THE FUNDRAISER WAS AWESOME!

The fundraiser for Luke..."Locks for Luke" was amazing. It started at 7:00 am and one of our rival schools, Servite High School was the first team there (even before our boys from Edison arrived). They came to get their heads shaved and show support. After they were done, they huddled in a circle in the parking lot and prayed for Luke. The Huntington Beach Fire Dept. showed up and shaved their heads. Fox Sports Net was there interviewing and covering the whole event.

What an incredible day...it sure renews your faith in people!


JULLIEN


One of the players with Luke's initial's


Quarterback shaving his long hair


Inside the Salon


Jullien and Teammates


Football team in front of salon and Fire Engine (Jullien's the tall one in navy tank)


Fox Sport Net Interview

More Interviews

Coming Together For A Cause

I have been really stretching and growing lately (the comfort zone thing). I want to make a difference any way I can...which can be a little stressful when you doubt yourself a lot. I decided to sign up to take a dinner to the Gane family (this is HUGE for me). I know most of you think, "What's the big deal?" Well you've never had the displeasure of eating my cooking! Even my own kids HATE my meals. I'm not exaggerating, I'm BAD, I don't enjoy it either. It falls right up there with the laundry category (which my husband does). He refuses to cook though...so everyone gets to suffer.

I make one good dinner, tacos...everyone loves my tacos. Now I'll give you one guess what I'm making for the Gane family...yep, you're right. I'm going to bring chips and salsa and banana splits for desert (this should make them happy...it's a bunch of boys). I'm really starting to see some growth here...Woo Hoo!

Tonight there is going to be a prayer concert for Luke http://lukegane.blogspot.com/
He has started the chemo and is VERY SICK! He will be receiving the bone marrow transplant on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from his ten year old brother. So if you can all keep praying for Luke and his family!!

Tomorrow they will be having a fund-raiser, "Locks for Luke"...they are asking for a $20.00 donation and shaving the boys heads in Luke's honor and to help raise money for the family. If you are interested in donating money please contact, bfisherhb@yahoo.com (I don't have the specific account information)...any amount ($1.00, $5.00, $10.00) every little bit adds up. I will be taking my son there and also taking pictures to post and forward to the family.

I would like to encourage all my blogging friends to come together for a cause...(praying and/or donating)...YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONES LIFE!!

Accepting Changes

Life is constantly changing...just when you think everything is going along smoothly...BAM something happens. I look at all the families in our neighborhood who are financially secure and seem to "have it all." Then I get a slap in the face from one of our friends...while having a conversation about this subject. He said, "My friend had it all, money, nice house, car, toys, perfect little family...then tragedy struck. His daughter is now paralyzed, she is working everyday to try and walk again. The family has good days and bad days. He sees his daughter crying, hurting and praying to be healed. He agonizes over this and says he would give up everything just to see his daughter, playing softball, running, and being a normal teenager again."

My son's friend, Luke Gane's life changed in the matter of one month. He just started chemo for his blood disease. I'm sure his parents would give up everything to have him out on that football field with his team mates, playing the sport he loves. Now he will go through the battle of his life, while his parents stand beside him encouraging, loving and supporting him.

I needed to be reminded of this...our struggles are helping us to grow. I have learned how to be "calm in the midst of the storm." My trials are minor compared to our friends. Find the good in your situation, accept the changes, become who you were meant to be. Every struggle produces growth in your life. Focus on whatever is good, (faith, love, health) whatever it may be. You may not be where you want to be...but you're growing and changing, heading toward where you're supposed to be!

Life changes in an instant...all of our planning, collecting, trying to get bigger and better homes, cars, boats, building bigger barns to put our "stuff" in ...can all be taken in an instant. Things do not matter! Focus on making a difference, reaching out to others, doing what you can with whatever talents and abilities you have (cooking, writing, sharing, volunteering your time, comforting). Accept the changes and use your life experiences to help others. Stop waiting for your problems to be over...you can be the answer to someone's prayers!

Romans 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

THE NERD AND THE MOUTH!

