It all started around the beginning of the year when my Mom and Dad surprised us with the news of a Disney Cruise.  They had always wanted to take a big family vacation but it never seemed to be the right time. 
     My older brother and his family are back home in Ohio, Mom and Dad have retired and now live in North Carolina, while Adam and I are a little over an hour away from them in NC too. 
     Between the logistics of time, distance and everything else...it just never seemed to work out. 
     That's when it happened.  
     Mom and Dad simply said, "We're doing this, everybody needs to make it work". - And we did. 
     I can't remember the last time we took a whole family vacation.  We'd always say that that we would - but then turn around and another year had passed.
     Whatever convinced my parents to book a Disney Cruise, I don't know.  I've always heard from people who have been on one that there's nothing else quite like it - and now I can understand why.  
      It was unreal.  The attention to detail and the amount of fun that everyone had was beyond anything imaginable.  It almost felt like you took a little piece of Disney World, made it your own, then put it on the water.  You didn't have the lines of a thousand people from the theme park to contend with waiting to see Snow White - because she was there with you, on the boat, having story time with the kids.        

     "Mad Scientists" came to teach the kids how to make "Flubber" then later, "Ratatouille" cooking class took place where the kids made chocolate chip cookies.

    When you were ready for some fun in the sun, you could go to the top of the ship for a swim or some snacks. The kids had a ball with their cousins as they beat the heat. 

      When the ship stopped, one of the ports was Disney's Castaway Cay.  It was enough to leave you breathless.  There were the most beautiful white sandy beaches with crystal clear water.  As you went in, tropical fish were swimming about. 
     The kids were amazed as they went underwater to go nose to nose with them.  
     The waterslides were ridiculously awesome too. 

     Back on the boat, the things to do were endless.  First run movies were played in two different movie theatres.  We watched "Oz the Great and Powerful" in 3-D after watching "Wreck It Ralph" with the kids and their 3-D glasses.  There were nighttime shows and musicals that brought Disney to life.  Young and old alike couldn't help but smile at the "Toy Story" production on stage.  
     I think that the most fun of all was when the kids saw the characters.  You never knew when someone would be right around the corner or hanging out beside the ship.  The kids would run and scream as they all but tackled them every time. 

     Even though we had the best time possible on the Disney Cruise, the whole meaning of it all was to spend time together.  Reconnecting with loved ones and taking a minute to come away from the rush of everyday lives was unmistakably important.

    Thanks to some time away at sea, it turned out to be a wonderful vacation.  THANK YOU to Mom and Dad for making it happen.  We couldn't have done it without you.  David, Heather, Charlie and Fiona...we Miss You already!  
    With the hustle and bustle of everyday living, it's important to remember to take time out to enjoy life and the wonders it may bring.  We've recently had a wake up call that reminded us of just that - so this trip couldn't have come at a better time.
    After all, it's always good to get a reminder to have a little "Faith, Trust and Pixy Dust".

     It would be hard to write about how much fun a Disney Cruise could be.  I'll try to rely on the old saying, "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"... 

    Over the next few days I'll tell of Pirates and Princesses...

     Memories made with family...

     Different countries...

     Finding people lost at sea...

    And even buried treasure...

    It was an amazing week of adventure that I can't wait to write about!  We hope you'll join us!

    The doctor called and it's benign! Thank You God and Thank You for the thoughts and prayers!  Amen, Hallelujah!!! 

