Jaden

I am happy to report that Jaden is doing better even though she is currently in the I.C.U. she had some trouble with her breathing last night because she had a little to much morphine in her bloodstream. (build up is BAAAD) crisis is now averted and she is being watched over by really great nurses so I can come home and have a shower, and sleep in my own bed... sigh.

Jaden should still be in house for another 3 to 4 days. I'll keep in touch, take care, s

book signing

I am very happy to report that my book signing went well :) several people approached me, and asked great questions, one woman bought it for her son :) i thought that was great. teri, and amelia got signed copies :) (thanks girls you are the greatest) all in all it was a good day. the store wanted several copies signed, they were impressed with the amount of people that came to talk to me, said i was welcome back anytime. The are interested in having me come in for the next book even :) well thanks everyone for the encouragment, really. It means a lot :) s

Family News

Well all of you have pretty patient with us... but it is time to let you know our news :)

Quint's eye is NOT improving unfortunately, he is still fighting the progressive growth of whatever this is. The doctor say that he is to use a different eyedrop as well as the medication and to continue for another 2 months. It has still managed to grow while he has been treating himself so they are definately researching for more information about it. She says though that it is still not scarying her yet... like when he came in at first, but she is VERY aware or his eye and concerned he may need medication for several years... (It is my idea that this strange fluke catcher is the sourch of Jaden's ability to attach herself to strange illness as well, lol)

Jaden is having surgery on Feb 5th. She will be using her galebladder as a shunt drain from then on. This surgery is slightly odd, and if it does not work there are no fast safe options for her in the future so some prayers are in order for the surgeons that are going to take care of her.

Jonah had his first cub scout cerby last night and his care was the coolest :) It was also the slowest... (someone got a little excited with the glue I suspect) But he was thrilled to participate in his fist scouting function, (the whole thing was 20minutes) :)

My book signing is in a couple hours... I have to tell you all that I am really nervous... a couple more hours and I'll know I suppose :)

See ya around. Stacey

Merry Christmas

These pictures are a take 'em or leave 'em type... if I could cut and paste each kid I might have one good picture... so like me after 5 pictures you will have to take'em or leave'em...:) Merry Christmas...

Okay so Jaden is out of the hospital and doing well, tearing up the house and making laundry for her poor over worked mother... :)

Christmas this year is not what we imagined it would be last year. Of course life is never what one plans it to be at least mine isn't.

Quint has a new job, since most of you who follow know this I will not get into detail except to say that he is VERY content with it, and while we are not rolling in dough we are keeping up and paying off... all good :) We have enjoyed Idaho for almost a year now. both Quint and myself being near a sister, that has been great, lots of fun stuff including rafting, hiking, movies, dinners, and video game parties.

James has been getting ready for his mission, he is taller than me, thinks himself a comedian dangling things out of my reach and such... I have learned to bruise his shins :) All in all not bad, lol. Really though he is a great kid, and I know he will do such a great job on his mission. He has seen a lot of his biological family the last few years, this year especially. He has enjoyed getting to know them all better and being adored by extra family never hurt anyone :)

Rannon has been enjoying School. He is his science teachers best student, and he looks forward to advanced sciences. Rannon has been writing a book lately, I am impressed that he has stayed with it for so long. We wait to see what comes of it. He has grown 4 inches in the last year, his feet are like giant triple E oars flapping through the water, he is taller than me now I am pretty sure, about 5'7- 8. He loves his new glasses that are tinted in the sun... his pride and joy wearing sunglasses everywhere :)

Sicily is growing into a beauty much to her Fathers concern. He has already begun the threats to lock her in an attic until she is 30 but since we don't have one she has managed to maintain a normal life style for now :) She is doing really well in school, loves Art, and playing her Clarinet. She is very clothes savvy, and is developing a healthy shoe fetish collecting as many as she can winkle out of family who want to spoil her.

Jonah turned 8 this year and is thrilled to become a full member of the church... we are postponing his dunking until March so he can have his Grandparents come to witness the near drowning, all very important rite of passage for one who is 8 going on 50. Jonah knows everything, if you don't know something he will be happy to tell you, he too is doing well in school as one would expect of one so knowledgeable and he has grown 4 inches as well, proudly he stands about 5-6 inches above Calvin's head... now this glory has been a long time time coming, we are supportive of his joy. :)

Calvin, our 5 year old boy... I have a story about this happened yesterday. I was primping in my bathroom getting ready for a night of good food and laughter with the husband and his co workers :) Calvin came into my room holding a hot dog. (this is not uncommon, we go through many around here, he like them cold hence the reason our are ALWAYS precooked) "Mom" he says in a five year old boy voice... very cute :) "I'm so sorry, I wash my hot dowg" and proceeds to turn on the tap water and rinse it. Now I am still unfazed, aren't you entitled to wash a dog that falls to the floor, well certainly you are! I continue my primp.

