Christmas at my mom's 2014

yes, we waited until January, and yes it was worth it.  Wow were there a lot of people there!  I had no idea I had so much family, ha-ha!!  We had over 30 people at my mom's house, including a few babies, and there will be two more babies next year.  My great aunt Anna was able to join us, which is nice, as she is getting older, and has inoperable cancer.  It was nice to be able to spend some time with her.  Seeing my uncles, Sami, James, cousins, etc.  It was a really fun time.  We played the dice game, and nobody got hurt..the hot ticket was a thing of lottery tickets.. what a great idea that was!  I am also adding some pics of our own house and our real tree we got this year...too bad it died while we were in the hospital with Caleb, ha ha...  Oh well. 

enjoy the pictures!

Martha, Sandy, and Troy

Isn't hims darling?

Lisa and Uncle Pat

Decorating the Tree

Just cuz I love her so much, Miss Juno

My favorite picture in the whole world!!!

Zeus, Sami's dog

Camryn

Liam

I don't remember his name, but he's a cutie!!

Linnea

Looking pleased

Come here and gimme a kiss!!

She pretends she likes the babies...  ha ha

Been too long again...

This time I have a great excuse!  For about a week and half before Christmas, I thought Caleb had come down with influenza.  He had a dry cough, body aches, headache, fever, etc.  Every symptom.  He got better for a few days, so I sent him back to school, only to have him get sick again that weekend.  The week before Christmas break, he was home sick all week, and on that Thursday, the 18th, he started throwing up and having diarrhea as well.  I am not sure why, but the thought crossed my mind if it could be his appendix.  He slept through Thursday night, and when he woke up on Friday, we knew it was an emergency.  So off to the emergency room we went.  They did a CT scan and checked his white blood count.  His appendix had ruptured.  It had been ruptured for quite some time.  Caleb had infection throughout his abdomen, kidneys, liver, bladder, etc.  Needless to say, we spent 9 days in the hospital.  He had three drainage tubes placed in his abdomen to drain the infections, and was on a 24 hour a day antibiotic IV.  After 9 days he was  healthy enough to come home.  He still had two drainage tubes, which have since been removed.  He still has a golf ball size abscess on his bladder, and we are going to the DR again tomorrow to see if he wants to drain it, or just let the antibiotics do their job.  Clinically he is healthy again.  He lost 20 pounds through this ordeal!  His appetite is back, his fever is gone, his energy is back to normal, but it was a long road.  The bottom portion of his lungs had basically shrunk due to laying so much, and he had to work on getting them working again.  He is still on antibiotics, and I must say he handled this ordeal with so much courage and strength.  I am so proud of him.  It was a scary time, and I thank God for taking care of him.  For giving the many Doctors and Nurses the knowledge to care for him properly, and with kindness and compassion.  We spent Christmas in the hospital, and Caleb was visited by Kirk's Fire Captain, who presented Caleb with a chain with Saint Florian on it.  He is the "protector" of firemen.  This captain told Caleb he had worn it for years, and that it had been through many fires with him, and that he knows it will help protect Caleb and keep him safe.  Caleb was so touched by this man, he couldn't even tell me or his nurse the story without breaking down in tears.  Once Caleb got home, we ordered a new one for this man, and had Caleb present it to him at his fire station.  It was one of many people who touched us during this trial.  Below are some pictures of Caleb and his journey...

St. Florian chain

My Baby

The Luxury "parent bed"

Gift From Troy's Work

Caleb's Christmas gift

Resting after a surgery

One of his IV lines

Trying to look "happy"

Even we get tired!

Teddy bear from me, monster from the nurses

After his 2nd surgery

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

I turned 41 yesterday.  Wowza man....

I am in awe that I am 41.  I had a supremely hard time turning 40, but turning 41 was no big deal for me.  In fact, it was one of the best birthday's I've had in a long time.

My hubby, Emily, and Caleb gave me 2 pair of super soft socks and an awesome pair of boots that I can wear year round.  They are warm, waterproof, but cute enough and light enough to do year round if I want.  Troy also gave me a really nice card.

My parents treated me to a facial, which I will do again...and again....again.  OH man was that amazing.  Foot soak, Foot and leg message, arm massage, scalp massage, and an hour long facial with soft music in a dimly lit room.  It doesn't get any better!!

My Mother in Law bought me a candle from Yankee Candle.  My FAVORITE!!!!!

My sister is treating me to lunch on Saturday.

Jon gave me lotion, 2 candles, body wash, body spray, and a card I will keep forever.

As I get older, I realize what a gift life is.  What a gift my children are.  I need to slow down and cherish these times, because they won't last forever.

My hubby and I are working hard on making our marriage awesome!

My parents and I are closer than ever.  I love them so much.  I cannot imagine a life without them.  Same with my sister.

I am blessed by God to have such a beautiful, supportive family.  I am blessed to be washed in His Blood.

This year is going to be a great year for me.  I will grown in my relationship with God, I will grow in my relationship with my husband, and I will maintain my relationship with my parents and my sister.  Thank you God for blessing me in so many ways.  I do not deserve my blessings, yet You shower me with them daily.

For that I am grateful.

Take care,
Kristy

Mom and her brother's

Pat, Cliff, Joe, my Mom and Gary

The lighting isn't the best, but you can see how happy they all look!