Sorry It Took So Long!

Hello Everyone! I must apologize that this next blog took so long to get here. It's been a very busy month. First, we held the SPECTACULAR Spaghetti Dinner for my mom. The event and the day turned out better than I think we all dared to imagine. It seems like you plan and plan for events like this and you never quite know for certain what to expect (too many people, too few people, is the set up correct, are all the supplies in place, etc.) Well, everything fell into place just right. The support we received was so overwhelming, and we raised a generous profit to help my parents out with the closing of the businesses. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated and attended the dinner! My whole family has just been surrounded by good people to get us through this difficult time in our lives. "Thank You" just doesn't seem to encompass the gratitude we feel.

As soon as the spaghetti dinner was complete, my family went into full on wedding preparation mode for my Big Brother Ben's wedding to Ashley Blanchett (now Hansen). As expected, my mom insisted on hand crafting Ashley's wedding gown, and I think we all held our breath as we weren't sure if she would feel well enough to achieve the task. Well, in less than one month's time, my mom made the most gorgeous wedding gown ever (well, maybe equal to the one she made for me and for my other sister in law Tara)! My mom knew all along that she would get it done and get it done perfectly couture without cutting any corners. It wouldn't be any other way for her. Some days were hard as she would get stuck on a certain design element and she would say that her brain just wasn't letting her figure things out like she normally could, but she pushed through it and it was lovely! Ben and Ashley's wedding was a super fun day and they make the cutest couple ever! (Congratulations guys!)

Now, the next update currently on all of our minds, is my mom is going into the hospital Friday for a biopsy on another lump she found prior to the wedding. The lump is located under her arm on the same side they performed the mastectomy. She really has no information at this point except that she has spoken to her radiologist and surgeon and they are both concerned about the discovery. I personally just don't know what to think. It is very stressful and worrisome for all of us. Of course, we try to remain optimistic, but this isn't easy after the past few months. We have some time to just pray for the best until the surgery is complete and she gets the results. I always feel at this stage in the wait and see game, that anything can be changed by prayer. Nothing is certain until the Doctors tell us so, so I pray for a miracle that more cancer hasn't grown in her body since the mastectomy and chemo. Please say prayers for my mom this week that not only will she get good news, but also that she remains strong and optimistic. Thank you.



Here is a link to view the terrific pics my Uncle Bill took during the spaghetti dinner:

http://picasaweb.google.com/billcarrabino/HansenPastaDinner?authkey=Gv1sRgCPiFvL298sLAIQ&feat=email#

Here is also a link to view the pics Bill took at the wedding so you can see the lovely dress and my wild family!

http://picasaweb.google.com/billcarrabino/BennWedding2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCK3o9_zkzNGc4QE&feat=email#

Here are a couple of pics Tom took:

Emily Johnson (Tom's sister) made aprons, tote bags and other breast cancer awareness items.

All the family working hard in the kitchen.

My little family.
Andrew and Tara working the register.
The raffle items display table.

Evelyn Mirabelle.

HUGE dessert table donated by Cakes By Stephanie.

Kathryn, Evelyn & Sophia sporting their "I Wear Pink For My Mum" shirts.