13 days

Wow, what a crazy 13 days!

I am so grateful, amazed, and humbled. 

Our daughter was able to have her surgery and return to her mission within 2 weeks since she arrived. It all happened the way it was needed and how she hoped it would.

This was not possible without the help from our Savior Jesus Christ. No way was it all our doing. 

I was so happy that I could take care of her and be her nurse and mother while she went thru this surgery. I had a hard time with thinking I wouldn't be able to. I knew if she had this surgery while in her mission area that she would be fine but to be able to care for her myself was wonderful. After 4 days of being home after getting out of the hospital she was ready to get out of the house so we went to surprise Mikey at work. 

 Put on your hard hats before you can enter and hop on. It was so neat to know that we went underground  about 4 to 5 stories to where Mikey works. He gave us the tour and tried to explain all this stuff, we didn't understand but it was awesome.

I love seeing Mikey in his environment and being able to see what he deals with on a daily basis, it  lets me see my hubby  in a new way. He works his butt off for us and we are so grateful for that. After a little while Julia said ok I'm done 

 Then in the middle of everything going on Jordyn celebrated his 24th birthday and we celebrated Mothers day so that was fun to have all my children here with me. Mikey did a great job with flowers this year. I love them!!!!

Time to say goodbye but for only 4 months

See you soon

Miracles do happen

This week is one I need to talk about

My words on here will not be able to convey what my heart felt

Our sweet daughter Julia being the strong women she is had been feeling awful lately while trying to serve in her mission, she came home for a quick visit

 and she had

pains in her side and was just sick to her stomach

You know around this same time I was feeling that something was off but I couldn't figure it out

She wasn't saying anything to me until a week ago in a email

She would say "mom I am  in a lot of pain when I eat and lately its really all the time that I am in pain but I'm fine don't worry

In fact this is the picture she sent me and she looks happy and not in pain

So I would ask her questions on Pday to try and help her

Thankfully her companion convinced her to go see a Dr.

She finally went one day and he said it sounded like it could be her gallbladder giving her trouble

So she saw a specialist

Yep... for sure gallbladder

she had to do some tests that included MRI, and ultrasound

The hydascan showed that her gallbladder wasn't working and that it needed to come out

By this time she was in constant pain so the surgeon scheduled her surgery and everything was a go

THEN......

I found out that our insurance wouldn't cover the surgery out of state at all, not a penny.

So I hurry and call to let her Mission President know and he said well she will need to come home and get the surgery and since it is a minor operation with a quick recovery time she could come back within 2 weeks. 

Wow!

OK!

So by the end of the day she was waking towards us at the airport

Hugs, lots and lots of hugs

It was almost exactly 13 months since being able to physically see her so this was a blessing 

After things settled down she let us know that she is constantly in pain and has no appetite so first thing the next day was a Dr appointment to get started to get her surgery scheduled

We didn't realize the trial that she was about to start

Doctor appointment #1

we all know you need to see your Dr to get a referral to see the specialist blah blah blah

Doctor appointment #2

Happy because she is seeing the surgeon and it feels like progress

while talking with the surgeon he agreed that she needs surgery and he said scheduling will be calling to set it up.

She let him know that she is on a two week time frame and she really wants to return to her mission and she doesn't want to be released. She really wanted him to understand her desire to finish her mission and she wasn't ready to say she was done

He seemed he had no idea what she was talking about and he said sorry but surgery is scheduled 6 weeks out

I saw her  body show that she was so discouraged and upset

I felt very strongly that we shouldn't give up and to keep going because something is going to work out, we couldn't see it or even think that something would work out but.....

I asked as many people as I could to please fast and pray for Julia that something will work out for her to get surgery in the next few days. I don't know how but something needed to work out and I knew that our Savior Jesus Christ knew exactly at that moment how Julia was feeling, what she needed and what her desire was

He knew and we had to keep our faith strong that it will all be OK and something would work out

Monday morning she woke up sick and very pale, it was different and I knew at that moment we were going to the ER and we weren't leaving until we got someone to understand she needed surgery

We weren't waiting 6 weeks for her to get beyond worse

We spent 6 hours in the ER before she was seen but the whole time I was praying and trying to stay patient and praying some more

Thankfully the Dr that saw Julia in the ER wanted to admit her and keep her in the hospital until they could do surgery

That is a miracle right there

We didn't give up, we stayed faithful in knowing that something would work out

Now this is a simple surgery and its outpatient and recovery I heard goes very well

So for something to be so simple had turned in a very difficult process when it didn't need to be

I do know that those who don't understand Mormon missions don't understand the needs of a missionary and the doctors and nurses didn't understand Julia's desire to want to hurry with a surgery so she could recover so she could go back out and serve

It just doesn't work that way

But Heavenly Father did, he knew exactly what was needed, what Julia hoped for and what she desired to do

Because of her faithfulness and many others that prayed, fasted and hoped for this process to go quickly we witnessed a miracle and prayers were answered

My heart was so full at the realization that things were going to work out and 

Miracles are real and for Julia and our family 

this was a miracle

1 year ago

Just like that and it's 1 year

Yes I'm going to say it

I can't believe it's been a year since she left for her mission

She says she's loving it and learning a lot. She's a trainer now and I'm sure she's doing wonderful at that. So 6 months to go until I can hug her.

For Lowell's birthday Julia sent him this cute tie that was made with fabric from a skirt. 

For 2 years Lowell wore the same pink tie to church every single Sunday in memory of his sweet cousin that passed away. He didn't want to stop wearing it then after Julia sent him this one he decided to wear it. I love that he shows his love for his cousin and his sister this way.

