Happy 5 Years Cancer Free

Today is the day!! Cole has been cancer free for five years today. First, sorry the last post was so long and so similar to the post last year on the same day. I should have checked that first and tried to find something else to say!!

Cole had a decent time in the hospital before his surgery - I mean, he was hooked up to all kinds of stuff, but people were coming to see him and bringing him treats!! He loved that. I think he just began to expect that each person that came in to visit would have a toy for him!! He spent most of this time in the bed playing or watching movies. But we spent lots of time in the floor of our teeny tiny PICU room putting together puzzles. I bet we did 30 puzzles in those days in the hospital. It almost became a test to see how many puzzles we could find that he could put together. You know, those little puzzles that are around $3 and have 25 pieces. We had them all!! Seriously!!!

Surgery went fine. They completely removed the tumor. We had some issues to deal with - nerve damage - but hey - he was okay! The cause of all those problems was gone. This was just the beginning of his journey though. I think I was pretty naive to think that the surgery was the hard part. There was so much more that was difficult. But that's another story for another day!

Anyway - five years cancer free is amazing. We are so thankful for that. God truly carried us all through this journey. There's no doubt in my mind about that.

Today was the day (part 1 of many)

This is probably my longest post so far................... just so you know what you're getting into:


Five years ago today Cole had his MRI. The MRI that told us he had a brain tumor. It started out as just a test, just an MRI. Who knew what we would find out? We had already spent some time on the computer looking for answers. If you Google chronic vomiting you gets lots of stuff - you get brain tumor. But, when it's your child with the chronic vomiting, you ignore the brain tumor part. You don't even discuss it with your husband. You both mention in like its the most insane thing ever and then you move on. That's what we did.

So, we head to USA Hospital for an MRI. Cole had not had anything to eat or drink for hours and hours. Poor thing. He was playing in the teeny tiny waiting area while I filled out paper work and I think Jason paced. He's a pacer! So, the guy in charge of the MRI's comes in to explain what we're going to do and talks about how we can be in the room with him, although it's loud. (Like that would keep me out) He told us that from time to time they have to run contrast, to get a better picture. He said we probably wouldn't have to worry about that, its just if they see something really, but had a sign the consent form anyway. No biggie, right? That's what we thought, too.

They give Cole something to drink to sedate him. It wasn't working. I was rocking him and singing to him, whatever I could do to get him calm and sleepy. Nothing worked. His MRI time was skipped for another patient that was ready to go while Cole was still wide awake!! It took so long to get him to sleep. It was miserable. Finally he dozed off and they got everything going. We're in the MRI room with him while the machine is just buzzing away. I had a notebook with me and was attempting to study for a test that I had to take the next day. Let's just say, I wasn't really accomplishing anything. Jason was pacing, again. The tech came in and said something about how they were just running some contrast through his IV, no big deal. WHAT??? No big deal? The guy just told us they NEVER have to do that. My heart sank. The tech couldn't even look at us. We just knew. We didn't say anything though - not to each other, or the family waiting in the waiting room. Jason's mom, dad and grandma were there with us.

They finished up and Cole was slowly waking up but super dopey. He just wanted to play but couldn't even stand up!!! We had promised him McDonald's afterwards, but he needed to wait a little before eating and just wasn't understanding that at all. We headed home, with Jason's mom and grandma in the back seat with Cole. He was acting so silly - just dopey - but grumpy at the same time. Really wanting to just eat some chicken nuggets and french fries.

Jason's cell phone rang, but it was work, so he didn't answer. They were great about bugging him when he was off, so we just assumed they were bugging him. They kept calling. My phone never rang, no messages at home either. Finally Jason answers and his coworker said the drs office had been calling. They had all our numbers, not sure why they would call him at work, I mean, we'd just left the MRI, why would he be at work??? Anyway, about that time the drs office finally calls Jason's cell phone and it's our actual pediatrician. He doesn't ask where we are, or the ever popular 'are you sitting down?' he just says 'we suspect your son has a brain tumor' and then rambles on about how we have an appointment that afternoon with a neurosurgeon. Jason is driving and listening to this and seriously almost took out a mailbox. I mean, we're driving down the road for crying out loud. UGH. I can still remember the sickness I felt. But at the same time, I couldn't lose it because Cole is reaching for me from his car seat and he's so hungry and totally doesn't even understand this. He's only three.

