tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28596681025478481422024-03-19T03:55:19.978-05:00Life with the LundgrensThe Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-21841549499307031792018-11-11T00:11:00.000-06:002018-11-11T00:11:05.280-06:00Testing-Testing-1-2-3You there?<br />
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I may or may not have just Googled, "Is blogger still a thing?" I guess it's still going.....but possibly not the most popular blogging platform anymore.<br />
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Anyway, here we are. <br />
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First--Thanks a whole, whole bunch to those of you who have <strike>pestered </strike> said to me over the past five years or so, "Are you gonna keep posting on your blog?" I knew I'd be back eventually. Eventually turned out to be quite a long time. Thanks for your encouragement and kind elbow nudges to get back to this.<br />
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Second--I plan to post here often-ish. So, check in whenever you get a hankerin' to know what's happenin' in our corner of the world.<br />
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And, Third--This will be what it's always been--updates on our family mixed in with thoughts and stirrings of my heart, most of which are still in the process of being sorted out. (Read: I'm not getting it all polished before I click "Publish")<br />
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Glad you're here. Pour yourself a cuppa coffee. And by coffee I mean, any beverage of your choosing. :) Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned.The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-6877746763873324042015-11-04T23:42:00.000-06:002015-11-04T23:42:50.333-06:00Purple NovemberSo November is Epilepsy Awareness month. And purple is the color assigned to epilepsy awareness. I remember getting the boys all purpled up for epilepsy awareness month in 2013. But we were still seizure free then. Had been for years. And I remember thinking how those seizure-fighting-warrior parents were my people, but also that I was feeling somewhat disconnected because, well, we weren't fighting that giant anymore. No seizures. No meds. No fear or worry that they'd ever come back.<br />
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But they did.<br />
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In that very same year.<br />
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Luke had a seizure three days before Christmas in 2013. In the middle of the night. Such a horrible time to have a seizure. And since it had been so long since any kind of epileptic event, it was considered his first seizure really. His first of that kind. Really epilepsy?? You come sneaking in in the the middle of the night. Unannounced and uninvited. No wonder so many people hate you.<br />
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Luke had a second seizure 4 months later. Then we started meds and enjoyed almost a full 12 months with no seizures.<br />
Then 2015 came and the seizures have come more frequently. Five this year. And as much as I try to talk myself down and calmy tell myself that MANY people are living with epilepsy and that no matter how bad it gets, I have friends who have walked (are walking) this road and they're making it.... the fact is, seizures are just an altogether different kind of monster. Luke's seizures are mild(ish?) in nature. But they're too long and, so far, have always required us to administer an emergency med to stop them. And a couple have been sneaky...happening in the early morning hours or later in the evening. Two of them we have missed completely and walked in to find him in the the post-seizure state. We're not real sure how long those lasted.<br />
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So, yes, the truth is this IS the normal for soooo many families. So many. We are not alone. But I can't deny the stress that it does in fact add to life when seizures are not controlled. And, at this point, I'm not sure we can say they are controlled. Of those 5 seizures, 4 of them have happened in the last six months and 2 of those in the the last month. There's definitely something going on...now to figure out what that something is.<br />
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After his last seizure on Oct. 22nd, I called up to neurology to request that we PLEASE have an EEG scheduled that we please move up our next scheduled appointment, which isn't until Dec. 10th. That seemed reasonable to the nurse on the other end of the line, so she got the ball rolling.<br />
Luke had an EEG a week ago today. We found out the EEG is unchanged from the one he had in 2013. So, that is some relief. But still we are left with the reality that despite increasing the medication dosage in June, the seizures have only become more frequent. <br />
Considering that, I really wasn't expecting the nurse to call me back and say, "The doctor just wants to keep your Dec. 10th appointment. For now, let's increase the med dosage again and see if that helps. "<br />
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Me: "Ok. Uhm....yeah, I mean I'm not completely against that idea. He has had a growth spurt and it may be possible that he just needs more of it. But the doctor does know that we just increased the med in June, right? And things have gotten worse and not better. Is there a chance the med is causing the seizures?"<br />
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Nurse: "Well, I guess we'll find out."<br />
