Wow....

Tonight I was reminded that Luke and I do NOT look alike. Typically, I don't pay much attention to it since I am wrangling two kids. However, tonight I went to Wal-Mart....just me and my little man. As we walked into Wal-Mart, several people looked back and forth between us. You could tell they were processing us...or maybe they thought he was just too cute....heck maybe they thought I was just *H*O*T*!!! Hehehe.....anyway, I often forget that he doesn't favor me. He doesn't favor Alan. He doesn't favor Aaron.

Luke favors Sydney because they come from the same place.....my heart.

DEANA IS *BACK* IN THE HOSPITAL

Here is the latest from her CaringBridge site. Sorry for the format........ PLEASE PRAY ........

Our dearest friends and family,I am terribly sorry for not having written an update sooner, but perhaps by the time you've read what follows, you'll understand why it has taken this long.Deana is back in the hospital, unexpectedly. Earlier this week, while performing what are now routine tests as an outpatient, Deana became very faint. Deana's parents were encourgaged by clinical staff to take Deana to the emergency room. There, Deana's blood pressure was found to be critically low, and a special blood test's results told Doctors once again Deana was septic.It's important to note that Deana is taking extremely aggressive chemotherapy -- so much so that now even our insurance company is calling into question some of the protocols. It renders Deana's immune system helpless against infections that you and I would not get. But it is sorely needed. If the Burkitt's Lymphoma is not in a near-dormant state when stemcell treatment is performed, it will greatly diminish chances for success.Now out of ICU and in a room on the oncology floor, Deana is being treated with the strongest of antibiotics in an attempt to fight the sepsis and what may be yet another case of pneumonia. We won't know for sure until tomorrow when CT scans, chest X-rays and bronchoscopy results are available. Doctors claim it will take 6-8 weeks to treat pneumonia if it is a reality. There is mixed discussion among staff (and some ambiguity overall) if this will negatively impact the tight schedule Deana's stemcell process is following.I told Deana I plan to visit her once she is out of the hospital this round and will spend a few days with her in a nice hotel, where the only interruption will be the knock at the door from room service. This will also give Deana's parents, who are at Deana's side, a few days to decompress as well. Timing is everything, as my company really needs me back to work. I will most likely fly out on a Friday and return on a Sunday.Our zboyz miss Mommy, there is no question. I do too. We talk with mommy a few times everyday. Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I told Deana we would celebrate when I get there.We continue to receive from you your incredible love and acts of kindness: from my dear coworkers, family and friends, wonderful neighbors, to Deana's Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), and of course Deana's mommy playgroup. Without your overwhelming generosity, our fight for Deana's healthy return would be much more difficult. We are truly blessed.I cancelled my home number, so if you're trying to reach us, call me on my cell. Please give your loved ones an extra hug today. It takes so little and means so much. Do it for no reason at all.Thank you all so very much for keeping Deana and our zboyz in your prayers. God bless you.

Dear clothing manufacturers....

My name is Kristi and I am the proud mother of 2 incredibly adorable toddlers!!! As a result of this, I find myself shopping for them quite often. Upon completing the sorting and folding of the laundry, I have found that my children have way too much freaking cute clothing and will not need another article of anything for the remainder of the summer. Not one stitch!! Actually, there is SO much clothing, I will COMFORTABLY send some clothes to their grandparents house for backup......along with their Aunt Kandi and Uncle Mike's house. Only to have overflowing closets and drawers at home.....STILL!!!!!

I emplore you to please stop making such stinking cute clothing that my children look far too adorable in!! I am having a hard time resisting these purchases......particularly from THE CHILDREN'S PLACE!!! Now, please understand, fortunately for me I only buy clothing that is at a SUPER CHEAP SALE so I totally justify my spending and I am TOTALLY getting my money's worth. Technically, I'm so cheap, you lose money when I buy from you!!! So see, it's best if you just start making uglier clothes for other people to purchase. :-)

Sincerely -

My niece is home!!

Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts!!

Tess is back at home and feeling so much better. I talked to her for a few minutes last night and she sounded just like herself! A sweet, bubbly, happy, sweet angel .....

The only thing the doctors could tell them is that it was probably just a really nasty virus. They did lots of bloodwork and didn't find anything.

Taite is ok too......cutting teeth now though. NASTY diaper rash!! No daycare for them till Monday. So glad my Mom is down there helping out!! Nana is the best!! :-)

I have TWO pre-schoolers!!!!

SYDNEY WENT TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING!!!

Alan dropped her off, stayed a few minutes and left. She cried, of course. I called 30 minutes later to check on her and they said she was MARVELOUS!!! Only cried for a few minutes and then she was fine!! She was using good manners....yes ma'am, no ma'am, sharing, playing with new friends, following directions, smiling for everyone and having a snack!! Miss Lori, one of the teachers I adore, answered the phone when I called and they are all just tickled pink that she's FINALLY there!!! They helped us pray her home and they love her big brother so, she's in good hands!!!

Now it's time for Miss Selena, her teacher, to do POTTY TRAINING BOOT CAMP!!!

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!I pick her up at 11:30, just before lunch. We'll repeat tomorrow. Next week, we'll begin the schedule. I'll have Tues & Thurs ALL to my self!!!

Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!!

My big girl, on her *FIRST* day of "school"!!!

Getting some big brother love!!!

He's still recovering so he'll start back on Monday.

Telling Daddy to come on!!!

Can you feel the love????

URGENT PRAYERS PLEASE -

My Mom just called and they have put my niece, Tess (3 years old), in the hospital in Montgomery. She has been throwing up for several days and can't keep anything down. Doc says she is severely dehydrated and has an extremely elevated white count. They aren't sure what's going on with her. Also, her sister Taite (9 months old) is battling pink eye and can't be around the hospital. We have no family down there so we're trying to figure out how to help out. My sister is beside herself with worry!!!

Day 2 of recovery

WOW!!!

Anesthesia hangovers are NO FUN!!

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE 4!!!!

He has an icky headache that only the pain meds help! We'll start weaning those meds on Thursday. All in all, he's doing well. He's eaten a little but of eggs, bananas, sherbet and apple juice.

Sydney, on the other hand, is NOT liking NOT being the center of attention all day long. 2 straight days of brother being in the limelight and she ain't happy about it!!! Next week we start part time daycare for her. Now would be the time that I *NEED* time to fly!! :-)