Today

Today includes:

- working in my office

- taking pictures of a few new products

- Jane Eyre and dinner with the girls

- and lots and lots of laundry

source

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

And for last minute mommy's day gifts, use code mommy20 for 20% off your order this weekend.

Along for the Ride shop

Sharing A Piece of My Heart

[I wrote this post early in my mom's battle but waited to post it. Updates about my mom below]

I have put this post off for a long time,

not knowing where to start

not wanting to give it legitimacy

not wanting it to be a reality

but it is.

Cancer isn't new to my family. Grandparents on both sides battled it. In those cases I either wasn't born, I was young, or I was far away. I still grieve for these losses and for the effects it's had on those I love, but it always seemed a bit distant from me.

Until one day it let itself into my parent's house (the house where I grew up), took off it's shoes, and got cozy on the couch.

Cancer has become a reality now and no distance or age or denial can stop it.

My mother has breast cancer.

Those words hurt to write. They sting my eyes to read. I chose to write this in a public place so I didn't absolutely break down.

It started out with a lump that she found. A biopsy was ordered but they thought it might just be a bruise, a cyst.

I had forgotten about it briefly, and one day asked if she had heard from the doctor. I could tell that was the last thing my mom wanted to me ask. She had heard. And it was cancer.

After about a month now of tests, pokes and prods, new doctors and old doctors, her first chemo treatment is set for Monday.

I curse every mile that separates me from her. If I could quite my job and be there tomorrow I would. If I could hold her hand through every appointment and needle and tube I would. But the reality is is that I live many states away and it just isn't the right time to come home yet.

We joke about the possibility of loosing a boob and the likelihood of loosing her hair and I am simply in awe with my mother's strength, patience, and sense of humor. It's just boobs and hair and neither of them make us who we are. 

I have joked that I would shave my head for her. But it's not really a joke. I would. We all struggle with the stuff that we think is important but really has no value to who we are really. We are not our boobs, or our hair, or bodies, or legs, or anything else that we can see. We are souls, and spirits, and hearts, and minds. We are the absolute loves of Jesus.

At the beginning I prayed this a lot, "Please Lord, do not take her away. She's my best friend." Then I prayed "Please Lord, heal her and take the cancer away." Now I find myself praying, "Please Lord, use this for your glory as I know and trust that it's all for your divine and beautiful will."

I'm scared. My dad and grandmother and those that love her are scared. My mom is scared. But what do we have to fear when God is in control?

We are all so optimistic about the days to come. My mom has fought a lot of things in her past and I am sure that this will just be one more thing whose butt my mom will kick! She's a tough lady. A woman who will wear a sexy wig in the coming months. A woman who will be tested but will find the power that she really does possess. A woman who's in for a fight, but will come out stronger than ever. She is a woman I adore and admire and thank God for, every day.

***

Since I wrote this, my mom has gone through two chemo treatments. Her hair has fallen out and I'm sure she looks just has beautiful as ever! I am going home a week from today and I'm counting down the minutes. If the only thing we do for a week is snuggle on the couch and talk, then it will be the best week ever.

The Life of a Cat

I could have slept all day.

At least one little girl gets to.

Paint Chip Crafts

Every time I go to a hardware store, I have to pop into the paint section and pop a few paint chips in my purse.

The bright colors, the cascading shades, the perfect little squares, and the silly names.

juno peach, vintage vogue, in your eyes, all-a-blaze source

Lately I've been seeing some super cute and super unique paint chip crafts for all seasons.

paint chip bunting from Sugar and Dots

paint chip Christmas gift tags found on And the World Spins

paint chip clocks found on Curbly

paint chip gift tags from Bella Carta

paint chip Easter Garland from Modern Parents

pain chip Valentine's cards found on Country Living

geometric paint chip wall art found on Curbly

and the sweetest ride around!

source

I Like My New Haircut

Can't you tell!?

Praying for Each Other

Each Monday I will be posting prayer requests so that we can hold one another up and pray for each other throughout the week.

You can e-mail your prayers requests to me at iamalongfortheride[@]gmail[.]com. Feel free to e-mail today and I can add them. If you e-mail me throughout the week, I will post them next Monday.

Amanda: Could you please lift up my husband and I to find jobs this summer as my job runs out in June.  We are praying God shows us the jobs He wants us to have not just jobs that will pay the bills.  I want to do what He wants.  What I want is never the right option.  Thank you for your prayer. 

Me: My mom has her second round of chemotherapy today. Please pray that God will heal her body that He will quiet her worries and fears. Pray that she will feel His prescence throughout this difficult time. And pray that my dad will be given even more strength and courage to support her.

My grandmother is recovering from cancer herself and is nearing the end of her radiation. She has been really sick lately, and I just ask that you pray for healing and strength and patience while God restores her.

He Is Risen

Etsy via Laura on Pinterest

Happy Weekend

Use code TGIWEEKEND (get it, thanks goodness it's the weekend!)

to get 15% off in the shop. 

