My Little Business

As some of you may know, I started my own little online business. It is called Wine Coutures. I make one-of-a-kind wine glass charms and wine bottle necklaces.

I've been playing around with this idea since last year, but it wasn't until after my liver transplant that I decided to get serious. Both my friends Elaina Kelly and Maggie Medcalf have really inspired me to take the plunge. They are both very creative, beautiful ladies with their own online businesses.

My storefront is located at www.winecoutures.com and you can buy from me at www.winecoutures.esty.com.

I am enjoying the thrill of finally getting to see a life long dream come to reality. As my mother can tell you, I've had many business plans and ideas over the years, but always managed to let myself and others talk me out of them.

This time I've had no excuses and no negative people in my life to distract me from seeing this idea through. I love what I do and feel blessed to be doing it. I'm having fun and starting to make a little money too. Most important of all-especially during these times- I'm happy!

Feel free to check out my store. Don't feel like you have to buy anything, ever. Just let me know what you think. Thanks!

No CPS Trial

Just wanted to let you all know that there will be no CPS trial in August. More details to follow soon...

Picture Time!

Getting her hair done at the Auntie Corinna Salon & Spa

'Mmmm . . . candy!"

"Who's that hiding under the coffe table? Oh, it's Elektra and daddy!"

Taken at Sweet Tomato where Elektra enjoyed her first ice cream cone with sprinkles!

Playing in the water in the backyard of the big blue house!

"Welcome to the blue house. Come on in."

Bubbles!

At the church's Mad Hatter Tea Party

Until Death Do Us Part

It still amazes me all that Ray and I have gone through.

It really didn't hit me until the other day, as I was talking to our pastor he mentioned something to me that really struck a cord.

"I don't know if you know this, Michelle, but most couples don't survive what the two of you are going through."

It seemed so odd to me that all that we have gone through together are seen by some as justifiable reasons to divorce. So many couples would have walked away from facing the reality of having a spouse with multiple disabilities and a premature baby who's own disabilities were yet unknown.

Too many couples grow distant after the death of a child. They start blaming each other and finally come to a point where they see each other as nothing more then strangers.

And with the pressures of CPS and investigations it would be easy for a lot of couples to turn against each other and say things that are false just to make the odds better for themselves.

Add to all of this the everyday pressures and stress of life, and yes, I could see how some couples would just throw in the towel and walk away. But Ray and I are not just 'some couple'.

We are 'one', united in complete love and respect for each other. Ray is more then just my lover and best friend, and it wouldn't be accurate to call him my soul mate. Instead, he is half my soul. He is the one God created just for me as I am the one that God created just for him.

On our wedding day, before witnesses, we made a promise to one another to stay together for richer or poorer, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, 'till death do us part. We made a promise before our family and friends, and most importantly, before God. And just like any promise, life will test you to see just how sincere you are and if you are strong enough to keep your word. (Although I must admit I would rather have the 'richer', 'good times' and 'health' right now then continue to be tested with the other sides of our promise.)

I can honestly say that not once throughout all that we have gone through have I ever though of leaving Ray. That was never and will never be an option. Come hell or high water, he is stuck with me, and I with him.

I like to hope that there is some good coming out of our struggles. That maybe there is another couple out there who is about to face a real struggle that has the potential to destroy their marriage and seeing us might help them cling to one another rather then walk away.

Let me not be misunderstood here. Being married and sharing my life with another person has not been easy. But anything worth fighting for never is. So, what God has brought together, let no one, (CPS, investigators, temptations, struggles, even death of a child), tear apart.

The Battle Ahead

We continue to fight to get our daughter back. It has been an uphill battle and on the horizon we can now see the peak. On August 10th begins our trial. For what will most likely take about two weeks, both sides will present their evidence as we battle to clear our names and bring our family back together. We will have our own medical experts and the truth on our side. We know that God is on our side and he will see that our family is reunited.

Changes our occurring that show signs of the currents finally changing for us. Our social worker, who some of you may know, has given us stress and grief throughout our case has taken emergency medical leave and will no longer be working on our case.

We were finally able to convince CPS that if for some reason we do not succeed in winning Elektra back, that she will be placed in the care of her Godparents, John and Maggie.

This is not just a fight to get our daughter back. It is a battle for the honor of our son, John. We WILL NOT STOP until this tarnish mark is removed from our son's name and dignity is restored to the life that he lived and the family that loved him so much.