Confessions of A Cf wife

Clarity

2011-12-20T23:35:00.000-05:00

Clarity

4 days before Christmas and Nick has another transplant appointment tomorrow.We have been going to Gainesville every 6 months for what seems like forever. Tomorrow's appointment is A little different as we Should get to know weather or they think its time to start the actual evaluation process. I know this is wrong but I am just ready for this part to be over. Deep inside I hope they tell us that he should start the process.

Deep inside I have these horrible thoughts of "what if"

I keep telling myself that if he is at least finished with this step then we are one step closer to the next.

I keep thinking we are going to miss out on something and it is going to be too late.

I wish that I had someone tell me that these jumbled most random thoughts were normal.....

Anyways..Better thoughts tomorrow as I must put on my "Positive Pants" Ha :)

Photo love

2011-11-22T23:32:00.001-05:00

Several months ago I came across this photographers face book page and fell in love, This lady has got some mad talent yall. Then about A month ago while Nick was in the hospital I was checking her face book page to drool over her pictures when I came across her photo album called heart gallery. What's A heart gallery? It is A gallery of pictures of children who need me,you or anyone who would take them into their home and love them as yours. It is A gallery of photos of all the children who need to be adopted in Florida.

I have blogged several times about the longing to become A mother,parents and what direction Nick and I will take to get there. When I came across her heart gallery album and came across these beautiful faces my heart melted when I came to A certain photo of A young man. I commented on the photo and Jamie ( The photographer) began to correspond and I sent her the link to my blog. Jamie read my bucket list and how I wanted to take A photography class. She then wrote me and said she would love to have me at one of her photography classes and would love to do A session for Nick and I.As if that wasn't amazing enough she said that when Nick and I do adopt she would do A session for our family.

How crazy is that? Just another random act of kindness...Cant wait to pay it forward.

Here are some of the amazing shots please be sure to head over to J.Halstead photography

Random Acts Of Kindness

2011-11-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to talk about this because it is something I am so passionate about.Lately Nick and I have been blessed in so many ways by random acts of kindness. It is something so small that makes such A big difference.With the holidays coming up I am challenging everyone to think about someone else. I think as A culture we have become so consumed in ourselves that we forget what doing something nice can do for another person.

The other night Nick and I were at olive garden and we went to pay for our meal when the waiter told us that someone had already paid for our dinner.It was so crazy that someone else would do that for us.It was so much fun to pay it forward and send several couples and families dessert that night. Its A win win situation people for them,for you,for the world.

With that being said here are some random acts of kindness you can give A try...

Taping candy canes to ATM machines around town
Bring your child's teacher or coach something sweet...Randomly not for A holiday
Taping quarters to vending and toy machines around town
Grocery shopping for the sole purpose of putting it in the “Food for Families” box in the entryway of the store
Plugging meters around town
Pay for the persons coffee behind you in the drivethrough line
Handing out Starbucks gift cards {$5.00 value each}

Follow Up

2011-11-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

Hey beautiful people, I hope everyone is ready to get the eat on and enjoy all the festivities. I have been meaning to play catch up and let everyone know what has been going down since Nick got out of the hospital.So here goes....

When Nick was in they found out he was growing some nasty mold called aspergillus ( spelling?). It was some pretty nasty stuff and is what we think got Nick feeling so bad. While he was in there they put him on A REALLY strong antibiotic.Now that he is out of the hospital he will have to continue on this antibiotic for up to 6 months. It is so strong that he has to go and get regular blood work done,Poor thing. On A good note he is feeling so much better and seems to have way more energy.

The Dr. did tell Nick that they pretty much wanted him to use oxygen full time now.When he is relaxing at the house it is not needed but while out and about its A must. This is where things get ugly, See Nick is pretty stubborn just like any man really. He is having A hard time getting use to carrying the oxygen around with him (rightfully so) but I think he is also realizing its A must and it is just hurting him not to use it. He had his follow up Dr.appointment today and his weight was up A little but lung functions were the same.

On another note Nick and I will be heading down to Destin Florida for my cousins wedding this weekend. We are so excited to be able to make it and celebrate with them. It is going to be great because this is the first time in A couple of years that all of our family will be together.We also just celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary and I am more in love with this handsome hunk of A man than ever before. He completely balances me out and I am beyond thankful to have him as my forever.

Day 12 in the hole

2011-11-04T23:14:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! Here we are on day 12 in the hospital with only 3 more days to go. Nick was suppose to go home this past Wednesday but it didn't seem to happen that way. Monday morning Nicks Dr. came in and told us that his ~~big green loogie~~ sputum culture was growing aspergillus which is A type of mold and MRSA in his lungs. It kind of explained why Nicks lung function went down so fast,So they have been treating him with more iv antibiotics.

The medicine that they put him on to treat the crazy stuff growing in his lung is pretty strong stuff. Once in A blue moon Nick will have A panic attack at night,He woke up the other night having what I thought was A panic attack. He said he kept seeing bright lights and could see himself (pretty freaky stuff) which he has NEVER had in A panic attack before. After he spoke to his Dr. the next morning she told him that it is very rare but one of the meds he is on causes A side effect of hallucinations. As if he does not have enough going on already,Thankfully he has not had another episode again.

They still gave him the opportunity to go home Wednesday but he decided that he wanted to just finish out his ivs here at the hospital.I couldn't have agreed anymore,As much as I would rather be at home in my bed it just works out better. He can get the rest he needs because he is forced to just relax. So his run with ivs will be up on Monday and hopefully we will get to head home.Nick is feeling a lot better and seems to be able to walk A little further,Take A shower and get dressed without getting so out of breath.

Be thankful

Day one in the hole

2011-10-25T21:22:00.000-04:00

Yesterday at around 3:00 Nick got checked in and to our new home away from home.When they came to the room to check his vitals his oxygen was at 86 and he had lost 10 pounds.Lets just say Nick was A little upset about that and was pretty discouraged.I had to be to work this morning at 10:00 this morning and was so sad,I just wanted to stay up there with Nick.When I got up to the hospital this evening he was singing to A different tune.The Dr.some blood drawn to check his nutrition levels due to the weight loss and was surprised to see that everything was good.

The Dr. told him that he is such a perfect candidate for A double lung transplant because he does not have any other CF related issues....Its just his lungs. We are taking it one day at A time and besides me showing up to work looking like A zombie today we are doing good.

Thankful for another day!!!!

P.S. If you would like Nicks room number,Phone number or the address just send me A e-mail or A face book message

I want to go into the hospital

2011-10-20T19:16:00.000-04:00

Happy Thursday yall!!! I hope everyone is having A great week and enjoying this beautiful weather.Nick and I have been laying low lately and just delaying the inevitable.Last week Nick and I were relaxing catching up our dvr when he said "I'm ready to go into the hospital" ..Nick does not like going into the hospital and avoids it at all cost. When I heard him say that I knew he was really not feeling well.

On Tuesday Nick had A Dr.s appointment where they decided that it would be best that Nick goes into the hospital for some good ol' Iv antibiotics. Usually when Nick goes on IVs he does them at home where he has to get up every so many hours to change IVS and just does not get the rest he needs. From now on he will be going into the hospital so that he can rest,They come in and hook up for him,makes sure he gets the air clearance that he needs and brings everything to him. I like it too because I still have to go to work and I don't worry about him as much.

Nicks birthday is Sunday night he is going to be 26!!! WOW how amazing is that considering he was not suppose to see his 15th birthday. I am so proud of him and where he is today the unfortunate thing about CF is you can do everything right and still this nasty disease shows its face and things progress. I cant help but think to myself "Could this be his last birthday before the big transplant". We still have no plans for Nicks birthday he is kind of indecisive on what he would like to do,So we will see.

The other day I had A little meltdown,This has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. There are days that it is just unbearable to know that he cant breathe and the simplest things seem impossible for him.Then I found out that A co worker was just diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and today found out it has spread to her lungs.There is also another co worker that I talk with often and her husband has been battling cancer for years and is in the middle of aggressive therapy. So just when I think that everything is falling apart God gives me A little dose of reality that it could always be worse and to be thankful for today.

As you guys finish up your work week and head into the weekend keep that in mind. It could always be worse no matter what the situation you are in and to be thankful for today. Have A great weekend yall!! Below are pictures from when we went to the fair last week,This is my favorite time of the year .

Happy Fall Yall

2011-10-09T22:40:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FALL YALL!!!!

I hope everyone is kicking off the fall season with lots of fun,football and of course decorating. I have had so much fun decorating the house. I'm most defiantly one of those decorate for EVERY holiday kinda girls.In the last post I mentioned that Nick and I would be leasing out A spot in A antique store to sell stuff. We are so blessed yall, Knock on wood it has been going really well and we are having A blast doing it.

On another note things have been kinda difficult for Nick. Cystic Fibrosis is defiantly showing its ugly face and reminding us that CF is A progressive disease. On the 23rd of this month Nick will be 26 and I wish I could say that things were just AMAZING. Nick has gotten to A point where everyday things like taking the trash out,going grocery shopping and making the bed are breathtaking. Nick has been getting winded doing just about everything lately. Its hard because he does not feel "sick" just wore out from the simplest things.

It is so hard to sit back and watch Nick get frustrated with himself because he cant do the simplest things.This is A such a life changer for him considering how active he has always been and has taken some Major adjusting .I have also had to remind myself to slow down and not always be on the go.It is also frustrating for us when the ones we are close to just don't get it. They don't understand how cf effects our everyday lifestyle.

As much as I don't want to say it I do believe this is the "calm before the storm". Nicks transplant Dr. told him he had 3 months to get his lung function up or Nick would have to start the evaluation process for his double lung transplant.Since his appointment in September he has started pulmonary rehab,He is now 2 weeks in and finding himself facing A hospital visit for a exacerbation. He is frustrated at the fact that he cant get a routine going with the gym to get better before getting sick and needing IVS again. What the heck are you suppose to do ?

So with that being said Nick is calling tomorrow to make A appointment with his Dr. knowing good and well it is time for IVS again. Last Dr. visit his Dr told him that he will no longer be doing home IVS and that he will be admitted from now on. Please keep Nick in your prayers as he is physically and mentally drained and frustrated.

Be thankful for the ability to breathe and remember not to take it for granted.....Just saying

Pulmonary Rehab

2011-09-07T20:53:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I hope yall are having A great week!! This morning Nick had A transplant appointment,So we headed to Gainesville bright and early. Usually I am very confident about Nicks transplant visits and just know that it is not time to be listed. This time was A little different Nick ~~and I~~ have been out of the gym for 3 months. For Nick that is just not A good thing, His lung function is always higher when he is more active.

With that being said since he has not been going it was no surprise to get there this morning only to find out that his lung function had dropped. We saw the Dr. and he was slightly concerned but had confidence in Nick,Just as everyone else does that he can do better and bring these numbers up. Nick starts pulmonary rehab at the end of this month and will be going 4 times A week. He is really excited about this because he know what the outcome can be.

Nick was in this same predicament 2 years ago and kicked butt and was on top of the world. I have NO DOUBT that he can and WILL do this Again. The Dr said that he wants to see him when he is done with pulmonary rehab in three months.If then he does not see that Nicks lung function has improved he will then know that its time. Nick will then go through the whole process and testing of being evaluated. After that he will then decide weather or not he would like to be active on the list and waiting for lungs.

So that is where we stand and I thank everyone so much for all of your thoughts,positive vibes and prayers that were sent our way today. There is nothing better for Nick to get up in the morning sit down to do his treatments and check his stuff the morning of his transplant appointment only to find everyone who loves him sending him all that love. THANK YOU once again it means more to us than any of you will know.

2011-08-16T15:58:00.000-04:00

Last week I took some pictures of Nicks little sister for her senior pictures. I borrowed A friends camera because I didn't think my lil' ol' point and shoot would have done the job. She has A Nikon d3000 which took some really amazing pictures,I fell in love. We have been talking about getting A new camera for sometime now and after using this camera I could not wait much longer. So Nick bought me the Nikon D3100 and I am telling yall I am in LOVE with this camera. Cant wait to show you some of the pictures...Hope everyone is having A great week.

Dear Blog

2011-08-11T22:45:00.003-04:00

Dear Blog,
Oh how I have missed your blank page for me to ramble on about my oh so simple life but crazy life.I had to take A break from you for A while,I even contemplated getting rid of you! Crazy I know!!! Nick and I went to CF camp and then people told me that they actually missed reading about my crazy life. It made me so happy to think that people across the country actually read you and knew who we were and loved reading about our lives
I know it has been A while and I hope you missed me as much as I missed you ,But no worries because I'M BACK. Here is what we have been up to.....

