Great News!!

So we have a couple of GOOD NEWS announcements to share with you!

1st- We are proud to announce that Ammon is going to be a big brother! We are so excited to welcome another special spirit into our home. The little peanut is due 11-11-11! We'll see if it really comes on the due date since Ammon was 2 weeks early! But it sure is an easy date to remember :)

2nd- Jed had his 2nd MRI appt yesterday and it went really well. The MRI still shows no change since the tumor was removed. We felt so grateful and relieved that another one of many to go went well. It's going to be a lifelong test for us to stay prayerful and hopeful that all will be well and that it will never come back, even though statistics say it will. We just remember to trust in the Lord, and keep a positive attitude. So if you don't mind keeping him in your prayers, we appreciate it so much.

So a little bit about us the past couple of months-
I started my part time job and it is going really well. I feel bad that I've had to miss some days because of not feeling good, so I feel bad. They're really great though. I have pretty good pregnancies, but I still get the nausea and fatigue the 1st trimester, which is almost over! But it's also felt almost impossible to get settled from the move, feeling so tired all the time, while trying to take care of Ammon at the same time. :)
I also do a princess job for a company called Little Dress Up Parties. I go dressed as a Disney princess and play with the girls at birthday parties. I must say- it's pretty fun dressing up as a princess and feeling like a little girl again! It's been just for fun, but I won't be able to do it too much longer since I will start to show more soon. So if anyone in Salt Lake is looking for a fun little job, they'll be looking soon! I'll post some pics soon- it's been a really fun experience.

Jed is doing really good. He works full time but is pretty tired when he gets home, so we go to bed pretty early. Which works out good cause I'm tired too! Jed went paintballing last week with his brother Jason, it was his 1st time since his surgery and they had a really good time. He was a little frustrated because he can't move like he used to, but he still needs to give himself time. Jed got me a paintball gun so we will probably be doing that a lot if anyone wants to join us! One of our goals this summer is to be able to play catch again with the baseball. He still has a hard time releasing with his hand. But he's coming along so well. He is also training long distance and is trying to decide if he's going to run the St. George Marathon. I was supposed to do it with him, but can't now because I'm due a month later, so he's trying to decide if he's going to do the marathon, or a half marathon.

Ammon is 2- and funner than ever. He says the funniest things! He can sing his ABC's, I am a Child of God, all the nursery songs, and You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi! He says hi to everyone and is pretty good at remembering names. His arm is getting stronger and stronger, and I'll be happy when the weather is better so he can throw outside! He loves to point out helicopters and airplanes. He likes to do everything himself now- which is a patience tester! He is the sweetest boy, and is always happy to give you a hug or a kiss. We feel so blessed to have him in our family.

February- The Month of LOVE!!

Well it's been over a month since our last post, but a lot of good things have happened for us this month. I'm sorry this is such a long post, but it really has been an eventful month!

Jed got his driving priveledges back the middle of February! He drives great and takes himself to and from the bus to work. I am one happy camper! I'm pretty sure he is too :) The following week he was discharged from therapy!! He isn't 100% yet but they felt they had done as much as they could, and the rest is up to him to keep working at it. We were really happy with the discharge for a number of reasons, a couple of them being that our copay was $75 a day, and also it freed up Jed so he could go back to work every day. So he's going about 30 hours a week now and will gradually get back up to 40. We loved all the therapists there and Jed will miss them. We also had another miracle the day Jed was discharged and truly are continiuously amazed at the Lord's hand in our lives. As I mentioned before, the copay was $75 a day. Jed has been going 2 times a week since November. So we had a pretty high bill. We went to the financial manager to see if we could do a payment plan. After just chatting with her a couple of minutes, she told us to rip up the bill and that she would write it off. ... Wow... I think Jed and I simultaniously teared up when she told us. We hugged her and thanked her, and thanked our Heavenly Father that night for touching her heart.

