Random Family Pictures

Goofing off at Jungle Jim's Playland--Savannah must really like that pizza:)

Cute cousins in matching outfits from Grandma

At the hotel in St. George--adorable!

My kids totally love their cousins--so cute!

At the narrows in St. George--I'm not really sure what they're all looking at...

My cute girls with matching braided pigtails--Mary saw me braiding Savannah's hair and asked if she could be like her big sister:)

I love my little family!:)

St. George Half Marathon

   You know, I'm not sure I'll ever understand the appeal of running, but my husband sure loves it.  He recently completed another half marathon, this time in St. George.  I was really impressed because almost his entire family ran this year as well, and every single one of them finished!  Wahoo!  Jason totally amazed me as well.  He finished in 1:34, and it was like he'd never even been running.  He had so much energy and was entirely too happy for someone who just ran 13 miles.  But then again, he's always like that.:)

All the kids waiting at the finish line

Here he comes!

Aren't they cute?

  I'm so proud of you, honey.  I never knew it was possible to run so far and still be so happy.  Way to go!:)

Savannah is 7!

  I can hardly believe my little girl is almost old enough to be baptized.  She is so grown up!  I'm so impressed with how loving and giving she is.  She's always more worried about everyone else and is quick to offer help when she knows someone needs it.  (That quality is really going to serve her well.  I really hope she keeps it.:)  Here are some pictures of the festivities:

I just love her big smile, complete with missing teeth.:)

Savannah asked if she could have a cheesecake for her birthday this year instead of a regular one.  This is a girl after my own heart.:)

Happy birthday, sweetheart!  I'm so proud of you and love you very much!

Holiday Fun!

  I know I'm totally late, but I thought I should really post at least a few pictures from Christmas.  (Thanks a bunch to Ann for helping me get the whole camera mess straightened out!:)  We had a fabulous holiday, and surprisingly it was much more relaxed than normal.  We have lots of family close by, so Christmas day is usually spent running from place to place.  Somehow it all worked out this year that things were much more mellow.  (I guess it helps when great-grandparents show up at grandparents houses.)  We were able to spend a fabulous morning at home, head to Jason's parents to say hello and talk with his missionary brother over the phone, and then headed to my parents.  The funniest part for me was when we were heading back home again we realized it was dinner time.  Nobody felt like preparing anything, (after all, it was Christmas) so we ended up getting Panda Express.  I'll never forget how long the line was, but it ended up being a lot of fun.  (There aren't many restaurants open on Christmas Day.:)  We ended our great day by hanging out at Jason's sisters with many different Wii games.  So fun!

I know this is sideways, but I just love this picture.  Isaiah's eyes were that big all day long.:)

Mary could hardly wait to open everything.  She was such a cutie!

This is Savannah in what Santa brought her.  (This is the second time she's asked him for summer things.  Thankfully Santa knows how to use the internet...:)

  What a fabulous day!  I'm sort-of glad all the hustle and bustle is over, but I still can hardly wait until next year.  I just love it!:)

The Joys of Digital Cameras

  A while back, the switch on my digital camera that makes it so you can see the picture you just took broke off.  I thought, no big deal, so I can't see the pictures right away.  It'll be like an old school camera again.  Boy, was wrong.  Yes, the camera can still take pictures, but I can't upload any to the computer without that switch being engaged.  I tried for almost an hour last night to make it work, eventually even sticking a safety pin in the hole where the switch was to push down the activator.  The only problem with that is that if it moves AT ALL, the uploading software won't detect the camera anymore. I don't know about you, but there is no way I can hold THAT still.  At least, not while I have to type at the same time. What am I, a statue?  At any rate, I'm going to have to figure out a different way of updating photos on my computer.  (And I thought having a digital camera was going to make my life easier...:) Does anybody know a good camera repair man?:)

I am such a slacker...

You know, I was looking at my posts the other day, and I realized that I haven't even put up Christmas pictures or Savannah's birthday yet, and they were a month and a half ago!  I guess I need to pay more attention...  There will be pictures coming soon, I promise!:)

My Own Christmas Miracle

  Last week I had some additional swelling in my left leg, so I had another ultrasound to see what the cause was.  Realize that although it was a little tender, the pain and swelling were nothing like last time.  So I was very surprised to hear the radioligist tell me that blood clots had returned in both of my legs.  My left leg was worse than my right, hence the small amount of pain and swelling.  Of course I was frustrated as I thought I was done with all of this stuff, and it was very close to Christmas.  But, Heavenly Father gave me the faith and strength to know that I could go through another hospital stay and time away from my family if that's what needed to be done.  The doctor told me to go home and get things in order so I could return the next morning prepared to be in the hospital for a few days at least, possibly up to a week.
  Now, last time this happened, I felt really unprepared.  I mean, I went from being in pain and going to the doctor to being admitted in ICU within a few hours.  My husband and I spent lots of time in the waiting room at the hospital making tear-filled phone calls.  This time was different.  The Spirit kept reassuring me that everything would be okay.  I just had to trust in the Lord.  It was also quite nice that I got to go home and prepare my children for what would be taking place over the coming days.  They trusted that things were going to be all right and that I could call them from the hospital, and I would be coming home soon.  I was able to pack a bag to prepare for a long hospital stay, and I was even able to do my hair and makeup before going in the next morning.  (Jason was teasing me for even worrying about that, but honestly, I wasn't sure when I'd be able to again.:)
  I went through the same blood work and testing that was set up before the procedure, and was taken to the operating room.  I was expecting to see my husband in my room in ICU soon, but Heavenly Father had something else in mind.  I was just getting sleepy from the anasthetic when my doctor tapped my on the shoulder.  He had a puzzled expression and said, "Um, we can't do the procedure.  We don't need to."  I was sure the medicine had me hearing things, but he continued to explain.  Apparently, the clots in my legs were "old", meaning they had been there for over a month.  (That means they would have had to develop just after the others disappeared.)  The veins they were in had completely closed themselves off from the rest of my body, and new veins had been created to allow blood flow.  My body registered the fact that there was a block to the circulation in my legs, and it had been taken care of.  There was no chance of the clot breaking off and becoming a life threatening thing because the veins they were contained in are shut off from everything else.  The doctor explained that, eventually, the veins will die off and the blood thinners I'm taking will dissolve the clots.  His next words shocked me even more.  When I asked what that meant for my hospital stay he said, "You can go home."
  What an amazing boost of faith this has been for me.  Heavenly Father was trying me to see if I was willing to accept what he had in store for me, if I would match my will to His.  And when I was able to, He eliminated the problem all together. I was witness to my own miracle for the second time in just a month or so.  John 3:16 says,"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  This Christmas season, this scripture takes on new meaning for me.  I am so very blessed to be able to be with my family for Christmas, and I will forever be grateful to my Father in Heaven for this great gift, that I may be able to truly celebrate the greatest gift of all, the life of our Savior.   

A Promise Kept

   A while ago I posted a picture of Savannah's extra-poofy hair.  (See January 2010.)  I made a promise then that I would post a picture of what it looked like before I took it out, if I ever did that to her hair again.  Well, here are the pictures:

  Savannah absoutely loves this flower hairdo, but her mom does not.  (It takes FOREVER to put in.)  Hopefully I'll get the determination up to do it again sometime soon...:)

My Sweet Savannah

  I found another picture on my memory card that I can't believe never made it to the blog.  We recently spent some time up in Idaho at a family cabin, which we do frequently.  The kids are constantly running and playing, and can quite easily get worn out.  So, a few trips ago, when everyone decided to calm down for a minute and watch a movie, I was all for it.  I guess Savannah was a little more tired than the others, because here's what happened:



She apparently found a comfy spot in between the couch and side table and promptly fell asleep.  (I love how her position looks like she's having a great time watching the movie, except for the fact that her eyes are closed.:)

  What a cutie!  She stayed like that for quite a while, too.  She only woke up when her arms finally gave out and her head bobbed up and down.  And at first she didn't even realize she'd been asleep.  I guess she was more worn out than she thought...:)

Just a Quick Update

  Hello there!  I just wanted to post a quick update about how everything is going.  I'm recovering quite well, thanks in huge part to all of the prayers offered on my behalf.  (Thank you all so much.)  The pain in my legs is mostly gone, although I still have to be careful not to overdo it.  (That can get kind-of complicated with three kids.:)  I'm working closely with my doctor to regulate the blood thinner I'm on, and it all seems to be going well.  It's a little screwy trying to get it all figured out, but I'm very grateful to have a doctor that redily helps me understand what's going on. 
  The funniest part about the whole thing is that I've had to stop wearing heels, at least for a little while.  I've always loved them and thought my foot wear would  never change.  Boy, was I wrong on that one.  (For those of you who don't know, I have an enormous collection of them just sitting in my closet until my legs can support themselves again.  As my husband says, I'm such a girl for even worrying about something like that.  Thanks, honey.:)
  Thanks once again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers and here's to continuing getting better.  I love you all!