Not me, Monday!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.




This past week:

I did not have the busiest week ever! It never stopped... right when you thought things were going to calm down... NOPE!!

OH, I did not allow a 3 year old little girl to go for a 2 mile walk at the coolest park ever. There were not trails that went all around in the trees, down hills, past baseball fields.

We did not also have her 13 month old brother along for the walk, with out a stroller. I didn't have to carry him over a mile because his little legs were not tired. I did not on more then one occasion try to put him down and have him walk a little more.

I of course had my camera... because I do not forget it at the best times!!

O did not stop every 2 min to plan in the dirt, pick up sticks, or try to eat the rocks.

E did not say hi to every single person that passed us on the path. Nope, she is to shy to want to say hi to everyone.

We also did not pretend we were on a Dora the Explorer walk, running away from trolls and other things she could think of. Nope, we would look silly doing something like that.

E did not FINALLY get tried at the very last of the walk, telling me to go and get the car and come back for her. I did not have to tell her she needed to get up out of the walk way because I couldn't come back for her, she was not upset... nope, not one bit!

She also did not get scared to death of a bike that had to pass her on the walk... because she was not sitting in the middle of the path because who would let a 3 year old sit in the middle of a busy walking path? NOT ME, that is for sure!
I did not have jeans and flip-flops on.

I did not have a huge blister that popped on my toe before the walk that didn't happened was over.

I did not find out that my friend father passed away from cancer on Thursday, less then a week after he was given two weeks to live.

I did not go to a funeral on Saturday.

I did not hurt for her since the moment I found out that he had gone to be with Jesus.

I did not worry every moment if she was alright, fully knowing she has an amazing boyfriend that will make sure she is at least eating, staying strong in that kind of way.

Nope, these things did not happen, they would be too sad to blog about 3 times in one week

Yeah, I didn't blog about this 3 not 4 times this week because it didn't help to get my thoughts out there. To not say what my heart felt. I did not put all my feelings, thoughts in God's hands... for he will not show me the path I need to take. Nope... not me, again that would be way to many sad blogs in one week if you ask me.

On a happy note, she is not doing alright, she was not smiling this weekend, enjoying her friends, loving and thanking each and everyone of us for showing up to be there for her. I was not glad we went after hearing this.

Yeah, I still have not forgotten to bring my camera cord to work so I can post pictures, nope... again, I'm ALWAYS on top of that kind of thing. I wouldn't forget something that was so important to me!! Nope, not me!!

Well, that's it for this week! I hope to have some more fun and exciting things that I sure didn't do this week ready to go for next week!! HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Fingerprint Fridays...

This week has been a hard one for me. I have decided that today, Figerprint Fridays, is a perfect place to reflect on the one major thing that has been eating at my heart.

I found out that my friend's dads cancer had returned - he was give at most two weeks to live or to try to fight it with chemo (a 10% chance). He chose to fight it because 10% is better then 0%, he passed away less then a week later.

Shannon and her dad, Mike, had a relation ship so much like the one with me and my dad. She talked to him all the time, he was there for her when ever she needed something, she was his life. The cancer brought them even closer together, knowing that God might decide that he wants Mike with him made them both realize that the time they had together was precious. They needed to talk, laugh, love like it could be the last day they had but hoping, praying that God wouldn't want Mike in Heaven, that he would let him stay and live the life that he had started here on earth.

I think it hurts my heart so much because Shannon is such a great person. She is loving, kind, will drop anything for you, and even let you have a party at her house. She is amazing. My heart hurts knowing that her dad will not be there to walk her down the aisle when she gets married, hold his first grandchild from her, see her grow in Gods light even more.

After this I've realized that cancer can affect anyone. No matter you age, height, weight, color of your skin, etc... Mike is about the same age as my dad. Thankfully Shannon lived about 20 min away from her dad, and when he was sick she could go after work everyday and see him, soak up the time she had with him. I'm so scared that something will happen to my dad now. He is over 600 miles away from me. I can't just pop in and see him when I want. It takes months of planning for me to see him. What if this was him, what would I have done? Would I have dropped everything in my life and gone to be with him? I really don't even have to ask that question... I know the answer, of course I would. My dad is my life, I don't know what I would do if I lost him - this is why I hurt for Shannon, they have the same relationship I do with my dad.







