The Caseys

Thankful

2010-08-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I forget to let others know how thankful I am for the blessings I have been given. So, let me tell you why I can't help but feel thankful today. The kids and I were driving down our little road (which has become a little too busy) the other day. Riding off to the side, I noticed a man, not much older than myself, riding a recumbant bicycle. As he rode, he would have a violent twitch that would almost take him into where the main flow of traffic was. I stayed behind him at a distance for a quite a while, because I was afraid he was going to have a seizure. A flood of emotions came back to me as I watched him struggle to control his body. I can never forget the horrible feeling of trying to control my body, and having it overcome my efforts and give into the impending seizure. I don't know about how that man suffered, but I watched a small moment of his trials and it made me ache for him. Most of all though, it made me thankful. I am thankful that I was blessed with those around me who were willing to help me with so much love when I couldn't make it through by myself. I am thankful that I have had amazing medical care... that I get the medicine and medical attention I need. I am So Thankful for the power of the priesthood in my home and in my life and for the many blessings I received to help comfort, heal, and carry me through. Most of all, seeing that man fight made me remember how thankful I am to be seizure free for over a year. I am able to be a mother. Something I wanted since I was a child. I am am able to care for my sweet children and be here for my family without physical barriers, Something I could never fully express my thanks for. I have never failed to receive an answer to prayer... even if it is just the strength to make it through certain parts of my life. I am thankful we have Our Father to watch over us, and A Brother who was willing to suffer all of our pain. And... I am thankful to have been blessed with health, despite disease.

Panic Attack

2010-08-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

Please. Don't let my kids know, but I am SCARED for them to go to school! We went to a meeting this week, where Israel's path for school was decided. HE' S 2!! He heads to school this January 4. This January. I might be freaking out. As a stay at home mom, most of my time... pretty much all of my time- is spent in the company of a crazy little two year old, and an inquizative four year old. I (up to this point) have chosen to keep Jensen at home and teach him myself. Now that Izzy is headed to school, we decided it's only right to send Jensen to school first. Now, I lose both of my kids to school this school year. Yikes.

A Lullaby

2010-01-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

As I put my kids to sleep each night, I sing them "their" song. I choose a song for them when they are born, and that becomes their own special lullaby- just for them. Tonight as I rocked little Izzy and sang him his song, I thought about the words in a way I never had before. The song says "clouds will rage-- storms will race in-- but you will be safe in my arms. " As I sang the words I sing every night, I thought about why I chose the song. Little Izzy has a rough road ahead of him. My biggest concern is the world and how cruel it can be, and how people will sometimes forget to see beyond a disability, or even an appearance. I wanted him to have reminder that no matter what, I would be there, and he would be safe in my arms. The words took on a different meaning to me tonight, and I began to think of our Father in Heaven. I am sure he feels the same thing. He has sent us into a storm. We are watching it rage all around us, and it has left it's mark on each one of us. In the storm of life we may have lost loved ones... we may have lost some of our earthy comforts... we may have lost our health... But we have not lost what is most important. We have a Father who loves us, and he will never leave us to be in this storm by ourselves- Just as I would never leave my little children to fight the trouble of the world on their own. We have to face the wind. The rain may lash at our faces, and we may think we can not stand any longer. But our Father is just a prayer away. Although He may not remove us from the storm of our trials, He can wrap His comforting arms around us to hold us up, guiding us through the storm until the sun breaks through the clouds.

Birthday Boy

2010-01-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

On Christmas, Izzy turned two!! We had so much fun and he was so excited to have everyone sing Happy Birthday to him. Kiley made him an amazing cookie monster cake, complete with Cookie Monster and Elmo cupcakes. I can't believe it has been two years already!! He is doing so great, and brings so much joy to us!!

When I grew up...

2009-03-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

When I grew up, I was gonna be a princess, a cowgirl, a secretary, a pediatritian, a model, a psychologist or a teacher.... Depending on what point of life I was in. Today as I made food for my family, dressed kids, cleaned, folded laundry, read stories, sang the alphabet thirty times and hugged my husband; just like I do everyday... I realized that no matter what I wanted to be, or when I wanted to be that particular thing, I am the very best thing I could be. I am the luckiest girl alive. I get to be the wife of the best guy ever, I get to be a daughter and a daughter in law to amazing parents who never stop teaching me. I get to be a sister to my siblings who are my best friends too. The job that leaves me the most in awe though is my job as a mommy. Jared and I have the best kids ever, and I am so lucky that I get to be with them and teach them everyday and to have their sweet spirits teach me everyday... Being all of the things I am , is way better than any of those things I was gonna be.

