Park Time

The last two days we have been able to go to the park and play.
The kids are enjoying this warm weather SO much.
And so are we!
The only thing I don't like about the park is all the sand we bring home.
The first day we went Samuel must have brought some home in his diaper because his changing table was covered in sand.
YUCK!
But, the look on their faces when we are there makes up for any sand mess I may have to clean up once we get home.

Hello, Spring

One final happy birthday (for this year!)

Monday night we were finally able to celebrate Katrina and Samuel's birthdays with my family.
We are so glad that Abuelo and Abuela were able to be here for the party as well.
Unfortunately we did not get very many good pictures.
But, here is a sampling, nonetheless!
Samuel was diagnosed with an ear infection and nasal pharyngitis Monday morning.
As you can see, he was not happiest party-goer...
Until he got his first cell phone. Then he was happy as a little clam!
Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating the birthdays with us.

Things are looking up

Pancho is going to work this morning.
He got up, showered, got dressed, shaved and is now drinking the coffee that I made him.
He ate his cereal and is putting on his favorite work shoes.
It has been 30 days since he has gone to work.
30 days! Praise the Lord that he is back in the saddle again.
For 1/2 day!
See you at lunch, Pancho. Thank you for working for our family.

Great news

Does anyone have a guess as to what news I might be referring to with this picture?
The saran wrap is back in the drawer in the kitchen.
Anyone?
Clue: We had the saran in our bathroom drawer since Pancho has been out of the hospital.
Now do you know?
Yesterday at Pancho's infectious disease appointment, the doctor removed the PICC line! Yeah!
We don't need to keep the saran wrap in the bathroom anymore because Pancho can take a shower without having his arm wrapped in saran now! Praise the Lord!
Things are looking very good in the recovery. His blood results came back really great. An x-ray was taken and although we have not heard conclusively one way or another, we are confident that things are looking better even in his lungs. Pancho is taking the oral anti-fungal meds and will be on those for several months (6-9). Right now he is battling a bad cold but even that is not negatively affecting his blood results. He has a lot of congestion and still tires easily but that is normal with this infection.
He will have more blood work done in one month and he will see the infectious disease doctor in three months.
So, right now things are looking very good. Thank you all again so much for your prayers and all of your love displayed in so many ways. We have been overwhelmed by the love we have seen showered upon us.

More Katrina-isms

Singing on Sunday morning... "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart Tuesday." Every night we pray with Karrina and hen I always give her a little benediction. "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His favor rest on you. May you know His peace all your days." Tonight I prayed and then said it and Katrina said, "Mama, you mean 'may I know His peace all my nights?'" You are too funny Katrina. I love you mas que nunca.

Motherhood is...

Motherhood is cleaning up a messy yogurt-drink spill right before dinner with a smile (or at least without yelling) because your daughter wanted a straw in her yogurt-drink and then still tipped the cup like there was no straw. And because your daughter, after removing her skirt that is covered with yogurt, runs away. Only to return with a napkin from the dinner table to help you clean up the spill (making the smile much easier to achieve).
Motherhood is being so tired when you lay down at night that nothing can make you open your eyes again. Until you hear your child cry out. Then you are suddenly wide awake (even if that only lasts for a tiny bit!).
Motherhood is helping your daughter pick up and organize her room for the countless time during the day because you are an organizational-freak and she likes to know where her little trinkets are at all times.
Motherhood is letting your 13-month old son take every single ziploc baggie out of the box and spread them all over the kitchen floor because you are too busy making your daughter's made-to-order toast and apple juice breakfast to care. And it is simply easier to just pick up the baggies afterwards since he is occupied with something that is not dangerous.

Motherhood is so many things like this and even though it is maddening at times. It is the best role I have ever had and I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing me with this experience.

2 More Signs

Here are 2 more signs Pancho is making good progress...

They are coming to pick up the oxygen machine, for good!

At dinner last night Katrina helped her papa cut off his bracelet. The one he had been wearing for 3 full weeks.
As of yesterday Pancho is taking oral anti-fungal medicine instead of receiving daily IV infusions.
He will have an appointment with the infectious disease doctor on Tuesday.
The doctor wants to leave his PICC line in until at least Tuesday, just in case.
He does have to have the line flushed every other day until they remove it as well as labs every couple of days. But we are glad they are monitoring this transition so closely as we would hate for him to relapse at this point.
So, again, please praise the Lord with us for two more signs of good progress.
And keep praying, too. Now Samuel, our 13-month old son, has a TERRIBLE cold. So, my nursing duties are bulking up again and we don't want Pancho to catch a nasty bug while his immune system is debilitated.

My Drinking Partner is Back in Town

It's a special day in the Duran home.
My drinking partner has returned!
Since Pancho was hospitalized 23 days ago, he has not been drinking coffee. He has simply not had a desire to.
Well, this morning when I was getting ready to make myself an espresso he piped in, "I'll have a coffee this morning."
I was thrilled! It is fun to drink coffee alone. But it is WAY more fun to drink coffee with Pancho. It is one of our favorite pastimes together and knowing that he is feeling good enough to have a cup together is so great.
Welcome back to town, drinking partner.

Our Big Boy

Samuel is such a joy.
We have so much fun with him.
He has so much love to share.
He is a leaner.
He likes to lean on people.
If you are sitting, standing or even laying he likes to lean into you.
I think it is his version of a hug.