We had a blessed Christmas.

Christmas service was skipped by Quinn and I, her oxygen levels would not come up so we had to stay home on oxygen.  I am so thankful that our family is so flexible and adaptive.  That is not one of John's personality traits, he likes things mapped out, but has done so good adapting to our situation.  The kids are also so good with rolling with the punches and supporting Quinn.  We are also so careful to make sure Quinn's situation does not take away from the other kids.  Sometimes it is hard to find a good balance, but we try our best.

However the next morning, she was doing great.  No oxygen needed, and lots of smiles.

The afternoon was not the same, her levels went down so we were back on oxygen.

 So we made it until the 26th and after spending 4 hours at the doctor office, we decided to go have a girls early weekend at Childrens Hospital.

 Her numbers already look so much better!  

 A good night sleep also helped!  So we are hoping to figure out a few things and then get home!

Merry Christmas!  What a year it has been! 

   

 Isaiah is in 8th grade and is in taekwondo and loving it.  His voice has gotten much lower and he is checking to see if he is taller then me constantly and it is very close.  He is in a robotics class that he loves and is so excited about cars and is trying hard to save up for his own car in the future.

  

Denali started point this year and is doing great.  Both girls are in 7th grade,  still in band, and  all three kids are helping or taking part in Dancing Beyond Limits.   Denali plays the clarinet and is doing well.  She loves her competitive dance classes too.  She loves texting her friends and loves to bake as well.

  

  

Quinn has had a heathy year over all, and that is also a good thing.  She is playing the drums in band.  She loves her adaptive dance class, and the two girls teamed up with two more great girls to dance as a foursome and it is so good.  I love having a group of girls who include Quinn 100% as a real friend!  I am so thankful for that.  Quinn might have to have a surgery on her foot to help release a muscle so she is not so tight, hopefully that will be the only surgery this year.

 

John is working at All State,  he has worked hard to keep moving up the ladder and in turn puts in lots of hours to get to where he wants to be.   I am teaching art and computer and love my students.  

We gained a couple angels this year,  Grandpa Harold , John’s dad, is now looking out for us.  We are trying to help his mom out a bit more and love her up a bit more then before.   As well as a cousin and a few friends.  

 

My mom and dad have also had medical journeys to get through this year as well, thankfully they are fighting hard to get better. so we are learning not to take life for granted!  Life is hard and we have to love each other up as much as we can.

Here is hoping we can continue to be grateful for the little things!  Have a blessed new year!  

Becoming a teenager is hard work!  Quinn slept through the afternoon of her birthday, and then part of her party the next day.

I also looked back at past birthday's and she has spent two of them in the hospital, last year she spent Christmas in the hospital, so let's hope this sleep gets her through and she gets to stay home.

We have a  few doctor appointments in the next few days, but here is hoping that is all.

 The kids did a great job loving Quinn up on her special day!

Quinn has been big on having teenage clothing, so we have gone through her closet and anything with a picture or anything that does not look grown up has gone in the get rid of it pile.  She wanted to get rid of more, but I made her keep somethings.  Good thing she got clothes from Grandma Martha and money from the other grandparents.  She is ready to go shopping.  She also recently got her big girl glasses too.  So good to see her growing up and wanting to be older, but it is a bit hard on me.

So it was low key, but still such a great day!

Two teens in the house! :)

We practiced and practiced for the big day to dance with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. 

 We also got new glasses.  Quinn said her old glasses were baby glasses and she needed teenager glasses.  She has also said the same thing about her clothes. Shirts with pictures are baby shirts and she is going to be a teenager this friday so she needs new clothes, not baby clothes.

 I love how the musicians will come over and play for the girls in their free time between shows.  So kind!

 I have mentioned how my mom has been in and out of the hospital the last few months.  She is tired but so strong and pushing through to feel better and get her body back on track.  I was so happy to see her and sit with her and grandpa at the concert.  She could still use more prayers!  My kids were so happy to see her.  They have been worried about her.

 Back stage is a fun place.

 Doing their thing!  Beautiful!  Standing ovations at both shows, and tears and everyone being so thankful!

 Oh Santa was there.  So fun!

Isaiah has his day to show what he knows in taekwondo.  

He had a great day, but it was the same time as the symphony so he was busy with this.

Dad was in charge of pictures, so we got one!

Technically it was from another mom too! :)

I have to add, you can not take pictures during the tournaments, so ....