I AM STILL A BLOGGER and AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ON CREW

                              

I am still a BLOGGER, just a very BAD one.  So many days I have sat down at the computer ready to share my current life, only to have writers block.  I have so many posts in my head, in my heart, just not typed out.   

This has been the YEAR of CHANGE in our lives.  With Amanda and Micah and the boys moving to Katy, life has been anything but normal. 

And I love NORMAL.  It is no secret to anyone that I HATE CHANGE. 

This change equaled none I had ever faced.  I have failed miserably at this test.  MISERABLY.  I have never experienced physical pain that compared to the heart pain I have had this year. 

Parker and Jack were as much a part of our family on a daily basis as Jack and I are.  And then they were gone.  Five hours away and neither like to talk on the phone.  Just imagine me on my knees praying "God, please give them a love for the phone."  Instead I would hear in the background, "Is it Grammy?"  Meaning neither wanted to have to talk.      SIGH!! then CRY! 

Parker and his Beautiful Mom

JACK GRADUATING FROM PRESCHOOL

A FUNNY BOY

Jack and his Mom

We did get to visit in May and see Parker, who by the way will be 14 on Monday, be inducted into the National Honor Society

Wow, it took my breath away.  Fourteen years ago his teenage Mom committed herself to raise a little baby and she has done an amazing job.  

Parker and Jack (his POP) on his induction night.  Two National Honor Society Members. 

Jack is still Jack.  So many of you have emailed me and said you miss Jack stories.  I promise some soon. 



Tonight please focus on CREW.  So many of you have grown to love him through this blog.  Tuesday is his BIG SURGERY.   


Strong and READY

   

He is SO Precious

Instead of me explaining the surgery, I am going to use Maries words to me this week.   

They will  be reimplanting his ureters through his bladder and repairing his bladder neck. He will have stints coming out of his belly through his bladder into his kidneys. Its risky at his age. Also its risky because his quality of life rides on it. If it works to keep him from renal failure, its successful. If his kidney/bladder infections, kidneys and blood pressure decline, its unsuccessful. If unsuccessful, they will pull his ureters to the skin and create a new type of exstrophy. At around 5 years old they would build a bigger bladder. That means he would have to cath himself everyday, and I would until he could. So its really stressful. We a dreading this surgery so much more than the previous ones, besides the first. We were told to plan to stay at least a week. So who knows really. We've been told lots of things that don't ever happen. It will be a long surgery.  But we are trying to stay positive the best we can. Hope your doing well!
All my love...
Marie


We made a deal that she has permission ANYTIME to vent to me late at night or anytime for that matter....It's is so hard on her and a 24-7 job, plus three other small children ...this was one message just so that you know she is struggling....

His blood pressure is still hard to control, and they fear a stroke. His kidney disease is irreversible so there's nothing they can do for that. He is pretty miserable but still tries to play and smile, which breaks my heart. He's such a good boy, I wish I could be better for him.  I have a hard to showing my weaknesses. I'm just so far past that point I've cried to strangers lately. I love you.

This next week please ask God to give Marie strength, energy, peace, and assurance that he has Crew in his hands.  I cannot imagine handing him off to the doctors Tuesday morning.  If you get a chance send her a short note. 
mariemorris21@gmail.com



One more thing...I know some of you are wondering...I have been getting email...Am I still juicing? 
YES
I have not missed a day in 18 weeks.  Even that blows my mind. 
But the good news is Jack is too. The last three weeks were filled with cardiac and pulmonary tests (just check-ups) !  His numbers were so improved that even his doctors were a little shocked. Really shocked.  His EF was up 12 points. All his breathing tests were in the doctors words, remarkably BETTER.  All I am going to say is THE ONLY THING we have done DIFFERENT is JUICE.  

I have so many other things to share.  Ashley Adams needs prayer.  One of my ELVES has a little two year old girl, Casyn Claire,  that has been diagnosed with 
Familial Mediterranean Fever.  It was confirmed at Texas Children's Hospital this week. Please pray for her.  It's an ugly disease that little is known about. 

