AmAzInG...

I remember you were laughing, we were so in love, we were so in love

and the band played songs that we had never heard, but we danced anyway...

We never understood the words, but we sang ohhh

lalalalalala... and We Danced Anyway...

As I sat and watched a video of a young lady trying to sing this song, to keep from crying, as her sister shaved her head I was overcome with emotion.

Little Tiffanie, is fighting the fight of her life and in all of that she finds beauty and laughter... I have so much to learn.

She has a cancer that attacks the muscles. I'd love to pretend that I remember what it was called, or could pronounce it, but I can't.

I know Tiff through my sister and her kids. She used to dance at the same studio they did. She was one of the "big kids" at the studio. At least that is how I thought of her when Hanna and Morgan were 8 and 6. I loved to watch my nieces perform, and I loved when we got the chance to see Tiffanie and Lindsey dance. They were just amazing. Tiff was just a little ball of energy on stage you couldn't help but notice and love her.

I think you all know how I feel about cancer. It terrifies and angers me. It's funny how you view things once you're a Mom. You put yourself into the Mom position and try to imagine watching your child go through such a horrible ordeal. It's heart wrenching really.

Then you see this sweet girl,( she's 21 and not technically a little girl anymore) and it rips your heart right out. She has a wisdom in her eyes that I'm sure comes with all she's been through.

This is her second fight with this cancer. She was diagnosed the first time when she was just 6 months old. She fought hard, and not only recovered she became strong. Muscular cancer didn't stop her from becoming an AMAZING dancer. I learned last night she was the president of the "Rebellettes" cheer squad at Dixie college. She was teaching dance, and had gone with a group to China to teach dance over there. 20 years later that cancer is back, and trying it's best to break her. But she's not just giving up, she is truly amazing.

Tiff brings happiness to everyone around her.

I can personally attest to that. She doesn't know me. I was just another one of the adults at the dance performances, but she brought me happiness. Even in just a simple way. Being able to watch her dance and perform, brought a smile to my face.

Watching her last night brought tears to my eyes. She's still just as beautiful, even sans her gorgeous hair. Even skinny and somewhat frail, she smiles just as bright. Her legs are both casted now, apparently her calf muscles have taken quite a beating. She was still up and around and hugging friends and laughing. She is the model of hope and faith.

My point to all my ramblings is how you never know how you affect people. Last night I was privileged enough to sit with 800 people who know and love Tiffanie. 800 people showed up to show their love and support for her! She has touched so many lives. I have no idea how many people were family or her BFF's, or were like me and knew her as a friend of a friend. But everyone there has been touched by Miss Tiffanie.

Everyone there paid to get in, and paid for "Dancers against Cancer" shirts, and went through and bid on donated items, all to help Tiff. And, we were all happy to do so. Close to every dance studio in the County turned out to perform, So You Think You Can Dance finalists came to perform, Odyssey Dance from Salt Lake was there, "Afterglow" was there and performed songs for Tiff. It was an all out amazing experience.

I got to again, watch my beautiful nieces perform, (now they are the "big kids" at the studio). They are amazing little dancers too, I never get tired of watching them dance.

I can say with most confidence, there wasn't a dry eye in the place when Tiffanie got up at the end to give her very heartfelt Thanks for the love and support.

I am so grateful for this little girl, and that I had a chance to witness the precious display last night. I'm so grateful that I got to take my girls, and spend the evening with them & their cousins & my sister.

Good Luck Tiffanie, we are all truly praying for you!

AnOtHeR UpDaTe...

Another update on my Mom for the family...

So, Robin went back to work yesterday. It was a very long day, and she was exhausted when she got home. But, she made it through okay. She's getting a ride with a lady from work for this first week, which I was glad to hear!

I guess when she filled out the roll in her class the aide had to come back into the classroom to ask what she had written.

Her writing is much better than it was, but still not great.

Around her condo she doesn't tend to get dizzy, but it was a different matter at school. She was dizzy while trying to walk through campus and tried to stay close to something to hold onto. She still feels the vertigo is a problem. We are hoping it goes away completely and soon.

She said she felt like her speech was okay during class. After school (when she tired) her speech was slurred, and she had trouble finding the words she wanted a few times.

I try to not let that freak me out, but it's not easy. ;)

Considering her stroke was only a few weeks ago, I think she's doing great!

