Picture taking funk but we are still thankful!

So I think I've been so busy and so preoccupied that I haven't even touched my camera for about 2 weeks. Some things that have been going on.....Ali's abdominal ultrasound and upper GI came back clean....I might have already posted that. On Monday she had a bone marrow draw and I just got the call a few minutes ago telling me it was normal. I didn't want to scare Ali but they were testing her marrow for leukemia as well as some other things so that's something to definately be thankful for. We are still waiting on just one test that we won't know for another week but she most likely has ITP. I could try and explain it but it's best if you just google it. That is what they thought she had originally but then got off track a bit so now we are back to square one. We 've been doing our own little experiment with her tummy issues.....I think she is lactose intolerant. We have been keeping a journal and every time she eats or drinks something with milk in it, she gets stomach cramps.....why the dr never tried that is beyond me.
Everyone else is doing great. AJ and Ryan have hockey tournaments this weekend so we will be shuttling back and forth to Riverside. My mom is flying in tonight to be with us tomorrow and the weekend. My goal is to get some shopping done this weekend...I'm almost done! Our Thanksgiving is a little small this year but we are still thankful for who is coming. Adam, Jenn and the girls will be here along with Jenn's dad, and then our fam with my mom. I'm trying out some new recipes that look yummy in the pics but we will see how they turn out......thanks Micah for the yummy Turkey tips! :-) And if you are reading this blog, that means you care enough for our family to check in and see what exciting things we are up to or not up to and we are very thankful for YOU! Have a wonderful Turkey Day!

What is NOT important

These last few months.....ok, almost a year.....have forced me to really think about what is important and what is NOT important. So many times we get caught up in things that do not matter. They consume us to the point that we stress and stress until we are sick with worry. Where we live, I am constantly struggling with this because we are surrounded by wealth, beauty, and just stuff in general.....stuff that, in the end, does NOT matter. Every day I looked at my little one's face and just think how great it would be to be one again. The simplicity of life, the joy over little things, having fun with a stick and a hockey net for hours on end. What happens when we grow up? I am making a New Year's resolution early to focus....refocus on what is important and not on things that are not. I will not waste my time on certain people rather spend time with the ones that I know love me unconditionally. I will not spend time stressing about who has what and if that laundry is done or not. I want to spend more time doing things that my kids will remember. This picture is a little grainy but I love it because this is what makes these two happy....playing together which costs nothing.

What a weekend

So this weekend started with half my kids and husband leaving for San Jose for a hockey tournament. It is so weird to me when I am left just myself, Ryan, and Jack because it's just so quiet and I'm not driving around everywhere all the time. Don't get me wrong, Ryan had a pretty busy weekend with hockey both Saturday and Sunday and a sleepover in between. It was the perfect weekend for Jack and I to just hang because Jack's cutting his canine teeth which are really bothering him. He is super cranky which is not his usual self so instead of being a relaxing weekend....I got the least amount of sleep I think I've had in a long time.
Ali's test results came back and both her abdominal ultrasound and upper GI came back totally normal.....AAAGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Today we are seeing the hematologist and then Ali is having her bone marrow tested probably the end of this week. I spoke to her cheer coach and explained why she's missing so much and I'm pretty sure she will be off the competition team and will just end up cheering for the games...oh well. This whole process is so draining and with little sleep, I am exhausted. The kids are off for Thanksgiving break all next week so my plan is to delegate, delegate, delegate! I WILL sleep in if it kills me! :-) On a positive note, my house is sparkling clean......I will post pics of my beautiful work in my pantry later....stay tuned.

Goodbye myspace!

About 2 years ago my teenagers were showing an interest in myspace.com and so I signed on simply to monitor what was going on. It became an obsession until a few months ago when I suddenly felt like maybe it was time to grow up a little...maybe it was that one guy from Canada that kept trying to hook up even though I said I was married and NOT interested and PLEASE leave me alone. Can you say "green card" ? Anyway, thanks to Micah, I am now a big girl and am on Facebook. So, look for me there. I will still have my myspace account simply to spy but not really using it much.
**Also, update on Ali....yesterday abdominal ultrasound, today upper GI, next week check bone marrow.....good times! So far nothing has been found which I guess is good but not really. She doesn't want to eat anymore...maybe has a small meal once a day if that. This is really frustrating!

~Jack~

I love this guy! What we did before Jack was born is beyond me because we have so much fun with him and just love him to pieces! I cannot imagine what things would have been like if I had not had one more......ok, I wouldn't be changing poopy diapers AND I'd be getting alot more sleep.....but I also wouldn't have that sweet face saying "tank-to" (thankyou) or "pees" (please) or even making Daddy so proud now saying "ha-ee" (hockey). Every single day this face wakes up happy and ready to cuddle and make whatever stress I may be feeling , go away. Yesterday Doug was on his way out the door and he was stressed with all that he had to do for the day and I said to him,"You need to take 5 minutes and cuddle"...and that's all it took. What a huge blessing having Jack in our lives is, as all of our kids are, but if I could just bottle this age....I would make a zillion.

Welcome to Obamaland...

Ok, so I didn't vote for him but unlike a little kid that doesn't get their way, I am not going to freak out or anything. I will find the silver lining. To be honest, I wasn't too excited by either candidate. McCain isn't the best speaker therefore you end up searching for what his beliefs are and it's harder to make a decision. But I am excited that some props I voted for passed. Only one didn't which was the abortion prop allowing minors under 18 to not notify their parents if they are going to have an abortion. As a mom and a christian, I just couldn't see me condoning abortion at any level let alone imagining my own daughter making that very mature decision herself...on her own. Anyway, yesterday was exhausting. Not only was I voting at the crack of dawn but I also had a much needed doctor's appt. for my carpul tunnel. I have struggled with this ever since I got pregnant with Ryan and now it's to the point the I cannot lift Jack some days. I've been tested twice in the past 9 years and both results said that I had "mild" carpul tunnel.....bull! Things I cannot do most days: drive with both hands (watch out), open a jar, pick up anything, and now I can't sleep on my left side because it's made it's way up into my elbow and shoulder. Good grief do I feel old! Anyway, so yesterday I was determined to get in my doctor's face and demand something be done. That something was a steriod injection directly into my wrist. My doctor said that I would be feeling great by the evening so I was very confident that I would have a great night sleep for the first time in forever....not the case. There was no change whatsoever and when I woke up this morning, my whole hand felt like I had put it in a vice. If anyone reading this has dealt with the agonizing condition and has some advice, I'm all ears. I've already put in a call to my doctor and hopefully will hear back soon. Something tells me I'm doomed for surgery.
**One more thing about the election....is it me or did you feel that your vote didn't count? I'm not saying this just because of who won but I just don't understand the whole process I guess. I googled the "electoral" voting and am trying to understand but I still don't totally. If Obama won without CA votes even tallied, than how does that make me think my vote counted?