Miracles...........

I believe that prayers are answered and they come in the form of small miracles.........they just aren't always the miracles we had hoped for.

My Uncle Bob received the miracle he had prayed for..........he passed away on Friday........less than 2 years after the onset of his symptoms and only weeks after receiving the news that he had ALS. This disease would have slowly stripped my uncle of any movement and left him with seized muscles, unable to speak, and slowly suffocating. For a former athelete and someone who never wanted to compromise his quality of life, it was the worst possible scenario. However, in a strange twist, while he was still able to walk and complete most tasks himself, his breathing was the first thing to go. It was sudden and unexpected, but we are comforted by the fact that he would have wanted it this way.

We spent this weekend with his family, remembering Bob, his life, his convictions and his love for his wife, children and grandchild. We laughed, cried and celebrated the man that he was.

I will miss you always. Cheers, Uncle Bob.

First, let me say that I've had some time ..... and it's amazing the perspective that you can achieve just by giving yourself the shortest amount of time to think things through. Thank you again for all of the kind words. It means so much to have the support of my friends.

Secondly, the countdown has begun! It's back to school time!!! Both of the boys are sooooo excited....for my youngest, it's his first year! Wow...how time flies! How can they both be in school already!?!? This will certainly be an interesting year for our family.....lots of change and adjustment.........

Speaking of how time flies....check out my DS then and now.......

What a cutie, eh!? Where does the time go?

cheers!

To all of you............

Thank you!!! From the bottom of my heart....thank you.

Why...........

We received the news this weekend that we had been suspecting, but dreading to hear. My uncle, who has been struggling with an undetermined illness for 2 years, has ALS. This disease will slowly attack his nervous system until he is unable to move and eventually even breathe. He is struggling with his mobility and his breathing has already become laboured. This is a monstrous diagnosis for a wonderful man.

I am struggling, now, to put into words how I feel about my uncle Bob. This should not be happening to him. While some people neglect their children and disregard their grandchildren, this man treats us as his own. To watch him with my kids, you would never know that they were not his own grandchildren. He is supportive and loving and has devoted his life to his family. He commented to me that he keeps thinking that this is a nightmare that he will wake up from........This is not fair.

so, my question is why? Why THIS man........why not the self-centered and ignorant man....... why not the man who neglects his own children and grandchildren.....why not the man who puts down others to make himself look better....why not the man who plays favorites between his children and grandchildren, and breeds bitterness and pain........it may sound cruel, but why not THAT man?

I am angry. I don't understand the 'plan'. Those who inspire love and support others, are made to suffer and are taken from us too early, while those who breed hatred and are spiteful and bitter, live without incident. It is too early for me to 'understand'......last night I cried......I still want to cry....but first I must feel this anger, and endure this incredible sadness.......

1 more thing.......

You MUST get this book by Memory Makers!!!



It is filled with tons of ideas and comes with a CD of additional stuff!!!!! Check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stole this off Patti's blog!

............and she got it from Patticake's BLOG and she got it from Kimmie's BLOG.
The ABC tag game...
[A is for age:] 36
[B is for booze of choice:] I'm not fussy........LOL......I do love Mohitos!
[C is for career:] self-employed / sleeping with the boss
[D is for your dog's name:] Coleman....yes, after the camp stove.......LOL
[E is for essential items you use everyday] deodorant, toothbrush, hair brush, lip balm, creme
[F is for favorite song at the moment:] Rhianna's "S.O.S."
[G is for favorite game:] Euchre.
[H is for hometown:] Warkworth.............I have no further comment
[I is for instruments you play] I used to play the piano....it's a bit of a stretch now....
[J is for jam or jelly you like:] seedless strawbery
[K is for kids?] yes, 2
[L is for last kiss]My DS
[M is for moma's job:] retired RN
[N is for name of your crush:] Will Smith
[O is for overnight hospital stays]Tonsils, back surgery, 2 births, hosiptalization of DS for pneumonia and hospitalization of DS for infection.......
[P is for phobias:] spiders
[Q is for quotes you like:] "If you want to be happy, BE!"
[R is your relationship that lasted the longest]:12 years ............
[S is for sexual preference:] ??........um, yeah..........I prefer to have a lot of it..................
[T is for time you wake up:] 6:00 a.m
[U is for underwear:] yes, I wear it...........BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAhaahahahahaha
[V is for vegetables you love]: broccoli, red pepper, zucchini,
[W is for worst habit:] eating when I'm stressed or bored
[X is for x-rays you've had] broken arm, back (herneated vertebrae), broken leg, dentals......
[Y is for yummy food you make] Pad Thai, lasagne, BBQ beans, ........oh I love to cook!!!!!
[Z is for zodiac sign:] I'm pisces but I so totally do not follow that stuff.

who's next?

hello again

I know....I've been away too long......summer is brutal that way!!!!!!!!! July and August are my focus-on-my-kids months and keep-them-busy-while-school-is-out time. We've been enjoying fabulous weather and hangin' outside most of the time! We had a week of holidays as a family, at the end of July, and chilled together by the pool.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things in Septmeber......it's nice to have the summer break but its also great to get back into the groooooove!!!! I completed my first official month of LOs for my new DT gig and am having a blast with the girls there! Here's a little sample of my august designs...........

I'm really excited about September's kit.....it's gonna be new CHA stuff.....TOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great long weekend it was here! We entertained friends and had a super-kewl street party on Sunday!!! I betcha there was over 300 people here!!!!!!!!! The DJ played the best combo of dance, latin and hip hop.......I had sooooo much fun dancing! My head still hurts slightly and I'm avoiding the sun.......must be something I ate (wink). This party takes place every year and we raise money for the cancer society. It's a huge success, and a ton of fun to boot!!!!!!!! I just can't wait for next year's bash!!!

Keep cool!