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I know that's what she had to say. She had a job to do and she did it. But, gosh......"just" increasing the med and waiting to see if it helps or is going to make things worse is easier said than done.<br />
It also doesn't sit well with me that the neurologist calling the shots has never once met Luke. Luke's previous neuro retired. This is the new one. He's not making a great first impression. I'm almost positive he could find SOME time to see us before Dec. 10th. Or at the very least 5 minutes to talk to me over the phone. I don't know. Maybe not.<br />
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For now, our specific prayers are:<br />
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1) We pray everyday that according to God's will, Luke will be healed and not have to endure another seizure. Ever.<br />
2) We need wisdom. Lots of it. Anti-seizure medications are helping millions of people around the world. We're not against them by any means. We don't want to withhold anything that Luke needs. At the same time, we don't want to give him something that will make things worse. Wisdom.<br />
3) If you've been this journey with us since the beginning, you know we opted out of all meds in 2009 and tried some more alternative approaches with Luke. Pray the Lord speaks to us in these regards. It was very easy to make that decision in 2009 because I knew (that I knew that I knew that I knew) that God was directing us to do that. We need that same kind of clear direction.<br />
4) Finally, just peace. In all things. Luke belongs to Jesus. We can't watch over him 24/7. But Jesus can. And we trust Him. Oh for grace for trust him more.<br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-87731639645856791932015-03-17T20:54:00.000-05:002015-03-17T20:57:45.192-05:00On technology woes and St. Patrick's DayMy goodness...we've had a rough couple of months around here as far as our tech devices go.<br />
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Luke was given an iPad back in 2010. The thing has gone to the moon and back, I feel like. Seriously, it has taken such a beating. But it has a great case and Luke has never come close to breaking it or damaging it. But two weeks ago, in a freakish sort of turn of events...his beloved iPad took a tumble and fell 8 inches (EIGHT INCHES!) to their bedroom floor. The entire screen is gouged out. As in, pieces of glass are falling out of the screen.<br />
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So, there's that....<br />
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Then Andrew's mini iPad that was gifted to him from a church also had its screen shattered. He was talking to someone and there was an awkward hand-off and before either of them realized, it went tumbling down to the concrete pavement. Ouch.<br />
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My little Chromebook (also a gift from a church. We've been blessed, that's for sure!) finally gave up. Caleb spilled water on it about 14 months ago. It recovered and worked just fine. Until suddenly it didn't. And, that was that.<br />
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Oy.<br />
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So, yeah....blogging has been mostly out of the question. Unless I wanted to peck a post out on my phone. Which I didn't. :)<br />
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But, here I am....on a new little Chromebook. Andrew was online the other day and this crazy Best Buy deal came up. He had to purchase it within the hour. Crazy cheap price and free shipping. So, Happy Anniversary to me! Thanks, love!<br />
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I'll try to get some updates out soon. For tonight, here's some pictures from our day. Andrew's been super busy. And mommy needed something fun today, so we had some St. Patrick's Day fun. :) We're not huge St. Patrick's Day celebrators. Usually, just throw on a green shirt and call it good. (except I didn't even manage that. I don't have a lick of green in my wardrobe. Weird.) But, I had no plans for dinner, so I ran to Aldi this morning and came up with some ideas. Plus, St. Patrick was a missionary....and we sort of like missionaries. :) And Caleb is always up for a good story, so I knew he would enjoy learning about St. Patrick.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jello Jigglers</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">saw these on Pinterest, I think, a while ago. Hard to keep the egg in the pepper, but they taste good. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Irish soda bread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">our "shamrock"...hehehe. Flowers that Katie bought when they were here :)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">we had potatoes, too. :) And a slice of bacon because, well, it's bacon. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luke got oven fries...his fave!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I got frustrated with the eggs and finally just scrambled them and put them inside the pepper slice. And Hannah loves her belly button....</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">She thinks everyone needs to see it!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ice cream was half-price today at the store. And it's locally made (well, Michigan). So, why not? :)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Andes mint cookies</span></i></div>
