FOOTBALL WEEK 2

So as I last told you all, I was hoping Marcelo would get more playing time in his second game and HE DID!! He played at least 7 plays, maybe more (it's hard to always see when he's in LOL). He did really well and I'm so very proud of him!!!!

Cody had his very first football game yesterday (he's never ever played before) and he STARTED, played most of the game, and did FANTASTIC!!! Gus and I tried very hard but didn't make it to his game (so we didn't get any pictures) but we don't plan on missing another one so the pictures will be coming!

Getting ready to kick some butt!

Go #52!!

Time for a much needed drink (it was sooo hot that day!!)

MARECELO'S 1ST DAY OF 2ND GRADE

Yes that's right, Marcelo had his first day of 2nd grade yesterday. My little boy is a second grader. OH where has the time gone??? Before you know it he will be graduating highschool! Speaking of highschool Brittani is now in 10th grade! 10TH GRADE!!! When we moved into this new house 4 years ago, Jeff was starting 10th grade (he is a sophmore at Penn state now!) and before we knew it, we were going to his graduation. It is making me terribly sad to think that in no time at all we will be going to Brittani's graduation! :(( Cody is now in 7th grade and playing football (which he is doing absolutely fabulous at!! He's a starter and everything!!) and he's looking (and sounding) more and more like a man EVERYDAY!! I am just so sad that my kids are growing into adults right in front of my eyes!!

I didn't get a picture of Brittani and Cody's first day of school since they get up so early and we are all just rushing around like mad in the mornings.. but I did get a couple good ones of Marcelo.

My handsome 2nd grade boy

So grown up :(

Just because :)

THANKS GRAMMA AND PAPPY!

For our new swing! We soooo LOVE it!!

ALL ABOUT TUESDAY (a day late)

So much has changed since last I gave an update. So many wonderful things have happened. First of all, Miss Tuesday is off the ventilator! She is breathing on her own and her O2 stats are great. She is slowly becoming more and more alert as they can wean her off the drugs and Mommy even caught a smile on camera. She has even been able to spend some time sitting (with help) next her sister, Piper. Yesterday she ate some applesauce! Her first meal in weeks. And she is growing stronger by the day. She is even officially discharged from the PICU and will be going back up to oncology as soon as a room opens up. She made it through her second round of chemo with a little less hair but so much more strength than before. This child is a miracle. And God has answered our prayers thus far. So the message is, keep praying! Please keep praying. All these prayers are helping Tuesday and her family in so many ways. She still has an incredibly long road ahead of her but it is so good to hear things are heading in the right direction.

The fundraising continues. This particular fundraiser should appeal to everyone. An 18×24, ready to hang canvas One Face Portrait done of anyone you choose! Hand painted by Jeremy Anderson. He is a very talented artist. Check out some of his work.

Gwen Steffani


"Air" Jordan



The Corradetti Brothers, who's mother helped make this happen. Denise is a friend of the artist (and a woman I am proud to call my friend as well) and together they are making this happen.

He is so incredibly generous to donate his time and talents to helping Tuesday's family. I know I would love to win this one. I would have to talk him into doing both of my kids of course. Who wouldn't want a hand painted portrait of their loved one? You know you would. And you know you have at least $5.00 hanging around somewhere that you were probably going to spend on crap you shouldn't be eating so instead take that $5.00, save your waistline, and donate it to a very worthy cause. All you have to do is click on the donate button to the left of my blog. The one with Tuesday's beautiful face above it. For every $5.00 you donate, you get an entry. Donate $25? That's 5 entries! If you blog about this auction, you get another entry on top of that! And think about all the other people you will be telling about Tuesday! Just drop me a line and let me know you blogged about it!

Thank you everyone! Keep that love and support coming. It means the world to Tuesday's family.

RANDOM SUMMER PHOTOS

Now that summer vacation is coming to an end (school starts Wednesday), I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from the past month or so.

First is Brittani, Cody and Marcelo playing in the pool. And Brittani striking a pose for some reason or another.. She cracks me up! I love that girl!

Next is Brittani and her best bud Marcelo. And you won't beleive this one but Scott (Jeff's friend that has lived with us for over a year) brought us some baby chicks. (I have no idea what we're going to do with them.. as we don't live on a farm lol. )Well apparently one escaped and hopped over to the door and started pecking the door as to say "Let me in!" Ha Ha! It was really hilarious! The girls were just giggling and giggling. :)

SAYING GOODBYE SUCKS!

