LOCK IN

Well, i am now sitting here at church at 3:43 am watching the teenagers play mafia and at this point nothing is making sense but I am nuts loosing my sleep but having lots of fun. Brianna was the first to go to sleep. We have had plenty of games and a great devo from Steven and wonderful singing if you can just think about early/late singing. Well I had my first day at work today and I just want to say it was the best. This is going to be the best year ever. Our new Librarian is going to be great, she is really sweet and wants the library to succeed. I can't believe that school starts back for the kids on the 11th but the staff is on board now. It about killed me to get up at 5:30 this morning and I am still up and very sleepy.

It amazes me how teenagers can entertain themselves. I am definitely not like I use to be all this tells me is that I am having fun but would love to be in bed right about now. They don't even act sleepy. Sally was here but she decided to leave just a while ago. Now Hannah is here with me and she is sitting in Rachel's lap not asleep still hanging in there. Alex keeps telling me "mom shouldn't you go let her lay down on the couch and sleep and I reply by " "son she isn't sleepy she can stay awake if she wants to and she wants to"

Drive In Movie

Jasmine and I decided to go to the Drive-In movie at Winfield we went last night at the 12:00 showing we left home at 11:10 got there and we were somewhat late but that was ok we were there. It has been years since I had been to a drive in movie. Being late to a drive in movie is very embarrassing, we drive up pay and start to drive in and the man hollers to us a radio station that we didn't hear, so one other thing people park crazy in a drive in movie we had to drive down many lines to finally find a space and I pulled in a space so crooked by people sitting out in lounge chairs in the space next to us, so we park and work with trying to find the radio station so we can hear the movie ( I remember going when I was young and we had speakers to put on the windows) we just couldn't figure it out so I said Jasmine ask the boy outside what the channel is and when she finally worked up the nerve she leans out of the car and whispers excuse me excuse me and I am dying laughing and when she finally gets back in the car I get out and go to the stand and ask so now we were ready to settle down to watch the movie when our windshield fogs up so I ask her if she would get out and wipe off the window so here she goes getting out of the car and she runs around the car and it is fogged up in the inside not the outside Jasmine looked like Spiderwoman running around the car and it was so funny, she gets in the car and the light takes forever to go off and she is almost down in the floor board trying to hide so people want see her and I am dying laughing still, I know I missed alot of the movie but I didn't miss Jacob with his shirt off. I think I like going to the inside movies where there are advantages like.
1. Air condition
2. There is always a parking space outside.
3. The seats are comfortable
4. There is no station to figure out to hear the movie. Thank goodness we would never hear a movie if we had to tune into a radio station.
5. Now let me get started on the bathroom. There was two stalls and they were painted bright red a shock to me a little embarrassing.
I was dissappointed with the movie but had a great time there with Jasmine. We always have great trips together even if it is a short trip. She slept all the way home and we got home at 2:45. Everyone needs to go to the drive-in to appreciate the real movies.

What a Great Day

This day was great because I slept in late until 12 which I haven't done in forever. I haven't been able to go to sleep for some reason. I have got to say some things I am blessed for today. First of all I am so blessed to have a home to stay in all day. I didn't go anywhere today I stayed home and cleaned Jasmine's room. Those of you that know Jasmine she can be pretty messy, so I thought I would surprise her when she gets home from work and it be all cleaned up. I have succeeded.

I would like to know if people other than me have a problem keeping vaccuum cleaners to work. I have a fairly new one and it quit on me already. Let me add I have had 2 in the last 2 months. Like I said I am counting my blessings because if one way don't work there is always an alternative way, so I got the wonderful broom and there I go sweeping the carpet which takes so much longer but it worked. So I will attempt to get another one if you read my blog please give me an update on a vaccuum that really works now I don't want to spend a whole lot of money but I do want a good one.

I am getting so excited to go to camp on Sunday. Alex and I will be there a whole week. I will not be in the Kitchen this time I am going to be a counselor. I am so excited about this. I love being with the kids you get to have devotionals every night and it is such a growing experience for me and all the others. Going to camp to me means leaving all the worldly things back. There is no TV now if you are reading this and don't go to camp you are probably wondering how on earth do you do it. The truth is you don't even miss it. There is no radio you don't even get in a car for nothing unless your in Hilltop Cabin and the counselor's will definitely ride up and down the hill. Mia and I will be in a cabin together and we will have a great time. Also at camp we get three meals a day which we do sometimes at home what I mean is full meals which is delicious we have the greatest food at camp and it is hard work. The cooks get up at 5:45 all week to get the meals started and sometimes don't get out of the kitchen until after supper, now it is alot of work but it is fun. We get to go swimming everyday I hope to work on my tan hahaha. We also get to play sports oh no I hope I can have oxgyen. just joking. I can handle it. I sure I will be exhausted come time to go home.

