Prayers are needed & a favor!

 This is "our" sweet Lanie who has worked for us the last 3 1/2 years. Lanie recently moved to Chicago (in March) to be closer to her boyfriend. Of which we kind of sported her on but didn't want to loose her... but knew her heart was already in Chicago so off she went. She found a job working for another husband wife team that have a small business and she of course was a perfect fit for them. Scott (the boyfriend) and Lanie's relationship only strengthen   and they grew closer and decided to move in together. They aren't kids anymore, they are in their early 30's and know what they want.  So we were happy for her and looking forward to meeting Scott soon.

Lanie started having some back issue and started seeing a doctor. Then many other different symptoms started popping up. One of which were some some lumps and strange unexplained bruises. So to make a long story short she went and got an MRI, ultrasound and mammogram all in one day only to find out later in the day she had 20  tumors throughout her body. Lanie then went in for biopsies soon after finding this out.  She found out Wednesday they are malignant melanoma. She has cancer. Lanie is looking into some clinical trials for treatment. We, Dan and I, are broken hearted. We wish we could take this away but we can't. All we can do is just be here for her. We are planning a trip to visit her in Chicago very soon. I'm ready to wrap my arms around her!

If you'd like to follow her journey she has a website that she has already started telling her story and by the way she is a great writer. This is her website: http://blondsinboots.com. If you decide to read her story be sure and start with "And I thought the move to Chicago was big milestone (Part 1)" (you will have to scroll down) then "part ll" and she should be updating her latest entry today, about her visit to the doctor.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, she will need them. 

Below are a few pictures of our last 3 years together at work and play. 

Working at Winter CHA 2010....

 

I love these pics of Lanie at work taking a coffee break with the pups! Of course my dogs are on Lanie and poor Lola, Lanie's pup, can't even get a spot on her momma!

Here is her sweet Lola asleep on our couch with her pretty pink jacket on! 

Being silly and getting ready for another CHA....

                         Lanie's Birthday... 

Having a little b-day cake in the "break room" (aka the kitchen) at work!

 Lanie all dressed up for Dan's Birthday party at work!

At CHA with Susan Dupre and Dan, visiting in our hotel lobby.

 Visiting with Julie Tucker-Wolek after a long day at CHA!
                                   Then flying home.

  



Sweet Lola! Being all silly at work!
(In the backyard.)



CHA with Lanie, Heather and I! 

 Lanie and Nico hard at work...

 

Lanie very proud of her "make-n-take" at CHA! (Lanie's not a scrapbooker but  she is crafty!)  The opposite picture is of her and Alfred at a work meeting in the backyard! (We actually did do a lot of work outside in the backyard, brainstorming, conspiring and talking out the day's events.) 

Working hard at yet another CHA, Summer 2010, I think. 

This picture pretty much sums up Lanie and Dan's relationship!

These pictures were for a photo shot for a magazine cover and feature story about the company. 

 We had so much fun! 

(We may have laughed more than the photographer would've liked!!)

Getting ready for Day 2 at Summer CHA 2011!

Oops... we got caught in the booth next to us (North Ridge Media)!

(Hey we needed some comfy chairs from standing days on end! We couldn't keep our eyes off these chairs all week!)

 I couldn't have made it these past few years without Lanie, seriously she learned how to "handle" me like a pro! Thank you Lanie for everything! 

We love you and support you and are here for you! Sniff Sniff...

-Nikki and Dan

Now for the "Favor" part:

I actually want to do 2 things (you can choose from one or do both)...

1. Make a few "thank you" cards (with coordinating envelopes) for her and her family to have on hand to send out as she will be getting, and is getting a lot flowers, food etc.. I'd like her to not have to buy a single card for anything. (I'm going to buy her a roll of stamps so she doesn't have to do anything but put them in the mail box!)

2. I want to send her a card every single day to let her know how much she is loved and thought of daily! 

So... if you wouldn't mind creating a few thank you cards and or a few cards to send to her personally then mail me all of them and I'll get them to her. 

I'll mail the thank you cards in batches and then save the daily cards for well everyday. The "everyday" cards can be from you personally or if you aren't comfortable with that then blank is fine (although I know she'd like to hear from you even if you didn't know her personally) but I will write in it where it came from an a little note if you'd rather leave it blank!  I'll shuffle them up and send them out one by one. 

She needs this. We have to keep her spirits up!!! I want to bombard her with love!! 

Thanks so much and please keep her in your prayers, she will need it. 

Please send cards to..

Nikki Sivils

c/o Lanie

2263 S Oakbrook Ave

Springfield, Mo 65809