I've Been Tagged!!!

So I know that I've told you before about my bestie Jamie from One Step At A Time...  Well, she was tagged in a super fun blog post and decided to tag me and pass on the fun!


Here are THE RULES:

1. Post these rules.
2. Then you must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.

SO HERE GOES! :-)

Random Fact #1:  I can't get a good tan unless it's from a product in a bottle.  Embarassing.

Random Fact #2:  I love crafting.  I love it.  Everything about it.

Random Fact #3:  I hate spiders.  More than just about anything else.  They freak me out with their little gross eyes and creepy crawly legs...  Ew.

Random Fact #4:  If I'm flipping through channels and see any Twilight or Harry Potter series movies, I turn to it.  Immediately.  If they're on at the same time, why yes, I do flip back and forth.

Random Fact #5:  I, like my bestie Jamie, LOVE boy bands...  We just saw New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys last Summer.  They were amazing.  And yes - that IS me hugging Jon Knight.  I was in shock for about 2 hours after that.  Ah-mazing.

Random Fact #6:  I LOVE the color red.  Love it.

Random Fact #7:  I have been more places outside of the US than I have in the US. 

Random Fact #8:  I'm an only child.  Sometimes it's awesome and sometimes I really wish that I had a sibling.  Luckily - I have GREAT friends.

Random Fact #9:  My husband is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Random Fact #10:  I just learned to whistle about 2 years ago.  Yes.  I'm 30.

Random Fact #11:  I am a Non-Watching Cult Classic offender according to my friends.  Just to name a few I've never seen...  The Breakfast Club.  Stand By Me.  Edward Scissorhands.  Ferris Bueller.  And I just saw The Goonies for the first time about 3-4 years ago.



AND now for the questions from Jamie!

1. What motivates you?  I haven't really figured that out yet...  Rewards and congratulations are awesome and make me feel great.  I definitely need find out what can make me and keep me motivated so I can keep working out!  I was doing great for a bit but then - stopped.  :-/

2. What is your favorite dessert?  My Mom's Chocolate Eclair Cake or my Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies.

3. How old were you when you realized you are a grown up? If that's happened?  I think I realized I was a grown up, the day I changed my first diaper.

4. Did you ever write a letter to your 17 year old self?  No I haven't but this question has made me think of quite a few things I would definitely say.

5. What is your dream race? (Runner or not...?)  Dream race?  I'm not sure - like where?  That I don't know...  Honestly I'd just like to run a race that I would be able to keep a good running pace, no walking, and still feel good with it not affecting my asthma terribly.

6. Would you (or have you) ever sky dived?  I would LOVE to skydive.  I wanted to go for my 30th birthday, but because it's CRAZY expensive, I settled for the Xtreme Flyer bungee swing at Kings Dominion!

7. Where was your best vacation spot?  Disney World.  We're going in April and my kids have NO clue!  Jamie and LJ are coming too!  It's going to be the best vacation EVER.

8. What is your go-to-meal for the family?  Spaghetti.

9. Toms or no?  Dating them?  Tom is kind of an old man name.  Lol...  I've never had a pair of Toms but I can't see myself buying any...  Just not really my style...

10. Are you pinning right now?  I'm pinning all the time!  LOVE PINTEREST!

11. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Truthfully - I haven't figured that out yet...  I would LOVE to go back to school and find a career in Law but I'm not sure that's even possible at this point.  LOL.

Here's my tags!  But I don't have many :-(  I'm working on that :-)

Brandi @ Must Love Coupons

Amy @ Rockin' Deals

HERE are my 11 questions for YOU!

1.  What are you THE most scared of?
2.  If you could be any animal for one day, what would you be and why?
3.  What is your favorite movie of all time?
4.  Pepsi or Coke?
5.  Have kids?  How did you come up with their names if you do?  If not, same question but with pets!
6.  Art on your walls or family/friend pictures?
7. With the Presidential election coming up, do you vote?  If so, for ALL elections?  Or just the "big ones"?  If not, why?
8.  Would you rather take a vacation and visit 5 awesome places in 5 days or 1 awesome place for 5 days?
9.  What was your favorite cartoon as a child?  Or maybe even now :-)
10.  First thought that comes into your head......... NOW.
11.  What is the hardest thing you've ever done?

Can't wait to hear the responses!

Hugs,

I *LOVE* My New Banner!

Great week thus far... 

Our first week with no real "sickies" in the house...  Kate is almost all the way over her bit of bronchitis...  Mike and Ella are much better after getting over the stomach virus that's been going around too :-/

And me - well I'm pretty good as well...

So I've decided that now that we have a mantle in our living room (YAY!) - I'm going to decorate it for every holiday and season!!!  I want it to be different and fun every time!

