You Interrupted Your Regularly-Scheduled Holiday Programming.....

... To wish me Happy Birthday. And you'll never know what that meant to me.

When you're born on Thanksgiving Day, your "Birthday" should come with a disclaimer. Where you might think people would think, "Oh. It's Thanksgiving. That means it's D'Lyn's birthday," they don't.

The vast majority of the world forgets your birthday.

Growing up, that wasn't the easiest thing to deal with. And in this post-Mom life I live, where I don't have Mom around to run interference for me, it's not always fun.

I remember the great lengths Mom would go to to make sure My Day was acknowledged. A cake, including my boyfriend of the hour in our holiday feast, making sure people were lined up to wish me Happy Birthday. But without her around, Biggsy has stepped up to the plate.

And oh, how he has stepped up. BUT I want to clarify for anyone out there. I'm NOT 40. YET.

What I've come to realize, though, is how very much I appreciate the people who do remember it's my birthday. The people who interrupt their regularly-scheduled holiday programming to help make my birthday a VERY BIG DEAL. The friends who brought me donuts and chai (just like I like it) to start my day off right. The sweet sister-in-law who made me a birthday cake just like I requested it. The relatives who called and sang -- sometimes off-key. The chick friends who sent me texts. The husband that didn't even blink when I wore my real, live tiara all day -- even to Thanksgiving lunch at the kin-folks.

And I have to say, a lot's been said lately about "Facebook Friends" not being "Real" friends. Whatever. I loved the notes they left me. That was pretty darn cool.

And I won't hold it against those of you who didn't step up to the plate. Or at least I'll try not to. I'm not perfect, you know.

Thank You!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Wow.

It's been an amazing week. When I got home from the 3-Day, I thought I'd take the week to clean up, organize, get a pedicure, maybe a massage....

Not so. I ended up subbing all last week for my friend.

There's not any place I would rather have spent my time. My role in making sure things ran smoothly for her last week was so, so very small. But I was glad to play it.

Alexa's not well yet, but they are on the right path to getting her there. Last week's cancer diagnosis was put aside on Friday, when they had exhausted the testing without finding cancer. Praise God! Now, they're working towards healing little Alexa.

I'm not teaching today -- I have a doctor's appointment of my own. BUT I'll be in her class for the rest of the week. Again, I'm glad to have a small role.

With all that's been going on, I haven't had a chance to really process last weekend. But maybe I don't need to. We're off and running for 2010. We already have 18 walkers signed up to walk with us next year. That's almost 20% of our GOAL. How cool is that?

I've spent the morning making a video with some of my pictures. I'm just about to upload it to my sidebar.... So click on over there and check it out!

Kait finished her soccer season on Saturday. The Wildcats were undefeated! Whoop!

AND we went to the Rice game on Saturay. They won! Dinner afterwards with the Lamys and most of the Ecklunds was such a treat!

Tonight, the Bluebonnets play for the Whole Enchilada. They're undefeated and have already won the regular season. If they win tonight, they clinch the tournament as well. Abbie's defensive clearing kick has been a huge factor this season, and we are so proud of that!

And that's the Rest of the Story!

I'm Home....

The 3-Day was an amazing experience. I can't even begin to tell you just how incredible it was. I was able to walk 43.5 miles and some change -- I could have done all 60, but we had a bit of drama. My friend has a GREAT wrap-up on her blog at: www.karavancrew.blogspot.com

As for me, I haven't really had a chance to process all that happened. I hobbled around a bit on Monday, and got the truck unloaded. The house is still pretty much a wreck of pink stuff everywhere.

But that's not important.

What is important is that I've been pulled into a Sub job for a very sweet friend. Yesterday they diagnosed her precious, 15-month-old granddaughter with a type of cancer I can't even pronounce, much less spell. It's a type of neuroblastoma that started in her abdomen.

Please pray for little Alexa and her family. Pray that the doctors will be able to quickly determine a plan of action -- they are working today to determine whether or not the neuroblastoma is operable. Pray that she has no lasting effects from the seizures and other difficulties she's been having. Pray for peace and strength -- her family is exhausted.

Having come off a very emotional weekend, and coming home to this news, it makes me all the more determined to help find a cure for cancer. For now, I'm just glad I'm in a position to step in and help on this very small level -- sore feet and all.

Under Attack.

Okay. I'm not going to get all freaky on you, but our 3-Day team is in dire need of your prayers. WE need an umbrella of prayer protection over us this weekend.

We know that when things are rockin' and rollin' and bringing glory to God, Satan just can't stand it. And we know that's when he attacks.

This team has done some incredible things through God's direction -- just this past Sunday we were invited to speak at the Methodist Church here in our neighborhood. It was very powerful.

However, things are starting to go a bit haywire. Sequoya's aunt passed away yesterday at the age of 53 -- cause unknown. Carlisa is in the emergency room with her son right now -- he has a history of health issues and when things go bad, they can go very bad, very fast. And I had a nightmare this morning, that when put into this context makes me a bit nervous.

I'm not saying we're under attack, but I do recognize that possibility and the need for prayer. Please, please keep us in your prayers all weekend.

If you want to let us know you're praying for us, you can text any team member. Or you can text me. 2818838642 Please don't call during the day, Friday - Sunday, unless you really need to talk to us. We have to step off the trail to talk on the phone.

No Glee???

Two weeks without Glee does not make for a happy Me! If you're feeling the glee-less gloominess that I am, I have a treat for you!

And yes, she got that rhythm from her Daddy.

Oh, and you'll want to pause the "iPod" on the lower right of my page!