Our Life in Words...: It is Dance Week!!

We have been having such beautiful weather that it is really hard to watch the forcast for the weekend...cold and rainy w/ the possibility of snow! YUCK!

But, until that weather hits...we are going to enjoy what we have for now! It is dance week this week. This may not sound like a crazy time but trust me...it IS! Tuesday is practice on the stage, Wednesday is full dress rehearsal. This is the only time we are allowed to video and take pictures so it is a stressful night in itself! Then Thursday, Friday and Saturday are recital nights. Let's just say by Sunday...we will be dragging!

Aidan LOVES it outside. He can be in the middle of crying and if you ask him if he wants to go out he will immediately smile and yell, "SIDE"..."Side"... It is so cute!! Unfortunately he really screams when it is time to come back in...they neighbors probably think we are abusing him!

Now that all of the doctor's appointments are over and we know that she is healthy, I feel more comfortable typing the major drama we have been through with Payton. It all started at the beginning of March. I had taken her in to the doctor and she was diagnosed with strep throat. The doctor was a little concerned with her blood counts. Her white blood count was really low and typically this elevates when there is an infection in the system. She just asked that we bring Payton back in for another CBC when her strep was gone and she was off of her medicine. About 10 days later I took her back in. This time her white count was low and her lymphocyte cells were increased. They did a full blood draw to send to Sioux Falls so a hemotologist could look at it. Basically they were testing her for leukemia. Mike and I waited for 24 hours not knowing what the outcome would be.....needless to say, we were devastated and couldn't even bare to say the word. The results came back normal and they determined her counts were off becaus ethe infection was still in her system. During that same doctor's visit, the doctor also heard a heart murmur. No one has ever mentioned one to us before so she referred us to a pulmonolist to have this looked at.

Last Friday we had to be in Sioux Falls for the appointment (at 8:00 a.m.) so we took the boys to Ellen's very early in the morning and headed over. After the EKG, the doctor verified she did have an "innocent" heart murmur and said it was not something to be concerned about. She said they are very common and we could probably still hear Payton's because she is so tiny. (She is only in the 10th percentile for weight). She does not have to go back for a follow up visit and she has no restrictions on any of her activities. WHEW!

After being cleared of any major medical issues, we were ready to celebrate!! We went out to eat breakfast and Mike was even in the mood to shop a little bit. He ran into Sears while Payton and I went to Younkers to buy new bedding for her room. We also stopped in to one of her favorite stores (Claire's) and let her shop a little there too!

We were on our way home and Mike asked me if I wanted to look at golf stuff so we stopped by Austads on our way out of Sioux Falls. Surprisingly...he bought me a new set of hybrid irons, a new putter and a super sweet new golf bag for my birthday! I LOVE them and am so ready to go out and use them!!

We are looking forward to spring /summer activities. We start this Saturday -- Payton and Carson are both in Soccer. Then we move on to baseball, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and swim lessons....nothing like running around every night and paying $4.00 / gallon for gas!! :)

Here are some pictures of the last few weeks!