White Sands

While in NM we spent a day at White Sands (we left David at the cabin with Mommom & Papa George - not quite old enough yet :). We had a BLAST & and the weather was just perfect - cool & a little drizzle. Both M & K loved it & didn't want to leave. K has asked numerous times, "Are we going back to the sand?"

New Mexico Trip

Over Michael's fall break we went to our family cabin in New Mexico for the week. It was so beautiful - we've been in March, April, August & December before. I think I will say October has been my favorite so far. The trees were so amazing & the weather was perfect. Such a fun trip. 

 Mommom brought M & K some new dress up clothes.

Poor David, left at home - watching Daddy, M, K & Papa George leaving for a hike.

Perfect weather to play on the porch.

 Lots of fun walking, throwing rocks & enjoying the outdoors.

Michael's Heart

Michael has had a heart murmur since birth. When he was 3 & 6 months old we took him to a pediatric cardiologist - although they heard a murmur, they didn't seem concerned. Our pediatrician has told us each year that if the murmur wasn't gone at age 5 we would go back to pediatric cardiology. And after each appointment when Dr. S continued to hear it, Andy & I prayed that the Lord would close the hole in M's heart. Fast forward to this spring - M's 5 yr appt. The murmur was still there & very pronounced. Dr. S also had a resident listen & they both agreed that we should go see a specialist, just to be on the safe side. ( We are so thankful for this, as we have learned that many pediatricians wouldn't have had us go). We made an appt. with a pediatric cardiologist for August 8th. We put it on our calendar & for the next 3 months A & I continued to pray for the hole to close. On August 8th we took M, fully expecting the dr. to say he was not concerned - that either the hole had closed or that M will live the rest of his life with a small murmur. But after doing an EKG & an echo cardiogram, they determined that M has a 15mm Atrial Septal Defect & it needs to be closed because the bottom part of his heart is already larger than it should be and is showing signs of stress. This was difficult to hear because we really weren't expecting it. After much prayer, talking with the doctors & processing all the information we scheduled the surgery for Monday, November 5th -which at the time felt so far off. But now Nov. 5th is almost here. We have been fervently asking the Lord to close the ASD - that when the camera goes down M's esophagus to look at his heart, M's heart will be healthy without any need for surgery. I love to imagine the dr. walking to us in the waiting room & saying, "Good news! The ASD is gone!"
If the ASD is still there we are praying that it can be repaired with a catheter & that M will heal quickly & completely. Although this is a very difficult situation, we are reminded, once again, that our children are in the Lord's hands & that we are not in control. The Lord has already shown so much faithfulness & we cannot even begin to imagine going through this without His closeness & His promises. Thank you so much for your prayers for our sweet boy.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

My Art Blog

I have been working hard on my art blog & I recently moved it to wordpress. 

I would love for you to visit - 

http://alisanelsonoriginals.wordpress.com

I also have an art facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/AlisaNelsonOriginals

and don't forget my encouragement blog -

http://encouragedmom.wordpress.com

Would you say I'm a blog addict? :-)

On The Eve of 34...

Sept 13, 2012 - Some things I journaled on the eve of turning 34 -
**I went to a Meet the Masters (parents volunteer to teach an art lesson based on a famous artist) meeting at M's school. I've signed up to teach 2 lessons - one in January & one in February. This meeting made me realize I really miss teaching art...I will again someday.
**When I got home from the meeting Michael, Kate & David were in Michael's room playing Lego's with Andy. So thankful for a wonderful husband who is also a wonderful Daddy to M, K & D.
**When I walked into M's room to say hi, M said, "Mommy, can you put Bubba up? He's messing up my Lego's." Haha - like he's something that I can put in a box or in a closet or something.
**I picked up my Epi Pen from Walgreens tonight - since I've had 2 severe allergic reactions in the last 6 months my Dr. thought it would be a good idea for me to have one with me at all times. Hopefully I will never have another one or have to use the pen, but I'm glad I have it.
**My family is full of growing tummys. I made salmon patties for dinner. The recipe makes 8 patties & it has always fed us, sometimes even with leftovers. But this time there wasn't enough. I need to remember that I am now cooking for 5!!
**It really makes me laugh that M & K call D, "Bubba." It's so hick. But it's so cute too. It's funny how kids come up with things completely on their own. Andy & I never told M & K, "Please call David, Bubba."
**Tomorrow I turn 34 & my Mom turns 68. I am turning the age she did the day I was born. I wish I could be with her tomorrow to celebrate.
**I'm so thankful for God's grace & mercy in my life - all that He has done, is doing & will do. I'm so full of thankfulness that He has allowed me to know Him & that I can walk this life with His peace & presence. He deserves all the glory & praise.

Neighborhood Fun!!

 Michael & some of the neighborhood kids waiting at the bus stop :-)

 Back to school party at the pool - swimming and a movie!

 More pool fun - Friday evening after the first day of school 

More bus stop fun - school spirit day (Michael's t-shirt looks like a dress so on spirit day he's been wearing a blue shirt :-)

More Instagram

1. Happy David 2. Fireman Michael watching the rain 3. Mommy & D 4. Eating lunch with Michael at school 5. Kate loves to swing 6. David loves to swing too 7. Uncle Steven & Michael playing Legos 

8. Lifegroup girls with Jen Hatmaker 9. D saying, "I wanna play outside too!"