He's going home!

Well, we just talked to the DR and they said that Troy can go home today...YEAH!! 7 days in the hospital is enough! They are still unsure of what is wrong, and he has to follow up with the Infectious Disease DR in a week, and follow up with his normal DR to check his liver. They are not thrilled with his liver readings, and the Dr said this is still unresolved and isnt over. At least we can continue to figure this out at home, not here. So, we are waiting anxiously to get the discharge papers so we can head home. ITs not over, but at least its heading there. Thanks again everyone for everything you all have done for our family.

Ok, one more

Ok, so I just took this an hour ago, and had to put it on so everyone can see a smile! I was happy to see Troy out in the lobby at the hospital when we took a walk today. He is feeling alot better and is even cracking jokes again! Anyway...just thought this would cheer up some of the loved ones to see this smile. He is very much in need of a shave as you can tell, but he is looking so handsome and alive again!!

Troy in the hospital

Well....after a VERY long week last week, things this Sunday morning are a lot better. To catch anyone up who hasnt heard...On Monday of this last week, Troy started running a fever and got really sick. Early Wed morning I took him to the ER. They gave him some fluids, and meds and such and sent him home after a couple hours. About 30 minutes later, he got really sick again, landing him in the hospital. They did tons of tests trying to find out what was wrong. He was poked and pried and so forth, and couldnt find anything. He had a fever of 104.5 at one point. I have never seen him like this, and it was very scary. He couldnt talk or move really at all..just in a delirious stupor. So..after he met with practically every DR here in town, they decided on Thursday to send him to a hospital in STL called Barnes Jewish Hospital if he wasnt any better on Friday. Friday came, and Troy was doing a little better. He wasnt spiking fevers like he had been, but still running a temp. So they sent him by ambulance over here to STL. They repeated the chest x ray and took a LOAD of blood to check for tons of different things. We met with Infectious Disease Doctors. They are thinking it might be some rare crazy thing. This morning he is even doing better, with no fevers for around 24 hours or so. He is feeling much better and we are more than thrilled. WE are grateful that my mom and dad flew in last night to stay with the kids. They are taking them to church today in our absence. We just talked to the Infectious Disease Dr again and she said that all of the tests that have come back are negative, but some are still out. At this point they are thinking and treating him for some tick born illness. If nothing comes positive, they will just class him as an enigma and treat him with these antibiotics. So...we are going to see them again tomorrow with the cardiologist and see what they have to say. With any luck they will find something, but if not, at least he is getting better and we hope to have him home soon. The kids defintely miss their daddy. It has helped having papa and grama there with them, so I am much relieved. WE truly appreciate everyone's calls, messages, emails, prayers, fasts and so forth that we have all truly felt at this hard time for our family. Thank you so much. WE love you all and hope for a speedy recovery for Troy, asd we leave to AZ in less than 2 weeks!

21 More Days!!!

We are soooo excited because there are only 21 more days until we leave to AZ! We are counting down and the kids are so ready to get back to see everyone! Just wanted to write a quick post to remind everyone we will be there soon! Cant wait to eat some Mexican Food!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day from the midwest to our moms! I just want to tell my mom how much I love her and how much of an amazing mom she is. She has always been there for me no matter what. I always have had such a close bond to my mom and I am so thankful for that. I love that I have been able to talk to her about anything and sometimes we just talk about nothing! I miss her sooooo much, especially today. I wish I could be there to hug you!

I also want to tell Troy's mom how much she means to me. She is such a wonderful lady, and great example to everyone she is around. Thanks for raising such a wonderful man to take care of me and our family. You are such a strong, amazing person and it is a pleasure to have you a part of my life. I wish we were in AZ right now!

Lastly, I want to take this chance to say how thankful I am to be a mom. It is the best thing in the world. My kids are my absolute joy and life. I love this time of year when I get to think of my mom, as well as my opportunity to be a mom. There are so many joys that I cannot express in words that come along with being "mommy" Today in church is always the hardest for me to not just bawl like crazy listening to my sweet children sing mothers day songs to me (and Troy sang too..the brothers sang "I often go walking"!) What a priveledge I have been given with these 5 sweet spirits to have for a short time and teach them, guide them and let them teach me much more than I teach them. I want to thank my Heavenly Father for this wonderful gift.

Lee's 8th Grade Dance (oh ya, and it was Troys b-day!)

Last night was a big deal here in town. Every year they have a BIG ta da dance where all the 8th graders from around the area have a dance together, welcoming them to High School next year. Kids here all get dates, get hair, nails, dresses, tux's, limos and everything. So...we did the dress and hair and that was it! lee was so beautiful, and let me remind anyone who doesnt have teenage daugthers how hard it is to find a modest dress in this day and age. In fact, there was not ONE dress in any of the stores we went to that had sleeves. So, it took much time and searching and engineering to find something ok. I took Lee and a group of her friends out to Subway for dinner! haha and then drove them to the Moose Lodge for the fun dance. She had a great time! Here are some pics of her. When her daddy saw her, he said, "You look beautiful Lee, now go take it off!!!" So hard to see her growing up so much! Troy had a pretty crazy birthday with a whole crew of young kids over here all day getting ready for the dance, and pictures and such! The kids did make him a nice breakfast, his favorite, egg mcmuffins! What a great sport he was...I love you baby! You are the best husband on the earth. I am so lucky to have you and thank you Val and Jack for bringing this wonderful man into this world for me! Happy Birthday Yesterday Troy!

Ok, so I've been TAGGED!

5 things on my to do list
1. finish painting Macee's room
2. clean my bathroom
3. go visiting teaching
4. call the plumber
5. kiss my husband!

5 places I've worked
1. Heber Country Store
2. homestore.com
3. 5*7*9
4. RGIS-(the inventory people who come to the stores and leave the little white papers on the shelves)
5.Franco Shell

5 favorite foods
1. any Mexican food from AZ
2. Cheese Raviolis with Arribatta sauce
3. Green Beans from Lottawatta Creek
4. chips and salsa from Abuelos
5. smoked turkey and swiss sandwich

5 places I've lived
1. Payson, AZ
2. Aztec, NM
3. New Haven, CT
4. Heber, AZ
5. Gilbert, AZ

5 things you may not know about me
1. I have crooked arms!
2. I also have to touch Troy to go sleep-I promise Casey, I didnt copy you! Glad to know Im not the only weirdo!
3. I have a dimple in my big toe
4. I LOVE to dance
5. I yell at my kids WAY too much

5 things I would do if I was a billionaire
1. Move to Maui
2. Buy mine and Troys parents huge gorgeous homes
3. be able to support Troys 'wish list'-car, motorhome, boat, etc
4. go shopping!
5. give money away to people who needed it..that would be so awesome

5 people I tag
1. mom spear
2. julie porter
3. brianna allen
4.aunt valeri blair
5.heather morris

School Pictures and Updates

Sis 4 years old now and so beautiful!





















Hunnies is in 2nd grade and Mrs. Ruggles class. Look out for this cutie!!
















KL is in 3rd grade and Mrs. Miller's class. He has grown up so much this year and into such a handsome young man.























K/B as we know her is in 7th grade and growing into such a fun and lovely young lady.





















Lee just about to graduate 8th grade and has changed and grown up alot this year, turning out to be such a sweet pretty young woman.