John's lost tooth

John lost his first tooth today! He came into the kitchen holding it up. We all came running to see. Funny picture!

Tough times call for mighty prayers

Along with the EBV I had the opportunity to catch the stomach flu. So, on Wednesday after my IV, I went home and went to bed. I woke up at midnight with the most frightening experience. I was hyperventilating, my heart was pounding, I thought I was going to pass out. Well, I went to the bathroom and let's just say it was not pretty. I lost all control of bodily functions.

Anyway, I threw up and struggled to breath until about 7am when Adam fixed me a ginger/honey drink which saved my life. Adam continues to run the whole house. My doctor thinks I have pleurisy too, so I'll have to continue to rely on everyone's help. I'm so grateful for Adam's hard work. (See photos...yes, that's my torn Boston College sweatshirt circa 1990-something)

We've had a lot of hard times in our family and extended family this week.

Still, I feel a great sense of peace and love. These trials that come challenge my testimony and bring me into the depths of humility. I was able to cry, as Peter did, "Lord, save me." And whether in pain of heart or body, I could feel the power of a loving Savior reaching his hand out for me. The scriptures say, "The Son of man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater the He?" Then I find comfort in knowing I am truly not alone.

Birthday Girl

Here's Ella on her Birthday morning. She opened a few presents and had a little birthday breakfast. She'll have a party on Friday, but we just HAD to do a few things with her! LOVE that hair, girl!

I put Ella to bed and she cried because she still wanted it to be her birthday. I promised to keep calling her Birthday Girl and she was happy with that.

Day 26?

Here's a quick update: The doctor called last night at 7:30 and said I have EBV (Epstein Barr virus). It's another virus like mono, so I will be rest rest resting. I hope to be feeling myself soon but I think it will take some time. I'll be going back for another IV Wednesday. Until then, I'm loving Ella's birthday and watching her get all excited really brightens the day!

Happy 4th Birthday Ella!!!

It's Ella's birthday today! Our little baby is growing so big.

Ella has been our little "ray of sunshine" since day one. She's our princess, our sweety, especially our Little Lady Lu. Every morning we smile at your messy hair and your hugs are the best in the world.

Thank you, Ella Leigh for joining our family. You are a treasure.

Day 23

Sore throat continues.

It feels worse today.

Had a blessing.

Had an IV yesterday.

Been poked with needles too much.

Did another strep test. blah....

Waiting for my bloodwork back about mono/EBV.

Hopefully better soon.

Sick sick sick

Well, I'm still sick. I'm going on 21 days of illness. I've had a sore throat forever...What's the deal? Luckily, I was able to go to my Naturopath and get some serious supplements.

I also ate garlic soup the other night....the most rancid thing in the world.
1 1/2 BULBS of garlic (not cloves, people)
1cup chicken broth
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup honey

Just think of throw up. That's what I drank. Then I smelled like garlic for 24 hours too.

The doctor says if I don't feel better by Monday they'll do blood work for Mono/EBV. I'm determined to feel better. SO I'm taking irregular amounts of probiotics, vitamin A, zinc, and whatever else is in those pills she gave me.

So much for my antibiotics.

My dad had his cardiac catheter the other day, so it's been busy (going to the hospital and helping out when I can). Good news, though...no artery blockage. We celebrated my mom's birthday. Ella's birthday is next week. I also have finals for school. AND there's a whole other list of events, drama, and appointments I could write about but I'm too tired.

Deep breath. Now, it's off to bring John's backpack, we forgot, to school.

New Day

Thanks for all the kind words of inspiration during the Barry's week of survival. I feel uplifted, yet I know there's still much more to learn.

I'll be visiting my doctor this afternoon for my persistent sore throat (which came back within 24 hours after I finished my antibiotics). I'm sure my Naturopath will say "SHAME SHAME" for not coming to her sooner. There's definately something wrong with me, so hopefully she'll be able to pinpoint what it is.

We had a great Easter weekend. Friday night we went to the Easter pageant with Paapa. Then Saturday we had our egg hunt at Nana's and Gogo's. Sunday was busy with church and dinner at our house with the Kotila Fam.

Overall, this weekend has been a continuation of the busy life. Adam and I were able to have a long conversation Sunday morning about our spiritual goals and plans. I hope we'll be able to balance our family a little better this week.

Survival

Well, I've survived the last couple of months. There's been family illness, struggles, major commitments, school, callings, and lack of sleep. John's symptoms have been creeping back, so we're trying to figure out what is going on. Ella is needing Mom more than ever, as she approaches her 4th birthday. With the help of the Primary presidency, we did the talent show. I also jumped on board with our community block party again (organizing the games, finding sponsors, saving the world....yadda yadda). Who cares, it's just 1,000 people, right?

I told Adam last week, "Just take me down to Banner (the hospital) and hook me up to an IV...I can't take it anymore." This is awful, since I know so many people who've had to actually deal with the hospital over the last month. It's no one's fault. I'm just over-committed and over-extended.

Life's stresses completely overcame me last week. If you live near our house (Nicole) you would have heard BATTLE OF THE BARRYS, as we were on the verge of breakdown last week. It was an ugly picture.

This is reality, though. Tough times and working through them. I would have to say, though, it's been particularly difficult the last few weeks.

I don't think people should worry... We were able to rejuvenate after a beautiful conference weekend. We're praying, studying, reading scriptures, fasting, doing service, going to the gym, having family home evenings, taking trips, visiting the temple, and trying to progress.

Then again, I'm tired and I just need a break. There's a lot our family has been going through that has never been published in blog world. Just like you. Any ideas for getting through the days you can barely get out of bed?

Conference weekend and Primary Talent Show

We had our Primary Talent show on Friday night. John made paper airplanes and bounced on his Spongebob ball. Ella was planning on singing her R-E-D song, but she got all nervous, sweaty, and had a sick belly. She fell asleep on the church couch instead.

Saturday night Adam did the brotherly love thing...going to priesthood session all together. It's great we're all in the same stake!