ON A HAPPY NOTE
One of my dearest friends has just started blogging...
PLEASE go and VISIT HER.  Christi has the gift of writing.  She has three posts up and they are ALL THREE GOOD.  Tell her you are my friend.  She writes nice and neat and I write all over the place in every color. 

If you have not bought Amy Grant's new CD, it is worth every dime. 

MY GIRL TURNS 31

The winner of the giveaway will be at the bottom of this post….so stay tuned.

One of my first blog posts in Feb of 2009 was entitled “My Girl”! 
Since then  I have written numerous posts about my girl.  Here, here, here, here and here.

 I  don’t expect you to go and read these, but if you are new to the blog, you can catch up sometime. 
For a lot of reasons I don’t think you can  say “I am PROUD” too many times to your child.  I never heard that one time in my life. 

Most of you  know Amanda as Our Girl, the Mom of the BABY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING, mom to Jack aka Woody, wife to Micah, sister to Greg, sister-in-law to Dana, aunt to Austin and Gray.

Some of you know her as my girl that  had a baby her senior year in high school and is the greatest testament to the fact that an 18 year old single girl can be the GREATEST of Moms.
 
I get emails often from Moms that need to know how we did it and what they can do to survive teenage pregnancy.  I have a lot of suggestions but that’s not the purpose of this post…Email me if you need to talk.  annah99@aol.com

That gift Amanda gave us that May in 1999 was the greatest gift we ever received. 
Fast forward to today…when that gift from 1999 is 12…and his Mom will be 31 tomorrow.

She is happily married to the man of her dreams, She is his QUEEN. 
She has a love affair with two little men that others envy, is a full time nursing school student making all A’s, moving into the most beautiful new house this week. She has a husband that not only adores her but  loves Parker like his own. 
When I watch them together, I just have to whisper a prayer of thanks…

He has invested more time in fun things with Parker than I ever dreamed possible. There is no doubt in my mind that their relationship was God ordained…

Daily I see Micah teaching him how to be a man.  Then there is Jack, our wild and funny boy.  Thank you Amanda  for another incredible gift.  This past year on hard days, he has made me laugh.  His hugs are priceless…I guess he got that from his Dad.
  

Here is a glimpse of Amanda's life today!!!!!!!

   

                         

                    
            
     Happy Birthday Amanda!!!!!!
 Amanda is a name derived from    Latin, meaning "worthy of love."

I don’t think there is anything in life more rewarding than watching your own child raise amazing kids.


The winner of the giveaway is Debbie at Mama Bears Thoughts! Congratulations to you.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY GIRL

                      
I am lucky to have a daughter and a daughter-in-law that are both wonderful MOTHERS.  This post is to tell Amanda how over the top PROUD I am of her, especially this Mother’s Day.  The almost 12 year old PARKER above is the little boy that made her a Mom and me a Grammy years ago at the very young age of 18.  For the next 11 years she worked for a doctor and had a very good job, BUT she always wanted to go back to school and finish college. 

Fast forward to last October when her Dad had his stroke and something changed.  She encountered many nurses through our 6 week hospital stay and realized the difference a GOOD NURSE makes.  A few weeks later she first told her Dad and then me, that she was quitting her job and going back to school to become a nurse.  It was huge to give up a good job and an income. 

With Micah’s blessing and encouragement, she did just that. Took a HUGE leap of faith.   In January she enrolled in school and has studied until her eyeballs have almost fallen out.  She finished her first semester this week with all A’s and 1 very high B.  
I cannot tell you how proud we are of her.  She is going to be an awesome nurse. Staying home has given her a new lease on life. 

The extra amount of time she has gotten to spend with her boys has been the big BONUS.  She has even taken up golf and she and Micah play several times a week.  She is just HAPPY.  And that makes a Mom and Dad HAPPY. 

This little boy below, Jack aka Woody made her a Mom for the second time. 
This Man made her his QUEEN and shows his boys how to treat her everyday!
         
                     
           

           Happy Mother’s Day Amanda

Tomorrow I will get some new pictures of Dana with her boys and post them soon.  She is a great Mom and I am proud to call her my daughter-in-love. 