So, we quickly spread the word to close family. And then head to get Cole some lunch. I mean at this point, we just have to try to function and get through the next few hours. We have to entertain Cole and watch him very carefully - he's still super groggy and can't walk on his own without falling over - those darn drugs they gave him had him all out of whack! He had his McDonald's and I think we ate - I don't really think we managed much food consumption though. Cole wanted to go to the bookstore and play with the train table. Again, at this point, we'll do anything to keep him happy. We still had several hours to wait for the drs appointment. We don't really even know what to do - how do we start this? There's aren't any books on what to do if you think your child has a brain tumor. We sat in the floor around the train table and played with Cole. Jason's brother, sister-in-law and nephew showed up. They left work and checked Michael out of school - everyone just knew we needed to be together. At some point I remember us all going to Krispy Kreme because Cole had a thing for chocolate covered donuts at the time. We'd already done McDonald's and the train table (and purchased quite a pricey train set - let the guilt begin) so why not donuts, too.

Then we just waited................

We headed to the drs office, but you know how those things go - in a medical plaza, you can't find the one doctor you need, because he's only been there about 6 weeks and there's no sign for him office yet. We ended up in the drs office that took care of Jason's grandfather who was also a neurosurgeon - but not the one we needed.

Finally we find the right place but he's not there. He's in surgery and we don't know how long it will take. All of us are there in the waiting room. Can you imagine? Me, Jason, Cole, Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Uncle D, Jamie, Michael, Grandma and Amanda. I'm sure we were an intimidating bunch. Jason's grandmother told the receiptionist we needed a conference room because everyone needed to hear what the doctor had to say. They thought we were nuts. We finally got called back to an office and waited there even longer. Cole was still so groggy and dopey, bless his heart. Jason's mom and grandma took turns hanging out with us while we waited. The nurse was wonderful, just kind and very understanding - she knew we were struggling and just wanted to know.

So finally this doctor comes in - this guy that just looked nice and kind and normal - not the intimidating doctor type or the one that just seems to not care (we'd already had that with our pediatrician). He got right to business. Wanted to know what had happened so far - what led us here, symptoms, etc. I think he was just trying to losen us up and get to know us. He played with Cole a bit and really paid attention to him. He told us there was a mass - almost the size of a golf ball and was between the brain stem and the cerebellum. He showed us pictures on the computer but I really don't remember that and what they looked like. I guess it's just one of those things I blocked. He told us what his plan was - Cole would go into the hospital the next morning. He would have a procedure done that morning where they would drain the fluid that was building up - at this point he had hydrocephalus. And then, he'd have the weekend for the fluid to drain and on Monday morning, they would remove the tumor. He told us that there were three things to be concerned with after surgery. For the life of me, I can't remember all of this - just this one - his eyes would not be able to focus well and would likely not be lined up where they should be. I don't know why this is the only one I can remember - Jason would remember all three, I'm sure. We didn't get into the other details. We didn't know for sure what type of tumor it was but Medulloblastoma was suspected. In this tumor, I believe the doctor said, 75% are cancerous. CANCER. As strange as it sounds cancer never really sunk in. I mean, we'll be in the 25% right? The ones that aren't cancer. That's just the way it had to be. My mother in law asked him what we could be doing and he said "pray" - seems like he asked us to pray for him during the surgery, too - but maybe that's not accurate - I just know he said he would be praying for Cole, too. All of the sudden the weight was lifted off my shoulders. It was gone. I was feeling peaceful with this doctor. I knew we were in the right place.

For days after we asked ourselves why? Why did it take so long for a diagnosis? Why did the pediatrician just keep blowing us off? What if we'd found out earlier? Well, honestly, I know everything happens for a reason and if we'd discovered any earlier, this doctor wouldn't have even been in Mobile - which would have led us to Birmingham or New Orleans for surgery. Honestly, New Orleans was closer and we may have ended up there. There - where a hurricane came through several months later and practically destroyed the hospital we would be in. It all happens for a reason.

Jason called his work and explained to them that they suspected a brain tumor. His boss said he would get us in touch with his St. Jude connection right away. They were big fundraisers for St. Jude. They were members of the St. Jude by the bay organization in Mobile. This organization actually funded the building that the gift shop is in at St. Jude. We were like, ya, we'll see. After all - we didn't know what we were really dealing with yet. But it was all for a reason!

