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Happy 10th Annivesary Matthew!

2015-11-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

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Matt,

On October 25, 2014 if someone would have said "This will be your wedding anniversary. A year from now, you will get married!" I would have looked at them like they were crazy. I was going through a very rough time and just trying to get through life day by day.
But December 24, 2014, after months of your mom talking about you, you walked into Sears in Chehalis, Washington. Candice said you were there and after her talking so much about you, I felt like I already knew you, that I probably should actually "meet" you. Your mom brought you over, a clothes rack had just collapsed and said "Kristin this is my oldest Matthew, Matthew this is Kristin. Now help her clean up the clothes." (Feisty woman she is. lol) We made small talk. You said your mom had worked at Sears for 5 years and I corrected you and said it had actually been 9 years. Ha! You seemed like a nice guy, you were good looking and with what your mom had said about you, seemed life a great guy all around. I already knew you were single. (Although I didn't understand why!) I stuck around after work for an extra 10-15minutes to chat with you and your family. In my mind I was giving you time to ask me out, sees how I am old fashioned. You never did and I was late for my families Christmas party, so we said our good byes and I left.
Here is the funniest part of it yet. On December 26th, I went into Sears to get some more work clothes. Your mom is the only person I've ever seen slide across a floor in sneakers. She was SO excited to see me. Out of breath she asked if I was single. I said I was. She then let me know you had asked about me. So for a few minutes we plotted about how I was to bring her home from work and see you. Come to find out you were at a friends house. So she called you. You tried to tell her that you would come down to see me, but instead she threw the phone at me and we had no choice but to talk. You asked me out and that night we had our first date. To this day, I try to remind you that there is no shame in having your mother talk you up and ask me out for you. I get it, you were shy, I was hot and intimidating, it's ok. LOL All joking aside, I never knew that, that would be the first day of the rest of our lives together!
Neither one of us had any idea what life had in store for us and we had no clue what bumpy ride we had to endure. Probably more so you had no clue what you were getting into. But here we are, 10 years married later and you're still here.
I have to say that you are as close to the perfect husband as one can get. Can you be a knuckle head? Can you get on my nerves? Sure! But I know I do the same to you, if not worse.
You have stuck with through some of my toughest days. Me dealing with depression, anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD make me right away, not a fairy tale person to live with, let alone marry and stay with. But you took your vows, "in sickness and in health, till death do we part," seriously. When I wanted and tried to give up on life, you wouldn't let me. No matter how much I push you away during those dark times, you never go away. When I can no longer fight for myself, you fight for both of us. When I get out of control in crazy bitch mode, you are gentle enough to let me know I am out of line, but when I am right, you are there to back me up and to help me stand my ground. When life knocks me down, you are right there to pick me back up. When I cry, you hold me, when I laugh, you laugh with me (unless when I trip over something, you laugh and then help me up to my feet. haha), when I need help, you help me, when I get frustrated, you help me understand and when I get so angry I go past being compassionate, you bring me back down and to see things from the other side.
I'm not sure how I've kept you around after all of that. Or why you have stayed. In today's world, just a sliver of what someone had in store with me, they would have ran away, as fast as they could. And yet, you stayed and pretty much said, "Bring it on." But you love me for ME. You don't try and change me. You try and make me want to be a better person. You supported me in all of my adventures, even if you knew the end result. You support me, because you want me happy. You do everything and anything you can to try and make me happy. Any crazy idea's I come up with, you are behind me (even if you are rolling your eyes thinking "Oh boy, here she goes again!"). You have put up with my passion for animals, from taking in animals, bringing every stray home to being a foster home for animals. Although you say you can't stand animals, I have pictures to prove otherwise. You secretly love them and each animal we've had in this house has loved you!
Just two months into our relationship, I had a surgery and was told I may never have kids. I was SO afraid to tell you. I knew having kids was important to both of us, so I was sure you would cut your loses and move on. But you didn't. Instead you said, no matter what or how, we will have kids. I wanted 8, you wanted 2. Some how we compromised at 4 (even if the last one showed up on his own. haha).
You survived 4, yes FOUR pregnancies with me. Not once complaining. You always told me I was beautiful, showed me I was beautiful and made me feel beautiful, even when I was as big as a house. You were there each time during birth to hold my hand and get me through it all. Even with the first when I said I never wanted you touching me again. You were there to support me during my very difficult time after birth with PPD. You may not understood it (or depression alone), but you knew that I needed someone there, and you were that person, my rock. You dealt with my emotional outburst at how I'd never be pregnant again for the first time, sad when I couldn't breastfeed anymore and would cry terribly when I fed the kids their last bottle of breast milk and you have been there when I look at our four amazing children and think, my pregnancy stage of life is over, my kids are growing and we are going into a new stage of our lives, I still to this day cry over the loss of my kids being babies. No matter how many times I cry about it, every time, you are there to hold me and listen to me babble over and over again. You have been there though out it all with our children.
During times where you were scared for me, even though deep down inside I KNEW you were hurt, freaking out, worried ect, on the outside you kept calm and stayed strong. I'm not sure many people can pull that off. But you did, you stayed strong for me, for both of us.
October 25th, 2015, married for ten years. For ten years you have stuck with me, put up with me and my "adventures" and some how still love me just as much if not more since the first day we met.
I cannot say how lucky of a woman I am, that you came into my life. I cannot say how lucky I am that you have stuck by my side, never once giving up on me. Some how you love me still and still think I am the most gorgeous and sexiest woman in the world. I love you today, more than the day I met you and I know that, that love will just continue to grow. You have been my best friend, my lover, my rock, the love of my life, you have been and continue to be my everything. I can honestly say, that with out you, I would not be here today.
Matthew, I am honored to be your wife, to be Mrs. Matthew Lee Gaffney. I feel so blessed to be the mother to your four children. And I am so lucky to have all of you. It's been a up and down ten years, but I would not trade it for anything. I love you! I cannot wait to see what the next ten years has in store for us!

Love Your Wife,
Kristin Gaffney

What does depression look like?

2015-08-02T10:30:00.004-07:00

What does depression look like?

Can you tell by looking at me that I suffer from extreme depression, anxiety and panic attacks? Can you tell that every morning it's a struggle to get out of bed and to start my day? Can you tell that I hate looking in the mirror at myself because I have nothing nice to say about myself because of my depression? Can you tell that it's a daily struggle for me to fight depression and to keep going and that while it exhausts me every night, it also keeps me awake at night? Can you tell that it makes it to where I hide in the bathroom at least once a day to cry so my kids don't see me go through this? Can you tell that because of depression, I sometimes feel that everyone, life ect would be better with out me and that suicide does cross my mind? Talking to me, can you tell that while I smile and laugh, inside I feel like I'm dying? When you tell me to just get over it or to just stop thinking about negative things, that I do try every second, minute, hour of the day, every day to do just that? Is it obvious that while deep down inside I am sad, I really do try to be happy and that is all I want but it isn't that easy to do? Do you see the person inside me screaming for help while we catch up about our lives? While I am seem to be a confident and strong person, can you see inside that I'm feeling insecure and broken? You think I am super woman. But did you know that I keep myself busy so my thoughts can't hurt me? I am quiet and you think I'm tired, but did you know that is when my depression is winning and it's all I can do to be present in that moment? When you see photos of me smiling with my children, that inside I think I am not good enough for my children, that I don't' deserve them and that I can't even do the job of being a mom right? People see me as a night owl, but did you know it's because my mind won't shut down and I'm afraid to sleep because of the nightmares I have? When you see me laugh and run around happy, do you know that I've attempted suicide more than once?