So, after all of this I'm feeling I should share how I've seen God's Fingerprints in all of this sadness. I have been pretty bummed this week and last night it hit me pretty hard. But I see God, helping me through all of this... holding out his hand for me to grab so I don't fall down. Helping me be strong for my friend, no matter if it's just saying prayers for her or if it's just sitting with her while she cries. He reminds me that when I start to get angry, sad, frustrated at things around me to put it into his hands and he will show me the way he had planned.

I'm sorry for the rambling and sad story. But that God's Fingerprints to me this week. I hope next week will be filled with laughter and happiness but it's in God's hands now and only time will tell.

Love,
KJ


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From Beci's Blog:
There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know it’s true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in - Go to Becki's Blog!
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Update....

A couple days ago I asked for some prayers for my friend Shannon and her dad Mike. Well, I'm sad to say that Mike lost his battle with cancer last night (06/03/09) and went to be with Jesus. I have not heard anything from Shannon (I found out due to our boyfriends being friends kind of thing) and I'm not sure when I will hear from her again. I can't even start to imagine what she is going through, she is a daddy's girl, and now he has been take to God. I could keep going on all the things he is going to miss out on with her but I'm pretty sure all of you can think of those on your own.

I know that when someone goes to Heaven you are supposed to rejoice and be happy that they have gone to live with God and in Mikes case,he is no longer suffering. It's just so hard. He was about the same age as my dad, he lived a healthy, happy life. Only getting sick once in awhile, and that wasn't anything major... just like my dad. It's a scary thought that it could happen to anyone. That people who are healthy, fit people can get cancer. That it doesn't just pick that people that don't take care of themselves. It's such a scary things, not knowing what it to come next. How Shannon is going to be in the next few years, she lost her daddy... I can't even start to imagine.

Please keep Shannon, her family, and ever her dad in your prayers for awhile. They are going to need to feel that support that only God can give them as they face this very long road that is ahead of them still.

Love,
KJ

Prayers are needed...

Once again friends, I'm calling on you for some big time prayers that are needed. This time it's for my friend Shannon and her dad, Mike. Below I have posted what Shannon has written about her fathers struggles with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, I took this off her Team in Training page, her boyfriend, Blake, Shannon, and our friend Jenny all trained to hike the Grand Canyon to support the research and hopefully someday soon the cure for Leukemia.




Well, as you read her posts you will see that her dad went into remission, unfortunately she got news on Thursday that the Leukemia has returned. The doctors told Mike he could go home and maybe have 2 weeks or he could stay in the hospital, get another round of chemo and have a 10% chance that the chemo will help. He choose to do another round of chemo, he is a fighter and he isn't ready for this horrible thing to take his life from him. He needs your prayers, your thoughts, you kinds words. Shannon is strong but she is hurting... even if she won't let anyone see it, she needs your prayers just as much! If you think about it would you please add them to your prayer list... pray that Mike is in the 10% and the chemo will stop the Leukemia. Pray that Shannon can see God in all of this, that she knows she is not walking this road alone, and that it will all be alright, even when it hurts the most.

Thanks for everything,
KJ



2/8/09
As you may know on September 14, 2008 my father was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After a couple Chemotherapy attempts to cure him we were unsuccessful because his Leukemia was refractory (won't respond to traditional Chemotherapy methods). From that point my father was sent over to the Bone Marrow Transplant specialists at Main Methodist. We had very little time to find him a Marrow match and before we knew it, he didn't have a match or have time to keep looking. From there he moved forward with a double Umbilical cord blood transplant. He is currently 80 days post transplant. Right now he is experiencing some Graft v. Host problems but hopefully this is just part of the process and he will go on to live a wonderful full life. We should find out in the next few weeks if he has reached remission so please continue to keep him in your prayers!

