More Minutes, More Hours.

Gone like the wind....history!

So proud of you for pushing through friends!  Those work week hours tossed in the air like a leaf on a windy day.  And if you don't work, and are lucky enough to tend to kids or a home all day every day, may the peaceful Gods bless you too.  Because if you get up, and get going every day...welll that's enough.  

And if you water flowers, you get an extra point. 

A friend of mine asked last night "Is there a full moon"?  

I suppose the energy in her home felt wonky.  

And as much anxiety that I feel on the daily, I have to say this week is ending in a sweet note.  Settling in close to my computer yesterday late afternoon after stalking Kris to make sure he'd made his way by to do "labs"-

Logging into the computer checking those silly fellers.  My underarms sweat profusely as I check, trying to find all the right "markers" I search for.  WBC, Platelets, Hemo's...RBC.  

I can't tell you how much I sweat, only my underarms show that filthy anxious warrior look. 

I don't wear underarm deodorant.  Never have. Most likely, never will.  Not sure it's really anything classy to share here, because wow, who does that?! HAHA. And if I ever stand too close and seem to be stinky...

Well, back up kids, back.up. 

The thought of deodorant and its chemicals streaming straight into my nodes...no thanks.

That shiz freaks me out. 

But.....here I go again.  Rambling' on about under arm deodorant.  Go figure. 

Anyway....his counts rose.  I rose.  Walked right into Bill's office.  Kissed his beautiful lips.  Hugged his beautiful arms.  And let out a little sigh.  Together. 

Texting Kris letting him know that news. 

His reply..."THAT'S GOOD Mama"

He's still a delicate little flower.  More like a plant.  A plant that needs nurturing, good care, and lots of observing. 

Arriving home last night pulling out all his medical "stuff" for some important phone calls we'd need
to make this morning.  Medical bills piling up in various areas in our world there at le' casa de stahl. 
Paperwork and important dates this boy has to deal with.  

His kind words to a lady on the other line...."my girlfriend has been amazing through this whole thing, she's never left my side. And my mom has taken care of so many things, I don't know what I'd do without them".

Truth is, we all just move along doing what we know is best. 

And that is just LOVE. 

This weekend we'll fill our cups with wine.

Dance in the street, and forget all the worries...

It's time for a party on DRIFTWOOD with our homies in Seal Beach! 

Garage Party 2015!  

Enjoy your weekend lovers.

This Mama Lisa

Be Kind, It Matters.

Happy Thursday to you all....

Keep on pushing....

 So close to the best F word.

This Mama Lisa 


PSST-- Birdie update
Last Friday WBC-(fighter white blood cells were at 2.5)- Today 4.6- WOMP!

And another fact for the day--
Today was my due date with him 27 years ago. I cut my hand that day cutting through a honey dew melon.
Shoulda got a stitch or two, but you know.  My name is Lisa.  Homie don't go to ER.
My shirt would be a tad dirty by days end, because so so many belly rubs. By me.
His hiccups would keep me up all night.
Braxton hicks contractions were at an all time high.
I'd give birth to him six days later at 5:49am on the 17th.
Favorite craving was fruit.  Lots of it.
Movie out was Turner and Hooch.
Neon anything was all that and more.
Our living room side tables were tv trays that I'd cover with cute cloth.
My favorite outfit was a denim short set jumper.  With draw strings. LOVE. 

1989, you beautiful year you.

Nurturing Souls

The tides come, and the tides go.  The waves crash, and the boats push.  The fish hide. And the fishermen hunt.
 The love builds. And the healing Gods heal. At least that's what we beg all the mercies for.  The smiles are in abundance, stopping time for just a moment.

He's out on a boat today.  With friends. In love. With his lover. In life.  In the moment.

His mom is praying like a warrior.  Pushing behind the scenes in all aspects of whatever it is us moms do. Relieved he is here.
In my life.
In this life.

In love.

In life.

In her life.

On a boat. 

Covered from head to toe.

In love.

