Blessed By Brownies

I opened my door yesterday afternoon to discover a box dropped off by UPS. I love getting packages, especially when I don't know that they are coming. I picked up the box in excitement to discover that on the return label was the name of one of Ryan's RT's at U of M. In that moment I was already blessed! It is unbelievable to me that nearly two years after Ryan died I would still maintain contact with the people there -- that those people would take the time to remember us. It speaks VOLUMES of the impact that my wonderful husband had on the people around him even at his most difficult time of life.

I hurried to the kitchen to open the box and found a treasure of brownies. And let me just tell you, these are no ordinary brownies! This RT would often bring treat to hospital for the staff and he always made sure to share with us. He also had a favorite restaurant/bakery and he stopped a couple of times on his way into work to buy us some of their famous brownies. Oh my YUM! (My favorite have caramel oozing out of them!) He had found out about our Great Strides walk (I am guessing from another of Ryan's RT's who was going to walk with us, but can't because she has to work) and sent us a box of brownies in case we "might need a little 'boost' to get us through the walk."

Such a thoughtful gift from someone I have not seen in almost two years. Such a HUGE blessing to know that my husband is not forgotten.

Thanks, Chuck!

Catching Up Again

I feel like there is so much to catch up on and at the same time I feel like I have nothing to write. Life continues to be really busy -- good busy, but busy all the same. I am really enjoying my job, I love the quiet of the office and the change of pace that it provides. I am thankful that it is only one day a week because even during that one day I miss my kiddos. :)

We have been changing some things up here at the house. We just finished 4 days of chaos after having all three bedroom floors refinished. They look FABULOUS! It was necessary because termites had eaten some of my floor (fun, fun) and there were some boards with water damage that needed to be replaced in Wyatt's room. And hey, if you are doing two rooms, why not do all three. :) We have also done some rearranging around the house. The office has been officially turned into a guest room. I purchased a full size bed so that people will be more comfortable staying in there. The crib is also set up in there to help the little girl I babysit sleep more comfortably. It works well, because I often have friends visiting with Illinois and they have a one year old (can't wait to see you guys TOMORROW!!!!). I will have to get pictures up soon. The double bed lead to us having an "extra" twin bed which has become Lily's bed. Wyatt has the bunk beds in his room that were Lily and Wyatt first big kid beds. Needless to say, there has been a lot of change happening around here...hopefully I will get pics up soon.

This weekend we are having 7 out of town visitors coming to join us in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides walk. I am excited to be walking to help find a cure for this terrible disease. The shirt turned out great, so hopefully we will get some fun pictures of the team in them this weekend. It will be crazy busy with all the visitors, but it will be fun.

Mother's Day has come and gone and I am thankful. It was a difficult day, actually the days leading up to it were more difficult. I am not sure if that makes sense to most people because Mother's Day is about being a mother. I have two wonderful, adorable, precious children and I am thankful for them. But Mother's Day is made special by the daddy to those children. Four year olds don't understand Mother's Day. They don't realize that the day is any different. They don't drive to the store to buy your a card or flowers or a gift. Ryan always did his best to make me feel special on Mother's Day and I really missed that this year (last year we were on a plane on our way home from Disney so it didn't hit as close to home). It was just another reminder of all that we are missing.

It is so hard to believe that in a couple weeks it will have been two years since Ryan died. I continue to struggle with how that is possible. It still seems like yesterday and it also seems like it was a million years ago....

Here are a couple of recent pictures of the kids...they are the only two that I have taken if weeks.

Wyatt was sleeping so sweetly one night, I couldn't resist snapping a quick picture of him. I love watching my children sleep, especially after a day filled with tantrums and disobedience.

Lily loves to draw and to write her name. She did this picture up in her room and then called me up to see her self-portrait.

Life has been crazy recently. Three weeks ago I began working one day at week at our church. I am helping out in the office: printing bulletins, stuffing mailboxes, creating fliers, answering the phones, etc. It is nice to get out of the house one day a week and the kids are well taken care of by my parents. Even though it is only one day, it has taken a little adjusting. I am still babysitting two days a week, so we are quite busy.