Saturday is Crafty Day #39

Happy Weekend! I for one, am very excited that it's Saturday! I have high hopes for getting things done today. What are you up to?

Here's a few favorites from last week.

Bunny chalk board from Can't Stop Making Things

Popsicle bracelets from Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom

Yarn Eggs from Missy Polyclay

Cork artwork from The V Spot

Your turn!

Picking Blueberries Winner

The lucky lady is Megan Wynn Volnoff from The Mrs.

Woohoo! I'm e-mailing you right now.

Beautiful

When I have a baby, this will be in the nursery.

Freya Art and Designs

Pretty Picture for You

I have writer's block today. Plus, I'm busy.

So here's a pretty picture for you.

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Getting to Know Me: Alaska

A while ago, I asked you to give me your best questions and I promised to answer them.

Well here's the first installment...

Getting to Know Me: Alaska

I got quite a few questions asking me how I was born in Alaska.

Well you see my mom was pregnant. And usually when women are pregnant, they give birth to babies.

Haha. See what I did there? I made a joke.

Ok, here's the real story.

My dad ended up moving to Alaska out of college. He was presented with three options with the job he had been working in college: we fire you, you move to Texas, or you move to Alaska.

Being the hunting/fishing/wilderness man he is, he moved to Alaska, only taking the things he could fit in the back of his truck.

Eventually he was let go and found a job working with an oil company.

During this same time, my mom's dad worked for the same oil company. Her family moved numerous times around the country and Canada, and at the same time my dad started working at the company, my mom's family moved back to Alaska.

My grandfather's best friend was my dad's boss and they introduced my parents.

They met. They fell in love. Then I was born in Alaska.

I lived there for almost 10 years. My dad left the company and we moved to the "lower 48."

I remember the day that my parents told me we were moving. I thought my life was over. Absolutely, horrifically, undeniably over. But really, it was a great experience. I am a firm believer that moving around a bit is good for kids. I have been the new kid 3 times. And although each time was tough, I sure grew a lot.

***

Alaska was amazing. Probably the best place in the world.

I moved December 1994, but I've never gone back. And frankly, I'm not sure if I want to. The older I get, the more my memories seem magical. The thoughts of the northern lights, moose in my backyard, fireweed growing wild, the never ending summer days.. those all seem like things from a movie.

***

So there are some usual questions I always get about Alaska, so let me answer a few of those.

Q. Is it always light during the summer?
A. Pretty much, yes. It's sunny almost 24 hours, and even if it does get "less light," you're asleep anyway. If you move to Alaska any time soon, make sure to get really think shades.

Q. Is it always dark during the winter?
A. Pretty much, yes. It's dark, dark at night and then for a few short hours in the middle of the day it's kind of overcast-gloomy-dark. Aside from being actually long, winter is emotionally long in Alaska. As a little kid it didn't bother me. I would play outside forever, only going in for dry gloves. Sometimes I'd dry my gloves on the dryer vent for fear of my mom telling me I had to stay in.

Q. Is it really snowy?
A. Yea, it's pretty snowy for much of the year. Winter is a long, long season in Alaska. Although I can remember many times the snow was taller than me and we opened the garage door unable to get out of the driveway, I can't remember ever having a snow day at school. Only the students who lived in the mountains were bussed to school, and from what I remember, if the bus couldn't make it, they just didn't come to school.

Q. When you spit, does it freeze before it hits the ground (this is a question that I got on my first day at my new school in Pennsylvania).
A. You know, I don't think so. But I wouldn't be surprised.

So there you have it, how I came to be in Alaska.

Although I've been away many more years than I spent there, Alaska is still a huge part of who I am.

Funny story:

On standardized tests, I filled in the bubble for "Alaskan native" because, duh, I was born there. Until one day in junior high a teacher came over and told me that I wasn't really an Alaskan native. I was devastated.

picture source

 

Bittersweet Goodbye Part 2 [virtual coffee]

If we were meeting for coffee today, the first thing you'd notice would be my new haircut.

I got it all chopped off.

I didn't do it for vanity. Or for the summer. Or for something new.

I did it for my mom.

A few month ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

I have done a lot of denying and crying and asking God why. Now, instead of asking why, I'm asking how. How can we use this experience to grow closer as a family and closer to God?

After doing research on cancer and chemo, I started to think a lot about hair and the value we place on it. The value I placed on it. I spend more time looking at myself in the mirror than I care to admit. And why? I hide behind my hair. For me, long hair got to be a safety net. As strange as it sounds, I felt protected with long hair.

[picture by Ashley Hasty]

But why do I care so much?

Did you know that it take around 6 ponytails to create a wig?

So I cut my hair for my mom and for others who are losing theirs. 

[I would have shaved my head if my mom wouldn't have been mad.]

And it was fabulous!

