I am dependable when...

This morning was one of those days...you know the one...where the children don't want to listen to a word you say so they throw a complete fit?

Here's the play by play this morning

8:00am - Pitter patter feet enter my bedroom, sniffles begin when she reaches my bedside...
8:02am - I finally roll over, asking whats the matter? why are you crying?
8:04am - after asking repeatedly, "I don't want to go to school"...yes you have to..."noooooo"
8:30am - please go get dressed so we can go to school, "I don't want to GO TO SCHOOL"...Yes you are going to school!
9:00am - I decide to shower while she is crying and screaming, which she continues right outside the bathroom door.
9:10am - In my towel, I promptly get her attention and yell "go to your room", apparently she thinks the living room is now her room, so I follow behind "go to your room" and point her in the correct direction. She now determines the bottom of the stairs is where she sleeps every night. I quickly get dressed so I am not running after her in a towel...
9:12am - Return to the stairs, "I said GO TO YOUR ROOM!", pick her up, place her on her bed and close the door. She continues to scream, attempting to get my attention.
9:20am - I don't hear anything, so I open the door to check on her...she is fast asleep.
10:15am - Pitter patter feet coming into my office, "do you feel better, I ask?", she nods yes. Come here, so I give her some hugs, some lovins etc.
10:20am - OK, lets go get dressed...sniffles begin "I don't want to go to school", here we go again?? I start asking her questions as to why she doesn't want to go, when she replies with nothing valid, we proceed to get her dressed. She's crying the entire time.
10:25am - Once we are in the truck and on our way, she is silent.
10:35am - Arrive at school just as her class is going outside to play. I stop the teacher, is there anything I should be concerned with? Is she doing ok while at school, causing any problems? The teacher assures me she is doing great and is only upset for a few minutes after I drop her off.
10:37am - I get back in my truck to go home...

I've been thinking about this behavior all day. She's 5 years old now, why does she throw tantrums like this? Is she trying to pull one over on me thinking I'll just let her stay home? Kids!

6:30pm - Kevin and Amanda arrive home, she's happy and had a great day at school. She sheepishly smiles when she sees me...then shows me the coloring she did at school...

so...does this mean I need to start feeding her ice cream for breakfast so the day can begin on a better foot???

Oh yeah...and wouldn't ya know she actually asked me if she could have ice cream for breakfast this morning...

In Honor of Judy Valentine

I am so saddened. A dear friend of mine from Alaska has been battling cancer for over a year and I just received some devastating news.

This is a hard thing for me to post so please bear with me. Judy will not be with us much longer. She had to go off her IPT treatments for awhile and the cancer took advantage and spread to her liver and bones. She is bed ridden and cannot talk very well. She communicates through nods and extreme low whispers. She is being well cared for with an in home nurse and hospice is meeting with the family today to help with her medication. She is no longer able to swallow her pain medication so they will be setting up a liquid method.

She weighs less than 100 lbs and it can be a shock if you are not prepared. She can have visitors but don't plan on staying long as she is heavily sedated and will not be able to stay awake for long periods. I know it is hard to visit someone in this condition, it was difficult for me. If anyone cares to see her but needs support please call me and I'll go with you. I wouldn't wait too long as I doubt she will be here too much longer. ~Celeste

Judy is an amazing woman. She's always there to help when needed, she's got a loving heart and a wonderful family. She's been a team member for the Crop for Cancer - Alaska team since day one and can always be counted on.

Please lift up your prayers to Judy, her family and her friends in the days and weeks to come. I encourage you to leave a comment for Judy and her family as they will be read to them to encourage & reflect on past memories.

Here is a layout of an album I did showcasing the Alaska Crop for Cancer team in October 2006.

~Judy at the Alaska Crop for Cancer event October 2006.

Easter 2008 Family Pictures

My family celebrated Easter with our friends the Garcia's all weekend! On Saturday, we went to Dallas Blooms to take family pictures (and then some!)

It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time together. Here is the first of many layouts!

Still He Walked

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
~John 3:17

Created this layout for the Easter Challenge at Faith Sisters.

I hope you all had a Blessed Easter! More Easter layouts coming soon...

{Eye-Fi} Wirelessly Save and Share your Memories

Have you seen this? This is a totally cool gadget that just might be a must have!

The Eye-Fi Card is a wireless memory card. It automatically uploads pictures from your digital camera to your PC or Mac and to your favorite photo sharing, printing, blogging or social networking site.

No cables, no waiting, no hassles. To learn more, visit eye-fi.com

Wow! I'm intrigued, are you?