We took in all the info we could and left. We told everyone what was said. We went home. Someone went and picked up dinner, but I'm not sure how many of us ate. Cole played with his new train set and we may have been watching American Idol or something like that. I remember noise in the background. I got on the computer and started looking for information. There wasn't much. There wasn't one place to get all the info I needed. I joined a few message boards and quickly found several other parents of medulloblastoma kids. I was messaged immediately with information about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I put it aside, I mean, we're the 25% - we won't need a cancer hospital. And at that point, I still don't really think cancer was in the picture. I had really not thought that deeply about the cancer part. I was relieved to an extent because we had an answer. We knew the tumor could be removed. We knew that he wouldn't be throwing up anymore. We knew his eye was turning in because of the tumor so after it's gone - everything will be fine, right? UGH. We barely slept and hardly talked that night.

The next morning we stopped at Walmart on the way to the hospital. We got some snacks and stuff - a book probably, a toy for Cole. Seems like for some reason I bought some tshirts. Really random. Like it was any other day. I do remember taking a picture of Cole and Jason by our front door, before we left that morning.

We checked in the hospital and started the process of the first surgery. Cole had to be checked out - temp, blood pressure, weight - all that stuff. He was fine, just bopping along doing whatever he was asked. He had no idea what was happening. I remember us taking him back for surgery - they would let us sit with him for a few minutes and then take him in to surgery. We couldn't go in there - we couldn't walk with him to the door - we would be left behind to wait. I remember Jason holding Cole and both of us praying he would just fall asleep in our arms so he wouldn't know he was leaving us. It happened, too - he got sleepy and put his head down. We handed him over to the nurse and the doctor checked in with us - assured us everything would be fine. And then he asked if we wanted him to just shave the spot of the surgery, or all of his head. I said the whole thing. I don't know why - but I felt like that would be better. What was I thinking???

The drain was put in and everything went well, but when Cole woke up after surgery, he didn't want me. He just wanted his dad. Now I'd been at home with Cole for the first two years of his life. I was the one he went to for everything. I was the one that picked him up from daycare and he ran to me all excited to see me - every day! I was the one he wanted to lay down with him for a nap, or at bedtime. He was a mommy's boy!!! I loved it. But suddenly he didn't want me. So, it was all on Jason and he was ready. He said he felt like God had prepared him for this journey. It was up to him and Cole now. I didn't get what that would mean. But suddenly our roles had changed. I was in charge of everything else - the technical stuff, getting the info, making sure we ate and Cole had things to keep him happy. The cuddling and rocking and holding was all Jason now.

Cole spent the weekend hooked up to the drain and by Saturday afternoon it was removed, so he was a free man. He had the chance to wander the hospital and play in the floor and be a three year old. Everyone came to see him in the PICU. Everyone that came brought him a treat. He was covered up in toys. I'm sure none of the other PICU rooms were so full of toys. Puzzles, stuffed animals, books - anything you could think of. He was enjoying his treats and visitors. His head was all wrapped up in a bandage and covered with a type of stocking which ended in a knot on top of his head. He called this his tail and was so excited that he was now like Eeyore.

Look at that sweet smile:



Playing in the PICU room!



So that's the beginning.

The next Monday, he had surgery. Stay tuned for more and thanks for reading - I know it's a long story! I appreciate you for making it through!

Another Five Years ago post......

So, it's getting closer - Cole's five year anniversary of being cancer free. But today five years ago, we were heading to the eye doctor again. Cole's left eye was still turning in. We had been looking up all sorts of things online - 7th nerve palsy, different conditions that caused eyes to turn in - anything we could think of. His daycare teachers (who loved him so so much) were ever telling us about their own child, or kids they knew, who just needed glasses to correct their eye problem and it was not a big deal. We were so just hoping he'd need some glasses and that's it.

That's not the way it happened.

While we were in the doctors office, Cole experienced every symptom at once. He had been throwing up randomly and having headaches off and on, but not necessarily at the same time. Well, this day - it was all at once. The eye doctor just looked at Cole's eye, looked at us and said you need an MRI, right away!!

UGH - an MRI? Really? That can't be a good thing. We'd already gone through an MRI once with Cole, on his heel at around 1/5 years old, maybe 2. He had a cyst in his heel, it had been there since he was about 6 months old. It turned out to be nothing, but eventually it became infected and burst and had to be removed - that's another story though!!

