Heading up the coaster

On my way up the coaster today. I am feeling much better than yesterday. Last night I had a wonderful time with my sisters in the ward at our Christmas party. I love getting together with all of my ward sisters it is like having a girls night out together. My kids missed me for two hours, but they had some quality time with Dad. I had such a wonderful time reading with Isaac and Brianna last night it was difficult to go to bed and not continue reading while we were on a roll. Brianna and Isaac are reading so well. Lauren is also a wonderful reader, she reads two grade levels ahead. What makes me so angry, is that her teacher doesn't let her choose the books she likes to read. The teacher doesn't let her pick out picture books at the library to read, They all have to be chapter books. The teacher is taking the fun out of reading. There are a lot of wonderful picture books with plenty of challenging words. Her teacher is absolutely not one of my favorites. I could go on for a while about my gripes with Lauren's teacher. I am Thankful we haven't had to put up with it much in the past with other teachers. I do admire teachers for choosing to do what they do when the pay doesn't even compensate. I just have a hard time with the few who think they know it all and can't seem to learn anything new.

Oh What a Day!

Monday morning Isaac started the morning with a bloody nose around 8am. Isaac had nose bleeds off an on throughout the day, at some of the most inconvenient times. On the Freeway coming home from the Cardiologist appointment, At 3:15am, 5:15am, 6:00am, and 7:00am. At 6am I prayed desparately for two hours sleep. I was really hoping my prayer would be answered with a yes, at 7:00am I gave up trying to sleep knowing it would just be interupted by more bleeding. Around 7:30am I was thinking Why was the answer No, (I am still feeling the stomach ache left over from the flu & I am really tired). At 8:00am I got my answer. Brianna's 1st grade school teacher called for help with her class due to a flat tire she was experiencing. I consented to help but had difficulty getting there on time with the chaos getting my three kids out the door plus the little girl I babysit. We got there a few minutes late and my kids had to report to the office for being late. I am wondering what the rest of the day will be like. I am hoping I can catch a nap before I turn into a moody mother. I am suprised I have maintained my cool all morning, I feel like an emotional basket case. Yesterday's Cardiology visit turned out Okay, I had good results as well as bad. Isaac's oxygen Saturation was between 90-92 (a complete miracle). His chest pain is still unexplained which worries me. He had two episodes of chest pain yesterday before we went to the Cardiologist both at times he was resting. The Cardiologist said when he has chest pain check his pulse, if it is over 200 bpm call him immediately. We will just keep a close eye on him for another six months and he will have an Echocardiogram then. Some of you hopefully understand my fear and frusteration. I worry myself sick sometimes that his tricuspid valve is leaking and wondering if he will be okay. I just continue to try to live each day to the fullest appreciating the fact that I can still hold him, laugh with him and enjoy watching him grow. I hope this roller coaster is ready for a long ride up and can stay steady for a while without any lower points than this. However I feel like a whimp compared to some of the other families going through tougher times than this, check other Heart family blogs and you'll find much lower areas of the roller coaster. I am so thankful for my Heart Family we have such a wonderful support group, I wish I could do more and hopefully will when I feel better. I also have a wonderful family that cares, I just wish we weren't all so busy with our crazy lives. Hopefully we will find a time this month to get together.

Flu Season is Not Over Yet!

I have been miserable with the Flu all day today and some of yesterday. I am really hoping and praying this is the end of this Flu episode. I am really worried about Isaac and Brianna getting it now. I think I am at the tail end of it. It has been a difficult day. Isaac is scheduled to see his Cardiologist tommorrow, I hope that everything runs smoothly. I am a little concerned about his heart function, he has had some problems lately that give me worries (frequent chest pain etc.)

Flu Season has arrived!

Just when we thought the Holiday season was arriving, most of our family is down with the Flu. For some of us it started with a sore throat, others with various symptoms. Isaac is doing well so far, I hope and pray he doesn't get it. I am afraid he will because it usually happens that way when it goes around the family. It is possible he is the one that started with it when he had the croup. We are trying to stay home until we feel better and stay away from everybody. I think this might convince the rest of us to get Flu shots (Isaac had his about 10 days ago).

