Merry Christmas!

I wanted, so bad, to post another video, but technology is not allowing me to do so tonight. So it's only pictures. But I could not be more proud of our Crew! Merry Christmas Ladies!!

We wish you all a Blessed Day tomorrow! I have the cake made, not for breakfast, but it will be enjoyed for the BEST Birthday of All! JESUS!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESUS!!!

This is a gift from Leah.


What an amazing night! We had an early dinner (because the kids couldn't wait :) and then opened gifts. Each year I "code" the presents. The gifts are under the tree for weeks without names. This year they each had a Disney character. When it's time to open gifts I tell them their character. It keeps them guessing for a few weeks :) Fun for me, torture for them! I LOVE to see their faces and excitement.
I will try and post a video of Brooke. I had tears in my eyes a few times watching them, realizing how fortunate we are. We have all we could want and more. All 5 of our girls are more lively and vibrant than ever. The memories of sitting in the "spa" are still close in our minds, but those aren't bad memories, just different surroundings. But today, was different. The twins had joy, innocence and excitement! It was so much fun!! Then Meg's gave us ornaments, Ash gave us a calendar and Leah gave us this video. Yup, I cried some more :) WOW, what more can I say! This makes up for the fighting they do :)

"Steve'd"

Have you ever heard when people get older they start looking like their spouses? I have and I believe, in some cases, it's true. I work with alot of elderly and some do resemble each other. Whether it's looks or just the way they act, I don't know.

A while back, my brother in law's said, I had been "steve'd." We were (and still are :) remodeling the house and I was thinking like my husband. We both agree, we don't need new things, we want to look presentable and clean. Anyway, I use to enjoy going out to eat, new/different foods. I use to enjoy shopping. Obviously life has changed and taken us down a different path. Last night Steve and I were chatting and I said, "I really would just rather stick to food I know. Why try new things when I like the old things?" And every time I shop I think things are sooo ridiculously expensive and I complain. ARGHHHHHH!!! Really, what is happening to me? He laughed and laughed!! He said, "amazing," next step is to get you to wear outdated clothes. (Steve use to wear painters pants when no one else did anymore :) Wow, I hope my girls stop me before that happens!

In all seriousness, my husband has taught me the gift of contentment. If we have patience, God will provide in time. I do have to remind him there is a difference between patience and procrastination. But what an amazing gift he has given me. This is a completely different place than I was 15 years ago. It's all good!

I guess being "Steve'd" isn't so bad.

Do you see a pattern here? I know I haven't been the most engaged parent the last few days, but this child is something else. I asked her yesterday, "what did you eat?" She responded, "a fuzzy." Really!?!? A fuzzy that turns your tongue green. It looked like she was chewing on crayon pieces. Today she walks up to me, purple drooling out of her mouth, in her teeth. It looked like she was swishing with liquid ink! Seriously Brooke? So again, "what did you eat?" "Nothing, I threw it away." After following 3 year old twins around the house I think she is eating the tips of colored pencils. I could be mistaken but that is the story they are telling me. Why won't she eat food like she'll eat everything else?!?! Patience :)

I would say I am, almost, back to normal. I haven't broke out the running shoes yet, but yesterday Ash and I did a little shopping, had a Christmas party at night and today we did alot of baking. I also woke up this morning and wondered, "what happened to my house?" It was good it was Steve's turn to go to church with the girls. That gave Brooke and I about 2 hours to speed clean. And it felt so good!! Laundry is folded, until the kids changed their clothes again, dishes are done, until someone decides to eat, and the toys, well they are still on the floor. That's just part of having kids. I had given myself (mentally) 48 hours after surgery to get back to normal. I like to set goals. So on Thursday I was wondering what was wrong with me. But Friday perked up and it's just gotten better since. Steve said he gave it a week, so I'm glad I could maintain someones goal. Nurses as patients are not recommended.

God has once again shown us His way is best. We are excited for this weeks fun and festivities. I do LOVE Christmas! I told the girls today, maybe we should eat cake Christmas morning. It is Jesus birthday! However, they are so hyped up on sugar these days I may need to think about that.

Recovery day 2

Romans 15; 13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"

Joy and Peace! Great words for this season. I've gotten to see that the past couple days. Joy of amazing family and friends. Peace of God's will and healing process.

All in all it's going well. The hardest part is laughter! I strongly feel laughter is the best medicine as does my husband, however his funniness was KILLING me yesterday. I kept laughing at him, which made the pain worse, which made me tense up, which made the pain worse, which made me laugh harder because it was all so dumb. Finally Leah had to step in and stop the madness. You wonder whose in charge, the adults or the 13 year old :)
It's all good. I can't expect to jump up and be normal 2 days after surgery, but it'd be nice. I'm still mentally sane. All the activity in the house helps. Steve went to work for awhile today, so the twins and I are watching cartoons and hanging out. I also started reading a book (yes a book that does not rhyme and has no pictures) and we finished Christmas shopping online. All in all, a couple productive days.

