September 23, 2008-A day I will never forget...a day my family will never forget. One year ago today I found out that Daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It started out like any other day. Russell was at work, I spent the morning at the hair salon, went to Walmart, you know, that sort of thing. I got in my car at Walmart, I got a call on my cell phone and it was Mama. I said, "Hello." Mama said, "It's not good news. I knew it was bad but had no clue what it was. "What?? What is it?" I asked her. "Your Daddy has a brain tumor." At that moment, a feeling of pure sadness covered me like I can never explain. All I could say was, "I DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE THAT!" I tried not to cry but I couldn't help it. Earlier that day, I knew Daddy and Mama were at Daddy's Dr appointment and he needed to have a lot of tests run. Last time I spoke with Mama that morning, they only had 1 more test to go and that test would determine what was wrong. Daddy had an MRI and the tumor is what the doctor found. That day, we did not know much. We only knew that simple diagnosis. Later in the week, we learned more details of the tumor. I'll get to that later. I immediately called Russell and I was still in the walmart parking lot. I was sobbing. I could barely drive home, but I knew I could. All I wanted to do was see my wonderful, sweet Daddy. All I wanted to do was see Mama, Kelly, Eric, Logan and Lauren. I was very thankful that Russell was with me, though. Russell came home early that day and spent time with me. He was so sweet through all this. I wanted to run back to South Arkansas immediately but I couldn't. We thought we were going to close on our house that week, so we didn't think we could leave NWA just yet. Long story short, that didn't happen. But back to the main part of this post....I did talk with Daddy that afternoon. Surprisingly, I didn't cry and he didn't cry. He said, "Meredith, whatever happens, it will be okay." I told him, "Daddy, I want you to believe me when I tell you that you are going to make it! You will get through this!" He said, "Meredith, you and I have always been real close and I believe you and I love you so much." We were trying hard to be strong. It was a bittersweet moment. However, I was comforted to talk with him. I talked with Jennifer, my cousin, and Kelly later too. I was numb for most of that week.
So, all of that to say, ya'll, brain cancer awareness has become something VERY CLOSE to my heart. I hope that someone who reads this today can be more aware when I post these quick facts about brain cancer. My dream is to start a foundation, much like "Race for the Cure" but it be for brain cancer awareness, of course.
Did You Know?
~~May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month!
~~There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, making effective treatment very complicated.
~~Each year, approximately 190,000 people in the United States alone, will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor.
~~Complete and accurate data on all primary brain tumors are needed to provide the foundation for research leading to improved diagnosis and treatment and to investigations of its causes.
~~The major challenge for the future is to develop more effective techniques to treat brain tumors without damaging the brain.
~~Because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion and movement, their effects on an individual's physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating.
As most of you know, my Daddy passed away 5 months after he was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor. Every single tumor in the brain is different. Our family did not know many things about his diagnosis but wanted to know more. Even doctors cannot tell us everything because they do not know every fact about these types of tumors either! That, my friends, is why I am PASSIONATE about helping there be more awareness of this horrible diagnosis.
I know this blog post was my longest one ever, but ya'll, thank you for reading. Please pass this post on to someone today. Thank you again.
....Be strong and courageous, Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Love ya'll,
Meredith
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BE AWARE!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
All Dressed Up....and a Fashion Show!
Ya'll are thinking...."Why are ya'll dressed up?" Well tonight was the Mary Kay Fall Fashion Show. Star consultants got to dress up and walk the runway tonight! Cara is in the picture above with me! So beautimous!
And here are me and Christy before the fashion show! We had a ball!
Okay! Here I am...EEK! lol We did have a lot of fun though. Christy did makeup and my hairdresser, Laynette fixed hair for many consultants and guests!
We had a lot of fun! There were a lot of people there tonight and we all enjoyed ourselves! Monday, September 21, 2009
The Scents of Fall are Upon Us!
September is almost over ya'll. I can't wait for it to feel even more like Fall. It already feels like Fall in the evening. The weather has been pretty cool. Maybe it won't warm up TOO much! Ya'll know I love candles. I guess you could say I am a candle fanatic. I can't help it. Anyway, oooo I wish ya'll could smell "Be Thankful" candle right now! It reminds me of Thanksgiving, but you can use it all season, I think.
Ooooo and Almond Cookie. It is heaven in a jar! It is also a wonderful Fall candle and new from Yankee Candle, of course! I will soon have my Fall decor on my blog but don't know when! Keep looking for it!Saturday, September 19, 2009
Our Night in Waching the Hogs
Today has been such a rainy dreary day! I'm just glad we can watch the Hogs play inside tonight! But the game is almost over. I made "Razorback Punch" for a festive drink. Here is the recipe:
Here is Russell cheering on the HOGS! WOOOOO PIG SOOOIIEE!
I also made Barbeque Chicken. Do ya'll want the recipe? Well, I will just give it to ya'll now!
Barbeque Chicken
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
bacon strips (4-6, 1 piece of bacon for each chicken)
1 9 ounce bottle honey barbeque sauce
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
salt & pepper
Line a baking dish with foil, overlapping enough to cover chicken.
