Saturday, March 31, 2007

Seeing Double??

Wanna see something crazy?

Here's a picture of Max:

And here's a picture of Tyke - my friend Carmina's puppy. He's a half-brother of Max:

Pretty crazy resemblance isn't it? Tyke's only 12 weeks old - Max is almost 4 years.
And in case they aren't cute enough...

Meet Cocoa!!
When Max's best buddy Spike was diagnosed with Lymphoma a couple months ago... they got another puppy (Tyke) right away so Spike could meet him. Well... yesterday they added another puppy to their family... Cocoa! Isn't he adorable! We're all so happy for Carmina and her family but also sad that Spike passed away a couple weeks ago. He will be terribly missed when we bring Max out to Reno for a visit this year... but he's looking forward to taking on Tyke and Cocoa on his old turf!!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

My first message

hi ya'll.

Meg finally invited me to this blog and now I have a chance to defend myself against all the nasty things I have found written about myslef in these pages. I probably won't write as much as Meg, but will throw my two cents in when necessary.

It is getting really nice here, weatherwise, and we decided to try and get some grass seed down in the backyard last weekend. Meg and I spent a few days clearing construction debris (nails, wood stakes, water bottles, even a human finger). This was Meg's favorite part of the job and she begged for more at the end of project. We got the seed down, the straw on top of it... and now water daily to keep the seedlings moist. The waiting game is here and in a few weeks hopefully grass will appear soon. I'll even post some pictures if Meg shows me how.

Minimal Quantities Left!

Many of you have written asking about where you can get one of the amazing Patriotic shirt and pant combinations you saw my family in pictured a few posts below. More information was recently posted in the latest comment. Though the message was signed by an anonymous blogger... I'd be happy to give you all my mother's phone number for placement of orders.

(Yes, Mom - we all know it was you. Although I don't blame you one second for not wanting to admit it!! Seriously... I don't know how you live with yourself knowing what you put us all through that day!)

How Cool is This?

Monday, March 26, 2007

Maxine's Will

I, MAXINE , being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive
indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be
put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade
biology if their lives depended on it, or lawyers / doctors interested in
simply running up the bills. If a reasonable amount of time passes and I
fail to ask for at least one of the following...

*Glass of wine***

*chocolate***

*Margarita *

*Mashed Potatoes ***

*chocolate ***

*Martini ***

*Cold Beer***

*chocolate***

*Chicken fried steak ***

*cream gravy***

*chocolate***

*Mexican food***

*chocolate***

*French fries***

*chocolate***

*Pizza***

*chocolate***

*ice cream ***

*cup of tea ***

*chocolate***

*Chocolate*

* *

*Chocolate*

...It should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a
determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and
attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day**

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Elena

I'd like for you all to "meet" Elena. I actually have never met her in person... but I came across her story as I have many others in this fabulous internet world.
Elena is 6 years old... and may not live to see her 7th Birthday. She suffers from a inoperable brain tumor that is growing fast and furious. She was diagnosed just a handful of months ago - and has experienced all the treatment that can be offered for this tumor that seems to claim one child's life after another.
Her parents began a web page awhile ago and faithfully journal their thoughts and emotions as they now live day to day like it will be her last. It is difficult to even imagine the pain and pressure of having to make every moment count since the moment's may end too soon... but I have so appreciated their heartfelt vulnerability.
Just recently... Elena remission seems to be coming to an end. She is losing her speech and some motor movement, and this family is realizing that they may be out of interventions. I thought it might be time to ask all of you to be the prayer warriors I know that you all are, and maybe do a little "intervening" on their behalf. If you have a chance, take the time to visit Elena's site...
At the very least... send up a prayer.
Thanks so much!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

For a Laugh

Came across these on my computer tonight and I couldn't help but share:

Me - a day or two old.

The best I've EVER looked in a bikini!

Cheese!

After an exhausting lunch with my dog, Pierre.
(I called him "Sit"... get it? They always told him to "sit"... so I thought that was his name... "Sit" get it? Whatever)

Enough said.
I don't know WHO'S idea this was or WHY whoever thought of it wasn't shot.
Click on this one. It's worth seeing the big version.

The Smell of Rain

Couldn't resist sharing this story.... For those of us who have watched our children suffering through long and painful hospital stays - get a kleenex!

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery.
Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.
At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.
"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one"
Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.
She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four.
Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away
But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.
All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.
But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.
At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.
And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life.
She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"
Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like r ain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"
Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,
"No, it smells like Him.
It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.
Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Thanks!

Wow! It's great to meet all of you. I can't tell you how surprised I was by the number of commenters who I never knew were out there!! Ironically... I think only a couple were from people I have actually met! Don't ask me where all my friends and family are but hey... I guess I know who cares about our lives!!! (Just kidding... sort of... where are you guys?)

Anyway... Eric and I just returned from a short trip to Chicago to meet up with some long lost family and squeeze in a visit with our friends John, Janet (check out her photography link to the right), and baby Henry (who is looking less and less like a "baby")! We had a nice little break.

