Show & Tell: NieNie Asks -- Who Are You Thinking About Today?

wow...your story is amazing! You are such an inspiration. I feel blessed to be able to follow your blog.

Today I am thinking about the same group of people I always think about. The unloved. Those who have been tossed away to live in orphanages because they have special needs. But I am also rejoicing in the people who remember them and are doing all they can to bring them home to loving families. Thanks for being an inspiration and showing that the world is a good place and that there is hope in it.

You can learn more about them all on my post

http://makingmanymemories.blogspot.com/2011/05/who... ( http://makingmanymemories.blogspot.com/2011/05/who... )

My wife is the most beautiful person I know. She has the baby blues right now. Please pray for her. We just had a baby boy: Jedediah Asher. She blogged about it today. http://waifangel.blogspot.com

In the Lion, In the Lamb,

Mark

http://re-monk.blogspot.com

Today I get to think about my fun birthday, 'cause it's today. I came home from the gym this morning to find that even though the real birthday fairy (me) gets to take the day off, the substitute birthday fairies (hubby and our 4 little angels) had decorated with streamers and balloons and signs and yelled "surprise!" when I came through the door. Awesome! Just what I wanted : ). I love our birthday traditions.

Today I get to think about my fun birthday, 'cause it's today. I came home from the gym this morning to find that even though the real birthday fairy (me) gets to take the day off, the substitute birthday fairies (hubby and our 4 little angels) had decorated with streamers and balloons and signs and yelled "surprise!" when I came through the door. Awesome! Just what I wanted : ). I love our birthday traditions.

Amazing You! One of my most favorite blogs ever. I admire the strength in you. I've learned so much from you, even your simple post. Your blog has made me look at my life in an entirely different window and I'm enjoying the view. Thank you for all your inspiration. It's truly appreciated! =) xo

Amazing You! One of my most favorite blogs ever. I admire the strength in you. I've learned so much from you, even your simple post. Your blog has made me look at my life in an entirely different window and I'm enjoying the view. Thank you for all your inspiration. It's truly appreciated! =) xo

A beloved friend and band teacher of our small community passed away this week. I know he believed in me. He valued my work ethic in music. He was a leader. Strict, loving and kind. He is a man that produced great results. Everyone sought to do better around him. He complimented every individual he saw.

His students were scheduled to have a band concert under his direction this week.
It's being directed by another great man. I'm sure Mr. Smith will watch and say, "Finally! A concert with the proper attendance these kids deserved!"

You are a true inspiration, learning about your story makes me want to be the best mom I can be for my 7 yo girl, cherish every moment and not take anything for granted.
After watching your story I went and bought a book for my little girl about love and wrote her a letter, she read the letter and asked me in awe "is it true mommy? do you really love me like this?"...
Thank you. Because of you I want to be a better mother and a better person.

Today, I am thinking about surgery for pelvic prolapse, and nervous about making an appointment to be seen again by a specialist. But thinking about everything that you have been through makes it seem like an easier thing to deal with. Truly, I've been focusing so much on this pending surgery, that I'm missing out on the beautiful things going on around me. Thanks for the wake up call!

Because of you I am thinking about how much I love working in burn care.

Thank you for sharing your story!

I also have been thinking of you, Nie Nie, all weekend since I saw your segment on 20/20 Friday night. You have truly been so inspirational and amazing that it is extremely difficult to express into words how much you have touched my broken heart. The insurmountable pain and suffering that you have endured is inconceivable but your faith, courage, strength and beauty exudes from your entire "core" being.

I have been grieving the loss of my beloved youngest brother for the past six years. Actually, my mother and brother were dying at the same time. I knew my mother had less than 6 months to live but I never dreamed that my little brother would die a horrific death 15 days after my mother's passing. My youngest brother, Kevin, had the most hideous type of cancer. He had cancer of the tongue. After 2 previous surgeries, the doctor in San Francisco performed an unthinkable surgery to remove his entire tongue. It was an unsuccessful 14 1/2 hour surgery that robbed him from any type of quality of life. He could no longer eat, drink, swallow, talk, sleep in a bed, etc. Everything we take for granted. He just constantly suctioned his mouth and trach 24/7 and then the swelling began. They took so many lympth nodes out that there was no place for the fluid to drain. His entire face would not stop swelling. He suffered non-stop for 3 months when he was finally hospitalized and hospice took over. He lost his ferocious battle with cancer on Easter Sunday 6 years ago on his son's 18th birthday and I took on the ever destructive battle of depression and guilt along with the haunting flashbacks. I was the one who begged him to have the surgery because I wanted him to live so desperately.