My Monday

Hello everyone that reads my blog. I inherited a kitten and her name is Nala we were at the shop on Saturday and 2 boys came by there and had the kitten and said someone threw the kitten in their yard, so, I couldn't leave it.. She is the sweetest kitten and she has slept all day today. She wants to get right at your neck and just lay there and go to sleep it is so weird. She has a sweet personalty.

When I got up this morning I went to Trussville to meet the towing people. We called Michaels Towing and they said they would be there on Sunday to pick up the car, we called as soon as church was out and they said they would call him back, guess what no call. So Alex called as soon as he got up and asked what was going on and they seemed to not remember he called. I just think they didn't want to come so they didn't. We couldve already had it done but they said they would do it and we waited. But we ended up calling ABC Towing in Trusville they said they would be there at 12:30 so I get there at 12:10 and at 1:10 they still weren't there so I called and they said it would be 15 more minutes so I got smart and went in Target and looked around. They arrived and it took all of 10 min. to load the car and he got a lower rate with this towing company. If you need a vehicle towed DO NOT CALL MICHAELS IN GRAYSVILLE call ABC Towing.

I think my new name for this blogged should be count your blessings because I went to Trusville in Billy's car and it has no air so I decided to think of all my blessings and I counted a bunch and I forgot all about how hot it was outside. I think everyone should take a minute everyday and list their blessings. During the heat i thought about I am so lucky to have air at home. Now let me just say the air at home was out for three days and it was 90 degress in our house. I am thankful for all the hard workers that work in the heat to help people in distress like I was. It is such a hot job and someone has to do it. Thank you to all the heating and air conditioning workers.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful Christian family. I am so proud of them. I don't understand why people judge people. I think people go about judging people the wrong way. My theory is this, I think if people have a problem with you they should not talk to others, they should go directly to the person and talk to them first not to your neighbors.
I am not a perfect person but I don't know but one perfect person and that is God. The Bible says "Judge not that ye be judged" This verse tells me that there will only be one judge and that will be God, not your neighbor, not the people you work with or your friends only God. I am so lucky to be a Christian, A Christian doesn't mean that someone doesn't make mistakes because we all make mistakes, and we should learn from them and not make the same mistakes over and over.

I Am Back

Hello everyone don't pass out because I am now posting. I forgot my password and Jazz helped me retrieve my password. We had a wonderful VBS it was great. I took the 4th - 6th grade to their classroom every night and of course I had the largest class first night 10 second night 11 third night 14 whoa go 4th and 5th and 6th grade. All the teachers had wonderful prepared classes. The teachers put in a lot of time into VBS. VBS ended on Wednesday and Thursday I had the Youth DEVO at Sylvan Springs Park and yes it was hot but it was great Christian fun.

It has been hot at the Courington's our house air was out and it took the air people 2 days to get here it was 90 inside our house. Billy's air in his car has gone out. My air in my van hasn't been working for a while now, but I am keeping on keeping on don't let a little heat stop you.

It was so nice to have Addi at our house for 2 days. She is back to her normal self. It was so nice to hear her laugh and have fun. She was a trooper in our hot house she didn't even complain. I love being with Addi life with Addi is always fun.

I really won't a summer job. I would love to babysit. If you know anyone who needs a sitter for the summer please let me know.

Alex's car broke down on him in Trussville tonight. I went to pick him up but before I got there I went to Red Robin to eat. Alex was with Daniel and they ate at Jim and Nicks so I had a wonderful Cheeseburger and great fries. I sorta enjoyed being alone for a change.

By the way I don't think I said the air is now working. Billy will settle down and become a happy camper in the Courington house if he isn't happy no one is. hahaha.

My Doctor Update.