This week is also our garage sale (tonight, tomorrow, and Friday). I have been busy organizing and pricing stuff to sell. We are getting rid of a lot of toys that Lily and Wyatt have "outgrown". It feels good to de-clutter, but it is another reminder of how fast they are growing!

A Beautiful Tribute

A week or so ago I mentioned Sarah's blog and her son, Connor. Here is a beautiful video that she made to honor Connor's life and to raise awareness about CF.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Mom's Day Giveaway

Maggie Moo's Mom is doing a giveaway for Mother's Day. Head over here to register to win a "mom" shirt for you and a friend.

We have two shirts from Maggie Moo's Mom -- so cute!

Whose Face Do You See?

Cystic Fibrosis -- I lived in ignorance for most of my life about this awful disease. I didn't know what cystic fibrosis was before 2001, I don't know that I had even heard of it before then. I had no idea that:

"Approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States have cystic fibrosis. An additional ten million more—or about one in every 31 Americans—are carriers of the defective CF gene, but do not have the disease. CF is most common in Caucasians, but it can affect all races."

If you had asked me what the symptoms of CF were, I could not have told you that the most common are:

• Very salty-tasting skin
• Persistent coughing, at times with phlegm
• Frequent lung infections, like pneumonia or bronchitis
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite
• Frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements
• Small, fleshy growths in the nose called nasal polyps

I had no idea that my life and the lives of my children would forever be changed by this disease...

Yet, when I think of cystic fibrosis I don't see a disease, I see a face, a person. I see the face of my husband. I see the face of Lily and Wyatt's daddy. I see the face of the person that I miss each an every day because this disease does not have a cure. I see Ryan.

I hear stories and read blogs about people with cystic fibrosis. Some stories are sad, difficult, and depressing. Some stories are happy, heartfelt, and exciting. Almost all stories have something positive to share. You see the thing about cystic fibrosis is that it seems to bring out the best in people. All of the people I have know with CF are positive about life. They see the glass as half-full. They are determined. They are fighters. They are unwilling to give up until the last option has been tried. They don't want you to feel sorry for them, they want you to see them as a person who has an illness, but is not defined by the illness.


Whose face do I see when I think about cystic fibrosis? I see my husband, who fought until the very end against this disease. Whose face do you see when you think about cystic fibrosis?

Please join me in fighting this terrible disease. Please join my team, Sweeney Striders, in taking a stand against this disease that takes lives every day, but not before those lives can make a difference. My personal goal for Great Strides is $1,000. I need 10 more people who are willing to partner with me at $10 a piece to help me reach my goal.

Facts about CF listed in the post can be found here.

Enjoying Spring

Today has been beautiful! The kids went outside at 9:30 this morning and they didn't come in again until 2:00 this afternoon. I thought I would try and capture a few pictures to remind us of this beautiful day!

some pictures and a check up

Here are some recent pictures, mainly of Lily. They aren't the best pictures ever, but I felt like I hadn't put any up in a while. We were in Illinois for a few days last week to see family and friends and to celebrate Lily and Wyatt's birthday with Ryan's family. It was fun but busy trip.

Papa Steve had balloons and streamers at his house -- it was hours of entertainment!

Chairs they got from Papa Steve...they were watching either Goofy or Chip and Dale (the classic cartoon DVD's from Auntie Amanda and Uncle Nick).

On Friday, we celebrated with Grammy. We went to Woodfield Mall and ate at Rainforest Cafe for the first time -- it was not too traumatic, they just had to get used to the thunder. Lily wanted her picture taken with Grandma and the snake that hangs outside the restaurant.

Lily was happy to come home and see her Papa Les too!

