good fortune?

Last night we went to one of our favorite Chinese restaurants for dinner, Szechuan Palace. It was built by my great grandfather Waldo Sexton and thus has a highly eccentric atmosphere that is adored by many. We ordered a tofu dish, which Natalie adorably calls "fufu," as well as some sesame chicken, and a new chicken and vegetable dish that I had never tried before. Everything was amazing! It all came with won-ton soup (they have the best), egg rolls, and those yummy chips and duck sauce. And as expected, we all received a fortune cookie at the end of the meal. I never eat mine because I once read the calorie content and was horrified that such a small thing could have so many calories, so I usually just open it up for the fortune and pass the cookie on to my girls. But that night was different.
As I opened my cookie, wondering what my fortune would be, I saw that it was empty! I was in shock and disbelief, as that had never happened to me before and I so wanted a little fortune! (Don't ask me why. I really don't know.) Well, needless to say, I came to the conclusion that I have no future. Depressing, right? But it's kind of the way I've been feeling lately, so I took it at face value. But that's not even the best part of my story--Terry then opened his cookie and found the funniest fortune I have ever seen--"You will have some new clothes." Seriously?! That man is such a clothes hound-you wouldn't believe how many articles of clothing he has! So to us, it was a hilarious fortune. Then the kids both got some fortune about wisdom and grace, the typical fortune you would expect. All in all, it was a funny moment for us that night. Something I thought was worth noting.

ms and genetics.

In the short time that Terry has been officially diagnosed with MS (since 2001), it seems like research has come a long way. I admit, we have not been as diligent as we used to be or should be about keeping up with the latest research and findings about this curious "snowflake" disease. But we have recently connected via the internet with someone who also has MS and who also uses the VA for their care, as we do. This has inspired us to resume our quest for knowledge as we fumble through a life with MS. Not only are we learning more about this disease already, but we are also learning more about what the VA has to offer for MS patients.

Last night Terry was up late because he couldn't sleep, so he decided to do some online research about MS. One of our favorite places to go online is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's web page, www.nmss.org. It is a non-profit organization that has everything from information about support groups, to a list of neurologists that you can choose from, to a library lending service. There are also chapters located in each state that you can join and participate in. We joined our state chapter back in Utah several years ago and met so many great people through the activities the chapter provided. We have tried to join here, but it is further away from us and has been more difficult to get involved in.

The reason I mention the NMSS is because that is where Terry went last night and what he found scares me but also intrigues me. We have always been very curious as to whether or not MS was hereditary or had any genetic links. At the time that Terry was diagnosed, we were told by many people that they did not know, but that they thought it was unlikely. After all, no one in Terry's family has MS, nor can anyone remember his ancestors having MS. Through the NMSS we also met people who had multiple family members with MS, but then others who had never heard of the disease until their own diagnosis. Many speculate that being in the desert while in the military has something to do with it, and there is even a website and foundation about it. Personally I don't know what to believe. But I do know a little about Biology now that I am studying to be a nurse and I also know that what I have read leads me to believe that MS is hereditary.

For me, this is the worst news possible. I have seen my husband suffer all these years, and I am sure there is more to come. I can not even begin to imagine my sweet little girls going through the same thing. Though at the moment the chances seem slim that any of our children will get it, the idea is still there and it has always haunted me, somewhere in the back of my mind.

I am going to need some time to sort this all out in my head and to do more research on the theory. As I find more information, I will post it. In the meantime, go to http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=996
and check out the article written March 5, 2009, entitled "Genetics Studies Yield New Clues to Why People Get MS."

the faith of a child.

There is no cure for MS. But I believe that God has the power to heal. However, I also believe that we are given trials and challenges that are intended to make us stronger and test our faith. So while I know that if He wanted to God could heal my husband, I think that his MS is meant to be our challenge in this life.

That being said, we are taught that we should have the faith of a little child, believing in things we cannot see but which we know are real. By doing this, we can shut out the world and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. This is what I was taught and it is what my husband and I are teaching our children.

Our oldest daughter, Trinity, has an extreme amount of faith. It is so wonderful for us to watch her learn and grow in the gospel. She prays daily and lately we have noticed that she has been praying for one thing in particular: that her daddy will be healed and walk again. She knows that if she prays and asks Heavenly Father for something, that He will give it to her. And she truly believes that He has the power to heal her daddy. But she also knows that it hasn't happened yet, so she always says "Please help daddy to walk by tomorrow." It melts my heart to hear her speak to her Heavenly Father in a way that is so full of faith.

Trinity, I know that your Heavenly Father loves you and that He will always be there for you. Keep praying and never lose faith. Though His will will be done and not ours, prayer works.

everybody's ami.

Lately we have been talking alot about going to the VA in Miami, because that is where Terry had his surgery for his shoulder and he has to keep going back for follow-up appointments. The significance of this city is what Natalie calls it: "Ami." She listens to us talk about Miami and how we are going there, and for a long time she would hear me talk about it and say "Are we going to mommy's Ami today?" thinking that I was saying it was MY Ami! We tried to explain that it wasn't anybody's Ami, and that the name was Miami, but she didn't and still doesn't understand and now she says that it is not just MY Ami, but that it is Everybody's Ami! It makes us laugh every time.

happy birthday, trinity!

Trinity Sarah-Noel was born on December 11, 2003. My, how time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was holding my "miracle baby" in my arms for the first time, crying tears of joy because I had to wait so long for her. And now she is five.
This year we decided to scale back on parties and presents and had a small party at home with just grandparents and their favorite uncle, Brian. Since I didn't let her have friends over, I baked cupcakes for her Pre-K class and handed out treat bags to all her friends at school. They loved it! I also decided to take on the challenge of making and decorating a cake and with the help of the Sister Missionaries in our ward, it came out pretty well for my first cake.
When we asked Trinity what she wanted for her birthday, she replied "A beautiful dress from Macy's," which is her favorite store. We couldn't find one at Macy's, but we did find one at Nordstrom in Miami, when we were on one of our many trips to the VA hospital there. It was perfect. The blue matches her beautiful eyes. Then we noticed that she was totally in love with a bike at Wal-Mart. We went there a few times one week and she kept riding this bike around in the garden section (yes, my kids run amok when we go places, but come on, it's just Wal-Mart). So Terry and I decided that we should get her this bike, since she was already calling it "hers" anyway. We bought it right then and there (hiding it with great finesse) and of course she was completely ecstactic when she saw it on her birthday! She rode it all around the house until we bought her a helmet and now she rides it outside almost everyday.
We are so thankful for this little girl who has brightend our lives and touches our spirits. She is spunky, precotious, and free-spirited, but she is also sensitive, caring, and so loving. She came into our lives at just the right time and made our family complete. I love you more than anything. Happy Birthday, Trinity!

new job, new house.

After months of not knowing how we were going to survive, our prayers were answered. Sarah finally got a job with Walgreen's working as a cashier. It's not much but it is helping so much. Terry got approved for an increase in disability with the VA and is now considered 100% disabled, which is a good thing. And some wonderful people in our ward have offered to rent us their house while they go away to NYU! We have struggled so much but have been so blessed. We are truly thankful for all that we have been given. In the meantime Sarah is still looking for a better job and with Terry at 100%, the VA will pay for her to go back to school! So as planned, Terry is going to go to school in the fall to finish his IT degree and in two years it will be Sarah's turn. Thank you all for your prayers and help! :)

here it is...

Well folks, here it is!  This is our family blog!  I have been playing with this for months and just barely finished it, for now at least.  It's new for me and I'm still learning, but feel free to look around and say hi!  Hopefully I will keep up with it.  Enjoy! ;)