Crazy Beautiful

Today was kinda crazy, I had the day off which called for lots of errands. Nick and I ran around trying to gather up donations for the Great Strides walk. We had some luck which made my day  week,Thanks to all those who donated.Nick and I went out to lunch which was oh so yummy and I splurged on A sweet tea which has been oh too long. Oh how I have missed you sweet tea,My hips still hate you though.

While we were running around we thought we would have A little fun, Because after all Nick and I are two big kids. Nick has been wanting to go to the indoor batting cages in Macclenny so bad so off we went to hit some balls.Once I got in there and saw how fast the balls flew I quickly decided I was out, Call me A chicken if ya want. I just wasn't feeling getting pegged with a ball going 60 mph,Sorry for the lack of entertainment.Nick on the other hand loved it,The guy was nice enough to not even charge us and just let Nick try it. Nick learned it was a great form of air clearance as he kina got wore out quickly.

When we got home my sister in law and her husband came over with little sweet Trace.I cant belive how fast this little guy is growing,He is looking more and more like his Dad. Then my friend Brittney came over with her little girl Haley and Chase who was also born on the same day as Trace and two rooms apart. HA!!!

Tomorrow is back to the grind with work,Then we will be off to Ft. Lauderdale for vacation on Wednesday.I am SO excited I really am ready to see my Mom and Step Dad and MORE than ready for  A vacation. Have  A GREAT Thursday people

Easter on Saturday

Since my Step Mom Sherri has been working at UPS for God knows how long she has had to work on Easter Sunday. Therefore we have always had our Easter dinner on Saturday,I kinda like it. It works out well for Nick and I that was we dont feel like we have to eat at his parents and my parents house. This year my parents house is under MAJIOR RENOVATION....First the bathroom and now the other bathroom and living room,So needless to say the house is A little nonfunctional for Easter dinner.

This year we decided to have Easter dinner on the beach, I was SO excited!! I absolutely love the beach and it was such A great day. I think we should do it every year,Considering I didn't do much of the work I would be the one to say that. Its just such A non traditional dinner and usually I am all about tradition,Not this time.

After we ate Nick and I stayed for A bit and then headed home.

My Dad and I

My little sister and I

Dad Nick and My little brother Cameron

Nick and I

Kisses

Famila

Nick had family down from Tennessee, It was really nice to catch up. I remember when Nick and I started dating his little cousins were babies, I just couldnt belive how big they were. We had so much fun with them although I dont think our house has been that loud in A long time. I also am not sure if I can stand to hear a Justin Bieber song EVER again. Here are some pics from Saturday and Easter Sunday! I hope everyone had A blessed Easter and remembered what the holiday is really all about.

Our sweet little Justin Bieber fan...Annabelle :)

Getting ready to die Easter eggs, My fingers are still blue

Nick and his little cousin Kyle

Morgan and Cody, More cousins

Nicks Gram with all of her Great Grandchildren,This made her heart smile

Right place,Right time

This past Friday I had off and Nick needed to pick up some meds from the pharmacy downtown at Nemours.While we were there we ran into A good friend of ours Chelsea,We met her and her family last year at camp.They are such A joy to be around and are good people,It was nice to play catch up for A little bit. While Nick and I were there he really wanted to stop by and see A nurse that holds A special place in our hearts.Unfortunately she was not there,But can I just say how much I LOVE when God puts us in the right place at the right time.While we were waiting to see if this nurse was available another lady waiting asked us if Nick did studies for CF with this nurse. We said well we use to but haven't much lately,She told us that two of her children have Cf and they participate in the studies. So when we heard that she had two children with Cf we told her Nick also has Cf.For those of you who do not know, Cf has previously been more of A childhood disease as most Cf patients didn't make it into adulthood. Thankfully things have changed and the expectancy of ones life has also changed. With that being said when I meet another adult with Cf it is simply makes me smile and gives me hope. Hope and reassurance that there is A tomorrow for these children who are battling this disease and for Nick. So when we met Gail I know it warmed her heart to see Nick as good looking as he is and be able to relate Nick and her son.Anyways one thing went to another and we were just so overwhelmed and wrapped up in conversation.She did not have her husband nor the children with her. She invited us to have lunch with her family and I am so glad we did.