A million years ago...

2009-03-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes this life is crazy. I look at the people around me, and I think about some of the crazy things that people throughout history have been through and it makes me think.
I think there was some kind of meeting a million years ago. Not a big council with debates or different opinions. A meeting with a loving a Father. I think we each sat down with him, and went over what our life was to hold. I think we knew about and agreed to every trial and tribulation that we would face. WHY??? We knew we could do it. We knew what we are capable of, and who we really are. Now we are here on this earth, and we have forgotten who we are, and what our Father showed us and told us. I know that I feel sometimes that I can barley make it, as I am sure everyone does. At times like these I have to remind myself who I REALLY am. I'm not just a person trying to eek through my life. I am a daughter of God, whether or not I remember, and if that's who I truly am... I can do this! I can do anything. We all can! We just have to remember who we are, and what we are capable of, and who is waiting for us to do a great job and come home.

We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7) If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. .. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity. (Spencer W Kimball , Faith Proceeds the Miracle)

Jensen turned 3!!!

2009-02-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

It took me while, but I finally got the pictures of Jensens birthday! He turned three on January 31. We had a spiderman party, roasted hot dogs, and went sledding at grandma's sledding hill. He was so excited to finally be three. Thanks to Kiley and her amazing cake making skills, he had the coolest birthday cake ever. He had lots of fun... and maybe, just maybe the terrible two's are over.

some cute pictures

2009-02-07T11:57:00.001-08:00

Hillarious in Hindsight

2009-02-04T14:14:00.001-08:00

There are some things in this life that ARE NOT funny as they happen. Looking back on them we realize they were VERY FUNNY! I have an experience like that. I was talking to my neighbor. He's a great guy, and I have known him forever. He asked me how I was feeling, and I said... " better than ever!!!" That was true. Until the moment I said it. As soon as I said it, I started feeling the world slip away. Wouldn't you know it. I lost consciousness. He didn't realize and went on talking to me and getting his mail. When I didn't respond, he saw me on the ground and ran across the street to call 911. I woke up, and he was holding me on the ground. I had NO idea who he was, but I knew I didn't want to be on the ground with some guys arms around me. I was not nice to him. I feel bad, but I was pretty far gone. Long story short, we figured it out. I switched medicine and realized that the medicine I had been on was the root of everything evil. Really. I have energy everyday! i am so glad we figured this out. I just find this story to be funny. It didn't seem funny then, but it really is super funny now. Just one of those things I guess that are hillarious in hindsight.

Spring Fever

2009-02-04T14:10:00.001-08:00

All of the Casey's are getting spring fever. Bad. Jensen told me yesterday he wanted to play with rolly -polly bugs. I want to too. I would give anything to mow the lawn, or have a picnic. Spring will come soon enough, but I feel like it's taking a long time this year. Don't you?

Holiday Action of Plenty

2009-01-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

I have yet to actually contribute to this blog other than suggestions that I have given my wife, however since I've been taking the computer to work with me for the last month. I feel obligated to update the world on our little family. We had a great Christmas season with parties and activities of plenty. Most importantly Jensen and Israel had a blast with cousins and friends. We had the chance to have Santa come to Grandpa Casey's. Israel tried to feed his candy cane to Santa and Jensen was so excited to sing jingle bells with Santa. Jensen also got to see his cousins from Colorado, especially Josh who he really relates too, they got matching batman jammers and had to were them constantly. They would tell everyone, "look were twiners." and his cousin Amanda from St. George who he missed greatly. As Amanda was leaving to go back to St. George, she said to Jensen, "I love you like a million bucks!" and he said to her as she was leaving, "I love you like five bucks!" Nicole and I were rolling on the ground laughing at him. So of course in typical 2 year old comedic fashion he starts repeating it over and over to get a few more laughs. other than a great Holiday Season we are still doing great. Nicole is feeling better on her new medication, she is so tough, but anything to ease her burden is great. We both are starting new diets to re coupe from all the Holiday goodies we ate. We also had two birthday cakes for Israel since he was born on Christmas day last year. and his friend Kiley made him a very special cake that took many hours. Thank you! it tasted amazing too. Most importantly, we want to thank everyone for their continued love, prayers and support and we wish you all a fruitful new year.

siblings

2008-11-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

Nicole, pouring water on Troy's head as he sleeps...

