tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50096007544237674672024-02-19T03:39:47.104-06:00The McCone'sMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-91426239675071669992011-12-25T18:44:00.008-06:002011-12-25T20:30:13.393-06:00A Holly Jolly Time....Well, I decided that since I've <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blogged</span> maybe...ummmm.....3 or 4 times this year (maybe.... I honestly didn't even look), I should end the year with one last blog. What better to blog about than Christmas. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>Christmas....it's the most wonderful time of the year...right? It sure is for one BIG reason....to celebrate Jesus' birthday. It's so important to make your children understand the reason for this special day. We try so hard to make our kids understand, and for the most part they do (Sydney especially does)....although the 4 year old still ask "is that all?" as we are opening gifts...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ughhh</span> He is still learning, but he will get it.</div><div> </div><div>How about a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christmas</span> decor'....</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 217px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690252559759312994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEqvJLHyPm_sMjc_GIpa0KlfgluMZ0UQ5q_EbxWyt7863YgohuR0-2HenWQI-Kov97eFuIAaPR8VNTGUB6k_B6SVYsj2Ush3VXEUifOvc-nPa18-ir-MbWlnFtctEIMPUkInTP2E-4Hg/s320/blog5.jpg" /></div><div>The ole Christmas Tree</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690252559413515314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqoloiiZf_3OBG4mRRkhbjZbuAp3YKaYYjgib4bc-vN-PIAZF33A8iwtFfDF08Z4XMYAd7Did5YVqb4ZoqMJBZVuFLFrQ40JwLZ3dfYSvwQ6thT4ck_F1bmg5qLJei96oHRHMULB5nUE/s320/blog3.jpg" /></div><div>This is my favorite tree out of the 4 I put up. This is a small tree from Old Milo Tree Farms. This is the first real tree I've ever had and I love it! I think I will make this a tradition for our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">sunroom</span>.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690252555468021618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwu7E3vxdygi_xQEjhEK0LTDgO07j_DqsaM-uF945hAHsJ1Vfph9TSdl45Xjs4JzqmiB0YGN6TfHlXHMXWbsz-L3TnlsnGuG5y0Wd5M_NgC0uiEBGxClQROmOobIKD6LpE0sulETv3Bg/s320/blog4.jpg" /></div><div>The mantel.....nothing real special....a bunch of stuff</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690251615373946210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KHBb3LyxOG8gqKwoYfzp30yptCQBHIy11FISpa1fcVQFfnBIUOFuWiAyiWoPW-buTxUN2QkumLvSEaj5UQk-Jp61-liPZ-gvliMPD3hHGILkN_VVdQ0R-56VVWYvXfhmM2-2sv14OgI/s320/blog2.jpg" /></div><div> Yes, I know....our kids get way too much (this is just Santa), but Dave Ramsey would be happy to know that I save up all year for Christmas and pay all in cash. This is the one time I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">splurge</span>. I love Christmas. The best part of this picture is the TV scene...bahahaha....my favorite!!!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690251617437451298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF1patBZz4NAPBlFVCVVVLh1Y8NGxtCZ401moI5TPNhb97812l4G54OGUOynfjiWzfbpqHf9hlFuxoV80myi_90W9wpeZzaGhxaCQZnEka_8M_OH3Ylb46YmJtXuLjqtNKFQFrpsmJ6M/s320/blog1.jpg" /></div><div> Here's a close up of the best scene where the wife is snickering in the background...OMG....so funny!! Will always be a classic. My mom gets me the newest "A Christmas Story" hallmark ornaments every year, so I have a pretty nice collection, but I forgot to take a picture.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690251611451006546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWcHgcF-8Gknss2XZm_CBUHEL2NU_1qJQdEGuVU-x5qV-Z_STxZdM0Twrzi0DB8wmbbuPS8LhVsEIYFlfbpxbOpyUCoidPmS_q9M0IhVS8MdNGoWaKJGuEQBFFpvRl4DJzkq7eimEeRs/s320/sydney1.jpg" /></div><div> Rabbit food for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thumper</span>. Yes, Sydney also got a new bow she can hunt with.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690251606500004162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaehyphenhyphenANd8JO0lAed-zprNyGUVKu3fRxLAsF8OzyipTmqmQsp5Ngg0_dFNnlZv79ZHTZlCKtUzJTrtdWc7x8IMZE2xZMCNjk8p6fiLI2hUURthyIUbfE-WLHVYufDTho7wAJEoGCFOXlTg/s320/carson1.jpg" /></div><div> Carson and Alan.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690243958038961506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zw4E-op2yo7ZiPh_sMhfIHddKL5RnVezN0H0iQEQ1RSzOtW9dIoU-c6U4Dmw0tfTeuWCu2rOpj2BvRZJbUjZ8fFZWVAbclBGypcn95q_M9LKIw1PKLIWh12xDx223hfhFJHeId5yEmY/s320/IMG_4739.JPG" /></div><div> Sydney decked out in her new stuff and bike. Loving the hat.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690242866763822466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwhUJoOefGgsBl5WrC_OgLFDt54nc5y7MYyfp6FZuJ6QpJxq_Qjw2-68pXZvq0bbPp46ecFlzojTtMUcVLftjDFGo5RBahBeKADkJrUrplln3oXss4F6RUUGPa4waddIrW0GzCfaWAWY/s320/IMG_4742.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690240085729051202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1a6lu9vcahHwGxIsdDoYGq_2bM0Ru0DU3u4sJ8VEsec_ZOGv13IhL2PNtAxonFdLFyk1B_mUxaVNhbKcKPFv51hJmiUcjX77EupliMpSeL4IfMrYauQpmF3Ou1gvEdbDBek31knMJyI/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" /></div><div> Carson and his new bike. Looks like he is about to go hunt something...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">camo</span> head to toe.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690239312664187522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieVd6nyTf-y6GnIv4SPv5SXVaM5W2hY8j9HKx_aGZwvY7WQ0L5oh28G20f-7VbBzzpu8YiJEZ9unGr6cOdFaiAH5Beuye1Q-v2bXmqTa-FmCkj5wVuBQbIBnwSRqc0oIsq0TpRQOtl2g/s320/photo.JPG" /></div><div> And last but not least, we lost a very special family member Friday. Our lab Bealle went to doggy heaven Friday. She was 12 years old and we have raised her from birth. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">boohooed</span> over her body....it was so sad. Alan and his dad were just about to take her to the vet when I went to go check on her one more time and she was already gone. It was so hard to see her laying there just limp.....ughhhh....awful. Thank goodness Alan's dad was here. He and my dad dug a grave for her behind our house, so we can visit her anytime and she is close. We put flowers on her grave and we are going to hang one of the crosses that Alan makes on our fence. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Any who</span>.....it's not been the best Christmas weekend. We love you Bealle.</div><div> </div><div>Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and got every gift you asked for. Carson keeps saying "I guess I was on the nice list", so I hope you were all on the nice list too. It's been a long day/weekend and I'm pooped, but I wanted to do this last 2011 blog! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. O, we are headed to Houston in a week, so prayers are always welcomed.</div><div> </div><div>Love,</div><div>Melissa</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-86293645155132899312011-09-15T11:29:00.003-05:002011-09-15T11:53:42.053-05:00Busy Family...as always!Well, I continue to put my blog on the back burner. Dang Facebook!!! So I guess I have not updated all summer. Since my last update we have really not done that much. Our highlight of the summer was our beach vacation. Interesting in more ways than one. Now, we are back to school, extra activities and much much more! Sydney is doing competition cheer, gymnastics, Awana's, girl scouts (if we ever get any information)...seems like there is more, but that is sure enough!! Carson is just along for the ride. He does church on Wednesday and that's about the extent of his activities. Alan and I just started the Financial Peace University with our church by Dave Ramsey. There are no words as to how excited I am about his class. I am so ready to be debt free and make smarter choices about where our money goes and pay for everything in CASH!! I've got my cash flow statement ready and to be implemented for October!! Exciting stuff!! HA I'm such a nerd about all of this. The Dave Ramsey videos are funny, entertaining and full of Dave Ramsey knowledge about money. I laugh through the whole video....how would you think it was possible to have a sense of humor when it comes to money, but he keeps it very entertaining and captivating.<br /><br />Since my last post also, Alan has hit his 3 year mark with Cancer. WOW, he has been living with this stuff for 3 years. That is absolutely amazing. We continue to give God all of our blessings for such a miracle and we also have some pretty awesome doctors to thank as well! This was my post on Facebook about Alan's 3 year mark:<br /><br /><em>"Dear Cancer,</em><br /><em>It's been 3 years since our 1st date. During these three years, you have bruised, broken and ravaged my husbands body. You have made his appearance change many times. So much at times, that some didn't even recognize him. Basically, you have turned our world upside down. But, let me tell you what you haven't done and never will....stole our faith in the ultimate healer or broken our spirit. We will never stop fighting or believing. We know God has a plan for all of us!"</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Amen!!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Also, I'd like to announce that Alan and I will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary Thursday, September 22nd!! WOW Actually, it will be 15 years together....WOW...ha!! Happy Anniversary Alan! I love you! Every year on our anniversay, I think of 9/11. I will never forget getting ready to go make the final food arrangment for our wedding when these crazy planes started hitting the towers. It was awful watching it and disbelief was everywhere. Alan and I had a candle lit during our wedding in honor and memory of the victims of 9/11. That was the least we could do.</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Hopefully a new post is on the Horizon!Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-19708354962741961272011-06-13T09:06:00.003-05:002011-06-13T09:45:49.669-05:00Just Life!As we are finally rounding up the busy months of April, May and soon June, I finally have a moment to do a blog update. I'm going to start this update with the beast....Cancer.<br /><br />About 3 weeks ago Alan and I decided together that it was time to get off the Interferon and let him have his life back. This medicine had just completely taken over his life and the side effects were never slacking or getting any better. Even when he tried to take it every other day and off on the weekends, it just continued to to make Alan's mental and physical state deplete. We did discuss this with his Dr., but basically we just told him it was time to have some quality of life back. You can't fight cancer and be in the state of mind that Alan was daily. Alan really tried to fight through it...no one can say he didn't. Anyway, it was just BAD. Like we told his Dr., we will NEVER give up, but we also have to have a life...esp. when you have a young family...you just can't lay in the bed for 3+ days at a time...in the dark. Alan is still taking the Thalidomide, Nexavar and Metformin. I think the Thalidomide and Nexavar are really causing some sluggishness and extreme tiredness in Alan....beside the heat! O lord, the heat. It's been pretty hot in the south. Anyway, we are back in Houston the last week of June. Please pray that Alan's scans still look ok....esp. since he is off the interferon.<br /><br />So, recently we have had Sydney's birthday, finishing up softball, end of the year school awards. Sydney had all A's and B's (she finished the year with an 89 in Literacy, yeah, I was a little upset about this...I'm trying to get over it...she is an all A student. Maybe next year, but we were still very proud of her), and she also received a very nice trophy for not missing one day all school year. For our family and as much as Alan and I are gone and everything else....that's pretty dang good!! I was shocked. I guess all of those mornings dragging her out of the bed paid off. She was WAY more excited about that award than the all A's and B's....I was pretty proud myself! ha Alan and I took the kids fishing last week and today is the first day of VBS! No rest for the weary!! Hopefully my next post will be pictures of all of these things.<br /><br />We are headed to the beach the first week in August. I CAN'T WAIT!!! We have tried to plan a beach trip for the past two summers and well, life kept continuing to get in the way, but this is the summer....my kids are super pumped....and so is their mama...the condo is booked!!! Alan just wanted somewhere with a good view and big balcony. ha Hopefully we will all be happy.<br /><br />Wishing you all a wonderful day and praying for all of our cancer friends and KCW!!! Thank you everyone for your continued support and friendship! We are blessed!<br />I'd like to ask for prayers for two special friends that just had babies....Leigh Carter and Robin Robinson. Creed Carter is doing very well...I got to hold him for a while last night..hehe and Eli Robinson is still at Baptist in the NICU, but doing well.<br />Also, continue to pray for our precious nephew Cannon. He is still at Children's, but making great strides daily. We are hoping they will be home the first part of July! We love you!!!Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-46734410275364712242011-05-06T10:28:00.002-05:002011-05-06T10:51:57.012-05:00Houston Report...God continues to deliver miracles!Alan and I returned Wednesday evening from Houston. Went through all the normal motions....blood work and scans Monday, wait 4 hours Tuesday for Dr.....you know...same old same old!! <br />Alan had another very good report. Still no visible signs on cancer in the lungs. There is a small spot on the liver and in the abdomen, but it's all continuing to get smaller!! Praise the Lord!! Seriously, after dealing with all of the ups and downs we have for the past 2 1/2 years, we will gladly take all of this good news. The only downside to the appointment was Alan's thyroid is all out of wack. He has Hypothyroidism, which is due to his chemo. Dr. Amato put him on some meds to hopefully control this. Since we just found out about Alan's thyroid issues, we are hoping that some of Alan's pain, etc he has been having might be due to his thyroid, so hopefully this new med will bring some needed changes. He will do blood work in a month to check the levels and go from there. Poor Alan is continuing to deal with the awful side effects of his chemo drugs. Some days are ok...other days...well, they just suck (that's about as nice as I can say)! We will return to Houston in 8 weeks...going through all the motions again. Dr. Amato did say that at the next 8 week appointment, he may decrease one of the meds that is causing Alan's medically induced depression. That would be wonderful. He also said that at the end of summer, he is going to have Alan do a PET scan. He said if there are no "hot spots" showing up, then he is going to possibly start tapering Alan off of some of his chemo!! This is MAJOR!!! Holy cow...scary, but exciting too. Anyway, we won't count those chickens before they hatch, but it's something to push for and most definitely pray for!<br /><br />Dr. Amato said that out of all of his kidney cancer patients, Alan has the best "quality of life" if you can believe that. Apart from the side effects, I would say that Alan does have a better quality of life right now than from where we were last year. He has responed so well since January to this last treatment. Dr. Amato, whom is also a professior, is even writing papers about Alan. I mean...that's pretty impressive I think!<br /><br />Please continue to pray for our little nephew Cannon. He is still in the hospital but gaining weight and doing very well. Christian's blog is on my blog roll.<br /><br />Thank you all for your continuous prayers!<br />MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-36087260690843289762011-04-23T13:57:00.017-05:002011-05-03T15:05:58.598-05:00Carson's 4th BirthdayFirst, lets note that I finally changed my banner. It's nothing fancy, but at least it's not Christmas! ha<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Why this big blank space is here, I don't know....this post is on my last nerve!! Everything is spaced out all crazy...sorry!!!