We have some great friends...they weren't going to be using their San Diego Charger Football tickets last night so they gave them to us (4 of them). We took another couple with us...we were going to take our two youngest boys, but they had practice and if they missed they wouldn't be able to play in their next games...coaches are tough!

We were warned about some guys that have season tickets just next to our friends...they get a little drunk and rowdy. WOW...they forgot to warn us about the scrawny, pasty white, beady eyed, beak nosed, nerdy guy directly above me!!

When we sat down he was already hammered. He gave my husband an attitude when he asked the guys sitting next to nerd boy to hand him his water that was a row below them (we tried to switch seats for a while). He said, "Are you kiddin me dude, it's ****** two rows down?" I froze for a minute thinking, "Oh no, he's going to knock this guy out and we will be kicked out!" To my surprise, he ignored him and the big guy (who my husband had asked) handed him the water, "No problem bro." My husband just stared down nerd boy and didn't say anything!! Can you imagine the change in my quick tempered, Italian hot head! Since getting baptized...he has been getting soooo much better. He would NEVER take anything from anyone, EVER! When nerd boy turned around, my husband did make a little gesture with his foot, like he was going to kick him upside his head, but he didn't (PROGRESS) LOL!

We had to eventually move back down just below him when people came. I have NEVER heard anyone so obnoxious in my whole life. "What's the matter with you guys? You're idiots..make a tackle? C'mon San Diego you suck! TACKLE...TACKLE...TACKLE! What, who was that thrown to, the guy in the parking lot? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!" I thought I got a break from his non stop screaming when the cheerleaders came out, I was wrong. "GOOD JOB HOOKERS! HOOKERS...THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE!" Then everyone started doing the wave, what can he possibly come up with to scream about now? "What's the matter with you San Diegans...STAND UP...YOU SUCK!" Everytime the wave came around he would repeat the same thing like a broken record!!!!

The lady next to me finally looked up and said, "You are ridiculous!" "SIT DOWN B****!" he shouted back. Then on the Jumbo Tron they showed a football player saying, "Remember to drink responsibly, your behavior effects those around you." He stands up and yells, "TOO LATE M***** F*****!" The cops came and stood watching him...he calmed down a little but still kept shouting stuff. The game was coming to an end so the lady next to me left, the moron looks at his friends and yells, "I'm glad that B**** is finally leaving...she's bugging me!" W H A T...I just started laughing, I couldn't believe he was serious!! Are we on Candid Camera or something??!!?? After a while the four of us were just laughing because it was unbelievable. He had absolutely no filter...whatever he thought came out of his mouth!

Oh yeah...the football game...we won by one point 18-17! It's pretty bad when you get so distracted that you forget to watch the game. We got to the car and were sitting for about an hour...not moving. So I started shouting, "WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU IDIOTS...MOVE YOUR CARS! WHO BUILT THIS STUPID STADIUM WITH ONLY TWO EXITS ANYWAY?" Just kidding...I didn't...but it went through my head! LOL!

Hawaii Game Results

Well my son played his game last night in Maui...it started at 7:00 p.m. their time, 10:00 p.m. our time. We had a friend call us every quarter to give us the update and play by play. Since we couldn't go I wanted to make sure I felt like I was there. The first call we received was 14-0 us. Next update was 21-10, the 10 points was scored by a fumble and interception. The defense (my son plays safety) did not allow any points...YAY!!! After the second call they asked if I still wanted them to call when it was over because it would be 1:00 a.m. our time. Are you kidding me? Do you think I could wait all night for the final score! LOL! I just told him, "Yeah, I never sleep anyways so I will be up."

The last call came in at 12:45 a.m...my son had blocked a punt and made some great tackles...Safety is a scary position, your the last person to stop them from making a touchdown. Which means they either LOVE you or HATE you. As a mom in the stands...you just pray your son doesn't make a mistake, the comments you hear make you want to throw blows defending your son. This is the world of football at one of the best football schools in the state...competitive not only on the field, but in the stands too! It pays off though...WE WON 43-10!! GO CHARGERS!!!

