Happy Birthday Nacho!

I know what you are thinking, who in the world is Nacho? Well, my friends, Nacho, is Darin's kidney! 3 years ago on this very date, Darin's Sister, Mary, was generous enough to donate her kidney to Darin. Why call the kidney "Nacho?" Well, Mary is very fond of Mexican food and Darin came up with the name Nacho. She is also very fond of Diet Coke, but Nacho had a better ring to it.

The road to Nacho was a long and difficult road for us. 6 months after we were married we found out that Darin was in kidney failure and needed dialysis ASAP. I was 6 weeks pregnant at the time. It really was touch and go for a while, we had a few scares that left me wondering if I was going to be a single parent. We also found out that you have to be your own advocate when it comes to your health, having been though a few doctors that really didn't care for his well-being and only concerned with numbers and their own pockets. We finally found a wonderful doctor that helped us on the road to doing home dialysis and ultimately getting on the transplant waiting list. After a few bumps (nearly 2 years) on the waiting list they finally tested both Darin's Sister and Brother- both were matches, with his sister being a near identical match. The surgery was an immediate success, I couldn't believe how much healthier Darin looked right after surgery! Nacho pee'd up a storm! No doubt that it was Mary's kidney!

I wish I could report that we lived happily ever after after leaving the hospital..... the transplant ended up being the easy part, but that's a story for another day! Let's just say we consider the staff at Swedish Hospital our family.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to The Swedish Transplant Team and of course the biggest thanks goes out to Mary who so selflessly gave her brother the gift of life. On this day of celebration, I ask you to please become and Organ Donor. Make sure you check the box on your driver's license and also make sure your family knows of your desire to become an organ donor.

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We survived Christmas! Actually this year, inspite of all the snow, it was a pretty relaxed holiday. It seems like usually we are running around and Christmas lasts about 5 straight days. We were able to make it to all of the family get togethers and home safely.

Maddie was such an angel the entire time! I couldn't have been more proud of her! She was spoiled of course and I am pretty sure she got everything on her list and then some. She is still trying to catch up on sleep, she's been pretty crabby, I blame sensory overload. There is just so much to play with!

We finally joined the cool kids, we are the proud owners of a Wii! I felt so behind the times! Everyone I know had it. Darin and I got pretty competitive tonight. I skunked him in fishing of all things! He kept blaming the wii-mote but I knew better. ;-) I don't know if this toy will end up being a good thing or bad thing for our marriage! Hee hee.

I am glad that it finally decided to rain! I never thought hearing the rain in the gutters would be such a welcome sound. My car is still buried, but it may be out before June as I originally thought. Hooray!! I hate not being able to drive myself.

Darin is off until the 5th. Because of the snow he's been home since Dec 15th. I haven't been able to drive because of the snow since Dec 15th. I love him dearly, but it's been a lot of quality time! =) I always miss him when he has to go back to work though.

It's late and I have rambled on long enough. Night!

Happy.....

Engagement Day! Darin proposed to me on this morning 6 years ago! If I knew then.... Kidding! I'd say yes all over again!

I cannot believe it's Christmas Eve! It doesn't feel like it at all!! Take a look at that counter over there ----> It's down to hours! AGH!

It has started snowing again and the power keeps blinking. I am praying that it doesn't go out since we are having my dad, brother and their girlfriends over for dinner tonight. It could be ham sandwiches and Chex mix if the power does decide to go out.

I've come to the conclusion that a White Christmas is highly overrated! I'd much rather have a typical drizzly Pacific Northwest Christmas. Or even better yet, a nice warm tropical Christmas! (Did that once, spent Christmas on Maui, nothing better than gifts under a decorated Pineapple and a morning snorkel before opening presents!)

We had to go to Fred Meyer to get some last minute groceries yesterday and I think the entire town was there. The lines to check out were down the aisles, we had to hunt down a cart in the parking lot and they were completely out of milk and eggs. But the people inside were in such great moods! All you could do was laugh at the situation. By the time we paid for our groceries, we knew everyone around us holiday plans and all about their families. I felt like we should have exchanged addresses to send Christmas cards.