Growing up, we have to put up with our siblings. We have to endure whatever form of torture they feel like submitting us to. I was teased relentlessley, left out, manipulated... Just like every other kid. I sometimes thought that I must have been adopted, and that the real family that loved me, would show up any day to get me and we would live happily ever after. I am sure every single one of my siblings felt the same way at one time. We had fun together too. I loook back on some of the chores that were done together as the best times of my life. Now that all of us are grown up, and I get to see who my siblings really are, I am amazed at the amazing people I grew up with. I know Jared feels the same way. Some of our brothers and sisters are fighting off huge dragons everyday. We watch them go through what is happening to them, and what has happened to them with awe. Each of them have great courage, and strength, and it is amazing to see people that we already thought were great become even better through their hard times. I am so glad for each one of mine and Jared's sibblings, and want them to know that we do notice your courage and admire your ability to smile against the odds. Thank you for being our family!

Questionable Therapy

2008-11-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

As a preface... I am posting this at the urging of Jared, it is not my idea.

We have alot of therapists come to our home. Today the vision specialist who comes three times a month needed to bring her professor for an evaluation to get her Master's degree. Usually these vision therapy sessions include stories, looking in the mirror, and playing with different textures, sizes, shapes colors at different distances to help strengthen Israel's eyes. Today's session was much the same, except for the addition of the visiting proffessor. The therapist and professor each, in turn brought different toys out of their bags, let Izzy play with them , wrote down the response. The therapist pulls out metallic tissue paper, Izzy loved it.... Blah Blah... Until.... the professor pulls out... a vibrator. I don't mean a toy that vibrates. I mean a full blown adult novelty toy. She says to my baby... "this is a vibrator!" Then she turns it on, and hands it to him. I was so shocked. The therapist eyes about popped out of her head. She kept trying to look at me to see my reaction, but I was fluctuating between asking if I was on candid camera, asking her what in the world she was thinking, and laughing my head off. I just focused on Izzy's face, and hoped she would put it away soon. As my son played with it she asked me, " do you ever let him play with a vibrator? You should! " What on earth! NO! I just said... no, not really. After a minute or so... I got my wish because it stopped working. She said, " oh, it should be working, it was working just a little while ago!" Once again. I just looked straight forward.

Lake Powell

2008-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Jensen, Monique catching some air,and little Izzy

For the fourth of July my side of the family always goes down to Lake Powell. This year Jared had to work, so I was a single parent! It was pretty tough till my niece Monique and her friend Kiley got there! They were great! We had so much fun, and Jensen LOVED being with his cousins. He was so brave, I think he would have tried wakeboarding if I let him. He rode on the tube, and the water weenie and spent every second he could building things in the sand. When we had a skier out he would yell instructions to them everytime the boat came back around. Israel was very patient, and liked to swim, but mostly he liked all the loves and snuggles he got

Triathalons!

2008-10-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

  Finish Line in Sandy
   Jensen up early to watch daddy
   Jared, Ben, Jeanie(go girls!), Phil and Chris
   Chris, Ben, Jared and Phil
In the spring Jared's brother Ben told him that he was doing a triathalon, and asked if he wanted to too. Jared told me he was doing it... and I have to admit I thought that he would probably back out, or his enthusiasm would fizzle out or if he did it, it might not end well. That is a pretty intense work out! I am so proud of him! He ran, biked or swam almost every day during the spring and summer! He did the Logan triathalon, and did so great! (I would have made it about 100 ft. running, and drowned swimming.) Then he did the Sandy triathalon too! He lost about thirty pounds and feels so much better now! He doesn't feel right about his day now if he doesn't get a workout. Way to go Jared and the triathalon-ing Casey's!