</span> </span><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Back on April 2nd (yes, that would be 3 weeks ago), we celebrated Carson's 4th birthday at Old Milo Tree Farm. He wanted a cowboy birthday party, so of course, mama game through. I'm sure the pictures will speak for themselves, but I think every kid enjoyed themselves. It was a GREAT place to host a birthday party. They also had a petting zoo, but I never made it over there for pictures. I love a party where I don't have to clean my house or clean up afterwards. In my book...that's the best kind of birthday party!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598865826206039954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubtrbg9JWhjikFk6WDERECBC8bV3bVbkVjLyD-p2UmgkevBG-E1mowqV25Yv3DvrJN33I4LLX0fgkL1JXmr43XIBwAXeJnv1hX1p7ZIoF5suuS6CXRvHHfHLvfcWV9eSeDKLztqK7QZU/s320/Carson1.JPG" /> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598862169634534802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEmaZFfBqhcXBXARLeaGCAfNk2ypZ-tykTp8d_RkNO7DAOhf5_vga6WcJWnQ6IcIs6x2B-ftmU7ZDaVSK0steiZXe_8fHU5NT8KiVF_l-ibgU1vizT4ajUOvnVHaf6goNnJv6fnB0_6U/s320/blog1.JPG" /><br />Once again, Beth came through with our birthday cake. So cute!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598862165157797266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsjuXAwzQeWOqdyhTuhIk32YX-t2gBPtCZuPpL3s1GbNBthRp9O22b7gyuKO3uN9EJt8vqGwF9PocEMkb2Vcl4zgGmoN-Zd-iLgUna6Wm4aF7oZvb3BI71HCE0CD3Eym5MhAVGarcbjU/s320/blog2.JPG" />"Circle C Ranch"<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598862164806855282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpspkM6OQ6HqFaoG0hiybG7iLOmOjWr8YRnYmZPSM6pB6GUzdGU744MUazxCtGsETiKCwaGSp7jNKU_6AMSAi7ZeYq0vus8d7LR6jIAGTX0j7tIRkTerSIph4aTGqmk0BI5ExZXLdIvJM/s320/blog3.JPG" />The birthday boy.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861775843524658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10BvNr1x1igLBlBB6icP-gTfPP0hRDnhjH9niIetWpNSiRrdRc_NDAYTSLF8haT9CKlcwO4WbFBwOZdwvkAFOiFgXTjlmnJ2ytde1JffrBgfTnGN1wOzXJMiYS1alp4xOM1MtXzKGGNQ/s320/blog4.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861770897697202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilq8kLdlW5ob76ZCAXIPnU9D-0-J25iAjhXmjqIotCNN9Btxu7xlWE64XQVjpT7ZGVLZKVVsjeIUhLLu2RL0y8VMNPjA6EDwBuInHXndvsq2iJiBsecec9iTc3ZU9T6UgMIhT80gNht9I/s320/blog5.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861767148821666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjW63ka4XqVt9qxJL9lrKRtW6YP__LetVRwjLilsztxZ2xra9bWosa53G1A14dh4Ay5M-I5GuU7JkbgdnYJcEo4472z8bABcJjTq0o0yaz6ZpIpxpvR5E_fcCzXkWdrUetE0Ivy4zP3w/s320/blog6.JPG" /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861766894501586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa47uFELa7wm85X3I2v4QR70A91psLQQK70g4owW8o-BFXRdbog_qKAS9xYvq_3PY_6C7bGbrxKPZXADu6nzfBaseBDtv05tzQ34LeWLCfJNXvuidd1GxPl7aaTmnO1MT3e__M3z-bPI/s320/blog7.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861762860013666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztmphy52f6EDSnb_iX3z6hPu0YlfYfSzj2UTOCSjEHHrfZzizQiFgi35iQ90t47qYCQNrzLCIjKCxq_3aXY5WN5iipe8WNdYPGL3nJlgIyLAqsBNIEJ3_8ctwEDa_T7_xidSsNQiSCcE/s320/blog8.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861317323429778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3aZoHAlGtrRoKq2KmRjNPZG4yCxY9XJ693Xc4inbiNZ6jiqlnlADM5l6szMkEKxIgTh3MTVJQ_Ii1-yiG4x217_zJytNbXoNOH6gz2l67TOMGGX6L13FZaduQgNS7fZXTFEbeXC9W7s/s320/blog9.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861317085512034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod-GqX25GM1QCFZn47mKhxgbFN7nEQOjfUB3OF1cWDnxFXf9SmEBzy_vvSBu384wsH2QQ9C7Gijnuq3khdvdha4_rguTx2JnOnewOBBX-iZaXnK0ROGOQmCFs8YgerATSW7k2PYgPzNQ/s320/blog10.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861315715700498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8JXTzfXlCUhGN_5tSoPOmByqSYWYuphCirej1NjLwHznB6OpKksiAxT48upDSTUBO6jaBsNOj_duF6VKmfhzxPzHKGpHB_c5jPyXxiEF6E0Ym90VASCvvNNxcQ-8nq-A0q-GramSHrU/s320/blog11.JPG" /></div>Cousin Ethan<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861315774009730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBnmwPg9mU_RcHvX5jiF5yrzhRE4GkOs-i0en7tBtpSpdv7j7tqojnV319lFwb529xMTUXM_zRkYBGKDGu3yb-lq0RmfRIZsyzLrf_kUeYO8j37iD2kDsfF6VaQ5O2MECCKPsbm27HSc/s320/blog12.JPG" /></div></div>Cousin Grant<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598861310023714194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLdDnjFz41SJhjwXTE7B__LIK1u8wjzSs4BIXOTlURKBj7DfsE_AttBl1jJR4k3SqvY68IfSPusDhQG7-C4iCh8FPfZj3ztWjCc6VYzAMj6i4M4MBauuBZAcPFHbGGOHRrWXr0GMPz3I/s320/blog13.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-58366308785992827732011-04-01T16:12:00.006-05:002011-04-03T18:48:53.866-05:00What can I say....I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absolutely</span> the worst blogger! I did so good for such a long time and now....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">blaahhh</span>!! I keep waiting for life or something to slow down, but so far, we are still just as busy. See, I told you I would still have that Merry Christmas banner up!! I think actually what is keeping me blogging so much is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span>. It's so easy to update <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">FB</span> so I totally neglect my blog. Let start with our last Houston trip which was (hold on...it's been so long I have to check my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">calendar</span> for the dates) o yeah...March 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. Alan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span> an AWESOME report from our scans. The only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">visible</span> sign of cancer was only in the liver. I mean, if that's not some answered prayers and a miracle, I don't know what is. I mean, we weren't just stable, we were NED is some areas. Yes, that's right NED...say it again...NED!!! After 2 1/2 years of fighting. We will be heading back to Houston the first part of May and praying for the same results!! We did have to tweak some of Alan's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">treatment</span> b/c the side effects were just at a point of being unbearable, but praying that the tweak is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> and we don't have to find a different treatment. This is what's going on in our life for March, April and May...birthdays and ball games!! O Lord...help me get through these months!! I have a friend that has a senior in HS and a daughter that is 7 (like Sydney and just as active) and she seems to be a little more stressed, so I'm going say she is winning the "see who's stressed out the most" contest! Carson's birthday is this weekend...turning 4. We're having a cowboy birthday so this should be interesting. Maybe I'll post some pictures. Next weekend our relay team is hosting a softball tournament in honor of Alan. All proceeds will benefit our local Relay for Life. Can't wait for this. It's going to be a blast....and a very long day! ha My <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">SIL</span> has started a blog....trentandchristianmccone.blogspot.com....please be in prayer for them. Christian delivered their baby boy Cannon (our nephew..;-) about 10 weeks early last night. I don't feel it is my place to give all details, but just know that Christian and baby are doing good, but we all know they have a long way to go. We love them dearly and can't wait for the day Cannon gets to come home. Well, I'm sure there is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> more to talk about, but for now that's all I got. Thank you Lord for these beautiful days and thank you for giving Alan the strength and ability to enjoy them! Praying for many families on my mind today. MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-86000298148461393032011-02-20T19:22:00.003-06:002011-02-23T09:27:59.511-06:00I'm so behind.....<div>...with updating my blog!!! How many times can I say this. I have just not found the time this past month to do any updating, so I'm making myself sit here and do this. It's not that I don't want to, it's just....there is just not enough time it seems. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Unfortunately</span> things like cleaning the kitchen, picking up the house, washing clothes....washing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">KIDs</span> for that matter. These things must take priority! And then all of the other things play a big part like family, work....that kind of stuff...;-) Maybe one day I'll change my header so it won't say "Merry Christmas" for the rest of the year...HA!!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ok</span>, so since my last update, Alan and I have been back to Houston....February 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> and 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>. Alan only had a CT of the abdomen b/c we were checking his liver. The liver met had shrunk some and everything else we could see with that scan was still stable. Praise the Lord...some good news!!! The bad news was two of the drugs Alan is on is causing him a medically induced depression. It really doesn't matter what he takes to treat the depression, it's not going to help. This was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">disappointing</span> news b/c right now we really want to be able to enjoy what Alan's treatment is doing and instead the side effects from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">meds</span> are making it worse. He is also having EXTREMELY bad abdominal cramping (from another <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">medicine</span>) and basically just feeling like crap....everyday! The weather is finally getting nice.....the time to get outside and be with family, but Alan doesn't feel good and just wants to be in bed. It's like you can't win for losing.....so frustrating! Alan is tired of it. He NEVER complains, but lately, it's really getting to him. Seriously, if this was me that had cancer, I would be the worse patient!<br /><br />Right now Alan is taking Interferon Injections daily, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nexavar</span>, Thalidomide and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Metformin</span>....all to treat the cancer. All 4 of these drugs target the different areas that the cancer is at in his body. Honestly, can you imagine having to take all of these drugs daily....and this is just some of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">meds</span> Alan has to take. Alan is such a fighter. I know there are days he just wants "stop" everything, but he pushes on for his family b/c we really want him here with us.<br /><br />Well, I guess that's about it. We are back in Houston March 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> and 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> for full scans. Praying everything continues to be stable or shrinking and this treatment continues to work. Praying for all of our kidney cancer friends and our cancer fighting friends. Having cancer in your face daily will really open your eyes up and you realize there are so many "non-important issues" people are complaining about and these people do not have a clue. I pray these people never have a "clue" b/c I would never ever want anyone to go through what we are, but people should understand that there is so much more going on in the world than.....well, anyway.....I'm sure you can guess where I'm going with this. I'm sorry, I get on my soap box. I guess b/c this my outlet and I vent to the world. <br /><br />Also this month, we've had snow in SE Arkansas, I've started a new job (still with the same company), Sydney got Star Student, our twin nephews turned 2, Sydney had Kiddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kamp</span>, and I forgot Carson's snack day at Wee School (go me)! So, needless to say...it's been a busy month and it's not over yet...HA!<br /><br />God is Good...All the Time!<br />Praying for Miracles,<br />Melissa<br /></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-67229708287425772292011-01-11T19:21:00.002-06:002011-01-11T19:55:29.552-06:00Alan's Houston UpdateWhile I'm sitting in the hotel room doing nothing, I thought, this is the perfect time to update about our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>. appointment. Can you believe it....I'm actually updating the same day. It's a miracle!!!<br /><br />All in all, it was a pretty good appointment! Dr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Amato</span> was VERY pleased with Alan's progress from these past two months with his new combo treatment. He said it was "astounding" and he also said that is not a word he uses <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>. Pretty much all spots in Alan's lungs have either disappeared or shrunk, the spots in the abdomen and bones have shrunk tremendously and apparently there is a spot on Alan's right kidney that we knew nothing about, but it has shrunk as well. Let's talk about this right kidney briefly. I think Alan and I both know that Dr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Amato</span> does not fully give us the full report each time...especially if things are bad. I know he sees us as a young couple and I honestly think <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Amato</span> thinks we might not need to know everything and maybe we don't, but I like to know everything. That's just how I am. We have never been told about the tumor on the right kidney, but it was there and it was pretty big, but it's shrinking, so that's great. Dr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Amato</span> did say that these results might be all we see with this treatment, but again, that's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> and that's good....stable is the word. Just understand that it is very rare for kidney cancer to just disappear at stage IV. I'm sure it can happen and possibly has, so that's why we are satisfied with stable.<br /><br />Our only big concern coming from this appointment is Alan's liver. We have been monitoring a spot on Alan's liver for many months now. Well, instead of it shrinking like everything else, it is actually growing. We are scheduled to come back to Houston in 4 weeks for another CT to see how the liver looks. If the liver area has gotten bigger, then Alan will have a biopsy done and we will go from there. We might have to tweak Alan's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> some. You know, nothing can be simple.<br /><br />But honestly, we feel really good about this appointment! Alan is feeling good so now we just pray that this medicine treatment is right for Alan and he is able to be stable on this for a long time.<br /><br />2011 is starting off really good. We just pray that all of these good things continue and we pray for complete healing, but hey, with kidney cancer, we will take stable! Praying for all of our kidney cancer friends and all of our cancer fighting friends.<br />FYI....Ashley County Relay for Life - May 13, 2011 in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crossett</span> this year!!!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">YEAAAA</span><br />God is good...All the time!<br /><br />Love and Prayers,<br />MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-8026656921183445112011-01-02T20:18:00.015-06:002011-01-02T22:39:46.624-06:00I'm titleless!!Once again, it's been so long since I've blogged, I couldn't even come up with a title. I think this post is going to be collage of events from the past month or more....probably more. I think I'm going to include some house pictures.<br /><br /><br />First, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I think our family had an awesome Christmas, the kids especially, but health wise, it was just a great holiday. Alan is feeling really good right now and that makes this holiday season more special than anything! Here are a few pictures from Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557795071289964114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHDTCCMAduN12Bp-I9qbTaS7DHpBBgn6PmBFve0notkey3kXbNrWB6An2o0VUhk2iqQ1A9nWcUmZ3z3yQdlEOMI-Bh4QZrS_p5g5rC2FFfIqtYyf1eR7_uXTuVRCKFRCmcsAFfBWK8Ys/s320/IMG_3265.JPG" />Here are the cousins....Grant, Carson, Sydney and Ethan. These are our twin nephews. Let's just say this years Christmas at the McCone's was a little more....ummm....loud! This was the best picture I got. Ethan didn't want to slow down for the picture. We are expecting another nephew in May. Alan's brother and wife Christian are expecting their first. So exciting!!