Strawberryblush

Almost Home Free - in more ways than one

2012-01-15T10:27:00.001-08:00

Good morning dear readers,
Last night went very well. Tasia started perking up late last night and we stayed up watching movies till 1am. I was exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open, but there was no way I was gonna miss these happy low pain moments with her. The pain meds were giving her a headache so I asked the nurse to back off the pain meds and switch to Tylenol. It was worth a try. I hate all the side effects of these meds - headache, nausea, itching etc. Well I am happy to tell you she woke up this morning PAIN FREE! She is currently eating for the first time in 3 days. Just having a drink puts a smile on her face as they can't even let her have water during an attack. She even snuck some of my yogurt and it set so well on her tummy. She's a happy girl. We are so ready to go home. Just one more hour and the doc will be in to discharge her. I will be very happy to walk away from her care. I will also be considering switching to a new pediatrician just to avoid such care from his on- call partners. Locals I bet you could guess the doc - but I won't say on this here blog who it is. I know she tried to do her best but her best in my opinion is frightening.
Moving on...
Our family needs a break. You see, we are traveling cross country in approx one month to see the top pancreas specialists and we really need a rest physically and emotionally. A lot is coming up for us this year and we will need all our strength to handle it. Isaac is having his pancreas removed and having the insulin producing cells in his pancreas transplanted to his liver. Our prayer is that his liver will take over insulin production so that he doesn't become diabetic. Either way- we are waving bye bye to the organ that has caused more pain than you can imagine and in so many ways. In approximately 30 days Tasia, Isaac and I will be at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital for consults for both of them. About 3-4 weeks after that Isaac will have surgery. We are gonna wait a year or so to see how well Isaac does and then if all goes well Tasia will be next. This is such a huge undertaking and we covet your prayers for the upcoming weeks and months. I am very confident that God has heard and is answering prayers. Transplant City- here we come!
More on all this later. Love ya all!

- Jillian

Tasia Update

2012-01-14T19:35:00.001-08:00

Well I finally feel like I have a moment to sit down and fill you all in on our sweet girl and her status. As you know, a couple months ago Tasia was flown to Denver to have a stone removed from her pancreas. She had been very sick off and on and finally we found a stone. After arriving in Denver they found EIGHTEEN stones!!! We were hoping that this meant she would have a year or two pain free with no issue now that the stones were gone, but that has not been the case. She began getting sick earlier this week. We first wrote it off as a normal flu thing but by yesterday morning we realized it was her pancreas. We took her to the ER and they were able to give her some pain meds but they only dulled the pain. Having become old pros at this ugly dance we call HP the specialists gave us the choice to take her home or have her admitted. The fact that the pain hadn't gotten under control made us stay. It was probably a good thing we did because her enzyme count was more than double what it's been in the last few years. We spent all night with the pain increasing and round after round of dry heaves. This pain is described at 10x worse than labor ladies. My heart feels like its been thrown out of a thirty story building and ran over by a semi. I ache seeing her like this. And on top of all of that I've had to deal with a local doctor that I don't trust. We had a serious confrontation last night because she almost cost me my daughters life 8 years ago. I told her that I don't trust her and she cried and apologized and admitted that I saved my child's life that night. Well folks I didn't but the holy spirit through me did. As she cried, forgiveness washed over my heart. I told her I forgave her and told her if she was willing to work as a team with me that I would allow her to watch over my daughter until her specialist was available. Well that proved to be a bad decision because she changed Ta's normal 13 micrograms of fentanyl to 250+ micrograms. Well let me just tell you that I could not wake her up this morning. I thought she was having a nightmare so I gently tried to shake her awake but she wouldn't wake. All of the sudden her stats dropped to ZERO and her heart monitor showed a straight line. I jumped and screamed TASIA shaking her by her shoulders!! She looked up at me and said, "Mama, what?" and just then all stats returned. Relief warmed my frozen spirit. Unfortunately it continued to be a very bad morning. Due to the extreme amount of meds she had been given she was unable to stay conscious and when she did rouse it was due to violent dry heaves. This was all due to too much meds. And the thing that made it all worse was she was still in excruciating pain! It never got her pain under control with all of that! Grrrrr!!! The doc came in and wanted to add another pain patch on top of all of that and I said, "NO!" I told her that I insist they get ahold of her specialist. He in turn told this lovely doctor to take that dang patch off and put her on dilaudid. We ended up need two different kind of nausea meds, pain meds round the clock and constant heat packs and she finally fell asleep. It's just now, at this very hour that she is getting relief from the vomiting and getting some semi-

