Wrapping up 2008...

The past few days we have been busy with finishing up Christmas celebrations. Here we are on the 7th day of Christmas, reflecting back on this year. 2008 has been good. Yes, hospital stays, a job lost, but regained health and a new career path have come from those negatives.

Shelby's still seems to be on the upswing from her bout of Shigella. She just had labs done yesterday for Dr. Lang\man (bone doctor) and they look pretty good. She has been having some hand and foot pain and her allergies are nuts, but managable. Dr. Langman is looking into the foot and hand pain and she'll be having allergy testing in the next week.

Scott will start classes at RVC on January 12th towards his nursing degree. Mid-March he'll start his CNA classes. He has not taken college classes for 20 years - this is a huge step! I know he will be a fantastic student and an excellent nurse! I am so proud of him! He is also taking on one of the biggest challenges he's ever faced - quitting smoking! He has smoked for 25 years and is giving (himself and) his daughters the gift of quitting. Part of the girls' Christmas presents was to upgrade our cable so that they have the Disney channel again. The money we will spend on that upgrade every month is coming from Scott not spending that money on cigarettes. I think this is a very generous and selfless gift he is giving. He has been taking Chantix for a week now and tomorrow is his first day to not smoke. Please send positive vibes his way.

Monday we went to Chicago to take the girls to the American Girl Store. It was a great experience! We took the train/el for the first time and just had an amazing time! We also met friends, Jay and Kathleen, for supper. It was more than the girls imagined!

Visit to American Girl Store

The next morning Shelby had a DEXA scan and blood/urine tests for Dr. Langman. We then headed home and spent a few hours at IKEA. We are all tired, but very lucky because the girls did not wake up until 9:30 this morning!

Last Saturday we had Christmas with my side of the family. It was great fun, there was more than enough delicious food and it was nice to let all the little ones play together. Unfortunately, my Mom caught the cold that is circulating our house so she wasn't feeling the greatest, but I think she still enjoyed the festivities.

Hardwick Xmas 2008

May you all have a wonderful and blessed 2009!

Christmas Morning Chaos

Christmas 2008 (unedited)

Merry Christmas!

I hope this finds everyone having a wonderful Christmas! I just wanted to share some beautiful pictures of the girls taken lately. They are snuggled in bed with Grandma Nea and soooo excited about seeing what Santa brings. Riley did come out, though, after being tucked in, very worried (to the point of crying) about the people who wouldn't get gifts - who have worked hard, but still did not get what they "deserved." She talked about Shelby deserving more than her...it broke our hearts. We reminded her how hard she works at school, how wonderful and helpful she is in our family and how we know its hard on her when Shelby is in the hospital. She DID deserve all she would be getting and we did not want her thinking for a moment that she shouldn't be getting gifts. This thinking was brought about from the message during church during the puppet skit. Poor kid...what a big heart. She was asking, "but what can I do to help those people?'' We talked about ways that she can help and she had a good cry. She's finally asleep. I love her so much.

Please pray for Emerson

You can link to her mom's journal in my right side column. The name of the blog is "Journal." She is very, very, very sick and may possibly have a perforated bowel. Surgery would be necessary, but her chances of surviving that are very slim. PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY. Thank you.

Shelby on the news!

This morning Shelby, my Dad and I had breakfast at Rockford Memorial Hospital. I was asked to speak giving a parent's perspective on the wonderful toys that their playroom has. I was more than willing to help out as this was their annual toy drive breakfast and it was an opportunity to show the donors an actual child who has benefited the toys, activities and games several times. My speech went well (sigh of relief) and Shelby was treated like royalty. Here is a small clip of her on one our our local news stations. She's the cutie-pie in the pink dress!. Two stations interviewed her, but I can only find the clip on the one. Enjoy!

Avery's 1st time playing in the snow

Avery's 1st time playing in the snow

Its better when you win it!

You know that catchy phrase from the eBay commercials? Yup, that's me. While I am busy eBaying (buying and selling) this is one of my Craigslist finds. I'm all for gently used quality items. This is a Hanna Andersson snowsuit and hat. How cute is this? Scott thinks its obnoxious, but that doesn't matter because I'm the one doing the shopping. Just wanted to share how cute she is!

Then she stopped to pose for me...check out the smile!

We will not miss this child in the snow! :)

Shelby is doing o.k. She has been to school all day every day this week. Whoohoo!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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