by Sarah | Mar 20, 2011 | Photography, Weekly Winners
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
The return of warm weather has given me more opportunity for pictures. Not constant, but a few good days. Angel & I got out of the house a few times this week. One of them was a long awaited trip to the zoo. I bought us a year pass a couple weeks ago and have waited for a great chance to go. So this week has many of those, and a few others that I managed to grab during the week.
Swinging
Huddle
Leap
Nice Rack
Pride
Mirrored Loungers
Wrinkled Cankles
Spike
Basking
It was also the first day of the orchid show at the Gardens attached to our zoo. I snagged a few photos on a very quick run through it during the short time we had left. I plan on returning in another week or so w/ the kids during spring break. Brandon wants to practice playing with my old camera by getting some pictures there!
Unique
Cascade of White
Tripurple
Gorgeous
I stumbled upon this at my local Half Price Books. It is special for many reasons to me…namely the condition it’s in (further explained by the next picture which shows how old it is), and the fact that the book seems like it is custom made for the main character in my novels, who would have been alive to purchase it brand new.
First Edition
Look at how gorgeous & white the paper still is. And yes, that does say 1883. I may have found a new addiction…old, gorgeous, first editions…*le sigh*.
This week I definitely have to send you to see more zoo pictures over at my flickr account. I had SUCH a hard time picking pictures this week, there are tons more over there!!
That’s all for this week. Head on over to Lotus‘ digs to see more!!
by Sarah | Mar 19, 2011 | All of Us, Random
Every day the weather is getting warmer.
We’re seeing the sun start to shine.
Warmth, happiness and hope are replacing dark, cold depression.
And every day I’m adding something else to the calendar.
Out of nowhere our calendar has appointments and events. Overflowing. Notes for next month, fully occupied days this month.
Life is springing up out of the ground.
It’s overwhelming.
It’s exhilarating.
Welcome, Spring.
by Sarah | Mar 17, 2011 | All About Denver, All About Kennedy, Cystic Fibrosis
The seconds tick by.
Second by second.
Into minute by minute.
Into hour by hour.
Into days.
Into years.
4 years ago we were in the midst of a struggle for a diagnosis. The years of questions evolving from one stubborn cough. Four months later it came down to an unsure “most likely is” but “might not be” diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. (read the full story in parts: 1, 2, 3)
Last year in May we got the words from the pulmonologist that made Angel’s diagnosis “Absolute“. Because unless you have Cystic Fibrosis…you don’t get psuedomonas.
Then I got the brilliant idea to have Brandon tested. This spiraled into genetic testing for both Angel and Brandon.
The test results are in.
And still we have no answers.
They both have a defect on the CF gene.
Angel’s is more ‘severe’ than Brandon’s.
In either case the defect found is not a KNOWN strain of CF. It’s not a known defect…it’s on the gene…but it’s never been seen before.
The official word of the pulmonologist…the one we have trusted for 4 years…the words she’s calling it…the words she’s using…I want to have faith in them.
She says that how she reads it is this:
1. Angel has Cystic Fibrosis. As we have said for 4 years. The defect on her gene is not a recognized defect…but it is CF. It’s quite possible that this unusual defect will mean her CF will continue to be a milder version, we just don’t know.
2. Brandon has asthma. While he has a defect on the CF gene, also unrecognized, it seems more like he’s a carrier than an actual CF patient. He is to continue to see the pulm for asthma every six months and that is how we will continue.
3. Both of them need to go to a genetic counselor for a more in-depth appraisal of the results. So we can learn more about what it means for Brandon’s future & having children…so we can look more into the oddity of Angel’s defect.
I want to have faith in these words.
I want to have faith in the pulmonologist that has been with us on this whole confusing journey. That is the top in her field. That has guided us this far with an unwavering conviction in everything she says and does.
My faith is shaken.
Once again I find myself floundering in the unknown.
On a journey that I thought was decided. The path clear. The stopwatch clicked off.
Someone restarted that stopwatch.
The time is ticking away again.
The uncertainty dragging each second out until it feels like a day.
My faith in the doctors faltering.
My faith in the tests fading away.
Back into the murky waters of unsurity.
Is it CF? Or isn’t it?
All I have ever wanted for my children is answers.
One thing I have never received…
Is one 100% without a doubt pure, positive answer.
Not for Riley (we still don’t have a 100% on her, just a ‘likely’). Not for Angel (we thought we had it, but it was ripped away). Not for Brandon (not when he was little & not now).
Why is that so much to ask?
One answer.
I’ve lost faith that I will ever get that.
Just one answer.
Just one.
by Sarah | Mar 17, 2011 | All About Denver
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
He really does get it from me.
We got the initial letter and application weeks ago. I said nothing here, I kept it quiet because we didn’t “know” yet. All paperwork was filled out – and so we waited.
Today the email came. I can shout it from the rooftops.
Brandon has made the Junior Honor Society!! He gets inducted into it next week.
After straight A’s first trimester with a 3.8 GPA followed by a 3.7 GPA second trimester.
HONOR SOCIETY.
So proud.
by Sarah | Mar 15, 2011 | All About Kennedy
This morning was busy.
It all started with a phone call. The pediatricians office was calling.
“We’re having a kindergarten fair. Would you like to have Angel come in?”
From there it was double checking registration dates. Talking with Special Services. The Guidance Counselor on the necessity for a 504.
Once it was all set I stared at my scribbles.
Kindergarten.
My baby. The baby of my babies.
I won’t have any more. There will be no more “oops” happening…without the equipment not even my body can screw with me like that (still don’t regret the surgery…).
She is it.
My big eyed, happiest, screamingest, cuddlingest baby.
Starting Kindergarten in just a few months.
Turning five in just over one month.
It was too soon the first time around.
It’s WAY too soon for the final time.
I’m not ready.