So, the pediatrician's office starts lining up the MRI and call me that afternoon to tell me we were scheduled to have an MRI in February - the 16th, I believe. This was January 25th!! You want us to wait that long? I was flipping out. The nurse said she understood how we felt, she'd had to wait on her son to get an MRI as well, for a hurt shoulder. I'm thinking, really? That's the same? The eye doctor just told us there is something in Cole's head pushing on a nerve that's hurting his eye and you think that's the same??? I wasn't ugly or anything just told her we needed an MRI before then, we could not wait. Plus, they scheduled the MRI at a hospital that didn't even take our insurance. Just not a good thing - all the way around. She called back and we had an MRI two days later. That's more like it.

We were so nervous about that MRI. I can still feel that icky feeling in the pit of my stomach. All in all, I just wanted an answer. I wanted to know what was wrong with Cole and then I wanted to know how to fix it. Nothing else mattered at the time.

I was tired of writing down everything he ate and when. I was tired of writing down each time he threw up and had a headache. I was tired of not knowing. I was tired of the guilt I felt - was I causing this? Was I giving him a food he had some strange allergy to? I felt so bad for the teachers in his daycare, too - they would call about once a week and tell us Cole was throwing up again. The last time it happened, he had a fever, too and just laid down on his nap mat and slept. He told his teacher his head hurt and he didn't feel good and just wanted to go home. Oh it was so pitiful. More than anything, I hated that I couldn't fix it. I couldn't just give him a kiss and hug and make it all better!! You know, at that age - mommy kisses fix just about everything!!

Wednesday is the anniversary of the MRI and THE news!! I'll post about it on Wednesday. I know this story may be old to some of you reading, but it helps me to get it out and reflect and be thankful for what we have now!!

Thanks for reading!!

5 years ago..............

Five years ago Saturday, we were at our nephews birthday party. It was a bowling party. Cole bowled a little, which was really difficult since the smallest ball weighed more than he could pick up! But he tried. I remember the ball only making it about half way down the lane. He played in the arcade. He ate pizza. He ran into things. That last item isn't normal for him though. He was playing and running around having a blast, but kept bumping into things the whole time. His left eye was a little off, too and we had no idea why. We just kept watching him during the day and as he got more tired, his left eye turned in more and more. Jason took Cole to the pediatrician the next morning. This was probably the 10th appointment in 4.5 months. The pediatrician had blown us off many times so far. Just didn't really believe anything was wrong. We had prescription after prescription and no change in Cole at all. We were frustrated now. For 4.5 months Cole had been throwing up randomly - at least once a week, sometimes more. He always felt fine afterwards though. Once in a while, he'd complain that his head hurt, as well. We just didn't know what was wrong.

Monday morning, the pediatrician says 'there's nothing wrong with his eye'! He hadn't really even looked at Cole. Just a glance. None of those little flashlight thingies that they use to look in ears, eyes, and noses. Just a glance. Jason was mad - and left. He went to work, with Cole in tow, and started looking up eye doctors. His boss and coworkers both asked what was wrong with Cole's eye - and commented that it was turning in. Regular old people without a PHD could tell something was wrong.

Jason found an eye doctor and just lucked out and got an appointment the next morning. Sadly, I was stuck at school. Monday, I was working in the computer lab and Tuesday I had classes. Our semester had just started and missing class was a big ordeal. As soon as class ended, I checked in with Jason and the doctors appointment went well. The doctor was great and instantly put Jason at ease. We were getting somewhere, finally. The doctor threw out a few names of things it could be. He wanted to wait a few weeks and see Cole again. So we waited..........

Just two and a half weeks later our world completely changed. I mean, turned upside down.

It's really so hard to believe it's been 5 years. In the weeks that followed we had a stupid phone call from a pediatrician that had no idea how to give bad news to someone (seriously Jason almost took out a mailbox since we were driving when the call came with the news), Cole had MRI's and tests and surgeries and iv's and pokes and prods. Things we never thought we'd have to deal with. Things we never thought we'd even know about. We encountered doctors and nurses that really didn't know how to deal with the situation. They would say the wrong thing, or be a little less gentle with Cole than we preferred. BUT there were a few wonderful doctors and nurses that when they walked in the room, we were good. We knew the next little while we go smoothly. Once nurse had been through something similar with her child. She had gone through the symptoms and MRI's and surgeries, too. Her son also had a brain tumor. It was a different tumor, in a different place, but still a tumor. She could relate. She was so much kinder to us, probably because she'd been in our shoes. She'd been there and understood.