2008-10-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Grandpa, Jensen and Tanner

Counting Blessings

2008-10-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

I feel like in the last six months or so, my eyes have been opened for the first time. I have never been so aware of the beauty of the world, and the people around me. I have never really thought much about the great things that happen to me everyday. Lately I have realized that the ordinary things, are some of the most beautiful things. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband,and the example he is to me everyday. I am thankful that I am able to stay home with our great kids and watch and help them grow. Having them in our home is like being able to see right into Heaven. I have said before that some people said that they were sorry when Israel was born. Some people might look at a child with special needs as a hardship. It is different than having a baby that doesn't need the extra attention. It might even be harder. However, every second of hardship is outweighed by an hour of pleasure. I am so thankful we were given the opportunity to raise him. I am thankful for my family and Jared's family, and the unconditional supportive love they give us. I am thankful that my sons have a grandpa on both sides. and the amazing men they both are. (Their grandmas are pretty amazing too.) Now for the surprise. I was talking to a friend the other day about my MS, and I realized that I was thankful for it. It is a blessing in disguise. I think it is the reason that I am becoming aware of all my blessings. I never know when I won't feel good. I never know if the next day will bring a relapse with new symptoms, or what will be happening, and so I see the world for the joy it holds now. That has been an amazing change in my life. I am so thankful for the sun that shines, the chance that I have to wipe a dirty face, change a diaper, or deal with a temper tantrum. It is crazy to think that being able to do those things means so much to me, but it is amazing how wonderful even the most mundane task can seem when you don't know what your tomorrow holds. Another blessing that has come from my MS is how many amazing people have been there for me. There are nurses that have spent much longer than would seem normal talking to me, and actually caring about me. One nurse told me she would pray for me while I was getting an MRI because I was so afraid (claustrophobia). Another one worked for the whole time I was there to try to get my insurance figured out so I wouldn't have to do it myself or pay out of pocket. I am amazed by my niece and my mom and the willingness that they show, even with their busy lives to help me, and tend and love our kids. Sometimes in this crazy world and all the news I think it is easy to see the bad. Let me just tell you as someone who sees the world in a different light. The world is so beautiful, and it is full of beautiful people, who are being an example to me and I am thankful I get to stay here for a while and learn from them.

Woo Hoo!

2008-10-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

I know there are some of you who have been waiting for an update on my health. I randomly lost conciseness one day while I was on the phone with my sister, and cut my lip open. While allot of people knew that, no one knew why. Including my neurologist. I was referred to a cardiologist, and had to wear a heart monitor for the last month, and get an echo cardiogram. I had no idea what the results were going to be for the past month, and it had me a little worried that my time was up and I had something terribly wrong with my heart. I had the appointment with the cardiologist today... And he gave me a "clean bill of health as far as my heart is concerned." I am so so thankful! I think the whole thing might of had something to do with my MS, and have talked to a couple other people with MS who have had the same thing happen. It's a crazy disease... who knows. As for now I am just thankful to be able to stay and live with my wonderful family, and I am not going to worry anymore about what happened. Thank you to everyone for all your help and prayers!

brothers

2008-09-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

Our little boys are the best. When I was pregnant with Israel, even in the very beginning Jensen would always fall asleep cuddling my tummy. Now that Israel is here, Jensen has to be holding Israel's hand to fall asleep, even for his naps, or when they are riding in thier car seats next to eachother. Izzy looks at Jensen different than anyone else. I love it! I love the special bond that they have! I think when they were up in Heaven waiting to come down they were the best of friends, and they decided they wanted to be brothers. Jensen knew that Israel would be special, and wanted to be the one to be his friend and brother and help him through his struggles. In turn the spirit Izzy has to offer will help Jensen through his struggles. I know as they grow up there will be times when Jensen has a hard time accepting that his brother is different than other kids, but I love how it is right now. Their souls are still so pure while they are so little, that feel like we have a window to how it was before they came here. I am so thankful for my sweet little boys!

