What Sisterhood Means To Me

Sisterhood to me is a bond with girls that goes beyond what a friendship holds; a special connection that only you and your sisters share. There are many late nights, long talks, laughter, and tears that become special memories!

In the Fall of 1996 a group of 36 individuals walked the halls of the AXO house together to take a pledge. At that moment we had no idea what the future would hold. However, we did know that there would always be a group of people out there who would love and support each other no matter what and would always be by each other's side no matter how many miles kept us apart after our college days.

Now ten years have come and gone since that Fall night and I am proud to say that the bond of our sisterhood is stronger than ever. We have shared tears of joy and heartache, and have been there by each others sides when celebrated one of our many accomplishments. We are now, teachers, lawyers, mothers, wives and above all we are still sisters!

The last 10 years have been great to the Hubby and I. We have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, good health and happiness. I believe we are who we are because of the company we choose to keep...our family, our friends, our brothers and our sisters. We Thank God each day for giving us the opportunity to surround ourselves with friends such as you and we pray that he continues to keep your families safe and healthy.

I reflect upon the bond of sisterhood today, because over the course of the last few months the sisters of AXO have come together now more than ever to provide the strength and love that one particular sister needs. Our friend, our sister Erin Cloud Scott was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon cancer in January of this year. She is a wife, a mother of two precious kids and above all a fighter.



On May 17th a Laps of Love benefit is being held in her honor. I ask you the blogging world to support she and her family with your voice and silent donations. Though some of us may have never met, and we may not be tied together through the bond of a particular sorority we all hold one thing in common...The Love for our family, friends and all things that are special to us that we love to write about daily. For that some might say we are a sorority of Bloggers. As hard as it is to imagine any of us could be the one wearing Erin's shoes.

I ask for your help in spreading the word by posting this post onto your blog. Your voice and your silent donations will give her the strength to fight this battle. Please support Erin and her family by making a contribution in her honor. Though money cannot erase the cancer it can provide a moment of financial relief.

Donations can be made to:

York Jr. High School Laps of Love
27310 Oak Ridge School Road, Conroe, TX 77385

Make checks payable to Erin Scott Fund


Yesterday Erin completed her FIFTH round of chemotherapy and she is determined to "KICK CANCER IN THE BUTT!"




Sincerely,

A Friend, Wife, Mother & Sister

Daddy Boot Camp

Recently, I took a new job that required me to go out on the road for a few weeks...did I mention in a Row! That meant that the Hubby would officially be signing up for Daddy Boot camp. I was nervous to say the least. Not because I doubted the Hubby's capability to take care of Cookie, but because this meant I would be away from the family for the first time since Cookies arrival.

Needless to say, it would of course consist of me traveling 1,000+ miles away for multiple days and only returning for the weekend. Being a working mom that travels is never easy, the guilt is unbearable, and you never know what may happen while you are away. But, I knew that this time would come, I guess I just didn't want to face the reality of it.

The first night away it was like someone ripping my heart out and putting it neatly on the bed side table. However, the Hubby constantly assured me that all would be okay and kept me up to date on her progress hourly. A big old TX size hug to Verizon for providing the technology of picture phones!

When I boarded my return flight that first Friday, no matter what I did I couldn't get the captain to speed up the plane. The minutes seemed to linger in flight and baggage claim seemed to take F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

When I pulled into the driveway that night, I was greeted with one big smiling Hubby a huge hug and a big old kiss. As we recapped the week, the Hubby seemed a little different...calm, collected and so excited to tell me about the events of the week. He began by saying...Just Call Me Mr. Mom! My heart melted. He had survived!

I just have to share a few of his proud moments that occurred while I was away...

The first week I made sure to lay out every outfit, so all the Hubby would have to do is pick one up and put it on her...



However, by Friday of that week he didn't care for the last outfit, so he choose different one. This meant he had to button her little shirt up...all Five buttons in the back...Five very small unforgiving buttons.