Monday I took the kids in for their 4 year check-up. I am sure most people don't want to know the details of their weight and height, but I like to write it down so that I can remember it. (I wanted to compare this year to last and I didn't write it down. :( ) They both did great at the visit. They were excited to do the vision and hearing tests and get weighed and measured (HUGE improvement for Wyatt who used to scream about getting on the scale). The worst part for all of us was the 4 shots that they each had to get -- they both cried and Mommy almost did too.

Lily Grace:

Height: 37 1/2" (10%)

Weight: 27 lbs. (3%)

Vision: 20/30

Wyatt Ryan:

Height: 41" (70%)

Weight: 36 lbs. (50%)

Vision: 20/30

Please pray for this family

Please pray for Sarah and her almost 7 year old son, Connor, and the rest of her family. Connor has CF. Tomorrow is his 7th birthday. It will be his last. Please go to Sarah's blog to read their story and give her some encouragement.

Will You Give?

April is Donate Life month.

I just read a devastating fact, "Michigan ranks 42nd in the nation in the percentage of licensed drivers who have signed up to donate their organs, according to Michigan Organ Donor Registry officials."

Are you signed up?

"If you don't have a red heart on symbol on the front of your license or state ID, you are not fully registered," Pietroski (Gift of Life president) said. "And with 3,000 people in the state waiting today for a life-saving transplant, this is a matter of life or death."

For the state of Michigan, you can sign up here.

Facts of Organ Donation from Donate Life:

• Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.
  
• Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.
  
• Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.
  
• Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.
  
• Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.
  
• Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.
  
• Fact: Signing a donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation may not satisfy your state's requirements to become a donor. Be certain to take the necessary steps to be a donor and ensure that your family understands your wishes.

Statistics on Organ Donation:

• More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.
• 
  Every 11 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.
• 
  An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.
• 
  In 2008, there were 7,984 deceased organ donors and 6,218 living organ donors resulting in 27,961 organ transplants.
• 
  In 2007, approximately 30,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.
• 
  According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.
• 
  90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

Please take the time to consider this gift -- you never know who's life you will save.

two pictures to capture our weekend

Happy 4th Birthday, Wyatt Ryan and Lily Grace!

Happy Easter!

Jesus, You are Lord of All!

4 Years of Double Blessings!

Lily Grace Sweeney

April 3, 2006: 4 lbs. 3 0z.

April 3, 2010: ~ 24 lbs.

Favorite colors: pink and purple

Favorite activities: coloring, reading books, playing with you babies, playing outside, laughing with your brother.

Favorite foods and drinks: chocolate milk, juice; you don't love any specific foods, but you will eat most things.

Personality: Lily you are very independent most of the time. You love to laugh and giggle.

Things you learned to do since your last birthday: ride your big girl bike, write your name, recognize your letters and some numbers, memorize your Cubbie verses, get dressed by yourself, go potty, put on your shoes, and draw pictures of people.

Wyatt Ryan Sweeney

April 3, 2006: 4 lbs. 13 oz.

April 3, 2010: ~ 32 lbs.

Favorite colors: blue, orange, and green

Favorite activities: playing outside, laughing with your sister, driving cars, read books, and cuddle with Mommy.

Favorite food and drinks: peanut butter and jelly, tacos, chocolate milk

Personality: You are getting so brave. You are slowly becoming more independent, but you still love to be with Mommy! You love to laugh and be silly, especially with your sister.

Things you learned to do since your last birthday: ride your tricycle, go potty, memorize Cubbie verses, recognize letters and numbers, put on pants and shoes -- sometimes your shirt too.

Update: T-Shirts for CF

**Updated: I have seen the blue color that was an option and I don't care for it. I am going to go with a LIME GREEN COLOR for the shirts. **

I am having t-shirts made for my Great Strides team to wear on the day of our walk. I am also going to offer the opportunity for any one else to purchase a t-shirt with the proceeds going to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease."

---------------------------------

The t-shirt will be a **LIME green color and the design will be:

Front (small print to the upper left):

Sweeney Striders

Back (centered):

In Memory of
Ryan Sweeney
March 2, 1981- June 6, 2008
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timoty 4:7

The cost of the shirts will be $10 for those who are looking to purchase one, $2 will be given to CFF. There will be a shipping cost if you do not live near me. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like a shirt and the size you want. You can leave a comment on this post or you can find my email under my profile on the blog.

