What a Year!

Ok, so I haven't been the best little blogger. :( Since my last post so much has happened! Let me see if I can try to catch you up.

The last post was about our first trip to the ER back in October. Since then we have been to the ER two more times and have had a 5 day stay in the hospital! Most of you know the details because we needed everyone to pray for our sweet boy. Just in case you don't know, Cayden came down with the swine flu the last week of October. We immediately sent Kaylee to Nana's and were so blessed that she did not come down with it! Halloween came and went and Cayden was worse and not better. So, we took him back to the ER and the Dr's office and found out he had developed pneumonia. They sent us home. He continued to be in pain and I probably called the nurse like every 30 minutes. Finally, got an appointment with Cayden's regular pediatrician who took the first blood sample since he had gotten sick. His white blood cell count was way too high and we were immediately sent to Children's hospital where we stayed for 5 days on IV antibiotics and fluids. He did recover very well after that. Praise the Lord! It was definitely a very rough time for us. Emotionally, physically, and financially. (Actually, we just received the final bill in the mail for all that this week! Yikes!)

Both kids had a birthday! Cayden had a Buzz Lightyear party just 6 days after returning home from the hospital. He had a blast! (ha! a blast, get it?) Kaylee had her Strawberry Shortcake party just five weeks after Cayden. She loves parties! And all her amazing gifts! I can not believe that I now have a two and three year old! Time flies! Of, course, more presents came with Christmas. We celebrated throughout the month with parades, parties, and family time. It was a wonderful time. They really enjoyed Christmas this year! Thank you to everyone who made it a great Christmas for them. Lord, knows it would have been pretty bland with the one present each that we had for them. We are truly grateful!

Matt is still working at Ross Bridge. He has tried to find other jobs, but the Lord has not shown us our path just yet. He is now back working part time at Taco Bell. He works whenever he can. I praise God for such a dedicated and devoted husband! I could not ask for more! The best news is that Matt has decided to go back to school! He would like to continue his quest to be a youth minister! I am so beyond proud of him! I know God has great things in store for Matthew and for us as a family. Keep him in your prayers as we try to apply for grants and student loans. Pray that the Lord will provide for him to serve in this way.

I am still at home. My "business" is at a standstill. I haven't invested too much time in it lately. Mainly because I do not have a business liscence. I was approved for one! :) However, we are counting every penny and the start up money I need to spend on the business liscence and supplies is just not a priority right now. But I have enjoyed making cute things for my children and friends. It is a lot of fun! 2009 was a hectic and emotional year for me, but 2010 has all the makings of a great year! I have been put on some medicine that has been a LIFESAVER to me. My hormones seemed to have leveled out. I feel in control of my emotions and have seen such a huge change in my attitude! What I thought was a dreadful diagnosis turned out to be for the best. Because now I am on the right medication and can have a normal happy life. :) Praise the Lord!

I have been given the opportunity to serve my church as the First Touch Director. It is a ministry for expecting parents. We provide support, encouragement, and prayer during the "waiting period". Once the baby arrives we welcome them with open arms and show the new parents around the preschool department. It is a wonderful ministry that I am blessed to be a part of. It has turned out to be a big undertaking. I am but one very young, person and there are hundreds of women in our church. Finding out who is expecting and who isn't seems to be a big task. Pray for me to have wisdom and creativity in my new venture!

Well, I think that about sums up 2009. Stay tuned for my NEW YEAR's Post. Have a wonderful and Happy New Year! God Bless!