I am what depression looks like.

I look like a normal, happy, confident, positive, can take on anything, do it all, mom of the year person, right? Things aren't what they seem. I really do want to be that normal, happy, confident, positive, can take on anything, do it all, mom of the year person. Yet one thing makes me feel the opposite of all of that. Depression.

Depression consumes my life. It makes life that much harder for me to deal with. I wake up sad. Why? Because I know the struggle and fight I have ahead of me, and it's all I can do to just put one foot on the floor. I have to face the mirror in the bathroom. It's hard to look at myself. It's hard for me to look at myself and think "You are enough. Today will be a good day." No, depression says "You don't deserve to be here. I'll make today as miserable as possible." All day I battle depression and the thoughts that it has my mind consume. There are some days that I only am exhausted by the end of the night, but some days I wake up already exhausted and it's all I can do to survive the day. It can take one small thing going wrong, or just too many bad thoughts to make me break down and cry and run to the bathroom to hide. Depression is a bitch. I have everything to live for, but depression constantly tells me I don't, tells me I am better off, and so is everyone else with out me. It's not true, but depression is persistent and won't give up, until you do feel like that. You see a happy and smiling woman, but inside I'm a small child that just wants to die. Telling me to just get over it hurts so much. You don't see the daily battle I have and that all I want to do is to "just get over it." And I constantly try to do just that. I just want to have some moments of happiness. That's what I want to be, happy. I don't want to battle these terrible thoughts every day. Everyone sees someone who just enjoys life and smiles. But did you know that I've just gotten that good at wearing that mask to make others think everything is fine? I come off as this confident and strong person. But really, I am not confident. I'm insecure. I am afraid that everyone hates me. That everyone is making fun of me. While I am being strong for everyone else, when I am alone I cry and cry and it physically hurts to try and "be strong." I am always busy doing something. Everyone thinks "wow you are superwoman!" No one knows that I do that so that my thoughts don't take over. While being busy can overwhelm me, it also keeps me from hearing and listening to my own thoughts. You ask me, "Are you ok? You are being awful quiet." I respond with, "Oh yes, I am just tired that is all." And you believe me. I'm not lying, I am tired. But I am feeling defeated, and the depression is winning and I am just trying to look ok and follow what is going on around me. Everyone sees me with my children and thinks "Wow she is a great mom!" I wish I thought that of myself. Instead, depression makes me second guess everything. It makes me think that I did not deserve to have four wonderful children. It makes me think I am not doing anything right being a mom and I am just screwing up my children. I stay up late and people chalk it up to me just being a night owl. But that's not true. I am afraid to sleep. Sleep brings nightmares that make me wake up in a sweat and breathing hard and feeling scared. I'm not a night owl, I don't want to face those nightmares. I carry myself as if life is great. I am as happy as anyone can get. But no one knows that while I show happiness, inside I'm sad and dying and eventually, depression wins and I think that death will heal it all.

Depression tries to take control of your life every moment you are alive. You can't see me fighting this most times. It's because it is all happening inside of me. It's because I've gotten really good at wearing that mask that portrays that life for me is great. It exhausts me. I could sit down all day and still be exhausted at night because I've been internally fighting my depression. All I want to do is to get over it. To just tell it to go away and that it is not welcomed. But it is just not that easy. And I wish others understood that. But I don't think you can understand it, unless you've suffered with depression on some degree.

I sit here and write this, not looking for sympathy, attention or anything of the sorts. I write, in hopes that it helps others understand this disease and to let others that suffer with depression to know that they are not alone. Depression sucks and it's a bitch. It's not easy to deal with it. But I encourage those that are having a difficult time with your depression, don't be afraid to reach out for help. Don't be ashamed. Trust me, people care and want to help you.

Depression can be overcome. But it isn't easy, but worth it....

Again, just looking at my photo, can you tell I suffer from depression?

Here is a website for help:
http://www.healthline.com/h…/depression/help-for-depression…
‪#‎depression‬

I suck, I know.

2015-03-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I know once again I have failed to update this on a regular basis. So lets play catch up with a few new posts!

Here is our Halloween 2014 with our good friends the Gabbards!

Getting around 8 kids was not a small task, but we managed to do it. Everyone really enjoyed trick or treating! The looks we got when we got to some of the front doors. "Are these all yours?" Ha! ;) But both families are use to hearing that.

-The Gaffney and Gabbard Family

Gaffney Kid's photo shoot!

2014-09-26T16:02:00.002-07:00

So I was brave and did a quick photo shoot of my kids. I had wanted to do this way earlier in the summer, BUT with all of my health problems that did not happen. So here we go! I did pretty good with have four kids ages: 8, 6, 4 and 2!

Lilly, Ben, Emma and JJ!

This is my favorite one! Describes my youngest two! JJ tries to take off and Emma reigns him in! lol

Ben's photos!

JJ's photos!

Ben and JJ together!

Lilly's photos!

Emma's photos!

Lilly and Emma's photos!

And JJ decided to get in Emma's photos! lol

It took a lot of silly faces to get the giggles and smiles and I got at least a decent shot with the dog in there! Kids did great!

-The Gaffney Family

So I've been having some practice and fun with photography!

2014-09-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

As some may know about me, I love to capture memories in photography. I will admit, auto mode has been my comfort zone and I haven't wanted to step out of it. However, I know to become a great photography I need to start using manual focus and I need to start learning now. But not only am I slowly learning that, I've learn to do macro photography and I am really having fun with it. I don't have a lot of extra time, but when I do get a chance to get out and do it, it's very peaceful for me and I highly enjoy it.

So I'd like to share some of my practice makes perfect. First, my macro photography. This was so neat to discover I could actually do this! Here are some that I've taken.

*WARNING those that do not like bugs, there are bug photos in these. You've been warned!

Close up of one of my sunflowers!

Time to race!

Opi's paw up close!

Ready to bloom!

So pretty!

Cucumber branch....

Mario!

Love the light colors!

Another cucumber branch!

Fresh raindrops on a leaf...

Just watered!

Glass and water...

Kind enough to pose for a photo!

Some how I got lucky and caught a fly!

Flowers, love it!

Kirra up close and personal!

He (or she) loves to be in the spotlight!

A sunflower on the verge of blooming!

Breakfast time!

Sunflower with a rain drop...

Immature seeds of a sunflower!

We had a special surprise late night visitor!

I'm not a fan of spiders, but since I'm practicing, they really are a joy to photograph!

Getting closer to seeds!

Just watered!

Immature seeds of a sunflower once again!

So as you can see the macro is FUN! I've also just have been practicing doing manual focus as well. Here are some of them.

Happy to get this capture of a happy Emma!

A yellow rose!

Lilly, my favorite flower!

Once again, a sunflower of mine. First year planting them and I'm really enjoying them!

Slowly getting ready to open!

A side view!

I had a squirrel who was very polite and decided to hang around for a few photos!

I dunno, can you tell I am loving my sunflowers?

So there is a tad bit of my photography that I'm slowly learning and teaching myself. I hope you enjoyed them, and I can't wait to share more with you in the future!

-The Gaffney Family

Summer has come to an end....