With this life.

With this girl.

We love her too.

Happy Humpday Day!  

Go give love, life and smiles.

Most important, keep nurturing your souls.
And always keep blowing besos into the air....
xo

This Mama Warrior Lisa

Happy Birthday Cousin Jason and Kendra!
May you be lucky enough to celebrate many, many more....
You most certainly deserve it...

The Difference A Year Makes

 Friday as I was heading to the pharmacy to shake the gates and rock the walls...yet again....(more ignorance would "blossom" from a simple request for his nausea and noxifil refill) Don't we all love to go rock walls on a Friday night?  TGIF, right??!!!

Kris calls me.  

This is after navigating the day through a stint of labs and high blood pressure phone calls. 

At exactly five o' clock he'd call me to say the "covering" transplant team called to say his counts were wonky.  Not in those terms, because Dr. Chi doesn't chat like that. But you feel my vibe right?  Calmly expressing to Kris that his WBC (fighter blood) was at 2.5.  like,  nooo bigs.  

And to stop taking his chemo for now along with another med he takes only on Saturday and Sunday.  Possibly causing this issue to arise.  One fights with the other, scrambling "things"-

I instantly wanted to shit my pants. It's so wild how you can go from "hey, we're gettin' through this week-to- freak-the-fuck-out"

This new reality becoming my reality.  Either I freak the f out. Or I just sit back, and pray.  Still crying every.single.silly.long.day.  

As I arrived at home Friday night, I could see Bill was exhausted (he's been working his ass off)- But he was in such a good mood!  Enter me into the picture ------------>  Debbie Downer...

Asking him to pour me a drink and help me sort. 

Sort we did.  

It's amazing to sit and chat through something.  Learning to tell myself the worse case scenario is still there.  And life moves on. So I need to let things go.

Like my major nags to Kris and how I WANT HIM TO STAY IN ALL WEEKEND. I WANT HIM IN A BUBBLE. I WANT HIM DOWN IN BED. I WANT THOSE COUNTS TO CLIMB.  I WANT TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER.  I WANT THIS NIGHTMARE TO GO AWAY.  I WANT TO ERASE IT FROM ALL OF US.   "I"     "I"   "I"

ME!

When in reality he's suffering a gut so torn up, and insides that are fighting to be new, and better, and healed.
Can you tell their doggo's adore him?  Those fur lovers have his back.  That's fo sho!

Saturday morning would roll around, and Bill would be gone before sunrise.  I woke with a quiet vibe.  A good vibe to sort and be alone.  To pray, and light candles. I made a coffee that sat and got cold.  Just sitting there in silence, taking it all in.  What a way to be alone. With God. And me. To get a pedicure and do a Lisa day.  To smile at strangers, and leave places without a single word out of my mouth.  Just smiles.

I prepared a sweet dinner for my family.  One that Bill and Kali complimented as being one of the best.

Closing up our blinds early.  Tossing into bed for a day at the races.  Rising early. 

Arriving at empty clean places.  Hey there Simmzy's....

 That IS water, and not straight vodka.  boom.  LOL!

Give it to me baby.

You betcher bottom dollar we stayed until those big guns ran.  Not this handsome dude, but plenty others. 

I couldn't stop reminding myself of this time last year.  How fast things can change.  In one year.

One phone call. 

One healthy person. 

One normal life.

One lifestyle that gets tossed up and over.

Races last year.  He wasn't feeling good.  Kali hated the races. One big mess.  

We chatted this morning on the way to work.  My simple request to be in charge of appt's. again. I want labs every week, or every other. I want to lay meds out, and rock doc offices again. I want to stay in charge until I can see a bull has been tackled down just a little further. 

I want him to feel better. 

My over parenting selfish worry wart ways want him to eat like this..

Only a germaphobe would get this picture.  It's my apples and peanut butter.  The left side are those I touched. #FREAK

Keep sending Kris positive vibes.  Back to labs on Thursday.  New meds this week.  He's moving and forging on. He won't stop.  He won't let life take him down. He's tired of feeling terrible. He's most def tired of me nagging.  

