tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047258965780866032024-02-20T20:58:04.624-07:00Lydia's Liver StoryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-37382134195119196212012-12-18T23:24:00.002-07:002012-12-18T23:27:55.896-07:00Just one med!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow, I can't believe it has been almost a year since the last post. It has definitely been that no news is good news! Lydia has had an amazing (relatively healthy) year compared to the first three of her life. She had a couple of minor bouts of rejection, but they were able to correct those by adjusting her meds. She also had a few Immunoglobulin Infusions when her IGG levels would get low, which was residual from her Chemo. She was excited to get those infusions, though, because she loved the one-on-one time with me or Brian for 4 or 5 hours. She also was excited for the games, shows, popcicles and food she got to choose while she was there, not to mention doting attention from the medical personnel.<br />
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Now we have more good news. Lyds went to the Liver clinic yesterday for a check up and her blood pressure was good enough that Dr. Book said we could stop her blood pressure medicine. Yeah!!! She is now down to just her anti-rejection med. <br />
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We are so grateful that she is doing so well. Again, we want to thank everyone who has prayed and exercised faith in behalf of Lydia and our family, and helped us in so many ways. You have truely been angels to us!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-3513951777231968032012-01-14T16:48:00.514-07:002012-01-26T14:53:32.545-07:00Make-A-Wish<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KZxNPrWHTrBXh6udOlezqivvdvqVuo3gcgxPt2mao0l15WedyMjK5sZytbvFpImODIbUh30MeJuaS76ftrUpU89neqNXxQpc5GJ0FPbaUBwnKf4eToWFugem5FhHlAnuxJ6DyZyVBXYy/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KZxNPrWHTrBXh6udOlezqivvdvqVuo3gcgxPt2mao0l15WedyMjK5sZytbvFpImODIbUh30MeJuaS76ftrUpU89neqNXxQpc5GJ0FPbaUBwnKf4eToWFugem5FhHlAnuxJ6DyZyVBXYy/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCjv6qinsQ3IMOMCNe0xGUu1rj9qXLz6co_IgWYH6TPu-LH8c7O1HaPHDir6nh9vSj9UzlYIJs74LTLKRGgRIZZJa4CWrlt7sgLLyeK7dU7n0_quJAJo_iZa4LlTRLDp4_T3nyR62aQdN/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCjv6qinsQ3IMOMCNe0xGUu1rj9qXLz6co_IgWYH6TPu-LH8c7O1HaPHDir6nh9vSj9UzlYIJs74LTLKRGgRIZZJa4CWrlt7sgLLyeK7dU7n0_quJAJo_iZa4LlTRLDp4_T3nyR62aQdN/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a> Lydia was recently granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah (M-A-W). The whole experience has been a wonderful ray of light for Lydia and for our family. Last spring, Lydia was appointed two wish granters, Rhonda and Bette, to help her declare her wish and make it come true. It began with our family going to The Wishing Place in Murray for Lydia to make her wish. Before we went there, Lydia was sent a special key in the mail to unlock the Wishing Room. When we arrived at The Wishing place and met Rhonda and Bette, we played a game which helped Lydia to think of and verbalize her wish. She wished to see Barney. Ever since Lyd's was really little she has loved watching Barney. She knows many of the songs and loves to dance and sing along to them. She gets severe leg aches fairly often (most likely from the steroids) and Barney has helped many times to get her mind off her pain until the Tylenol kicks in. It's also a favorite show for her to watch in the hospital. After she declared her wish, she took her special key to the Wishing Room door and unlocked it. The floor of the wishing room is made up of squares of glass with colorful lights under them. The squares lit up in a sequential trail that led Lydia to a metal cone where she placed her wish. The lighted squares then led her to the cone stand where her wish was sent to see if it would come true. We enjoyed some refreshments, the kids played with toys and we took a tour of The Wishing Place. Throughout the building there are several touching pictures and stories of children who have been granted wishes. There is a star hanging from the ceiling and a page in a scrapbook for every child who has been granted a wish in Utah. In the back yard there is a beautiful garden area with a pond, a bridge and benches. It is a special place, built with love and caring. Our family had a fun, exciting afternoon. </div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shortly after making her wish, we got word that it was granted. At Universal Studios in Florida there is an area where Barney and his friends put on shows. We were going to Florida for a week to visit Barney and the other theme parks there, but we needed to wait until she was three years old because the place where we would be staying (Give Kids The World) required the children to be three and older. This was great with us because it gave us something to look forward to. Lydia's birthday is in October so we decided to go in November. In the meantime, we were invited to attend local family activities of the Make-a-Wish foundation. Also, Bette and Rhonda periodically gave Lydia thoughtful gifts. One of these was a darling Disney "Marie" outfit for Lydia's birthday. When she opened it she was very excited and immediately took off her clothes and put on her new "kitty" outfit.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_YTtfRkmtEnXEufVuEib9b10Lh42oiWCve0cFc_JzNfRPudriG45VPXA0rXKGR3dPcihYAedt7F_a6Y_uQnVNUw-akga_2_bchhdpoOAdXPzvu09hENihUARR-xa_0XzHVjKxS_Md0iV/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_YTtfRkmtEnXEufVuEib9b10Lh42oiWCve0cFc_JzNfRPudriG45VPXA0rXKGR3dPcihYAedt7F_a6Y_uQnVNUw-akga_2_bchhdpoOAdXPzvu09hENihUARR-xa_0XzHVjKxS_Md0iV/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTqmBXq9d2nG6sU74lsWpGwoQ9cY4rUmXOEkZTyBTKevAzkLJ02D6K2uxbeX3qkCivyhE6eTAm4gpj9_j5foTHQusIKCba30RgaQUilnd3l9kWVHpZ5Sls1r3PMoBR7aSq54tp3sGLFug/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTqmBXq9d2nG6sU74lsWpGwoQ9cY4rUmXOEkZTyBTKevAzkLJ02D6K2uxbeX3qkCivyhE6eTAm4gpj9_j5foTHQusIKCba30RgaQUilnd3l9kWVHpZ5Sls1r3PMoBR7aSq54tp3sGLFug/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lQUeDN7FqlHod6eTUZLwgExMfHdASi3D6TCrG4hLLGVydQmf_xEhsFgyEfUUdvX5jDrI6kgr9oEfKIl24eEjiQBdMYIolWBc4e0o8fFpq4BvQnMr1d_UrsBnT_rTFeBCJD2Qs-WgIK8V/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lQUeDN7FqlHod6eTUZLwgExMfHdASi3D6TCrG4hLLGVydQmf_xEhsFgyEfUUdvX5jDrI6kgr9oEfKIl24eEjiQBdMYIolWBc4e0o8fFpq4BvQnMr1d_UrsBnT_rTFeBCJD2Qs-WgIK8V/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" width="320" /></a>We left for the trip on Wednesday, November 9th and returned on Tuesday, November 15th. When we got to the gate to check-in for our flight, they told us that the plane we were scheduled to fly out on had a bird get caught in the engine on the previous day so they had to downsize our plane. They offered us flight vouchers that would cover another trip for each of us if we would wait for a later flight that day. We didn't have any plans in Florida for the first day except checking into Give Kids The World (GKTW), so we felt blessed that we could have another trip by waiting. Delta also gave us meal vouchers for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the airport. We ate breastfast there, then went to the Tracy Aviary to see the birds. It was a fun day with a great bonus. In the afternoon, we went back to the airport. We ate some lunch, got some dinner to take on the plane, and boarded the plane. </div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MMDfsvO6Qv0PMGP6bQHesVl3W9s5TCaNqQa1T0fkoAGuLyzpy9obj4fSySNTQ6GxY7pmp2927wiLoYMtM4Qgb_ZZt9u6MYfFVSBwhcmuH3SUV5YwD0w95pp9OXUMQTnztY1fWTEHSNTt/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MMDfsvO6Qv0PMGP6bQHesVl3W9s5TCaNqQa1T0fkoAGuLyzpy9obj4fSySNTQ6GxY7pmp2927wiLoYMtM4Qgb_ZZt9u6MYfFVSBwhcmuH3SUV5YwD0w95pp9OXUMQTnztY1fWTEHSNTt/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we arrived in Florida, there was a very kind volunteer there to greet us from Give Kids the World, even though it was almost midnight there. He helped us gather our bags, get our rental car and gave us good directions to GKTW. Give Kids the World is a 70 acre resort where children who have life-threatening illnesses can enjoy a majical, memorable, care-free week with thier families. This was exactly the kind of week that we had there. GKTW is run mainly by volunteers with around 1200 shifts filled each week. We learned a lot about the goodness of people during our stay there. (Visit <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">http://www.gktw.org/</a>) to learn more about this amazing place and see pictures of the fun places there.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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The next morning we ate breakfast at The Gingerbread House Restaurant where we sat at child size tables decorated with thousands of real peppermint candies and surrounded by thousands of dolls from around the world. We enjoyed almost all of our breakfasts and dinners here. They were varied, delicous meals served to us by caring volunteers. After breakfast, the kids rode several times on the Enchanted Carousel, trying out several different animals. We then enjoyed our first of many ice cream treats at Ice Cream Palace which is open all day, every day, for whenever we wanted ice cream. After a delightful morning getting a glimpse of the fun that awaited us at the GKTW village, we ordered a lunch to go from Katie's Kitchen at GKTW and headed off for a fun afternoon at Gator Land. We all really enjoyed seeing lots of alligators, watching some gator shows, holding a baby gator and feeding and petting tortoises. Alyssa and Dallin bought some real alligator heads for souveniers. Parker and Spencer bought some gator whips and Lyds got a pink squeaky gator (go figure). That evening we went back to GKTW for a Christmas celebration that they have once a week. They have a Christmas parade, horse-drawn carraige rides, "real" snow, treats and Santa visits. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHUX4U9ycVRIguKdBs02B0a_y7ATz3GfKdA9ddHgPMjHGITg39emUdg6opp1Vn6P_yG3SRo1MYlCIYUq6F0ZZZ8YMuNDWDhWzXCjwpbJMGSZytnpk-BEPF9iLvnR5mDJBmS9CS2hk1kL7/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; height: 222px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 324px;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHUX4U9ycVRIguKdBs02B0a_y7ATz3GfKdA9ddHgPMjHGITg39emUdg6opp1Vn6P_yG3SRo1MYlCIYUq6F0ZZZ8YMuNDWDhWzXCjwpbJMGSZytnpk-BEPF9iLvnR5mDJBmS9CS2hk1kL7/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR9H4MeG96iV4jWEk8ejfP6ZpYdRktF3C2GOIInpgEfDjZXio__x4mcAq51sgTLUaXtxhk_mk6j1buOsYeZ1Wh0dujBzlPe5dW8PvS7EpfbWwGJRcLdUt-5eWqT1o_GSUz-pAsLcVmFP1/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR9H4MeG96iV4jWEk8ejfP6ZpYdRktF3C2GOIInpgEfDjZXio__x4mcAq51sgTLUaXtxhk_mk6j1buOsYeZ1Wh0dujBzlPe5dW8PvS7EpfbWwGJRcLdUt-5eWqT1o_GSUz-pAsLcVmFP1/s320/IMG_1326.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ETC6Pp95odXMyKaseSVoe3WkSUS7Y_p_Q9bsuXZDepgggM7OenMroHB9gGB_yYRp6BbrfVjm7E8XVb0yz2abZITKMJBbdR6hOINNMYxSjI7schfJm1UkUe578ZQHOwJrJACeS00KPvxF/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ETC6Pp95odXMyKaseSVoe3WkSUS7Y_p_Q9bsuXZDepgggM7OenMroHB9gGB_yYRp6BbrfVjm7E8XVb0yz2abZITKMJBbdR6hOINNMYxSjI7schfJm1UkUe578ZQHOwJrJACeS00KPvxF/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEyRHLmojP3i1KnnrBNU-ocXl5B5bOZVOmV_zsHzi-q0bYbpJYY5n7FkEM_TnIEqHu71OuIyy_UBwtZmW9_d60mJnGNeXV6mzVIkHvH8bySOpckAh4CEkK6YeZJ-nRGGnkwSjcNnNT1uk/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEyRHLmojP3i1KnnrBNU-ocXl5B5bOZVOmV_zsHzi-q0bYbpJYY5n7FkEM_TnIEqHu71OuIyy_UBwtZmW9_d60mJnGNeXV6mzVIkHvH8bySOpckAh4CEkK6YeZJ-nRGGnkwSjcNnNT1uk/s320/IMG_1318.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsmqsemLAcNeWEhAxFfW0n2avP79vA-4iNUROXTDfyO9QZfSPHOHGN8VECJ2nGpQRyEcwRv7z-wvqKaFk-EQvKt0NOSbFQ8sg8wGOGb7V2FZbr7Y6VWh5BOuLu87NgDVWMEL2u6D5nJGE/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsmqsemLAcNeWEhAxFfW0n2avP79vA-4iNUROXTDfyO9QZfSPHOHGN8VECJ2nGpQRyEcwRv7z-wvqKaFk-EQvKt0NOSbFQ8sg8wGOGb7V2FZbr7Y6VWh5BOuLu87NgDVWMEL2u6D5nJGE/s320/IMG_1349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQImccwOTVFjvbiEsHZl2kGIgNToqJ2zOCVl7PJbIxJnkjl0LjthVaxHh68IA3mdZyrrfox-nBv_VKPPvQ7Ela2bVCIRzw1DrQrVRQuK6jQIB-lqFNxkWtMH3In7F0FlMoaw8U4QHUH8LP/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQImccwOTVFjvbiEsHZl2kGIgNToqJ2zOCVl7PJbIxJnkjl0LjthVaxHh68IA3mdZyrrfox-nBv_VKPPvQ7Ela2bVCIRzw1DrQrVRQuK6jQIB-lqFNxkWtMH3In7F0FlMoaw8U4QHUH8LP/s320/IMG_1368.JPG" width="320" /></a>On Friday after a hearty breakfast, yummy icecream and a few turns on the Carousel we set off for Universal Studios to have Lydia's wish of seeing Barney fulfilled. At the Barney Theatre, we were seated on the front row along with another little Down Syndrome boy who was staying at GKTW. At first, when the lights turned down, Lyd's was scared, but as soon as she saw Barney she got really excited. She and Parker and the other little boy and his sister danced and sang along with about every song. We were asked to wait, along with the other GKTW family, for the other guests to leave after the performance. Then Barney came to talk to Lyd's and give her hugs and get pictures with her. It truely was a wish come true for her. It was so fun to watch! We finished out the day with riding lots of fun rides and seeing the sights at Universal Studios.