The Good Life

2008-09-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

Izzy getting loved by his cousin, Monica Casey

We just came home from Jared's parent's for the day, and I am overwhelmed by the blessings that we have! I have been blessed with such a great family for in-laws. I am truly thankful for all of them, and I count them as one of my greatest blessings. I think lately I have been faced with the idea of my mortality, and it has had us counting our blessings. We wake up every day in one of the most beautiful places in the world, surrounded by great people who are striving to be their best. We have great families and beautiful children. The biggest blessing of all, and the one that I have been struck by lately, is that we have a Father who loves us. I think that is so amazing! It has been a constant thought in my head... No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, no matter where we are, He loves us. Not just me and my family, but everyone! It makes you think differently about someone (the crazy neighbor or the person who is annoying or whoever) when you think about how much they are loved by our Father in Heaven! I am so glad that I know this. It makes every day better. Life is Easier when I know that life might be really hard, but Heavenly Father loves us and will help us through. We also just wanted to say.....Thank you so much to each of our family and friends for being such a great blessing in our lives! We love you, and are so thankful for the people that you are!

Funny kid

2008-09-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

Jensen pretending to be a pizza

This is kind of a stupid thing to put in, especially when we need an update so badly. But... all things in due time! Today Jensen Israel and I went out to lunch with my sister Kristi. As we were driving home, Jensen noticed that there was something brown on the bottom of one of his shoes. He said, " Mom, I've got poop on my shoe!" then "Kristi pooped on my shoe!" Then, under his breath.... "Stinkin' Kristi." THAT KID KEEPS ME LAUGHING!! (by the way, Kristi didn't poop on his shoe. I think it was a horse. ;)

Izzy's First Word!

2008-08-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

We have been working on sign language really hard with Israel, and it payed off! At the beginning of the week Izzy signed mom, then he said Dada and did the sign for dad. Now he does it all the time to get Jared. It works! Daddy won the first word competition this time! (I lost last time too. Jensen's first word was 'hey'.") Daddy +1 Mommy +0

Light

2008-08-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

I had an epiphany today. I have had random strangers comment on how positive I was with my recent situations. I usually reply back with, " anyone would be doing this well." I really beleived it, until today. I had an interesting experience that made me change my thought process. ..... I have had such a great life. Especially now. It is easy to see past the darkness of our trails and see the beauty in our lives. Unless you misplace your light. I think we each have our light, but we have to live life so it wants to be there. There was some time in this week that I lost my light. I got dragged into something I have spent my life trying to avoid, let some contention in... and my light vanished. The difference was as obvious to me as turning out a light switch. Then it hit me. The only reason I even make it from day to day, let alone smile, or be positive was because of the light. It gives me power to go on and be positive and I 'd had it for so long I had taken it's prescence completley for granted. I learned my light runs easily, and that I need it. I HAVE TO live so that that light can stay with me, or I won't make it. It was so amazing the difference it made in my life, to see the light go out for a while. Now... I have a challenge for you. If you have chased your light away, go find it, and invite it back. Then see what you can do with the power your light gives you.

St. George

2008-08-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer Jared surprised me by taking a week off of work.. We headed down to St. George to go visit John and Kristin Budge, my neice and have some fun in the sun. It was great! We stayed at their beautiful house. Kristin was so wonderful, and even put a cute basket with soap, shampoo and conditioner and you would get at a hotel. Jensen was pretty sure he was in heaven with all the attention from Kristin and another guy around to play ball with. He also loved to see my neice Amanda and get his hair cut. (we even attempted to give him little blonde tips, but it didn't work.) Israel was snuggled by Kristin the whole time. He loved looking up at her and gooing little stories to her. John is awesome. Everywhere we went he would help carry the car seat (it is so heavy!) or Jensen. One of the nights we left the kids with Amanda, and John, Kristin Jared and I went to Tuacahan to see Les Mesirables. We were on the back row, which was the handicapped row, so there were two seats together, then a gap for a wheelchair, then the next chair. It looked so much like Jared and John were on a date!

Jared corrupted John and Kristin and taught them how to play Texas Hold 'Em. I have a sneaking suspision that next time, Jared will get schooled. Thanks to the great Budges, for opening their home to us and our chaos!

Is he 17?

