Prop 8

Just can't stop thinking of how important this election is -- we are making history. Please be a part of this important election and vote! Also, I hope you will realize the importance of Prop. 8 and what your yes vote means. Families are the cornerstone of our nation and if they fail then so will our nation. Please vote Yes! And, pray, pray and keep a prayer in your heart all day for the voters of California.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Well, I thought I would share with you something that has been on my mind alot. Our daughter Ciara was recently diagnosed with rheumotoid arthritis (RA). I have heard of this but was not really sure exactly what it meant. Here is some information I found online about RA.

The most prevalent form of juvenile arthritis is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA. It affects approximately 50,000 children in the United States. JRA also called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) because it is very different from adult rheumatoid arthritis.

What Causes JRA?
It's not known exactly what causes JRA in kids. Research indicates that it is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, white blood cells lose the ability to tell the difference between the body's own healthy cells and harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. The immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from these harmful invaders, instead releases chemicals that can damage healthy tissues and cause inflammation and pain.
To effectively manage and minimize the effects of arthritis, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential. By understanding the symptoms and characteristics of each type of JRA, you can help your child maintain an active, productive lifestyle.

Types of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Typically, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis appears between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. The first signs often are joint pain or swelling and reddened or warm joints. Many rheumatologists (doctors specializing in joint disorders) find that the greater the number of joints affected, the more severe the disease and the less likely that the symptoms will eventually go into total remission.

The three major types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are:
Oligoarticular JRA, which affects four or fewer joints. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints. The knee and wrist joints are the most commonly affected. An inflammation of the iris (the colored area of the eye) may occur with or without active joint symptoms. This inflammation, called iridocyclitis, iritis, or uveitis, can be detected early by an ophthalmologist.

Polyarticular arthritis, which affects more girls than boys. Symptoms include swelling or pain in five or more joints. The small joints of the hands are affected as well as the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, ankles, feet, and neck. In addition, a low-grade fever may appear, as well as bumps or nodules on the body on areas subjected to pressure from sitting or leaning.
Systemic JRA, which affects the whole body. Symptoms include high fevers that often increase in the evenings and then may suddenly drop to normal. During the onset of fever, the child may feel very ill, appear pale, or develop a rash. The rash may suddenly disappear and then quickly appear again. The spleen and lymph nodes may also become enlarged. Eventually many of the body's joints are affected by swelling, pain, and stiffness.

Signs and Symptoms
The first signs of arthritis can be subtle or obvious. Signs may include limping or a sore wrist, finger, or knee. Joints may suddenly swell and remain enlarged. Stiffness in the neck, hips, or other joints can also occur. Rashes may suddenly appear and disappear, developing in one area and then another. High fevers that tend to spike in the evenings and suddenly disappear are characteristic of systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.


I was suprised to learn that is not all that uncommon for young children to have this disease. It mostly effects women and most commonly begins between 30 and 50. Men do get it but less often, and there symptoms are generally more severe. Ciara also has psorisis and so this is probably connected. And she probably actually has something that is called psoratic arthritis which is the same thing and is treated the same as RA.

Ciara's RA at first was just affecting her hands, fingers and wrists but is now is beginning to travel to her hips, knees, & back. Mornings are especially hard for her and are when she has the most pain. As the day goes on she does feel better but the pain never completely goes away. It is like at 15 year old living in an 85 year old body. Her rheumatoligist wants to begin some very agressive treatment. This should hopefully help with the pain and increase her movement. The scary part is the drug he wants to prescribe to her is actually a drug used in chemotherapy. Methotrexate is given to cancer patients but is also the "gold standard" in RA treatment. We have to weigh the benefits against the side affects: nausea, hair loss, mouth ulcers, liver damage etc. Her Dr. says that she would be on a very low dose and shouldn't incur the hair loss or liver damage. If she did begin to lose her hair we would stop using that drug and he would be monitoring her liver to make sure it was functioning properly and that there was no damage.

It is hard as a parent to see your child in pain everyday and Ciara just wants the pain to stop. So, we have to make the decision of what to do for you her....let her continue with the her current treatment which seems to not be working so well or give her a very toxic drug which has really bad side affects.

If anyone who reads this has any experience with RA I would love to hear from you. And we would also appreciate any prayers you could send our way as we try to come up with the best treatment plan for Ciara.

Utah Trip

Okay, so I finally got my pictures from our trip to Utah. Ciara and I drove back to Utah to take Katie all her stuff to move into her dorm. We had so much fun visiting with the girls and with my friend Connie.



This is a picture at one of the many rest areas we stopped at. Ciara ran up to the top of hill where you can see those rocks way in the back.

This is a picture of Courtney's apartment

This is a picture of Katies room. Not sure if you can tell but if you look closely you will see her bedspread -- this is one that she got from Grandma Jensen. She didn't want a new one she specifically wanted to take the one grandma made for her. If you look out her window you see campus. She is right across from the Harris Fine Arts building. And really close to the Wilkinson Center.