We had a GREAT turnout at the 2nd annual bowling for breath....And raised money for SSSC

My Grandma Rello from California finally got to see our new home....We were so excited to have her over

Nick and I adopted A new puppy, She is A chocolate lab and her name is Bristol

I learned how to sew....A few pillow case dresses

We went to Cf camp and once again had the most amazing time

We are now obsessed with planking

And we finally got to meet some amazing people who we got to know through this blog....Pretty great people

Bowling for breath with slideshow

2011-05-20T00:53:00.000-04:00

Woooohooooo, What A weekend we had last weekend! Last weekend was our 2nd annual bowling for breath and I am so grateful and happy with how it turned out. Let me start off by saying Nick and I COULD NOT have done it without the amazing help we had from some friends of ours.With their help we made a lot of progress from last year to this year.

Last year our event raised money for the cystic fibrosis foundation,This year we changed it up.The money raised at bowling for breath was donated to sunny shores sea camp. Sunny shores sea camp is A place that Nick and I hold very near to our heart.This is our little piece of heaven on earth. Sunny shores is A place where people with cf and their families go for A week. It is held at the Disney Vero beach resort and is A all expense paid trip/life changing week for the attendees. While our stay there we have get together's where we learn the new and up coming breakthroughs with cf.

With all that good being said it only seemed right to donate to SSSC. The bowling for breath event raised 2,087.00 for Sunny shores sea camp this year. It is so nice to see that we had so many more people come out and support our event. Thanks to everyone for your help and making this event as successful as it was. Enjoy the pictures.

30 before thirty

2011-05-09T22:32:00.000-04:00

Go sky diving
Sew A blanket
Start A small buisness
Host an AMAZING girls night in
Go to the top of Mt.Solidad with Nick
Get A little certain something removed from my face
Go on A cruise
Adopt A child
Do 20 random acts of kindness
Take A cooking class with Nick
Stay at A bed and breakfast
Go to the keys with Nick
Go deep sea fishing (And actually catch something)
Take a sewing class
Go skinny dipping
Be apart of A flash mob
Milk A cow
Take A picture of myself everyday for a year, Then put it in video
Make 10 people cry tears of joy
Swim with the dolphins
Send flowers to 5 people on A random day
Mail 8 hand written letters
Complete A half marathon
Pay off some debt
Make and pass out goodie bags to the homeless
Go vegan for A month
Send A care package to the men and woman who serve our country
Learn to play the guitar
Go to the superbowl with Nick
Be an extra on A tv show or movie

Things I shouldnt say

2011-05-03T21:19:00.002-04:00

If you don't have anything nice to say than don't say anything at all
MOM

OOPS!!

The lady at Walmart should NEVER EVER EVER yell at me again because we are out of peeps,Yellow peeps for that matter because if we are being honest here she her son needed not one single more peep

People should really quit complaining about who killed Osama Bid Laden and be thankful for the men who put their lives on the line to get it done. We have been looking for this dude for 10 years to do just what we did yall....Now you wanna complain geeshhh people

After watching my nephew this weekend I realized that it is now or never...START putting money into our baby fund or consider myself like Oprah 50 something and no children= Not the life I wanted...Oh and to never wear white/khaki while in the presence of A 1 1/2 year old

Is done with one sided friendships,Waste of my time.

formspring.me

2011-04-27T23:52:00.001-04:00

Whatcha wanna know? Just ask! http://formspring.me/mrsbrown1110

formspring.me

2011-04-27T23:49:00.001-04:00

Whatcha wanna know? Just ask! http://formspring.me/mrsbrown1110

formspring.me

2011-04-27T23:48:00.001-04:00

Whatcha wanna know? Just ask! http://formspring.me/mrsbrown1110

Best Day!!

2011-04-26T20:29:00.000-04:00

I hope that every ones Easter was as amazing and beautiful as ours was. Nick and I decided to do something different and have Easter with just the two of us. I know normally the ideal Easter is to be surrounded by family and spending the day enjoying each others company. Nick and I have had so much going on lately with family,health,work and fundraising that we just wanted to get away.

Sunday morning Nick and I decided to wake up and go to St. Augustine. I had planned on cooking A small Easter dinner for just the two of us but last minute we decided not to. We got down there walked around for A bit it was a beautiful day there were families picnicking everywhere. We had A bite to eat at this adorable little place called the white lion. The prices were GREAT and the food was simply delicious

After lunch we headed out in front of the fort to find a spot to sit during the Easter parade they were having.Then I ran into A friend from work,The parade was so much fun. We ate so much sweets I am not even going to say how much I am ashamed yall. They have all these specialty shops that make it so darn tempting,It was worth it though. We walked around and shopped some more they have some of the neatest stuff down there that is all hand made.

Later on Nick and I along with our friends Krista and Steve went and had dinner at the conch house. This place was so beautiful and the end to a perfect day. The atmosphere was perfect the view was good and the food was even better.I HIGHLY recommend this to yall, i don't even care for seafood and I loved it. Check it our next time you are down in St.Augustine. Here are some pictures from the day ENJOY

25 bucks

2011-04-21T01:53:00.000-04:00

In the last blog I let yall know how excited I was that Nick and I now had A new puppy.....Oh how things can change in A couple of days. I am so sad to say that we had to give our cute little beagle puppy away,To A good home thankfully. We had every intentention on keeping the puppy that Nick ended up naming "Kobe" and loving him just like our other fur baby.

Since I had found the pup and did not know much about him we wanted to take him to the vet asap to make sure he was in good health. Tuesday morning Nick and I took him to the vet where we eventually came to determine he had mange. Then she told us that he was 6 weeks and looked to be A full blooded beagle,Not what we wanted to hear. I told Nick that as much as I already loved our new pup if he was A beagle I would have to think about finding him a good home.

Anyways while we were waiting on the Dr. to come back I got upset because I loved this puppy but he just wasn't working out... Our other fur baby Jag was just not having it,He was A totally different dog since we brought Kobe home. I still went ahead and paid for the puppy to have some shots that would start getting rid of mange as well as de working him.I just could not let him suffer just because I was not going to keep him.

After trying to find someone who would want to take him with his skin condition I had no luck. I knew that I couldn't keep him anymore knowing that he could give mange to Jag. Before work this morning I drove the poor little pup down to the pound. I didn't even get into the building yet and I had A woman stop me and ask me if I was getting rid oh him. I went on to tell her how great of a pup he was but that he did have mange,Her husband soon stepped in and told her no. So I proceeded the walk of shame into the building where there is A rather scary looking lady sitting behind A glass window as if I was going to reach across and threaten her life with my puppy.

I told her the story of how I found him and that it just wasn't working out and all the good things about this cute pup. She then simply looked at me and said "If you want to drop him off it will be A 25 dollar fee,I will need your license and there is no guarantee he will be adopted out" At that point I think my mouth fell open and she said "THIS IS A EUTHANIZING FACILITY" Geeshhhh what was I thinking, I mean who would have thought that I would ever have to pay A mean scary old lady 25 bucks to euthanize my new puppy....UMMM I DON'T THINK SO. I simply told her "Thanks but no thanks, I cant see paying you 25 dollars just to kill my dog, Have A great day"

With that being said I turned around and drove Kobe back home,Only to get to work to find A new owner for him. I couldn't have been happier with who he was going to!!! I just cant believe how hard people make it to help stray animals,No wonder why there are so many.

Here is A great psa for everyone...Enjoy

Stalemate

2011-04-18T20:58:00.000-04:00

Stale-mate any position or situation in which no action can be taken or progress made; deadlock:

Sometimes this is what I feel like regarding Nick and where he stands in his fight with cystic fibrosis.

Last week I posted here about Nick and his oxygen being A little low and possibly needing oxygen at night when he sleeps. Well his nurse called this afternoon and let Nick know that he will be needing it while he sleeps. She said that it was not extremely low but that they were going to have him use it while he sleeps.

I am going to be brutally honest!!!! Last week I posted on my face book that Nick would be doing A sleep study and to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. The next day Nick got A call from his nurse who we LOVE more than she will ever know. She was concerned with me writing that on face book. She didn't understand why I would get people worried when it was not A big deal. So I said you know what maybe it was not A big deal and I shouldn't have said anything.

Today when Nick called me and told me this I had one of my CF wife "moments". Only because It is such A let down for him, He works SO hard to keep his self healthy only to be knocked back on his butt.SO YES last week maybe I did make A big deal out of it because YES it is A big deal to us.I think a lot of these Dr's and nurses forget that this is NOT normal for us and are desensitized to certain things. To us it is one step closer to the inevitable. Call me dramatic but I just call it for what I see it!

It is so painful for me when Nick gets sick or gets news that it is unwanted to see the look on his face. I have said this before but he looks SO defeated, Even though I KNOW that MY AMAZING HUSBAND will once again push on and be thankful for every breath he gets.It still hurts no matter how many times I see that face, It never makes it easier.Tomorrow the people with the stupid oxygen tank are coming out and showing him how that things works. I know it will be good for Nick and will make him sleep better,Its just him getting use to it.

ON ANOTHER NOTE....

Nick and I got a new puppy!!! I have been wanting another dog for SO long and my prayers were answered. Nick was not and still is not completely happy about it though,He is coming around.I will write more about the pup later , I have to take him to the vet.Until then you can enjoy pics of our sweet new furbaby

Oxygen watch

2011-04-16T12:41:00.000-04:00

Hey yall, Hope you are enjoying the B-E-A-UTIFUL weather outside I love this time of year for so many reasons. If you follow me on face book than most of you already know about the new fun stuff Nick had to do. I have to say that I am A little guilty and thanks to Nicks nurse for putting me in check. Me being the drama queen that I am seemed to have made it A bigger deal than it should of been.

Last week Nicks nurse came out to check on him as she normally does. She listens to his lungs and all kinds of other stuff and she usually put the little red glowing thing on his finger to see what his oxygen is. Nicks is usually 90-94,Well that day is was any where between 80-85. His nurse was A little concerned and called Nicks Dr,They then decided that he should do some kind of overnight ~~sleep study~~ oxygen test.

Nick wore that little red glowing thing on his finger while he slept to see what kind of oxygen he was getting while he slept.He was like A little kid and couldn't fall asleep because he kept looking at his "oxygen watch". Hopefully all is well and the test will come back and we Will have great news....If not Nick will have to sleep with oxygen when he sleeps.

It was so hard for be and I guess why I made A big deal out of it. Nick just once again looked so defeated like he had done something wrong or that there was something he can do to make it go up. I hate this part of being A cf wife more than anything because there is nothing you can do or say to make it better. To his Dr. this is just A simple thing no worries but not for Nick. This is just one more routine he has to add to the day and one more thing that makes him A little less like everyone else.So yes it was A big deal in my eyes when I look into my husbands eyes and see nothing but sadness and defeat.Thankfully it went away quickly because Nick has never been one to dwell on anything.Thank God for that...

Something different

2011-04-04T22:53:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had A great weekend!!! I managed to get Saturday and Sunday off again this weekend, What A blessing that was.

Every weekend Nick and I go to the flea market (Mainly for our produce) but it is the same ol' same ol' every weekend.Instead of heading to the flea market Nick and I made our way down town to the Riverside arts market I was pleasantly surprised.

There was a lot of things that people made, Beautiful art, amazing music and lots of good people.

Nick and I walked around for A little bit,Sat and enjoyed the live music right on the river and of course took some pictures. Call me corny but I was looking around people watching and everyone was so darn happy,I love that. Just for A second its A reminder of all the good in the world!

Nick and I were walking around and I found the cutest sign, I loved it and Nick just said "It looks old" he does not get the vintage worn look.

They even had valet for bikes

I Think that this is our new favorite spot for the weekend. All of the food there looked SO yummy and smelled so good,Maybe next weekend! If you live in Jacksonville you should defiantly check it out and its FREE!!

On another note Nick and I along with some amazing help have been busy busy busy with the Bowling For Breath event that our heads are spinning. This year seems to be way bigger and better than last year and we are so excited. We are still looking for people or business's who would like to donate items or gift certificates to be raffled off. Please get with me if interested.

I hope everyone has A great week!!!!

Chicken Box

2011-03-28T23:52:00.000-04:00

Hey yall, I know it has been forever and A year since I blogged. Seems like there is never enough time in one day to get everything done.

This is kind of random but Nick and I have had a pretty rough couple of months. Recently we lost A close family friend who was nothing short of an amazing person.Someone who fought for our country and then went on to be A police officer,Someones husband and A great friend to many. Just this week our town has lost two young people,One of which Nick and I graduated with all in the BLINK OF AN EYE

With that being said...Live your life with a purpose and make sure the ones you love know you love them. There is no greater feeling in the world than to know you are loved and cared for.

Today Nick had A Dr. appointment and it went really well. His weight was up but his numbers were down just a tiny bit,Nothing to be worried about. It was weird because Nicks lung function was the same exact number that it was this year at this time.Nick has been back in the gym and has so much more energy and feels a lot better. I am so jealous yall, Nick has 0% body fat so when he works out his gets extremely tone right away. I have to work months to get that kind of definition maybe it would help if I actually went.

