Merry Christmas!

Well, another Christmas has come and gone, and with it the frenzy of shopping for gifts, wrapping them until all hours of the night, then watching people rip open what took you several precious hours to make perfect! Oh, well, it's all about what is on the inside, right?
Christmas is always mine and Andy's favorite time of year, and this year is no exception. We went home to Dalton the weekend before Christmas to celebrate my dad's birthday (the 23rd--stinks for him--the infamous Christmas shaft birthday!) and celebrate with my side of the family. We racked up in Dalton, then headed to Gainesville. Andy gives me a budget with which to shop every year, and so I worked especially hard this year to stay within the budget, and get him everything his little heart desires (even though he never knows what he wants for Christmas!). So, I only went a little over budget, and when I began unwrapping my gifts, I realized that apparently the budget does not work both ways--he blew it out of the water (but will not admit it:)) Even though getting things is definitely fun, it has been so wonderful spending quality time with both of our families, and realizing how very lucky we are that we both love each other's parents and siblings, and our holidays are not a chore--but a blessing! I cannot post any pictures right now, because the site is being ornery! I will post them a little later on! Love to all!

Update on Katie...

Hi, all! Thank you for your outpouring of support for my friend, Katie, and her family! Andy and I stopped by Emory Friday afternoon to visit Katie and her husband, Jacob. Katie seemed in good spirits, but I know the most daunting task in front of her and Jacob is to be away from Merriwether for the next month or so. I am attaching a message from Jacob with the contact information for them. Katie is no longer allowed to have visitors, since chemotherapy will be doing a number on her immune system. Thank you for your prayers, and I know that Katie's family covets every one! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, and don't take for granted every second that you have with your loved ones! Here is the message from Jacob:
This is a strange message to send at Christmas time, but I do not think there is any time when sending a message like this would not be strange. I used to send group e-mails all the time when I was living in Scotland, and I guess in a way my sending this message from Emory University Hospital is like once again writing from a foreign country. This past Wednesday my wife, Katie went with her mother Melody to her grandfather's (Don Thomas, Melody's father) family medical practice. Dr. Thomas, or Papaw as he is known to Katie, determined that Katie had strep throat. Because Katie also had an extremely high fever, Papaw also took a blood sample from Katie. In doing so, he determined that Katie's white blood count was abnormally high. He immediately sent her to Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton. Melody called my cell phone and left a message informing me that they were going to the hospital. I happened to be finishing some training for my work just as Melody was leaving me the message and I rushed over to the hospital at once. At Hamilton they took some more blood and determined that Katie had some type of Leukemia. We were placed in an ambulance and driven down to Emory University Hospital that evening, Wednesday, December 20. The following day the staff here performed a bone marrow biopsy on Katie and determined what type of Leukemia she has: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_myelogenous_leukemia). Katie's course of chemotherapy started at 8:20 last evening. She will have seven days of chemotherapy. In two weeks Katie will undergo a second bone marrow biopsy designed to determine where Katie's white blood cell and platelet counts stand. If they are at a good level she will have two more weeks of recovery and at the end of January be free to go home. Once Katie is in remission she will have a series of follow up sessions, hopefully at Hamilton Medical Center, designed to track her progress and ensure her recovery is on track. I am staying with Katie here at the hospital and Katie's parents and sister, Annie and brother-in-law Jonathan are taking care of our daughter, Merriwether. Please pray that God will heal Katie. Please pray that he will protect our precious little girl and let her know that even though her Mama and Daddy cannot be with her they love her. The oncologist told us today that we cannot have any more visitors here in the hospital room because Katie's immune system is too vulnerable to outside bacteria and infections (no live flowers allowed on this floor for that reason). We covet your thoughts and prayers. Please let all of your praying friends, all of the intercessors and believers, know about Katie. I know that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Our mailing address is:
Emory University Hospital
Katie Whitlow, Room E617
1364 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322

The direct hospital telephone room number is 404.712.3617
My cell phone number is 706.260.7351
Thank you for your prayers.
God bless and Merry Christmas.
Jacob Whitlow

Prayers Needed!

Tonight, I just found out that one of my dear friends, Katie Whitlow, has been diagnosed with leukemia. Katie went to the doctor this morning with strep throat and a high fever, and when the doctor (who happens to be her grandfather) got her blood work back, her white blood cell count was 4 times what it should be, so he sent her to the local hospital to have more tests run. The tests showed that she has leukemia, so the hospital had an ambulance take her and her husband, Jacob, to Emory in Atlanta to begin a minimum of 4 weeks worth of treatments for leukemia. The good news (if you can call it that) is that the leukemia has been caught early, and there is a 70% chance that the first treatments will NOT be rejected by her body. Katie is 25 years old, and she and Jacob have only been married for a year and a half, and they have a 7-month-old baby girl named Merriwether who needs her mama to be healthy! Katie has a love for the Lord that I envy, and I know that He will somehow be glorified through all of this--it's just hard to see it when things are so yucky. I need my prayer warriors to take this and run with it. Get the word out, I know that Katie will be healed, but the Lord needs to hear our prayers and faithfulness! Just so you can see who you are praying for, here are some pictures taken two weeks ago at her sister Annie's baby shower, and a picture of her precious baby girl!

