Officially addicted

To FACEBOOK. Thanks Janna.

Heather

My buddies come to play....

Back from Big Sky country....That would be Montana

Bloggin from the road...

We've had a lovely time visiting family in Montana this week. A couple days left, and we'll be headed home. We've gotten to do lots of fun things. Yesterday, we went to Yellowstone Nat'l Park and saw lots of animals (pic's to come) and got to see Old Faithful Geyser.

It's beautiful here and the weather is to die for. Day time highs in the low 80's and evening's around 45-50ish.....I am not looking forward to returning to the hot Texas sun. The mountains are as beautiful as always, and there is still snow at the tops of many peaks.

Last Thurs. they rec'd 18 inches of snow so you can imagine the valley below is really getting some run-off. I missed blogging, so I hopped on my uncle's computer to catch up. I was having "withdrawals". Hope all is well with all my blog readers.

Live from Montana,
Heather

P.S. I have lots of pics to post when I return, so stay tuned.

Happy Father's Day Jason

I do believe I've lost my mind posting this picture in my swimsuit. But hey, you only go around once, right?Luke wanted us to take a picture of his new fishing pole. These pic's were taken today before we went for a Father's Day swim.

Happy Father's Day Jason. Luke and I are lucky to have you as the leader of our household. You are a blessing to us and we love you from the bottom of our heart. Hope you liked your gifts Luke picked out.

Heather

P.S. I'm feeling much better.

Feeling much better

Today I ventured out for the first time in like 2 weeks. I took Luke to the mall to ride the carousel and to just get out of the house. He had fun, rode the horse and got to get some jelly beans at the candy store (pushover, I know).

He did really well listening and following directions. Only one time did we have to use the paddle today and that was when he decided to throw his rice up in the air at the mexican restaurant at dinner tonight. Cleanup at table #4. I'm sure they hate to see us coming.

I am slowly but surely regaining energy and am about to be back to "normal" (whatever that is). I am excited about an upcoming trip and HAVE to have energy for that.

Later taters,
Heather

Miss Vicki is with Jesus

I hadn't updated lately, but my friend Vicki succumbed to injuries sustained in a car accident 2 wks. ago. She is in heaven with Jesus and her funeral is tomorrow. Please pray for her family and her husband Cecil, who she left behind.

Thanks,
Heather

Still on the mend....

Well the last weekend required another ER trip. I won't give you the gory details. I have a very severe bladder infection requiring lots of antibiotics and lots of pain pills. I've been laying low and letting Jason, Mom and Luke pamper me. I don't know what I'd do with out my sweet Hubby, Mom and son. Please keep praying for me. Thanks.

Heather Rice

You know it's time....

To get the pest control people out when your son lays a chip down on the floor to "let the ant eat it". We've had these crazy little sugar ants invade the last week or so. It happens every year around this time. Don't worry we're not messy people (ask anyone, I have Mr. Anal Retentive Extraordinaire Clean Freak as a husband) we're pretty much "white glove worthy" any day of the week. But, somehow these little creatures still make it in. Pest control guy will be here at 12 noon to rid our house of these pesky little creatures. Until then, pray we don't get carried off in our sleep.

Luke informed me today that on Monday and Wednesdays he would like to go over to play with his friend Tanner. He was very explicit in his instructions, ONLY Monday and Wed. Funny huh!

Finally, I have a fun little poll AT THE VERY BOTTOM (scroll ALL the way down) that you can be a part of, if you wish.

I am feeling a bit better so thanks for those of you who've been lifting me up in prayer.

If you could please add one more thing to your prayer list. A friend (Vicki) from my old church was in a serious car accident last Wed. Her Explorer hydroplaned into a telephone pole. No airbag deployment since she was hit on the side. She was extricated from the vehicle and Careflited to trauma at a local hospital. She was near death upon arrival to the hospital. She's been clinging to life with the aid of a ventilator, swelling of the brain has occured as well as blood seepage. The Dr's. and family have made the decision to remove the ventilator and see if she can breathe on her own. If she continues breathing they will continue care, if she doesn't she will pass. It's an extremely fragile situation as her husband came upon the accident when his wife never showed up to their lunch date. The paramedics had already air-lifted her. I cannot imagine. I you could please pray for peace for their family and for Cecil, Vicki's husband as well. This could happen to any of us guys. The fragility of life is sometimes taken for granted....until you almost lose it.

