Good-bye October...

It's hard to believe that another month has passed (exactly) since my last post.  I'm struggling lately, to keep on top of this blog, among other things!  My house seems to be ALWAYS in disarray, my laundry is never done, and if it is, it makes it to the bedroom floor in piles, but never gets put away.  I can't cook a meal every night to save my life!  I never have enough of anything...groceries, laundry soap, time to get to work, sleep, etc.  And that is how I think you just feel as a working mother.  But in all honesty, I've been doing a lot of "reflecting" lately and it is all of those things that really matter SO VERY LITTLE!!!! 

Earlier this week, I found out, along with everyone else from our small town of Faribault, that Dana "Spitzack" Cook had been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  She graduated a year ahead of me in school (her sister, Renee, was in my grade) and as with most small towns, everyone knows everyone!  For the full story, please visit Dana's CaringBridge site, which has been so lovingly updated by her hubby, Jake, also from Faribault.  Dana is 30 years old and was pregnant with their 3rd baby at the time of diagnosis.  She has since delivered the baby, Olivia "Olive" Hope Cook, via c-section, and will resume her chemo treatments.  The battle is on and I can't tell you how much I have been praying for their family.  Please, if you feel so inclined, read their story and PRAY for them!!!!!!  They are wonderful people who deserve all of the prayers and positive energy that they can get!  

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danacook 

This entire situation has caused me to literally PAUSE lately and think about what I am doing.  I am kissing Marley goodnight and telling her that I love her, and asking God to watch over my sweet baby girl...I am telling my husband that I love him as often as I can, I am holding the door open for strangers, and praying all of the time.  You just never know what could happen to you and in this life, we cannot take anything for granted.  Dana's husband asked everyone via the CaringBridge page to really take a look at their lives and make sure that you are living your life to the fullest, laughing, hugging, telling your loved ones how much they mean to you...so quickly, all of that can be gone.  I, for one, have not always been the most religious of people until recent years.  The death of my grandfather and then the birth of Marley significantly changed all of that.  I now have faith in God and I pray to Him often, with the faith that he will answer my prayers.  And I'm praying extra hard for Dana and her family...that they have the strength to fight off this cancer and make it out of this terrible situation, that they know how inspiring they are to all of us, and that they are able to live a long and happy life together!

To all of my dear friends that may read this page (and to some of  you who may think I've gone nuts), I just want you to know that I pray for all of you...for your health and your happiness, for relief from whatever struggles you may be facing, and I feel blessed to have all of you in my life.  Seriously, very blessed and I wish nothing but the best for all of you, always.


Tomorrow is a busy day...hanging out with Marley, running some errands, and then a night out with girlfriends!  On Sunday, Marley will be getting her 10 month photos taken with her cousins!  I'm so excited to see how cute these pictures turn out!  All 4 of the kiddos...in adorable coordinating outfits...shot at St. Anthony Main/Stone Arch Bridge!  I will post a few recent photos of Marley later this weekend, along with a sneak peek of our most recent photo session!


Happy Friday to all of you!
XOXO-
Stevie