Fun, fun, fun

The kids and I had a nice day today. We didn't do much of anything.

I stopped in the office for a little while to help with the big deal that was going on. I had to get some papers to the recording office with a check before 5. I pulled in and was in the office at 4:58 and they would not help me. I was GRUMPY!

Chris didn't get home until around 8, so we will not be going to Lakeland until tomorrow morning.

Monday after Christmas

OH MY!

That's all I have to say about that.

Well, maybe not.

Can you believe that I am letting Aislinn ride her bicycle in my house?

The boys are shooting Nerf guns at each other.

Kerstyn walks around singing.

I went to work!

And, I almost forgot. Happy Birthday Jarom! The big 1!

Church and home

We woke up this morning and I composed a song! It was quite comical how all of us got ready. There were 13 of us there trying to get ready for church and be there by 9.

Holly and I did our hair in the dining room. Kids were scattered here and there going to the bathroom and getting dressed.

Church was wonderful as it always is. Chris and I love to see the familiar faces of Tallahassee First ward.

Following church, we loaded up to go home. The kids cried because they did not want to leave. It was nice for me though because Chris drove home. Traffic was much worse going home than going up, but I survived even being the bad passenger that I am.

Chick-Fil-A and Guthries

Apparently all my trips to Tallahassee are centered around food.

We met Nana and much of her family at Chick-Fil-A this morning. The kids could play in the play place and we adults could visit.

Later, Holly and I had to go through Guthrie's but you will all be glad to know that I was not nearly as glutinous as I usually am and we both just shared a box. Tasty!

I must announce that I DID NOT eat any Krispy Kreme doughnuts this trip. Hurray for me!

Zoinks and a golf cart

I charged my camera and everything but I apparently only took it out on Christmas day! Sorry.

We loaded the kids up this afternoon and took them to a bouncy place in Tallahassee called Zoinks. They had a good time.

Dad and Kenney also have a golf cart that they can drive all around the neighborhood and that thing is the best babysitter ever! I think we put about 50 miles on that thing!

Christmas, again, but in Tallahassee.

Aislinn opening up her Dora chair.

The kids having fun.

Brennan with the blanket that Alyssa made for him. She made blankets for each of the kids and they were beautiful!

Bay, Alyssa and Kerstyn

Chris opening up his presents. He got 2 weapons, guns, whatever you call them.

We left our house around 11:30 to head to Tallahassee. We of course had to turn around, because I forgot Chris's belt. So, we ended up leaving at 12 and arrived there around 3:30. (I drive quickly.)

The kids got to celebrate again and Kenney made a wonderful Christmas dinner for all of us to enjoy.

Christmas Day

After Santa came but before the kids awoke. At 5:30 a.m., no less!

Lauklan getting some shoes. Thank goodness because that boy is really hard on his tennis shoes!

Kerstyn got an ipod.

Brennan got a lump of coal! And a game he wanted, but the lump first. :)

Greyson and the gun that his daddy bought him to terrorize the others with. Lauklan got the same one.

Aislinn got another baby doll and a stroller to push her in. Santa also delivered a Dora bicycle with training wheels for her to go up and down the 'mountain'.

Greyson's tennis shoes.

Aislinn's Dora bathtub toys.

Brennan and Lauklan checking out their gifts.

Christmas Eve!

Aislinn

Kerstyn

Greyson and Lauklan

Brennan

Santa Claus is coming to town!

It's going to be a short night, to say the least!

Good news!

The urologist told Aislinn and I that her ultrasound looks good and that if all continues to go well we don't need to come back for 6 months for a follow up ultrasound and visit.

Good news, good news.

Ultrasound

I took Aislinn back to Arnold Palmer Hospital this morning for a follow up ultrasound. They took picture after picture and now I get to wait until tomorrow at our post operative appointment to hear what they saw.

I pray all is well.

Not one, but two!

Lauklan actually lost both front teeth on the bottom last night. He was very pleased to find $2.00 under his pillow this morning.

I know that he now thinks he's a really big boy!

Lauklan lost his first tooth!

Lauklan is so excited that he lost his first tooth today! He already has it in the bag for the tooth fairy.

Sometimes I wish I was young again so I could experience the magic of being a child.

But, since I can't, I guess I'll just have to do it through their eyes.

Christmas service

The program during Sacrament Meeting was very nice today. It had a lot of music, which we all know that I like and great spiritual messages.

I even played the bassoon. I think that it went ok, but of course, I wasn't pleased with a few things.

We had 4 visitors in primary today and it was great to have a little bigger group. We all know though, that I love our little intimate group, but a few extra children is nice too.

Just getting started

I bought the first Christmas gifts of the year today. Yes, today! I finally feel like I can move on. I have been worrying and waiting for this surgery for over 6 weeks and it's finally over.

I am mentally and physically exhausted. I need a week to sleep. The kids have been so patient and kind to Aislinn and she continues to get better every day.

I have a lot of catching up to do!

She's here!

Holly, Devin, Jarom and Mom (Nancy) came over today for a visit!

I haven't seen Holly since April and that is the longest we have ever gone without seeing each other.

She's one of my best friends and I cherish our friendship.

I look forward to the month that she is here and am going to do my best to see her as much as possible.

Improvement

Aislinn is getting better every day. I was worried last night though because her side is really swollen, but the doctors assured me that she is fine. It is still sore, of course, and she has to be careful when she moves, but overall, each day is better and better.

I haven't bought a SINGLE thing for Christmas. I guess we'll just kind of not do too many presents this year. Focus more on the true meaning and just being together.

I feel so much better now. I did not realize the weight that I was carrying around for the last 6 months worried about Aislinn. I am looking forward to a happy and healthy Aislinn in the months to come.

