Noah…may the force be with you!

Remember when I told you how nice, kind, loving, etc. everyone in Dubai is? Here’s a sample! Today I was sent my favorite things in the world – PICTURES!!! Before we went to the Burg Khalifa, we were taken to Pink Pepper Photography for a complimentary photo shoot! They saw Noah’s story in the paper and wanted to give him a day of pictures. And boy o’ boy…. did Noah give them a show! He was on fire! (Watch out Zoolander!)

Thank you Chelsea, Krista, Danielle and all of Pink Pepper! We will treasure the priceless memories that you have given us! If ever in Dubai – GO to Pink Pepper Photography!!!!

He was playing in the shower. It had been over an hour. He got out and I could tell he had that “Noah Ponder” look. “Mom, hold me.”

Ok. So, I held him like a baby, wrapped in a towel. “Mom, I’ve been thinking about Venice a lot and how awesome it was and I have some questions.” (I was so excited!! He was contemplating our trip!! He really will remember this and it changed his life! What was he going to ask about?? Artwork, the history…what could it be??? I felt like the kid in Christmas Story!)

“Why did they make buildings so low that the water can touch them? Why didn’t they build them like Kamino?” Uh Oh… my sentiment was diminishing… he was comparing it to Star Wars and that Venice wasn’t as cool! (Like Ovaltine!) “Well honey… ahem… Kamino was built taller than Venice, because… well.. they have spaceships to land on it… like Slave I … and … um… we have boats.” He though silently for about 5 minutes then said “Yeah, and they had nebrays too.”

Just for Star Wars fans, just for you.

From our first egg boil (I had to print a recipe – don’t judge me) to our 4 1/2 hour art session! So much fun!!! “Mom, this is better than movie night!!!”

Then, the hunt before church!!! Mr. E. Ster Bunny left a note in the frig as to clues for the kids. Landin had a special request for the Easter Bunny when we had pictures at the Mall – “Please don’t p**p** in our yard!” (We have a real rabbit problem… story for another day.)

“Mom!! The Easter Bunny left me BATTLE DROIDS IN EGGS!!!” (Hee hee … as well as lots of art supplies! We don’t do candy.) One of those “art supplies” was a cool marker set that was made for windows. As a surprise to us, artist Lulu was on top of that! We look over and there was “beautiful artwork” all over the windows! Noah soon joined in after proclaiming “She’s DRAWING ON THE WINDOWS!!!!”

Noah built his own Clone carrier and we had a wonderful Easter Day with Zaza and Big Grandpa! (Unfortunately, the rest of our family was sick.)

Ok… more of my crazy life!

I ran into Publix today to get eggs for Noah and Landin to color for Easter. Dennis and Noah are sitting in the car.

As Lulu is getting her cookie from the bakery, I hear a voice say “Amber?” I turn and it’s my dear friend Eric whom I haven’t seen in almost 20 years!! We were part of an extremely close group of friends that worked together at Disney. We went to dinner every evening, dancing and were pretty much inseparable – laughing all the time! I was doing the College Program and an animation internship. It was wonderful seeing him and he asked what I was doing now. I told him about work, but nothing about Noah. (A little much to toss right out there to an old friend.)

I asked him and he said “Well, I’m not working right now…I’m battling cancer.” WHAT!!!!! I gasped!!!! Then he says…”Yes, I was the music minister at Holy Family in Orlando, but I’m taking a break during treatment.” MY HEAD STARTED SPINNING!!!!! YOU’RE THAT ERIC ANDERSON!!!! I almost fainted!!!! LITERALLY!!!! “Eric, I have been praying for you for MONTHS NOW!!!!! I’ve been getting updates! I know you’re going to Lourdes!!” I didn’t know it was him!” So then, of course, I told him about Noah and that I was his Mom. His turn to freak out!

We compared “hair” stories, treatments and old friends. I just still couldn’t believe it!

I go to the car and tell Dennis this story… now he’s freaking out! He reminded me of a Sunday that Noah was sick and just he and Landin went. If Noah was there, Father Gregory was going introduce him and “Eric Anderson” to the congregation, so people could meet them. That Sunday, Dennis came home and said “Eric Anderson was at church today! It was nice putting a face with prayers!” Whew… so crazy!!!

So, that being said… (for those few people who aren’t praying yet for Eric)… please pray for my dear friend of 20 years… Eric Anderson and his family.

Happy Easter Eric and Family! As you know (and I have written many times now…)

God is our Great Healer; He is in control!

A couple of days ago, Noah said “Mom, I want to take acting lessons!” Ok sweetheart, I will find you acting lessons. “Well, there’s another thing… remember at church when I asked what all the kids were doing after and you explained that the older kids were doing a performance of The Living Stations before Easter on Good Friday? Well, I want to be in that!!” Ok… I’ll see what we can do Noahie.

Julie and Holly made it happen! (God bless you!!!) He was feeling well and Dennis ran him down Friday afternoon for rehearsal. He was ELATED! “Mom, mom…I ‘m doing it!!! I told everyone that you were Mary when you were in 5th grade and Jesus was a doll!!! I’m so excited!!!” – talking a mile a minute! (For you “Lake Walesians,” it reminded me of being in “The Passion Play”; my Mom, brother and I running behind camels – so exciting!!)

All of the children and young adults in the church could not have been more welcoming!!! What a tremendous group of young men & women! Matthew took Noah “under his wing” to show him the ropes and watch out Tom Hanks – JD is on your coat tails – unbelievable! The music, the emotion – I was in tears, not only watching Noah but the portrayal of the Passion was heartbreaking and captivating all at the same time. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Praise the Lord! He is Risen! Happy Easter everyone!!!

In this “Holy Week” leading up to Easter (and after the doctor’s appointments at APH) we made a pit stop to see the Easter Bunny!

I couldn’t resist putting a little of last years too – without that tube, another GIANT blessing! Every time we go… a walk down memory lane.

Everyone – go to the Mall at Millenia… Theme Street Pictures!!! (As Noah calls them “the Crazy Guys” and visit the best Easter Bunny and Santa EVER!!!) Thank you guys – the basket still makes me cry!

Thank you so much for your comments! They help me through the day and make me smile!! (Just to let you know!)

This is my beautiful, baby boy’s brilliant brain. Every image circled in red is tumor. World meet satan. Satan we rebuke you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The green is sinusitis that he has now had for over a month causing pain. I’ll write about “specific prayers” later…I’m exhausted. (And I hate these pictures! They turn my stomach.)

Good night. My babies are having a sleepover in the living room. God Bless them and their joyous laughter.

I thank everyone for praying. The tumor hasn’t changed (they call it “stable” – which is always good) and at his last MRI it showed severe sinusitis. After 2 different antibiotics and a month later, the sinusitis is not better and they feel that it was causing the headaches. Praise God. After looking at the scans again today, there were other areas of concern.

In my next post, I am going to post his scans. I want everyone to look at this malignant evil and see exactly what we are dealing with – I will also list specific prayers.

I have to share a wonderful email from my sister-in-law; thank you for strength by reminding me of God’s love and strength!

We are at Arnold Palmer Hospital right now. It is 3:00pm; between 4 and 7pm, we will be having an MRI to see about the headaches.

Please pray!!!