Our 1st Thanksgiving at Home

I cooked the following for our first Thanksgiving dinner... Turkey (first time ever attempting to cook a turkey)! Rice & Gravy Green Bean Casserole Sweet Potato Casserole Crescent Rolls Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie & Autumn Cookies for dessert choices. We ended up eating at noon, then Phoebe wanted to decorate for Christmas, so we spent the next few hours doing that. :) It was a nice Thanksgiving, but I think I prefer the crazy chaos and loud sounds of laughter when we're with the family back home. I don't think we'll be skipping again. But at least we made it through this year. :)

She makes it all better :)

I finally started my vacation from work today and I've been stuck in bed the past 2 hours with a migraine. I just sat up and found this note on my nightstand. This kid does my heart good. Needless to say, I'm going to push through this and go hang out with my girl some more.

We went to see Rise of the Guardians this morning. Such a great movie!

Jack watching Dog with a Blog

Watch "Jack watching dog with a blog" on YouTube

Hang in there Mrs. Laura

I found out yesterday that Mrs. Laura at Rowland Ballard was beginning radiation for brain cancer. She won her fight about 2 years ago with breast cancer, so we are sure she'll stomp out this cancer too! She's a great person and my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

We learned this past weekend the devastating news that Laura Brown was diagnosed with brain cancer. Laura is an incredible person and has been a part of the Rowland/Ballard family for many years. All 3 of her children participated in our programs and she has served as our Kingwood office manager for the past several years. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for Laura, her husband Larry, her daughters Jill and Ryan, and her extended family. Laura has been a fixture at our Kingwood location and all the kids, parents, and staff love her. Laura is a fighter and has vowed to fight the cancer as long as possible. She begins radiation treatment today. This is her second battle with cancer as she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago. Laura is a wonderful person with a deep sense of family and faith. We have set up a donation opportunity at our front desk to help offset some of the random expenses as she undergoes radiation treatment. You can write a check (made out to Laura Brown) or you can donate cash. Please keep Laura and the family in your prayers. Sincerely, David Ballard

RIP Melissa "Missy" Wells 10/21/1976 - 11/1/2012

I found out yesterday that a friend from school lost her battle with stomach cancer. From what I've read, she was a fighter. My heart goes out to her family. She leaves behind a husband and 3 boys. I can't begin to imagine what they're feeling. Watch over them Missy, and rest in peace. Melissa Wells "Missy" Walle Obituary Guest Book A loving mother and wife she passed away at her home in Gonzales on Thursday, November 1, 2012 after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. She was 36 and native of St. Bernard Parish. She is survived by her husband, Ryan Walle; her three beloved sons, Kaleb, Derek, and Corey; father, Jeff Wells and his wife Tina; mother, Juanita Wells; brothers, Charles J. Wells, Jr., Mark, Luke, and Matthew Voebel; grandmother, Nina Selvage; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, a niece, and a nephew. She served as a den leader for Cub Scouts, and spent her time loving and taking care of her three boys. Visiting will be at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales on Friday, November 2 from 5 pm to 9 pm and will resume on Saturday from 9 am until religious services at 11 am. Burial to follow in Hope Haven Cemetery, Gonzales. Please visit our memorial at www.oursofh.com to offer your condolences. Guest Book for Melissa Walle – Online Guest Book by The Advocate and Legacy.com.