The other great thing this month is that we got a house! We decided that we would start looking once Jed was done with therapy. We didn't think we would find The One so soon! We move in in two weeks! It's a cute little house in Herriman/borderline Riverton. Actually it's not so little compared to our apartment, I don't think we're going to know what to do with more than one bathroom! Ha ha. It's kind of a long story, but we were definately lead to this house and we know that this is where we're supposed to be. We have been in awe at the tender mercies of the Lord. I read a great scripture tonight in Mosiah 24:14 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will i do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that he may know of a surety that I, the Lord, do visit my people in their afflictions." I felt so touched when I read that and knew that He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And that the things we read in the Book of Mormon and scriptures apply to us today so much.

The last good thing of this month is that I got a job! I was working before and then took a leave when Jed had his surgery. While I was gone, my position and another position was combined into one since it was so slow. So my job was no longer there. I wasn't sad about it though, because I had felt that it wasn't meant to be anymore before I found out. I just trusted everything would work out, and was happy to be home with Ammon all the time, instead of worrying about going back since it would have to be full time. But it didn't take long for me start looking again for something just part time. It's just how I am, I have to get out and socialize with grown ups and get away at least 1 or 2 times a week. (Although I adore my little guy). Plus I love to learn new things and meet new people and keep my identity ;) Anyway, I found a medical office not too far away from our new house that was looking for an administrative assistant just 2 days a week! I applied, interviewed, and was offered and accepted the job as of last Friday. So I start this week and Jed's mom is going to watch Ammon, which she is really excited about.

So that was our month. I'd say besides Ammon getting really sick with this dang virus that is going around and Jed is just starting to get it, it's been a very special month for us. Jed is still continuing to heal. He is probably 80% back physically. Still working on coordination and shoulder, wrist, and elbow movements. SO SO proud of him. He works so hard, and doesn't miss a day at the gym 6 times a week. Ammon is cuter than ever and we are in awe that he's really our son! He will be turning 2 in a couple of weeks! Crazy! Thank you again everyone that has shown so much support to us. I really have appreciated the comments, suggestions, and advise.We will continue to keep you updated with Jed's progress and Dr appt's. If you are ever going through a trial, please stop and look for the tender mercies of the Lord. Even though He still lets you go through hard things He does so many things to show you that He loves you and is there for you. I can testify of that. Love you all!
Missy

1 down- over 100 to go!

Well GOOD NEWS everyone! The MRI came back and it looked great- no sign of the tumor! We were so relieved and happy. But I thought that last night I would feel good after the appt went so well, but all I could think about was the next one in 3 months and getting nervous all over again. We both were so scared waiting in there for the doctor and as we were holding hands we could feel eachothers hearts beating. The surgeon said that we'll watch it every 3 months this year, and then every 6 months for the rest of Jed's life. I'm having a really difficult time with this right now because its so scary every time, and I don't know how I'm going to deal with this the rest of my life. I will have to find some way to cope and stay calm or I will be a stress basket! I looked up natural ways to heal or prevent cancer and got even more overwhelmed by all the things you need to do, and how everything we eat and drink are are so bad for us. There's so many different things to do and I wish I knew which one works! We went to the health food store and got some things, and got even more discouraged with how exspensive everything was. The only thing that gives me comfort is just remembering to trust in the Lord. I just have to remember that we are in His hands- but there are times when the thought of the tumor coming back is too much to bear and I feel like crumbling into pieces.

Sorry- I know this is supposed to be a happy post and we're really trying to stay positive. We're so grateful for Jed's progress and the doc is confident in Jed that he'll have a complete or near complete recovery on his left side.
Some of the new things he is doing is jumping, not as high as before but looking so good! He also is starting to throw now, which also isn't like his normal throw but he's able to release the ball, which is so great since he used to have to pry his fingers open after gripping something. His shoulder is getting more movement and the therapist said that the strength and balance in his legs is completely back- it just has some flexers that won't let him do certain things. They said to keep working at it. He can also type with both hands but very slow. It takes a lot of concentration to move each finger, but its so exciting! The doctor told Jed that he sees the most success in patients that work hard and exercise- which Jed has been doing, and we're seeing little things everday! It's also a good thing that he's left handed so that he's kind of forces to use it again. I can't tell you enough how proud of him I am. He is a rock, and we realized that he has kind of preparing his whole life for this trial. He has been a gym guru as long as I've known him and knows how to work hard, and is very knowledgable with the muscles in the body and what work outs and weights help strengthen the things he needs.

