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For information about my progress/condition, check out my individual page. I don't want this trial to take over our lives any more than it has to.

"Never regret anything you have been through, because only with those trials will you become a better person the next day." – Crystal Hunt

We love you all and appreciate the overwhelming support, prayers, and service. Thank you!

Long Road Ahead - warning, this is a lengthy post.

Well, I guess I better start at the beginning. About 3 weeks ago I had a “concerning” incident. Just after Jon and I put the kids in bed we were talking. I tried to say the word “probably” and couldn’t get it out. Suddenly I couldn’t speak. Then when I could speak, my words were coming out jumbled and I wasn’t making sense. Just as Jon was preparing to call 911, I started to make coherent sentences. My jaw was stiff and I had no idea what happened. I thought maybe it was a small stroke. The next day we went to the Emergency room and they ran a few tests. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary so we returned home with an appointment for Neurology a few weeks down the road.


December 4th Jon, Gavin, Addie and I were running errands. We had just started on a huge laundry list of things planned for the day. We had to run up to the Education Office here on base. Usually grounds are very well maintained on Air Force installations. As we walked in we noticed the sidewalks weren’t shoveled and the steps were icy. We took care of our appointment and left the building. Knowing that the steps were icy I was trying to be careful. I was holding Addie wrapped in a blanket. The next thing I knew my feet flew out from under me. Jon said my feet were about the height of my head when I fell. I protected Addie as best I could. I instantly knew something was wrong.

I told Jon to take the baby. I cried that I thought my back was broken. I couldn’t move and the pain was excruciating. He ran in with to have someone call 911. While we waited employees from the building tried to keep me warm by covering me with blankets. Remember, this is Alaska, it’s winter, I was only wearing a jacket and jeans. Finally the fire department showed up. They had to place me on a board and use the neck brace along with all the straps and place that on the gurney. By this time the ambulance arrived. They loaded me in and off we went. All in all, I was lying on the ground in snow for about 20 minutes which caused me to shiver and shake like crazy. VERY PAINFUL.

The EMT crew wanted to medicate me but I told them I was nursing and they didn’t know what they could give me. I had to tuff this one out. In the E.R. they took initial X-rays which showed nothing. I knew this hurt way too bad to be nothing. I knew something serious was wrong. They informed me I would have to give a urine sample. Trying to move off the gurney and sit up was so painful I blacked out several times and was shaking. The admitting doctor knew by this point something had to be wrong.

The rushed me for a CT scan and injected me with dye. The test revealed that I had a lacerated spleen and 2 broken vertebrae. Finally pain meds came. The morphine barely dulled the pain. I was admitted and sent to a room. The accident happened right around noon and the only thing I had a chance to eat that day was a bowl of cereal. By this point it was reaching 9pm. I couldn’t eat or drink anything because surgery hadn’t been ruled out yet. Finally at 10:30pm I was able to lie still and drink juice. I could only lay on my right side and the pain was so intense I can’t even come close to describing it.

I was turned into a pin cushion with too many needle pokes to count and after several failed attempts, 2 I.V.’s. Jon and Addie were troopers. Addie is still nursing and has learned to nurse in difficult circumstances. Jon is balancing taking care of me, and our 3 kids. On Wednesday I went to my scheduled appointment with Neurology. I didn’t even make it through the entire appointment before blacking out and dry-heaving like crazy. The doctor knew something was off with my pain meds. He had them switched and it made a huge difference. I had been battling pain and nausea until that point. I was in the hospital for a week and have enjoyed being home. It’s nice to be a family again. Words can’t express our thanks to the ward members who pitched in and helped in our time of need. We have had so much support and love. Being away from home is difficult and it’s nice to know we have friends to count on here. I have started to walk. With assistance from Jon I can walk to and from the bathroom. I can now lie on my back or side. I am also able to climb in bed by myself.

I am making progress, it’s slow, but I am grateful for any improvement. Please be patient with me. I will try to keep things updated but I move quite slow now days. Thank you for your continued love and support!

Sabrina

Smok'n Hot!

This Halloween started off with a bang! Jon was a smok'n hot detective from the 70's

I was his partner

Reagan went as "Super-Girl" and Gavin was "Spider-Man"

Our ward had a great Halloween Party complete with a Carnival and Trunk-or-Treat. The kids scored so much candy they could barely lift their pumpkins.

With the assistance of the Moses Family we created a "Balloon Room" for the little kids. It was a huge hit.

Who doesn't love a great big set of wax lips?

You may be wondering, where is Addie?

Well, Bat-Girl was tuckered out for most of the festivities.

just as things were wrapping up...

somebody woke up

All in all... a GREAT night!

Gymnastics

Oh how we love Thursdays! On this particular day of the week both Gavin and Reagan have gymnastics. I can't brag enough about this place. Not only do the kids have a blast, but it makes me want to go. I know the pics didn't turn out very well, but here is a glimpse of what they do in class.

Gavin's class bouncing on the long tramp

Reagan's class getting ready for the beam

Time to stretch

Balance beam time

Reagan doing a forward roll off the spring board

Gavin getting ready to hang from the bar

I think this kid is part monkey

Just a few more hours and we will be at the gym again having a blast!