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Here's a little video we watched today about St. Patrick.</div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/xOqWT2tk9Js" target="_blank"> https://youtu.be/xOqWT2tk9Js</a></div>
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-3017543851482347612014-12-08T23:06:00.000-06:002014-12-08T23:10:11.317-06:00Jesus at the CenterEveryday I pray that God will allow Luke to be able to communicate.<br />
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He has words. He uses words. Sometimes in context, often not. Sometimes he chooses his words carefully.... often he just repeats the same word or phrase over and over (AND over!). Sometimes, he can speak at an appropriate volume. Often he's screaming at a level that's so loud, you're sure the next door neighbors can hear him.<br />
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But it's in there. He's in there. Luke. And you can see it. And it's excruciating. For me....and for him. He wants to say something...but it just....it can't come out. <br />
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Here lately, when I walk Luke into his classroom in the morning....right when we're supposed to practice the whole "Good morning" routine, Luke takes off in another direction. I'm prompting him to say an appropriate greeting to his teacher and classmates. Instead, Luke belts out the first two lines of one of his favorite songs,<br />
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"<i>Jesus, at the center of it all. Jesus at the center of it all......"</i><br />
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Last week at his doctor's appointment, Luke's neurologist was trying to engage him in conversation. <i>How old are you Luke? What color is your shirt? </i> All questions he can answer.<br />
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But there's Luke. Sitting across from the doctor, feet dangling. No conversation. Just a song. His little voice...<br />
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<i>"Jesus at the center of it all. Jesus at the center of it all. From beginning to the end it will always be, it's always been you Jesus....."</i><br />
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And I smile and blink the tears away. And hope and pray that one day Luke's words will come. And then, too, I remind myself that while the body may be frail and broken, the soul is not.<br />
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And I thank my sweet boy for the reminder, especially during this season....<br />
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Jesus at the center......<br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-74939242532469286392014-11-20T23:28:00.002-06:002014-11-21T09:47:38.616-06:00Sprinkles on Top<br />
One year ago today, we were blessed with this sweet girl.<br />
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How can we even put into words what a <i>JOY</i> she is to our family? She's makes all of us so happy!<br />
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We celebrated her today. It was a quiet affair. But perfect for a 1 yr. old. Just the five of us, plus family that FaceTimed and Skyped in. :)<br />
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Caleb helped prepare and we put together a fun little "Sprinkle party" for her.<br />
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Life was already so sweet when we found out Hannah would be joining us. I mean Andrew and I had already been showered with so much love from our Heavenly Father.<br />
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With each other.<br />
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With these two boys......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNVyC9AtJAHfo2hUk7UbaV7dw8uTmZpsDUsYIH5sxBu-ENjc_X5d-qPR7uUoA5E5jtSVhERw6iB7RY4ub06yIOghDl42zlTO1WywyvlljFF7IVjsgdqCQYVm0hClzf4F-pLGHDs7esdgj/s1600/image2-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNVyC9AtJAHfo2hUk7UbaV7dw8uTmZpsDUsYIH5sxBu-ENjc_X5d-qPR7uUoA5E5jtSVhERw6iB7RY4ub06yIOghDl42zlTO1WywyvlljFF7IVjsgdqCQYVm0hClzf4F-pLGHDs7esdgj/s1600/image2-3.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA9rmYs6Xmy4HciQ0hVuMHNCR1JrTbeKwIgmnK7FXhwgjhzOl9bEkpPdVXso2WGvs4HDJQxtQFPo4ufAK_nKqbWmtSvg61SNeQydfDlpHavJMn_V4k3UBGMAmcbu96C0IFsprG8xvWabC/s1600/image6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA9rmYs6Xmy4HciQ0hVuMHNCR1JrTbeKwIgmnK7FXhwgjhzOl9bEkpPdVXso2WGvs4HDJQxtQFPo4ufAK_nKqbWmtSvg61SNeQydfDlpHavJMn_V4k3UBGMAmcbu96C0IFsprG8xvWabC/s1600/image6.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
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With precious friendships. With miracles. With peace and grace and mercies new every morning. <i>God is so good. </i><br />
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Life was sweet, but the gift of Hannah was like sprinkles on top of it all.<br />
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It was like God was saying, "Not only that....I'm showering down extra sweetness on all of this."<br />
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<i>What a gift!</i><br />
