07T16:18:48.427-05:00kids say the cutest things...The other day, Little Prince says, "<em>Gee, I sure do miss those good ole days</em>"...broke my heart. <br /><br />Princess K, for some reason, has decided to add the letter "h" between "s" and "i" when she says "<em>wall sits</em>"...I laughed hysterically.<br /><br />Today, Little Prince asked me, "<em>How was your day at work, mommy</em>?" Could anything be any sweeter than that??!!?? And of course, the simple, "<em>I love you mommy</em>" gets me every time. <br /><br />Kids. Gotta love 'em.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09497869521693194264noreply@blogger.com3