The Alaska State Fair

This past weekend the weather was BEAUTIFUL. We decided to get out and enjoy it before the snow hits. This prompted our outing to the Alaska State Fair. If you can't tell by the pics, the kids had a blast. The went on several rides, played with animals at the petting zoo, watched friends perform on stage, caught a few musical acts, and just enjoyed all the vendors.

School

 

This past week left us wondering, what happened to summer? Is it really gone? Things have already started to pile up. Our laid back, lazy summer days are long gone. BOTH Reagan and Gavin started school on Tuesday. So far they are enjoying it (lets hope the trend continues).

Reagan is in 1st grade and her teacher is a newbie, Mr. VonGemingegen (that's a mouthful). Gavin is doing part-day preschool Mon-Thursday just down the road.

In addition to school, they started gymnastics on Thursday evenings. I can't brag enough about this place. Where else can an energetic 4 yr. old hang from a 15 foot pole and drop into a foam block pit? What 6 yr. old wouldn't love to jump on a massive trampoline or springboard onto a ginormous mat? Seriously, I want to go to class.


Jon is working hard and I am still taking classes at UAA. The house seems quiet with just Addie and I, but I am hoping to use the time productively. With school, gymnastics, work, church callings, and our online store we are definitely keeping busy. At least we won't have time to be bored...

Idaho Rock's My Socks!

Our trip to Idaho was such a blast. I have so many great pictures it's hard to choose which ones to post. Things got off to a rocky start. Our flight was late coming in which delayed us. This caused us to miss our connecting flight in Denver. The next flight to SLC was 10 hours later than our original flight. Luckily I have family in Denver that rescued us for a few hours. Eventually we made it to SLC and picked up our car. We drove to Sugar City and pulled in just after 12:30 Wednesday morning. Whew, it was rough but we were glad to be there. A couple of hours and a Jamba Juice later, Doug McBride took our family pictures. He did an excellent job and we loved being a family again. Here are some of the pics we snapped in between the professional photos.

Thursday we spent at the Tautphaus Park Zoo with the Gallup's, Meikle's, and Niederer's. Natalie made the boys tie-dye shirts and the girls bandanna's. We grabbed a bite to eat and shopped until we dropped. We ended the night with dinner at Johnny Carino's yum! I can still taste the Italian Nachos and Chicken Scallopini.

Friday we spent time at my Grandma's house and farm. The kids couldn't get enough of the livestock, tractors, and toys. Gavin has decided he wants to be a full time cowboy and live in Idaho. After fun in the sun we hit Heritage Park for the 1st part of my 10yr. reunion. I know, I know... I'm getting old. It was fun catching up with old friends and letting the kids run wild. We couldn't forget our Sugar City tradition of picking out penny candies at Schofields.

Saturday we stopped at Cal Ranch and picked out a hat for Gavin. He felt right at home. For lunch we went to Olive Garden. Oh, how we have missed good Italian food. My Mom, her fiance' Gary, and Denae joined us as we scarfed down our pasta. We ran to Vickers and picked out boots for Reagan and Gavin. Gotta have all the gear right? Next we cruised home where the kids were dropped off with Grandpa to learn about milking cows.


Jon and I (and Addie) went to the 2nd part of my reunion. We had dinner, watched a slide show, and enjoyed catching up.


Sunday my Dad blessed Denae's baby. What a day. After a great blessing my Dad shared his testimony. He is such a wonderful person. I am lucky to have him in my life and to be blessed with the knowledge that no matter what, he loves me and my children. He has had difficult trials but still continues to be focused and driven to do what is right. Most of our family attended the blessing. It was a moment I will cherish forever. After Sacrament meeting we attended a luncheon at my Dad's. Several extended family members and friends joined us.

This was a difficult day. I knew we would be heading home for Alaska in the morning. I tried to fight back tears as we packed. I knew it would be a long time before I would be with my family again. The next morning we loaded up our things. My Dad offered a prayer and we gave tear filled goodbyes. Our trip was too short, but definitely worth it. I love my family and can't wait to see them again.

Birthday Bash!

Friday we celebrated Reagan & Gavin's birthday's at House of Bounce. We had pizza, cake, and more inflated fun than you can possibly imagine. Here are pics from our fun filled day.

A big thank you to the Hartzell, Smith, Adams, Bentley, Quinn, Martin, and Eldridge Families for driving all the way to Eagle River and spending this day with us.

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin is growing up so fast. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Here is a tribute to our big boy.

Summer Fun

This past week has been a busy one. On Friday some of our friends joined us for a pre-4th of July gathering. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, salsa, potato salad... and well, you get the idea. After hanging out with friends we went with the Adams to see fireworks in Eagle River.



Fireworks have been bittersweet for me ever since we moved from Idaho. I miss the Melaluca freedom show. I miss sitting on the greenbelt and watching the sky lit and hearing the music play. Even though the show here was small, it was still fun.



They STARTED at midnight and you can still see how light it was. Alaska summers definitely complicate things.



Check out Reagan's face in the pics. She was more interested in posing than watching.





Saturday was much more relaxing. Jon went to see Transformers while I stayed home with the kids. Sunday was another beautiful day. Last summer was a hard one but this year has made up for it. After a walk we decided it was too hot (AK has ruined us it was 74 degrees).





The kids put on their suits and turned on the sprinkler. It doesn't get better than that.