Place chicken in dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cover each chicken with a piece of bacon.
top with barbeque sauce and cover with foil.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.
Broil last 10 minutes until bacon is crisp.
Top chicken with cheese and broil until melts.
That's all folks! I hope ya'll have a great rest of the weekend! I better finish watching this close game!
Verse of the day:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Love ya'll!
Meredith
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Treats for Belle!
Can you believe these are even for dogs? Well they are! We got Belle some "Back to School" treats today at the best dog bakery in NWA! HA!
We also got her more treats! The top 3 are Arkansas Razorback treats for the football season! WOOO PIGS! Oh, and the little dog has "G" on it because Georgia is our opponent this Saturday! HA! Belle really enjoys eating these! It has been raining all week and just been sooo dreary around here! I think I'll go to bed extra early tonight! :)Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Some of My Favorite Women
I just thought I would post about some of my favorite people. I do have lots of favorites, but these are just some of them! :) My Mama is such a beautiful person! She is definitely one of my favorites! I love her so much. Her love for the Lord just radiates through her.
This is a picture of all my BEAUTIFUL bridesmaids! Pictured from left to right is Ann Marie, Mary Catherine, Jennifer, me, Amy, Emily, Haley, and my wonderful sister, Kelly! I love them all dearly! 
I remember I was soooo excited when she won. She is still my favorite Miss America. She is a wonderful Christian woman and has quite a testimony. She is deaf. But that did not stop her from winning! Kelly and Eric gave me the book that Heather Whitestone's mother wrote called "Yes, You Can, Heather!" for my 10th birthday. And I remember one time when Kelly even went to an event at U of A with Heather Whitestone as a speaker! Kelly put together a package of pictures, the program and more for me to keep! I was just SO excited!
Princess Diana was also one of my favorites. She was a wonderful and beautiful lady who helped others and was kind to others as well. I remember I was 12 or so when Princess Diana died and I went to a friends house the day of the funeral. I mean, for some reason it was a big deal to us. But we did like her, even though we were young teenagers!But currently, my favorites are:
Beth Moore
and Paula Deen! Friday, September 11, 2009
Bon Appetit!
I blogged about Julia Child the other day and I knew I wanted to make the main dish from the movie, "Julie and Julia", Bouef Bourguignon. It is basically a fancy beef stew!
I had so much fun I told Russell I felt like Julia herself! HA! It did take a lot of time but it really was fun!
And this is the finished product! Russell helped me a lot too and we enjoyed cooking together. We also enjoyed eating it! ;) I hope ya'll have a great weekend!
9-11-01
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke rising against that blue sky
or did you just sit down and cry
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer and look at yourself to what really matters
I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man. I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us. And the greatest is Love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
driving down some cold interstate
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that Bible at home
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September Days
It just seemed like 2009 just started but it is more than halfway over! WOW! Russell and I had a great 2 year wedding anniversary. We had dinner at Ruths Chris Steakhouse and it was superb. Just so yummy!
Tonight, I made Pampered Chef's California Club Pizza for dinner. It was actually very filling. If ya'll want I can post the recipe.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fall Fashion Trends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7CuM0BALHU
I thought ya'll would love this video from Mary Kay because it shows all of the Fall fashion trends of 2009!
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
Love ya'll!
Meredith
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Our 2 Year Wedding Anniversary
Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary! Russell and I were married on September 8, 2007. What a beautiful day! Since I was a little girl I dreamed of getting married. I dreamed of the wedding and it was just as I dreamed it would be. I wish I could bottle up every bit of that day so that I could always remember every detail of the whole day. I was pretty nervous the whole day until I saw Russell. He made it all worth it!
Monday, September 7, 2009
August 30th, Camden, and Facials!
I am just a little behind on my blogging. Sorry, ya'll! Just be ready for many pictures!
I turned 24 on August 30th. I had a great birthday. Russell gave me this YUMMY cake from Coldstone Creamery! It was absolutely divine!
Here is a fun picture of me, Russell and our Belle of course! :) And don't worry, Belle did not eat any cake! It looks like she is about to attack our cake! HA!
Russell took me out to eat at The Melting Pot and it was ooo sooo good! He had the waitress give me balloons when we got there! It was fun!
Ya'll may know by now, that The Melting Pot is one of our favorite places! I have the best husband! He is grand!
Russell and I also went to Amy and Tony's to visit and see Leighann, of course. It makes me so happy to hold darling babies. Doesn't Leighann look so precious in her sun hat?
Me and my little "niece"!
Amy even made a cake! She said that the cake wasn't cool enough for icing so the green icing ran everywhere but I still think it looked and tasted great! Thanks Amy! She said that Leighann helped her too! ;)
Russell holding Leighann. He loves her!
I decided to go to Camden last Monday to visit Mama, as ya'll know. I also got to spend time with one of my best friends, Lindsey. She spent Wednesday night with us!
Mama and I even got pedicures on Friday and we loved that! I also got to visit her sweet class. Mama is a great teacher!
Saturday, I did facials for Mrs.Kim, Emily, and Mama. Don't they look beautimous? We had a lot of fun and laughed a lot too.