2008-08-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Jensen is throwing Jared and I for a loop. He is two and a half. The average two year old goes to bed between 8-10 I would think... Jensen goes to bed between 11:30 and 2. I deprive him of his nap, but it does nothing. He sleeps in till between 9-11 almost every morning. Now, you might say, don't let him sleep in, right? The child is COMATOSE. No joke. I walk in and out of his room, talk to him, play with his hair, I have even jumped on his bed. All I get is a dirty look. He has Jared and I wondering if he is really a seventeen year old masquerading as a two year old. Another thing... We got the back to school ad from Express, and it had a poster in it of some girls that were very pretty, but not very dressed... He brought it to me and said "these are pretty mom, I wanna see em. I want em on my wall." Great. We thought we had a few years at least! He also LOVES roller coasters, or anything really fast and scary. It all has us asking.... Exactly how old is our two year old? Any words of advice?

Christine

2008-07-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

The last few days of my hospital stay I had a roommate, named Christine. She was about 45, divorced and had six kids. She had just had a giant HIGHLY cancerous tumor removed from her brain. Because of the pain medication she was on, she was kind of out of it and she couldn't help but show the true beauty of her soul. She was positive but realistic about her grim prognosis. She was truly focused on other people. Her children, her mom, the neighbor who needed a thank you card. All of this in a time when most people would be cranky because of terrible pain, or depressed, or angry or a million other not so lovely emotions. She was amazing, and she didn't even know it. I don't know what happened to Christine after I left. She may have already passed away, but I am so thankful for the example she was to me when she had no idea she was. I hope that when my time comes, I could have learned enough and come far enough that my soul shines through as beautiful as Christine's did.

A Road Bump Called MS

2008-07-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Jared thought I needed to blog about my recent hospital stay, etc. In the end of April we were spending the night at Jared's parents house. Around eleven at night, my right leg went numb. I just thought it had fallen asleep and ignored it. By 5 am my whole right side was numb. I was pretty scared. We went to the emergency room on the way home that night, got a CT scan ( even though I said because of the radiation I would rather get an MRI) and got sent home like they might have thought I was a little crazy. They told me maybe it was a "weird migraine"and it should be gone in a few hours, but if anything else happened to come back in. The next morning, my left foot went numb. I was kinda worried, and so we headed back up to the Uof U hospital ER. A really young Dr. Buchanan helped me. I got an MRI and some blood work done. After a lot of waiting he came back in. I could tell he had bad news because he looked kind of pale, his whole demeanor changed. I felt worse for him having to tell me about whatever was wrong with me, and watch my reaction than I did for me. He told me that they thought I might have Multiple Sclerosis, because I had three lesions on my brain but they didn't know for sure what was going on. The way he was acting I was really glad he was telling me that, and not that I was going to die but since they didn't know for sure what was happening I was still nervous. Have you ever been to the emergency room, and have them send you home like you are crazy? I hate that! The other alternative is far worse though. I was admitted into the ER observation unit for a spinal tap. By this point most of my left side was numb as well as the right. It was such a strange feeling and a scary place, that I asked Jared to stay me. He is such a wonderful husband. We crammed into the one tiny bed, and I spent most of the night listening to the woman next to me crying that she was going to die. I was afraid one of the lesions would move over the part of my brain that controls breathing or my heart and I would just die. So I stayed awake. In the morning they told me that MS was the worse of the possibilities, and that it wouldn't kill me like that. I felt much better, and thought I would get to go home since I had had the spinal tap, but they moved me up to the neurology ward and said they didn't know when I would get to go home. I hate hospitals, and I hate being away from my family. My mom was amazing. Everyday she would pick my kids up from Jared before work, then just stay in my room with me and them. I think that is the only reason I stayed sane. Jared would come to see me at night after work and take the kids home and put them both in bed, then call me to say goodnight and tell me everything was okay. I am so thankful for the wonderful people that I have as my family and that they would do all of that for me. After almost a week in the hospital,(I offered to bake any Doctor that got me out of there ASAP a pie, they ALL failed) most of which was waiting and getting poked at 3 am for blood work, they sent me home with a diagnoses of "possible MS." Then we went to San Diego, my symptoms got worse, and I was able to get back into the neurologist as soon as we got back. On May 16, I was officially diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS. Basically, my immune system broke somehow, and stared attacking the lining of the nerves in my brain and spinal cord. It makes little sores, they heal into scars called Sclerosis. They can be anywhere on the brain or spinal cord, so symptoms vary. For now, my symptoms have been numbness , sometimes from the neck down, fatigue and a shocking sensation when I look down. At this very moment I feel great. I get tired, and the shocking is still there, but I'm not numb... We'll see what happens next! I have started treatment (shots 3 times a week) and it could stop any further progression. I think I have never appreciated life, my family and loved ones so much. They have shown me how supportive and wonderful they can be, and I am so glad I have them to go through life with. The most beautiful roads I have travelled on were not paved. They were bumpy and dusty. If you focus on the bumps, you won't see the beautiful mountain scene in front of you. I think life is the same way. One of my bumps is MS, but Life is beautiful, and we are going to keep living and enjoying life's beauty, and keep walking over the bumps.