He is back several seconds later, spitting his hot dog in the trash, and turning on the water again... this gives me pause, what could cause such a reaction? "What are you doing Calvin?" I ask him waiting for his answer.

"I wash my hot dog," now I was given the 'are you feeling alright' look (a relatively new thing to our experience...) and he carries on undeterred, but now he is mumbling something. So I lean down slowly to not appear to nosy, :) to hear...

"It is hot, hot, hot dog." He is very serious, and attempting to wash away the hotness of the dog in his hand. puzzled I walk out of my bathroom.

"Did someone heat Calvin's hot dog" this got me the same 'are you feeling alright' look from two more of my children, of course fearless now I carry on. "you know he likes them cold." I walk into the kitchen and look at the bag he took them out of, then laughed. It seems in my hurry to get out of Walmart with all of my body parts still intact I managed to grab HOT SPICY hot dogs instead of our plain and normal hot dog fare. My dear son the 'hot dog gourmet' noticed this slight problem in my shopping and attempted to wash away the 'hot' bless his heart... so after I told him I WAS SORRY for this gross error I explained the finer points of drinking milk and using ketchup with the offending HOT dog and all was well in his universe.

I think that says it all about Calvin, he walks to the beat of his own drum, and that is good around here :)

Jaden many have already heard about, but she is doing well in her school as well, she has a teacher that comes to the house three times a week and along with her nurse she is slightly spoiled in attention. but I am of the firm opinion that if anyone should be spoiled she is. :)

Myself... well most of you follow, I am officially a writer now :) It is selling already beyond what I imagined and I have my first book signing next month, so far the list gathers of people who plan to attend, I am beginning to wonder if I should throw a party instead and just sign what ever books pass by me... well you get the idea, :) Take care everyone, and know that we are always thinking of you. The Nelson Family.

Jaden in the Hospital

So Jaden is in the hospital. She is waiting for a study to be done tonight sometime. Her body appears to be working now, but wasn't for about a week. :) She has a handy bag attached to her belly for catching the very messy stuff. :)

James enjoyed a visit from Michael, they went out shopping to dinner and caught a movie. They visited some family as well. Good times...

The rest of the kids are trying to maintain some sort of focus on their school work when all they really want to do is unwrap presents. (they each have one under the tree, I keep telling them they are only lumps of coal and to not get excited)

We just got some exciting news, Quint's mother will be coming to Idaho for Christmas this year :)

More news... (drum roll please) My first book signing will be Jan 31, 2009. It will be at Hastings here in Boise from 1-4 for anyone who wants to come :) I am not sure what I am going to do just yet... right now I am just excited... and busy with kids and writing. 2nd book is nearly ready for professional edit, and 3rd is falling nicely together :)

Just as a reminder, anyone who has read the book would you please leave a review on Amazon, Barnes + Noble, or Good Reads, then let me know? I would really love to add them all to my website (the more I have on the two big ones the better it will sell) :) Maybe while you are there you could tag the book as well? I try to tag it so it shows up with books that are similar...:) Thanks everyone! you are all the best! S

CPR Class

So yesterday I took Jaden to the ER because she was not doing so hot, but wouldn't you know it she started looking better by the time we got there, even so it was a quick trip really. 4 hours... :) She is home and no worse for the wear, but something is definitely brewing up... My goal is to make it through Christmas without admit... Say it will me Jaden WILL be home for Christmas :)

Today Quint and I went to CPR Classes with Arron and Kyersten (+fam) I could not believe how different it was, and am here to tell you that if you haven't gone recently (within 2 years) you could have some old information. Quint and the boys will be going back next month, to get them certified. It is good to know so much of that stuff, not to mention the bodies you use now are easier, compared to the last time I did this (oh about 20 years ago... does that make me sound old? lol)

Anyway worth thinking about, friends and family, really worth the time :)

S

Jaden's I.Q. test

Well hello everyone, Jaden took her I.Q. test last night, and scored at 3 years 8 months!, Yippee! That is up since her last one (about 5 years ago) from 18 months... We are showing PROGRESS people! SIGH, one little step at a time :) Take care and thanks for stopping by my website, it makes me feel good that you have all supported me so well, :) S