miss me????

disclaimer:  sorry if you are reading this for the 2nd time...i posted the same info on my caringbridge site.  but, hey, thanks for being such a loyal follower (mom)!

1st & foremost i want to thank all of my wonderful family & friends for your prayers, visits, flowers, cards, calls, love, & MEALS...you are all a definite representation of Christ's love through others!!!!!  i am truly humbled! i would also like to apologize for those of you who have gotten to see me at my most beautimous!

now to catch you up.  surgery was a little over a week ago & the surgeon informed everyone that things went better than he had expected.  they were able to see all my parathyroid glands & therefore, there were only slight calcium issues after surgery. they removed a lot of lymph nodes & the thyroid & sent things off to pathology.  i was released from the hospital the next day & have been home recuperating (which really hasn't been too bad).  the pain from the surgery was truly minimal!!  the worst part has been the allergic reaction i had after surgery to something used pre-surgery. i have had this reaction before after my wrist surgery & thankfully knew what to look for & we were able to head the nastiness off at the pass.  it is still extremely itchy!!!!  but, thankfully not blistery!

got a call on monday from one of my drs with my pathology results. the cancer was in multiple places & had spread to a number of my lymph nodes.  the likelihood for recurrence is now much higher. therefore, we will be proceeding on to the next step of a radiation treatment in about a month.  i go to see one dr today & one next week & will have a lot more information.

again, thank you all for your prayers...i'll take all i can get! :0) thank you to my in-laws for making the trip up here just so they could be with me on the day of surgery. thank you to my wonderful husband, mother, & children for waiting on me & putting up with me!  ya'll are simply the best!!

blah, blah, blah, blah, wah, wah, wah, wah

blah, blah, blah, bentley...blah, blah, blah, bentley...blah, blah, blah, arrrggghhhh!!!!!  if i never hear that man's name again, it will be too soon.  seriously, ashley?  you sound like charlie brown's teacher to me!!!!


i realize i should actually be catching you up on my surgery, etc, but this just had to be said!!!!

this is the day that the LORD has made!

heading off to surgery in about 10 minutes...hope to update soon!!!!  thank you all for your wonderful prayers!!!!

happy anniversary!!!!!

today we are celebrating 22 years of marriage! boy is he lucky!!! :0)

i loved him @ 19 & i love him more now!!!!  happy anniversary, michael!!!

ever had one of those days?

no, not the sad & depressing kind...but, the go out shopping for a grill & come home with a new stove & trash compactor kind? and no grill! :0) we did! we did!!!! i can't wait!!! if you would've told me when i was a kid that i would be excited about shopping for & purchasing appliances, i would've laughed right in your face. BUT, i did like shopping for them & can't wait until they arrive. i know, sad, huh? what has my life come to??? :0) i can't wait to squash some trash!!! truly, though...i have always disliked this stove that was here when we bought it & despised our trash area. i am not a big fan of gas cooktops...i like the smooth ones. my sister-in-law will probably shun me & shake her head...but, gas appliances are not my fav. now, i get one of those new pretty ones by electrolux (kelly ripa likes 'em) that has a 2nd oven where most warming drawers are...you heard me...a 2nd oven. who's with me???????? anyone? anyone? bueller? oh well, thanks for reading/listening to my ramblings anyway.

surgery is set

michael & i went to see the surgeon yesterday, he let me know that it is stage 1, & set up my surgery. surgery is set for tuesday, 6/21 @ 8:00...after a whirlwind diagnosis & tons of dr's appointments in such a short time (even with the holiday weekend), i now feel like it is coming to a screeching halt. i know, i know...it's not that far away. it is actually for a good reason. my drs want to get my graves disease under control before performing surgery. apparently if the graves disease is still out of control when you try to operate, it can cause a "thyroid storm" which could result in death...sooooo, i think i can be patient, this once. thank you all for your amazing love & prayers!!!

sadly, the "frousins" left today after an awesome week. thankfully, we don't have to wait too long to see them again!!!! we will see them again in just 5 short days! i think they should be able to make it! maybe they can recharge their sleep tanks, cuz i know they are all well past empty!!! they are so fun, i'm glad we had the privilege to keep them...now, i can't wait for their parents to get home so i can hear all about their trip to scotland! i wonder if the hills are alive? oh wait...no, that's austria. i wonder if it is too green? no, no, that's ireland. oh well...can't wait to hear.