Today I had an appointment and the doctor told me that my Liver Enzymes had tripled in amount and all my other blood work had doubled. He told me he thinks I could be going through rejection, he didn't have my prograf results back yet so he proceeded to tell me that he would either call me this afternoon or tomorrow to let me know how my prograf level is. If the level is normal then he will have to schedule me a biopsy and if this level is high or changed any then we will have to up it. So we are hoping it will be up. He said the way it looked I could be in rejection. I say I will deal with that when it happens. I will do whatever it takes to keep living. So far God has blessed me with a new Liver and blessed me with good health and whatever the outcome is it will be Gods will and I will conquer it with all my being. As far as how I feel I am feeling tired but that isn't going to stop me I am going to keep on keeping on.

I have to go back next week and give blood again and I have an appointmend on Oct. 14.
I would like for you all to know I am having a Celebrating Life Banquet for me at Sylvan Springs Church on Oct. 10 at 6:00. There should be no gifts it all about being alive and enjoying life. Most readers are my normal readers but if there are friends who read this and want to come please let me know and I will be so excited.
I am so lucky to be where I am today. I am happy, to be here. I wake up and see sunshine not clouds, see work as a blessing not as a headache, see housework as a wonderful chore not a job well this may be pushing it alittle bit but really I thank God everyday for my life.

God has blessed me and I know he will always bless me. Yes I get nervous but I know God is by my side during all my trials. I will keep a great attitude and continue to pray to God each and every morning and night.

I am so proud of my family. My husband works every day to provide for us and barely complains (about his job). God has blessed me with 2 great children and I am so thankful they have a huge future ahead of them.

Everyone have a great evening and great day tomorrow. Love Mary

About Time for a new post !

I have wonderful news my sister called me yesterday and told me she is pregnant. We are so excited and happy to have a new baby in the family. She is so excited, the baby will be due in June and I am glad because I am off in the summer and can help her with the babies Aidyn and new baby.

As others already know Alex left for Freed in Henderson and he is so happy there. I really miss him but I know he is going to be a strong leader for Christ. He has met several friends which I knew he would have no trouble doing. Moving him in was hard but I handled it really well, yes, I cried but not to bad. I cried when I got home and his room was empty but i got over it.

We had a great Labor Day we all went over to David and Susans house and had lots of food as usual. It is always a blessing to go to David and Susans because family is very important and there is lots of laughs, smiles, and when we leave we are very full and you would think you wouldn't eat for two days but we all know that isn't so.

The summer went by to fast. I had a great summer I went to the beach with David and Susan and of course they made everything fun and the food was wonderful. I crabbed and it was sad because I guess I didn't realize they cooked them alive and it was tramatic to me I will never crab again.haha.

Went to camp and had a good time. I love the fellowship we have working in the kitchen it is a lot of work but it is worth it.

Started school and it didn't start so well, I kept saying I was going to get perfect attendance and on the second day of school I was taken off in an ambulance with a fever of 103 and all my stats were off. Well, I was put in and stayed in for 7 days I had a bacteria called Klebsiella how I got it who knows? Needless to say I will not say I am going to get perfect attendance again.

I will update soon. Love Mary

Alex went to Freed this weekend

When Alex got home and we were talking he said it was weird going to Wal-mart and not having to tell anyone, and I got to thinking about that and decided that would have to be strange because all of your life you have had to tell us where you were at and when you were leaving to come home and now you have no one to answer to. I was worried to death about him but I will say I did make it ok while he was gone. This will be a tough transition for me, letting go and it is not an easy thing to do for me.

I am very proud of him and want him to have a great time while oft to college. And that is what we have children for to raise them and send them off to college and hope the best for them. Alex will be a strong christian leader and will lead lots of others to Christ.

I will have the most adjusting to do.
A. I will have to get use to Alex not being at home at night in his bed, because I like my children being in their own beds at night.
B. I like knowing where they are and when they arrive and when they leave. O.K. yall this is not going overboard.
C. I like seeing Alex everyday!!!!!
D. I can't believe Alex said he was only coming home once a month.lololol
E. Saddened to know I can clean and paint his room when he leaves. NO MORE AUBURN ROOM!!
F. Jasmine has claimed his room closet, she says she needs more room yea right.

guess I will go for now Have a great week. Mary

Alex's 18th Birthday

I will have to first start off by saying how proud of Alex I am. He is a joy to have as a son and he can just about always make me laugh. It is so hard to believe how fast time flies by it just seems like yesterday that I was thinking "Man Alex has a long way to go till he turns 13, 16 and now he is 18 years old, you parents please take and enjoy each day because before you know it your child will be graduating,and off to college. I am not going to take Alex leaving to colleg easy, it makes me so sad to think that I am not going to see him everyday, to think Alex is not going to be in his own bed at night. My children have always been at home at night, those of you who have been through this may can help me adjust because I am not adjusting very easy.