After his Dr. appointment we headed over to the Jacksonville Landing for lunch at Koja Sushi. We loved it, The atmosphere is beautiful right on the river as well as great food. I think people in Jacksonville forget how awesome the landing is,They have A awesome selection of restaurants and its right on the river.

On another note they seriously need to consider A new parking situation. After looking for A empty parking space we realize we need change for the meters, Not only change but only quarters. After harassing every passerby for change for A dollar. We put the money in to find out you are only allotted a hour at A time then have to come back and put more money in for more time. Nick and I walked straight to the landing,Ate lunch and came right back and had A few minutes left. No looking around at the shops or anything just an hour....Not cool!!!

Have A great week everyone,And be sure to tell your loved ones you love them....Even if they already know....Love you all

For Japan

2011-03-18T11:23:00.000-04:00

Girls Day Out

2011-03-11T20:29:00.000-05:00

With the preparation of the bowling for breath event my friend Chelsea and I headed down town to beg for goodies. I tell ya asking for donations is tough work ladies, However we did well for our first day. It has been too long since I have seen "Chelsea Boo" and had too much fun minus almost dying due to traffic mishaps HA!!! Nick hates Mexican so when I am out with friends that is always the first thing I want for lunch,So La Napolera it was. After lunch we headed out to local businesses for items to be donated to raffle off at the event. We got some really great stuff and I am so thankful for people who are nice enough to give back to the community.Today was the start of the madness until our event, I cannot wait to see how awesome the 2nd annual bowling for breath is going to be....Have A good weekend yall!

No Pain No Gain

2011-03-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

Hey yall, I hope everyone is as ready for this weekend as I am...Woooh what A week!

Nick and I have finally got back to going to the gym every day and I am reallllyyyy feeling it.Nick has been going now for about A month now and I started back last week. Now that it is time to get back into that bathing suit I feel more determined than ever. The other night I worked my legs so hard that when I got up they were actually quivering. Something that my mom has said before rang in my ear "NO PAIN NO GAIN"

On another note Nick and I along with our good friend Chelsea are getting things together for the 2ND annual bowling for breath event. Last year the event was held for this Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, But we decided to switch it up this year.As you all have read in previous post Nick and I go to Sunny Shores Sea Camp every year, You can read about that here. It was life changing for Nick and I and have learned so much from going and met some pretty amazing people.

Sunny Shores Sea Camp is A non profit organization that is made possible by people who graciously donate there time and money.The families who attend pay for nothing but there way to get there.They provide your room and board at the Disney Vero Beach resort. Not only to they do that but breakfast lunch and dinner are taken care of as well. You learn so much by attending this camp and gain some life long friends.

With that being said the least we could do was raise some money so that more families can attend, RIGHT?

That is why we are doing the Bowling For Breath event for them this year.It is such A fun event and A great way to raise money. I would LOVE to see everyone there and makes for A great family day. Be sure to check out the website for additional info and to register...

Getting Ready

2011-03-06T22:42:00.000-05:00

So We just got the Bowling for breath flyer finished and I am SO excited it looks awesome.

So here are the details about the event:

We are asking that people get together teams of 6 or 12.
We REALLY need items donated for the door prizes and raffle.Everything you donate is tax deductible.
We need you to gather ALL your friends and family for this event.
We are also looking for monetary donations for t-shirts

Last year was our first event and it turned out SO good, I cant imagine what this year holds from us.

Exciting News

2011-02-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

I got A e-mail this morning with some very exciting information in it....Check it out....We are one step closer....

Phase 3 Study of VX-770 Shows Positive Results

February 23, 2011
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced today that VX-770, an oral medicine in development that targets the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis, showed promising results in a Phase 3 clinical trial.

The trial was designed to evaluate patients age 12 and up who carry at least one copy of a CF mutation called G551D. The study included 161 patients who received at least one dose of VX-770 or placebo.

Patients who took the drug, compared to those on placebo, showed a marked improvement in lung function at 24 weeks, which was sustained for the duration of the 48-week trial.

Patients also showed improvement across all key secondary endpoints in the study, including reduced likelihood of experiencing a pulmonary exacerbation, decreased respiratory symptoms and improved weight gain. Each of these areas is critically important to the health of people with CF.

In addition, average sweat chloride levels of patients on VX-770 dropped toward normal levels, while those on placebo did not change — indicating the drug is impacting the underlying defect in CF. Excessive sweat chloride (salt) is a key clinical indicator of CF.

VX-770 is being developed by Vertex, and was discovered in collaboration with the CF Foundation, which provided substantial support to Vertex throughout the development process, including an approximately $75 million investment.

About four percent of people with CF carry the G551D mutation. More studies are needed to determine whether other CF mutations may benefit from VX-770.

“These results are highly encouraging. They provide scientific evidence that support our long-standing belief that targeting the underlying defect of CF may have a profound effect on the disease,” said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We have much more to do to end the suffering caused by this disease, but these data are extremely exciting, especially for people with the G551D mutation and their families. The results also offer significant hope that a similar approach to treatment may help the majority of patients living with CF.”

The Phase 3 data support Vertex’s plan to submit a New Drug Application for VX-770 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2011. Generally, the FDA takes between 6 and 12 months to review and rule on a drug application.

"The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has played an instrumental role in our more than 10-year effort to discover and develop potential new CF medicines such as VX-770,” said Matthew W. Emmens, chairman, president and CEO of Vertex. “The data announced today reflect a significant investment of time, dollars and scientific expertise from both Vertex and the CF Foundation, and we look forward to working closely with the Foundation as we seek to bring VX-770 to people with CF.”

Said Preston W. Campbell III, M.D., executive vice president for medical affairs of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: “As a physician who has treated CF patients for many years, the VX-770 results are more than just numbers — they represent hope.” He added, “It’s not surprising that patients felt better on the drug because of the magnitude of lung function improvement and weight gain. These are important clinical outcomes, and the fact they were maintained through 48 weeks is very encouraging.”

Im thinking it is Fridayyyyy

2011-02-18T22:09:00.000-05:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE.....THIS SONG

Valentines with Jen and Adam

2011-02-14T23:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day yall!!!

I had off today and so I was pretty happy to be able to sleep in this morning. I was pleasantly surprised that Nick had already got movie tickets for us tonight. We were going to go to Carrabas and then found out there was A hour long wait, I should have known better. We ended up going to Sushi Rock for some Japanese (Nicks Favorite) and sat next to the nicest family. After dinner I was so excited to head over to Cami Cakes and indulge in A little cupcake heaven. I was SO disappointed to get there and there was literally only 10 cupcakes in the window, none of which were my favorites. Nick and I walked around the mall for A little bit and headed towards the movie theatre passing by Cami Cakes again where there was only one lonely cupcake in the window...How Sad yall

We went and saw the movie Just go with it with Jenifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.

This movie was simply perfect,everything I love in A movie. Nick and I literally laughed through the whole movie,It was A perfect date night movie. I suggest this movie to you and guarantee you it will not disappoint. Can I also add that Brad Pitt was SUCH A fool for leaving that girl, She is so gorgeous.

Happy Valentines Day....

Delish Recipes

2011-02-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

Okay....I told everyone that I would be getting the recipes together for the O SO YUMMY food we had at our Superbowl party.....These recipes are perfect for any get together...Enjoy

Buffalo Chicken Dip

My friend Megan brought this and it was A hit

What you Need:

3-4 chicken breast cooked and diced
1 8 oz block of cream cheese
16 oz of shredded cheese
12 oz mozzarella cheese
1 cup of buffalo sauce ( or as preferred)

Mix all ingredients to incorporate together and bake in glass casserole dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Stir. If still lumpy, continue to cook until smooth. Serve with Frito's and Celery sticks.

Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents

Love love love these and they are So easy

What you need:

16 oz of sausage cooked and crumbled
8 oz of cream cheese
2 cans of crescent rolls (For the Sandra lee semi home made way)

Mix cooked sausage and cream cheese together,Separate rolls into triangles and in half lengthwise. Scoop and heaping tbs onto each triangle,roll up and bake @ 375 for about 15 minutes....

Chipped Beef Cheese ball

OK...When my friend Krista told me what was in this (Chipped Beef) I didn't know what that was...So if any of you are as clueless as I was this....Is chipped beef

What you need:

1 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 tbs of onion chopped (My friend used scallions and I liked it way better)
3/4 can of chipped beef in the jar ( be sure to soak beef to remove saltiness,follow instructions on jar)
1tbs of worschishire sauce
1 tbs of milk

Mix all ingredients together and shape to your liking and enjoy....SOOOOO yummy

Best BLT dip

It really lives up to the name....

What you need:

1 pound of bacon
1 32 oz jar of mayonnaise ( Hey I never said these were healthy)
1 tomato chopped
32 ounces of sour cream
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon until crispy, put on towel to absorb grease then for best results chop bacon in food processor however finely chopped will work. In A large mixing bowl mix together bacon, tomato and jar of mayo.Then add half the container of sour cream and blend well.Then add sour cream by spoonfuls until the flavor of mayo is not over whelming. You'll be left with about A cup of sour cream, Lightly coat top with garlic powder,Salt and pepper.

Ranch Ham Roll Ups

What you need:

2- 8 oz packages of cream cheese
1 envelope of ranch dressing
3 green onions chopped
11 flour tortillas
22 slices of thing deli ham

In A small bowl beat cream cheese and ranch together until smooth.Stir in onions. Spread about 3 tablespoons over each tortilla; top each with two ham slices. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm. Unwrap and cut into 3/4-in. slices. Yield: about 7-1/2 dozen.

Go Pack Go!!!

2011-02-07T12:45:00.000-05:00

Let me put it out there that I would much rather have seen the jaguars go to the super bowl.....Since that didnt happen this year Nick and I were pulling for the packers.Nick and I had A superbowl/housewarming party last night and had SO much fun.We had about 25 people here last night and had A great night with some GREAT food. I could not believe some of the yummy dips and goodies we had they were soooo delish. I think I might get all the recipes together and post them on here for yall. Other than being completely thrown off my the fact that Christina augilera messed up our NATIONAL ANTHEM I was happy that the packers won.Here are some pics enjoy!!

Staying for A while

2011-02-02T16:44:00.000-05:00

So it looks like Nicks lungs will be hanging around for A while. Nick and I headed to Gainesville for his transplant appointment. After waiting two and A half hours the Dr. came in for literally 3 minutes yall....Anyways he said that Nick sounded good he wants to see him back in 6 months as long as his lung function does not drop dramatically. He said that he didn't really see Nick being listed for another 2-3 years as long as he continues to be compliant....GOD IS GOOD!!!!! Thanks for all the prayers, We love you all

LUNGS

2011-02-01T22:25:00.000-05:00

Dear Lungs,
I would really like to be stress free for A couple more years. My dear hunk of A husband takes pretty good care of you, I just hope you can hang in there for A while longer. I would really hate for him to have to get rid of you for some new ones....Thanks

Nicks Wife

Busy As A Bee

2011-01-30T22:34:00.001-05:00

Nick and I have been A bunch of busy little bees yall ....With Nicks transplant appointment coming up on Wednesday he has been busy trying to make sure he is in tip top shape.We are also hosting A Superbowl/housewarming party this weekend.With everyone coming over we have been trying to nip A couple little projects in the butt. We also sold our AMAZING sectional that I will miss ohhhhhh so much but the white HAD TO GO.Today we had our new ones delivered and they are so comfortable.Anyways here are A couple of the projects we have been trying to get done.

This bench I found on the side of the road and was SO nasty but I saw some potential in it.

This is it now...Almost done

I got this chair from my friend Joell and LOVE it

However it did need A makeover and let me tell you,

This chair was NOOOOTT easy to re do...I am still working on it

I still have to cover the bottom,The fabric is just laid on there and the arm rest.

We have also been working on A fireplace but I am going to post on that when we are done.I hope everyone had A great weekend.

Transplant Update

2011-01-22T02:14:00.000-05:00

As most of you know last October Nick got pretty sick and then in August was evaluated for A double lung transplant. Thankfully from October to August Nick kicked butt and got his self where he needed to be and was not eligible to go on the list. However they wanted Nick to come back every six months to be re evaluated and see where he is at as far as being listed. Six months has come fast yall,Nicks appointment is the first week of February.

I wish that I could say we are as confident as we were walking into that Dr. office last October. However I cannot....Nick is by no means sick right now but...He is by no means where he was last October. I am usually very optimistic about all of Nicks appointments because he is so amazing and always seems to pull something out of no where and do great. I pray every day that its not time for Nick to be listed,I am being SO selfish but I am just not ready yet. I am not ready I am not ready I am just not ready yet and I don't know if he is either. How ever I do know that NO MATTER WHAT I am by his side and I will do WHATEVER it takes to get him where he needs to be.

It has been so hard with us buying the new house for him to get back into what made him SO STRONG last October. THE GYM!!! With that being said Monday starts A new week and back to the gym NO EXCUSES like my Grandmother and Nike say "Just do it". For us normal people its just A saying with A little meaning behind it if you allow how ever for my husband it is do or die.....

