Then & Now

What a difference a year has made. 

From this:

October 29, 2011

To this:

October 29, 2012

 We had a fun and happy Family Home Evening carving pumpkins last night.

 

Have a Happy Halloween! 

Gone fishin'

Matt and Spencer had their priorities in order when they took the time a few weeks ago to soak up those last glorious fishing days of Fall. 

Got one!

And another one!

I love, love, love this picture!! 

Paige's Birthday

A very happy, very belated, birthday post for my Paigie-bug! Paige turned 9 in August and it was a great day! Here is a picture of her ginormous cake:

Opening her presents:

She has become quite the easy-baker so we needed to restock her pantry:

Paige is lucky to have a birthday that happens to fall on or around family gatherings every year. This year was no exception. Her birthday was the first day of our big reunion (post pending) so she had 41 grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and parents to help her celebrate: 

I love you, my beautiful girl!

Liver Mystery

Spencer had another biopsy last week on Tuesday. This was different than the others because they not only went into his heart for tissue samples* they took some tissue samples from inside his liver as well. The last couple months his liver enzymes have been elevated. His doctors have adjusted meds and experimented with different ones to see if the problem is due to medications. They've also tested him for dozens of infections to see if he's fighting something. A couple of weeks ago at a blood draw they drew TEN vials of blood. So far, all of their investigating has turned up nothing. His cardiologist has brought in a Gastro-Intestinal specialist as well as the Infectious Disease team. They are putting their heads together and trying to figure this out. Thus, the biopsy. I waited to post this because I thought I could put the results of the biopsy on here as well, but nine days later and all they can tell me is that his liver definitely has some inflammation but they are stumped. 

The bright side to all of this is that if something is going on, so far it's all just on paper. He feels great and has plenty of energy for school--with enough left over for hours of silliness afterwards. 

I mean really...does this face look sick to you? :)

*Heart biopsy results--perfect!! No rejection!

First Day of School--2012

Nicole-9th grade

Corinne-7th grade

Paige-4th grade

Paige walking up the steps to the school and none to happy with her camera-happy mother.

Spencer at the front door of the school

Spencer-1st grade

Because Spencer had a doctor's appt. on the first day of school he got to school about 40 minutes late so we were able to take him to his music class. Of course I took that to be another photo-op. 

Here is my cute little Clairey-Berry on her first day of preschool. 

She was so excited! 

She loves preschool and her new "pack-pack". 

I'm such a lucky mom--just look at that cute face! 

Grouse Hunting

Blaze orange and camouflage: the official colors of Fall. Matt and Nicole spent most of Saturday trying to fill her deer tag. They came close but returned home empty handed. They still have a few days left but if a buck is not in the cards this year at least she has this grouse from a couple of weeks ago. She shot it herself and was pretty happy about it!

History Lesson

Last night the girls were playing Taboo. I could overhear them and was listening as they described one particular word:

"Um...a short guy!"
"Really power hungry!"
"I think he invented a lot of stuff."

After a few incorrect guesses I peeked at the answer:

"Thomas Jefferson".

Time to hit the history books, I think.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might...

I took Paige and Spencer to their Parent-Teacher Conferences yesterday evening. We were gone for about an hour and when we arrived home this is what greeted us:

YAY!! The Make-a-Wish Foundation has granted Spencer's wish for a trip to Disney World! The kids are all pretty much beside themselves with excitement. We'll probably schedule it for sometime after the New Year. I am just so grateful for this. It will be so fun for all of us!

Here he is with his 'Wish Angels'

 

Last Friday when we went to our clinic visit we took treats and thank-you cards as a very small gesture to thank all of our 'heart angels' at the hospital for a year of incredible care. Spencer was excited to deliver the baskets and see everyone. Not quite as excited about getting his picture taken though--the little stinker!!:)

Beautiful sunrise...beautiful day!

I snuck into Spencer's room this morning and using only the glow of a night light, stealthily gathered his clothes and toothbrush then scooped him up in my arms and tiptoed out so as not to wake his little sister, still snoozing in the other bed. I've hurried through this routine once or twice a week since school started, encouraging him to eat his oatmeal quickly so that we can be first in line when the lab opens at the hospital. A blood draw in Logan is a much easier trip than a clinic visit in Salt Lake City, but it still requires a drive through the dawn's early light.

By the time we reached the hospital Spencer was wide awake and full of energy. We stepped out of the car and he grabbed my hand, pulling me along after him. "Hurry, Mom! Come on!" I picked up my pace and we ran together up the sidewalk toward the Emergency Entrance.

"Oh!" I said, and slowed to a walk as I suddenly realized the date. One year ago today, Matt and I walked this same sidewalk as we carried our very sick little boy into the emergency room. It was 9:30 at night, but the darkness of that night didn't go away with the rising of the sun the next day.

Thinking of that moment and looking over at him this morning, tugging my arm, with a spring in his step and a smile on his face, I looked toward the beautiful sunrise now spilling over the mountains and lighting up our valley, and I was filled with joy!