This is our assignment....

I just wish it wouldn't grab me so hard sometimes.  Especially when we're least expecting it. 

But then again....that wouldn't be a fair life right?

Anyone heard of the book Sandcastles?  

Get it. 

Love to you all,

This mama lisa-  WARRIOR FOR LIFE.  Even though I am exhausted. Fight on!

This poem, courtesy of my Aunt Lynda.  Love.

I most certainly am stronger than I ever knew. Even remotely possible.  Big fat double headed, BOOM!

The Wisdom From My Father

For the last ten years, or so, my dad has done nothing but worry about their property. Most of the worry gets toppled with all the normal things in life, like wild fires, drought, financial, health, and vitality. It's never been easy to live on a large amount of property, much less, without family close by.  As they've become a tad bit older, it's become harder. 

I was shaken to my core a week or so ago while talking to my dad.  His guilt, and past have been haunting him.  Mix that with a grandson that became suddenly ill, and a daughter that tried not to worry him too much but would crumble at the mere sound of his voice.  

He shared with me his heart ache.  His fears.  His past.  His haunted guilt.  His body.  His worry about taking good care of our mom.  His hard work that has ultimately dwindled down to a state of exhausted depression.

And although I share this with you here, please know I keep things real.  

This is life. 

It's the parents that brought me here.

It's also the parents that did everything they could to provide.

Never ever offering the fancy.  Never ever offering us the material in life that would make heathen knuckleheads. 

In fact, we've both become hardworking women.

Something I remind him to be proud of.

Never ever did they offer us phony bullshit. 

He worked hard. 

She worked hard. 

They provided wonderful meals every.single.night.

Something someone said recently, (my uncle Alex)-is.....we never really know a recipe with raising children. And so we f up along the way.  We do good.  We do bad.  We make mistakes.  

In front of them, and behind them. But in the element of raising children, somehow, we tend to forge "something" in them. That "something", somehow, creates "Good"-

Right?

And so it's like this scale of good and bad.  The good always out weighing the bad. 

It's the nights that he made sure to come say good night...even after a drunk tangent asshole move.

He still would say goodnight. We sat down for dinner every single night to a home cooked meal. Even if it was "SOS" (Shit on a shingle? lol) Holla mom.

They took us to almost every single museum in the Los Angeles and Riverside areas. 

We camped at some of the most bad ass places in California. 

And yet you couldn't get them to a school function to save our life. 

But we ventured through camp grounds like gypsies.

Roughing it, and causing this sweet southern belle to never want to camp like that again.  JK. HAHA.

I'm far from a southern belle, and I don't like to camp. LOL

My point being here, is in this life of watching your parents navigate through the next chapters, as the table turns and the worries get maneuvered in our direction to appease and help calm them. 

Or him.

It's happening. 

And so going back to a couple weeks ago, I heard my dad out.  

He's riddled with guilt because he's never come down to be with Kris during this journey.

Or me.

Or my sister. 

Or Kali.

He has reasons.  

He cried. I listen.  I cry listening to him.

His responsibility is overwhelming on their property. 

Something that eventually needs to be addressed. 

But you know, I wouldn't even know where to start.

This tree that grew right up behind my parents bedroom (which was a highlight of their purchase years ago) is a major highlight when you look down into their bedroom. Not to mention, a little river runs by it...

a BEAUTIFUL Oak tree. 

She fell over.

The texts' come in. From both parents.  To both daughters.

Their hearts are broken. 

My reply to both, to be glad it swept away from their home.  They're safe. And they're alive. And of course, that I was so incredibly sorry.  Because I know how tender he is.  They are.

I realized driving home that night, that we all have our own source of worry. 

Of things that we lean on to feel hurt.

Whether it's a tree. Or grief from trauma. 

My sisters reply was "plant another one"

HAHA! Tina!!!

His words of wisdom to me.....

