New ornament

I got my camera out to take a picture of Lynlee's new ornament for this year. When I transferred the pictures over I found some from decorating day that I wanted to share and forgot...

 

 

Awww... I love the holidays. Last night I spent time wrapping the presents we do have and putting them under the tree..

 

And today Lynlees new ornament came...It makes me smile and cry at the same time.What an amazing year we've had.. You can see her other ornaments from last years Christmas blog here

 

For those of you that don't know that's the liver transplant ribbon.

 

 

 P.S.. It's never to late to be organ donor! You can always give the gift of life!

 

 

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas.

After having 3 Thanksgiving dinners total, it was time to get ready for Christmas. Yesterday started the madness and I have to admit I'm so excited about it this year. We weren't home for Christmas last year and even though we were still celebrating in March when we got home it really wasn't Christmas.

Lynlee cracks me up. She is SO excited. She had to decorate her tree all by herself.. And even stole stuff off the big tree for hers! haha..

Can you find her princess wand in there?

And ours is done. It looks like exact same as last year I think..

And this is Ryan's pride and joy. He's been working two long days on this..

Now if only we had presents! One step at a time.

Something new to be thankful for!

It's been a big week in the Arbogast house. Lynlee never ceases to amaze me. It's no secret that she's always hated the park. Well not hated it, but she never wanted to do anything. We would around look at the ducks, throw acorns, etc, but she didn't want anything to do with the swings or the slide..

Well all that changed.. Yesterday was a beautiful day. After we ate Thanksgiving Dinner (and oh boy did she eat) we headed to the park to walk and get some air...

In case you missed picture on Facebook or don't have Facebook here's her first time eating Thanksgiving Dinner!

And Lynlee was a whole new kid.. Seriously...

Lynlee looking for ducks...

My favorite!!!

After 2 plus hours at the park she was tired..

 

There's always something new with her. Something that puts a huge smile on our face. What a wonder Thanksgiving. There is something new every day to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving

I haven't been participating in the 30 days of Thankfulness on Facebook because I honestly can't imagine having to do one more thing in my day... But I am thankful.. Here's just a few on my list....

For My husband... he's my rock, my soul mate, my best friend...

For Lynlee... She has made me a better person just by being born.

For Lynlee's organ donor.. His family gave us the gift of life. I'll never be able to thank them enough for that.

For our Parents, family, and friends. This past year has been hard but we always knew who was there beside us along the way.

For my best friends/sisters.. Erica, Kristie, Heather, and Kara - There is no way I could have made it through these past 3 years without each of you.

I'm thankful this is the first Thanksgiving Lynlee will eat and drink with us at the dinner table.

I'm thankful that I've found an amazing job with a wonderful team.

And last but not least I'm thankful that not a day goes by that I don't appreciate the small things. I never take life (or anything) for granted. I'm thankful for the ways God has blessed us, and I'm thankful I can share it with you..

Happy Thanksgiving to Each of you...

Happy Tuesday...

Yes, it's Tuesday before 8am and I'm blogging.. I guess your body can only take so much sleep. Warning I've been awake since 5:30. I've already had cups (yes that was plural) of coffee, I'm ready for the day and the rest of the house is asleep... You can stop reading now if you want :)

I'm officially a true believer of Zicam. With the help of Vitamin C. Within 24 hours I was feeling soo much better.. What would have turned into a full blown cold has went away.. I'm beyond impressed.. And no they didn't pay me to advertise for them, but I'll accept donations if they want... Ha!

It's no secret we've been wanting Lynlee to drink from a straw for months.. When she finally blew her whistle it was huge but we just couldn't get her to suck..... It's been months and months.. Even at a birthday party on Sunday (yes two days ago) they handed her a Capri sun and she couldn't drink it. Yesterday we she picked up my jug of water (It's a huge 56oz water bottle) she drank it. I was in shock. Literally brought tears to my eyes and then I was like NO, I'm sick.. Nothing like letting your immune suppressed child drink after someone sick let alone me!! I went and got her a sippy with a straw and she wouldnt' do it? I thought it was one of the those things were she wouldn't ever do it again.. But she did later when Ryan got home.. And then we went out to dinner and she drank like she'd been doing it all her life. She didn't hesitate, didn't have to think about it.. A huge milestone for us.

