http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v-9U8GbLu0

Thanks Rachael for this link! This explains a little more too!

Celiac Disease

Dr. Locke called this morning and said that Morgan's tests show that she has Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease is not a food allergy - it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can grow out of. This is not the case with Celiac Disease.

We are still going to have the sweat test done tomorrow to rule out CF completely! The chances of Morgan having both are very, very unlikely but Dr. Locke wants to do it for a peace of mind. We will be meeting with doctors in Grand Rapids who will let us know what types of foods she can/can't eat! We are thankful that we have answers and we now will be able to get some more weight on our little Morgie!!!!!! We are so thankful for your prayers and support over the past months and this week especially! Continue to keep us in your prayers tomorrow and the next couple weeks as we learn more about this disease!

Neal, Rachel & Morgan

Check this link for more information

Up Date

Thought I would post a quick up date on Morgan! We don't know anything! We should know the results of the blood work today or tomorrow I would hope! I did receive a phone call that she didn't sweat enough so Friday morning we can go back and have that test done! Praise the Lord it doesn't require a blood draw!! They poked her three times yesterday!!! By the third time, I was crying, Morgan was crying and Grandma was crying!!! AHHH! The sweat test, so you know, is the test for CF. They put these two things on her and it makes her sweat and then she has to wear a "watch" thingy to catch the sweat for 30 minutes! (Love my dr. language!!) Hopefully this will go better on Friday and that we won't have to go again! Pray for us at 11 on Friday! Thanks too for all the prayers and support we have received!!! It is amazing!

Neal, Rachel & Morgan

Neal's Minute of Fame

Morgan waiting for Daddy's BIG show!

Last night we attended the Jam at the Van. Zeeland East played Zeeland West! We didn't (I at least) wasn't planning on going however last week Tuesday night Neal came home and said that he won tickets! Anything free, I'm all about it! Then he told me how he won these tickets. He had to shoot 3 pointers in 1 minute and had to shoot more then the other kid! He did that so he made it to Van Andel and went against another kid from Zeeland West. He lost to this kid! :( The kid that won shot 12 (I think) 3 pointers and won suite tickets to the Pistons in Feb. Bummer but Morgan & I are still proud!!!

18 month stats

So we went to the doctor yesterday for her 18 month check up! I still can't believe my little girl is 18 months! Developmentally, Morgan is right where she should be if not a little bit higher (that's my girl!) Physically though...we are still struggling! She has lost more weight since we went back and had her checked. When we went in about a month ago she was 20.11 and moving in the right direction because she had gained! Well yesterday, she was back down to 20.4 and she hasn't really gotten a whole lot taller either. So in growth she just isn't growing. That being said we are headed back to the hospital today for more testing!!! The are doing three more tests today, ones a repeat of last time, one is a celiac test and one is a sweat test to test for cystic fibrosis. Dr. Locke doesn't think this is behavioral issues and really feels that there is something going on in our little Morgie!!! So prayers at 9:45 today and throughout the rest of the week would be greatly apprieciated. We are suppose to have all the results back by Friday.

Thanks so much!!!

My soul finds rest in God alone

my salvation comes from Him

He alone is my rock and my salvation

Pink Eye

We have a case (hopefully the only one) of Pink Eye! Morgan was at Lindsey's yesterday and when I dropped her off her eye was a little water and had a eye "booger" in it but I didn't think anything of it. Lindsey called me later to tell me she thought Morgan had pink eye!! Great! Natalie had had it about two weeks ago and I didn't bring her there then and Lindsey cleaned everything...so I thought we were in the clear! NOPE! Hopefully Neal & I don't get it!! Lots of cleaning and hand washing!!!!
Poor baby girl!!! We have to put drops in both eyes three times a day! Real fun! She screams and I feel so bad because I don't know how it feels!!! It looks like she got punched!!! She is still pretty happy so I guess it isn't bothering her too bad!!

The deer Won

Over Christmas break Neal hit a deer with my blazer! We were very thankful no one was hurt (besides the deer) and that he was in my blazer and not his car! My blazer is fixed now (Thanks Trevis & Nick!) 2500 dollars worth of damage! Nice job Neal!!!

What did I do today?