I am proud that Alex want to go to Freed and his mission is to become a minister. From watching Alex through the years he will make the best preacher because he really cares and feels from the heart everything he says, he really wants to help people learn how to become a Christian and live a great wonderful life in the Lord. When Alex and us went to Ragland and I watched him get up there and teach the class, and lead singing and do the preaching it brought tears to my eyes because I realized that my son is a dedicated man of God and this is what he is best at, and he wants to lead people to God, and nothing will stop him.

Oh and I want you all to know Alex needs a job keep your eyes and ears open. Tennis is almost over and he will definitely need to work for the summer. He don't think so though but reality is time to grow up and start working. hahahahaa

All I want to say is I Love You Alex and I will always be here for you. Love Mom!!!

Heres and Exciting Post Dr.Visit.

Well, today was great. My visit was wonderful all my blood work but Prograf (I never expect it to be right) was good. He lowered my Prograf and hopefully that will stop the shaking. It is strange he suggested me to try Hypnopsis I know I didn't spell it right for my itching, he wanted to try that before he did anything else, I feel some what funny about that, even though David did suggest it before my surgery and I just never did do it, what do yall think of this idea should I or should I not. He said I don't have to come to the Dr. but every 2 months and give blood once a month WoW look how far I have come in just almost 5 months. God has held my hand through this whole process without him I just couldn't have came this far without him. I am so thankful to be a Christian and part of such a great family. Thanks everyone.

Some pictures of them waiting in the waiting room during my surgery

I will have to say I am the luckiest person in the world to have such great family and church family. I am so proud of my church family,for those who don't know they called Tameka over to them and took her in as family and stayed by her side while her daughter was having her Liver Transplant. I am the luckiest person in the world to be a part of this family at "SYLVAN SPRINGS CHURCH OF CHRIST"
I know this is a late post but hey better late than never. This is a great post!!!!



This is a funny picture because Alex met her at the elevator and wheeled her in because she had her foot surgery that Friday and she just had to come up to the waiting room to be with everyone.



This is funny Aidyn never has anything to do with anyone, but he loved Addi and as you can see Addi liked trying to hold him.




This is a waiting room picture, can you believe all the people? If you will look closely by Mia you will see Tameka the baby's mom and you will also see the red wagon behind them that is what she came here with, she is trying to hide in this picture.




In this picture you can see Tameka a little bit but not much.





This is a great picture of Katie and Mia. These are two beautiful people, I love them so much they are so special to me.



Look at Hannah and Daniel their smiles tell it all, they are beautiful.lol Hannah survived the waiting room during my surgery.


Now Phyllis looks like she is just so happy and having a great time.



NOw just take a look at Susan and you just can't be sad here, she is in the waiting room and waiting on me to get out of surgery and is as happy as can be.



My hubby was worried to death in this picture I am sure he is texting everyone he knows to tell them I am in surgery.




This is my best friend and her husband look at the look on her face she looks worried to death. She is the sweetest friend she has been happy and sad with me through this year it was rough for the both of us.

This blog is dedicated to my mom!!!!

Hello everyone, my mom has been gone for three years today, I would like to say this was a very sad day for me. Susan couldn't have said it any better, I long to hold her one more time, To just see her beautiful face and the memorable smile she shared with everyone. You know every day wasn't a sad day while she was in the hospital I can remember sitting at her bedside and her looking at me and she just started rubbing my hair and saying "how pretty it was" no matter how sick she was she always said something nice and I am sure my hair was a mess.

My mom was always thinking of others the day she went to the doctor in Oct. I had taken off to go with her and she called me and said they changed her apt. I said "Ok I will just go to work" needless to say they didn't change her apt. She knew she was going to get bad news and when she got there they told her she only had 4 months to live afterwards her and dad went to Avondale Park this is where they spent a lot of their days and dad said they hugged and cried and she asked him to promise not to tell us because she wanted life to be as normal as it can be, how selfless can this be. This was really hard on my dad to handle this news by himself but he granted her, her wish.

