Thank you! :)

Kendall's dad had a stroke almost 2 weeks ago while driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Thankfully, his friend was with him and they got 911 helicopter to come and air lift him to a near-by hospital. He stayed there til Sunday, then released him to come home, to Raleigh. (Side note: he was just having a leisurely trip to Asheville when all this happened.) On his way home with his friend, he had another stroke and was taken to a hospital in Greensboro. While there, he had another stroke (or after shock from his first stroke - they're not quite sure) and stayed there another day. He came home a week ago tomorrow and has seemed to be doing pretty well. He has to change his entire lifestyle now - eat more healthier, etc. This has been a true wake up call to his entire family, and others, who know him. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. He hasn't shown any side effects other than getting confused every now and then and sometimes has a hard time figuring out what to say, but thank GOD there aren't any MAJOR effects! God is one great God, for sure!! :)

Why do people HATE instead of LOVE?!

This world is full of so much HATRED!! The news of Norway being bombed yesterday saddens my heart, among all the many other acts of crime that happens every day.... Why can't people LOVE one another like the Bible instructs us to do. Growing up, I don't ever remember hearing of so much hatred... I think the world has gotten worse in the last 15 years. I guess we'll never have peace until God returns...

Changes...or are they?

I normally do well with changes, but some people have a difficult time with them...which is understandable. Several people have asked me how I deal with Kendall going off to school at App State in Boone. Well, at first, it was definitely difficult to do. But, it's been a great thing with our relationship. I think we have become a lot closer and understanding of one another. We're both adults and both have our own lives, but also share and enjoy our times together as well!! When he's off at school, I enjoy going to my job every day because I LOVE my kids and co-workers. I love coming home on weeknights and watching my tv shows - Bachelor(ette), Big Brother, etc. I enjoy hanging out with my girls on weekends when Kendall isn't here. I usually pass the time by reading books, doing puzzles, etc. When he's up in Boone, he goes to classes and then hangs out with the guys at his apartment. He does his guy things and he enjoys doing that. Kendall & I talk to each other every day via text and/or phone calls. Talking to him every day helps because it's always great hearing your lover's voice! I visit Kendall at school at least once every month, and that helps time pass by quicker! Even though it's lonely at times, I rely on the fact that every day that goes by is one day closer that we'll be in each others' arms again!! :) He graduates in December and then will hopefully be going to grad school. Please pray for him as he prepares for the GRE and takes that test in August.

Kendall, if you read this - I LOVE YOU & can't wait to see you again! :)

Good News!!

My colonoscopy results came back normal. Praise the Lord! :) He is good!! However, they still found bacteria in my intestines...which has accumulated over time making my mid-region look bigger than normal. With this said, I have to change my diet for 4 weeks to see if this will help. My doctor also prescribed me with some meds to take when I'm having abdominal pains. I can see a big difference in my mid-region just over the last week... it's gone down some! YAY! :)

Thanks for all the prayers I received. I can truly feel them coming in!!

I would like to ask for some prayers for some people I know. Not going to say who or what their requests are, because in the end, God knows exactly who and what!! Just pray for these people if you have a second in your day.

I'm going to try and update this more often! Love you guys... have a great Friday & an enjoyable weekend, because YOU deserve to!!

Why is it this way?

For a while now, my stomach area has been really aggravating me. I saw the doctor in January and had blood work done and an ultrasound done to check out my stomach, kidneys, etc. Everything came back okay and nothing seemed to be wrong. They gave me Prevacid to take. I've been taking it ever since, and still having uncomfortable burning pains from my chest, down. Today, I went back to the doctor and told her that my problems were still occurring. She gave me a another prescription to take when my stomach (or whatever it is) is having spasms. We'll see how all that works out.

On Saturday, I'm having a CT scan done. Then going to a GI doctor sometime next week or the week after. After talking to my mom, I'm thinking I could have Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease can't tolerate gluten, which is in wheat - bread, pasta, etc... everything I love! Why I'm thinking this may be the problem, is because I taught a boy 2 years who was 4 years old and he had this disease. His stomach was really big for a kid, and it wasn't just "baby fat." After doctors found out his problem, and put him on a gluten-free diet, his stomach went completely back to normal.

With this said, I'm going to mention it to Wake Radiology on Saturday when I go in for my CT scan. Please just keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I feel fat and I hate feeling this way. Everyone around me says "you look fine" etc, but I just don't feel that way at all...I really want to get all of this solved, because it's kinda been irritating me and stressing me out recently.

i love you this big

I am a HUGE Scotty McCreery fan and it's not just because he is from my hometown, but because of his FAITH in our Lord & Savior!! Kendall's mom and I went to every Scotty Viewing Party at either the Garner Historic Auditorium or over at Scotty's HS, Garner Senior, to cheer on Scotty with all the other fans. It was a great time and I'm so glad I got to share my happiness with others! :) The American Idol FINALE was crazy! I was at the RBC center with 8,000+ fans cheering Scotty on to win. When he won, the place erupted in loudness. It was an amazing feeling!! Yes, Scotty won "IDOL", but what makes me the happiest is knowing that he has witnessed to millions of people all over the globe. He stands true to what he believes and isn't afraid to show it!! Way to go, Scotty! You make us proud! :)

His first single, "I Love You This Big" is awesome and I love the fact that he says this song can be interpreted in so many ways, including how Jesus died on the cross for us and he loves us so much!! Here are the lyrics to the song. :)

I know I'm still young
But, I know how I feel
I might not have too much experience
But, I know when love is real.

By the way my heart starts pounding
When I look into your eyes
I might look a little silly
Standing with my arms stretched open wide.

I love you this big
Eyes have never seen... this big
No-one's ever dreamed... this big
And I'll spend the rest of my life
Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try
I love you this big

I'll love you to the moon and back
I'll love you all the time
Deeper than the ocean
And higher than the pines.

Cause girl, you do something to me
Deep down in my heart
I know I look a little crazy
Standing with my arms stretched all apart.

I love you this big
Eyes have never seen... this big
No-one's ever dreamed... this big
And I'll spend the rest of my life
Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try
I love you this big

So much bigger than I ever dreamed my heart ever would
I love you this big
And I'd write your name in stars across the sky
If I could, I would

I love you this big
Oh, eyes have never seen... this big
No-one's ever dreamed... this big
And I'll spend the rest of my life
Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try
I love you this big

I love you this big
Oh, eyes have never seen... this big
No-one's ever dreamed... this big
And I'll spend the rest of my life
Explaining what words cannot describe but, I'll try
I love you this big