decent pain relief. All I could do in these moments was cry out to God. He heard my prayer as He always does. I expect that her enzyme count will continue to drop and if we can continue to keep the vomiting stopped and the pain under control than we will probably get to go home tomorrow. I am so thankful for all of your prayers- you all mean the world to me and it gives me strength reading your sweet words on FB. I am so thankful to Jesus because once again by his holy spirit I was lead to direct the nurses to find a way to stop the vomiting. He takes such good care of us.
On top of all of this I still have really good news about upcoming events and surgeries that will one day set our family free of this horrible sickness. But that my friend is for another day. I have a beautiful baby girl who needs her Mama now. Thank you again for all phone calls, voice mails, FB messages, emails, texts, visits and most of all for pouring your hearts out to the Father on behalf of my Jewell.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

through the storm

2011-09-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Our family has lived with a storm that has raged throughout the years. I can tell you that though the storm comes we have learned to take shelter in the Almighty during the downpour, dance in the gentle showers that come in between, find peace in the quiet that follows the storm and bask in the aroma that fills the air afterwards letting us know that our creator is real. And yes friends there is always a rainbow, a sign that we are not alone and He will never forsake us.

image via google images

Most of you already know that my daughter, Tasia, was flown to Denver on Tuesday. She had surgery on Wednesday and long story short we are happily home now with her feeling much, much better. During her flight Tasia saw a rainbow. I know this was God's promise to her and we stood on His promises through the storm that raged and are now enoying the peace that has followed.

whats for dinner you ask?

2011-09-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

GRILLED TERIYAKI CHICKEN

ASSORTED GRILLED VEGGIES

THAI TAPIOCA CORN PUDDING

image from foodly.com

THAI TAPIOCA CORN PUDDING:

4 C. Water

1/2 C. Dry Tapioca

1 C. Light Coconut Milk (canned)

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 C. Creamed Corn

Optional - Fresh Mango

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a sauce pan. Add 1/2 cup of dry tapioca. Boil stirring often for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain water from tapioca and set tapioca aside.

2. Add 1 cup Light Coconut Milk to pot and bring to a boil. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, stir till dissolved. Add 1 cup cream corn, stir and bring back to a boil.

3. Once mixture has reached boiling again, add tapioca to the mixture and stir. Continue stirring to keep from sticking until tapioca beads are completely translucent.

4. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

5. Pour into serving dishes and refrigerate till chilled.

6. Optional - Top with sliced mango.

7. Served to a happy family.

Making Memories

2011-09-04T13:27:00.001-07:00

I love spending time with my children. Simple time together make memories to last a lifetime.

Under the sea in our front yard.

HAPPINESS!

Roasted Chili Day 2011

2011-09-03T14:55:00.001-07:00

Our Saturday in pictures.

Storing roasted chilis is a family tradition in our home. I look forward to it every year. The aroma is tantalizing and it's the best way to welcome Autumn! Hope you all have a beautiful holiday weekend. LOVES!!!

Vita-love

2011-09-02T20:08:00.001-07:00

In an effort to keep our family as healthy as possible we take our daily vitamins (vitamins said with a short i sound, like the English, cuz its way cooler). The kids actually enjoy this ritual because they have their very own pill boxes (cylinders) and they feel all "responsible". Keeping our immune systems boosted not only mean less seasonal crap (if any) but when we have less sickness we has less pancreatitis for Isaac and Ta'. And that my friends is as Martha would say, "A good thing".

Do y'all take vitamins? Do your kids?

get it while the gettin's good

2011-09-02T12:00:00.001-07:00

It's here dollys- Urban Decays Book of Shadows IV!! This is a limited edition set and will go quickly. If you know UD, you know it's the BEST eye shadow and lasts 4EVA! Definitely worth the dinero! Plus it comes with a whole lotta goodies!

Sephora says:
This much-awaited collection of 16 eye shadows includes never-boring neutrals, provocative hits of shimmer and vibrant hues, as well as a Book of Shadows first—a portable speaker and how-to videos that reveal Urban Decay's five newest looks!!!
Pick your look, scan the corresponding QR code, plug your smartphone into the speaker, and drop your phone in the cradle. Then, open the drawer of shadows and recreate the look right along with the how-to video. This kit also include a full-size 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and a travel-size Supercurl Curling Mascara.

