Have you ever had one of those days?

Have you? I say that sentence with a few pauses... and when I say days... I really mean months!

Have you ever. had. one of those days?

In the past couple months I've experienced:

• Surgery to remove a gallbladder
• Serious Pancreatitis
• My kidneys shutting down
• My liver shutting down
• Many different scans and x-rays
• Surgery involving putting a scope down my throat to retrieve loose gallstones
• Being hooked up to an IV 24 hours a day for a few weeks, changing IV sites every three days or sooner because my veins were being burned out from strong antibiotics
• A blood thinner shot daily leaving softball sized bruises covering my body
• At least one blood test a day, hoping with every test, the results will be a white blood cell count high enough that I would get to make that phone call to my Husband and Mom... "I get to go home!" I get to go home to stay with my babies and Husband.

Even though part of me wants to forget all of this ordeal, another part of me knows I will want to be able to go back and remember some of the details. I have changed far too much over the past few months for me to view life as I once did. My life is forever changed. I'm getting caught up on Thank yous. But I hope all who helped, visited, called, sent cards and sent flowers/plants will please accept my simple Thank you. Thank you for everything! Your love has not gone unnoticed.

My husband, my love, did not leave my side except to sleep. He was there every time I woke up... he would catch me up on what was happening, he would help make me comfortable, and after I was able he walked the halls with me and Mr. IV pole!

My family are my ROCKS. Apart from being there for me when the going gets tough, they care for me and my family in ways the nurses could not. My Mom, Dad and Sisters scooped up our kids with hugs and kisses and let them adjust to life with out us and let them continue to have fun like kids should. They had so much fun and for that I am most grateful. Brayden keeps telling me stories of the fun things he did and then he says... but you weren't there Mama. And to that I whisper... but I'm here now.... I am here NOW! I'm still getting back on my feet, back to 100%. But I know it will happen. We are not dwelling on it... we are moving forward. It is so great to be moving forward. I am so excited for my favorite time of year! It is just around the corner. But first a few things to catch up on...

Easter 2011

Four Generations

  

Fourth of July

Healing Fields - Hope Rising - September 11, 2011

  

Brayden's Heroes

Pampered Baby

My sisters and I had a pamper the baby night and we painted Ella's cute little nails for the first time! She wasn't sure what to think at first. It is definitely not a one Mama job! We love to love on this baby and they were so cute when we were done!

 Then we played dress up! We have so much fun with her. Her cute little pink robe was a Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa in Hawaii and she loves to cuddle up in it after a bath. We LOVE this little thing and she loves her two Aunts more than they know. When she see's either one of them she starts kicking her legs with excitement and talking her baby babble! She knows there will be fun when they are around! She looks at them with so much love.

 El is such a happy baby!

"That's how I roll!"

Magical Christmas

 We had a great Christmas! I love the Christmas season! Having a newborn during Christmas is the best thing ever. This was Ella's first Christmas and it was so fun with a newborn and a three year old, it just doesn't get better. We caught a picture of Ella finding her thumb for the first time.... Nana let her do it... at Grandma's Christmas party! She knew they would let her get away with it! One of my favorite pictures this season was Santa with our baby Ella! Isn't it so sweet!

 Brayden was so excited, probably like most three year olds. He could hardly stand it! Nana and Papa gave Ella her first doll, not only her first doll but her first Madame Alexander doll! It's a tradition, I still have my Madame Alexander dolls. The entire month of December was filled with family and friends. It was a magical Christmas!