Thank you everyone so much for your prayers- I just can't thank you enough. If there's anyone that is need of prayers from us, please let us know. We know that prayers are answered and want to repay as many people as possible that have kept us in their prayers. And thank you to those that have given us suggestions for natural cures. We are going to look into all of them and appreciate as many success stories as possible! Thank you and God bless!
-Missy

Happy New Year!

Looking back on the last year, although it was THE hardest year of our lives, we can't help but also think of it as the year that we've had the most blessings in our lives. All the many things we learned, the people that we have grown closer to, our marriage being strengthened more than we ever thought possible, the miracles we saw in our lives, and most importantly- our testimonies and faith in our Savior and the atonement being grown 10 fold. Although this trial was not desired or loved, and we would not want to go through it again- we still feel grateful for it. Grateful that it wasn't worse, grateful that Jed is still here, grateful for all the amazing support from family and friends that have meant more to us than anyone will ever know, and more than anything grateful to become closer to the Man acquanted with grief. We feel humbled that we have been able to be in His loving arms as He has carried us through this adversity. We know we couldn't have done it without Him. And we wouldn't have been able to better understand the atonement and what he's gone through for us if this hadn't of happened.
Although we have come so far, we still have a long ways to go, and there are times when it seems like we can't get completely through this. I can't believe it's only been 4 months this Thursday that Jed had surgery- it seems like that was years ago! Jed is walking just fine, but when it comes to jumping, skipping, or anything that requires the legs to go anywhere but forward- those muscles are still extremely weak. His arm is also moving, but can only go one direction. The shoulder muscle that is used to rotate the arm, like throwing, swimming, cheering, driving, etc is still not working either. His fingers are moving but very slow and he's going to have to work hard for a long time to get that dexterity back. He's kind of hit a plateau and it's starting to really get discouraging for him. We started P90X this week because Jed is hoping it will speed up his recovery but it has been really difficult for him to do a lot of the things. I'm sure there are so many things that are so hard for him right now that he doesn't even tell me because he never complains. But I can see when the frustration and emotional pain is almost more than he can bare and I can't describe how hard it is to watch this happen to someone you love so much and feel so helpless. I admire him so much and am so proud of him. We also have an appt this month to get an MRI to see if the tumor is still gone and I'm really nervous. So if you don't mind keeping Jed in your prayers to continue to heal and be made whole we would appreciate it so much, and know that they are being answered. Jed is living proof.
As we thought about last year, we also have to say that the highlight was Jed starting his dream career with the Bureau. We feel so blessed and truly feel that the timing was divine. We know the Lord's hand was in that and it has helped us remember to always trust in Him and know that we are on the path that he wants for us at this time. I have never been more impressed and really, I'm without words to descibe the kind of people that Jed works with. We love them and will always be grateful for the amazing support that they have shown to us.
We have really high hopes for this year and are excited have a fresh start again. Some of our goals are to get Jed back to driving and work full time, paintballing, and eventually a complete recovery by the end of the year. He also has a goal to run the St. George marathon. So I guess I'll be coming out of retirement from marathons just for this year! Some of my goals are to do more service, be more organized and on time, find my brain that I lost last year, for us to get out of debt and have all the medical bills paid for, and to find something I'm good at and enjoy and pursue it. Ammon's goals are to be potty-trained, to retire the binky, and to stay out of the dog food. I also hope that we all can have a goal to love more, be more kind towards others, and never take a day for granted. We now have a better understanding of how precious life is.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support, we just can't tell you how much it means to us. We know that 2010 wasn't a hard year for just us, and have seen many people go through some unbelievable trials, including close friends and loved ones. You are in our prayers. We hope that this year will bring you so much peace, joy, happiness, love, healing, and health.
-Missy and Jed