3 Days and ... Church

It's been three days since Mark's last surgery and he was feeling well enough to attend church. (We even took this picture to document the occasion. Can you see Reagan's cute face by my elbow?) His pain level has decreased dramatically, so now we are playing the wait and see game. The Doctor put a stint into his abscess, which has helped a ton, but it gets removed tomorrow, with hope that his body will do the rest of the work it's self. Thanks for all the prayers. We really have felt your love.

Taking on Crohn's

After one surgery, multiple doctors visits, supplements, a diet change and many pain pills Mark is heading back into surgery today. His pain level is still way high and it really seems that the abscess is growing or at least moving, We are hoping they will be able to relieve the pressure enough that he can return to a somewhat more normal life. We are all tired, but still feel that the Lord is directing us and that there is hope for a less painful existence. We appreciate all the prayers and we feel love all around us.

Mark's Fight

In 2001, Mark was diagnosed with a disease call Ulcerative Colitis. It involves inflammation in the Colon and makes your life a lot more uncomfortable. Mark did a fairly good job managing the Colitis until the spring of 2004 where the Colitis began to fight back. Luckily though the help of our family, doctors, our Ward Family and most especially our Heavenly Father we were able to get him healthy enough to come home and eventually manage the disease again.

Fast forward to 2012… Mark has been struggling with his health almost this whole year. He has had several staph infections along with Eczema that have been bothering him, but it was the flare up in his Colitis that had us concerned. He is very pale and I starting his weigh closely; then came the pain. About midway through June Mark started having a pain every time he sat down, which then escalated to hurting even when he stood. The pain grew until the only time he was free of it was when he was laying on his stomach holding perfectly still. Of course we made an appointment and got him in to see his internal medicine doctor. The prescribed some cream and send us home. There was no improvement. We were both tired, Mark of the pain and me of feeling useless.

Last Friday, July 20^th, Mark came home early from work, because the pain had reached a new height. I was in the middle of shampooing carpets in our bedroom and decided that I needed to clean under the bed. I moved the bed by scooting it to one side and was excited to see Mark, because he could help me with the moving it back. (That’s right he was in incredible pain and I asked him so help me move a heavy bed.) He of course agreed we moved the bed a few inches and a beam fell right onto his head causing him to need 7 stitches. While we were at yet another doctor’s visit I asked for new medication for Mark’s pain.

By Monday it was pretty obvious that the new medication was also not working. Mark was starting to feel left out and I was starting to feel alone. Neither of us knew what to do. Then I remembered a conversation I had had with a sister in our ward whose son had Crohn’s Disease. She had impressed me and I had thought at the time I should talk with her further, but the time had never come again. I decided to call her. She answered and the two of us talked for the next three and a half hours. Actually mostly she talked and I listened and took notes as fast as I could. It turned out not only had her son been diagnosed with Crohn’s, but another son and her husband had as well. She had made it her life mission to help her family and her hard work was paying off.

She gave me books to read, supplements to order, and doctor’s to make appointments with.. The whole time we talked I felt the hope that only the spirit can deliver. It was the first time in years I felt like there was a direction we could take. The next day I starting work on project Make Mark Better. I ordered the supplements, downloaded an e-book, called and made two doctor’s appointments. One of which was a doctor Robert Cline. I called his office sounding almost desperate. I told the office assistant on the phone that my husband was in constant pain and that I knew they were all busy, but I would do anything if they could just squeeze him in. ( I was ready to babysit, cook meals, or take pet iguanas while they vacationed. There really was very little I wouldn’t do.) She said it was funny that I had called right then. She had just hung up the phone with someone cancelling a 3:30 PM appointment that day. She was supposed to call the next person on the list, but if Mark could make it there the appointment was his. I took it and then called Mark (who was struggling through another painful day of work). He agreed to the appointment and left work a few hours later to meet with Dr. Cline. Dr. Cline immediately could see what was causing the pain and offered to perform surgery on Friday.