This is nature.  This is life.  This is part of the plan.  

They were unscathed by this falling tree.  Physical, not emotionally.  They are okay...

He let me know that when it gets real hot, the black oak pumps more water up into the tree which makes them top heavy....

As is true in life, right?

We can only consume so much into our souls.  Before we come to a breaking point, right?

So go enjoy the weekend.  Have a good time with those you love to be around.  Whether it's your cat, or your lover.  Go have fun.

Pray for my birdie as he navigates through the weaning of steroids.  His spirit slowing down. His body causing a ruckus on itself.  Pray for my fingers to not blow his phone up in text messages reminding him of all the little things I want to remind him.  My many phone calls I've made the last couple of days to the pharmacy, and losing my shit yet again at the one that can't seem to pull it together.  To the sweet but sassy nurse in LA that is so tired of hearing from me.  But knows I can't stop, won't stop. 

Motherhood.

 Warrior.

Don't blow me off. 

I won't stop.

Until my last breath.

Life.

Like a tree. 

Full of water. 

Love to you all......but most of all....my wishes to you is...PEACE.

And good wine. Fill up on that. But don't fall over.

This Mama Lisa

Happy Places

Last night we sliiiiiid into home base at the YC in the LBZ....

A place that holds my closest friends.

A place where a good margarita is made with tender loving care, and so only one is needed.

A place where sailboats come in at the sharp sound of a fake gunshot, bringing in the racers-holla Russ!

A place where food is home-made and chili is all the rave. Sour cream placed close by. Double holla.

A place where kids jump in and out of that pool close by, as their parents sip wine.

A place where summer air kisses your cheeks.

A place where my heart was overfloweth last night sharing that summer-time vibe with these two...

And if you wonder where my lover was? 

Working.
Hard.

Focused.

Determined.

Army Ant Mode. 

Don't you worry though, I brought him dinner on a silver platter. 

And if you wonder where I was?

Oh, you know just trying out my latest blogger modeling pose. 

Laugh with me kids.  Let's laugh!

My son sent me these.  I bet the ones we took together look funky.  

So, let's settle for side back shots. 

Happy Thirsty Thursday!  Go BE KIND and give out smiles!

This Mamacita Lisa

"If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit"

Those Deep Exhales.

It's no surprise if you've read my last blog post I was having quite the challenging time.

And those moments seem to jump in front more frequent, than not. 

I'm working through many days on my own.With the help of friends, and of course my lover, I am pushing through.  I've finally opted to search out some sort of counseling.  It's very clear to me that the hardest days of my sons life, seem to have lingered on in me.  I am still taunted by many memories.  Some very terrible.

Anyway.......

Thank you for sticking by me through these days. 

Bill and I left Friday morning.  Set the alarm for 4am Friday.  Something that is hard for him to be right now...is "away"-  Even at times when I'll sip my wine and preach to him under my breath  "honey, you know these days are slippin' away and we're gonna regret NOT getting away for breathers"-  He always stays quiet.  It's in his nature to work.  Right now a two nighter is heaven in disguise....

It felt so good to pull away on that freeway in the dark.  Down the highway to Del Taco in Barstow arriving at 6:30am to feast on their famous tacos.  At that crazy hour, I get their "Cabo" breakfast egg tacos.  Haven't tried em?  Do it. 

As we get further and further away, I can feel our tension lift slightly.  One little phone call from Kris that he mistakenly thought he had more chemo pills but he didn't. It's always a tad bit easier for me to make those phone calls, than him. I know everyone says "go have fun, and live"- In our line of business, sometimes that's much easier said than done.  Phones and emails rule our world. 

What did we all do before cell phones and emails, huh?

My birdie Kris posted something on Saturday, with some sort of subject along the lines of "my parents left to Havasu without us..."-  I instantly felt a jab in my gut.  More openly, right into my heart.  Two things I wanted to relay, but felt the reasons weren't even necessary.  It's too hot for him there.  And WE needed to get away.  Alone.  

