Merry Late Christmas

My little brother Cameron and I Christmas 2009A kid at heart, Had A blast jumping on the trampoline Nick can jump SO high its crazyMackenzie,Cameron and I feeding the rabbitsMy Dad and I Christmas afternoonMy little sister Mackenzie and I Nick and I Christmas morning~ No makeup AHHHMr. and Mrs.Nick and his GramMr. And Mrs. I cannot believe I didn't blog about Christmas yet... I'm so ashamed!!! I hope everyone had A GREAT Christmas and spent it with the ones you love the most. This Christmas was so extra special to me. I think this year has been pretty rough for everyone,We have all felt the pinch in one way or another. I love it though, It brings us back to the basics of what Christmas is all about. For me it has always been and forever will be about my family,and for that I am FOREVER GRATEFUL. In the back of my head this Christmas all I could think about was Whats to come for Nick and I this year. I thought to myself and was so excited to think that next Christmas my husband might have NEW LUNGS!!!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!! I still get giddy and amazed to think that they will be able to take lungs from another thoughtful donor and give my husband the gift of LIFE, That we all take for granted. We had A good time this Christmas between both families it was nice. It was A little hard due to the fact I didn't get to see my mom this year for Thanksgiving nor Christmas. Usually I can handle it but we have had a pretty rough year this year with the loss of some that we love. It makes for A bittersweet holiday season. Here are some pictures from Christmas and I have lots of new stuff coming up for the new year. I AM SO EXCITED!!! Have A great week yall !! XOXO ALWAYS Amanda

Forever Thankful

Hello everyone, I hope yall are having A great week. I have some GREAT news. Nick had A Dr. Appointment Monday,His FEV 1 went up 10 points. When he was in the hospital last month it was the lowest it has EVER been, A very scary 21. That is when they came in and talked to Nick and I about him going on the list for A double lung transplant. Thankfully Nick is A VERY determined person and has worked hard this past month. Nick went into his Dr. appointment Monday and blew 10 points higher...31!!!! I am so proud of him and his determination. 31 is still too low for comfort but something we are defiantly working on together.I am so thankful to have A husband who is so strong and optimistic, I know I say it all the time but it is such A blessing in my life. As most of you know I have recently got A new job in retail,Which is working out good so far. I was hired on as temporary for the holiday season. With lots of prayer and my wonderful customer service skills... haha I got moved from temporary to full time...I feel so blessed that things have worked out there and is one less thing I am worrying about all the time.Working there I have met a lot of new people,Which is great because I love meeting new people. On the other hand I am so disappointed in the way people think and act sometimes. I know times are tough right now and we are all going through things,But it just seems like everyone is ALWAYS complaining. I know I have been totally guilty of doing this myself. Its very easy to do. Since getting this news of Nicks possible transplant I just keep thinking "Things could ALWAYS be worse". I had A lady come through my line today and she was complaining how her husband doesn't make enough money for her spending habits....When I asked the lady where her husband worked at and she said he was A pilot for A airline. In the back of my mind all I could think about was " You ungrateful woman,Be thankful your husband is able to work". Nick is such A hard worker and would do ANYTHING to be able to work again, and here this lady was complaining because her husband didn't make enough money for her taste. I know I am kinda ranting and raving here but it just really bothers me. I have seen SO much of this lately and wish people would just remember what life is about. I wish that everyone could live with someone like Nick for A little while and then maybe they will be thankful for their healthy body and family....Anyways I just had to get that out... Am I the only one who feels this way??? Have A great week everyone and please take some time to thank the people who make A difference in your life, Let them know you care and most of all BE THANKFUL and remember it could always be worse.....XOXO ALWAYS