It's time for me to hop off the computer and finish the days chores before the festivities begin. Take a moment to appreciate the little things the holidays bring. Love the ones you are with and send a blessing to those who are no longer with us. Thank you for being a part of our lives and sharing our journeys with us. We are blessed to have you as family and friends.

Mele Kalikimaka to all, and to all a good night.

Baby It's Cold Outside

It doesn't look there is an end in sight. We woke up the other morning and it was 9 degrees. Nine. That's just nuts! For those of you reading from areas other than Washington, it doesn't get that cold here. Ever. In the mountains, sure! But not here! We don't get this much snow in the Seattle area. We freak out at the thought of snow. When a single snowflake falls, the city shuts down. We are used to rain. Mild winters. This is just nuts!

I was able to finish my shopping, thanks to Darin's awesome snow driving skills. I have mentioned before that I don't drive in the snow, but I am also a terrible snow passenger. I have what I call snow anxiety. I blame it on the one time I had to drive in the snow, I ended up in a ditch and no one would help me and a past life thing, that I won't get into here. We had to go to my mom's on Saturday for our gift exchange and dinner. I was a wreck before we even left the house. Darin got us there safely, when I walked in the door and asked for a glass of wine. I don't drink, but I did polish off 3 glasses of wine that night. I was pretty relaxed on the way home. =)

In sad news, my friend's mom passed away this morning. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family.

Tough Day

Usually I try to keep our blog light and cheery, but I feel like I need to write some stuff to get it all out. You don't have to continue reading or feel the need to leave a comment, it's just my way of getting my feelings out.


Two years ago today, we lost our good friend Ben James. Ben was Darin's best friend, his bestest fishing buddy and the man that made me a fishing widow more times than I would have liked. =) Uncle Ben and Maddie shared the same birthday, Darin was so thrilled to call and tell him that he was an uncle and how excited Ben was that they were born on the same day. He loved Maddie and actually held her when she was a peanut, something he was terrified to do. I will never forget that phone call to Darin at work telling him the devistating news. I still cannot believe that he is gone, he is missed so very much. It hurts me to see how lonely Darin is come fishing season and how he is without his best friend. We make sure that Maddie doesn't forget her Uncle Ben, we let a balloon go on their birthday to let him know we are thinking of him. I am honored to have called him my friend, and he is greatly missed.

Fish On, My Dear Friend, Fish On.

Not only had Ben been on my mind a lot, I have a great friend, who is going through an extremely tough time right now. Her mom has been in the ICU for the last several weeks. Today she called me to tell me it didn't look like her mom had long to live. She was trying to get to the hospital to say her goodbyes. My heart hurts for her. It was only a year ago she lost her brother. I wish that there was something that I could say or do to help her through her tough time. I feel so helpless. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Snow Much Fun!

Yeah, yeah, it snowed and I'm still here. I forgot two things. 1- I don't drive in the snow and 2- it takes money to travel somewhere warm! At least the snow waited until after we got home from Maddie's first visit to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker. It also waited until after we got to see Maddie's Christmas Dance recital. She wowed the audience with her dance to "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"

How cute is this little Ballerina?!?!?


Maddie has had so much fun playing in the snow! Her favorite thing to do is make snow angels.


I broke down and bought some snow boots and put them to good use today. We couldn't make it to Florida this year, so we created our own tribute to one of our favorite friends. I introduce you to, Snow Minnie! She is sitting proudly in our front yard.




I am watching the snow fall from my nice warm comfy couch and am still contemplating a way to get somewhere warm and tropical. Maybe she can give me a ride!

She's much more brave than I am!

I have gotten a few comments about our blog and am so glad to know that people are reading it! I have opened the comments section to all readers, so please leave us a message and let us know you paid us a visit!

Stay warm out there!

My bags are packed....

Those darn news people keep saying that four-letter " S"word. UGH! NO NO NO!!! I cringe and groan everytime they mention it. Darin and Maddie cheer them on. They don't usually get the weather right, I hope that they are wrong again! I have the bags packed and will hop on the first flight to somewhere warm and sunny when I see the first sign of that bad word!