"What Will You Celebrate?"

The 2009 Disney promotion was recently released, it's called What Will You Celebrate?"

The idea behind it is to get people coming to the parks in celebration of something - Triumphs, True Love, Reunions, First Visits, Birthdays, etc. The best thing is that during the year 2009, if you go to a Disney Theme park on your birthday, you can get in FREE!!!

And what's totally cool if you're an annual passholder, like we are, you don't miss out on the fun! There are three different things you can choose from if you're an annual passholder and COME ON your birthday:

*You can get a ticket to be used another day, on a day you're blocked out or for after your pass expires
*You can get a Fun Card for the amount that the one day ticket would have cost (HELLO! That's $69.00!) to be used on merchandise, etc.
* Fastpasses for your group.

I've already checked the 2009 calendar at our birthdays and let's just say that on our birthdays in 2009, we'll be making a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth if for nothing else but that Fun Card to be used on merchandise!

Breast Cancer Awareness / Prayers for Stacey

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We as women all know that we're suppose to monthly self checks, get mammograms past a certain age, etc. Breast cancer is on my mother's side with a few great aunts, and I think even a cousin or two of my moms. I had a bit of a scare a year ago, when my GYN found nodules on my lymph nodes in my arm pit, but after an ultrasound and a course of antibiotics and a consult with a surgeon, turned out it wasn't anything to be alarmed about, I'm just growing extra breast tissue, in the wrong spot. LOL. But no one in our immediate family has had breast cancer, thank you Jesus!

A few weeks ago, I shared a few prayer requests, one was for our friend Keith's sister, Stacey. She had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, her cancer is pretty involved, extending into the lymph nodes, and tomorrow, Wednesday, she will undergo a double mastectomy.

Would you please be praying for Stacey, her husband Dan, and their extended families. For the doctors to have steady hands and to get everything they need to get, for nurses, for the techs who will administer radiation and chemo in the weeks to come. And ultimately, that through this horrible diagnosis, she and Dan would grow closer to the Lord.

Breaking Ground!

Doing our part to help 'break ground'
at our church ground breaking ceremony today.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirates Party for Us

Tonight was a friends annual pirate party. This is the 4th year they've had it and every year it just gets better and better. If you've ridden the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, just about all the decorations and such have been inspired by the ride.

It's a fun night of food, fellowship, and lots of pictures! Years past, I've gone in a white shirt, and cut up black pants, etc. But this last week, on a trip to the Goodwill in search of something new, I found this semiformal/bridesmaid dress. I went back and forth as to whether or not I should buy it, and I am soooo glad I did! I had planned to cut the bottom and make it jagged, etc, but Amy said to leave it as is and I am so glad I did! As today went on, I came up with the idea to go as a Pirate Princess. I already had the pirate princess tattoos, a scarf, some killer earrings, and then it hit me, steal (cause that's what pirates do, right?) Hannah's tiara and decorate it with a skull, etc. I found a skull keychain and took it apart and hot glued it and coordinating colored beads to it and it looked awesome!!! I am so happy with how my costume turned out! Check out my black rose.Hannah went with us this year. Her friend, Emma, was going to be there so we let her come too and we left Rachel with my parents. Check out Hannah's blog for more pictures of her.

Sarah Palin is Coming to 'Town'

Years past, I have had absolutely no interest in the election stuff, coverage, debates, conventions, etc. I'd find something else to do, read, blog, surf about on the internet. Politics are Steven's expertise and he's very good about keeping up to speed with all thats going on in the world of politics. And I respect and honor his opinions as to who we should vote for.

But this year, it's different for me, I'm actually interested. And I think it's because a woman is in the running. I don't hold feminist ideals or any of that, I just really think it's cool that a woman, who holds the same values and morals as us is in the running. This year, I have watched the election stuff and coverage, and the Republican Convention when it was on last month. And I even have the vice presidential debates tonight set up on Tivo. I may even watch it without Steven :::Gasp!:::Although probably not cause I LOVE to hear his commentary when the 'other side' is speaking.LOL. "Good Luck Sarah! We're Rooting for you!"
Imagine my excitement when Steven said a Southern California appearance has been scheduled for Sarah Palin! However, I was bummed when he told me she was coming this Saturday. The Saturday we've been planning on attending an air show for well over eight months.

What an opportunity it would be to go and see her and hear her speak in person. And the thought has crossed our minds to skip the air show and go hear her speak, but there is no guarantee you'd even get in to the center where she'll be. So as of today, our plan is to still go to our air show, and hope that another Southern California appearance is scheduled.

Church Groundbreaking...Finally

This Sunday afternoon, following the morning services, our church will host a ground breaking ceremony on our church property. After many, many months of filing paperwork, plans, obtaining permits, resubmitting plans, etc, etc, etc. It is time to finally break ground and the people of our church couldn't be more excited!

Because we are a church that meets in a school auditorium, we set up and tear down every single Sunday. And as coordinator for the CG ministry, Steven must be there to set up the computer and screens and then return after second service to tear it all down.

It'll be a while before the church building is done. But I for one am looking forward to the day that we can go to church together as a family (going in the same car). For the last four years, we have taken two cars to church. I can count on one hand the number of times that we've gone to church in the same car. Steven and I always sit together, but as funny as it may sound, I miss going together, in the same car.

Finally Caught Up to Me

All the running and busyness I was faced with last week finally caught up with me.

Over the weekend I came down with a cold, and yesterday afternoon the cough really hit me. I had taken some cough medicine on an empty stomach and the drowsiness as an effect put me on the couch for the afternoon and all evening. Thankfully Hannah was able to do her homework on her own, having Daddy check it over, and Daddy made dinner. Today, I feel sooo much better. I am extremely sore from all the coughing I did, but I feel so much better!! Last night was the first night I'd slept good in about a week, sleep it does a body good!

Today, I'm taking it easy.

If you follow Rachel's blog, you'll have read that Aiden is having his lip and palate repaired today. Last night Joy called (Aiden's Mommy) with a few questions. I'm so thankful the Lord is using me this way to encourage her and put her mind at ease as to what's to come. I know all the emotions that Joy is experiencing. Being a Mommy who's walked in her shoes, I know things to pray for specifically. Handing your baby over to the scrub nurse and watching her walk away with your baby is one of the hardest things I've had to do thus far as a Mommy. I'm hoping I continue to feel even better as the day goes on so I can go visit Aiden and Joy this evening in the hospital, but I'm definitely playing that by ear.