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HmxcyVF6rvdksHpH-E26LXgaW1RjD9O3S7S9nZD1GG8C9bD_sXQ_8lJwhKkISpOSdNFlbEeqjCfqvGtoRN2-H2KL8rzYl3TxQnYnAKIRxeCt3mQxCQkdd-mBOTD7_vRatrpHLl_-R5Bx/s1600/Photo0043FourBySix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HmxcyVF6rvdksHpH-E26LXgaW1RjD9O3S7S9nZD1GG8C9bD_sXQ_8lJwhKkISpOSdNFlbEeqjCfqvGtoRN2-H2KL8rzYl3TxQnYnAKIRxeCt3mQxCQkdd-mBOTD7_vRatrpHLl_-R5Bx/s320/Photo0043FourBySix.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk9cjUZCHczYFB3-tC0JxOmk4-yfyUptpvVruYonynCuZ4t8nbzOqYojvt7B_LMBjA6qxbm-laU7DkOxUFSBWf5FgRtrPH3375VDP8DDrN-hDA8iDeTREruyhpLOcDrt7kCuZ5aH6uc8i/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk9cjUZCHczYFB3-tC0JxOmk4-yfyUptpvVruYonynCuZ4t8nbzOqYojvt7B_LMBjA6qxbm-laU7DkOxUFSBWf5FgRtrPH3375VDP8DDrN-hDA8iDeTREruyhpLOcDrt7kCuZ5aH6uc8i/s320/IMG_1371.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saturday was the day for DisneyWorld. We had looked at the map to decide which rides looked the funnest and made a plan of attack. Because of the passes which we had, we were able to get on the rides very quickly. We were able to go on all the rides that we wanted to. Lydia is too short to go on many of the rides and Parker is too short for some of them, so I would often take them to other rides or areas while Brian would go on the big rides with the other kids. This works well for us since I get queasy on many of the big rides, but Brian loves them. In the evening, we went to the Epcot center. They had different foods from lots of different countries. We tried a few for our dinner. While Brian took the other kids on some rides there, I took Lydia to see a lot of the Disney Characters who were lined up to greet children. She was excited to see them, especially Pluto who is one of her favorites. Brian and the other kids went on a really fun ride called "Soarin". This was one of their favorites of the trip.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3kM0sPUUkVjakChdYst2lc9Rs9WdLIUdz099g97Vh5HJbkI6lJE8RzLDRq4Oz2JL5z2p6eJujBqt_Ge-zE1l1YKM4ErGDfFgtKoDPXsmaclraVrYXf1SPQ_fiJhW40tSF2os4FVUlo-/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3kM0sPUUkVjakChdYst2lc9Rs9WdLIUdz099g97Vh5HJbkI6lJE8RzLDRq4Oz2JL5z2p6eJujBqt_Ge-zE1l1YKM4ErGDfFgtKoDPXsmaclraVrYXf1SPQ_fiJhW40tSF2os4FVUlo-/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Sunday we enjoyed a slower morning at GKTW. We went to chuch, then to see the Orlando Temple. After the temple, we visited the wife and daughter of a friend of ours, Cory Chinen. Cory was working, but he had come to see us when we were at Disney World because he is a Japanese tourguide at the theme parks. It was great to be able to visit with him and his wife. We hadn't seen them since their wedding. They are such fun people and their daughter is beautiful. It was just the right timing to have a more low key day in the middle of our trip.</div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCGkaWtp4AJtMqiweAOZ2dPgP6u6y-uxw9XCYZEgxfHq-gEch_Gs3BXfPN6tDhY5xkSlE2zPt2gJiQv0sZeH-3CMVyl3k4SeyoYbhMho171a7mUAvwF9O0uTISzIvqPF7OMfNT1CX0cIA/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCGkaWtp4AJtMqiweAOZ2dPgP6u6y-uxw9XCYZEgxfHq-gEch_Gs3BXfPN6tDhY5xkSlE2zPt2gJiQv0sZeH-3CMVyl3k4SeyoYbhMho171a7mUAvwF9O0uTISzIvqPF7OMfNT1CX0cIA/s320/IMG_1419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYX01ifMBPahONIX3uG5Drck2Ll0ZDz1BiAxEQIhesv8D0jxMj_2gTwJR51RaZUyp1VVnlywa1FfBgmDbni1kq_XwJ1-3FeRiKtJ8kc5UGGd40Rl0fwTe6gMDmbppHeoV98ln5kkOUtGj/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYX01ifMBPahONIX3uG5Drck2Ll0ZDz1BiAxEQIhesv8D0jxMj_2gTwJR51RaZUyp1VVnlywa1FfBgmDbni1kq_XwJ1-3FeRiKtJ8kc5UGGd40Rl0fwTe6gMDmbppHeoV98ln5kkOUtGj/s320/IMG_1436.JPG" width="320" /></a>Monday morning we went to Animal Kingdom. They had a Safari Ride that is probally about as close to a real safari as you can get without it being the real thing. We rode in a jeep/bus safari type vehicle out to see many different kinds of animals. They were living in very natural looking habitats. There were many of the regular animals that you would see on a safari, but there were also animals which I've never heard of before. It was interesting to learn about them. Brian and the four older kids went on a ride called "Everest". Parker still talks about the scary Yeti from that ride. </div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXJjL7mkfiHcpQ6OvYbhYqF94BnHwC9K8gPWUF163-ylVwZRS8fELMqYTpWDC_dj5USCit65eoNqlUB1mruxHGYnK_vYwweGM0zGkU_OE0CIV1NmM8qQDzB6SfAyh0zfsqY05lwJqkaV5/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXJjL7mkfiHcpQ6OvYbhYqF94BnHwC9K8gPWUF163-ylVwZRS8fELMqYTpWDC_dj5USCit65eoNqlUB1mruxHGYnK_vYwweGM0zGkU_OE0CIV1NmM8qQDzB6SfAyh0zfsqY05lwJqkaV5/s320/IMG_1487.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v7KJtZCDaIISdRm9XVO0YPNIAFCAB3gD6n2NAm01xsMDwqXaLipqlbeGjjTUmMNyvhYCbF1-sXyW-dPZ-9CYDqJSYjLRCO8DMH1ZEU6pVB5nM_RTonUe8HJyvYUAx8U58UtwS_Hwotjc/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v7KJtZCDaIISdRm9XVO0YPNIAFCAB3gD6n2NAm01xsMDwqXaLipqlbeGjjTUmMNyvhYCbF1-sXyW-dPZ-9CYDqJSYjLRCO8DMH1ZEU6pVB5nM_RTonUe8HJyvYUAx8U58UtwS_Hwotjc/s320/IMG_1459.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHttoesOjN3cNAdhNqd6kqgh9JBsC-0dHoG_eW9R1TGm0MVuA42LFI-VjdqNGgvFkrm91LHcH3yj8DDR5xxp-l4qJpXpugQs76v3fygVsi0Hl4R7XvN4rRF_ynRxQqPcQKw7-CQzQ1Zoz4/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHttoesOjN3cNAdhNqd6kqgh9JBsC-0dHoG_eW9R1TGm0MVuA42LFI-VjdqNGgvFkrm91LHcH3yj8DDR5xxp-l4qJpXpugQs76v3fygVsi0Hl4R7XvN4rRF_ynRxQqPcQKw7-CQzQ1Zoz4/s320/IMG_1469.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cTxDuVSUogfe-LP_sAImK3UxUEEKeQFSi4MPEvQ5X1kCQZqEV4zaynSUKB4gODvx6CECS-PGGwXRJXYtgJpjaKTOz8b0RH0b1-zPv1_kqOz1ZmIjdICmB_G8pqTNxS77zeJSsAcGDryO/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cTxDuVSUogfe-LP_sAImK3UxUEEKeQFSi4MPEvQ5X1kCQZqEV4zaynSUKB4gODvx6CECS-PGGwXRJXYtgJpjaKTOz8b0RH0b1-zPv1_kqOz1ZmIjdICmB_G8pqTNxS77zeJSsAcGDryO/s320/IMG_1472.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7Iz6nYPRj1h_UMpzZPUcUaNVSya2MusLY2UBtmeERkAZIc24mC5Tyx_ZfEONM1XpfYCcDAi8eW_nP2w7RzjfrChUPW7ud0n336I_59D54emHU5iXul4bJsSD1CFYTQ-YIJGwV7asLzSq/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7Iz6nYPRj1h_UMpzZPUcUaNVSya2MusLY2UBtmeERkAZIc24mC5Tyx_ZfEONM1XpfYCcDAi8eW_nP2w7RzjfrChUPW7ud0n336I_59D54emHU5iXul4bJsSD1CFYTQ-YIJGwV7asLzSq/s320/IMG_1505.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pQPnlbA2vrh1JvQFYoLV8S9DMlolowK5wGhqTWzO9OgR7GGLWpjbMUFLCox1b6XwWAYg7BgO-9vREm-78Dv8_3G1u6xnvXnl9VFChRSZZRbJUN51_KyxHfNps39HfG56dhy2wpXugvHb/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pQPnlbA2vrh1JvQFYoLV8S9DMlolowK5wGhqTWzO9OgR7GGLWpjbMUFLCox1b6XwWAYg7BgO-9vREm-78Dv8_3G1u6xnvXnl9VFChRSZZRbJUN51_KyxHfNps39HfG56dhy2wpXugvHb/s320/IMG_1520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Monday afternoon we went to Legoland. Our whole family enjoyed this park a lot since we are all big lego fans. All of our children have enjoyed playing with legos since they were very young. Every Christmas, for many years now, the boys have wanted a lego set. The detailed lego creations which were displayed throughout the park were really neat to see. There were also some fun rides which we enjoyed. One side of Legoland was bordered by a large lake. They put on a fun Lego pirate waterskiing show which we watched. </div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADhddTU0EoGHHVeNjxOXM2cd02JveFTqS-HeCSZiKlesHGnBUB6PtbCjzbKZnufwSSICbGJgTjyDHLKLayN1HxHH8Tv5vMSoP61AEb9weaTgS2aGqnY3EqQTb9Gp-q11biwYyQzV6XxND/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADhddTU0EoGHHVeNjxOXM2cd02JveFTqS-HeCSZiKlesHGnBUB6PtbCjzbKZnufwSSICbGJgTjyDHLKLayN1HxHH8Tv5vMSoP61AEb9weaTgS2aGqnY3EqQTb9Gp-q11biwYyQzV6XxND/s320/IMG_1477.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_MRGBpOZa1XuAP3pACIvPLLIz1-cKOfPc4sB-_p9BKZ11eEe1J6TfE4yxtthw0rMcZ6Quiif687S-BvwAt6-uh07ZPIKB2vo2ikC22tiwGLS1hLlGvvfICQJWupYy5ELl-Hx9ztdxfWx/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_MRGBpOZa1XuAP3pACIvPLLIz1-cKOfPc4sB-_p9BKZ11eEe1J6TfE4yxtthw0rMcZ6Quiif687S-BvwAt6-uh07ZPIKB2vo2ikC22tiwGLS1hLlGvvfICQJWupYy5ELl-Hx9ztdxfWx/s320/IMG_1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYPmuo1G4LfQv7Esr3LnJDPHkZFQUCQSlUFIVYSp479mwcbOtePIutSKHnoNu8tR98Eleidp21MBU2vgq7M__n-doOgN6_f9P2eOnU9k1iz5l9eoJo4PBVPirXnQYKQ58nZgyrFatJeYs/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYPmuo1G4LfQv7Esr3LnJDPHkZFQUCQSlUFIVYSp479mwcbOtePIutSKHnoNu8tR98Eleidp21MBU2vgq7M__n-doOgN6_f9P2eOnU9k1iz5l9eoJo4PBVPirXnQYKQ58nZgyrFatJeYs/s320/IMG_1533.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeaAlW1z2noWLnfPxIG9A6xltEAVtHUkXfsiOam4ABdM2k7IZuuvt_yQi95OI8cQ8izEDN61EH-m87FCeV2gikUz4XAaM4rH1mxmDFcdaO5m7_s9xu_bqBrEpQLvMuoTq7ZQLPvE3rlSm/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeaAlW1z2noWLnfPxIG9A6xltEAVtHUkXfsiOam4ABdM2k7IZuuvt_yQi95OI8cQ8izEDN61EH-m87FCeV2gikUz4XAaM4rH1mxmDFcdaO5m7_s9xu_bqBrEpQLvMuoTq7ZQLPvE3rlSm/s320/IMG_1530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Legoland closed early in the evening which was just the right time for us to make it to the Medieval Times dinner which we had reservations for. The Medieval Times dinner show was another big hightlight of the trip for our family. The building is shaped and decorated like a castle from that time period. We were seated at a long table in front of an arena where they put on a knight jousting show. They served us tomatoe bisque in a bowl with a handle, bread, roasted chicken, ribs, roasted potatoe and a fruit pastry. They didn't give us any silverware so we ate everything with our hands. Parker loved being able to eat everything with his hands. The food was delicious. The show was very entertaining. There was a king and his daughter the princess who sent her noble prince to save the kingdom from a bad knight. The knights were skilled horsemen and jousters. It was a really fun last evening of our trip!</div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBythWKcp93t9sbEn9z4cOWoBfVPabCMh0aCI__Q4walp_Nx4bOntUxJ2RXchNmfvx0obe_taSOz53gf9IozeQfRV8nBBppqyOEkf3xalCTz4dqcceVXbYBggezE2vR1VugKbRAzjIxw9/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBythWKcp93t9sbEn9z4cOWoBfVPabCMh0aCI__Q4walp_Nx4bOntUxJ2RXchNmfvx0obe_taSOz53gf9IozeQfRV8nBBppqyOEkf3xalCTz4dqcceVXbYBggezE2vR1VugKbRAzjIxw9/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOADsezqyTPyn5x_F4O3wgjqdwaorLsV9nwlcb7M9sKs7nGRTIhuSA2NSzO6o6be6vh9T_pTNjC87hKrLD6RG-Ixwxc_DxHTxQPs8XgNrff8mkHd1IT9lZ3C14ERyl0GXiWERxCNJZVqI3/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOADsezqyTPyn5x_F4O3wgjqdwaorLsV9nwlcb7M9sKs7nGRTIhuSA2NSzO6o6be6vh9T_pTNjC87hKrLD6RG-Ixwxc_DxHTxQPs8XgNrff8mkHd1IT9lZ3C14ERyl0GXiWERxCNJZVqI3/s320/IMG_1528.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH1Cu9TRcC8_Bit3weAZOWjkrenpG88RKNEtMS3eXkzXtnq5GovufUH6Ws1Xh5zBDiVK74_CcN1TOWdXM-dZJOa8dGh9n75LzQON5-VOsQnEZ8XRt9qZCOLO0FRg-up9pvg7aAx8l6F_2/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH1Cu9TRcC8_Bit3weAZOWjkrenpG88RKNEtMS3eXkzXtnq5GovufUH6Ws1Xh5zBDiVK74_CcN1TOWdXM-dZJOa8dGh9n75LzQON5-VOsQnEZ8XRt9qZCOLO0FRg-up9pvg7aAx8l6F_2/s320/IMG_1527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9c7C7VJ_Sm0OzjmIXKFRiM5FM_Z2M-uyrKgooiilbclJuK4Ot8_fbAKyYLAFXanYuw6k0xw1IEzh7SHzI3HJo0UKbLMMNziw7E5BZoZ4JH-mBAi7O5R5OJG-vnexIEK7nbjouUqIK0Dk/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9c7C7VJ_Sm0OzjmIXKFRiM5FM_Z2M-uyrKgooiilbclJuK4Ot8_fbAKyYLAFXanYuw6k0xw1IEzh7SHzI3HJo0UKbLMMNziw7E5BZoZ4JH-mBAi7O5R5OJG-vnexIEK7nbjouUqIK0Dk/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" width="320" /></a>On Tuesday morning after packing and cleaning up, we enjoyed our last delicious breakfast at the Gingerbread House. Alyssa and Lydia got a manicure and pedicure at Twinkle Hope's La Ti Da Royal Spa. We took some turns on the Carousel, explored and enjoyed the fun in the Castle of Miracles, and ate another yummy icecream treat. It was a great last day to a most incredible trip!!