I'm so thankful we never take anything for granted. Everything is a huge deal for us.. And I know this is just one step closer to getting her tube out and moving on with life...

Happy Tuesday to everyone! I'm off to work (in like an hour) and I will have a huge smile on my face all day long!

Whiny Monday post

I'm not a good sick person.. I don't like to feel down like I need to rest.. And because of that I feel like I'm sick longer because I don't give it the rest it needs.. So yes this is my whiny Monday post. I've been fighting something since late Saturday night. Sore throat, body aches, chills, etc... Last night I felt rough so I didn't do any home visits today. I stayed home and I'm trying to rest. I really am.. I'm trying not to give it to Lynlee because that would be horrible. I'm thankful it's me and not her.. If only I can keep it that way.

As most of you have seen on Facebook I hit a deer on Friday. Actually he hit me, but isn't that how it always is. Of course the car repair place is closed this whole week for deer season so we won't even get it in until next week.

My vacuum is done and Lynlee dropped her measuring scale and broke it so I have to find a new one today..

But that's all the bad news I have.. and I'm just whiny.. but so very thankful..

All in all last week was good. I was on the road shadowing 4 days and out of 5.. It was so nice to get out there and learn something..

Okay that's all I can seem to pull together today. I'm sure there is some Vitamin C to take and some Zicam calling my name.. Plus dealing with the insurance stuff and car rental.. I need a nap :)

What Lynlee's Thankful for.

I feel like I don't blog enough about the little stories that make me smile. I usually update and say all the stuff you guys want to know but never share stories...

So here goes..

We were told today about Lynlee's day at school yesterday. I guess they had got all the kids in a circle and was letting them tell what they were thankful for. Some said elephants, others said no they wanted an elephant, and all the other crazy things that three year olds say... Well the whole time I was hearing this I got scared for Lynlee. Was so scared that she didn't get to "say" anything and that she would feel upset that she couldn't communicate..... but anyways, when they got to her and the ask her what she was thankful for she said "Momma and Vava". 

 I've never felt so proud to be her momma..

Wordless Wednesday.... weekly favs

 

 

A few of my favorites from the weekend to today!

 

 

The simple things.....

It's the simple things that still get me. That still bring tears to my eyes on a monthly, sometimes weekly, or even daily basis. Don't get me wrong I see the big picture. The gift of life. I reminded of the real possibilities every time we get labs, but it's still those little moments that really get me.

 As we left the Clayton Homes Trick or Treat tonight I drove home with tears dripping off my face. This is the first year Lynlee can, will want, and will eat her candy she got there. We are so beyond blessed.

I even love the fact that she refused to wear her bee costume tonight. I told her she had to dress up so she went to her closet and got her princess outfit that she got for her birthday. She put it on with no fight and was ready to go.

There is NO WAY my baby has grown this much!!!

 

This is not the blog I had planned on writing tonight. I wanted to recap you of the amazing we weekend we had as a family. Enjoyed the warm weather and each other.. But that's enough of that. I'll put up some pictures of the weekend on Wednesday... or maybe tomorrow...

Working girl

Is it Friday yet? I feel like I just blogged but have so much to catch you up on.

We had labs on Monday. The liver labs were okay. One number was on the higher end but I'm sure it's because she's been fighting stuff all month long. Her prograf was stable and her EBV the lowest it's been since March.. We go back in one month! Yes, I'm one happy momma!!!

Tuesday I drove 40 minutes one way to vote.. I know, if I can drive 40 minutes I should be able to take 5 minutes and go to the court house and register there. I voted as Stacy Lynn Ware. Wow, it's been a long time since I signed that name. But regardless I voted...

Yesterday and today has been nuts. I'm not used to the whole "working" mom thing. I had training both days around 30 minutes away. Each morning Lynlee and I were out the door by 8:20 so she could be to school and it was after 5 both days before I walked back in. I know most of you do it all the time, but I'm tired and whiny so give me a minute. HAHA... No it was bad just an adjustment. I haven't made dinner since, my house is a mess, I have laundry to do, but I love it. I love having something to do and somewhere to be out of the house and something for me. I have so much more patience with Lynlee of an evening and I think I make more time just to play because I miss her so much.