DIY: Photo Gallery

I have wanted to do some sort of photo gallery in our house with favorite pictures, but I was not sure where to begin. I have a friend who recently did this on a large wall in her living room and she inspired me to try it on the large wall in my dining room.

Here is the before:

Here is the after:

I used cheap black frames and printed black and white photos in 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10. I stuck them to the wall using picture hanging strips (Velcro for the wall). With a lot of patience, measuring, leveling, and some help from a friend, I was able to accomplish the whole project for less that $60.

The Happiest Place on Earth

I was able to purchase the download of this picture of Lily and Wyatt from Disney Photopass. I think it is my favorite picture from our trip. I love the JOY on their faces. I love that they love one another. I love that they are happy!

March 23

I went to bed last night and my mind began to wander. All of a sudden I was hit with the thought that "tomorrow is March 23". Then I began to realize that the last night Ryan and I slept in the same bed was March 22, 2008.

It has been two years since I have had my husband sleeping next to me. Two years since I was woken up by him telling me he needed to go to the emergency room. Two years since my once normal life was turned upside-down...

Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Yummy!

I just made this new recipe for our small group tonight -- Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes with homemade Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting. I had to try it out to make sure it was tasty. You can check out the recipe on my other blog, Good Eats.

Real Life

I look forward to my quiet times on Sunday mornings. I take a break from my usual study and read the weekly devotional from Devotions for Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas. This book was given to us when I was pregnant with Lily and Wyatt. At the time, a lot of the things that were written didn't seem as relevant. Now, as the kids are getting older, I find a lot of wisdom in this book each week.

Today's devotional was titled "Real Life" and the verse that went along with it was 1 Peter 1:6-7.

You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

There is much grief and many different kinds of trials in life. There are the big griefs and trials of losing a loved one, losing your job, losing your home, a marriage falling apart. But there are daily trials too. Like finding out your house has termites (and that it was treated before you bought the house and it was not disclosed to you). Or you get a flat tire. Or your kids are less obedient than normal. Or you burn the cinnamon rolls your kids were going to eat for breakfast.

The key to trials is not the trial itself, but how you react to the trial. I find for myself that the bigger things in life are easier to handle because you know that God is in control and there is nothing you could do about it. But I must always stop and think before I react to disobedience or burnt cinnamon rolls. Lily and Wyatt are watching.

I must remember that I am to be a reflection of my heavenly Father in real life. I am to be the example that they see. I know that I don't always handle things well. Thankfully God's mercies are new each morning and I am a work in progress. I just need to make sure I am making forward progress.

Lately...

I have wondered if I had the strength to persevere through this season of my life. I have wondered how long this would have to go on (two years seems like a really long time). I have wondered when this is going to get easier, when things are going to FEEL different, when things are going to BE different. I have begged God to change things. I have asked Him to give me strength.

Yet, I have not been allowing Him to work in me. I ask for His strength, but then I try to stand on my own. I have not allowed Him to continue refining me, transforming me because I have not wanted to feel more hurt. I have been shutting out God's strength, peace, and comfort; I have been shutting out the people God has placed in my life to encourage me and help me.

In resisting God's work I have only felt more pain. I have felt alone, tired, discouraged, weary.

Today I am reminded (again) that God uses trials, challenges, difficulties, and hurts to transform me to be more like Christ. These struggles through life are the things that develop character, that teach me to bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Really, what more could I want? Yes, in my human, selfish nature, I want a perfect life right here, right now on this earth. But, in reality, this life is temporary (and it is perfect for NO ONE). It is brief. And then, there is eternity.

Today I will stop trying to stand in my own strength. Today I will go back to RESTING in God's strength. Today I will choose to persevere. Today I will choose to allow God to continue transforming me, so that He is glorified.