Ewww....Ahhhh....

This is my third attempt at a post!  I tried the first two from my IPad.  Needless to say, I am still dependent on my laptop for many reasons.  January was an interesting month.  It started off pretty well, then ended sort of unwell.  A couple of weeks ago we caught the dreadful Norovirus.  I am not a big fan of getting sick, so I avoid it at all cost and am usually pretty successful.  The Norovirus had other plans for me and attacked our house like the plague.  Anyone who came into our home during this period of hell on earth caught it as well. 

It started with Hayden throwing up in my car on Sunday.  I just thought she had a bit of motion-sickness from playing her IPod while I drove.  It was not pretty and I was cleaning vomit out from under my seat and on the floor.  Then on Tuesday,  Spencer started complaining of his stomach cramping and spent the next 24 hours in the bathroom for the opposite reason of Hayden.  Unfortunately, Crystal and her whole crowd came over and played that day.  Wednesday was mostly a painful blur for me.  I remember facing the toilet bowl more than I sat on it, followed by a fever, complete with chills and body aches.  At that same time both boys were battling ear infections and diarrhea.  My sweet mom came over and brought us soup and food.  On Friday, I started feeling somewhat better, as did Spencer.  Poor mom started her own experience with the virus that day as did Crystal.  To end the week, my sitter, Sarah, also came down with the unwelcome guest.  That was two weeks ago and I hope it NEVER returns.

Now that we're all better, I can talk about my wonderful birthday!  I turned 31 on 1-28 and it was amazing.  I feel so full of love and life....

Happy Birthday to me!  I know it's a difficult picture to see.  Spencer took it with my cell phone.  From left to right, Garrett, Hayden, Me and Ethan.  Sarah baby-sat for us that night so we could hang out with some close friends.  It was a great day. 

Last Sunday Spencer and I were baptized and joined our church.  What a wonderful experience!  I love my church family.  We really feel so welcomed and important there.  It's pretty big, with a congregation of over 2000, but you definitely feel at home and that its size does not matter.  I'm looking forward to our family's walk with Jesus.  I pray that he carries us all our lives and that our children will give their life to him like Spencer and I have. 

Hayden and Garrett

Garrett giving Ethan some brotherly love!

Praise God!  More to come....