2014-09-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

So summer is officially over! Wow has time flied by! Here are so highlights from our summer towards the end!

Emma got her first hair cut, finally at the age of 3! Here is her before!

During!

She did pretty good.

Even though she wasn't so sure about it!

But look at how cute it turned out!

And she was so proud to show off her certificate for her first hair cut!

And everyone always has a blast with the sprinkler and the bubbles! Even Boo does!

We have really enjoyed our summer this year, even with the speed bumps we hit with my health! But we made the most of it and we can't wait to see what the Summer of 2015 brings us!

-The Gaffney Family

Birthdays we have celebrated, Ben and Emma's!

2014-09-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

So these past few months we have celebrated Ben and Emma's birthday!

Ben we celebrated with our good friends Woody, Sam and Terry and their daughter Natalie. Natalie, Terry, Matt and Ben all had August birthdays that were all really close together! The kids enjoyed a nice water fight with Uncle Sam and Uncle Woody! Sadly the photos I had were lost. But I do have a neat collage of Ben with his pinata!

Everyone, including the adults had a blast with the pinata!

And then on September 14th, we celebrated Emma's 4th birthday with a Minnie Mouse birthday party! We had a lot of friends over to help celebrate Emma's fourth year here on this earth with all of us! Emma had a blast and she really enjoyed the company and of course the cake!

Minnie Mouse Decorations

Neat Minnie Mouse silverware holder!

Minnie Mouse cookies with chocolate pink and polka dotted bows!

What party isn't complete with out balloons for the birthday girl?

A hand made birthday banner for Miss Emma!

The birthday girl all ready for her guests!

What party isn't complete with some goodies for our special guests?

A home made Minnie Mouse cake made by yours truly! Not too shabby for my second marshmallow fondant cake!

The birthday table all ready!

Getting ready to blow out the candle!

The birthday girl is ready!

The candle is lite!

Blow Emma, blow!

Sometimes you just have to get really close!

Minnie Mouse pj's? How cool!

Literally her favorite gift from our friends Candyce, Seasun and Jace!

And to think, on October 11th we are having a Frozen birthday party theme for Lilly who will be turning 8! Where does the time go?

-The Gaffney Family

ALS Ice water Bucket Challenge accepted!

2014-08-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

So I was challenged by my friend Tami Decker to do the ALS Ice bucket challenge.

So I did it. Here's my video.

http://youtu.be/MU599ewqoM4?list=UUP0jCaNVzvcNK0u21H6_yaA

To learn more about ALS or to donate please click HERE.

I nominated the following people:

Brian Hill

Mary Newcomb

Bradford Tobin

Kelly Sneed

Michael Hill

Matthew Gaffney

Jeremy Christopher

Amy McAllister

Kayla Bell

Candice Gaffney

Heather Jenkins

Jeanette Brooks

Candyce Walker

And here is the twist I added on my challenge. I'll already be donating $25. But, for everyone that I tagged in this video that posts them doing the challenge on video with in the next 24 hours, I will donate another $10 for every person in their name.

This is a great cause and it's raising awareness and money is being raised!

-The Gaffney Family

So about this Essure thing...

2014-08-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

So why have I been so sick pretty much half of the year? I can say thank you to ESSURE.

If you click on essure in the last sentence it will take you to the actual essure site.

So on their site they explain what Essure is as follows (http://www.essure.com/what-is-essure/what-is-essure )

Essure is the only non-surgical permanent birth control available

Essure is a permanent birth control option that can help you live without the worry of an unplanned pregnancy.

Non-surgical—Essure is a short 10-minute procedure that can be performed right in your doctor’s office.
There's no downtime to recover—most women go home within 45 minutes and resume normal activities within 1-2 days
Non-hormonal -Essure inserts do not contain or release hormones
Proven—Essure is over 99% effective*
May be available at no cost—Essure may be covered by your health insurance plan at no cost^†
FDA-approved and has been available for over 10 years

So when I read the brochure at my doctors office I thought, "wow, I have four kids and this would be great. No down time and I wouldn't get pregnant again and hey the FDA has approved it and it's been available for over 10 years! And it's an in office procedure!"

So I talked with my OBGYN and we set the date! August 9, 2013! I was excited. I suffer from depression and after each child my postpartum depression got worse and worse. So this would help put my mind at ease. No more kids and such an easy procedure!

So August 9th came and I took the medication they told me to take before my appointment. I got there and they gave me some more medication and then it was time to go and get the Essure put in! My initial visit I had no pain. The right side went in smoothly. The left side was a little more trouble and my doctor wasn't sure if it was in all the way.

First let me say, the procedure did not take a mere 10 minutes. I was in there for 30 minutes.

Second there was no waiting time to go home, the procedure was done and I was sent on my way. No watching for any kind of a reaction or anything.

Afterwards I went home and I was able to go right back to what my normal routine was that night. No issues! At least, not at first.

In September, that following month (2013) I started noticing my depression was getting worse, my anxiety attacks started to come more easily. And as the months went on I had other symptoms. Painful periods, heavier periods, night sweats, my blood sugars were off (low), I had spotting and bleeding in between periods, I got dizzy more often, my chronic lower back pain got very worse, I bloated easier, I had GI issues, painful intercourse ect. I didn't put the two and two together for the longest time.

On 11/13/2013 I went in to get my HSG confirmation test done. Right side was blocked, left was not and the coil was no where to be found. The test was very painful and caused very bad cramping.

After discussing with my OBGYN about how difficult it was to place the left side, she recommended I go back to Dr. Thurmond and have my left side redone with an x-ray technique.

In January of I noticed I was getting sharp sudden pains in my right side of my pelvic. It was random and didn't happen that often so I ignored it. How ever it started slowly getting worse. April it started becoming worrisome.

On 5/2/2014 I went back to Dr. Thurmonds office to make a second attempt to put in a coil in my left side. This experience was the exact opposite of my first.

I was give nothing for pain or to calm me. Essure reps were there to watch the procedure. I was in there for over 45 minutes. The pain was worse than labor pains. I was in tears and even though it hurt so bad, no attempt was made to stop. Finally she said she couldn't do it because my tube was bent over itself. That I should come back and do it under local anesthesia. I was baffled at why I never got anything before hand for pain management. In the middle of it all, they did give me 800mg of ibuprofen. But that was it. I was in so much pain that it took me over 10 minutes to get up after the procedure to get dressed and I almost wasn't able to walk out of the clinic. The pain was so immense I cried until sometime that evening when finally I passed out in bed. And that attempt, unsuccessful.

The pain didn't let up all weekend and I found myself back at my OBGYN's office. There she did an exam and diagnosed me with PID and sent me home with two antibiotics. After a few days I started to feel better, but the pain only went away a little bit. Again the pain returned. It got to the point where I couldn't do anything. No house work, I couldn't even take care of my children. This resulted in my husband not being able to go to work with out pay. Again I saw my OBGYN who referred me to a GI specialist and gave me more pain pills.

I saw the GI specialist and as I was explaining everything to him, he honestly told me he didn't know why I was there, but still wanted a stool sample and sent me back to my OBGYN. In between I had two visits to the ER. One ER visit they did a cat scan that showed nothing, but some constipation. Little did I know later, that they DID in fact find something. One of the coils lodged in my uterus.

