The Fight Is Not Over..........

Yesterday, I noticed when Nathan woke up that his urine has a very bad smell. I thought it was probably from all he had been through but I made a doctor's appointment just to be sure. I talked to the doctor about his traumatic experience and she said that they would need a urine sample. I fought tears and fought the urge to run out of the office, but I knew he needed help. Nathan screamed in terror as they placed just the simplest bag over his pee-pee and closed up his diaper. Doctor told us to wait. So my mom and I went to the market down the street and purchased juice so that he'll go in the bag. After 2 hours, our attempt failed as the doctor's office was closing and he had not gone.

When we got home, I took the bag off so he could be free......that was until he would go to sleep. And as soon as he did, I carefully put a new bag on. The next morning he was in bed with us and I checked his diaper......nothing. So, we got ready for work, and I held him in the chair and I smelled that awful smell and felt warmth on my pant leg. Sure enough, he went in the bag, in his diaper, down his leg and on my work clothes....BUT I was so excited I poured the specimen in the little cup and changed my clothes.

SO......I have talked to the Nurse Practioner and they said that he has a UTI. They are going to put him on antibiotics but they still want to do a sonogram and make sure there is no damage. They believe because he was double-cathed that this caused the inflammation. PLEASE PRAY THERE IS NO DAMAGE. This is so scary....it just started out as the stomach flu............

Definitely A Memorial Weekend

Well, we have had a interesting weekend. Nathan got sick early Friday morning (vomiting) and diarreah, fever, etc. So I stayed home with him and just let it run its course. He continued to throw up several times after that not keeping anything down. We called the doctor and the doctor said....."No more monkeys jumping on the bed"...Sorry I couldn't resist. He said just watch his temp and give him lots of fluids. By Friday night he hadn't thrown up so we thought he was getting better. Until 8pm he did it again. He slept through the night and the next morning he seemed a little better but totally lethargic. Later that evening, we managed to give hime JELLO and we thought this was a turning point. Until he threw it up. By this point he seemed totally lifeless and we took him in. By the time we rushed to the hospital he was severely dehydrated and couldn't pee even after drinking 12 oz. of fluid. They sent us to the ER (because we were in urgent care) and they worked on trying to find a vein. The next option the doc said was to do an IO which is basically and "IV" through his bone in his leg. The needle my friends was as thick as a nail. They did not sedate him and the blood curling scream was unbearable. (We werent allowed in the room) So after a while they decided the Central Valley Hospital didnt have the resources to maintain that particular "IO" and ordered an ambulance to take us to Childrens Hospital.

To my delight, they were the best in care and was very patient with him and gracious. They found a vein in his hand and took out that ugly thing in his leg. They admitted Nathan to the "Apollo" wing where he could get better. (All the wings are named after spaceships) Then finally this afternoon he was so much better and was able to go home. My advice to anyone is to go straight to Children's Hospital if at all possible anytime you need care and can make it there. Its worth the gas! Although we were transferred by ambulance so that was cool. Thanks for all of your prayers, we appreciate it so much!

I have always been proud of my little brother. I wasn't around him too much in his prime years because I had left home already and we were over 10 years apart but I always kept up with his life of rock.

Justin is one of the guitarists and singers for Flight 409 of Fresno. They've come a long way of their road to stardom and we share in his excitement. I have been blessed to come from such a musical family and then marry into a musical family. Jon's brothers both play guitar really well. His sister Kate plays saxaphone and sings!

So nevertheless, Nathan loves the guitar and is beginning to sing. I know God has given us a talented little boy and I pray that we will always embrace it!

These pictures are from the other night when Justin came over to practice for the song we are singing for Jennae and Doug's wedding. Its going to sound really good.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

~M O T H E R ~


M is for the million things she gave me,

O means only that she’s growing old.

T is for the tears she shed to save me,

H is for her heart of purest gold.

E is for her eyes of love-light shining,

R is right and right she’ll always be!

Put them all together they spell Mother,

the word that means the world to me.

By: Howard Johnson, 1915

Happy Mother's Day to all and to the future mothers as well! I am so blessed to have known my mother, mother in law, and all my grandmothers in my life. I am also blessed to have friends that are mothers and have been a great example.

Thank you Lord for mothers. How awesome is it that you knew exactly what every child needed in life. From the boo-boos to the broken hearts, a mother's gentle shoulder was created by You. Lord you are a true example of all the great qualities you have sewn into a mother's soul. May each mother be blessed! Amen!

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Well, some have asked about Jennae's shower so for family and friends afar, let me say it was incredible.

We had white table cloths with pink runners. Tall silver vases stood grand in the middle of each table housing with delicate pink roses. Each place adorned with 'tiffany-blue' boxes and giant diamond rings on top of each one. Of course the little mother in law house in the back of my mother's yard was staged like Tiffany and Company showcasing beautiful jewelry.

I shared a poem by EE Cummings dedicated to Jennae 'I carry you in my heart' (for those who have seen the movie 'In Her Shoes' you will appreciate it. We had sophisticated tea sandwiches and Cranberry-Limeade Punch. And Jennae's cake was fabulous enough for any princess with pink satin ribbon on each buttercream layer and diamonds sparkling in the sun. We played the grocery game and "How well do you know Doug?" game.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Jennae was overwhelmed with excitement and it seemed to open our eyes to how soon the wedding is coming.

To My Mom: Thanks for taking the financial part in this and my other creative side. During a hard time in my life I was able to give my sister her dream shower. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication.

To The Bridesmaids: We are sexy and we know it. And on June 7th we will show it. Big or tall, pregnant or small we are the Mad Maids.

To the epic crew: I can't tell you how much it meant for you guys to be there. It makes me cry to think how much you guys have reached out to us and Doug and Jennae. And thanks for the tables and chairs........they fit in perfectly.

And To My Sissy: I am so proud of you and I know God is about to bless your socks off! Love you always.............