Happy Halloween!!

Paige the Purple Witch

Chase... Scream!

We trick-or-treated in Mike's hometown of Payne, OH this year with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles! The kids had a blast and they all looked so great! We were also able to see old friends as they came by.

After trick-or-treat, Mike's Dad had a bonfire and cookout for the family. We are so glad to have been able to spend this time with our family!

The Lyons Family!!!

All of Mike's siblings were home with their families for Halloween. Perfect opportunity for a photo op!!

Nephew Zach (Bill and Tricia's) in the Basketball shirt. Mike’s sister Tricia holding my nephew Ethan and her husband Bill behind her.

Devin is leaning on me. Mike is in the Wake Forest jacket on the couch with Chase beside him.

Mike’s brother Jason standing behind him holding our niece Anna (Jarrick and Anita’s) and my nephew Jack (Jarrick and Anita’s) sitting in front of Chase.

Kayleigh is sitting on the couch holding Paige.

Mike’s sister Anita in the grey sweater and her husband Jarrick behind her.

God Is Good!!

(Dad and I before surgery)

Dad's surgery went GREAT! The surgeon was very please with how things looked and recovery has been going great as well. My step-Mom is his own private nurse!

Dad's back to his ornery self... and we all love it!

(Cassie helping Dad, right after surgery)

Concert Night...

Kayleigh's first concert of her sophomore year was Tuesday night, before we left for our trip. She's now in Symphonic Band, and was asked to play with the High School Orchestra as well. As always, Reagan High School did a great job!

(Kayleigh and Matt after the concert)

Tanglewood Family Photoshoot

We had a great time at Tanglewood Park with Avery Loclear, a young talented photographer, on Saturday. Here's just a few of the photos we had done... to see them all click HERE.

Join Me In Praying for Eva...

A few years ago I was told of Eva, a young girl with CF who was quickly running out of days to find donor lungs. But she did, and she recovered so well! She has always remained positive and encouraging to others, and has been determined to LIVE life, REGARDLESS of any medical condition.

Over time, I stopped reading her blogs and updates, but recently felt led to search her again... only to find out she's in chronic rejection and needs to find a donor FAST! Despite this downlide in her health, she continues to smile and live life. She is such an inspiration to all those walking a journey with serious illness.

Please take the time to visit her blog "65 Red Roses" and leave her words of encouragement. These words and prayers are what's getting her through day to day!

Thank you!

No Longer a Fender Bender Virgin

Mike sums it up perfectly: You know it's not going to be a good conversation when your son calls and says "I need some advice" and you retort of "Don't eat the yellow snow" is met with... "I need you to be serious for a moment" in a serious tone!

Devin was backing out of Starbucks tonight and wasn't looking... backed right into a lady in driving through the parking lot! He was with the youth pastor, who kindly stayed with him while they waited for the police department and made sure he stayed calm. I think he was scared to death to come home to us!


Fortunately - the dent is fairly small and all is well. Devin wasn't cited, just got his first official police report!

This Flu Stinks!

Today is day 4 of the flu for me and let me tell you... it stinks! I woke up just exhausted and worn out Sunday and by Sunday evening had the chills and knew it was coming. Monday it hurt to even touch my skin with my own hands and I couldn't stay awake for more than 30 minutes! Simply miserable! So I gave in and called the doctor yesterday only to be told "we are asking patients with flu symptoms to stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and rest". Uhhh? What? No miracle cure? What's that all about?!?

I do feel a little better today and made my goal to stay awake all day, even if it's lounging around. Got up and took a shower, sorted laundry and started a load, then fixed breakfast. Man... after that I was DONE for the day! Where did my energy go and when do I get it back?

OK... done with my pity party!

Go Paige!

Mark 8:38 says "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Received a phone call today from the school. Seems Paige got in trouble for talking to the other children about God before class. Her teacher overheard her and asked her to stop, Paige questioned the teacher and became frustrated, the teacher continued to tell her that she couldn't talk about God in school so Paige threw her bookbag on the floor. We were politely asked to please let our daughter know that it is not appropriate to talk about God in school. Hmmmmm.....

Will we be punishing or reprimanding Paige? Absolutely not!

But how do you explain to a first grader that she can love the Lord at home, just not at school? How ridiculous does that sound?!?