Oh this time of year just brings back so many thoughts and feelings. Things just changed so much for us in 2005. Things we'll never get back. Things we wouldn't change for the world.

Good times and bad.

I'm sure I'll be blogging about it a little more this month and into February, simply because it all weighs heavily on my heart and mind right now.

And now we're out of school, and here I sit on the computer when we have a playdate to get to. I'll probably be late now - bummer - but that's okay!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

My word for 2010

So, this is the first year I've picked a word for the year. I had been considering it when I read this blog post by Melanie. She's super creative and I love reading her blog - go check it out. We met through St. Jude and her little nephew, Jake, who was a patient while Cole was just beginning treatment. We followed their family through their journey and learned so much along the way. They were all so inspiring to us and so very helpful at such a terrible time. Jake earned his angel wings in 2006 after a very long fight. I've continued to keep up with his family through the internet (isn't the internet great) and love that I can still know how they are doing when we no longer run into to them in the halls at the hospital.

ANYWAY - (St. Jude issues sidetrack me often) - I read the above mentioned blog post and loved the word Melanie picked, and followed a link she posted to here - which is Ali Edwards blog and I already read that daily, but this link took me right to the 2009 list of words. I skimmed through the list and a few words popped out (centered, content, determined, connect, deliberate) and I kept thinking about it and rolling words around in my head. I even made a little list during church last Sunday while listening to this. Our current series is called FIVE and it's amazing. Go to the website and check it out - you can listen to it online, watch live on Sunday mornings at 9:30, or heck, just go attend a service. Several words came back to me on that list - (content, connect).

Then I read this blog post, also by Melanie and got more inspired - I wanted to do this!! I could do this and be very DELIBERATE and do this each week. I could CONNECT to my word this way. But, still no final decision on my word!! Do go and check out that post - it's a super cool idea based on another idea she links up to. I can't wait to create this little book all about my word.

In the past, I've always been a 'everything happens for a reason' girl - always - don't know why, I just am. I just take it as it is. Sure, I think WHY? and WHY US? and WHY NOW? but in the end, I give in and just know it's ok. I don't just to the negative naturally - I assume the best in most people. I assume that the person that cuts me off in traffic is probably in a hurry for a good reason. I assume that the person I work with that's grumpy has a good reason. Now, don't get me wrong, I still get aggravated by that reason. I get frustrated in traffic plenty. And I get really aggravated when anyone fusses about things that just don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. As an example, you probably shouldn't whine about her much your husband drives you nuts to someone who has lost theirs or someone who is living away from theirs due to the military (that's a reminder for me). You also shouldn't fuss about how much your life stinks to someone who is sitting next to their kid in the hospital while very toxic chemo drugs run through his little vains. At times we all feel like we're in the worst place we could be and life stinks. But I promise you - someone's life stinks more. Someone is worse off than you. Someone is struggling with issues you can't even imagine right this very minute. I didn't want my child to have cancer, lose his hair, have nerve damage that may never be repaired, have 9 tattoos on his body so the radiation can be pinpointed and enter his body at the right spot, have scars on his body that he doesn't understand, have a hard time just walking a straight line, have difficulty in school for his entire life, have such a hard time doing things other kids can do easily like tie shoes or button buttons or write a sentence, or make certain sounds. I didn't want any of it. But, in the end, I know it all happened for a reason. I see some of those reasons now, I saw them then, actually. Not all of them - but some. I know that the reasons I've seen are probably just a little side note compared to the real reason in God's eyes. And I'm 100% okay with not knowing God's reason. I don't want to know. And that's okay.

There are people that tend to just think the worst no matter what. I like to say their cup is half empty. I say this often to people around me - because sometimes maybe they just need to be reminded to turn it around and think of it differently. Think of the situation in a different light. Pastor Chris spoke about this, too in a recent series LIVE LAUGH LOVE. He suggested we need to see people as victims. Maybe that person that cut you off on the interstate is on the way to the hospital because there's a family emergency. Maybe the person that's grumpy to you at work is frustrated that yet again, they are here at work barely making ends meet, struggling and just hanging on to a thread. You never know.