I remember when she came home Pam and I were giving her a bath and we heated everything, her bedsheets, her covers, every towel she had (no kidding) and we bathe her and when she got out we immediately started covering her with all the hot towels and she sat in that chair and said "I really like this, yall can do this all the time and she gave us a little smirk and that was enough satisfaction for us.

You know the feelings never change, the love never fades it just gets stronger in my heart, the yearning to be with her is very strong and I look forward to seeing her in heaven when it is my time to get there, there is never a day go by that I don't have a memory of her. There toward the end she started telling people that visited her that you were either on her prayer list or her love list where that came from I don't know but that is how she felt. I remember one night I was at their house and dad mom and I was outside and dad looked up and saw a bright star and he asked my mom to come over there with him at the steps and they stood there and made a wish. At night when I look up at the sky and see all the bright stars I think of that moment and say a prayer and thank God for all the wonderful memories I have and for giving me these memories and lots more.

Sorry this is a sad blog but I had to do something because my heart was aching and sometimes blogging makes me feel better.

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MY DAUGHTER

It is so hard to believe that my only daughter is 19 today, where has time gone? It just seems like yesterday she was born, a helpless little girl who solely depended on her mom and dad for everything. From the time she was born she had a smile on her face and some things just don't change because still today she carries that beautiful smile every where she goes. When Jasmine decided it was time to walk there was no stopping her she was walking and running everywhere and still some things don't change she is still running and walking everywhere she never stops always on the go. I am so proud of her, she has been the daughter I have always prayed for and there is nothing I would change for her.

Jasmine is a wonderful christian, and dating a wonderful christian young man, from the time she could date she started out dating a christian and has stuck with that. Jasmine has been so grown for a while now she works, goes to school full time and still makes time for everyone else. She may get discouraged at times but she gets over it and goes on with life and the smile is back in no time. I hope to post some pictures later.

We love you Jasmine and Happy Birthday. We are proud of you in every way.

Wonderful Weekend

Hello everyone, I would like to tell those who read my blog about my weekend even though the ones that read my blog are the one pretty much doing the same things I did how funny is that but for those bloggers who are not with me often here is an update.

On Friday evening we had the honor to go to Paul's/others National Board Certification reception and it was so great. It is always nice to have family that cares and will support you. Family is so important because as I was sitting upstairs with all the others I got to looking and we had almost a whole isle filled with just family for Paul. Paul worked hard and we will probably never know how much effort he put into this but I know from watching him it was no easy task. So CONGRATS TO PAUL WE LOVE YOU! Afterwards we all went to the Fish Market (which isn't my favorite but I can always find something like Chicken in something like Pasta). And again all the family went there also the fellowship, the laughter and the talking is so addicting that you hate for the evening to end. This family has such a strong bond and I am so thankful to be such a part of it. I love you all very much and I enjoy each and every day with all of you.

Saturday was not that active of a day, I slept sorta late and enjoyed it so much. I stayed home and just hung out there. I have started playing Bingo on Yahoo and it is so much fun, I called it the I'm to old to keep up with the cards. I couldn't believe it was such a challenge, but for me it was.

Sunday is always such a great day for me and my family. We went to church and church is such a safe place to be. David always has such a great uplifting lessons. After church we went home to eat. We ate steaks, corn, salad, and peas it was great just all of us sitting at the table with each other. These occasions are getting rarer and rarer. I cherish my family so much, I enjoy every minute we have when we get it. Then we went to see mawmaw and pawpaw and I would like for everyone to please say a special prayer for the both of them, mawmaw is very sick. She is such a precious person and all her life she has done for others unselfishly. Pawpaw has been having some breathing problems so please remember him he seemed to be doing good today he was talking non stop. After church we came home Theresa and James was at the house and they had brought homemade Chicken soup and it was the best soup ever. The visit was good and we laughed and laughed about everything.

Monday Billy had a dr.apt at 8 and everything seemed ok. We both had an eye apt. and Billy's eyes were the same which surprised me and my eyes well just let me say they had changed big time. I am not getting new lenses because in Oct. my insurance wil cover almost all of new frames in Oct. so I am going to wait till then to get new frames.

