Our New October Tradition

On Saturday we had a family pumpkin carving day! :) First we went to Michaels and picked out some fun carving patterns. Then we went to QFC and the kids got to pick out their own pumpkins! They were having a fantastic sale! Only $3.99 for large pumpkins!

Once the kids picked out the design for their pumpkins, we got to work. Caleb picked a design with 'fire' eyes and mouth. Chloe picked a kitty design. Kenny did a pumpkin with 'crazy' hair. And I decided to try to make a pumpkin lantern!

Even though Kenny and I did most of the work it was still fun for the kids to see the process of the carving and to put their pumpkins in their rooms. :)

We decided we should make a yearly tradition of carving pumpkins together! It was so much fun!

Another Hospital Stay

So, after my wonderful couple days of great energy, I got sick again! Last Sunday afternoon I started having sharp pains across my shoulder blades and pain under my right ribs.

On Monday, I was super tired! I took a nap when the kids did and when I woke up my pain was worse. It was actually Date Night for us and I was trying to tough it out.

Well, we never made it to the restaurant for our date! We spent our date in the Evergreen ER at the new Redmond location. :( I have to say, their service was amazing! They didn't even triage me! They took me straight back to a room and were treating me in no time! :) They ended up admitting me that night and I got to go in my first ambulance because the main hospital is in Kirkland.

The ambulance ride was better than I expected! I totally thought I would get car sick. I was on a strong anti-nausea med, so maybe that helped! :)

After spending three nights in the hospital, I got to come home last night! The doctors think the pain I was having had to do with my liver swelling from all the excess iron deposits on my liver. I have iron overload, a complication from all the blood transfusions I have had and a side effect from my blood disease.

I had my first chelation treatment last night to help bring my iron levels down. Please continue to pray with us for healing and quick recovery!

Yesterday I accomplished....

Yesterday (Friday) was such a productive day for me! I woke up feeling really exhausted, but once I got going I got so much accomplished!

When I was still sitting in bed, I decided to try something new and fun with my eye make-up. Then Chloe wanted some make-up. :) Since we were staying home for the day, I put pink and purple eye shadow on her. She loved it!

Then I figured since I managed to put my make-up on, I should go do my hair. So I flat-ironed my hair and it looked so much better! :)

Next the kids helped me clean up the dining area in the kitchen. We mostly cleaned up art supplies and the paper scraps on the floor. Caleb even vacuumed the kitchen floor for me-thanks buddy!

Once one half of the kitchen was clean, I figured I better clean the rest! I couldn't believe I had the energy to clean my house! Jesus answered my prayers for more energy!

AND I even cooked dinner for our friends last night! Kenny was so excited, because I haven't had enough energy to cook a nice meal in a long time! He LOVES it when I cook! :)

I hope and pray I can have more days like this!

Does Jesus Have A Wife? :)

Today, during lunch Caleb asked me, "Does Jesus have a wife?" I responded by saying, "No, but that is a really good question Caleb!"

There was a moment of silence, then Caleb said, "That's too bad! I wish Jesus had a wife!"

It got me thinking... I wonder if Jesus ever wished He had a wife? Or was He totally consumed by His heavenly father?

But, I'm glad Caleb thinks that having a wife is a good thing! :) I pray that he meets a really special woman some day!

Spaghetti, Gondolas, and Gladiators

This week we have been learning about Italy! We have been eating Italian food for dinner, listening to Italian music, and even riding in pretend gondolas in Venice!

One night we made Italian flags and learned how to say 'hi' in Italian-'chow'! Last night Caleb and Kenny made shields out of cardboard so they could pretend to be gladiators from Rome!

We even started talking about putting on the armor of God! The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit... Here is a picture of Caleb the gladiator with his armor on! :)

A Sore Arm

Today I had to go to the doctor for a follow up and had to get a tetanus shot. :( According to my blood work I needed a booster shot. My arm is really sore-I feel like such a wimp! Now I will be able to sympathize with Caleb when he gets his 5 year old shots! Speaking of which-I need make that appointment! Got a little behind on life with all these infections I have been dealing with...

At least I have a cute puppy to snuggle with! Takes my mind off of my sore arm! :)

A Family of 5

Last Friday we adopted a puppy named, Sugar Bear! I thought I would take Caleb and Chloe to visit some puppies at the Seattle Humane Society. Little did I know, we would fall in love with an adorable little puppy! :) She is a Chi mix and as sweet as they come!