For a good cause

I went to bed really late last night...but it was for a good cause.

We met at Erin's house and started making silver ribbons for JJ's Miracle so that they could be sold today at the Crusader Festival. We had a really good time and got a lot done. I got to meet a couple of mom's that I hadn't met before which is always fun.

Then today we took TT 1&2 up to the church for the festival. They had a great time and I was even able to get a quick photo of the ribbon table.

JJ and the family showed up while we were there. He really looked great - new stiches and all. As soon as he got there he wanted to get something to eat. The steroids he is on make him really hungry.

We'll see them all again tomorrow at the Monte Sano Cookout.

If I don't see you...good afternonn, good evening, and good night!!

Press Release that is going out to the Media tonight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Erin Percy
Huntsville, AL 35824
(***) ***-****

Local moms seek miracle

Madison, AL - October 25, 2005 - The Mommy and Me
members of St. John the Baptist Church are working for
a miracle. Madison resident, JJ Lipski, age 5, was
diagnosed last week with a very rare and inoperable
type of brain cancer, diffused pontine glioma. While
doctors say a long term survival is unlikely, JJ's
family and friends believe miracles happen. It won't
be the first time little JJ has received one. Born
over two months premature, weighing 2 pounds 11
ounces, he spent his first month fighting for his life
at Bethesda Naval Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit. Family friend Erin Percy says, "This
disease does not know who it picked a fight with. JJ
is an experienced fighter and his Army veteran parents
are ready for battle."

JJ is currently at Children's Hospital in Birmingham.
On October 25, 2005 he underwent successful surgery to
relieve the pressure on his brain. Upon admittance to
the hospital, doctors were surprised at how few
symptoms JJ displayed considering how much fluid
pressure there was. He had even played soccer just
days earlier. Despite his amazing spirit, doctors have
told JJ's family to enjoy every last moment. His
parents, Diana and Jim, and little sister Nikki want
there to be decades of moments.

Times have been tough for this local family. Jim's
family has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and
their Madison home became a base for recovery efforts.
Jim, who works for Homeland Security now, has been
deployed to the Gulf coast for disaster recovery and
returned just four days before JJ's tumor was found.

Word of JJ's illness spread quickly through the St.
John's parish and school. An email prayer campaign has
been set up and people around the country, many of
whom have never met JJ, are praying for his recovery.
Percy, who has known the family since their move from
Washington State last year adds, "There is something
about that little boy that is so kind and so gentle I
can actually feel God's presence when he is near. His
gifts blow me over."

The Mommy and Me group is spearheading fundraising
efforts to help JJ. "The amount of money this is going
to take is unimaginable," adds friend, Anne Tuggle.
There are going to be daily trips to Birmingham for
radiation, consults from doctors around the world
researching cures and many alternative therapies to
consider. Monetary donations can be made for JJ's
treatment at any Redstone Federal Credit Union branch
through the JJ's Miracle, D Lipski Fund. Currently,
the Mommies are working on a spaghetti dinner, silent
auction and ribbon sale. For more information contact
Erin Percy at (***) ***-****.

For more information:

http://www.stjude.org/disease-summaries/0,2557,449_2160_5033,00.html
http://www.childhoodbraintumor.org/brain.htm
http://www.saintjohnscatholicchurch.org/
http://www.chsys.org/

JJs Miracle

I just got an email from Diana...

Family, Friends & Prayer Warriors,

God Bless You All!

JJ has successfully undergone the surgery to get rid of the swelling caused by backed up spinal fluid and is already noticeably improved.

We returned home last night so that we can regroup and prepare for our (temporary) new normal of daily trips to Birmingham for radiation & chemo treatments; which begin on Monday.

The prayers and support you have provided have been incredible and very welcome.

To those of you who have been able to research while we couldn't, thank you - please know that we will investigate further so that when we discuss additional options with his medical team we are confident they will be receptive.

Many of you have requested that I attach of picture of JJ, so I am doing so with this email.

Again, let me thank you all for your belief and prayers that JJ will be healed completely - please remain steadfast in that faith.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was burised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Jim, Di, JJ & Nikki

We will be having a "construction party" tomorrow night that will entail making silver ribbons and planning what we will do throughout the fall and winter to help the family.

I have started getting in prayer cards yesterday for JJ's book. We are so blessed to be able to do this for JJ. I hope that more come in today's mail.

Take care of each other.

To everything there is a season

and the season here is COLD!!

The temperature here has dropped considerably... it actually feels like fall is upon us....just in time for winter. Kids running about with scarves and hats...soon they'll have gloves on and heavy ski jackets. The temp will dive into the mid to low 50s and all hell will break loose...people will be swearing that snow is right around the corner...of course the temp would have to nosedive below 30 for that...and that only happens for about 6 hours somewhere in the middle of January.

I love Alabama!!

On a more somber note...

JJ has had a drain surgically placed to drain the excess spinal fluid from his brain since the tumor is blocking the fluid's normal circulation path. He is feeling a little better since the surgery yesterday and will hopefully be home tomorrow.

He will make the trip everyday for the next 6 weeks all the way to Birmingham to have his radiation treatments. He'll be sedated for his first treatment next week, but if he can stay still for the next ones he won't have to be put under again.