My dad calls his cancer a divine gift from God. He feels like if he had to go through this in order to positively impact at least one persons life, then it was worth it. Having a personal connection to blood cancers has provided me the opportunity to connect with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and raise money with thousands of other people to find cures. My dad is my hero, he always has been, please join me in the fight to cure blood cancers by making a donation of any size. It means the world to me, my father and thousands of others.

3/8/09
Can anyone say REMISSION? I know I can! That's right, six months, three intense Chemo treatments and a double cord blood transplant later, we received the preliminary news that my dad has reached remission. I couldn't be more happy for him. This whole experience has been overwhelming.

Even though we have gotten rid of the Leukemia we still have a road ahead of us. He is currently experiencing some Graft v. Host complications. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in which functional immune cells in the transplanted marrow recognize the recipient as "foreign" and mount an immunologic attack.

Not Me Mondays!!

Once again my favorite part of Mondays is here!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.




I did not forget everything I wanted to say last week so I'm so not going I put things from last week this week!! ;)

I have not been working on this post for 2 weeks now, nope, I'm great at blogging and I do not have work that I should actually be doing instead of this! Nope, not me!!

I did not walk into my boyfriends apartment two Sunday to find out that he has decided to shave his head for the summer (not bald but short) and since he did not do this I was so not upset to see his hair gone!! * I'm used to it now, but I'm still not that big of a fan... at least it's just hair*

I also did not go to awesome jewelry part that same day and get an awesome yellow ring that I couldn't keep my hands off (to see what I am saving for and what I bought go to this post)!!

I am not disappointed to STILL not have that jewelry!! It is not back ordered and I DO NOT have to wait another TWO weeks until I get it!! Nope, it's NOT killing me at all!!

I for sure didn't go back to the boyfriends house to then show him that catalogue and point out the MANY things that I want out of it.

I have not gotten my crazy dog used to the car by taking him back and forth between the boyfriends and my house, that would be a mean mommy, right?

I absolutely did not have a blow up, I'm going to be mad at you for days fight with the boyfriend on Monday!! No way, we get along like pb&j (if that is what you like, I'm not a fan) always in sync, happy all the time!! There will never be any fighting, ever!

I also did not start to celebrate my birthday a week early (remember from last week, that would be crazy to enjoy getting another year older) due to a friend wanting to give me a birthday gift early... nope, not me because I'm not 5 years old and I don't need to count down the days (as of the post day for this... it's tomorrow)!!

I did not have a great time celebrating my birthday with some not great friends a week ago. Nope, I did not eat more then my tummy could hold and then manage to eat cake! OH!! This cake was not the most amazing cake EVER and it was also not the best tasting thing!!

I also have not manged to forget to post pictures from the entire month of May. Nope, I'm good at keeping on that kind of thing.. I would never, never slack in that department!!

I have also not started my Not Me! Mondays! on Monday, right after I posted my other one since I forgot over half of the things I DID NOT do last week... nope, not me at all!!

For now... this is all, I actually have a lot on my mind and need to do another post in just a few min!

Love,
KJ

Finger Print Fridays

This week I was going to honor my family with my Finger Print Friday post but yesterday I received an email about a friend and her family and I feel they should have the spot light today...



The Lundgren's have become my family in Texas, in more ways then they will ever know. I'm sure you've seen my posts or heard about Ella and Owen on a million different occasions. They have welcomed me into their lives on many occasions and supported me in everything that I have chosen in my life! They are amazing and I couldn't have wished for better people in my life!! I really do see the Finger Prints of God in them, after everything they have learned is the past couple of months they still have a positive outlook and they still walk side by side with God, putting their trust in him!