Handling Disappointments

I received an e-mail today from a writer for FIRST MAGAZINE. I have been working with her for a couple of weeks about using a true story I wrote for their magazine. She actually contacted me out of the blue after reading my story on a website. I was really excited, and after she continued to contact me asking for more information etc...to present the story to her editors, I began to get very hopeful. Today I received an email saying that they wont be able to use my story...I was really disappointed! I always wanted to have something I've written published...I'm not disciplined enough to finish a book, so the little short stories I do have been my only opportunity.

For most of my life I would always focus on the negative, then if something good happened I would be pleasantly surprised. I HATED to be let down...which was the case most of my life. I have changed a lot in the last couple of years. I now look at disappointments as opportunities! Once I got over the initial feelings of sadness that they didn't want my story...I thought, now maybe I can make a book out of this. It's a very touching and encouraging story and should be told. I believe things happen for a reason...I just have to trust and know that my life, (the good and the bad) is pushing me toward Heavenly Father's perfect plan for me...it's about faith, trust and most of all PATIENCE!

Still Alive and Kickin'

I feel like I haven't posted in FOREVER! Like I said, "I'VE BEEN SWAMPED!" My middle son, Jullien is in Hawaii for their first Varsity game (boo hoo for me, yes I cried cuz I wanted to be there). He left on Monday...game's on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. I talked to him yesterday and he said he's having fun, but it was CRAZY hot...they are not used to heat above 80. Then they went to some cliffs and the boys started jumping off a 50 foot cliff into the ocean. All my boys and me are afraid of heights...soooo I asked, "What did you do?" He said, "I was the last one left standing up there and everyone was yelling at me to jump. I backed away from the edge and took a running leap off the cliff." How does that saying go, "If your friends told you to jump off a cliff would you?" I now know the answer...LOL! He said he was so scared and felt like he was falling FOREVER!! He even did it a second time...peer pressure...football players can't be wooseys!!

Elijah had his scrimmage game, he played running back, quarterback and linebacker, they won! Anyways, that's why I haven't posted in a while, I was editing the pictures and putting them into an album to send out to all the parents. The things I get myself into...it's VERY time consuming, but a few of the parents said, "THANK YOU, WE LOVE THEM!" I guess it's worth it. The more I practice the better I get, right?

Our church had a picnic so I took my camera and took some pictures...I wasn't very happy with the way they turned out, now I don't want to forward it to them because they will think, "Thanks but no thanks! Why is it that the pictures that you really want to turn out good, look terrible? I'll send it to them and attach a few pictures of other shots i've taken that were good, just to let them know that I don't always take such terrible pictures! Oh well, guess you can't get better unless you make mistakes.

Here's a link to my Football album...just click "View Now" and then you can play a slideshow because there's A LOT of pictures, we are in all white...those are just practice jersey's (it was the first scrimmage) our real uniforms are Green Bay Packer colors...
http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=988211219305792075/l=414448221/g=121510574/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

PRAY FOR LUKE GANE!

I blogged a little bit about a player on my son's High School Football team who had a bloody nose that wouldn't stop. He went to the Dr.'s and found out he has Aplastic Anemia ( a rare blood disease).

He now will be starting chemotherapy and eventually receive a bone marrow transplant from one of his brothers (both twins were a match). The team will be leaving to go play a football game in Hawaii on Monday, which Luke was supposed to be playing in also. He will start treatments on Tuesday, so I am asking all of my Blogging friends to please pray for him, stop by his Blog...http://lukegane.blogspot.com/ leave him a message of encouragement and hope as he begins his battle. They have posted pictures, messages, information explaining this disease that can strike at anytime and his daily progress reports.

Busy Weekend Ahead

I had to re-post the following pictures that I took to help keep me calm and get me through my VERY busy weekend...

