It's a 4 Ring Circus!

my critter lover

Too bad the lizard doesn't know that he's found a new best friend!

a new Sr. green belt

from Thursday night's award ceremony
just me & Josh
afterwards we went out for some Chipotle
a good mom/son date!

a visit from the cookie fairy

Well, my friend Toni surprised me again yesterday with a mysterious visit from the UPS man.  This time he brought a box from Mrs. Fields --- mmmm, yummmy!  It did cause quite a bit of excitement and couldn't have come on a better day.  We all needed a bit of a pick-me-up!

(Ava thought the box made a nice chair for viewing Dora and eating cookies....)

Thanks so much for the nice surprise, Toni!

and another doctor report

Sadie had her appt with the nephrologist this morning, which went well.  Her blood pressure was great and her urine didn't have anything weird in it.  He was much more positive than the doom and gloom we had been hearing lately.  I just about burst into tears when he said that we were very far away from things like dialysis and transplants.  This whole thing is such a roller coaster, I can't even tell you.

Ava had her follow-up with the pediatrician today, no news there, except that he did weigh in in favor of doing her bladder surgery sooner rather than later (this has been a hot topic in our house the past few days).  I've been trying to get all of the various appts figured out, and now Ava has a pre-op appt on April 7th, with surgery scheduled for April 10.  Sadie has a pre-op appt for her scope procedure on April 21st, with the procedure on May 16.  It's a big headache, and Ryan is trying his best to schedule work around all of it.

Mmmm.

Now, to lighten things up a bit around here, something from the scan pile last night.
Ben will love me for this one.

Let's just say he ain't studying the plants.

more scanner fun

I finally posted the pictures from our February trip to Utah.  Go see 'em, you'll like 'em.

It made me want to post an old picture of me and Tibi from our college days.  But on my first attempt, I haven't been able to find the picture I was looking for.  I did, however, find a few other treasures.  I'm going to have to work up a post about those.

But looky here.

Here I am up at Squaw Peak (Provo), fall of 1994.  Brand spankin' new Doc Marten boots to wear in the snow.

And here is me at Aspen Grove (Provo), winter of 2008.  Same boots.

A little something(s) that happened inbetween.  Christmas of 2000.

Good grief, time sure flies, huh???

wild toddler on the loose

Sometimes it's just good to take a little run around the yard first thing in the morning.

Oh, did I say first thing in the morning?  Ahem.  More like 10 am.  Felt like first thing in the morning.

And yes -- that paint on the arm?  Totally from yesterday.

But alas, we did enjoy our "day off" yesterday.  And she looks pretty happy, no?  Awhile after this it was time to start our running around for the day (dance class, doctor appointment, TaeKwonDo testing), and the smile faded a bit.

I think we might need an extended beach vacation or something.

that quote

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.  It all works out.   Don't worry.  I say that to myself every morning.  It will all work out.  If you do your best, it will all work out.  Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.  The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us...If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

Gordon B. Hinckley

That is the outlook I like to have on life, and it really does help me to keep things in perspective.
Listening to U2 kinda loud (the kids are in bed after all) and eating a Cadbury creme egg also help.
Chins up!

sick and wrong

So now all three of my girls are on antibiotics.
Delaney has a sinus infection.

My friends, this is just sick and wrong.

she made it home...

I spent the morning bleaching the hell out of my house, and then me and the kids went to go fetch Ava and Ryan from the hospital.  Then we did the running around to pick up Rx and groceries and take Josh to TaeKwonDo.  Tomorrow, by request, we are doing nothing except artwork and laundry.  I am very much looking forward to it.  :-)

Sadie has an appointment with the nephrologist on Thursday.
Ava needs a follow-up with the ped in 2 days, and with the infectious disease specialist in 2 weeks.  Then she may have the reflux surgery the week after.
Sadie is going to be put under to do a scope on her bladder, kidneys, etc in the hopes of finding something that can be fixed to prevent any further infections....not sure when that will be.

Next week Ryan will be in Chicago most of the week, and in San Diego most of the next week.

Delaney is at the height of anxiety right now due to all of the hustle and bustle lately, and a little bit afraid that she will be the next sister to get sick.

Ava didn't sleep much at all during her hospital stay, and really needs to catch up on some rest.

Josh seems to be doing fine.

I think that you can see why I am looking forward to clearing our schedule tomorrow and staying home!

3/24 Menu Plan Monday (a bit early)

You can see my menu and shopping list here (it uses the latest issue of Everyday Food).

See other menu plans at MPM!