DAY in Seattle

Henry and I went to Seattle for the day on Wednesday. We flew out of AK at 2:30am and got back home 9:30pm. The weather was wonderful, sunny warm winter day in Seattle, couldn't ask for more. The flight down was easy, Henry slept, I didn't. Being prego and sitting on an airplane for three hours doesn't really go together.
We walked around the hospital for a while to kill time, then checked in for all his apts. He had an ultrasound scheduled, then anesthesia, followed by a CT and Dexa scan. Now the CT and Dexa require you to hold absolutely still. The last trip to Seattle I tried to convince them he didn't need to be put out, I was WRONG! This trip however, Henry skipped the anesthesia, I was a bit hesitant, but he did wonderful. I couldn't be in the room obviously, but I sat him down and explained exactly what was going to happen and that I would be back in the room when it was done. He said OK. And then held perfectly still. Mom was WRONG again. The Dexa lady was "concerned and worried" all morning about how he was going to do. I explained everything again, they needed a full body scan and legs and what not. He didn't even move. Easy as pie! The lady was so excited he got a bag full of stickers, every sticker she had I think, and a stuffed Beany Baby.
Since he was such a super star we got some good grub from the cafeteria, and some candy from the little store. We tried to play at the play ground for a while, but it was closed down. So we just sat outside and read books for a while. We did get to see some old friends that we stayed at the RonDon with. It was great to see some of the "Fam."
Nurses kept peeking into the room to see him, Doctors stopped in the hallway after recognizing who he was. ALL were excited beyond measure that he was doing so well. He has grown so much and he politely said "hello" to everyone and told them he was "good." As we walked away from the nurses who gushed over him he yelled " I love you!" I don't know if they heard it, but I about cried.
Technical update, as much as we know, things are good. His spleen is still funny shaped, looks like a boot. His other organs all look good. No change in his CT scans, head lesions look about the same. He is now in the 3rd percentile for height and weight, better than the "zeroth percentile" as the Doc put it. :) His iron levels are still too high, and the Darbo is making his blood levels dangerously high, so we have to amend the dosing. By high I mean that the nurses put in an IV to get blood and his vein clotted after putting out 2mls! (That happened twice) He's like one of those super hero's you could watch heal. haha But it's not a good thing... Something to fix.
Then we walked down to the Mall and enjoyed the weather and the old stomping ground. The other day Henry saw a McDonald's golden arches in Anchorage, he told me he saw Donald, and then he said " Henry miss Donald." The kid was so young I thought he wouldn't remember! Mom is WRONG again! So we stopped to say hello to Donald. I do have pics I will post them. He was excited, and even knew where we were going as we walked along the path that leads to the houses.
The taxi drive took almost and hour and we both slept the whole way. The flight lasted three and a half hours, Henry talked the whole time. Oh and FYI, 2:30 am and 6:30pm flights to Seattle are PACKED!!!! UGH! At least he didn't scream. Then home to bed. And oh yeah, the whole prego and flying makes for VERY swollen ankles and legs! But we survived and can't wait to head back in June for more check ups.

Just Do it...

I feel some obligation to post only when something monumental happens or I have some picture to accompany my thoughts. However, I feel that leaving up a Christmas card post is like leaving up the Christmas tree... time to move on.. :)

Henry and Elizabeth and I have been going to Monday swims, and loving it! Elizabeth wears the floaters on her arms and swims (well flails around) around the pool. Henry stands on deck and yells "To infinity & Beyond!" and then jumps at me. He continually asked me to let him go today while we were in the deep end, I had to explain he would drowned if I did, he didn't believe me. Oh well. He's fearless!

We FINALLY got Elizabeth and Henry a sled, and they endured the freezing temps today to sled a bit. Maybe I'll get out more and pull them in their sled. I have become a hermit this winter, wimping out and not running outside. My sweet husband bought me an elliptical so I don't have to. However, I am sincerely missing it! Can't wait for warmer temps and a body that can endure it again. Oh running I dream about you often! Curse me for being a wimp! I am an Alaskan!!!! I must do better! haha

We recently purchased a new "family bogger" and I am anxious for some family fun in it! Can't wait to go camping and sloshing through big mud holes. I am slowly learning that the getting stuck and the breaking down is some of the best parts of the adventure. Thank goodness I have a patient husband!

