Playgroup

Since I am home during the day now I decided that I would attend the playgroup that some of the parents in our Ward attend.  It was soooo much fun.  Amanda LUVS the swings.  I took a video but of course I have no idea how to load it onto the Blog :(

Just luv her smile.... She had so

much fun.

Amanda with our friend Natalie.....



Seven and half months later

As most of you know I decided to go back to school last May.  Yes, that's right I am a litle crazy trying to accomplish this right after having Amanda.  Well at the time, that was my thought.  As time went on, it was easier to attend school, pump twice a day while at school, get up in the middle of the night with Amanda and of course maintain my mom and wife duties.  I would say that by the middle of July I had this down... I could do this....... Right, and then Brian got sick.  I remember several people asking me if I was going to drop out, take a leave of absense or attend night school.  First question was a for sure NO, second hadn't really thought about it and third.... NO WAY.  I was not going to add another 3 months to my schooling. 
After missing more than a week and half of school and clinic I was ready to leave Brian and Amanda and head back to school. 
From August to December seemed like the longest four months of my life.  I was still pumping at school, getting up with Amanda and Brian and trying to maintain normal life for Vincent.  I will now, finally admit that there were days that I wanted to give up and say to myself I could accomplish this later in life. 
I have to thank my support system.  Even though Brian is sick he still encouraged me and cheered me on.  Along with Vincent trying to help me develop study habits that I was well out of practice.
There are many of you that helped with watching Amanda during the day as Brian's disease progressed and I could no longer miss 2-3 days of school a week.  We are so grateful for you in our lives. 
It has been a dream of mine to become an Esthetician and now I can say that I am..... in one more month I will be taking my State Board exams and then of course employment.  I can't wait.....

Yes, that is me by the flag :)

Me, Mallory, Jenn (our Instructor) her son

and Amanda...

My Supporters

Amanda was so interested in Vincent

at dinner

My Luv...... Thank you for pushing

me and helping me accomplish my dream!

I want to play too!

Playing the XBOX or Wii in our house is not as easy as it used to be.  Now, you MUST give one of the remotes to Amanda.... Or beleive me.  She will attack you..... I had to take a picture as she is acting like she is playing with brother...

Deer Valley Ward Christmas Party

We decided that this year we were going to attend the Ward Christmas Party.  We were so glad we did... It was so much fun.  Vincent is now at the age where he has more fun hanging out with kids his age rather than us.... Geez... I don't know why he doesn't have fun with us anymore?  Honestly, I don't think he ever did.  He just didn't go off with his friends...???? 
Anyhow, It was time for the man in the big red suit to arrive.  Vincent was actually in front of the line.  (he was helping another little boy in our ward.  So he says)  It was the perfect opportunity for me to get what I wanted!!!

Yup, that's right.... A picture with both of

my children..... Vincent was such a good sport. 

Such a good sport that he went back

and had another one taken with some 

girls in our Ward.  :) 

And yet, Another Improvement

Brian, despite the fact that Brian struggles most of the day he manages to still make improvements in our home. This past week he added a shelving unit to our guest bedroom.  Somehow, all of the "extra" items always end up in the guest bedroom.  Probably doesn't help that our kitchen doesn't have much storage space at all..... That is another improvement that is yet to be accomplished. (you need money for that kind of improvement)

Can you imagine all of this stuff just laying in this closet.... What a mess it was. 

Brian did such a great job.  Now I

have everything organized. Including

all of my skin care products. With

just enough room for our guests

to still be able to hang up their clothes!

Of course I had to make curtains....

Who wants to look at a sewing machine,

material and skin care products.

THANK YOU TO BRIAN!!!!!!! Who manages to still make improvements to our home.



There is no stopping her now

Two weeks ago Amanda started using Raven our dog to push herself up and walks along her and the furniture.

Last week she started walking with a little walking device... She LUVS it and walks all throughout the house. 

Brian has now installed the locks on all of the cupboards along with moving everything up two rows on our shelves..... We are bracing ourselves.

