MIA & STRESSED

I'm glad my absence had been noted even if it was just by the two people who read this, but still, at least I was missed! There are several reasons why I have been MIA and STRESSED - in no particular order here they are:

1. American Idol is four hours a week right there.
   
2. New calling! Yeah! I have a new calling as the RS secretary which is fairly involved as opposed to my old calling of nothing because I was and am a mom of sick kid. But I LOVE it. I love being involved with people and being able to help and know who needs my prayers and service.
3. Though we are home from the hospital and Weston is doing tons better and talking up a storm - he has had lab draws and follow-up appointments to attend and to schedule - we have an endoscopy in a few weeks to keep an eye on the veins in his throat to ensure they do not rupture again without knowing.
4. I have to write letters to all Nursery Parents that use our building nursery. I have to put up signs in the nursery to wash hands and sanitize things. I also have to wipe the toys down each week to ensure my little boy doesn't land BACK in the hospital. There are a lot of nasty, old toys and books in the nursery!
   
5. I have a difficult time differentiating between who is smarter, the dog or Weston. Weston brought me a chewed up piece of blue crayon that Mooja had been chewing and says, "Uh-oh!" I stared confused at the blue glob until I could put two and two together as to what it could possibly be. Weston then smiled and said, "Fruit snack?" which sounds more like "gook-gak" but I knew what he was saying as he tried to put it in his mouth.
   
6. I still have to do our taxes!!!
7. My house is a mess, I can't workout, I am sick and cannot sleep because I am beyond stressed all because of #4.
8. I am currently getting certified to become a Medical Transcriptionist from home! I am very excited and I love it. I am zooming through a lot of it because Weston has trained me so well on all his medications. Yet, I am still behind and had to get a month extension on the first part since we were in the hospital last month. So Doug has been absolutely the BEST at working overtime for a little extra cash and taking care of Weston so I can lock myself in our room and work.

So that is where we have been. After this month, I will be starting the second part which will end in July, then they will place me in a job - which is part of the program I paid for. Hopefully, the economy and job statuses (yes that is the correct plural form of status, I looked it up) won't effect my ability to get a job once I am certified. Also, the plan is to go back to school this summer and finish my last four classes this summer and next year. I know, I'm biting off more than I can chew, but it's the best time to do it, or so logically it is. Here are some cute pics of Weston in the hospital.

What we like to call "happy feet" -











Maybe all these issues are just preparing for Weston's future occupation ?? perhaps-








I read a few books in the hospital and one was a really good book by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks called Three Weeks With My Brother or something. It is about a lot of trials that the the two brothers have experienced. It was so great to put everything I've been through in perspective and to use the trials appropriately. A definite recommendation. I was crying at one part of the book and looked up to see something like this and I cried even harder.

















We were so blessed and continue to be blessed by our Heavenly Father. I was blessed with the most amazing family. Friday the 13th, I received a pick-me-up package of the CUTEST books from my Grandma and Grandpa Briggs and Aunt Laurie. One book was about saying "I love you." It is so appropriate that Weston said "Luvdo" to me today for the first time!!! Other times, he usually laughs and goes to give me a kiss. I'll take either one. Also, my fun, fun sister Kacey is coming next week to help watch Weston while I finish my certification. Honestly, what sane 19-year-old girl gives up her spring break to watch an almost two-year-old?? This one-




(from last year's spring break - can't wait to see your cute face kace! love you!)

My cute little stud was so sad the first week that all he did was lay down, watch Winnie the Pooh, and eat his cereal. We didn't dare leave him at night by himself. After a few bad experiences, the second week, we requested to move to ICS - the cancer unit because we know the nurses and they KNOW Weston. (He is sort of a legend) And I felt so much better with them so we left him there at night. The nurses all said similar comments about "Well, this is who everyone is talking about!" or "Well, your nurses can't say enough good things about you." As soon as his rash went away, he began to feel so much better and he was SO good. He didn't even whine at all. Now maybe that doesn't seem as miraculous to the rest of you. Just imagine your child at 21 months and if he or she had to stay in their crib or in your arms at all times: no walking around at all since he was attached to an IV the whole time. Now you know why when I told Lisa how good he was being, she asked, "Did they give him a sedative??" Nope, a higher power was definitely at work here. Doug gave Weston and me blessings the week before and everything worked out fantastically. Not exactly the way we wanted, but we felt loved and blessed nonetheless and we were able to endure with as much strength and grace as we could manage. I'm convinced that one of the million reasons we were blessed with our trials is so we could have such amazing experiences that I cannot even begin to mention them all. I just hope and pray I can be worthy of them. So there's my update and it officially took me all day to do. Weston would even do this first picture to his nurses - now maybe you can get a glimpse of why they loved him so much.