Of course it can't be simple!!

Anyone who knows my family knows that we do it the hard way. Things that happen to us are strange/unexplainable and sometime just pain weird. The health issues J has had are no exception.
Starting around this time last year, J started running a really high temp, by high I am talking 104-ish, that would stick around for about 5 days and then it was gone. No other symptoms and A never came down with it. So she continues on with the fevers about 1 time every 6-8 weeks. I finally stopped even bothering with the Dr's because a mom can only hear "If there are no other symptoms, it must be a virus and needs to run its course" before she wants to kick a Dr in the teeth.
We finally got a diagnosis for PFAPA which stands for Periodic Fever Adenitis Pharyngitis Aphthous Ulcer Syndrome. If you would like to know more about this crazy thing, go here
We were given a list of blood work that needed to be done the next time here fever spiked. Of course she hasn't had a fever in 3 months now. Yay but I want to know if this is going to be a problem!

So now onto the current issue that is plaguing our family. A and J have both been having recurring bladder infections. Since June each of them has had 4. If you have never had a bladder infection or a UTI, consider yourself very lucky! They are extremely miserable and much worse for little girls. Back in Sept A was scheduled for a VCUG. We got to the hospital ready to go and found out that the test couldn't be done since she had an infection at the time. Fast forward to last Thursday, J goes in for hers and we find out the she does indeed have a reflux issue, out of the 5 levels of severity, J is at a level 4. At level 5, she would have to have surgery to correct the problem. She now has to be on antibiotics indefinitely.
We got through the procedure ( I felt like the worst mother in the world making her go through the VCUG - it is not a pleasant procedure and she cried for about 20 min straight) and Saturday she spiked a fever of 102 that would go away a little with medicine but not completely.
So off to the ER we went. She had to have blood work run and IV fluids because she was dehydrated. They let us go home with a new antibiotic prescription and said to follow up with the base paediatrician. She woke up this morning with yet another fever! Off to the base clinic we went to have another round of blood work and another UA done. My poor little girl has been through the ringer in the last week!
Basically we are waiting to see if the UA grows the bacteria that causes a bladder infection. Any prayers for J would be greatly appreciated!

~Amanda

Thursday Fun!

The girls and I made a trip to Leonardo's! It was a lot more fun now that they are older and will at least pretend that they are listening to me. I remember wanting to pull my hair the first time we went. A was 2 and a half and J had just turned 1.
t was a mommy nightmare (probably explains why we didn't go much for the past 3 years!) one kid going 1 way the other hiding in one of the rooms and only 1 mommy to make sure that they were both safe!
Today consisted of LOTS of painting, a little climbing, some grocery shopping and 2 very sad girls when t was time to go home!


After we got home J informed me that she wanted help making a list. Here is how the conversation went . .
J-mommy I want to make a list
Me- What do you want to make a list of?
J- a birthday list for you mommy!
Me- and what do you think I want to put on my birthday lis?
A- STRING!
Me- And why do you think I want string honey?
A- so that you can make beautiful baby bows out of it!

LOVE my girls!!

~Amanda

How cool is this?

I was looking for pictures to use for a header for the blog and came across these pictures . .






This is an 'elephant walk'. The images were taken at McConnell AFB while we were stationed there. I asked K about it and he wasn't 100% positive if he was in the line up but confirmed that he had been a part of one while we were there.
www.af.mil summarized the images as 'Six KC-135 Stratotankers demonstrate the elephant walk formation as they taxi down a runway right behind each other during a generation exercise Aug. 5 at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The exercise showcased McConnell AFB aircrews' capability to prepare a flight and take off within minutes of being notified of a mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Laura Suttles)'

Pretty impressive, right?

~Amanda

Where did 2010 go?!?!

Holy Cow!! It is January 5, 2011?!?!? What on earth did I do in 2010 that made it go by in fast forward?

I have an uncle who put the fast forward feeling into perspective for me. (right before he turned 50) When we are younger, say 10 for example, 1 year is 1/10th of our life. At 50, 1 year is 1 /50th of our life. Looking back at the past year at age 10, it seems like much less time has passed because there are only 10 years to look back on (if you can remember back that far) but at 50, you are seeing things from a few more years and it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye!

Maybe this year I should make a resolution to blink less and maybe I can make time go slower that way??
Every blink brings the kids doing something else, not always a GOOD something else but something just the same!

As we were driving home from school this morning, the girls were in the backseat of the truck playing 'store' (not 100% sure how that was being accomplished from different sides of the truck and strapped into car seats but whatever). I overheard J asking if she could 'buy' something. A informed her that she could and that there was a military discount.
Anyone wonder what I ask at every store we go to???

Here is a look at my favorite images from 2010!




K getting his Masters degree!!


Memorial Celebration for Dad. (Thanks to Megan for the balloon idea)


A and J on J's first day of school at Lighthouse (A started the day before)




Girls on their bikes


K getting A and J ready to Trick or Treat




At the Wing Kids Christmas Party



~Amanda