Terror on Comstock Dr.

This weekend, on my way to pick up Courtney for a spa day, the power went off on Queen Anne hill WHILE I WAS IN THE ELEVATOR thus trapping me ALONE for 50 MINUTES IN THE DARK!! I am already weary when it comes to riding elevators but now my fears have been solidified!

Luckily I was able to talk to Tammy, Courtney's over night interpreter through the elevator door. She laughed with me, and called around trying to find someone to help out. I was also able to talk to my Dad the architect on my cell phone who explained to me the brake system of an elevator and how I wasn't going to plummet to my death because of it.

Almost an hour and FOUR firemen later (none of whom were attractive!) I was set free.

Seriously, from now on I use the stairs.

5 months

Sam turns 5 months this week, and we are so amazed at our little boy! He is truly a miracle, and we couldn't be more thankful for him.

We waited 2 years for Sam to join our family, and not a day goes by that I don't think about all that we went through to get him here. It was a long hard trial for us, but it couldn't have been more worth it.

Then to have him come into this world with some trials of his own was so challenging for us as his parents. To watch him suffer through tests and transfusions and to not be able to hold and comfort him was THE most difficult thing I have ever had to go through. Our families and friends prayed and fasted night and day for Sam, and I know that those prayers were answered.

I would really like to share how much our testimonies grew through the first month of Sam's life. I have honestly been writing this post for 5 months now.

First off, I have a firm belief that I was guided through my 48 hour labor and delivery to make it possible for Samuel to live. So much could have gone wrong not knowing that he had low blood platelets that would have been completely normal for any other baby to go through. Something told me not to take the morphine that the nurse recommended which would have made my labor longer in the end, and I knew that I had to push him out on my own so that an extractor would not have to have been used. If either of these things had occurred to Sam, he may not be here today.

Sam was put into the NICU for an unknown blood disorder an hour after his birth. So many tests were performed, and tons of questions were asked but still we were in the dark regarding his health. Sam was not improving on his own, and he was given 4 transfusions that were unsuccessful. Then on Wednesday, 4 days after his birth, Matthew and my Dad gave Sam a healing blessing and asked Heavenly Father to help not only our child get healthy, but to guide the Doctors to the answers that were needed to assist in his recovery.

The next morning, Sam's platelets raised on their own. His biliruben lowered and he ate the ideal amount from his bottle. The reason for his health concerns were discovered in a blood test that was given to Matt and I. That night we were able to join in with the other happy families leaving the hospital with their newborns.

Call it a coincidence or irony but we know that Sam was given the strength he needed to stay on this earth by a God who loves him, and our family. We all learned so much about faith and the importance of prayer through this trial and its something I will remember forever.

As if we don't say it enough, we are so thankful for Sam in our lives. We are so humbled by his purity and we could have never imagined the love that we have for him today. It helps me understand the love that God had for his son Jesus Christ and for us, his children. I know that God lives and that he heals each of us if we have faith. Sam wouldn't be here today if this wasn't true.

Thank you to everyone that prayed for our family, and that continue to do so. We are celebrating 5 months (and more) because of those prayers!

And since our "miracle" is as cute as they come, here are tons of pictures of him and his daddy.

Tragedy a little close to home

Literally.

Last week, Matt came home and announced that our whole street was full of news crew and police. I was inside taking care of Sam and the dogs, and I wasnt aware of what was going on outside. I waited in the house until we got some details.

After speaking to a few of the neighbors, we found out that a neighbor down the road got into an argument with her x-boyfriend regarding her pregnancy. The fight continued out into the street where he then shot her before taking his own life. There were witnesses to the incident, and so the cops were called immediately, and didn't take long to arrive.

When Matt asked if I heard the shots, I told him that I had only heard what sounded like fireworks around the time of the murder. Yeah, I am a little blonde, and I know that fireworks aren't something that you hear during the month of September, but who would have thought that it could have been gun shots?

That afternoon we stayed in the front yard conversing with our neighbors and watching all the events. The road was taped off as a crime scene, and it was impossible to go any where anyway because of all the news vans. It was interesting to watch, but it was sad to see and hear about all the people effected by this tragedy.

Sam of course just loved being outside and watching all the action. We practiced our sitting in the front yard and stayed as positive as we could by playing around and taking pictures.

Sam(son)'s hair cut

Sam's balding was getting worse the longer his hair got. He was starting to look like a chemo patient, so we decided to even it all out with a buzz cut. I was a little nervous at first, but Matt did a good job, and Sam didn't mind it at all.

Sam didn't lose any of his strength from cutting his locks, but we have lost quite a few "look at all that hair" comments. Oh well. Now the first thing we hear is, "What a happy baby!"

Either way, he is still stinkin' cute in my book!

And here he is the next day sporting his new crew cut (complete with camo) with his lady friend, Samantha.

Family Pictures

My friend Alycia took some family pictures for us. Although it got dark way too fast, and Sam was more interested in his surroundings then smiling for the camera, the pictures turned out great! Thanks Alycia!

Here are some of our favorites.

Block Party 09

My family has had a block party every labor day weekend for 9 years now. Its a big deal in our family, and there have been some very important events that have taken place at this very party. First off, 4 years ago the block party was one of our first dates, and the first time my parents met Matt. Then last year, I announced that I was pregnant over the microphone. Dad-"Do you have some news you would like to share Holly?" Me-"Why don't you tell them Grandpa."

Then of course, this year was Sam's first time experiencing the tradition. He loved every minute of it and you better believe that my mom enjoyed showing him off to everyone as well.

Although the weather wasn't at its best, we sure had a fun time. The food was great as always, and the band impressed us with some new songs. We got to hang out with friends, and meet some new ones, all the while enjoying the sound of classic rock played by The About Face Band.

This year was especially fun for my dad who got to meet up with some old high school buddies. I asked them if they were surprised that he was still wearing tie die and singing in bands, and they all laughed "no". I for one am glad he never grew up :)

The Hilltop High School gang.

Hopefully, being the 10th year in a row, the next block party will be just as much fun and eventful as the last few have been.

The Evergreen State Fair

Oh, the things we did at the fair this year.

We tried weird food. Here is Eric eating chocolate covered bacon and yes, that's a chicken burger with glazed doughnut buns.

We were silly adults.

We played with funny cut-outs.We watched and played with all the animals. We met up with old friends, and overdosed on cotton candy. Some of us rode rides to the point of being sick. And we all had tons of fun!