Bruises & Blessings

This past week I began to notice some changes in Hadlie.  Not only was she fussy and not eating, but she was getting lots of bruises and she even had her first little nose bleed.  At first, I chalked it up to her being the rambunctious two year old that she is.  But then they showed up in strange places.  Places that were not normal.  After Josh finally agreeing that something may be wrong last night, I decided I would call the doctor first thing this morning.

Of course, after Josh thought something was wrong I did what every good mother shouldn't do... I began looking up the causes for bruising in toddlers.  Not one single diagnosis was comforting.  It didn't matter how I rephrased what I typed in the Google search box.  Finally, I had narrowed down her diagnosis to Leukemia or ITP (which is what my mom thought it was).  After I couldn't take anymore, I decided to tell myself she was simply fussy and not eating because she had a virus.  And because she wasn't eating right she was bruising easily.  Simple enough.  So I opened my Bible convinced (sort of) that I was right, and read until my eyes couldn't stay open.  Then I rolled over with Josh's hand on my back and slept the most peaceful night's sleep I'd had in two years.  Sort of odd for a worrying mother, but God is good like that.

First thing this morning I called the doctor.  She went in at 11 a.m.  Luckily, I had to take Lexie to the dentist before that and get everyone ready so I didn't have time to sit and research and worry too much.  I had a few minor moments of sheer panic, but they were comforted by the sound of Josh's voice which was only a phone call away.

When we got to the doctor she quickly confirmed that there was more going on than just her not eating well and bruising because of that.  She also said she felt sure it wasn't any type of Leukemia because everything in that area seemed to look great.  Our first piece of good news.  She felt like it was also ITP.  So with a quick prick of the finger, some discussion about the possible next steps, and the doctor's cell phone number written down, the waiting began.

After four hours, our wonderful pediatrician called.  She confirmed that Hadlie did have ITP.  Hadlie's platelet counts were at 23,000.  Low, but not horrible.  So what does all this mean?!?  Well, we aren't really sure at this point.  I think that's the most nerve wracking thing right now.  As of this moment, we will watch Hadlie until Tuesday when her levels are retested.  She isn't allowed to do anything that includes physical contact, jumping, climbing, etc.  If she starts bleeding and doesn't stop quickly or her gums bleed when we brush her teeth (or anything else out of the ordinary occurs) we are to call the doctor's cell phone immediately because this would signal a drop in her platelets.  

The treatment for ITP is somewhat controversial.  Some prefer an observation approach and others prefer a medicate approach.  Luckily her doctor is leaning towards the observation approach at this time.  We will take it step by step after each platelet count is taken.  The good news in all of this is that often times ITP in children will clear itself up within a few months.  We pray this is the case for Hadlie.  

Right now there are many unknowns.  One thing is for sure, we have been blessed beyond measure that her diagnosis was not worse.  So while I am sad that my daughter cannot do the things she loves (soccer, gymnastics, be the wild woman she typically is), I am grateful that one day she will be able to do those things again.  I feel blessed beyond measure, and I have no doubt that today was us seeing Gods "mercies in disguise."

Our Year - 2011

This past year has been filled with many struggles, many joys, and multiple MIRACLES!  We are thankful for the opportunity to experience each of these things.  It has helped us to grow individually and as a family.  It has taught us what is truly important in this lifetime.  And it has allowed us all to grow in our faith, as we prepare for our eternity.  Wishing you all a wonderful 2012!


Today, my little friends will be my "guest bloggers" sharing with you their thoughts and favorite moments from 2011 (with some spelling help from Mom as needed).

 JACOB

My favorite parts of 2011 were going to Medieval times with my dad and Jessica in July and starting basketball with Pop.  I liked going to my dad's work to play basketball.  I also liked going to Bass Pro.  My sisters and I went to a lot of places this year and did a lot of fun things!  Me and Lexie got iPod Touches for Christmas. I went to my friend's house for a sleepover. This year was great. Oklahoma beat Iowa. My mom and I bought Santa some cookies. We ate some of Santa's cookies. Me and Chad boxed. Me and my brothers played Legos. I played some computers. I finished soccer a couple months ago.  I can't wait for next year!






