Gearing up!

This is the month, Surgery day is close at hand. We have many things to get done, to be ready for the big day and the long days that will follow. We have one Pre-op physical down and tomorrow Steven and I will go donate blood for her surgery. We wish we could take all of this off of her, but since that isn't an option we are trying to take away what we can. We have a couple of more appointments before the big day.
She is doing well, and is preparing herself for all of this. She asks many questions and we try to answer all we can. We have looked up on the internet about other girls who have gone through this it has been very positive.
Thank you for all the prayers and love that you have all sent out way. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!!

The Next Step

We received a call today, and Lizzie's surgery has been scheduled for February 29th. Sometimes this just seems so unreal. We have so much to do to get ready for surgery day. She needs to get a full physical from her doctor. We need to have a pre-0p appointment. We have to go in an have 2 units of blood taken for her before her surgery. I asked if Steven and I could do that for her or did it need to be her. I just have to have proof that we have the same blood type. I want to take all of this from her, but since that isn't possible I will do what ever I can to lessen the load on this adventure.
We are very grateful for all the love prayers and concern you have all sent. We ask you to continue to hold Lizzie in your hearts and prayers. Also asking for prayers for the surgeon and all who will be assisting in her operation.
Thanks again.

A New Adventure

Here we are 2012 we have some new adventures heading our way. Though we know with prayer and faith everything will turn out as it should.
We have decided to Share one of these adventures with others in hopes that our story can help those who may have to have the same adventure. We decided to use the word adventure instead of trial, so we can keep a positive attitude about it all.
So I guess we will start at the beginning......
Whenever the children go in for a check-up or physical we have them checked for Scoliosis (a curvature of the spine), we have it in our family. Though this last November we did not get the results we thought we would. Elizabeth was showing signs of curvature and we were sent to get X-RAYS. I was able to go with her, and the tech had me stand behind the wall with him. I was able to see the X-RAYS as the came up. My heart dropped I could tell this was not good news! Luckily we have a Doctor at the hospital that we are really close too, he lives with us, We were able to go up to his office and he checked out the X-RAYS and my feeling were valid when he said yes this is not good.
That same night our doctor called and said she had put in a referral for her to be seen by a Pediatric Orthopedic. She received a blessing and we waited for our appointment with the Doctor.
For those of you who know me I don't like to go in blind, so I did alot of research on the Internet, while Steven was doing his own at the hospital. There are many ways to help with this, though the one that we really didn't want to have done was Surgery!!
December 22 we went in to see the Doctor. And his recommendation was the one we didn't want to hear. Lizzie's curvature degree was HIGH!!! And I knew through my research that with those degree's Surgery was her best option. This was not the news we wanted to hear right before Christmas.
There have been many tears, and many prayers!! We know that the Lord will be with us through this!
On January 7th Lizzie went in for an MRI, she did really well, she had to lay still for nearly 2 hours. She was so brave, and she didn't have to have any of the tests redone.
So now we are waiting for January 12 to go back to the Orthopedic to find out those results and get set up for the surgery. I am extremely grateful for my wonderful friends and family who have kept Lizzie and us in their prayers!! I am so grateful for all the support and the line up up help for us during all of this. What a blessing!!
We ask all of you who read this to also keep Lizzie in your thoughts and prayers!!
We will keep you updated!!

Pictures

I finally got some pictures of the kids, well three of them so I thought I better sit down and post them. Now if I can get the other two to let me take pics of them.

Every one is doing great.

Lizzie started piano this week. She asked to take lessons. I am excited for her. I hope she enjoys it, I know she will do well.

We went to a family reunion this past weekend, and had a great time!! Wish it could have lasted a bit longer though. Though poor Ben came home with nice gash in his head, and poor Hannah was covered in bug bites. She didn't think she needed bug spray. OOPS!

Now I need to get pics of the other two and get them posted as well. Sorry I haven't been good at keeping this up to date.

Summer

We have had a wonderful busy summer. We were lucky enough to make a quick trip up to Charleston for my Mom's surprise birthday party!! I was so happy that we had managed to keep it a secret. Well at least I hope so. It was fun to see everyone and celebrate with her.
We have been keeping at the pool, but that is the only way to beat the heat. No Zoo this summer way to hot. Especially when you wake up some days to 90 degree weather. WHEW
For 2 weeks in July we were lucky enough to have Felicia and Jeffrey (sister-in-law and nephew) come and stay with us. We had a great time and would have gladly kept them for the whole summer!!
Steven's mom came to visit for a couple of days in July, she was here for Steven's birthday and I know he was so happy cause she made his birthday cake. Her cakes are truly a little bit of heaven. YUMMY
We have been blessed to have Steven around a little more than usual. He took some leave in July and went to NC to help his brother get settled in. We are so excited to have more family close around. The boys went up with Steven and got to see their cousins, they had a great time and they keep talking about when they get to see them again.
We have a couple of weeks left before school starts again and are playing one more trip to Charleston. I have loved spending some good quality time with my children. Not really ready for school to start again. BLAH!! Here is to 3 more weeks of summer.

I hate when that happens!!

We had a wonderful quick trip to SC for my Mom's Surprise 25 Birthday Party (hee hee). It was a great time. She didn't know we were coming and I think we all did a great job of keeping it a secret. My sister-in-law Felicia did an amazing job of planning and setting up for this party. (We are all truly blessed to have her in our family) Lots of family and friends were here. We had the party at the county park, where there was plenty to keep the kids busy.
Ok and why did I title it I hate when that Happens, First finally I remember to bring the camera (well almost forgot but turned around and got it) and I remembered to bring it out of the truck. The part I hate when hate happens, Ask me if I took any pictures. NOPE ARGHHHH I hate when that happens. Now I have nothing. I do believe someone took pics so I need to get copies!!!
2nd reason I Hate when that Happens. The kids were going back and forth between the Sprinkler park and the play park. Well we were all kinda tag teaming keeping track of all the kids that were there. And between the two play areas my Ben met a new friend. Who was there for a birthday party and so sweetly invited Ben to come join. Well who could say no right. Yep Not Ben. So for about 5 minutes, (maybe a little more) we were searching for him. Whew I am glad I didn't have a heart attack!!
All in all it was a wonderful weekend. So happy to be able to be close enough now to make short weekend trip.

OOOHHH WOW

Well it has been ALONG time since I have posted anything on here. Over a year and we stilled lived in Iowa. HAA
Well here we are at our almost year mark here in Fleming Island, Florida. And I can tell you, if it were not for my amazing ward friends, I think I would move to live with my parents until Steven was done here. But we won't go into that I will just catch you up on the good parts.
The kids are doing really well. Hannah was just inducted into the Junior National Honor Society! We are so very proud of her. She has really worked hard this year!!!
Lizzie has kept very busy this year. She was in her school Play "Jungle Book" She did a wonderful job. She has also been taking Kung Fu this year and has really moved up the levels. She now has a green belt and has been asked to Join the Young Master's program. Where she will be teaching new students.
Gordon is also taking Kung Fu and has just got his blue belt. He was baptised at the beginning of the year and is also in Cub Scouts now. He competed in his first Pine Wood Derby. He did very well and was able to go to districts. (on a side note, I was told this was a very competitive thing, but I had NO IDEA just how much. WOW)
Ben will be 7 soon and it is kinda sad to see him grow so fast. He has his orange belt and will be testing for his blue belt next week. He is super excited. He loves come home and teach us all he has learned at Kung Fu and also gets Claire to do it too.
Claire is keeping us all busy!! She brings so much laughter and joy each day. She loves her play group and gets excited to pick her siblings up from school. I can't believe how fast she has grown. She loves to be outside though lately she keeps saying "Mommy it is HOT mommy HOT"
I am keeping busy just trying to get everyone to where they need to go. It is never dull at our house.
I am also so happy to know that INTERN year is almost OVER!!! YAY I am hoping that we will get to see Steven more this next year. But what the past years have taught me is, I am going to expect not to see him and be pleasantly surprised when we do. HAHA
Hope you are all well. Maybe I can keep up better with this. (darn facebook) HAHA