     "Beatrice?  You can come on back Hon."  My heart pounded. 
     Here we go.  Adam and I rose from our cushioned chairs in the waiting room.  Holding hands, he gave mine a squeeze as we walked towards the pleasant nurse.  She propped the door open with her back and a smile, then took the paperwork I had just completed.  I didn't want to walk through the door with her but I knew that I had to.  
     Guiding me to a chair in a hallway, I sat as she began her routine of necessities.  Weight, height, blood pressure...it seemed surreal that I was going through such a regular collection of data when all I wanted to do was scream, "I don't care about any of this...I just want to know if I have cancer!"  
     Adam knew me too well and tried to crack a few jokes.  The kind nurse gave us a grin then walked us to a white room with two chairs and an exam table.  Telling us that someone would be right in, she closed the door.  
     The way I see it, that's about the time that one of three things are bound to happen. 
     Number one, you'll be in complete denial of what's going on around you.  "There's no way that I'm sick.  It's just not possible." 
     Number two, you're somewhat at peace with whatever may come.  "I'm either fine or I'm not.  No matter what...I'm going to deal with it."
    Or number three...you're totally freaking out.  "I'm going to die.  I'm going to find out in the next hour that I'm going to die."  
    I've been a little bit of all three for the past few days.  It pretty much hits you the hardest when you're sitting in a sterile room, waiting for that knock from the other side of the door though.  It's difficult not to wonder who is about to enter...the Angel of death or of Mercy.
    A young and pretty Physician's Assistant came to visit first- and explained the reason for the follow up tests.  The last results came back with somewhat of a red flag so they had to continue further.  "If we need to get in there and see what's going on, then we'll know for sure.  We'll wait and see what the doctor decides to do." 
    (Get in there and see...)
    Taking us from the unassuming examination room, we were led down the hall to a darkened room with a bigger medical bed to lie on and equipment all around.  There was a high-tech ultrasound machine to the left and a knot grew in my chest reminding me of our little ones. 
     How many times had we seen this same display before?  Finding out we were having a boy for the first time?  Finding out on the fourth and final attempt that we were actually getting a baby girl?  So many tears of joy had been in rooms just like this.  
     This could not be happening.
     The doctor entered the room with a calmness and a kind smile.  Shaking our hands and going to the machinery, he had me lie down as he placed cool gel and the ultrasound across my neck.
     "Everything actually looks to be within normal limits...so that's a good thing."  My heart swelled through my chest.  My heart was too hasty.
     "The one reason that we have you here today though, is that even though you have a lot of growth around your thyroid, there's one small area that we're concerned about.  It's demonstrating the signs that could be related to cancer.  I'd like to take some samples of that area by sticking a very thin needle in your neck and getting what we need.  We don't have to do that today if you're not ready, but we should do it so.."
   "Do it now."  I stopped him mid-sentence.  "Do it now and get it over with.  I'm here...do it now."
    The doctor looked at me, then at Adam with an unspoken "Alright, let's go then," expression as he turned to get what he needed.  
    Another nurse with lavender non-latex gloves appeared and stood to my left.  Adam sat in a chair to her side and leaned forward to hold my hand. 
    I whispered, "Do you want to see this?  He's going to stab needles through my throat."  As my stomach tighten, Adam said, "I'm right here." 
   The nurse with the purple gloves lowered my head backwards.  It was an unnatural position with my neck pushed up in the air.  I tried to breath and keep the focus off of the blood flowing to my brain.  All of the anatomy classes I had taken to become a therapist began to slam through my thoughts. 
    (What if he hits a nerve?  What if he punctures my trachea?) 
     More thoughts of, "What if I cough?" to "What if HE coughs?" started their way in. 
     The screeching sound of a scratching record took away all of that as soon as he turned and approached me with the needle.  It was not small.  
     Before I could ask if there was any numbing cream, any ANYthing...he put the ultrasound back on my neck and said, "I'm going to look where I want this to go and I'll tell you when to get ready." 
     I was trying to breathe and stay perfectly still, while at the same time, my head had to tell my body not to move.  It's the most unnatural thing to have someone take a needle to your neck while forcing yourself not to budge.  
    "Okay...we're ready...aaaand..."  There was a pinch.  It was on the mid-right section of my throat and it literally felt like a sewing needle being pushed into my neck.  It wasn't the worst pain ever but it definitely wasn't pleasant.  I thought he was going to push it in, then take it right out.  He didn't.  He seemed to scape or push around...I don't know what...until finally he pulled the needle back out and it was done. 
     It was like truth serum in reverse.  Whatever he pulled out of me would hold all of the answers. 
     Purple gloves flashed across my face as gauze and pressure were put in the absence of the needle. 
     Turning his back, the doctor asked if I was ready again as he came towards me with a new needle.  Same pinch, same pressure, same urge to punch him.
     Round two was done and I felt the back of my neck stiffen from tightness.  Turning my head to see Adam, I didn't know if he would be alright or close to passing out.
     He nodded and gave a half smile whispering, "Are you okay?"  Nodding yes, I fought back tears.  I felt the area sting in my neck when I moved it. 
    Stopping me short from answering, the third needle came into view.  "You're doing great.  Are you ready for the last one?"
    "Yep."
    It was done.  A pillow replace the uncomfortable position of my neck and more gauze was held against my skin.  We would know the answer once and for all and now we had to wait...again.
    As things were wrapping up, we explained how we were going on a family vacation for the first time in a long time and how it would be nice to know before we left.  The doctor said that he would actually be able to look at some slides of the samples if we wanted him to, giving a preliminary assessment of the results NOW. 
    "I can't tell you with 100% accuracy, but I can at least tell you if things look good to a certain degree."
    Adam stood where the nurse once was at my side.  I saw his chest rise from the breath he took in.  I didn't know if it was from nervousness or relief. 
    A calm came over me.  The test was done.  The answer existed...now it jut had to be found.  Through all of the prayers from family and friends...through words of advice and thoughts of well wishes...a feeling said, "It will be okay." 
    The power of prayer and the faith in God are an amazing thing.  It can remove fear and doubt and strengthen the weakest of hearts.  Like my Mom said before I left for the test, "Our God parted the Red Sea Child, he can take care of this!"
     For what seemed like hours, the doctor switched slides in and out of a microscope on a table across the room.  Adam and I waited for any response. 
     Quietly snickering, I mumbled, "Suddenly I feel like I should have paid more attention in biology class."  Adam grinned and shook his head.
    "Well..."  The doctor said as he hunched over the microscope.
    "To tell you the truth, I'm not seeing anything that alarms me.  It looks pretty benign so far." 
     My eyes filled again and I pulled Adam's hand.
    "This isn't 100% remember, but it looks pretty good so far.  I'll try to have the official results to you by the end of the week but I like what I see."