So here we are on Friday. They were able drain the abscess and the Doctor discovered that Mark’s Ulcerative Colitis has now become Crohn’s. (No wonder when I was talking to the sister in our ward, so much of what her family had suffered sounded just like Mark’s symptoms.) I am now excited to talk to the other doctor we meet with, in two weeks. Though we never would have chosen Crohn’s, it is what we’ve been given, so we will have to move forward. Something we are now prepared to do, because… We have a plan.

Stitches for Daddy

Hooray for me!  This is the second time in my life I have had stitches.




The first time I was 12 and put my hand through a glass door pane.

This time? I don't think the story is that interesting.

I can tell you that it involved TARA and I moving our bed together on a Friday night.

And it all gets a little fuzzy after that.

Happy Father's Day!

After a wonderful day of spoiling Mark we finished off with Root Beer Floats (one of my dad's favorites) and mustaches just for fun. I am so thankful for the sweet husband that I have. He truly is my best friend. I love you Mark!

Daisy's 7

If we are known for anything it is celebrating everything and when the dog's birthday comes around it is no different. We spoil her to the point of making her sick and tired. After all shes not a young pup anymore. Daisy's day began with fresh dog food. Then it was off to Red Bud Isle for a morning of swimming and playing with friends.

It is hard for a dog to hold still when there is so much to see.

This stick was in high demand by many of the dogs at the park.

Austin chose not to swim this year, but still enjoyed putting her feet in.

Right after I won the splashing contest.

Kat loves her dad.

Hallie couldn't wait to get in. Swimming with Doggies... what a treat.

Shortly after this picture the clothes came off revealing a swimsuit and Reagan went in.

After spending a few hours at the lake we headed over to the Bee Cave Park where we all enjoyed ice cream, while Daisy had her very own Frosty Paws. We then headed home where Austin gave Daisy a bath and Reagan and Hallie gave her a good brushing. The kids loved on her the rest of the day with tons of doggie treats (even one from Rocky Mountain Candy Factory). SPOILED, but how we love her.

Warning this is Gross!

Once again the wild life of Texas found it's way into our house. What would you do if you were walking into your kitchen late at night hoping for a nice cup of Herbal Tea, and found a Taranula instead?

After Mark took him out.

Still Twitching.

Well I'm sure you can guess what I did... "MARRRRKKKKKKKK!!!!! TARANNNNUUUUULLLLA!!!! HELP!!! PLEASE!!!" (Crying and shaking)

My Hero!

Father Daughter Dance

There are a lot of men that have no one to take to the ward Father Daughter Dance, but not Mark. He had four dates. What a lucky guy.

Refinished Picture Frame

We recently decided to have a Relief Society Activity called "Purposely Repurposing." We had a few sisters in the ward come and teach about making your own headboard and refinishing furniture, but my favorite part was all the displays we set up of items people had repurposed. I got tons of new ideas, got to go through my own home and find what I had created and even finish a few projects that I had been meaning to do.

This cake stand was made with a glass glued to a plate and then  painted. The picture fame turned Jewelry Holder was made with chicken wire, fabric and adding knots.

Check out the height recorder that you can take with you now matter where you move and the wreath is made form an old book.

There is so much to see on this table. I love the use of candle holders. The orange candle holder was a Goodwill find that was spray painted.

One of the lady bought this dresser mirror at Goodwill and painted the frame gray. She painted the mirror with chalkboard paint. So Cute.

I found this globe at the Pottery Barn Outlet. It was ripped, so took it to a manager and asked him so mark down the price for me. He did so I bought it and painted it with chalkboard paint. I then got a friend to cut out these letters for me with her Vinyl machine. Love it!

Did you notice the Blue Chicken Wire Picture Frame? Perhaps you remember it from Austin's birthday.











The Frame was a Goodwill find. I thought the gold was perfect for Austin's special day, but after the party I got the idea to paint it in my favorite blue. I started by filling in any of the imperfections with wood puddy and then primed and painted it. I then purchased a roll of chicken wire from Home Depot and stapled the chicken wire onto the back of the frame. Then using small clothes pins I attatched pictures and invitations I needed to remember. Perfection.