I posted this on a forum with many other Moms... here's just a few of the responses:

From Jody: "Go Paige Go!"

From her Grandpa Casto: "Taking religion out of school is not right in my mind"

From my friend Kate: "No one complains when other kids or teachers talk about their religion of carbon footprints, global warming, tolerance, gay marriage, tree hugging, etc etc etc. Go Paige!!"

From my friend Randy: "Very proud of Paige for being frustrated to have her voice silenced."

and From my friend Cheryl: "Paige, Jesus is so proud of you! Way to get them thinking about God!!"

So from all that.. I think my conversation will start with "Paige, Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you for not being afraid to talk about Jesus." From there... I will let our God take the lead.

God's Timing Is ALWAYS Perfect!

When I learned about 6 weeks ago that Dad would need surgery to replace his AICD (Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) I immediately started to prepare to head to Ohio. Nothing with Dad is ever simple and there was no way I was letting him have the surgery without me being there.

Before they could schedule surgery, they wanted to run some chemical stress tests to be sure nothing else needed done. This was done on Monday of this week. By Tuesday the cardiologist called and said everything looked as good as can be and he's in good health right now. He does have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (we knew this), some "grey" areas of heart muscle damage (again, we knew this), and his heart is functioning at 51% which is fabulous for him!!!!

So - as a result of these tests and after talking to him, we decided that I would not go to Ohio for the surgery that we assumed would take place in the next week or so, and I would see him in 3 weeks during an already scheduled trip. This was a very difficult decision for me. After losing my Mom when she was so young, I'm afraid of losing my Dad before his time, and even more afraid that something will happen to him and I won't make it there in time. But - I forgot - I'm not in charge of things like this and apparently, I'm meant to be there...

Dad called yesterday to tell me that his surgery is scheduled for October 29th... the day we're going to be there!!!! I felt such a sense of relief that I can actually be there for him!!! I hung up the phone and cried again (b/c I'm a big cry baby!).

So very thankful that God's timing and God's plan is always in place and that He has opened the door for me to be by my Daddy's side.

It's Dixie Classic Fair Time!!!

We absolutely love the Dixie Classic Fair! After all, it's the 50th largest fair in North America, and the 2nd largest fair in North Carolina! There's lots to do, see, watch, listen to, and eat!

This year was no different! Devin and Kayleigh volunteered with our church youth group doing trash pick-up Wednesday night. What a task! We were quite proud of them for stepping up and doing it! And, if you think it's a time for socializing, let me tell you otherwise! These kids are with youth leaders and are on the food court side of things, not allowed to cross over into the midway area! Devin is even going back all day Saturday to do it again!

While they were cleaning up the trash, Mike and I spent the evening with Chase and Paige watching them ride the rides and pet the animals! So much fun and such great memories! Paige has officially become a big girl and LOVED the bigger rides, especially the ones that flipped upside down!!! No fear in that child! I would say to Chase "stay with your sister, hold her hand if she needs it" and she was pushing him away!

As for Mike and I... we went for the food! He enjoyed deep fried veggies and shared some of Paige's cotton candy. Probably snuck a bite of Chase's deep fried 3 Musketeer too! Me... I look forward to the deep fried mushrooms every year and they did not disappoint!


Kayleigh and Devin were able to both go back to the fair on other days with their friends. Kayleigh even rode some of the rides this year! She and Andrea also go their faces painted! Very cute!!


So, now, we wait and look forward to next year's Dixie Classic Fair!!

Beauty Is...

Kayleigh is participating in a district-wide Reflections Project called "Beauty Is...". After researching what was required she knew in her heart what she wanted to do...

These are photos she took over the weekend and she is compiling them into a collage for "Beauty Is...". These children are children that we go to church with and they all have Down Syndrome. These children are truly what beautiful is all about! Their smiles light up a room, their giggles will make you giggle, and their love will just melt your heart.

We are very proud of Kayleigh for acting on what God has layed upon her heart to do. To show the world that beauty is truly in ALL children, regardless of disability.

And... what a better time for Kayleigh to choose these children for her project. October is National Down Syndrom Awareness Month. Many communities have their "Buddy Walk" scheduled during this month and these three families are participating in Forsyth County's next Saturday. Click on Buddy Walk to see how you can help!