The Power of Prayer

I have had a lot of requests for an update on my niece, Evelyn. Evelyn did have viral encephalitis. She had an MRI done last Tuesday. It did show swelling in her brain, but no tissue damage. That is a really good thing (believe me I know -- Grant had lots of damage and that is what has made his recovery so hard and long). Evelyn actually was doing really really well by Thursday of last week and was able to go home by Thursday night. She even went off of all of the meds the docs had her on (including the seizure medication). Seriously a miracle! The doctors were very shocked to see her doing well so fast! The outcome has been the best case scenario. She is at home and doing well. The only concern is she isn't talking as much as she was before, but hopefully it is just a matter of time! Thank you for the prayers! They were heard and answered. We are just so grateful that little Evelyn is recovering so quickly and doing well. I was so worried about her because I have learned so much about the horrible consequences of encephalitis over the past 3 years. Thanks for the all the prayers. Her parents (my brother Geoff and sister-in-law Linda) and all of Evelyn's family really appreciate it!

Prayers Needed

My niece, Evelyn, is very ill in the hospital. The doctors think she has viral encephalitis. We could really use a lot of prayers. I am a little shook up by this because encephalitis is what Grant had (ADEM is a type of encephalitis). Why this has happened to two family members, I don't know. But I do know prayers are what pulled him through it. Please prayer for cute baby girl Evelyn and her parents G and L.

The Innocence of a child

Carson (3 1/2 years old) and I had a very cute (and funny) conversation in the car last night. It was only Carson and I in the car:

Carson: Mom, I am so glad my cut is getting better. (he has a nasty cut on his knee from falling outside on the cement)

Me: Me too. That's why we say prayers to ask Heavenly Father to help us get better.

Carson: I know, Heavenly Father made it better.

(silence for a few seconds)

Carson: (pounding on the car window with his fist) Can I break this glass?

Me: No, please don't bang on it. It would really hurt you if you broke it. You would get cut all over your body and glass could hurt your eyes and make you not see anymore. Then you would have to go to the hospital and we would all be really sad.

Carson: The hospital? My eyes would get hurt? (silent for about 10 seconds while he thinks) That's ok mom, Jesus would just come and bring me two new eyes. Then I would be all better and could go back home.

Me: (my heart just melted and thought that was one of the cutest things I ever heard, but didn't really know how to explain to him that it isn't that simple. So I didn't say anything and left it at that!)

(A few seconds later)

Carson: Did you know Jesus has a body?

Me: Yes, he does. He has a body just like you and you have a body just like him!

Carson: (with excitement in his tone) I know! (Silence for a few second) Jesus lives up in the sky and he comes down from the sky.

Me: Yes he lives in Heaven.

Carson: Can Jesus fly?

Me: Ummmm, well, I don't know if he flies but he can go anywhere he wants to.

Carson: Well, does he have a car?

Me: No, I don't think so.

Carson: You mean he walks everywhere.

Me: Yes, he can walk and go anywhere he wants.

(Silence for a while. Then we pull in the garage and start to get out of the car. I pick up Carson out of the car and I am now holding him.)

Carson: (With a very serious look on his face he looks me in the eyes) Mom, does Jesus have a bum!

(A moment of silence because I am silently busting up).

Me: (with a huge smile on my face) Yes he does. Just like you!

Carson looks at me and hugs me!

End of conversation! Oh he is so dang cute! Why he wanted to know if Jesus had a bum, I don't know, but it was a serious concern of his! And what faith to believe that Jesus would bring him two new eyes!

Getting Hitched

My sister, Kimberly, just got engage to Steven on Friday night! They have been dating for a little over a year and they met in their singles ward in San Diego. Yeah for singles wards! We are so excited for them! As far as the date goes, it is still being determined! Congrats you two! We love you and are happy for you!

Today is the date......

to vote YES on Prop 8!

A Well Balanced Meal

This one is dedicated to Aunt Kimberly, the dietitian. This afternoon Carson came to me with a bag of M&M's. At the time I was starting to make dinner. He hadn't eaten any candy yet today, and I didn't want to deal with any tantrums at the moment so I said he could have it. I started to open the bag for him when suddenly he got really excited -- he saw some broccoli sitting on the kitchen counter ( I was going to steam some broccoli for dinner). He grabbed a huge chunk of broccoli in one hand and M&M's in the other hand. He seriously wanted brocoli even though he had M&M's in his hand. He then did as I asked and went outside to eat his M&M's and broccoli. Kim, would you consider this a well balanced meal? (Ha ha ha ha!) I thought it was pretty funny ! How often do kids want broccoli and M&M's to eat at the same time? The funny part is he chose to eat the broccoli before the M&M's. He loves broccoli! I guess Carson is starting to make some good choices in life!

Carson with a mouth full of brocoli.

Halloween 2008

We started off Halloween Day with a field trip to the Pumpkin patch. This was Brian's first Kindergarten field trip this year. He had a lot of fun and I enjoyed being with my Bri for the day.

Brian loved the maze made out of bushes.

These are some of Brian's friends in his Kindergarten class.

So here is a story for you. Carson decided a few weeks ago he wanted to be a pirate. But of course he changed his mind the day of Halloween. He decided he wanted to be Batman, after he saw our neighbor dressed as Batman. I tried to convince him to be a pirate, but he would not budge. So about 3 hours before it was time to trick or treat I found myself at Walmart of all places (I absolutely cannot stand shopping at Walmart -- the only reason I went there is because Walmart's website said they still had Batman costumes in stock)! Have you ever been to Walmart looking for a costume 3 hours before trick or treating time? It was a tornado of costumes and people everywhere. Anyway, we found half of a Batman costume which was perfect because we already had the other half in our collection of dress ups. So we ended up getting the body suit for a discount of $6 because half of the costume was missing. So it all worked out and Carson was happy, and I must add, the cutest little Batman I have ever seen. He was so proud to be Batman. Brian was the cutest little Indiana Jones and he just loved being Indiana!

Brian and Carson at our wards Trunk or Treat. They had a blast and came home with more candy than their mom wanted them to have. They got to go trick or treating in Grandma and Grandpa Carlson's neighborhood too. There favorite part of the night was passing out candy at Grandma and Grandpa's house after they were done trick or treating.