Family Enlightment: October 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Introducing Captain America and Princess Belle

Zachary loves our Country!!! In fact his favorite colors are red, white, and blue. His Great Grand Father's who fought in wars would be very proud!

Isabella loves being a Princess! Have a Happy Halloween!

"Jack and Janie" I would encourage you to leave your husband at home.....

So look at my find!!!! I got these spring clothes for Isabella at a very expensive but neat clothing store for her at Bellevue Square. The store and clothes are called "Jack and Janie". I admit I have a weakness for buying my kids clothes at this store because I love their styles and the quality. However, I know kids out grow clothes quickly so I refuse to pay full price at this store plus my pocket book cannot afford it. Needless to say, today was my lucky day they were getting rid of all of their spring clothing line so I got Isabella two dresses, a skirt, bunny shirt that matches the skirt, a pair of pants and another bunny shirt, and two matching headbands for under $75.00. The one headband was originally $16.00, and both dresses were originally $79.00 a piece. You can now more than likely guess the original cost of the pant's, skirt, and two bunny shirts. There was also a Grandma in their who was buying her two grandsons some of their winter line. She bought them each one pair of shoes, one shirt, one pair of pants, and one pair of socks and she paid $305.00 and she did not even blink an eye. They were very cute outfits but not worth that amount of money. So I now have a dress for Isabella for Christmas, Easter, and a couple of outfits for her Birthday.

For those interested they are having another sale in December. My cousin and I found adorable dresses for our girls last year at this store. The sizes go from newborn to size 6.

I love the Victorian look and Isabella is going to love this because she loves bunnies and flowers!

In Honor of the brain bleed

We also saw this sign at "Jimmy Johns"!!!!

When Pigs Fly!!!!

Whenever the kids ask me a silly question such as Zach's latest "Mom can I start the car?" I always say "When Pigs Fly" Today we ate lunch at "Jimmy Johns" and guess what sign the kiddos found?

Look at those smiles!!!!!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Clifford!!!!!

Last week Clifford came to school! Zachary and Isabella love Clifford!

Halloween Party Photos

Here are some cute Halloween snaphots. The kiddos had fun at their party!

Isabella and our friend Anna. Isabella likes Anna a lot!

Zachary and Isabella with their friend "the twins" as the so often call Anna and Ethan.

I love this photo. This is Amy she's the twins big sister

Lexie, Isabella, and Kiera. Isabella likes these two little girls.

Isabella and her friend Brennon.

This is my favorite photo of Zachary. Super cute!

Kirk and the kiddos before the party

The kiddos and I before the party.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Life is Precious

Last week my friend discovered that one of her family member's down in Utah was diagnoised with Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer. My understanding is this is a rare type of cancer, but can produce some poor outcomes. Her family member's name is Natalie. Natalie is a married young mother to two young children I think their ages are 4 and 1. Currently the medical community has not given a great outcome so now Natalie is fighting for her life. Her family has set up a fund to help her cover medical expenses such as seeking alternative or natural treatments. Natalie and her family believe in miracles, and would like to try a variety of treatment options to see how she responds to those. Above our family photo on the right hand side of the blog is the pledge box. If you would like to contribute please click on the arrow and it will take you to the website. If you are unable to contribute and regardless of your faith prayers would be much apprecited. As a young mother I cannot imagine what Natalie and her husband are experiencing and we would like to send them positive thoughts and let them know that we are praying for them. Please watch the video above it is very touching and Natalie is a beautiful woman with two very cute children. Thank You

Covergence and Hearing

What do the two have in common? With me nothing, but today I received news about these two functions. I have been doing therapy at "My Fast Brain Clinic" along with Physical therapy and today they tested my convergence and I'm able to do it! This is very exciting my midbrain is starting to make all of the connections again! I still have areas to work on, but I can tell you my convergence is just as good if not better than everyone else's.

Ear news: My doctor had me see an eye, ear, nose, and throat doctor last week to have my hearing checked. Evidently midbrain contols hearing as well. During the exam they discovered that I had hearing loss in my left ear, but it was not from the brain bleed. Instead I was born with a piece of my hammer (small bone in the ear} missing. I need to get this corrected or otherwise I will become deaf over time. They can either use a hearing aid or do surgery. I meet with the other surgical doctor November 9th. Right now we are considering our options. I will keep you updated.

Monday, October 15, 2012

No Kidding!!!!

Over the weekend we have been experiencing illness. It started off with Zachary at 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning when he had bad stomach trouble and then it was Isabella at 3:00 a.m. Monday morning. The kiddos have been able to shake this fairly quick; like within 24 hours, however, I still feel yucky and crummy like a ton of bricks have fallen on me! All day I have been faithfully taking my medications, and even this weekend slept a lot, but I can not seem to shake this off. Finally tonight it dawned on me that a few months back my internal med doc shared with me that since the brain bleed, when I experience a virus or infection it is going to take along time for my body to heal. One of the "nice effects" of the bleed. Well now I can say I'm experiencing it and it is not fun! Tonight I'm thankful for Zofran and Tyenol! However, I my miss Motrin which I cannot take any more. Keeping my fingers crossed for an eight hour sleep tonight!

One Week Later: Today I'm feeling a lot better it hit me both with the digestive and respiratory system, and it was a fun past week for me! One thing is for sure I love Zofran! Pain I can tolerate. Nausea is the worst for me!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Rehab Report

Each week I'm learning something new about my brain, which is very exciting and interesting. Rehab is going well, but still along haul! Here is what I have been learning. 1. The main area that was effected was the right hemisphere of the brain. 2. Recovery of full function is a possiblity. 3. The midbrain controls a lot of visual function. Therefore I'm doing a ton of eye excercises. 4. A midbrain bleed will either kill you or you recover well. Once agin very grateful to be alive and here for myself, Kirk, and my kids. 5. Brain fatigue is very real. I'm learning how to figure out when my brain is tired before it even gets there. 6. It takes many hands to recover a brain!

Happy Birthday Grandpa I love and Miss You

This past week would have been my Grandpa's 85th birthday here is a photo of Kirk and I with my Grandparents, who came out to visit us about ten years ago it was their first trip to Seattle! I'm very happy that the brain bleed did not take away any of my long term memory. After experiencing the losses this past year, I think having my long term memory is one thing I'm most thankful for. I have my memories to hold onto.