Just Talked To My Aunt

and she is in wonderful spirits. The surgery went well and the broken vertebrae was successfully removed. Malignancy was found, but to the best of their knowledge, it has not metastasised. That is fabulous news! She is suppose to receive a visit from an Oncologist today to discuss how to proceed with treatment.

Besides that visit, her big plans are to get out of bed and try to walk. Walking helps with the healing process as well as makes her release from the hospital a faster reality. Her hope is to be allowed to go home tomorrow or Saturday.

She wants me to thank each and everyone one of you for all of your wonderful prayers and warm wishes. It really does make her feel so much stronger to know that so many people are lifting her up with their healing prayers.

Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to help my family. Now I am going to sign off from my computer for a little bit to spend some quality time with my loved ones. I will be back soon...

Hugs...

Prayers And Warm Thoughts Request - (UPDATE)

I would like to ask for some prayers and warm thought for my Aunt Mary Ann.


[This is a picture of her braiding Kyla's hair shortly after Bryleigh was born]

For the past 7+ months, she has been having some problems with her back. She has gone to alot of Doctors appointments without no real success.

This past Sunday, she could not get up and was in a great amount of pain. After an hour of not being able to move, my Uncle called EMS. They took her to the local Emergency Room where she was examined and finally admitted to the hospital for further tests.

Yesterday, several rounds of tests were performed, including a CT Scan. It was determined that she (in my Aunt's words) "broke her back", but there is concern that cancer may also be part of the problem. A 45 minute MRI was scheduled, but she is claustrophobic and could not handle it. From what my Uncle says, it has been rescheduled, probably for today, and she will be sedated during the process.

Back Surgery has also been scheduled for tomorrow at noon. Hopefully the broken bone(s) situation will be corrected and the search for Cancer will be negative.

I have been told that she is in good spirits, has good color and is thinking positively, but still has breakthrough pain between her medications.

Please pray for her safe and speedy recovery as well as relief from the pain. She recently retired from her job with plans of relaxing at home, enjoying her grandchildren, and taking care of her mother (my grandma) who just moved in.

I will try to post an update as soon as I get one.

Thanks in advance for all of your time.

The power of prayer is an awesome thing!


(Just wanted to give out a quick update...as of right now, we are still waiting for news. I will post as soon as I hear something. Please continue to pray. When I told my Aunt about all the wonderful comments and prayer around the world for her...she started to cry. Thank you all so much!)

Before I Try This...