Today, I didn't have students so I was able to come in for the whole day! I got LOTS done!! I was so happy!!! I totally changed the room around today!!! It felt so good to do this!!! Here are two pictures of MY room!!!!

18 months?

18 months how can it be? I guess if you think about it 6 months til July when it is warm!!! I can't believe our little Morgie is 18 months old. It just amazes me at how big she is getting! She continues to talk non-stop. Some words we can totally make out and others well...she speaks Morganeeze!! :) Her favorite word is "no"! Is this a sign of the terrible two?? We continue working on sign language and with the new job, I'm learning more too!! She continues to be a mama's girl and totally loves that she can sleep in until 9:30! She still is being MAJOR picky about eating and sometimes just doesn't eat!! She loves pudding so we typically try to get her to eat that! Some days are totally better than others!!! We still are working on the potty thing but with my new job we haven't been trying as hard! She also loves the fact that her Daddy is home more and can pick her up from daycare too!!!! Morgan has been and still is a BIG joy in our life! She puts a HUGE smile on our face and makes us laugh when she does funny things or makes funny faces!!

Wow!

So I just finished day two in my own room. It has been a little overwhelming and I'm really stressing!!! I'm very thankful for my two great friends who have helped me with my problems!!!! I have a great group of kids and two wonderful aides so that helps too!!!

I'm still having issues with pictures so I will try to up load some on here soon!!! Morgan continues to be picky with eating and only eats certain things (eggs for breakfast which she doesn't typically like and two things of pudding). We are making supper now so hopefully she eats supper!!! She also continues to say lots of words (some we understand and some only she does!!!)

Neal has enjoyed his different position at Shoe's! I have noticed a happy husband as well!! :) The change in hours also helps with picking Morgan up which I think she and I both like!! :)

Hope to post pictures soon!!! If anyone knows anything about computers and why my computer won't recognize my new USB cord I would love to know!!!!

Job News!!!!

In the previous post I said something about jobs in 09 but I couldn't say anything...well here is the news!

1st: Neal started a new job at Shoemakers. He is back driving on the road. He is driving local deliveries. He starts at 6:30 which causes a problem for Morgan and I because he is up at 5:30!!! He is home by 4:30-5 which is earlier!!

2nd: Tomorrow will be my LAST day at Zeeland CBI! I have been hired as a early childhood teacher (3-5 year olds) in Whitehall (35-45 minutes away!) Part-time in the afternoon. Meaning Morgan & I get to have morning time!!! I'm so excited for this new adventure that starts on Thursday!!! I'm also sad and nervous to leave my co-workers and students at Zeeland and nervous to start something new. However, I feel so blessed that God has given me this opportunity to be able to teach!!!!!!!!

So there you have it...our job news for 2009!!!!

2008 in review

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We hope that you had a fun and safe New Years Celebration! We had a great time at Nate & Danielle's! We played the Wii, ate, tried Guitar Hero (Neal & I both need major work!), ate some more and played catch phrase! FUN!!!!

Today we are headed to Dorr to bowl with my mom's side of the family. We have done this every New Years for many, many years! Then we get together at night and eat some more!

2008 in review:

Jan-SNOW DAYS!

Feb-SNOW DAYS!

March-My best friend Hillary got married! It was a fun and busy weekend!

April-Morgan went to her first Tigers game! It was FREEZING cold and they lost! Morgan was such a trooper though!!

May-Morgan & I attended Tulip Time! Her first time! We watched dutch dancing and ate french fries!!

June- Eddie & Megan got engaged!!! Rachel turned 27...ahhh!

July- Morgan celebrated her 1st birthday! We had family and friends over to celebrate! It was a great time and we were truly blessed!

August-Neal turned 30...he doesn't remember much...so don't ask! Morgan started walking...our life has been forever changed...we are on the go!!!!

September-I got to go to Home Extreme Makeover in Holt, MI! It was a blast! Morgan also attended her 30th football game!

October-Neal's football team went 6-0, he lost his hair, and I had to make brownies for four straight weeks!

November-Morgan went potty for the first time! Morgan went to her first election party!

December-We celebrated Christmas. We also found out some exciting news about our jobs. We will fill you all in on this next week!!!

This year has flown by us! We are so thankful for each day that we have had!