Pictures!

Here are some pictures of us loving spring time. Hope you're all doing well!

I've been tagged...

This is kinda fun--I have never been tagged before in blog world so here we go......
I am: A mom, wife, teacher and friend
I think: about Arianna and summer
I know: I am loved
I want: to be debt free
I wish: it was June...school would be done :)
I hate: spiders and pizza hut pizza
I miss: my grandma and grandpa
I fear: losing Arianna or Jason
I feel: tired!
I hear: right now? 30 kids trying to frantically get their papers done
I smell: cafeteria food...
I crave: time and sleep
I search: for "me" time
I regret: when I get angry
I love: my husband, my baby, my Lord, my mom, my dad, my sisters and brothers, my friends and the list goes on and on.....

I ache: when I know Arianna is in pain or sad
I care: the future of the world
I always: check in on Arianna before bed
I am not: empathetic. I have a hard time feeling sorry for people, just ask Jason ;)

I believe: in Jesus! and in myself
I dance: all the time
I sing: in the car...always
I cry: not too often, but when I'm just too tired
I fight: for what I believe in
I write: comments on papers for students, journal, blog and email
I win: not much...not too athletic :)
I lose: almost everything. But, that's okay.
I never: sleep for an entire night...I have insomnia
I confuse: my student's names...I have lots of twins this year
I listen: to Arianna's babbling
I can usually be found: in my car or in my living room
I am scared: of spiders...for the future
I need: love, ice cream and McDonald's french fries
I am happy about: there are only 30 days of school left
I hope: when I leave this earth, people will be proud that they knew me
I am tagging: Laura, Kristin, Wendi, Kristi and Jayme

Have you ever....

Have you ever heard someone's life story and thought...wow, that's amazing. I just got home from my uncle's funeral, no wait, actually it was a celebration. I hate that word, funeral. It's so formal and yucky sounding. I like celebration so much better. That's what this was, a celebration. We celebrated the fact that as Christians we are saved. My uncle, lived his entire life to serve our Christ. I guess I didn't realize that until tonight. I always knew that he was totally into his faith and he loved the Lord, but his witness...it never dawned on me until tonight. When it was too late for me to tell him that he inspires me. My uncle's one wish, even on his death bed, was that we would never stop telling others about the love of Christ. He was never bitter or angry that he had this crappy cancer handed to him. He never complained...and he knew. He knew this cancer was going to take his life. But, because of that...he witnessed more. He seized every opportunity that he had to witness. Wow. I don't always do that. I'm afraid. Not him...he served. He wanted others to be able to celebrate death. He wanted others to know the love of Christ. He inspires me. He makes me want to do more. In his passing...he makes me want to be a better witness. He would be so happy to hear me say that. So, have you ever...have you ever listened to someone's life story and thought...wow, I could do that. I should do that. I need to do that. I had that tonight. So, thank you Uncle Fred. You will be missed. But, even in passing...you are still a witness. I know that he's dancing with Jesus right now. Beautiful.

quick update

First of all, thank you to all who were praying. Yes, Arianna's surgery yesterday was a huge success. The doctor said that there was a significant amount of infected fluid behind both ears and that it was a good thing we did tubes. Arianna did have a hard time "waking" up after the surgery and cried for a LONG time, but overall by afternoon she was feeling good. She slept great last night and was happy this morning. I have pictures to post and I will do that as soon as I get a free moment. Also, thank you for the prayers concerning my uncle. For those of you who have not heard, my uncle passed away to glory this past Sunday evening. He fought cancer and although, lost the earthly battle, he won the race. As a family we mourn his death, but as Christians we rejoice in his passing on to heaven...free of cancer and pain. Thank you for all your support in the past. Please continue to pray for my aunt and cousins as they adjust and mourn. The celebration of my uncle's life will be held this Wednesday. Thank you again!

New Hair Cut?!

Okay, I've wanted to get my hair cut for a VERY long time...and I think I'm ready to do it. However, I cannot decide on what I want...so, please vote. Look at the pictures below and let me know what you think! The lady in orange - style 1. The lady lying down - style 2. The close-up - style 3 Leave my hair as is - final option! :)

PLEASE VOTE!

Please...

I'm asking for prayers. Arianna's tube surgery is coming up on Monday and I'm getting very anxious. I KNOW it's not a huge surgery and that she'll be fine, but for some reason...I can't get rid of the pit in my stomach! I'm not an anxious person or a worrier so these feelings are very foreign for me...if you could all please pray for peace for me I would really appreciate it. Also, pray that it goes well. THANKS!

Spring Break '08

This year for spring break we decided to visit Jason's family in Iowa. We took the Amtrak train so we wouldn't have to drive and Arianna wouldn't have to be in a car seat. It was a good experience, except for the trip home. I won't get into details, let's just say it turned out to be a VERY long day. Other than that, it was a fun trip and his parents loved seeing Arianna. They have not seen her since her birthday party in December! They were amazed at how much she's grown and how big she is! Of course, we took LOADS of pictures. These are just a few of my favorites...

Arianna LOVED grandma and grandpa's dog, Sammie. He loved her too. Followed her around everywhere. We also went to the big swingset down the street. She loved exploring..

This last pictures sums up our trip...fun but exhausting. Traveling with a one-year old, not always easy, but totally worth it.

Back from the ENT

We went to the ENT today and he agreed that tubes were our best bet. So, April 21 Arianna will be getting tubes in her ears. I'm relieved and worried. It's just a "simple" procedure...as they say, but it's still my baby! :) Thank you for all your prayers and comments.
Also, an item of praise. If any of you have been looking at the blog "Confessions of a Cystic Fibrosis Husband" his wife, Tricia JUST went in for a double lung transplant. If you want to keep updated (and praying) for this amazing family, check out the blog!
Hope you're all doing well and enjoying spring weather!

3.31.08

Update on Arianna's 15 month check up. She weighed 24lbs and was 31 inches long. She's in the 75th percentile for both. She's healthy and happy. Her eyes are good and her teeth are good. However, she STILL HAS A DOUBLE EAR INFECTION! We go to the ENT tomorrow (Wednesday) and our pediatrician said that he would really recommend tubes, so we'll see what the ENT has to say. She has not had a "clear ear" check-up since October. That makes me so sad. I'm hoping that the ENT will have some answers tomorrow....I'll keep you all posted!

Organ Donation

The last few weeks have made me see the value in organ donation. My friend's husband (who is hopefully getting the trach put in today) is in need of a set of good lungs. I realized that if something (God forbid) would ever happen to me that I would want to give the gift of life and help someone else out who could live. If you are interested in doing the same, check out this web site. It only takes one minute and it could save someone's life...
http://donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/