This morning was a good morning. I was a little concerned when I woke up as the clouds looked like they just might rain on our walk. It didn't matter though, we were going..., "come rain or come shine".


The walk for the March of Dimes had a great turnout, Especially since it was just for Rockville, MD and this same walk is/was going on all over the country. The "Linz" team aka...TEAM ROCKY:)) was able to raise $1650.00. I am very excited for that and we well exceeded our goal from last year.


Its been a journey over the last year and a half and April was Carter's due date although he came in January at 23.4 weeks. He is 20 lbs this week and although he just bounced back from a hospital stay and pneumonia last week, had a good time at the walk and made it through while taking a few short cat naps along the way. Smiles included, of course.


This week also brought with it some concern. First, I just want to say that as a Mom and this is my non-medical opinion, I think Carter will continue to prove everyone wrong. Carter was assessed this week in the High Risk Clinic. Now this is a group of 5-6 therapist and doctors. This setting does not involve blood test, xrays or any other invasive type of assessment but is purely done on a physical ability assessment with toys, cognitive development and physical strength. (rolling, sitting, talking...etc) They came to the conclusion that Carter "may" have Cerebral Palsy. In my mind, heart and soul, I think Carter just got over pneumonia, does things in Carter time and its too early to tell. Technically he is only 12 months corrected and really it is not until 18-24 months that a CP diagnosis can be made with any certainty. CP is also VERY broad.


So I am asking for continued prayer for Carter. He is so amazing and lifts me daily. I know in my heart, God has special plans for Carter and maybe his biggest lesson is that we should all believe. Even if all of his test confirmed this, it will not change the fact that Carter is so special and a miracle.


Please keep Carter in your daily prayers!

I remember when I was a little girl, I loved the wind. I used to stand on our picnic table in the back yard in Georgia and jump off. I thought I was "Wonderwomen". Little did I know that those bangles would become such a fashion statement in time...ha! I thought they just stopped bullets:)

Well I am not super, wonder or any adjective but I am me. With that comes a whole set of what am I? I think this is something we all search for everyday of our lives. I love shoes, this I am certain of. Number one reason...regardless of what time of month or if I have eaten two much of anything...they always fit and are faithful.They get me places, makes me feel special and allow me to never feel bloated. Gosh, I REALLY do love shoes!!!!

So this brings me back to my great search. Who am I? This is a question as parents we often ask ourselves as we should always lead by example. I hope I do for Carter daily.

As stated in the country music world last year, "I got lost in this big ole world and forgot who I am".

Country and shoes, they both just fit. Gotta love that~

Everyday I am amazed at people. I have learned that if you smile at a stranger, 99% of them will smile back. I have also learned that if you smile at someone who dislikes you, they will smile back too. It is unfortunate that under some smiles are thoughts. Not all good and not with good intention.

I find myself in a place today that I am once again stunned. I am stunned how someone can say something to a group of teens about someone that they really shouldn't. I am extremely protective when it comes to children and teens and I just don't get it. As adults and parents, we have an obligation to lead by example.

As parents, we are not rockstars, beauty queens, award winning authors or superstars...we are parents and that is and should be our first priority. Saying that, if someone has an issue with someone...as a parent or about their body parts...one should talk to the adult/parent and not a group of teens.

Bullying happens at all ages. Lead by example. No one is better than anyone in life. God is the higher power and not the individual.

Are we all living with Angela Landsbury?

One of our favorite shows is "Castle". As I was watching with my husband I was reminded that we all have a little bit of our Grandparents or parents in us with , "Murder, She wrote". There is nothing better than a who done it! I was in a murder mystery dinner theater for a show called, "Let's Kill the Boss". It ran for about a year. I was the choreographer also but I have to admit there weren't great dance numbers in it but pretty good one's:))) I was "Una"...the mistress. Not sure why but I was always typecast as the mystress, prostitute or soap type actress. I once had an agent tell me that I would never do well in commercials because I didn't look like I would feed my dog. Nice, huh!!!!! This is why you need to smile and smile big always!

So I think we all have a little Landsbury in us. We love mystery, we love to solve and most of all we love the fear of the unknown without any great "real" drama behind it. Danielle Steele, Star Wars, James Patterson...all great authors/sequels and well read in our family...oh and Murder She Wrote! Perhaps its because we always get to figure out good from evil. Pulitzer prize no, fun yes...read on.

Do you ever feel like you just aged 20 years in two? Today is one of those days that the only word that comes to mind is exhaustion. Andy has been gone on military duty for a while so I was managing the house, appointments and furries. This I am good at. The "list". Wake up...check....walk dogs...check...Carters appts check.....shower...check minus:) I function with the internal and external list. Then the hubby comes back and bamm...the list explodes!!!! Todays list....wake up, get Carter up and dressed, make Andy breakfast (yes I do that:), get taxes done, run errands...etc...etc...etc....so I am just tired which is ok. In fact it is great.

In a life that we function I think sometimes we forget to live, to love, to explore and most of all to forgive. A dear friend/family member of mine lost his Father. So today when I was feeling sorry for myself for my "list", I sat back and realized how amazing life is and the people in it. I thought to myself how short life is and how mad at myself I was for no reaching out more to those I love to let them know they are never alone and how special they are.

To Joey, I know today and tomorrow will be tough. Your Father knew you were an incredible son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Big hug to your Mom....we love you!

To the angels from above
Guard us with your special love
As we walk to unknown paths
knowing it will never last
Find a way, to let us see
For the love you see in me....

This is why, God gives us wings...to fly