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557793426979512898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWad4OBdP12jW0DIPaV0nxRcGZpawLZ-Ye2Ima9HN0ICzW7FB2o9LcEDu0EHDE_XWqzTyvS35IirwScSo42NvlaBTQUw7GdLdMbS82OGCcwkALa8wsD1r5Z_-LJAeJxwAPKZdgKK2_UTw/s320/IMG_3302.JPG" /><br />Special little girl to get such a nice gift. I guess she's been pretty good! (no, it's not a phone..ha)<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557792666278574562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQXpJ9tTRU2xyAVdJQg35H7cvo6FmKDOCkUmEuJlSJA5oIga1pBpgbhXzZMCnM-nz6qEoBhrLVmEMlaAdUgqO9CYvIp8pNrKE0Nl44lQjIgCsky0_5pj35d8y0oSw51l3t-GKe7jXYSQ/s320/IMG_3307.JPG" /> Carson's new gator.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557792660655846754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdiI_VGEBJEq9z3jzE2u1rj2GDM-AQsk6v4UuQYsupdnJ_d79A1hvXK6NxJlY6rADVr3JDz0t05CTU4V9_QrtDDyK-l3_heOe_y_Yx9jViyJAlE3HX7BZsUe1VRyOMe2SsZ-YoCQjKcE/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" /><br />My parents house for Christmas. Good ole self timer button.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557792655923675154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0ovrNYOsmtzB9p9jXZhJbkh5U2mSU6uOMWG451o4CkLsanGvOE54M-IiMGv6PJDj2As6YGiqPP4TwD_vYuoaoBwcVokmu6wN5WjVQYPCK8iPlHwRK33KlnxGnrBA7DqVuyooO5LQCjw/s320/Syd%2526Cartree+copy.jpg" /><br />Just thought this was a good pictures of the kids. Wish I would have had it for the Christmas card. O well!<br /><br /><br />Let's move on to Alan. Alan has been doing sooooo good lately!! Feeling good...looking good...being able to enjoy what he loves most...hunting! There are really no words how wonderful it is to see him like this. These past two years have been so difficult and there were times we didn't know if he would ever walk again without that walker. Well, he is without that walker. That right there is an awesome Christmas gift. I guess Alan kind of looks like his old self again....the red hair is coming back and he has lost some weight. Finally getting some of that steroid weight off. I think that is also helping him get around better....less weight. With the help of the Lord I feel so strongly that 2011 is going to be a good year.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557790998689296978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7zQEJj8l6V94PE0_Bo5yRKTZks8zJPqavU4fhPw6HVCbOhUi4Mrwf0ovvBr_CrCkCPMMYclEuKHpO8RgKnnAjnwMjx3frjQ-Bei99rI-pq0HD2LjDN9Bnl1EmlqnrPz__uIwOthAxHg/s320/IMG_3225.JPG" /><br />Alan's 8 point he recently killed. Somewhere in our new home this head will be perched on a wall. Along with the fish, other deer and bob cat! O goodie!!!<br /><br />So, I've been promising some house pictures for about 3 months now, so here are a few. They are backwards, but I got frustrated with downloading these pictures, so I wasn't going to redo it. I'm sure you can figure it out...HA!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557789848593418162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcOK_mxjoTEvC0rRRASif6AlYh9XySKLbMXa-AlgUA0Dr7UH3abUnc_lACzCcG6WWX1auKNaBOOrmou91T3-v0IEmDH1s9vmpf6DDwTMrDYgOH0jN5yfs1lKAfm3epSoyVc2LtHc0vJg/s320/IMG_3326.JPG" /><br />Ok, so this is the finished product....kind of....minus the tile that still has to go on the hearth. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557789843953373826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wcPzEBFrDvKE5Rtq0b_MvPQjYXyFlu1IAfX5QgjSGT92_XOcBx7pHtCwU9jH6boxqok24aSLIf9B7PY9H4x1VMURTYEsB38IWbFwTWbSiVcOUEg891GmURnTZA5yOeeW14bk5ockWVg/s320/IMG_3129.JPG" /><br />Here is the middle of the project. We had a friend come in and float the drywall for us. Something Alan and I know nothing about. Jeff did the drywall and Alan and I did the texturing (which is the phase you see above). Yes, the insert is vented just like a fireplace. They run a pipe through the ceiling.<br /><br />The insert is a pellet insert. It runs off of pellets that you buy at Atwood, Lowe's...stores like that. You just pour them in the top and walla.....start that baby up and you have a fire and heat....no wood chopping involved at all!! It's great. Even I can do it.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557789839045792418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlTPptvxRv_TkAfCSHGSan4klxW3t4jIN6XHc5xKD9fH4mPUqddcNHS1knFsEvGqSTyTxz4V07O2piboNmFHKi8RvyLMkuqLvzmg1NIQwWRnDA_YfRcXPo4QdGp-i4n5KNqIOEixaav8/s320/100_2947.JPG" /> And, here is the beginning. Of course there is an interesting story to our pellet insert, but that happened back in October, so it's in the past and that's where we'll keep it! Nothing is ever simple.</p><p>We are off to Houston next weekend. We will leave on Sunday. Alan will have scans on Monday and we will see Dr. Amato on Tuesday. This will be Alan's first set of scans since he started his new treatments. It's been a little over two months since our last Houston trip. We should have already been back, but we had a little issue with getting Alan's Nexavar, but that's in the past too, so we will move on and not worry about that now. Anyway, please pray for our trip, Alan's scans our report. We know and we feel God all over our life. He is always in control.</p><br />Love and Prayers,<br />MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-7055515532882675102010-11-24T14:45:00.002-06:002010-11-24T15:01:07.187-06:00Asking Hard QuestionsRecently a very sweet friend sent me this small little book entitled "What Cancer Cannot Do". I haven't even read all the way through it yet, but I wanted to share a little bit of it. I started in to the chapter about "Asking Hard Questions". If I said we have never asked the question "Why" about Alan's cancer, I would be a big fat liar! "Why did my husband have to get cancer", "Why does my husband have to suffer daily", "Why does my husband have to take all of this medicine daily", "Why do my children have to watch their daddy suffer"...SO....., with that said I'm going to quote what I just read in this book....<br />"There are no easy answers to such "Whys." What is comforting, though, is that God does not forbid us from asking. Job, David, and Jesus himself asked hard questions about suffering, and were not discouraged from doing so. We may even get glimpses of the answer to why we have cancer: Perhaps to give us time and the impetus to restore relationships with family, to shift our priorities in life, to help us appreciate each day, to see health as a gift, to reach out to others in need. But the greatest response to such questions is to turn our eyes away from ourselves and lift them to God."<br /><br />It's Thanksgiving people....please give thanks for your health, family, friends. Never take anything for granted....we never know what tomorrow will bring.<br />I hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for my family and friends, but more than anything, I'm thankful for my God b/c without him, I'd be lost in this cancer journey and just every day life issues.<br />Much Love,<br />MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-5705626079494982532010-11-11T10:41:00.004-06:002010-11-11T11:07:56.934-06:00Alan's New TreatmentOk, I'm so behind. I'm just not doing well with keeping up with anything these days and my blog has definitely been put on the back burner. Maybe once we are completely settled in our new house (probably after Christmas), I'll do better.<br /><br />I just wanted to give a quick update about what Alan's new treatment will be. He will be on Interferon, Thalidomide and Nexavar. He actually started the Interferon injections this morning and will start the Thalidomide this evening. We are still waiting for the Nexavar to arrive.<br /><br /><br />Alan has not felt good at all the past three weeks or so....running fever daily and many other issues. He did go to the Dr. yesterday and we got a few answers. For now, I just ask you to pray that he gets over this before the side effects kick in from his new meds.<br /><br />Maybe my next post will be pictures or something really fun!!! We have made a few changes with our house and some still in the works. Maybe I'll show pictures of those changes. I keep saying that don't I...HA!!<br /><br /><br />Love and Prayers,<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0pgtQXK25JjRL27O7QnTbpM8PJ7SOcOM_7NdBFKprhgcyu3_DH4K320WMAFkNRZBkcO83Mx_OQnhmLptla1EWj-umsUIisW-gtgqnHPuLWHjvju0-FyzY9IMP97oV6L6mMl4H6OrKeo/s1600/signature.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538338834935179938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0pgtQXK25JjRL27O7QnTbpM8PJ7SOcOM_7NdBFKprhgcyu3_DH4K320WMAFkNRZBkcO83Mx_OQnhmLptla1EWj-umsUIisW-gtgqnHPuLWHjvju0-FyzY9IMP97oV6L6mMl4H6OrKeo/s320/signature.JPG" border="0" /></a>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-23307874917338004362010-10-19T08:35:00.007-05:002010-10-19T09:39:26.991-05:00Houston ReportIt's been a week since our last Houston trip. As always...sorry for taking so long to post. I still do not have my wireless hooked up at our new house (b/c I'm lazy and just have not called the phone company). I have looked up their phone # a couple of times and then start doing something else. O well....one day and I can get to work on the ole laptop again!!<br /><div><div><br /><div>Any who....our Dr. report was not what we were hoping for. The tumors in Alan's lungs have started increasing in size and there were also numerous new spots. So that means....our chemo combination is not working any more. The abdomen and other places are still stable, but not the lungs. Wednesday morning the hospital worked us in for Alan to have a biopsy of one of the spots in the lungs. I'm not going to go in to full detail, but lets just say it was more invasive than we were prepared for and apparently they hit an artery with the VERY large needle. Alan coughed up alot of blood afterwards. He told me later he was really beginning to hate that room. The room they did the biopsy with CT is also the room they did his Vertebroplasty in...neither one great experiences!! With this biopsy they will take it and do a Proteomics test which is where they work with the tissue and do basically different drug combinations or trials on the tissue and see what might work. This is the second time Alan has had this done on his tissue. And can I just add that insurance doesn't pay for this test. I'm not trying to have a poor pitiful me party, but dang....why would they <span style="font-size:130%;">not</span> cover it??!! Why do I feel like insurance controls my life!!! Honestly, I don't even need to get on this subject!! Sorry...had a weak moment, lol.....we should hear something back in about 10 days from the Proteomics test and hopefully get Alan's new chemo started. Right now he is off all chemo so it will all get out of his system before he starts something new. PLEASE say a prayer for Alan. Mentally/Physically things are hard. We always try to keep a positive attitude, but you feel like you work soooo hard and then the blow!! Spiritually, we are great!! Yes, we questions this, but who wouldn't! We know God is in control though.<br /></div><div>I guess that's about it! I do want to add this. Even though cancer is so bad, I have to say, it has brought some amazing people into our life. I have met people through my blog and facebook and it's always encouraging to read others stories and just to know you are not alone....esp. the ones that have a similar life to ours....young kids, disability, working full time, cancer....just trying to juggle it all. It's hard....maybe that's why I always look tired and my eyes are always red!! HA</div><br /><div>Have a wonderful week!! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qjiyxW0yYeJnTbanGgWCRgVudrrrc60_ThOHnP2-_8nLPgUYFJh5-8hqYENMrW68bog723PI-udKLd8c_bk027I-4JethTxUpck-FcN-LyxDukgKUCAkz8AZHytA1a_efZfRITd8E3s/s1600/signature.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMKJg2rRPe89UimBhoIrsGQL3FrLE5ZDA_JqksfcyEYQh-1wERayiyUqhPEUAo9C_yzH7FiSh6sve1R87EBJ1WMu-D6e6tmEyhMxbhwObFfxZ-0i_btohcuK44ZMGT08Ub_cbXxeHIgg/s1600/signature.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529766651497447602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 84px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMKJg2rRPe89UimBhoIrsGQL3FrLE5ZDA_JqksfcyEYQh-1wERayiyUqhPEUAo9C_yzH7FiSh6sve1R87EBJ1WMu-D6e6tmEyhMxbhwObFfxZ-0i_btohcuK44ZMGT08Ub_cbXxeHIgg/s320/signature.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-14783284800561900402010-10-11T10:40:00.004-05:002010-10-11T11:05:57.352-05:00The BackyardigansI love having a backyard where my kids are trapped and can't run around in the street...that was until I looked in the backyard and saw THIS!! You know how "The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Backyardigans</span>" are always on an adventure on their TV show, well, I see my kids enjoying many adventures in their backyard...starting with this one. I can only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">imagine</span> what they were shooting at. Yes...I had to put a stop to the adventure....but I took pictures first. I'm sorry, but a 3 year old and 7 year old on top of a plastic house with wooden sticks is not very safe. I still don't know how Carson got up there! I'm sure there was some help from the 7 year old. <div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526817301756859714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk2eSokMkeCPjiQG8ZizjiWoVAdiYR7uVWjR8isFLApNfIBsC9hkY8wz_f_tkze-RaSF7SnoxQBYpSM5KFMzPpwYcj-yH94IaQNRm-6qFcJ6kwQH2Z4aHg0b3ngzX4_1kKGrgt5AyDNU/s320/IMG_2921.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526817291808073698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmffh5rQ6eMB8vRitxkL2kROLtlkiJSZLc5Zieze20Esnhh0ey-2Zh5SFqhcxfllYp8B6i2Lp76F0AUfs9P0qwmmDODF8c4Hiv7-6lmpt8-v5ScWKCAozCmn0YSPF5r8kR6ksKdzxaJE/s320/IMG_2922.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526817276947841074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nIjQlsxpETut_-W9QRl-q2IEhJbGab8ODODxd5HA6bmSXMk4tx9TOBYHUN4KYKAqs35Y4iElTNtJse2P2bvX6Vmnk4NDYTf2Mvd9Ux5Krk3G00cmkCgW6zbUm2AOiqu8cxMQiT4Gvjc/s320/IMG_2924.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526817263124742770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvpcCPiirzWYHzM0bIXgnGv5WvDbdkHM257gF9n4w_WmASEIGGqTQzpKQul4l-o7bHyPHOh1xmakEUgOcxw-I1xtrwPfkw8ni7vBx-fzulZugacqX9eNAvUB_wmKVOz7iGWQVfOEnI-Q/s320/IMG_2926.JPG" /></div><div>This was when I broke up the party!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526817254824305538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjIHURK0wN9baJvy3Xrcimb8QR80I0vZzMzKp6X_ueMs9ZufzSvQ_Op8QhGAqjGXIocDYt1iQEdwiyfFPKpaeAEbKCyNq1Uo-CPZ5KHUxl9z2uti7ZviY4UYXccQNntngfHHtyy7H0XA/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" /></div><div>Sorry, still no pictures of the house. I'm not ready to post yet. But here is the backyard, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>. That blue storage thing in the background is two story. The kids have already designated the upstairs as the new playhouse. </div><div> </div><div>We are in Houston...waiting on Alan to get finished with his scans...which is the only reason I had a second to stop and post. Anyway, praying for good news and I'll post our report soon...I hope!</div><div>Have a wonderful week!</div><div>Melissa</div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-55663467780288608752010-09-13T08:33:00.002-05:002010-09-13T08:52:21.872-05:002 Years with "the C word"!!Wow...how lucky can you be....two post in two days. I said I wasn't going to post again for a while, but I forgot to add this to my last post. I started to just add it to the bottom of the previous post, but decided...it deserved it's own posting.<br /><br />August 31, 2008, Alan was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer....or "the C word" as we like to call it. The word Cancer is just too hard to say sometimes...most times actually. There is no way I could go in to full detail about everything that has happened or changed in our life, but if you follow my blog, then you pretty much know close to everything. It's been a very interesting journey to say the least. Although cancer is the devil and has put my husbands body through more pain than I thought humanly possible at times, it has also brought some amazing changes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">spiritually</span> to our life. We are all much closer to God because of this and you know what...It Feels Good!! No, It Feels Great!!! How many times have we said, we don't know why Alan was chosen for this, but he was. We just make the best of it and push on and continue to show Alan how loved he is and encourage him to never give up.