You know how they say that bad things come in 3’s? Like illnesses? Well, unfortunately, that’s not the way it has been going- it’s been a lot more.  It feels like all I keep hearing from friends in passing is how sick someone is. I’m not a religious person by any means (as those of you who know me can attest) so even though it feels strange asking for your prayers, I’m going to anyway. And your help too.

My brother in law (aka Uncle That Guy) is having surgery today. So if you could pray for a good outcome for him (and all of his family) that would be wonderful.

There’s a mom in town with two small children who I’ve done pictures for in the past and someone that I consider a friend that is very ill. Thankfully, the latest update is that she’s doing much better and that her heart is recovering well. (She had a virus that attacked her heart, which resulted in damage to her heart to the point where she was critically ill.) She could still use your prayers and good thoughts as she has a long road ahead of her. Her name is the same as mine, so please put her and her family in your heart and continue to pray for them.

Then another friend from town recently shared the news with me that her husband has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. They have 3 small children and are just about the most optimistic people I know.  But of course, they really need your prayers. And your help. Please see the flyer and donate blood. If it’s not a match for Rob, it will be for someone who needs it and you could save a life.

There are some other families who I know that are having medical crises as well, but I don’t know the status of their loved ones and don’t feel comfortable posting here on the blog. So if you could just say a prayer for…well, everyone, that would be great.

Sorry, know it’s been a few days since my last blog post…been a little busy. Here’s what’s been going on in my little world:

1. John’s Uncle Jim (aka UJ)passed away late Thursday night. He was a really nice guy and although he was mentally disabled, he was always present and happy at all our family functions. And he will be missed. The wake is today (Macken’s 2-4, 7-9pm) and the funeral tomorrow (St. Agnes, 1pm). It will be a couple of tough days for John and his family so please keep them in your thoughts.

2. We had a crazy, crazy storm here last weekend and the damage it caused was pretty bad. Lots of uprooted trees, downed power lines, other wind damage. I didn’t take any pictures immediate after the storm, but went out later in the week to take a shot of my favorite exploding sidewalk. This is like 4ft high. At least.

3. Spring is really coming. The weather this weekend more than made up for the storm last weekend. It was actually HOT out today. Can’t wait till summer, especially the pool and the beach club.

4. Made some new posters for The Turn (one with the new logo). You should head out to see them.

5. The big boys got their (extremely amazing) report cards this week.

Patrick’s said “Patrick continues to show outstanding academic progress”

and Jack’s “Jack is an asset to the class”. (by the way, how straight are Jack’s teeth already?? It’s only been 1 month and one week between this post when he first got his braces, and now. Oh, and I predicted the Mets colors pretty accurately, huh?)

I’m a proud mommy! And can continue to hope for some good academic scholarships to college…

6. And this one? Too cute for color TV. He has his school seder for Passover this week. I have to make 2 dozen hard boiled eggs. Guess it’ll be good practice for Easter.

7. I got a new phone this weekend (thanks, John!) Got the Blackberry Storm 2. I am now an official crack head and think I have it figured out.

And some new profile pictures (thanks Elizabeth) for Facebook and the blog. Couldn’t decide between color and black and white, so I did both.

I’ll be back this week with a baby shoot, a little kids mini session, and a surprise 60th birthday party. Working on editing all of those for your viewing pleasure.

Last night both my big boys performed in the All-District Chorus and they were great! We were so proud of them for making All- District and doing such a great job at the concert. The middle school and high school also sang and were all wonderful. There are some seriously talented kids out there.

The elementary school was so good that the middle school kids sitting in front of us were overheard saying “They’re better than us!”

The boys incredible and sweet music teacher.

And here’s a story Patrick wrote- shared with permission (if you are a blog follower, you’ll remember the hard few weeks Patrick was having in January and February). It’s awesome and I’m so proud!

It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up”- Vince Lombardi

I’m a twin. Being a twin is hard. We’re often compared to each other in numerous subjects. But in January 2010, it got serious. It all started on a normal Tuesday. I packed up my rough, royal blue backpack. My class hurried down the stairs and rocketed out to the laden schoolyard. My mother picked me up and drove me home. I was happy as usual until I heard the news. My twin brother Jack had made the National Anthem tryouts and I had not. I was devastated, but carried on with my average life. Later the next week, I had taken the Spelling Bee tryout test. I was sweating heavily and dragged my pencil across the blank paper. I wondered if I made the finals. When we came back from gym, I saw the sign. It said “congratulations to our Spelling Finalists: SB, MH, and RM. S told me “you didn’t make it”. Those words echoded through me in such a fashion that rambled and messed up my head. I was on the dge of depression. Just when I started dealing with it, I heard that my brother made it. I was on the edge of tears. One rushed down my red cheek and plopped onto the hard tile floor. I accepted my fate as a sorrowful person. There was no optimistic side of this. But a spark of an idea made it’s way through my body. My head jerked up. Tomorrow, the All-District Chorus sign was coming up. I saw it and my name was on it.

My name.

I said “Look out world I’m comin to town”. Believe me, don’t give up faith!!!

And that, my blog readers, is my incredible son Patrick and his fantastic personality and excellent writing!