</div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yr1Ha0KA079cgPB5xP1Bz7V9EibZWrZkOSDrGAis1cBQck63QuXx1su-RCZYKEOHLUIOBKCl9FEvFyh1izsHlgvhS6JoBw0kA5VgN0XaAFYsRspGcFg1LsPU_45fWvbjGmesxg2Ft9re/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yr1Ha0KA079cgPB5xP1Bz7V9EibZWrZkOSDrGAis1cBQck63QuXx1su-RCZYKEOHLUIOBKCl9FEvFyh1izsHlgvhS6JoBw0kA5VgN0XaAFYsRspGcFg1LsPU_45fWvbjGmesxg2Ft9re/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEY-gd3Gt_pu-vyW-9oAbuYBx4wE8J9npwsBoNjOcq_c4Nl51u_3n5s0h7spZgUx8ZM2Bvwe88_K_DrWtDLDXuk9zRlR0fX5TDwqampDywoMLgVk8HAhfSoctT2flwedEqybXrAxbvqnJ/s320/IMG_1535.JPG" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8u_Joqe4MyjP5KyYO90E88U8pNQjqPN5F5xuovyyG19ttfIcPBfO0GKBZXlpkDoB6tZ4IKkyEeuFyyQmyiEW0V8K8f0TUI_AhOygxqM-R5WmMI-Nc7Xrby6JvLNzP8bCx2PQsvIo9Xvj/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8u_Joqe4MyjP5KyYO90E88U8pNQjqPN5F5xuovyyG19ttfIcPBfO0GKBZXlpkDoB6tZ4IKkyEeuFyyQmyiEW0V8K8f0TUI_AhOygxqM-R5WmMI-Nc7Xrby6JvLNzP8bCx2PQsvIo9Xvj/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We did get a flat tire on the rental van when it was time for us to head to the airport which made it a rather stressful departure, but Brian handled it like a champ. We can't complain a bit about the flat though since so many people had done so much to make it a wonderful, stress-free vacation for us. Because of it being a different vehicle, it took a little while to figure out how to use the jack and tools. These delays along with needing to drive on the spare tire at a slower speed on the freeway, made it really tight to catch our flight home. Almost everyone was already loaded on the plane when we got to the gate, but we were blessed to make it. </div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We truely had a majical, delightful trip-of-a-lifetime. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the countless people who have given so much, in so many different ways, to make this trip possible for us. It just magnifies the gratitude we feel for all who have helped our family in countless ways and prayed for us during the past few years. We love you all and are grateful for your love!! </div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KZxNPrWHTrBXh6udOlezqivvdvqVuo3gcgxPt2mao0l15WedyMjK5sZytbvFpImODIbUh30MeJuaS76ftrUpU89neqNXxQpc5GJ0FPbaUBwnKf4eToWFugem5FhHlAnuxJ6DyZyVBXYy/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 205px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1374px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-60861688929066833332012-01-10T13:03:00.000-07:002012-01-10T13:03:28.584-07:00Happy at the HospitalIt's not often that you find a child who doesn't want to go home from the hospital, but that was the case with Lydia this weekend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2_GGaGbbhWo9qHLM63UJRnCBexfvREmRQWQhyphenhyphenrfxPPvDAPYwO2ZSZ2pYaJdUURxdxt1J8JJV6He82GrMxab4aTyUJoQAyQkLT3CsuZSihV5vgtURxofuUGLKhM-YzbOSfuf308rpdbOp/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2_GGaGbbhWo9qHLM63UJRnCBexfvREmRQWQhyphenhyphenrfxPPvDAPYwO2ZSZ2pYaJdUURxdxt1J8JJV6He82GrMxab4aTyUJoQAyQkLT3CsuZSihV5vgtURxofuUGLKhM-YzbOSfuf308rpdbOp/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lydia's liver numbers were really high again in her lab results last week. Dr. Book wanted to do another biopsy. My mom and I took her down Friday morning. She was happy and excited to go from the time we got in the car early in the morning. On the drive down, she voluntarily told me she wouldn't cry for her labs and she didn't (at least not the morning labs). She was happy to play with the toys in the registration office, the lab, the ultrasound area and in her room. She enjoyed playing games, coloring, watching shows, and eating orange popcicles. Brian came down to stay with her Friday night because I had a primary activity in the morning. When her results came back on Saturday that it was very light rejection and she could go home, she unhappily told Brian that she didn't want to go home. Dr. Book increased her steroids to treat the rejection. When I talked to her on the phone and cheered that she was coming home, she whined that she did not want to go home. She had too much fun in her home-away-from-home with lots of personal attention from grandma, nurses and parents. Brian and I got some good laughs out of this. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbjpDowq0Dwz_-6kiigXF6KeZ5eXXAu7bSlChDOKtjogX3vMt1xfc9EhDj6zSQMzjSjI4Li10DSqIUSqznN0VDwpiwMkROJMGpkBajUgzJvrJSF4DSU594hQY4XBUHkzElNXWXwIQ0a6L/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbjpDowq0Dwz_-6kiigXF6KeZ5eXXAu7bSlChDOKtjogX3vMt1xfc9EhDj6zSQMzjSjI4Li10DSqIUSqznN0VDwpiwMkROJMGpkBajUgzJvrJSF4DSU594hQY4XBUHkzElNXWXwIQ0a6L/s320/IMG_1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-13904811244607793282011-11-29T22:59:00.002-07:002012-01-23T22:17:26.559-07:00No news is good news<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f8tXHwhKeXJf5a7ajgiGQ9MbdT6Ws5OdGJM15AhwNXXTT4DCtDC54FitYycwSRXQg9omG0plkzhCAgaoS76FAERagvEQTao_4zwbm871uAutGs45sHr8zBj6pQI0MUSHfTREFl9Q6MoO/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f8tXHwhKeXJf5a7ajgiGQ9MbdT6Ws5OdGJM15AhwNXXTT4DCtDC54FitYycwSRXQg9omG0plkzhCAgaoS76FAERagvEQTao_4zwbm871uAutGs45sHr8zBj6pQI0MUSHfTREFl9Q6MoO/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What a wonderful, hospital-free fall we have had!! We feel pretty much back to normal with Lydia doing so well. She is a smart, strong-willed, life-loving 3 year old. Our family did get the flu last month, but Lydia pulled through it without having to be hospitalized. It was wonderful! </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dr5g052d12nKWwgB9X4qEIQqoHH442lUsmBSuIPoSRKk1Z8cwhY8MEaHLs3m7ZxRFMRlLrmyfPZnG8NyOZPUPZeIyYyKDRWmlSOgaoCEkTHbOZDU8hI_CSqdWFYBYiyXZ5-IeMHEQy1Z/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dr5g052d12nKWwgB9X4qEIQqoHH442lUsmBSuIPoSRKk1Z8cwhY8MEaHLs3m7ZxRFMRlLrmyfPZnG8NyOZPUPZeIyYyKDRWmlSOgaoCEkTHbOZDU8hI_CSqdWFYBYiyXZ5-IeMHEQy1Z/s320/IMG_3167.JPG" width="240" /></a>With the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, I have thought a lot about the first couple of Thanksgivings of Lydia's life. She was in the hospital for her first surgery (the Kasai procedure) for her first Thanksgiving. That was the beginning of a long, arduous road for her and our family. My heart was very heavy on that day. I was grateful for kind and caring hospital workers and for loved ones (the Olsen's) who came to visit us.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On her second Thanksgiving, she was gratefully not in the hospital, though she had been several times thoughout the previous year and would often be following that day. We spent the day with my family in beautiful Eden. We had a delicious Thanksgiving breakfast at my mom's house. We then went to the beach of Pineview Reservoir for a paper plate turkey shoot. Following the turkey shoot, we went to the white church in Eden for a delightful Thanksgiving dinner. That day was a day of healing and hope for me as we enjoyed regular conversation and fun with loved ones in the midst of turmoil in my life. That day stands out to me as a great tender mercy which helped me through many more tough days ahead. </div></div><br />
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</div>I have so very much to be thankful for! Even in my darkest hours, I knew I was loved and watched over by Heavenly Father and his angels.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-1268803343397816802011-08-15T15:05:00.000-06:002011-08-15T15:05:22.242-06:00I took Lyds to get her regularly scheduled labs two Tuesday's ago. That afternoon Corinne called to give us some not-so-good results. Her liver numbers were way out of whack. One was reallly high and one was really low. Because of the extreme and strange results, Dr. Book wanted a liver biopsy to try and figure out what was going on. Brian and I took her down first thing on Wed. morning to get an ultrasound so they could find and mark the exact spot where they wanted to do the biopsy. She was then scheduled for surgery at 2:30. Because we had some time to kill in between, we took her to see the birdies at the . She had lots of fun seeing the different birds. She especially loved the colorful "peatocks". When it was time to go back for the surgery she was her regular spunky, happy girl. She cheerfully rode back to the O.R. in a wagon. Brian held her until the sedation medicine kicked in. The only time I saw her cry all day was for labs. Brian went back to be with her first post-op and he said she was a little fussy, but not much at all compared to other times. By the time I saw her post-op she was all smiles again about the orange popsicle she was eating. They admitted her to the Rapid Treatment Unit for one night because of her age. Because she wasn't feeling sick at all, she was quite happy the whole stay (except for labs, of coarse). We relished the one-on-one time we had together reading stories, watching Barney and Elmo shows and playing the matching game and a My Little Pony game. Dr. Book came in with results from the biopsy on Thurs. morning. She said the biopsy looked much better than the initial labs did and even the latest labs were looking much better. She thinks that her liver may have been just starting to reject a little bit, but that they should be able to get the liver numbers back on track with the med adjustments. She increased her steroids a lot and her Prograf (the main anti-rejection med). We came home Thurs. afternoon. The high-dose steroids make her very hungry, hyper and more cranky than she usually is. Gratefully, she is in excellent hands down there at PCMC and she is being watched over and blessed by Heavenly Father.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-56442783908581127212011-07-03T11:37:00.000-06:002011-07-03T11:37:08.058-06:00Another Big Milestone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD3Gl5VleviY61f3NFiNq9xGiMN6TRV13bVckK_DpFbvViEEH3ZTmpagmBEaNDvkh9YqnuqPzKvuS215QlqSzozMIZKOmAmFLjYYvMxSf3hUoNFGE2TDCjY7tVH5hoe8yxgUTm9ZXXgXI/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD3Gl5VleviY61f3NFiNq9xGiMN6TRV13bVckK_DpFbvViEEH3ZTmpagmBEaNDvkh9YqnuqPzKvuS215QlqSzozMIZKOmAmFLjYYvMxSf3hUoNFGE2TDCjY7tVH5hoe8yxgUTm9ZXXgXI/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDKbdE6ealxWzrYwUkD9H5qwXqs-2CW6hkYYkhDSSyOa3Nzgfd5XdMMI3fJhNoxQA21OY0u_yzdk_u7eCt4-RjKJRo4x2Ik1LxY6WHd531_v4gl7KLNWkPj-2oRpil5k5yXVeCYoMQNy_/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDKbdE6ealxWzrYwUkD9H5qwXqs-2CW6hkYYkhDSSyOa3Nzgfd5XdMMI3fJhNoxQA21OY0u_yzdk_u7eCt4-RjKJRo4x2Ik1LxY6WHd531_v4gl7KLNWkPj-2oRpil5k5yXVeCYoMQNy_/s320/IMG_0663.JPG" width="240" /></a>Lyd's is officially done with her feeding tube. Yipee!! She has been consistenly drinking enough fluid this past week and will take all of her meds by mouth. She makes a disgusted face everytime with one of the meds, but she'll do it with some chocolate bribery and a desire to not have the tube put back in her nose. Yeah, another big milestone behind us! It has been so great to have her feeling so well for so long. She has such a fun, dynamic personality. She teases, and laughs, and yells, and talks loud in church and gets into plenty of two-year-old mischief. She brings much joy to everyone that she is with. I am so very grateful that she is a fighter and that she has been blessed to be healed so well through knowledable doctors and nurses and through Heavenly Father's immense blessings!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After struggling so much with the pain she has endured (like I talked about in my last blog post), I learned a great lesson from the spirit. I had been struggling for a long time with trying to understand why Lydia had to suffer so much, especially since she was a baby who didn't know why she had to suffer and hurt so much and why me and Brian would allow her to be poked and hurt so much. As I was thinking about this and reading in the Book of Mormon, I read about a people that were very blessed and prospered, then Heavenly Father gave them trials that they could grow. As I thought about this the spirit told me that Heavenly Father loves each of us very much and sends us to earth and gives us trials and sickness and pain for our good and so that we can grow. The spirit witnessed to me that Heavenly Father loves Lydia and has a purpose for her, part of which includes her pain and suffering. This was a very comforting and healing lesson to me. I am very grateful for Heavenly Father's plan for us.