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I hope to write more about her soon, but for now here are some pictures from her special day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Zb-IlYTLPM3uyhtrYcAqBHqe6TMpe1vvRZgX8iT4uX7F5Oo-7wXUQqLOIjtO-3gh13WTbQxojKzu229lC8TeviIqyq0mTAXc9x6VcR3P8Ius977kcnq2b4PhqA0q70mtvMZBMhL_yiE/s1600/IMG_6976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Zb-IlYTLPM3uyhtrYcAqBHqe6TMpe1vvRZgX8iT4uX7F5Oo-7wXUQqLOIjtO-3gh13WTbQxojKzu229lC8TeviIqyq0mTAXc9x6VcR3P8Ius977kcnq2b4PhqA0q70mtvMZBMhL_yiE/s1600/IMG_6976.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>Caleb helping get the food ready</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTwVZBP07HJ5gGDofuOAy5EgxHDcJ5orici4F5d_hGs3l9KJaYpsvS2y3D81MerSIJG-eZA_5xBiweYkt7rtMnl6vIB7ysCWZuFNNJop_YNhrOvvITxlwt32grYnoTDphzDHeBQ_HIlv3/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTwVZBP07HJ5gGDofuOAy5EgxHDcJ5orici4F5d_hGs3l9KJaYpsvS2y3D81MerSIJG-eZA_5xBiweYkt7rtMnl6vIB7ysCWZuFNNJop_YNhrOvvITxlwt32grYnoTDphzDHeBQ_HIlv3/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Cake!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1mYE39GfAodzEEcEPC0bBMre89g7JHnS8IIpwzL6MxGj9EuOPRovbeLPj7DSwiVSDC2z0-hIRF6NiG7t85OwPAFdDTGNjIOjuDuIiw057VeeqolNGk2XeQKPcTZsrOSZV8CrB6j5MxbP/s1600/IMG_6978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1mYE39GfAodzEEcEPC0bBMre89g7JHnS8IIpwzL6MxGj9EuOPRovbeLPj7DSwiVSDC2z0-hIRF6NiG7t85OwPAFdDTGNjIOjuDuIiw057VeeqolNGk2XeQKPcTZsrOSZV8CrB6j5MxbP/s1600/IMG_6978.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><i>Sprinkles....lots of sprinkles!!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0xyKdfSCif7z3Y8g-D7Q5-8D4cz9dLajgeOx_ocML39NGvTFb3xkiANlHuZmPYAPvIRJLj2eiDYpzFGoiWVrFrSxXpWVbQHdNRw2Wz-VuO4HQxPyYBYXVbvJviQsKZONJANYMMHo1ZwF/s1600/IMG_6981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0xyKdfSCif7z3Y8g-D7Q5-8D4cz9dLajgeOx_ocML39NGvTFb3xkiANlHuZmPYAPvIRJLj2eiDYpzFGoiWVrFrSxXpWVbQHdNRw2Wz-VuO4HQxPyYBYXVbvJviQsKZONJANYMMHo1ZwF/s1600/IMG_6981.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Caleb making his "Hannah" sign with, of course, sprinkles :)</i></div>
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<i>Daddy brought Hannah birthday flowers....</i></div>
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<i>So earlier today I said to Andrew, "Mmm...I didn't really think about her birthday dinner. What would she like for dinner?" Probably in a bit of a sleep deprived state, we decided that since she loves Cheerios.....we should go splurge on a few of the many, many kinds of Cheerios you can find these days. So 'breakfast for dinner' it was. The kids were thrilled. :) Ahh...memories. Ha!</i></div>
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<i>Mmm....Cheerios! </i></div>
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<i>CAKE TIME!! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdP-H7H9PhZY1B6eFrMCn-L80ko9bFMCt7cOQJ6oOmfhrBk5wt3rx0trTlOIIx60I2OXUQEIga1IdRK2kBFimSQCxWXzuLjunkQtTCRWm4EqnoDIIo65mLAVqDJmE-i1bFMSEnCp5L9mm/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdP-H7H9PhZY1B6eFrMCn-L80ko9bFMCt7cOQJ6oOmfhrBk5wt3rx0trTlOIIx60I2OXUQEIga1IdRK2kBFimSQCxWXzuLjunkQtTCRWm4EqnoDIIo65mLAVqDJmE-i1bFMSEnCp5L9mm/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>She was so careful at first....</i></div>
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<i>Then, she went for it!</i></div>
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<i>The FaceTime/Skype session with far-away family.....</i></div>
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<i>I got too distracted and didn't take any pics of her opening presents. But, at the end, we let Luke give her a new box of Kleenex. Just what every one-yr-old wants. :) She loved it!! She got to pull out as many she wanted. She kept pretending to blow her nose. Ha!</i></div>
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!!!!</div>
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The extreme meltdowns seem to have subsided for the most part. Not that they don't EVER happen. But it's fairly infrequent....maybe once or twice a month. And even when they do happen, it's been easier to talk him down. For several months, when Luke would have a meltdown, it was like he was caught in a circuit and there was no coming out of it. It was like the meltdown started and quite literally his brain couldn't come out of it without just riding it out..until it was over. Usually 30 or 45 minutes. Which of course felt like hours. Because it was 30 minutes solid of screaming, crying, kicking, biting, head banging, and other various forms of self harm. Truly intense and truly unbearable in many ways. Needless to say, we are thankful for not having to live this reality multiple times a week. Thank you for praying!<br />
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I wanted to write a bit about Luke's school.<br />
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I'll never forget after the boys were born and we realized Luke suffered some significant damage to his brain. Someone said to me at some point (the specifics are somewhat foggy), "Oh my goodness. What will you do if they can't be in the same class at school?" I don't recommend asking questions about something that will happen in five years. There's grace for today, folks. Especially when it comes to special needs parenting. We basically have a game plan for like...well, today. And maybe next week. But everything is evolving constantly. And well, our morning cup-of-joe is getting us through the right-here-and-now moments. And, I ask God to be my portion..today. My DAILY bread. Tomorrow will bring new mercies and new strength. So, I wasn't thinking much about Kindergarten at that point.<br />
