Happy 4th Birthday, Holly!

Yesterday our little Holly celebrated her fourth birthday. (By celebrate, I mean I made some Rice Krispy treats and we gave her some Fancy Feast to eat.) Holly came into our lives right before Halloween three and a half years ago (hence her name - I kept calling her the Halloween cat since she is all black and somehow we shortened that to Holly) and she is by far our friendliest cat. (She's also the smallest, weighing in at just under 8 pounds!) She loves everybody and cracks my mom up the way she leads people over to the toy basket and pleads with her eyes for you to pick a toy with which to entertain her. We're convinced she's half dog, since she greets us at the door, plays fetch, and will also bring you toys in an effort to convince you to play with her. She had surgery a year and a half ago to remove 7 bladder stones, and we are so grateful that since the surgery she has been doing really well. I know it's silly to have a "birthday party" for a cat, but she's part of our family and we are so happy to have her fully recovered and celebrating another year of life with us.

Happy Easter!

I hope that you all had a blessed and enjoyable Easter. Unfortunately Patrick has to work on Easter Sunday, but after me throwing a pretty major fit a few years back about the importance of being in church on Easter Sunday Patrick has always managed to attend mass with me. After attending a pretty early (and packed!) service together, I went home and spent the afternoon and evening hanging out at the house. I think next year I might go back to my mom’s house to spend the day with my family, because it was a pretty lonely day overall. On a day of celebration I think you definitely need people around to celebrate with you!

On Saturday I received the best present ever – a beautiful mug that reads “Proud Godmother of Morgan Elisabeth.” I am so excited about this! I should probably mention that I drink hot tea every morning, so there is always a mug on my desk. Since its arrival, my new mug has already become a permanent fixture on my desk and I smile every time I see it. (I do take it to the kitchen to wash it at night though, so maybe it’s not a permanent fixture!) In any event, this totally made my day and so I wanted to share my happy surprise with all of you!

Weekend in DC

So last weekend my friend Lindsay and I decided to leave the husbands at home and drive up to DC for a much needed break. We've both had so much going on and so much stress lately that it was really nice to get away for a few days! I drove to Raleigh on Thursday to spend a little time with my mom and then on Friday we were off. Lindsay drove and I have to give her credit because once we hit DC the madness ensued - street names changed multiple times and the traffic was hectic. We only got honked at once, and that totally was not our fault...unless the car behind us actually wanted us to run over the pedestrians. Once we arrived at our hotel we safely deposited the car keys at the front desk and did not see the car again until we departed on Sunday. (We did wonder where they parked the cars though, because there was no parking lot anywhere near our hotel!)

We were total tourists all weekend and it was great! Friday afternoon and evening we walked around and took in some of the sites before grabbing some dinner. Had we known how crowded Saturday was going to be, we probably would have done more sight seeing that evening. We ate dinner at the Hard Rock and turned in early - a sure sign that we are definitely getting old!

We woke up early on Saturday and headed over to the Holocaust Museum. I'm really glad we got to go see everything there, even though some of it was pretty hard to take in. We tried to go to the street festival, but here is where the crowd part comes into play - it was packed! We herded around like cattle at every intersection and finally gave up on the street festival and just walked around DC. We did pretty well at not getting ourselves too turned around, and saw our tax dollars at work in all of the different government buildings. We did get turned around once, but discovered a beautiful garden along the way so it was a worthwhile detour. Lindsay is a pro with her professional style camera, and I'm trying to learn a little better about how to use my regular camera so it was a nice accidental discovery. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and they are beautiful. I totally want to plant a tree in my yard now!

After the street festival and our walking tour of DC, we checked out more of the monuments that we didn't get a chance to see on Friday.

We had a fun time and I'm so glad that we got to get away and spend some quality time together. I wish we lived in the same city, but fortunately Raleigh and Charlotte aren't too far apart (and we both have family in each other's city!) Hope you enjoy some pics from our nation's capital!

Exciting News!!

So I got some super exciting news this week…New Kids on the Block are launching a summer tour! I am sooooo excited!! (Feel free to insert joke here…I can take it!) For the summer tour they are going to be visiting outdoor concert arenas. The concerts I’ve been to lately have all been in stadiums, so I’m really looking forward to being outside on the lawn again. Their tour is stopping in both Charlotte and Raleigh, so Carolyn and I decided to go in Raleigh this time. This is just so exciting because to be honest, I thought that the show Carolyn and I went to see in the fall was going to be my only opportunity to see them live and in person. To find out that I get to see them again is just the best news ever! (And trust me, good news is much appreciated in this house these days!)