So, I try to think of myself now as a 'my cup is half full' kind of girl. Because really, if your cup is half empty, what's the difference in half full? There's NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. It's the same thing. Half empty, to me, is negative, sad, depressing, useless. Half full, on the other hand, means, there's still something there. Maybe not as much as you started with - but certainly more than you thought you'd have if you really think about it. Half full means you still have some hope, you still see the good in people, you think it's okay!! Whatever IT is. It's okay. You can deal, because you are HALF FULL.

Can you see where I'm going here?

HALF FULL.

It's a good thing to be half full. Think about eating a great meal, it's the best, your favorite side dish that your mom makes just the way you like it, your favorite people sitting around the table. Now it's time for dessert. You feel like you may have room, since it's your favorite dessert. You are ONLY HALF FULL so you take a piece of that yummy chocolate pie. You eat it and you love it and you are content. (There's that other word again)

Think about half empty. Same great meal, same great twice baked potatoes (the ones that you can make taste the same even though you are following the same recipe). Same great company. It's good stuff. Do you ever stop to think in the middle of the meal "DANG, my stomach is half empty! This stinks!" Of course you don't. You don't think "Well, I have to eat this pie because my stomach is half empty."

In that case, you would really have to work at thinking the half empty way. Half full comes easily when it comes to something you enjoy. Half full can come easily to anyone!! You just have to try. Change your thought process. Change your perspective.

So my word is HALF FULL. Yes, it's too words, but I can hyphenate it and be okay I think. Anyway - I have a word and it's HALF-FULL. Since I already have this outlook in life, it may be cheating a bit to use this, but I feel like there are areas of my life that are half empty, or even three quarters empty. I'm striving to fill them to half full - or over flowing even. But if I start gearing my thinking the HALF FULL in everything, it really can only be a good thing!!

So - there you have it! HALF FULL is where its at for me. Now go check out those links, pick a word and then play along with Melanie's 52Q's. She's even providing a printable each week for those that aren't all that crafty but still want to play along. You can do it!! Don't be HALF EMPTY today!!

So much for the Snow Day

So, nothing impressive about the day yesterday, at least in the world of snow. Now, last night was another story!! Roll Tide!! The game was great. I mean, I hate that Colt was out so early in the game, that's terrible. But, I'm glad we pulled out a win. I can't imagine being a senior and this being my last game, the championship game - and I'm out. He handled it with grace though and I was glad to see him back on the sidelines participating in the game - cheering on his team mates and being present for them, even though he had to be heartbroken inside that he wasn't playing.

It seems like it's been so long since Alabama has been on top - well, 17 years, right? It's great. Very exciting!! I'll be sporting my BAMA shirt today for sure!! And I'm sure I won't be the only one! Cole went to school decked out in BAMA gear, too.

Now, tomorrow is a day I'm not excited about at all!! I was, way back before I realized how COLD it was going to be. Tomorrow is the Red Nose Run for the Ronald McDonald House here in Birmingham. It starts at 7am, so the set up of the water tables and finish line has to start around 5am. At 5am it's going to be 19 degrees, but feel like 9!!! OH MY GOODNESS!! Seriously? I need to find lots of layers to put on in the morning!! We'll be setting up the barricades for the finish line and then standing on the course and directing the 10 milers and 5 milers to the right finish lines! CRAZY STUFF!! It's all worth it - we love helping the Ronald!! It's just going to be so dang cold. I sure wish I could help them more from inside! But, we will survive!! I'm thinking about handwarmers - in my boots, and about ten layers of shirts, some tights, leggings, and under armor!! Brrrrr.

Okay - off to accomplish a few things before school gets out - a late start to the day means a short day for mom!! Hope you guys (is anyone still out there??) stay warm and enjoy your day!!

Snow Day

Well, it's snowing here - but just barely. I do hope we have some accumulation - just to make the snow day, and missing work, worth it!! Right now, there are some big flakes falling and Cole is excited. I was happy that it was going to snow since he's excited about it. He wants to go out and make a snowman, snow angels, and have a snowball fight. I'm assuming we won't get that much snow, though. But, the last two times it snowed, he wasn't interested at all!! Last year, didn't step outside in the snow and the year before, made it about 3 minutes and wanted to go back inside and watch tv.