<br />On an uplifting note....Alan is doing really great right now. He is getting around so much better and hardly having to use his walker. Of course in my opinion, he should use it more, but he just wants to feel normal...I don't blame him. The normal issues with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sutent</span>....tiredness and feet sores, but for the most part, doing great and enjoying life!<br />Love and Prayers<br />MelissaMelissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-89784077932374203852010-09-12T16:55:00.009-05:002010-09-15T09:43:16.250-05:00Just a little behind...So it's been around 7 weeks since my last post and I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOOOOO</span> sorry to keep my blog followers in the dark, but these last 7 weeks have been busy. We've had Baptisms, 1st days, birthday parties and another Houston trip. We've also bought a house!!! YIPPEE!!! This post is going to be a quick run through of those past 7 weeks and needless to say...August has been pretty good. Lets start with....<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Sydney's Baptism!</span></div><div>Not only is this sweet girl my daughter...she is also my sister in Christ!! What a great day this was. Besides this being a wonderful day for Sydney that I hope she never forgets and I know I will never forget it....it will probably be a memorable day for Carson since he was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">literally</span> behind the scene while Sydney was being baptised. Long story short...there was no teacher in his room yet, so he ended up being with Sydney and I in the back. I just prayed he didn't cannonball in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">baptistery</span>!!! HA</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516156728680613250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ev5odFl044Ec7RaRi8K1UZkQy9OZ-cxJ99R5r2DjgSE4QIyJjG3xIOKsuuxZTf3pQKKuWNlwjA2cMC7euAOL86MYw8bjFmC50lhWa3MqzUc2z3h3MczSIvTH_0DgBkC4nTsm6bcEPzI/s320/DSCF3832.JPG" /></div><div>Sydney and Bro. Eric. This man is awesome!! We are so blessed to have him as our preacher.</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516156725609981218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYiNEiNQinsy1-bN2rLlafYF95zWam7JMNSMhkgaIlJuGBUck-5PyhmOLMBX4sO93BEEEVj13Pirx6qjXlpPqdctoLPU9H8dL0wVdqFCUeDQlqTQ5_pQJHfu1aFs_n6N0-Py3lAAa9Rc/s320/DSCF3834.JPG" /></div><div>See Carson. I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">panicking</span>.....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ughhhh</span>!</div><div></div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516156719522438674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOrjyrndnFCLkD7l5iQzlnyLNg_JKsBJribS33HwTHhUnPyjDkgxvY2KS0__w9JYXnGH_0U-RFbm5Lg-yBkffhxQLozL7loH8bH6Uerru8lsS8IUhH8cM4lMaH6PWTw_x40LZpfkvMng/s320/IMG_2617.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516156716157066290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3s2shc3z5aA_uFgY3F-0I96BGoKRAE5-KokMa_49l-YtQ2tk9Gtp9gVuu0AFJng8KmFO5NGlKr8P9R-uCUjO6G69Wp-6PAjrVxDYl63j2QhFtul0Gb2shjJQANUWIXxypY-TvZsk0BE/s320/IMG_2621.JPG" /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">1st Days....</span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516156708878003122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe2wahjEaLgulRMt8MDcMR9hyCVH-dTaIncSGBHLH7Puva5886moNpEJO3Yi2VRq12a-5s2-ide1bEvLVMczQaEjGhZKu0rXNPso4-gFD5zW4ZV9vM3SykC8ldCLS6iVnBVQ9wNIctjc/s320/IMG_2637.JPG" />This pic is of Carson's 1st day of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">PreK</span> 3 at Wee School. He is such a big boy and is learning so much.<br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516154545834279842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNRdp9GIwb3itxaiiCUWRMK3hCWxkdIkJOycW8l5pT1ZJwtKuw9avIqTOoVcad_6R8BOIzvhYeAbFipho3Gv2HDdovULRC-e2QIh5ymbaN2tGRux8u95MfJrSrbpxkFri1Y0W2uhwvrs/s320/IMG_2664.JPG" /> Sydney's 1st day of 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> grade. I don't know what the deal is with my kids but they do not want to give me the "pretty smiles" as I call them....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">everything's</span> fake....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ughhh</span>!</div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516154549019264258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_zi8yD1dUs2p0dJSlV2pL6jBVHo8N8himCCyxzm4ZLuHuyidT3d0S2GwSmt_gIPilG0me710J0fwTlTQ3hczsBov0h5QVHyh5h-mNLely3IMcstziu-zL3gbR0Hm8Jv7k1fOBfwSU6o/s320/IMG_2665.JPG" /> </div><div>Sydney and some of her friends in her class.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Birthday Party....</span><br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516152725464177570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAVtKTyBDRbCHEmsJG2dpTFoGs_Pe5ilWcmcRDT6qU5c4llHLesw-aHICrvIvr-71wsilfx2JQsohkPabsuGuGLoEjPlUqf75qEacjb5xKbOv60p3Q3d2Qqh1FaL4FpLjViutOMnZN9c/s320/IMG_2678.JPG" /></div><div>Yes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sireee</span>....Alan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">McCone</span> is 38!! I planned a birthday party for him the night before we left for Houston. This was his birthday weekend and even though I knew we would be tired traveling to Houston on that Sunday, I wanted us to have a fun night before we left and we did. We were able to celebrate with many of our friends and family. This party came complete with funny cards, great gifts, cake and an awesome band!! Thank you all who helped make this party such a success. Couldn't have done it without you.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516152711623355218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRFDs2truzSxkpfrURE3YaNgqG54rKi6zOUrk7-TZszwHiUHTQcTWvBojr7DMtMh1l_gg6Qdpbxy-B3mxTZs23xBBNtHH5-NxJ6HSpvMOhimZHBZLMqATwr_VBf9Kwz_tyD5fu-MJBuU/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" /></div><div>Me and the birthday boy!<br /><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516152702480009362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcRQgNH3Q6FsUHWEf5wBImCS7ecR5ebpWOlsWKwq5LGrahLFMDRyzMECUFwTgEjWUY6VFrTBh5TUOqKBQmMQhkmrM8IdMnqFPW46NEjwCDfBAPt-6drA_69vGQQ1r-tA8MiCdFTTXCKQ/s320/IMG_2695.JPG" /> </div><div>The birthday boy with his gift from the kids and I. He loves to bow hunt and can't pull back his regular bow anymore, and we love some deer meat and couldn't got without, of course, so by the look on his face, I think he will be able to put this to good use!! He was so surprised. Thanks Lee for helping me with this!<br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Houston Report...</span></div><div>Our last Houston trip was August 23rd. Alan got a really good report. The tumors in Alan's lungs have all pretty much decreased...not to where they were before he got off his chemo, but very close. This was wonderful news b/c this meant we did not have to change treatment and also that his chemo has worked pretty quick in those 4 short weeks. Praise the Lord....good news!! We will be heading back to Houston October 11 and 12.</div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">House News....</span></div><div>Back in June we found the perfect house for our family. It was the size we wanted and in the neighborhood we wanted....the only catch was we had to wait for the owners to find a house in a different town since is was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">FSBO</span>. Since we loved the house so much, we were willing to wait. Well, they found a house. We closed this past Tuesday and should be getting the keys this coming Friday and then the painting will began and then the big move. We are all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOOOO</span> excited and the kids talk about it daily. I'm sure my next post will be house pictures, etc. Speaking of the next post....who knows when that might be, so I'm already <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apologizing</span>....the next few weeks are going to be busier than normal.</div><div></div><div>Wishing you all a wonderful day full of blessings!!</div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Woooo</span> Pig <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sooie</span>!!</div><div>Melissa</div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-20380185331416517802010-07-27T20:23:00.019-05:002010-07-28T10:01:06.077-05:00Houston Vacation / Cancer Report<p>Hummmm, that's an interesting Title....doesn't really seem to go together!</p><p>Ok, I'm breaking this post into two sections...the vacation part and the Dr. part! I'm going to start with the Vacation part b/c it was alot better than the Dr. part.</p><p>Our first stop on our whirlwind of a Vacation was the Downtown Aquarium. The pictures below pretty much speak for themself. This is a great place to take the family. They have a very nice Aquarium and a small amusement park with it. Really the perfect size for my young kiddos and easy for Alan to get around. My mom and I took the kids back to the Aquarium a couple nights after this to eat at the restaurant and do the rides again. They loved this place...and so did I!!</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjUm6l5CRLNKuoPwworcpK12e5mPW7udy6RlGZirBha_sxzXIQYycrduFTxP5Xe3q-_hvQF1EcVnxfckQfw1O91DlVuiN4SYrHra-QOWJveksb_siAy7oQleai5kNmke62k6EI7eD4i0/s1600/fam1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775738055210162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjUm6l5CRLNKuoPwworcpK12e5mPW7udy6RlGZirBha_sxzXIQYycrduFTxP5Xe3q-_hvQF1EcVnxfckQfw1O91DlVuiN4SYrHra-QOWJveksb_siAy7oQleai5kNmke62k6EI7eD4i0/s320/fam1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The family at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci8-4nNMz3h8TTU9-p0lYk5ZxgnepCUB2iqE80gOOdCeBLjt2o7SzHA3vRcf0yw9ZqoUR-5MadXlXAXRqV19qY0wYAISW8e2H4PP0CnYNpkeEo1FhIzA6zQgxvQSEe-JegAdUItIJRhE/s1600/IMG_2479.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775513200129522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci8-4nNMz3h8TTU9-p0lYk5ZxgnepCUB2iqE80gOOdCeBLjt2o7SzHA3vRcf0yw9ZqoUR-5MadXlXAXRqV19qY0wYAISW8e2H4PP0CnYNpkeEo1FhIzA6zQgxvQSEe-JegAdUItIJRhE/s320/IMG_2479.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihENhWo7VZAk5kTEf4LOVE5EeMqZLDRQi_FLIMFdsyk8sulvOVtuFpNO-jhS4rTPpLOl0yJEK3r8KFefUMej3VVf9y-T2sxOfpoGmLLwjLeZ59fjF-opwHpRcaDL80AV_b7YwFdRE9RAA/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775511907119522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihENhWo7VZAk5kTEf4LOVE5EeMqZLDRQi_FLIMFdsyk8sulvOVtuFpNO-jhS4rTPpLOl0yJEK3r8KFefUMej3VVf9y-T2sxOfpoGmLLwjLeZ59fjF-opwHpRcaDL80AV_b7YwFdRE9RAA/s320/IMG_2484.JPG" border="0" /></a> OK, this might be one of 3 pictures ever taken of this octopus!! I was just a snapping away when Alan said "Melissa, read the sign." It said "No flash pictures of Octopus" Woops!!! But, it sure is a good picture....hehe!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkaT-O9oovw64sy4KMwFTUF-5JVAcwOPY27O6gFGB1oNQHJ0H6WeEKhpjx9vK_-_OguPPzHHonEwbNLgQA2VGFJxuxmmUVaKBbEeKkuvNV1xxMSvYqdcXqqF8M9889ceOSoO-j4myogE/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775507466012274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkaT-O9oovw64sy4KMwFTUF-5JVAcwOPY27O6gFGB1oNQHJ0H6WeEKhpjx9vK_-_OguPPzHHonEwbNLgQA2VGFJxuxmmUVaKBbEeKkuvNV1xxMSvYqdcXqqF8M9889ceOSoO-j4myogE/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" border="0" /></a> "I bet Nemo is in there somewhere."</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss8TQq_AQnklVeiDxDgYocPBgouI7iXmpzM-L6TJqR84c2ZKb9fB7sYX90frd18T1Ovi5OgYe0sTCW1xUon0-r_aCNSaiGOJqslUxZGL1ulV4jJhJz_vfxKu5xDOfpiPfm6nJ4aar21Q/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775502948699042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgss8TQq_AQnklVeiDxDgYocPBgouI7iXmpzM-L6TJqR84c2ZKb9fB7sYX90frd18T1Ovi5OgYe0sTCW1xUon0-r_aCNSaiGOJqslUxZGL1ulV4jJhJz_vfxKu5xDOfpiPfm6nJ4aar21Q/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" border="0" /></a> We are all about some polka dots, so we loved these little guys!<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT66fFVVAxnIn5m-peBnrxVtjD-q_B-2Lly7fLaqdtBElDhLCTIRDmMjVN8chXA1RIU1pR_M4o8Yh-Rfqum7nKnF-2DMBqdyTxxF4BGTHFEdsvRJ7LYtg8SENBnbMTIf8rnOC7k_xkoA/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775498096733586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT66fFVVAxnIn5m-peBnrxVtjD-q_B-2Lly7fLaqdtBElDhLCTIRDmMjVN8chXA1RIU1pR_M4o8Yh-Rfqum7nKnF-2DMBqdyTxxF4BGTHFEdsvRJ7LYtg8SENBnbMTIf8rnOC7k_xkoA/s320/IMG_2488.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw18T2_HPBeaKa-k29oOOdF5OrI9bTSw1KJ8a-BQgFYJHCqaEKFvvqZkv3RDGH2chR1KhjwUzK6-AQBhpO8Ho_K6fCJlq-cz2ZiNC5VuIaaZzWo8wob3BaiEa_BPObsLmH5y-CjRZnb10/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498774967469366914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw18T2_HPBeaKa-k29oOOdF5OrI9bTSw1KJ8a-BQgFYJHCqaEKFvvqZkv3RDGH2chR1KhjwUzK6-AQBhpO8Ho_K6fCJlq-cz2ZiNC5VuIaaZzWo8wob3BaiEa_BPObsLmH5y-CjRZnb10/s320/IMG_2491.JPG" border="0" /></a>Awwww....look at these pretty sparkling fish.....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5EuPSb6FJ7MQESz09j0_vACiLCCBqSthxwaRveqDBJg8thy_GiSpPaf4LfTFSwmbC-xYh_F6nVc0pBhc68AbF_QskXEko-ygaELmllenuExlPHZ2OSq3Tn8Ed35bqtWaZO0O42sNEjU/s1600/IMG_2492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498774960098353074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5EuPSb6FJ7MQESz09j0_vACiLCCBqSthxwaRveqDBJg8thy_GiSpPaf4LfTFSwmbC-xYh_F6nVc0pBhc68AbF_QskXEko-ygaELmllenuExlPHZ2OSq3Tn8Ed35bqtWaZO0O42sNEjU/s320/IMG_2492.JPG" border="0" /></a>.....or maybe NOT!!!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFZeC84E0jU2vG4b5GvmHM2i7YZaAZXZMwk5VQOuHDTAdU2KsNiBlc0dwIKgr7D1OaflecKbrhAhxPPtbNKeVCUkEVO9C8t_r38XQktNvGz8ATY1bCmBPFL2Ovu9oEsc5RIZWVaA5eM0/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498774951533224498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFZeC84E0jU2vG4b5GvmHM2i7YZaAZXZMwk5VQOuHDTAdU2KsNiBlc0dwIKgr7D1OaflecKbrhAhxPPtbNKeVCUkEVO9C8t_r38XQktNvGz8ATY1bCmBPFL2Ovu9oEsc5RIZWVaA5eM0/s320/IMG_2495.JPG" border="0" /></a>We all loved this turtle. He was pretty neat looking.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfbUssVfQjMNZ1jmMGyZACYjTaqGJfJprrmkXIhFIq7ZEC1f4D4SUg4HizOzN1K_nV5tMbvalnUxj7UkGdLfB7a0evBffXfGlfQtgZFt9roCtVITodNczW82loxVaKxxYd2C_z957TKI/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498774946075554530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfbUssVfQjMNZ1jmMGyZACYjTaqGJfJprrmkXIhFIq7ZEC1f4D4SUg4HizOzN1K_nV5tMbvalnUxj7UkGdLfB7a0evBffXfGlfQtgZFt9roCtVITodNczW82loxVaKxxYd2C_z957TKI/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-DaVlBOdGmuRzQp8ACza4wcuBGCAc5KsWUSPFkrRYgTIFfFKW9zpXpdfJ9PIbGGyLPuI6jrRvKgHEFrAw64D4_g-syKbV9QEDWwHTkWEOlD8afDoycUBsrA8kY_T8HnHDfjcCof4gaM/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498774942435927842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-DaVlBOdGmuRzQp8ACza4wcuBGCAc5KsWUSPFkrRYgTIFfFKW9zpXpdfJ9PIbGGyLPuI6jrRvKgHEFrAw64D4_g-syKbV9QEDWwHTkWEOlD8afDoycUBsrA8kY_T8HnHDfjcCof4gaM/s320/IMG_2500.JPG" border="0" /></a> There are no words!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt67S_ifrUOv5DH81jO8Nf2V993fIQWP7-9Yl1Fk_IR9Rz_Ue11tY7GBZZWKkXa8YCSejJt8dHZ5Of5Oo6Bs3xg5yy9yZwhXQVV69PvRzI38iRXtJtoNwf3iNvohdn0pjNryheiUdMjI/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772903274600834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt67S_ifrUOv5DH81jO8Nf2V993fIQWP7-9Yl1Fk_IR9Rz_Ue11tY7GBZZWKkXa8YCSejJt8dHZ5Of5Oo6Bs3xg5yy9yZwhXQVV69PvRzI38iRXtJtoNwf3iNvohdn0pjNryheiUdMjI/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was pretty neat. It's not everyday you see a Seahorse or two....or however many are in there??!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O2Bgm5qarno-BX4dr8kOMmK7Z9ZJxBSFkjfQ4C286CU2s7TVzVAs6U-ijCbX2DR50n1YKJWgkM7CJ0-fYvr5_yxu1udknvObM2SCxu3REV5oR4nfPw3gRIZ_zQ-GtSdXVMfEuii6jPM/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772895549041298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O2Bgm5qarno-BX4dr8kOMmK7Z9ZJxBSFkjfQ4C286CU2s7TVzVAs6U-ijCbX2DR50n1YKJWgkM7CJ0-fYvr5_yxu1udknvObM2SCxu3REV5oR4nfPw3gRIZ_zQ-GtSdXVMfEuii6jPM/s320/IMG_2503.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0rjPCvxDcFEqZeQxkqVToFQnKYivuTsXdEXW3kXQUT2YzVoioa17uLo2-po1FePISUfa_lTBWGQlQ4JfUUB3sxwe1eqJ8706lsTF_CWuvAxDNCc8rT9Y6uCzncl0o1s7vUfWnrCi9t8/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772895047750898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0rjPCvxDcFEqZeQxkqVToFQnKYivuTsXdEXW3kXQUT2YzVoioa17uLo2-po1FePISUfa_lTBWGQlQ4JfUUB3sxwe1eqJ8706lsTF_CWuvAxDNCc8rT9Y6uCzncl0o1s7vUfWnrCi9t8/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the small shark and stringray tank where you can pet them and get in this bubble and see inside the tank.