Christmas Letters

I am destined to be a seasonal blogger...As much as I enjoying getting online and checking everyone elses blogs you would think I would return the courtesy. Perhaps my new years resolution will be to blog more diligently. Only time will tell. I also appreciate and love the Christmas cards from friends and family, one day I may be motivated to actually send one of our own out. I thought to myself, there are so many people out there I want to share our year with and Holiday Greetings that it would be easier ( okay laziness set in) to blog about our year. No I won't bore you with the entire year just the last few weeks.

J has switched employers and is enjoying work. He is finally driving his "company car" and that makes life a bit easier. Although he stalks me sometimes, he can't wait to utilize his new power to write his wife a ticket! And the best change of all, DAY SHIFT!!!! We actually have a some what normal schedule. Our weekends are not the same as everyone elses, but that's alright with me. Daddy's home at night and we wake up together in the morning. It may only last for a few months, but for now I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I have just been busy keeping up with two kids a husband and a home. We are anxiously looking forward to building a new house, as we are quickly out growing ours. After a summer of raising animals and a huge garden, I'm in my hibernation mode. Being an Alaskan really requires an outdoorsy lifestyle especially in winter. The kids and I have been cooped up for too long! I'm determined to pick up cross country skiing or snowshoeing or something! The thermometer has been low and the winds high... makes for a not so fun winter. We've tried a few times to get out and walk, we don't make it very far before we quickly run home for hot cocoa and a warm fire. J bought me and elliptical so I could at least keep up with a bit of physical activity! Wonderful man!

Elizabeth is growing all too quickly. A typical, tall four year old that spends ALL DAY testing limits. One day she'll grow out of it right?! Mommy got rid of the TV recently because movies were becoming an every hour thing! Everything in life relates to a movie. "Oh that was on such and such a movie." I know by writing this you'll all know how terrible a mother I am, but I'm trying to improve. E can't wait for school, she tells everyone she's 5 because she knows that's when she starts kindergarten. Lately she's been going through toys deciding what she likes and doesn't and wants to give them away to kids that don't have any. I appreciate her sweet spirit and that she is so willing to give to those in need. She loves to hear stories of Jesus still and prays for him every night, expressing her love for him and her family. Inside that trying and curious little four year old is a giant spirit that has sooo much love for everyone!

Henry has been progressing so quickly! His speech is developing wonderfully! He has been seeing Ms. Evelyn every few weeks for ILP and LOVES it! He has caught up to his age level in everything and is passed it in some areas. At the age of 3 kids transition out of ILP into the school system for further speech development and such. But Henry is doing so well they didn't recommend any special education or early development work. He LOVES Buzz Light year and runs around the house yelling "to infinity and beyond." Another favorite is Signing Time. Video's that teach sign language. They have really helped him pick up quite a bit! After visiting Grandpa and Granny Annie in Idaho he is infatuated with tractors. He always has to have a turn talking on the phone when family calls, most people can't understand him, but he tries. A day trip is planned in January for Seattle check ups and then June will be the finish of bone medicine infusions. We are daily reminded of what a blessing it is to have him with us still.

Baby number 3... oh yeah, I'm five months along. Baby #3 will be here April 16th-ish and while I was tempted to find out the gender, we so enjoy the surprise in the end that we're waiting again. Elizabeth is convinced it's a girl and her name is going to be Cinderella. Henry doesn't really care, but likes to think he has a baby in his tummy too! Ultrasounds show a healthy baby who likes to suck on his/her thumb. That was fun to watch on the ultrasound! Such a precious gift. Can't wait to meet this sweet spirit!

Okay that was really too long.. but that's whats new and changing in our family. How very blessed we have been this year! We look forward to new changes next year and the adventures to come.