So, hopefully we'll have a good bit - enough to take some fun pictures, at least!! I have a million things I could be doing with the day off, but just sort of want to hang out with my kid. Unfortunately, he just wants to watch tv and play (not with me). I'm hoping we can play the Wii in a bit - it's usually hard for him to say no to that.

Tons of crafty projects in my mind, but little to no crafting is occuring. Maybe this weekend I'll get some things finished. I will be making cards for St. Jude!! But, I'm also hoping that I can finish up some things I've already started on. I have two wreaths - one is 1/3 finished and one is 90% done. I have some canvases I wanted to paint. Haven't even touched the Christmas mini album I've started. Ordered prints for some layouts though - so maybe they'll show up soon and I'll actually scrapbook. There's a Guest DT Call I wanted to submit for, but my procrastinating has prevented me from actually doing it. Two days left - so maybe I'll get around to it, but, you know............there's snow coming...........so maybe not!!

Off to do some laundry and dishes - clean up a bit for the big game tonight!! Roll Tide!!

Happy 2010!

I seriously have had about a gajillion things running through my mind that I have wanted to blog about. Sadly, none of those things have made it out of my mind and through my keyboard to you. So I'm attempting to work on that this week - getting some things out of my head, making room for more things!

I saw this on my friend Nubia's blog - and it made me want to go ahead and post about it and get the thoughts I had in my head about St. Jude out on the paper! When I first started thinking about posting about St. Jude again, it was November, and we'd just been there for a quick check up. The thing that made me want to post here was this:



This is the room that Brad Paisley designed for the Target House in Memphis. The Target House is the place where the families stay when they are in Memphis for more than 90 days. They have two giant buildings on this property that the Catholic Diocese sold to them for $1 - the property, not the buildings. The Target House has rooms designed/decorated by Amy Grant, Scott Hamilton, Tiger Woods, The Jonas Brothers, Shaun White and now Brad Paisley.

This particular room is awesome! Tons of western stuff, a cool pool table, gaming systems, big tv's, and tons of memorabilia from Brad and his wife. Very Cool!! Cole loved it - he absolutely loves Brad Paisley!!

One of the things I wanted to share here has become a bigger deal to me since all this stuff with Tiger Woods. First - I don't know what he really did, and don't care - it's sad for his family, but that's as far as my opinion goes. Second - my point - celebrities do so many good things - they give of their time and their money and their love to so many different places and people and NONE of that is ever in the spotlight. NEVER!! I mean, the Tiger Woods room at the Target House is really nice - I'm not sure how much time he put in himself to decorating it - but hey, it's there because of him. But, no one knows that if they haven't been there, playing a board game in the Tiger Woods Library! Why isn't that important enough to make the news? Why do magazines and online sites and news programs always choose to tell the bad stuff? The stuff that would never make the news if it were just some John Doe or Jane Doe, who had been cheating on their spouse. Anyway - I wish there was a different way things like that were handled. Why do celebrities not want it known that they do good things - things that aren't about politics, at least. I know a family that had a personal visit from J.J. Yeley and Faith Hill. When J.J. Yeley visited them, the newspaper did a write up and it was posted for all to read. That's a good thing!! I don't think it's about showing celebrities doing good things, just to get publicity. I think people just need to see good positive examples. I mean, we don't get tons of positive examples from celebrities - so why not point out those good things, so we'll see something positive. What if some young girl sees some famous female star spending time with sick kids and suddenly instead of thinking she's not skinny enough, or pretty enough, she's thinking she could do something to help - she could make a difference. I don't think that's a bad thing at all!!

And I also wanted to talk about the whole Thanks and Giving campaign that St. Jude does during the Holiday season - but it's a bit too late to tell you where to shop to help St. Jude, since the season is over. But, here's something you can do - go visit www.stjude.org and click on the shop button. They have some really really cute things in their gift shop! They have tons of seasonal items - Valentine's is right around the corner and they'll have some cute stuff!! Their Christmas and Halloween is clearanced now - so go check it out! It's hard this time of year to just give money to a charitable organization. We're all just getting over Christmas, and besides, our economy stinks. But, if you have to buy a gift anyway - why not buy somewhere where the money helps someone - helps kids, helps my kid.

So - those were my St. Jude thoughts!! I'm not sure what took me so long to actually post it. But better late than never. Now - click that link up there - and check this out:



I'll be working on some cards this week and hopefully getting them in the mail really fast! I hope you'll do the same!! Thanks for reading and hanging in there through all this babble!!