Thanksgiving Weekend and some other things...(EDITED)

EDITED TO REPORT THAT MATT WILL CONTINUE TO BE EMPLOYED!!!! THE CALL CENTER THAT HE WORKS AT IS STAYING OPEN!!!


With so much to be thankful for this year, Thanksgiving was such a blessed time for us. However, I did find it difficult to remember to focus on all the blessings in my life while being faced with some difficulties (more later). This was Malayna's 1st Thanksgiving home with us, and our first Thanksgiving together as a family of 4! I prayed for a family for so long, and now I have it...what more could I ask for.



We hosted Thanksgiving this year, a tradition we hope to continue. Our house was full of family, love and warmth with about 20 people. The food was wonderful, the company was wonderful...EVERYTHING was wonderful. Thank you to everyone that brought such delicious food to share!



Unfortunately, I didn't take very many photos on Thanksgiving Day for two reasons. I was very busy hosting, but mostly overwhelmed with worry about my sick little girl. Many of you know (from facebook) that Layna has been sick for quite some time. It started off as a cold that led to a double ear infection and high fevers. She was miserable...lethargic, clingy, tired, sad, warm... She was prescribed an omnicef initially which she had an allergic reaction to (hives). So, back to the doctor we went. Thankfully, here ears were clearing up, but we had to deal with the hives. So, she was switched to a new antibiotic (a Z-pack). The rash and hives cleared up within 24 hours of taking the new antibiotic, but the fevers continued to spike for days and days. Her lethargy continued...her lack of interest in anything continued...her clinginess and crying continued...her sleep started to become interrupted...she developed a HORRIBLE diaper rash (the skin just started peeling off, sorry if TMI)...she was just miserable. Diaper changing was a nightmare...she was so tense and screamed bloody murder. By Thanksgiving Day, I was at my breaking point. I felt horrible because I just didn't know what to do anymore. She spent most of the day on someone's lap just staring. One other symptom that I started noticing is that she was rubbing/pulling at the back of her head towards her neck close to her right ear. Well, I am pleased to report that the day after Thanksgiving shortly after we called and scheduled her another doctor's appointment, she literally turned a corner right before our eyes. Her face lit up, she was smiling again, she was playing again, she was laughing again, she was Layna again! We were so relieved! Since then, the only concern I have is that she has developed a stiff neck. Everytime she wakes up (morning and nap time) she does not want to look to the right, and if she does it is VERY stiff and she cries. I honestly do not know if I should be concerned or not. The stiffness wears off eventually, but then starts all over after she sleeps. Part of me thinks maybe all the tension from the diaper rash may have caused the stiffness...but, I am not a doctor. We have the diaper rash under control, so her tension should settle down. Layna is not usually our sick child, as many of you know, so to see her so miserable was very hard for me.



The other difficulty looming over my head is the fate of Matt's job...today is December 1st, the day JP Morgan Chase stated they would reveal their plans for cutting and keeping Washington Mutual employees. So, I am sitting here on pins and needles wondering what is going to happen. Please say a little prayer for our family. I know in my heart that whatever happens was meant to be, but it is still scary.



A few of you have asked how Lobo is doing? If you don't know who Lobo is, click here . He is doing very well. He is settling in to his new home and new family quite nicely. Night time has been tough, but is getting better. We had him nuetered on Saturday, so he is also recovering from that as well. Try keeping a 2-year-old dog from running, playing and jumping after surgery...NOT happening. He is a very sweet dog and a great addition to our family. He loves attention and being outside. He and Cooper, our other huskey, are getting along well and growing to like each other more and more each day. Well, Lobo LOVES Cooper, but Cooper is taking time to get used to his new friend.



Wow...this post ended up being a lot longer than I had planned....so, I will leave you with some random photos from the holiday weekend, in no particular order.