Don't Break My Heart

In July we went for our typical check-up with the growth hormone specialist only this time we got into a clinic in Poky so we didn't have to go all the way to SLC. This time we saw a different endocrinologist, Dr. Donaldson (maybe it was meant to be). While listening to her heart he thought he heard something not quite right. He called in a pediatrician there at the clinic who also agreed that something wasn't quite right. They did a chest x-ray and EKG both of which were funky. At this point I wasn't worried at all, heck we've done this before (Garrett) and nothing has become of any "heart murmurs". The doctors were worried, however, that the x-ray was showing signs of cystic fibrosis.

They decided to wait to do an echo cardiogram until a cardiologist from Primary Children's could do it on the spot instead of just getting a report and then needing to see us anyway. Sooooo, we waited a month for that appointment.

About 3 days before the appointment, Ashlie started having chest pains and complaining her chest felt like it was going to explode. We took her into Community Care, had another chest x-ray and was told it didn't look good. The diagnosis was congestive heart failure.....a very scary, scary moment for me as a mom. After telling Alan, completly losing it, I calmed down enough to call the pediatric clinic in Poky who had seen her the month earlier. That doctor, bless his heart, assured me congestive heart failure can mean many things, mainly that her heart is not functioning properly but most likely could be fixed.

Anyway, we went to the cardiology clinic, met with Dr. Williams, who let us know from the echo that she does have a hole between her atriums about 2cm big (ASD, same as Garrett, only his closed up and was tiny.) She does need surgery, open heart, to fix the hole and most likely the heart will go back to its normal size and start functioniong properly. **Much better news than previously diagnosed** Her surgery is scheduled for October 2nd and it will be a huge relief to get this over with. 2 1/2 months is much too long to wait. It's been difficult preparing for and of course its been hard on Ashlie waiting, wondering and worrying.

Oh yea, NO cystic fibrosis!!!!!

OUR Pumpkin Patch

This year we actually got some decent pumpkins out of our garden considering the COLD start we had to the summer. Not enough according to the kids, but it was fun picking them anyway (except for the "pokeys"). And....next year maybe we'll even do better. Note to self: more water next year.

You're OUT! - Touchdown!! Go! Go! Go!

We weren't able to go much this summer. We stayed at home a lot. The kids swam, played on the new Bonzai slide we got, ran through sprinklers, and basically just enjoyed the sunshine. However, we did do and are still doing a lot of sports. Sports in Sugar City are affordable enough that the kids can try just about everything. We went from baseball and softball in June to soccer in July and finally now football. It's a lot of fun and quite humerous watching them run around and learn the game. It's also quite comical watching their dad get into "coaching" them, getting frustrated at the learning process and how excited he gets when they do good. (I think they do good all the time. ) However, it is getting a little tiresome running to and from practices and games, figuring out conflicting schedules, and worrying about treats and who hands them out each time. It will be nice to just enjoy some time of letting kids be kids and having play time. Some highlights:Much to his chagrin, Alan had to be the umpire for a lot of Ashlie's games. He doesn't know quite how that happens except he has a wife who is quick to volunteer him for jobs like this. I think he did a mighty fine job, however he did call Ashlie "OUT" on the last out of the last game. At least he was honest. Soccer: What a go get 'em bunch of kids we have. They like being in the middle of everything. The best part, though, is how much fun they have. They are always excited to go to soccer.Garrett, Justin and Hallie LOVED football this year. Yes, Hallie got to play also. They all finally were able to catch the ball and actually knew which way to run. They all 3 were able to make touchdowns.

Hot Chocolate Boys

Saturday morning we woke up to a drizzly, kind of cold day. Soon Garrett and Justin came in tow with Koy Sanderson (in shorts of course). They were all a little wet and chilly so of course hot chocolate with big marshmellows were in order. They thought it was pretty yummy.

Silly boys, after the hot chocolate they went back over to Koy's house, huddled in the garage eating popsicles, wrapped in a blanket. Does that mean fall is here or we're fighting for summer still?

MELTDOWN!

One second.....














two seconds.....
















three seconds.....














4 seconds.....











Doesn't even take five.

Beach Babies

Each year in school, Hallie has consistenly made new friends. This year is no exception. Little Hailey Gerdes called her one day to play. Even though Hailey is in our ward, Hallie has never really played with her. (Probably because Hailey is not quite Hallie's age and in a different Primary class.) This year they are in the same class.

They giggled, ran around, played with all sorts of things, rode bikes, BUT the cutest thing they did was lay out on the beach in their "kapinies".

Notice the swim suits (both Hallie's), beach umbrella and let's not forget the beach towels. The giggling continued on and on as they talked about "catching some sun" in their kapinies. I got a big kick out of all this and is went on for most of the afternoon. I don't even think there was any water involved in this little charade. Goof balls!

I'M FINALLY GROWING

Ashlie has always been our little love bug, "little" being the operative word. Having a cute little petite thing is great and wonderful, until there is no growth for months on end, height or weight. We finally raised the issue with Dr. Daniels and he referred us to University of Utah's endocrinology dept. After a crappy test to see if she was making growth hormone, (she barely was) we have been going to SLC every 6 months to watch her growth carefully.

Finally last October the doctors decided to get more aggressive, so on our last visit, wrist x-rays in hand we took our bi-annual trip to Utah and in addition to the regular checkup, we had her checked for Turner's Syndrome, a simple blood test, but not very fun. (yeah, thank goodness it was negative.) Turner's Syndrome stunts your growth completely and if not treated you will end up at about 4 ft tall. Not acceptable in our book. It can also prevent you from being born with ovaries and being able to have children.

In doing this test we did find out that she is resistant to her own growth hormone and so needed to be on the growth hormone. Great except it costs about $1600 a month.

In February Ashlie finally did start having shots daily for growth hormone and wow has she started to grow. In 4 months she grew an inch and gained 4 pounds. That usually takes about 2 years to happen.

The Attitude of Gratitude

Lately I've felt like I just can't do anything right. I know, silly. I got to go to Pocatello this past weekend for a scrapbook "convention". Good company, good food and lots and lots of scrapbooking, just the way I like it. One of the pages I worked on really made me think. I hope I can remember the thoughts I had while creating this.

Here are a few of them....
Sometimes I get caught up in what I don't have or what my neighbor does have...I forget I have four awesome kids that Heavenly Father blessed me with. I have everything I need to live comfortably.
Sometimes I get caught up in how I look, that I need to lose weight or that I'm having a bad hair day...I forget that some people don't have the luxury to even worry about their appearance.

Sometimes I get caught up in how difficult it is to do what is right, to go to church with four unhappy kids, to fulfill ward assignments etc....I forget that many don't have the Gospel in their lives. They don't know what it feels like to unite together as a ward and feel of their love.

Sometimes I get caught up in what I don't get done in a day and how much there is to do...I forget my family is just happy to have me as mom and that some days are just like that. My best is good enough.

When I feel a pity party coming on, hopefully I can read through a little of this, look at my sweet family and count my lucky stars.

IT IS ALL IN THE ATTITUDE!!!