LEXIE

My favorite part about 2011 was being with my family. I enjoyed celebrating with my friends & family, going to gym meets & doing Girl Scout things, and going to the nursing home. My mom, dad, and Nayna took us to Bass Pro lots of times to do activities and see Santa. We went swimming and to movies. We got to travel to Oklahoma and stay in hotels.  I also had a Hollywood birthday party!  I wonder what's next for next year. I'll just have to wait. Anyway this year was fantastic, awesome, great, and all those things. It was also a little crazy since everyone was here. But like I said before the best part was being with my family. Thank you God for 2011 & thank you Jesus for the best year of my life. God & Jesus bless everyone. Thank you.







HADLIE 


Hadlie had quite the eventful year!  She started gymnastics and soccer.  Both of which she loves!  She no longer attends daycare and spends her time with Daddy, Mommy, or Popo.  This has been wonderful for her to get to spend this time at home developing at her overly accelerated pace and keeping us all on our toes!  In May, she got her stitches.  She now has a scar on her face, but it has healed better than we expected.  She turned 2 in September.  Hadlie loves to swim, play, jump, and make people laugh.  She is constantly saying, "That funny" or "I just kidding".  She's definitely full of personality!  Hadlie has enjoyed getting to tag along to all of the "big kids" activities.  Mostly because she simply ADORES her brother and sister!  Hadlie loves going to church and singing church songs.  And she loves constantly changing her outfits!  She's just been so much fun this year!  I know that we are all looking forward to seeing her little personality continue to develop in 2012.

Our First Elf on the Shelf Experience

The night he arrived!

This was our first year to have Ollie, our Elf on the Shelf.  He arrived at our doorstep on Friday, December 2 while we were in the middle of writing letters to Santa.  The kids were thrilled! 

We have truly enjoyed having Ollie here.  The kids wake up excited to find him.  Hadlie wants so badly to touch him!  And I've enjoyed thinking of things for him to do.  Some nights are carefully planned out.  Others are spur of the moment.  Some nights I've woken abruptly at 3 or 4 AM remembering that I forgot to move him.  Those are the nights he's simply hiding in a new spot!


I know many are concerned that the Elf on the Shelf is one more thing to take away the focus of celebrating Jesus this time of year.  For us, that is not a problem.  Our children are well versed in the story of Jesus' birth.  Ollie is not used as a reminder to be good.  Our focus is still the same: God is always watching.  Make sure your choices are honoring and pleasing Him.  Ollie is simply another childhood memory.  Another way to cherish the precious moments we've been given with our children ... another thing to make them smile!  


I look forward to seeing Ollie again next year.  Until then, this is what he will leave for the kids tomorrow as he heads back to the North Pole for another year... I share it with you:

Some of Ollie's other adventures included...

Taking Barbie for a ride... yee haw!

A nice relaxing puzzle!

Getting a little fishing in!

Roasting some marshmallows

Eating our cookies & drinking chocolate milk!

TP the Christmas Tree

Rice Angel

 

 

Elf donuts, anyone?

Drawing on the family pictures

Driving mom's car, and doing a horrible parking job in the driveway!

Cuddling in Lexie's bed while she and Hadlie were out of town!

Outrageous Ollie to the rescue!