Stool sample came back normal and my OBGYN was calling me her mystery patient. So at my appointment surgery came up. I could do an exploratory surgery to see if it was my endometriosis and go from there. Or since I had four kids and my postpartum depression was worse with each one, we could do a hysterectomy . After much discussion and with the fact that I could not afford mentally to have anymore children and we couldn't afford my husband really to take off time for an exploratory surgery to only have to go back for another surgery, we made the final decision of a hysterectomy.

It was an easy, but hard decision. At the age of 32 I never thought I'd have to have a hysterectomy. I mean when I was diagnosed with endometriosis back in 2005, I knew having a hysterectomy might be a possibility if the pain from it got worse. But never did I think I would ever have to go through one. Luckily she had an appointment open the next week for a robotic assisted surgery, also known as a da vinci surgery. An in patient surgery, will minimal surgical openings and the recovery time is much shorter than a normal abdominal hysterectomy.

So that week with the help of pain pills, I hurried to prep my house and my family for my surgery. I was scared and nervous, but I was hopeful that the pain would finally go away. And hey, no more periods with out pregnancy? That was a plus I have to say! Surgery was May 30, 2014!

I am thankful for my family. My mom and dad came down the day before my surgery to stay with the children so my husband could stay with me. I only slept maybe 45 minutes that night. We arrived, I checked in and slowly they prepared me for surgery. I had some wonderful people that as I sat in the operating room crying waiting for the anesthesia to kick in, they held my hands and talked nothing but positive words to me.

Before I knew it I was in the recovery room. I do remember that they had to watch me extra closely because I would stop breathing in my sleep. I remember alarms going off and nurses coming over and telling me to breathe. Eventually I went to the recovery floor and they called my husband in. I was feeling pretty good and was so happy to see my husband. (The poor thing worked the night before and slept while waiting for me to come out of surgery). Surgery only took about two hours. The recovery nurses (everyone there at the hospital) were great. I had to be able to drink, eat and pee before going home. So after proving I could do all of those, I was released to go home.

I got home to my kids and parents waiting for me. Husband helped me up the stairs and into bed. I slept most of the rest of the day. My parents surprised me and took the kids that weekend (surgery was a Friday) so that Matt and I could rest. And my mom, bless her heart, took a week of vacation for the next week to be able to come down with my grandma so that Matt could work that week and I had someone taking care of me and the household. (Because of all the previous time missed, he could barely afford a week off.) I slept most of the weekend off. It was nice to be able to spend some one on one time with my mom and grandma. I am so blessed for them. My mom and dad spent their anniversary away from each other to help me out. Blessed I am I tell you!

At my two week check up, things looked great and I was told I could SLOWLY get back into my routine. I went for my six week check up, but had to postpone it for another week since a birth came up for my OBGYN. So that following Monday I saw my doctor. She checked and said still nothing vaginally (may be TMI but so what) for another two weeks. But other than that things were looking fine. She did say they found the first coil, from my left side embedded in my uterus. She sent my uterus out for testing and even though NO endometriosis was found and all tests came back fine, she couldn't confirm that is what was causing my pain.

So I was happy to be feeling good, in recovery and getting my life back. The vaginal exam was painful and I had cramping afterwards that continued into the night. Tuesday morning, I started not feeling well and had pain still. But I chalked it up to just being sore from being examined. By that evening my fever had spiked to 104. Even when my fever started at 99, I was having the shivers and sweats. So Tylenol was every 4-6 hours along with ibuprofen and some pain pills for the cramping.

Wednesday morning I was feeling worse. I was dizzy and even with Tylenol and ibuprofen in me, my temperature was staying at a 104 even. I was dizzy, nauseated, sleepy, in pain and have the shivers and sweats. So I called my OB's office. I can't say I was very pleased with my OB's assistant. When I told her how high my fever was she questioned that my thermometer was broken. Saying I'd feel like death if my fever was in fact that high. I (not in a very nice way) told her that I did feel like death (I actually said shit) and that I took my children's temperatures and there's were normal and taking mine again it was back at 104. By this time I had woken up my husband who was suppose to work that night. After waiting for my OB to call back, my husband was worried. They called me back saying they'd called in pain pills, and that I needed to rest more and that more than likely my thermometer was broken. At this point, I didn't have the energy to fight. I was exhausted. When my husband heard this news, he was not happy and decided to stay home to keep an eye on me.

Thursday morning he went to bed just in case he could go to work that night. I however was feeling much worse than the day before. I remember my feet, hands, arms and legs feeling tingling and thinking I was cutting off circulation due to laying on the couch so much. I sat up and just started bawling. But kept thinking to myself "knock it off, you have some sort of cold, get over it." I remember my dog Boo, nudging my hands and feet. After awhile of sitting up, the tingling in my hands, feet arms and legs was not going away. So I pulled the blankets off of myself and saw that they were purple and blue. That's when I knew something was very wrong.

I had my daughter Lilly wake up my husband who said we were going to the ER. So off to the ER we went. I will say this is the first time ever, that after taking my vitals, they didn't even tell me what they were. The nurse took my vitals, got me a wheel chair and with in two minutes I was back in a room in the ER. (Later I found out my blood pressure was 74/53 and my temp was 106, so maybe my thermometer was in fact broken...) I had a nurse on each side putting and IV in each arm. They informed me they were giving me fluids and antibiotics. With in five minutes of being in that room a doctor came back and told me they suspected sepsis and that they needed to find where the infection was. At this time, I had no clue how serious sepsis was. I figured they'd find the infection, finish the fluids and antibiotics and send me home with more antibiotics. How wrong I was. This was just the beginning of it.

I had a vaginal exam and the infection was found in my vaginal cuff area. A CT scan luckily showed not abscess, but still where some of the infection was. At this point it was when the nurse informed me I'd be admitted. So my husband and children were called back so I could tell them. My husband, was freaking out at this point. He tried hiding it, but being with him for 10 years, I knew he was frantic. And after asking more questions, is when I realized that they were admitting me into the ICU. Even at this point, I didn't grasp how bad this really was. So husband left with the kids to figure out what to do with them (who they could stay with) so he could get back to me. They admitted me into the ICU. And then I got to have IV in my neck. (That was not fun, but necessary.) When my husband finally returned, in walked him and behind him my dad. When Matt sent my sister a text, she told my parents and they immediately came down. I had went into septic shock!

They stayed with the kids while Matt stayed with me. I stayed in ICU for two days before I was able to go into a regular hospital room. Saturday, the children came to see me along with my parents. That is when the doctors came in to tell me I had gotten a strep A infection and that I'd probably be in the hospital for another 3-4 days. So after hearing that, my mom and dad took the girl back home with them and Matt drove the boys up to his parents.

I was feeling better, but I was still exhausted. Some how I was able to go home that Sunday. My in laws and parents kept the kids the rest of the week so I could rest, relax and regain my strength. I was given a antibiotic for ten days.

During my hospital stay I found out that a friend from high school was also in the hospital for the same thing. We chatted back and forth on face book. And since I pulled through, she would pull through just fine, or so I thought. We picked up the kids the following Sunday and when we arrived home, I found out that my friend Catie had passed away from complications of surgery and sepsis. That is when it hit me just how serious it was.

After those antibiotics I still wasn't feeling 100%, and had diarrhea. So I went back to my OB and was diagnosed with c diff. And so I was put on yet another antibiotic. And medicine for a yeast infection. This is beginning of August now.

