Old photos, new news

I love Luke's facial expression

We get to do this again as a family, Melissa is getting married in May!

One of my absolute favorite pictures of all time

I didn't have any new photos to share, so why not look at some old ones right (I guess it is throwback Thursday, I am not up with all these "cool" terms)!  It is another cold day here, and we are expecting snow this weekend.  Sadly, the first week of March looks like it will only be in the teens!  So needless to say we are all ready for a little spring.  Tomorrow is another day off for the kids, then we go 4 weeks with no days off.  Then it is spring break, one more full week and then baby arrives (just under 7 weeks to go)!  Thankfully everyone has stayed healthy here, and I am always praying that it will continue for several months yet. 

Monday starts our state testing, which is really making Luke anxious (he complains off and on about stomachaches all the time).  He chose to quit chorus already (one of the hardest parenting dilemmas, do you let them quit).  He thought more of his friends were going to join and he didn't like the songs. 

Anna goes in for her fourth laser treatment on Monday, but I don't think they will even do it.  The dermatologist was also fairly upset about the lack of progress and basically said we are looking at surgery.  The recovery is pretty involved, with no gym for a month and supposedly the dermatologist is a real "scar-Nazi" (her words, not mine).  I am really hoping insurance gets on the ball fast and we can squeeze surgery in over spring break. 

Emily saw the GI about 2 weeks ago, and her liver is probably the largest it has ever been.  She has gained about 3 pounds, which looks good from the outside, but has not done well to her liver.  We are pretty sure the formula is to blame, as I was using some of what I had leftover without diluting it like we used to.  I also heard back on her kidney test and her kidneys are actually overfunctioning and overfiltering.  The doctor thinks it is just a part of her condition and says there is nothing to do about it.  She will have an MRI in April to check on the liver and the fluid in her spine, as well as a cardiology check up in March.  The medicine we give Emily in a shot once a day has been approved by the FDA, so eventually we will be able to get it thru a pharmacy.  I am hoping that means we can push off a visit to NIH for a while, at least until the baby is a little older. 

Everything else is pretty routine, Justin's work is steady (though his car is not), the kids are doing Awanas and band and orchestra as usual.  My Bible study is already half-way thru.  My blood pressure is all good, and I am measuring right where I am supposed to be.  I think that is about all, though I am sure I will remember something when I turn the computer off (my memory has totally gone with this pregnancy).  Happy weekend!

Winter goes on, and on...

it is finally "warm" enough to get out and use his new goal

Daddy and his daughters (aren't they getting tall!)

This year's Valentines, all 4 kids did the same, but Anna's couldn't have candy

Just a quick post to show some pictures and say Happy Valentine's Day!  We are looking forward to the 3 day weekend coming up and some warmer temps next week.  Love to all!