Brenda had another trip to the doctor on tuesday night. Another seizure. Man I hate those things even though they have assured us that they are not harmful. I just hate watching my children suffer. I can not imagine what our Heavenly Father has to go through. I wish I could protect them from anything hurtful but I guess that we are here to learn and I have to let them. I am grateful for the gospel and for my testimony because I don't know how I would get through the days. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have. (I could use a little more.) I see so much struggle around me and I wish I could fix it for those people that I love so much. But all I can do is pray and hope things will get better. I love Easter time it is a great time for reflection on Christ and the things he has done for me. Mostly in times that I have been undeserving. I can't believe the life I have been given. A great husband and the best kids in the world. As I go through the struggles of each day I just need to remind myself of the big picture. I know that no matter what happens to us here. It is just a small part of what is in store for us. I am grateful for that knowledge, and I hope it will be enough to keep me focused and moving in the right direction. Hope my family and friends know how much I love them and I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter! (wow that was deep)

Yes we are still alive. Since I got onto Facebook I don't blog much. Not that I did much before. I have been surving the last few months. I am sick of the cold and the snow. The new batch of snow yesterday almost made me cry. Will it ever end? McNeil is still doing well in school and Brenda is changing daily. She has a vocabulary of about 15 words and can just about get anywhere that she wants to. I am still looking for at home work and trying to get finances organized. I am sure negative when I think about the economy. I am trying to stay focused on the big picture but it is hard when things look so bleak. I hate to see people suffering and not being in a position to help I hope things will get better. Brandon and I were talking the other day about how there has not been a day since Brenda came along that we have not laughed. I am so glad I have my kids to keep me focused. They make me want to be a better person.

Someone got mad at me yesterday because I never update my blog. So sorry. Here it goes. Things have been interesting. The Christmas holidays have come and gone and were nice. I enjoyed having McNeil home for the most part and Brandon was able to have some time off too. That was really nice. For the past 3 years we have had a major medical incident happen in January. 1st there was my kidney stone surgery and hospital stay. The following January we had Brenda which was awesome and so worth it, but I am speaking from a monetary point of view right now. Then last week I spent four days with Brenda in the pediatric ward. She was having seizures caused by high fevers. They never found out what was causing the problem but she got to go through a lot of testing and poking to find out what wasn't causing the problem. We are sure glad she is home and healthy now. The poor thing was poked 17 times before she got to come home. Most of those pokes were people trying to put an IV into her tiny veins. She was sure glad to leave that place. And so was I. It is so hard to watch your children suffer and if they had kept her for one more day or tried to poke her one more time I think I would have gone postal. I know they were just doing their job but that is not much comfort when it is your baby who is suffering and looking to you for help. All is well, she is back home and hopefully will not have to experience that again. Watching you baby stop breathing and turning blue is so scary. I am just grateful for everyone who was there supporting us and taking care of us. (Even the people with the needles.)

It is official, we have a new President and things in our world are starting to change. Some good and some not so good. I was a little confused when they offer prayers at the Innauguration but they are not allowed any where else publicly. Strange isn't it?

Christmas is only 9 days away. I love Christmas time. I have Christmas music on all the time. McNeil thinks I am obsessed. He thinks I listen to way to much and that the Christmas movies from my childhood are lame. I guess they are kind of corny. But they remind of good times with my family. I love to watch them and think of days gone by. Man I sound old! I am excited for Brenda's first Christmas. She has no idea what is coming but it is still going to be fun watching her try to unwrap gifts. It is practice for her birthday coming up in January. Waaaah! I can't believe that she is turning one already. It has been a quick year.

I just want to say Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!

Remember to reason for the season!!

Well she is off. Brenda has reached her next mile stone. WALKING! It is so fun to watch her learn and hard at the same time. I do not want her to grow up so fast. She is also learning the art of tantrum throwing. Now that is something I could do without. She is happy most of the time but man take something a way that she wants and look out. The little angel quickly turns to not quite an angel. I sure do love my kids. They are both awesome. McNeil is so loving towards his sister. I love to watch him play with her. He is pretty good at putting her to sleep also. Thanks Mac!

Christmas is fast approaching and I have not started to shop. I am waiting for Bonus time. I hope everyone has a good Christmas Season. I know things are tough all over for lots of people. I know if we stop and think about why we have this holiday it will be a lot happier and easier to get through. It is all about The Love.

Merry Christmas to all those I love and everyone else too!

Well we survived the chicken pox. With her thin hair and her pox Brenda looks like someone from one of nuclear bomb movies. She is now just one big scab. She is felling much better and is starting to sleep again. Hooray!! Thank you to my mom for all of her help this week. I would not have survived without her. She came over almost daily to help her sleep deprived daughter. She is so awesome! Love ya mom!

The football party is finished and all went well. No more football until next year. I thought this week would be easier but the kids I tend will be coming at 4:30 am everyday this week. So much for catching up on sleep. Oh well, I am just glad my baby is feeling better.

Love to all who help me through life.

My Baby woke up this morning with the chickenpox. How that happened we do not know. She has not come in direct contact with anyone that has had them that I know of. I guess she won't have to get her shot in January. I feel so bad for her. She does seem to be doing okay. The only one she will not leave alone is the one on her eye. They make me itchy! Those lovely childhood diseases. It has only just began!

You got to love that lovely pink calomine lotion!