Driving home from the hospital tonight was breathtaking. 
It was even nice weather - not freezing cold, but the little boys were home sick with colds, I still have a cold and I decided it would not work to see the lights tonight. I hope the nice weather lasts a while longer so we'll get another chance.
The trees lining the conference center were beautiful too.
Aubrey and Max
He's eating, but his oxygen sats dipped so they had to put him back on O2 and he got the feeding tube again because he is still losing weight; not gaining as he should. We are sad because we were optimistic that he was just moving in the right direction. The severe restrictions in the hospital (due to H1N1 scare) prevent the kids from coming beyond the cafeteria. They have seen Aubrey briefly in there but haven't seen the baby and it's all kind of surreal for everyone right now. Please keep the prayers coming!
I don't go shopping on Black Friday - even though there are some great deals. I do love shopping online and there are deals to be found here too.
Gotta love these cool electronics. We live in such a great time when these things are abundant and almost affordable!
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Digital Blue Girl Caribeener VGA Camera Buy.com has it for $9.99 and it may be eligible for free shipping (limit 5)
Disney 512MB Mix Stick MP3/WMV Player This was a good deal at $9.99; Now Buy.com has it for $7.99 (limit 5 and may qualify for free shipping)
Talking about religion isn't so taboo anymore, and may actually be the solution to otherwise unsolvable global problems, two authorities said this month.
Krista Tippett, host of "Speaking of Faith," which airs on NPR, spoke at the Salt Lake City Library Nov. 10 about the increasing popularity of religious conversations.
And Douglas Johnston, president of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, spoke at Brigham Young University last week about how those religious conversations are often the answer to identity-based conflicts, such as ethnic disputes, religious hostilities and tribal warfare around the world.
"The very complexity of our age is driving people back to the enduring repositories of ethical and spiritual thinking," Tippett said.
Often, the important questions, such as finding meaning in life and death or understanding good and evil can't be addressed by law, politics or economics. Religion, Tippett said, teaches mankind "what matters in life and in death, how to love and how to give service to one another." (Deseret News, November 22, 2009 - Sarah Israelsen-Hartley and Wendy Leonard)
Aubrey and Steve with their two boys - they got away from the hospital for a couple of hours - wish Max was here!
We celebrated Ashlie's birthday along with Thanksgiving
Noah, Krista and the spread.
Sandy, Justin, Krista, Ken, my dad (Bill)
Rob, Jon, Natalie, Jenn, Fred
Four generations - Justin, Me, my dad and Kenlee. Justin and Krista surprised me with having my dad come. I rarely get to see him so it was a really nice surprise.
Four generations - Nat, her kids, me, my dad
The little boys and me
Rob and his boys
Nat's plotting Black Friday's route - this is a Thanksgiving tradition for sure.
I am thankful to have God in my life and I have no doubt that our freedom is a direct result of our faith in God. If we stop believing and allow the ungodly to take that which is precious from us, this country will not be what the founding fathers dreamed and sacrificed for in our behalf. And all who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of future generations will cry from their thrones in heaven. How ungrateful we would be to lose what they held so dear and were willing to die for. I pray that we will never cease to thank God for our freedom and for the opportunity to praise and acknowledge His hand in our lives. God Bless America!
I've been watching Josh (and Asher) while Aubrey has been in the hospital. He wanted to try out my camera and said he wanted a picture of me with my computer, so here it is.
Symptoms of Hypochondria
People with hypochondria are catastrophizers, says Brian A. Fallon, MD, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at New York State Psychiatric Institute. The disorder can take many forms. Some people become anxious or depressed, and others become obsessed with learning everything they can about symptoms and illnesses. Some go from doctor to doctor, hoping to find a diagnosis or confirmation of their fears, while others are afraid to seek treatment at all. With the latter, it's often a worried spouse, like Serrano, or a family doctor who encourages them to get psychiatric help.
Hypochondria seems to be a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it might be caused by an imbalance of serotonin, a mood stabilizer, or other chemicals in the brain. There's no cure, but cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressant medications, or a combination of the two help some people.
Hypochondria can be just as hard on a partner. "It can lead to great strain in the relationship to have the repetitive need for reassurance driving all interactions," Fallon says.
Dealing With a Spouse With Hypochondria
For the spouse of someone with hypochondria, canceled vacations, 24-hour caretaking, the cycle of frustration and guilt for not being supportive enough, and worrying that you might be overlooking a serious illness all take their toll.
Seranno finally laid down the law and made her husband see a doctor, who put him on medication used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. While it's still an almost nightly battle to get him to take his pills, he's become a happier person. "As his wife, I feel as though it's my responsibility to help him live the best life possible," Serrano says, "even if that means a little tough love from time to time. You do what you can to help them."
Do you think your beloved has hypochondria? If so, take these four steps:
Check up. First, get your spouse to see a doctor you trust, says Fallon. Seeking a second opinion is fine, but if both doctors agree there's nothing physically wrong, suggest a visit to a psychiatrist.
Be caring but firm. Carla Cantor, author of Phantom Illness: Shattering the Myth of Hypochondria, recommends helping your spouse tie symptoms to stress, or emotional upheavals.
Don't dwell on illness. Encourage your spouse to verbalize fears about health, but don't join in, Cantor advises. If you feel yourself getting anxious, gently change the subject.
Consider couples therapy. While cognitive behavioral therapy can help the person with hypochondria, examining how the disorder affects your relationship will help you work together to battle it. (WebMD)
Aubrey and Steve's baby decided to make an early entrance late Thursday night. Because he is about 5 or 6 weeks premature, he is having to stay in the special care nursery with some oxygen, antibiotics, bililights and feeding tubes. He weighed 6 lbs. 2 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. They're still finalizing the name. Stay tuned...
Because he was sick, it was 24 hours before Aubrey was able to hold him. She was very excited!
Check out this suggestion from msn: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34011801#34011801 . We can all use a little help with our utility bills.
I'm a stress eater. So, you know what that means. I hate it!
On a more pleasant note...
According to new estimates, Utah's overall poverty rate was 9.7 percent in 2008, up from 8.8 percent in 2000. Still, the state's overall poverty rate was ninth lowest in the nation, and a third lower than the national rate of 13.2 percent.Utah is 9th lowest in the nation. South Carolina ranks 10th highest in the nation. No wonder Jon could find work in Utah; not in South Carolina - even in tough economic times. An interesting comparison: South Carolina ranks 4th in the nation for unemployment rate - one of only four states reporting greater than 10%. Utah is 4th from the last (September, 2009). And they ask, "Why didn't he just stay there?" ("Let them eat cake").
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