A Martin Visit

We were privileged to have the Martins finally visit our new house. It was a fun weekend. We went down to OMSI and had a blast there. Then we were trying to go to The Old Wives Tales a supposedly nearby restaurant that had a family fun room, but my new phone's gps took us way out of the way so we ended up going to Ikea instead to pick up a few things like our new guest bed! Lizzy has graciously agreed to vacating for any guest. Her bed extends to a king size. We just ordered new bedding too, I am so excited! Anyway so we ate some Swedish meatballs and ice cream then headed home. Someday I would like to go there though. (If I can ever find the place that is.) Daniel, Charly and Taylor put the bed together while the rest of us got ready for bed. Jessica tried out the bed and declared it good! Oh yeah. The next day we went to the Vancouver Recycle Fare and checked out the amazing creations.  I especially liked the metal dragon.

From Martin trip

Afterwards we headed back to pack every thing up. The Martins left us for the North and we headed East to Utah, but that is a trip for another post. Stay tuned!

Firehouse Days

Our local firehouses hosted a special event to raise funds and awareness in the community. It sounded like fun so I got the kids ready and we headed out. I ended up at the wrong firehouse, but was soon directed to the right place. We walked over and enjoyed the festivities.

From 2013-06-02 Firehouse days

It was fun and much bigger then I had anticipated. We were able to ride in the old firetruck which was so fun. While we waited in line Charles kept helping these older girls. He was so chivalrous. It was sweet. A good time was had by all.

Where Did I Leave Off..

Oh yes! Lizzy's birthday! Lizzy turned the big 5 when was it. EEK, last month. Whew, I am so behind. Oh well. So she had been asking to do a princess party which sounded perfectly normal until she told us the details. See while everyone else would be dressed up a princess, she was going to be a witch who captures them. So wait, what? You want to lure unsuspecting 3-5 year-olds to our house so you can capture them and turn them into something slimy? I don't think that would go over to well. Back to the drawing board kid.
 Her next attempt was much more acceptable. She decided to go the fairy route. Wings, fluff and kids? Now that's what I'm talking about.  Plans went forward. Invitations were sent out. A pinata was purchased and  I bought mounds of fruits and veggies. (Fairy's = nature in my mind.) Then Lizzy threw me another curve ball. She didn't want a cake. She wanted cookies instead. Ok, I can deal with that. So the night before the  big event Daniel took Lizzy and Charles out on a ward Elders Quorum/primary camp out.  Devon kept me company while I stayed up till 1 AM making cookies, snickerdoodles, because the sugar dusting makes them sparkle like fairy dust. That was fun! I may have been a little distracted on the actual day. Oops.  Luckily my parents came down to help us celebrate. They helped a ton with decorations and just getting everything ready. Daniel and the kids came back exhilarated from their adventure and my Dad even got to ride the lawn mower! Then the guests started to arrive. We had a good turnout and even though Lizzy got stuck in her room when she put her outfit on, backwards, but other then that I think it went pretty well. Oh, and her frenzy of unwrapping. I don't think I have ever seen someone tare through presents quite so fast! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate Lizzy's big day! It wouldn't have been the same without you!

You'll Never Guess...

So besides my crazy health issues, my life has gotten suddenly very busy. We finally closed on our house and were able to move in! We had some help from our church members. I really appreciated it. When we moved to Vancouver Daniel and a co-worker moved us in by themselves. We have a lot of stuff, as I'm sure you can imagine. Any way, as it was Daniel moved a whole truckful of things to the house alone. We had help for the second load. We have been here for almost 2 weeks now and it is starting to feel like home. I am still looking through boxes for random things and scratching my head on where to put everything and I don't even want to talk about where to hang the pictures! Ugh, but I do feel that things are falling into place. Then Daniel finds out that his company is selling. He shouldn't be affected too much, but he will have a new employer so we'll see all the new challenges that will bring. And most excitedly My sister was finally able to be sealed to her older children! Something that we have been waiting for with bated breath. They opted to be sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple, unfortunately Daniel was not able to attend so he kindly got a family to watch Lizzy and Charles so Devon and I could go with my parents.