I just now finished that antibiotic. I'm still pretty weak and dizzy. My immune system is weak and I am weak from not being able to really do much anymore. And to think, this all started with Essure.

I can only hope, I am finally on the road to recovering my health.

When I got Essure the warning labels did not have nearly as much as they have on them now. After my hysterectomy I decided I needed to find other women who may have had the same issues as I did. So I looked it up. I found the page Essure Problems. I read and I was in shock. I wasn't alone and there were so many that were still suffering and had way worse reactions to Essure. I found their face book group and joined and read the posts. The list of what people had from Essure was shocking and scary. I got off easy compared to the other women.

The list of side effects is a list that is long and keeps having things added to it. And what is even more scary, women are getting pregnant a lot even after this procedure has been done and confirmed to "have worked." That is putting their unborn babies lives at danger but their lives as well.

Here's a news article on the Essure lawsuit that was recently done.

http://www.news10.net/story/news/health/2014/06/22/thousands-of-women-rally-against-sterilization-device-essure/11232831/

Erin Brochovich has started an essure website and has a petition started to get Essure taken off of the market. I believe it needs to be done. Too many women are suffering from this terrible device. I get that any medical item will have side effects, but this is far worse than some simple side effects.

Please sign the petition and visit Erin Brochovich's page HERE.

The word needs to get out about Essure and the issues it is causing and how the FDA is ignoring the thousands of women who are now having issues due to this device.

To learn more, or to talk to women about what has happened to them since having the Essure device put in, please visit the Essure Problems face book group and ask to join. At least this way you can see it, ask questions for us that have been there and make an informed decision.

Not only I, but the thousands of women who are in pain ect from Essure want to get the word out and to educate women of this awful device.

If you have any questions or anything, please join the face book group above or I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have also.

-The Gaffney Family

Let's talk about something....

2014-08-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Yea it's been awhile, like too long. Not as long as it has been before but long.

I know I am suppose to tell you about Essure and I will, but this post is not about Essure.

This post is about depression. No one likes that word. In fact it has started many arguments. People either understand or don't. Honestly you either get it or you don't. You can't kind of understand depression. Only when you've been in that deep dark hole that depression can suck you into, you never really "kind of get it." It's something I would never wish I anyone. I don't care how mean you've been to me, ect.

It's a disease. And it kills people every single day. People with depression have to wake up and make that choice to be happy. And they have to continue to make that decision through out their entire day. In fact for me, if I'm sort of happy and I haven't cried that day or had some sort of a break or shut down, it's a win. A hard win, but I'll take it. Because I've been worse. Far worse.

I know a lot of people have posted about this lately due to Robin Williams unfortunate death. It hit me harder than I ever expected it to. I dunno I guess it just goes to show you, that maybe some of the happiest people you know, the people you think who have everything, really aren't that happy and don't feel they have everything. In fact they feel terrible on the inside, but they don't want to let you know. It's often the people who want to make everyone else happy that suffer with their own happiness.

For awhile only my closest friends and family knew of my depression. I hid it well. I put a "mask" on so to speak for everyone else. Make them smile. Smile myself to put on that show of "everything is great!" And when people actually learned I suffered from depression I always heard "Wow, you're the last person I'd ever suspect that would have depression." And at first I believed that too. As my disease progressed and got worse (even suffered from postpartum depression with every one of my kids and with each child it got worse.) and as I got to know others who suffered as well I noticed, that it's not a disease that shows itself readily to everyone. And the person or people who suffer from it don't really want to show it to others and it is always the ones you "never suspected."

Why? Well just look at the death of Robin Williams. He died because of a disease. And names of "selfish, coward ect" are being thrown at him. And really there is nothing selfish about it, not to the person who is that depressed. We often get it stuck in our heads that everyone will be better off with out us and that WE are doing a favor to everyone. Of course we aren't, but non the less that is, at that very time, in that deep dark place of feeling so alone, we really do believe that. And really, a coward can't ultimately do it.

And as I have read the harsh words from people I've just sat here and thought "You do not know depression do you? You obviously don't because your words alone that you are deciding to use against people literally can cause someone who is depressed and teetering on that line of step back and you are ok to just a slight step over the cliff and off I go." And then, I feel sorry for those people. Sorry that they cannot have more compassion and pick wiser words. Instead harsh comments and negative is all they lash back with.

And that, that is why people with depression do not want to tell anyone. Part of it is we don't want to be that burden on anyone (I know this all too well and it hits close to home) and we don't want people to reject us when we reach our hand up for help to pull us back up over that cliff and be there to say "It's ok, we will get you through this." If you are spewing harsh and mean words, how could you believe anyone would want to reach out, to you OR anyone to get help. You can't. And so depression is often put together with feelings of shame. Feelings of we are just crazy, we can snap out of this at anytime. We are just playing victims.

I wish I could just "snap out of it." I wish I could say all I was doing was dramatically playing the victim. I really wish there was an easy button to push to make it all go away. But there isn't. It often requires medication, self reflection, self work, therapy ect. And that just might keep one from going over that dark edge.

Depression is an every single day, hour, minute and second fight with in yourself. We "might" get breaks from it, but we know it's sitting there in the corner, waiting for us to come back. Waiting to swallow us in the darkness so that it may watch us struggle as we try to go towards that bright, positive light.

In the last few years I've learned to not be afraid to let others know that I suffer from depression. I have no been afraid to literally defend others with depression to those that have such harsh words and seem to know just how those with depression can just snap out of it or get over it. I may come across as a bitch when I do so, but it's because I'm passionate about it. And I'll be damned if I sit there and let another human being shame someone like people shame those with depression.

I have my good days and I have days where I would like nothing more than to hide in my room. I have days where no one or nothing can get me down. And I have days where one word, or one rude person can break me into a million pieces. I am human, we all are and we all make mistakes. It's how we react to those mistakes that tells others what kind of a person you truly are. And sadly, many choose to still walk away after making mistakes as if they have done nothing wrong.

As someone who suffers from this terrible disease, I say to you, those that also suffer, you are not alone. You are not fighting this battle alone although it may seem you are. I know how you feel and I truly wish I could make it go away. But I can't,and it will stay in our faces. So don't be ashamed to ask for help. Don't listen to others as they put you down. Remember those that put you down, often do so because they don't like who they are, or, are threatened by who YOU are.

Please if you need help, don't hesitate to ask anyone around you. Call your doctor, call a friend, call a family member or get a hold of the National Suicide Prevention life line as seen below:

You are never alone in this....seek help because you have a reason to see the next day....

-The Gaffney Family

Catch up Part 4: The not fun side.

2014-07-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

*WARNING There are some photos that may be disturbing or upsetting to some. I do feel that it is important to show them so that I do not forget what has happened and to help remind those that life is so precious.*

Ahh so it has been awhile. In March we moved. Also in March I started having some pain in my lower right pelvic side. It was not strong at first, and only happened every so often. That went on until mid April. Then the pain started getting to the point where I couldn't even take care of my kids and house hold. I saw my regular doctor, who sent me to my OB, then my OB send me to a GI specialist who then sent me back to my OB. I was kind of a mystery. Xrays showed nothing. But a CT scan showed I had a coil (from Essure, a permanent birth control device. Learn more about it here http://www.essureprocedure.net/ it is a permanent birth control for women, that sadly has many negative side effects and have left many women with hysterectomies, pregnancies after Essure ect. Please click that link to learn more and it would be wonderful if you signed the petition as well. You'll know why I directed you to this particular site shortly) embedded in my uterus. No one of course told me this. I found out only after requesting a copy of MY medical records. So after discussion with my OB it was decided based on my pain I was having and the fact that we were blessed with four children, that a hysterectomy was going to be the best decision for me. (My Essure only took on the right side. Even after two attempts to place it on my left side, it had failed. And the coil that was embedded in my uterus was from the first attempt.)

