Andrew's Volleyball Class

We signed Andrew up for a beach volleyball class specifically for 3-5 year olds. It started at the beginning of July, perfectly timed with Randy's 3 day weekend for the 4th of July so he was able to see a class! It was a lot of fun to watch the kids learn skills that will eventually transition into bumping, setting and spiking the ball. Here are a few pics from the class:

Intentional Thankfulness

I saw this challenge on a dear friend, pastor, and former boss man's blog today and I thought it was especially apropos after Saturday's kidneyversary and being thankful for what God has blessed me with.

So here is my list of 100 things I am thankful for (freestyle brainstorming...no particular order):

1. Randy

2. Andrew

3. a home

4. my health

5. my "like new" kidney

6. organ transplants

7. dialysis

8. Jesus

9. new life through Jesus

10. my vision

11. colors

12. air

13. the ocean

14. the beach

15. friends that are like family

16. my mom

17. my dad

18. Randy's mom

19. Randy's dad

20. our siblings

21. Andrew's laugh

22. Randy's laugh

23. being able to hear

24. having a sense of humor

25. the health crises I've gone through

26. prayer

27. this past Sunday with A & R

28. time at the lake with Staci and Christal

29. laughing

30. Disneyland

31. an upcoming family vacation to Tahoe

32. the sun

33. swimming

34. kayaking

35. paddle boarding

36. photos

37. art

38. music

39. concerts

40. singing

41. being married to my best friend

42. the smell of coffee

43. my hair growing back

44. Staci

45. Christal

46. volleyball

47. having clean water

48. my grandparents

49. Lola

50. Dusty

51. generosity

52. health of my family

53. being spoiled by the amazing California weather

54. taste-buds and the myriad of food and drink we are privileged to have

55. the stars

56. family vacations to Disneyland as a child

57. Kailey and Andrew playing together

58. still being amazed by God's "random" blessings

59. God's beyond generous grace

60. Dan's sacrificial giving

61. an abundance of material goods

62. education

63. my parent's desire for a great life for my brother and I

64. my parent's financial support this past year

65. Randy's parent's financial support this past year

66. health insurance

67. Randy's job

68. laughter

69. countless great memories with friends

70. living in the United States

71. adoption

72. Andrew's biological mother

73. Andrew's biological father

74. Andrew's foster mom Joy

75. the love and caring Joy put into raising Andrew the first 6 months of his life

76. Randy's unconditional love

77. living in California

78. living in Santa Cruz

79. sleeping on top of the houseboat and staring a the night sky

80. Tuesday night beach volleyball

81. Wednesday morning beach volleyball

82. joint and muscle pain because it means I'm well enough to participate

83. great doctors

84. being able to drive

85. cars that are paid off

86. no credit card debt

87. Randy's last year of apprenticeship

88. Andrew getting into the charter school

89. Andrew's smaller class size

90. chocolate

91. family vacations to Disneyland and Disney World as a parent

92. knowing that worrying doesn't help anything

93. finishing the 5k I couldn't finish 8 years ago

94. making it to my 1 year anniversary of the transplant without rejection

95. Andrew's grandparent's involvement in his life

96. THE favorite memory of Andrew at Disney World. Complete joy

97. knowing that in sickness and health was a reality most newlyweds don't have and Randy still was in 100%

98. being literate and enjoying to read

99. being a parent

100. reflecting on how many blessings I have in my life and knowing where they come from.

101. our E family and the people we still are in contact with. They know who they are.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father

of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Kidneyversary! (1 year since transplant)

Early morning one year ago today (July 17, 2009) my amazing friend and kidney donor Dan & I were waiting for our respective surgeries to start. I knew my life would change after transplant, but never realized how absolutely fantastic, vibrant and just plain "well" I would feel. I'll never forget as they wheeled him off for surgery past my curtained area and he quipped (obviously already feeling the effects of the happy meds) "I've got something for ya!" little did I know it was pretty much the most perfect kidney.