A bunch of us at church are going to do a fund raiser for JJ and the family to help with medical bills. We are using the phrase "I believe in Miracles for JJ" since that is the wording that the doctors used...we need a miracle. We'll have a silent auction and dinner as well as setting up an account at the Redstone Credit Union so we can accept community donations. Friday night we are going to get together at Erin's house and make silver ribbons to sell at the Crusader Fest at the church on Saturday. It's amazing how so many groups at church are coming together to try and help the family.

I have gotten emails that JJ's prayer cards are coming from many people. I am so thankful to all involved in doing this for the family. If you would like to take part in this project please email me. I would be more than happy to get you any information that you need to assist in this.

Still in a funk

I'm still crying over JJ. Everytime I look at my sons I start bawling again. It could be them. Hell it could be me. I'm starting to lose faith. I can feel my once happy, joyful, prayer filled heart becoming empty and cold with every tear that falls.

I couldn't go to church yesterday because I am shamefully angry. I am angry at God. You would think it would make me feel better just to say that and get it out of my system...........................


it doesn't.


I tried scrapping this weekend to get my mind off of everything. I got a measely 3 pages done. I just couldn't function. Even with going to the crop on friday and saturday nights I just couldn't do it.

I'll try again today when the boys go down for naps....but I'm not expecting much of anything to materialize.


Not today.

My heart is in shreds

I just found out that a friend of mine's son has an inoperable brain tumor. It is located on his brain stem and the doctors have told the family to start praying for a miracle. I don't know how much harder I can pray. My head literally hurts from crying so hard. I feel so helpless...


but I can pray. That is the only way I can truly help. I will pray the healing novena everyday. I will say the rosary until my fingers bleed if I have to. JJ cannot die.

He's only 5 for pete's sake. He hasn't lived. He needs a chance. First dance. First date. First prom. Graduation. These things are so far off...and yet so close.

It makes me wonder what criteria God has for taking souls. What reasoning could He have for taking a child so young...so sinless....so loved. Isn't there some murderer or drug dealer or child molester that can take JJ's place? It just seems so....unjust.

I'm going to put out a call for a project for the family. I want to make a 2up album of 4x6 "pages" that have inspirational phrases/quotes/favorite bible verses on it. Plain or embellished. Simple or elaborate. But something that will allow this family to know that they have a large prayer circle who are all working for JJ. If you are interested in participating please email me and I'll give you specifics.

But most of all.....just pray.....

They Like Me....The Really Like Me

I have had my *PVM* (please validate me) moment for the month...Actually I've had two...

I have made the cut for the next rotation of the Memory Safe Design Team...This was a team that I was an "Original Safe Sister" and while judging the new blood for who would make the team felt suddenly inadequate in ability. The people who tried out for the DT were amazing and produced some of the most incredible layouts I have seen. Amazingly enough...I was chosen to sit with these talented ladies on the team. I am thrilled!

I also got an email from a publication who would like one of my cards for their January 2006 issue!! I thought I was blacklisted from publication...but I guess perseverance has won out.....I am mailing my card today to the editor. I can't wait to see my work in print again!!

And school is back in session

Thank goodness.

Last week was fall break. That meant that my husband figured it would be great to take the week off from work. We did a few day trips..nothing huge....but this week back to your regular programming.

TT#1 will go back to school tomorrow and all will be right with the world. I know it sounds like I am a horrible mom....I want my little guy to go back to school.....but really he just functions better when he is away from the house for that couple of hours. Like he needs a reboot. And it's only for a few days a week...not like he's at boarding school or anything...but as soon as I find one that enrolls pre-school...I'm there.

I'll be beside myself next year when both the TTs are in school.

I might actually get something done around here.

Get back on the horse....

I have not scrapped for myself in many many months. I have been scrapping for this design team and that special project for so long that I didn't know if I would be able to come up with something on the fly.

I threw this together yesterday.




What once was very easy for me and came naturally is now very forced and complicated. It literally took me all day to do this layout. I just couldn't get it together. The pieces seem to have fallen into place eventually, but it was agonizing. I hope that it will get easier.

My term on the Memory Safe DT is coming to a close. I have re-applied but honestly after sending in my suggestions on new members I truly think I am now out of my league!! The new submissions have been absolutely stunning and it was an arduous task to even send suggestions to the store owner. Scrapbookers have some serious artistic ability. It truly amazes me on a daily basis.

Brings new meaning to Happy Holidays????

This stamp was found in a stamping magazine and posted on 2Peas....I don't think that it was an intentional pornographic picture....but it sure is entertaining...isn't it??

I think I should order one and use it on my christmas cards....someone suggested using the caption "Peter-paw and Merry"....sounds like a winner to me....now we just need to find out if it is mounted or unmounted.....

I will survive!!

That was my theme last week for the festival. And I did. Survive that is.....but barely.

We couldn't have asked for better weather. A nice fall breeze and the normal southern fall temperatures of around 85. Just right for snowcones and hot dogs. The attendance was over 15,000 and all of our vendors showed up - BONUS!!! Now a small break and the planning for next year will start up. It's almost unfulfilling....we bust our asses all year for this festival...then it's over in a matter of 8 hours. Ahhhh well... on to 2006!!