So, May 30th, I went in and had a Da Vinci surgery (robot assisted) hysterectomy. Everything went great. At the time, there was no endometriosis around (good news) and she didn't or couldn't see what would have caused my pain. Later after my uterus was tested everything came back normal, except for the coil embedded in my uterus. Although they can't say that was the cause of my pain. How convenient.

Below are some photos. *Warning some are of my incision areas on my stomach, while not real graphic, not everyone may want to see them.*

Hubby and I in recovery waiting to go home!

Me with my Essure Ribbon.

*SURGERY SITE PHOTOS NEXT*

Here are my small three incisions. That's all it took to do my hysterectomy. Amazing how far we've come with our medical advances! This is the day of the surgery! Looks pretty good!

A recovering selfie in the hospital.

A selfie of me once I was home, same day as surgery!

Recovery was pretty easy. The first 48 hours were the hardest. But I have to give a HUGE shout out to my dad and mom who came down to watch the kids the night before and took the three of them up to their house for that first weekend from my surgery so I could get 100% rest with out having to worry. A huge shout out to my in laws who took Emma before and kept her a few weeks after my surgery to help out. Again a shout out to my mom and Grandma Jackie who came down for a week afterwards to help out and encourage me to get out of bed and walk around. My mom took a week of her own vacation time. The appreciation I have for them cannot even be expressed. Even recovering, it is a week I will never forget. I got to spend quality time with my mom and grandma and I am forever grateful for that!

My advice for anyone who is getting a hysterectomy. Prepare yourself. Prepare your family and kids, especially if they are young (mine are 7, 5, 3 and 2). Also don't be afraid to ask for help. Your family and friends are wanting to do this, trust me. You aren't a burden on them. They love you and let them help you and show you that love and support. And when they say to rest, REST! It is so important. With out the proper rest, you are just prolonging the time it takes to recover. Let family and friends bring over meals. If you have time to prepare, look up freezer meals you can make ahead of time to help out your significant other. Use your recovery time to, journal, read those books you've been wanting to read, or watch those shows you've been wanting to watch. Sign up for Pogo and play some games and most importantly look for a support group on line. You are not alone and that support played a HUGE role in helping me recover!

And if you had excellent care at the hospital that you had your surgery at, this is a perfect time to write thank you notes. Too often the nurses and staff at the hospital hear about everything people didn't like. But hearing a thank you for the great job they did and how much you appreciate it, that makes them keep going. Knowing they touched the lives of others.

So my recovery was going along great. My check ups at my OB's office went smoothly. I had my last check up Monday, July 14th. I was a bit sore, but things were fine, I was feeling great and I was headed home with a good bill of health. Sadly Tuesday my fever spiked to 104. Even when it just started at 99, I was having the body shakes and chills. I was sick to my stomach and couldn't eat anything. I was taking Tylenol and ibuprofen to help with the pelvic pain I had started and with the fever. But even with that, the pain was still there and my fever rarely went under 104. Wednesday morning I called my OB's office and talked with her assistant (only way to talk to my doctor is through her). I'm very disappointed because I was told my thermometer was broken and even in an adult I'd feel like death with that high of a fever. My response, "I checked my children's temps right after and they were all normal, checked mine and again it was a little over 104 and I feel like (excuse the language) fucking shit. I can't do anything." As usual I was talked down to my my OB's assistant. I asked if I needed to come see them or go to the ER. About 45 minutes later I got a call back from the assistant: "Your thermometer is probably broken and you don't have a fever. The vaginal exam just probably caused some pain so you need to rest and we called in vicodin for you." At that point I was done and said "ok." Whats funny is it states in my records I can't take vicodin because of a past addiction to it.

My hubby stayed up all night to watch over me. He was suppose to work that night but stayed home. So the next morning he slept to get some sleep. By around noon, my fever was starting to go over 104 with fever reducer in me and then my arms, hands, legs and feet started going numb and tingly. I took my arms out from under the covers and they were purple and blue. I knew something was wrong and that is when my husband was woken up. He got the kids ready and took me off to the ER at Providence in Portland. His response, "Don't call that bitch back, she isn't listening and I'm taking you in the an actual hospital." Can you tell the hubby was just a tad bit, upset?

I almost wasn't able to walk into the ER on my own. In fact my husband was holding me up. They checked my vitals. That is the first time EVER I was not told what my vitals were. The nurse said "Stay here I'm getting you a wheel chair." She wheeled me over to a bed to lay on. With in two minutes I had a nurse bringing me to the back in a wheel chair. With in ten minutes I had a nurse on each side, putting a IV in each arm. The doctor actually came in and said "We suspect you are in septic shock from an infection somewhere. So we are going to do a CT scan, put you on three strong antibiotics and do a pelvic exam." I still didn't grasp the seriousness of it. I was still thinking, "Oh ok, they'll do their tests and send me home with antibiotics."

Right after my CT scan he did a pelvic exam. Not even 20seconds of that and he knew that's where my infection was (vaginal cuff). After he left the nurse (Tiffany, she was awesome!) that when ever I was ready I could have my husband and kids come in so I could tell them I would be admitted and not going home. At this point I was confused and didn't know why I really needed to be admitted. I asked her why and she informed me that I had a serious infection going on, one I could die from. So she brought back my husband and kids and I told him I was being admitted. Of course Matt, freaks out, not showing it, but I know my husband and he was a bit scattered brained about it. He kept asking why, how long. And then when she said in ICU at first I could tell he was really upset. So he started calling his parents so he could get the kids taken care of so he could stay with me. At this point it sort of hit me what was going on and the seriousness of it and in sets an anxiety attack, in front of my kids. I hated that. They were able to give me something to help calm me, but in the mean time my poor children had to witness it and they are too young to grasp any of this really. My husband kissed me goodbye and left to go home to get the kids ready to take up to his parents. He had sent a text to my sister saying I was being admitted for sepsis into the ICU.

Shortly after they left I was wheeled up to ICU. I have never been in the ICU, not as a patient or nor have I been in one to see a loved one. So this was all new to me. Not long after I was in there a nurse came in and said they would most likely be putting a IV in my neck to get the blood pressure medicine to my heart quicker. (My blood pressure at check in was 74/53 and my temp, with Tylenol was 106!) So the doctor came in to explain the IV for my neck and had me sign a consent form. Shortly after that, the process began. Hubby still wasn't back so it was just me. Thankfully I had a wonderful nurse named Amber who sat there and kept me calm and wiped away my tears as the procedure was taking place. Just as they were wrapping up, she got a call that my hubby was back to come see me. I was so happy to see him again.

To my surprise in walks hubby and behind him, my daddy! Talk about one of the best surprises! My sister informed my dad and my dad and mom (step mom actually, but I call her mom cause that's what she is to me) had called Matt and said they were on their way down, had taken the next day off and were ready to help in anyway! Seeing my daddy and knowing the kids were at home with my mom really helped my moral.