Katie's kitchen and living room. As you can tell it is pretty small. She has been doing alot of cooking though. She made meatloaf one of the first nights for all her roomies and a couple of other friends. It was a big hit. Her and roomies often cook together. Katie is also taking a cooking class which she is pretty exicited about.

Katie got a job at the creamery which is about 2 minutes from her apartment. She works at the grill making burgers etc. and she scoops ice cream as well. The creamery is always busy so she says the time passes really quickly and her left arm was very sore for the first few shifts. She is now a pro. This picture I took on her very first day and she was making her very first burgers. She looks like a pro already. I am pretty sure I embarrased her but it was fun.

Here we are trying to help Katie find where her classes are the day before her first day of classes.
Yeah, I guess we all have very different opinions on where she needs to go. We also made a trip to the bookstore. Can you say "expensive"? I can't believe how much books cost. Just for one of katies' classes the books were $300.

It took a few trys but I finally got them all in the air. We went out one afternoon to take pictures just for fun and here are a couple more of our favorites.

The trip was fun. It was so great to get to see Courtney and Katie. They went back to Provo in June to work and so I hadn't seen them in 3 months. They are both doing so great. Both love school and feel really blessed to be able to be at BYU.

Crazy for Noteworthy

If you thought our family was crazy for Noteworthy before now we will be twice as crazy cuz Katie is one of the newest members of BYU's premier a cappella group. After 3 very long days of waiting for the results of auditions we finally just heard the happy news. We are so proud of Katie and Courtney.

We are also so exicited because it looks like Noteworthy will coming to Sacramento in November to perform -- we will defitnely keep you posted on that and let you all know for sure.

I also need to post about my trip to Utah. I need to download the picture and then I will post.

Back to school

I am always sad when summer is over. I enjoy being able to relax and not really have plans. No more relaxing back to: Seminary, school, homework, packing lunches, theater rehearsal, flag football practice and work.

I am already tired of it . . . even though today was the first day! ha, ha.

I am excited though about heading back to Utah to see my girls. I miss them so much. I will be gone for a week and Ciara is coming with me. It will be a fun girls week!. I will be taking all of Katies "stuff" that she needs to move into her dorm. She will be living in Heritage Halls, Fox Hall #49. I am very excited for her to start this whole new phase of life. Even though it is very sad for me. I know she will be great. I am also excited to see Courtney. She is a pro at this whole college thing now. This is the beginning of her Senior year -- how fast the time has flown by. I really can't believe she is a Senior. It seems like she just graduated from high school. I am also excited for a new year of Noteworthy.

I have also just gone back to work at the County. I'm not gonna lie that I really don't want to be there for this election. It is going to be so busy it frightens me. Between the Presidential election and prop 8 we will have our work cut out for us. I am pretty sure every crazy person in Sacrmamento county will be calling or coming in! Pray for me.

Well, I guess we have to have Fall, Winter, Spring so we can appreciate Summer that much more.

Bye -- Summer -- I will miss you. See you about 9 months.

Cindy

Update Summer 2008

I though it was about time I finally updated our blog. Yeah it has been way to long. We have had a very busy Spring and Summer. We had our EGMTC spring productions of "The Emperors New Clothes" and "Oklahoma". They turned out great. David played the part of Guido - one of the brothers who convinces the king to wear the "clothes", Katie was a very beautiful Laurie, and Ciara was one of Lauries friends. All the kids were great and it is fun to watch them grow and progress. This was Katie's last show with us which is sad. We will miss her.

We also went on our Stakes Pioneer Trek. It was one of the most amazing experiences ever. We felt like we were in Zion for a few days. I am not a camper at all. I won't even go camping if there aren't showers and flush toliets and was really not looking forward to going. Infact, I tried really hard to get out of it but I am so glad that I went because it was so great. Yes, I was tired and really dirty but it didn't seem to matter. It also helped to me to have an even great appreciation of what the pioneers had to go through. If you ever are given the opportunity to go on a trek -- go! I promise you will not regret it.

Katie Graduated June 4th. We are very proud of her. She will be starting college in the Fall at BYU in Provo, Utah. Still trying to decide what she will be majoring in. She actually is already living in Provo with Courtney. She got a job at Hollister. Since she is a poor college student she spends most of her time working or hanging out in the apartment with Courtney. Katie is looking forward to school starting and moving into the dorms where she will be able to make lots of new friends. We miss her terribly but are glad she able to have lots of new experiences. Girls Camp - Ciara went to girls camp the beginning of July. This is a picture of her on the hike she went on. She was a Youth Camp Leader this year. She only has one year of girls camp left. I can't believe it.
Ciara and some of her YCL friends

4th of July

Once again we went out to Woodland for the 4th. Here is a picture of Stephen setting up the fireworks.

Ciara and her friends

Ciara and cousin Tyler

David

Once again we were involved with the Strauss Festival. This was my 20th year. I can't believe it has been that long. Here are a few pictures.

Ciara danced with the Polka troupe again. This is her second year.

Ciara is the one in the yellow skirt. The ribbon dance was the best dance in the show. Polka rocks!

