My 2009 Theme Song

"THE CLIMB"
~by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa!

This song has become one of my favorites lately. Not only does it fit with my life the last few months, but I have heard it numerous times on the way to the hospital. I think the first time I heard it was the day Nick got a liver and I was driving down to sign the consent forms and be there for his surgery. I think this song will always remind me of that moment.

He's Home!

Dr Hutson at Nick's 1 mo post-op appt!

Dr Sussman with Nick at his 1 mo post-op appt!

His twice-a-day medications!

Well, Nick was released from the hospital on May 29. It was 2 days shy of 4 weeks from his liver transplant. The girls have been thrilled to have him home and have been showing him their toothbrushes and pajamas....anything to sit by him on the couch. I think it overwhelmed him at first once he realized that a house with children isn't really quiet or boring for very long. Nick's biggest complaint right now is that he can't sleep through the night. He has tried two different medications, but nothing gets him a deep, full night. (He does have me bring him snacks in the middle of the night which is the good news.) He is eating or snacking all the time. In the 10 days he has been home, he has gained about 10 pounds! (Too bad I can't give my home-cooking the credit!) He is also getting stronger. He has mostly been using a walker to get around, but his physical therapist brought a crutch/cane today and walked down to the end of the street with him. Nick says it is much easier to maneuver than his walker, so things are getting better each day. We still take him down 3 times a week for lab work and on one of those days we get to hang out in Salt Lake for a couple hours until his clinic visit with all of his doctors (too bad he can't go to the movies--it would almost be like a date!) I love his doctors! Dr Sussman and Dr Hutson are his hepatologists. They evaluate how well his body is accepting his new liver. Dr Sussman is so funny! He makes jokes all the time and if you are not listening you miss it. Dr Hutson was the one that performed his liver biopsy and called me the morning they knew they had a liver for Nick. He has the biggest heart and truly cares about Nick's progress. We will continue to see them every week through June, I think, and then maybe every other week. Right now, we function day by day, focus on all of the progress Nick is making, and are grateful that he's home!

Emma's Month

When did my daughter turn 15?

Her "special" night--she got 2 bouquets and a princess balloon!

showing off her costume

striking a pose on stage before the performance

Emma and I after the recital

She looked beautiful in yellow!

Ready to twirl for her Princess ballet dance

Emma waiting to tap dance to "Party at Mickey's house"

Emma with Miss Cindy!

Questions: Emma would buy a lot of horses if she had a million dollars--she wants to be a horse rider when she grows up--she would go to the zoo if she could go anywhere in the world!!

It's official! Emma has graduated preschool!

singing "Do Your Ears Hang Low"

Isabelle, Emma, Jill at Preschool graduation

Emma and Brielle's at Jerry's Nursery (last field trip)

The month of May brought more commitments for Emma as she finished up preschool and dance. Her two years in preschool has been a lot of fun and she has learned so much! Dance was a new experience for us this year, but she loved it. The night of her dance recital she kept saying, "I'm so lucky I got flowers! It is my special night!" She also got complimented at McDonald's by some older girls on how beautiful she looked! I am so proud of how hard she worked this year in preschool and dance! She has grown up a lot and I love seeing her accomplish new things!