Saturday, March 14, 2009
Why Mormons Build Temples
Here is a beautiful video explaining the importance of temples in my family's life. I know that through the restoration of the Gospel our families can be blessed.
Spring is coming!!
We had a beautiful day here today. Temperatures were in the 50's and the kids were in heaven! They rode their bikes and explored the woods on and off for about 6 hours! Cooper was a little afraid at first that he would not remember how to ride his bike, but the old adage is true- he was the one begging the other kids to go out and ride again. We live on a CIRCLE now, so it is really easy for the kids to ride! The kids were complaining before bed about their bums being sore from all the riding! Sore is good!!
Tonight while Adam was at Stake Priesthood meeting, the kids and I went to Petco to buy some new fish. They were having a sale on guppies- 5/$5.00! Emma got a black one and named it Peach. Cooper's is orange and named Toad. Bekah's is yellow and named Alex. And Brayden's is blue, named Blue Streak, but is calling him Streak for short! I'm hoping they don't die quickly. I thought we still had fish food, but realized when we got about 5 minutes from home that we had given our fish food away with our goldfish when we left TX. I'm hoping 4 tiny guppies can make it til Monday!
Tonight while Adam was at Stake Priesthood meeting, the kids and I went to Petco to buy some new fish. They were having a sale on guppies- 5/$5.00! Emma got a black one and named it Peach. Cooper's is orange and named Toad. Bekah's is yellow and named Alex. And Brayden's is blue, named Blue Streak, but is calling him Streak for short! I'm hoping they don't die quickly. I thought we still had fish food, but realized when we got about 5 minutes from home that we had given our fish food away with our goldfish when we left TX. I'm hoping 4 tiny guppies can make it til Monday!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Slackers Update
I have been neglecting my blog.... not because anything major has been going on in my life, but mainly we've been busy and I haven't made the time.
An update on Emma-
We had a follow-up last Thursday at our Pediatricians office. They take the labs, get the results, fax them to the specialists, and then if anything is life threatening, the specialists will call... no word yet, so things must be ok. We visit them again downtown next month. From all reports, Emma is getting better. To us, she is back to her normal self- for good or for bad!! Thank you again for all your love and prayers as we faced this new challenge.
In February, all the Massachusetts schools take off a week for Winter Break, so we headed down to Pennsylvania with Adam. The kids and I visited the Franklin Institute-
and Hershey's Chocolate world.
The day after we drove home, (Thursday)we went to the Museum of Science here in Boston with some friends from church. This is a picture of Bekah and Cooper watching the baby chicks hatch.
That Friday, we met up with our new friends, the Rains family, at the Burlington Mall for the master Lego builder event. The kids got to help make big lego bricks the master builder then used to build an 11 ft pirate. The event was going to last until Sunday, so we did not get to see the finished product, but the kids had a lot of fun.
The kids are all getting involved at school and with extra curricular activities-
Brayden-Trumpet in the school band, trumpet lessons, Tae Kwon Do, 11 year old Scouts
Bekah- Cello in the school Strings program, cellos lessons, achievement days, soccer starting soon!
Cooper- Violin lessons, soccer starting soon!
Emma- Storytime at library, Ballet (she is LOVING, did I say LOVING this!)
Adam- busy as ever with work, signed up to coach soccer, new calling at church that will keep him actively engaged (he has not been sustained yet-so no details)
Tynel- busy keeping everything running smoothly, started teaching GroupX again this week (check it out here plus a Saturday morning class), Young Women Girls Camp Director!!
Last Friday we took our kids down to the Children's Museum. We used to go there all the time with our good friends the Cunninghams, when we lived here before. They have totally redone the museum- I thought it was great, but Brayden says it's just not like it used to be!! Now he's getting old!
Saturday, Adam took the boys up to New Hamshire (which is 20 minutes from here and has no sales tax) to a basketball tournament sponsored by our church. Brayden and Coop watched Daddy play 3 games! Wow! They then went to buy the video game they have been saving up for! They are loving it! The girls and I decided to have a ladies day. (Emma cannot say GIRL- it comes out sounding like GORE, so she will always replace girl with lady) We started by painting the master bathroom, then we got fixed up and went for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe! We browsed around the mall and then they decided to spend their money at Build-A-Bear Workshop. We also bought a cookie on the way to the car. When we got home, it was warm enough that Bekah could ride her bike- it was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
An update on Emma-
We had a follow-up last Thursday at our Pediatricians office. They take the labs, get the results, fax them to the specialists, and then if anything is life threatening, the specialists will call... no word yet, so things must be ok. We visit them again downtown next month. From all reports, Emma is getting better. To us, she is back to her normal self- for good or for bad!! Thank you again for all your love and prayers as we faced this new challenge.
