Week 3 post surgery

While in Arkansas Dr. Buckmiller and Emily both told us that we would need to wait 3 weeks for Lili's swelling and bruising to go down. Well, it has been 3 weeks and we think she looks amazing-she always has! Here are some pictures to compare to - 1 pre-surgery, 1 right after surgery, 2 / 1 week later, 1 / 2 weeks later and two taken today (in the kitchen sink). The hemagiomas are flat (the one on her eye is a bit raised but nothing like before). The last picture of her shows her hemangioma on her cheek - there is still a little coloring around it - not sure if it is still a bit of bruising or just light red skin...???

We (me, Kenz, and Lili) have been a bit under the weather for the last week or two. Scott came home from his two day trip to Boise (for classes and an audit) today sick. I am glad that the weather has been yucky for two weeks as it has kept my kids low key and indoors. We are suppose to get warm weather (finally) by the end of the weekend.

We spoke with Rylee last night. Her mom says that she is doing well. We were hoping to get her to celebrate Ryan's b-day/life on his bday on the 20th of June but Rylee told me last night that she and her family are going to Bear Lake that weekend. We are all disappointed. We love her a ton and hope all is well with her... such a rotten thing for her to have to go through ... she and her dad had an amazing relationship.

Last week I was reading in my scriptures in 1 Nephi 11. A scripture talked about angels watching over the children. My thoughts turned to Ryan and I started wondering if he is now considered an angel. I had kept this thought to myself and my prayers and then a couple of nights ago Scott brought me a quote from President Faust (April 2006 Priesthood Mtg)... it reads, "I would like to say a word about the ministering of angels. In ancient and modern times angels have appeared and given instruction, warnings, and direction, which benefited the people they visited. We do not consciously realize the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives. President Joseph F. Smith said, ���In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.��� 6 Many of us feel that we have had this experience. Their ministry has been and is an important part of the gospel. Angels ministered to Joseph Smith as he reestablished the gospel in its fulness" I appreciated Scott, even though I had not expressed to him what was on my mind being in tune with me. This quote answers a lot of questions for me about angels and ministering angels. I have always felt that this is how it worked but I'm glad to see President Faust stating it in a talk. I love this song by Steven Curtis Chapman http://www.imeem.com/luvmytruck460/music/mCg59osF/steven_curtis_chapman_with_hope/

We hope all is well and you have a fabulous week!

Peace, xoxox

Crazy Reese

Reese went to Brady's birthday party on Friday. (I borrowed this picture from Lisa's blog.)

Reese had fun trying to do a flip down their zip line (this is Smith's new backyard). He had a great time! Love the cowboy hat Darren has on - what a good sport! I'm going to have to print this picture - he has the look of pure joy on his face.

week 2 post surgery/ct scan

Here is a before picture and two pictures today, two weeks later. Pretty amazing! The one on her cheek was the size of a quarter and quite raised and now it is about the size of a dime and pretty much flat.

Lili gave us a scare today. First I should say she is okay and all is well.

She and I were in the piano room. I was reading the mail and she was playing on the couch (I thought)... anyway, I heard a thud and knew that she had fallen so I looked behind the couch. She was not there and I panicked as I realized that she had fallen out the window (she must have leaned on the screen) and had fallen flat on her back (about 1 foot down onto our cement porch) She was not moving or making any noise and her eyes were closed. I ran outside and tried to hold her hand but it was stiff and jerking a little. I did not know what to do so I called the ambulance and then our pediatrician. The ambulance arrived shortly after and she was starting to open her eyes a bit (they kept rolling back) but still not a lot and she was totally out of it. The paramedic picked her up and she started to cry for me so I held her while he looked her over. He thought she looked fine and suggested I call the pediatrician again and so I did and he talked to her for me. She suggested we come straight in for her to look at her. When we got there she checked her out (Lili was still very lethargic) and so she decided to be safe Lili needed a CT scan. They did the scan and all looked well (her hemangioma on her scalp gave the man reading the scan a scare - but he did not realize what it was).... there was no bleeding or damage from a seizure.

Thanks to two great friends who checked in on me at just the right time :) and to Mckenzie who held her cool when I was trying not to freak out!

We were blessed today! Now, if I can only figure out how to stop her from climbing on everything.

Peace xoxoxo

Happy 6th birthday, Davis!!!

Thank-goodness this day finally came!!! We have been counting down for months! It ended up being a wonderful day.

Davis woke me up at 6. I convinced him to play video games for an hour before he woke everyone up. He opened his presents and loved them (thanks Loye for the Webkins and shirts and 6 dollars - they were a hit). After presents we stuffed ourselves with crepes (his favorite).

Each of the 3 older kids had baseball practice and then Scott took the boys golfing and the girls and I went shopping and finished up last minute errands for Davis' bday party.

Since his bday was on Saturday we decided to invite the families of some of Davis' friends (little and big - he had to invite Cole). We had a great time and the weather was perfect -and so nice that most of the friends had siblings for my other kids! I'm posting pictures of my girls, Davis blowing candles from his cherry pie (his choice), the kids before pinata, the kids after pinata, older boys showing how cold the water was and Davis opening presents.

I told Davis Happy Birthday this morning at breakfast and told him that he was born at 1 am. He insisted that he would not be 6 until the pinata was broken.

I had to take time yesterday to reflect how lucky we are to have him with us and how lucky we are to have him healthy. He was a very scary delivery and we were truly blessed with wonderful doctors that night who happened to just be hanging around at the hospital. He is truly our little miracle. We love him tons!!!

ahh... what happened to her eyebrows?????

Love the new eyebrows??? Scott was laying with Meili after we opened Davis' bday presents and told me to come look at Meili. We all went over to look and started laughing (what else can we do but laugh???) We are glad she did not cut herself and hope her eyebrows grow back quickly!!!

Meili loves to pretend to be cosmetologist (she will do any ones hair and loves to pretend to put makeup on anyone who will allow it), loves painted nails, lipstick and jewelry. She's our sweetie without eyebrows...luckily her bangs cover her eyebrows.

last day of school

The kids had a great year this year at school. Here is a picture of Mckenzie and Davis with their teachers at an after school party at the Mckees (I had a friend take Reese's picture and when I get it I'll post it).

So, summer has officially begun at our house - let the food bill begin!

Mckenzie is sad to be out of school. She had a wonderful year and is afraid she is going to be bored this summer - I assured her she won't. Mrs. Crider told me that Davis held her hand all day on Friday - so this tells me he is going to miss her - he is my least touchy child. Reese is going to miss Mrs. Archibald - she is going to be hard to replace (I think he has a crush on her :) and she says she has one on him too... she is cute and oh, so nice) Each class gave awards - Mckenzie was awarded most critical thinker, Reese most curious, and Davis most compassionate. Great first year - love the teachers and love the progress the kids made!!!!!