monday...not sunday

i absolutely love our small group...we had the best time today!!!!! believe it or not, i didn't take any pictures. i thought about it a lot, but just never did. the kids took full advantage of the sun & warm pool, we moms enjoyed the porch, while the dads did the difficult duty of making/manning the homemade ice cream & playing ladder ball!!!!!! oh my word, fern made the best peanut butter ice cream...i think i'll have pleasant dreams about it tonight! there was one point in the day that i really wish that i would've taken pictures. the boys/men (3 musketeers) took on their dads in basketball...let's just say youth & stamina was a definite necessity!!! it was hysterical...all the dads came in all sweaty & looking totally whooped & when i looked over...the boys were still playing. as we get in bed, michael is still moaning about being tired! :0) our boys are growing up!!! & our other boys are growing old! shhh, you didn't hear that from me!

i've been so confused today thinking it was sunday. i, totally forgot it was actually monday & some fun tv comes on on monday!!! what a happy surprise! after our amazing small group left from an amazingly fun day of swimming, playing, eating, chatting, laughing, fireworks, etc...i had a very pleasant surprise on the dvr.

poor ashley!!! she so desperately wants this whole bachelorette gig to work out! she's already in love & at the altar on her 1st date!! seriously, the dude in the mask is a creepy creeperson & bentley is just a creep! do you think he's a paid actor??? he's gotta be! & have you ever heard so many sad stories from guys on one episode? are they hoping for sympathy roses? or, did they actually pick real people...who just happen to not be hard on the eyes? OR, are they all "mactors" (model/actors). i can't bear the thought that this show is scripted...so i'm going with choice #1. :0) and, i'm still trying to pick out this season's "bunny boiler"...i think the dude in the mask is my front runner! whatcha think?

now, i need to finish my real housewives of new jersey & then off to go night night! woowee...can we say dysfunction?!!! wowzers! i feel so bad when i watch it, but i can't help myself! don't tell anyone!

moving on!!!

well...the last few days have been somewhat eventful!!! thankfully, i have a God who is in control & adores me beyond measure!!!! a family that loves me!!!! and, the most incredible friends!!!! i can't thank all of you enough for your well wishes & prayers!!!!!!!!! they mean the world to me! this will just be another bump in the road & y'all make it all the more bearable!! i love you!!! the latest info on my fast forward journey to health...the dr's office called me yesterday to let me know that i could see my surgeon on july 14!!?? you heard/read me...JULY 14!!!! arrrgghhh!! once again...my man being the awesome dude he is got me in for next tuesday, MAY 31!!! we'll take it from there & set up my surgery.

as most of you know, i don't really sit too still for too long without some sort of activity!!! so, why would now be any different? last night we had an end of the year party for tate & his friends. we had the most amazing group of 25 teens anyone could imagine! i'm so sad that teens get such a bad rep. i think they're incredible & so fun!

today, we took the frousins up to north carolina for some super waterfall fun!!!! i'm wondering if we'll be able to wake everyone up in time for church tomorrow...they are gonna sleep hard!!!

next...onto our next party on monday. bring it!!

big c, little c...what begins with c?

yep...it's official...cancer begins with c.

wow...big day!!!!

this day has been one amazing long day!

1st...got to pick up the frousins for their week long visit!!!! yay!!! i don't think i'll see much of my girls while they're here. our only rule for the week...let me see floor at least once a day!!!! hopefully, if i can see floor once a day, maybe we won't need a bulldozer at the end of the week...or a search & rescue team. here's hoping!!!!!!

2nd...scotty wins american idol. i would've loved for lauren to win, but i loved him almost as much!!! guess he's really gonna need to "lock them doors" now.

3rd...mavs advance to the nba finals!!!!!!!!!!!! go big "d"irk!!!! they have made an amazing run so far...can't wait for them to finish this strong & take the whole thing. heat or bulls...it don't matter!

lastly...went to the dr. for my thyroid hoping to medicate vs radiate. instead, there was a new bump in the road. guess i've had my head above water too long...time to shove it back under. dr. found a "suspicious" nodule on my thyroid...went directly in for an ultrasound which led to now, i'm having a needle biopsy in the morning (5/26). thankfully, thyroid nodules typically turn out to be benign...i think he's just doing the biopsy to rule out the alternative, instead of confirm. God has been so big through this!!!!!!! i found out my thryoid was acting up again last week & in less than a week everything will be figured out, instead of still waiting on my referral (thank you to my sweet husband). the whole process has gone so quickly & smoothly (totally God)!!!! i guess it really does help to know people!!!!! :0)

ugh!!!!