This is Katie's sweet baby girl, Merriwether.

This is a picture of Katie with all of the girl grandchildren in her family. Katie is in the middle in the pink sweater.

Disclaimer

Before you read my latest blog, take some blood pressure medicine, because it is very long and busy!

Thanksgiving...

Well, I now realize that I am truly not meant for the blogging world. I take way too long between posts, but here is my latest one! Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely wonderful. Being in the school system totally rocks because I had a super long weekend. Wednesday was spent staring at my house telling myself I need to clean it, but it's my vacation, right? Thursday was my FIRST Thanksgiving away from my family, and it was definitely weird. Of course Andy's family had a fabulous spread, and I stuffed myself full. Later that night, we saw the movie, "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. GREAT movie, but I am about to spoil it--skip down a few sentences if you want to see this movie. One of the main characters dies at the end! I mean seriously, I know Hollywood thinks it is so dramatic, cool, and Oscar-worthy to kill off one of the head honchos--but it stresses me out, because by the end, I'm loving all the main characters--don't kill them off! This must have been the weekend of crappy ending movies--because "The Break Up" kinda does the same thing (except no one dies, don't worry!!). Friday, Andy and I went to NC to buy furniture--and we got some awesome deals! It's a good thing we bought something, because we drove 3 1/2 hours both ways, and I would have been pretty crabby if we hadn't come back with anything. Saturday, Andy had a friend from work getting married, so we had to give away our UGA/GA Tech tickets (Boo!) to go to the wedding. It was okay (not as fabulous as all of yours!)--but I did see the most amazing wedding mullet I have ever seen. It was truly a phenomenon--it was like the guy never left 1981. Thankfully, it was not the groom, but one of his lifelong friends! Oh, I guess I shouldn't poke fun on my blog...oh well. We went home to watch the game--GO DAWGS!!! SIC 'EM!!!! WOOF, WOOF!!!!! So that totally rocked because we won. We then went to get our Christmas tree. All in all, a most wonderful weekend hanging out with family and my awesome husband! I would go into all that I am thankful for, but I won't. I will say, though, that I am extremely grateful for my husband who is truly my partner in life. Thankfully, my parents prayed for me to have a Christian mate, God definitely answered their prayers! Just last night, he vacuumed the house, and when I got back from class Tuesday night, he was cleaning the kitchen! What did I do to deserve him, I assure you, I did absolutely nothing! Well, I'd better stop yapping. I am lazy with pictures (you all know that by now)--so I will get some posted one of these days! Love to you all!

Savannah or Bust...

Well, as I type, I am located in the awesome city of Savannah for the Georgia School Counselors Association conference--and thankfully the city is totally great, because the conference is pretty lame. I won't go into details, but let's just say, my fairly organized self is about to pull my hair out due to the unorganization of everyone else! Oh, well! Atleast I am in the land of Paula Dean (bless her heart)--and don't have the time to go stand in line for her fabulous food! I then talked to another counselor who told me she walked right in at lunchtime--dang it! Savannah is beautiful, but I did not bring my camera, since I knew I would be conferencing for quite sometime! Sorry I have no funny stories, but that just tells you how stinky everything is.
In other news, Andy and I (well, let's admit it, mainly Andy) re-painted our master bathroom this weekend. As soon as I download the pictures, I will post them--but I love the color, and Andy was such a sport, he trimmed out everything, then rolled it all! What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man (thank you Salt 'n Pepa for that great quote!) I am going to post a cute picture of catching Andy and Callie napping together on the couch--I hate to say it, but the dog is beyond spoiled. She was fixed last week, so she deserves it, since we had our veterinarian swipe her "doghood" away from her, now she shall never know the joys of nursing 9 puppies at the same time! She wouldn't leave her incision alone, so we had to get her a cone--those pictures to come as well! Sorry to be so slack on the pictures--but I wanted to post before I forgot! Elizabeth, I am also posting a picture of one of Callie's brothers or sisters (I'm not sure which!) Now is the time to get that doodle you want! Love to all!