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But, as the months and years passed, I did think about Kindergarten. A lot. The truth is, it would be very rare for even typical twins to be in the same kindergarten class. At least in our part of the country, the norm is to separate twins. So, the thought of them being in the same class was never really one I considered. But we did OFTEN pray that by the time they started school, Luke would be caught up enough to attend a regular Kindergarten class.<br />
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So, September came around this year and it was time. Time for this.<br />
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<i>CALEB'S first day of school.</i></div>
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I was so ready and so not ready. We dropped Caleb off at his school first. I totally lost it. So much so that Andrew had to walk Caleb in while the rest of us stayed in the car. Of course, I held it together for the good-bye. I smiled big and told Caleb I knew he would have a great day. He was SO excited for this moment and not at all nervous, so that helped a lot. But once Caleb and Andrew got out of the car and started walking in, the reality of it all came crashing down.<br />
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<i>Sometimes in this life, grief comes 'round again</i>. You can't push it away or make it disappear. You just tip your hat and acknowledge it. And allow the tears to fall.<br />
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<i>There's no guilt in grief, for goodness sake.</i><br />
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Some days, you just grieve the <i>might have been</i>. The picture you had in mind when the doctor said, "There's two in there!" You imagine they'll be inseparable. Best buds. Living life and experiencing life <b>together</b>.<br />
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But there was no 'together'. It wouldn't just be separate classes. It would be separate schools altogether. For one reason: Though identical twins, our boys experience life completely differently. One, the way most healthy, typical children experience life. And the other, as one who has experienced a great deal of challenges. Sickness. Feeding tubes. Surgeries. Seizures. Delays. Impairments. Disability. Diagnoses.<br />
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At the end of preschool last year, our school district called a meeting. Then another meeting. But after those meetings happened, more meetings were scheduled. And we came to realize our school district was grappling with one question, "Just what do we do with Luke for Kindergarten?" One day last Spring, we sat around a table with 8 different teachers and therapists. All so knowledgeable and all concerned that Luke would have optimal placement. We agreed to reconvene, as no decision had been made. In fact, out of the eight staff members present, there were SEVEN different opinions on where Luke should be placed.<br />
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We prayed. We fasted. We toured schools. We met with principals. We thought we knew what was best. But as time went on, even WE didn't know where we should place him.<br />
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Finally, a decision was made that Luke would be placed in a newly formed class at Park School. Park school is a facility in our district for multiple-disabled children. I had visited the school. And while I impressed with the staff, I just worried about the lack of exposure to typically developing peers.<br />
Luke is in an interesting place in his development. He knows about as much as any kindergartner in some ways. He knows his letters and their sounds. He can recognize some sight words. He knows his numbers. He can count objects. He know his colors and shapes. He can sort. He knows a great deal of information.<br />
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And yet....his delays and disabilities limit him significantly. The visual impairment requires he have many modifications. His sensory processing issues make a regular kindergarten environment unbearable for him. The size of the room, the amount of children, the lack of certain kinds of structure, the noise....it would all be excruciating for Luke. And certainly would not provide an optimal learning environment.<br />
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The day after we dropped Caleb off for his first day of Kindergarten, we dropped Luke off for his first day at Park School. It's hard to even express how perfect this classroom is for Luke.<br />
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It so incredibly organized and structured. There are only 4 students in the class. One teacher and two aides. A dream for a special needs parent!! That means, he is almost always getting one-on-one attention/interaction. SOO hard to find this kind of set-up in a public school. Luke is excelling! He LOVES going to school. His language is blossoming. His skills improving. His overall mood is just....happier. We see him interacting more with Caleb and Hannah at home. We see him being more able to handle various "stressors".<br />
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Most of all, God had led us to a group of people who truly love Luke. They accept him for who he is. They push him to do better. They're patient on the days when he is not at his best. Simply, they just want the best for Luke. And I guess even more than that...they ENJOY him. They don't just educate him and help him and check the boxes when he achieves a certain goal. When I drop him off in the morning, I can just tell they are genuinely excited to see him. And really, what else could we ask for?<br />