Nick and I with the Wade family at Op's in Fernandina

A goofy picture of courseThe wade family is from Waycross Ga but have A beach house in nearby Fernandina. The salt water air is REALLY good for people with Cf so I would say that is A great investment. Gail and Jeff have three adorable children Hannah who is 15 and really smart,Brent who is 12 and has CF and precious little Madison who is 10 and also has cf. They were such A FUN family and I tell ya everything happeneds for A reason. I am so happy to have them as apart of our Cf family, We hope to see them at camp this year. We ate at Ops in Fernandina, It was REALLY good and the house salad was O so yummy. We were really enjoying ourselves with them, So after lunch we decided to go grab some ice cream and browse the shops downtown. It was so nice to talk and laugh with them and listen to what works for them and share some of our tricks with them. Nick kept saying how much of himself he saw in Brent,and Madison just had SO much energy. They had to get going and head back to Ga,But I do believe we have met some life longs friends in this fight that we have going on here. I tell ya it sure makes things a lot easier when ya got people there. Before they left we snapped some pictures, It was nice to see I was not only the one who carries my camera EVERYWHERE. Gail is also A picture FANATIC,It was great. Thanks again to the Wade family, We had such A great time and hope to see you sooner than later. Brent,Gail,Jeff,Hannah and Madison

A little bit of this A little bit of that

Hey yall, It is A well not so sunny day here in Bryceville Fl. Sadly I am still in bed in between my rotten fur baby Jag and my husband,And I kind of like it. I hope everyone is having A great week,Its almost over and I am hoping for Mr.Sun to show his pretty face this weekend. Nick had his Dr. appointment on Tuesday,I am A little late on posting I know. He did really good and his lung function did go up 6 points. Two weeks ago it was A 25 and then Tuesday it was 35,HOW AWESOME. Nick worked really really hard in between Dr. appointments and I must say I am SO proud of him. This guy is pretty much AMAZING, He has the best out look on things. So its looking like no IVS this month which we are both really happy about. Reality is that Nick and I along with his Dr. I'm sure would like his lung function to be way higher than 31. With that in mind we still have A long road ahead of us, I have no doubt in my mind that Nick is completely capable of it.

Nick and I get to watch our nephew Trace on Saturday,I am really excited about this. We went and hung out with Courtney and Trace yesterday and Trace was smiling and laughing,It was just too adorable. So Saturday is going to be A lot of fun,From what I hear he likes to stay up all night. So Nick and I will get our baby fix and I'm sure will cure the baby fever I have had lately...

I hope yall have A great weekend and don't forget to donate to our great strides team. Just click on the DONATE NOW button to the right. Help CF stand for CURE FOUND.

You just dont look disabled

I came across this video through A friend of mine. I was very interested in the title, "You just don't look disabled" due to the fact that Nick well doesn't look disabled or sick. If you look at my husband he looks like every average 24 year old man.So often when I tell people weather it be someone we went to school with or A new friend, They often look confused when I tell them that Nick has Cystic Fibrosis. When I saw this video not only was I offended by the "definition" for disabled but I was in awe of this woman's outlook. It is just simply wonderful and I wish everyone had this outlook. It is kind of long but at least watch the first couple minutes,Where she talks about the definition of disabled. Hope everyone is having A great week....

Working hard

Hey Yall, I hope you guys had A great Monday....I know after A nice weekend its hard to get back into the swing of things, At least for me it is. I just wanted to ask everyone to PLEASE say some extra prayers for Nick tomorrow. Two weeks ago he had A Dr. appointment and his lung function was pretty low. So they asked him to come back tomorrow and see if they have gone up any more. Nick has been working hard to make sure that they are better. I know he is going to be so bummed if they are still low. Not only does he have A Dr. appointment tomorrow but I will not be able to go :( This makes me so sad, I really HATE to miss his appointments,Especially ones like this.I also wanted to do some recruiting, Team "Walking for Nick" NEEDS walkers. The Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis is going to be on May 1st at Hannah Park. The walk is A TON of fun and is A great cause to be apart of. This is our 3rd year doing it and every year our team gets bigger and better. It is so nice for Nick to know that the people in our community care about finding A cure for CF. The walk is VERY child friendly and is right on the beach,The provide lunch which is catered by outback steakhouse and is Oh so yummy. If you would like to walk with us just click on the button below and join our team. There is no cost to join but we do have A team shirt that we have and you can get for 15 dollars.