At Christmas Carolyn and I got new NKOTB shirts (from the first concert tour) so we’ll have to decide if we are going to be rocking the new shirts or keeping it old school like we did last time. Of course, our cameras will be with us this time. We learned our lesson – even if it says in BOLD PRINT on the ticket that no cameras are allowed, only dorks like us actually follow the rules.

Patrick thinks that we have officially lost our minds, but June 3 cannot get here fast enough for us. I’m so glad that my sister and I get to once again go and see our favorite group in the whole world perform. If this show is anything like the last one we went to, it is going to be an awesome night! This is the absolute best early 30th birthday present I could ever hope for!!

Check this link out if you want some more info: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20268647,00.html

Let the Celebrating Begin!

Rocky does NOT have cancer!!!! Let me say that again - Rocky does not have cancer! We are so excited and cannot believe that he has a very treatable condition!! We just received word this afternoon and of course I immediately burst into tears. This is such an answered prayer. I have been praying so hard for the strength to accept the results of the biopsy and provide Rocky with the love and compassion that he deserves and I think I almost forgot that there was a chance that we could actually get good news. God has truly blessed our family today!

When we picked Rocky up on Monday evening, the vet was convinced that he did have cancer and really brought down our spirits. I understand the need to prepare us for the worst, but I think I let that conversation rob me of any hope that he could actually be okay. The results took so long to receive because after the initial pathology lab ran their tests, they did not find any evidence of cancer. This was not consistent with their initial inclination (with which our vet concurred) so his biopsy was sent to another pathologist for a second opinion. The second opinion confirmed that our little boy does not have cancer!!!!

We still have to treat the tumor and its infection under his tongue, but he has already received an antibiotic and went in for a steroid shot today. The vet will be monitoring his progress to ensure that this growth goes away completely, but we are treating it and he should live a very long and happy life with us. I am so happy, relieved, and grateful that we got this news. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and I really needed some encouraging news!

Rocky

I can’t even believe this as I am writing this out, but we are once again in need of your prayers. Earlier this week we took our kitten, Rocky, to the vet to be neutered. We had to drop him off at 7:30 am and the vet told us that she would call us to let us know when he was out of surgery and we would be able to pick him up at 5:30 that afternoon. This is a totally routine procedure, so while I was worried about our little man, I didn’t really stress out about the procedure. When the phone rang around lunchtime, I assumed that it meant he was out of surgery and recovering. Nothing could have prepared me for what the vet had to say.

Evidently when they were putting him under, they noticed an abnormality under his tongue. Upon further inspection they determined that it was indeed a tumor and so they called us to get the go ahead to perform a biopsy on the tumor. Everything was immediately sent over to the pathologist for examination and we are anxiously awaiting the official results of the biopsy. Unfortunately, our vet indicated that it is most likely indicative of cancer, and this is an extremely deadly form of cancer in cats. He is very young (9 months to be exact) and our vet has not seen a case of mouth cancer in a cat this young, but she still thinks that is what we are looking at here. We are absolutely devastated and are once again asking for your prayers.

Rocky is extremely active and playful, and has not shown any indication that anything could be wrong. He has not displayed any of the typical symptoms associated with this awful disease, and if I had not seen the pictures of the tumor myself I would think that they diagnosed the wrong cat. Rocky came to us this past November in the middle of a very cold streak. I looked outside and saw this kitten running around with his fur flying in the cold breeze. At first I thought that he belonged to one of our neighbors (he was too cute, was super tiny and just appeared out of nowhere one day) but after he came by a few more times I felt that familiar tug on my heart, and I knew what we were being called to do. Oh, I fought it this time. I remember thinking, God, we already took in 3 cats and we do not have room for another. The tugging on my heart continued. What am I going to do with 4 cats? Nope, not me, ask somebody else. I still felt God calling me to help this kitten. I’ve done my part – it’s somebody else’s turn. The answer was, “No, this is meant for you.” I felt what I was being called to do loud and clear, and so on a freezing November night Patrick and I managed to finally lure this skittish little kitten into our house.

He ran around like crazy, not sure what to make of his new surroundings. At this point, I started to panic, realizing that we had just taken in our fourth cat. I don’t want to have four cats! People already make fun of me for taking in three – what will they think of me now? We had to enlist the help of our neighbor to corral him into our front bedroom, and I distinctly remember saying aloud, “He can stay for one week.”