Heavenly Bananas

2011-01-18T20:48:00.000-05:00

This is really random but this was so unbelievably good that I just HAD to tell yall about this. Nick and I went grocery shopping today and I snuck this little bit of heaven into my buggie.....

Rich, fresh roasted banana ice cream blended with a brown sugar and rum swirl with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg that puts the classic dessert to shame.

I could not believe how good this ice cream was. This is A MUST TRY and it is A limited edition so run yes literally run to your local store and get ya A little bit of heaven

On Another note....Nick and I are almost done with the faux fireplace. Nick painted on the white primer tonight and will be painting it antique pearl tomorrow.

Dr.Appointment and Faux Fireplace

2011-01-15T21:08:00.001-05:00

Hey yall, I know I have kinda been MIA lately. I have just not been in A blogging mood much and I hate it. Between work and all these house projects I'm am just slap wore out.I figured I would let everyone know how Nick is doing. He had A Dr.Appointment this past week and I am so excited his numbers were slightly up and he also gained A couple pounds. I had to work when Nick had his Dr. appointment and I HATE it I feel like it is my job to be there with him. I know he is A grown man but I just feel its my part to be by his side.Anyways when I called him after his appointment I could automatically tell he had A good visit,Its all in his voice....Its so cute yall

Nick is such A great hubby I dream up all these CrAzY projects and he is so good about making it happen.Our latest project is making A Faux fireplace/mantel, Something along these lines....

Nick has gone above and beyond and worked SO hard on this project I cant wait to see what the final product looks like. Here are some pics of the Faux fireplace/mantel in the making,Excuse the mess.

Hopefully we he will be finished with it tonight and I can start painting it tomorrow.He still has some trim to put along the bottom and the actual mantel piece.

We went and picked out paint and when we are all done we hope it will look similar to this....

traditional dining room design by other metros interior designer Judith Balis

WHATCHA THINK?

Whats going on

2010-12-30T11:54:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to do some blog post lately and if you read my blog you know I rarely make A post with out A pic. To me it makes blogs more interesting, People want to see what you are talking about. Well....for some reason I can only post one pic to my blog at a time then I have to exit out of the blog, come back in and then load up the next pic. It is weird and very annoying,Is anyone else having this problem?

So I decided I need to keep on blogging, So until I figure this out there will be less pictures because it is way to time consuming doing it the way it is now.

On another note Nick and I have been pretty busy lately. From our trip to Indy, Christmas shopping and Christmas and then being busy with the house. As you know Nick recently got sick and we have A good feeling it was from him working on the house to much and wearing himself out. So its hard to not want to work on the house and we are trying to find that balance where we can still work on it but not wear ourselves out.

Here are some pics of the little projects we have done in the past couple of weeks

This is the closet in our guest bedroom. I wanted A workspace where I could do crafts. I didn't want to invade Nicks manspace/office so I came up with this. Nick help me put up A couple wall to wall shelves and some trim and TADAAAA!!

I absolutely love it and it was really easy.

Here is A picture of the new wall art we just did, I LOVE IT!!!!

We had it on this wall at first and left it there for A little bit but I just wasn't feeling it.

So it is now here...

Now I will be trying to finish our picture wall and hope that it will look as good as this

Picture wall

I hope everyone had A great Christmas I am excited to post about some things to come for us in the New Year.

Like A ROCKSTAR!!!!

2010-12-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Nick and I got to go on one of the most amazing trips.Nick and I got A great opportunity thanks to some really awesome people to go on A trip this past weekend...Read about how HERE
Nick and I arrived at Ever Bank Field on Saturday around one to meet up with some Jacksonville Jaguar representatives. From there we jumped on A bus and we were escorted to the airport where the Jaguar private plane awaited not only us but the Jags as well.

As we were getting on the plane two lovely ladies from Chick Fil A handed me A bag of Chicken and A Gatorade.Nick and I get on the plane get settled and the plane takes off,Everything is great.Next thing I know the flight attendant is walking around asking us if we would like some Doritos,Sure why not? Then 10 minutes later she comes back and wanted to know if I wanted A chicken quesadilla or steak salad...What the heck? So not only did I get one yummy quesadilla but the most amazing salad and piece of apple pie.It was slap your mama kinda good yall!

We finally landed in Indy and boy did we feel special. They roped off the hotel lobby and no body was allowed to enter the hotel (except us) or leave.Our hotel room key was waiting for us and we were off to our rooms to freshen up.Nick and I changed and the headed to the 3 story mall for A little Christmas shopping.

Nick and I got downt o the lobby and he said "Do not turn around" So of course I did. It was Josh Scobee.....Yall I have A huge thing for this guy, he is such A hunk. ANYWAYS!! It was really nice because the hotel was connected to A convention center and the mall so we didn't have to walk out in the cold...Not that I would have minded playing in the snow some.

Nick and I looked around some and hit up the Godiva shop for A yummy Banana Foster Star. Then we headed over to Bella Vita,If you are ever in Indy check it out...So good! We had Banana Foster for dessert can you tell that is our favorite.It kinda brings back memories, Nick and I both had that for the first time on our honey moon.

After dinner Nick and I attempted to take the scenic route instead of the heated skywalk back to the hotel so we could play in snow. That didn't last very long before we headed back to the mall and up to the sky walk.

On our way back we were taking pictures and some kids asked us to take A picture of them because they were famous. They then began to tell Nick and I that they were famous rappers so I said "Rap for us then" so they did. They were pretty good and well...Deserved that there picture be taken.

Nick and I got back to the hotel and picked Nick up some gloves and headed back out in the snow to play.I LOVE SNOW!!!! We had so much fun and laughed so hard!!

Finally we made it up to our room and crashed for the night. The next morning we woke up enjoyed some yumjy starbucks and jumped on the bus where we were police escorted one block over to Lucas Oil Stadium.

The game was interesting! We had A great time but it was hard getting beat considering this was one of our most important games. Let me tell you those colts fans are absolutely ruthless.I will say they had the most amazing nachos ever at this game...Just sayin...After the game we headed down the three story GIANT stadium. It was nice because all we did was flash our little bracelets and they ushered us through pretty quickly. After going through the lovely tsa check point we jumped on the bus and headed to the airport where the plane was waiting on us.

The plane trip was nothing short of heavenly, I like to eat and let me tell you that's alllllll we did . It is just ridiculous how much they feed you on this plane ride. We arrived back at the stadium and I thought this was so neat...Some encouraging words after A hard loss!

After A amazing weekend we were ready to be home to see our little fur baby and our warmer weather.

BLOG HELP!!!!!

2010-12-27T21:11:00.000-05:00

So I have been trying to do A post since forever and it will not let me post more than one pic at A time....This is very aggravating..Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if so how the heck do I fix it?

Pacca

2010-12-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Last night Nick and I went to the annual Pacca benefit I love this event for so many reasons. All the money that is raised a this fundraiser goes back to the patients. At Nicks Dr. appointments he will randomly get A target gift card or A big jar of trail mix. When you are having A crappy Dr. visit and you get something like that it makes your day A little bit better. Not only do they do little things like that but Nick and I really got the benefit from it this past week.When we were trying to get out of the hospital we had A bit of A hold up with the insurance company. They would pay for all of Nicks meds but didn't want to pay for all of the medical supplies for him to do at home ivs. It would have costNick and I 40 bucks A day. So Nick and I were going to have to stay up at the hospital for another week and a half. Thankfully pacca came through and is paying that for us. That is so huge!! I also love going every year because we get to see all of our favorite people. We got to see all of Nicks nurses and some of the pediatric team who has gotten Nick where he was when he moved over to the adult CF world.

Nick with his pediatric Dr.

Nick and I with his nurse Ronnie

Nick seems to be doing better and has more of A appetite now.I have noticed him still running out of energy which is so hard for him because he hates to just relax. Thanks so much for everyone who has thought about us and for those who have been praying for us. Sorry if I have seemed out of touch lately I have a lot going on and haven't been in much of A mood to chit chat.

Our stay in the hole

2010-12-01T00:52:00.000-05:00

So here I am 12:27 at night and just getting up to the hospital to stay with Nick. I absolutely hate seeing Nick like this, Just so miserable and defeated. I feel so guilty inside at times because my life cant stop when Nick gets sick. I feel like as A wife it is my responsibility to nurture and care for him when he is sick and unfortunately my work schedule doesn't allow me to take off when Nick is sick.So here I am at 12:27 trying to get in as much quality time as I can before this lovely disease wears my husband out for the day.

Since getting sick Nick has lost close to 10 pounds as well as all that good looking muscle from his hard work at the gym. I am hoping that this hospital stay is A reminder for him to slow down and remember that he comes first. Nick has another transplant appointment in February where he will be evaluated to see if it is time for him to go on the transplant list. I can only hope that from now until then he will surprise all of is as he did before. He never come short of amazing me and I know he can do it if his body allows.

Nick and I are so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. I know we certainly need them as we both go stir crazy in the hole (hospital).

Blah

2010-11-29T18:32:00.000-05:00

Hey Yall, I hope everyone had An amazing Thanksgiving. Let me tell you what A crazy couple of weeks it has been for Nick and I. About A week before Thanksgiving Nick decided he wanted to do Thanksgiving at our house. Every year we go from house to house visiting with everyone and it has just gotten old. since we have A new home of our own what better way to celebrate than have everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner. So Nick and I got to work getting the house ready for everyone to come over. We also had my Mom and Step dad coming in town the day after Thanksgiving to stay until today with us. We finally got everything ready for Thanksgiving and it couldn't have went better. It felt so good to have everyone over to our new home and just relax and enjoy each others company.

Everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner

All of my sisters

My nephew Trace and I

Some of our Thanksgiving goodies

My mom and step dad arrived Saturday and we haven't stopped since. They spoiled Nick and I A bit and got us some things for the house. My step dad helped Nick do some landscaping, It looks SO good! It was so nice having them come up for A visit. Nick and I are so use to driving down to Ft. Lauderdale to see them. Now that they have A room to stay in here I think we will be seeing them A little more often, I couldnt more excited about that.

On another not, I know life is not fair but please excuse me but I am gonna have A pity party if ya don't mind. Right when you think that life is going great you get another blow. From the time we moved in until now Nick has not really stopped to take the time for himself. Unfortunately the last couple of days Nick has felt the brunt of our never ending projects. I called his Dr. this morning and they thought it would be best that Nick come into the hospital for A little stay and finish up his ivs at home. We are suppose to be so excited about our new home and enjoying it, Instead we have to go stay at the hospital.

Every time Nick gets sick its just another reminder that our life is far from normal and nor will it ever be. Its just not fair that Nick has to deal with this stupid disease,That he has to bust his butt every day of his life just to BREATHE. I love how people think that they have it bad I wish for once they could walk A mile in his shoes. Anyways enough I just need to vent sometimes. That is what this blog was for and now I feel like I have to guard myself sometimes because of who reads this blog.

So please continue to keep Nick I'm your prayers as he just got off of Ivs less than 2 months ago and yet hes back at it.

Things I love right now

2010-11-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

Check out some of the things I am loving right now....

This site is simply AMAZING especially if you love to DIY...

Not only do they have awesome decorating style they have step by step instructions on how to do pretty much any home project you can think of.Since Nick and I started looking to by A house I have been hooked to there projects page trying to get ideas. Check it out...

YOUNG HOUSE LOVE

Since moving into our new house I have A new found respect for spray paint. It is A quick and easy fix to makeover just about anything. Check out some awesome spray paint makeovers at
THRIFTY DECOR CHICK

While we are talking about spray painting, I have found the greatest tool for my new spray paint love.You can pick it up just about anywhere I got mine at Walmart of course for A whopping 2.94.Usually when spray painting my finger starts to cramp from holding down the nozzle and I end up with spray pain on my hands. This little gadget turns your spray can into A nifty little gun. It makes for no dripping and streaks I love it.

Since Nick and I do not have Internet at the new house I was starting to have withdrawal symptoms. I needed Internet ASAP!! I remembered that Starbucks has free Internet so I am completely loving on Starbucks.Not only is it awesome that they have free Internet but that I live oh maybe 3 minutes from it.So between the unpacking and work I find some me time to go enjoy some free Internet and people watching.If you love to people watch sit in Starbucks for A hour....WOW

The last thing that I am loving now is my new house....It is simply perfect for Nick and I . At first I was really worried about moving from lil ol Bryceville to Argyle. I am so glad we picked this location, Nick and I love being so close to everything and still having that quiet neighborhood.