Remember there is a giveaway tomorrow….and because I need you to do something for me, I will give away another “Card Box” on Wednesday.  My little nephew is in a contest that I so want him to win. 

Would you please go to this link and vote for Sweet William.  You do not have to sign up, just click on his name and that’s it.

Come BACK HERE and tell me. Your name will go in the drawing for tomorrow and Wednesday.
 
http://exploretexarkana.com/pages/Contest/view/1

If you have not read this post on my other blog, it may be my most read post since I began blogging.  I am shocked at the email and all the requests to repost it..(be sure and turn the music down)
Happy Mother’s Day to all my blog friends. 

SOME DAYS YOU JUST NEED TO BRAG

This weekend was SPECIAL.  I am going to do a little bragging.  I spent the day with Amanda yesterday.  We went to the Junior League's Spring  Boutique  and shopped.  Then we had a long lunch and we talked.  We talked about life.
And it was good.  My girl is now a BEAUTIFUL woman, a wonderful wife, an amazing Mom and a daughter I am so proud of.  I grew up never knowing if my parents even liked me.  I never want my kids to wonder. 


(Have you noticed she has great hair and can wear it any way)?


Today I spent the day with Greg and his family.  I wish I had a picture of this…I missed Greg and Grayson for a few minutes and when
I found them, they had unmade my bed and were asleep.  Church clothes and all.    Later he helped me do all kinds of things around the house that I don’t really want Jack to do yet. …you know…those little things like change the flag outside to Easter, get the summer clothes out of the attic and put the winter clothes up, even went to storage with me and helped me move a van load of stuff home (he did not enjoy this and did not pretend he did).  He loves his family so much.  He is a wonderful Dad, a great husband, UNCLE is his other name, and a SON I am so proud of.
 



I have no idea how I would have survived the last five months without all their support and love.

(Micah and Dana…My Boy and My Girl could not have picked better partners in life.)
 
All four little's were here today.
I have some great pictures for tomorrow.  I am too tired to download them tonight.   Jack spent the night with us last night and I have a funny “Jack story” to share too.  Let’s just say I am a snail mail sender and  Jack FOUND my stamps.  There was not a happy ending to this story.  
Amanda and Micah played in a couple’s charity golf tournament today.  Amanda’s first tournament and she did good..and she looked SO CUTE.  And we all know that is as important as playing well.

I have a super busy week coming up, but as the weekend comes to a close, I am thankful for family. Thankful that family was in God’s plan. Thankful that I have the one I do. Thankful that for today we are OK. 
We have been through some rough waters recently, some scary days.  It was so nice to have a very ordinary weekend. I never want to take those for granted. 

PARKER’S DAD

(I posted this is on  A Baby Changes Everything yesterday and decided I would repost on my main blog)  There might just be someone that needs it today.)