Thanks,
Heather Rice

Now go take my POLL.

Something new I have to offer...

I mentioned awhile back that I would be adding a new product to the Faith Creations pendant line. After classes in handstamping sterling silver (which is harder than it looks) and metal oxidation, I feel like I've got a pretty good grasp of the art of handstamped fine sterling silver. More products will soon follow. Call for price quotes. I can create custom orders with whatever wording you desire. They make great gifts. This one is going to my sister. It has my nieces name on it with a delicate freshwater pearl adorning the bottom. Hope you like what you see.

Designing for a Purpose,

Heather Rice

Sick of being sick, so I'm rebuking it.

I AM NOT SICK ANY LONGER! THANK YOU JESUS.

Off to take more pain pills....but before I go I have to share this cute little conversation I had with Luke today while running my one errand to the bank.

He said, "Mommy, where we going?"
I replied, "to the bank, let's just look out the windows while we drive and see all the beautiful things that Jesus created outside our windows".
He looks out the window and said, "Oh WOW, Jesus made a lot of pretty things out there but.....UH OH!"
I said, "What's wrong?" He said, "Jesus would be very sad".
"Why?" I replied.
He said, "Oh, mommy Jesus would be very sad that I can't see out these dirty windows". I laughed because he and Jason washed my car for me this weekend.

Oh the conversations with a 3 yr. old, wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

Heather

Sleeping is proving challenging....

During the night that is. Seems that my anti-biotic, coupled with the pain pills I'm on cause insomnia. So, my days and nights are all switched around. Thanks for those of you who continually call in and check on me. I am still in pain, and I get tired very easily but since Tues. I do have to say I think I'm 1% better (how's that for optimism). Just wanted to touch base to ask you to keep the prayers coming. They are much felt and appreciated.

Hoping to be above par soon,

Heather Rice

Verse that inspired me today....

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Still in much pain on my side, praying that the antibiotics will kick in soon.

Coveting all prayers,
Heather Rice

Choosing to look at the positive side...

Regarding yesterdays ER visit. I got right in, didn't have to wait. Really nice nurse, Esther who empathized with my pain and got me drugs REALLY quickly. Nothing says lovin' like a shot of Dilaudid. Had xrays and CT scan. Both times the person who was my transport person to/from xray's name was Blessing. He was too.

CT scans noted small area of fluid buildup under the diaphraghm. My regular Dr. called me late last night to discuss the test findings. After discussing my specific case with the interventional radiologists all seem to think that the area of concern (1 x 2 CM) is too small to try to drain surgically.

I've been put on a strong course of antibiotics, which I'm praying will dissolve the fluid, thus eliminating the pain. Of course I have been given something to take the edge off too. And let me tell ya, there IS an edge.

I'm thankful that it wasn't more serious. Sometimes, I have the tendency to expect the worse given my past medical history over the last year. But, God is faithful, HE hears your prayers so keep em' coming will ya!

Oh, and another added bonus I had 4 nurses oohing and ahhing over my Luke pendant. They all took my business cards and said they'd be calling to place an order.

So, who said a trip to the ER is ALL BAD??? It's REALLY GOOD FOR BUSINESS~

Heather

ER....the real life version

UPDATE: as of 9:35pm tonight...I just spoke to my regular Dr. and he said he's reviewed the films from my CT scan today. It looks like the area of concern, is so small that surgery at this point is not the best course of action. A 3 wk round of antibiotics IS. So, tomorrow I start with medication. No more visits to the hospital are in the cards, unless for some reason things should get worse while on medication.

I visited the ER today. A constant nagging pain on my left side (side that I had all my bariatric surgery stuff on) lead me to the hospital. A few hours, an IV, 3 Dilaudid pain shots, xrays and a CT scan revealed: an abcess under my diaphragm with inflamation and fluid build up (pleural effusion). I was discharged with instructions to go see my regular Dr. tomorrow. So, that's the plan. Possible hospital admission tomorrow to drain fluid. Will know more after tomorrow's "exciting" visit.

Thank you for your prayers. Thanks Amorette for watching Luke. I owe you big time.

Heather

IT'S 4 THE KIDS charity....