Yada Yada Yada

2010-11-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

I know yall probably think that I have fallen off the face of the blogging earth....NOPE I'm here!!!! Just up to my nose in boxes and I couldn't be any happier
Nick and I closed on our first home this past Friday and are finally starting to get settled in. I love knowing that our new home was not handed to us on A silver platter,But that we worked hard to have this house. It really has made living here so much sweeter. We have slowly started unpacking and have noticed that we have outgrown some of our previous home decor.All of our stuff from out apartments has been stored away for two years while we lived with my in laws to save for A house. So lets just say Nick and I are going to have A huge yard sale once we get everything unpacked...One mans trash is another mans treasure right? Nick and I are really excited about having everyone over for A house warming party. We are thinking about doing A housewarming/Superbowl party....WHO'S COMING????

Yesterday Nick got A call from his nurse who we love more than she will ever know.She wants Nick to speak at their annual fundraiser dinner for the adults cystic fibrosis center. We have attended this event every year and have always enjoyed being apart of it.I of course have always known that Nick is A amazing individual. It gets me so excited to know that other people feel the same way,That his story is enough to inspire people. I know that Nick is passionate about CF and helping other people so I know he will do A great job.She also mentioned another pretty big opportunity Nick may possibly have in the near future but I am going to wait to share the news until everything is set in stone

Nick has been doing good but unfortunatly with all the moving has not been in the gym as much. I get so worried around this time of the year for him because of all the germs going around. This time of the year is never good for any one with CF. So please keep Nick in your thoughts and prayers as always that he can kick butt and get back into the gym.

Once we get the house put together I will be putting up pictures....

CLOSING

2010-11-05T00:10:00.000-04:00

Finally after what seems like forever Nick and I are closing on our very first home tomorrow at 2. We are beyond excited and are so thankful for all of you who have thought and prayed for us. Nick and I cannot wait to have everyone over. We will be posting pictures soon I am sure.

Better late than never

2010-11-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

Last week was Nicks 25th birthday! We were so wrapped up in Halloween parties and the new house that I didn't even blog about it...Shame Shame Shame... I know

I was SO excited about Nicks birthday, He was turning 25!!!!

I don't know about you other CFers but birthdays are kind of A big deal around here. From where Nick was in his fight with CF last year to where he is today is HUGE. He has kicked butt this year and really worked hard to be where he is today.Nick and I were talking the other night and we realized that he had made it 10 years past his death sentence. His Dr told his Mom when he was born that he probally wouldn't make it to see his 15th birthday! So I am pretty confident in saying I have the most amazing and incredible husband. I cannot be more proud of him as my husband and as A person!!!

HAPPY 25th NICK!!!!

I love you !!!

Finally....GOOD NEWS

2010-10-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

So as you know we have been waiting for what seems like forever to know something about the purchase of our new home. Last night we got A e-mail and found out we got approved,There are still A couple hoops to jump through but.....It looks like we will be closing on our new house on November 5th just 5 days before our anniversary...How cool is that... So please continue to keep us in your prayers.

You like my Facebook.....

2010-10-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

Saturday night Nick and I had A Halloween party to go to,I absolutely love dressing up...Nick not so much. I am always pretty set on making our Halloween costumes, It is so much more fun that way. We have been trying to come up with something for weeks and FINALLY I found it. I thought it was too funny especially since I have A slight addiction to Facebook.

I was Facebook and Nick was A like button

We had a lot of fun and got A lot of compliments on our costumes. Unfortunately Nick forgot to take his enzymes with breakfast so pretty early in the night he got A really bad stomach ache. I absolutely hate it when he gets these because obviously they are REALLY painful,Sometimes it scares me.Thankfully he woke up this morning and felt a lot better.

Our gang who attended the party

Nicks two sister's and our nephew

Cute idea but not so much fun to wear

Trace and Uncle Nick looking at the big kitty

Nicks Gram playing with baby Trace

Amazing News!!!

2010-10-18T21:55:00.000-04:00

I bet you thought I was gonna tell you something about the house....

Nope EVEN BETTER!!!!

This may be A lot of mumbo jumbo for most of you.....Bare with me

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced the initiation of the clinical trial for both of their drugs,VX-809 and VX-770.These two drugs are focused on the underlying cause of Cystic Fibrosis which is the defective or missing CFTR proteins.

The VX-809 drug is the one that targets the DeltaF508 mutation which is one of the mutations that Nick has and is also the most common.Both of these drugs are in phase 3 and they hope to have results in early 2011.

This news is SO exciting and brings up so many emotions of Joy and Hope.Just the thought that Nick would be free of this every day struggle leaves me speechless. With that being said I can honestly say I wouldn't change the past and that we have had the experience of Nick living with CF. It has made him A better person and me more humble in being his wife.It has taught me what life is REALLY about and has simply made us better people.It has given us something to fight for and the want for tomorrow and thankful for when it comes.

Keep praying that this trial will continue to go as well as it has and then remember to be thankful for the lessons this disease has given us. The good with the bad.

You can read more about the trial HERE

And Were Waiting....

2010-10-10T12:10:00.001-04:00

Happy Sunday everyone!! Are yall enjoying this B-E-A-utiful weather as much as I am? I'm A windows open kinda gal when the weather is like this. It know it has been A little while since I posted anything,Nick and I have been consumed with this whole buying A house thing. I never imagined it would be such A waiting game but we will know something hopefully by Friday.In the meantime Nick and I are going kinda crazy and cant stop watching the DIY network and HGTV.

Yesterday was my little brother Cameron's 15th birthday!!! I cant believe he is already 15 yall,I mean it was just yesterday that I was blessed with my first sibling. I couldn't be prouder, He is one amazing young man and has A heart of gold. I cant see what the future holds for my little brother,Ladies Watch out!! He is really into skateboarding and is quite good I might add,So he had his party at Kona skate park.

Then last night we went and visited Nicks sister and her family.They bought our cute little nephew his Halloween costumes and he is just TOO CUTE!!

I cannot believe how big this little guy is getting SO QUICK! He is crawling around all over the place and has such A great personality. Courtney and Chuck got him A skeleton costume and A vampire costume, He looks so cute in them both but my favorite was the skeleton costume.I cant wait to go with this little guy to the pumpkin patch and take some cute pictures.

So hopefully by this time next week I will be posting to you about moving into our very first home!!! Nick and I are beyond excited! As you have been please continue to keep Nick and I in your prayers you all are amazing and bless us all the time with your support.Have A great week!

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

2010-10-05T21:44:00.001-04:00

Loud caring and spontanious

Ask me anything...This should be fun!

This made me smile

2010-10-01T23:58:00.002-04:00

PRAYERS

2010-09-28T16:13:00.000-04:00

Just A little update on our house situation...The sellers accepted our offer and we couldn't be any more excited to be getting such A great deal on this cute house. Now all we are waiting for is our home loan application to go through. We had to get A ton of paperwork put together and it was quite A task. Since Nick draws disability we had to dig up his reward letter and all kinds of other stuff. I am kinda nervous because Nicks money just recently got messed up and now they are taking out a hundred and something dollars from what he was getting every month. Not only that but since getting promoted to CSM at work, They have cut my hours quite A bit. So it just makes me so nervous but I know that we have lots of people praying for us. I am A firm believer in the saying "Everything happens for A reason" But I'm not gonna lie and say that I wont be disappointed if something falls through. So PLEASE continue to pray for Nick and I and that everything goes through!!! Thanks so much....

Things I Love Right Now

2010-09-28T14:03:00.001-04:00

The ladies over at Sago Real Estate- I met Jenifer A while ago while I was A preschool teacher her daughter was one of the amazing little ones there. When Nick and I started our journey to find our first home I knew I wanted to go with Sago. I knew I could trust them and they would find us the right place.They didn't disappoint!! So if you are looking to buy or sell your home be sure to give them A call. Peggy is amazing,She has been so very patient in helping us..Thanks Peggy

I am addicted to Young House Love- My friend Joell at work is A girl after my own heart. She kept telling me about this blog and that I would love it.....Boy was she right, I stayed up until 2 in the morning yall looking at all of their projects. If you are doing any type of renovations to your house this is A MUST READ blog.They completely gutted there old house and re did it diy style

Zac Brown Band,You get what you give- This is their new album that just came out and I LOVE it.

Baking- This is something that I have always loved to do. Its kinda funny though because both of my parents are amazing cooks.Unfortunately I have not inherited that which baffles me to this day, Lets just say I'm still learning. However I can bake like there is no tomorrow!! In January I told myself I was not going to bake as much because everything I baked I ate and lets just say my thighs were not enjoying this. I know this is where self control comes in right...Nope..This lady has A serious sweet tooth yall! I know it is silly but I cant wait until we get into our new house so I can bake in my new kitchen...With all this new house stuff going on I have been stressing A little so I decided to bake some cookies this morning... Cranberry sugar cookies...YUMMO

HGTV- Since Nick and I have been on our Journey to find our first home I cannot stop watching HGTV. I have gotten tons of ideas and cant wait to start decorating our new home.

Pheasent Path

2010-09-24T23:19:00.000-04:00

Is where we will be residing in ohhh about 45 days!!!! Nick and I went into the office today to put in A offer on the house we are in love with.

I honestly thought it was going to be this lonnnngg drawn out wait to hear back from them on weather they accepted or not.It wasn't even A hour and we got the call that they accepted our offer!!! It was so exciting for us!!! There are still A couple things that need to go through before I feel OK about all this though. I guess I don't want to count my eggs before they hatch ya know? For the mean time I find myself constantly looking at the pictures. So here take A look!! Please keep Nick and I in your prayers and that everything goes over well...Thanks yall....

The pics are small but they are the only ones I could find.

Just A thought

2010-09-21T21:06:00.000-04:00

So as yall know Nick and I are in the process of purchasing our very first home. I have always loved HGTV but here lately I have not been able to pry myself away from watching this channel. The house that we plan on putting A offer in on Friday morning has totally been remodeled,But I cant wait to put my own touches on everything.Am I the only one who is completely obsessed with HGTV? As my Grandmother would say....Better that than the trashy reality I'm addicted to...HA

Adios MRSA

2010-09-20T11:08:00.000-04:00

A while back Nick and I got some news that he had MRSA in his lungs. It was scary news considering MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics and that once you have it most of the time it never goes away.So this morning Nick got A call from his Dr. and the sputum culture he did at this past visit had NO MRSA IN IT. I am beyond happy!! His nurse told him that this is really rare and that by him exercising and kicking butt like he has this past year has something to do with it going away.All I can say is that my hubbs is pretty amazing,What do yall think?

On another note we are still looking for A new house, I cant believe the highs and lows that come with this.When Nick and I started this process I definitely didn't consider all of this,But it is really nerve racking. Friday night Nick and I found A place we were in LOVE with. Then we found out this morning that there is A contract on the house and if that falls through there is already a backup contract on it. UGHH I just have to keep in mind that every thing happens for A reason.Fingers crossed we will be in A house by Christmas people!!

BLURB

2010-09-15T15:42:00.001-04:00

Yesterday Nick had A Dr. appointment,poor guy was so nervous about weather or not he was going to have to go on IVS.I am so happy that he gained A couple of pounds considering he works so hard just to maintain his weight.Unlike all of us he doesn't gain a pound when he eats those yummy debbie cakes,I know it is just not fair. His lung function went up A point,,,,Can I get A WHOOT WHOOT!!! Going up is better than down right yall?

Nick was SO happy about this he absolutely hates it when his numbers go down any,He for sure thought he was not going to have to go on IVS.Everything seemed to be going well,Then the Dr. came in and noticed that Nick had not had A chest c-ray since his last hospitalization back in October.So she sent him on his way for A chest x-ray. Just as we were getting ready to leave IV free....She came in and said "Your not going to like me"

She said that when she was comparing Nicks chest x-ray from last year that she noticed A "Blurb". Yes yall A BLURB,Not quite sure what this meant but apparently it was A bit of concern to her. She said that it was A bit of junk that is on the sides of both of his lungs.She thought that by him going on Ivs and doing extra air clearance that it would take care of these BLURBS. She said it was nothing to be to worried about since Nick was not sick but she defiantly like seeing those

Once again we have to remember that CF is A progressive disease and unfortunately these things are gonna happen.I was so sad yall,Nick went from being so excited that he was not going to have to be on ivs to just pitiful.As soon as she said" I want you to go on IVS" his whole face just changed,He looked so defeated.It just kills me inside to see him this way.As much As I try to hide it he knew I was upset and then it was making him upset. Ughh CF is such A monster!!!

He was happy that he was not sick though but just kinda bummed,Rightfully so. His Dr.sent off A culture to see what he was resistant to and all that goodness.When the results come back from that hopefully by Thursday Nick will start two weeks of IV antibiotics.Two weeks of discomfort and misery,It is what it is though like it or not.

House Hunting

2010-09-14T11:18:00.000-04:00

So Nick and I are finally at A point right now where we are trying to purchase A home...It is SO exciting but at the same time my nerves are shot.We found A place that we love in Macclenny which is very close to where I work and we love the area.Its 3 bedroom 2 bath room on almost A half acre.It is really cute and I cant wait to make it my own. Nick and I have never bought A home before so the whole process is new and confusing as ever to us. Please keep Nick and I in your prayers for guidance,patients and favor.Cant wait to show yall

Dinner and A movie

2010-09-06T22:18:00.000-04:00

Today has been so nice,I had the day off and tomorrow too.Today I spent most of the day doing laundry and trying new things with my blog. Then Nick and I met with some friends of ours and are kinda excited about some opportunities that our in our future.

