A much needed update....

So I know what your thinking....Finally an update.  No we didn't fall into a black hole but it kind of feels like it.  Lets start with the new year.... Sterling got really sick the tail end of Christmas.  So when we got home from WA we took him into the doc to figure out what was wrong.  Long story short- After a couple of X-rays and other scans our family doctor advised us to see a pulminologist (lung specialist) due to an abnormal growth.  We didn't wait to schedule a doctors visit with the top specialist in the state- Dr. Shamus Carr from the Huntsman Center.  Sterling was diagnosed with a thymus tumor- medically speaking Thymoma.  For those of you who don't know what your Thymus gland is- a small organ just behind the breast bone in the front part of the space in the chest between the lungs. The thymus sits just in front of and above the heart.  After the first couple of visits we had surgery scheduled for the first available time Dr. Carr had.  Can I just add that having a spouse diagnosed with a tumor and going in for surgery on something that is literally connected to your heart is SO STRESSFUL!!!!!!!!!  There were many sleep-less nights.  Sterling parents came up to be here for the surgery and help with the kids.  The surgery is normally two hours with a two week recovery.  BUT Sterling's surgery was anything but normal.  The procedure is all done from the sides (under arms)  they deflate the lunge on the the side they work from and slowly remove the thymus and tumor. When Dr. Carr started to pinch off blood vessels to the thymus one vessel was twice the normal size causing a bleed out.  Due to the intense blood loss and other risk they had to crack him open.  In the end the surgery was no different then that of an open heart surgery.  I knew something was wrong when hour four had passed and still no update.  I can honestly say that day was by far the longest day ever!  A full week recovery in ICU with about three months recovery at home. It was painful to see the one you love the most in the most pain imaginable. Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes.  I was so glad to have him home but so worried I couldn't care for him the way he needed.  I am so grateful for all the help I had during this time.  I seriously couldn't of been as strong as I was with out my support from those helping at home.  The Lord most certainly answers prays.  

Sterlings scars from surgery about two weeks post op

Under arm right side- where surgery started

March- With Sterling still recovering from his surgery we had were able to celebrate Lucy's birthday with Jamie!  Lucy picked out her own cake at the store, she loved this cake!  Thank you for all the gifts-  It was truly a special day for Lucy.

April-  Easter!  Coloring Easter eggs after church!  The Easter bunny visited the house while we were napping and left us a bag of goodies!  Of course Liam approved!

April-  As many of you know Liam was born on my-well OUR Birthday!  He turned the big 1!!  We opened gifts and gave him his birthday cupcake.  After one little sample it was clear he was hooked on sugar.  For both Lucy and Liam their 1st birthday was the first time they had ever tasted of frosting.  Liam loved all of his gifts!!

July-  Grandma Ricks shipped us a 4th of July box with these cute outfits.  I couldn't help but taking the kids to the park to get some pictures.  I just wish I had two of me to keep up with these kids.  I love them so much.  They are growing up far to fast!  Time for baby #3??? Nah- not just yet.

Liam and his morning cartoons- namely Elmo.  We love Elmo in this house.  If not Elmo then High School Musical 1, 2 or 3 will do.

Mom thought it was time to show Lucy how to paint.....I think we are confused with make up??? Nope we just like to paint on our face to look like make ups. LOL Lucy told me "pretty like make ups". LOVE IT! What you cant see is that all of her fingers and toes are painted too!

In other news Sterling now has a 2nd job...again. But this job will push us in the in direction we desperately want faster.  Once all the paper work is in order with the NYSE Sterling will be a proprietary trader on the New York Stock Exchange!!  He will be trading with a company out of New York- T3 Trading.  Luckily this job doesn't force us to relocate to New York but allows him to work via remote location unless he needs to go into the office.  But who wouldn't want to make a trip or two to NYC a couple times a year!?  Once we he is up and running I will finally be the stay at home mom I have always dreamed of! Hopefully that means I can get some of these DIY projects off my wish list and from pinterest done!