White Queso Dip

I found a recipe for White Queso dip on Pinterest so I decided to give it a whirl.  I did change it up a bit because... well, I can.  So here is what I did, and it was oh so yummy!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of white American cheese (got the Kroger brand from the deli)
• 1/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 can of Rotel with lime and cilantro (drained the juices)
• 1/4 cup of onion
• Half and half 
• 1 Tbs. Olive Oil

Steps to White Queso Dip Bliss:

• Shred all cheeses (don't buy the already shredded kind and cheat)
• Chop onion (I use a choppy thing so it gets chopped really fine)
• Heat olive oil in a sauce pan on med. heat
• Add onions and saute them on med. low heat
• Add 1/4 cup of half and half and Rotel
• Put in all cheeses and stir your heart out until it's all melted!
• Add half and half as needed until you reach your desired consistency

Options (which I will use next time on half of the recipe because some of us like a spicier dip):

•  Seed and dice one jalapeno (I'll use the choppy thing on this as well) and throw it in with everything else!

My own little picture of a chip and the queso!

It was easy breezy and super yummy!  It was also fine to throw in the microwave and reheat as needed!  For the Pinterest version (which is very similar) visit this site.


Hope you enjoy!

Black Friday Virgins

One cannot quite prepare for their first Black Friday experience, although I did try.  I did my research, and I asked lots of questions to those I would consider to be Black Friday Experts.  I figured it would be a piece of cake considering there were only a couple of things we wanted to get.

We finished Thanksgiving lunch about 2:00 PM, and I headed out to Best Buy.  The only place that had the item I wanted... needed... the item I'd already countless hours into trying to find.  My sister didn't want me to sit alone (because she's amazing and wonderful in every way) so she came with me.  She only intended to sit with me until someone came to relieve her.  Little did she know she'd end up riding Black Friday to the end!

We came well prepared for the most part.  We had lawn chairs, a blanket, our reusable shopping bags, our sack of Black Friday ads, and a camera.  What we didn't take we had brought to us.  We later learned those who bring you items while you are out are called your "Support".  Our support was amazing.  They provided us with extra blankets, gloves, hats, fuzzy socks, warm slippers, a game of "bags", hot chocolate, and pie!  Having good Support is essential in having a quality and successful Black Friday experience.  

So by 2:30 PM we were at Best Buy.  About 30 back in line.  Our list of items to purchase had grown as we received requests from those who found out we were in line.  Also, having that much spare time to go through the ads over and over gives you plenty of time to find more things you want to buy at such an incredible price.  We met a lot of people.  We asked a lot of questions from those who had frequented this particular Best Buy before.  We were set.

In the mean time, Josh was preparing to tackle Walmart.  He arrived there around 8 PM.  Rachel and I went to visit him (when we needed a restroom to use), and checked on how he was doing.  He was in position and ready to go.  My confidence that he would be successful was much greater than my confidence that he would be.  The way Walmart works is that you can stand by whatever item you want in the store.  You just have to wait until the time comes to grab it.  His hands were on the items we needed.  The entire store was a mad house.  I was happy to be camped out at Best Buy instead of being on Walmart duty.  (Have I mentioned lately how incredibly my man is?!?)

Back at Best Buy were were freezing cold.  People were driving by taking pictures and videos.  Some even stopped to talk to us.  Time was slowly ticking by as we waited for them to begin handing out vouchers for their big ticket items.  At 10:00 PM they lined everyone up in a single file line.  It was amazing how many people tried to sneak in the line who had just arrived.  Unfortunately for them we all knew who had been there because we'd all spent so much time together.  They were ridiculed out of line.  First they handed out ads and store maps.  Then came the vouchers.  The hot item to get was the 42" TV for $199.  There were only 18 of them, and every person from 1 - 18 got one.  One family had brought several kids with them to get one.  They were the second family in line so it didn't take long for those to go.  Fortunately, that isn't what we were there for.  

After the vouchers were handed out, time went a little quicker.  Josh had arrived from Walmart, and his trip had been a success!  He joined us in line, and so did our neighbor who we had gotten a voucher for.  At midnight the Best Buy staff started yelling and getting everyone all hyped up to go in!  They were great and very enthusiastic.  And just like that they started letting people in.  

