A SMASHING Day!!

Lainey had a "Smashing" Good time at her birthday party! About 4 dozen of our friends and family came out to the park to help Lainey celebrate her first birthday. We were fortunate to have really nice weather ~ not too hot, not too cold, and NOT raining!


Lainey sported her new birthday dress I made her and enjoyed being passed from one guest to another! Everyone enjoyed a meal of BBQ sandwiches, chips, salsa, and birthday cake. Lainey just REALLY enjoyed the cake!!

Although I am still working on getting all of the birthday donations in, so far Lainey has raised $475 for her Great Strides walk in October. Everyone was very generous with their donations and the cute gifts they gave her. All I can say is that she will be one "stylin" chick this summer!!

Presents and donations galore! Thank you everyone for being so generous!

Lainey's friend Reagan.

Campbell and her mommy, Josie!

Dawson

Josie and Campbell, Lainey and I ~ I am not feeling too well in this picture since I had a 103 temperature!!

Lainey opening presents.

Lainey wearing her new Life is Good hat! Thanks Aunt Dayna, Uncle Brad, and Lilly Anne!

Lainey playing with her new little baby doll!

We had a great time and are thankful for the many friends and family that came out to celebrate with our sweet princess. A year ago we were unsure what this year may bring in relation to Lainey's Cystic Fibrosis. We are happy to report that this year, aside from the "normal" milestones, has been quite an uneventful year with Lainey's health. Although having a child with CF is a never ending job that requires a lot of demanding routines and practices, we are appreciative of everything she has taught us. We hope that she has many more uneventful years in relation to her health.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! With your help, we are going to beat CF!! Your donations have added years to Lainey's life, and for that we are forever grateful!

Love,

DeAnn

PS ~ For anyone who wondered if I was going to live to see another day since I looked so awful at the party, I did live and I feel much better! Mom took me to the ER on Sunday....103.1 fever, Strep Throat, Urinary Tract Infection, IV fluids, IV Antibiotics, a couple hours of resting on the gurney, Prescription antibiotics 4 times per day for 10 days, and Wa La! I am feeling like a person again.......a person that will live to see another day!! I truly appreciate every one's help at the party since I wasn't quite myself!!

HOLDING!!!!!

Yesterday was my 29th birthday and I am holding on! I am not sure what this last year of my 20's will bring, but I think I am ready! There are too many awesome things I have accomplished, participated in, tried, experienced, and lived in my lifetime to list them all.....but here are a few of my favorite things and people!

Mexican Food

Margaritas

Family

My Children

My Friends

Mexican Food (did I say that already?)

El Sombrero

Me, after a LARGE frozen Texas margarita!!

Lainey was so hungry, she was eating the spoon!
(yes, this is Rudolph......she fell off the bed and got a carpet burned nose.....she was under her daddy's care!)

My silly mom (aka: Gigi)!

Dawson, Logan, and my dad (aka: Papa) eating!

Lilly Anne watching everyone eat!

Logan James celebrating Cinco de Mayo and his mommy's birthday!

Liam Scott with a spoon on his head?? You never know what this kid is thinking!!

Lainey was a little self-conscious about her nose, so she covered up the carpet burn with a little piece of cheese quesadilla!

I had an awesome birthday! Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and wonderful gifts!!

DeAnn

Lainey's Baptism

Today, Sunday, September 21, 2008, Lainey was baptized at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Lainey wanted to make sure that everyone in the sanctuary knew she was there, so she fussed for 20 minutes until her debut! We're not sure what the preacher did, but now we know who to find when Lainey is fussy. As soon as I handed her to Dr. Walton, she calmed down!

Today's sermon was perfect! "What's That to You?" was the title of Dr. Terry Walton's sermon. In today's world so many of us get "hung" up on why things had to happen to us ~ not others. Life's unfairnesses can build bitterness within, leaving doubt in God's choices. In all honesty, I still have some of these feelings. Why does Lainey have to go through so much? Why did it have to be our baby? With all of the babies being born, why did God choose our baby to suffer from Cystic Fibrosis? Why, Why, Why? After listening to Dr. Walton, it all seems a little clearer. The word of God, "What's That to You?" Mathew 20:1-16. Don't question God's motives. He is working through us. Don't compare your treatment from God to another's. Don't ask why you and not someone else, rather be happy for the others whom have the things you desire. Be happy that you can help God share his word through your life. I plan on keeping God's words fresh in my mind and heart. Although we have and will continue to fight battles with Lainey's disease, these words will help us remember "Why." Hopefully our knowledge and experiences can and will benefit others. In the most challenging of times, I know this will be difficult, but ultimately everything is in His hands. Please pray that We have the strength to follow His word and allow Him to work through our family.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who attended this memorable day in our lives. Lainey, as well as the rest of us, have a wonderful support group. Gigi, Papa, Grandma Barbara, Papa Dan, Aunt Dayna, Grandma Carolyn, Aunt Ashley, Mason, Cindy, Sean, Dawson, and Kaylah ~ We love you and appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for us!