Today I'm spending the day thankful for the second chance I've had at life. Without Dan's generous gift I wouldn't be living as healthy and well as I am, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends

John 15:13

1 year since dialysis

Today is officially the one year anniversary of my last dialysis treatment. It seems like such a long distant memory now that I've been healthy for a year. Dialysis was 3 times a week (Tue, Thur, Sat) from 7am-10am in Cupertino (about 45 minutes away). I think back on those times and although they were physically and emotionally rough, I truly am thankful for going through it. I became much stronger in my faith, in compassion for others, and it truly has made me who I am today.

And we know that in all things God works for the good

of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

One Year Check Up

Today is officially day 363 from transplant. I can't believe just two more days and it's been a full year! I had to go up to UCSF for my one year check up with the research nurse today. Since I elected to do a drug research study I had more appointments than one would normally have post transplant. The visit was pretty basic - go over meds I'm currently on, fill out another survey on how the study drug has effected me, blood draw and visit with the doctor.

Today was a whopping 16 vials of blood, the same amount they drew the day of the surgery. My veins are getting so darn difficult that Joanne (the study nurse) told me I have a reputation with the lab workers for being a hard stick since they have to wait a bit longer to get the specimens. Took 3 pokes to finally fill up all the tubes - each arm and then again on my hand.

Everything looks great based on last month's lab work. They expect a kidney transplant patient's creatinine to be at 1.25 and mine is at .92 (lower is a good thing!). One year is a huge milestone as 90% of organ/graft rejection happens within the first year. That's a staggering percentage and I feel so blessed to have made it to that milestone.

I felt awkward as the nurse and doctor kept thanking me for participating in the clinical trial, it seemed like such a no brainer thing to do. My "sacrifice" was nothing compared to what Dan gave up for me. The appointment was also an emotional one, it was really hard not to cry tears of joy as the nurses and doctors are saying "happy 1st birthday". It truly is the start of a new life and I am so thankful for it.

Girls Weekend

This past weekend my awesome hubby took over and let me hang out for two nights with my two great friends Christal & Staci at Lake McClure. Staci's family owns a houseboat and was gracious enough to let us come up and spend part of the weekend with them. Of course we all forgot our cameras, so the only surviving pic (that I know of) is the one above of one of the boat launching areas.

We arrived early Saturday evening, had dinner and then went in for a swim. I hadn't swam in at least 2 years due to being on dialysis (you can't get your port wet which makes even bathing/washing your hair an adventure!) so I was a little leery of getting in but finally got up the courage to dive on in. I forgot how much I enjoy swimming and the water in general! We had a great night hanging with Staci's sister's family (the parents of the infamous Kailey), Staci's mom and a friend of the family. It was a lot of fun, most of it at Miss Staci's expense...gotta love her. We spent the night on top of the houseboat and my word the stars were absolutely fabulous.

The next day we started with another swim then went out on the boat with Kristi driving. Christal and I had never been wake-boarding before, so we both got up the courage to give it a go and LOVED it. So challenging, yet so much fun. We both were so close to getting up on the board, and I think if we had another day or two there we would have mastered it. After lunch we said goodbye to Staci's family as they went back home. Another afternoon of swimming with some dive contests between Staci and I (I'm not competitive at all ;) and the girls talked me into jumping off the top of the houseboat into the water. It took all my courage to actually do it, but Christal pulled out the trump card "do it for kidney-versary!" so after some dramatics from Christal stomping up the stairs to make me jump, I took the plunge...literally (I know, I know bad pun). Another great night was spent talking, playing games and sleeping under God's creation. I really was in awe of how beautiful it is, we are so blessed.

The next day we went out for one more boat ride and Christal tried to get up on the wake-board, I couldn't try due to a run in between my toe and the garbage compactor (only me), then we packed up to leave.

It was a quick and fantastic trip, but I still missed my boys. Andrew would absolutely love to play in the water like we did, and if he knew Kailey was up there I'd be in so much trouble. Looking forward to the next lake trip!

4th of July

July 4th is my hubby's birthday, as well as a pretty famous national holiday. This year we decided to have a few of our closest friends over for some hang time, bbq, and fireworks....Good times! Definitely up there on my list of favorite fourths.

Here are some of my favorite snapshots, enjoy.