They let in about 10 at a time, waited a few seconds for them to disperse, and then let the next group in.  I was prepared to run to the back of the store to get my item because I had been told by the manager there were only five of them.  So it was time... our turn.  We walked through the front doors, and just like that we were no longer Black Friday Virgins.  

We were official Black Friday shoppers!  I ran to the back of the store in my pink fuzzy slippers.  At first I didn't see the item I wanted and grabbed the alternative item I had chosen.  Then I saw it... the last one.  My heart stopped.  I had put so many hours into getting this.  I grabbed it immediately and put it in my reusable shopping bag.  I even got a little choked up.  For those of you who know me, you know that's how I am.  It doesn't take much to get me teary.  Every hour I'd spent searching, calling, driving, sitting outside, and freezing for had just became worth it!  It was such a rush!  Then in a matter of seconds someone walked up behind me looking for that same item.  I got it because I ran for it.  It was my day!


Losing your Black Friday virginity is a lot like losing your real virginity.  Anticipation, nervousness, excitement, and a flood of emotions after it's all said and done.  I just can't believe I waited so long to experience it!


Needless to say, I'm hooked.  Our trips were successful.  And we are so much wiser now.  Next year, I want to go big.  I envision matching sweat shirts, a team name, and a tent!  Our team will be scattered at different stores so that we can make the most of the experience and the money saving deals!  It will be amazing!  





 

Advent Calendar

After a nice Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by family and friends and our first Black Friday shopping experience (more on that later), I have finally had time to slow down and get some things done.  Last night we began putting up our Christmas decorations.  Currently, our house looks like a tornado hit it because we still haven't finished putting everything up, and boxes are everywhere.  

However, I did get a chance to complete my Advent Calendar project.  I wasn't willing to spend tons of money on a calendar I wasn't totally crazy about.  So I began brainstorming.  I looked through Pinterest.  And finally I just went to Hobby Lobby hoping something would jump out at me.  And this is the end result (with the various pictures of items used):

First, I found the small brown envelopes.  I decided random decoration would be best.  So I chose four different scrapbook papers, stickers, some some poinsettias that had brads (so they were easy to put on), and some ribbon.  Seemed easy enough!  Then I found some tiny clothespins that came 24 to a pack, which was the perfect amount!  I knew this was going to hang under the opening that looks from the window to the living room so I needed something to put all of this on.  I chose the gold rope because it didn't stretch.  I didn't want something that was going to stretch when I hung stuff on it.


When I got home I divided up the envelopes by which ones would get stickers, paper, poinsettias, etc.  Then I started putting them together with whatever struck me as a good idea at that moment.  I laid them out in the order I wanted to hang them in and put tiny numbers on the back so I would know what day they were for and what order they went in.  I did debate putting numbers on the front (as most Advent Calendars have numbers on the front), but I decided against it.


Next, I hung up my rope and tied the ribbon on randomly.  Then I filled it in with the envelopes.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out!  I can't wait for the kids to pull look inside the envelope each day to find out what fun activity we will be doing to spend time as a family and prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

More Hair

My sweet girl, Lexie, has come to expect some type of "fancy" hair for every occasion now.  I'm not all that great at doing hair.  That's more my mom's department.  So when she came to me on Thanksgiving and asked what type of hairstyle I was going to give her for the day, it threw me for a loop.  I had nothing prepared.  I decided to go with something simple since I didn't have lots of time to do a hairstyle, and this is what we came up with!

I had seen a "knot" hairstyle on Pinterest that we had tried one night.  It took a long time, and I had yet to perfect it.  So I took that and simplified.

First, I parted off a little bit of hair in the front.  Then, I split it into two sections and tied it (like the first part of tying your shoes).  Next, I grabbed some more hair to add to each section and tied it again.  After that "knot" I put in a clear ponytail holder and called it good.  Her hair stayed great and she loved it.  The best part was it only took me about 3-5 minutes!

I think we'll do this one again.  Cute, easy, and a great alternative to the normal "half up and half down" that I do to keep the hair out of her face.