[pictures by Ashley Hasty]

I almost feel guilty by how much I love my hair!

Please keep my mother, Peggy, in your prayers. She's amazing and I know that God has his healing hands upon her. 

***

I donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Some things to know if you're thinking of donating [from the website]

• DO use a conditioner after every wash to help keep hair moisturized and protected against damage.
• DON'T use a brush on wet hair when you step out of the shower; once hair is washed and conditioned, use a comb with smooth, wide-set teeth to gently detangle hair, working from tip to root.
• DO use a spray, leave-in conditioner for extra protection when using heated hair appliances.
• DON'T attempt to blow-dry soaking wet hair immediately; to expedite your blow-out process and help prevent thermal damage, towel-wrap your hair for 10-15 minutes and remove excess water before using a blow-dryer.
• DO look for new technology in your drying and styling tools to help minimize damage.
• DO use a root-lifter spray to achieve volume; avoid excessive teasing of hair, as it can uplift cuticles, making them fragile and susceptible to breakage.
• DON'T overbrush hair; despite the common myth that 100 strokes a day are good for hair, this can lead to breakage. Regular, gentle brushing promotes hair health and natural oil distribution.
• DO use deep-conditioning treatments once a week, or as often as needed, to help minimize split ends and keep hair in top condition.
• DON'T wait more than eight weeks to get hair trimmed; regular salon visits are essential in keeping hair healthy and beautiful.

It's so easy to donate. Go here for more information.

Giveaway: Picking Blueberries

I'm so excited about this week's giveaway. It's from my friend Emily at Picking Blueberries! She has an adorable blog and shop and I'm so excited to share her with you!

[I'm also doing an interview/giveaway over at her blog, so come on by and say hi!]

What's the name behind your shop?

This was inspired by my blog name which was named after my son.  When i was pregnant with Emerson we decided not to find out if he was a boy or girl.  At week 8 of my pregnancy, my baby book said that the baby was the size of a blueberry and that stuck as his nickname throughout the pregnancy. my blog was started to document my pregnancy and therefore became 'blueberry's blog'.  :)

What's your favorite part about spring?

All the green!  it's my favorite color and after the long drab winter PA months, it's revives my soul!  and Easter - i love celebrating my Savior's sacrifice and saving grace.

What's your favorite part about blogging?

just the friends i have made - though i have not met them, i love them and feel inspired by their stories and lives.  God has truly blessed this community of women and I feel so blessed to be a small  part of it!

And your guilty pleasure?

Hmm...sour gummy candy - i go crazy for it! hubby knows that's major brownie points for bringing home a bag of sour patch kids!

Emily is just adorable and she makes some of the cutest things in her shop.

Some of my favorites...

Want to win a $15 shop credit toward your own button earrings, headbands, hair clips, or even a beautiful wreath?

Mandatory:

Visit Emily's shop and let me know how you'd use your credit.

Extra entries:

- Follow Picking Blueberries and Along for the Ride on google friend connect

- Follow Emily and I on Twitter

- Spread the word (tweet, blog, FB).

Giveaway winner will be announced Friday!

Praying for Each Other

Each Monday I will be posting prayer requests so that we can hold one another up and pray for each other throughout the week.

You can e-mail your prayers requests to me at iamalongfortheride[@]gmail[.]com. Feel free to e-mail today and I can add them. If you e-mail me throughout the week, I will post them next Monday.

Katie: My husband and I are pretty sure I'm pregnant. Our first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. It was terrible. We are praying for confirmation and that the baby and I will stay healthy this time. We are praying that God's will is done.

Nellana: I am having problems getting pregnant.  My husband and I have been trying on and off for the last 4 years with no luck.  We do not have money for any fertility help so I am turning to the Great Physician.

Also we are in the process of attempting to sell our house and move closer to my husband's work.  Please pray that we sell our house and find a new place easily.


Sarah: My husband got laid off from his job this week and I am 40 weeks pregnant. Please pray that he can find work soon and that the baby arrives healthy as we trust God in His plans for our family.

Me: Just pray for my family. For strength and courage and physical healing. My mom, my grandmother, and my aunt are all in need of your prayers.

Winner!

The giveaway of last week's photography giveaway is...

Lesley from Fabulously Flawed. 

Congrats! I'm emailing you right now.

I Feel Like A Discount Tonight

Just because I feel like it,

25% off with code

SUNDAY25

How Can We Pray For You?

How can we pray for you this week? 

How can we lift up your worries, fears, concerns, struggles to our Father?

Feel free to e-mail me your prayer requests for tomorrow's post.
iamalongfortheride @ gmail . com

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...
Colossians 1:8-10

Colossians 3:15

Saturday is Crafty Day #38

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Gosh, I have just been the worst crafty ambassador lately. I have not had time these past two weeks to post the party.

But today, the party's on!

[make sure you check out my new buttons and grab one if you'd like]

Ok, let's get the party started!