big ugh!!! after almost 4 years in remission, my grave's disease is back!!!!! will be going to see my endocrinologist on wednesday & we will decide what to do with this crazy thyroid from there. at least i got to have 4 yrs with no medicine!!!! i guess our decision will be whether or not to go back on medicine & hope for another remission or just zap it with radiation. hmmm????

ok, that's enough of the pity party...now on to some really important stuff!!! bachelorette starts back tonight & all the girls are coming over to watch the premiere. will ashley choose with her heart or who the directors tell her? OR, will she pick the dentist who is from right here in greenville? does she like being a brunette or a blonde better? will there be a weird wrestler dude? these riveting questions should be answered as we follow ashley around this season!!!

AND...tonight is the dancing with the stars finale...who do you think should win? i think cute little chelsea & mark, but i'll bet kym & hines are gonna.

AND...which favorite country crooner will win america's heart & votes to be this year's american idol? i sure hope sweet lauren alaina wins!!!!!!!!!! i love her!!! thankfully, i won't be too terribly upset if scotty wins, but i am sooo pulling for lauren...i have liked her from her very 1st audition!!

AND...best of all...this week brings us the FROUSINS!!!!!!!!!!! we just got back from my nephew's high school graduation, where he was salutatorian & gave an amazing graduation speech!!! congratulations, lee!!! now, we'll get to see him & his sisters (tori & julia) on wednesday. they're coming to stay with us for a week while their parents are in scotland!!!!! we are all so excited!!!! can't wait! bring on summer!!!!!

final 3

haley should've gone home!!!! her attitude lately has been too sassy! you're not supposed to talk back to the judges!!!!!!!!!!!! blech!!!! you tried something risky & it didn't pay off...don't get mad at them cuz you made a mistake! i still love her voice, but her attitude leaves a bit to be desired. i think it's finally going to her head!! we'll see...i could be totally wrong! i'm sure i might get a little stressed if i had to sing in front of millions each week!!!! but, keep your cool haley...that's what makes you so cool!!! BUT, come on lauren!!!!!!!! love her!!!!!!!!!!!

happy mother's day

mother's day & amazing race finale...let's do this!

happy mother's day to the best mom & mimi in the world!!!!!!!

AND, the best mother-in-law & grams in the world!!!

you ladies mean the world to me!!!!

not too bad

thor...not too bad...to look at!!! :0) we really enjoyed thor. it is exactly how a super hero movie should be...fun, exciting, funny, adventurous...throw in a little romance & a cliff hanger & you've got yourself a fun movie for the family!!! give it a go...you'll enjoy it!

yes, please!

water for elephants...liked it much better than i thought. i don't care what he waters...water the plants, water the garden, water the CHRISTmas tree...water elephants. whatever...yes, please!

really important stuff

now...i really need to discuss some important stuff...let's talk tv!!! you know me...i'm usually up until 3am for all of my diabetic responsibilities, so, this is when i catch up on all my tv indulgences. where else do you think i get all of my useless pop culture trivia (why does that kind of information stay in my head, when i can hardly remember what i had for breakfast?).

i am just catching up on some of my shows since i was gone last week. i have not watched the last couple of survivors...so don't tell me what has happened. i'm also behind on chuck & top chef masters, so don't ruin my surprise.

i am, however, caught up on american idol, dancing with the stars, & amazing race. i'm so glad that the ones who have gone home recently are gone. i'm still not a big fan of jacob on american idol & i think it is his week to go...we'll see what tonight brings. it was definitely time for kendra to go on dancing with the stars...her attitude didn't keep me happy, but she came a long way & thankfully her attitude changed. but, my favorite cast off of the week...kent & vyxsin!!! he was such a cry baby!!!!!! it killed me how he chastised her for being negative. um...isnt that the pot calling the kettle black (i'm sorry...pink & black)? i'm sure the race brings out traits you're not happy with. i am, however, excited that this week is the finale. i've never seen them let 4 teams race for the finals...go gary & mallory or globetrotters!!!!

oh my word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just found out about bin laden...wow!!!! it's sad when you get your latest current events from facebook. i'm wrestling with 2 sides of myself...the side that screams "yippee!!" & my other side that weeps for his eternity (& it definitely is not what he had planned).