HOWDY FAITHFUL BLOG-READING FRIENDS:

I'm SO excited to announce that I am partnering with my good friend Michelle Brownlow (My Semblance Of Sanity) and Mimi Avery (Take My Life...Already Your's). They've created a wonderful charity called: It's 4 The Kids

GO TO THEIR SITE AND CHECK IT OUT: http://its4thekids.blogspot.com/


It's 4 The Kids is a team of artists who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Through our passion and our love for these "Cancer Kids," we are inspired to create beautiful pieces of artwork to raise money for the human side of cancer. There are many avenues to raise money for research. So, whether it is helping a family in a financial bind, making a wish come true, footing the bill for a concert on hospital grounds or just spending time doing a craft with some kids getting chemo, the fundraising we do on this site is from the heart and it's 4 the kids!

I am switching my 10% of ALL sales giving from my previous charity, the Haitian Orphanage (by the way Faith Creations donated $429.68 to them since 2/20/08) TO It's 4 The Kids. As of today, I've already accumulated $37.30 for them. Thank you to all of you who've bought jewelry from me in the past and continue to be faithful customers. Not only are you supporting my business but, now you are also helping "cancer kids".

I know the Lord is smiling down upon us and is flourishing both my business and Michelle's charity. If you didn't already know, Michelle is a very talented artist as well. She has been blessed with the talents of drawing, painting and children's book illustration. Check our her personal blog by clicking on the link My Semblance Of Sanity to your left.

Please pass along our links if you feel so led. We'd both love maximum exposure with those who share our mutual passion for helping others. Thank you.

Designing for a Purpose,
Heather Rice
Owner/Faith Creations, LLC.

Sending bubbles your way Dad...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Tim. 4:7

Dad, today marks 11 years since you went to heaven. So many events have occurred since you went to see Jesus. I miss you and think of you often. I was reflecting on some life events that I wished you'd gotten to see: Me getting married, you meeting our sweet Luke, me lose 85 lbs., me start my own business and be successful at it, us go to church together and talk about spiritual things, Brooke's wedding, meeting your grand daughter Emery, us build a house, there are many more things that I wish you could have been a part of. I know that you are in a far better place. Selfishly, I just wish you hadn't gone away so soon. In memory of you this morning I explained to Luke that Grandpa needed to see some bubbles up there in heaven so he sent some your way. I hope you caught them and know how much we love you and miss you. There are a couple special friends of mine that have gone to heaven too. If you could please find Charles and Carol Ann tell them we love and miss them too. You will find great friends in them. They will both make you laugh, because they have great senses of humor. Thank you for what you contributed to 24 years of my life. I am convinced that so many of my talents that God blessed me with are the same one's that He gave you. For example, people tell me that I'm good at marketing my jewelry "creations"....You were fabulous at PR, so thanks for setting the standard high. Always know that you are missed and that you are loved very much down here. We will see you again one day.

I love you Dad,

Heather

P.S. Today is my nephew Beau's 3rd birthday. Happy birthday big guy. Can't wait to come to your party.

NEW WEBSITE....& SPA-licious designs

While my "official" website is still under construction, you can check out this website to view my jewelry creations. http://www.faithcreations.shutterfly.com/ In the interim, here are some new designs that I created to go on sale tomorrow at That Elegant Touch Salon & Spa in McKinney, TX. They are funky, chunky designs. All of the pendants have a kitchy phrase on the back as well (sorry, no pic's of that). Hope you like what you see. Let me know if I can create something fun for you. Remember, you can always click on the pictures above to enlarge (wink)! I'd like to thank "Diva" for modeling my creations.

Designing for a Purpose,

Heather

Almost summer nights...

Well, it's May. Cool almost summer nights. Time for doodle-buggin, bike riding and time with family. Here are a couple pic's that we took tonight. Hope you enjoy them. There's also one of my new creations...it'll give you lots of laughs when you wear it to Starbucks. On a VERY different note, check out this link for all you purse-a-holic's out there (Tammy): http://www.artgoddess.com/purses.htm Finally, a gift for the gal who has everything.

Heather

A boy and his bear....he "wuv's" him....

Today was Luke's last day of school. It was Show-n-Tell day. He took Bear because as he say's, "I wuv him, he's my pave-rit". We'll miss seeing Ms. Peggi and Ms. Kelley every Mon/Wed. but we're going to keep in touch with them. Luke really enjoyed being in their class this year.

Heather