And.....my birds are grown adults now.  Not to mention he's out on a boat at least twice weekly as we're tucked in offices kicking ass.  But I bit my tongue.  I did send him a little message from le mama. 

What I shoulda did was reply with something along the lines of 

"well, we wanted to walk around the house nakie, and have sex in the living room"  LOL  JK

But I didn't. Lucky them.

It goes along the chapter of life " you'll never know the feeling until you've become a parent"

In some other life, I'd like to not burden myself with guilt, but you know how it goes...

We, as mothers tend to hold onto that G word a lot longer than most. 

That little breather. Those quick little moments. A stiff cocktail and drinking before noon on a Saturday.

Laughing hard at each other, pretending there's no worries left on the shelf here in life.

Hearing my first "seasonal" monsoon thunderstorm at 3am Saturday morning.

Sitting on the couch watching everything light up.

Remembering the time my niece woke me at the sweet age of 14, so scared because that thunder is thunder like no other. 

Looking a little closer at pictures I have tucked around in nooks.  

Reminding Bill as he makes comments of the pictures we take...

"how old we look"

or 

"the changes of our hair, body, physique"

I quickly remind him, if we look back on these days 10, or hopefully 20 years from now we'll be glad we took them.  

The older we get means our only "once" happens right now.

And if we can take a breather and live for today, and step away to recharge....and live for that moment.

Adulthood...

No one said it would be easy.

But, the alternative isn't easy either.

My biggest love to you all,

Thanks for sticking it out through my journey.

This Mama Lisa

xo

ps. I took one selfie of ME but I'm selling it to the National Enquirer. Stay tuned at your local grocer. It's a doozy.

Army Ant Mode.

I guess the analogy of how I'm feeling as of late is more like an army ant.  The one that is just in the mode of doing. And moving.  And working.  And existing. And providing.  And moving.  And instead of a robot, I'm just a worker ant. Only this ant has to talk. To employees. Customers. Vendors.
It can be so taxing on a soul, most especially when your tea pot is about to start whistling away...
Only my tea pot, is tears.  I've always felt like the tea pot type. Cool as ever until the heat turns up and stays up.....

And sometimes.....

Sometimes in this life, you need a break. So, we don't break.

A break that doesn't come easy.

This week has tackled my spirit down.  I pray harder than other days when I get this way.

I've fought hard this past year, creating the least little bit of energy to give myself fully. Most importantly to the general public.  Something I've always taken a fawn love for is just being kind.  To others.

My family first. 

I've held a thought in my head, "when I die, my children will most certainly declare just how much love I poured on them"-
Funny, a few weeks back one of my birdies mentioned how at times my blog is hard to read because it sounds so sad (at times)...and as I replied and smiled, my inside said..."This my dear, THIS my dear is Motherhood. And Age.  And the breakdown of wisdom.  And the healing of heartbreak. And partnership. And working hard for years and years. It's a part of chapter forty six that one can't explain. It's not a purposeful plan to make them sad, or cry, or that this little slice of my world be so dark and cloudy so that those that want a perfect world and perfect slice of perfect souls. And a perfect mom. Or girlfriend. Or employer. Or human.  Or family member.
Truth is, this is life. And sometimes, my friends,........it's fucking hard.
If this little space dooms and gloom's your day...there is a little + on the top right.
Push that.
But pray for me, k? Thanks.
For those young birds out navigating life...in chapter 20...
My best of loving wishes to you.

Instead of asking for forgiveness in my prayers, I ask for mercy.  I ask for whatever it is to help ease this feeling inside.

Fear.  Anxiety.  Frustration. Anger. Anxiety at an all time high.
Hormones. Chapter 46. Fear. Motherhood. Life planning.
Failing. Succeeding. Pushing. Falling. 

Here's a couple pictures that make my heart full. And when I'm in my vulnerable level as this, I turn to pictures.  And memories. 

Pictures.