    Thank You God and Thank You to our family and friends for the prayers and thoughts.  Things look good and we'll keep hoping for the best. 

    My husband Adam grew up in the Air Force.  He was literally born and raised in the military.  He lived from base to base, city to city and ended with his high school years being near Washington, DC while his Dad worked at the Pentagon.  He was a city kid.
    If you take just the opposite of that, you'll get - well - me.  Both my Mom and Dad were from Navy families.  My Mom then grew up in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and even though they raised my brother and myself in the most beautiful part of Ohio, it almost felt as though we had ocean water coursing through our veins.  I was blessed to grow up in the rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio where it was as though God painted the trees with color each Fall, then transformed the world into a Wintery Fairlyland soon after. 
     We were also blessed to visit Mom's whole side of the family in New Jersey each year where we lived on the beach...or as Mom would call it...the "shore".  We also went to my Dad's side in Hilton Head Island, SC where his parents lived upon retirement.  I was a nature kid.
     Does it matter that Adam and I are polar opposites?  Not really I guess.  If you put me in the middle of a city I would be lost without him.  If you put Adam in the middle of the woods he would swear there was a snake somewhere nearby.
    He went into the Air Force just like his Dad and that's when I met him.  We were married right before 9/11 and being a Newlywed, I stood frozen as I watched him go to war.  When he returned, we went on a three day cruise before we had to move for his new orders in Texas.  
    Where am I going with all of this?  Well, one of the ports that the ship stopped was on a picturesque Caribbean beach.  I had never seen anything like it.  You could walk into the water for what seemed like forever as the crystal clear blue surrounded you.  No matter how far you went, you could still see your feet.  
     Regardless, Adam didn't seem to love it.  Wondering why he didn't want to go out very far in the ocean, he shook his head and said, "Just because the water's clear, doesn't mean there still aren't sharks".  
    It was hard not to giggle. 
    We decided to sit on the white sandy beach, listen to the waves, breathe the air and feel the sun.  It couldn't get much better. 
    Adam watched as a small baby crab passed us by and he continued to sit up on his towel as though he saw something else.  
    "Hey, what do you think that is?"
    Trying to see through squinted vision, I had no idea what he was talking about.
    "Don't you see that?  It's something shiny...right there...look!"
    I didn't see anything.
    Adam got up and walked towards the water.  He stopped short, bent down and started to dig in the sand.     
    Coming back, he had a handful of sand and he was pushing it around with his finger. 
    "Look!  There's something in here!"  
    He was right.  There was something clumped in his hand.  We got up and went to the water to wash it through, wondering what it could be.  
    As he carefully lifted his fist through the water and turned it to open, a tiny gold ring appeared.  At first I thought it was an earring but then we realized that it was a child's ring.  It was so small that it wouldn't fit on a pinky - and at the top - there was a little diamond.  
   "Oh no!  Some girl lost this!"  It hit me especially because when I was young - I lost my favorite necklace in the sand.  It had three hearts on it...pink, yellow and blue.  My Mom and I looked for hours but we never found it.
   Adam and I walked the beach asking people if the ring was theirs.  Nobody claimed it.  When we went back on the ship we took it to the lost and found.  The woman behind the counter smiled and said, "Do you have any idea how many cruises ago that could have been lost?  There's no way to find out who it belongs to."  We gave her our information and told her to contact us just in case.  She never did. 
    Heading back home, we wondered what to do with it.  We didn't have kids at the time but decided that if we ever had a little girl, we would give it to her when she was old enough.  We would tell her about the time we found a buried treasure in the sand that had us hope and dream of her.  
    Fast forward to today and our baby girl just turned four years old.  The ring would fit her perfectly. 
     As luck would have it, months ago, my parents booked a Disney Cruise for our whole family to go on.  We're getting ready for it soon and the kids have absolutely no idea.  It couldn't have come at a better time as Adam and I deal with tests and Doctor appointments this week.
    We've already packed the ring to take with us so we can give it to Lauren on the beach.  It's hard to believe that we found it over a decade ago - and we're finally going to give it to our daughter.   
    I guess it really is true how they say that "Opposites attract". 
    Sometimes even when you take a city boy...a nature girl...and put them together, one may never know.  The greatest treasures of all just might be discovered. 

