Some of our Family Photos

Kevin and Emily took these pictures!! They are getting really good at picture taking!! Lucky us!

Jayden's First School Program

Jayden's first school program was so cute. It was all patriotic songs to celebrate Veterans Day. It was nice that the 4th grade and the Kindergarten were combined for the program; we were able to watch Eden at the same time.

I was on the front row watching and during the flag ceremony I was trying to help Derek and Hailey and Jayden yelled out to me "Mom you are supposed to put your hand over your heart!!" It was really quiet and many around us knew who he was talking to. It was really embarrassing!

Detroit Trip Two!!!! Results! Emotions!!

This trip was full of sleepless nights, stress, and being on the Go! I am really glad it is over and WE SURVIVED!!!! This is how my trip went...

FRIDAY NIGHT: Halloween...fun, fun, fun, but we get to bed too late!! Way too late!!!

SATURDAY: 4:30 AM wake up to catch our flight!! WAY TOO EARLY!!!!!
We were traveling most of the day Saturday. Bonnie picked us up from the airport and we got to their house about 5PM.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Jayden and I were up all night. He was crying because his stomach hurt. NO SLEEP! Really, I mean none!!!! He said he was praying all night to Heavenly Father to make his tummy stop hurting.

SUNDAY MORNING: Go to Church!! Jayden slept through all three hours. NO SLEEP FOR ME. But church was a great experience! Bonnie and Lynn serve in a Downtown Detroit ward and it was fast and testimony meeting. I knew it would be interesting when the first testimony the lady was using the word Jack___ over the pulpit. After Church we spent the day hanging out with Bonnie and Lynn. I really don't know what I would do without them. Thanks for taking care of us again!!!!!

SUNDAY NIGHT: Jayden crying again, this time really bad about stomach pain. Jayden asking why Hevenly Father didn't make his tummy feel better. Lynn takes us to the ER.... after about 3 hours, a urine test, and x-rays.....we find out Jayden had lots of gas in his tummy. Poor Jayder-bug. RELIEF.....then anger...dang...how much will that cost us!!!! Our medical bill are enough already!!! We finally get to bed about 12:30 or so.

MONDAY MORNING: 4AM Hailey wets on their sleeping bag, blankets and floor!!!!! Wake up and wash her and try to clean up. REALLY, REALLY tired!!!!! Try to get more sleep.
We had to be at the Hospital at 11:30 for check-in.
The procedure went well and the staff was really quick. We got right in which was nice because Jayden and Hailey we both fasting!

The kids came off the the anesthesia really well. Actually, it was like they had the best nap in their life. They were full of energy and ready to eat then play!!! I was ready for bed!! Bonnie took us to Red Robin - Jayden's choice, and we got full, WAY TOO FULL.

MONDAY NIGHT: The kids get lots of energy out outside with Bonnie, THANKS BONNIE! At about 11PM the kids finally fall asleep and I think we will have a nice night to sleep...event free. PULL-UP for Hailey just in case.

TUESDAY MORNING: 4AM, on the nose, Hailey wets and it leaks onto the bed. Dang!!! Up bathing her and washing sheets. She hardly ever wets anymore, I don't know what was up. By the time I was done with that I only had 45mins until my alarm would go off. We had to be up, ready, and packed, to leave at 7:30AM. More tests at the Doctors office and then strait to the airport to go home.

TUESDAY: Hours of tests and waiting at the Doctors. The kids are restless and tired of being still. We grab Subway and then off to the Airport to catch our flight. Bonnie took me to the Hospital and the Doctors and stayed with me. SERIOUSLY an ANGLE!!!! I promise it wasn't as much fun as it looks!!

After a long flight we make our connection in Denver and I thought I only had a hour to go. When the flight attendant announced just under two hours for the flight I started bawling. I was tired not only from the lack of sleep and the traveling but from all of the mixed emotions. I didn't know if I could handle much more. Luckily, Jayden and Hailey fell asleep.

When we get there I was thinking YES.... finally!!!!!!! I had to pour water on Jayden to get him to wake up and we headed out to the curb. Judd was going to pick up the kids and then drive around while I got the car seat and the bags. We get to the curb there was no Judd. The kids were crying, they wanted me to hold them. Through the glass doors I see the bags coming out so we run in and get them. Jayden continued crying because he was so tired and I wanted to cry but I was too mad. We come back out to the curb ...still no Judd. My cell phone was dead, OF COURSE! We wait 41mins on the curb for our 15min ride home. Needless to say I was a little angry!!! Don't worry, Judd was really sorry and we already made up.

This is Jayden and Hailey waiting. If I could have fit I would have been on the curb with them. Too bad for Judd I have a picture ....one of his worst husband moments ever.

RESULTS: Hailey had no fluid behind one eye and only a little bit behind the other!!! One of her retinal folds had flattened out and the other was reduced by 50%. Yeah! The Surgery worked! Great news!! .... BUT....I understand something now that I didn't understand before. Hailey has an under-developed posterior (back) of eyes. This under-development is causing the pressure in the eye which is causing the Retina to detach.