Oh by the way Billy and I went to see the movie TWILIGHT I am not going to say much about the movie but I will tell you it is just wonderful I loved every bit of it, I was so shocked that I liked it so much. But please everyone go and see the movie.


Guess this is long enough. Mary

Christmas udate and much more

Hi! How is everyone doing? Great I hope! We are doing ok except that Billy is now sick, he has been throwing up and not feeling so well, he has the chills and can't seem to get warm, he is so worried about me getting sick but I feel like I will be ok someone has to take care of him.

Ok, Christmas was great, I was so happy to be able to get up and fix our BIG Breakfast for the family, everyone got to our house about 10 and the food was good. Christmas was different in many ways number one was Kim and the kids didn't make it because they were all sick and I tell you what I missed them so much and so did everyone else my house was not the same. Paul came by and ate and off he went, he went home to care for his sick people. And I really felt great, I made it just fine and I am so thankful for that, the Lord has blessed me so much in so many ways. So Kim and Paul can't wait till next Christmas and yall can't leave until midnight lol.

We spent New Year's Eve at Roebuck Pky Church of Christ with Daniel and his youth group. Mark drove the church van and several went from our church. Daniel had games and singing planned and of course there was food and it was delicious. We had singing which started about 11:30 and we sang in the New Year, all I can say is the singing seemed a little off for some reason I just couldn't put my finger on it and I wasn't even singing real loud.haha.

I didn't really make any New Years Resolutions but I did set me some goals reasonable ones. 1. Always remember God gave me everything that I have and never take things for granted.
2.Wake up everyday and say a prayer and go to bed every night with a prayer.
3.Say I love you to my family as often as possible more than I have been.
4.Wake up ready every day to make the best of every minute of the day. Don't take anything for granted.
5. Live life to the fullest.
6.Make a call to someone who is sick,or in the hospital or is just down and out.
7.Let every one know that I am a christian by the way I live and I want to be a good example to those who know me and those who are getting to know me.
8.Never forget where I got my second chance of life, GOD, THE DONOR, THE DONOR'S FAMILY I want to always say a prayer for them life has got to be hard.
9.I want to try and help my father as much as I can or as much as he will let me. Because I want him to meet me in heave with my mom standing beside me with open arms. I truly believe that it is never to late.

I guess I am going to end this I hope you are not to bored with my posting but it is the best I can do for now. Take care and I hope everyone has a great New Year and I hope all your dreams come true.

Love you all Mary.

New meaning of Thanksgiving

Hello everyone, as I sit here I was thinking what an amazing Thanksgiving this year is to me. I sit here in my living room with the tree blinking ( I know it is early but why not this year our living room tree is white and it is very beautiful) My mind gets to thinking that I am the luckiest person in the world to be here to day.

1. I am very thankful for the donors family, I can't imagine how they feel this year at Thanksgiving, my heart goes out to them each and every moment I am alive. I know they have got to be so proud of their child for saving 9 peoples lives and mine included. Sometimes this is so overwhelming to me all I can do is cry, because I know how it feels to loose someone you love so dearly. I just wish somehow they will find a way to have a good Thanksgiving.

2. I am thankful for my husband every since my surgery he has been there for all of my needs and sometimes I know I have ran him all day long and he never complained. Over and over he would say "I am so thankful you have this new liver so you can finally feel better." Just having him by my side the whole time has been a blessing in itself because I really needed him mentally and physically. Billy is the sweetest husband, and I am so thankful that he was brought up in the church. Billy is my counselor, my support when I am having an outburst of tears, he is my best friend someone who will always laugh with me and cry with me. He is able to pick me up when I am feeling down. Thank you Billy.

3. I am so thankful for my wonderful children. God has blessed me with wonderful christian children. I watch them grow up and date christian people and it makes me so happy that we as parents have done something correct in raising our children. I can imagine how scared for the whole year and fifteen days that I was sick because the unknown was the worst feeling and that is a lot for teenagers to cope with. I am so proud of them while I was in the hospital. Here's an example Jasmine came by one afternoon and I was crying because the nurse had come in with all my medicine to show me how to administer it all by myself and I was scared to death that I wasn't going to get it right so Jasmine crawled up in the bed with me for about one hour and a half and she went over and over it with me and it wasn't as bad as I had thought. There wasn't a day go by that Alex didn't give me a hug and ask me "How are you doing today mom?" and give me a kiss on the cheek. The day I had my surgery started a whole new life for me, my family and I held onto each other and bonded so thick I didn't think we could get any closer. I am Thankful for two.