I have learned some very valuable lessons from you by watching your struggles and how you have accepted God's plan for you. Recently, I have been struggling with the effects of grieving that have taken a toll on my body and outer looks. Wrinkles, hair loss, aging process, etc.. I will now pray harder to accept what is happening to me and learn to love who I am inside. I hope to learn more from you while I follow along with your blog. May God Bless You and Your Beautiful Family, Always... P.S. You are "Beautiful" and "Alive"!!! You are a true inspiration to all!!

The link below is my Christian blog with My Big Sis; if you find time to visit it:

http://www.bigsis-littlesis.com/

thinking about my best friend, who is in the seminary a few hours away...missing him A LOT (haven't seen him since Christmas).

Myself- and while that may sound selfish it's not what it seems. Watching you live your life with grace has really made me start thinking. I have everything in life that I have wanted but still find that something is missing. During a long drive this weekend I came up with 4 things that I want to work- things that I have the power to change so that my family and I can be happier. My #1 goal is to have more patience with my children, I made a list and taped it to the fridge. Thanks for inspiring me!

You. I'm hoping that the tulips in Central Park still make you happy.

Today I'm thinking about my only grandson, the awesome toddler who returns to preschool today after his T&A surgery and who will be my "only" for just a short time longer as his brother is set to arrive any day.

(The option to "add photo" thing didn't appear so just imagine his cuteness, if you will.)

By Lisa Carpenter, aka glampers27, of Grandma's Briefs ( http://www.grandmasbriefs.com/ ).

I can't wait for your book to come out! I am definitely buying it when it does. Plus, I enjoyed watching your story on 20/20 last Friday. As a follower of your blog for over a year now, it was neat seeing your beautiful family and your beautiful self on the screen. You've really touched my heart and you make me proud to live in Provo, Utah!

Nie Nie,
Can't wait to read your book. Such good news from the doctor that it is OK to have a baby! Can't wait to hear that you are expecting!!!!

I loved the 20/20 interview, and have been thinking about YOU! :)

I also am in love with your brother's blog. :)

Nie I love your blog and your style. I'm very excited about your book. I'll be curious to read it. I've thought about writing a book about our experience parenting a "medically fragile" child (hate that term) but then I wonder if I've already said it all on the blog. It is different though isn't it? I think it will be cathartic for you to write this book.

I am thinking of my husband because he just left the house for work and it's his birthday in 2 days. We have 3 children. The 4 year old has special needs and medical issues and it takes a special man to be a great dad in circumstances like ours. I'd like to make his birthday special. He really deserves it.

Susan - writer of Ainsley's Blog - Happy To Be Me ( http://www.ainsleyrae.blogspot.com/ )

Yesterday I got to go with my daughter to a church meeting given by the special needs youth in our area.

I have been to three of these Sunday meetings now, and each time I walk out to the car, after crying off most of my make-up. I looked pathetic, but I am still smiling.

I’m not sure I can explain how it feels to be in a room full of some of Heavenly Father’s choicest sons & daughters. It is truly overwhelming. As I watched from the congregation today I thought about how different the world would be if our outer beauty was purely a reflection of our inner beauty and the strength of our spirit.

In my opinion, we are all "special needs" children of God. The only difference between myself and the special people I watched at church on Sunday, is that they know who they really are and make no appologies for being proud of it! It's awesome, and it's all I could think about for the rest of the day.

Today, I am thinking of my mom. Tomorrow will what would have been her 49th birthday. She died of a brain tumor when she was 21 and I was two. May is sometimes a tender month for me with my birthday, Mother's Day and her birthday all within two weeks of each other. I miss her, even though I don't remember much about her.