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki7YURZcgug0CKKU8S1gDYYDQG6JboBcU7gojc4WZtfUUyVlJdxYHvCh0P1XMQfrZ2uxo0KSvMsbvL-78QGBW6sXbuaqpZlIp67PxDQ8It9JdDkwbaWDSIPXlctVnuFvxutbqgnfpg-J1/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki7YURZcgug0CKKU8S1gDYYDQG6JboBcU7gojc4WZtfUUyVlJdxYHvCh0P1XMQfrZ2uxo0KSvMsbvL-78QGBW6sXbuaqpZlIp67PxDQ8It9JdDkwbaWDSIPXlctVnuFvxutbqgnfpg-J1/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-62113771966110127122011-05-31T22:31:00.000-06:002011-05-31T22:31:03.868-06:00Hotel Primary's<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxSYcY_Y0Qw5V0GHoWaQICovHya3J9Ci4v7SJfY2gmoLRKYHeYt4TlUimbfp8iYgFV_04EgMLJ3Py892UnwkpnI0L6MLenstoBXtcn8Y-JPuoF_VL-v97f-0hf6nAXrHvo_9sDRSpnb5l/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxSYcY_Y0Qw5V0GHoWaQICovHya3J9Ci4v7SJfY2gmoLRKYHeYt4TlUimbfp8iYgFV_04EgMLJ3Py892UnwkpnI0L6MLenstoBXtcn8Y-JPuoF_VL-v97f-0hf6nAXrHvo_9sDRSpnb5l/s320/IMG_0496.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE81TtdelYIy9GzN5SVKOUPPRpc6b5CUzhRbgSS0JBUiwod8ZNzyyaF8GAsXUTrxacbHsM2h2irpNFDAwspxIPZQDc5M_IWB2D5wproZGrBLCy1ZrqhlUwUv398bSEAdS58fgM37CAeS-/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE81TtdelYIy9GzN5SVKOUPPRpc6b5CUzhRbgSS0JBUiwod8ZNzyyaF8GAsXUTrxacbHsM2h2irpNFDAwspxIPZQDc5M_IWB2D5wproZGrBLCy1ZrqhlUwUv398bSEAdS58fgM37CAeS-/s320/IMG_0498.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">May started out with a bout of sickness which worked its way through our kiddos until it landed Lydia with a stay at "hotel PCMC". There were various combinations of throwing up, diarrhea and fevers running through the crew. Lyds ended up with a bad case of diarrhea and some occasional vomitting. As a result she became quite dehydrated and her blood sugar levels plummeted. She was admitted the Wed. before Mother's Day and made for a very happy Mother's Day by being released that day. She was diagnosed with Rotovirus, which almost everyone gets at some time, but her little immunosuppressed body wasn't ready to fight it on it's own yet. Gratefully we had Dr. Book and Corinne and all the medical workers who were on top of things to help her get her better quickly. Most especially, we are grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed her with so much good health and healing. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrZK7KrDVJkGbF6G-eNMesxY-ayziiTwRiRiGW17_QiL_4i9acHqCRol3k9Kym4-ROEEvmWUhtjUGakOhDakyvycrRn33a3IWPfo7nCMWPnAi00ywXcgSAo4aoVJT433yc7_9TBRy6bRZ/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrZK7KrDVJkGbF6G-eNMesxY-ayziiTwRiRiGW17_QiL_4i9acHqCRol3k9Kym4-ROEEvmWUhtjUGakOhDakyvycrRn33a3IWPfo7nCMWPnAi00ywXcgSAo4aoVJT433yc7_9TBRy6bRZ/s320/IMG_0500.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a>It was a relatively happy stay for Lyds as she quickly got feeling better with the I.V. fluids. She enjoyed crusin' the halls of the IMCU in the little red car, playing in the play room and watching Barney. I, on the other hand, didn't cope so well as I cried with her while she was getting her second I.V.. Her blood draw before she was admitted had been torturous because it was hard to get enough blood with her being so dehydrated. Then, to have two I.V.'s and numerous fingerpokes to check blood sugar levels did me in. Not that she hasn't had much worse, because she certainly has, but my anxiety skyrocketed again not knowing how long she would be there and how much more she would have to hurt. I get so tired of her hurting and hearing her plead through her tears for "no more owies". At least now she is able to well enough to cry hard and old enough to voice that she doesn't want any more. It was much harder to see her too sick to care and too young to tell us her feelings. O.k., my pity-party is done(at least until she hurts again).</div>She and the rest of the crew quickly recovered and returned to their happy, fun little selves. How blessed Brian and I are to have them! I am looking forward to a great summer with them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvo7vgaDMkK05RojBVuVEDmPwJkNkw1KYYzXGCVQN0nA8PLtL1IwcTWHjkGkTxlQY5FfWj4uk1BZXFrxJu5kK048b-QwzMQmka0ULdF_YanMffj_fFwQlNeHWHMNxTEXLpdVLEnBVtMga/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvo7vgaDMkK05RojBVuVEDmPwJkNkw1KYYzXGCVQN0nA8PLtL1IwcTWHjkGkTxlQY5FfWj4uk1BZXFrxJu5kK048b-QwzMQmka0ULdF_YanMffj_fFwQlNeHWHMNxTEXLpdVLEnBVtMga/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-7771016406979526012011-03-30T22:39:00.000-06:002011-03-30T22:39:51.349-06:00Picc gone and Chemo done!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia had a ct scan on Thurs. and a full blood lab work up to determine if her PTLD was gone. She showed no traces of it so she is officially done with Chemo. Yeah!! Scott, her home health-care nurse pulled out her Picc-line on Friday. She loves bathing with both arms in the tub now and free reign to splash and play. It was very exciting to get rid of the Picc (until she had to get stuck for labs today). But, we'll definitely take the pokes over the risks and implications associated with the Picc. We feel very blessed that she did so well with the Chemo and didn't have to be hospitalized for illness during that time. She is a tough cookie!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RkVcyC4HSM09ZmwEBvsUvZVpNmwDfbsX2toEAixttP6dhSOphbOBsuFsD00vzhZYgBG0SNGOAtJdS3IH4VZ23iu7LxTn20FRb5luC2QxTeKXWTGGHH9h5vYzzrzMqQzCUli6Mc-roy0M/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RkVcyC4HSM09ZmwEBvsUvZVpNmwDfbsX2toEAixttP6dhSOphbOBsuFsD00vzhZYgBG0SNGOAtJdS3IH4VZ23iu7LxTn20FRb5luC2QxTeKXWTGGHH9h5vYzzrzMqQzCUli6Mc-roy0M/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_HpOovlgPKaVBc-kEVw2evd4GLa9z_jWtRHXKOIAxdzutwWF-rYKwajpzMEcfjL5OR2JmIRHA7RxfVzwplg3HkvbYJCU7iVZ-qJ7fpwoO2p_DtA0Cjny8jLH1HCiG4oYKHJMtRyeeUbS/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_HpOovlgPKaVBc-kEVw2evd4GLa9z_jWtRHXKOIAxdzutwWF-rYKwajpzMEcfjL5OR2JmIRHA7RxfVzwplg3HkvbYJCU7iVZ-qJ7fpwoO2p_DtA0Cjny8jLH1HCiG4oYKHJMtRyeeUbS/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spencer turned twelve on Sunday. Ohhh, that means me and Brian are getting old. Spencer recieved the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday as well. It was a very special day. He had been looking forward to it for a long time. He has been very responsible and helpful lately. We have him tend for us often and he takes especially good care of Lydia. She loves him lots and loves to play with him. He is very cute with her. Spencer has a good sense of humor and is fun to be with. He has been extra responsible with his school work this year which has helped me a lot. He loves to go hunting, fishing, play basketball and make things (including Lego ships still). His buddy Ryan fortunately enjoys the same things so they have a great time together. I am very grateful for my Spencer and love him very much!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp-PTEvBwLXAi6rZ-K6pFDOKrWNPMdyArS7N3zRJogNmzAuiXK2ZZSiw-kRFdU9VR0f1a0ltaJQ4fh9na38b939g6SYSyUGVEipLVfeFLwLcMe6mUNSjHHjsxdqqAKTRID517e8niUE0J/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp-PTEvBwLXAi6rZ-K6pFDOKrWNPMdyArS7N3zRJogNmzAuiXK2ZZSiw-kRFdU9VR0f1a0ltaJQ4fh9na38b939g6SYSyUGVEipLVfeFLwLcMe6mUNSjHHjsxdqqAKTRID517e8niUE0J/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcAXz_x45TVC8aemK-hClRl69PyV8s1FonU7n9kg9F1-AnFAeRTr-awv8xinzCgT-HrvtJgOfgPY8K1s_GZSk_A2wWrpjCy07V8PGOgLT-eh6_2_scshr6SUn2kRwAV6gB5IwHhKXKsWD/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcAXz_x45TVC8aemK-hClRl69PyV8s1FonU7n9kg9F1-AnFAeRTr-awv8xinzCgT-HrvtJgOfgPY8K1s_GZSk_A2wWrpjCy07V8PGOgLT-eh6_2_scshr6SUn2kRwAV6gB5IwHhKXKsWD/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-49334634132195123902011-03-10T11:08:00.048-07:002011-03-12T23:58:30.576-07:00Done with Chemo!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rol47siQ_aq7NlP2npKKLKigM0NhV8H2KzUMzrebO-4STyz9jSbKZxS6rIravRtN9bHadK3RYgeeyhWMWdU_y_no6UwNtqG8gQwEVw5mhT-IPli6uswETLFCjO-eM7U6bWtQWZtihTZu/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rol47siQ_aq7NlP2npKKLKigM0NhV8H2KzUMzrebO-4STyz9jSbKZxS6rIravRtN9bHadK3RYgeeyhWMWdU_y_no6UwNtqG8gQwEVw5mhT-IPli6uswETLFCjO-eM7U6bWtQWZtihTZu/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia had her last chemo treatment on Thursday, Feb. 24th. Yipee! She will get an extensive blood draw and a cat scan in a couple of weeks to make sure there are no traces of PTLD left. We have been very blessed that she has done so well with her Chemotherapy. I'd say losing her curls is a pretty small price to pay. I'm so grateful that she didn't get nausea or have to be hospitalized over the past five months. She is a vibrant, full-fledged two year old doing getting into all sorts of two year old mischeif. I love it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMFdngBSo9IAkgEjRAYsJc6xmjySMlyPBNDf3PMOaLMBtokU7XRdFaKm8NfhZyMk0uDxzmeNyHxstlEplY-XFqWckJyDA2mSfsrw8pwqurGOkP6oxDh2REmls72U9D_OngiaBzVu2WIsm/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMFdngBSo9IAkgEjRAYsJc6xmjySMlyPBNDf3PMOaLMBtokU7XRdFaKm8NfhZyMk0uDxzmeNyHxstlEplY-XFqWckJyDA2mSfsrw8pwqurGOkP6oxDh2REmls72U9D_OngiaBzVu2WIsm/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF8reU5hdg-sulh6eYNZ6z8JApCWXzWZCkkqayh_QsdhjxJ36rDU5H1lxrtBCfcvmxnseZ4My4byeqtrwU4YlaB-fuUBGoGYlS-baNMS7EM12EHP2aIxn18ZFOgPSiQgFW5UXAUcCEcch/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF8reU5hdg-sulh6eYNZ6z8JApCWXzWZCkkqayh_QsdhjxJ36rDU5H1lxrtBCfcvmxnseZ4My4byeqtrwU4YlaB-fuUBGoGYlS-baNMS7EM12EHP2aIxn18ZFOgPSiQgFW5UXAUcCEcch/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WTeROg96SlzApJn7dbnNTDf8j3b4bu4LwtmtBiANR22XV1nUuXCToLYCjBT37GQVVHTMTHIOW5WIniq_OEoZuM58oCDhJDdPkhyphenhyphenjOewjCF4Wn2fM_lnLEfcmmB6cfeazyXGygSgOxJw7/s1600/IMG_0356-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WTeROg96SlzApJn7dbnNTDf8j3b4bu4LwtmtBiANR22XV1nUuXCToLYCjBT37GQVVHTMTHIOW5WIniq_OEoZuM58oCDhJDdPkhyphenhyphenjOewjCF4Wn2fM_lnLEfcmmB6cfeazyXGygSgOxJw7/s320/IMG_0356-1.JPG" width="264" /></a>Dallin was baptized on Saturday. I felt a special spirit as throughout the week while I was making preparations for it and especially on Saturday. I know he was doing what Heavenly Father wanted him to do and that he will be blessed for it. He was extra helpful throughout the week. He cleaned his and Lydia's rooms really well and said he would clean the whole house, but didn't quite get to it. He has been very happy and helpful the past few months. He loves to work on projects with Brian. He is very goal oriented and organized. All of the kids loves to play with him. I can't remember when the last time was that he had and angry tantrum like he used to have. He is doing fantastic in school. He excitedly tells me many details of the things he is learning in history. Many of his subject requirements he has mastered according to his teacher. At his last parent teacher conference, she couldn't think of goals that he could work on so she asked him if he would like to do a report just to have something challenging to do. He chose to do one on the Minutemen. I love my Dallin!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizflteAMwSHQZ8tGSqV4LC01TANtU4btja_Yj5rV5OVwIGtu86aRDb32dIzy4El8Rp76NwDHiWLiMGG19M69YgYf1TtXvHLVXMXv38wfKDt7dlPZWbf7iNHRZhqIOeNDL-AiV3XWixAOd1/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizflteAMwSHQZ8tGSqV4LC01TANtU4btja_Yj5rV5OVwIGtu86aRDb32dIzy4El8Rp76NwDHiWLiMGG19M69YgYf1TtXvHLVXMXv38wfKDt7dlPZWbf7iNHRZhqIOeNDL-AiV3XWixAOd1/s320/IMG_0316.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumcGh6mHayVgc7S7fInVGDxcpZ37wa3tpUGD_6WwTd7Sp44x5aH4lId-0GpXHS_IVsF_o9Jl2js4wpe0_6dWCOKI2qMYGYQYRYnPUpZXN12xZkHELZWa7ojXSeNPEwxNJ_C5RP1be9Uqj/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumcGh6mHayVgc7S7fInVGDxcpZ37wa3tpUGD_6WwTd7Sp44x5aH4lId-0GpXHS_IVsF_o9Jl2js4wpe0_6dWCOKI2qMYGYQYRYnPUpZXN12xZkHELZWa7ojXSeNPEwxNJ_C5RP1be9Uqj/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Alyssa turned 10 in January. Wow, she's growing up. She has been talking about boys lately. She loves to read, read, read and "play" school in her free time. I think the past couple of years have been especially hard on her. Because she is by nature so pleasant and a peacemaker instead of being a "squeaky wheel", I think her needs and desires have often been put on the back burner. I joined a mother/daughter book club with her in hopes to give her a little more of the attention that she needs. She is such a sweet, good girl. She is so cooperative and helpful. I hope that we can do better at meeting her needs. She got glasses a couple of weeks ago. I think she looks very cute on her. I love her very much!