In February, all the Massachusetts schools take off a week for Winter Break, so we headed down to Pennsylvania with Adam. The kids and I visited the Franklin Institute-
and Hershey's Chocolate world.
The day after we drove home, (Thursday)we went to the Museum of Science here in Boston with some friends from church. This is a picture of Bekah and Cooper watching the baby chicks hatch.
That Friday, we met up with our new friends, the Rains family, at the Burlington Mall for the master Lego builder event. The kids got to help make big lego bricks the master builder then used to build an 11 ft pirate. The event was going to last until Sunday, so we did not get to see the finished product, but the kids had a lot of fun.
The kids are all getting involved at school and with extra curricular activities-
Brayden-Trumpet in the school band, trumpet lessons, Tae Kwon Do, 11 year old Scouts
Bekah- Cello in the school Strings program, cellos lessons, achievement days, soccer starting soon!
Cooper- Violin lessons, soccer starting soon!
Emma- Storytime at library, Ballet (she is LOVING, did I say LOVING this!)
Adam- busy as ever with work, signed up to coach soccer, new calling at church that will keep him actively engaged (he has not been sustained yet-so no details)
Tynel- busy keeping everything running smoothly, started teaching GroupX again this week (check it out here plus a Saturday morning class), Young Women Girls Camp Director!!
Last Friday we took our kids down to the Children's Museum. We used to go there all the time with our good friends the Cunninghams, when we lived here before. They have totally redone the museum- I thought it was great, but Brayden says it's just not like it used to be!! Now he's getting old!
Saturday, Adam took the boys up to New Hamshire (which is 20 minutes from here and has no sales tax) to a basketball tournament sponsored by our church. Brayden and Coop watched Daddy play 3 games! Wow! They then went to buy the video game they have been saving up for! They are loving it! The girls and I decided to have a ladies day. (Emma cannot say GIRL- it comes out sounding like GORE, so she will always replace girl with lady) We started by painting the master bathroom, then we got fixed up and went for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe! We browsed around the mall and then they decided to spend their money at Build-A-Bear Workshop. We also bought a cookie on the way to the car. When we got home, it was warm enough that Bekah could ride her bike- it was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Oatmeal
We have been extremely blessed from family, friends, neighbors, acquaintences- everyone during Emma's sickness. We are thankful for all your love, concern, offers to help, and prayers during this time. One such blessing came in a UPS package from our work family at Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Emma loves this new addition and Oatmeal has become a part of her daily interactions.
Emma and I had the chance to go back down to Children's Hospital and meet with the Renal specialists on Wednesday. Emma has been looking better, eating better, acting better, and quite frankly, peeing better since last Sunday. The Doctors confirmed that she is starting to recover. While there was still a large amount of microscopic blood in her urine, the protein level is almost gone and her blood levels are returning to normal. We now only go to the Dr once a month, one month to our primary care- the next month to the specialists, until everything is back to normal. From our point of view, she is much better!! Thank you again for all your love and prayers! Our prayers are being answered!
Emma and Oatmeal and their matching "scarves"
Emma and Oatmeal taking a car nap on the drive to Children's Hospital for her appointment,
Eating watermelon together after meeting with the Doctors!
On a side note- has anyone seen the movie, "Paul Blart- Mall Cop"? It was filmed here in MA at our closest mall- the Burlington Mall. This was the main entrance they showed repeatedly in the movie.
Emma loves this new addition and Oatmeal has become a part of her daily interactions.
Emma and I had the chance to go back down to Children's Hospital and meet with the Renal specialists on Wednesday. Emma has been looking better, eating better, acting better, and quite frankly, peeing better since last Sunday. The Doctors confirmed that she is starting to recover. While there was still a large amount of microscopic blood in her urine, the protein level is almost gone and her blood levels are returning to normal. We now only go to the Dr once a month, one month to our primary care- the next month to the specialists, until everything is back to normal. From our point of view, she is much better!! Thank you again for all your love and prayers! Our prayers are being answered!
