I always want to blog about positive things happening in our life, but the majority of our extra cirricular lives right now have been spent at the doctor's office or lately, the Emergency Room. I didn't realize just how little Avery was until Saturday night when she spent the night in Kiddie scrubs that tied at the waist and slept in the hospital bed with an IV in her right hand. It has been really tough to be strong for her; I just wanted to cry right along with her. But, I knew that wouldn't help her get through all of her tests, so I just held her hand and told her it was going to be alright.

For the last two weeks she has had a high fever and has complained of severe abdominal pain and headaches. We had to take her out of school for an entire week because of her fever. We were at the Doctor twice in a week and I just felt at a loss for what I could do for her. She mostly laid on the couch and slept or watched tv. And I knew it was really bad as she is never one to complain about not feeling well, but whatever was happening in her little body completely took everything out of her. She was on some medicine and started to get better but this last Saturday spiked a fever of 103° again and complained that her belly was really hurting. I decided to take her into the ER after talking to a nurse and we proceeded to head there at 7 PM. She had every test run on her that you could possibly imagine-blood tests, urinalysis, strep test, flu test, chest x-rays, and then came the worst...they told us that because of the pain in her abdomin, she needed a CT scan to check her appendix. That meant drinking two full glasses of contrast (dye) in a limited amount of time. She'd already thrown up earlier from the strep test and she really struggled getting it down. At around 2:30 AM we finally got the CT scan done and at 3, with no answers to why she might be feeling this way, we went home.

I am so proud of her. She was so brave and I am amazed at how strong she is. God blessed us with an amazing and precious little girl and I know that she is going to be a strong woman when she grows up.

She was prescribed some anti-biotics and has been fever-free for three days now. She hasn't complained too much of a belly ache, but she has said once or twice that it was hurting. And as soon as she says that, my heart just sinks.

As I was praying during our ER visit, I also got a very small taste of what it must be like for parent's of children who have cancer, or an illness of that type. I prayed for them as well as seeing your child, any child, going through pain is unbearable. She is back in school and seems to be doing much better. I can't wait to see her silliness and excitement for life come back 100% as we just aren't quite there yet. Our girl's are the center of our lives and even while I'm here at work, they are always on my mind.

On a lighter note...Sophie is crawling!!! However, if she can reach something without having to crawl, she'll do so. She'll lay down on her belly and extend her arm until her little fingers can get whatever she so badly wants. It is just so funny. She is also giving kisses. Not on demand, but once in a while she'll look right at me and close her eyes and lean her face forward until her face touches mine. It is the most precious thing. She is such a busy girl and wants to be right in the middle of whatever is going on. It is tough to get her to sleep because she is always trying to see what else is happening. She must think she is missing out on something.

I had the priveledge of attending the Bobcat football semi-final game last week with mom, dad, and Griff. It was so exciting and it was such fun. They play in the Championship game tomorrow and we're all headed to mom's to watch. I just can't wait!

Also, I'd like to give a shout out to Leah! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Can't wait to see everyone here over the holidays! Love you all.