September 25-26, 2010

Saturday we spent the day at home. But that evening the girls and I went to Nancy (Gause) Zobrist wedding reception. Tracy was still sick so he had to stay home. We had a wonderful time. Dinner was good and then the DJ started. The girls had so much fun dancing and playing. Trystan made it work with her and her walker. She never ceases to amaze me! Of couse she wanted to do the line dances as well. So I held her and we did the electric slide, cha-cha slide, cupid shuffle, and even a polda! It completely wore me out but it was all worth it. It made my hear swell with happiness seeing her smiling, laughing, and having a great time.

Sunday, the girls and I went to church together. Poor Tracy, still not feeling well, had to stay behind at home. The afternoon was filled with Alyssa practicing her flute and Trystan relaxing and playing. We went to AWANAs this evening. That is always such a blessing!

September 20-24, 2010

Monday was picture day at school and dance for Alyssa that evening. Trystan's allergies seem to be flaring up. That started last night. Tuesday thru Thursday Trystan has prgessively gotten worse and has lost her voice. Also, Wednesday night and into Thursday Alyssa has started to complain that her ears and throat are hurting. By Friday morning I had both girls at the doctor's office. Trystan was diagnosed with a sinus infection and Alyssa with some type of throat infection. Both were put on antibiotics. School had an early dismissal as well Friday. Friday afternoon I took all the kiddos into town to watch the Homecoming Parade. Boatloads of candy for them all! Friday evening Tracy started to show signs that he is getting a sinus infection/cold as well. Tracy stayed home to rest while I took the girls to Edwardsville to get outfits and shoes to wear in our family pictures that are scheduled next weekend. I was so happy to be able to find shirts, pants and shoes for the girls and shirt and pants for myself. Thank goodness that's finished! Ready to start our busy weekend. :)

September 18-19, 2010

Saturday morning I took the girls for lunch at McDonald's, then it was off to Highland for haircuts. Alyssa is wanting to grow her hair out long again, so she got her hair trimmed. Trystan also got a trim. We had her hair trimmed to even all her hair out as it is continuing to grow back in. This was Trystan first haircut in well over a year. I believe her last haircut was in February or March of 2009. Just before she was diagnosed. She was so excited! I had tears in my eyes as I watched her be able to have her first haircut. It was almost like watching your baby have her very first haircut. That is the closest thing that I can compare the feeling to. After haircuts we headed to Alhambra Fireman's Park for Sarah's bridal shower. We arrived a little early so this allowed time for the girls to swing and play at the park. I think they had a pretty good day!

Sunday we all went to church together and spent the afternoon together as well. Later in the evening we took the girls to AWANAs. The theme for AWANAs was "Crazy Hair!" Alyssa wore her hair in two uneven pig tails that were all frizzed out and Trystan wore hers spiked out and crazy! They had a blast! We feel so blessed to be able to participate in AWANAs again. Trystan told me that Sunday's are now her favorite day of the week because she gets to go to Sunday School/Church and AWANAs all in the same day! :D

September 13-17, 2010

With Trystan back in school, I've decided to post weekly instead of daily. Unless, of course, something important like scans or anything else happens. Alyssa is excelling wonderfully in school and still seems to really love school. Trystan enjoys school as well, but struggles with certain subjects, especially reading. The school tests all the kids for accellerated reader program. Trystan reads at a level of a first grader in the third month of school. Figuring up as to how old she is, she is exactly nine months behind where she should be. Trystan's fight with cancer was nine months. Maybe it's a co-incidence, but we don't think so. She does seem to be doing better all the time with reading. The more she's in school, hopefully the better it will get. She gets frustrated very easily because of her struggle to read. Please pray for patience for not only mom and dad but for Trystan as well. Also, pray that Trystan will continue to accell . God bless you all! Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

September 12, 2010

Went to church this morning. Right after church we came home and ate a quick lunch. As soon as we were finished with lunch the girls and I got in the car and went to pick up Grandma Rieke. The four of us went to Fairview Heights. I took the girls there for a "Spa Day." They each got a manicure and pedicure. They loved it! I really enjoyed watching them! This is the place that my mom goes every other week to have her nails done. The owner was so sweet. She's been keeping up with Trystan's progress from the very beginning thru my mom. She wanted to give Trystan her mani and pedi for nothing! It never ceases to surprise me at the generosity of people whom we don't even know! THANK YOU!!! Meanwhile, while the girls were having their spa day, Tracy was home preparing the pool for winter. He also had to take the camper in to have it looked at by MidStates.

After the girls' surprise it was time for supper and the first night of AWANAs. I am so excited, as are the kids, to be able to attend AWANAs this year. We had to take the year off last year, due to Trystan being in and out of the hospital. The only thing Trystan is uable to participate in is games. She was upset at first not being able to do it. But, I found something else for her to do while the others were in games. Thank you God for your continued blessings!

