Is there a Doctor in the house

Family Pictures from the Holidays

Lauren and her cousin Lily racing their new remote control Barbie cars Cousins, and best friends

Lauren with her cousins Lily and Jacob

A little love for Papa from his girls

Santa Claus came to town

Picking out which cookies Santa would like....Christmas morning 2008. Santa came.A cash register, or as Lauren refers to it a "Rash Gegister." We have spent many hours since then playing grocery store. The best part of our day, watching her get her Polly Pockets, which she had wanted to badly.

Santa was very good to Lauren this year.

Merry Christmas

It is that time of year again. All the hustle and bustle, all for one day. One day so worth all the craziness to see the smile and joy on Laurens face. When you have children the meaning of Christmas changes. The surprise of Christmas morning that Santa really does exist. To truly believe. I wish as adults we could do the same more often. To believe that good really does exist in this world. That this war and economic crisis are not what our lives are about, but that the existence of our lives is about friends, family and love.

BELIEVE

Hope you all have a great holiday and a Happy 2009.

Christmas Past

Dear Santa

Frosty Fun

Holiday Pictures

Lauren decorating her own mini tree for her bedroom.

The first ornament goes on, then finally the star.

Thankful and Blessed

I can't believe it is that time of year again. Thanksgiving is over, our tree is up and FINALLY it is snowing.

Thanksgiving was different this year. My Zeyda (grandfather) was not here. My first holiday without him. I missed standing over him while he cut the turkey begging for a piece of crunchy skin. Our tradition, he and I. But I know he was with us in spirit. Looking down on us, knowing that despite missing him dearly we are all doing okay.

So aware of the things that are present which I am thankful for.

My amazing daughter. How in the world did I ever live without her in my life. She never stops amazing me. Her sense of humor, her intelligence, her energy, her beauty. I am so thankful that her surgery went well. Her recovery is going so much better than I could have ever imagined.

My husband. Although I make him crazy most days..can we put up the tree today....? He always comes through for us. He is such a great dad. I may never know the depths in his heart for our daughter.

My mom. She helps us so often and I'm not ever sure I tell her thank you enough or maybe sometimes not at all. She not only gives to us but it seems to everyone and never expects anything in return.

My grandmother. Such an amazing woman. I can only hope that if I live to 83 I can experience half the things she has.

I could list everyone else, friends, family, in laws, etc. but this blog would go on forever. I am thankful for each and every person who is a part of my life. Because of each of them, my life has been blessed.

I am thankful for the roof over our head, the clothes on our backs, the food on our table, because I know that not everyone is afforded such luxuries.

Thankful. Simply Thankful.

A Visit from Aunt Cheryl

Lauren thought it was great to go all the way to the airport to pick out new rocks for her special rock collection. After she had satisfied herself picking out some new rocks, we decided we would just sit by the fountain and watch all the people. It was fun sitting and watching all the friends and family re-uniting with each other.

Then, surprise, there was Aunt Cheryl. Lauren loved that she got two such wonderful surprises in just one week. We had a great time with Aunt Cheryl, although Lauren was a little grumpy during her weekend visit. As we were driving to the airport Lauren fell asleep in her car seat. Once we woke her up she was her old self again, being cute as can be.

Aunt Cheryl, thanks for coming to visit me and help take care of me after my surgery. I Love You!! Lauren

Recovery

We knew Lauren was starting to feel better when Thursday morning she got off the couch and decided she wanted to have a movie star photo shoot with her stuffed doggies. She thought since she was wearing sunglasses that her dogs would like to as well.

Thursday evening she decided that is was everyone elses turn to have some work done on them. She got out her doctors kit and healed us all. She had so much fun bandaging us and giving us shot to make us all better. Thanks Dr. Lauren we all feel great now.

On Friday, my mom and grandmother came over to join us for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Lauren loved having all three of her grandmas with her at the same time. After a great dinner, Lauren put on a magic show for us.

Abbra Cadabra...you are feeling so much better.

Jeff's parents had to head home this morning, which Lauren handled much better than I thought she would.

Jeff's sister is coming from Oklahoma to spend the weekend with us, but it is going to be a surprise to Lauren. She thinks we are going to the airport to go to the special store that we go to to get rocks for her special collection.

Post Surgical Day One

Lauren had a fairly good night. She awoke a few times during the night needing her eyes to wiped down with a wet wash cloth. The only comfort she can find for her eyes. She spent most of the night sleeping with her "cataract glasses" (as we have termed them) on. Today she has been watching some tv and is finally off the couch playing with some toys. Amazingly she still has not mentioned anything about her hernia surgery. She has a fairly large bandage on her stomach, but hasn't even noticed it is there.

Watching a movie in the waiting room. Waiting or the day to begin.

In our room, waiting to see the doctors.

After talking with the doctors Lauren spent some time in the great playroom.

This is the way our evening looked. I am so proud of her.