*WARNING Pictures of me in the ICU. These may be too much for some to see*

I post these because I do not want to forget how close it was to being a bad outcome. And to let others know, if you think something is wrong, just go in. Trust your gut instincts.

The next morning my sister Kelly came to visit me. It was very nice seeing her, emotional, but nice. To know so many people cared was very helpful in lifting my spirits. Just the out poor of love I got on just my facebook alone to those that couldn't get there ect, helped in ways no one imagined they could. Mid day they said that I could probably go to a normal hospital room the next day. So that was good news.

So around 2am Saturday morning (the 19th) I was moved to a normal hospital room. Someone who needed my room more than me needed to come in. I have put two and two together and I think I know who it was. If I am correct he passed away Sunday evening. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Saturday my dad, mom and kids came to visit me in the hospital. Mom and dad brought me some beautiful flowers.

The kids were pretty quiet. The older two weren't phased by me being hooked up to stuff and easily gave me hugs goodbye. The younger two though were pretty freaked out. :( While they were all there, the regular doctor and the infectious disease specialist came in to see me. My diagnosis, a strep A infection in my vaginal cuff area. A rare form of it is what I got and it is rare to get it where I got it. So, we caught it in time and I'm pretty damn lucky to still be here. When Matt asked how much longer I'd be in the hospital, they said another 2-4 days. So I said goodbye to my kids and my parents and hubby. The girls went with my parents for the next week and Matt brought the boys to his parents house for the next week. he came back home so he could stay in the hospital with me. He was with me every night, even when the ICU nurses asked him if he really wanted to stay.

My beautiful hospital view, the sun was shining and that helped and selfie of me feeling much better!

They say never to do hospital selfies, but in this case, I really don't want to forget what I went through.

Plus thanks to the IV fluids I had sausage fingers! lol

The next day I had some breakfast and Matt went home again to let the dog out to go potty and take care of a few things at home. While he was away the infectious disease specialist came to see me. Basically they wanted to make sure I could tolerate the antibiotic I was on in a pill form with out throwing it back up. When he noticed I was able to hold down a variety of food, he said "I'm going to talk with the doctors, you may be able to go home today." While I was calm on the outside, I won't lie, I was ecstatic to be able to possibly go home! So I let Matt know and he came back to the hospital. I ordered lunch. Around 1pm I wondered if I would be staying another night. Which would be fine, I want to make sure I was ok to go home. But around 2pm the Doctor came in and said "Good news, you get to go home this evening!" So Daeil our nurse (my day nurse and he rocked!) came in and did the paper release work around 3pm and took my IV's out ect. So I proudly walked out of the hospital and was ready to go home.

Even if I was in there for a pretty bad thing, I could not be more appreciative of the staff there. Everyone from the nurses, doctors, cafeteria workers, house cleaning ect were nothing but kind and nice. It was an amazing experience, even if I was in there for sepsis and a rare for of a strep a infection! So if you are in town and need to be see right away check them out! St. Vincents Medical Hospital Link You will not be disappointed. My appreciation I'll never be able to fully show them for their care they gave me and how well they took care of not only me, but my husband!

We did have to head back to the hospital as some flowers were delivered for me from our good friends Sam and Terri. They made me smile!

I will say with all of the IV fluids in me, I had a stomach that stuck out so far I couldn't see my feet. What's funny is there was a Lamaze class going on and there were all these pregnant women. I totally could have passed as one at that moment! Took the IV fluids a full week to really get out of my system and make it to where I was back to being comfortable.

Monday our good friend Doug came over to bring by dinner and see how I was doing. I call him our animal whisperer. Why? He even had our cat Opi near him, and she does not like strangers. But for now here he is with Ra. Our friendly cat!

That same day there was a knock at the door. An old high school friend Kenni had sent me flowers. That put such a huge smile on my face. I love that girl like a sister, and I miss her so much!

And Lillie's are my favorite flowers. ;) So bonus points for Kenni! lol

The kids stayed with their grandparents for the next week. Tuesday hubby took me out to lunch and to see the movie Tammy Heads up. The previews show a lot of the funnier parts of it. But this story has a great story line/plot to it. So while many were disappointed, I think it was because they weren't expecting it to actual have a great story line to it. It was a good, heart warming yet funny movie, IMO.

My next post I'll go into my detail about Essure.

While I was in the hospital I learned that a high school friend was also in the hospital for the same thing. At the time I didn't realize how much more serious hers was. Sadly, Catie passed away Sunday July 27th at 1:43pm. She leaves behind three children, a loving significant other and many family and friends. It was sudden and I had just been talking with her. She was the kind of person that no matter what she was going through, she always made time to be there for others. She was such a kind, kindred spirit and I've been having a really hard time grasping this. I haven't seen her since high school, but it doesn't make the hurt any less. But I know she is no longer suffering and God got another angel. She has earned her wings and she is flying high and watching over us all.

Catie

You are truly missed. But because you were such a kind, genuine person with such a huge heart, God needed you to help him. Until we meet again, my dear friend.....

Here is a balloon release I did in honor of Catie. I hope these balloons with such dear messages reach her in heaven.

Saturday is a Celebration of Catie's Life. It will be hard, but we need to celebrate the wonderful woman she was and celebrate how much time we did get with her.

So these past few months have been an emotional roller coaster of emotions. It's been hard on me in every way possible. But I am blessed to have an amazing, husband, children, family and friends. And for that, I feel so appreciative. And please, hold your loved ones close. Never not tell someone you love them. Life is so precious....

-The Gaffney Family

Catch Up Part 3

2014-07-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

So Easter came and went. And we have four very happy children.

And we celebrated my youngest second birthday. JJ you are growing way too fast for Momma! Please slow down!

Some random photos:

Celebrated one sisters college graduation and the others high school graduation!

Now add in summer water fun and fourth of July and we are almost caught up, finally! :)

Well that's it for this post! Next and final catch up post will be about me and my health issues I've dealt with.

-The Gaffney Family

Catching Up Part 2

2014-07-25T14:17:00.001-07:00

Part 2 of catching up!

Our family moved houses! Time for a change for this family! While it was stressful (sick, throwing up ect kids did not help.) we got through it quite well and are happy! Here are a few photos of our new home!

The entry way (keep going in the house or upstairs).

Living room and Dining room.

Master and children's rooms.

Master, down stairs and kids bathrooms.

Garage, back yard and kitchen!

It's a nice little house. We really enjoy it and have great neighbors next door!

I planted some flowers and veggies. Tried my hand at Strawberries but I ended up killing them. Don't ask I have no idea! LOL

Tomatoes

Fushias

Bush Beans and carrots

I've gotten some tomatoes and bush beans. It's been very fun and neat for the kids to see really how food gets here.

I even has some beautiful succulents. That is until they got smooshed. :( So hopefully soon I can try again. But here they were...

Matt rocks and bought me a Kitchen Aid! Only got to use it once so far and in a future post I'll tell you why. But I love it!

Lilly got a new aquarium with a betta that she named Skittles, some ghost shrimp and two African dwarf frogs. It's pretty neat!

Ok so I think that's enough picture over load for today! Tomorrow I'll introduce catch up part 3!