Unfortunately everyone cant make the walk, But you can still do your part to make A difference. For every dollar that is donated to the CF foundation .90 cents of that dollar goes towards finding A cure... That is AWESOME, So please help CF stand for CURE FOUND and donate. NO AMOUNT IS TO SMALL.Just click the DONATE NOW button on the right page of the blog. Nick and I are SO blessed to have the support that we do from everyone, I am forever grateful for you. Thanks.

Check out our GREAT STRIDES page!!!!

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AmandaBrown6088

Is it Friday yet???

Hey yall,How was every ones weekend? The weather was beautiful,Finally A little bit of warm.

Nick and I went out to lunch on Friday with our great friends Brad and Brittney and there new baby Chase.Brittney and I LOVE Mexican food so there is A great little Mexican place in Macclenny that we ate at.They had baby Chase with them and I was trying to find every excuse to wake him up. I just love holding the little guy he is so darn handsome.It was so pretty out on Saturday, So Nick and I decided to go to the Flea Market. This is my FAVORITE place to find junk to "REDO",Nick thinks I am crazy when I get excited about something old and rusty.
While we were there I stumbled upon A cute booth selling MAC makeup,If you know me you know I LOVE makeup. I spend way too much money on beauty products and all kinds of makeup.So when I found this Boothe at the flea market I was well...Just A little bit happy. I just recently paid 20 bucks for A pigment from Mac. I was even more surprised to find out that this lady was selling the same pigments for only 6 bucks or 2 for 10.She also has the Mac liquid eyeliner,The Hello Kitty eye shadow pallets and the 24 mac brush set in A the Mac leather case for only 40 bucks. Needless to say I will be A frequent customer.Ladies go check out her booth,She is at the Ramona Flea market right next to the Snack Bar.

This weekend Nick and I also got A call that we have been kind of dreading but also looking forward too. Since Nicks hospital stay in October and his lung function dropping we have constantly been thinking about where we stand as far as his lung transplant goes. At Nicks last Dr. appointment his lung function was low again and quickly reminded his nurse about submitting the transplant application. So this weekend we got the call that UF and Shanda got Nicks transplant application and will be evaluating it and contacting us soon. So from here Nick and the family will start the 3-4 month evaluation process for his double lung transplant. Once we get through the evaluation the team will decided weather or not Nick is A good candidate. Some of the things they consider when they look at are Nicks will to live,His support system,and of course his health. If he is A good candidate Nick will then decided if he wants to Active or Inactive on the transplant list.If Nick decides to be active it can be anywhere from two weeks to who knows when before they get lungs for Nick. I don't think Nick is ready to be active, he is working hard to get his numbers up and is determined to prolong the transplant as long as he can. It is such A bitter sweet thing for us,So please keep Nick and I in your prayers while we go through this crazy process.

I hope everyone has A GREAT week and remember it is what you make it...SMILE

little baby

Hey everyone, I hope yall are having A GREAT day. If not I am sure this sweet face will make you smile. A couple of weeks ago my sweet friend Brittney had A session with our nephew Trace. She did A GREAT job and took some really beautiful pictures,Every time I look at them it makes me smile. As you all know I am just completely smitten with Trace,He is just so darn cute. Here is the slide show and be sure to jump on over to www.brittanybellblog.com and look at some of her great work.

Trace McCracken from brittany bell on Vimeo.