On the bright side, her laundry is all caught up, her house is spotless, and her fridge is stocked... THANKS SO MUCH AUNT PAULINE!

I don't know what we would have done without you! You definitely made life a ton easier for Kari and I these last few weeks! I just found out that Aunt Pauline was on her way out of town again just as she got home.... So thanks even more for sacrificing your time at home to get ready for your next trip!

WeLL cRaP...

So I had a few funnies, I wanted to post on here. Ya know, my kids doing crazy things, Sammy losing a tooth, Oh and Scotty and his new "going green" lawn mower. (it's one of those old motor~less push mowers) But alas, the camera with pictures of these funny things was lost at the zoo today.

Well, Crap!

Trying to Think Straight...

I'm just posting on here because it's a central location for the family...

My Mom is home. Aunt Pauline is there with her.

She's doing better everyday.

She did have a minor stroke.

They did go ahead and send her home from the hospital because there was nothing more they could do for her. Dr. Corry also felt it was better to get her home around her own things so she could start to "rehab". The Vertigo seems to be there still, but she is getting more steady on her feet.

The problem I see is that she thinks she's okay and walking straight, when in reality she's tipping over. She hasn't had a fall yet, we stay pretty close by. (Even when she says she's fine and pushes us away.) Actually she doesn't push me away because she knows I'm even more stubborn than she is! Thankfully Pauline is with her and I doubt she will give in either. ;)

She seems to be eating better and keeping food down, so that is a HUGE improvement from a week ago. The CT scan and the MRI from last week were both fairly normal. Dr. Corry just said the CT scan showed some signs of her age. She didn't find that amusing. He thinks they will run another MRI again in a week to see what they find then.

She has found that writing is a bit of a problem. She has already started to practice and I'm sure it will come back soon.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers, they mean alot!

And for all the visits.

I'll try and keep you posted here. Call anytime if you have questions.

Eating Healthy...

I LOVE to cook. I love to read new cookbooks, love trying new food, love making new food. Oh, and I LOVE to watch food network, and tend to get obsessed with some of their shows.

Due to the fact that I am still holding extra weight from too long ago to admit... (and Brookies pregnancy didn't help). I need to drop some stinkin' weight. And my love for food isn't helping my big butt disease. Unfortunately my work out routine isn't cuttin' it either. So, enter my new favorite cookbooks...

The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, and the Clean Eating magazine. I heart them!

Very Yummy and good for you meals!

Woo Hoo!

I will be sharing these fabulous recipes with you on my recipe blog... at

http://bigfatmommyrecipes.blogspot.com/

Happy Eating kids!

I just posted my new favorite Fish Tacos recipe. It was delish!

Mommy Time Out...

So, I have clearly become a total and complete slacker. I know this is no shock to any of you. I love to blog, I love the people I have met because of my blog. I am out of things to say...

Okay so that last statement isn't true. It's NEVER been true. :) But, I have felt as if I have lost control of my kids, and I don't really care for the raving lunatic I have become.

So, I have taken a break. I have read at least 10 books since the Christmas break. A few were fabulous, and some not so. I have worked out, (not as much as I should) but still worked out. I've played mindless games on facebook, which I'm embarrassed to say I enjoy. :) I have hung out with my kids and husband as much as possible. I have tried a number of new fun recipes, which is one of my favorite things to do. I have played nurse maid to sick kids, and then been sick myself. In fact the last time my husband came home from a trip we were all laying around in the living room, sleeping bags and all. Everyone was feeling under the weather so we took a few days off to watch movies, eat soup, and cough on each other.

I am ready for Spring, and to enter the "outter world" again. Hibernation is hopefully over...

I hEaRt ChArLeStOn...

The Jail... it just happens to be voted "The Most Haunted Building in Charleston"

Considering how "haunted" the city is suppose to be, that's saying something!

I just couldn't get enough of the gorgeous historic homes!

They were so amazing!

We got to go on a Ghost Tour of the city.

It was so much fun, we visited a few graveyards, and heard some spooky stories.

I just loved the city. I am far from a "city girl" but Charleston is intoxicating. I have completely fallen in love with the city. The history just seemed to suck you in. It was so amazing! I would so love to go back, again and again.

Great Vacation, thanks Scotty and thanks Norm and Laurel! It was so great!