100 Hours

This weekend, we broke 100 hours on our boat ... 100 hours of GREAT fun and WONDERFUL memories!

As I reflect on the past year, I try to look beyond the dark days and remember all of the fun I've had ... the abundant blessings God has given to me ... many of which have taken place on the water with the very best of friends and our amazing family.

This weekend was no different.  We had the opportunity to share another beautiful day on Lake Allatoona with special friends ... and their kiddos ...

Kayla, Whitney, and Maddie

For many, many years, Scott and I shopped boats.  We knew that someday we would be boat owners ourselves ... and the timing could not have been better.  Our days on the water have helped me weather the storm ... and left a rainbow through the clouds  ... a true gift from God that has brought so much happiness into our lives ...

Here's to 100 hours ... and another 100,000 ...

Cuts for the Cure

Two weeks ago today, we had our first BIG fundraiser.  It was held at Nuance Salon in Roswell.  What an AMAZING day it was ...

It all began many months ago when one of my friends, Chelsea, contacted the salon owner ... just looking for a donation.  Instead, Linda offered to open her salon ... with several of her stylists ... for a GREAT day of FUN and fundraising.  On Monday, June 4th, we all met at the salon and put on an event to remember ... AND we raised $1399 for Team Princess Warriors ...

Linda (right) after providing one of many ADORABLE cuts!

Justin, Brooke & Me

The stylists at Nuance salon provided WONDERFUL haircuts and PERFECT service ... everyone involved, including my team, made Cuts for the Cure something I will always remember ... 

Jenny, Ella & Me

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to each and every person that made this event happen.  Thank you to everyone that came out support this great cause.  And, thank you, thank you, thank you to Linda and Justin ... and everyone that opened their hearts at Nuance Salon ... you are a VERY special group of people and I feel blessed to have met you all ...

Here's to Linda ... to Justin ... and to my team ... 

The BEST Day Ever

What is the BEST day ever?

For some people, the very best day of each year falls on the day they were born ... an opportunity to celebrate life ... open gifts ... eat cake ...

For me, EVERY day is the BEST day ever.  Of course, it wasn't always that way.  Before cancer, I didn't  always recognize the beauty in each day.  Now, though, it doesn't take a birthday ... I know now that, with each passing day, I am blessed ... beyond measure ...

On this birthday, though, I did celebrate with my family ... and we did eat cake ...

This year, the cake was better than ever before!  It was a PERFECT symbol of the past year ... and everything that happened to me ... to us ...

It completely fell apart ... before we even had the chance to eat it!

Now, the cake is gone ... along with my cancer!  NO MORE falling apart ... it is time to continue to rebuild our lives ... BIGGER and BETTER than EVER!

So, GOODBYE 34 ... HELLO 35 ... 

Happy Birthday to ME!

Growing Up

As I look back through my blog and the entries I've written about my children, I realize how quickly they are growing up ... and how blessed I am to be here to be a part of their lives ...

Maddie will be nine at the end of this year and, each day, it seems that she grows even more.  In recent weeks, I have really noticed how "old" she seems ... how thoughtful she is ... how beautifully she smiles ... and how very proud I am of  her.  Maddie has handled these past several months with grace, with understanding, and with love ... and I could not be more honored to call myself her mom ...

Maddie & Me

Andrew will be starting school this fall and I really cannot believe that his kindergarten year is almost here.  He has grown into such a smart little guy ... one that makes me smile, makes me laugh, and never ceases to surprise me.  Each day, Andrew finds a special way of bringing joy into my life like no one else can ... and I love him to the moon and back ...

How can that face NOT make you smile?

Tonight, and always, I give thanks to God for my beautiful children ... and for all of the happiness they bring into my life ...

Medusa

This afternoon, I took my little guy to Target to spend his preschool graduation money.  Of course, at first glance, his selection is completely appropriate and totally expected ...

ANOTHER monster truck ... SHOCKER!  But, when you take a closer look, you will see why this monster truck is something special ...

MADUSA is an acronym for Making a Difference in the USA and this edition is covered in pink ribbons.  For our family, that ribbon will always have special meaning.  I was touched when Andrew told me, "It's a breast cancer truck ... I want it because of you."

Here's to Andrew ... and Madusa ...