This time, I've decided that I would make a super cute pennant banner for it.  And in honor of Valentine's Day - LOVE.

And here's how you can make your own!

Supplies you'll need:

• Burlap, approxminately 1/2 yard
• Acrylic paint, your choice of colors - For this particular banner, I used Cherry Red and Black.
• Lettering stencils or VERY good handwriting/painting skills!
• Needle and thread
• Twine

First you'll put the lettering onto the burlap.

Depending on the type of burlap you get, you'll need to apply 2 coats, so that you won't be able to see through it.  While you're waiting for the paint to dry, you can cut the twine for the length you'd like.

Then, once the paint dries you'll cut into smaller pieces for your banner.  Make sure you leave space at the top to fold over and sew down as to make a loop for the twine.

Once all of the pieces are cut, take each piece, fold the top over and stitch 3 small X's across the top to secure it.  Then once sewn, thread the pieces onto your twine.

Ensure that you have a loop at both ends of your twine and hang!

Voila!  Super cute holiday banner!!!

Here are a couple shots of mine!

I know I love mine and I'd love to see yours!

Until next time!

Hugs,

Wacky Thursday* Hop!

Confession time.
This actually took place yesterday.  And I missed it :-(
However, Better late than never right?!
So let's do this!

It's the Wacky Wednesday Hop!

We always link up to other bloggers and by doing so we all end up spreading the word about each other to get our blogs out and publicized!

So here's to linking up!

Check out my fellow Wednesday Hoppers!

Must Love Coupons is my friend Brandi's site...  If you're looking for a deal - you can find it here!  If you're looking for weekly couponing matchups - you can find it here!

The Freebie Junkie is also a great site!  It it's free - FIND IT HERE!  Great site!

Rockin' Deals has great deals posted and ready for the takin'!

These are just a couple of the great sites that link up weekly every week on the Wacky Wednesday Facebook Hop!  Super fun!

Join in the fun and keep up to date with the deals!


Hugs,

Malerie Paige Turns ONE!

For the last 6 months or so, I have seen this little beauty at least once a week... 

And now she's ONE.  I can't believe it!

It seems like yesterday I was making a bow for her to wear home and now - she's walking and talking!

Beautiful girl,
I can't wait to see how much more you're going to do and how much you're going to grow!
What a wonderful little lady you're going to turn out to be!

We love you Malerie!

Slowly but Surely...

Pshew!

We're finally down to VERY minimal boxes around and most of the boxes that are around, are in closets!  YAY!

I'm not a fan of blank walls at all.  Now don't get me wrong - I'm not a fan of LOTS on walls either...

However, I think that you need things on your walls...  Specifically a few pictures to show your amazing family off - or well, mine :-)

(I tried to post pictures but they were all rotated - so pictures are hopefully coming!)
And I also LOVE signs lately... 

I'm in LOVE with Subway wording art!

And the hubbs got me wall text for Christmas and he doesn't know the monster that it's created!  One has turned into two...  And now two into three...  I love them...  And can't wait to put them up!

Hope you like! :-)

Hugs,

Praying For Trent: Dollars for Disney - Day One

So very proud to say ladies and gentlemen that day one total for fundraising efforts for Trent's Disney trip at the end of the month is..........

$1232.00!!!!!

Everyone involved appreciates every dollar donated, but remember - the most important donation you could ever give is the prayer that he will beat this cancer again!

Hugs,

Praying For Trent

Out of all of the stories I have and continue to unfortunately hear about childhood cancer, this particular story has touched my heart incredibly.  I don't know if it's because it's someone in our area, or if it's because people I know area effected by this particular case.  But whatever it is, I'm touched.  My heart hurts for this family.  My prayers go out to them.  I can't even imagine what it must feel like when you're told your child has cancer.

Now let me tell you a few things I do know.


What I do know is when I read around Halloween time that this little man was cancer-free, I cried.  I held my hand up in the air and thanked God for it.

I also know - I have never met Trent.  But that doesn't matter.  He's someone's child.  Someone's son.  Someone's baby.

So this past week when I found out that Trent's cancer was back, the hugs at bedtime were a little tighter and a little tear-filled for me.

I hope that his story might touch your heart as it has touched mine.  I hope that you'll pray along with me every night.  And I hope that with each and every hug you get from your children or ANY child for that matter - it makes you realize JUST how special it is.