My car took a shit on the way home Tuesday. Because, well, why not. Elll  oooooo Elllll One second, I gotta grab more dirt.  And keep moving.  Building that mountain. Down the tunnel I go, up again, praying someone doesn't knock it all down. Happy Thursday! Shout out to the AAA driver that dropped me off back at work, and re-dropped my car off at the mechanics shop.  Shit like that doesn't happen these days. Because, well, corporate BS. Go enjoy life. However you can. Keep marching.  Hold onto your dirt tight. This Mama Ant- Holding onto a mound of FAITH.

A Request For An Opinion Turns Into...(Post from two weeks ago, maybe three?)

POST FROM JULY 7TH-(THURSDAY)

Last week, this exact time, Kali was at my desk trying to find a used refrigerator.  Not sure any of you know this, but my name is Lisa and I am addicted to Craigslist.  So much so, our home is filled with all furniture from said website.  I've found it hard to buy anything from stores simply because I've found the good ol' quote "one mans trash is another mans treasure". Tis' is true my friends.  Ten times and ten times more again.

If you know me and have visited our home, you'd know.  I thrive on decorating.  It flows through my veins.

Good deal + nice piece of whatever = Happy Mama.

Dangit, I'm digressing.  Totally known for that.

So, going back...I call my friend Erica because her hubby is in the appliance business.  Asking the questions I tried asking some creepy dude that "wanted us to meet him in his storage place in San Marcos"...blah blah blah. But didn't have specifics on the fridge he was posting, although they were all pictures of fridge's in nice homes.  Total bait and switch bs, and so I call Erica.

She texts' me back shortly later telling us we'd do her a favor if we'd take the one from her garage.  Although they use it, they really wanted to move it out, and put a different one in.

WHAT?!  So we quickly must make arrangements to move it out to San Marcos this week because 1.) Kali's responsibility of this home and room-mate deal was she was responsible for the fridge 2.) There were two guys available on Wed to move it from truck to house.  3.) Kali's mama could drive it

 out.

So yesterday morning while shitting my pants (or just about) I drove it out there.  50 miles an hour on the 405 fwy where cars are going twice the speed, same with the 5 fwy.  Almost comical, I'd arrive.

The boys would offload it.

Is it me, or does stuff like this mean the world to look at later in life.  When the girls are getting married and we can remember things like this.  Shelly helping Kali get her bed set up for her Jr year in college.  In San Marcos at that house. Wild!  Thank you Auntie Shelly!

Shelly would be out in that neck of the woods too because once we left Kali's we'd be headed to Oceanside to sit with Maria.  Her mama is soon leaving Earthside...(2 massive strokes this week) Shell and I would take lunch to her family.  Sitting out in that courtyard, sharing love.  And conversation.

I'll never ever forget her Dad's words shared about his wife.  How she was such a loving mom.  And wife.

That "She'd never been a bad person....ever"-  I couldn't help but just stare at this face.  His cheeks, his lips, his eyes.  His lover.  She's gone.  And there he sits, sharing how "she was"-   So heartbreaking!!

Heavy stuff you guys.

The love of friends.  Of neighbors.  Of love.

The moral of my story--

Good friends, good timing, good love and good luck.

Something we're so incredibly lucky to have.

__________________________________________________________________________

Post from today 07/26

How's your week treating you so far?  Mine for some reason is overwhelming.  Simple as that. 

Overwhelming. Have you ever felt like there wasn't a light at the end of the tunnel?

I hope your days are filled with iced cold teas, or iced cold water....

 Or some good damn wine.

To my friend Laura whom lost her daddy last week...stay strong. He'd be proud to know you are.

Which you always have been.

Same with you Kaylee.  

To Jordan Sickler...whom celebrated his 17th birthday over the weekend. You make us proud. 

To Kali whom seems to run amuck and live life to the fullest.  Get a job.  jk

To all our employees, along with anyone that works out in this heat, you're our hero's.  