4. I am thankful Kim and her family. Kim and her family have done so much for me. Kim is a wonderful wife and mother and best friend to me. If it wasn't for Kim I don't know if I would've gotten my IV meds at home lol. I love you so much for just coming over when I needed a friend to talk to and just hanging out with me. The children did wonders for me they always put a smile on my face and that is what I needed the most. Also thank you Paul for being there for Kim when I had my surgery the things you do are not unnoticed. I am so glad that Kim has you and you are a great guy. Thank you

5. Susan and David I don't know where to begin. I want to say yall mean the world to me and I am so thankful to be a part of your family yall have always accepted me from the start and that has always meant a lot to me. Susan thank you for saying on the day of my surgery "Mary is going to get her surgery today" and when I got the call I called you and you were as beside yourself as I was that is what family is all about. Thank you for all the prayers you sent out for me, thank you for the smile you gave me the day you and David came to the hospital when I was in that meeting about my medicine I remember looking down the hall and you were sitting in the chair down there with the biggest smile on your face ever. David you mean the world to me also. I am so thankful to have such a strong christian man that I can depend on if there ever is a problem. Oh I also heard that you cleaned the bathrooms wow David that is love for a family member there thank you so much. Thank you for all the other you did for us I want say what but I think you know what it is. Susan thanks again for putting all of the time and effort into cleaning my house this goes to everyone who helped I don't want to leave anyone out. I want to thank you Susan and David.

6. This goes out to Katie and Josh and Hannah. Thank you so much for everything you do for me all the prayers, smiles, and help during my time of healing. I know that times have been hard for you all but I know how strong christian people you all are and that God is definitly going to help you through all of these hard times. Hannah is so sweet and I love hearing her say Mary her smile is so bright that wherever she is she lights up a room. Josh I love you so much you mean the world to me. I am thankful for you and your family.

7. Daniel and Mandi thanks for coming and visiting me. I got so many cards from your congregation and getting them made me feel so thought of and thankful. Your christian work has been so powerful in my life that I know you have so much to share to christians your talent is endless. I am thankful for the two of you.

8. I am thankful for my sister. She has been there through thick and thin. We have shared so many tears and even more laughter. I am thankful for my nephew he is the sweetest baby even though I don't see him as much as I want to. I can call Pam anytime and she would be there, there are no limits when it comes to me and vice versa. Thanks Pam

9. I am so thankful for the small things in life which are a.That there are doctors out there that God gave the knowledge to do the surgery I had. b.I am thankful to be alive. c. I am thankful to have a warm bed to sleep in at night. d. I am thankful to be able to look outside and see the trees, leaves which have been beautiful this year, the leaves on the ground, the sky and think of heaven and how I hope to one day be up there with my mother to just put my arms around her and say 10000 times how much I love her and miss her. e.I am thankful to have been brought up in the church.

10. I am thankful for my brother, nephews, sister, and last but not least my dad. I saved the best for last. I miss my dad so much he is always on my mind and I pray he will wake up one day before it is to late. I will never give up on him because I know what kind of man he can be because he was that man for 41 years. Dad has put us through so much and I know that there is nothing God cannot do so whenever he is ready to intervene he will. My dad is a very sad man and just doesn't know how to cope with life so he goes about it in all the wrong directions. He is going to have to figure it out all on his own because there is some things we can't do for him. I am so thankful for all of my family I just pray that they will all one day wise up and see how important it is to have God in there life. It is very hard being the only one in our family that is a christian I just want so bad for them to be in Heaven with me and mom one day.

Well, I hope that I didn't leave anyone out I tried to include everyone. I Love you all and to all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. MARY

update on Jaterkeria

I called her mom this evening and Jakteria is still in Childrens Hospital and she has a infection called cvr her mom told me that is would be like a cold to normal adults but she has to stay in the hospital to keep her blood work checked and her levels have still been high. Talking to her really made me nervous this evening, she also said the nurse said that it is a possibility that the donor could have had this when he passed away and I was even nervous after hearing that but I am trying to keep my spirits up but today has been a challenge for me I think I have cried for about four hours today, I am assuming that it is the steriods that i just finished today and on a fun note Kim assembled my med. and after it she took out my IV and I called the nurse and told her she didn't need to come out today today that if she would just call Tammy and tell her she left her bag here and she can come pick it up tomorrow and she said just fine because she lived in Springville and that is a long way to have to travel just to get my IV out and Kim did as good as job as any of the other nurses.

