We love Halloween!

Yes, I know as a Christian there can be some issues with this holiday. And I will admit I wasn't sure about allowing my seven year old to be a zombie; I was outvoted. But carving pumpkins and dressing up is so much fun!

Noelle, Sabrina and Aubrey were all Zombie soccer players. Now I just need to throw away all this candy!!

Chicago and Endo update

October 24th was supposed to be my big night...the CHER concert. BUT, she postponed:( Noelle and I had already scheduled an appointment with an endometriosis specialist in Chicago for that same day so we went ahead with our plans. We liked the doctor, which is a real answer to prayer. He did not have any immediate answers for Noelle's pain. Which leaves her petrified of her next cycle:( He is wondering if some of her pelvic pain is unrealated to endometriosis. So we have been referred to a urologist and a GI doctor. Noelle will have an ultrasound of her kidneys and bladder on Monday. Needless to say, she is very tired of the endless parade of doctors. We are praying for answers that lead to a reduction in pain!

While we were in Chicago we felt the need to eat great food, shop a "little", and have some fun! Noelle's favorites are Vera Bradley and LUSH! So she is stocked up with bath luxuries for awhile.

Sabrina's latest interest is Legos, so we had to go to the Lego store. This is Noelle and Lego Ironman!

Noelle's friend, Aubrey happened to be in Chicago for school that same weekend. The girls played soccer together for a number of years so we decided to go to a Chicago Fire game.

Pink Ribbon

Last year Noelle and I participated in the Pink Ribbon 5K. I think it may become a tradition! This year we did not take a wheelchair. In fact, Noelle has not used it since April. So we walked the whole thing:) Sabrina rode most of it especially since it was very cold! The blanket was necessary.

It is very frustrating that now, later in the day, Noelle is in tremendous pain. It is so difficult to accept. Things are much better than they were but still a far cry from "normal" for an 18 year old. On another health note, we have made an appoinment in Chicago with an endometriosis specialist. We are also waiting for our insurance to approve Botox for Noelle's daily migraines. A few years ago, just prior to her Lyme diagnosis, she had two Botox treatments and felt that they lessened her pain. We now have new insurance so we are waiting for approval.

Best day EVER!

Friday, July 11th was my 48th birthday. One of my love languages is definitely gifts! So I have harassed Scott a little bit about the lack of acknowledgement last year on my birthday. This year made up for any lacking EVER:)

I woke up for an early morning potty run and returned to my bed to find a card and gift number one. I was barely awake enough to process it but Scott wanted me to know right away that he had planned everything, ahead of time.

For lunch the five of us (Jake is in Ames) went to lunch. I was greeted with two more gifts. A lovely Vera Bradley makeup bag from Noelle. And the greatest gift...EVER! (Sensing a theme here?!) Scott, with lots of help from Noelle got me tickets to see Cher in Chicago!!!!!!!!!!

I seriously could not decide whether to pee or cry. Part of it is excitement for the concert and part of it is the complete surprise over the effort and the idea!! So nice to be loved.

Then Teme went to a friend's house and Noelle watched Sabrina while Scott and I got away for a whole 20 hours!! We had a couple's massage, dinner, overnight at a hotel, farmer's market...so amazing!

Thank you Scott and Noelle for making my birthday so unbelieveably special. Love you both to the moon and back!

Blessed!

Feeling so blessed to day! Hated being away from the rest of my family, but my little girl treated me like a queen!

Presents from Lush, of course!

I beautiful scarf that says thank you in many languages.

The yummiest smelling hand lotion, with proceeds going to Ethiopia!

Then she gave me a wonderful pedicure:) And I reciprocated. We used all the fun spa things that Teri and Char sent to us. (Thanks again ladies.) By the way, in a pinch you can do a foot soak in a dutch oven. Probably best for sizes 9 and under.

We decided to do a late lunch/early supper. We went to a fantastic restaurant with a huge menu! Scottsdale Station. We first went when Scott and Sabrina were here. We still had the brunch menu so I got the Crab Benedict, with an included glass of champagne. Noelle was so excited to have the Filet she had had previously. Unfortunately there were some issues but the manager comped her meal so that was amazing. Then they have bite sized desserts so we shared cheesecake, lemon tart and carrot cake!

Next up, a trip to World Market. We had never been there but we will definitely be going back! Apparently they have one in Des Moines. So much fun!

Apparently Noelle thinks she will be baking in her apartment in the fall. She wanted to buy everything in the store, so we will definitely be shopping there again later in the summer.

Table runner for my dining room table. Maybe it will distract people from the hole in my wall. (From fixing the leaking pipe. I think they are actually repairing it this week.)

So truly a great day! Love my babies!

Movie night (afternoon)!

Sunday afternoon we went to a movie! I felt so normal. I used to be addicted to movies. I love them so much, so it was really fun. It was a good movie. May have to read the books. I even had edamame as a movie snack! Crazy.