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdyUBGJA35DsWm1l51JldaizfjA19EDx-mMsDRYUfCEFfVdG6tNR27aTLDiZWg4rdo3jNr2IMWcCN8XghQl9fI5qp6tqrX5Pnj0W78_g1rqkCIxy701ZSk5ISEMe696VtWUQRTcubre8/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772891936206738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdyUBGJA35DsWm1l51JldaizfjA19EDx-mMsDRYUfCEFfVdG6tNR27aTLDiZWg4rdo3jNr2IMWcCN8XghQl9fI5qp6tqrX5Pnj0W78_g1rqkCIxy701ZSk5ISEMe696VtWUQRTcubre8/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2mtFmjWatcXrvSUcunQZNMyHsv_xQclUNzru2bQ08WaHwAfQB74d25unw9sFiTZoFFkOwa2GJJysw7_0yZILQZ6HgNjAV5c9JZ7EZwP3lfWkwC-4cpl4cDKf8SU0-LlOT_MtdBs5l-k/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772885164689314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2mtFmjWatcXrvSUcunQZNMyHsv_xQclUNzru2bQ08WaHwAfQB74d25unw9sFiTZoFFkOwa2GJJysw7_0yZILQZ6HgNjAV5c9JZ7EZwP3lfWkwC-4cpl4cDKf8SU0-LlOT_MtdBs5l-k/s320/IMG_2515.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sydney touching her first starfish.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TsTw3qpFewt7mY8v1MgA9aljZIC5yyrUlee93gRx0Hom2ITTgOmooN_lx_tq21K3q9-lfUOYnA7yohH9VaWohN4RkimLMF2DDdcUYTLLC6zwMnCJcZgjBHhCaRUQQmymekriS-Z5e6U/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772297915551026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TsTw3qpFewt7mY8v1MgA9aljZIC5yyrUlee93gRx0Hom2ITTgOmooN_lx_tq21K3q9-lfUOYnA7yohH9VaWohN4RkimLMF2DDdcUYTLLC6zwMnCJcZgjBHhCaRUQQmymekriS-Z5e6U/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" border="0" /></a> Can you spot the Tiger?? This was a very pretty exhibit! This is just half of the Tiger's area.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5SyDanj9gEtTPSOR-9jt2O68_4ER2bSphGLZFLnRwdV2rhofr__5WHH0jkHCWUP9QcDXkXoURQOmBjbUrLPJD9fsp_BSSNFpP_SIHwtzVUparC70GkapaV5V5N1nmEumRELbeyh0DgA/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772293704656018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5SyDanj9gEtTPSOR-9jt2O68_4ER2bSphGLZFLnRwdV2rhofr__5WHH0jkHCWUP9QcDXkXoURQOmBjbUrLPJD9fsp_BSSNFpP_SIHwtzVUparC70GkapaV5V5N1nmEumRELbeyh0DgA/s320/IMG_2527.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Shark Tunnel!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdfzs6YeLwsZ6buiArc7Ns1kCj3MaDvTl2qLTzX1F-reEldVSrIyRps-GK6_BNbnPZNejg-0zrPYEXh29Rru3-iCh-PRgeBL_zvnSapnxX-7zr7HXf0x94hH25e7FxXyKFB952V77Wlo/s1600/IMG_2529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772289160266194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdfzs6YeLwsZ6buiArc7Ns1kCj3MaDvTl2qLTzX1F-reEldVSrIyRps-GK6_BNbnPZNejg-0zrPYEXh29Rru3-iCh-PRgeBL_zvnSapnxX-7zr7HXf0x94hH25e7FxXyKFB952V77Wlo/s320/IMG_2529.JPG" border="0" /></a> This would be Carson's happy place....sitting on the blue train!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gASYpMp_WY1dIRlD2QFUwrzhVvSiyU6g0EnkfuM993OLgQywEzNzZpVniXX1KB-LksN6CVHeJRYYCOvZrq921HPUxrNXelDH4z4GoSWpwYLaa6UPrnxNfNDT2aNC2T8MuQhoLPIkEy8/s1600/IMG_2545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772286912430210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gASYpMp_WY1dIRlD2QFUwrzhVvSiyU6g0EnkfuM993OLgQywEzNzZpVniXX1KB-LksN6CVHeJRYYCOvZrq921HPUxrNXelDH4z4GoSWpwYLaa6UPrnxNfNDT2aNC2T8MuQhoLPIkEy8/s320/IMG_2545.JPG" border="0" /></a> My mom and dad.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOYm9hVnW4o_9Wqrds3_IBQYdJmIVEUavk6MLZPkdTNUO5O8_FKO4Syye2F-j78-6DmSB1o4dZk2VBQfzm80Xbxo7c_w087Psdnb05KzjaalDR1f5RsTkI_R1UDbJNL2OnnY19gTUTk0/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498772282842765938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOYm9hVnW4o_9Wqrds3_IBQYdJmIVEUavk6MLZPkdTNUO5O8_FKO4Syye2F-j78-6DmSB1o4dZk2VBQfzm80Xbxo7c_w087Psdnb05KzjaalDR1f5RsTkI_R1UDbJNL2OnnY19gTUTk0/s320/IMG_2549.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Aquarium and Restaurant.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1_BAe0ofUIuMKjbkSl3T4Mltvwc0VYtvCBKGL3NneuxZbcmozeUNkZ-8xrNDRd3UxXYZBCVwuiiH6NBYAM1DG_qmddIslHgyUBwaEHeOve0j6Gf5piU2J6t61EhbQwjiNudCaTz4TEc/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498771627103042946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1_BAe0ofUIuMKjbkSl3T4Mltvwc0VYtvCBKGL3NneuxZbcmozeUNkZ-8xrNDRd3UxXYZBCVwuiiH6NBYAM1DG_qmddIslHgyUBwaEHeOve0j6Gf5piU2J6t61EhbQwjiNudCaTz4TEc/s320/IMG_2554.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH66oy8ZwEW_p8nLf_HmKaUjasfkWlLiu0cxO1gobw30kv78qijmGDXQZOZ96nVJGoeHayRdbP_dAHETlKYHJmm1TpOzf8qC-C33NqPd70f3ZGgY79-a_V_0edBvSafPE3LxS4wv8O2pU/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498771618120706338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH66oy8ZwEW_p8nLf_HmKaUjasfkWlLiu0cxO1gobw30kv78qijmGDXQZOZ96nVJGoeHayRdbP_dAHETlKYHJmm1TpOzf8qC-C33NqPd70f3ZGgY79-a_V_0edBvSafPE3LxS4wv8O2pU/s320/IMG_2555.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX0Gc0FxN4UjBu0Rpm9EzJ3EWZX3sWOSedvQhmC2NRBhaVRCHcFSzOg4dkcSyTlzUYam5AJPu7ICQ6z03igTli_AGHfx5lTkdcd5C_yoh6nXz7NT9fC88dCg0byr8FJSqGkKOopg9Y2Q/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498771613912039666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX0Gc0FxN4UjBu0Rpm9EzJ3EWZX3sWOSedvQhmC2NRBhaVRCHcFSzOg4dkcSyTlzUYam5AJPu7ICQ6z03igTli_AGHfx5lTkdcd5C_yoh6nXz7NT9fC88dCg0byr8FJSqGkKOopg9Y2Q/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" border="0" /></a> A very small part of Downtown Houston.</div><br /><div></div><div><br />The next pictures are from the Kemah Boardwalk. This is about 30 minutes south of Houston on the Galveston Bay.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CMwUb1NTS9CsaQmiZUkPsp_m_VfIoHbNV_hhgXT2EQM89AjYjIhmzhiFz4oRWoluw_veqAkWuRQVFHwMX9wnPxPP6e9V5Z-_Z4laYH-4XHqCgYKjpOl_Na1sBTs1xpgeMh4itsPhLEc/s1600/IMG_2566.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498771611510194434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CMwUb1NTS9CsaQmiZUkPsp_m_VfIoHbNV_hhgXT2EQM89AjYjIhmzhiFz4oRWoluw_veqAkWuRQVFHwMX9wnPxPP6e9V5Z-_Z4laYH-4XHqCgYKjpOl_Na1sBTs1xpgeMh4itsPhLEc/s320/IMG_2566.JPG" border="0" /></a> These pictures of my mom, Sydney and I are...well....HILARIOUS!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnECGucxojbs5EcYlpP5UP2e26xZlySMw-6jHTWi40v4UK9ErVvNktPd-OBFF9BHeh0T56egktwgb_byNyMtZgTaDhu2kbwFsB49iU_gAPWqfORWIWx8h-YUzF28Xre1al2_qMS0X9E20/s1600/Swing2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498771606058309618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnECGucxojbs5EcYlpP5UP2e26xZlySMw-6jHTWi40v4UK9ErVvNktPd-OBFF9BHeh0T56egktwgb_byNyMtZgTaDhu2kbwFsB49iU_gAPWqfORWIWx8h-YUzF28Xre1al2_qMS0X9E20/s320/Swing2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTwbWX50cTpaLR7qpOIFwEuOqCko3nihiWMHETKfjy977bGxbFWHxMklDPFpMJZbyX0ui7WAckDw8qAm8zgzSJ6ZQY-xzXVjwoTVQXNT1Kb5R2ppojSJ48LNGjtrzEBjgyHdDu1BAt_o/s1600/Swing3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498770931152955282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTwbWX50cTpaLR7qpOIFwEuOqCko3nihiWMHETKfjy977bGxbFWHxMklDPFpMJZbyX0ui7WAckDw8qAm8zgzSJ6ZQY-xzXVjwoTVQXNT1Kb5R2ppojSJ48LNGjtrzEBjgyHdDu1BAt_o/s320/Swing3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Look at those faces, LOL. I was laughing at Sydney the whole time...Priceless!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yzRtdsGnEtFnyqKDnD_yp4d1jiWAKr75MslFslR0hmFbwb2ERk56Naoqb8y14qziLlVZrxdAsT_FnRSVJEzLQZs2afWodUjkUpAySmSlrXwUxyOw9TvZFJ75k2D1g95C3QV668y9HZg/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498770929852341442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yzRtdsGnEtFnyqKDnD_yp4d1jiWAKr75MslFslR0hmFbwb2ERk56Naoqb8y14qziLlVZrxdAsT_FnRSVJEzLQZs2afWodUjkUpAySmSlrXwUxyOw9TvZFJ75k2D1g95C3QV668y9HZg/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is how Carson drives a boat. Can't wait for the real driving years!! Maybe he won't take after his dad!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQulTkTPCeYXT3cbML-pxvi1NQw9hOVnV9On-h4dfdy3hyphenhyphenzsl8cIBy4-RdVxjsRCe31B-2DabyYri_RYTl3YZzM3Sp3f-AMm7eeKg0UuUuA6aQYPgKVMmynfHArXJcnvTigeQFElflNs/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498770923495815506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQulTkTPCeYXT3cbML-pxvi1NQw9hOVnV9On-h4dfdy3hyphenhyphenzsl8cIBy4-RdVxjsRCe31B-2DabyYri_RYTl3YZzM3Sp3f-AMm7eeKg0UuUuA6aQYPgKVMmynfHArXJcnvTigeQFElflNs/s320/IMG_2585.JPG" border="0" /></a> These are the little boats they were driving with the HUGE stearing wheels.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSLXiMSpusPsfu-_ClBv92DYdNtYLgmZXzGn3jFNlCD5tx2G_FcGgJHx3OesYSndqepONpEnRH7nl_AC7gufv5yBAvC-JrgIAO038UvTc86-6h-mAPUuNbpqbDxSnt6PHfPC014FH1Ow/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498770917289195042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSLXiMSpusPsfu-_ClBv92DYdNtYLgmZXzGn3jFNlCD5tx2G_FcGgJHx3OesYSndqepONpEnRH7nl_AC7gufv5yBAvC-JrgIAO038UvTc86-6h-mAPUuNbpqbDxSnt6PHfPC014FH1Ow/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498770905339357250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUkONCPHrq85eEz9lD7xd8wmPgxxJNOQ-r4QmaO1xcRhyV_pTbiXXAZafjCRBLoeQzvEFumTlWXlhuEFLS2gArsZNbOITIVkWWZ8-gVh3DC20az_Ekvkeme4Ok9ef9zNxJah0L-3KkmI/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLJiAhPV1Z_lbnF1OZD759DCh8Baza4pANk-1_E-XawrYoqYD3LtkOI7B4IfW9vXexR69gSmhX5of2Ii7J6HdCQS9IpUDIbYIAHaOjBM3LNQ0e94zdjDCZ4wHzsUP_iag9yotwQUdQbk/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498768278015152226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLJiAhPV1Z_lbnF1OZD759DCh8Baza4pANk-1_E-XawrYoqYD3LtkOI7B4IfW9vXexR69gSmhX5of2Ii7J6HdCQS9IpUDIbYIAHaOjBM3LNQ0e94zdjDCZ4wHzsUP_iag9yotwQUdQbk/s320/IMG_2593.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was my favorite purchase from our trip. It's just not complete without a big head picture! HA Ok, that's not the real name, but that's what I call it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ed0yJdWJfo96lTBsk-WfWAWgebW4F_4bbyp9yc0JhRh6aw6ZHXDzfFE9GVkbbe1s6RMQS4bb7qWjfNZL4YhGuUZE5rHLb4DcouWTmhlcR8zxBnNgMRls7qI30gi6jpf0vBh-m0u9MEY/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498768274675469218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ed0yJdWJfo96lTBsk-WfWAWgebW4F_4bbyp9yc0JhRh6aw6ZHXDzfFE9GVkbbe1s6RMQS4bb7qWjfNZL4YhGuUZE5rHLb4DcouWTmhlcR8zxBnNgMRls7qI30gi6jpf0vBh-m0u9MEY/s320/IMG_2597.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is part of the final project. I don't have a pic of the full version, but it is too cute. I didn't do a color pic, but I had him color in their eyes. Sydney said "OK, my face is NOT that fat!!" LOL He really got Carson almost perfect. Also, the artist looked like a young Jon Gosslin...just sayin!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYozAsQWX66J6EmOQWBoO0Fz7THzokVgk6S_K6gqd8FhingGNheCbBpgPD_blqL0-EzyWcODdaXk59olR8JQfKai0JuFoNWeE-Ix8WMhHQzH98v6kqw0VxcS2ZTR1TMDCcARtXPsGbJs/s1600/IMG_2598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498768269152220178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYozAsQWX66J6EmOQWBoO0Fz7THzokVgk6S_K6gqd8FhingGNheCbBpgPD_blqL0-EzyWcODdaXk59olR8JQfKai0JuFoNWeE-Ix8WMhHQzH98v6kqw0VxcS2ZTR1TMDCcARtXPsGbJs/s320/IMG_2598.JPG" border="0" /></a> OK, I'm sorry, but I cracked up when I looked over and saw the other guy drawing this baby. It was just funny. I hope the mama doesn't read my blog....ughhhh!! Sorry mama....couldn't resist. But even the mama had that look like "What tha??" Seriously, she did!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9de3A7eHjL-p9PqSUSl-tWVdSgDjLU-MenYnWdlWsqdioHoimCU5n3sAXrGhB72uR01GATDgouFDilEXHPF3zZ89qBfkAC3GNLRrgudjI-FxqZICcJk-VwrxkyFxfYl1Axc2BNp0pRJk/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498768263736640914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9de3A7eHjL-p9PqSUSl-tWVdSgDjLU-MenYnWdlWsqdioHoimCU5n3sAXrGhB72uR01GATDgouFDilEXHPF3zZ89qBfkAC3GNLRrgudjI-FxqZICcJk-VwrxkyFxfYl1Axc2BNp0pRJk/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is at the Aquarium at Kemah. They had a huge tank where you could feed the sting rays and pet them. It was so cool and there was some Huge rays in there.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6dHDRxjHf0bz7MgUMqoix3LXeLK3cmpJjabwz_cEf4GqEHtORB6U31mKiqF9dazlZhssC2jBOPa_siyXJoF_EV12E7tCrROrZAvLG0YTT9ATDBuH4QH_TQd5Oz0_QO_ZaVryJdYtVDw/s1600/Swing1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498768260063239682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6dHDRxjHf0bz7MgUMqoix3LXeLK3cmpJjabwz_cEf4GqEHtORB6U31mKiqF9dazlZhssC2jBOPa_siyXJoF_EV12E7tCrROrZAvLG0YTT9ATDBuH4QH_TQd5Oz0_QO_ZaVryJdYtVDw/s320/Swing1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sydney and I riding the swings. This was a fun ride and not scary!! It was a great view of the Galveston Bay too.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Next....the Dr. Report!</span></div><div>Ok, I guess I will take this day by day and try to be short about it.</div><div>Monday Alan had scans. We had to get up EARLY to start bloodwork and then get to the scan area for his knee MRI and CT. Well, of course the MRI machine is not working, so we have to wait for his CT apt. time. The tech. came back later and said the MRI was working and that would be around 11:30...ughhhh....more sitting and waiting. After lunch, we were free and I think this is the day we hit the Aquarium first.</div><div></div><div>Tuesday started off early again. We had to see the Gastroenterologist that morning. After waiting 2 hours, he basically tells us nothing and we just set up Alan's EGD for Thursday...which we already knew anyway. After this apt., it was time to go wait at Amato's office for Alan's scan results. I think we got in his office around 1:30 and we left around 7:00....I'm not even lying. I think he saved us for last for this reason. Alan did not get the best report. As I stated in my previous post, Alan has been off his chemo for 6 weeks...trying to get his infarcts around his knee to clear up, well, his knee looks better and so do the blood clots that are in his lungs, but his lungs took a major beating by the cancer. His Dr. said "the cancer has exploded in your lungs!" If you look at Alan's CT of his chest, his lungs look like a snow shower of cancer. Now, everything in his abdomen and spine were stable. Amato says that since we have the issue with the lungs, Alan has to have a brain study (MRI).</div><div></div><div>Wednesday was supposed to be a day of fun with the kids and no Dr. visits, but that all changed. The earliest they could get us in for the MRI was 1:30....so there goes that day. After the MRI we were to go to Amato's office for the results. THANK THE LORD, the MRI came back fine. Nothing showing in the brain, so we will take that good news. I think this is the day my mom and I took the kids back to the Aquarium. Alan was just worn out, so he relaxed with my dad at the hotel.</div><div></div><div>Thursday was the EGD day. Another early morning. Alan had the EGD done that morning and then again back to Amato's we go to go over results. Alan's EGD came back fine. It did look like he might have had a tear which could have been the reason for all the throwing up, but it has corrected itself. Basically the reason for the blood loss and counts dropping was from the cancer going rampant in his lungs! Thursday we finished up everything just after lunch. Got us a bite to eat and headed to Kemah for the afternoon. It was a hard afternoon on Alan, but man he was a trooper to do Kemah after the week we had already had.</div><div></div><div>Friday, we headed home. We wanted to try and do the kids museum before we left Friday, but...we were all just ready to get home. What a vacation. I didn't get to sleep in once or even get in the pool...:-(....not much of a vacation, but the kids had fun and they did get to swim everyday!</div><div></div><div>The plan is for Alan to be on his normal chemos for 4 weeks. We will go back to Houston August 23rd for repeat scans. If the lungs do not look better, then we will have to switch chemo and start a new treatment. This also means that since Alan is back on his chemo, the infarcts will flare up again and possibly the clots.</div><div></div><div>I guess that's about it. I'm sorry, I try to make my post short, but it's hard!!</div><div>We will always believe that God's has chosen Alan for a reason. Even if Alan has to suffer like this for one person. Even if it was for the guy we were sitting by on a bench at the Boardwalk that asked us if we mind that he smoked his cigarette. We actually told him we did mind and then Alan told him why and pretty much gave him is testimony right there and they had a nice long talk. Even if it's for the random person that just happens across my blog. Yes, we live a hard, tiring, crazy life, but we just make the best at what we have been handed!</div><div></div><div>God is Good...All the Time!!