Update

Several people have been asking me about my progress so here it is : )
I had another ultrasound on my leg Monday. My blood clot has totally dissolved below my knee! I had several veins that were clotted below my knee and now they are all clot free!! The blood clot is still in my groin and goes down to my knee but now it has blood flow so some of that clot has dissolved too. I didn't have any blood flow through that vain four weeks ago. I'm very excited to see some progress.

My belly is starting to grow and I felt the baby move this week!! On Tuesday the baby was moving enough for the kids to see the movement. I love it when the baby moves. It makes it all more real. I'm already so attached to this child. I feel really good now that my nausea is gone. I'm usually sick for 6 months so I feel very blessed. Life has been very busy so I haven't had time to really think about what I've been through over the last six weeks. I always believed if you ate right and took care of your body that you wouldn't have to deal with this kind of stuff. Boy was I surprised to find out that many people that get DVT (Deep Vain Thrombosis) are young, healthy women in their child bearing years, either pregnant or on birth control. I guess the elevated hormones can increase clotting.

I also got the rest of my genetic tests back this week and they are all negative. YIPPEE!! I was so excited, I think my midwife may think I'm nuts. I just didn't want something my family would have to deal with for generations to come.

I was at my midwife appointment for two hours asking question. She was so great to answer them until I was done. She had other appointments but she still listened to all my fears and questions. It's really nice to have someone that cares rather then the usual get you in and out as fast as they can. We talk about my birthing plan and a million other things. It's all so crazy and I haven't decided about what I'm going to do yet but I have time to think! The midwife told me in the end it's all our decision and they will respect that. WOW!! I had several more tests this week. I'm getting use to it. They have to keep track of your liver, blood platelets, etc, while your on a blood thinner. Joy! Actually, I'm doing really well. I feel good and have no side effects other then a little bruising at the injection site but it is really small and it heals very fast. I haven't had any weird bleeding or bruising. I'm taking vitamin C and E everyday to help build strong veins. I also take extra calcium because the Lovenox messes with the uptake of calcium.

In all I've had to learn to trust my life in Gods hands and go on and be happy and enjoy every minute that I have. I went to a club that Savannah and I are a part of last night. Mrs. Utah came and spoke about adversity. Here are some of the main points.....It has to be dark to be able to see the stars. Adversity makes you a better person. It's molds and shapes you and helps you to enjoy the small (stars) things in your life. I believe everything happens for a reason and we have the choice to have it make us or break us.

Another concert

Matthew and his friends did another piano concert on Saturday. One of the songs he played was, The Call from Price Caspian. Savannah sung the song while another friend played the guitar. It was sweet : ) They did a great job and Savannah didn't even look nervous. I would have passed out.

Volcanos!!

Last week in co-op, for the younger kids, we learned about Mars. The kids wrote a report and read it out loud. The biggest mountain peek in the entire solar system is on Mars. It's a volcano called Olympus Mons. For our activity we made volcanoes out of play doe and erupted them. The kids loved it and erupted them until the play doe was too mushy to do it any more. Here are some cute pictures below.

The older kids have a new science teacher this semester. We're excited about her. She has a degree in Biology from BYU and loves it!! Next week they start dissection (YUK!) so I'll get some good pictures then.

The building of the volcano.

The eruption!!

Wahooo!

Valentines Party

Every year we have a Valentines Party. This year we went to a home school skating Valentines party. There were over 250 kids! It was crazy and fun and the kids had a blast. I love going to the parties too because I get to talk with all the moms. I also got to meet a few new moms. More and more people are deciding to home school and It's exciting! Brady and Tanner made a Valentines box and they exchanged Valentines at the skating rink.

Here is Brady handing out his Valentines.

Tannner handing his out.

Yes, Savannah couldn't be left out. Here she is with a couple of her friends. Her Valentine box had a picture of her with a whole in the mouth to put the Valentines in.

Here they are with some friends waiting for the go.

Life

Wow! It's been a long month. I've feel like I've been in the mist of darkness with no end in sight. I'm finally staring to feel normal and getting back to my life! The nausea is just about gone!! Nights are still a little hard but it's getting better. My leg is getting better everyday and the pain is gone. It takes a few months for the body to break down a blood clot this size. I have to go in for an ultrasound on my leg every month to see the progress. I have an appointment in 8 days so I hope it's getting smaller. As for now, I'm just happy to be alive. I've been given a second chance and I want to live life to the fullest. I've stopped asking, why me, and decided to find good in all this. I'm 36 and I need to find my life's purpose and I think all this has something to do with it. 

Everything is a miracle. I can feel spring in the air. I can't wait to run in the grass, swing, and jump on the tramp with my kids. I can't wait to plant a garden and enjoy the yummy food it produces. I can't wait for our goat to give birth to her first baby and feel the new baby chicks in my hand. I can't wait to see the blossoms in the trees and the smell of rain. I can't wait to hold my new born in my arms and to smell the soft sent of a new life. I can't wait to see the tiny toes and feel the soft skin when I hold the baby close. I've been blessed so much.

It's so nice to be able to take my kids to their activities. I didn't realized how much I missed it. I love watching my son play basketball or watch the younger boys in gymnastic or watch Savannah do her stuff. I love their friends coming over and hanging out. I love having conversations with them. I love teaching theater. It's so nice to be a part of their lives. I don't want to miss a minute of it!