This past Saturday Nick and I went to see my little sister Mackenzie for her birthday!!! I cannot believe that my little sister is 13!!! When she was born I got the experience of being in the delivery room when she was born,It seems like it was just yesterday.She is so very special to me and is so special to me and I cant wait to see what her future holds for her. She is absolutely gorgeous and has so much potential,The sky is the limit for you Kenzie...

Mackenzie laughing at the book Nick and I wrote her

She is taller than me...

After Nick and I went and saw Kenzie we headed out to river city.Nick decided to take me out for A "Date Night" I was kinda surprised. Between work,Dr appointments,The gym and every day life you kinda forget to take the time to enjoy each other. So Nick and I went to dinner and A movie,It has been so long since we went to A movie. We went and saw the switch,It was A really cute movie and we really enjoyed it.

Nick and I at the movies with our 5 dollar soda..Unreal

Then Nick and I went to cracker barrel and had the most amazing dinner.Nick and I both said we were going to try something new.When we go out to eat we always get the same thing ,We were so glad we did.But that's Another blog!! On our way out of the movies I saw A very tall gentleman and A lady walking towards us. I was thinking "This guy looks so familiar"then it hit me....That is Mercedes Lewis he is the tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

So that was kinda cool and made Nick really smile.

So DATE NIGHT WAS AWESOME!!! Nick and I felt like we were in high school again and had so much fun.We both decided date night was going to happen more often.

For those who live in the Jacksonville area do you have any ideas for A date night?

Always,Sometimes,Never

2010-09-04T00:02:00.000-04:00

My bloggy friend Carrie over at Mizell Mayhem had A cute Always,Sometimes,Never list...I loved the idea

I ALWAYS

Wear mascara....Unless I am deathly sick

Kiss Nick goodnight

Have A sweet tooth

Think about what my brother and sister will be when they grow up

Smile when I see "Old Couples" knowing that will be Nick and I one day

Wash my hands

Spend too much money on makeup and hair products

Use my horn way too much

Cut the skin off of the cucumber

Stop to pick up someones garbage/treasure to revamp

Get A tummy ache when I'm nervous/stressed

Am scared of the dark

Love A great day at the beach

Wonder WHAT IF?

I SOMETIMES

Completely restore my Ipod and organize it again

Have A OCD moment and don't want Nick to touch anything,Scared he might catch something

Wish I was on A reality TV show and was whisped away to somewhere amazing

Think I should really think before I speak...But only sometimes

Wish I could go back in time

Wear my heart on my sleeve

Forget to wash my face at night

Go into ocd mode when planning A event....But it always turns out perfect

Wonder when there will be A cure for CF

Wonder why cant I just get preggo like every other woman in America

Eat ice cream for breakfast

Ride with the windows down and the radio up REALLY loud

Wish I was more on top of things

I NEVER

Will give up on finding A cure for CF until there is A CURE...NO MATTER WHAT

Will forget certain somethings....

Forget how I felt on my wedding day,Gorgeous,Loved,In Love,Happy,Blessed

Go the speed limit

Eat spinach

Go somewhere without telling Nick I love him or goodbye

Want to feel the feeling of loosing someone I love

Want to be in debt again

Regret some of the decisions I have made

Miss A episode of Real Housewives

Go anywhere without my camera

Charge my cell phone at night

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2010-09-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

For the next I don't know how many days or weeks the blog will be under some MAJOR construction. So if things are not where they normally are bare with me.Thanks yall

Are you ready for some football?

2010-09-03T21:52:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Nicks sweet nurse Brandy gave Nick and I tickets to the Jags VS Falcons game. We got there early to enjoy all the pre game festivities and just take it all in. The Marines had A booth set up with different things like shirt,water bottles and frisbees that you could win. Nick wanted one of the shirts and asked what he had to do to get it. The gentleman told him he would have to do 20 pull ups,They had A bar set up for it. Nick said I think I can do it and so he did....The guy was pretty impressed but even more impressed when I told him that Nicks lung function was in the 30s...Oh the things we take for granted!

Then we headed to our seats,Which were amazing!!! We were in the first row and there was no one in front of us or behind us we loved it.Before the game we got to watch the local sports broadcasters getting ready,putting on makeup and yes even picking there nose....Weird. Then we saw Mercedes Lewis and he was nice enough to take A picture with us.

And I enjoyed the view...

The game was great and it was good to see A win from the Jaguars.Nick and I are looking forward to A good season fingers crossed...Enjoy the rest of the pics...

Nick and I before the game

Nick with one of the Jag cheerleaders

Nick had the camera...

Getting everyone all pumped up

Nick with his brother and friend

Jackson deville

The D-Line after the game,They are AWESOME!

A little bit of honesty

2010-09-01T13:16:00.000-04:00

Wheeewww I'm having one of those days again!! One of those days where I feel like or question weather or not Nick and I will ever be parents. I ask myself if this is apart of Gods plan, Maybe its not in his plans for Nick and I to be parents.

Id love to know the answer to that million dollar question..

Even though Nick and I are not at the point right now where we are ready for children the question of if and when are constantly in my mind. This past summer after talking with some amazing people I had such a peace about things.Now all these feelings of if,when,and how are coming up and it is just such a indescribable feeling.I guess it just seems that every one is expecting or just brought A beautiful life into this world and at the same time I am so happy for them its just another reminder of how far away it is for Nick and I.

I know that God is capable of some amazing things,

All I want is A answer. Maybe he is trying to teach me to be patient,What A lesson to learn I guess.

I wonder sometimes if Nick and I were serving God and if he was number one in our lives again if things would be different.

I just wish I had some kind of answer....And that days like this were far and few between.

Fabulous Finds

2010-08-29T14:29:00.001-04:00

I cant believe that I stopped doing fabulous finds

This is something that a lot of people loved and honestly I loved doing it.So with that in mind I am back to telling you about all the fabulous things I love.Since its been A while I am going to do A list of things that I am in love with right now and are fabulous!! Enjoy

OLD NAVY NAIL POLISH

I recently had A gift card for Old Navy and picked up some of their nail polish.

I work with my hands a lot so usually when I paint my nails it only last A day and its already chipping off.

I have had on the Old Navy nail polish in paisley pink for over A week now and not A chip in sight...This makes me smile, I hate painting my nails.Not all stores carry it but if they do it will be up by the cash registers.

(This is not the color I picked but the only pic I could find)

GOODYS SPIN PINS

I am A on the go kinda girl who doesn't like to spend forever to get ready and these are just that quick and easy.I have to admit though when you first get them it takes A good 5-6 times to figure out how they work in your hair and where to put them in at.Once you get it down they are so quick and easy. They give your hair that messy kinda tousled look that seems to be in style right now.All you do is pull your hair back or to the side how ever you want it and then spin the pins in like a cork screw and the hold for ever. You tube helped me on how to use them... If in doubt you tube it...You can get them at Wally world,Target or any of your local drug stores.

OLIVE JUICE

My friend Jade has done something AWESOME

I am A sucker for anything cute and shiny,Unfortunately my check book and hubby is not such A fan.

So I was SO excited when A friend of mine started selling tons of the cutest bling,purses,shades and tons of other super cute stuff for super cheap.Unlike others she doesn't have to pay this crazy amount for her overhead so she can sell to us for great prices. She is on face book and if you love anything cute and shiny like me head on over to her face book and check it out.... She has TONS of stuff!!! You can also host parties with her and score lots of goodness for FREE!!! That's right FREE who doesn't love that. Be sure to tell her I sent ya!!

CLICK HERE FOR SOME OLIVE JUICE

POWER BALANCE BRACELET

OK so not only do I love what these do for me but they are kinda cute too.The power balance bracelet is hot right now, people like Khole Khardasian and her husband Lamar Odom swear by them. Not only do they wear them but Tim Tebow,Robert Deniro and lots of other celebs.The power balance bracelet helps with your balance,flexibility and core strength.How does it work you ask? Power Balance is based on the idea of optimizing the body’s natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies. The hologram in Power Balance is designed to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body. Nick and I have been wearing ours for about two weeks now and just love them,It also helps me sleep better I have not taken A sleep aid for about A week now and sleep great. A lot of people think that it is A mind over matter thing and that its all in your head, But hey if it makes me think I'm stronger,more flexible and all that... I'm cool with that. To watch the demonstration video check out this previous blog . Oh yeah and if you want one of these let me know we are selling them....They retail for 30 bucks in the mall and we are selling them for 10 bucks or 3 for 25.... What A great deal right?

Bowling For Breath 2010....What A great day!!!

2010-08-28T20:45:00.001-04:00

I am so happy to say that today's bowling for breath fundraiser was awesome.We had well over 120 people at the event today,95 bowlers and many who came to support the cause.I don't think today could have ran any smoother,Especially for this being our first big fundraiser that Nick and I have put on.

At today's event we raised....

$1,867

HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!

I don't know about you...But that gets me excited. I am ready, Ready for A cure...I am sick and tired of seeing my husband struggle knowing he deserves A cure.He deserves to not be defeated by this monster of a disease as well as every other person who is effected by this illness.

It was so nice to see everyone come out and make A extra effort to be there.I really don't think people understand what it means to Nick and I. I loved being able to chat with everyone and I tell ya this world is a crazy place.Many times today people came up to Nick and I and showed us SO much love telling us that WE INSPIRED THEM....CRAZY I KNOW!! We were kinda thinking the same thing about them,How awesome it is that!! Through their loss or struggle with this disease we look up to them knowing that we too can get through this and that everything WILL be OK.

I feel so blessed and lucky to have A husband who inspires other people to do better and beat CF.Nick and I are so lucky to have the kind of support that we do and the love for you guys is just un descibeable. I could go on and on but how about I share some pictures from today's event....

Thank you everyone who made this event happen and to the bowlers who came out today!!!!

GET READY FOR BOWLING FOR BREATH 2011

Christina and Ali

2010-08-26T11:28:00.000-04:00

I know that pretty much everyone in the Cf community has there eye on these girls. Nick and I have been watching Americas Got Talent and were so HAPPY to see two girls on there with CF.Not only can they sing very well but they are so inspiring to everyone.They are defianatly blog worthy so check em out!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-25T20:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah,So our nephew Trace is kinda addicted to Facebook

BREATHE

2010-08-25T19:56:00.000-04:00

Nick and I just got back from A mini vacation from Ft. Lauderdale. We had A great time, It was so nice to just get away and RELAX. While we were down there we had a cookout which was great we got to see everyone and play catch up.We got the call that our shirts for the Bowling For Breath event were ready and we could not wait to see them...

We were so lucky to have the people at Expert Ts donate the printing for 120 shirts, How awesome is that.Then Mrs.Nancy Mason raised the money to purchase the shirts for us,She really is such A blessing.

So Nick and I are gearing up for the BIG event this weekend, I am really nervous. We have worked so hard to make sure all goes well and that it is a fun event.It probably doesn't help that I am a bit of A perfectionist when it comes to planning something,My wedding planning was OUT OF CONTROL!!

So not only are things crazy with the event coming up I also got A promotion at work to A customer service manager. Nick and I are really excited about this,We hope it will open more opportunities for bigger things in the future.With that being said I hope that everyone is coming to the Bowling For Breath event as it is going to be A BLAST!!! Click HERE to get the information or just shoot me A comment.

Headed out for A mini vacay

2010-08-18T12:44:00.000-04:00

Somehow I managed to get three days off in A row,So Nick and I are going to Ft.Lauderdale.It has been A while since we went and visited my mom and step dad. We thought it would be A perfect time to go visit them and enjoy A little R and R. This past week I got A promotion at work to A customer service manager,I am really excited about this. I am excited about what kind of opportunities this may open up for me in the future.For now this means Nick and I are closer to getting into A house and paying off more bills.So please keep Nick and I in your prayers that all goes well. I will not be blogging until I get back from vacation and will be sure to take lots of pics.Have A GREAT weekend everyone!!!!

Daily blog journal.Day 5-favorite quote

2010-08-18T12:34:00.000-04:00

Entry 5-What is your Favorite quote?

Happiness is felt by making other people happy!!!

I love quotes!!! This is my favorite because it fits me so well. I love to make other people happy, Wheather its my best friend or a complete stranger. It just makes you feel so good. Try it sometimes

Daily blog journal,Day 4- Your faviorite book

2010-08-16T12:59:00.000-04:00

Entry Four, What is your favorite book?

I am in love with anything Nicholas Sparks writes. My favorite one of all time is A walk to remember.

Daily Blog Journal,Day Three-Your faviorite tv program

2010-08-15T21:07:00.000-04:00

Entry three-What is your favorite Tv program?