Since today was a training day I couldn't reschedule anything so I did miss her 1st Halloween party. I was really bummed,but Ryan and Dottie took my place.

Here's a picture I took of Ryan and Lynlee before we all headed out this morning. Man I'm a lucky girl to be blessed with both of them. They are my world!

On another note Lynlee has been much better at school this week. No hair pulling! I'm assuming it was just her feeling bad from the UTI...

Ryan is back on 2nd shift now. Just when I got used to sleeping by myself. Guess I'll get to share tonight

I'm on the road tomorrow! I think it's just one shadow appointment since there have been a few cancellations but I'm excited!!

Have a great Friday! I know I will!

Sunday rambles

Is it really not even 9pm? This time change is killing me. I'm struggling to stay awake so I thought I'd ramble for a bit.

Lynlee's already in bed. She didn't nap today. And All day long I kept saying was well if the clocks hadn't been turned back it would be this time.. Wonder how long that will take for me to stop saying it?

I got to sleep by Ryan 4 times this last week. Two nights were because of the power outage and then he was off early on Friday and then off last night. I usually don't type about Ryan working since he's on midnight shift but everyone knows.. One car is gone so it's obvious. And  if someone would break in it's not like we don't have a huge dog that will kill you or if you would get by him I'll shoot you. No questions ask.

Okay now that we got that out of the way.. We have a super buys week coming up. Lynlee has labs in the morning. The first time in a month.. I'm praying they are good. We've NEVER EVER went a month for labs... Even before transplant her ammonia was so unstable we were biweekly for 2 years. So it's a big deal. 

Both of our vehicles have recalls on them so they are getting fixed this week. Lynlee has her check up that was rescheduled from last week and I have job training on Wednesday and Thursday.. And possible job shadowing on Friday..

Everyone knows Lynlee loves Barney but lately she's been showing interest in Elmo.. And last night at Wal-Mart I found a Wiggles DVD super cheap and bought it.. She liked it, A LOT! but it is soo annoying. I wish I would have remembered this from when Lexi was a kid. There should be warning labels on the box!

Speaking of last night it was date night. Lynlee spent the night with Ryan's parents so we had dinner and breakfast alone today.. How odd.. It's always so nice and somewhat weird to be alone with Ryan for more than a few hours at a time. We don't get that often but it's so enjoyed when we do.

 

Lynlee is in a hat and scarf stage. Well really anything she can put on!

 

Okay.. Until next time. 



Quick Update.

I can't believe it's been a week since I've blogged. I had some awesome pictures of the weekend to post and meant to on Monday but I got lazy... And well my pictures are gone (I'll get to that in a moment.)

The weekend was good. Lynlee and I had went shopping with my grandma and my little sister Kara. We had an awesome girls day and Lynlee came home with a snow suit and boats. How appropriate.. Sunday we went to my grandmas and had lunch. They let Lynlee blow out candles for a late birthday dinner..

Imagine a picture of Lynlee blowing out a candle here :)

Of course most of you know the storm hit Monday evening. We lost power at 5am Tuesday morning and it came back on last night at 11am. Ryan's parents had a generator and we headed over there for some heat and sanity! They could even run the DVD player so Lynlee could watch movies... I guess getting out of the car on Tuesday my phone fell out of my pocket. It laid in the snow for about 45 minutes to an hour and was gone.... So we ended up going to Clarksburg yesterday for gas for the generators and to AT&T...

We came home this morning and got things back to where they needed to be. This week has flew by, I can't believe tomorrow is Friday. It's definitely a bittersweet week. Brody starts his new sitter Monday and I'm supposed to be on the road training some. I'm excited... But I will miss him soo! It's all a part of life and moving on I guess...

But that's about it I guess.. I feel like I should have soooo much to talk about it... And I'm sure I will once my head get back to normal. I'm tired and whiney.. But so very thankful we have heat (and did) and the necessities unlike some out there.