   

It was a wonderful trip and Devon traveled like a dream. I saw my niece get baptized, I got to see my Aunt, Uncle and Grandma's new abode. And got to hold my newest nephew. I was very composed though out the ceremony for the sealing, but I broke down when I started giving hugs. I'm sure my youngest niece was traumatized. Well, that's what aunts are for right? All things considered I thought it was nearly perfect. I just wish Daniel could have been there beside me.
 After I returned home, its been non-stop. The Young Women helped me clean out the apartment. I went to book club and Lizzy's Kindergarten orientation. Ack!
I almost have a kid in school! It's a whole new world. Then the Bishopric came by to check us out. (I hope we passed inspection) Turns out the new Mission home will be down the street from us! Can you imagine? And I just heard that My Grandma had a stroke this morning. She is doing well; her right side is still numb, but she is teasing the staff so I guess that means she is feeling OK. I can't wait for this month to end!

Things

So I have had a relatively crazy few months, "why you ask?" Good I'll tell you. (Deep Breath) Well, since having Devon my body has been in revolt. I figured it was my thyroid rearing it's head again, so off I went to the doctor to have it checked. She did the usual questions and I mentioned that one of my symptoms was a near constant head ache. She decided to order full blood work and then if nothing turned up an MRI. So off I went to the lab. The following day I received the results. Everything is decidedly normal. OK, so why am I loosing all my hair and having dramatic weight changes? Classic Thyroid. So I opt to see the Endocrinologist. Well the Endocrinologist said it all looks fine, lets wait 6 weeks and see. Alright. Back to the MRI.  Apparently my prolactin levels were elevated. Normal if you are breast feeding.  So that was what warranted the MRI. My doctor was afraid that the gland was enlarges or has a growth. Yuck!
 I have never had one before and only seen them on television so I had no idea what to expect. It was rather like being at a rock concert. There was a constant bass line and then pulses and vibrations. Kind of like those massage chairs. Crazy. In the end here are my results:

“FINDINGS:

No restricted diffusion to suggest acute ischemia.
.
Ventricles are symmetric and normal in size. Extra-axial
spaces are normal in size and morphology for the patient's
age. No abnormal intra-axial or extra-axial fluid
collections seen. There is no midline shift or downward
herniation. The midline brain structures are unremarkable.
Pituitary gland is grossly normal. The basal cisterns are
normal." 

I love that I am "grossly normal" I think that beats Daniel's doctor comment of being "Medically Boring."

So there is no answer except that yes, my body is in revolt. Huzzah.

While the Cat's Away...

Daniel had to go to Virginia for 2 weeks of training so I decided to Invade my Parent's house in Bremerton! I was ready for some fun! I was not disappointed. Lizzy had been begging to stay at Grandma's for "This Many Days" which involved all her fingers. I was happy to oblige. Unfortunately I left the camera in the car so my pictures of these events are not of the best quality alas.We went  the Bug Museum and the kids museum in Bainbridge Is. called Kidimu. They have a free day each month and we were lucky enough to be there for it. The kids loved it! They have a new home since I was there last and they have made if a real fun space. it is located behind the soon to be Bainbridge Art museum. It's currently under construction.
 We had lunch at a cute little diner down the street called The Streamliner Diner. The food was wonderful and they obliged Lizzy's request for a pear. It was delicious! I would love to go back.

Nothing could be finer then to meet you at the diner....
Anyway, we went to the Art walk downtown Bremerton. Ate cupcakes at Bella Bella Cupcakes. Delish!  Then we played at the park with the cousins, experienced a DI meeting. Destination Imagination is a school club for gifted students. My sister heads up the one for her daughter's school. She had them make a cupcake cake sculpture that didn't quite work out. 
Frosting and fondant everywhere! They had a blast though. It was not all fun and games though, Charles did managed to wound Devon in a gunfight. But he took it well. All in all, A wonderful vacation. Lots of laughs and fun with family. Just what I needed.

Just for fun

Devon has started babbling and I have tried to capture it for your viewing pleasure, this is all I could get. For some strange reason he is a little camera shy. Anyway don't mind he music or Lizzy's "singing' in the background. It adds to the Charm don't you think?

From 2013-01-30 Devon

From 2013-01-30 Devon