Fa La La La La

Christmas, Christmas Time is here!

I love it!

I love when I pull all the totes up the stairs and un-saran wrap the trees!

(I finally got smart and figured it out-much less work)

So, I thought that I would share a couple of pics of the work.

Not too much though, just a peek! I am going to participate in the house tour on the 15th-it's kind of boring to see the same pics twice!!

See this little man. Well, I guess he's not so little. I picked him up last year at the thrift store. I think he cost me $5! I just added a little TLC, made my talented mom repaint his face and Voila!

He's supposed to sit on the porch. He will make it his home tomorrow!!!

I found this adorable Santa sign just the other day at the thrift store. It only cost me $5! I have a thing for $5 junk! This was perfect and I loved it! I also have a Santa book-the one that it laying open with the clause pocket watch. I have had this book around since I was little. We used to just sit and look at the pics when we were kids. Now my kids do the same.
One day, in the middle of the summer, a couple of years ago-I came across it in the thrift store. SURPRISE!! This is one of the 6 trees that I have. I know, I am a little obsessive about it. My mom, she has more than me. Guess it's hereditary. I made the little snowmen under the tree. I also found the "Santa" head in the suitcase. He was even more scary than he is now. I again, found him at the thrift store! We just TLC'd him up. I had him on my door last year. Everyone thought that it was scary. (everyone being my 4 year old and husband)

This is our tree garland. I saw the idea on the crayola site. I thought that it was perfect. A little craft that everyone could participate in. Even Dad. We made this one for my MIL. She is still in Arizona with my FIL. He is still in the ICU and still struggling. We thought that we would send her a little Christmas Cheer. I know that she reads my blog-so when you see this-pretend that you are surprised!
I am loving every ones Christmas decor. Keep it up! Can't wait to steal more ideas!
PS-I am one of those crazy, freaky Black Friday shoppers. I will have to post about it later. It was a blast and I got some great deals. Not to mention-a heck of a nap. Nothing like waking up at 3 am to make a girl exhausted!

PS-go and check out the http://theinspiredroom.net. She has a great linky set up with all kinds of fun ideas!!

I am still here-barely:)

Just kidding!!
I just wanted you all to know that I am still here. If any of you still read this.

My father in law is still there. Still sick, but hopefully going to turn the corner soon!
We are praying that he can make it home for Christmas-or at least be stable enough for them to med air him home.
Oh how wonderful it would be, if he was HERE in a hospital.
We have learned a lot, and continue to do so.
I have always believed strongly in the power of prayer. Always.
I can't even describe how I feel about it now.
I don't know any other words to use.
I can just sum it up with-
I am truly blessed!!!

I got bit by the bug.
The christmas bug.
I couldn't handle it anymore.
So before my husband left for Arizona again-I made him drag all the totes up and the 6 large trees, 3 small treas and the larger that life toy soldier!
I was so excited!
So-I turned up the christmas tunes and got to work.
It was kind of hard to be in a christmasy spirit when it's sunny and nice outside.
I am ready for the snow!
I have a winter wonderland in my house, now I just need to be able to see one when I look outside!

I will post pics of all of my chritmas glory in a couple days when I get it ALL done.
I know, I know-it's pathetic when one has so much christmas decor it takes more than one day to put it out! :)

One more thing-I won something!!!
Yep!
I never win anything-I did last week!
It came when i truly needed a pick me up!
I was so thrilled, I knew I had to share it with you!

She is called the North Pole Secretary.
Santa finally got him a secretary and she is not even an elf. (at least I don't think)
She helps him with his letter writing.
She makes sure all letters are personalized with all kinds of great details about each little boy and girl.
She doesn't even forget the littlest details.
The post mark is North Pole as well.
She is one pretty amazing lady.

Go and look at her site and see what she can offer for you.
I was thrilled!!!
www.http.//NorthPoleSecretary.com

Have a great weekend!!!
I'm off to check etsy and see what I can check off my list!

Theres no place like HOME!!!

There is no other words that ring more true than those right now.

Kal and I flew in today and we did a little happy dance when we walked in the door.
It was hard and sad to leave his Dad and Mom, but we needed to come home.
We missed our girls, and I am happy to say that they missed us!