Ode to Girls Weekend

It has only taken me a week to talk about last weekend! I constantly think about posting--but then get distracted by millions of other things. I just finished my last homework assignment for a class--yay! Now, on to more important things!
Last weekend was a much-needed escape from the grind! No, not the old MTV dance show (does anyone remember that?)--but just from the day-to-day! My job is great, my husband, fabulous, and my dog...well, she's HUGE! But, I definitely needed to see my girls! We had a fabulous weekend! It amazes me everytime I see everyone, how absolutely blessed we all are! Everyone I saw this weekend has been blessed by loving husbands, great jobs, beautiful babies (and dogs, right Lindsay?), and of course, great girl-friends. Thanks to everyone who came this weekend--a GIGANTIC thanks to Rebecca for hosting a bunch of screaming girls. I had much fun talking, eating, talking, and eating some more! It was hard to go back to work on Monday, but I had fun things to tell my co-workers! Good luck to all who want to begin making babies--and Aunt Bethany will be by to babysit (just as long as I can give them back--right?:)) I will blog about this past week another time. Love to all--and here are some pictures of our fun times!

Testing 1, 2...

Okay, I figured out the stinking picture thing (thanks Jillina!) and I am testing it out with the cutest picture I've ever seen. Most of you have seen this on Chris Anne's blog--but I am going to put it in mine! This is Campbell and Callie--they love each other! Okay, I haven't gotten my pictures downloaded from last weekend--but when I do I will post like a mad woman! Love to all!

Good Touch, Bad Touch

"Good Touch, Bad Touch"--What!?!?!? You may ask, is this? Actually, it is the program that I am attending this week that I must be trained in to talk to elementary kids about sexual abuse. So far this week, my days have consisted of sitting in on presentations from our trainer (Heather, who is GREAT!) in kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th grade in the mornings, and discussing the statistics and other yucky stuff about sexual abuse. Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you have heard a group of kindergarteners yell out the words, "Sexual Abuse!!!" It creeped me out at first, until I heard the statistic that 1 out of 3 girls, and 1 out of 5 boys are sexually abused (according to recent studies)--now I realize this is a must for all kids to know. Let me encourage you to talk to your kids about Good Touches, Bad Touches, and Confusing Touches (confusing touches are the ones that give you the "uh-oh" feeling--a.k.a. sexual abuse).
Enough about that. I hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday! I surely am, Callie and I are hanging out--and I am procrastinating about studying for my mid-term which is next Tuesday night. This is my first test in 2 1/2 years--I think I have forgotten how to study (fortunately, I have been teaching the 5th graders at my school about study skills!) I love hearing from all of you! Love to all!

Technologically Deficient!

Well, I still have not figured out how to download pictures to this blog. I read the directions--and felt quite dumb! Thankfully, I do not have a picture of myself that I want to show anyone at this time--so this is actually quite convenient. I have just finished my homework for my online class (yes, everyone--I am currently taking 3 classes and working a full-time job!). By Thanksgiving, I have decided that I will probably be checking myself into some private counseling myself. I truly love my job, though, and my classes are quite entertaining--believe it or not, I enjoy going to class 1-2 nights a week from 5-7:45. I'm such a dork! For the month of September, I am proud of myself for how in touch with my friends I have been. Labor Day weekend, I spent the weekend with Lauren (Renfro) Overbeek in ATL. The next weekend, I spent Saturday afternoon in Chattanooga with Andrea. Chris Anne and the Sciortino clan came down the next week and we had a blast, and Friday night, Andy and I went out to eat with some Dalton friends: Annie and Jonathan Chakales (and their bun in the oven) and Katie and Jacob Whitlow. We dined at a restaurant in Virginia Highlands called Two Urban Licks--sounds shady--but the food was good, and it was quite trendy--I felt so "Sex In The City"! Okay, I had better end this blog, so I can go take some pictures to somehow post on this obstacle course that is blogspot!

The Beef is Blogging!

Well, I have been influenced by all my wonderful friends blogs. I have had so much fun reading them, that I have decided to start one! Now, I don't know what I am doing, nor do I have time to even begin one of these...but here goes nothing!
First of all, let me say a BIG congratulations to my hometown/childhood/college sister, Whitney Hudson, who got engaged two weekends ago! The ring is gorgeous, and I know she is glowing! I have never met her fiance, Michael, but I know he must be awesome. The wedding date is March 31, 2007--and I cannot wait!
We just had a wonderful and busy visit from the Sciortino clan last week. Chris Anne and Campbell came to stay with Andy, Callie, and me for the better part of the week, and then Dave came up after his training in Atlanta to spend the weekend with us. The boys played golf Saturday morning (imagine that!), then they took over Campbell duties (or doodies--whichever you choose!) so Chris and I could go shopping and get a much-needed pedicure. Chris Anne and Dave are amazing parents, and so good with Campbell! He is a precious piece of baby--and I could squeeze him all the time! Okay, I must end this sometime...Welcome to my blog!