~LOVES~

the beauty of a woman

2011-08-20T07:29:00.001-07:00

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years."
— Audrey Hepburn

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

show me your MUG

2011-08-18T10:33:00.001-07:00

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

the simplest beauty secret

2011-08-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

the simplest and yet most important beauty secrect I know is not really a secret at all, yet it is overlooked by many. we all want young suptle looking skin right? well if you are preteen-teen, you are really in luck! if you are 20-30 something start now! and if you are already in the graceful years well then theres still something you can do.

GOLDEN RULE

WASH YOUR FACE

NEVER NEVER NEVER SLEEP IN MAKEUP.

if you do, at least do it only a few times a year and have a good excuse, not just "i'm too tired" or soon your skin will show just how tired you've been. if you go to slumblerland without washing your face, makeup clogs your skin, does not allow it to breath and distrubs the natural ph balance of the skin leading to breakouts, acne and premature wrinkling.

yikes!

my skin care is so simple - its not expensive and it gets the job done. i'm into my 30's now without a sign of real wrinkles yet. yes they will come and i will either accept them (or not- hello botox, ha ha!) but there are actual simple steps for all ages that are a must for the health of your pretty little face. and you only have one so - take care of it!

SKIN CARE BASICS

1.Wash your makeup off with a decent cleanser. It doesn't have to be fancy just don't use regular ol' soap. Get something for your skin type.

2. Tone - using a toner to remove left over traces of dirt, oil, makeup and cleanser residue. You'd be surpised how much your cleanser misses. if you are using a drying treatment for acne, make sure you use a toner very low in alchol to prevent excess drying.

3. Moisturize - Every skin type needs moisture. Even oily! Oily skin without moister = oilier skin. Also having hydrated skin is one of the first steps to fine line prevention.

There are lots of other fancy little products you can use in addition to these for whatever you skin condition may be but you must do the basics!!

PRETEENS-TEENS

the biggest and best habbit I ever formed was WASHING MY FACE. my mom even told a deramatologist i once saw that i was religious about it. it's true, i was. lets be honest, it was more middle school and high school vanity than anything but it formed great habits that have lasted me till now and i definitely can see the fruit of my labor. so girls and boys, wash everyday!

20's-30's

this is huge friends! you either don't have wrinkles yet or are just starting to show the signs. my advise if you can, is to tackle it before it's an issue. prevention vs treatment is smart. start treating your skin to anti-aging products before they come. nothing like being prepared and i don't know, somewhere in my mind it just makes sense. if you have fine lines already, do the basics but switch your skin cleanser to one with glycolic acid. this will renew the outer layer of your skin one layer at a time. you can spend hundreds or even as cheap as $5-$10 for something like Oil of Olay's Regenerist. there is something in almost everyones price range. then, add something to treat trouble areas i love good ol' retin A. again, i don't have the trouble areas yet but now that i've reach the big 30 i'm using it in the areas prone to wrinkles. this is only available by RX but there are many alternatives on the market in the anti-aging section. all rentin a does is super exfoliate and take off all the dead skin cells. i use this very sparily as it's super drying.

THE GRACEFUL STATE AND BEYOND...

well you are here and time has shown either how much you've sunned, laughed, cried, smiled and frowned. plenty of women look stunning with aged skin as it tells our lifes tale. there are plenty of non-evasive and evasive steps you can take if you want to tackle those life lines - just be sure not to take away beautifuly earned character. that itself is beautiful. look at Michelle Pfeiffer - gorgeous!

53 years old

~HERE'S TO HAPPY HEALTHY BEAUTIFUL SKIN~

(all photos via google images)

okay, i couldn't leave you without a funny for the day... check it to wreck it

a few photoshop effects can give everyone their teenage face and better.