I knew all that but this part I didn't know. Along with this under-development she has Fovial Hypoplasia. Which means under-developed Fovia. The Fovia is your central vision where your optic nerve leaves and where all vision signals come. This can cause reduced vision and there is nothing they can do about it. FRUSTRATION!!! I thought that if her retina layed back down she may have normal vision with her corrective lenses. She is seeing 20/100 right now and may never see better than that. I don't want to sound un-grateful, I am really glad that her retina is responding to the treatment, but just bummed to understand the other effects of her problem. Dr. Trese still can not tell me what he expects for her long term. He said there is just not any research to go by.

Jayden has the same structural problem with his eyes with the small back of the eye and the under developed fovia. He does not have the presser problem though, which is good news. I was not prepared to hear anything about Jayden. He is seeing about 20/60 right now. In the exact words of Dr. Trese..."He will live a very high functioning life, he may not want to be a micro-surgeon or a jet pilot but there are many other jobs he will be able to do. He probably will not drive." Disappointment!!

Good News: Hailey did so well at her office visit that Dr.Trese thinks he can do the tests next time without putting her to sleep. My next visit is on April 7th and I don't plan on thinking about this whole thing much until then!!!!!

Thanks to all of those who have been praying and fasting for my kids and their eyes. We love you all so much and have really needed all your support. Special thanks to Lyndi and Leslie for watching Derek and taking care of Judd while I was gone.

Happy Halloween!!!!! A Little Late....

This was my favorite Costume of the Night!! Michael Phelps!! This little boy was so cute in his little speedo and cap with 8 medals. Only in Arizona would this be possible.

My mom was here to pass out candy!! We really enjoyed having her for the holidays. We were so glad Vivi is doing better so she could come play. We miss you mom! We had fun trick-or-treating with my sister's family.

The Group!!

Jayden's class dressed up as Dalmatians for their school parade. He had fun making his costume!

Hailey had a party at school and she got to decorate pumpkins. Emily, Mom, Abby, Jaxon and Derek all came to celebrate with her. The Kids had fun!

Hailey and her friend Tanner

Beautiful Cinderella!!! Jill this picture is just for you:)!!

Our ward party is always amazing with horse rides....!

booths and games...!! A balloon-man....!!

Food....! Friends....! And much more...!!

Jaren, and Emily and their families were able to come!!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love all the treats and how it brings a neighborhood together. I only wish I didn't have a huge bag of candy to resist now!! Anyone what some candy????

Halloween Party!!!

Judd and I dressed up for Shannon's Halloween party as Drew and Mimi on the Drew Carey Show. We tried to turn Judd's hair blond but it turned Green!! Hilarious!! Thanks Shannon it was a blast!

Some of the Girls.

Austin Powers and Girl

This one wins costume of the night!! Russ shaved his head to look like Dr. Phil. AMAZING!

I love my little Derek!!!!

Happy Birthday to Derek or to MOM??? Seriously he just wanted to potty train himself. Saturday he just told me that he wanted to go potty in the toilet. I thought that he would just sit there and play with the toilet paper and the flusher. Nope he was ready and he did it. His birthday was his first day in underwear and he did really good. We went to the movie and he even told me he needed to go during the movie and then really went. Lets just pray that it sticks!!!!
We went to the movie with a group of friends! Derek liked waiting to go to the Movie better than the actual movie!
My little boy is two! Happy Birthday Derek!!! We had a family party for Derek and Uncle Kevin who share the same birthday!! Happy Birthday Kevin!!
I really love this little kid so much!!! He always makes me laugh and everyone around him. He is just what I need sometimes to keep a smile on my face. He is such a good kid, really an angle!! He loves to watch Barney and play with his J.J. and Hailey. When we are driving in the car and we see a bus, Derek will sing, "The wheels on J.J.'s bus go round and round". If you ask him if he wants something he will say, "yes my do". He loves to talk to people on the phone. He is so sweet and I love him much!! I just wish he would not grow up so fast!!

Conference weekend!

YUMMY!

How do you like to EAT your Cupcake?

We had a great conference weekend, especially since we got to spend it at my brother Jaren's house! Not only were all the talks great & uplifting so was the company. We had great soup made by my sister Emily, and even better bread by Britney (haha just kidding). That night dinner was delicious to, with steak, chicken...the whole works. Then there was the strawberry "cupcake" birthday party, as Hailey called it for cousins Vivian, and Abby. It was quite the hit, with great treats, party sacks, games, and roasting marsh mellows later that night. Hanging with the family is always fun. Here are the photos for your enjoyment.