My FIL is still in the ICU. We have got a bit of good news, so we are holding on to that.
He is still on a ventilator and lots of dialysis, but the Dr's are pretty sure that he is going to make it. It's going to be a long recovery(about a month in the hospital in AZ) but we are hoping that he will be home in time for Christmas.
What a great Christmas it will be.

We want to say thank you so much for all your prayers and kind words.
I know that it was prayers offered on our behalf that helped us make it through some days.
We thought that we were going to lose him a couple of times.
It was then, that the angels surrounded us, and the peace was felt by all of us.
Thank you again. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many fantastic people.
The world is full of good, loving people. I am lucky to know some of them.

I just have to say, this whole experience has taught us a lot.
Kal and I came home different people.
My testimony of prayer and modern day miracles has been strengthened.
My love for my family has increased 10 fold.
I have realized that life is too short.

Life is too short to leave without telling your family you love them.
Life is too short to hold on to feeling of resentment and anger.
Life is too short to worry about things that don't really matter.
Life is too short to not spend your time making memories with those who truly matter.

I realized, that in all of my 10 years of being married, I don't think that I have ever told my FIL I loved him and gave him a hug.
Now, I am not an evil person.
They are just not touchy people.
I know that they love me, and I know that they know I love them.
But life is too short to not tell them.
So, the next time that I see them, I am going to hug them both and tell them how much they mean to me. (so get ready-cause I know that you are reading this)

You never know when your life is going to change in an instant.

Here from Arizona

I have always wanted to go to Arizona-never been here.
Never wanted to come here under these circumstances.
My husband and I flew here on Sunday morning.
My Father in Law was moved to the ICU here in Tuscon.
We flew in as soon as we heard.
Yesterday was a very scary day-but today he is doing a little better.
They put him on a ventalator and all kinds of other stuff.
The Dr's said that he is improving a little today.
We are so thrilled to have some good news.
Please keep us in your prayers.
We can use all the help and strength that we can get.

Just wanted to give a quick update. Thanks so much for all of your concern and prayers.

S.O.S

My family and I, we have kind of had a hard time lately.

My headache did go away-for about 36 hours, and then it came back!!!
CRAPPY!
I am finally on some different meds that seem to be helping and lowering the pressure.
I have a diagnosis-I have high csf fluid, or in lamans terms-spinal fluid.
I have some sort of blockage somewhere that is not allowing my body to get rid of it.
We are really hoping that these meds are going to take care of it, and it's not going to come back.
If it does-they have told me a shunt might be in my future. This would solve the problem, but the idea really scares me.
If you know of anyone who battles this, or someone who knows someone who battles this, let me know. I would love to know what other have done or are doing.
The whole thing kind of freaks me out.

The lame headache update, was not the purpose of this post.
Sorry, I am so sure that you are all sick of me.
I was hoping that I could trouble you to listen to one more thing.

My Father-in-law is in the ICU battling some serious medical problems.
The worst part-he is in the ICU in Tuscon Arizona.
We live in Utah.
My in-laws were on vacation when he was hit with a major pain.
They took him to the Er-admitted him and then put him in the ICU.
My poor Mother-In-Law is there by herself.
We are kind of on call. Just waiting anxiously by the phone.

I would so appreciate it, if you my friends would say an extra prayer for my family.
We are a little nervous, espescially because we are not there.
We have priced flights and my husband is nervous and waiting.
I know that it takes faith to make it through something like this.
We both have a feeling of peace and calmness, I just know that my husband would rather be there than here.
Thanks so much for listening.
I would truly appreciate all your prayers!

Thankful for Thanksgiving decor!!!

You know, I have a really fantastic family.

I am truly blessed. Truly. But, my mom takes the cake.

She has done nothing but love and help and support through all of this crappy time.

Not only does she call and check on me every day. Worry if I don't answer the phone. She truly loves as a mom can only love.

She came over today, even though I know that she had better things to do.

She helped me take down all of the Halloween decor and put up the turkeys!

She vacuumed, rearranged, and worried if it was ok.

I love my mom. I love her more than I can ever express.

I am so spoiled to have her. I am sure that we all feel that way.

Right?

My Grandma passed away 9 years ago this December.

I loved my Grandma. She came to EVERYTHING us kids ever did!!!

She came every Christmas morning at 6a.m. to watch us kids open, more like devour our Christmas presents!!

She took us everywhere, did everything and loved us more than anything!

My mom, she is just like her.