Emma and Oatmeal and their matching "scarves"
Emma and Oatmeal taking a car nap on the drive to Children's Hospital for her appointment,
Eating watermelon together after meeting with the Doctors!On a side note- has anyone seen the movie, "Paul Blart- Mall Cop"? It was filmed here in MA at our closest mall- the Burlington Mall. This was the main entrance they showed repeatedly in the movie.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
One Word Tag (and side note)
I was tagged by my friend (and 1st cousin, once removed!) Hailee. Answer the questions with one word answers only!
1. Where is your phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? work
3 .Your hair color? brown
4. Your Mother? accepting
5. Your Father? patient
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? happy
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? groupX
11. Your fear? sickness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? cruise!
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? WARM
15. One of your wish-list items? cruise!
16. Where you grew up? Eden (Utah- that really is the name of the town I grew up in, I'm not calling Utah itself an Eden!)
17. The last thing you ate? licorice
18. What are you wearing? coat
19. Your TV? OFF
20. Your pet? Chloe
21. Your computer? laptop
22. Your mood? calm
23. Missing someone? yes
24. Your car? old
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your Summer? HOT!
28. Love someone? deeply
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? morning
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32.Something you crave? diet coke
33. Why you blog? connect
If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! Or not- the choice is yours!
On a side note, we were back at the Dr today for another follow up with Emma. It's our regular Dr's day off, but he came in just to see Emma. We were there Saturday, Monday, and again today. If all the bloodwork and urine tests are stable, we do not have to go back until our appointment with the renal specialist next Wednesday!!! That would make me very happy! Cooper was sent home from school sick yesterday, Bekah stayed home today with a bad cough! I am SO DONE with sickness! I know we are all given trials that we can bear, but the Lord ALWAYS pushes me WAY past what I thought my limits were! I always look back and think it wasn't so bad and I can always see how I grew, but while I'm passing through it- it's not so fun!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Glomeruloneph-whatis????
Thank you so much for all your love, prayers, and concerns for Emma this past week. Here's the play by play of whats been and what is still going on-
Thursday, January 15th- Emma and I were at the Library, she needed to go to the bathroom, once there, I noticed her urine was red... not just a little, but completely. We found a pediatricians office who was able to get us in that afternoon. Keep in mind, Emma had not been sick- no complaints, no fever, no nothing!!! At the Dr they took a urine sample thinking she had a UTI. It was not that. They swabbed her throat for a rapid strep test, which came back positive. The Dr said that blood in the urine can be a complication of strep throat. They put her on penicillin for 10 days.
Friday, January 16th- Monday January 26th- Emma takes penicillin 3 times a day. Urine clears to a tea colored hue.
Tuesday, January 27th- Emma's urine is back to dark red. I called the Dr and they got us in that night. The Dr decided we needed to get blood work done to make sure Emma's kidneys were functioning (and since her toes were smashed and still oozing blood on one) the Dr decided to send us to the ER. We spent the evening in the ER. Emma was very brave- X-rays on both big toes, another urine sample, blood drawn (they had to do both arms, as the first catheter would not thread.) Once the blood work came back indicating her kidneys were functioning, they sent us home. The other lab work would not come back for several days to give us any more information. Strep culture was negative.
Wednesday and Thursday- Emma was very tired and not eating or drinking much. By Thursday afternoon, Emma napped for 2 1/2 hours, got up, and then wanted to lie back down on my bed (not usual for Emma). I called the Dr again and they asked me to come right in. Urine sample indicated both blood and increasing amount of protein and she had lost 2 1/2 pounds since her visit 2 weeks earlier! They called the Renal specialists at Children's Hospital of Boston and sent us right down. We spend about 8 hours in the ER before they decided to admit her.
Yes, that is Emma's urine in the blue lidded cup above her head.
We spent Thursday night and the whole day Friday in the hospital undergoing more testing and evaluation. Emma has been unbelievably brave and strong. She thought the children's hospital was really fun, but started to ask everyone who walked through the door if they were going to use that poky thing (draw more blood. First ER- both elbows stuck. Second ER- tops of both hands stuck. Hospital- another vein in her right elbow stuck)
Breakfast in bed was very cool for her!
