Milestones for Nathan & Ryan

So this weekend was great! Nathan was baptized Saturday night and Ryan was ordained a deacon on Sunday after church. Here are some pictures:

Nathan was so excited that every time Kevin got up to say something (he was conducting) Nathan would stand up. When it finally was 'his turn' he jumped up and was great to go! So cute!



Grateful for everyone that came for the weekend. On Sunday, Ryan's biological grandparents, Jim & Beth Thompson, and great-grandma, Patsy Aitken, drove over from Winnemucca for it. That was really neat to have them here and share in this!

Everyone that stood in the circle.



Thompsons & Patsy Aitken


How grateful I am for my boys and their decision to take these advances in their progress here on Earth. I am grateful for this Gospel, that it is a guide for my family. I can't imagine just 'wandering around' with no purpose other than eat, sleep, make money, and survive. We do that, too, but I am grateful for my testimony of the plan of salvation and what will really matter eternally.

The Funnies & Faith of an 8 year old.....

My Nathan cracks me up sometimes. So a few days ago the kids had a late night the night before. I told them they were going to bed early if they didn't start talking nicer, treating each other better, etc. I told them they were tired and just plain grumpy! Nathan (without missing a beat and just like he had an 'a-ha' moment) says, "So that's what's wrong with you and dad." Stifling my laugh I then said, "No, you guys just do things to make us have to yell at you!" Then we all laughed. He is a funny boy.

This morning as I was opening curtains in the house.....let me back up. Sunday was Fast Sunday (the 1st Sunday of the month where we go with out 2 meals and donate a generous offering to the church to help those in need. We also couple it with a prayer to ask for things we need or others need.) Our stake asked us to fast for moisture in our area since we are in a draught. This was Nathan's 1st Fast Sunday as he just turned 8. We ask our children to fast 1 meal until they are 12 and then they will fast the 2. Anyhow, Nathan was amazing! He never complained about stomach pains or being thirsty. So I opened curtains up this morning and the sky was dark! Snow clouds! I said, "Looks like Heavenly Father is going to give us some moisture today like we asked for." Nathan then makes this gesture by pulling his elbow into his side and hand in a fist....usually accompanied by a "YES!" But as he does it he said, "ALL RIGHT! My first fast worked!" I was grateful for that little confirmation of faith sent to Nathan so early in his "fasting career". I thanked Heavenly Father.

Updates.....

1. Nathan's urine is fine....no more protein
2. Nathan is having a VCUG on Thursday. Under ultrasound the insert a catheder (sp?) into his bladder and fill it with fluid. They measure the bladder when it is full and then watch it void. I think he has the smallest bladder in the world as he is constantly peeing and just a little. So we will see where that leads.
3. Nathan is having surgery on Valentine's Day for the foreign object in his neck! The surgeon ultrasound the mass and it is not a cyst. So he is curious to see what is in there!
4. Bryce's heart is fine. Cardiologist said he has a very healthy heart.
5. No chicken pox break outs for 4 weeks! We have no more varicella virus in our home! YAY!
6. Nathan turned 8 two weeks ago. Getting baptized Saturday. (pictures next week)
7. Ryan turned 12 today. He is being ordained a deacon on Sunday and will attend Young Men's tomorrow night for the first time.
8. Ryan completed his Faith in God last week.....just in time!
9. Comptyn and Bryce had their first basketball games. They both worked hard and even had some assists, steals, rebounds and a basket (by C)
10. Bryce got fitted for his new orthodics. He has extremely flat feet!
11. Sammy wants me to type that he still hates oatmeal. (We had it for breakfast and he refused to eat his required 6 bites....so he is having to choke them down for lunch....I know....mean mom!)
12. Daniel's labs turned out pretty good. Kidney function numbers are good. Prograf (medicine) is a bit low, so we will probably have to increase a touch and then repeat labs.
13. Kevin is still waiting on feed back on his dissertation he turned in 3 weeks ago....see why it is taking us SO DANG LONG! AUGH!
14. Ryan attends his first temple trip March 3rd so I have been finding some names for him to take. Have found 106 so far, but I do know some are already done. So we will see the final results.
15. I locked my keys in the van at the dentist office while Kevin was in Reno. (hour away)
16. I am in charge of an Ugly Sweater Ward Party this Friday. I have opened it up to Shirts and Sweatshirts, too. Kevin doubted me and thought it was a dumb idea. (Not his words....but I could tell that is what he was thinking.) But there are a lot of people who are excited for it. Should be fun!
17. Got taxes finished and filed. Got taxes spent. List is sitting and waiting for money to be deposited.

That is about all! I think I have covered our lives the last week or so.
Hope all is well with you!

The year of the medical bills

So Monday was the Chinese new year. It is the year of the dragon. The Lords' family is the year of medical bills! For the that don't know, last week was not a good week for us. I take Nathan into the pediatrician for what I thought was a lymph node on his neck and it is not. Instead we have an appt next week with a surgeon to have it surgically removed. Not going to be a happy recovery as it is going to require him holding his neck still to heL. Nathan does't hold still! He also has some bladder issues that I wanted to talked to the doctor about while I was there. She did a urine test to make sure he didn't have a UTI and he didn't. But he did have elevated levels of protein in the urine. I go into panic mode as that is a sign of kidney failure and we do not need another kidney transplant! We did have the test redone Tuesday and he is fine. prayer #1 answered.
The same day, I get back from working out about an hour later and the school nurse called. Bryce is complaining of having chest pains and shortness of breathe. She took his oxygen level....73!!!! I asked if he was still conscience! She had him take a few deep breaths, which hurt, and got his oxygen level up to low 90s. I told her I was stink and would like to shower really quick. I call back 20 minutes later.....SHE SENT HIM BACK TO CLASS!! Chest pains and all! Anyhow, when he walked back down to the office, 85 was his oxygen level. Still. Not good. So I blew my hair dry and off to get Bryce and got back to the doctor's office. She does an EKG and we are told he has an enlarged left ventricle. WedNesdaY we went to a pediatric cardiologist, and his heart if perfectly healthy. Prayer #2 answered.
So no we wait for prayer #3' Nathan's biopsy of his mass on his neck to come back normal.
Last week was not a great week. I have to admit I was a bit frustrated with all our health issues lately. But I am so grateful for comfort from the Holy Ghost and answers to prayers.

Too funny not to share

So I will tell you the cute funny thing Nathan said the other day first, and then my funny and embarrassing thing.

We were all in the van going somewhere. Ryan asked if he could do something. Kevin said, "Doubt it". To which Nathan got all excited and said, "That means yes!!". I then replied, "that explains a lot over the years!"

So here is my embarrassing yet funny....at least to me. Let me preface it by saying Daniel woke up at 2:30 am with an ear infection. So I had little sleep last night and no time for a nap today. I went to go get my pjs on, had to go potty. I walk over to the toilet, close the entire lid and proceed to sit down and pee. Still makes me laugh! I didn't even notice it until it started running down my leg. I laughed so hard! My toilet and floor are now clean and so am I. Hope that made you at least smile. Going to bed early makes me smile!

Fallon Youth Basketball.....1 of 3 blogs

Our family has entered the world of participating in sports. I decided not to spend $6 for a 5x7 picture of each child. Here are my own versions......$30 worth!
Bryce.....had to have a picture in their league shirt, game shirt and an action shot.



Same with Comptyn......



They are having fun! Bryce's flat feet are starting to hurt.....time to go get new prostetics (sp?) made. They are 1 1/2 years old. I am sure his feet have grown. BAD MOM! Should keep track of that!

When kids get the camera - 2 of 3 blog

Just like the heading said.....When the kids get the camera......