I am thinking of our dear friends. I just found out this morning that our friend is coming home from the hospital and having hospice care. My heart breaks for his family. He is too young to be leaving his wife, children and friends. To have such a kind hearted and lovely man not be in our lives......

My brother-in-law, Matt, was hit by a car on Thursday as he was riding his bike to work. I'm thinking good thoughts about his recovery!

My heart and prayers are for my husband. He has been in Minnesota, away from his family, for the past two months. After a year and a half of unemployment, he landed a good job there. I remain here in Massachusetts with our four children until school ends and our home sells. We miss him a lot but are so proud of him. He continued his education during unemployment and with one project to finish, he'll have his Masters degree. Our house does not feel like a home with him gone. We look forward to all being together soon. We celebrate our 20th year of marriage next month and hope to celebrate it together.
BTW, you looked beautiful on 20/20 and we are praying for you to have your heart's desire and grow your family! "Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle"!

I am thinking about you and your family. I saw your story on 20/20 this past weekend and I was so inspired. I honestly do not know if I would have the strength and courage you did...and still do!
Although I had never heard your story before- it made me cry, but it also made me truly appreciate my family. I have a 2 year old son and I could not imagine him thinking someone else was his mommy or him being afraid to look at me. You are beautiful- inside and out- and I wanted you to know how much your story touched me; and will stay with me! Best of luck to you always NieNie! :)

Today I'm thinking about my friend Kelly and her brother. They were both brutally stabbed last weekend. The police believe the perpetrator to be her ex-boyfriend. I can't stop praying for them. Even worse, Kelly and I are both prosecutors. We are used to helping others deal with violence, not dealing with it ourselves. She is a very strong woman though, and I know with prayers she is going to make it.

I am thinking about you and your family. I saw your story on 20/20 this past weekend and I was so inspired. I honestly do not know if I would have the strength and courage you did...and still do!
Although I had never heard your story before- it made me cry, but it also made me truly appreciate my family. I have a 2 year old son and I could not imagine him thinking someone else was his mommy or him being afraid to look at me. You are beautiful- inside and out- and I wanted you to know how much your story touched me; and will stay with me! Best of luck to you always NieNie! :)

For me it's simple - Ryan Prescott. He's my best friend and my wonderful boyfriend, and even the idea that he's just a boyfriend seems so wrong. It's hard to call him that, because really, he means so much more. He's my significant other, my soul mate, my movie partner, my pancake baker, my "snuggalicious" cuddler, and several other highly embarrassing nicknames that I won't list off!

I miss him today, as I do everyday when I'm not with him. It's his Birthday this month, and I can't wait to celebrate the birth of such an amazing person.

I am trying to get to Blog which I have never done before. I am trying to blog with NieNie's blog. Am I doing this right? I hope someone will reply back so I can tell her how I feel about the wonderful job she has and is doing with her beautiful children. I am really a soft hearted man and grandpa of 4 beautiful grandkids. Would love to share my thoughts with Nie...

My mother is raising my 2 year old grandson at 67 years old. It amazes me what a great job she is doing. Our relationship had been strained for many years, but I think it has improved so much over the past few years that I now consider her one of my closest friends.

Today I am thinking about my grandparents. They have taken care of their drug addict daughters and their kids their whole lives. Last night my cousin (one of their grand kids) died of a drug overdose. They have the kindest hearts and are always there to help anyone in need, but they keep ending up with the family members who just want a hand out.

I am also thinking about you Stephanie, I watched the episode on 20/20last night. I think I cried the whole way through it. You are such a strong woman with so much faith. I only wish to be half as strong as you are one day!

To questions like this, the answer is always the Munchkin ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ). Just two weeks post-visit, that is most certainly the case.

Family Section Editor Jenna Hatfield (@FireMom ( http://twitter.com/FireMom )) blogs at Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ). She is a freelance writer and photographer.

You and your family have been on my mind all weekend after watching 20/20 Friday night! What courage and faith you have demonstrated. Since I have started following your blog (I was referred by Kathryn Wolf's blog) I have been so inspired and learned so many lessons from you. You have shown what is important and and what true beauty really is!