Thanks for the prayers. We'll keep ya posted as to how the rest of the week goes. If all does well I might even get out of my pj pants, hehe.

Out with you......

After a few months of stomach issues, we decided it was time to have the gall bladder out (for me not Steve :) I've had troubles with it since Spring and over harvest it was confirmed that the gall bladder was the problem. So I requested we wait til my hubby wasn't so busy and it worked into our schedule (selfish I know).
Today was the day. I had a work meeting in the am and then off to take out parts I don't need. Steve requested everything be taken out that I don't need, but it appears just my gall bladder was taken. I had some cosmetic requests, but it still appears only my gall bladder was taken out. hehe All in all, I'm doing well. The pain is not from by abdomen but in my back and shoulders. Everything I read said that would happen, as did my mom. So nothing unexpected. Surgery at 11a, home by 4p. Now that is what I am talking about.
So the question may come up, why did I not tell people about the surgery thing? I have many reasons. I didn't want to make a big deal for the kids. We just kinda wanted to do this and not worry them. I also must say I question why God gave us so many parts we don't need. So this surgery seemed silly to me. But I do really miss certain foods and I was sick of having pain everyday. The only way to be without pain was to not eat (which I have tried :) So that's the story. I plan on a quick recovery so I can chase kids again. Sitting here makes me feel really guilty and Steve looks really busy. He is an amazing man!!! LOVE HIM!!!


Brooke's IgG level came back over 400. GET OUT!!! Anything over 400 hundred we were going to be happy with. We are holding her IVIG unless she gets ill or her numbers go down. We don't have results yet from her immune studies. Hopefully by next week. She's not feeling 100% but she's ok. She has stopped eating orally and complains at some of her feedings that she doesn't feel well. So we wonder if she's fighting something, but the key word is, "fighting." She's fighting it and we can't ask for anything more.


Leah had her orchestra concert last night. She did amazing and looked so nice. LOVE HER!


Our friends had a baby! I didn't ask for permission to put this on the blog but I think it's ok :) Excitement was an understatement! I got to go see her 1st and HOG her to myself. I loved it! She fit so perfect in my arms. We just love all of them!!

Last, a little snow. The girls were excited to see the snow. Unfortunately Brooke only lasted 5 minutes. She said she didn't like the feeling of the snow. Ash and Macy had a great time. Tis the season for snow stuff everywhere.

Enjoy the season! I have the gifts wrapped and I love getting presents for the kids. It's so fun to see their surprise and guessing who's gifts are who's. We are so blessed and God is so good!! Don't forget whose birthday party this is!! Jesus deserves a BIG cake :)

ON YOUR MARK......GET SET.............

G R O W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The medicine arrived and the nurse from her endocrines office came this afternoon. Doesn't she look bigger?? Kidding :) The "pen" below is the growth hormone. There's a small needle on the end and she gets it once a day. She is not a fan of it, but I'm sure she will get use to it. My concern is not giving her an injection once a day, my concern is, "is this really going to work?" Call me a skeptic but I'm not convinced. But I would LOVE to be proven wrong.
Current weight: 25# 9oz (11.61 kg) In the 2% of growth chart
Current height: 2' 9.6" (0.854m) In the 0.27% of growth chart

We did take Brooke off her appetite stimulating medication. We only want to start 1 new thing at a time. If the growth hormone goes well, we can always restart the other med. Her next appt with clinic is Dec 9. I have some meds I'd like to get her off so I will try that, again :) Maybe if her immune studies come back better we can do that.
Other than that, life is pretty mellow. Brooke is still working on the potty training. She actually quit, and told me she wasn't going to do that anymore. I told her yesterday that is her decision but then she cannot ever go to school or children's worship. This afternoon she said she's thinking of changing her mind. We'll see!!!
When I look back, it's only been a little over 3 years that we've been handed Brooke's health situation. In the big picture that is not that long. For many months I never thought I'd see the day Brooke would walk, talk, debate me, call her sisters names or tell me "no." As much as 3 year old twins can be a challenge, I feel so blessed to be given the gift. God has seen us through obstacles we never dreamed. I can honestly say, I feel that she is going to be ok. Brooke will always have health issues. She will never be given a "clean bill of health" she will never "out grow" this. But God has sustained her when we didn't think it was possible. For that we are eternally grateful!! This Christmas, Steve and I already got our gift.

HERE THEY ARE!!!!!! 2 John 6: And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.