4th Photo

My girlfriend Audrey tagged me into doing this fun little game.

The rules are, go to your My Pictures folder, choose the 4th folder and then the 4th picture and tell the story behind it. Do this without checking first to see what the photo is - more fun that way!



This is a spot we camped at in Hope, Alaska. It was very majestic as you can see by the photo. We were there in 2004, visiting our good friend Karen. I was 5 months pregnant and was lucky to be able to sleep in a motorhome, which was much more comfy than the ground! After we left Hope, we took Karen's other car and drove down to Seward where we stayed for a couple days. It was a wonderful trip. One that I was happy to be able to take my kids on. One that I hope to go on again, possibly for Rob's next sabbatical.

If you are reading this post, you have been tagged! Have fun!

More about Michael

So, Michael is back in the hospital. They had to come down yesterday. He has severe Anemia and they have to take out his Kidney. Unfortunately, he will have to wait on his "Make-A-Wish" trip, which was scheduled for next week. He really wanted to go during Christmas time, since it is his most favorite time of the year. So he may need to wait until next year.

The Doctor said that he will have his surgery next Monday after some heavy doses of steroids. He got a blood transfusion last night, so he should be feeling better today. The doctor also said that he could be discharged for Thanksgiving and go back on Monday so that he can spend the holiday with his family. Depending on where the kidney is in his body, he could be in the hospital anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks.

Our Special Day is Finally Here!

Well, I have waited 10 years, but it is finally here! I have been married to the man of my dreams for 10 wonderful years! He is such a good man! Every day, he makes me feel special. He is patient, kind, and unconditionally loves me in spite of my quirks! He loves our boys and is the best dad one could ask for. He coaches them, plays with them, helps them with homework when it stumps me (Did I mention that he is SO smart?) I could go on, but I feel that I just wrote something about him less than a month ago for his birthday...Oh yeah, I did!

I feel that God brought us together for a reason. We rarely have fights. We love to laugh together and sit "shoulder to shoulder" while doing tasks, and I have worked very hard in not criticizing his efforts when he does something that I don't necessarily agree with. I know that he would do anything to protect our family.

Thank You, Honey, for the past 10 years! I couldn't ask for a happier time. I Love You!

Our 10 Year Anniversary

Our anniversary is right around the corner. This year is a bit different than previous years because we already celebrated it in New York City. Rob refuses to exchange gifts this time because we have already spent enough for the big milestone. But I want to do something that he will remember for a long time that is relatively inexpensive. Anyone have any creative ideas? Of course I don't have many followers, so...You know...The 3 or 4 of you who actually read this, can you give me any ideas???

Update on my nephew

Michael has finally been released from the hospital. He is home, safe and sound with his family. He gets to do dialysis right from home every night. They are hoping that his numbers start climbing and that he gets to stay away from the hospital for a little while at least. I spoke to him yesterday for a long time. He is going to Disney World for Make-a-Wish in less than 4 weeks! He is very excited!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for him. I really feel that God is taking care of him!

My Hubby's Birthday

Well...Yesterday was my Fabulous Husband's birthday! Wow! I forgot to post about it! Big shocker!



Happy Birthday Honey! I Love You more every day! Pretty amazing for 10 years, huh?

Here are some reasons why I love him so

1. He supports my desire to go to church, praise God, and go to Bible Study.

2. He is my sounding pad. He always knows what to say to cheer me up. He fixes things for me verbally when I need and if I just want him to listen, he will do that too!

3. He gives GREAT back rubs. I never have to pay for a massage, because he is just as good, if not better.

4. He works hard for our family so that I am more able to take care of the little things. He is a strong worker and has a lot of respect at work!

5. He is a great dad and coach. Our boys adore him!

6. He is very laid back. My sister has said in the past, "If he were any more laid back, he'd be dead"

7. He keeps our yard perfect. I love staring out into our front yard because it is so beautiful.

8. He is such a handyman! If he doesn't know how to do something, he will ask!

9. He is very organized! Something I need to learn from him!

10. He never gets mad at me for playing on the computer all day.

Happy Birthday!

My Nephew Michael

My Nephew, Michael, was born in kidney failure. He had to start dialysis at 9 days old and continued until 1 month prior to his 2nd birthday, where he received a new kidney. Once he received a kidney transplant, he started living life similar to a healthy child, with a few bumps and bruises and some glitches along the way, along with the anti-rejection drugs he needed to take twice a day, every day at a certain time. He was able to live a relatively healthy life for the next 12 years.

In March of 2008, he was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. The lymphoma was primarily a result of years of rejection medications. Once diagnosed with the lymphoma, he was taken off all the rejection medications and started chemotherapy.

The chemotherapy lasted for about four months. Through God’s grace, he experienced little of the common side effects of the chemotherapy and his transplanted kidney continued to work. The Chemotherapy proved to be very effective and he is now cancer free and he had more energy than he had in his entire life.

The increased energy was short lived and the effects of being taken off the rejection medications was beginning to take its toll. Michael's creatinine (a measure of kidney function) was beginning to climb. His energy levels are now very low and his kidney is beginning to shut down. He started dialysis on Saturday afternoon. He will have to be on dialysis until he is cancer free for 1 year. At that time, he will be able to go back on a transplant list for a new kidney, but it will be a tough year.

He has the opportunity to go to Walt Disney World in December for Make-A-Wish. He asked that his whole family go. He is extremely excited about it. I just pray that he has the energy and health to enjoy it!

My blog postings

After much thought and talking to my friends, I have decided, for a little while at least, to make my blog public. I don't have anything to hide, and I don't have a whole lot to share, because we are a happy family that does not have a whole lot going on in this point in our lives. I may make it private again, but for now, feel free to read!

Happy Birthday Nolan

Today is my baby's 4th Birthday!

Here is how bad I am! I am dropping him off at Pam's early, so I can go buy some gifts for him! I have no idea what to do for his birthday. I have only really had 1 birthday party for him since he was born! At least that birthday was fun because he had some friends there at Peter Piper Pizza! But today is probably going to be just a normal day for him, except he will have pizza for dinner, even though he requested cookies for dinner. I hope he doesn't hate me when he gets older.

Happy Birthday Nolan! We love you lots!

More Birthdays posted late!

Last week was the week for birthdays!

My nephew, Matthew, turned 12 last week. Happy Birthday Matthew! I hope you had a great day!

My sister, Cindy, and my sister-in-law, Nancy, also had birthdays last week. Both were on Saturday. I was the first one to wish my sister a happy birthday...Which is always important for me. She had a packed day, as usual. I hope it was a great day for you Cindy! I Love you!



We had a birthday party for Nancy and her friend Wesley, at Wesley's house. It was a great time by all...Of course until Nolan had an accident and we had no other diapers. Thankfully we were able to put some of Wesley's step-daughter's shorts on Nolan...It was pretty silly looking...But back to happy thoughts!~ We were able to stay a bit longer at the party. It was cold that night for Arizona in October! The boys were all wearing shorts, but their little hands were freezing! It is always so wonderful to see Nancy, and we were so happy to be able to celebrate her birthday with her! We love you!