HA HA!

even the untouched is pretty darn good for 52 though ;)

my focus

2011-07-26T07:19:00.001-07:00

When you come to one of those moments when you have to depend on God it's like focusing on a star through a telescope -the world leaves the picture and all that remains is that one thing that is really important and must be your focus. And WOW does it become clear.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

update - sweet relief

2011-07-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

we have finally gotten Ta's pain under control and she is resting. thank you Father!

and thank you all for keeping us lifted up in prayer. we are so blessed to have friends and family who pray fervent prayers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

new to the juice

2011-07-18T19:36:00.001-07:00

inlove with the new juicy dollhouse charm!!

and the pancakes are too fun!!

planning a trip

2011-07-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

to go

to see

i'm all differet kinds of HAPPY!!!

cooking makes me happy

2011-07-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

soon to make an apperance on my menu

GREEN BEAN AND NECTARINE SALAD
CHEESECAKE STUFFED PEACHES

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE SPAGHETTI

FRESH WATERMELON SHERBERT

FRESHLY SMASHED APPLE SAUCE
CARROT LEMONADE

(img via weheartit)

joy!

2011-07-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

Look what a lovely person sent me in the mail!! A Betsey Johnson Betseyville handbag. How sweet! I don't know this person either- how kind!! I love kindness from strangers. It's like buying the person behind you their drink in the Starbucks line. Totally unexpected! Joy!

decorating

2011-07-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

i've been browsing anthro and here's my current facinations

we are long overdue on new bedroom furniture. when we buy it, i'm thinking this comforter set would be killer. i have medium turquoise walls and I want chestnut or black furniture. pretty happy huh?

this is what i have in mind for furniture.

i want this for my guest bathroom. it's makes me want to rhumba!

this little guy is begging to hold my cookies. he's darling!

love betsey greens

2011-07-14T16:52:00.001-07:00

happiest birthday

2011-07-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

wishing the lovliest

MAMA

the happiest birthday ever!

love this

2011-07-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

sleep

2011-07-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

i just can't get enough sleep since getting home. i guess 18 hour days of non-stop fun are catching up with me. not to mention 2.5 hours of sleep before coming home. After walking in our front door around 10 am, i slept till 2:30. then fell asleep every time I laid my head on isaacs lap (which was pretty much all afternoon). went to bed at 10pm and woke up today at 10am. im hoping im caught up now!!! oh my goodness!!!

today

2011-07-06T21:57:00.001-07:00

we spent the morning at the beach. i love the water and want to live there someday.

my little beach baby

i found a starfish for the boys

Xman

themacdaddy

just a little bit of this

2011-06-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

i get asked all the time what makeup I wear and what makeup I recommend. honestly i really don't wear much. So I will share what I wear. i am not a brand snob. i honestly believe there is great finds in many brands expensive and not.

so, to get this look below...

the basic face

Urban Decays Tinted Moisturizer

i like this better than foundation as it's light and healthier for my skin

easy eyes

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

mascara is a must!

N.Y.C. Liquid Eyeliner

see I told you I wasn't a brand snob. when it comes to liquid liner all I need is a smooth black line and this does the trick and it's super cheap.

Wet and Wild Eyebrow Kit

again super cheap but works great. all i do with this is brush a teeny bit of the brown to even up the shape and make a crisp line.

oh so cheeky

Ulta Blush

this is a top fav of mine. great price and very pretty colors.

and that is all ladies and gents. oh, well I always finish it off with a lip gloss of some sorts but asking me to pick a favorite gloss is like asking me to pick a favorite child... impossible. if i feel like going the extra mile then i will use a loose powder after my moisterizer and once in awhile I will use eyeshadow but rarely. for me less is more.

thoughts on forgiveness

2011-06-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been thinking about forgiveness. It is a subject that every one of us has to deal with. I have had many opportunities to practice forgivness in my life, from my father to my friends and more. Some instances are easier to forgive than others. Some instances invoke feelings of bitterness more than others. But it all boils down to the same thing.

If JESUS can forgive this person, who am I to not? If JESUS sits on throne and casts sins to the bottom of the sea, who are we to pull them back up again? If JESUS can impart grace, who am I to withhold it?

In life there will always be opportunities to choose forgiveness.
As my sister says,

"The more I see of the world the more I realize why Jesus had to die on the cross."

So true.

None of us are perfect and yet God still sees us as His beloved children. Who are we to withold something He so freely gives?

One of my best friends one time said when given the choice to forgive -

"I choose to sow mercy, because I never know when I'm going to need it."

This statement shows the Father's heart.

The Father's heart is one of love - therefore we should also choose love. Forgiveness does not mean letting people walk all over you again. In some cases like mine with my father - it means cutting ties completely.

But you can walk away and still love with every step you take.