</div><div>Love and Prayers,</div><div>Melissa</div><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-4569897046283299142010-07-15T09:51:00.003-05:002010-07-15T10:10:36.516-05:00An Alan Update!I know, it's been too long since I have updated about Alan. Life is crazy...all I'm saying!! <br /><br />Alan has been off his chemo now for 6 weeks. Did I mention before how nervous we were about this....well, we still are. We will be heading to Houston this Sunday. Alan will have scans Monday and see Dr's. Tuesday. If you remember the main reason they took him off his chemo was to see if it would help the pain from the possible bone infarcts around his right knee....well, the pain is still there, so that's no good!! I'm just going to say next week will be very interesting. Another reason it will be interesting is b/c we are bringing the kids with us and my parents are coming too. Looks like Houston is going to be our vacation spot for the summer. We had a beach trip planned to the gulf, but thank you BP for destroying God's creation of beautiful beaches. Please pray for all of the families affected by this disaster. It's so sad. Anywho, Houston bound Sunday and hopefully we will have a good trip and the kids will have fun with the things I've planned....museums, aquariums, movies, maybe a circus....anything with AC...haha!!<br /><br />Two weeks ago Alan started throwing up. It got worse through the night...that's all I'm going to say. Thursday we got him on Zofran and that helped and of course he had no energy. Friday I let his Dr.'s in Houston know what's been going on, so they went back and looked at his last three weeks of blood work and noticed that his hemoglobin and hematocrit have been dropping. Basically, he needed blood. I started calling him Edward (for my Twilight fans, lol). I have to make light of a situation when I can...ok!! ;-) He was in the hospital from Friday til Sunday morning receiving 3 units of blood and fluids. He felt great when he left that hospital two weeks ago, but his recent blood work is showing his counts are dropping again and he is feeling sooooo tired.....can't keep his eyes open tired. He is going to our local Dr. today for blood work, so he might end up in the hospital again. I pray not!! His Dr.'s in Houston want him to have and EGD to see if he might have an internal bleed somewhere. He is scheduled for that in Houston next week...possibly Thursday.<br /><br />When Alan's Dr. took him off his chemo 6 weeks ago and said "You are going to feel so good and have so much energy!!" Well, we are still waiting for that day. Alan has been sooooo sluggish this entire time.<br /><br />Just say a prayer for us that all goes well next week. Alan will have is regular CT (chest, abdomen, pelvis) and he will also have another MRI of his knee.<br /><br />Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and try to stay cool!!<br />Love and Prayers!Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-91598736724586708692010-07-03T13:45:00.009-05:002010-07-03T16:18:25.082-05:00This one's for Sydney!!<div><div><div><div><div>Poor Sydney....I have not posted much of anything about her lately. I've been saying since May I was going to do a post for her, so while I'm sitting here (in the hospital with Alan, that can be the next post, but I will say he is doing better....his counts were low, had to get some blood), I'm doing a Sydney post. These are just pictures from the past few months </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Softball 2010</span></div><br /><div>Diamond Divas. We had a good softball season. Most of our girls should still be playing t-ball, but we all decided to move them up and they did so good with the pitching machine. They tied for 1st place!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489781835222198034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihwOCFb6w3LcfqSz-Y0FVoRFFGopqJm-k1uMW-6rIsimsa8F2gbPt9X27AVgryBgCPjTEvoeZ01hR8hB0VHg_rNPhqjgg5OVZwiJWbA22FitduDI_tWJFCrh1zQBRBNxGWujUSG7h8Og/s320/Sydney2+copy.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489781850614404226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXb-_TYbMT13FYTmFkTpJ71MXZSMxDAcR-SNgyqgABsVwC8Ln8-tPs-EhJnZUMh6ObpgTTTBRP-EqRo4KbfXPmDmvq_fxChfLAXE0KMtutx1sMrpITYVxR09oWXTb3-93XSzFbc8Z7eoE/s320/IMG_2217.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489780018512967954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_bXeWZg9gwognpMiJLPx-bfWQrI_Ju6qso5Z8660r6_e33vwbH33Kq5oZkTYGqzffR9yhUfuH0Aop9tUb7RAOmyj5yXWIaWo21zp6UydFk1HJ9ZJ8EC1FUYSksZacNYdLIhsIRTHOHM/s320/Sydney3+copy.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489780010970921522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Ir5iB7e7pW1p3vZYYQn7hfv1FTyyqKgQl5e5DZ-LqsH8vlKFn54r374oiKUeQ9px_x1VFmJVBTBVpdJnyqI4yp1F8s0EjLxvZy_HP4MCcZCQk-8dXoHCMct2kC0gJp0LjAJegP63Kk/s320/group6+copy.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489779988463088754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSWG9tv9AB-0QeMTsMninwCUxwai0sK40DrI1aBB3iH7HdnKdFCrmsnb1thLHf3FYHDJn7UBMGmWYTmcnRQdZi0Mky9rAySYQ17WmXfbp2vOkkCw6_C11OH9F3WCaDovLiM4lA_qgb0E/s320/sydney7.jpg" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489779979830440914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0We2g4_zu8MNL4Qp8qPbnpzdezc4fTLXMYJk1TBmcAiPssj_ravF1gRUur5949H9_aWqQsnNWrjhXGcfk988nDByqdKv36nFyKWzMZBnPV0coX0iMWw24NcBbk2GlPug19cbCCGtNAbo/s320/sydney5.jpg" /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489779974262468610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bcuiOQEEZv0pQBpi8iTyZtHex08OwkLiLcN62xmUQMTYKGV3v50M4jyAT3b6oLW8sCxwu9dB5MTTszMOSfQoBBLKEV5Lcuz1acYhsdV6_waNJkZA7D9_gNPyUPHH9xtoHOanvFiJJcM/s320/DDivas.jpg" /> 1st Place Divas!!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Birthday Time</span> </div><br /><div>Sydney turned 7 in May. I swear we celebrated her birthday for a week. Anyway, here are some of the birthday girls parties.<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489777799380564770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGbS-SpgfA2nzZ745fEn3koBb1Rdizos_2slXl7X4Tgq0xUEcxxwWqf7PyZZ7lDgORVPoNnDT4mryZa15c3K3c3cRHLOMrVOeCJCUMc8HUAuBq_LHo5LTti2OdRVyjt8MR8js6KaZfCQ/s320/IMG_1525.JPG" /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489777788757063922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sFjKN5bxyUi7pJmm9GoPyql941OkxiP9uCvtn9rBAgthKBo0DitRzW-8SItDtgt7zbOuIZG9j9NLsCQrZfVL6OODn6ZPAqTopygZxsk19HdIkKMal_FJ5iTOMfaJxZ-MMP7MXgyJ5JU/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" /> They do love each other!!<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489776497457537250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI9le_DVjT0mHK8oBNHQtVy526T2-j5p067y5Fb62rZugYDKmCe_cX2_AQiUIp8wORRRxx-NBJP2xx3XEnC7FA6ovTWqXAqGfY8T_S2qNNYCIqFTchbq8jonbQHfNinz4THVZgFZlWtk/s320/IMG_1558.JPG" /></div>I think this is cake #3.<br /><div><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489776483126384354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj372XYcC08YTLfxJbyN-9xbZVgIMSWR_LfBt208bXQLIxV57D3_JguiDPoDDKE6tJuhdFTldIj60J04DhjmaHYZ7Yz9G10NueCJhPRT0TkF124Y5SGb70T-_qZGHrnmJURTyWu4ltH9_Q/s320/IMG_1566.JPG" /> Cake #2. Ok, I got Sydney a cupcake cake to take to her school. Stupid me forgot to put the candles on the cake and have the kids sing before I started passing out cupcakes, so Sydney fixed the problem and came up with this (above). That girl....she's so funny!! We lit the candles and I was waiting for this cupcake to blow up. It was pretty funny!<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489769795451277570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnD9wENENSIbATpSEBmgXE5D8Bq8NSf-m4bZ3h7OxRkBAqFSDjfh2RscDoGbbJlVFQBAIhA1ZKSrWqQcJF3w-9xf9aDC6ZMX45ClVEMeDh314OsohWIhuCaT-9t9nwOj-zo4sN3DHbMs/s320/IMG_1569.JPG" /></div>Regan (Sydney says this is her boyfriend.... WHAT???...I get tickled listening to her talk about boys...Alan thinks different...haha), and her very good friend Laney. Laney's birthday is just the day before Sydney's. You will see their party below.<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489769785751609138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrEt8EcCGLO_xyr0UvaPYWDhdDBvdMbwr4cNAxPTIgRGDeiyBctNFBWEydt5_u39qrxb4BAoz-OFEaMqovVizaopeX-xF_WnydiTwQVrUIL1Y_G0B-3ybxbvjBZf6EDCpZc6b20HZ-n8/s320/IMG_0250.JPG" /><br />This year Sydney celebrated her 7th birthday with her very good friend Laney. They shared a Build A Bear party and the kids had such a good time!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489769778146923058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cn2CoNCVsEuVvXSNnQ4vrLsoKRF9zYgRMgtdnQgVdnEISgaWpOJkqpNI3fIibaw-2Cz5Ab_RZesR0d5SmwT6741FCoRkfHofgSsdUHW5alT_1mrvtB2lBVKyIdO7KsyUz-M35klPX9Y/s320/IMG_0260.JPG" /></div>Heading to Build A Bear!!<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489769771979770898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPxw53-J13Klo48oo_wx5TTHeZ6gzuvXrb7L3EV9Z0ZPtUAjb_ptbR940Lwii1-KB3obO21dt0JuChKAaZ0Dw8zXYVlpiLrNIVat5UgQQhA6jG1m15nLTXAsq9RcK5s6BSmDTQWn_gao/s320/IMG_0287.JPG" /></div>Two happy Birthday girls.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489769762115394674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvnvuJio22kK7mHEi9C2e9hpAA1kyF0zAX2w_6ocp802NjSjgiFQTfBTjFYc_9joe3vcZue4k4KwI6hGSPsjWyOwdHAietH0Y2RXEdXx7epRbVc-FCzpCF_BehftfsaRkbAKErdAYvhQ/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" /> Silly, Silly</div><div> </div><div>After Build A Bear, we headed to The Japanese Steakhouse. The kids loved it and were very entertained. It was fun...and yummy!!<br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489767645231122194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZEXIGY9Rdlyc2amcgXl9jankF0YxiGRoTSN_VkNDdaMKa2JNnQ4517iwuX7YBUyCDNQQVe0o0KqO6Gjx74Kck182M3LIxdJi93XjLvFIzKPr4NF1KLLJFb2joy1fKITNXcsV9ybVZ4A/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" /></div><div>The kids side.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489767641527537090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zqA3VAJT12q0V61Xo17q4RIBz_Vqp1kBmRV09o1woEKTAkgWed9ojbNfvO5dRLB0QR5Wv0Lw_MQUiZh-YDjKfMlqP5ba23iwKLYc0Akyw2Rm_mIbL52oL__PYCi2YoSllLf2xvjswCg/s320/IMG_0306.JPG" /></div><div>The adult side...waiting for some grub!! yum yum<br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489767632204753426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYI6oXk5Rgcp5BtehTgnhSaZlCXejX4eACCiHBCfi9f3gideSCnCFBy6Po_psnf5KaDu83x323rQhWjErzkQOlFIrC4OY7pjT9H6cec2I0gJfavRGk21J2DlJG5xhUHPgjUuUh7U8NZ0/s320/IMG_0317.JPG" /></div><div>I loved Laney's expression. I think that fire was pretty impressive.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489767624399597602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mOWLGHdSiqE0Y0tUWx6AStJkBi7lP-Vd6BtXlhE2djD-aFZ4eSFzEEKLgkyClfkNLpfQKH6b060gbppo-C1eMO7ZHNaEOgNTd2kkLWwk3jPwPJmlAjVOgEaQU7fYhKeLKtk2eDW65sg/s320/IMG_0328.JPG" />Cake #1!<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489767607220727170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPUy8ZvGZJhIl_l7iikSA_XyeBb5m-FtsERyxPINLfHf7ufOD-nit1LVsQ0EdpyjzoiZmNeSdcIbvS3k2EfmWv2prhK9vEU2iPd3ekvQMTrXlHNeBpMyF9e2Si0UP3oLtnAV3VYT3ass/s320/IMG_0330.JPG" /> </div><div>Our crazy girl!! Wouldn't have her any other way. <br /><br /></div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489765863208180274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooYOarxSSF1t3jKkYOF0GXFrvUou-YVEvSpIFSyWS9Y0kznrDHxnB3c5QjRnak4fA8ZZfxQOGmLPh6yZZFRnKXs6bbz3z-Eijzy0zAIXWW3NrieWcD96rnpOhwklLyn5YbmI2bB_VdAs/s320/IMG_1821.JPG" /></div>Sydney got a rabbit for her birthday....among many other things. This is the penthouse her Papaw built for it. It's a pretty sweet house.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489765849213809954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV9CnvcWoqveu8R91lwPqLdblyEtf0jw08bYkWI7hBw8kiOU1PTYMEE1rwQ9MjL3VcCCEkPHrlC6rw3PC3ucEvda6a8-XNRfeePMDolk4mdA-VyPKTarj7PpnNIihdRmpTs_8F9J4rGo/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" /></div>This is Thumper. She does kind of look like Thumper from Bambi, so....<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489765838860242498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUnO8sknrQTIO61f311Q2lYv0EAVO8pqSCGbuzf4byFyTPojJ24bjizzhjADurDrzGs30CnVVYK60B8uT2lj2NXauBLRLlADVn0bpymNukio2P4IZT_6wbfSLZ8uliYI_GjazdG1mrLk/s320/IMG_1833.JPG" /></div><div>Awwwww......</div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">End of the School Year!<br /></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489765825614311650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fZUmLMFKcJ2g910sFMMqAQWu1KOfYrruxZfhADi53EhNNd3IDNcNMTge3KGFNBS3wFxJzSKyQ_xjPByKW688_1Q0vWcA6-Pvzy4PM6OCDYbop3c1eZteOw4HlOQTRxLaY6uuFq2qKL8/s320/IMG_2283.JPG" /> </div><div>This is Sydney's teacher Mrs. Smith on the last day of school. We love her and will greatly miss her next year.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489765811842841218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUCu_Tl-KAWqKQEmpQ-OgeLCjBzUE-7W0TCVwRLM5qn7lhVIs9l5PpUteuMiyYcGTsgfm_fkHGB2leyOobPFFgnsSzDXvYhOPlbbQhUn5H7jjIGjaMZ-OCnkwfzxXFzO_QfaA1TOnPnY/s320/IMG_2280.JPG" /> </div><div>Here is my girl with her all A's award...along with two of her very good friends, Julia and Laney.</div><div> </div><div>Well, I guess that has Sydney caught up. She is a sweet, smart and crazy little girl.</div><div>We love you stinker!!!<br /></div><div> </div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-4410233243570907742010-06-10T20:48:00.003-05:002010-06-10T21:41:18.247-05:00Back from HoustonAs always, our crazy life continues!! I really want to make this short b/c we just got home from our 7 hour trip and I'm tired, but I really feel like I need to update.<br /><br /><br />Before we left for Houston, Alan had an MRI at our local hospital of his right knee. He has been hurting for about a month in this area. The report was possible mets in three areas around the knee or bone infarcts. Because of Alan's cancer, we felt like it was probably cancer. Our Dr.s in Houston had already viewed Alan's MRI before we arrived, so we were anxious about what their results would be.<br /><br /><br />Arrived in Houston Sunday, had scans Monday and saw Dr.s Tuesday. They confirmed Tuesday that it was cancer in the tibia and femur, but everything else in Alan's abdomen and chest were stable. That was weird to me that it would spread to the knee when everything else was stable, but whatever....we were waiting for the next step. The next step was going to be radiation to the knee. They set us up with the same Radiation Oncologist that did Alan's back last July. We saw Dr. Tae on Wednesday. After waiting, waiting and waiting a little longer, Dr. Tae did NOT think it was cancer but the bone infarcts. After consulting with 3 other radiologist, they also say bone infarcts. You're asking..."What's a bone infarct?" Basically it's when the bone does not get enough blood to that part of the bone and it dies. It looks basically the same as a tumor (apparently). So, back to Dr. Amato we go.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amato was not completely satisfied with the bone infarct idea, but he went with it. He said without a biopsy, there was no way to be 100% sure, but hopefully it was the bone infarct. So, bone infarct...cancer...whatever it is....it is very painful for Alan. We finally get his back doing better and now this!! CAN WE JUST GET A BREAK?!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Plan:</strong></span><br />Alan is going to be off all of his chemos for 4 weeks. This will be 6 less pills for him a day. Dr. Amato is thinking that if it's the bone infarcts, then it is probably caused from the chemo (there is a reason for this....too long to get in to that). Anyway, since Alan's cancer has been stable for a while, Amato thinks these 4 weeks will be ok for Alan. We will go back to Houston in 4 weeks for a repeat MRI and regular scans. If Alan's pain in his knee gets better, then we know it's the bone infarcts and caused by the chemo. Alan will probably feel pretty good for the next few weeks....being off of his chemo. That will be a very nice change!!<br /><br />Also, being off the chemo should help clear up Alan's blood clots in his lungs. The clots are still there and large. Amato was very concerned about these clots still being there.<br /><br />Thank you all for your continued prayers, love and support!! Our rollercoaster ride continues, but we are just holding on and letting God steer this ride for us. "It might be a crazy life...but it's our life"....hahaha...I'm sorry, I couldn't resist! We watched Kate plus 8 last night. Ok, I'm delirious.Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-11560871278609397012010-05-16T21:47:00.017-05:002010-05-18T11:07:37.065-05:00Relay For Life 2010May could possibly be the busiest month of the year for our family. It might even be busier than December! We have birthdays, relay for life, teacher appreciation, end of the year events and softball. There are probably other events I'm forgetting, but these are standing out in my mind. We've already had Sydney's birthday party and hopefully I'll be a good mother and post those in the next post, but right now I want to talk about Relay For Life.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>I can't even begin to tell how special this event is for our family. Last year was my first year to join the Relay For Life committee. This year I took on the same role on the committee but we also had our first team for Alan...."<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">McCone's</span> Marchers". Our team was comprised of many family members and wonderful friends that dedicated their time and energy to our team...O and many of them dedicated sleep deprivation and stayed at relay until the early morning hours. Our team sold BBQ and Roast Beef Sandwich plates, "Hope, Strength, Prayer" wristbands and we also did face painting. We had a couple of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span> fundraisers as well. All in all....it was a wonderful night and I hope that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">McCone's</span> Marchers march every year at Relay and help raise money to find a cure for the diease that continues to take our friends and family away too soon. But, God is still Good...All the time!!<br /></div><div>Thank you team members!!!! We couldn't and wouldn't have had the success without you and the help from our one and only God!! He made this all possible!</div><div></div><div>Alan stayed at relay until around 1am. He was a TROOPER!!! I know he was tired, but he was enjoying being around friends and seeing so many people. It was great. A quick Alan update. Alan's pain control is getting better and better. He is now able to sleep in the bed. It's wonderful!! He does have to use the walker, but that's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>...as long as the pain is better managed....baby steps. This past week has been better for him and we give God all the glory for that!! Alan told me he had a few people come up to him at relay and they told him how inspiring he is to them. Just hearing people say that, makes the pain and suffering worth every minute. I promise you...it does!<br /></div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span>, on to the pictures. I have so many more pictures and it was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sooooo</span> hard to pick which pictures to post. Some I even stole from friends on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">facebook</span> b/c <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">theirs</span> were better...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hehe</span>.</div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472431601357770098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv70VrtAk295M1UiMU2iNpRB0RAOHgGVe-gP42EkiMPjNcieYb7K67E7QKuUjDzW3NH3-jwPbWEqY74up9Ybwr3ulw4gpNh4mCBnrv1GmpbZuae0SYBbLBpNBQ4vg8x3T2GxSj-sJ4sxQ/s320/IMG_1570.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>I love this picture of Alan. Getting ready for the survivor lap. Alan did his in the golf cart.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472431597907093218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP_Ad7P4NJ3XUmHundXOOf33xkGxyI4a8aJLguFPVjKr0mXv0UsHbOS0svOf31Mb-pUd1-OF9OFDktSxSFVKBErGm-7M3So-EkUzCQ06bxzZghmbp4pzkmj24gZ3mF5rdY-nzSnE_9Zs/s320/28324_1447478313388_1426098787_1159017_7411298_n.jpg" border="0" />This is Jeff Woods and Baker <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Coulter</span> getting the survivor lap started. Jeff and Alan are good friends. If you follow my blog then you have read about Jeff. Baker is our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pharmacist</span>...so we see him on a regular basis. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">haha</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472431590336328402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnFmsSq59XTi5emwsucR73HymKIPQhHdtTsmUamalKUUAKoo9PEiyUNBSDa_tK6NMsZ7srvi3O4bnYoRu9BJH-V4A-wEPsHSFMYfdNNE3PdbPMFnc2wbBwVJQX3aH0xfUplSPo8sGesg/s320/28324_1447474753299_1426098787_1158935_2015053_n.jpg" border="0" />Getting our tent prepared.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472426539608999458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYSWmlGMtcRgGP3qYUMFiRFq6V8C4c5FRs-NAD3Jlba-xrc5_r-Gp4fe5NBdYAV_yfmQfa0NWn2fqnb1sx1QvVSCJ_86w3ZEVjJsGdcUykBzrzIKMbhuuXmuV3Q7PDGZD88EmfHhj5xc/s320/IMG_1608.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472426525769098866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw4qsNH7S5BbAT5dYVsmpyGOk9Ak1s0_4AuoX19dfZZj7b-f-WK3Vbfx5TuV3MmA2Cbug-OBKRftywtil1sZsAvNDd8YkyYEqACIV-oV2PKk5LNagAcqBo75LMagD-Amloh6k-MBkQ-w/s320/28324_1447479353414_1426098787_1159042_1362420_n.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>Gary, Sarah, Susan and Me!!<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472426524146549234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WK_2DWxgSPHGe98udPZF2-5czVaeVrVk_EoYC-x5ti8uYmNMb9kAtwhuO4EMiMe5wVOofasmegrIJKP5Vd11GIv9T6GXaxp64Wr5gN6L6ChIUzJyCzH7OyzX9b8Zea651vrP_sIgyBI/s320/28324_1447476633346_1426098787_1158977_6935470_n.jpg" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nena</span>, Mason, Christian and Amber preparing our BBQ and Roast Beef sandwiches. My dad did all of the cooking and it was wonderful...of course!!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472417927551288146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9t6A2ObT-mMGrMT2oHYOdU8nmqkY2q-NGp7GTOnr_lw2iiEO7w2IrEUZr7toW1gCGtih4b-t6OUmI_cDROx3NqGaQfYto7JJN6zRiagg8y7p3MNwE86xKbX1x8j7WJOwvtaZeFxoLH8/s320/28324_1447477073357_1426098787_1158987_489948_n.jpg" border="0" /></div>"Hope, Strength, Prayer" wristbands we sold in honor of Alan.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472417924798989170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbJTrnV79YM3Ziu-KozIlZdhYjZOTf5ZdSWx0kgwdew_eOeSHMpbbeIdUeVh9t4xr5CbQQtDnWtjH3F4MB8kaFuqZRAni3Yckfzp314mnVBaq8XF0oN5Q9EfTAQotQxFoYG914wdA_bU/s320/28324_1447474953304_1426098787_1158940_6319741_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472417921472300738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUr6s9NQfs7pECJr-_ilSoC3eolIjxxwVei6fW1V5NJKCMGTntnBP-PJYcB_Z2_PYJGcrhrEnFOYFy97Wxou0nO9BItwf-6-VUqFTnbAYpY4Inv2yIPoNUc5_WoyE0dAZHLSdvSbXDl0/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" border="0" /> Here is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">McCone's</span> Marchers tent!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472413645062548194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWyTmXLnVla0oLQ6VO7UpYo5QVe_YrYo44OyM254QecoHYVzETzqQatrA5HuR3tsdkYiNFqKb4CVQP-xjFDz31BRGSaKlc3P24nPW3NrB5EgBjg50MNOnCOQioDPGaaLkXkEud-Fnzgc/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472413639734735090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbTlnFOuJAE8KOpRY04w3L9VFxB9g8UvOHk3v_dX3_Bb3GFbStDfG2djchEik_InZ4RBsDfS53YMC239dh58ka9ymUn1eFyboEmSXak2aatZKpm-w-olfk7uX-KwgrVSE_4wQBmZFK4A/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" border="0" /> Alan, Michael and Gary<br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472413631134905010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 341px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLlQleR4AWaNcUgyvThdHIZ5KNsgPDACcLGK9WkUS8EkPJ1YFFrr52-by2XczwFVE9xAPWxljvBlbl_93B4k9aGUIf1iGjDL2gx6ICfWxfTPxe5Sdxbj18FoTC9j7RV86jJC_FRPeDwo/s320/28324_1447480513443_1426098787_1159068_8243942_n.jpg" border="0" /></div>My dad.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472413628635102306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoGBkq25VAAlQDVgInB8govcgiijn4djZ8-4YN_1AQ2-Eq3EMkyJ4jvDvpYqomkfFOWoPJaFGOZnNLhVfVN-6p27bTr_B30LKxEHRC-jADhkujPfX-cJ_1NXiM7mA5WcH42ELmkV7wMk/s320/28324_1447480233436_1426098787_1159063_2825946_n.jpg" border="0" /></div>Gary and Patty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Higginbotham</span>, Gigi (my mom) and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Nena</span> (Alan's mom)</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472413144560167314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 363px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSpu0GUaKSZlDRihdrSVjr7pwd3N2pldSOIt10dwfkMyqCI1em6I33rkVKStKtpywRNMClnaIWjk1tnFG_6VlSLdRj0yTkZn6CcLRwzJ_VmWqx_gKCFer-5E8f8X3M00WSJIiCPUOUXM/s320/28324_1447480073432_1426098787_1159059_2812217_n.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Papaw, Carson and Aunt Kara</div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472409880273480850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSEt83LnSn9dUr6yIjT0VlqMcMtK16Bs-NB7FHAfDIG2uytAX4kmoLOHgvYSBgJUzq7-cNdTe_v5HF4HzWrh-hB5tQZA9sFh5sjTF0AmHIk2uYPVGHWQmnkg74o89fPZKQWMiCC_O6ok/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" border="0" /> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Burfords</span>. Brady (purple survivor shirt) is one of Sydney's friends. This little man is a trooper and inspiration to so many.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472409871486057778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguEuLONjAK9jj4iSXY0DvC51uLcRIdEhotCc3NvpOY-plKFpe0YA474KMlAwagLYTxTQxUQigQ7NOUb2wlMuhyspiZbA_Nwpdv3ULZpKxUB-WJ9s7j7UnyYfgFCBaU9RA2yuO24YJ0ZY/s320/31767_395850594630_500964630_3960995_4814555_n.jpg" border="0" /> Trent and Alan<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472402761511043410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikOlYF0WQVut2nvjgg4U6b9DHoFNd5Tsmq5wVgwipECc7Ak-RogBzhwtmAZ_KnjhqSBO9-P1eCa9iWqEcPVsn_vAxZVWub0R0RBCgeRxX1yuC7H2NFutOHAR5iqIar6-5fbvP43oh-dc/s320/IMG_1636.JPG" border="0" /><br />Kayla...aka "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">KK</span>" and Travis. I don't know what we would do without our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">KK</span>.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472409864556493346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I7M7r_hSPY7x6bX6HqWMLZso91yB0EO0Px5KxmrLyQQzhnwLKyp1mwBUD0o7rXEH-Mz4AcZSS3HQiRIm-xlq2w7C0xaU1W-mJqQrPTUbRQm6nBfTZURZJ2106dH9nmiDQChJgMFe9Ho/s320/31767_395852009630_500964630_3961055_3760246_n.jpg" border="0" /><br />Trent and Christian.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472402757096997458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEPLaYHLhiSLm2qtChQ1TNL7bzHzzidOEQsOgtl2OqLFhjU78Wx8-ianY1rT0N4mm0u7LwqP6dG56MZbnYE4PwgaczXuqY5i1yGEoj5Pt-nYDZe7acO2ROozoBBa1qmh-sFltqY-_gBg/s320/IMG_1639.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472402751040165458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr_SC8B6T4WI7ISgiPcZBitztkF7jXn6xaVKw7ZnLlLPNieixczdSAKIjkmh94jORoKHxWAT9bXWtOqQLMBSvsYHPbfIMEc-d4wqTUVXlfBUzNe5X8TAwob0SyhGdsEa9TqjWqVMcUh4/s320/IMG_1641.JPG" border="0" /> Joanna and her paint brush. She was one of our face painters and a long time friend.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472402738983045138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HoLZis2xfZHICSPMJiFAWgQjyoS2ShGMqXrnsFC8T6mjdQNNGvrdOvT0FQOxQgIk3Xhvb9L3BKp0Xp4warzzK1rOHEpn_k285dFWq7AP_6d6Npevkcgdnol0SY9ZQrXaFQIhbMtqL7o/s320/IMG_1642.JPG" border="0" />This is Holly. She and her family drove up from South Louisiana to help with Alan's team. She approached me months ago about getting a team together for Alan and I'm so thankful the got the ball rolling.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472400778843320754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ67CPO1i7o4Ssv4IWyCkhBU6Q5BRJxAi5l1FsPX3S4P9_RKIdx4L1Cy5jN_UeenBxPDd-RpvOSfj6j1-K1hnIGGsMhNsS_x7jgISFdH8kiobHNg9iqANDeQsj_iEdgVyE8_DkyGxDao/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" border="0" /></div>Anita and my mom.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472400764391734514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejciS-XLobWzH4vTlzglC3pMGnEdf1gvYLJo6X9kQdjGjKUZ757SuOIceHg98G2bw-GaamOTENs9KzyCudA0n8Zhz4FMBEjpmmtfCYYmKuThX_s-r1QYRy7LJz0ETWYK7x2oUpU2syl4/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" border="0" /> Our nephews...Grant and Ethan. Look at that curly hair...yes, it was hot!! </div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472400767854348674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherzerP3YZwTICmvErJGJN-J0KeVRosDSjfdWVmvjA43L_V_2213tv_IkipFl2jVlK7mLJH_cqsYbZbd-52j87TkKxqMb-iaW0oCYpBQ88AYTsMswV2G3V52ZPtbwzhQb0_DS13YCFxPc/s320/IMG_1644.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472386771642038338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW11Pt2zSUBrCDx_tnMrfThmN5V_Nc22-WxHspLdA5X9520gYe3k6SCnjLl0eeWlkWShJYq07m4TfXJ0c-Y7nMhnTpP3287pkLU1-cPec91Fr__XiBpXwUdl7Kpp10W7awzG6-YXFTtBY/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" border="0" /></div>Amber cutting the cake.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472386763345886002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam6LQeTFPBFAWOze-NtxtSjXIN3Vc4yOvxyDLpXvcdU-98uv0u4dHQWHpzHVHGmZAr-PRCWveV-DbFfO7llSdEJpKUwoy5SKOmAlgi8CXkLp5O40eEjxihP9D-a4QUW44wDemmEgLzwc/s320/IMG_1659.JPG" border="0" /><br />Sydney and guitar!!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472386759485505778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9_ZWgJCL5p0wkmu2VifNhG3IGRz5CiCJl_fE4g96mJCzttw6hZCoWNKyYdkDcMXOxtiIkkrCcb9H-w0fb9lLqu9jKqZIWMZovxLKvHx3XQUNW5de97w5zF8UGh8R47Xc6PaRtgquvqs/s320/IMG_1688.JPG" border="0" /> Silly little boy!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472381786807197458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH8DneAHzhopuNaDM2iXEnLE5Pw-FKvNAa0DPh6q1t-HY_9vwBl1YAJkjlpmC5hrI6p8lV4wA2eiW7vNdkzSXjXF0WWQc4-G4qRk9yz1jCnaZuHK2d6t79L9fe1peOBSTi8NPCeH1f8Q/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" border="0" /><br />Carson just thought he was going to blow out that luminary....I don't think so mister!!</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472381766617283346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YzN2YkGmsEoPYVXCpDR3fT7o8MIeLPzEiCZyc7iUAv9fnc29LIidYRlHIc9f95moCPPbQEp5ss3Da9bXVZtccE5eJy2pCIj9sWAhAKd_1KXOXlCU6hS0MArX9VMbk9ouKGlMN0We5cY/s320/IMG_1695.JPG" border="0" /></div>Sydney painting Alan's face.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472381761661150402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD6RheG8_8hLbUF_fBLa7EV2wXKzGOGbBH-745ndA4FgOz1lstuMIeBRls320vPFE8HhCqbRGfUQJvJhsz3aA6B9nq7P2xFgFiibW0aHh2uIlhmpus0fEz3jNFCuKb1RuNdXvtVEk8y4/s320/IMG_1719.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-41317629692292676942010-05-02T21:22:00.009-05:002010-05-02T22:03:41.525-05:00Disney On IceSorry, it's been a while since I've posted. Just been a little busy.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Last weekend my sister in law and I took the kids to Disney On Ice. The kids loved it....the adults were just ready for all of the rotating toys and swords to be tucked away in a safe place and not in my face or the face of the poor person sitting next to us...HA!! I also got a chance to play with my new birthday gift from my hubby! More pictures to come from the birthday gift.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I took alot more pictures. Just ask the guy sitting next to me. I'm sure he was thinking "Man, I wish this women would get that flash out of my face, haha"!! Here are a few.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466868007742658434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiexc2Ewgis5_PSCdn6qUANljnoyUuLmBTCY4GkPQs8sJ0oNnXWcbIYdWOm9P11p4Opmn80FqkJgybd6n4Nr0wG86YO32Y5ukcMD6e433oQvxsTkvQV84Idm-VV107Fl_ty1PWdZBCdLI/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></div><div>The rotating toys!!