I just want to know if anyone else has tried it, much less even heard of it?

~~~

During a browse on Another Online Mom's site, I came across this recent post and stopped cold in my tracks. Could this possible work?

Not sure about the rest of you, but I am not the type of mom to have lots of time on my hands to go out and have someone else pamper me. I usually shower when the girls are sleeping and give myself a quick clear polish pedicure so that you cannot see the mess-ups...so if this stuff



works on removing unwanted body hair in very sensitive places without the need for sharp blades and itchy, ingrown hairs...I will be one happy lady!

You are suppose to take some of the powder and mix it with a little water until it forms a thick past. Then you spread it on the treatment area and let it sit for five minutes. Next, you take a spoon and scrape it off...leaving behind super smooth skin with no razor burn.

Should I try it? Or should I wait to hear back from Another Online Mom about her experience or wait and see if some blog lurker comments with her story.

Wonder if it will also work on underarms, legs, etc?

I hear that you can get it pretty cheap in the hair color section of places like Target and Walmart. I have also heard that it smells pretty bad, but doesn't Nair!?!

Blog Train Tuesday - (Updated)

Care to join us?

I learned about it from this post...and then had to head over to here and here to get all the necessary details and directions.

So, now that you know the background, are you jumping on board too?



And for all of my Blog Train Guests...

Sit down for a glass of wonderful tasting Southern Sweet Tea



and some yummy Homemade Cheese Straws



while you read a little about me.

Two Weeks From Today...

my first born baby girl will be enjoying her first day of Kindergarten...and I will be crying my eyes out!

Recently, we attended Kindergarten Round-up where she was able to visit the school and meet some of the teachers. During the event, she enjoyed sitting at a desk...



as well as some circle time...



I begged & pleaded with the principle to ensure that her cousin, K-K, is in the same class. Figured that it would make the transition a little easier for the two of them. I only had to agree to be the Class Mom, as well as volunteer for PTA duty.

Poor Kadence is going to be as sad as I am with the older kids being back in school.



Guess that means that Bryleigh, her, & I will have to join a local MOMs Club to keep us busy while class is in session.



Can you believe that three out of the five kids will now be in Elementary School? Where did the time go?

Did You See The News?

Midwestern Mommy does not have cancer! All of our prayers and good thoughts are working. According to the update, the medical professionals still do not know exactly what is wrong with her, but whatever it is, it appears to be fixable.

In her latest post, she also wrote a thank you to everyone "out there" who has helped...



Now I don't know about the rest of you, but wouldn't it be great if everyone could receive a "No You Don't Have Cancer" diagnosis.

Team Midwestern Mommy - Please Keep Her In Your Thougths & Prayers

Please take the time to visit and leave a comment for Midwestern Mommy. She just received a cancer diagnosis and was immediately hospitalized. She is currently undergoing tests and procedures.

A bloggin' buddy created this button for her.



The power of positive thoughts and prayers can do incredible things...

Wordless Wednesday

Have You Seen This Yet?

Not only is the University Of Florida know for their athletic abilities...but now we are the # 1 Party School too...



Some things never change....



Only 1 month and 2 days until Gator Football 2008 starts! Cannot wait! Let the games begin!

My Monday

has turned into a give-away search. And I found another one that I have to post about...

Go to Bunny Chic Boutique...



she is giving away a $100 gift certificate to Fairy Tale Jewels



And it looks like you can also sign up on the Fairy Tale blog too! Her blog lists a $150 gift certificate! Imagine the fun things I could buy with $250! Not sure about the rest of you, but my two little girls would love to have more jewelry to wear!

(Maybe if I spend all day entering contest, then I might actually win something?!?!)

Another Give Away - Jillian, Inc.'s 2 Year Blogiversary

And I have to join in the fun.



She is having 2 give-aways each day, Monday - Friday, this week.

I'll probably sign up every day...and not win a thing! But a girl can dream, right?

JoJo's Place - 500th Post Blog Party

So, I am signing up for JoJo's 500th Post Blog Party and wanted to invite you all to join in the fun.



She has so many great prizes with a total value of over $1300. From tomorrow, July 28th, until Sunday, August 3rd, she will be giving away 4 prizes each day.

Hope to see you over there.

Pictures From The Hannah Montana 3-D Concert Viewing Party

Well, Kyla hosted her first party. We had 5 screaming girls and 2 boys trying to act "indifferent" to the concert excitement.

Ky picked selected her outfit days ago.



Dylan modeled his glasses.



Mikey reluctantly wore his.



My daddy's girl even had her own personal glasses holder.



Front row seats as the singing begins.



Aunt Tina even got into the action with her own pair of 3-D glasses.



The kids danced...



And jumped on the furniture...



And posed for the camera...



And made silly faces.



Kyla and her daddy even had a special dance number...



complete with a twist...



and a lift! Impressive, don't you think?



And as the credits rolled, so did the tears.



Hopefully she will be so exhausted that she willingly falls into bed. I seriously doubt it, but a mom can hope.

Are You Prepared?

We are.

The



are waiting on the coffee table.

The



is waiting to be devoured.

And the



is waiting to be worn.



8:00 pm is that magical hour when I get to see my little girls (and boy) dance and sing to their favorite performer.

And to quote this performer...

It is "the best of both worlds" for me to watch.

Enjoy the concert.

A Favorite Family Tradition - Donuts With Papa

When I was a little girl, one of my most favorite things to do was go to the local donut shop with my grandpa. I use to tell him that I was going to work at a donut shop when I was older so that I could be his server. I even remember what he would always order...two old fashion cake donuts and a cup of black coffee. I always had a powered sugar covered jelly filled donut and hot chocolate with whipped cream & a maraschino cherry.

I also remember my father taking my sisters and me on "special dates". The four of us would get up early Saturday morning and eat donuts-on-sticks or donut holes and drink orange juice and chocolate milk. The three of us girls always looked forward to those wonderful times with Daddy.

Now that tradition continues with my children and my nieces & nephew. Donut "credit cards" are their favorite things to give Papa.

This morning, the kids and I enjoyed creating more memories with Papa.













Bryleigh wasn't sure what to do with her donut hole...



But once she had a taste...Pop! It was gone!



Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Now go out and create some wonderful memories with your loved ones.