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9vpOsDTn080mZFmkiT0WZ9o8PY2ZGELnOGAv7OuGu_bXk9JLj8KysrmPFsOZ5p9bbAQtayBZHfXOASIesfkSxDOrzHblX_YCwdH2whN09NoJTU9W3GuBgEDVk1EKdEm5zlq1KqjMbTD0/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9vpOsDTn080mZFmkiT0WZ9o8PY2ZGELnOGAv7OuGu_bXk9JLj8KysrmPFsOZ5p9bbAQtayBZHfXOASIesfkSxDOrzHblX_YCwdH2whN09NoJTU9W3GuBgEDVk1EKdEm5zlq1KqjMbTD0/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="248" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-70746567738487112662011-01-14T13:51:00.000-07:002011-01-14T13:51:35.766-07:00The big day!Yesterday was Lyd's big day down at Primary's. It started with a GI visit in which they said all is well except they want her gaining more weight. I'm not sure why, so I need to ask more about it. Next we headed to oncology which took longer than expected because they didn't have the lab results they needed to order the chemo. She did great with the chemo again. Finally we went to the orthopedics. (I told my mom we're probably near the top of the list for going to all the different clinics and areas of the hospital between Dallin, Parker and Lydia.) I was anxious about the orthopedics because I didn't know how they would cast her arm with us still being able to change her picc line dressing. I thought for sure we would be heading back down today to get her line moved. The oncologist suggested recasting every couple of weeks. The orthopedic had an even better solution. She took off the first brace, I changed the dressing, then she put on a new brace. We will go down to do that every couple of weeks. I was so excited because her veins are pretty shot and so I didn't want to change the picc. I am thankful for yet another wonderful tender mercy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-40384937108023506922011-01-02T15:30:00.001-07:002011-01-02T15:32:30.760-07:00A New Year!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINwgkR8qNldn3_LYo9E_hP176FxhqsDu6ENGi0VISfCFacL1eaAnNWknZ_T51J4AhB7nAQN-vKsw_Lx2fN7bZMcM-sctLajrj5KsbxXdEiVGzn1zsdvsI-958NBsqj79dwbqe50X-pkm_/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINwgkR8qNldn3_LYo9E_hP176FxhqsDu6ENGi0VISfCFacL1eaAnNWknZ_T51J4AhB7nAQN-vKsw_Lx2fN7bZMcM-sctLajrj5KsbxXdEiVGzn1zsdvsI-958NBsqj79dwbqe50X-pkm_/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (late)! We hope all of you have enjoyed happy times with relatives and rejoiced as we have in celebrating the birth of our Savior. As we reflect on this past year, we are very grateful for the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which has carried us through our challenges. We thoroughly enjoyed time with family during the holidays.<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7HzIrvH5NO48rSV_UM_M3lRv5jclhB0EZkDBqB7wxQUj-tVuP10DDfZH2p5c5kuWggijjHr3bGzH4rgr-vAl4ZG5E2uAsUWJoxHhImQpkK1k7wPbC15w60prtU9g8YXB7IYW2nvvgosk/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7HzIrvH5NO48rSV_UM_M3lRv5jclhB0EZkDBqB7wxQUj-tVuP10DDfZH2p5c5kuWggijjHr3bGzH4rgr-vAl4ZG5E2uAsUWJoxHhImQpkK1k7wPbC15w60prtU9g8YXB7IYW2nvvgosk/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lydia has handled the chemo treatments really well. She hasn't had seemed to have nausea or any other rough side effects for which we are so grateful. Her has has thinned and become quite coarse and lost the curl. Janene cut it because it was sparse and getting so matted, but happily she still has quite a bit. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We started out going to Primary's twice a week, then after a couple of months it went down to once a week. Now, at her last visit, they said she only needs to go down once every 21 days.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Yeah!! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2UCgSgWtWNQw1br0oHj9L-QBJ0rNCET-MWMa2NR_ZtncZzo9pNQNv8NpENmKfQU145-rJQOqPshX7OmU7b9UPMRQHEfHwpE7A7K1BVpc-2nUwanPLKGwdvN8HGZjKWU3MdjE7grgQPh-/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2UCgSgWtWNQw1br0oHj9L-QBJ0rNCET-MWMa2NR_ZtncZzo9pNQNv8NpENmKfQU145-rJQOqPshX7OmU7b9UPMRQHEfHwpE7A7K1BVpc-2nUwanPLKGwdvN8HGZjKWU3MdjE7grgQPh-/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cc3WUuwvy6XjtDbKk94L_2bUcVuxwFIC8PjC9yJBu3gqfidsokB_zDuGMdF7bOKgWiaZtQEO6r5XD8dE8N7RYhYOWVFYjhZbh7C5XyW3D_nj5hyphenhyphenn8JTqokRk2_S7gpdJO2MCypEmvQBh/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cc3WUuwvy6XjtDbKk94L_2bUcVuxwFIC8PjC9yJBu3gqfidsokB_zDuGMdF7bOKgWiaZtQEO6r5XD8dE8N7RYhYOWVFYjhZbh7C5XyW3D_nj5hyphenhyphenn8JTqokRk2_S7gpdJO2MCypEmvQBh/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, we don't get such a break from the hospital quite yet because yesterday Lydia broke her arm that has the picc-line in it. She fell off of the rocking chair and landed on that arm. She broke both the Ulna and Radius bones about an inch below the picc site. Gratefully the breaks were clean and they didn't have to set them. The orthopedic said they would heal well. They put a brace on it for now then we will go back in a week and a half to get a cast on it. We are not sure yet if the picc can stay there in that arm. The orthopedic said they can cut a hole in the cast to access the line, but </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> because of needing to change the dressing weekly, it may need to be moved.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Lydia was again a very good sport. She cried hard when it first happened then it subsided to only when her arm was moved. She is such a toughy. Alyssa cried for her and was worried for her. She is very caring and empathetic. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwnURwCHn2SkZFkfds-0MF6zOkO7AU6D2w50PTntCgiEYPclmSHMc1hnpZi6wSHAdjQHrxmt3aw8cLLEExuXum8FYJrr8uawmQOn5jL-aKCTia7Skv0tyVgPEz31A7RieayEShWeyGm9E/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwnURwCHn2SkZFkfds-0MF6zOkO7AU6D2w50PTntCgiEYPclmSHMc1hnpZi6wSHAdjQHrxmt3aw8cLLEExuXum8FYJrr8uawmQOn5jL-aKCTia7Skv0tyVgPEz31A7RieayEShWeyGm9E/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> All in all, Lydia is a happy child. She is so different from what she used to be. She seems to really enjoy and appreciate life when she's feeling good. She loves her brothers and sister, and they love her. They are able to play with each other well. She still prefers Janene and me to change her diapers. That’s too bad. Hopefully one day she will let the others help in that messy chore(hee, hee).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lydia finally decided that she could walk (before she broke her arm; now her bandage is too heavy). She was walking alot during the past month. She had been taking a few steps here and there before that but then she was almost always walking. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two weeks ago she watched her cousin go up and down the stairs on her belly. The next day she decided that she could do that also and mastered it fast. She helped herself right down the stairs to the toys. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We feel like we missed the stage where you have to put a gate at the top of the stairs. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She also has decided to really eat. She still has the NG tube. We use that for medicines and for the extra fluids that she isn’t consuming yet. She is consuming more and more food and liquids daily. We hope that we can pull the tube someday soon. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV6wXXX_1Xr864d4y4sydbb5qb4UPfxtZObepZuo3nR0Wwpp1qUqPBznQUidlj-2JFuqqC9V_TpmPL2owOe9x_Aird1VYROni7lr8ptOI7cZh1O6kIqqYL5YvlkJCmACqHulUJGpiHogY/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV6wXXX_1Xr864d4y4sydbb5qb4UPfxtZObepZuo3nR0Wwpp1qUqPBznQUidlj-2JFuqqC9V_TpmPL2owOe9x_Aird1VYROni7lr8ptOI7cZh1O6kIqqYL5YvlkJCmACqHulUJGpiHogY/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We moved back into our home on Dec 10. The remodeling project was more than we expected. When do they ever turn out otherwise! We have been blessed greatly by our families and so many others in helping us get our remodel done. It is so nice to go into a house and have it feel clean and new. That is important to our sanity because of the need to have a clean area for an immuno- suppressed child. It has been wonderful to be back in our home and enjoy more time together as a family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiW7aYFDbTs09B2EhyphenhyphenKfm5Y7LEYZPLPZxPewu8pJwTHnIJFfMiTkDgiSPkPInjNYJuTXOAVZfriWXYg-BMFmyUXlfm4oZAJ-H74b7wdRv1cn_qDAMOwXe8Lbk75JDOoWTSH4LDA_FMKNW/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiW7aYFDbTs09B2EhyphenhyphenKfm5Y7LEYZPLPZxPewu8pJwTHnIJFfMiTkDgiSPkPInjNYJuTXOAVZfriWXYg-BMFmyUXlfm4oZAJ-H74b7wdRv1cn_qDAMOwXe8Lbk75JDOoWTSH4LDA_FMKNW/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-39730632763919117342010-11-06T23:25:00.001-06:002010-11-07T00:08:25.478-06:00She's home and happy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ro-giDLtqb7t68uNMrvgj-I49-8UXUEGYRWIqt5L8WwBJ6ZjONFb_ilBhVMXiZ5L7V9lqqeAwNAhUI8T3BuGZMMMGLQT8Ak416t40z0RuPAeQX4QwwG0FemGkJ_IB3g7rRNQC6ZhB2Bi/s1600/P8190082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ro-giDLtqb7t68uNMrvgj-I49-8UXUEGYRWIqt5L8WwBJ6ZjONFb_ilBhVMXiZ5L7V9lqqeAwNAhUI8T3BuGZMMMGLQT8Ak416t40z0RuPAeQX4QwwG0FemGkJ_IB3g7rRNQC6ZhB2Bi/s320/P8190082.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia was released from the hospital on Tuesday. She was so happy to come home and was feeling much better than when she went in. She went back in for an outpatient infusion of antibodies on Friday. She will go two times a week for infusions of meds or chemo for at least the next few weeks. So far she seems to be handling the chemo quite well. She seems somewhat subdued some days, but has had no other apparent side effects. She could still have other reactions with future doses, so for her next infusion of the main chemo they will admit her for one night to make sure she handles it ok. There is a possibility that she could lose some or all of her hair, but it's a smaller chance since it's a low dose chemo. I love her curly hair, so I'm really hoping she doesn't. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thank you all very much for your love, prayers and support! It really helps us get through the rainy days. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5myCICGy6PHSPR3s9DhIWp2orPvKjIU4NGk7h_RpOKJZAyN0cYZo6uKSfsXHD42J62Mhk7qWvuT2DSLZY1aw26EXJ4N8v3X3c0PXOJm8WFCmkcTQmj6C4xPZoEbGBENULX0Q39In9bow/s1600/P8200092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5myCICGy6PHSPR3s9DhIWp2orPvKjIU4NGk7h_RpOKJZAyN0cYZo6uKSfsXHD42J62Mhk7qWvuT2DSLZY1aw26EXJ4N8v3X3c0PXOJm8WFCmkcTQmj6C4xPZoEbGBENULX0Q39In9bow/s320/P8200092.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY_GRG4JQRsLy8uPrypFty28vHn0zNgYQYobM_EIBA0138RyqkqRxFDvhWKLp3sVfAvc1q4kNOlqFC7zBc9tTFV_8qY6UPmr1GGkZMqz6VkMxj1toujBR2qEYu2Rk1RkIsaA3kG7ah-Gy/s1600/P8190085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY_GRG4JQRsLy8uPrypFty28vHn0zNgYQYobM_EIBA0138RyqkqRxFDvhWKLp3sVfAvc1q4kNOlqFC7zBc9tTFV_8qY6UPmr1GGkZMqz6VkMxj1toujBR2qEYu2Rk1RkIsaA3kG7ah-Gy/s320/P8190085.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVj_z9kGI4p9j1rw-4cMcCUJkCxgZmFa0VTxeFSuTJzh0rLt6LIZ1bGVymCx5QthEEdlHf0mqWQCtfit_j4pPsgiT6yDz2rcTfvahsS1jftjlNRRgThvfP_Or34rcrJOFs8zZobxlHV87/s1600/P8190087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVj_z9kGI4p9j1rw-4cMcCUJkCxgZmFa0VTxeFSuTJzh0rLt6LIZ1bGVymCx5QthEEdlHf0mqWQCtfit_j4pPsgiT6yDz2rcTfvahsS1jftjlNRRgThvfP_Or34rcrJOFs8zZobxlHV87/s320/P8190087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-63214456896054989872010-10-29T09:11:00.002-06:002010-10-29T09:54:46.800-06:00Lydia back in the hospitalDear friends and family,<br />I want you to know how much we have appreciated all your concern and help over the past two years in behalf of Lydia and Brian and Janene. We need your prayers again.<br />We have been so happy because Lydia has been doing so well, but she has another bump to get over in her journey through life.<br />Last week Janene noticed blood in her stool. They cultured it and found the bacteria she is susceptible to in her GI tract. Treatment was to be simple, antibiotics from home. But by Friday, Janene expressed concern that she wasn't getting better, but seemed to be getting worse. Brian was deer hunting with his brothers in law and gone for the weekend so Janene went to stay with her sister in Springville. Lydia developed a fever and was very uncomfortable so Janene brought her home on Sunday and called the doctor Monday morning. They said to bring her down and she would be admitted. As Janene's Mom my heart ached as she cried, all the emotions were triggered from past experiences and she dreaded going back to the hospital. We all felt though that Lydia was going in much stronger this time and that with some hydration and antibiotics she would be back on the road in no time.<br />After examination, a scan was taken and a diagnosis of Post Transplant Lymphomaproliferarose (PTLD). Some patients after transplant may develop this if exposed to the Ebstien Bar virus. It affects the lymphocites and they start growing very fast. Lydia's liver, speen, and stomach were very inlarged and her platelettes very low because of the disorder. Because it can lead to lymphoma, they did a bone marrow on Wednesday. The preliminary results have shown no cancer, but they will treat her with chemo to prevent more progress of the disease hopefully keep her from developing cancer. Becasuse her immune system is so compromised becasue of the anti rejection meds she has been on, they have had to stop those to help her body to fight this new disease. It is a balancing act to fight this and to keep her body from rejecting her liver.