<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466868006575491218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLRC0_pDCeSqWrWJVCo_3O1iuvsDAOdqB8OtYLwHi_A53llU_FmidPg3_fFUpDAYBtU9eFPIcaHyM71OBOeIGxjEKWdFH_87GPEZFGFRPNzevuUjnl5XMBg0_-DCJKH0XBaIJba7yB7Q/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" /><br /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466867997465650738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcTFJtWOKUT3ahMUiIR9I_3ntoGQrYL9qluQgBPJnXznkdV33OUOdHHnV_c8Yo1cy3OlLum6m_3PkOcFfon7o1rC7142WZbpTXlE94DEbMPTsJhGGBoxSoWA3OP0xJhr82s8_FISJtRM/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" /></div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466871367743606402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vvnlc6qgtOLo-aYQeMekF5F4_4NydkbSvCY6PqX4KH0KFkqsgFEoQXbvqbHJ2tOk1Tg0aqI9eHx06vEGjAJlQZr3Shuew8ENMBKN6ZLD6Ceb7cQlI_Rhswck3ipPU_6qWaACJ9Cg310/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" /></div><div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466867988314469794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh08Yj-KhHymixXsgKGiX2De1gsAUzLHsDQ1xXXZo2-T9fsWtmT2uHl0Xfd1EJUPk7oCW6jx6C67YR-oRJH4M1NdLwT3KLPFOSeLYMpUVO6mqb2zWqcFS2ha2c-5BM1gdxjurRUWUN25s/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466867981569724818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qgyo83wTHcrqqokZ6gWEXhFCSdpxpqyW49RMuF2r2Gw-ZwgYYgeeJunRpdfo9pIGJrk6xmLhoka0Z3E9bQPxJCn70lNLpfUfmaEGY_0FnD1oELrXT_j6ydcvhmvOzgrJnTD4ls_Bjws/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466866225215552498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueWzB7qzJQFWnhDTxTXWIfqRdrZi6cgOhzBSyGISWNEALVYk44hmPAGQyK2Pt_AHzPhyznj25FFpjLYwiqcjkKtSIA8HjWns1gaOXd51q5Lq_cjMzrOnQcM7URxVldqxJwQkUPGAfjRQ/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466866209064956978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd1dbcZAFecbl32eYo9IFVgLJi-2HRKk1uvaosAL0_TI4q4UencJ4EnxKVKCVAuidDXnHzNx9hrgEKZcJVDLT2W68GF66ICJPB3k4pYeY9tGkLhpewjEcEkoi1LyUR-GtjVWL41duEyY/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466866203329757042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnFFiRi8O8m_eDDkRpSTYxktp3iL4Ie7gmya_TcTt1V4KqZiINnTSIiSSJspWFSOrNCIDTziDAsHctOk454zR6BjFu_1utEG451p26Je018t-tKwMjij8evoqOIYkM0qxI41PbcSctUA/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466866192027602658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE03X7PBw7-3VGsG-NtmO1_bfxiz8vKiBYV9wEo8hXACMsGHlEN06NR5BUXTWgtqZcVXqXxjysBYTSwveCWFesa7DhoDSb9Yl0en-aiBWF3K8qLKsMGy5r2B-YeBlUJhNSLrB0EGFv8bc/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466866186497456098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnHmU9oZ-HpGF7SFoI365hjTa80okG9h5HLJEGFyoMPpYAdMIYBGXboA6lH26eQCdWfoXP0-3gnavPrb7i4AT-e8ita7LPNzLrR40i1fxlxw_ITsS3AoCQw06PDXTAlC-wTDWHkM-d48/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-18600082970834292492010-04-14T12:11:00.010-05:002010-04-14T12:53:34.939-05:00Houston Update!Where do I even begin. This is not really part of our Houston trip, but Alan has had one steroid injection and one epidural steroid injection. To keep this part short...neither have helped. Alan's pain continues to dominate.<br /><br /><br /><br />Houston....well, I guess we are kind of back in the valley. Alan had scans Monday. As soon as he was through with his scans, he came out and said the radiologist tech was calling Amato b/c they found some blood clots in Alan's lungs. We were not scheduled to see Amato until Tuesday, but he wanted to see us asap and look at scans and blood clots. After a brief wait at Amato's, they send us back to radiology to have ultrasounds done of Alan's leg. They found another clot in Alan upper left leg. Back to Amato's we go....waiting, waiting, and waiting. All of this back and forth is so hard on Alan, but we did have a wheel chair for the later part of the day. Once we finally got to look at the scans, Amato told Alan that he now holds the world record for the most blood clots in lungs. Looking at Alan's scans was unbelievable. Honestly, Amato has never seen this many clots in a set of lungs. He honestly had a blood clot, large and small, blocking or semi-blocking every vessel in both lungs. It went from being 2-3 clots in his lungs to being full of them. They decided to put him on Lovenox which is a shot he will take twice a day for 1-2 weeks and then he will start coumadin. Besides this being a life threatening situation, we also learned that Alan will not be able to have any type of back surgery due to the lung issue and clots. We are not sure if he will be able to have more injections either. This was a bummer b/c we were all hoping for some type of pain relief besides what Alan is doing now that obviously is not really working. Today, Wednesday, Alan is having a filter inserted in his Vena Cava (actually as I type this). Hopefully this will prevent any of these clots from going to his heart b/c we all know what that means. We have been at the hospital since 7:30am....another long day. Alan is still back in surgery. The clots could be caused from the cancer or from not being very mobile.<br /><br />Alan's cancer seems to be stable...no growth, no shrinkage. I guess our biggest surprise was we learned that Alan's cancer has spread to his liver. Alan and I have never been point blank told it was in his liver. Amato swore he had talked about this before to us, but no...he hasn't. I think we would remember!! Regardless, the liver is stable as well. At this point I guess it doesn't matter b/c it's stable and that's good. After going through this last year and a half, nothing is really a surprise.<br /><br />I guess that is about it....I think that is enough. Alan will continue taking his long list of meds. We will be staying tonight in Houston, unexpected, and coming home tomorrow. It's been another long day.<br /><br />Last night our daughter read us "The Billy Goats Gruff" over the phone before went went to bed. It was so sweet and she did an amazing job. Our kids lift our spirits daily. They are such a blessing to us.<br /><br />Thank you all for you your prayers. We know they are heard and we will continue to pray for our friends fighting this awful disease. We love you all!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Ashley County Relay For Life</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Hamburg</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">May 14th</span>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-23066479029859995722010-04-07T08:59:00.003-05:002010-04-07T09:29:19.038-05:00Easter In ArkansasEaster in Arkansas this year meant if you walked outside or touched anything you would literally turn yellow/green with pollen. The pollen this year has been so bad. Sunday when we hunted Easter eggs, our legs were yellow....everything....YELLOW and GREEN. OK, enough about pollen. Here are a few Easter pictures of the kids. <div><div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457396055866900402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEqPgKLdjoEFu2Pppe-7PGoGZmoI_sVvaHzqHXe3x8sOep8RMLoojG3KLoPynCfumFHiTnxqt_MnvyyYds5w7VgBq9qUx34TpMrtbQJeITGID2-hG6ME-rBcBZF_bSn1dDejfKtffwcY/s320/24195_382328324630_500964630_3666359_6312667_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Sydney was "patiently" waiting for Carson to return to hunt eggs.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457396053246359538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2EZZr4JL6V_90aDFV93q6nFCQxiGPHNWKl65A11x9SD4-c24maFHfL485kYz6cy7heqHR0vGUXmakj_cvpEL4rBc6wFsw3GK0aCe9Rsg_yVbBNzZ3vlfrzeVjDc1HiMokvvRoIryr6w/s320/24195_382329899630_500964630_3666417_7174826_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>See how green everything is. OK, my friends know I'm a ridiculous <em>Twilight</em> fan. When my SIL was taking these pictures I said "Ooooo, it looks like <em>Forks, WA</em> in the background, LOL!! (She too is just as much a Twlighter as I am, so naturally she knew exactly what I was talking about). I'm such a nerd, but I can't help it!! Back to the kids, I actually do like the background, plus these pictures were taken at Alan's parents house, so that is special to make these memories there.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457396048454191954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7CtnArWfuQ_bgtklqn8ulx67Tqv4FbGYORLoOcfA94oKAdLRK2idrdVPMrIZkFqmyO76Qbxc3pkNGIi1GT3Veflby2gYGRYTcUSLID0GvyOINFA8suUT08Bj1yRyQ28rd_-pn7dIoeg/s320/24195_382329894630_500964630_3666416_7681995_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457396040233107890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlkchwtA7k1BwC_xyReyZhBGjG-3p9hyphenhyphenMvJdHsvkVCRGGwYys4one8DhvU_oKn9ejk42xGHipY50C5ZMsnQdlR-jIcF5WAuHY6B1OOB42mM5hqyxJ5GSc4OZCpHxBk0LcQhqAFxteM_4/s320/24195_382329904630_500964630_3666418_897712_n.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p>Look at all the love!! HA They were tired of pictures and ready to find some eggs!!</p><p>Hopefully I will post Friday about Alan. I'm waiting to see how his epidural steroid injection goes Thursday. He had a steroid shot last Thursday and it didn't do anything. Just pray for him...pray for pain relief and healing. We will be heading back to Houston Sunday.</p><p>What an awesome God we serve. Jesus, you sacrificed your life for all of ours. How could we ever repay you except to follow and serve under your word the best we can. That doesn't seem like enough. </p><p>Love you all!!</p>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-53598698274857600192010-04-04T22:08:00.007-05:002010-04-05T08:44:55.030-05:00Carson's 3rd Birthday<div>Well, we fit alot in in a long weekend. I'm going to start with Carson's 3rd birthday. There is a story behind this party, but lets just skip all of that and say we had a great "Lightening McQueen" birthday and Carson loved every minute of it. The weather plays a major part in my story. HA Easter pictures will come in another post. Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life for all of ours. We had a fun Easter weekend praising God and being with family. I will also be doing an Alan update soon. Hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend praising our savior! Scroll down to my music and listen to Chris Tomlin's..."I Will Rise"....love that song!!</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456487286054261218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhkaIMBSVm17yLQkZ0Sp5drAxtT5JooNhNe-MOPiDLe6HZDJ-krhpW0ir1KjgY8qr2MZ52IRKyHzkCsiolWi7itBBiDEqgGji5s9Q-ux_-vSKfmTp_vHoBgjjnKLpRnv8vl3U5icXVuQ/s320/DSCF3770.JPG" border="0" /></div>The Birthday boy!! Carson, you are so sweet and precious to us. We love you! I was trying to beat the rain, but the wind...omg....the wind. It was a crazy day, but the kids had fun playing at the park. <br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456487279709779362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6Ez8bXfnXRPOHDZ0pqIMFHXeKmtxrHsGbUCW5j8UmxPjWvDpqzF6qjJMI4e8e8lRPwXjzuqjU9suESHuDFR5SDtNAdkcJx2jGbwS81r2eWWVSHJP-_vxxt5gQvzaiBq_i6ItuKSZdbk/s320/DSCF3775.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Thank you Beth for Carson's wonderful cake.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456487269372774770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGfl5yTVEuUhWoja4giWAnOCfW-HgjRtf5DXTG_Heh4zlixx47lBRV9py6Hlpe23N_TQYeibtVPtVRzIRHMhPhyphenhyphenM4uY0VCIoUdJYpVHXx9-U3DweSVWWh3cQ2H4zGmJZZPO775U77uHI/s320/DSCF3777.JPG" border="0" />Joanna doing her talented work on my serving dishes. I made Bacon and Tomato dip for the adults...yum, yum...it was so good. Well, really the kids ate it just as much as the adults.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456489961285778962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwik3Jsu8iuXwcuLw_o4LRvTSr-GTMt9WqeU1JECjP9_34QtlSE5z65_e_wFSyrYemzL699BhrA-8UcIhN5i7qXYUlbJe1DJlhYUKKfiyifNBrQ7ZqFm2_Cv6aRoh_aJ7bYnEO12f5ks/s320/DSCF3780.JPG" border="0" />Hunting Easter eggs at the party.<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eZ508ahcNfOTo6wz0-tXlFkFWWxLqXiG0TnJdB6AeRpquSllpytEk_Lj-r3uRgv-_QPNRi5eYUyY-hFUPiOpXE3fLRUKS6uLG9yKCzwDAfZkCe2lsJNjgLoFiLQ_iLjwU_saFfeNhwU/s1600/DSCF3785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456486328046069250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eZ508ahcNfOTo6wz0-tXlFkFWWxLqXiG0TnJdB6AeRpquSllpytEk_Lj-r3uRgv-_QPNRi5eYUyY-hFUPiOpXE3fLRUKS6uLG9yKCzwDAfZkCe2lsJNjgLoFiLQ_iLjwU_saFfeNhwU/s320/DSCF3785.JPG" border="0" /></a> The family picture. Sydney was holding the topper from Carson's cake on her head. That girl...she is so silly!!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxGKLQep1TrDF744x9osLnsC4Ug6eiS-a1EyRi9tCE0BkZ3-2n0ZTsjaynKldT55AgjnPI2DNCTqsLai6m-tT26sw3EP4BDr1c2HTC2wlV43Te8N1O-KTIKFL57WSBh4cLYJZxP8aclQ/s1600/DSCF3787.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456486317082811698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxGKLQep1TrDF744x9osLnsC4Ug6eiS-a1EyRi9tCE0BkZ3-2n0ZTsjaynKldT55AgjnPI2DNCTqsLai6m-tT26sw3EP4BDr1c2HTC2wlV43Te8N1O-KTIKFL57WSBh4cLYJZxP8aclQ/s320/DSCF3787.JPG" border="0" /></a> Trying to get up those three fingers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWpeQz4E0Jh-guVmf0LSdCUpgkYpPr9-MqpEnrdPhyxoHQXjaE-vyvDndFrJF-RsyzbrGxrnqvH2ofwI_jgkXycAJldZRQexCaC7f61LaEEncOC_rLK3GaSplMtpx9ESkKDapSBv4Wsk/s1600/DSCF3791.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456486296947565618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWpeQz4E0Jh-guVmf0LSdCUpgkYpPr9-MqpEnrdPhyxoHQXjaE-vyvDndFrJF-RsyzbrGxrnqvH2ofwI_jgkXycAJldZRQexCaC7f61LaEEncOC_rLK3GaSplMtpx9ESkKDapSBv4Wsk/s320/DSCF3791.JPG" border="0" /></a> Gigi, Pops and the kids.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmk2mZTRZugyUiqpM7fnMZvHkL2ym8GgPG49wV357MqTRK_P8ak_uQAqbIDjfvfNqMJO2glV4m5Kv6XuUVQnyYbK22q_4WFmCex6sIjSMqOXAU4npeiMOTJprfYP9cSOyIjhtbES3Y8U/s1600/DSCF3794.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456486284235469810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmk2mZTRZugyUiqpM7fnMZvHkL2ym8GgPG49wV357MqTRK_P8ak_uQAqbIDjfvfNqMJO2glV4m5Kv6XuUVQnyYbK22q_4WFmCex6sIjSMqOXAU4npeiMOTJprfYP9cSOyIjhtbES3Y8U/s320/DSCF3794.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me and my man.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhasi4yT-jaKsQq_HEJMQkqh033q3b1I5YrgFiNXVWvp-lCy0kr0dX9lWeirusyY14H_3r7D5yjkDBURs96MD5vaCRiPJYMeV6HsBTfhIGBcEQ7qIASLEsx4tAZmwCLheDDwAPI6pP9o/s1600/DSCF3802.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456486248993216146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhasi4yT-jaKsQq_HEJMQkqh033q3b1I5YrgFiNXVWvp-lCy0kr0dX9lWeirusyY14H_3r7D5yjkDBURs96MD5vaCRiPJYMeV6HsBTfhIGBcEQ7qIASLEsx4tAZmwCLheDDwAPI6pP9o/s320/DSCF3802.JPG" border="0" /></a> KK and Carson. This is Carson's babysitter/second family. They are all wonderful to us. I'm not sure what kind of expression he has on his face. Sorry Kayla...we tried really hard for that good smile.</div><div> </div><div>So, we had a full weekend and Carson opened presents, Friday, Saturday and Sunday...wheww....I'm tired!!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009600754423767467.post-75268239214481966932010-03-17T21:39:00.004-05:002010-03-17T22:01:35.580-05:00Kite Day at ChurchSo, lets go a different direction and not talk about that C word a little while. <div><div><div><br />This past Sunday was kite day at church and the kids flew kites after church. Thank you Lord for the perfect weather for flying kites! The kids had so much fun and I think the adults enjoyed it also. It's been a long time since I've flown a kite. I enjoyed it so much and I enjoyed doing this with the kids. Precious moments!</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449801471239516146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W5RTNNHA2v-qbwI85-tBObxLbtAtblw450abk-fRoP14bSBOkhqb9dQzA4kf0MYqyR6BEoJEyxJOZu_n2mVx5hI0OwaCd_oxSNT7zZvFeMHUGG41zSfCBV5lYOfgiO8FY8Ef8JvBK_4/s320/DSCF3769.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449801463339706418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg62xTSzwSop1jFAqbG-PWRixmwGtNqf0dkgW67gXwunXy0nrLl-LmR9DG_m3LqKfpgkcKBO1PUFPij-5Vn2-MKXAXIzuniwqswREYHcjOHQZyUz19pTZ_8wgq01zLkrY-Dvo0n9jHVII/s320/DSCF3763.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449801461208540338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWL7OZYsixsg4mulg1yhVxCMoKFzgZxdE_kDY04ePISjPFvmeVSrwBnHs7hxtH11aPoO82mydtWfMUUpxpV7_RrJCgCG8RvY69Qli2UXLydIkQ-oCpsk3zCGdVFWfq4Rohwn-vVYXnAQ/s320/DSCF3764.JPG" /></div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449801448447736562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VV8dWzd5EHEb7MPfA9xVxYx0Ln2Aix04Asu6smJHxmWShp7TQxdnk2jv_rdXxd0YbfHAIh2a0ZNNW7K2uMjEMCqce4QIzewga0PlvD9nvOgIekRpOQkZMS_dT9sVtwE0XrIUxCss_c4/s320/DSCF3765.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div> This is Carson in the red hood.</div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449801441935953234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoVyv0majiZIp7j410-mXxNDicDsNyK5xNSST9uwFdcS4UwpxYzoNH1opkock_jzqkcLH__bPkhbU5A7Nyq03k4r1mEQwgWpQzsZzquD8sirJdp7PzT5YE9QrUTOEpXHzBpCXH8SEF8c/s320/DSCF3767.JPG" /><br /><div></div></div></div>Melissa McConehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121709292310642881noreply@blogger.com1