       I've been going back and forth on whether or not to write.  On one hand, I don't want to acknowledge this, while on the other - writing for me is therapeutic.  It allows my thoughts and feelings to take form.  
     It would be hard not to find someone who hasn't been affected by cancer.  A family member...friend...any loved one who has gone through it in some way shape or form.  This week we've been introduced to our own personal story.  
     Our family doctor sent me to an Endocrinologist some time back and they found that my thyroid evidently has a lot of cysts or nodules all around it.  It was explained that that's not uncommon and how people often have "things" growing in them all the time.  Many times they are harmless and usually even go
unnoticed. 
      A "Thyroid scan" was scheduled just in case - and I went to the hospital to have it done.
    They injected something into me with a needle that allowed them to do a test on my thyroid.  The way it was explained to me was that they wanted the nodules to be "hot" instead of "cold" - whatever that means. 
    The results came back and sure enough...a good amount of the growth was what they wanted it to be, but some of it was not.  The doctor called and said that they needed to go further
with the testing to rule out cancer. 
    I go tomorrow to get some lab work done, then Tuesday at 8:45 in the morning, I'm set up for an appointment to have needles pushed through my neck to actually pull out some
samples - checking to see if it's benign or malignant.  
    It's kind of hard to wrap my head around any of it so far and it seems like it's not really possible.  I don't know how to do this.  The "not knowing" is what's all but haunting.  It's next to impossible to try to comprehend the words when a doctor actually says to you, "We need to rule out cancer".
     Adam has been good about it saying over and over, "You're NOT going to have cancer and if there is a worst case...then we'll
fight like hell until it's gone."
     I really don't know how it could be a possibility though.  I feel completely fine and I just don't think there could be anything wrong.  
     I can't ignore it however - and I have to be proactive.  I'll go through all of the tests and hopefully find out that it's
completely okay. 
     It's an ugly disease that affects too many.  I'll hope and pray for the best - but until then, I'll make sure to hug my loved ones even tighter - and never want to let go.

       Easter holds many traditions from generation to generation.  It's fun to see the Easter Bunny and color eggs. 

     It's great to have Easter egg hunts and look for baskets.

     Gumdrop trees and bunny cakes are always a treat.

     But today, we started a new family tradition.  The church that we go to has an empty cross each Easter Sunday.  Every year, people bring single flowers to put on the cross until it's completely full.

      Within no time, the cross that was once bare, is beautifully draped in a bouquet of colors.   

     It's a good reminder that even though the baskets, eggs, bunnies and candy are always fun for Easter...the real meaning behind the celebration, is that He has risen.  The cross is bare and we are forgiven.  
     Happy Easter!