We miss my Grandma alot. And when these holiday times ago, I have an ache that can't be filled with anything. I have a picture of her laughing and holding me one Christmas morning.

It is my favorite!

My girls adore my mom. She is the perfect Grammy and Mom!!

I am sorry to be so sappy, I have just had one of those emotional days.

You know how we get, right?

I love you Mom, thanks so much for all you do.

I truly don't know what I would do without you!

Everyone-call your Mom, or stop and think of her.

Remember how much you love, and tell her if you can!

Thanks for listening!

Here are some of my Thanksgiving decor pictures!!

I am itching to create. I just got to think of something to make.

Can't wait to see what everyone else does!

So post, so I can copy!!

I don't know if you can see her. My little faith doll is on the little chair! I love her! Every time I see her, I smile. She reminds me that I am not alone and that my Heavenly Father loves me, no matter what!! (My mom bought her for me at a local boutique)
I took this pic so you could all see my favorite picture of the Savior. He is smiling, and every time I look at his picture, I am reminded of His love, support and care. Truly a treasure in my home.
This is Tom. He is the freaking cutest turkey ever!!!! My mom and I made him about 7 years ago. He makes me smile when I see him. I just wanted everyone to love him as much as ME!!

Have a Fantastic day!!!

This is my gratitude girl. I made her about 6 years ago. I love to stich, and I love Pillows. I need to make a christmas one and a Winter one, and I have will have a seasonal pillow for every season! I love to put them up, they make me happy!!!

Look at that cutest FALL swap. And the garland and the Acorn! I know, I am spoiled! I did a swap with a fellow blogger. Why, cause I really like to get to know fellow swappers better! Jen, from Lipstick and Laughter, she so spoiled me, and I was so thrilled. Her box made my day!! She also gave me a wonderful Christmas book, a super cute little RELAX sign and a gingerbread frame, She also made me a super cute acorn magnet! I felt so spoiled! Thanks Jen-I love it all!

Look what I got!!

My hubby's work sent me some beautiful flowers!!

Are they gorgeous or what?

Why is it that flowers can make a girl have a great day?

Just had to share!!

Have a great monday

It'a gone, It's GONE!!!!

this picture was way too funny not to post. She said that she was trying to be scary. This was just the perfect pic to show all of you just how happy she was on Halloween Night! So not kidding with this one.

After a quick trip to the E.R-six hours later and I am HEADACHE FREE!!
Yep-you read correctly. Your eyes are not deceiving you.
I am a girl without a HEADACHE!!

I went to the E.R. on Thursday.
My Dad works at the hospital and talked to a Dr in the E.R, told him all about my symptoms.
The Dr said he would do a spinal tap and hopefully get me into the Neurologist sooner than FEBRUARY!!!
So, he examined me first and said that I didn't have any symptoms of excessive spinal fluid and he was probably not going to do spinal.
CRAP!
Now, it's not that I really wanted to have a spinal tap done, I was just out of options.
I went and did a couple more tests, all which were normal. He didn't know what else to do, so a Spinal Tap it was.
He ONLY had to poke me 4 times with a 4in needle, but the 4th time was the charm.
He took out 4 vials of spinal fluid.
I had 6x the normal amount. This is what was causing the pressure in my head.
It was literally minutes after he did the test, the pressure went away. NO HEADACHE!
Yea, my back hurt, but I so didn't care. I was headache free for the first time in over a MONTH!
So I am happy to report that it is gone!!
I have some scientific name, that is really long and I can't remember what it is. Another name for it is a false brain tumor.
Scary huh?
My hubby did all this research on it when we got home. Turns out, this is a pretty serious thing. It can cause blindness and brain damage if the pressure gets to high.
I am going to the neurologist on Monday. Yes, this is the same neurologist that couldn't get me in until February. Guess it just depends if one has a "false Brain Tumor" or not.

I am just so thrilled!!! My headache is gone and I am one happy momma. I don't think that I am as happy as my husband. He was thrilled beyond thrilled!
We were both crying in the room after the test was done. The first thing we did was pray.
We are both so grateful that Heavenly Father answers prayers.
Even though this whole experience was really terrible, it did bring us closer together.
I am one lucky girl.
I am so blessed and so grateful!!

i just wanted you all to know the news.
Thank you so much for all your words of concern and advice~
I am blessed to have friends like all of you!!!

Sure hope that you all have wonderful weekend!
I know that I will!!