Awhile back, I asked for prayers for Owen, I didn't really say why or even say anything at all. I needed time, I needed to process what I was told and realize that everything was going to be just fine... that God had a plan for Owen and no one would realize what exact that was until this week....
Owen went to his 1 year check up and his doctor heard a very distinct mummer in his chest, it was highly suggested they go to a pediatric cardiologist to have it looked at in depth. Well, after the appointment they found out Owen has a hole in his heart (between the chambers so the "good" blood is mixing with the "bad" blood), they were told this is not life threatening to him right now... but later down the road (maybe in his 30's) there is a good chance he would be walking down the road and he would just pass away. Of course knowing this is fixable and that don't want to put him in any kind of danger later on they have decided to get the hole patched. As of right now he will not have anything done until he is at least 3 years old and it's then when they will decide weather or not it will have to be open heart surgery or if they will be able to go through his vain and patch it that way (it all depends on how big the hole is... right now it's pretty big BUT it could get smaller or it could get bigger... this is why they will not decide until right before the procedure is closer). If you looked at Owen you would never know that he has a problem, he is such a little boy... playing with cars, eating all the time, running around with his sister and now loving to play in the pool. BUT as much as this stinks to know that a wonderful little boy will have to have something so major done is not even the beginning of the story... He is an Angel is disguise!!




Owen is Scott's Angel that is for sure!! After Jess found out about Owen's heart and what could become of him later in life she had a talk with Scott. For awhile she has known that he had a mummer but it was never looked at more in depth. Of course she got worried after hearing about O and what could happen when he hits his 30's... around the age Scott is. Well, Scott decided that it was a great idea to have his heart checked out, to be on the safe side. It was found that he has the same condition as Owen and he is going to need surgery also!! But they will do Scott's in the 3 - 5 month time frame, it's a 50/50 shot right now on weather it will be open heart or through a vain... again, it depends on how big the hole is once the date gets closer. So, just like Owen, Scott needs some prayers as well! To me this is a perfect example on how God has a plan for everything, why you should never question what he does or why. If it wasn't for Owen and his condition then they would have never had Scott check out his heart and who knows what would have happened down the road. This is where God's Finger Print isn't always the happiest but it's his and he really does have a plan for every.single.thing he puts in front of us!

If you think about this wonderful family could use your prayers for awhile, I will for sure keep you updated on everyone and they are doing as the time comes and goes... if you have any questions just ask, I will let you know as much as I can or know myself! I hope you have a very wonderful Memorial Day weekend, see you back on Tuesday (for Not Me!! Mondays!!... just a day late)!!

Love,
KJ


------------------------------------------

From Beci's Blog:
There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know it’s true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in - Go to Becki's Blog!
-----------------------------------------------------

"Stella & Dot"

This past Sunday my friend Heidi hosted a jewelry with a sales rep from "Stella & Dot" (who is her friend), I'm usually not one for the make-up parties (yes, I've hosted them and been to them... doesn't mean I really WANT to go them), trunk parties, ect... BUT being the good friend that I am, I went. The reason behind not liking these things is because you always feel obligated to buy SOMETHING and they are usually NOT the cheapest things around. So, knowing I was going to get something and spend money I shouldn't, I put a smile on my face, and walked into the door....

OMG, it was LOVE at first site!!! I couldn't keep my hands off of every.single.piece of jewelry she had sitting out on the dinning room table. The color, the shapes, the way EVERYTHING matched or could be taken off and then put onto a different chain, bracelet, or ear rings... it was LOVE and I couldn't help it!! Of course I wore a cute brown top and jeans, everything that I tried on matched and went so well and made jeans and a cute brown top even cuter and it just worked!!

Of course, everything was still on the expensive side (the thing I was the most is a pretty, pretty necklace that is over $250.00 with tax) but I think it might be something I save for... I love it that much!!


I ended up buying something, I couldn't leave with out something to show off, it was just that cute, and as soon as I saw it I really couldn't put it down... I kept going back, to the point everyone asked if that is what I was going to buy because I kept putting it on, taking it off, putting it on, taking it off... you get the idea!! WELL, the picture is right there.. what do you think? I'm in love with it, even if it's not much but for some reason I have a passion for this ring!!

If you get a chance you should check out the website and see if there is something that you might want to buy... you don't even have to have a party, you can just order right off of the website, but I'm telling you, if you have a party people will buy, it's to cute not too!!! If your on my Christmas list you can pretty much assume you're getting some form of jewelry this year and you can bet it's going to be a "Stella & Dot" piece!! Happy Shopping and I hope you love it as much as I do!!

-KJ

PS- The catalogue does nothing for the jewelry, you really do have to see it in person to know how super cute everything really is!!