Get off work, pick up kids, drop off, go back pick up more kids, unload chairs, camera, jackets, blankets...whew, now I get to exercise for 1 hr. This is my life since football started, CRAZY! We leave the house at 8:00 a.m. and don't get home till 8:30 p.m. I am WIPED OUT...today I laid down (my husband was taking the kids to practice for me) right after work, and decided to go to practice later. Well, I fell asleep at around 4:00 pm and didn't wake up until 7:45 pm! I missed practice, the dinner night and taking pictures for the team (I volunteered to be the team photographer...more baby steps, and I write the articles about the games to be published in the local newspaper). I feel a little guilty, but I feel really rested!

Friday, Elijah has Pop Warner practice from 5:30 - 8:00, Jullien who plays on the High School Varsity team, has a scrimmage game at 7:00 pm, and I have to find time to make dinner, (we are getting sick of fast food.) Saturday, Jullien has practice from 9-1, then a Luau for a boy (Luke) on his team who was just diagnosed with a rare blood disease and will be going through chemo and getting a bone marrow transplant beginning Tuesday.

The team will be leaving on Monday to play their first game in Hawaii (Maui) and Luke will not be able to go so they are doing a surprise Luau in his honor. It was really sad because he was COMPLETELY healthy and just got a bloody nose that wouldn't stop bleeding. I can't believe how lives can be changed in an instant. It makes you really put things into perspective. The family and Luke have amazing faith and Luke said he hopes to be an inspiration to the team this year. So I will go over at 12 pm to help set up, then Elijah has a scrimmage game at 4:00 pm. After the game we are going to the Harvest Festival at Anaheim Stadium (a Christian event), with bands and Pastor Greg Laurie will be speaking (he just lost his son last month in a car accident).

So I have a PACKED weekend...lucky I took that nap (I'm already over the guilt) LOL !

Taking The Step

I finally decided on Sunday to take my first little baby steps, took a few deep breathes, put the pen to the paper, stopped, thought about it again, then I did it! After I wrote it down I turned to my husband and held it up for him to read. He smiled, held his hand up to give me a high five, luckily they were singing so it didn't look too weird. I was still a little leery about what I had just done...but his reaction made me feel better.

It all started after I went to an art showing for one of the investors at my work. He is also friends with the owner's so he comes in quite a bit. He has been doing photography for a while (he is retired, has tons of money and time.) Every time he comes in I pick his brain...I don't have the money or time to take a class so I just bug anybody who has any knowledge!LOL!

He had his photography pictures on display at an art show and me and my boss Marsha went to check it out. It was amazing the way he "painted" the pictures to look like a real painting. I just walked around and got tons of ideas. We talked to him and he said most of the pictures that everyone liked were the one's that he just "winged" it. He said he had no idea what he was doing...he just did it! This really inspired me...I never have any idea what I'm doing either!LOL!

Every Sunday in the announcements they keep asking for photographers, and videographers to volunteer because they need help. Every week I think, "I could do that, I have a pretty good eye, a good camera and I love doing it." Then that old familiar voice, "What are you talking about? You don't know what you're doing...you never took any classes...you'll mess up on something really important and look like an idiot...you can't do that!" That is basically the conversation that goes on in my head, not only in regards to photography, but writing too. The end result is always the same...I do NOTHING!

After the art showing and reading that Ansel Adams never took a photography class...I was truly inspired...I did it!! I wrote my name on that card and put, "I am interested in volunteering as a photographer." Then after church as we were leaving, the Pastor stopped to talk to us and I told him, "If you still need help with photographer's, I can do it." Then I began to explain that I didn't have any training...blah blah blah...went through the whole knocking myself down thing! Why do I do that?! Well we'll see if they actually call, the important thing was I took the first steps to pursue an interest. Next I'll just have to retrain my mouth to stop blabbing about how inadequate and untrained I am!

But back to the positive...I TOOK THE STEP!!WooHoo!!

My Son Turned 20...WHAT?

BIRTHDAY BOY

With all the drama going on (Elijah getting hit by a car, Dr's appts., football practices...etc.) I haven't had time to blog about my oldest son Josh's 20th birthday on Aug. 1st. Yep, 20, I can't believe it!! Where have the years gone? It's so weird, the older you get, the faster time flies by. Since Josh moved out when he was 18 to go live with his dad (whole separation anxiety for me) we haven't been as close as we used to be.