Rachel I got the book you suggested and it is a very good book I am enjoying it so much it is so interesting, this is going to be fun and I am looking forward to doing this project with the group. I am already on page 100 and it gets so much better each page.

Guess I will go and please everyone pray for the little girl Jakeria she and her family needs it very much. Love everyone Mary

UPDATE IF YOU NEED A GREAT NURSE CALL 1-800-KIM

THE CRITICAL CARE NURSE CAME TO MY HOUSE FRIDAY AND I WAS I NEEDED SOMEONE ELSE TO BE HERE BECAUSE I COULDN'T DO IT ONE HANDED SO KIM SO GRACIOUSLY VOLUNTEERED TO BE THE ONE. WELL, KIM HAS ADMINISTERED MY SOYMEDRAWL NOW 2 TIMES AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD'VE DONE WITHOUT HER. SHE HAS TAKEN ALL DAY ON FRIDAY AND ALL DAY TODAY TO ADMINISTER IT, IT TAKES AT LEAST 1HR AND 20 MINUTES TO ADMINISTER IT AND THEN TO DO ALL OF THE UNHOOKING TAKES A FEW MINUTES AND KIM IS WONDERFUL AT IT. I APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME SHE HAS TAKEN OUT OF HER OWN TIME TO COME HERE TO HELP ME. I HAVE GOTTEN TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH LILA AND A LOT OF TIME WITH LEVI AND HE HAS REALLY CRACKED ME UP, HE IS THE FUNNIEST PERSON TO LISTEN TO TALK HE SAID SOME REALLY FUNNY THINGS TO SAY TODAY I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO QUIT LAUGHING. NOW I WILL SAY ONE THING LILA AND LEVI ARE VERY ACTIVE AND I DON'T SEE HOW KIM CAN STAND UP FROM BEING WALLOWED ALL OVER HER YESTERDAY AND TODAY I TRIED TO HELP AND I DID SOME WHATEVER HELP I COULD WHICH WASN'T MUCH. BUT OVER ALL SHE WAS GREAT.

I WILL BE TAKING MY LAST IV TOMORROW AFTER CHURCH. TODAY I GOT UP PRETTY EARLY AND I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE THE PAGAENT AND I DID. I WOKE UP FEELING PRETTY WEAK MAINLY WITH A HEADACHE (WHICH IS CAUSED FROM THE STERIODS)AND I WAS VERY EMOTIONAL AND CRYING BUT I DECIDED THAT I WASN'T STAYING HOME ALL DAY BY MYSELF, SO I PUFFED IT UP AND GOT UP AND WASHED MY HAIR AND BILLY FIXED IT AFTER HE DID ADDI'S HAIR AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, AFTER HE FINISHED WITH HER HAIR I DID HER MAKEUP AND SHE WAS PRETTY GOOD WITH THE MAKEUP AND SHE GOT A LITTLE RESTLESS WITH THE HAIR. SHE LOOKED VERY PRETTY ON STAGE BUT I THINK THAT SHE THOUGHT HER DRESS ITCHED HER A LOT. SHE DID GREAT AND WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER SHE DIDN'T CRY AND KIM TOLD HER THAT IF SHE WAS GOING TO CRY WE JUST WON'T DO IT NEXT YEAR AND SHE REPLIED THAT SHE NEEDED TO BECAUSE SHE NEEDED ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN. I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO FUNNY. MIA, TINA, AND SYDNEY AND BILLY AND I WENT AND KEPT UP WITH LILA AND OVERALL SHE DID FINE AND AFTERWARDS WE WENT TO HABERNOS AND ATE AND THEN OFF TO HOME SO MY VERY OWN SPECIAL NURSE TO GET MY MEDICINE STARTED.

GUESS I WILL GO FOR NOW BELIEVE ME IF YOU NEED NURSING ASSISTANCE PLEASE CALL KIM KELSEY SHE IS THE BESTEST. LOVE YOU ALL MARY COURINGTON