September phone pics

Looks like this edition is a lot bit heavy on the sky. Good grief.

Sky picture número uno.

Sky picture número dos.

Sky picture número tres.
(But I especially love this one as I took it at the temple.)

And sky picture número cuatro.

El fin.

The elementary jog-a-thon

These two speedsters did such an awesome job.

Pack meeting tonight

The night started out with the raingutter regatta...

...and ended with this boy being awarded his religious knot.

I love this disciplined stud muffin something fierce.

Matt's flag football season

Fall weather, walks and rough weeks

Some mornings I need a walk more than others. Today was one of those mornings and the gorgeous fall weather made it all the more wonderful.

It has been a rough few days, as I have learned to appreciate even more than I already did (and it was already plenty) the good doctor that helped with my recent diagnosis. Because of the nature of what I have, I needed to be passed off to a specific kind of doctor that can monitor the next few months of treatment. And without going into details that don't matter, let's just say that after several difficult days, this doctor has decided that my original doctor was right and maybe changing everything around just ten days in wasn't the best idea.

(I really should put a smiley face there to soften that last sentence, but I can't quite make myself. Yet.)

So today we start back on the medication that worked initially and hope and pray that this pretty horrific headache going on six days straight is on its way out. I've been a bit grumpy this morning, wishing with all my heart that I could be two and a half weeks into the medication and things getting better, instead of back on day one. But as I have reminded myself over and over the past several days, this unexpected change and decision by the new doctor didn't take the Lord by surprise. He's got this. I just need to let Him guide it. And He has. Right back to where He did the first time.

(And another needed smiley face right there I'm sure. Nope, still not there yet.)

I love fall. And morning walks. And my Heavenly Father who is still kind to me when I'm grumpy and struggling. Yet fully aware how very blessed I am.

This morning

Some random thoughts about my three youngest

Oh this guy. Every single night he makes sure he reads his scriptures before going to
sleep. And it does something to my heart to know how much the gospel means to
him. He is such a little stud. Who isn't so little any longer. I seriously love him.

This Nathan boy is just filled with so much goodness and light. He loves life,
loves school, loves soccer and especially loves to constantly hold our not-so-little-
anymore kittens. He makes life happy for us all and I absolutely adore him.

This little sweetheart is still my sidekick most days and I'm so grateful.
This particular day, she was a bit thrilled with the colors she chose for her fingers and
toes. She is hilarious, happy and just a joy to be around. And we love her like crazy.

An amazing opportunity

This past Saturday, Jacob and the four oldest had an amazing opportunity to spend time with some
darling children from refugee families. It was a small sacrifice on their part, but so very powerful.
At least for our little family. The Lord is so kind to bless us with these opportunities for service
and then to change us by just being around pure goodness and joy. It reminded me of this video
that the church put out some time ago. I sob every single time I watch it. We are so blessed.

This is what Jacob wrote about the experience and these photos he took:

Today we had the awesome opportunity to spend some time playing with kids from refugee
families...Rwanda, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Congo, and more. They're so beautiful and happy,
despite the immense challenges they've faced. Just as wonderful was watching all four of
our oldest kids immediately open their hearts to others. It was a joy to be with all of them!

High school, favorite teachers and donuts

Last week, on Campbell's birthday, I took donuts to his entire class during his AP Econ hour.
Because he just happens to have my very favorite teacher from high school during that period
of the day and it seemed like a good excuse to spoil my son and see Kelly Oram again.

This afternoon, I got a call from an unknown number and when I answered it, Kelly
wondered what time he should expect the donut delivery that day. All of the students
were laughing in the background and our conversation was pretty hilarious. I hung up,
knowing full well neither he nor the students expected me to bring donuts to class.
Which is exactly why I had to. Thirty minutes later, I walked in with three boxes of donuts.

It kind of made my day. And it didn't hurt that the class broke into applause as I was leaving.
High schoolers are pretty crazy awesome. And Kelly Oram is definitely still my favorite teacher.