I could not decide which blog I should post this on.  This is a post I have thought about writing many times.  A post that I will have run by Amanda before I post it.  There are things that are just family business, but I am hopeful this post will encourage someone.  I have received emails and comments about PARKER, THE BABY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING.  If you have read my blog for anytime you know Parker is our oldest “little” who is eleven and not so little anymore.  It literally seems like yesterday that my then 18 year old Amanda, sitting in our pastor and good friends office, both of them crying and looked at me and said “Mom, I’m pregnant”!  I can tell you a thousand things that would have rocked my boat more than that.  She will confirm to you that my reaction was not much more than, “We need to get a nursery decorated”!  And we did.  I had just finished tree season and so from that very ordinary day in January until May all we did was plan, decorate, dream and eat.  We laugh at how many times she and I ate out.  Within a week we knew it was a boy.  And this was a boy that I could not wait to get my hands on.  From that moment in the delivery room when I got to cut the cord, I have been crazy in love with this boy, a love I never knew existed.  Thank you Amanda for handing me that precious gift. Parker was our only grandchild for seven years.  When Greg married Dana, we were blessed with Austin.  Then eight years after Parker, Jack came on the scene…and then the next year we were blessed with Grayson.  BUT PARKER had a LONG TIME where he was the one and only.  He and Amanda lived with us the first five years of his life.  He is the meaning behind the title of my other blog.  He DID CHANGE EVERYTHING. 
In  other posts I  have told you all about him. He is brilliant, he is well traveled, he knows the Mouse well, he is kind, he is well mannered,  he is handsome, he is a little adult that takes being a big brother to Jack very serious.
He said tonight, “Grammy doesn't Jack have the cutest laugh” and he does.   Parker bears the name of both my grandfathers, his great-grandfathers. He is called by my Moms maiden name, his Moms middle name.  There is no doubt in my mind he will be a world changer.  Yep, he is pretty near perfect, at least this Grammy thinks so.  I have told you all that before.  I have also told you how protective we were when Amanda married.  How scared we were.  In some cases, how we needed to back off.  Amanda knew who she loved.  I just needed to be sure that person knew how to love and parent Parker.  I don’t have to tell you I had some pretty hard qualifications.  Amanda married Micah when Parker had just turned 8.  (I think) You can read the Micah post here.  I got this one wrong…and everyday I am thankful that I did.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think Parker would ever be such great friends with the man that married his Mom.
What I have never talked about is Parker’s Dad.  Actually Parker gets really lucky here.  He has two.  He has never wanted for male role models in his life.  He has an Unc (Greg) that has loved him as much as his own from the day he was born.  He has two grandfathers that think he is “the best thing that ever happened to them”!  He also had the privilege of having his great grandfather in his life for his first eight years.  This boy is blessed.  And he should be spoiled and I guess he is, but most days I see nothing that would give that away. 
BUT he does have a Dad that he loves very much and that loves him very much. This next part will just be from my perspective.  (just a disclaimer since its my blog)  Have we always had a great relationship? NO
Have I always wanted Parker to have a relationship with his Dad? Yes 
Amanda had to grow up overnight.  Brad had a choice and for a some years he chose a different path.  A path I hated and I think he would tell you one he hated.  Never was he totally out of Parker’s life, but at times on a very limited basis.  I think there was a period of time I gave up hope. There was a period of time I did not really care.  It was easier that way. Did we have problems?  Absolutely! 
Brad moved away from our town for a few years and in that time I saw a huge change.  I am sure he would tell you I watched him closely, always afraid that it was just temporary.  It took a couple of years for me to really think it was a REAL CHANGE.  Now that it has been more than a couple of years it makes me so happy when I see how much he loves Parker and how Parker is so proud of him. I think in many ways Parker saved his life.  This is the bonus.  Brad and Micah have become friends and do things with Parker together.  They have been on a weekend camping trip, watched ballgames, shared meals…that means everything to Parker.  Amanda and Brad have a good relationship…So what was once a not so great situation, to put it mildly, has totally changed.  And in my book, that’s a good thing.  Meet Brad, Parker’s Dad. 

So be encouraged if you are in a situation that is not the best.
THINGS CHANGE!!

VISIT A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

I just posted the winner of the CARD BOX along with  a new post on my
HOLIDAY BLOG.  Will be back here to post later in the week…I am hoping to catch up on many of your blogs tomorrow. 

 THE WONDER OF IT ALL!!!!      Only through the EYES of a LITTLE. 
JUST HAD A THOUGHT…I have been away from reading blogs for two plus months….I love finding new blogs…Tell me about one of your favorites and we will have another drawing on FRIDAY for another card box….Your name goes in this GIVEAWAY…and I WANT YOU TO WIN…

CELEBRATE

I talk a lot about my little's, but today, take a look at Parker and Jack’s Mom, Micah’s wife and My Girl.  My Girl is almost 30 and to me more beautiful than ever..and she is one of the best MOMS ever.  As I watch her take care of my little men and her MAN,  I can only say “Thanks God” you are SO faithful. If you are new to the blog go back and read the post My Girl!