Thankful hearts

I was overwhelmed yesterday as I thought about everything I am grateful for. Most especially for the opportunity to be TOGETHER as a family. For the prayers that so many offered in our families behalf, in Henry's behalf, that brought us to this point. I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers and I am in awe of how many people, as I slowly begin to realize, were praying for our little man. My heart is full of JOY! We have been blessed with great prosperity, peace and love. Most importantly we have been blessed with the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My little Elizabeth sings her primary songs where ever we are, the store, the doctors, she loves the songs and shares them with anyone who will listen. I wish I had the strength to share with those around me the wonderful message of joy that the gospel has to share. We have a Savior who gave his life for each one of us so that we could live again, so that we can be families for eternity, so that the mistakes, heartaches, sorrows and trials we face here can be forgiven, softened, comforted and endured. My favorite part of this season is the music that sings and testifies of Christ and his birth and his greatness! What greater blessing can we have than to know WHO we are, WHY we are here and the PURPOSE of this life. I believe greater than knowing, is sharing! To share the gospel with others and than witness the joy that it brings to them is far greater than just knowing for ourselves.

(Stephanie, I meant to get more pictures of our family dinner, but alas, I was running around getting dinner ready... here are the few we got)

Can't get enough of this kids smile!

I TOLD you he's growing fast!

SOOO strong!

We had a SEAFOOD feast last night with family.
Seems a bit easier than cooking turkey all day, and much more delicious!

Shrimp appetizer platter with wheat thins
Fondue and Rosemary bread cubes
Roasted shrimp & Special Cocktail Sauce


Live dungees that were cooked and cleaned for us... we simply reheated them in the oven

AND

Most delicious in my opinion... King Crab Legs

I did try to slip in a little turkey with some Wild Rice & Turkey soup.. alas I was the only one to eat it. ;) Can't blame me for trying

Our Trip to Idaho!

One of my favorite pictures, our first day there we went out to the fields to meet Grandpa in his tractor. They loved the open fields, although Elizabeth's poor legs were scratched up for days. Diggin' up the fields for winter. Provided many great dirt clumps to throw.

One of the many tractors Grandpa gets to drive. I learned all about the GPS systems and how great it makes farming these days.

Henry got to drive, I have some really cute video that I'll get posted one of these days. He was a natural. On our walks through town, every big rig or tractor-ish looking vehicle was "Grandpa's Tractor!" according to Henry.

The fire pit. Henry is stoking the fire, he thought it best to throw them in from a distance. What an arm! We had hot dogs and marshmallows. Henry really only wanted to marshmallows.

The park in town

Rather than climb across the monkey bars, she crawled over them. I had just made a comment to my mother, very quietly, about walking across the monkey bars as a little girl...she must have really good ears!

Elizabeth was very excited to help Henry into his swing and then to push him as hard as she could. Most of the time he enjoyed it.

You can't really see it very well in the picture, but Henry had just face planted in the sand... his mouth and nose and eyes were full of sand! Poor guy! And he has a big red mark over his left eye.

Bed time for the kids...a rare occasion to find Henry IN his bed, he usually slept half way under my bed, or on the floor and every time I tried to put him back, he screamed until he was back on the floor.

Easiest time putting kids to bed... Annie just read to them until they both fell asleep. Grandparents are wonderful!

Each week we walked over to the Library and grabbed as many books as we could. The kids LOVED it!

The ladies in the Library were so excited to see Elizabeth again, and to meet Henry.

In fact the whole town, almost, knew who Henry was. They all prayed for Henry during his time in Seattle and could hardly wait to meet him.

We got to drive over to Idaho Falls to see Grandpa and Grandma Great P. Both kids were instantly attached and wished they could have stayed longer. It was so wonderful to see them and to have Henry meet them. I am amazed at the many lives Henry has touched through his many set backs and triumphs. He has grown so much and is in such great health that you would not know he had been through chemo and a bone marrow transplant. What a blessing for so many to witness the power of prayer and the miracles that continue to surround us daily.

Looking for the airplane....

It finally started to snow the day we left, I was worried we wouldn't make it out. We were only shortly delayed and made it home safely. Although they were a bit for me to handle they did fairly well on the three plane rides we had to take.

I LOVE my TWO angels!!!