Remy in action...

Today was an exciting day for me...my boot camp friend Remy knows how much I love (ok maybe I'm a tad obsessed) with the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars...well she invited me to go with her to watch style one of her clients, who happens to be in a ballroom dance competition. GASP! How fun for ME to get to go and see all of what goes on...we left bright and early, just after 7:00 am, and yes, right after boot camp and headed up to the Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Another gasp! Wow, that is such a nice place. As Remy would say: fancypants.com

Meet Pam ~ Remy's client for over 10 years, this is the before picture.

Look at how cute Remy is...doing her thing. This is work?! Cause it looks like fun to me.

Pam after...in costume with hair and make-up by Remy. She had to be on deck and ready to go by 10:00 am.

Since we had a little time to kill, Remy oh so kindly, did my hair and make-up as well. What a nice surprise! She even covered my two huge zits!!! Hey, when am I on deck?! Yeah right, I wish! Maybe someday, right honey???

Yeah, we posed for a few pic's...but hey, I have a blog you know.

We bought tickets to the show and went to watch the dancers...

The ballroom...

Here is Pam and her dance partner Ron...they did so good. They won 1st place in every dance that we watched. Wow, very impressive. I loved watching how happy everyone was that was dancing, and the best part is, is that anyone could do it.

Pamela and Remy...

Pamela and her dance partner Ron...

This is Nate the dance instructor...his studio is in Ahwatukee. I'm thinking Remy will be his next client :)

Pamela and her husband Bob...I'm sure he is very proud of her.

The dresses ~

Look at the colors, they are so beautiful. Works of art...and they are so very different, each and every one.


Ok this dress has Edyta's name written all over it!

I'm sure my husband would love to come home to me wearing this while I clean the house...he he.

Shake it! Remy you should totally try some of them on...

...and she did! I like this one the best that she tried on...

I like the colors of this dress too...

I stepped out of my every day flip-flops and into some heels. I haven't worn heels in at least 5 years or so...it was fun. But after a few hours my feet were killing me.


So I have had this workout DVD set for a year or so now, and love it because I love to dance. Well, I thought the gal selling the dresses looked familiar but I wasn't too sure. So I asked Nate the dance instructor...and he said, yeah she did Core Rhythms. I KNEW IT! Remy of course said that her friend wanted a picture...

I had such a good time! Thanks so much Remy...ballroom dancing is a world of its own. It was so fun to watch the behind the scenes and then to actually get to see it. I love it! Someday I'm going to take lessons...someday.

They all came...

...to donate blood in Mia's replenishment blood drive.

My mom's church DPC hosted a blood drive especially in honor of our little Miss Mia. What a huge turn out, thanks to facebook. There were 36 people signed up, and quite a few people dropped in, but it was so busy and a little bit of a wait...so next time we are hoping to open it up so more people can donate. My mom and I sat at the table as people signed in, and Mia floated around saying hi and thank you to everyone - when she wasn't busy catching lady bugs.

This is my neighbor and bootcamp buddy Terri...she sigend up to donate even though they are headed on a huge trip for two weeks.

Mia standing next to Kathy...whom I love dearly and is my bible study leader, and my neighbor Terri. Thanks ladies!

HEre are a few of the DPC peeps waiting their turn to donate...


Bob in the question booth...he was so disapointed he wasn't able to donate this time, but he will be able to next time, I'm sure. Thanks for coming out Bob! I hope Faythe will be able to come watch next time too.

Mia taking a break for an ice cream treat...

Ohhhh, I just love them. Mr Bob & Miss Christine - Mia's extra special nurse. They brought a special friend, Fitz who was a huge hit with all the kids.

Dylan & Mia - Both have Diamond Blackfan Anemia - and both are just adorable. It was great to meet his family for the first time, and they came over to donate for Mia. Awwww.

This is my bootcamp friend Carol...seriously, how sweet of you to come donate!

Susan and Mia...my friend from church. So, hmmmmm....we'll have to get Eric in their next time. Thank you so much Susan!

Sam & Mia hanging out while Lauren donates. I love this gal...talk about the most genuine and sweetest friend. When they were about to poke Lauren with the needle, Mia said, 'Just breathe, just breathe, that's what I do.' Awww...Mia you are so brave.

I had to get a picture of this group...they were so cute and had to wait for a long time, but they were awesome. Mia loved seeing everyone there so they could hang out.

Thanks you guys...Crew, you are so cute and I'm loving the hair!

Bootcamp friends Terri (aka T-Smith) & Carol - Thanks girls for kicking some butt at the blood drive!

The Graham's

Steve & Matt - Hmmmm...they look they are up to no good. I think there may have been a cookie bandit somewhere. Steve is a pilot and couldn't donate since he had a flight the next morning, and you can't donate within 24 hours...but he came, and waited forever.