Christmas is Here

Last year I received quite a bit of smack talk for not having Christmas decorations up.  Due to the fact that we are the corner house on a main street; I was told we should have decorations.  It doesn't help that the house after us and before us and down the rest of the street all decorate......
Since we already had all of the Christmas lights from last year (Brian just really never got a chance to do it) he and Vincent this year put them up Thanksgiving weekend.  It was a rather humerous occasion.... But I am happy to say that my house is very festive!

Thank you to Brian and Vincent for all of their hard work.

Meeting Santa

Brian and I went to Walmart to grab a couple of items for the week.  Little did we know we were in for such a treat that day.  Not only did Amanda and Brian get to meet my Instructor Jenn from school but Mr. Kris Krinkle himself was there.... Yes, that is right... Amanda had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus.  It was rather funny and embarrassing.... Our poor little girl was dressed in her "Mummy's Little Pumpkin" outfit... Yes, I still have my daughter wear her halloween clothes since they fit her.  I had no idea that she would get the opportunity to meet Santa......
A quick run to the children's department to find a clearance outfit that does not look like our daughter is ready to go Trick or Treating. 

And BAM!!!!!!! a new outfit and a great 1st picture with Santa.

Thanksgiving in Arizona

We stayed in Arinzona this year for Thanksgiving.  We were so excited that my mom and step dad were coming out this year.  We had so much fun playing games, sitting around and most of all eating.... :) 

Thank you Mom & Mike for spending Thanksgiving with us...... We luvd every minute of it.  We miss you already!!!!

Sweet 16

We can not believe it.... Vincent is now 16!! That's right... My "Lil Man" is now not so little... To keep tradition we went to breakfast to start the day off right with breakfast..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VINCENT!!!!!!!! YOU MAKE OUR LIVES SO MUCH BETTER EVERYDAY... WE LUV YOU!



Triathlon Training

I am now back in the game..... I have decided that I am going to enter another Triathlon in March..... Let the training begin now... I have to say, I am thrilled that Amanda is such a trooper.



Continued Education

I received one of the greatest presents for my birthday.  A present far beyond my dreams.  Some friends of ours paid for me to attend a PCA (Physicians Care Alliance) Skin Biology and Chemical Peel course.  What is soooo great about this?  PCA is Internationally known and by far one of the greatest skin care lines out there.  Not only that, I am now certified to administer Chemical Peels on the public.  (well once I pass my State Board Testing) It was such a blessing and I am soooo thrilled I can't even express it.... After you pass the PCA exam you then receive product and of course a certificate....
When you do finally do receive their product it is beyond exciting.  I know, I am pretty Geek about this... But it is so fun.....

Let The Biting Begin

On November 15th Amanda had her first tooth come in..... Whew hoo!!! I know it's hard to see, but it is there.  We were thrilled....



One in a Million

On November 15 Brian spent the night at the Hospital.  He entered that night to have a sleep study done.  Needless to say, as we suspected; he does have sleep apnea.  So, with a machine attached to his face that night, he slept like a baby.  The first time in a very, very long time. Me on the other hand???  Well this Blog post is not about me.  :)

The next morning we awoke and ventured down 3 floors.  That morning Brian was reammitted for a biopsy in his lungs.  They found two large mass in his lungs last month.  Which explains, the coughing and not being able to breathe.  It has come to the point where he can not complete a sentence without having to catch his breathe. 

We have now been informed that the two large mass that is in Brian's lungs is not a tumor.  What we have come to know is that Brian, My most wonderful husband is one in a million.  That's right.  Not only has he been diagnosed with MS but now has also been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis.  What is that?  Well, it is another auto immune disease.  Brian is 1 of 21 people in this country that has been diagnosed MS and Sarciodosis.  I told him, when he goes, he goes BIG! 

Brian now has been on oral steriods for 4 days now.  He will be taking them for 6 weeks.  We will then find out if the steriods are working.  If they are working at making the mass smaller he will continue the oral steriods.  If not, Brian will then be sent to LA or SF to start treatment there.  In both places they have Sarcoidosis specialists that will be able to help him.  We are so thrilled we get to spend Christmas together.  We will keep you all updated. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.