For A good cause

Nicks and his AMAZING nurse RonnieNicks her faviorite....Did I say that?Greg,Barry and Nick....Kicking Cf in the buttWhen Nick was in the hospital A couple of weeks ago his lovely nurse Ronnie came in and gave us some good news. Somebody,She wouldn't tell us who bought tickets for Nick and I to go to this years third annual silent auction. All of the money from the silent auction goes towards the adult cystic fibrosis office that Nick goes to.We were pretty excited about it since we got to go last year and had A BLAST... Its fun to get all dressed up and go and visit with all of Nicks old nurses from Wolfsons and his nurses now.They really are like family to us and we are truly blessed to have A team like them. While we were there we met two GREAT guys and I had the pleasure of meeting another CF wife,Which is so nice.We met Greg and Barry,Both in their 50s and kicking CF'S butt. Greg actually had A double lung transplant back in 1997. He is doing VERY well and looked great. It was nice to talk to someone who was 12 years strong after their transplant. Nick and I had A good time,it was at the Cummer art museum downtown. They raised TONS of money for such a good cause, Its so nice to see. Nick and I have A busy weekend ahead of us...Tomorrow we are going with Nicks sister Courtney and her husband Chuck for pics. She is taking some maternity pics and Nick and I need A Christmas card pic. The weather is SO gross out so I have No idea where we are going to go now.We shall see.... Tomorrow night we have the Christmas parade hopefully that will help me get in the Christmas spirit...Hope everyone has A GREAT weekend!!!! XOXO Always

Thankful

kenzie and I feeding her bunnie

Cameron Mackenzie and IFamily pictureYummy TurkeyNicks FamilyNick and INick getting ready to inject the turkey YUMMYOur baby JagSo today has been A SUPER busy day,I am gonna be honest I am A little to tired to write A whole lot soooo...... here are some pics from today and what I have been grateful for this year.Happy Thanksgiving everyone Love yall

• My family of course,They are all A little crazy but I love them more than the world
• My AMAZING husband and how patient he is with me
• Grace
• A JOB,that one has been A little crazy this year
• That my husband has the opportunity to receive new lungs,HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!
• The EXCELLENT support group that we have from our friends and family
• The real housewives of OC ..... LMAO
• The AMAZING team of Doctors and Nicks nurse who go above and beyond
• My good health
• Our dog Jag
• That I got to spend Thanksgiving with the ones I love
• A WONDERFUL YUMMY dinner
• All of you who read my blog and keep me going.....

Bargains and Babys

Walmart issued a press release proving that they are committed to helping families during these tough times.This is A pretty great deal,For only $20 Walmart is offering the following:
One 12 pound grade A turkey

• Three 11-15 oz cans of Green giant veggies
• Two 14 oz cans of Ocean spray cranberry sauce
• Three 6 oz boxes of stove top stuffing
• One 5 pound bag of red potatoes
• One 12 oz package of Sara lee dinner rolls
• One 12 oz pumpkin roll cake
  Now through Thanksgiving,They are selling grade A turkeys for only $.40 A pound. What A great deal.

On another note I got some GREAT news today,My very best friend Becka and her husband Josh are expecting another little one.I am super excited and will be praying for A healthy and safe pregnancy.

Nicks sister Courtney and her husband Chuck are also expecting their first baby on the 28th of January. ONLY 69 MORE DAYS!!!! They are having A little boy and naming him Trace Colton, I love the name. We will be going tomorrow to set up her baby registry which is exciting as well. Here are some pics of her baby bump as it continues to grow.

Nick continues to feel better and looks forward to hitting the Gym and getting fit.WE kinda had A lazy day today with football and the Jags pulled off A great win.Hope everyone has A great week.XOXO Always Amanda

A Year Of Optimisim

Happy New Year from Nick and I. I hope everyone had A great time last night bringing in the New Year. Nick and I went over to A friends house and enjoyed each others company around A nice bonfire and then everyone came back to Nicks Mom and Dads house to bring in the New Year. I am so very thankful for the wonderful year we had in 2008. I am not going to say we were not drug through the mud A little but with Lots of Family, Friends, Prayer and Faith in God, We made it through one more year. For the average person another year is another year.For someone like Nick and I another year without declining health is An Amazing accomplishment.It is something most people take for granted. So with that in mind let this be A reminder to be thankful. Be thankful for your Good health,Family,Great friends and Another year.I am so excited to see what is to come this year. I know that God has BIG plans for both Nick and I. I hope everyone has A great New Year and BE THANKFUL. XOXO ALWAYS