The second week while I was away "Pink" eye was going around the school and Cookie was forming some gunk in her eyes, so the school called. Of course they called me first and my heart melted. What was I to do, I was of course all the way in DC? With much assurance, The Hubby said, "Honey stop your worrying I have it covered." He called the Dr. got her an apt. and stayed home with her the next day.

He was now embarking on New Found Territory...24 FULL Hours Alone with a baby. Leave it to the Hubby he had it covered. How did he past the time away you might ask? He busted out the guitar...

And he even baked cookies...they were oh so yummy!

That Saturday, I watched the Hubby do this...



The Hubby surprises, me yet again by having our Katch A Kid installed. After all that he had done, he even made enough time in his schedule to make sure that Cookie would be safe as we approached a new swim season.

After being on the road for three weeks, I am blessed to say that the Hubby is now an official Mr. Mom and it is great to always come home to this...



He approached every obstacle head on. He is one of a kind and if any of your Hubby's need a little advice please feel free to have them contact my Mr. Mom at 555-SUPER-DAD!

Much Love to you Hubby XOXOXO

When Frog's Go Mad

Must I really wear this hat...



I Really Do Not Want to Wear this Hat...

A Little Southwest In Flight Entertainment

Southwest may be known for it’s no assigned seating, but a couple of weeks ago I would have to say they provided me with some great in flight entertainment…

On Monday my colleagues and I all departed our homes enroute to New Mexico. For me the day began with kissing the hubby and seeing my precious Cookie off to school. Of course it also included another visit to the school before I took off. While sitting and waiting for my number to be called, I saw this comical man walk across the airport in a full on WHITE linen suite with WHITE Vans and one sunned face…and all I could think was…Wow Don Johnson in Miami Vice really does exist outside of his 1984 timeslot.

In my heart of hearts I was certain that Sonny Crockett lived on!

As we all loaded the plan in a civil, no seat assignment way of course, we all prepared ourselves for a nice two hour flight. Hey what could go wrong? I did in fact have a Priest sitting in front of me. Just as the ½ ounce peanuts hit the tray Mr. Don Johnson walked to the front of the plan to use the 4 star bathrooms. Then all of the sudden the woman sitting behind me began to yell…

Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Kilmer can I have your autograph?

Yep, that is right…low and behold Mr. Iceman was on my flight! Much to my surprise I was still thinking he was Mr. Don Johnson Miami Vice, speed boat driving wantabe!

Let’s just say he doesn’t look like this anymore….



And a little more like this…



I guess I should add my disclaimer here so just incase Mr. Iceman’s people want to make a big deal of this precious little blog entry, for the record these are the opinions of a Rookie Mom that once in a while get’s a little unexpected in-flight entertainment!

She's One Tall Keeper

The Hubby loves to fish and everyone in the family knows it. His theme song could be "I Gonna Miss Her," by Brad Paisley. You know the song about fishing...

Recently my sister and her family came across this onesie that they just couldn't pass up while on vacation in Florida. Don't you think it pairs oh so nicely with her little leopard bow!



For a little catch up since we last spoke...Cookie had a great six month check-up never mind the fact that she turned seven months that Friday. Oops almost missed that one. Our little Cookie done went off and grew about 3 inches...she topped out of her height at 99%. Her weight and head were in the 80% range. So we can officially say she is at the top of her little class!

Cookie took her shots like a champ! She didn't get frustrated until the Dr. took the tongue compressor she was holding away from her. Glad to know that a 20 cent tongue compressor will easily entertain Cookie, so much that she didn't feel the TWO INCH needles go into her thigh. That should save us a few bucks in the long run. Never mind the Fisher Price we will stick with Dollar General Plastic Spoons and see what we can get at the Dr. Office.

Well, bloggers I am off to another week of training in D.C. Maybe, I will have some news to post on Tales from the Road soon. The Hubby and Cookie have been enjoying their time together and getting by just nicely.

If you didn't know it The Hubby is one of a kind and the best Super Dad out there. He even does laundry! I am the luckiest Wife and Mother out there. I feel that after this month of traveling is done, Oprah should really do a special on him. I can see the title now, "A Day in the Life of A Dad and A Cookie." What do you think?

Have a great week!