Steve's son Troy took his spot...first time blood donor here AND he did power red. Wow, impressive...you have to be a certain height and weight to do power red. It's a really interesting process to watch...they machine to his left is separating the res blood cells from the plasma. So he is donating 2 units of pur red blood cells instead of 1 unit of whole blood. They put back the plasma which is the clearish yellow bag back into him, and he leaves more hydrated than when he came in. It takes longer but it's 2 units. (Oh I love this stuff...nursing school here I come!) Just like Troy's shirt says, he's a superman donor!

Karen Graham and Mia - Karen has watche dMia grow up since before she could walk. Her daughter Tatum and Ashley were on the same soccer team...coached by Matt...and now look at Mia. She's just growing up...we are so blessed to have the Graham's in our lives.

Alison and her daughter Millay - LOVE them! Ali is so sweet...and was more than willing to donate. She tried to get her hubby Brad in, but we'll get him next time.

Millay and Mia found a lady bug and they named her Tina.

The day Mia donates blood will seriously be a miracle...!

Mia and Terri - Awwww, Terri...I love you. You are always there for us...Hopekids walk etc. What a true friend you are...see ya at bootcamp! :)

August - a soccer dad who likes to run. We really should call him Mr. Ragner :) He said, no don't take my picture - whoops! CLICK!!! And to top it all off, it was his birthday weekend and look what he's doing, donating blood. Thanks August.

Gotta love DAD donating power red...yeah baby! I love you honey, you are the best dad and husband ever. I know you would do anything in the world for our little Mia.

My dear sweet friend Andrea and her daughter Isabella...selfishly I'm sad that Andrea might be moving to Chicago, but whatever God has planned for her and her family will be good. Thanks Andrea for taking the time to donate!

Oh these girls were cracking me up...they were 'working' the blood drive.

Awww, I LOVE this picture...Ginger, another bootcamp friend, got the last time slot to donate blood, and she was super nervous. However, she did great...and Mia was there to watch. Thank you Ginger!

I just want to thank everyone who was involved with coordinating this blood drive (My mom and Denise!) and to DPC for hosting it...as you have such a great location close to all our friends and family and a very special

THANK YOU

to everyone who donated blood for Mia...It takes time, energy, and thoughtfulness to donate blood for someone, and you don't get anything in return. Mia thanks you as well since she knows how important it is to her life that you donate. Our family appreciates it more than you know. I prayed that God would bless this blood drive, and He did.

Mia's 57th blood transfusion

Today was an adventure. After getting the usual from Starbucks - (1 kids iced chocolate milk w/ half the chocolate and lots of whipped cream and 1 grande nonfat 2 pump mocha) we made it to the hospital just after 7:00 am. We went to the 6th floor today, instead of the 2nd floor where POTC usually is. Apparantly there was a flood due to a burst pipe, so we had to be moved.

Mia thought this was great...and it was pretty cool.

Time to get the IV going...what a trooper.

Andrea's closet

Mia picking out yet another special toy after getting a poke.

Oh good, another doll - because we don't have enough of those in a house with 4 girls.

Mia's photo shoot

I asked Miss Toni, Mia's nurse for the day if we could borrow her beautiful flower for Mia's pictures which I'm sure was made by another nurse, Miss Natalie. (Or Miss Jill!)

Time to go for a walk...

Mia looking in the teen room. This is where she came to paint tiles with Miss Christine and Camp Soaring Eagle last month. What a good memory Miss Mia has, she remembered being there.

We started beeping on our walk...so Miss Toni and Miss Christine to the rescue! I could really get used to the 6th floor. It was great. Thanks to all the nurses who take care of us today. We appreciate you so much! On the way home in the car, Mia said...'Mom, this O+ blood really makes me tired.' She cracks me up...

Out of 365 days a year...

...it's nice to be recognized as a mom for 1 of those days with breakfast in bed...

...stuffed french toast with berries and whipped cream, not pictured: a perfect cup of coffee.

A poem by Alyssa...how precious are those words and she colored it my favorite color.

Ok the tile looks huge in this picture...but these gifts were made from school. Hello Mrs. Ferber (Mia's teacher) I love you. How unexpected and thoughtful.

Made by Madison from her pre-school. She was so excited to give it to me last Thursday...how cute. She smiled and said, 'happy mother's day' in her little sing song voice.

Flowers and a card from Matt...with some money in it to get my toes done. Yeah...can't wait for that special treat.

We ended the day with swimming and dinner at my mom's house...yum, always so good!!! It was a nice day. I can't believe I have been a mom for almost 13 years...wow. It's not an easy job, but one that hopefully will produce some amazing results.