I decided to take the day off and spend it with my three boys. I took them all surfing, we came home and ate some grilled cheese sandwiches, then we went miniature golfing, we actually planned on going go-cart racing but it was alot of money for 5 min. so he said, "Let's just golf." We had SOOOOO much fun. We are all very competitive, it was a battle at first...I was kicking their butts the first 9 holes, then I fell apart. They were all trying to distract me, not fair. In the end Josh won, Jullien took second, me third and Elijah last. That night we had tacos for dinner (it's his fav) and carrot cake. It was the most awesome day! It was just like when they were little...I miss those days! Enjoy every minute...they will be moving out before you know it and you will long for "the good old days!"

Joshy & Elijah

Joshy & Jullien

Okay...You Win!

Okay everyone...you win! I got the message and I went. I didn't do lunges today, only ran two times around (my knees hurt...can you say OLD LADY!) BUT I did walk very fast two whole miles...WOO HOO!!

I'm still in agony but I'm going to keep trying. I'm hoping to recruit a few of my friends who are in worse shape than me so I'm not always last! Yep it's like that - I'm still very competitive even when I'm old, rickety and out of shape. Wish you were all here to join me, well not ALL of you, just the out of shape one's. LOL!

Bet you'd never guess that I was the only girl on the boys varsity soccer team in high school! AWWWWE youth...those were the days!!!

DO I or DON'T I???

I thought I would ask you guys what I should do...I exercised for the first time yesterday. I'm not talking about the "normal" exercising like doing 20 minutes on a stationary bike, lift a few weights, once you feel your muscles getting a little fatigued you stop. Oh no, this torture...I mean exercise was with a personal trainer mom whose son is on my son's team. For the past few days about 5 or 6 mom's have gotten their butt's out of their chairs and headed to the track. I watched (I was only wearing flip flops), while a few of the mom's shouted out, "Hey Lis, you need to bring your running shoes tomorrow!" I actually thought about it, they seemed to be jogging pretty slow. I started thinking, "I can do that, maybe I will bring shoes tomorrow." That was until they started on the lunges around the WHOLE track!

Now, I'm one of those people that know how to hide all my nasty, flabby "junk" in a pair of cute longer trendy shorts, pants or capri's. I didn't realize I had such a special talent at camouflage until a few of the ladies said, "You must work out, you look great." Ha Ha Ha Ha, if they only knew...I will not get in a bathing suit this year cuz my butt and legs look NASTY! So I proceeded to point out all my flaws to them. Next I realized that I was complaining so much, I HAD to work out with them, great...my mouth always gets me into trouble.

Yesterday, I went home and tried to come up with a good excuse to tell them...couldn't find one, put on my LONG sweats in 85 degree weather. I headed to the field, late to make sure I didn't have to work out the whole 2 hours. OH MY GOSH, I was dead, I couldn't even make it the four times around the track (1 mile), I had to start walking. I haven't really worked out in about 2 years and a lot of these moms work out everyday! My kids were yelling at me, "Cmon mom, your in last, stop being such a woosie!" I wanted to smack them down!LOL! Then the lunges, my thighs were screaming, "NO NO NO, What are you doing?" Then back to the running (1 mile), lunges, running (another mile), lunges, finally ending with the dreaded series of ab workouts!!!

I think the trainer wasn't too excited that I joined in with the other mom's. She was trying to motivate while I kept saying, "I haven't worked out in two years...must walk!" Then I dragged a few of the motivated mom's down to my level. I had a little crew of walkers, while only two mom's and the trainer continued jogging. Yep I'm a bad influence.

Today I could barely walk, I hurt EVERYWHERE...even my neck. To top it off, I'm supposed to do it again. I hate the way I look, but the thought of doing it again makes me want to puke! So, do I suck it up, and head to the field in my workout gear or sit down read a book, come up with a good excuse and rest my aching legs? Someone help me? I HATE TO EXCERCISE...I HATE MY FLABBY BODY!!! Quite the dilemma....

GOOD NEWS!!!