Baby Israel

2008-07-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

I was very nervous that with my due date so close to Christmas, (January 3) I would have Israel on Christmas. I was so worried about it I think, that I programmed my body to do exactally that. I was in labor for most of the later part of Christmas Eve. Jared and I left Jensen with my Neices Monique and Amanda and headed to the hospital. Israel was born at 5:04 Christmas morning. He had some trouble breathing, so I only got to hold him for a second before they took him. As I looked into his little eyes, I thought he looked like he might have down syndrome, and as Jared went with him down to the nursery, he thought the same thing. When he was two weeks old, the lab work came back and we found out he does have down syndrome. I thought only older moms have babies with DS, so it was a little bit of a shock. Because 40% of all babies with down syndrome are born with major heart defects he had his heart screened. They found a hole, but said there was a possibility of it closing up, and we would watch it. At his six month check up with the pediatric cardiologist, we found out his heart is PERFECT. Totally normal. What a blessing! Israel is the light of all of our lives. Jensen holds his little hand whenever he gets the chance. His smile could change the world. He loves to babble squeak and smile. At his last checkup with the lady who evaluates how he is doing, she said that in her career she has never seen a baby with DS doing so well. I am so glad we have him. Someone said that they were sorry that I didn't have a "normal " baby. We wouldn't switch him for "normal" in a million years. We know that it may be harder, and we might have some extra challenges, but the light of his spirit outweighs all of that. By far.

Winner's Circle in San Diego

2008-07-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

Last year Jared was the top salesman in Utah for T-mobile, so they sent us to San Diego for free! We decided to make a family affair of it and brought along Jensen, Israel, and my mom (for a babysitter.) We stayed at the Hotel del Coronado. It was so beautiful! You would think that California would be warmer than Utah in May, but it was about fifty to seventy degrees the whole time! We were freezing! Jensen didn't seem to notice though and was running in and out of the waves. Every day he would say, "I wanna go ocean!" On one of the nights there was a big formal banquet. ( It was the very first time I have ever worn a cocktail dress!) We got to eat shrimp and fillet Mignon, and then we were entertained by the one and only Jay Leno. He was hilarious! We were only about twenty feet away from the stage. After Jay Leno was done they had a big clap fest awards ceremony. They did a big video presentation about the top salesman in the country. His name was Yuri and he was a twenty year old Israeli national that lived in New York City. He sold more blackberries by himself than the rest of T- mobiles salesmen put together! About two minutes after Yuri came off the stage, and sat down, he collapsed and died. Crazy! He just dropped dead. They tried to revive him, but he never came around. It kind of makes you think.... It was a very somber experience. We came right back to our room and prayed for him and his family. I had only been home from the hospital for one day before we left to San Diego, and that had made us thankful for every second of life we get to live, and after seeing that, we were even more thankful. We have to put the kids in bed now, we'll have more later on this trip!

Memory Lane...

2008-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

I stole this from a friend's blog so please play along if you want to. I"m excited to hear the memories that you all have of me.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Entering the World of Blogging

2008-06-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd have a blog, but here I am! I'm just getting started, but I hope that this can be a good way to keep in touch with friends and family. Stay tuned for lots of funny stories and cute pics! In the mean time, here's an adorable picture of Jensen with baby Israel. It's hard to believe that Israel is already 6 months old!!