Girls Day

Yesterday I picked up my little sister from school for A "GIRLS DAY". I had SO much fun and really enjoyed spending time with Mackenzie. She has such A great personality and the older she gets the more I see myself in her,Which is kind of scary. Mackenzie and I went and got some lunch at Callahan Bar B Q of course. After that Mackenzie and I hit up one of the local thrift stores to see if we could find anything to makeover....We didn't find anything to great but I did pick up A old cookie sheet for .25 cents and plan on turning it into....Well you will have to wait on that post! Mackenzie was not feeling the whole thrift store shopping thing,So we soon headed to town for our pedicures. Mackenzie told me A while back that she had never had A pedicure,So with that in mind I told her I would take her.I myself was in need of A pedicure as well,It feels SO good and is so relaxing. Mackenzie was so adorable,She would not stop smiling the whole time. I am so thankful to have A sister who is so funny,beautiful and smart as she is,She has A heart of gold. I am so excited to see what this ambitious young lady grows up and turns into. Yesterday was A nice reminder that I need to slow down and take the time for what matters most. Happy Feet

Today is also my Grandmother (Mom Moms) birthday.This woman is one of the most important people in my life.She is actually my Step grandmother,But has never treated me anything other than her own.She has embraced me for me from when I was younger all the way until the person I am today.She is always there with A listening ear and GREAT words of wisdom. I know that I can count on her to listen to what I am going through and steer me in the right direction,even if I do not want to hear it.She has not only been A Grand mother to me but A spiritual mentor and example. She has opened my eyes to so many things and for that I am grateful. Mom Mom, I Love you and Happy Birthday!!!!

Mom Mom with our fur baby Jag

Out to dinner @ Bostons last summerOur trip to San Diego

Tires and Goodwill....

HEY YALL, I hope everyone is having A good week!! I have had the past two days off which has been really nice. Yesterday Nick and I went to his Dr. appointment hoping for some good news. This past October when Nick got pretty sick his lung function went down to 21,This is when they talked to Nick and I about him going on the transplant list. Nick being determined that he is has been in the gym EVERY DAY and working REALLY hard to get his lung function up. He has been feeling on top of the world and full of energy. So when Nick and I went to his Dr. yesterday we were certain we were going to get GREAT news that his lung function was up.....Crazy enough, They were not. The night before Nick did A really good workout and I gave him A nice hard back treatment. Therefor Nick and I believe that yesterday morning all this junk was coming up hence why he didn't blow very good numbers. The Dr. decided he wanted Nick to come back in 2 weeks to see if they were better. Fingers Crossed

Nick getting ready to do his PFTs (Pulmonary Function Test)

He puts the clip over his nose, Then puts the mouth piece in his mouth and blows AS HARD AS HE CAN,By doing this it allows the Dr. to see how Nicks lung function is.We get bored.... Nick is famous at his DR. This is A article they did A couple of years ago on Nick and another young lady who has CF. They also aired it and put it on the news. Nick has been in need of tires for his truck, BADLY!!! So since he was kinda down from not doing so well yesterday I asked him if he wanted to go get new tires. To this day I don't know what it is about tires that makes him happy but he was thrilled. So off to discount tires it was,Thankfully we didn't have to wait too long. While they were working on his truck Nick and I decided to take A little walk. I have read SO much about all you fabulous ladies finding these goodwill buys and transforming them into some kinda gorgeous piece.You can head over to the link below and go to her goodwill party to check out some of the amazing things she has done with her goodwill finds...

So off to goodwill we were,Nick WAS NOT happy about this. He thinks I am crazy when I hold up this old tarnished serving tray and smile from ear to ear on how beautiful it is. I guess I just have A love for old antiques or anything I can make over. Anyways my search for anything good was well...not what I had hoped. But...Here are some things that Nick and I gotta laugh at...Goodwill is A GREAT place for Halloween costumes as well. I am off to give the furbaby A bath and do some laundry. Have A GREAT week and remember it is what you make it :)

Nick was amazed at all the STUFFI know it is SO tacky and awful, But I actually liked this hat.... Looking for some "Treasures" Ha!! Then Nick brings me this skirt,Yes I said skirt...Oh it gets worseThe back is shorter than the front...seriously!! It made me laugh