His family was planning a Disney trip later this year, and after his most recent appointment where his family found out his cancer is back, he asked his Mom -  What if I'm too sick to go to Disney World?" This is a question no child should EVER have to ask.  His parents have made the decision that Trent will get his wish. If the doctors okay it, (Update!  While writing this blog post, I am being told that the doctors have ok'd the trip!) they will be taking him to Disney World NEXT WEEK, now I know that times are tough, but this family needs all of the financial help they can get.  With that being said, I am simply asking you to skip your morning coffee, pack your lunch this week, or wait to see that movie, and donate whatever you can to help this little boy get his dream of going to Disney World before he gets too weak.  Apple Dumpling Daycare will be taking donations all week.  It's located at 348 South Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, VA 22630.  They are open from 6am to 6pm, so just stop on by!  Please make all checks out to Jennifer Williams.  Molly Llewellyn a friend of the family and a teacher at Apple Dumpling, will be giving Jennifer all donations Friday after closing.  If you don't want to send a check, you are welcome to email me and send a donation to me through Paypal.  My daughter is in Molly's class, so I will be giving her all money received on Friday as well!


More importantly, if you can't donate - by ALL means - Please PRAY.  There is SO much strength in numbers!  I've posted his story below.

Hugs,

 





Trent's Story...

Trent Alan Williams was born on April 29th, 2004 to Jennifer and Eric Williams. Trent is an identical twin to Logan and also has a big brother, Caden. Trent is the typical 6-year-old boy who enjoys playing with his brothers and spending time with his family. Some of Trent's favorite things are wrestling figures, baseball, football, video gaming, swimming and camping. He loves to eat and likes just about anything eatable. Some of his favorites are shrimp, crabs, spinach pizza and grapes.

On October 20, 2010, a 4cm tumor was discovered in Trent's brain. The next morning Trent underwent an intense 7-hour brain surgery performed by Dr. John Jane, Jr at UVAMC. Pathology, later confirmed Trent had Anapalastic Medulloblastoma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He remained at UVAMC until his discharge November 2nd, 2010. Trent began 6 weeks of radiation, given 5 days a week. This radiation focused on Trent's brain and spinal cord. After radiation, he then took a month "off" treatment in order to recover. Trent then began a regime of Chemotherapy treatment to last 6-8 months. The next year will be difficult for him, his loved ones and all his friends and family.

Trent has experienced setbacks with infections which included hospital stays; very low blood counts requiring infusions; and has continued to experience the "pain" in his belly area which was the first symptom he experienced and led to his diagnosis. As much as he enjoys food and eating; he has gone for days at a time with no desire to eat or drink, because of the "pain."

Most recently, Thursday, 8/18/11 less than 24 hours discharge from the hospital, Trent was taken to Winchester ER, for vomiting and severe belly pain where he received an emergency platelet transfusion for critically low levels and was transported via ambulance to UVAMC. 8/19/11 - his liver enzymes were elevated. Trent was experiencing severe pain and did not sleep, ALL night! Scans of his belly area showed veno-occlusive disease: blockage of the veins to and in the liver, caused by high doses of chemotherapy. Nothing could be done to correct it except for "blood busters" BUT because his labs are so critical, that is not an option. Saturday - 8/20/11 - Trent was sent to the PICU; lab levels still critical. The team was now worried about kidney function. Into Sunday, 8/21/11 Trent became oxygen dependent, his liver was not functioning and all the fluids and blood products he was given backed into his belly, making it very difficult to breath. He was placed on a CPAP, a machine that forces air into the lungs. Finally administering pain meds so Trent can rest. Monday, 8/22/11 - Ultrasound shows a lot of fluid on his lungs. 2 chest tubes were surgically placed and draining fluid off lungs, begins to breathe a little better on his own. Tuesday, 8/23/11 - the team at UVAMC after conferring with other specialists, determined Trent is more critical than they thought and he would be transferred to either Duke or Hopkins where an experimental drug, not approved by the FDA, is offered. The drug is called Defibrotide and has shown 75% success rate correcting this disease in pediatrics. Wednesday, 8/24/11 - Decision made to fly Trent to Hopkins, finally arrived at 9:30ish PM. Thursday, 8/25/11 - treatment started, team says; will see indications of improvement within 48-72 hours - if this drug works for Trent.

Trent was finally discharged from Hopkins on Halloween 2011. He went home to an awesome homecoming and was able to trick-or-treat with his brothers. Since then he has spent each day recovering and growing stronger. Doing the things that most 7 year old boys do. He started back to a normal routine and schedule of school etc this month (January 2012). He and his mommy, Jennifer, blasted off on Thursday, 1/ 12/12 to Charlottesville UVAMC for the tests and consults that have become normal since this battle started. Friday afternoon, after the MRI, the news came; its back. 5 tumors, 2 on his brain and 3 at the base of his spine. Prayers are needed. Thank you all so much!

Thank you all, so very much. And may God reveal many blessings to you and yours for taking time for us!