My Natalie

My sweet dear Friend Natalie. I went to visit her this past week. Thank you to Heather and Becky who helped me with my kids. My friend has MS. She has had it for 3years and it is just getting worse. She was excepted into a research study using her stem cells. Last year they took 70 and 120 died this year they only took 3. For six weeks over the summer she has been going through testing and they have been taking bone barrow. Three weeks ago they gave her a Hick man line, it is two tubes that go into your heart to give IVs. This week she checked in to the hospital for this study. They have had her on Four different kinds of Kemo everyday since Tuesday. Tomorrow they will start putting her own stem cells back into her clean and the thought is that her MS will not be gone but will get know worse. It is hard to see me dear friend barely able to walk. She has three children Taylor 13, Julia 10, and Jimmy 8. When I arrived last Sunday we had a birthday party for Julia's and one last night at home with her kids. It was hard because they are all so scared. Monday we where off to the hospital it is a 3 hour dive and ferry ride. We got the last blood draw and she got the ok to check in on Tuesday. So she stayed with me at my Hotel that night we ordered Outback and movies. Tuesday the tension was high. I had some quite time and ask for the right words to share. Many times during the day she looked at me like she wanted to say so much. As I held her hand and prayed she just sobbed. As I left Tuesday night wondering when we would see each other again. My heart ached as we sat and cried. She has lived in Washington 5 years and has not made many close friends. I have called daily and she did good till yesterday. Tomorrow it starts getting scary her immune system is at zero. I ask that all of you life her up this week.

TEXAS

I don't think I should need to say more. I am visiting my mother for the first time since she moved here. We are in Austin and it is sticky. I love that at the store I see woman walking around in short shorts and cowboy boots. So far the best thing is I went to church with my mom and Brayden did not get kick out of sunday school. YEA The message was all about the song Everlasting. They played it four times. I LOVE that song. I feel like I have to stand anytime I hear it. Now they do not stand at this church or lift a hand. I have to say I had to sit on my hands. I always like going to other church to remind me what an awasome church we have. I did see a lady who I thought might go up but no. Heather said I should have stood and freed the church. I am going back next week we shall see what they have going on. My daughters have also be attending horse camp. They love seeing grandma who spoils them. Anyway first day at camp Hayley who has been riding for 2 years got her foot stepped on by a horse. It is very purple and puffy. Spent the evening in urgent care. But it's not broke just some tissue damage. It is not really a vacation till there is a trip the the local ER. Well I will let you know any more great fashion tips I pick up out here. They do love to sparkle things. You may see me with a large banna hair clip with a red white and blue flag next.

Update 2

Well it was short lived but it was nice to have a couple hours with out my children. Yesterday I had high hopes. I dropped my children off and I went to climb Cowles Mountain. I climbed up the mountain listening to praise music and praying. I had some time talking with God about my son. I know he can see the big picture but I am struggling right now. As a human I want it to be fixed right now. Anyway as I came down the mountain I thought I had some fresh thoughts and a clear head. Than my phone rang, it was VBS could you please come get your son. As I drove over to get him I began to ask for wisdom to know how to respond. Upon my arrival none of the ladies spoke to me and the judging looks were all on me. As I got Brayden and Hayley who was with him we left. As I left the room one lady came running down the hall do you think you will come back tomorrow, as I stood there feeling like crying I just said no and thank you. As I spoke with Hayley and asked what happened she said that he wouldn’t sit down for lesson time and when they went outside he wouldn’t play the games. I said did he hit, she said no bit,push? No I felt like this was a victory. God have me this to remember they are only little once and this will pass. I praise my son for not hitting and pray that we will learn to sit for story time. Today is a new day and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

update

Day one started wonderful. My oldest daughter decided to go to VBS as a helper. I had the morning to myself. It was great. Fast forward to the pick up. As I am in prayer as I wait in line to pick my little angel up I say his name the ladies in the room look at me. The head lady comes towards me could you please come in here, we need to talk to you. My heart sinks as I hear about my son. He had a rough morning. I said sorry and left feeling like mother of the year. They said please bring him again. So today my oldest daughter is going to stay in his room with him. If he can not be good he won't go back. I know it might just be to much for him. I will spend this morning in prayer. I know this will pass but when you are in the middle of going through a rough time it is hard to see the other side. I will update later on our day.

SUMMER

Friday was my children’s last day of school and I have wasted no time in signing us up for VBS. This year Brayden can go. I am very excited but I did spend last night praying that he would be a good boy. He did not do so well at church yesterday. Anyway I don’t think VBS is meant to make you break out with hives praying that your son is good. I will give you an update this afternoon. Pray for Brayden wait maybe the other children.

DOG SHOW

Ok there was not much on TV last night so I was watching Animal Planets dog show. I have a few thoughts. First do they not have mirrors at these shows? The ladies that showed the dogs are wearing the worst outfits. Most have suits on from the 80’s and brown tennis shoes, or some have very nice sweat outfits made of shinny nylon. I also noticed that the announcer liked to say bitch a lot. It was a bit strange as he described every other dog as a bitch and of course he has several bitches at home. But the very best thing was they have different judges for each division. So as the hound group came out the judge and expert on hounds came out. She was about 65 years old a little larger. She had on nice flat black shoes. She was also wearing a black sequined top. Then the best was her full length black skirt. Now this seemed like a great choice, I thought finally a woman that can dress her age and look nice. But then as she turn to reveal a slit in the side of her skirt that went all the way up her thigh. Yes it is true, I am not kidding she had a slit to the middle of her thigh. I was in shock. I called Bret over made him look. As I am writing this now and I am remembering this and wondering what was she thinking.

We WON

My daughter has been playing softball for three months. Many games two hours each and we have lost every game. But tonight our last game we won. I am so excited for my daughter and all of her teamates. All of us parents were just screaming in shock. As your children get older you want them to experience wins and losses. But tonight we WON.