Easter Dresses and Fire Ants

My good friend Kat send the girls Easter dresses this year. The looked so beautiful all dressed in white that I decided it was time for a photo shoot. I had wanted to get pictures of the kids with the Texas BlueBonnet Flowers, but sadly we waited too long and they were all but gone. We drove around for quite some time and finally found this beautiful stop all covered in wildflowers.  Even though they weren't Bluebonnets we were excited... until...

the attack of the Fire Ants. Everywhere we moved they were there waiting and by the time we left only Colin was pain free. Poor Caitlyn received the worst of it. (Notice she was not pictured alone at the end.) Mark kept laughing at the efforts I was willing to go through in order to get a few good shots, but though the girls had to strip down and Colin had to take off his shirt and under shirt to provide non-infested clothing, I still think the pictures turned out good. For those of you who are worried the bites will heal in about 3 weeks. Ü

Hogwarts Part 3

Arriving at the Party...


When the guests arrived at the party they visited Olivanders Wand Shop (where their wands chose them) and then received their books and their own copy of the School Song.

Hogwarts School Song

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with Scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they’re bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we’re forgot,
Just do your best, we’ll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.

Due to the set up of our house, the Sorting Hat found it easiest to sort the children into their houses before they arrived at Hogwarts, so they were each sorted outside Platform 9 3/4 and then given a photo opportunity with the Birthday Girl (Austin) before they entered the school.

Once they entered the school the Head Mistress (Me) lead them in the school song, in which they each were told to pick their favorite tune.


Courses offered at Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry...


Spells and Charms


Professor Robert meet the children in a simple room with little more than a desk and a lamp waiting for them. He began by teaching them the simple charm “LUMUS” and how to swish and flick their wands. He reminded them that learning this spell will help them to keep Dimentors away and also help them on dark nights.

He then demonstrated. And with the help of myself who was standing in front of the light switch, the light goes out. He then invite the kids to come up one by one and try the spell. It worked for no one. Finally Professor Robert invited Austin to come up and again with the help of a partner in front of the switch, the light turns on for her. Professor Robert then invited the whole class to say the spell together and with a very loud "LUMUS" the light turned on.

Denfense Against the Dark Arts

The kids met Professor Colin, our Substitue teacher, outside where he decided to have a lesson in Dueling.  He began by first teaching the following magic words to the kids

Expelliarmus (This spell is supposed to knock their opponent off their feet.)

Rictusempra  (This spell is supposed to sent a silver light in the stomach of the opponent, again knocking them over.)

Finite Incantatem  (This spell causes the opponent to dance uncontrollably.)

Professor Colin then asked for 2 volumteers. He had them stand back to back and count off. When they get to five they were instructed to turn and cast their spell.

Meanwhile with a helper on either side, silly string was sprayed on the unsuspecting students. This was done over and over again, with some students dodging the spray and some holding themselves wide open for it, until every student had dueled.

Herbology

Professor Kat and Professor Emilie met the students at the Herbology table outside where they gave each of the kids a small clay pot. They asked the kids fill the clay pots ¾ of the way with dirt and then add seeds to their dirt. The kids placed their pots on the Table. Then they were directed to wave their wands over the pots and say "Diffindo" a spell to make the seeds grow.

The childen then left for their next class leaving their pots and seeds behind. While the kids were in History of Magic, flowers were planted in their pots.

History of Magic

Professor Sinicrope met the children back inside where he broke the students into 2 groups in order to have a Trivia contest based on the 1^st book Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone. There was candy for all the right answers.

Transfiguration

The students then traveled outside beyond the Forbidden Forrest for Transfiguration where they were greeted by the following sign.

Care of Magical Creatures

Mark contacted the Austn Wildlife Rescue and talked to them about having a volunteer come out and talk to the kids about local Owls. They even brought an Owl that had been injured for the kids to meet.

Potions


Professor Christiansen met his students in the Potions room where they found ingredients like
dandelion root (baking soda dyed yellow), mandrake root (plain baking soda), phoenix tears (white vinegar), purified water (plain old water!). By combining these ingredients with a premixed mixture they ended up with bubbly green fun.

What a great time we had!