Bible Study Brunch

These lovely ladies and I were a part of the Kingdom Kids Konnection bible study. The book we read was called Fearless: by Max Lucado. I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of what circumstances you may be going through as it applies to any situation. What I learned & took away from this book and truly take comfort in - is that when I rest in God's promise and His plan for my life, I don't need to be afraid of the 'what if's' and circumstances I might be going through. For example: Mia. God has her life planned out, he knew before the foundations of the world that she would have DBA & all the medical issues her life would be filled with and with that said, God has everything under control. I don't need to 'worry' about what may or may not happen to her...she is His.

Kathy always sets a beautiful table...

...and there are always surprises & gifts.

Compliments of Melinda - this cake not only looks absolutely amazing but it was absolutely tasty as well. Thanks Melinda!

Go get this book! It's an easy read and it will definitely put your worries into perspective while freeing you to leave them in God's hands.

Mia's 70th Blood Transfusion

Mia had her 70th blood transfusion today. Matt took her again first thing in the morning at 7:00 am. After dropping kids off to school & Grannie's house for the day I came to the hospital a little later. What a precious girl, just laying in her bed.

Big sisters ipod's are always nice to borrow. Thanks Alyssa!

Mia always has a smile on her face and seems to look very fashionable too.

Ashley's 8th Grade Formal

BLINK - What happened?! It seems like yesterday Ashley was in 1st grade missing her two front teeth. Then you turn around and she's going to her first formal dance in 8th grade. What?! We never had a formal dance in 8th grade, my how times have changed.

Gulp, wow is this really my daughter? After a morning of hair, make-up etc. she's ready to go. Ashley, you look so beautiful. Maybe a little TOO beautiful.

Lets just have one more flash back because I think this is how 'Dad' still see's her, as his little girl. So you can understand then why he did NOT like this whole situation at all. He was not in the best of moods that day. It's hard to watch them grow up (because it means you're getting older too, right honey?)

All my girls, well except for Madison (who just fell off a chair and didn't want to be in the picture.)

My mom brought over a corsage for Ashley, thanks mom! Matt helped her put it on, I think he was nervous.

I was privileged enough to be the driver and to take pictures in Fulton Ranch by the water where a group of about 30 kids were meeting up. Matt didn't go.

Ashley & Ashley - they really are like twins. They have become such good friends this year and will be in high school together next year. Did I just say high school?? (Gulp)

Ashley & Sam - another really good friend of Ashley's. Sigh, all these girls are so cute.


Thankfully Ashley went with a group of girls.

Because if Matt would have gone with me...he wouldn't have liked...the boys. There is a reason he didn't go with me, I can see it now. (lol)

Ashley & Ashley ~ I love this photo.

Have a fun night girls! ~ They did.

Mia's May Blood Drive @ DPC

We had another blood drive in honor of Mia. It was so neat to see her walking around saying thank you to everyone who donates. She really knows how important it is for her to live just by people taking the time out of their busy lives to come and donate blood. Thanks to everyone!


Here's the first group of people waiting to donate blood.

Mary Lisa & her husband Tim are always so supportive of our family.

A few of my Boot Camp pals Carol, Alyssa & Ginger. Carol did the relay for life the night prior, so the lady from UBS told her she probably should not donate for her safety because she would have been too dehydrated. Next time Carol! At least we got to see her and say hi.


Ginger did some recruting for me and her friend Brianne came out to donate, thanks Brianne!

Troy donates blood for Mia, he even goes into the UBS Center and donates. How sweet of him. Miss Madison really likes 'Mr. Troy.'

Remy, Ginger, & I...aww, boot camp girls.

Mia was SO happy her friend Ava came to see her. Mia said that was her favorite part, having friends and other kids stop by.


Friends who walk with you through the 'no matter what happens in your life' situations are the BEST! Thanks Miss Ava for being such a good friend to Mia.


Posing in the fountian... (lol)

Alyssa, Mia & Ava...

Some of my boot camp pals - Erin & I, Alyssa, Remy & Melinda. Thanks girls for coming out to Mia's blood drive! Showing the BC love.

Miss Kim, aka 'Dylan's mom' came to donate for the 2nd time but they were running so behind she couldn't donate. SO sorry Kim!! We're going to fix that for next time.

My small group girls, Alison & Karen ~ love them!


Susan, who always shows up to donate for Miss Mia, is my latest boot camp victim. Thanks Susan...for always showing us your support for Mia.


It was Erin's first time donating blood...yay EB!! Mia loves first timers.

So apparantly I can't talk and donate blood at the same time. Every time I was chattering away my blood would almost stop, so the workers kept telling me to move my feet up and down...(like boot camp!) to get it flowing again. We didn't want it to clot otherwise they couldn't have used it.

Karen beat me... :) But I beat Brad! ;)


Thank you Karen for always being so patient & waiting (lol) You are so amazing to our family, you have always been there for us...since Ashley & Tatum were in 1st grade! You knew Mia when she probably wasn't even 1 year old, and look at her now. Thank you for all your support.

Thank you to the Cooke Family!!! ~ Brad did not like the thought of needles, but he did it and he didn't even make a sound. Whoo-hoo!

We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to the crew who worked this blood drive, they did amazing. We love how Miss Kim has been to every one of Mia's blood drives so far, she rocks!

Thank you to everyone who takes the time out of their busy lives to donate blood. It's a free gift that gets you nothing in return. I can't think of a better gift to give than saving someone's life.

A Blessed Mother's Day

Today was such a nice day. Matt took over this morning and delivered me a Satrbucks in bed, along with breakfast and peace and quiet. Why was it so quiet, you were wondering? Because all the girls were still fast asleep. Next year, dad said THEY will be getting up and ordering the coffee themselves. I was greeted by each girl with their cute crafts from school. So cute.

The girls (well, actually it was Matt who made lunch) served us chicken salad with fruit. It was really good. My mom brought over the desert - tiramisu. Delicious...the girls loved it.

Thanks girls (I mean Matt) for making this such a special day for me. I am truly blessed beyond measure to be a mom to FOUR beautiful girls.