Do Not Forget...

Love love love this time of year! I always have. There is so much joy, wonder, and just all-around jolliness...well most of the time, anyway. From the Christmas songs on the radio, to the stores bustling and sparkling with festive decor and don't forget the Hallmark Christmas movies, Christmastime just makes me downright happy! But for some at this time of year, it is almost unbearable. During this time of family and togetherness, some are haunted by lonliness and unimaginable heartbreak. I was reminded of this by reading a fellow CF mom's blog (you may remember me talking about Sarah who lost her 7 year old son Conner to CF earlier this year) that this can be the most painful time of the year. http://notsobrightandshiny.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-most-wonderful-time-of-year.html
I mention this because this post made me stop and really just think about the people I pass as I go along my daily business as I'm gaily humming "The Little Drummer Boy". Who among those people are included in this category? Ever since I read Sarah's sweet words I have thought about how I can reach out to them. I know there is no magical answer but I think praying for them, and offering up simple acts of love and kindness like making someone smile, offering a helping hand, being patient and kind, and just stepping outside of myself to see their hurting heart could be a start. So while we have been decking the halls and singing jolly Christmas tunes, trying to create wonderful memories for Reese, I will not forget those who long for the touch of their loved ones, and I hope you won't forget either. As Sarah states, "All I ask I guess is this Holly Jolly Christmas Season take a moment to touch someones life. Greatly. More than buying a present…TAKE TIME TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEIR HURTING SOUL…so many people are walking zombies of pain…and truly there is no feeling like it in the world…"

So, with that being said, as I mentioned, we have been busy decking the halls and enjoying getting in the Christmas spirit. Reese is loving it! She is in awe of the pretty lights and recognizes Santa, or "Sana" as she calls him. These things are all great, but let's also not forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Here are a few pictures of us putting up the tree!

Notice in this picture Reese has on a different shirt. Yeah, the Hallmark Christmas moment I was hoping to have with the hot chocolate didn't work out as I had envisioned. Reese took one drink of her "warm" chocolate and spit it out all over her shirt. Oh well...we still had fun!

Thanksgiving.

As we approach one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, it's only natural for me to take some time to reflect on the things I am thankful for. I will be honest...while I thought I felt thankful last year at this time, I don't think I really had the deep thankfulness and joy I feel this year. Just to mention a few things I am thankful for...
*I am thankful for our loving Father, who shows me His love and mercy every single day.
*I am thankful for my amazing husband, who would do anything for me and Reese and always makes me laugh.
*I am thankful for our perfectly darling daughter, who lights up my life in a way I never knew possible.
*I am thankful for my family. We love all of you and when I say we could not do it without you, I whole-heartedly mean that.
*I am thankful for the advances there have been in medicine and our care team. Because of these advances and our awesome care team, Reese is healthy and able to live a "normal" life!
*I am thankful for my friends. I truly could not have ask for better friends and love and appreciate each one of you.
*I am thankful for all of the CF mommies I have been able to connect with. Ladies...you are sometimes the only reason I don't have a nervous breakdown or go completely insane! It's such a blessing to be included in the network of friends I have found in these fabulous moms.
*I am thankful for all of the BEYOND BELIEVABLE support we had for Team Reese this year. What an honor to have so many in our corner.
Ok...it's starting to sound like I'm making a speech at the Academy Awards so I will stop there but I just wanted to touch on some of the most important things I am thankful for...although rest assured, the list is plentiful!

Along the lines of CF mommies...in the beginning of November I was able to go on a mini-vacation to Mesa, AZ to visit my closest longtime friend from my childhood, Shannon, and I had the opportunity to meet in person one of my most cherished CF mom's, Rachel. I met Rachel through Shannon when Reese was first diagnosed. I have mentioned her on this blog before and I just hold such a special place in my heart for her and love her to pieces. Her little guy Asher, who is 3, also has CF. We had so much fun together and it was such a joy to spend time with Shannon and her family as well.


My forever friend, Rachel!


Shanny, Rachel and me


A toast to friendship! Love you, Shannon!


The view from the top of Camelback Mountain...STUNNING!


Tough girls...some things never change.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010...I hope you all find much to be thankful for!

Happy Halloween!

tRiCk - Or- TrEaT!

Halloween 2010...fun, fun, fun! We went to Emery to help my mom and dad move back into their house (after a 3 month rennovation) so we decided we would just stay and go trick-or-treating there. We only hit up a few houses but it was so fun to watch Reese toddle around in her little Tigger costume. Last year she was too little to really know what was going on, so this year was much more fun as she totally dug the concept of knocking on someone's door dressed up as Tigger and in return, getting gobs and gobs of candy. Hey, smart kid! I'm sad I didn't get more pictures of her, but let's just say she wasn't feeling in the mood to pose for picture...she had things to do! Hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween!