In Case You Were Curious...

I received my MRI results yesterday. Do you want the good news or bad new first? Well, I guess I'll have to do the good, because the bad wouldn't make much sense without it.

They didn't find a tumor, or growth of any kind. Yay!

They found something. Boo.

My doctor told me that the tech noted that there was something there, but not sure what it is. He said it is sort of a shadowed or gray area which I suppose isn't normal :) Anyway, its back to another specialist- this time an Endocronologist, and like my previous experience with a specialty doctor, it will take awhile to get into her- but hopefully not as long as it took to get into my Rheumatologist.

So, I'll keep you updated, unless of course, you're tired of reading about all of my interesting problems, in which case, let me know, and I will stop posting about it. I realize it is a little depressing to read about, and also tedious and probably boring.

Anyway, I would like to thank anyone and everyone for your prayers, support, phone calls, dinner offers, and love. I don't think I could explain what it means to me to know I have a group of people in my corner.

I'd like to leave you with a story that made me smile. Yesterday as I was getting off the freeway, there was a guy with a sign standing there and Jonah yells excitedly "Mom, hey look!! See that guy? He's a BUM!! I learned that! That's what you call those guys that stand there with signs! And he looks really dirty" Almost as an afterthough he wonders "Why is he called a bum? Oh, I know! Because he sits on his bum all day with that sign!" And then tender-hearted Laylah chimes in as we drive away "Mom, next time we see a bum, can we give him some food or money?" And Daphne, not to be outdone, says " Where did he get that backpack if he doesn't have any money? I bet he sleeps on the ground." After Baron sat and listened to this conversation, he yelled "Bum! Bum! Bum!" the rest of the way to our destination.

I adore my kids and every smile they give me.

Peace

Wow, what a week. As usual, my family and I have had a busy, fun, and crazy one. We've had family in town that we only get to see about once a year, so we've been busy running around to different places and just getting to play, play, play. I'll post more about our fun later though. Some other things have been going on as well that I haven't been so inclined to share, and after last night I want to because I love sharing my testimony.

A few months ago I started having a few more health difficulties (I won't say problems, because we really don't know what it is yet). I won't go into detail, but it has been "womanly" problems. I have had ultrasounds, biopsies, and exams done. My doctor still doesn't know what is wrong with me. About a week ago I went in to see him again, and he decided to have a bit more blood work done in some areas he normally wouldn't check. Everything came back normal excpet one thing. When he got the results, he decided I should have an MRI done on my head to see if everything is looking normal in my brain. Basically, we're checking to see if any small tumors have grown on my pituitary gland.

When I told Andy this news he kind of joked around at first (that is just his way) and then later we talked about it and I found out how he really feels. He's extremely nervous and worried and assuming the worst. I however, am not. I have always had a feeling of peace whenever I visit the doctor or have tests done, or blood drawn. It's becoming more a of a routine thing for me and I just don't stress about it. I feel like- whatever happens, happens. When it comes to that, we'll deal with it.

Anyway, we were talking about it all day yesterday and I suddenly had the need to visit the temple. It was 6:00 PM, my kids hadn't been fed, I didn't have a baby-sitter, and Andy had an Elder's Quoram meeting. I feel like whenever I've had a temple date planned, the adversary works twice as hard to get me to not go- so when this idea came to me, I got in gear, found a babysitter, made some quick mac-n-cheese, and got ready- Satan didn't have time to make it impossible. Andy called and said he wouldn't be able to make his meeting, and off we went- everything worked out without a hitch. I love when that happens.

We were able to make it to the 8:00 session. I love the temple. I always have. I love the calming, loving, gentle, lifting spirit there. I would live there if I could :) The session was the same as it always is, but I felt peace. All that day my emotions and brain had been working overtime, and within the walls of the temple, all I felt was peace within me. I felt that familiar, warming spirit of the Holy Ghost, that I recieved so long ago, settle within my chest and it was there to stay. It brings tears to my eyes just to think about it again. I love the temple.

I go to get my MRI tomorrow (and any prayers sent my way would be greatly appreciated!), and I don't know how long it will take to get the results. But I know that, whatever the result, I and also my family will be blessed. We have the gospel in our lives. I truly have a calming spirit with me, as well as the love of my Savior.

And we'll be okay.

One Giant, Long Catch-Up

Well, we've had a lot going on in a short time, so instead of doing a bunch of little posts, I decided to just do one giant post. Good luck if you decide to read this, it's looooooong!!!!



Hole In The House


As many of you know, our home is ancient (okay, probably 50 years old) I LOVE my little house. We have put SO much love and work and sweat into it. This summer we are putting in new windows. It's been a LOT of work (for my dad and Andy... heehee) We have this one giant window in the front of the house, and I've never really liked it, so we replaced it with a smaller one, and we're building up the wall. It's not quite finished. I'll post the finished product when it is. These are just some pics of the day my dad removed it and built the wall so the new window would fit. Thanks dad, you're the greatest!!

Happy Pioneer Day

For the 24th of July we had a nice, lazy, relaxing, fun day. We went swimming at my grandmas pool; my mom, dad, and sis Kaylie joined us. We had a lot of fun playing diving games, motorboat, london bridges, and also trying out Jonah's new remote control boat that he got for his birthday (it's pretty fun!)

We went home and had a little barbeque, and then we headed over to my parents for 4-wheeler rides around the neighborhood, homemade ice cream and cookies, and fireworks. All of my kids have always loved fireworks....until this year. Baron had his back to the fireworks when my dad lit the first one, and when it went off, he literally started shrieking, shaking, screaming, and crying. It was pretty funny (and a little sad :) He pretty much leaped into my arms and wouldn't budge, except to go into dad's arms. Eventually I took him inside because I could tell he really wasn't enjoying it.

Sad Boy

Sacremento, CA: Roth Family Reunion

Andrew's Mom's side of the family (the Roth's) had planned a reunion because his grandparents just got home from a mission in Germany. We decided very last minute that we wanted to go. So we called up Andy's aunt and uncle on his Dad's side of the family (who also live there- both Andy's parents grew up there and moved to Utah after they were married and had a few kids.... just a little side note :) and asked if they would mind having us stay with them. They have 7 kids, and the youngest 2 are Laylah and Jonah's ages. All of the older kids are SO great with my younger ones. They are great cousins and we sure love them. Whenever we have gotten together with them, our kids have adored each other. This time was no exception. Whenever we weren't doing something with the Roth side of the family, we were chillin at the Collette's and having a blast.

The drive to Sacremento... we made it in just under 11 hours. The kids were great. They slept, watched movies, and played their Leapsters. Here's my bad news (well, for me anyway :) After I took this picture of Baron, I lost my camera (it was under the seat in my car) so I have no pictures until the day before we left when Andy found it. Thus, the boring part. Storytime with no pictures!

When we got to Sacremento Wednesday night, we had a big family dinner with everyone to celebrate Andy's grandpa's birthday. It was so fun to see everyone, especially some relatives that I hadn't seen since Andy's and my wedding. I love Andy's family, they are all so much fun and great people. On Thursday, Andy took all of the kids to a movie with the Collette fam that we were staying with while I went shopping with the Roth ladies. It was SO nice to not have any kids and shop our hearts (and wallets) out. Such a fun day. Later we had another big family dinner for Aunt Katie. More food and fun. Andy's family sure knows how to cook. On Friday was the actual "reunion". We went to Folsom Lake and just sat on the beach, built sand castles, played in the water, and tubed and played on the wave runner. We of course had tons more yummy food, sat and talked, and I read a whole book. I love the beach if only for that reason. My kids will let me read uninteruppted! It was such a fun day. On Saturday we had some down time. The Roth's decided to go to the Jelly Belly factory, but we (meaning me, Andy and our kids) decided to just stay at the Collette's and let the kids play with their cousins. Also, me and Aunt Brenda did some more shopping, and I found a ton of cute back to school clothes for the kids. That evening we met up with the Roth's one last time at Leatherby's (a family fav!) for dinner and ice cream. It was fun to see everyone one last time and say our goodbyes. Andy's grandparents had a last, big, family dinner on Sunday at their house, but we went to church on Sunday with the Collette's and ate a quick dinner before heading home. We had to get home because of an appointment for Laylah (see below). The pictures below are from Saturday and Sunday.... playing at the Collette's and Leatherby's with the Roths (I'm still so mad I missed taking pictures of half our trip! Oh well.... it was so much fun to read, right? ;)
Okay, so across the street from the Collette's is this huge park with a big hill. They have this old wheelchair that they love to play in and Andy and Uncle Bret were wheeling them down this hill. It was hilarious. They tricked Daphne into going and her face is priceless. She didn't like it much!

Leatherby's with the Roth's. It took three pictures to fit everyone in, and I still don't think I got everyone who was there. Andy's family is huge!

These last few pictures are at the Collette's before we left. Our kids already miss their cousins!

The two studs with their gorgeous sidekicks (haha)


We left so late that we didn't get home until about 6 AM. The kids were great all the way home.... because they slept. It was nice and quiet.

Laylah's Surgury

I took the kids to the dentist a few weeks ago (no cavities... yay!) and Dr. Jason thought it was time for Laylah to have her frenum cut because she has lost both of her front teeth. It is extra gums that grow between the front teeth causing them to have a gap. It's genetic, and I had it when I was little (and so did all of my sisters) and also had to have minor surgury to correct it. (The procedure is called a frenectomy, and I'm sure I spelled that wrong) Anyway, I was so exhausted from our trip that Andy volunteered to take her... plus all that kind of stuff totally grosses me out. He said it was so funny. They gave her laughing gas and she was hysterical and kept snorting. Anyway, the dentist said she did great and that she'll be sore for a couple days and then as her teeth grow in they should grow together instead of having the huge gap she's always had.

Before


After... all sewn up with her stitches


Look at that poor swollen mouth!

If you made it through this entire post, good job.... it was a doosy!

New Pictures

I had some pictures of my kids done a few weeks ago, and as promised, here are just a few of the many many darling pictures I received. Once again, AllysonKayePhotography did an amazing job. I have her link in my Fun Stuff list on the side of my blog. I love them.... and I think we got a lot of cute ones considering what a stinker Baron and Daphne were being!

The Adventurous Boys

The Posing Girls

The End :)