We love you Sister Zeman and we are so proud of you

keep it up

Do you believe in magic...

Spring Break is here

Now what should we do?

I've been wanting to go to Universal Studios ever since the Harry Potter area opened

and our good friends invited us so I jumped at that. 

It was the best day ever because we got to spend it with amazing people and go to a theme park.

Ok I admit it that I love love love Disneyland and Universal Studios. 

Its my favorite and Im not exactly sure why when it is always crazy busy to where you are bumping into people constantly while trying to maneuver your way thru and stepping on toes and saying sorry (at least I do) 

I think its fun to jump into make believe for a little while

and seeing the joy on my kids faces is seriously so fun.

The rides are really great except for the new Harry Potter ride where you act like your flying following Harry.  My family loved this ride a lot but I got so nauseous that I had to breath thru it so I wouldn't you know what....

I felt better after a little bit and Belle wanted to go on it just one more time so I said ok lets go, Im sure I will be fine this time. 

Nope!

Defiantly nauseous!

pick a wand any wand

Our friends are seriously the BEST

I don't know how life would be without them

They bring so much joy to our lives and I am so grateful for their friendship.

I couldn't help but laugh on the mummy ride

Isabelle and Lowell wanted to go on it so away we go before they change their mind

But the picture was priceless and I had to buy it

 Mikey got to meet Marilyn Monroe so his day was made

 Almost everyone got to ride motorcycles

yummy food was eaten

so I think it was a really successful day of fun

We all need days of fun

I know its been long overdue for me and my family

Ive been working really hard on some big projects that it has overwhelmed me and so yesterday I left all that behind and enjoyed the time with friends and family

Blessings upon blessings

We've had a lot happen in the last week in the Zeman home. When I say a lot I mean a lot of fun, changes, and some scary stuff. Being a parent can be so stressful and hard but also filled with joy and love. I will take the joy and love over anything else any day.

Our sweet Isabelle was really sick again and this time it was really intense. I think I tell myself this every time she gets sick or passes out that "oh this time was the worst'" Isabelle has had to go to the hospital several times through her life to get IV antibiotics and so last week we were at the hospital again to help her get thru another infection. She is so strong and courageous  and she shows me how to do hard things. Mikey was already at work at 5:00 am so I asked Logan to please go with me on the almost 1 hour  ride to the hospital. She was dripping with sweat and I didn't want to waste any time. So I said a quick prayer with her in the house and  then in the car. I needed her to have comfort and I needed heavenly help to get there safely. I seriously felt angels with me.  I was so worried about Isabelle and why she was hit with being sick again so fast and so strong this time that I needed help on my way. I knew that my Heavenly Father knew in that moment how I felt, how Isabelle felt and what we all needed. I felt his help guide me and I am so eternally grateful for all of it. How can I express into words the depth of my love for the Savior Jesus Christ. How is that possible? When we are in need and in desperate times he is there to comfort us. When we think we can't take on one more thing, he is there for us. When we are hopeless, he is there for us.

When we got home the dogs went right to Isabelle and wouldn't leave her. They are very protective of her and I love that. A smiling Belle makes a happy momma.
To add to the busy week last week Logan was able to get his drivers license

Lowell had a appointment for braces

Lowell and I decided that Toppers Pizza would be our thing after every orthodontist appointment. Heck Ya!!!  I love different traditions my kids want to create.
Im grateful that Isabelle is feeling much better, Im grateful that I have another driver, Im grateful that my Heavenly Father is aware of my family and our needs. He strengthens us and helps us grow. 

Valentines

My favorite day of the year was on Wednesday

I love that I get to make a day totally dedicated to my family and be mushy

and tell them each how much they mean to me

Only if I had a flower garden to go pick and make a arrangement anytime

Yes, I love flowers

they smell good and look beautiful and they make me happy

I look forward to the kids walking in from school and watching them see all the love 

spread out on the table

Usually the first thing they go to is my valentine card I write to them

So sweet!

I always set out a lot of candy but  

whats funny is that we don't eat a lot of candy or chocolate so it always lasts us a long time

I guess its just a part of Valentines Day right

Even Champ got in the spirit

Happy Valentines day to all

My Belle

A day with my Isabelle

If you ask her what her name is she will tell you Belle

She only wants to be called Belle, but I like to still call her Isabelle

Today was a dreaded day for her

Doctor appointment...

Isabelle has been asking me to please take her to the local coffee shop for some hot chocolate so

I thought today would be the perfect day and hopefully make her happy.

 It worked, she was so happy!

Then I talked to her about the possibility of shots and that changed everything

I had to let her process and not just spring it on her, Ive figured that out through the years. 

So away we go and everything goes awesome!

Yes she had to get shots but she did it and she didn't pass out this time. I was so proud of her, YAY!!!!

It just shows she growing up

So I made the promise since we were close to go to a  toys r us and that we would go "look"

She hasn't been in a toys r us for several years and she was in awe

 so we walk in and immediately she sees toys she loves and wants and she tells me about each and every one

 how does she know so much about all these toys that she doesn't own

 one can't have to many littlest pet shop

then she sees some toy called fingerlings, what in the world are these things

I know she has been wanting one for awhile and I tell her OK you can get one today for doing such a awesome job at the Doctor. 

Then she sees a little area that sells things like the Claires store at the mall

so we defiantly need to spend some time there.

But then......

 she looks over and I see her make this face and inhale like she just saw something amazing

she was so excited!

 PHONE CASES!

 she was so excited to see all these cute phone cases

and she showed me each one she would just love so much 

 I know I had a happy girl now and all was forgotten just awhile ago

Of course on the way out there was just a few more things we had to look at 

 Until next time Toys R Us