<br />So once again Lydia is fighting for her life. We are at a loss for words, yet hopeful and we know she is in the Lord's hands. He has blessed her and her family in so many ways and we are grateful for His blessings. You all have been part of those many blessings and we are grateful to you.<br />Lynn and I are so happy to have Janene and Brian staying with us at this time. I have loved being close to them and having the children come upstairs to hang out with us and to get to see them each day. It's been wonderful to see Lydia learning so much every day. She is so proud that she can stand by herself now. She is a happy child always making us laugh. We love her so much it breaks our hearts to see her suffer some more.<br />I will try to keep you all posted on any updates we get. Janene and Brian have their hands full right now trying to get their house finished, and taking care of the kids. Although I'm sure you will hear from them sometimes too.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04655580121895630273noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-90520193911595387282010-10-13T16:02:00.002-06:002010-10-13T16:04:06.922-06:00A Celebration of Gratitude!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpNNa_UMjoFb2VeXFkANliMIAQjqprt6F3-Aeb-O5n8uPqMapmc3cvjJjSdwq75AYV4ljVmC_11xzROZAgl_wqiekbdruhdNZn0o-GhpFBvhV0AOs0pTZGJGDh4xZgDWIyPPucdHJ_Ntf/s1600/057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpNNa_UMjoFb2VeXFkANliMIAQjqprt6F3-Aeb-O5n8uPqMapmc3cvjJjSdwq75AYV4ljVmC_11xzROZAgl_wqiekbdruhdNZn0o-GhpFBvhV0AOs0pTZGJGDh4xZgDWIyPPucdHJ_Ntf/s320/057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz8QDhnnCTjWFZpVyUCJYPq50M2VdIGTUUAPYTZMRW4TrhtYSYcFYsbBV86j_7277r0lo49feY70LSG63nxVtbhP0oF-kiFj0xEaIKWIYFLLzGUsvtxcG1EcJ-x7-xdlSoWK-DoTU_tEq/s1600/054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz8QDhnnCTjWFZpVyUCJYPq50M2VdIGTUUAPYTZMRW4TrhtYSYcFYsbBV86j_7277r0lo49feY70LSG63nxVtbhP0oF-kiFj0xEaIKWIYFLLzGUsvtxcG1EcJ-x7-xdlSoWK-DoTU_tEq/s320/054.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia turned two years old today. As we celebrate the first two years of her life, we have much to reflect on and much to be grateful for. We wish to thank all of the family members, friends and strangers who have eased our burdens through your prayers of faith, selfless service and generous contributions in behalf of Lydia and our family.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As Lydia's liver disease worsened, our hearts were touched and our burdens lightened many times by the "angels" who prayed for and helped our family. Countless family members, friends, neighbors, and people we don't know reached out to support and strenghten our family, and many continue to do so. We know that many, many prayers of faith have been offered for Lydia and our family. We have felt these prayers sustaining and strenthening us through the grace of God during these difficult times. Thank you for your prayers!! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tEHV3bOc63_aYSFmGACzS5CNidOuNlSzipaNJYBpDGpCNv_xjPWd_f6CautqPMYYZLBgGa_7lBiU9Cg58JuxmQaV65RkBGvTAKk8GNXj9JKSE34xew4n6ZLVym9K3VHiahF0v4K4mvbL/s1600/051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tEHV3bOc63_aYSFmGACzS5CNidOuNlSzipaNJYBpDGpCNv_xjPWd_f6CautqPMYYZLBgGa_7lBiU9Cg58JuxmQaV65RkBGvTAKk8GNXj9JKSE34xew4n6ZLVym9K3VHiahF0v4K4mvbL/s320/051.jpg" width="213" /></a>Many family members and ward members have helped us over and over again and continue to help us. We have felt comforted knowing our children were in good hands with the loving people who tended them while we took Lydia to the hospital. We have enjoyed many delicious meals that were prepared for us. We have recieved much help working on our house that we bought with the intentions to fix up before Lydia was born. Thank you for your long hours of selfless service!!</div>At Christmas time last year, we recieved many anonymous gifts and donations of money. We were also told at Christmas time that a fund had been set up in Lydia's name at Zion's bank. We were also invited to have Lydia be part of the amazing "Serve to Save" dinner put on by Vallley Elementary's 6th grade. The money that was so generously contributed to Lydia was a tremendous blessing to our family! Not only did they help greatly with Lydia's extensive hospital bills, but they lifted our spirits as we felt the love and concern of countless people. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_VJJ3L91OO0v1hA81pSC6BL4CW-vpWrQztyw_3zXOGUjlVd1p5Od5jD4041x4jSHavhbeMydrl2Th93jA6xUAYyGG5Yr6f8V57lxZw-QhsAMZTxH1F2NudCkRoH1YNVkSxJH-3Q4ZCa4/s1600/078-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_VJJ3L91OO0v1hA81pSC6BL4CW-vpWrQztyw_3zXOGUjlVd1p5Od5jD4041x4jSHavhbeMydrl2Th93jA6xUAYyGG5Yr6f8V57lxZw-QhsAMZTxH1F2NudCkRoH1YNVkSxJH-3Q4ZCa4/s320/078-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Now, at two years old and six months post-transplant, Lydia is doing great! Despite her serious complications and extended hospital stay from her transplant, she has not been sick or had to be hospitalized since she was released from her transplant. Her blood draws and doctor appointments are getting farther and farther apart as her liver numbers get more normal. She is progressing well in her physical and speech development which was delayed from all of her sicknesses. Yesterday I saw her take a few steps for the first time. Yeah! We feel very blessed and very grateful to be at this point of hope for Lydia. We know that our loving Heavenly Father saw our needs and sent us "angels" to ease our burdens during this trying time. You helped us immensely and our gratitude for you is overflowing. We wish to thank you dear angels from the bottom of our hearts!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With love,</div>Brian and Janene Christiansen<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxklt9woprk6bwvHyvfighETmVEA1CJH90fKX9FhUP41lXydccmMy0aH2EEHpX5WYyubuZo4-t7XSCoU1IwTvZY_oqcabBEcDs0lZi6N-hv3t_E2qtERY_3jx4IV_pWDP1t8oBBDM4TL4/s1600/133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxklt9woprk6bwvHyvfighETmVEA1CJH90fKX9FhUP41lXydccmMy0aH2EEHpX5WYyubuZo4-t7XSCoU1IwTvZY_oqcabBEcDs0lZi6N-hv3t_E2qtERY_3jx4IV_pWDP1t8oBBDM4TL4/s320/133.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacoPUOP1wKJXMri_2DAzjIjKUn11m3DUjt8NKgTHyrQOh1IBFWMcZxLPOekRDsViJcVb1kG0ykJ9Yisg4md2nf4srg3DQfO5xq0Kja3a3YKQy-78XshxQreVUsPNt2BCPmhcwknVSKP27/s1600/076-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacoPUOP1wKJXMri_2DAzjIjKUn11m3DUjt8NKgTHyrQOh1IBFWMcZxLPOekRDsViJcVb1kG0ykJ9Yisg4md2nf4srg3DQfO5xq0Kja3a3YKQy-78XshxQreVUsPNt2BCPmhcwknVSKP27/s320/076-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-54122954520584326682010-08-15T22:30:00.000-06:002010-08-15T22:30:15.850-06:00Back to SchoolSummer has come and gone in a flash for us. School starts this week for Spencer, Alyssa and Dallin. I'm not sure why they are starting so early since the school calendar doesn't show any extra time off mid year. I wish we had another week or two before they started. We went to back to school night on Wed. to meet their teachers. They seem like they will be great teachers and we are hopeful for a great year.<br />
Our family went to Bear Lake last weekend for a couple of days. My sister Lorraine's family went also. We stayed in a condo up there and had a fun little get-away. We swam at the pool, played at the lake and hiked through Minnetonka Cave. I had previously planned to keep Lydia away from the water because of her immunosuppression, but that wasn't very realistic as she saw all the fun and wanted to join in. Gratefully she didn't get sick from it. I am so pleasantly surprised that she has continued to stay well for this long. I am very thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed her to be so healthy. <br />
Lydia had an appt. on Monday at the liver clinic and again passed with flying colors. I didn't even feel any anxiety that we might have to stay this time. It feels great to know she is feeling and doing great. She is a very happy and fun little girl. She is excited about life and the world around her. It's amazing what a difference a healthy liver can make. The only rough part about the week was a rough blood draw. She needed to get an extra blood draw this week because her prograf (the main antirejection med) levels were too low. Our favorite phlebotomist was out of town for this second draw and we sorely missed her. It took two different phlebotomists and five pokes with lots of digging to find the veins to get the blood. Poor Lyds! She is a good sport though. She was crying and saying "ouch" through it, but when she was done she was all smiles again. <br />
Brian has been working very hard on our house. His stamina amazes me. He is there very late almost every night and all day on Saturdays and he gets up early every day to go to work. I am so thankful for his hard work for us. The demolition is almost all done and so is most of the electrical, sheetrocking and insulating. We've had a fun time with family, but I miss our ward and friends down there.<br />
p.s. No pictures because I've given up on my crummy camera. I asked for one for my birthday so we'll see what happens then. Lorraine took some at Bear Lake that she said she will send me, so I will post those ones when I get them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-14289950489515101532010-07-25T22:48:00.000-06:002010-07-25T22:48:35.768-06:00No news is good news Lydia has been doing so well that we are feeling that life is getting back to normal (ish). She is now crawling quite often instead of just scooting on her bum. She occasionally pulls herself up to standing. She is saying more sounds that are her attempt at words. She is swallowing more food and spitting it out less. She is happy and spunky. She knows what she wants and lets us know what it is one way or the other (points with grunts or throws a fit if she doesn't get it). It is fun to watch her be so excited about life and see her strong personality now that she feels better.<br />
Our family moved up to live at my parents house for a couple of months while we re-do our home. We intended to fix it up shortly after we moved in but it got put on hold as our "normal" life came to a screetching halt as we concentrated on Lydia's health. My parents have been very gracious and hospitable. My kids love being up here. It kind-of feels like a long vacation. <br />
Brian's been working hard most evenings and Saturday's to get our home done. He's a hard worker! I'm grateful for all that he does for our family.<br />
Spencer and Alyssa went on a week-long camping trip with some cousins from the Christiansen side. They had a great time shooting bows and guns, swimming, hiking, doing a service project and doing many other fun camping activities. We were grateful that they were able to go since our vacation plan this year was zilch-o. <br />
We are looking forward to enjoying many more healthy, happy summer days.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(Our camera takes terrible pictures so I don't know whether to include them or not, but here are some anyway.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4z3OlPAWrAPK0XvCnHhWNqyCsnwu3ZFgRkW5PnXmH4789nMUPyp9Y3hHq3Nd4M7JWUBr8w4fC2riqVt-iV7xNMfByWOrY0LlVAJ2QjagsFV1kXysZV7pOqPbBC2sN_JYN_wVZ1OtmF8_/s1600/P7080001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4z3OlPAWrAPK0XvCnHhWNqyCsnwu3ZFgRkW5PnXmH4789nMUPyp9Y3hHq3Nd4M7JWUBr8w4fC2riqVt-iV7xNMfByWOrY0LlVAJ2QjagsFV1kXysZV7pOqPbBC2sN_JYN_wVZ1OtmF8_/s320/P7080001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66LGAiuw0Spnqw6JWoKKyvGgmMY2A61GQ6Kl4fuFs2l_JnKnyaIMHVpi5yWj9dQSMxob7iKo9UH8AsylWqX4jo4HDxTumBaYVo5iuob0dSrv1aIgJ8yqkeuNqPG2e9EicU1am0cOfpK6K/s1600/P7080005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66LGAiuw0Spnqw6JWoKKyvGgmMY2A61GQ6Kl4fuFs2l_JnKnyaIMHVpi5yWj9dQSMxob7iKo9UH8AsylWqX4jo4HDxTumBaYVo5iuob0dSrv1aIgJ8yqkeuNqPG2e9EicU1am0cOfpK6K/s320/P7080005.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-90315485945164403452010-07-08T23:22:00.000-06:002010-07-08T23:22:17.067-06:00Tender MerciesYesterday was the three month anniverary of Lydia's liver transplant. We have had such a huge tender mercy from Heavenly Father that she has stayed healthy enough to stay out of the hospital up to this point! Now if she goes back in the hospital she will be covered under our regular insurance coverage instead of the 500K maximum allowed for her transplant and three months post-transplant. With her transplant complications and extended hospital stay she neared the top of that maximum. I really thought she would be in before now with how often she was admitted before the transplant and the rough go she had with her transplant. <br />
