The flu hits...

So Aimee was sick in bed with influenza the last few days. Not fun at all. The first two days were mostly high fevers (104's), runny nose, cough and lots of trouble breathing especially when she was sleeping. We quarantined her to Dad and Mom's room so we could get her better and not spread the fun to the rest of the fam.

She felt a little better after her bath, though her fever was still in the 103's but that didn't stop her from smiling and being her sweet self.

A few minutes later she was coloring a picture to give to Jocelyn.

The next day though she had viral pink eye in both eyes. This picture doesn't show how swollen and puffy her face was and how bad her eyes looked. I mean really bad. They really looked like she'd been in a fight! Even today they look like they'd been bruised. Poor girl!

But alas, rest is the magic cure, oh and Tamiflu, and she is definately on the mend. We've washed, washed, and re washed lots of laundry to keep things clean and so far Jocey and Benny seem to be fine. Let's hope our little visitor is on the way out!

Update on Benny...

Everything is AWESOME!!! So we went to clinic today and it was a way short visit- only like two and 1/2 hours so not too bad. And yeah!, everything is great. I always worry now that we're only going every 4 weeks that something is going to happen. I see so many kiddos struggling with their new hearts and wonder why Ben just seems to be sailing through. Is it the calm before the storm? I guess you never stop worrying about your kids, especially those that have a history like Ben's. That's why it's so reassuring to hear that things are going well. I haven't heard about all of his lab tests yet but I assume they're fine and his echo was okay, no worse on the tricuspid regurgitation than last month so that's great! I also ran into a few friends today: Paul (who had his transplant a few weeks ago) and his sweetie Lynette (it's always nice to see them), and Dr. Kouretas (one of the amazing cardio-thorasic surgeons) who remembered us (which made me feel good since I'm terrifed that Ben will be forgotten in a place that always has someone to fill your bed when you leave) and he gave me a quick update on Dr. Hawkins and said that he's hanging in there. Please pray for Dr. Hawkins and all of the little ones at Primary's. And remember to wash your hands A LOT. I don't know why that last bit bears repeating so much, but it sure does this time of year especially.

Gratitude

Someone like me has so much to be thankful for. Today, what is on my mind most is the love we feel for each other in our family. Nothing makes me happier than watching our kids interact with each other when they don't know we're watching. They are so good to each other and really enjoy being together. They look out for each other and cherish one another. I am so proud of them. They bring so much joy to my heart everyday. I thought it would be nice to see some of those moments I've captured in the last few months.

Help please!

Okay, so it's like 1:45 pm and I haven't a clue what to make for dinner? Any thoughts? It has to be ready by 5 pm when Cody gets home. I'm at that prego point where I'm hungry all the time but nothing sounds good so it's tough deciding what to make. What are you making tonight? Send your ideas my way, we're desperate!

Surprise!

Well since the cat is mostly out of the bag (in other words Jocelyn is telling everyone I haven't personally gotten around to telling) I guess it's time to post the good news. So....we're gonna have another baby!!! (I feel like screaming Aaaggghhh, Yeah, Uh-oh, Wah-hoo, Oh Dear, and Yippee! all at the same time.) Truthfully when I found out I was mostly terrified, worried, and anxious. But now I am starting to realize that Heavenly Father has brought us this baby and this opportunity for a wise purpose in Him, and even though I feel overwhelmed and can't really understand why me and why now, none of that really matters. We're having a baby! Another sweet little bundle to love and cherish. I think that babies are always a blessing, and I am sure this one will be for our little (or not so little these days) family.

Our baby is due Friday, March 5, 2010 (but I always go a week early so maybe the end of February) so that means I am almost 14 weeks! In a couple weeks we find out if it's a boy or girl.

We have so much to tell you!

Our blog is currently being updated... visit again soon! (Like Angela soon, a few days to a week, not like five minutes.) Ü

Please, Please pray for Bridger Smith's family. I would like to fast tomorrow if anyone would be interested in joining me. May the Lord bless them and carry them through their trials!

Heart Cath

So I happen to have a minute here at Primary's today for a quick update. Everything has been going pretty well with Ben, I think any way. Last night though we got a call from the transplant doc saying she has reviewed all of his echos from the last month and they think he is in rejection! (Aaaggghhh!!!) So here we are at Primary's doing an emergency heart catheterization and biopsy to know for sure what is going on with him. Such a bummer because he seems to be doing so well at home. But often by the time they show symptoms it is may be pretty advanced. He has been back for over two hours and they are just starting because it took so long to get all the lines placed. Say a prayer and wish us luck-- we'll try to update when we have some details.

P.S. Oh and Jocey was in the hospital a lot last week for tests because she has a really bad kidney infection so please pray for her too.

P.P.S. Aimee is great--hearty and healthy-- but she could use a prayer too 'cause life's been way crazy lately...again! Ü

Until next time...

So we've been crazy busy the last two weeks and actually we are still right in the middle of another crazy two weeks. We did, with an enormous amount of help from family and a few friends, get our new home painted, cleaned, lawn mowed, bugs sprayed and everything moved. So now we are happily unpacking the loads of boxes, wondering how we ever fit this much in to our little three bed apartment, and still feeling pretty overwhelmed by it all (sealing the deal with our VA loan has been a nightmare this time and we haven't even closed yet!) but it's okay because when the dust settles it will all be worth it.

The girls are already soooo much happier and I think Ben is too. It is like a dark cloud has been lifted off our family and we are so ready to start living the rest of our lives. The Lord has truly blessed us. Ben's health has actually been remarkably well lately and we look forward in the next few months to being able to have a little more freedom to have visitors and take him out, slowly of course. He is going in for surgery in the next week and a half to have a G-tube placed in his stomach which hopefully will help his feeding struggles a little.

Unfortunately we don't have the internet hooked up at our new home yet (not sure when or if we will) so I don't know how soon I'll be able to post again. I'll really miss being able to check up on all my buds and seeing what is happening in your lives. So everyone out there remember that I won't be checking up on you and seeing all your cute pictures so you'll have to call me and let me know what is happening. And even though we've moved a little further away, don't be a stranger, it really isn't that far and you sort of get used to the brine shrimp smell after a while!

Over and Out...Ü

Look how cute our neice Taylor is with her very first birthday cake. Funny how all kids seem to know just what to do with it! She has this cute expression with her hand raised up like she conquered it or something. Darling! Thanks Amanda for sharing the picture with me. Looks like a great party! Happy Birthday Taylor!