If you did not read this post, don’t miss my first real blog friend encounter.  TODAY LET’S CELEBRATE! ...the prayer request for Liz, my special ELF, has been answered. Her MRI showed nothing...This is my precious elf that I love so much. She has had two bouts with cancer, melanoma in the eye and then breast and she is YOUNG (early 30's)....this last month she had some symptoms that she could no longer ignore. After a visit to the original doctor that diagnosed her nine years ago and who told her she had months to live, he felt like this was a tumor in her brain. She now also has an adorable little Caroline who is 3. Elizabeth is one of the most FAITH FILLED gals I have ever known...so tonight we CELEBRATE this GOOD REPORT. 
Another CELEBRATION is for CATHY and RICK and HEATHER....Her transplant is scheduled.  Talk about answered prayer. AND it was because ANOTHER BLOGGER read her plea.

This post may take me hours as it is the first time I have used the Windows Live Writer and have no clue what I am doing.  I just glanced at my dashboard and again stunned…One away from having 900 followers on this little GRAMMY blog….and almost 400 readers on the holiday blog, A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING (and look for some changes on that blog soon) as in a new look!   

All I can say is WOW and THANK YOU! 
As much time as I am working on  Christmas, I still do a little fall…Here is a little look at what I am going to put out tomorrow..      
When I get this all put together I will show you my new fall wreath.  I hope that will be right after Brett beats Miami tomorrow and right before the Manning boys take on each other..They are both a CLASS ACT!

As a thanks to all my readers, it would not be a good day without a GIVEAWAY and a SMILE!

A really neat FALL COFFEE TABLE book
I got at market!  It can be YOURS.  Also I won this book, READ IT, LOVED IT and now am going to give it to someone else…IT IS SANDI PATTY writing from her heart.

TWO BOOK GIVEAWAYS and all you HAVE to do is leave a comment….That’s it.
Parker will draw Monday night. NOW for your SMILE….a picture Amanda got on her phone last night and this is what our FUNNY JACK said! 

          WOOK MOM, NO HANDS!

*****I checked out a new blog last night and today that blogger became my 900th follower.

I am so happy to meet Sissie and read her beautiful blog..SISSIE’S SHABBY COTTAGE!  Please stop by and see her….and she will be getting a goodie in the mail. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AMANDA AND M ICAH and MISCELLANY MONDAY AND WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

DO NOT MISS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY AT THE BOTTOM !

happy anniversary amanda and micah! there is much more in that sentence than those five words. if you are a new reader this post and this post will explain. happily ever after is what it looks like. i know three years is a little early to predict that, but I know they are doing all the right things to make that happen! this mom is proud. this mom is thankful.
micah called early last week to be sure we were free to keep jack for the weekend...he had planned a surprise dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in our town. on saturday morning, he told amanda to get dressed up and be ready to go at 6 o'clock!
total surprise....fancy night on the town....meeting up with friends at one of the casinos later, brunch on sunday at copelands.

they are great parents to these littles, little men that have grabbed my heart in a place I had no idea was even there. this is not the best picture I ever made of either Parker or Jack, but the picture speaks volumes. parker is the BEST at being a BIG BROTHER and Jack idolizes him... 1...I had a long to to list today..2. I still have kids here....3. Parker and Jack spent the night again last night. I had planned to take Jack to school today when in no uncertain terms, he informed me and Parker that he was staying with us. 4. he won 5. we still had our pajamas on at 4pm 6. who cares? 7. nothing got marked off my to do list today 8. there is tomorrow 9. I am tired but a good tired.... 10. I would do it again tomorrow....

Because these boys make the world go round!!
Jacks new BIG BOY HAIR CUT! Wishing he had an IPOD TOUCH or at least an IPHONE. How is a BOY suppose to PLAY GAMES? This two year old can do more with my IPhone than I can. This is a BRIBE kiss....Please PAKER (notice he says no R's) let me play with it?

END Of STORY

JUST HAD TO POST THIS FOR WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
Jack and his new rainboots!

If you missed this post you might want to read it, especially if you have teens. There is also a new giveaway going up tonight on my holiday blog. If you are a book lover you will not want to miss it.

FOR ALL YOU DISNEY LOVERS GO to NINNYS NOTES and read my number one ELF's TRIP REPORT...IT IS GREAT!