I am embarrassed to admit it but my favorite is....

Real housewives of New Jersey

It is such garbage,but I love it..Nick still refuses it watch it with me.

Daily blog journal,Day two- Favorite movie

2010-08-15T21:01:00.000-04:00

Entry Two-What is your favorite movie?

This is A HANDS DOWN winner...My all time favorite movie isssssss

DUMB AND DUMBER

No matter what this movie can make me laugh, I LOVE IT. Here is one of my favorite parts.

Blog Journal,Day One-Faviorite Song

2010-08-14T00:14:00.000-04:00

Todays entry for the daily blog journal is....

What is your faviorite song?

There was NO WAY I could pick just one...Sorry I just cant do it. The range of music I love it CRAZY so here are A few of my Favs..

Whats your faviorite song?

His eye is on the sparrow

John Mayor,Waiting on the world to change

Mercy Me, I can only imagine

30 Day blog Journal

2010-08-13T23:08:00.000-04:00

I am A little late jumping on the "Blog Journal" bandwagon but I saw this over at Just to keep in touch and loved the idea. The girls who are participating in the blog journal are on day 13 but I am going to start from the beginning. I love the idea and it give you my readers A better look at who I am. So if you dont have A blog then just sit back and enjoy and if you do hop on over to Just to keep in touch and have some fun.Here is the list of the entries I will be doing...

Day 1 (Aug. 14) - your favorite song

Day 2 - your favorite movie

Day 3 - your favorite television program

Day 4 - your favorite book

Day 5 - your favorite quote

Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things

Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 - a photo you took

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Day 12 - something you are OCD about

Day 13 - a fictional book

Day 14 - a non-fictional book

Day 15 - your dream house

Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 19 - a talent of yours

Day 20 - a hobby of yours

Day 21 - a recipe

Day 22 - a website

Day 23 - a youtube video

Day 24 - where I live

Day 25 - your day, in great detail

Day 26 - your week, in great detail

Day 27 - my worst habit

Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse

Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 - a dream for the future

A litttle R and R

2010-08-10T12:45:00.000-04:00

I had the day off yesterday so Nick and I decided to take my little brother and sister to the beach. I REALLY needed to spend some time with Cameron and Mackenzie and relax A little. Nick and I have been so worried about trying to pay some bills off so that we can get into A house that it is literally driving me crazy. Cameron and Mackenzie have been in California for what seems like forever visiting my grandparents. We all loaded up including my brothers cute puppy Marlee,And headed to the beach. It was so nice but I missed something... I usually LOVE swimming in the water past the part where the waves break so I can enjoy it. I just couldn't seem to do that this time since we just had 2 shark bites in Jacksonville and SHARK WEEK just got over. I was freaking out thinking my arm was going to get shredded my A great white or something. WE stayed for A good two hours and then Nick decided he wanted to go to the mall. The kids of course want to go, I on the other hand have only A bathing suit and A black cover up dress. The answer was no...My well prepared husband of course brought A change of clothes so he didn't care. After lots of begging from the kids AND NICK we decided to go to the mall. They convinced me that there were tons of people at the mall who would look much more ridiculous than I in my bathing suit and cover up...They were right. We got the kids A couple things for school coming up and I just enjoyed being around them.They are changing SO much kinda good kinda bad. I am so thankful to have someone like Nick who is so caring and loving not only to me but to Cameron and Mackenzie. It really means so much to me, I nor they could have asked for A better Brother in Law for them.Nick has been doing good, Still No IVs, I really think we are going to make it A year. It just shows by him doing all of his meds and being completely compliant with working out and everything what A difference it can make in A cfers life.We have been super super busy putting things together for the bowling for breath. Nick and I are SO excited to see how everything turns out. I hope everyone has A great week.

Sewww Exciting

2010-07-31T19:55:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday people!!!! I woke up this morning and was so happy to see that our nephew Trace and Nicks sister Courtney was over for the day. Every time I see this little guy he is just getting cuter and cuter.

I look like A hot mess, We just woke up...

We hung out with this little guy for A while..

While Nick was holding him our fur baby Jag was standing guard.. He is so bad yall

I just Love this picture

Nicks sister Courtney was telling me how Trace loves to play with wash clothes and hes always pulling on his clothes. I thought of these adorable Taggie Blankets that I saw on Etsy, I knew I could make them. The only problem was the sewing machine Nicks gram gave me a couple years ago was broken. i have never taken the time to figure out what was wrong with it or even learn how to sew. That's right people I have no idea how to sew. Nicks Gram was over so I busted out the sewing machine and had her take A look.

We couldn't figure it out... It looked good on one side

But on the other side it looked like this... A Mess

And so did the kitchen table

FINALLY we figured it out..The piece to hold the spool of thread on tight was missing so it made all the thread go crazy.I knew my super smart hubby could figure out something to hold it in place. So what does he come back with...A zip tie. He is so like his father, His dad can fix anything with A zip Tie. I was SUPER happy and now had A working sewing machine.

I played around with it for quite A while,And then tried to make the taggie blanket for trace.

This is what it should look like

I didn't have enough fabric, And the fabric I had I wasn't to crazy about. I just wanted to mess around and see if I could and this is what I came up with. I cant wait to get the right material and make him one to have.

Amazing Opportunity

2010-07-30T19:05:00.001-04:00

OK ... I didn't want to say anything until it was set in stone but here goes.

Last night when Nick and I were on our way back from the mall Nick got A call from a friend of ours.

She told us that her and her husband had these Jacksonville Jaguar tickets and wanted to know if we were interested in them. She told Nick he could pick from 1 of 4 games...

Jags VS Houston Texans

Jags VS New York Giants

Jags VS Buffalo Bills

Jags VS Indianapolis's Colts

Nick would have been happy with any of the above but his first pick was Jags VS the Colts. She said "Well there is only one thing...They are all away games"

So of course Nick knew we wouldn't be able to travel to Indianapolis's. Then she told us that Nick and I would actually meet up at the Stadium get on the bus and drive to the airport with the Jaguar players. Then we would get on the plane with them and travel to Indianapolis's,Stay in the hotel the night before the game,Have dinner and then go to the Jags VS Colts game the next day.

At this point Nicks expression on his face is priceless, I was freaking out because I didn't know what this person on the other end of the phone was telling him. He gets off the phone and tells me all this and of course I don't believe him.Finally he convinces me that he is serious and I start freaking out. This is all I have heard about since he got off the phone. If you know Nick you know he is A HUGE Jaguar fan,Really hes just A sports fanatic. So for him to have this kind of experience is just great.

So we were not 100% sure we were gonna get the tickets to the Colts game. Then today we got the call that we had gotten the tickets. So Nick and I will be flying with the Jags on December 18th for their game against the Colts.

Moments like this are when I am reminded that there is good in this world. That people do still care about others and that it is not a dog eat dog world. I don't think anyone can imagine what this means to Nick and I.

When Nick and I went to camp we talked about something.We talked about how sometimes people with A disease like Nick and their loved ones always try to create these magical moments.I know I am guilty for trying to always make things perfect that way if something ever happens to Nick he can look back and know he did EVERYTHING he ever wanted. I don't want him to have any regrets and so it is because people like these that Nick and I don't have to create these moments they are just apart of our life. FOR THAT I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL.

Chicka Chicka Bow Wow

2010-07-29T22:10:00.000-04:00

Since I have been in this funky groove here lately, My lovely hubby thought it would be A good idea to get out of the house. With this Bowling for Breath fundraiser coming up it has been our mission to get some good items for our raffle. Nick has never been to the St. Johns town center, Crazy I know... So we decided to make a trip over there. Before we went Nick and I stopped by Wolfsons to visit our friend Chelsea who was getting A tune up. Lucky her she gets to go home tomorrow and has also put on some weight which is AWESOME. Anyways, Nick and I go down stairs and there is A flippin Chick Fil A in the hospital...

We are so jealous.. We SOO had to eat horrible hospital food when Nick was stuck in the hospital. So Of course we had to enjoy some Chick fil A Deliciousness....

Then Nick and I headed over to the town center and our luck it started to down pour. With the town center being A out side mall we decided to head over to the Avenues. I must say that I love that mall way better than any others in our area.While we were there one of the stores donated the cutest Vera Bradly purse to be raffled off at bowling for breath.. I was really excited about this.

While we were there I feel like we kinda got sucked into one of those little stands in the middle of the mall. This guy was there selling these things called "Power Bands" and he did something called the power balance test on Nick and I...Take A look It was pretty impressive.

It was suppose to help with strenth,Balance and flexibility and strangly enough it did.Nick REALLY wanted one but then the guy told us how much they were and I was not as impressed... Anyways if you have the extra 30 bucks laying around to spend on it I think it is A good investment. A lot of the athletes are wearing them and seem to be the new thing.

On our way home Nick and I got A call from A good friend of ours and got some AMAZING news. You will have to wait and see what it is...We are going to wait until we get some more info but its pretty amazing.Here are some pictures from when my Grandmother was down from California.. ENJOY!!!!
Have A great week yall!!!

Missing something

2010-07-28T23:51:00.001-04:00

This may seem completely random but I am just in one of those random moods.

I don't know what but something is missing....

I have this crazy emptiness inside of me and feel so vulnerable all the time

I have so many wants and needs and feel like they are so far out of my reach and it leaves me at a loss

I miss the way things use to be, The way I use to feel when Nick and I were "involved" with Church

I miss having the security of knowing things were going to be ok.

I have this crazy picture in my head of how things are suppose to be and wonder if they ever will be.

I want to be back in the Lords house, I want to find A good home church.

I want to stop making excuses and just do it.

I have all these things that I want to accomplish and the procrastination is never ending, As well as the guilt

I have this immeasurable want/need to be the best provider,wife,daughter,sister,friend worker,and someday Mom

I am at A age where I guess I thought I should have it all figured out by now and reality is.. I don't

I am so thankful for Nick and him loving me for me and my crazy way and expectations

I am constantly thinking of what ifs...

I want to make a difference in this CRAZY world we live in...I want to figure out HOW?

I want to know that when I go I made A difference...

I feel the need to do EVERYTHING I can do to find A cure for this stupid thing called CF.

I want to be A better person...

This and That

2010-07-11T18:07:00.000-04:00

Hey yall, I hope everyone had a great weekend. Yesterday I got A chance to go with some friends to the Ichetucknee springs, IT WAS SO NICE. It is so relaxing and pretty, It is A 3 hour float down the river and I loved every minute of it. I highly reccomend that you take the time and plan A trip there with the family.

I am really excited my Grandma from California is coming into town Wendsday and we get to go have dinner with her. Nick and I have never been to the crabcake factory in Jacksonville so we thought we would give it A try.HAVE YOU EVER BEEN? WHATS GOOD?

Excluding Wendsday (hehe) I am getting back into the gym tomorrow and going back on my no sugar diet. I did this in January and the weight melted off. I have fallen off the excersise wagon and and really feeling it now...

Nick and I are getting SO excited about our Bowling For Breath event to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. We still have spaces Available if you and your family and friends would like to participate. It is for such A great cause and there is going to be lots of fun doorprizes to win as well. Please let me know if you are interested.

Have A great week!!!

Beating The Odds

2010-07-09T10:33:00.000-04:00

So Nick is in the local paper.... How cool is that!!! We were trying to raise awareness about our Bowling for Breath event coming up and thought the paper was a great way to do it... Check out the article by clicking HERE . They did A awesome job Whatcha think???

Fourth Of July and Dr Appointment

2010-07-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

Hey yall, I hope everyone had A GREAT fourth of July!!! Nick and I had such a good time, We went and stayed at the Hyatt downtown and had A room right on the river with my family. I love love love the fourth of July it is pretty close to beating Christmas. There is just something about all the fireworks, family good food and Americana that gets me. Nick and I went down to the river and laid out some towels in A nice little grassy area and enjoyed the fireworks together. I swear I am like A little kid when it comes to the fireworks I am just in awe, Jacksonville does A awesome job too.

Today Nick had A Dr. appointment and we thought he would possibly go on IVS today. Nick has not been on IVS since November so we thought maybe it was time for A tune up even though he was feeling great. We went to the Dr. and he was really happy to hear that IVS were not necessary. Nicks weight went up A little as well as his pfts (pulmonary function) .He has worked none stop since his little transplant scare and it really pays off.So I think Nick might make it A whole year with out IVS, How incredible is that.

Things have been kinda crazy with work and holidays, I swear in the summer time I feel like I am so overloaded with things to do. I hope you guys have A great week.