September 11, 2010

This morning the girls and I ran a sample of water to the pool store in Vandalia. Looks like we'll be closing the pool tomorrow. We've only swam in the pool maybe twice since school. The water is now way to cold to enjoy. This afternoon, the girls and I, cleaned both their rooms and the toy room upstairs. They did an excellent job at helping! Have a surprise for them tomorrow.

September 10, 2010

Girls got up pretty good this morning for school. After school they played for a while. We then met my mom and dad at the winery in Carlyle to take my dad out to dinner for his birthday. The food was really good! We will deffinately go back. Trystan had tummy problems after school and then again after dinner. Not sure exactly why, hopefully it isn't the stomach flu! Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

September 9, 2010

We are so proud of our girls! They both have studied very hard this week for their spelling tests. Trystan really struggled with the words this week. But, I am happy to report that both received 100% on their tests! Way to go girls!!

This evening we dropped Alyssa off at dance and Trystan and I did grocery shopping. Much needed grocery shopping, I might add. :)

Please pray for Jazmine, Trystan's penpal from England. The end is drawing near and she is suffering a lot of pain. Pain medicines aren't helping anymore. Also remember her mom and little sister in your prayers. Thank you.

September 8, 2010

Nothing much to report today. We thank God everyday for these boring "uneventful" days!

September 7, 2010

It was back to school today for the girls after a three day weekend. They were not too thrilled to have to get up "early" for school. :) Trystan was supposed to bring an insect to school. We caught a large grasshopper just before having to leave for school. She was excited to have a bug to take with her. I think they both had a pretty good day at school.

September 6, 2010

Woke up this morning and Tracy got to working outside the camper packing things up while I worked inside cleaning and putting things away. We finally got home between 3 and 4 p.m. As soon as we got home, Alyssa and I worked on unloading the camper. Tracy started mowing right away. Once the camper was unloaded and everything put away, the girls went upstairs to play and I worked on cleaning the house. Tracy did get the mowing finished and the dogs taken care of before dark. Gotta love these busy days!

Thank you God for a beautiful, enjoyable family weekend!

September 5, 2010

Today we took the girls to both of the campground playgrounds. The first one just had swings. Both of our girls love to swing! Spent a while there pushing them. Once they were finished there we went to the other park. That one had tire swings and a slide. I guess I had them spinning a little too much as they all got to having stomach aches! The rest of the day was spent relaxing while the girls played together.

September 4, 2010

Had to run the furnace in the camper overnight because it got pretty cool overnight. But, the rest of the day we were able to have the camper windows open. The girls spent their day digging in the dirt and playing with Cade. The weather was absolutely wonderful during the day today. This evening was actually a little chilly, but we were able to enjoy sitting around the campfire! We'll deffinately need to run the furnace tonight.

September 3, 2010

After dropping the kids off at school, I spent the day packing the camper. Finished up in time to leave to pick up the kids from school. We left about dinnertime and arrived at Lone Point in Shelbyville Lake and had to set up camp in the dark. We did pretty good though. Thank goodness! Looking forward to the weekend camping. It's gonna be a really nice one!

September 2, 2010

Had an interesting morning. It was raining when I took the girls in to school this morning. Of course right as we are pulling into the parking lot it decides to start pouring! Here I am trying to get the wheelchair out and Trystan into it without getting us and the chair soaked. I must say I didn't do too badly. Pretty proud of myself. Left the school and came home to get the laundry finished, attempted to clean out the pool, eat lunch, and begin loading the camper. After all of this is was already time to pick up the kids from school! Brought them home, did homework, and left again to take Alyssa to dance. Home by 7:00 p.m., ate dinner, showers, and girls to bed! Whew! What a busy day! Not going to complain about it one bit though. We're loving that our lives are getting back to "normal".

September 1, 2010

Dropped Alyssa off at school this morning and headed with Trystan down to St. Louis. We had a 9:30 a.m. appointment with Dr. McDonald to check on her hairline fracture. We first had to take her to have x-rays done on her right tibia. After the x-rays were finished we went into the doctor's office and were called right back to a room. We waited in the room for about 15 minutes for the doctor. He told us that the fracture looks to be healing and she is to continue the non-weight bearing on her right leg for another six weeks. We are happy and praising God for the littlest of good news! Trystan was even happy to hear that the bone was healing and didn't get too upset when the doctor told her no weight. Bless her heart! We left the doctor's office and dropped Tracy off at home. I then took Trystan into town to school. I dropped her off there at noon, she was still able to get a 1/2 day of school in.

Other good news that happened today. Our friend Grace Hassard had an MRI done today and they were given the "all clear." God is so good! She is also half way finished with her chemo treatments. Way to go Gracie! The Watson's are continuing to pray for you!!