"God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Pr 24:17;Ez 33:11)

the Lord doesn't give up on you & me & He most certainly doesn't give up on the lost!!!!

howdy howdy

well, i'm back!!! went to go see my baby brother for a few days. we haven't gotten to see each other since CHRISTmas & before that, it had been while we were making the plans for our oma's funeral. last time i was there, he was in the process of buying a house & now he's in it with a new roommate (jax...his yellow lab). the bachelors have a pretty good life going out there in austin...i'm so happy for him!!

woke up at 4:30am to make a 6:00am flight…ewwwww!!!! but, my babies are worth it!!! the girls had a recital @ 3:00pm & by golly, I wasn’t gonna miss it!!! they were BEAUTIFUL!!!!! i wish i knew how to put a video on here. but, trust me…there are pics to come. i know, i know…surprise surprise! :0)

Happy Easter...HE IS RISEN!!!!

He is not here...He is risen!!!!!!

i can not believe how totally blessed i am!!!!!!!! happy easter!

ready for another helping of ketchup?

wow...thanks for coming back!!! just a few more months & then we'll be all caught up!

december - emmett took his 1st airplane

ride & did amazing!!!

january - huge snow that shut the city down

for several days...our house got around 9"

november - february - our boy got back into his

basketball groove

january - our little squirt conquered upward

cheerleading & was awesome!

january - our boo baby put her ballet shoes aside

& took on the court...she dominated!!!!!

she's the tall one in blue. :0)

january - middle school youth retreat to

billy graham library & great wolf lodge

february - the beloved father/daughter dance

february - we braved the winter cold in

cozumel...oh well, someone has to do it!!!

february - the big man hit 15!!!!!

february - another high school retreat

my boy & i went skiing for the 1st time

& didn't break anything

march - cotillion spring ball

she looked gorgeous!!!!!!

march - served on a service day for the boy's school

we got to scoop alpaca poo...oh yeah, & feed

a baby alpaca

march - took my fantastic freshman +1

to the beach

march - went on a 5 day camping trip that

turned into an 11 day camping trip to

hunting island, sc

april - someone got his learner's permit

yikes!!!!! didn't i just give birth to him?

april...today- EASTER...HE IS RISEN!!!

this is our 1st Easter not in texas

in forever. we missed our texas family

but, were still able to remember what

Easter is truly all about!

well, i think we are officially caught up! i will try to do much better, but i make no promises! :0) what shall we talk about next time??? the bachelor is off for a while, so maybe we can discuss world peace or the rising costs of gas...OOORRRRRRRRR, we can make guesses as to who is next to be voted off survivor, american idol, dancing with the stars? OR, who will have to go home next on amazing race? i've got my favorites...do you? i know i hope certain teams go home!!!! how 'bout chuck...will this really be chuck's last season...i sure hope not. oh well, i'm sure i'll think of something really useful & important to discuss. thanks again!!!! see ya tomorrow?

how about a little catch-up...no, not ketchup

well, i've been trying to think about how i can catch up from all the lost time that i have been away from here. so, you know me, how about pictures??? i may have taken 1 or 10,000. i figured the best way is to try & play out all the missing time through digital art!!! plus, who's to say you would actually read everything...it could potentially become quite the novel. i'll try to filter & not totally overload you (if it is possible). however, if you want to see more pics, all you have to do is click on my facebook page. trust me, you will get your fill on there! :0) soooo...you ready?

july-"plunge" (middle school mission trip)

august-someone moved up to youth group

august - back to school party

august-DAD in training, emmett...workin'

sept - "epic"- 1st high school retreat

september - had surgery on my wrist

that i hurt in january

aug-nov- someone started high school

& took on football, too

october-1st homecoming dance

october - field trip to the pumpkin patch

october - halloween party

october - halloween with the groovy chick & cleo

november- the girls & emmett made it into local

magazine for diabetes awareness month

november - our sweet callie got married...emma was flower girl

& haley was a junior attendant

now, here comes december...our extremely busy month...please forgive that i don't have a picture from my bday. :0)

december- little squirt's bday

went to see disney princesses on ice

december-nutcracker performances

(i'm just now getting the songs out

of my head)

december-cotillion holly ball

december-CHRISTmas card that never went out

december-oh how we love our cousins!!!

december-happy bday, boo baby

thanks for looking...tune in tomorrow for (what i'm sure you're greatly anticipating) the rest of our catch up time!