I didn’t go in to see him much those first couple of days. I did not want to get attached, and I kind of resented his presence in our lives anyway. As the days passed, I went in to take pictures of him so that I could find him a good home. Nope, I was not going to have four cats of my own. We even had a home lined up for him that eventually fell through. As his week and then two passed, I started spending some more time with our visitor and I ended up falling in love. He is the cuddliest cat I have ever met (he crawls in your lap for cuddles, follows behind me when I leave a room, and lets me carry him around like a baby – he has fallen asleep in my arms on more than one occasion!) Patrick had already taken him to the vet for his initial round of shots, and when the time came for his follow up appointment I went too because I felt so protective of my little Rocky. There was a girl who worked there who was looking for a young cat to befriend her existing cat, and I knew that he was ours when I held him close and said that he was our kitty. (We had previously told the vet that we were fostering him and trying to find him a good home.)

I prayed so hard about his situation, and while it might sound strange, I know that God had called us to adopt this kitten. And so we settled into life with our newest addition and when Caddy got so sick it was helpful to have this friendly little face (who loved his big sister so fiercely) with us.

Many of you know that the past 6 – 8 months have been especially trying for us, for a number of different reasons. It’s not really important to know the details, but I have felt things over which I have always had control being ripped away from my tight grasp and it’s been a pretty difficult time. Through it all, I have remained faithful and tried not to question why so many things, in such quick succession, are going wrong in our lives. And now to find out that our beloved baby boy might be facing cancer, it is just too much for me to bear right now. I am completely broken and I am sharing this only to ask that you please pray for God to bless our Rocky. I know that he was brought into our lives specifically and for a reason, but I had no idea that God would be asking us to undertake such a painful journey. I have been holding him close every moment that he is not sleeping (and sometimes even as he sleeps) not sure of how much time we actually have left together. I have watched my husband cry under the weight of it all, and I just feel such an absolute sadness in my heart. There is still a chance (albeit a small chance) that Rocky could not have cancer, or even have it be a treatable form of cancer, so please pray for his health. Please pray that he is comfortable, and continues to not feel any pain, and pray for Patrick and I to have the strength to continue on this journey in the manner to which we have been called. I understand now why he was brought into our lives, and I am so hopeful that he will be with us for many years to come.

One of my favorite baby pictures of Rocky

Random

I was tagged (awhile ago, I might add – sorry, Jen!) to share 25 absolutely random facts about myself. I don’t know if I’m interesting enough to come up with 25 things, but here goes:

1. When I was younger, I spoke fluent German although I lost most of it when we moved back to States. (Kids really can pick up new languages pretty easily!) I keep thinking that one day I’ll take German classes to see if any of it comes back to me, but so far that is still on the “to do” list. (Oh, and I took three years of French in high school – that probably would have been a great time to try to pick up German again!)
2. When I was five I asked Santa to bring me a pink crayon for Christmas. Not a big box of crayons, just a pink one. I remember being so happy when I got my Carnation Pink crayon in a Cross pen box that year. I don’t remember most of the Christmas presents I’ve gotten over the years, but that one holds a special memory.
3. Speaking of special Christmas presents, the best present ever was my Barbie dream house. When I saw it set up in the living room on Christmas morning, I experienced sheer joy and awe at actually owning my very own dream house.
4. When Patrick asked me out for our very first date, I called my mom and told her I did not want to go on this date. When she asked why I told her it was because I thought I could fall for this guy and I so did not want a boyfriend at that time. Now here we are going on three years of marriage – I’m glad I didn’t cancel that date!
5. My favorite food in the world is ice cream (in most flavors.) I think I’ve shared this before, but I am an absolute ice cream junkie. I gave up ice cream for Lent this year and believe me, this is a big sacrifice!
6. I have never smoked or done any kind of illegal drug. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them that I have never so much as tried a cigarette, but it just never appealed to me.
7. My Ipod is full of embarrassing music – tons of 80s, dance music, “hits” like Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” or Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” I would probably die of embarrassment if somebody were to publish all of the songs I have on there (although I love them all!)
8. The most fun I have ever had was when my sister and I went to the New Kids on the Block concert together last year. It literally was a dream come true for both of us, and to be able to share that experience together made it even better.
9. When I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up. As I got older I realized that I probably didn’t have the science acumen to be able to actually fulfill that dream, but I am still a huge animal lover and supporter of local animal rescue charities.
10. I was a dancer through high school. I primarily took ballet and pointe, but I stopped dancing once I got to college. If I could choose to have any talent, I would choose dance because I am in awe of professional dancers. (And let’s face it, I have never possessed the kind of talent it takes to dance professionally!)
11. I was a Sigma Kappa in college. We had so much fun, and one of my favorite college memories is from the year I lived on the hall and a group of us would go work out in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then go get a huge breakfast together before class. I’m still really close with most of those girls too!
12. My biggest dream now is to one day be a mother. A lot of things have happened lately to challenge that dream, but I know that God put that desire in my heart for a reason and I hope that one day it will actually come true.
13. I have random nicknames for my family and friends. I refer to my mother as “Lady” and our cat Caddy as “Bear.” Sometimes there is a logical reason for the nicknames (Lady Elaine is from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood) and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason whatsoever (like our family dog, Emily, who I called Raoul.) Our kitten Rocky probably has the most nicknames – Baby Love, Rock Star, my little man, Rock ‘n Rolla, Rocky Top, Kid Rock, Rock Rock, baby boy - the list goes on and on! Even my old car was nicknamed Columbo!
14. My biggest fear is drowning. I had a horrific accident when I was little (I fell in the water and my mom finally rescued me when she saw my hair float by and pulled me out by it – no joke!) and I did not learn to swim until middle school. Our class was having an end of the year pool party and the boys kept talking about how they were going to throw the girls in, so I went to the YMCA and taught myself how to paddle so I wouldn’t be humiliated at the party.
15. One of the biggest honors of my life was when my friend Jennifer asked me to be her daughter’s godmother. I take that role very seriously and I am forever grateful that she thought enough of me and of our friendship to ask me to have a role in her beautiful daughter’s life.
16. I am an absolute bookworm, and I have been most of my life. I can devour books in a single sitting, and there have been times where I think I’ll just read one more chapter only to continue on and be shocked that I’ve been awake for hours with a good book. I recently rediscovered the public library, and it has been instrumental in keeping my need for new books satisfied!
17. I’m a complete homebody. I love to travel to visit friends and family, or even for a specific activity, but the idea of traveling just to see a new place hasn’t really ever appealed to me. There are many beautiful places in this world, many that I’m sure I would enjoy seeing, but I just don’t have that need to travel that most of the world does. There might be something wrong with me!
18. I love the theater – I’ve seen two Broadway shows in New York City and countless touring productions. My friends Lindsay and Rebecca both love going to see shows as well, so poor Patrick has not had to endure shows (which he thinks of as torture. I actually think he might enjoy some of them, but he assures me that he would not!)
19. I am part of my neighborhood homeowner’s association welcoming committee. We bake cookies, put together welcome packets, and try to be a friendly face in the community for our new neighbors. Carolyn thinks this is really funny, but it's been a nice way to get out and meet some new people.

20. One accomplishment that I am pretty proud of is that I put myself through school. I had to work and take out student loans (quite a few to finish graduate school I might add!) but when all is said and done I will have paid 100% of the cost of both my undergraduate and graduate school degrees. And, my final student loan payment is going to be made in May of this year. It took me six years to repay it all, but I am super proud of this accomplishment!
21. I have zero hand-eye coordination. It is pretty sad! When we were playing Mario Cart with our next door neighbors, I raced the four year old and afterward Patrick commented that it was nice of me to let the four year old win. I quickly let him know that I didn’t let him win, I am really just that bad at all things that require any sort of hand-eye coordination!
22. If I am ever rich (which is doubtful!) I would love to start a rescue organization for animals. I do all that I can for these neglected animals now, but unfortunately it is just not enough and if I could fund a safe and loving environment for these animals to call home it would be one of the most rewarding things I can think of to do.
23. I like for my socks to be completely color coordinated with my outfit. (Yesterday I had on an aqua sweater and my socks were black and aqua stripes.) I’m not always this good, but I think it makes me feel better to match completely!
24. When I’m having a hard time dealing with a situation, I tend to close myself off and hibernate for awhile. This may not be the healthiest way to deal with a situation, but I seem to follow this pattern whenever things are really hard. (So if I suddenly disappear for awhile, you know something is up!)
25. My greatest joy on a daily basis come from my kitties. They have had some serious health scares (bladder stones for Holly and pancreatitis for Caddy) but I know that God brought them to us because He knew that we would care for them and do everything in our power to help them. Spot, Holly, Caddy & Rocky are the most special blessings that Patrick and I could have ever asked for and they enrich our lives in so many ways. That might sound dorky, but our little feline family means the world to me!