    Our youngest son Preston, goes to a preschool that has a Wonderful teacher and class of great kids.  
    In December, their class had a Christmas pageant that was adorable. 
 http://www.peanutbutterhair.com/1/post/2012/12/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever.html
    Preston practiced and practiced his line for the Christmas play and he was ready.  Growing so excited about the big day, when it finally came, he simply stood there with a blank stare and said nothing...at all.  No lines, no words...not even a sound.  I wanted to run up and help him but it was useless.  Everything went by in a flash. 
     Fast forward to this week and the time came for...the Easter play.  It's hard to believe that just three short months ago, Preston was the same kid that was standing on the stage. 
     This time, there were no "deer in the headlights" stares, no blank expressions.  No, no.  You know "that kid" when you go to a school play who acts like a goofball the whole time?  yep.  There we go.  He was wiggly.  He was silly and squishing nose to nose with the kid beside him, then giggling.  I actually worried THIS time for his part to happen for the opposite reason.
    Sure enough, when the time came, he was supposed to pick a picture up from the floor in front of him then say his line.  Every kid in his class did exactly that - but when Preston's turn approached, he picked up his picture, put it (where else) but on his head, pulled it back down, then said his line at warp speed. 

     What goes through the mind of a preschool boy?  One may never know.  They can be quiet, shy, wild or crazy...sometimes a little bit of everything.  Just when you think you have them all figured out, they can go and totally surprise you.  
     No matter what though, they're full of love and spirit...from their head to their toes...and back on top of their heads again.

     Have you ever had one of those times when you wanted to crawl into a hole and hide?  You know...when your kids do something in public that make people either burst out laughing or stop to look at you like you're crazy?  Yes.  Come with me and I'll show you what I mean.
     My husband Adam's younger brother Josh, is an Awesome Uncle.  Yesterday, Uncle Josh sent Lauren Elizabeth an adorable little stuffed animal for her fourth birthday.  When she opened her gift, she hugged the soft little critter and squished her face up to it.  I couldn't quite make out what type of animal it was, but it wore a cute orange and white checkered apron that had a baby tucked inside. 
     Lauren held her new best friend out to take a look at her and studied her face saying, "Mommy?  What is it?"
     "Ummmmmm, I don't know baby.  Maybe a Mommy Fox and her little one?"
     Without hesitation, Lauren hugged it again and said, "I Love You Foxy Mommy."
     Choking back a laugh, I said, "Whoaaa, Lauren...how about we call her, 'Mommy Fox,' okay?"  
     "Okay Mommy!  Oooooh, Foxy Mommy.  I Love You." 
     -oh boy.-
     All day she carried "Foxy Mommy" with her everywhere.  Upstairs, downstairs, to her room, outside to play..."Foxy Mommy" had a full schedule. 
      When Lauren went to bed last night, 'Foxy Mommy' went with her.  When she woke up, Lauren had a long conversation with 'Foxy Mommy."  We went to the grocery store this morning and 'Foxy Mommy' sat in the cart with her.
      As Lauren talked to 'Foxy Mommy' while we shopped, some obvious glances were thrown our way. 
      "Foxy Mommy, do you want some cereal?"
      "Oh this is my FAVORITE kind of juice, Foxy Mommy!"
      (You get the idea.)
      Fighting the urge to explain to everyone we passed that we didn't actually have our daughter refer to me as 'Foxy Mommy', I ended up deciding that it was a useless battle. 
      Everything was somewhat tolerable until the end of our trip.  Lauren jumped out of the cart and held tightly to her friend.  She introduced 'Foxy Mommy' to the fun checkout girl who started laughing.  We loaded our bags back into the cart and made our way out...Thank You Lord.  
       An older gentleman walked behind us and I realized that he was trying to get our attention.  I worried that he was offended by Lauren's words - or wanted to confront me.  He continued to approach us saying, "Miss...Miss..."  (Here we go...)
      I slowly turned to try to explain, when I saw that he was holding something in his hand. 
      "Is this her toy, Miss?"
      It looked like he had a stuffed little mouse.  I smiled and shook my head no - while getting ready to thank him.  Before I could though, Lauren Elizabeth shot straight towards him screaming, "FOXY BABY!!!"
      The man's face dropped, I cringed - and the checkout girl about fell over laughing saying, "You GO, Girl!"
      I'm still trying to decide exactly what to write in our Thank You card to Uncle Josh. 

     I rarely do product reviews.  This adorable line named "Jitterbug Kids Boutique" from Texas is an exception.  It's owned and run by a woman named Sherie who is Amazingly gifted and creative. 
     Her products are incredibly well made and beautifully styled. 
     With warm and sunny days just around the corner, "Jitterbug Kids Boutique" is offering a free giveaway for their precious "Patriotic Dress".  The colors and style are perfect for the summer months and Fourth of July parties. 
      Simply go to their site:                            http://www.jitterbugkids.com/default.html 
and 'like' their facebook page. 
      A random winner will be drawn and contacted when
they win!