Thank you Dr. Book, Dr. Scaife, Corrinne and all of the excellent medical staff at Primary Children's Medical Center who have worked so hard for Lydia. We are so grateful for your knowledge, your skills and your caring that you have given to heal our Lyds!! We are especially thankful to our Heavenly Father for the countless blessings He has blessed Lydia and our family with!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-91313461132188741532010-07-04T20:18:00.004-06:002010-07-04T22:04:58.172-06:00Almost There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5g45QZBxxgEtMTyi5I6w0E018TW9HxM0wWww3EoZMqyAhiD9SljngLBcTXbMvja5DIFkMIWg-YhAA0Quo6rJwlPa3rDxM_LCZW9b-FYuBesJSvBqGrsj36Y3TA12WsVzJrz6-pumZJ1Z/s1600/P7030065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5g45QZBxxgEtMTyi5I6w0E018TW9HxM0wWww3EoZMqyAhiD9SljngLBcTXbMvja5DIFkMIWg-YhAA0Quo6rJwlPa3rDxM_LCZW9b-FYuBesJSvBqGrsj36Y3TA12WsVzJrz6-pumZJ1Z/s320/P7030065.JPG" /></a></div>Our insurance problems are over with on July 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. It has been hard to not take Lydia out places <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">because</span> of this fear of getting stuck with a large bill. It has been a blessing at how healthy she has been. That makes us want to take her out, but we don't want her to get sick and end up at the hospital. I dread the day she has to go back to the hospital. I know that she will have to some day. It is just the nature of the beast. <br />
It has been a relief having the transplant done. I must say though that it still take a long time to care for her. It gets better and better each day. She is just starting to crawl. She has been scooting around funny for a while. This makes her able to entertain herself so much more. She loves to just scoot down the hall and go into the kids rooms to find fun things to play with.<br />
We took her to church today for the first time since the transplant. It was so nice to finally be there all together as a family. I must say she was the nosiest kid in sacrament meeting. <br />
The amount of doctor visits and medicine are slowly decreasing. We started <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">therapy</span> for her eating <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">disorder</span>. Hopefully we can really get down to business with the next visit. She chews up everything we give her. She still will only swallow water. We think that she is swallowing some things more and more but it is really hard to say with how much she spits up. One day she will get it down. Since everything that has happened to her seems to be slow I am just going to mentally deposit in my brain that this will take a long time also. It makes me less frustrated when I do that.Brian Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330457545125550658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-25101828769784927102010-06-24T17:20:00.001-06:002010-06-24T17:37:55.682-06:00Happy girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjXKDFJ6dDrP6UM9V80khcDczAMv_gjeRr3KcCKXYs7j6PDTU-QwsqbLfJB7eVIYMQ9WC3dsl2J9laFMxMdUWbdX477Qp0-MbhQBJc2xxJwCFw8d4t3tuvF-9ZeZmRDY8NP67eNS5aGvM/s1600/P6150023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjXKDFJ6dDrP6UM9V80khcDczAMv_gjeRr3KcCKXYs7j6PDTU-QwsqbLfJB7eVIYMQ9WC3dsl2J9laFMxMdUWbdX477Qp0-MbhQBJc2xxJwCFw8d4t3tuvF-9ZeZmRDY8NP67eNS5aGvM/s320/P6150023.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79ZC5i0LO1ONpEp-6ABvuTqmoSWGlC2cLKTZh636Ra9hl1jbNuMU5VuhVV2_rdkt1K91hSaEfjtS5lPl60xYkmTQiNcprTfuhRaxTjw3GOEk-KofMAU_CYJpp7f61gN026kH7PLncUawY/s1600/P6150019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79ZC5i0LO1ONpEp-6ABvuTqmoSWGlC2cLKTZh636Ra9hl1jbNuMU5VuhVV2_rdkt1K91hSaEfjtS5lPl60xYkmTQiNcprTfuhRaxTjw3GOEk-KofMAU_CYJpp7f61gN026kH7PLncUawY/s320/P6150019.JPG" /></a></div>We took Lydia to see her grandpa's on Father's Day. She really loves both of her grandpa's a lot. She loves them to hold her and play with her. I love to watch them interact with her. She has mostly been homebound because of her immunosuppression, but we felt she was pretty safe on Sun. because one get-together was outside and there were no extra people at the other grandpa's. In a couple of weeks she will be 3 months post-transplant which means we will be past our insurance transplant max so we won't have to worry so much about money if she gets hospitalized. If she continues to do well, they will start weaning her immunosuppression meds about then also so we will feel somewhat safer taking her around others. <br />
We had another successful G.I. visit on Mon. She cried less at her blood draw than in the previous weeks. The phlebotomists were able to get the blood they needed in two pokes instead of three. Dr. Book and the team were happy with how she is doing. They needed to adjust her Prograf (anti-rejection med) because that level was high. They also changed her feeding schedule to try to get her hungry more so she will want to start drinking more than water and eventually learn to eat food. It's been nice to have her disconnected from her food pack for chunks of time during the day so she can scoot around easier. She is getting around faster and get frustrated when her food pack limits her range of motion. She has been getting up on her hands and knees occasionally this week. It is so exciting to see her get stronger and progress.<br />
I took her to Davis hospital last week to get her blood drawn. I was nervous for this because we previously haven't had good experiences with blood labs other than PCMC for Lydia. It went great though. The phlebotomist was able to get all the blood with the first poke. I will continue to take her there on the in-between weeks when she doesn't have an appointment down at PCMC. This will be a big help to not have to go to S.L.C. each time.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's been great to have the older kids home! They have been great helplers with Lydia and other things. Alyssa cleaned out the fridge for me the other day. She volunteered to take Lydia on a walk this morning. She seems happier to have a sister that she can play with and interact with more. Spencer and Dallin also love to play with her and Lydia loves playing with all of them.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSLDLCmCN2zOKjG1Xzjum6Lj8jxjo8PKvar00fFtx3lNPt8y8EtxJupc4N9b50YjNuLqMjrRwcfMRba4zSr4EeOQ9DoMSkUucQqGkIzxtYxVDwYXPbQxcSeQw4EJiWMDV6NVT2VKv6Jye/s1600/P6220050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSLDLCmCN2zOKjG1Xzjum6Lj8jxjo8PKvar00fFtx3lNPt8y8EtxJupc4N9b50YjNuLqMjrRwcfMRba4zSr4EeOQ9DoMSkUucQqGkIzxtYxVDwYXPbQxcSeQw4EJiWMDV6NVT2VKv6Jye/s320/P6220050.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-99sZ6KbZ6EL4qL4Bv8Q9yiSMAovUlDTBo83iFgGU0dY43pRi2BQOqOaneAZsQmAjWRFM9fZnqMFiMmOAOOARHYIWjZWe3npKFRSyMLnarkZo1fQXh8H4dwyGlj4wmq0n2kJZkX2rJ2x6/s1600/P6220053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-99sZ6KbZ6EL4qL4Bv8Q9yiSMAovUlDTBo83iFgGU0dY43pRi2BQOqOaneAZsQmAjWRFM9fZnqMFiMmOAOOARHYIWjZWe3npKFRSyMLnarkZo1fQXh8H4dwyGlj4wmq0n2kJZkX2rJ2x6/s320/P6220053.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-24630851358146065602010-06-14T20:05:00.002-06:002010-06-14T20:08:40.725-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TNjb6A_OcLN4Ms8UbZ4a4-oiO3AJ-1p1n-weeoqkTMjZ557CxNiY65eFoSl0SgXcmTAZE9aHhUSGFDam4HzjJXhb3vPGlobwen5ZmXFe3MPY7aZL6R5P-MoWJ5vW87RkHrAyY4N1BmpJ/s1600/P6040004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TNjb6A_OcLN4Ms8UbZ4a4-oiO3AJ-1p1n-weeoqkTMjZ557CxNiY65eFoSl0SgXcmTAZE9aHhUSGFDam4HzjJXhb3vPGlobwen5ZmXFe3MPY7aZL6R5P-MoWJ5vW87RkHrAyY4N1BmpJ/s320/P6040004.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4aVpekCLlA3MG5wIgmFaXdtgDnK15ByQeFI-65OXTXAdyTQqpb71BkU0Sosb7xQna5Ax7QQwR2SikTRM2e_9ojmx2fUmNmmMp2tV6l508Su7ZIE482gyY7QZG0HwKza-WXE7Xb3DI0-r/s1600/P6060020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4aVpekCLlA3MG5wIgmFaXdtgDnK15ByQeFI-65OXTXAdyTQqpb71BkU0Sosb7xQna5Ax7QQwR2SikTRM2e_9ojmx2fUmNmmMp2tV6l508Su7ZIE482gyY7QZG0HwKza-WXE7Xb3DI0-r/s320/P6060020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0E4nfOk0lGhENegWNwaSGZKerhvk5yIASrhHfQOBF7HYNa1SADgN9EcdPXnZVy2QbDyHeN33wEvCvCQCYkG2V45p_Ll_PJtN1RJjszWUlPTBPRU_R0FG9sWFK8um_yk8_OXPrC4QHzDQ/s1600/P6060021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0E4nfOk0lGhENegWNwaSGZKerhvk5yIASrhHfQOBF7HYNa1SADgN9EcdPXnZVy2QbDyHeN33wEvCvCQCYkG2V45p_Ll_PJtN1RJjszWUlPTBPRU_R0FG9sWFK8um_yk8_OXPrC4QHzDQ/s320/P6060021.JPG" /></a></div>Lydia is continuing to do great! She had a swallow test last week to see if she was still aspirating into her lungs. She passed with flying colors. Yeah!! She is now free to have all the water that she wants. We will start having early intervention come to teach her how to eat. Her GI clinic visits are now every two weeks instead of every week. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She gave us a little scare last week. Brian was supporting her back as she was standing up to the coffee table. Her legs gave way suddenly and she fell with one leg bent underneath her. She cried hard for a while and woke up a couple of times in the night crying with pain. In the morning, she cried if her leg was moved a certain way. I was afraid she broke it or dislocated her hip. I took her to get x-rays. Gratefully it wasn't broken and has continued to get better over the past few days. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5Gk7dJ5WfyPwBPy4n3EBcIM5qPKHuRVZm8suILsc_xpBHbqI4MXuIpZI2CuJqTSEpQeqnAo_Uj9B8Wt4iQQp_Cqrq3FzEo11HCBDBoqEEoizv_9RVAJkxuuZZ6uD6h2Lr7gx1i49acTJ/s1600/P6120031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5Gk7dJ5WfyPwBPy4n3EBcIM5qPKHuRVZm8suILsc_xpBHbqI4MXuIpZI2CuJqTSEpQeqnAo_Uj9B8Wt4iQQp_Cqrq3FzEo11HCBDBoqEEoizv_9RVAJkxuuZZ6uD6h2Lr7gx1i49acTJ/s320/P6120031.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD47mbTzyPUE_B01wZHcoN8062LpdQw6qn73GhILEAzQfJNQtPmnsfDrWnkNWBNYBVU-k9alPz7SlgRKtjarOhE2n4gWSiqk6-NdLZmC6cOObiI7SBO3hB1MqRqtId6bU0r8O910W9iJA6/s1600/P6120027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD47mbTzyPUE_B01wZHcoN8062LpdQw6qn73GhILEAzQfJNQtPmnsfDrWnkNWBNYBVU-k9alPz7SlgRKtjarOhE2n4gWSiqk6-NdLZmC6cOObiI7SBO3hB1MqRqtId6bU0r8O910W9iJA6/s320/P6120027.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia loves to play with the kids, take walks in the stroller outside, watch the kids play outside, play in the tub and scoot around the house on her bum. One day the kids were pulling her around the trampoline on a blanket. She loved it and the have since pulled her around the house on a blanket. She laughs and smiles almost all the time. We're so happy that she is feeling so much better and that she is so happy. </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJLAX_yPIhbRdXHIx-EHLRM3z7cM7Q7p3PrKU7wVkTQ4iEyEjZoCbmyWrWjW5CHLm38i4omIaysVZ6NtUfRQ4_zGkDaVg1-yKTGXucjxA4MzbXmRC99g5sY-HBo3vRPifiDrZvTE83TQS/s1600/P6050007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJLAX_yPIhbRdXHIx-EHLRM3z7cM7Q7p3PrKU7wVkTQ4iEyEjZoCbmyWrWjW5CHLm38i4omIaysVZ6NtUfRQ4_zGkDaVg1-yKTGXucjxA4MzbXmRC99g5sY-HBo3vRPifiDrZvTE83TQS/s320/P6050007.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LebmQ3yils0Qx3Ktb7G3RGtu1WzTJ_Ago68jc_5KazZjMgJwVgmA-OOKlpBdI_2Un2W02wX8K0PX5kCVnN7CD4pXYtAdSLwnbJVXeOt3qJHr8vhnM1qmsmoUsrQNb8wi8GcMTZ8A9V7b/s1600/P6050008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LebmQ3yils0Qx3Ktb7G3RGtu1WzTJ_Ago68jc_5KazZjMgJwVgmA-OOKlpBdI_2Un2W02wX8K0PX5kCVnN7CD4pXYtAdSLwnbJVXeOt3qJHr8vhnM1qmsmoUsrQNb8wi8GcMTZ8A9V7b/s320/P6050008.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-5fZ4k1631Xf1TJ_mbPFsPAnip0r0pZZmGYgzYP9118VMjrfYosdPxr-tUt3u2Ry6VyzJU-P2jRmnEXF-5ARNBlVbGzNtU3RdhaZekU7IjMOvIZ9TME9ce4b5sskERTLygo21SCNW_so/s1600/P6050016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-5fZ4k1631Xf1TJ_mbPFsPAnip0r0pZZmGYgzYP9118VMjrfYosdPxr-tUt3u2Ry6VyzJU-P2jRmnEXF-5ARNBlVbGzNtU3RdhaZekU7IjMOvIZ9TME9ce4b5sskERTLygo21SCNW_so/s320/P6050016.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EBsYztDcXWe8lNjgTly-jBYjwy8NblP9VrwFZxb2oyavdZtXTpZht4ssNaSGjRzwlNNkj9C4etrjaLwg_cgj2j-r8qrs9cGQ6DXn8GLVZUQ63jUO01gC0opYvGd2Zk_DoLXzxJYenWaX/s1600/P6050009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EBsYztDcXWe8lNjgTly-jBYjwy8NblP9VrwFZxb2oyavdZtXTpZht4ssNaSGjRzwlNNkj9C4etrjaLwg_cgj2j-r8qrs9cGQ6DXn8GLVZUQ63jUO01gC0opYvGd2Zk_DoLXzxJYenWaX/s320/P6050009.