An angel in the garden!

So many weeds in my garden and I don't have the time or energy to see about it. Plus its time to start planting flowers now so that when springtime comes they are all blooming and beautiful.

Each time I would walk past my weeds I would feel sad knowing there was little I could do now, feeling totally consumed by my own  "weeds" I have now physically and emotionally, knowing that for now I'll be dealing with my own personal garden. But today an angel friend snuck into my garden outside and offered her time to restore my flower beds to their rightful beauty. It's a BIG garden, but  she started it anyway. And soon it will be bursting with flowers again. And so I begin the slow job of "weeding out", cleaning around my heart, allowing healing to bring my body to full bloom this spring. And soon, I too, will be bursting with flowers again. 

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." 

Gen. 3:8

Only 15 days til the Michael Buble' concert                

Angel in the Garden!

A New Do!!

     I will begin 5 months of Chemo the first week in November  followed by 6 weeks of radiation.  I have about 7 or 8 weeks to enjoy my hair! So I decided to try any hairstyle and/or color I wanted for the next few weeks before it falls out! I had been letting my hair grow for about 2 years and for the first time in my life I had LONG hair. I loved wearing it all kind of different ways. Yesterday Blair cut my hair in this style. So begins my litany of hairdos! When it begins to fall out I will cut it really short and maybe color it BRIGHT PINK! Wouldn't that be wild if it didn't fall out and I'd be stuck with PINK hair?? 

     Today was a good day, got some rest and the pain from the surgery is subsiding. Am allowing myself the rest my body needs! Some much needed quiet time. Am enjoying all the cards, emails, prayers, meals, gifts, love and support. Every word I read touches me deeply. I am so blessed!

"Through the Christ within, I am restored to wholeness."

Only 16 days 'til the Michael Buble' concert in Lafayette. WOO HOO!!

My life!

     I have three sisters and when I was a little girl I was convinced they didn't love me. I was just the aggravating little sister who got locked out of  the bedroom while they played without me! And I would cry to my mom and say "Nobody loves me!" Boy was I wrong. My sisters love me so much. I cannot even tell you in words how much they love me, for no measure would accurately describe it. Our hearts are so connected yet our lives are so different, and somewhere in that magical mixture it just works and I am grateful to have them love me and support me as they do!

     My husband, Ricky, is the most loving person I know. There is no comfort like the comfort I feel when I am in his arms! We have 8 children, yes they are all ours and yes we are "good" Catholics!  Bryan is our oldest son, tall dark and handsome with a great business sense.  He and his wife are both Chiropractors, and they just opened CAJUN SPINE AND SPORT in Lafayette. He is married to Kristin, a beautiful young woman who we love dearly. A year ago  Kristin gave birth to our first grandchild, Elle, who was brought into the world prematurely. Elle lived for only 11 days, but her brief precious life impacted us profoundly. When she arrived, I had chosen to be called "MIMI" and Ricky had chosen to be called "HAPPY". On the day of my lumpectomy, Bryan and Kristin wanted to share some GOOD news and they announced that they are expecting another baby. That made "MIMI" so happy!! Next in line is Blanche. Blanche is a speech pathologist who loves working with kids  and she is  my organized, detail person. She has the most gorgeous eyes and she loves me sooo much and she is very concerned about me right now. Then there is Blair. She and her husband Glen got married in 2000 and they are expecting their first child, a little girl, Audrey Lane, in February. Mimi will be very busy next year! Blair works with me in our salon and she and I have  lots of fun creating all kinds of things together. She is a very talented artist and she and I just developed a really delicious dip mix. We call the company Dip Divas and you can check out our blog at www.dipdivas.com . Blair is a sweetheart and is always kind to everyone. Next is Malorie, my free-spirited, animal loving, newlywed, who just married her high school sweetheart Tyler. They are so precious and love each other so much. I love to see the stars in their eyes! Then comes Ben, testosterone prevailing in a house full of girls, he loves hunting, fishing, dirt bikes, anything outdoors. He just got a black lab puppy as a gift for his birthday. (that makes 3 dogs for us now!) Now for the twins, Maddie and Haley, they are in the 8th grade, they both play volley ball and basketball.(They are both very good athletes)  Maddie loves to cook and aspires to be a famous chef one day(she really is a great cook) and she is always making sure we're taken care of.  Haley pays close attention to my emotional needs all the time and, like her mom, she loves to shop and she can't ever have enough bags and purses!! Last, but certainly not least, there's Layni Bug! She loves to sing, she can entertain herself by playing music in her room all day long, she is a super little volley ball player and she is smart as a whip! Layni was born when I was 40 years old and has reminded me that when she is 40 I will be 80! And she is right!!!!

     My life is full and precious, each day full of surprises, some more challenging than others. I love my work, letting my creative energy flow. As a hairdresser and a decorator, I am blessed to serve the people who allow me to be part of their lives. 

     I invite you all along with me on my journey to see the goodness that God has in store. Please feel free to share your favorite words of encouragement and any information other women will need to hear. 

     Meanwhile I trust that "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be numbered." Job 9:10

Surgery: TAKE TWO

This picture was taken only minutes before the nice brunette lady to the right "knocked me out"!

Dr. Breaux grumbled a little about being included on my BLOG, but the nurses at PARK PLACE HOSPITAL were very accommodating!

So, now I'm a "Bosom Buddy".

God always places in my path exactly who and what I need. So it was no surprise to me that the minute I suspected my tumor was malignant a new friend stepped into my life  and invited me to be a part of a very special group of women who call themselves "THE BOSOM BUDDIES."  They have all had some form of breast cancer and triumphed.  They love life, laugh a lot and gave me courage to face this new phase of my life with an attitude of focusing an all that is good and trusting God will take care of the rest! How Blessed am I? This picture was taken the day before my second surgery.(lymph node di-section and cleaning margin around the previous lumpectomy.)