So I don't know if you all know of Scott, but he is the best friend of my oldest, Jeff. He moved in with us last year. Well after highschool graduation last year, he decided to join the marines and off to basic training he went. Fast forward one year and now he has orders to be depolyed to Afganistan. :( He left the other day and was told that he will be gone at least 7 months.. (we're thinking probably longer) So please remember him in your prayers. He's still such a kid to me but I guess now he is a MAN.

Scott and Marcelo

Marcelo, Brittani and Scott

Jeff and Scott

Kid or Man?

ZOO FUN!

So we ventured out to the zoo last weekend and boy was it HOT out! But still fun none the less! That was the first time in over a year that we had been there. We bought a year's pass so now we plan on going MANY more times as the kids all had a blast! We saw a baby tiger, 2 baby elephants, polar bears, sharks, penguins and tons of other things. Marcelo loved the baby tiger the best, Kalia loved the fish the best, I thimk Sofiya loved the snake the best (the one she touched!!), and my favorite was the baby elephants!

Here are a few pics of our day!

Notice the girls sweating? Did I mention it was hotter than heck outside???

Sofiya LOVED touching the snake!! I couldn't believe it! Kalia liked to look at the lizard, but later did touch the snake. I was shocked!

Sofiya and Marcelo touching the lizard.

Kalia looking at the wall o fish and Sofiya touching the deer. (kalia wouldn't touch the deer but would touch the snake.. told you she is weird!)

Sofiya and the Kangaroo having some words and my pretty girls on a turtle.

Just because..

MARCELO'S A FOOTBALL PLAYER!

Yep.. you guessed it! Marcelo started football this year!

This is the first year he's been able to play and he's been really enjoying it... (for the most part) The first week or two was tough and he did shed a few tears about being nervous and not wanting to screw up, but NEVER about getting hurt. Although at home, he whines and complains every time one of the babies barely touches him! LOL! He had his first game last Saturday and got about 1 minute total playing time but he has his second game today and we're hoping that he gets a bit more. :)

My handsome football player.

Marcelo at his first game last Saturday.

FOOD TIMES!

So I've found out that my girls LOVE tomatoes! So much so that they'll just pick some from the garden and chow down! Hey, at least it's healthy right??

And this one was just too funny not to post. 'Someone' was enjoying some cake on Gramma's birthday!

IT'S ALL ABOUT TUESDAY!

So I know some of you are interested in how Baby Tuesday is doing and thought since today is TUESDAY that it would be cool to do an update. :)

We have some good news that came through last night... Tuesday has been taken off a more powerful ventilator to a conventional ventilator. Yes.. she's still on a vent but this is HUGE! The doctors are hoping to get her off the vent all together soon! Please pray this happens so that she can be off the vent before she does her 2nd round of chemo which will be around the 17th. While little Tuesday is on a vent her mom and dad, Jessica and Charley, aren't allowed to hold her. Please pray that she gets well enough ASAP for her parents to hold her. I think they both really need that comfort. I can't even begin to imagine not being able to hold my sick baby. It must be so hard for both the parents and poor little Tuesday.

A bit more good news is that Tuesday has also been passing some fluids and is starting to "just look better". PRAISE GOD!!! She is still in critical condition but KEEP PRAYING!! IT IS WORKING!!

Please go to Jessica's blog, Go Blog Yourself, and send a prayer their way. She has asked for people to come send prayers in the comment section of her blog every Tuesday. I think this is a GREAT way to show your support and let the entire family know how many people, including strangers, are praying for their little girl.

Please don't forget that you can really help this family by clicking the donate button on the left. Every little bit helps so even $5 would make a difference (they live 45 minutes from the hospital so the gas expense is incredible) plus don't forget that you receive one entry to win that BEAUTIFUL handmade bracelet for every $5 you donate!

Also remember that if you buy ANY product off of the cafepress site set up for Tuesday that you will be entered to win that GORGEOUS tutu! Rem. that ALL profits made from that site go directly to Tuesday's family.

MEMORIES! (ok now I am singing that dang song! lol)

One of my friends, Debi of Who Says 8 is Enough posted a fun meme yesterday and I just had to do it.

It's very simple and will hopefully get us "talking"...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave 1 memory you and I have shared together. It doesn't mater how old or new the memory is, just something you and I have shared. And, for anyone I have yet to meet, leave me a comment letting me know something I have told you about that may have moved you or made you realize that we are true friends and not just 'online buddies'.

2. Next, re-post these instructions and see how many people leave a memory! If you leave a memory about me, I will assume you are playing and will come to your blog and leave one about you!

Remember, have fun!