She was released at about 7 last night with the diagnoses of "Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis". You can read more about it here.
From here we basically wait to see if she starts to get better. If so, the diagnoses was correct, if not.... She will have blood drawn on a weekly basis and blood pressure/weight/urine checks twice a week until??? We will see the renal specialists on February 11.
The other concern is that her Hematocrit level dropped from 33 (which was already low) to 25 in two days time. This is unrelated to the kidney disease, so they are watching this as well to make sure her body starts to make more red blood cells. If the number drops, we will be sent back to the hospital.
We really appreciate your love and concern. We have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and know that he is watching over us and giving us strength through this trial.
Thursday, January 15th- Emma and I were at the Library, she needed to go to the bathroom, once there, I noticed her urine was red... not just a little, but completely. We found a pediatricians office who was able to get us in that afternoon. Keep in mind, Emma had not been sick- no complaints, no fever, no nothing!!! At the Dr they took a urine sample thinking she had a UTI. It was not that. They swabbed her throat for a rapid strep test, which came back positive. The Dr said that blood in the urine can be a complication of strep throat. They put her on penicillin for 10 days.
Friday, January 16th- Monday January 26th- Emma takes penicillin 3 times a day. Urine clears to a tea colored hue.
Tuesday, January 27th- Emma's urine is back to dark red. I called the Dr and they got us in that night. The Dr decided we needed to get blood work done to make sure Emma's kidneys were functioning (and since her toes were smashed and still oozing blood on one) the Dr decided to send us to the ER. We spent the evening in the ER. Emma was very brave- X-rays on both big toes, another urine sample, blood drawn (they had to do both arms, as the first catheter would not thread.) Once the blood work came back indicating her kidneys were functioning, they sent us home. The other lab work would not come back for several days to give us any more information. Strep culture was negative.
Wednesday and Thursday- Emma was very tired and not eating or drinking much. By Thursday afternoon, Emma napped for 2 1/2 hours, got up, and then wanted to lie back down on my bed (not usual for Emma). I called the Dr again and they asked me to come right in. Urine sample indicated both blood and increasing amount of protein and she had lost 2 1/2 pounds since her visit 2 weeks earlier! They called the Renal specialists at Children's Hospital of Boston and sent us right down. We spend about 8 hours in the ER before they decided to admit her.
Yes, that is Emma's urine in the blue lidded cup above her head.
We spent Thursday night and the whole day Friday in the hospital undergoing more testing and evaluation. Emma has been unbelievably brave and strong. She thought the children's hospital was really fun, but started to ask everyone who walked through the door if they were going to use that poky thing (draw more blood. First ER- both elbows stuck. Second ER- tops of both hands stuck. Hospital- another vein in her right elbow stuck)
Breakfast in bed was very cool for her!
She was released at about 7 last night with the diagnoses of "Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis". You can read more about it here.
From here we basically wait to see if she starts to get better. If so, the diagnoses was correct, if not.... She will have blood drawn on a weekly basis and blood pressure/weight/urine checks twice a week until??? We will see the renal specialists on February 11.
The other concern is that her Hematocrit level dropped from 33 (which was already low) to 25 in two days time. This is unrelated to the kidney disease, so they are watching this as well to make sure her body starts to make more red blood cells. If the number drops, we will be sent back to the hospital.
We really appreciate your love and concern. We have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and know that he is watching over us and giving us strength through this trial.
OUCH!
We’ve been in Massachusetts for about one month now and we are having some crazy adventures. Last Wednesday we were greeted with another 6 inches of snow in our town and the kids got ANOTHER snow day (school cancelled for the day because of snow). Ouch for mom! Ouch for our backs from all the shoveling!
Later in the day, the snow turned to rain and then froze. Thursday, we awoke to ice all over, so the kids school was delayed by two hours. Our schools have already used up all their snow days for the year, plus one now, so school will not get out until June 23 or later! For 3 kids who started school in August- going to school until the end of June makes for a long school year. Ouch!
Last Sunday night while our home teachers were over, Emma was standing by the piano bench and tipped it on its side. It then slid on the hard wood floor and dropped on Emma’s two big toes. Super Ouch! We had them checked out in the ER on Tuesday night (in conjunction with her other issues) and neither toe was broken! Very sore though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)