Yesterday

 

 

 

Eighteen

Happy Birthday my incredible boy!
You are so very loved.

Some random thoughts about my three oldest

This is my oldest. He is hilarious and I adore him. He will be eighteen in two days and I've
never been so blown away by something in my life. So I'll keep focusing on this picture
and laughing, instead of crying because in very few hours, I will be the mother of an adult.

Early this morning, I dropped off this darling girl of mine at the high school to do some driving with
her instructor. Waking up before five am, not cool. But this child, every bit of cool. And good and
kind and gorgeous and hilarious and brilliant and worth an early wake up. I really love her.

Tonight, Matt's football team had photos taken. As usual, I didn't order any as it just
isn't my thing. Before Matt left, I asked him to pose so I could take my own picture
of him to remember his flag football season by. Clearly, you can see why ordering
professional photos of my children would be a waste. I seriously love this kid.

Never forget

"People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace
and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life
and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it."

~Thomas S. Monson

Yesterday

Four

Happy Birthday baby girl!
You are so, so loved.

A diagnosis

I am feeling so overwhelmed with the kindness of others. And these amazing cookies are just one example of a dear friend and her thoughtfulness to me.

Up until my post on Instagram yesterday, I've only shared what I was going through the last many weeks with a handful of people. They have been beyond kind and supportive and it has meant the world to me.

For those that don't follow me on IG, yesterday I had a lumbar puncture. Which was the final test in a series of medical tests that I have been through lately (an MRI, an MRA, multiple vision tests and finally the lumbar puncture I mentioned). And I can honestly say that all I have been able to think about through it all is how grateful I am, how kind the Lord is to me and the incredible blessing that a family friend/doctor has been through this whole process.

In the past many weeks, I have seen my Heavenly Father's hand in my life in an absolutely tangible and miraculous way. And while those experiences are sacred to me and need to be kept in my own heart, I just want to say that God loves His children. And that love never changes, whether we are going through heartbreaking trials or witnessing miraculous blessings. God's love is always there and I am changed because of it.

In addition, some of my deepest gratitude has been for the doctor I mentioned above. I don't have words to tell him how grateful I am for what he has been willing to do, for how close he has been to the Spirit to know what step to proceed with and for how he has treated me and helped me. I've been to a lot of doctors in my life (six high-risk pregnancies will do that to you) and I've never seen the likes of this particular doctor--in knowledge, in competency, in willingness to go the extra mile, in incredible kindness. Jacob and I could never thank him enough. I'm just so grateful.

As of a few hours ago, the diagnosis is in. I have idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It is also called pseudotumor celebri, but for some reason, they came up with an alternate name years ago because people didn't like a diagnosis with the word tumor in it. Imagine that. Either way, I couldn't be more grateful for the actual diagnosis. Not because I am looking to have a problem, but because it explains some pretty difficult, constant and terribly painful symptoms I've had for some time, that no one else could explain or diagnose or stop from happening. And even though it is something somewhat rare, it is also manageable and I feel so much hope.

Before I finish this long post, I have to say I have the best family ever. They honestly could not be more sweet, more supportive, more prayerful toward my well-being or just more wonderful. My kids have been amazing through everything, always wanting to know how I am doing and how they can be of help. My parents and in-laws have prayed and put my name in the temple and called to check on me and have been so grateful for a diagnosis that could help me return to my old self. And Jacob, I wouldn't even know where to start in my praise for him. He has been more wonderful than I could ever imagine and so much more than I ever deserve. I'm so thankful to be his and to be going through this challenge with him by my side.

Today truly feels like a life-changing day for me. And I can't stop feeling profoundly thankful for every small step along the way and every good person that has supported me through all I have been through of late.

I am so blessed. God is so good. And life is pretty wonderful to be sure.

My five Kindergarten darlings

First day of preschool

This little youngest of ours had such a happy first day of preschool. I'm so grateful for
sweet teachers and darling classmates and little girls who can't wait to go again on Thursday.