-The Gaffney Family

Catch up Part 1

2014-07-24T12:55:00.001-07:00

Once again, I'm terrible about updating this thing. Facebook makes it way to easy to just upload there and bam you're done. But I still have a blog and I still need to use it. That's why I created one? Right? lol

So where were we? Oh yes Halloween. Halloween was fun. Thanksgiving for us was mellow since hubby always works. And then Christmas came. We had a pretty blessed Christmas. Minus everyone coming down sick. But hey we survived! Here are a few photos from Christmas!

Kid's met Santa! Which he was a very good Santa! Cedar Hills Mall! Highly recommend it over Washington Square Mall.

Our tree and fireplace. As always looking wonderful!

Kid's made giant gingerbread men (or girls LOL). Lot's of candy was eaten in the process.

Santa stopped by!

And the kids were very happy about their gifts!

Even Boo loved her gift from Santa!

Kids had done amazing for their Christmas card photo earlier in the month:

Even Boo got her photo done. Even if she wasn't too happy about it! Hahaha

Then in February we got just a little bit of snow dumped on us.

We made the best of it and went out and played for a bit. Most of us really liked it!

Ahh, but there was one, one who did not like it one bit!

Our lives after Christmas became even more hectic than normal. But that is ok. We have a foundation of love and can, will and do get through anything thrown at us.

Until Part 2....

-The Gaffney Family

Too long, far too long, once again!

2014-07-10T14:15:00.003-07:00

I really do suck at keeping this whole blog thing up to date. I blame how easy it is to access Facebook and just update there. :) I will be updating soon, changing things around ect! So look forward to that!

Kristin

Has summer really come and gone?

2013-11-02T20:31:00.002-07:00

Why yes, summer has come and gone! Who knew! What did we do this summer? Honestly, it flew by so fast and we were so busy I have no idea! 0_0 But I do know we had a couple of trips to the Oregon coast and we had a blast!

I also started fostering cats! Here are just two of my past fosters....

It has been a great experience for my family and I. Especially my children in teaching them to help animals out.

We also got another bearded dragon, Lyzark. So we now have Kirra and Lyzark. Today I was finally able to confirm that Lyzark was in fact a male! If not his named would have changed to Lizzy. But luckily he gets to keep his name! ;)

Summer was fun and it went by way too fast! In fact Lilly is now in first grade!

And Ben, he is in Kindergarten!

Both did awesome with their school photos! ;)

(These are scanned, the actual photos look amazing!).

They both did a fundraiser for school (which helped the school raise over $6,500! Which $500 that, my children raised alone!) and earned prizes and Lilly gets to do the Limo Lunch ride too!

Hmm, I guess that catches you up! Here soon, I'll post about our Halloween adventures!

Until then, Stay Sane!

-The Gaffney Family

This past week!

2013-06-02T15:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends and Family!

See I told you I'd be better at updating this thing! ;) We've had a pretty uneventful week. Lilly graduates from Kindergarten on Wed, June 12th at 9:30am. We'd love to see you there to help Lilly celebrate!!

Today I took my fostering class at The Oregon Humane Society. Took maybe and hour and now I just need to wait for my badge (which should be this Tues/Wed) and I can start fostering animals! And they gave a great treat of letting us hold three week old kittens!

Here are a few photos from this past week.

So we are doing well! The kids got to have a sleep over (see pic above) in their brothers room to watch a movie each night during the weekend. They really enjoyed that!

Until next time....

-The Gaffney Family

Well I've been slacking!

2013-05-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

So it's been a couple of years since updating. Yes I suck, but I'm going to make more of an effort to keep this blog updated!

Well a lot has happened since I've last updated. We had our fourth child, Justin James Gaffney aka JJ. He was born April 30th, 2012. He is a year old now, crawling and on the verge of walking. He was our surprise but I couldn't imagine our lives with out him. He's my baby and I really wish he would slow down a bit!

Benjamin graduated preschool just recently. He is doing really well with his speech! Just a sweet boy!

Lillianna is getting ready to graduate Kindergarten! She has also lost some teeth and got her ears pierced!

Emmelyn is talking more and more everyday! She is our little ham! She is still pretty short! lol She is in a toddler bed now!

We've added some new family members to our home. We have two cats, Ra and Opi! They are such sweet and great cats!

We also got a bearded dragon, Kirra. She is cute and sweet. Still getting use to being held though!

We also have six regular hermit crabs and are waiting on two strawberry hermit crabs. :)

This coming Sunday (June 2) I'll be taking a class to become a foster home for the Oregon Humane Society. I'm so excited to be able to help some local animals.

Matt and I are doing well. Matts still working for Intel. Me I'm still enjoying being a SAHM. Kids are keeping us pretty busy! I'm having fun raising crickets and meal worms with my neighbor Nicole! It's a pretty cool process!

I'm also a Independent Distributor for Advocare! It's a great product to help you drop the weight and learn to eat healthy! Check out my website here!

I promise I'll update this more often then every two years! ;)

Here are a few videos! Hope you enjoy them!

-The Gaffney Family

60 Day Challenge Day 15

2011-03-30T22:15:00.001-07:00

60 Day Challenge Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Swim with dolphins.

60 Day Challenge Day 14

2011-03-29T17:21:00.001-07:00

60 Day Challenge Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

These four people, my husband and three kids!

60 Day Challenge Day 13

2011-03-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

60 Day Challenge Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

The Kid's Pro Photo's!

2011-03-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Ok here are the pro photos I took of the kids!

I also did some maternity photos for my SIL Angie who is due with a boy on June 5th.

-The Gaffney Family

Video's Video's and more Video's!

2011-03-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

So I figured since I had a LOT of video's to share with you, that I'd just post a separate blog post. So here they are!

Broccoli

Giggles!

Ben being silly!

Carrots!

Cabbage

Beets

There is no scaring Emma!

Talking Emma!

Strawberries!

Ok so there are the video's! Next post, the pro photos I took of the kids!

-The Gaffney Family

Update on Ben and all of us!

2011-03-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends!

Ben was evaluated for his odd behaviors and speech delay. That went well. We go in on April 18th for a more detailed evaluation and go from there to see if they will accept him into their program (early education intervention from the state) The lady we worked with said for sure he has speech delays and maybe others. So I'm hopeful that we are headed in the right direction.

I've been seeing a therapist and things are going well there. I'm still finding it hard to handle every day life, but I just take everything one step at a time and ask for help when I need it.

Matt is moving to days next week. This week is his last week on nights. We are super happy to be having him working days instead of nights. More time with his family and it will be a whole lot easier on him and of course us.

Lilly is doing well. We've paused her school work until I can get things all squared away with me. But she is still learning and I'm happy to say the other day she said all of her ABC's to me!! She is still helping me with her siblings. Right now she is up visiting with her Grandparents.

Emma is doing great! So far as far as solids she is LOVING everything we have given her. I often wonder if she truly is my child. LOL We are working with her as far as getting her to sit up on her own. She can do it for a few seconds before plopping over trying to smile at some one. She does awesome on tummy time but only tolerates it for so long. She is still our little talker!

Here are some photos of Miss Emma!

A few photos of Ben!

A few photos of Lilly!

We recently purchases some caterpillars to raise into butterflies. www.livebutterflies.com

The kids love watching their progress from day to day!

They have gotten even bigger than how you see them in these photos! Look for those photos in the future!

We are doing well here! In the next two post I'll share videos and photos of the family!

-The Gaffney Family

60 Day Challenge Day 12

2011-03-26T13:35:00.001-07:00

60 Day Challenge Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.