Sunny Shores Sea Camp 2010

2010-06-28T22:10:00.000-04:00

Well Nick and I are back to reality after our trip to Vero Beach. This was our second year attending Sunny Shores Sea Camp which is A 3-4 day retreat for families who are effected by Cystic Fibrosis.Last year was life changing for Nick and I, especially Nick and well this year was not much different. There were 6 new families at camp this year and it was so good to meet each and every family and hear there story. I just wish that every CF family could attend this retreat and learn and feel what we do when we attend every year.It is just something I cannot explain, The different ways that you spiritually and emotionally grow are simply amazing. Going to this retreat is somewhat controversial as most Dr's say that you should not be around other people who have cystic fibrosis. Honestly I dont know where Nick would be if we didn't go to sssc last year.Nick and I both know that attending this retreat last year gave him the knowledge and the strength to fight harder. It simply saved his life last year and for that I will be forever grateful. This retreat has done far more for Nick and I than any Dr can do for us both, It gave us the motivation to keep going.I have tons more to say and will write soon but for now enjoy the pictures.

Its been A while

2010-06-21T21:21:00.001-04:00

Ok I know no excuses, I have neglected my blog here lately.I have lots to catch up on so here goes....

Nick has recently started taking Cayston and he absolutely loves it. I as well as he can tell A huge difference

so we are really excited about that. The only thing about the cayston is that he has to take it 3 times a day,But its worth it. After fighting with the insurance company for what seems like forever he also got the hypertonic saline approved and is back on that now which is amazing and really helps him a lot.

Last week I had A much needed girls day, It was SO nice and A perfect day at the beach. We were there for about A hour and the lifeguards ran everyone out of the water thanks to the sharks making A appearance, I was freaking out.It was nice though to spend the day with my little sister and catch up with my bestie.

This past Saturday was my birthday and we celebrated by heading out for the night. We went to somewhere called harmonious monks, It was tons of fun.It is A restaurant and all the wait staff get up and sing and they give everyone tambourines... It was just a really good time.

Nick and I leave Thursday for Vacation and Sunny shores sea camp.I am so excited to meet all the new family's and spend time catching up with everyone from last year. This place is simply amazing and i wish that every CF family would have the chance to go... So I am off until we get back from vacation. Yall have A great weekend... Cant wait to blog about camp... XOXO

Fabulous Find For MOMS

2010-06-10T14:36:00.000-04:00

Hey Yall, I hope you guys are having A GREAT week. I have not done A Fabulous find in A while and how fabulous is this....

Monday June 14th

The Jacksonville Zoo for 2 bucks

You cant beat this deal, Especially with the kids just getting out of school. I hope you guys take advatage of this awesome discount....

Just click HERE for the link and more information.

Some randomness for you

2010-06-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I hope you all had A great memorial day weekend. Nick and I went to the beach and really had A nice day. I cant believe it but I really didn't take any pictures, I guess I just didn't want to fuss with my camera at the beach. Poor Nick every time we go to the beach now he gets sun sick, Last time we thought it was from the cipro he was on but apparently not. Does anyone else get like this?

A update on our friend Mo, Thanks to all who have been praying for her. I do believe we are watching A miracle in the making folks. She is still fighting strong and has had A good couple of days where she has been stable.Things are starting to look better but she still has A long road to recovery. Its amazing what prayer,love and the will to live can accomplish.I know I say it all the time but be grateful people for you never know when everything can change.

Nick and I are counting down the days until vacation at Sunny Shores Sea Camp for people and families who have been touched with CF.We are beyond excited to see the great families we met last year and get to meet the new families. I just love meeting new families and hearing there story and how cf has been apart of their lives. Camp for us last year was just so amazing and we are blessed to be able to go again this year. They have had SO many applications from families that they actually had to turn some families away this year.

Nick is doing well still kicking butt in the gym and has even got me motivated again. I have been kinda bad and haven't been going to the gym now for about A month and A half. So he gave me A little push and I started back yesterday. I was reminded today of how much I HATE cardio... Unless its zumba but the elliptical is my least favorite. I know it works the best and burns the most calories but geesh that thing is some kinda serious. Back to eating right again to, SOOO BORING but it pays off big time.

This weekend A friend of mine and I rented A booth at the local flea market in hopes to sell some of her diaper cakes and baby stuff as well as my tutus and diaper wipe cases so we will see how that goes... Wish me luck

Nick and I NEED YOUR HELP!!!! As you all know we are hosting the 1st annual bowling for breath event for Cystic Fibrosis and we need door prizes. We already have some great things but could use A couple more. If interested in donating anything and or attending the event please get with me by e-mailing me.

I hope everyone has A GREAT weekend and remember to keep smiling...

Majior Prayer Request

2010-05-28T23:49:00.002-04:00

As most of you know last year Nick and I went to Sunny Shores Sea Camp.While we were there we met the Duffy family their daughter Maureen "Mo" has CF.She has been through quite A bit in her battle with cf even open heart surgery,But she has always been A fighter and pulled through. While we were down to visit my Mom and Step dad About A month ago we met up with Mo and her brother Billy and had A blast. They really are great people and Mo was doing well.Soon after getting home we got news that Mo was in the hospital and not doing well. At first they couldnt figure out what was wrong and wasn't sure how to treat her. Then the Dr. thought it was A virus from A bug bite so they were optimistic about this because they now knew how to treat he and said she would be looking up in 48-72 hours. The next morning Mo started vomiting blood and so they had to intubate her and put her on A ventilator and she was in ICU. Soon after they discovered she had A serious infection from her port. The bacteria that was causing the infection is EXTREMLY rare, So rare that they will be using Mo for future research. They removed the port hoping things would start getting better but then her lung collapsed which caused her numbers to go down.Things started to look A little better and then her numbers dropped dramaticlly so they have paralyzed her and she is now completely on the ventalater. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep her and this family in your prayers. Mo is A amazing person and has A full life to live she will get through this and come out fighting but needs A little help along the way. Thank you so much...

Peace, TuTus and Monkeys

2010-05-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Here are some more of my creations that I am selling. I have had a lot of good luck with these and have A blast doing them. They make perfect baby shower gifts and the tutus are great for pictures. I can make them in any color or size.

Things are also going REALLY good with the bowling for breath event. I am so excited to see how things turn out. I am hoping we have A great turn out and raise lots of money for such A good cause.

The people at expert Ts donated printing for 120 shirt and now we have to find the funds or someone who can donate 120 shirts. We have tons of door prizes and people really seem interested in it. I hope to see you there, We will have A website up soon with information and registration on it. Have A great weekend.

Bowling For Breath

2010-05-23T21:14:00.001-04:00

Last year I attended A event for breast cancer called Bowling for Boobs!!! It was TONS of fun and A great way to raise money for A good cause. Then I started to think to myself, Why cant we do this for Cystic Fibrosis, I mentioned it last year and thought about it some but I guess it just wasn't in the cards...THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

I am happy to say that things are on A roll for the first annual BOWLING FOR BREATH Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser. I have A bowling alley who is VERRY interested in hosting the event and gave us A great deal. I go and meet with leslie from the CF foundation on Tuesday to discuss details.I have HIGH hopes for this event and know in my heart that we are going to have A good turn out.

Nothing is set in stone but this is what I am working on....

WHO:YOU and your family and friends

WHAT: 1st annual Bowling for Breath

WHERE: Cassat Batt Bowl

WHEN: August 28Th from 10-1..Not set in stone but pretty sure

WHY: To raise money for Cystic Fibrosis and helping CF stand for CURE FOUND.

This is what I need from you my readers...

There is going to be door prizes and I have some GREAT prizes and gift certificates so far but we need more. So if you know anyone who can donate some kind of door prize and or gift certificate please let me know.

I also need you to let me know if you and your family and friends would be interested in joining us for the fundraiser.

I hope we have A great turn out!!! Once I set things in stone i will have A page for you to regester...

Have A great week I know Mondays are rough but be the one with the smile... :)

Camp and Cases

2010-05-20T21:43:00.000-04:00

Nick and I went to the most amazing camp last year just for people with cystic fibrosis. It truly was life changing for us. They cover 100 percent of your stay it is all inclusive and words cannot explain how amazing it it. Well we defiantly wanted to go this year but kinda had A scare. The camp had SO MANY families apply new and returning that they couldnt accommodate everyone. So they sent out A mass e-mail stating that they were going to be letting everyone know soon weather they got in but if not you would have first priority next year. Nick and I were so bummed and definitely thought we were out this year...NOPE WERE GOING TO CAMP!!!! It is kinda bittersweet though because there are alot of other families who we are going to miss out on this year We are however grateful for our spot

On another note I am now making and selling tutus as well as the wipe cases. I have added A few more wipe cases and orders are coming in so I am really excited.. Be sure to contact me to get yours.. XOXO

Cayston

2010-05-19T11:37:00.000-04:00

Nick and I are SO exited about this new medicine that he is about to be starting.Believe it or not his insurance is actually going to cover it so we are even more excited about that. Back in 2008 Nick participated in A study for this drug called Aztreonam which is now called cayston and he loved it. When you do A study you get either A placebo which is nothing its fake or the real thing, We knew He had gotten the real thing because it worked so well. For Nick to be able to use this medicine now along with other cfers after participating in the study to get it approved is pretty cool.

Nick grows something in his lungs called pseudomonas which is A type of bacteria. This drug is suppose to help improve Nicks respiratory system. So we are really excited about this.Great things are to come with the research that the foundation is doing. Its good to see where all of our hard work from fundraising really paying off.

Dinosoars, Camo and Polka Dots

2010-05-18T22:36:00.000-04:00

Hi my name is Amanda and I am addicted to making bows...I have to admit it I cant stop making these bows....

Now I have something new I am making and at first it was for fun but then I had some people inquire about them to purchase. I have been making diaper wipe cases and they are just too adorable and quite frankly I could use A little pocket change this summer.I have had A little bit of luck with both the bows and the wipe holders which is why I started making more.

So here I am offering my services to you for your bow and wipe case needs... Because every lil girl needs bows and who doesn't love A cute wipe case right???

How much are they you ask???

For me to custom make you one would be twelve dollars. I can find and use any type of material and ribbon. I can even purchase Vera Bradly material which would cost you A little bit more.

I also have A couple of friends who are selling some FABULOUS stuff for GREAT prices if you are interested.

My Friend Megan sells some really cute handmade jewelry.. You can check out her site HERE

Then I have A friend Leanne who makes these AWESOME and CUTE diaper cakes. These diaper cakes are PERFECT for baby shower gifts.

I have never seen these diaper carriages that she makes anywhere either and I just think they are great. These would be perfect for center pieces at A baby shower.

She also sells gently used children's accessories such as Jumperoos,Bouncy seats,Walkers,Baby clothes as well as some maternity clothes. You can check her site out HERE

I hope to hear from some of you soon to maybe place A order. You can contact me on my face book account as well. Have A GREAT week and remember it is what you make it.

Sun Sick

2010-05-16T21:01:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the Great Strides walk at Fernandina Beach which was SO nice.Nick and I and our team do A lot of the walks every year just because we like to meet all the different families and keep in touch with ones we already know. It is also A good time for all of our family both Nicks side and mine to get together. So yesterday we went to the walk and it was so nice out, We decided to hit the beach for A little bit after. Unfortunately I had to be to work at 5 so we couldnt stay long, Which turned out to be A good thing.Let this be A reminder, When you are on antibiotics make sure you read the warning label. Nick just went on Cipro which is A pretty strong anti biotic and you are NOT suppose to be in the sun with this one.Nick was reminded the hard way, We were only out there for about A hour and A half but he is now pretty sun sick. I have been keeping him hydrated while he is awake but he has slept most of the day.

The walk went good and I just kick myself in the butt every year because when the walks get here I get SO pumped up about fundraising for the next year. Then when it comes time I procrastinate like crazy. I think I wrote the same thing last year that I am going to raise BIG money next year. It just breaks my heart that I have A team of 30 and we should just be raising A lot more than we do. I have A GREAT team we just like to wait until last minute to do everything.. I hope everyone had A fabulous weekend and I am off to bed A little early I am pretty wore out from the busy weekend. XOXO

My little sister Mackenzie and I

Our team won the "Been there done that" Award

Great Strides Riverwalk

2010-05-14T12:41:00.001-04:00

Last night Nick and I along with some of our Walking for Nick team headed over to the Great Strides Riverwalk. I love this walk because it is right on the river on the rooftop of the crown plaza and the atmosphere is awesome. It is A short walk unlike the 6 miles at the other walks and the scenery is just too pretty. It was so nice last night I got to see alot of people I have not in A while like the Day family, They are just AMAZING and we love them to pieces. Then I met a lot of new faces and got to chat with them, I tell ya I love my CF family. I love being a part of something and standing and fighting for something, If you are not this sure is A great cause to be fighting for. Anyways here are some of the pictures from last night. I hope you guys have A great weekend we have been busy working on the bar and it is really coming a long nice I know some of you are really looking forward to seeing it. I think we are going to have a big cookout once its done. XOXO

Nick and I with Jaelynn who also has CF

Haley after her sugar rush with Brittney

Some of our team

My Brother and Sister in law with Trace

The friendship Fountain... Were friends

On the bridge Haley was freaking out

Nick and hsi lil biddy Jaelynn

Jessica and us We heart her