What a blessing it is that we live on the earth at this time. No telling what would have happened without all the technology that we have today to see inside her and diagnose the problem.

I am eternally grateful to wonderful family, friends and doctors who took care of us through this time.

We're home

Aislinn and I arrived home around noon today. She is slow to move and still running some fevers and experiencing pain, but WE'RE HOME!

I'll write more later because of right now, all I want to do is sleep.

Until we're home

Debbie Carter of CarterClips will be updating Aislinn's status while we are in the hospital. Click on CarterClips to go there.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I KNOW without a doubt that they are the reason that she is doing so well.

Chris and I will leave with her in the morning around 5. They say they are shooting for 7:30 for the actual surgery.

We just got home from Aislinn, Chris and I receiving much needed priesthood blessings. I am so very thankful for the priesthood in my life. I'm not sure where I would be without it.

Officially over the top!

As you know from the last post. I was at the edge...

Over, over, over - right NOW!

I woke up around 4 this morning running a fever. I haven't felt well since Sunday. I don't feel awful, but I don't feel like eating and apparently am running a fever.

Can you say REALLY BAD TIMING?

I hope I'm well enough to be with Aislinn.

This can't really be. Someone pinch me and I will wake up.

Over the top!

How much does it take to put Melody OVER THE TOP?

Well. I'm afraid that we're getting ready to find out.

Last night my clothes washer quit! Now, you might think that its not that big of a deal, but in our house it is for sure!

They can't come until Thursday to work on it so hopefully Kenney won't mind having to deal with it.

I now have a load of whites that are all yucky and need to be rewashed. I guess I'm going to call my neighbor.

Seriously! When is enough, enough?

All clear!

I took Aislinn to both of her appointments today. She was given the go ahead by both doctors. As long as she doesn't get sick before Thursday morning at 5:45, of course.

The nephrologist stated that the rough day would be Thursday, surgery day. Essentially they say she will be heavily sedated all day. Friday, they should be able to pull her out of it and start getting her back to normal. Hopefully, all will go well and we will be able to leave the hospital Saturday.

Pray, pray, pray, PLEASE!

Sunday, Sunday

It was fast Sunday again and I wasn't thinking too much of it except for the things that I wanted to include in my fast. I had no intention of bearing my testimony since I had done it the last 2 months. I don't want to be a hog of testimony time. BUT, I felt like I needed to get up there again. I felt the need to testify of things that happen that I feel are tender mercies in my life. Things that I know are not coincidence, but are from my Father in Heaven. I am so thankful for that.

I also know that the children that are here now are mighty and strong in spirit. I know that they have been saved for these days for a reason and that their faith and spiritual strength are great!

Tomorrow is a big day for Aislinn. She has 2 appointments. One with the pediatrician and one with the nephrologist for her to be cleared for surgery. I pray that all goes well.

The cutest little party ever!

The kids and I went to Macie's birthday party today. All of the kids went, even though the party was for a one year old. The reason I point that out is because the kids had so much fun that they didn't want to leave.

I had a really good time too visiting with friends and meeting new people.

Afterward, we came home and the kids took delight in driving each other crazy! I took off for the gym after Chris got home from his meeting and I was really feeling it. I wasn't feeling strong at all. Tired, tired, tired.

Now, we're back, most of the kids are asleep and I'm looking forward to church tomorrow.

I have noticed though that I am stressed. I hope that this goes away after Thursday. Please pray for our little girl. It's scary to me.

Not good

I have a headache.

It's really late and I need to be in bed.

The day was very crazy with kids, appointments, etc.

I'm glad its over.

Just a thought!

"Turn off the television and focus on family." President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Sunday, October 12, 2008

Chris and I have commented to each other several times before General Conference and even after that we needed to do this as a family.

How many times do you have to hear something before you actually DO it?

I'm doing it. That's it!

Not my friend

Well, these are my friends tonight having Boy Scouts, but below is NOT my friend!

Who would have know that this tree could cause such issue with me?

That tree, does this! Not nice, not nice AT ALL!

Different thoughts

Today was a busy day and it went really quickly. We had work/school and then I headed to the gym for 50 minutes on my friend the stair master. I did level 4 today and survived. A friend of mine suggested that I get a personal trainer but it is more money, of course.

After the gym, I hurried home with the kids to get them bathed and fed. I also took a shower and got dressed up to go to Enrichment tonight. It was a nice time. Good food and friends are always a nice combination.

When I picked my seat, I saw this paper and I liked what it said. It kind of goes along with the theme of the book I'm reading and I wanted to share a few of the things it said.

"This Christmas, end a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust... Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child or a senior. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak your love of our Savior. Speak it again. And again and again."

The ones that I put in italics, I am thinking right now, that I am going to focus on. I think that this is a great way for ME to focus on the REAL reason for this season.

I'm going to work on these. I knew when I read it at my seat that I did NOT sit there by coincidence. I am thankful for that.

Crazy Monday!

We went back to the crazy schedule today with school. The kids were up and out at 7:30 this morning, well Brennan and Kerstyn were. Then at 8, I took Lauklan and came back to get Greyson and Aislinn. We left here later than usual, around 8:35 and I got them to school around 8:50.

Work at the office today was quite quick. I had a bunch to do and didn't get it all done, but the time just flew by.

The afternoon consisted of a little play and then homework. I REALLY needed to go to the gym so around 4, we headed there. I did the stair master for 50 minutes on Level 3 and felt strong, which is nice. Then, I headed to the sauna for an hour to read a good book and sweat!

The kids wanted Cici's, so we held FHE on the way there, ate quickly, showered and they are all now in bed.

Whew!