My Trip in Detail

This is Bonnie and Lynn Alvord, Katie Perry's Parents, and the people who totally saved me. I went there knowing that they were going to give me a place to stay; but they gave much more. They acted like I was one of their kids home to visit. They picked me up from the airport and took me and stayed with me at all of my appointments and Hailey's Surgery. Lynn is a Doctor so his listening ears were really helpful. Lynn had the week off work and we had a lot of fun, when we were not at the Doctors that is. I really love these guys and I know that Heavenly Father used them to answer my prayers and ease my burden.

This is Grandma Alvord. She is Lynn's 93 year old mother. Hopefully she doesn't mind me telling her age. She was so sweet to Hailey, and always concerned with us being comfortable. Hailey would go in and talk to her and play in her room. Hailey loves her. One time she was in asking Grandma how come she can't walk and why she hunches over. Grandma just laughed and explained it to her. She was such a good sport.

LOOK at this BREAKFAST!!!! YUMM. Notice that Hailey is eating sugar cereal...the second that she said that she didn't want that and she wanted Trix it was in front of her. They spoiled just like Grandparents do.

We went to a Metro-Park, they call it. It was beautiful. I loved taking pictures of Hailey here because she had her contacts in. She loves Bonnie.

Look at the huge trees and my beautiful daughters eyes. You'll have to click on this one to really see her blue eyes.

There was a little place with snakes, turtles, bees and other animals. Hailey loves animals.

This is right before her surgery. She looks way too excited! Poor thing. My mom, Kit Cook, Judd's mom and Lyndi all sent toys and things to do for Hailey. Everything was really nice to have because it gave her something to do. She had to wait all day. She was Dr. Trese's last patient and she had to come fasting. It was 4PM before she got taken back for her exam and operation.

Lynn playing with Hailey to distract her.

This is Hailey after her surgery, she has to wear those metal eye protectors every night. She hates them, so I have to wait until she is asleep to put them on. Her eye are really fragile because he went in through the front and dissected clear to the back to take the piece of sclara out to make room for the fluid to drain. We don't need any extra scar tissue causing extra problems.

The first 24 hours after the surgery were really hard. She had a really hard time coming out of anesthesia. She was freaking out and the nursing staff was in a hurry to get us out of the recovery room so they could go home. They sent us away and she was still thrashing all over and trying to gouge her eyes. She had been freaking out for about an hour though.

We walked out and I held her in the lobby while Bonnie went to go get the car. Lynn went back up to get something I forgot. While I was waiting there, and Hailey was screaming and trashing, three women came up to me and told me it would be okay or asked me if I was okay. It must have looked terrible. Anyway, I was so tired and I wanted her to have some comfort. So right there I just said a prayer out loud in her ear. Short and to the point. Heavenly Father please comfort Hailey. She stopped crying almost immediately and when we got in the car she feel asleep. The first night was so long she kept waking up and crying and she sleep most of the night in my arms. Translation-no sleep for me. The first morning Hailey didn't want to open her eyes but before that night she was doing amazingly better.

I don't know what day this was but you can see one eye bled out and the other one didn't.

Tuesday before we left we had another check-up. They took pictures of her retina to see if any fluid had already gone down. I was disappointed to see that she still had the big bump in the middle of the retina but the doctor said to give it more time. We go back on November 3ed for another Exam under anaesthetises so he can really see if the surgery worked. When I go that time I have to take Jayden to also have an exam under anaesthetises, just to be safe.

Lynn and Bonnie's house was beautiful and very breakable. Bonnie is an interior designer and their house is decked out. I was very happy when we left and Hailey had not broken one thing. Thank goodness!!!!

Tender Mercies of the Lord as Rich Larsen would put it.....

1- At the first check up Dr. Trese said, "It's interesting that you are here today because I was just researching this exact thing in London last week and I just got done writing up my research yesterday." Then I asked if her condition was common and he said that it is extremely rare. I know that was the Lords hand directing him to research that particular condition.

2- We also found out that if everything looks perfect, on November 3ed, when he checks her that she will need to come back 3 times a year to be checked. She will have to be put under every time. That is the only way he can see her whole retina and the fluid layer beneath. Right before I left my second follow-up appointment Dr. Trese's fellow doctor, Dr. Walsh, came in and told me that he is taking a job in Tuscon with Dr. Javid (The retina doctor who first saw Hailey). Dr. Walsh has been training with Dr. Trese for three years and he doesn't start until August next year in Tuscon. This is really good because he can learn all about Hailey and watch Dr.Trese and then maybe take care of us closer to home in the future.

3-Another tender mercy of the Lord in my strengthened faith. One of the hardest things through all of this process has been wondering if I had faith at all, not to mention faith for my daughter to be healed, or faith to receive the direction on what to do. Through reading my scriptures, prayer, priesthood blessings I have more faith than I ever had. Even though this road with her is going to be hard, I have been guided to the right place and I know Hailey is getting the best care, no matter what happens. You may have to keep reminding me that I said this.

4- All the love and support is for sure a tender mercy. So many have helped make this easier on us. Thank you all so much.