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-29151611840486611242010-06-08T22:21:00.001-06:002010-06-08T22:21:46.498-06:00Fun at the Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqJpDBs9lLTYppZ04xmeq2yxNG_lX4LN__JmTXuJwgHF49nDwqPyjS281Hzh_nHcQSJ2B1z-kjMtybmRGwadrywoTB_4jMzJgWHLE5AxrYrqUrl0uffKkfFkkFTQD_dLEfzqepE1FE2e_/s1600/Photo-0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqJpDBs9lLTYppZ04xmeq2yxNG_lX4LN__JmTXuJwgHF49nDwqPyjS281Hzh_nHcQSJ2B1z-kjMtybmRGwadrywoTB_4jMzJgWHLE5AxrYrqUrl0uffKkfFkkFTQD_dLEfzqepE1FE2e_/s320/Photo-0039.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurZDl2XCowD39dYKAcaZp3BVhE7UZ5FSAq2Y5-SnE-X6I1LGKJFZig6dMWB5fWig5naBTW87cRt7uPH4bYNadGIirzgTC9jjedS2GZimPrMCQWe7vX4cJzHy-WSJ1f5c9PSfqalPOCwMN/s1600/Photo-0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurZDl2XCowD39dYKAcaZp3BVhE7UZ5FSAq2Y5-SnE-X6I1LGKJFZig6dMWB5fWig5naBTW87cRt7uPH4bYNadGIirzgTC9jjedS2GZimPrMCQWe7vX4cJzHy-WSJ1f5c9PSfqalPOCwMN/s320/Photo-0031.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4de3VTy8q1HToc8kZRs2cx4fWjYBh-GFhhSpM7ioe_5jak3Rw6-aFifGKEd3UbX68C9QoX3y-47RvxHK809jkXJn6Vkz92oqedJfclEtH2sRmVCT1ocIsJyas0fRitLbn0gqA2hFAQ-Ft/s1600/Photo-0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4de3VTy8q1HToc8kZRs2cx4fWjYBh-GFhhSpM7ioe_5jak3Rw6-aFifGKEd3UbX68C9QoX3y-47RvxHK809jkXJn6Vkz92oqedJfclEtH2sRmVCT1ocIsJyas0fRitLbn0gqA2hFAQ-Ft/s320/Photo-0029.jpg" /></a></div>Lydia's Uncle Aaron and aunt Lyndee tended her on Friday evening while the rest of our family went to the zoo for "dreamnight". When Lydia was in the hospital for her transplant, Primary Children's gave us tickets for this fun evening. There was dinner, facepainting, kids zoo packets and mascots along with all the great animals to see. We got a flat tire on the way, but Brian was quick to remedy this and taught the kids about tire changing. He's a great teacher to them. We all had a great time at the zoo. It was kind of a trial run to see how Lydia would do with others. Brian's work has a Lagoon day coming up at the end of the month that we are looking forward to and we wanted to leave her with someone. She had been tended by both grandma's earlier in the week and did great, but she's used to them. She surprisingly did great with Aaron and Lyndee too. This means we can leave her more with others.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-12568875847853380242010-06-03T23:20:00.003-06:002010-06-03T23:22:48.509-06:00BYE BYE PIC-LINEOur friend Nancy (home healthcare nurse) came and pulled Lydia's pic-line today (under Dr. Books orders, of coarse). Lydia's anti-rejection meds have been stable enough to move to once a week labs instead of twice a week. As much as I hate having her get poked for blood draws, I hate having her in the hospital for infection worse. The pic-line is a source for risk of infection so we are happy it's gone, especially now that we have been out of the hospital for three full weeks tomorrow. Lydia will also be glad to get to put her arm down into the bath water. As soon as her incision wound is healed enough, she will be able to have a full-blown fun, splashy bath. Her voice is getting much stronger and her oxygen levels have been much better so hopefully this means her lungs are continuing to heal. She will have another swallow study test next week to see if she doesn't aspirate any more. We have gotten several good blood pressures so the doctors have started to wean two of the blood pressure meds. She seems to be doing great!<br />
Spencer, Alyssa and Dallin have their last day of school tomorrow. Me, Parker and Lydia will really enjoy having them home for the summer. It will be more people for Parker and Lydia to play with, more help for me and less worrying about germs brought home from school (another big source for possible infection). Welcome summer!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-46759464650382477792010-05-26T21:26:00.000-06:002010-05-26T21:26:15.564-06:00<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15eQadVGZi9krAXcyLKKP5o5kujA-ZCh_SbDQSAszsvs0MrK-HGSbXP3zSkbQUIlSp0UA_nQ_j6CeZreWW-L95pVfxm9SVYsPQtqkVpyD1n9POQR8KOW7e6OF5_hJ0MhpzptUNnSivd7w/s1600/P5240007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15eQadVGZi9krAXcyLKKP5o5kujA-ZCh_SbDQSAszsvs0MrK-HGSbXP3zSkbQUIlSp0UA_nQ_j6CeZreWW-L95pVfxm9SVYsPQtqkVpyD1n9POQR8KOW7e6OF5_hJ0MhpzptUNnSivd7w/s320/P5240007.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4lgeZ44ds8Qo5AaHdL_L9HpCtT5rk6LUyJ_onUnxz-1e0kzT575eY86urIi_qYCw4UAcFQTBwoXawIeU6UkNf5MTltTGvV30ELwkKkVGWYSUo1L-at1p_wRIZPuQfUzt9Ljzq2wMWOc8/s1600/P5240004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4lgeZ44ds8Qo5AaHdL_L9HpCtT5rk6LUyJ_onUnxz-1e0kzT575eY86urIi_qYCw4UAcFQTBwoXawIeU6UkNf5MTltTGvV30ELwkKkVGWYSUo1L-at1p_wRIZPuQfUzt9Ljzq2wMWOc8/s320/P5240004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lydia "passed" both of her appointments this week with flying colors. The nurse at the kidney clinic was able to get a good blood pressure so the doctor started to wean one of the blood pressure meds. I felt a little anxious on Tues. that her blood labs or something else might show something that would keep her there. I felt relieved when we were driving home. Lydia was happy to go home also. For as much anxiety as I get about being there, she must have much more (and rightfully so)! She was instantly unhappy when the medical people would touch her. Dr. Book said she was doing great compared to where she was a few weeks ago. The wound from her incision is continuing to heal, her voice is getting stronger and her liver enzymes are getting closer to normal. Yeah, keep healing Lyds! You are a fighter and a winner!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJk-GxsybcOJm9lkQG6nrkeORqrqEgUSHh7D4YwB8gviwnsMNPM0dqYJvlPYS4IfuR5ZmXZwT3DIdOIwpbS-QlSf-C8m7_um28MIsKHxxkR4UspsT_Db4SXf_wCXsOs0cFHlHss0ywcRF/s1600/P5230002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJk-GxsybcOJm9lkQG6nrkeORqrqEgUSHh7D4YwB8gviwnsMNPM0dqYJvlPYS4IfuR5ZmXZwT3DIdOIwpbS-QlSf-C8m7_um28MIsKHxxkR4UspsT_Db4SXf_wCXsOs0cFHlHss0ywcRF/s320/P5230002.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6M1e8KTlWAWysRdEHIXqGhFOpLx5LsKtqy2bKP6s3lKjyxfrDyPcMgBl1A8ca-woemLXYwSDA6ucAQZVNCztSktpbVWNXXHGZ_HWQCES9OnxazD1kLLEJ9mUAHGWP2mU8oLRPN8a9yGGo/s1600/P5230001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6M1e8KTlWAWysRdEHIXqGhFOpLx5LsKtqy2bKP6s3lKjyxfrDyPcMgBl1A8ca-woemLXYwSDA6ucAQZVNCztSktpbVWNXXHGZ_HWQCES9OnxazD1kLLEJ9mUAHGWP2mU8oLRPN8a9yGGo/s320/P5230001.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-46747341612798834672010-05-23T21:46:00.001-06:002010-05-23T21:47:36.706-06:008 Days Home - Yeah!!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-W63JtUaBwfqVElKXWoHwSBMtnkYIShQdm-7f0G3nHKUQYSA9uTov5g8qSDDoWMKSdyehPnjEJuY9-odnwoyI5c7nQB6YTbuUyAthblEFrIErov5WK5y7KCnFZClqDsEk-LYvQG_NLHD/s1600/P5220012-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-W63JtUaBwfqVElKXWoHwSBMtnkYIShQdm-7f0G3nHKUQYSA9uTov5g8qSDDoWMKSdyehPnjEJuY9-odnwoyI5c7nQB6YTbuUyAthblEFrIErov5WK5y7KCnFZClqDsEk-LYvQG_NLHD/s320/P5220012-1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kocu1TMvfsp8glMoMyev7W13oFmTXxo6IdOqGuOoTceYafPet8XI4wZCD1AKm7UVfZKvXqqY9ZRU-5JQvYOBpFlbL9iRXSibs1u6ZVammf3tFf3kTMkodVvJ9_ml0kdo212YayAit-yp/s1600/P5220010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kocu1TMvfsp8glMoMyev7W13oFmTXxo6IdOqGuOoTceYafPet8XI4wZCD1AKm7UVfZKvXqqY9ZRU-5JQvYOBpFlbL9iRXSibs1u6ZVammf3tFf3kTMkodVvJ9_ml0kdo212YayAit-yp/s320/P5220010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXE-0pytYz7d4SQade5FKde-BdH_NDO7CpEKSsIWiDFCZvgvcV_CRT_JiIQiO5uu55XqlwTFdfrZssfakK7bkljCldv-55BkaFAnpR9dW4qmcDwcETzp_CErHdAEzBwtCP60U7qOz3Sak/s1600/P5220003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXE-0pytYz7d4SQade5FKde-BdH_NDO7CpEKSsIWiDFCZvgvcV_CRT_JiIQiO5uu55XqlwTFdfrZssfakK7bkljCldv-55BkaFAnpR9dW4qmcDwcETzp_CErHdAEzBwtCP60U7qOz3Sak/s320/P5220003.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2UcMzSQ1xfByltVdFdSPO6TYl6fQ0C2O3Fx4sxbjMvMc7_cDDdKvb3QfjL3mSGi0xXbqkt5zOeJcGkXoX179fWjeP8ALYisPHPwl2-pUSlBFfaCuQpbxf3mjFbJbFCdeBEljbBQuAwKW/s1600/P5220006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2UcMzSQ1xfByltVdFdSPO6TYl6fQ0C2O3Fx4sxbjMvMc7_cDDdKvb3QfjL3mSGi0xXbqkt5zOeJcGkXoX179fWjeP8ALYisPHPwl2-pUSlBFfaCuQpbxf3mjFbJbFCdeBEljbBQuAwKW/s320/P5220006.JPG" /></a></div>It has felt fantastic to be home together for over a week. The kids had fun dressing up in Alyssa'a dress-ups today. Lydia's throwing up drastically decreased every day since Wednesday. She didn't throw up at all today. She also took a longer nap today than 20 minutes. Yeah! Spencer, Alyssa, Dallin and Parker are very good sports about not getting as much of our time because of the time that Lydia requires. They love her very much and are good helpers with her. I am so blessed to have such great children! I have worried a lot about not meeting all of their needs during the past year and a half. Hopefully in the time ahead I will be able to work on and strengthen my relationship with each of them. Tomorrow Lydia has an appt. with the kidney doctor, then a G.I. clinic visit on Tues. Hopefully after that we'll be able to just hunker down at home again for several days. Her immunosuppression meds are really high right now so we're keeping her home and away from germies as much as possible until they can wean those meds more. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCe9mqIUUwmS_gFXRwUtIQxdcbLRyADZvBclIFF3LftOQ343G26-wzpeVLKRzc9Lgyt-4PQg-eWELd0bOvt2hRF4E4oM427CJ4TbMElE_FoP_B59FA8cdoe1SHAYC_0-6Csuc4bTCVY0j/s1600/P5220013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCe9mqIUUwmS_gFXRwUtIQxdcbLRyADZvBclIFF3LftOQ343G26-wzpeVLKRzc9Lgyt-4PQg-eWELd0bOvt2hRF4E4oM427CJ4TbMElE_FoP_B59FA8cdoe1SHAYC_0-6Csuc4bTCVY0j/s320/P5220013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfREk65IFt2snrje9la9MpdfwKnpL6ODU44vwMKR0Ga0rXJK0olyPsibJ0ZPCWUyELT7OUpx1aho101ajKKvgzmthsfw85J2HxIGYf5BywUkOfex3vgwDOYYZ2hnTqWTKfQdwOz41gGUST/s1600/P5220002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfREk65IFt2snrje9la9MpdfwKnpL6ODU44vwMKR0Ga0rXJK0olyPsibJ0ZPCWUyELT7OUpx1aho101ajKKvgzmthsfw85J2HxIGYf5BywUkOfex3vgwDOYYZ2hnTqWTKfQdwOz41gGUST/s320/P5220002.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-704725896578086603.post-29879985225415205232010-05-20T23:13:00.000-06:002010-05-20T23:13:03.002-06:00Too happy to nap<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrA6cqQHX7CAAxgAbX9e4VvjF86yEVEIexgwDRV9LwZjS1Kcl1WQrA1JKPZp0Ioo27ZQVP7ftlJF3qIwTBF9zICv9viM6Dtj52v80rIwLyr5RaVHmLSkehcaepZT3OPz5leUwfph6SQ4s/s1600/P5180014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrA6cqQHX7CAAxgAbX9e4VvjF86yEVEIexgwDRV9LwZjS1Kcl1WQrA1JKPZp0Ioo27ZQVP7ftlJF3qIwTBF9zICv9viM6Dtj52v80rIwLyr5RaVHmLSkehcaepZT3OPz5leUwfph6SQ4s/s320/P5180014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGZz-Xbipj4pGG8ToUsFgE-LH5H4N1Nn-aYfZACgEDs_abq5s7cJMFs2WpaaS6Q-EmrlTB_c_EdLu__ek8D3_4vCzWgfIjXM7E7wh6811qf48yjKBIoMeescfOV2o-FoNdxyyalhldVL1/s1600/P5190040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGZz-Xbipj4pGG8ToUsFgE-LH5H4N1Nn-aYfZACgEDs_abq5s7cJMFs2WpaaS6Q-EmrlTB_c_EdLu__ek8D3_4vCzWgfIjXM7E7wh6811qf48yjKBIoMeescfOV2o-FoNdxyyalhldVL1/s320/P5190040.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It has been wonderful to be home doing the "regular" home things the past couple of days. Our colds are on the mend and we seem to be getting back in the groove family life at the Christiansen home. I have loved being able to do chores with Parker and read stories to him. I have loved being able to listen to how the kids day was at school and be with them for the evenings. I have loved chit-chatting with Brian on the phone at lunch time, getting a welcome-home-from-work kiss and enjoying excellent foot and back rubs from him. I have loved watching the kids play with Lydia and make her laugh. I think she is having so much fun here that she doesn't want to take naps. She napped for about 20 min. yesterday and today, but at least she is sleeping good at night. She had a rough throw-up day yesterday. We had tried switching her to a different formula and she threw up continuously causing her to get dehydrated. I thought we'd be spending the night at PCMC last night, but gratefully her Dr. Book and the nurse gave us a good plan for trying to rehydrate her at home. It seems to have worked. She has had a much better day today. Yeah for being home! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzP65GNpiVdM-f95rhij5BvJ9PAp08_9Xo_xErkuVmNvB2enGq7oEfbl3xH2etotVMVPpm1k2ivtdIHofOYSUjwGo-9ProHvJe63PrFTwdtBgxWGdnB_Cf8Wc9lGYBdh1GOhESOZdq6mR/s1600/P5190042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzP65GNpiVdM-f95rhij5BvJ9PAp08_9Xo_xErkuVmNvB2enGq7oEfbl3xH2etotVMVPpm1k2ivtdIHofOYSUjwGo-9ProHvJe63PrFTwdtBgxWGdnB_Cf8Wc9lGYBdh1GOhESOZdq6mR/s320/P5190042.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5