To Maria that sent me a text on Sunday that read- "Hi I just wanted to thank all for getting together yesterday. It was good to get out of the house and start feeling better.  I appreciate all of you in my life and it really shows when times get tough how we can pull together.  It's the small stuff that counts alot when there is trouble. No body does it better than girlfriends.  Thank you"-

I hosted a little lunch with our little group. 

My reply-

"That's how I feel about you, most especially during tough times. Perfect day together"-

Little secret about Maria-

We met when our girls were 12. In club soccer- It wasn't until the ages of donating many many evening hours working high school dances, and events that she'd show me the ropes on how to get Kali into college.

And for that.....

I will forever and ever be grateful.

To the many friends out there struggling in life.  Whatever it may be.  Keep swimming.

Just know that we are all swimming.

And praying.

Remember work hard, and be nice to people.

FE  FI  FO  SHO!

This Mama Lisa

Those That Help Float Your Boat.

Or float your family's boat. 

But most importantly, those that have been there with you through thick and thin.  Through beeps, and iv carts. Through fist bumps and text messages. Through chemo infusions (hello Sarah). Through pull overs to watch him puke. Through days on a boat where they'd protect him from sun, elements, good food, bad food. Lending that hand to reel in a "big one" because his legs and arms were too weak. Through days of not being able to get out of bed because the poison of treatment kicked his ass so bad.  So he'd banter friends via text. Some days so obsessed with food, while other days, not willing to even look. Through weak days, where a lended arm was all he needed. Through tears, and most likely those many messages sent and received sharing love.  And compassion.  Most importantly, love. 

Kris has many friends.  His circle is evident of those that support him on this journey.  

Never an easy journey and yet he's maintained a spirit that's unbreakable. 

I've watched friends reach out to him during his darkest days.  Those friends never turned their cheeks on him.  Most of them visiting in the hospital. Adorning themselves in those gowns. Gloves. Masks.  Sitting across from him playing card games. Or just shootin' the shit about cars.  Fishing. Girlfriends. Money.

Life.

Scott, whom he calls his "godfather" stayed two nights next to him in the hospital.

Stone drove down from Fresno to sit with him.

Zackie stayed a few times while Kris was at his sickest.  Just talking and listening. 

Sherwood would drop by to give love. And shoes.  And encouragement. 

Corey would drive up to City Of Hope to stare at his bald brother, and encourage him, even though I am quite sure he didn't know what he was encouraging.  

Casey drove around Hollywood looking for Asada Fries, just to feed his frustrated friend. Damien and his mom drove down for just an hour.  But to show up.  And love.

Our family is tight. And our family tends to rally around when needed.  That's a given. 

Some have slightly walked away from it all. Reasons, only they know.  

Friends.

Isn't it true in life, that friends are the anchors that keep us grounded in our hardest darkest days.

Friends.

When I planned this party almost two months ago, my goal was to provide to him the best day one could feel.  It wasn't about me.  Or his dad.  Or his sister. 

It was about Kris.  

And his friends.

His anchors.  His rocks that stood up there with him at the podium of "one heck of a year"-

We never know what tomorrow holds.  But today, and last weekend it holds sunshine.  

And lots of smiles....

Thank you to all of his friends that conquered love once again.  Sharing your hugs and fist bumps with Kris. 

 Heyyy Zackie...!

 Ummmm

 Love for the win!

 Two adorable peeps.

Captain Dad.  aka My lover

 Charlie!

 Grand-doggo Bucksie Roo!

 Merica'

 Get it HARLEY!

 Strong Birdie

 Kendy! Mary!

 The pretties....

 Sunshine And Laughter...

 We love you Kris!

 

  

 The kids faces say it all.  Happiness.  Celebration. Life.  So much LOVE!  

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beautiful.html

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone- Audrey Hepburn

Happy Weekend to you all!

Happy Birthday Jodee!  

Go give out your free smiles kids.  Count the ways you feel that smile in return.

I promise it's worth it.

And...FULL MOON MANIA is gonnnerrzzz

This Mama Lisa

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beautiful.html