Where do you go to see a Free Movie?

Answer:The Free-aeter. This Morning when Isaac woke up he first asked "Did Santa Come Down The Chimney?" I said not "It's not Christmas yet." Then Isaac asked "Can we go see the Bee Movie at the Free-aeter today?" I got a chuckle out of it and I said "No, Is the Free-ater is where you go see free movie's at?" he said yes. So all day I've been telling his joke because he came up with the whole idea.Yesterday Isaac was really stressed he kept waiting all day for Santa to come down the chimney. Isaac knew it was a holiday and there has been so much hype about Christmas everywhere he was sure it had to be Christmas. I kept telling him it was not Christmas and Santa wouldn't come down the chimney but he couldn't accept it. I think he thinks were trying to get away without celebrating Christmas.

Today the smell of turkey once again fills the house. We are having Turkey soup for dinner. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and always enjoy the leftovers. Today Mike had to work at Wal-Mart starting at quarter-to-five this morning. It was definately the busiest shopping day of the year from what he said. I am glad I was able to miss it, however I wished I could of had the money for the laptop they had on sale for $300.00, it usually sells for $800.00.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your Holiday Weekend! We plan to have Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma Reenie at our house. We are going to keep it simple and have Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, gravy, Veggies, and maybe some rolls. For dessert we are having Pumpkin Pie topped with whipped cream. We love Thanksgiving it is one of our favorite Holidays. After dinner we will go visit Grandma Southworth in the Nursing Home and take her some food. Please remember to be thankful for the simple things in life. Our family is so thankful to have each other and good health. There have been a lot of times our family have had close calls where we could of lost one or more of our family members. There are also many people in various situations that do not have a home, such as the recent fire victims in California. Please pray for our troops and their families, they have a lot of issues and challenges. There are also some of our friends who are struggling with health issues, pray for them too, Especially Kaidence who is waiting for a heart transplant. We all have a lot to be grateful for, count your blessings and you'll notice how truly blessed you are. I challenge you all to look for the positive and I canassure you that you will find it.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Please remember our Veterans as well as all the soldiers serving our country. All of us who have served our country in the military, no matter what job we did contributed to our country's freedom. Please pray for our troops and let veterans hear your appreciation. I am proud to be an American and a veteran who contributed to my country's freedom. I am forever grateful to all of those fallen soldiers who gave their life for our country. I am also pleased to have several family members who also served their country.

This is a photo of me about 20 years ago receiving my "Good Conduct Medal" from my commander.

Chef Hat & Apron

Brianna is modeling a Chef Hat and Apron I made for Caylie's Playhouse wish through Make-A-Wish. Caylie wished for a playhouse with a kitchen. Since it sounded like Caylie liked to cook I made this. (without a pattern)

Here is a Logo I designed Yesterday for our CHD support group. We are currently in the process of submitting ideas of logosfor the group to vote on.

I came up with this idea, thinking of how all children with heart defects get wounded in their battle against their Congenital Heart Defect, some more than others. The risks they encounter in thier battle are always life threatening. Some have lost their battle physically, but have won it spiritually.

Struggling

Today we are struggling with health problems already, I have been sick with vertigo to the extreme. Lauren also sick with simular problems. Let us hope this doesn't spread. I am frusterated not being able to do much. However I am thankful Mike took the day off work and helped out, more than ever. I don't know what I would do without him, he is a lifesaver.

September Morn

Today we are enjoying beautiful fall weather. Although it triggers allergies we love the fresh tomatoes, peaches and the many things harvest brings. We don't have a vegetable garden or any fruit trees, however we have a beautiful new lawn in our backyard. Thanks to Mike's hardwork we will enjoy it for many years to come. The kids are all enjoying school. We can all be thankful for now that we are all healthy and able to enjoy life. We hope to have a healthy winter, it is a bit scary entering this season, it has brought us many illnesses in the past. Let us all remember good hand washing and good manners and hope and pray for the best.

Big Bubbles

Our kids know how to make really big bubbles in the bath, when I figure out how to upload with our slow dial-up connection I will have a picture or two here.