First and foremost I want to thank ALL of you SO much for your encouraging comments, and prayers! It was amazing to me how many friends and family "showed up" with love and support. We often think of blogging as just a past time, something that's fun and often meaningless. However, when things go wrong or you're struggling, all of your "blogging friends" are the first one's to be there for you. The comments you left were uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging...THANK YOU!!

Now, about my good news...I made an appointment with the Orthopedic Specialist today first thing this morning. Luckily they were able to get me in today. He checked everything out and said it appears to be just a bad sprain/strain of the Achilles tendon. He said he will probably be able to completely walk on it again in a week and a half or so. They took his cast off and we just have it wrapped with an ace bandage. He is able to put a little bit of weight on it. They didn't do an MRI because he didn't show any signs of a tear. He said if he does not improve as expected to bring him back in, but he thinks he will be as good as new. He was amazed that he only received that slight injury after a bike vs. car accident.

Once again, I am the most grateful and thankful mom in the whole world! When things go wrong in one area of our lives...Heavenly Father is standing right beside us, holding our hand, wiping our tears, carrying us, and watching over us. May we always remember that we do not need to go through troubles and trials alone. Jesus died for us...his love is greater than any problem, hurt, anger, or fearful situation. Just let go and TRUST, you will be amazed at the miracles that will happen in your life!

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Elijah Got Hit By A Car

Elijah had football practice this morning and then a beach party for the whole league. We were going home, rest for a little while and then head over. The boys decided they wanted to go surfing instead. You can only surf at certain times and areas of the beach in the summertime...they black ball (a flag with a round circle on it, hanging from the lifeguard tower) which lets surfers know that they can't surf there. The spot of the beach party was a no surf zone.

Elijah and Adam surfed and were on their way home, Adam had sped ahead because his mom was going to be picking him up. Elijah was riding alone (slowly...after a 3 hr. practice and then a 2 hr. surf session). He was on the wrong side of the rode (we all do it because you have to go across Main St. at the light before pulling into our driveway.) He had a green light, a 17 year old girl who had just gotten her license was making a right hand turn and didn't see him. He tried to swerve to avoid being hit head on. The front of her car hit his left foot and threw him off the bike. Luckily he was wearing his helmet and there wasn't oncoming traffic. He tried to stand up but couldn't put weight on his left foot. He hopped over to the grass and called Jullien (my middle son...he said he didn't call me because he didn't want me to get freaked out). I was upset because he KNOWS I never freak out when they get hurt! I've always had to be the one to stay calm and keep them calm, I lose it later when I'm all alone.

Anthony, me and Jullien jumped in the car and drove to the next block. Elijah was scraped up, had some tire marks on his feet and said his achilles tendon hurt really bad and he couldn't stand on it (that part of his foot took the first impact). The girl was trying to hold back her tears and said she had called her mom and dad. They pulled up, we talked to them, they gave us their information, but we told them we have insurance and not to worry about it. They told us to please call them and they would take care of everything and fix the bike. As we pulled out the girl had completely broke down and was crying as her mom hugged her. Jullien walked the bike back home, I got jackets, called our doctor and drove Elijah to the emergency room.

Luckily it wasn't crowded...we got taken back in 15 minutes. They took x-rays and put him in a temporary cast and crutches. They think it's only a sprain, but because of the pain and swelling they want to make sure he is checked by an orthopedic specialist to make sure he didn't tear the tendon. They need the swelling to go down before I can schedule the appointment.

I got home and called the girl's mother, I wanted the girl to know that he was okay. I left a message and told them he is fine, he might have an achilles injury but will be okay. Accidents happen, our insurance will cover it and not to worry about anything. I wanted to put her mind at ease.

Needless to say I AM SO GRATEFUL that it wasn't worse! God was definitely looking out for him today!!! When we have so many things going wrong in our life (financial struggles, stress, possible foreclosure) something like this really puts things into perspective. Family and health are the most important things. Everything else just DOESN'T matter. I am the happiest mom in the whole world today...a potential tragedy turned out to be a blessing, my son is safe!