I'm back at work for the next 2 nights and Eric is home trying to enjoy his last couple days of Spring Break. I'll post some pictures of some of the little projects he's been working on around the house when I get a chance. It's been fun watching him get into "nesting" a little bit! Who knew guys could care so much about apothecary jars and grapes & ivy decorations! He's worked hard getting new bathroom light fixtures up and is now determined to make our bathroom perfect!! He disappeared for awhile this afternoon in our little toilet room. And while I will spare you the details (as I spared myself), he finally retreated after what seemed like an eternity with... the Pottery Barn catalog??? I'm not quite sure what has gotten into him, but no... I am not worried. The man can put up drywall, hang pictures at precise and exact measurements, lay wood flooring, and (though a bit temperamental with this one)... even hang light fixtures. If he wants to make our bathroom look like a Pottery Barn retreat... then "yeah" for me. I got a pretty darn good deal of a man! I said "go for it". As long as I don't find myself surrounded by borders and/or lace - I'm happy.

Thanks again to all of you who commented - and to those of you who haven't yet... don't be shy! Please keep them coming - it's so much more fun to post when you know people are actually reading them!!!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Who's Out There?

OK... so down below it tells me that over 1700 hits have been made to this site. Now I realize that probably 1000 of those are my own - but still! Based on the minimal number of comments that are made here, I'm guessing there are more than a few stalkers out there who either refuse to come forward and make themselves known... or they just don't have a clue how to leave a comment!

So here's some help:

At the end of every posting there is a link that says the number of comments.
Click on that.
If you don't have a blog account you can still leave a message.
Write your message.
Leave yourself as anonymous and just sign your name at the end of your comment!

See how easy that is!!!

Now fess up! Who's out there?!

Max and Us


Saturday, March 10, 2007

Shopping, Tears, Massages & Margaritas!!

Does it get any better than THAT?
(I stole your picture Jessica, thanks!)
Who could have guessed that we had never met in person? I'm not sure we really stopped talking from the moment I met her at the airport, until the time I dropped her off! Jessica and I had a really wonderful time sharing and getting to know each other. Part of me realized, but never really understood, how badly I needed some time to sit and really de-brief much of what went on with Ricky. While I have always felt tremendous support from friends and family, I really never did take advantage of their willingness to listen or help me through some of my feelings about it all. What an incredible blessing to have a "complete stranger" (although I feel like we've known each other for years), actually ask to hear all the stories, and see all the videos and pictures. It was good (though painful in some ways)... to talk about it all. Jessica has been through so much of the same challenges with her son Callen, and it was good to understand each other's pain. While Eric didn't seem to want to join in on any or our fun shopping adventures... he did enjoy a Margarita or 2 with us! I KNEW he was happy for me and my bonding time with another woman when as I was skipping out of the house to hit the mall... he told me to "get myself something nice.... (but not too nice!)".

Eric and I are hoping to get out west someday soon to enjoy even more time with Jessica, as well as meet her husband Corey and her 4 boys. I will forever be indebted to them for all that they have given, and I wish I could express how grateful I am that God has brought them into our lives.
Corey and Eric... you are two amazing men and we are SO blessed and thankful for your sacrifices and love! (Now... this is a bi-annual thing, right? Corey watches the boys and Eric feeds himself for a few days.... RIGHT?) :)
OK... so Eric feeds himself quite a bit... better not push it!!

Monday, March 5, 2007

We Finally Meet!

We're busy bonding at the moment but here are a few pictures of my visit with Jessica - and lunch today with JoEllen!!! JoEllen's baby girl, Maylee was admitted to the hospital last night and we're hoping she is doing much better now. JoEllen was sweet enough to stick around after being reassured that Maylee was ok... just so the three of us could have lunch and snap a picture or two!

We're having a blast! (Thanks again Corey!!)



Thursday, March 1, 2007

Happy Birthday Eric!!


Today is Eric's 53rd... I mean 33rd Birthday!!! I reminded him that he is now the same age that Jesus was when He died. I'm really not inferring anything. Just a fact.

I don't usually like to brag or anything... but I think I did a pretty good job making his birthday special if I do say so myself!! I mean really... a new case for his IPOD, a Swedish massage scheduled in the morning (for him... not even me!)... and then probably the most incredible dinner either of us had ever tasted!! We went to Ruth's Chris steakhouse and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. We're a whole lot poorer and quite a bit fatter but we're home now the food coma feels kind of like a good thing!!

I am so blessed to have this man in my life. I treasure the short time that we have had so far and cannot WAIT for all that is ahead. 7 months of marriage and we're still having fun! That's good right?!

The Slanket

One small fact about me:
I'm always cold.
One invention I don't think I can live without having:
Absolutely ingenious. The guy should be on Oprah!
(Thanks for telling us about it Rochelle!!)

For a Laugh

Came across this on another blog and thought it was pretty funny. One more story to make me think that just maybe, homeschool might be a good idea after all...

This is the message that the P***** P******** High School ( California ) staff voted unanimously to record on their school answering machine. This is [allegedly--I didn't check the sources, but thought it was funny] the actual answering machine message for the school, which came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework *gasp*.

The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes[parents really crack me up].

The outgoing message:
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection:

* To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
* To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2
* To complain about what we do - Press 3
* To swear at staff members - Press 4
* To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyer's mailed to you - Press 5
* If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
* If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone -Press 7
* To request another teacher, for the third time this year -Press 8
* To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
* To complain about school lunches - Press 0
* If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!