a farewell to Friday

Listen, the truth is, nothing is guaranteed. You know that more than anybody. So don’t be afraid. Be alive.

~ Sarah Dessen

Through all of this....I have learned

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.

{via}

It's the life in your years.

~Abraham Lincoln

{Layla - Christmas 2007}

Begin doing what you want to do now. 

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand,

{via}

 and melting like a snowflake. 

{via}

~Marie Ray

{Christmas 2008}

Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. 

{via}

Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself. 

~George Bernard Shaw

{Christmas 2009}

Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times,

{rosie hardy}

it's the only time we've got. 

{via}

~Art Buchwald

{Christmas 2010}

So cherish and treasure every ounce.  It's ours.  Our life to live.  Make sure you actually LIVE it.  Many blessings to you all in 2011.  I am so blessed.

Hallelujah!!!!!!! Heart Edition!!!!!!!!!

In case you could not tell by the title of the post....

We received THE BEST news possible this morning for Miss Layla.  And it is cause for CELEBRATION!!!!!!!!

{via}

Needless to say, we are surfin' on Cloud 9....

{via}

Jumpin' for Joy!!!!

{via}

Counting our blessings and so thankful all of our (your) wishes paid off!

{via}

GOD IS GOOD!!!!  All the time.

All the time.  GOD IS GOOD!!!!

{via}

I wanna scream from the mountain tops to praise HIM!

{and have a nice ass like that while doing it! ha.}

Layla is a normal child.  (Yeah, whatever normal is?  That always makes me laugh and perplexes me at the same time!)  She has a healthy heart.  That has PAC's ~ Preventrictular Atrial Contractions.  And a lot of them.  But, none that should cause her any harm. 

She is free to do anything any other - perfectly normal - child does!!!!! 

Like jump rope...

{via}

Play hopscotch...

{via}

Really, anything her sweet heart desires.  We check up with the electrophysiologist when she is 5...in a year in a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Whoo hoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like we have a new lease on life. I feel alive again.  I feel the spirit and spark in my soul again.  I had lost it.  But, it is back and I am not taking precious health for granted!  It is a blessing.

{via}

I cannot begin to thank you all enough.  Truly.  Your love, support, prayers...all of it!  I couldn't have made it to this point without all that.  All of YOU!!!!

{via}

To everyone going through hard and uncertain time.  (I know we all do.)  Just remember this...

HOPE FLOATS!!!!! 

{It really does!}

So, never EVER give up HOPE!!!!!

Don't give up on it...

not so good

Ya'll....I am not doing so good today.  Major.  MAJOR anxiety issues...which I already deal with.  But, being out of some medication for that....and knowing I have to see an electrophysiologist tomorrow with Layla has me really not so good.

I feel terrible.

Please keep us in your prayers.  Please and thank you!

spark it up....the 911 call

I thought about just putting up the title of my post and letting ya'll guess what in the world went on????  But, nah!  That ain't cool. 

And neither is the fact that I had to place a call into 911 last night.  Seriously.  We were only three days - 3 DAYS - into the New Year.....I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come....

Yep.  That was basically the scene near my house last night.

I live on a cul-de-sac, that backs up to an empty alleyway.  And it was up.in.flames last night.

I was getting ready to throw Layla in the bath around 7 p.m. and I hear: 

Richard:  "Mel, look out the window up there....is that a fire?"

Me:  "A fire???!!!"  {as I peered out the window...}

Me:  "Oh.my.GOD!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes, it's a fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" {running down the stairs, Layla in tow}

Richard:  {silence....across the street knocking on our neighbors homes to alert them}

Me:  "Oh my God....I have to call 911!"

Layla:  "Mommy, there is an emergency?"

Me:  "Yes, honey.  Stay right there..."

It was insanity.  I couldn't believe it was happening. 

Even though we live less than a mile from the nearest fire department, it took those fools way too long to get there.  And apparently, I was not the first person to call.  I don't get that.  At.ALL!!!!!

In the end, all was well.  Richard and a neighbor basically put the flames out with water hoses.  And the fire department took it over from there. 

Now....I am pretty sure I know what started the fire.  Considering we heard lots of POP, BOOM, BANGS before {thankfully} Richard was being nosey and looking out our front windows...

{culprit.  That, plus some irresponsible kids!}

I really hope things calm down from here.  I don't want this year to go UP IN FLAMES!!!!  Please tell me that was not my sign.....

my boi is the Hottest in The City

I know I professed my love for this boi in December...

....but I just gotsta do it again.

Of course, your eyes tell you he's a Q-T.  We can all see that. 

But dude is completely talented.  His lyrics are fast, but understandable.  I am really diggin' him....and his style.

I think ya'll will begin to see him poppin' up around your 'hood.  Take a listen....

Hottest in The City ~ Marcus Manchild

featuring Slim Thugga and J-Dawg

Super High ~ Marcus Manchild

Happy New Year 2011!!!

Well, we made it to another year.  Congratulations!!

I have a lot to say about 2010, but I think instead, I will just focus on the new year.  I am so thankful for my life.  I know it could be much harder.  

I am thankful for my health and that of my family and friends.  I pray that 2011 will bring us good news for Layla's heart condition. 

What a year, eh?  I guess you can always kinda say that. 

We lost Richard's mom, Medina, on New Years Day 2009.  So, a new year always brings about bittersweet memories for us.  We lost her much too soon, so that is the most difficult part.

January 6th is the day we go to see the specialist for Layla's heart.  I suppose having to wait so long for an appointment has actually worked in our power now.  Just yesterday Layla told me, "my heart goes BOOM BOOM" while we were playing basketball.  And this morning when I dropped her off at school, she rubbed her chest and said it hurt.  **Really sad mommy face.**

So, the things I know now that I could not have told the specialist before are...

1.  Layla is getting dizzy from all of the irregular heart beats.

2.  She definitely feels them too.

3.  And they are causing chest pain. 

With that said, I wish you all the best for 2011.  I know that sounds cliche, but I mean it whole heartedly.

Because that is the best thing I can do for myself and Layla right about now.

As far as resolutions go....I am not big on that.  But, I did make a few. 

To become a healthier individual and excercise more. 

Did you notice I omitted pounds, a specific size, and dates?  I did that on purpose.  I am a realist.  I know I won't be in a size 2 by spring break, or ever, really.  So.  Eat better.  Excercise more.  I am confident I will see the results I wanna see and become healthier for it, if I just do those two things. 

Now.  Hurry up and go read your horoscope for 2011.  So you know what is going to happen.  Basically.  Things will suck for me until the fall.  Grrrreat.  Tell me something I did not already know....

{images via we heart it}