Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Is it possible...

that tomorrow is the first day of December and my 'exchange surgery' day?!

To be honest, once I got the drain tubes out and was able to drive again, the rest of this process has seemed to fly by.

This whole year has seemed to fly right on by.

I can't believe in a little more than 3 weeks we will be celebrating Christmas!

Dawnetta is coming up to stay with us for the remainder of the week, and the girls are going to have a fun-filled week-end with Mamaw and Papaw Richardson.  They get to see Santa and go to the movies to see Tangled.  They are super excited!

I can not express how thankful I am to my entire family, and many of our friends/neighbors for helping out so much during the past few months.  You all have truly made a tough situation A LOT easier.  We're definitely blessed beyond measure.

I know I made the decision to no discuss a lot of the details of my treatment, struggles, etc on this public blog, but I also know there are a lot of people who still follow along here, and pray for our family.  And I want to say, "Thank you!  To all of you."  There have been many days that would have been much harder to make it through if we hadn't felt the power of those prayers and God's hands holding us up.

And while I wouldn't wish this on anybody, I have to say that being in a situation where you stare the possibility of your own mortality in the face, it changes you. 

You never truly know how strong you are until being strong is the ONLY option you have.

Someone once said to me, "Always remember that just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a person is only as strong as their weakest dimension.  Push yourself."  

Push yourself to be your best you, push yourself to keep fighting when the winds of life want to knock you down, and realize that God's grace and the love of your family and friends are the weight that will allow you to stand tall during the storm.

I feel very at peace right now, but please pray these feelings remain as I prepare for surgery tomorrow.

ps....I'm sure dad and Amanda will keep Facebook updated throughout surgery.

Monday, November 29, 2010

She's 8

How is that even possible?

I'm still confused about how 8 years has passed so quickly. :)


Faux fur wedge boots


Skinny jeans and cable sweater




The Justice purse she just HAD TO HAVE! lol



Her hair straightener










Sweater dress


More skinny jeans (with sparkles!)


Reading her cards out loud.  She did such a good job!


Jewelry from Aunt (Rebecca, huh?! lol) Becky and Uncle Billy



Yeah, so mom didn't get her cake ordered in the madness of Thanksgiving week, so she had her choice between a guitar cake and Eclipse.  She thought this one looked cool...even though she's never seen the movie!




Pizza!!!


Getting ready to play 'Kiss Justin Bieber' haha


She's got her bright red lipstick on


Oh yes.....she kissed him right on the lips (or bottom lip, I should say!)


Doesn't he look cute with red lipstick?! :)



It looks like I'm painting her teeth.  I swear I didn't.



Now Ava's turn.



Not quite tall enough, even on your tip toes, baby girl.





Wednesday, November 24, 2010

And the winner is....

Kandi!!!

Thank you all for entering.  Be sure to check back for our December charm give-away compliments of Inspiranza and my good friend, Vanessa.

Kandi, please email me your address @ casondra16@gmail.com

Cherry Almond Trifle

In preparation for the BIG event tomorrow....I have started making the desserts today.

Of course, we will be having Pumpkin Pie Spiced cake.  No Thanksgiving is complete without some Pumpkin Pie, of some sorts.

But the dessert I am most looking forward to is this....

Cherry Almond Trifle


Ingredients:
- 2 pkg Jell-O Cheesecake Flavor Instant Pudding
- 2 c. cold milk
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed, and divided
- 1/2 c. Breakstone's  Sour Cream
- 20 Oreo's, coarsely chopped
1 (21 oz) cherry Pie filling
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- chocolate crunch (topping)


Combine Jell-O Pudding mix, and....


COLD milk.


While the pudding is mixing, get out your Trifle dish, or whatever bowl you'll be serving this lovely dessert in.


Chop (or crush) up oreo's.


Pudding should be thickened by now.  Scrap all the excess powder off the side into the mix.


Add 1 cup Cool Whip.


1/2 c sour cream.  And let mix.


Put Cherry pie filling in a bowl.

Don't forget to bend down and smell the aroma.  

I could eat these JUST.LIKE.THIS!!!


Do not, I repeat, DO NOT forget to add this.  

You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you do, because it really is a *KEY* ingredient in this dish.


Add to cherry filling.


Incorporate well.


Add pudding, sour cream, whip cream mix to trifle bowl.


Add the cherries.


The remaining Cool Whip.


Sprinkle with some chocolate topping.

And VIOLA.