Easter and Noteworthy

Noteworthy came out to California for the ICCA semifinal competition we were able to go down and see the performance at the Marin Center in San Rafael. It was so good. I think probably one of the best semi-finals ever. So many great groups. Noteworthy didn't move on to Finals but it was okay cuz they were still amazing. We had lots of fun with girls over the weekend. Here are a few pictures.

The family -- of course my eyes were closed in all the pictures. PS Courtney painted the hat that David is wearing.

Noteworthy performing Svatba

The kids-- they are beautiful aren't they?

the next day we went down to the temple to see Noteworthy and Vocal Point perform at a fireside -- it was so good. I loved it!

The family with Grandma Devey at the Oakland Temple before the fireside

Vocal point and Noteworthy performing at the fireside Easter at the Andersons home. Ciara hiding eggs

Walking and Singing

A perfect Easter Day -- Beautiful Katie and Darling Tyler Mad dash for easter eggs - and candy!!!
It was a perfect day for a family easter party. We had so much fun. Everyone is growing up so fast.

Story time

Yeah, it has been a really long time since I have put up a new post but we have been so busy. I am working full time right now at Voter Registration. Now that the election is over things have slowed down a little bit and I feel like I actually have time to put something up here. Anyway, we have done a couple of really fun things the last two weekends. First, we went up to Oregon to watch Noteworthy compete in the ICCA quarterfinals. We had a great time. Friday night we stayed with the Harris' and had fun talking, eating and watching movies. It was a great visit. Saturday they took us site seeing around town and Katie took some pictures and then we wenton a hike to some beautiful waterfalls. It was just breathtaking.

Saturday night we went to see Courtney and Noteworthy -- it was a fun night and Noteworthy was placed 2nd so they get to move on to semi finals here in California. They will be performing March 15 @ the marin center in San Raphael. Would love to see you all there. If you can't make it Saturday they will also be putting on a joint fireside with Vocal Point on Sunday at the Oakland Temple. We loved Oregon. It was so beautiful. We wished we could have spent more time there.

Then Tuesday, Feb. 19th Katie woke up in the middle of the night in excrutiating pain -- another kidney stone! Spent all night in the ER. They sent her home with some pain pills and a "it should pass soon". Well she was still in pain on Saturday. We had been praying really hard that she would feel better by Saturday because she had a very important singing competition that night. She was competing in the Capital Music Awards for a $5,000 scholarship. It was the semi-finals. Tickets were $30 and so she felt very obligated to try and perform. When she woke up Sat. morning things were bad but she rallied and decided that she could go and try. She went on stage for a sound check and when she came off she was WHITE as a sheet and about ready to pass out. This really was worrisome cuz then we felt like she might not make it through the actual performance. But, the man in charge was very kind and let her go to his office and rest on his couch until she had to perform. She, was feeling better just weak. I started to relax a little. Finally, it was time for her to get dressed. Katies calls from the bathroom "Mom, were is my shirt?" I said "should be with all your other stuff" -- "no, I don't see it" -- "I'll go look in the car it probably fell off the hanger". So, off I go to the car to get her beautiful new shirt that we got speical for her performance. As I approach the car I see her beautiful new shirt lying on the ground, soaking wet! Yeah, I know -- my heart sunk and I thought "ok, what else can go wrong" and I knew that I could not go back to Katie and tell her that she had nothing to wear but a beautiful wet shirt that people had probably stepped on! Right then the nice man in charge came up to me and asked "is everything ok?" Well, I told him my story and he said that there was a dryer backstage we could use! Yeah, a great blessing.

So, I then went back to Katie in the bathroom and shared the story -- she was a little worried but okay -- I think the drugs helped her to stay calm. Finally, it was time for her to go on stage. I can't even tell you how nervous I was, we all were for her. But out she came looking amazing in her dry, beautiful new shirt. She sang like she has never sang before -- it was just wonerful! The judges loved her and only had positive things to say and we even heard wispers around us and they were saying "she was good". Another blessing. All, in all it was a great night and a great relief once it was over. She felt great about her performance.

The tope 3 move on the to finals. We will let you know if she moves on. We won't know until March 24th. I will say this whole experience was a testimony builder. Heavenly Father definetly listens to our prayers and cares about us.

Sorry, this was so long. There is even more but you'll have to talk to Katie to get the whole story. Hopefully, it won't be so long till then next blog.

This is not a very good picture -- took it with my phone but we forgot to bring our camera.

Beautiful new shirt!

Random Pictures

So..I just found my camera after digging through a drawer, and I took it to my makeup class today to take picture of my final project (turning myself into a turtle). Anyway, after downloading the pictures I found some other great gems I thought I'd share.Here is Noteworthy last April in NEW YORK!One of my apartment mates (Kaitlyn Thatcher) has a habit of drying her clothes in me and my roommates bathroom. So to teach her a lesson, one night when we came home from work we individually wrapped all of her clothes in tin foil and put them in the oven....i woke up to screaming the next morning.
Me, mom, and dad in from of the Statue of Liberty! Me...as a turtle (I got the inspiration from the master of disguise), Today in my makeup class. yay!

Exciting News

Very exciting news --Katie just found out that she has been admitted to BYU for Fall 2008! We are all super excited and happy for her. Today is a good day.