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I stand amazed at God's great faithfulness....to us, yes. But also, to Luke. We moved here to this city for one reason. Northwestern University. Because God called us here. It was (and is!) a leap of faith. We couldn't negotiate with God. We did it...trusting that every need would be met. That our kids would attend the local public school and it would be what was best for them. And I guess, at the end of the day...it shouldn't surprise me. But to think that God has so carefully positioned us. So carefully helped us find an environment that is so helpful for Luke. Thank you, Lord!!<br />
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And while "The first day of kindergarten" for our boys may not have looked like what we thought or even what we prayed for, we are filled with humble gratitude that it was filled with a kind of beauty that only comes from God. And in many areas of my life I'm finding that Jesus knows our grief, but He graciously invites us to come and see HIS plan and HIS ways that are so much better than ours.<br />
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Luke's First Day of Kindergarten:<br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-19694140659507168552014-07-18T09:31:00.000-05:002014-07-18T09:39:25.974-05:00The Good and The BadWe've had some good days. We've had some bad days.<br />
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Good news is....Luke hasn't had any noticeable seizure activity since April. Truly grateful for that! And we don't take for granted any seizure free day. We are fully aware of the reality we <i>could</i> be facing in these regards and we thank God for graciously keeping Luke seizure free.</div>
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Overall, he is going fairly well. Luke LOVES summer. He loves being outside, loves walks, loves swinging at the park, loves swimming and any kind of water play. He loves fireworks. He loves listening to birds in the morning. For many reasons, summer is by far his favorite season! So, we've had some happy days recently. </div>
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Last month, Luke's neurologist changed his seizure medication. We are now on medication Number 2. The first one, Keppra, didn't seem to be the right one for Luke. Truthfully, I would have been ok staying on for longer. But when we described Luke's occasional meltdowns/rages, the doctor didn't feel comfortable leaving him on it. Keppra is known to cause significant behavior issues and so the doctor felt like it may just continue to get worse. </div>
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So we weaned off of Keppra and he is now on carbamazepine (Tegretol). Sadly, the occasional meltdowns haven't subsided at all. </div>
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I guess meltdown is an ok word. I don't really know what they are called in the medical world. (maybe a special needs parent reader can fill me in!) </div>
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Basically, it goes like this: </div>
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We'll be in the middle of everyday life.....doing anything really....playing at the park, riding in car, at a restaurant, watching TV, on a walk, at the grocery store....just whatever. And all of a sudden, f<i>or no apparent reason, </i>an otherwise happy Luke just FALLS.APART. He starts screaming, crying, kicking and causing all kinds of self harm.....pulls his hair, bites his tongue, scratches his face, seeks out a hard surface and bangs his head repeatedly. It is like nothing I've seen before. It is so intense. It doesn't happen everyday, but far more often than we would like. At this point I would say maybe twice a week. </div>
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If we happen to be home when it happens....it's rough, but manageable. If we're out and about when it happens...YIKES! </div>
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There is no talking him out of it. No discipline that can take place. Honestly, I probably wouldn't understand it myself if it weren't for having a child who does this. It is so bizarre and so intense and so incredibly hard to manage. </div>
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So, say a prayer for me! And for him! When we are out and about, it's usually me with the three kids on my own. And so you can imagine the challenge. Luke has to be restrained (never a fun thing to do) because of the risk of injury. He is strong and seems to have super sonic strength during an episode like this. I'm pretty sure he could just about knock himself out, if he weren't in some way restrained and kept from hurting himself. </div>
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I videoed Luke's most recent meltdown (they last about 20-30 minutes) and will show Luke's neuro at our next appointment. As terrible as they are, I do want to "wait and see" if this side effect will subside with time. This hopping around from one med to the next is so very much NOT what I want to do. It's rough on a little 5 yr old body. </div>
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I hesitated to share in detail all his current struggles. But because there are other special needs parents following (and we all learn soooo much from each others' experiences), I wanted to be sure to give a good picture of what like is like for us right now.</div>
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Despite some grumpy times (and an almost total refusal to wear shoes these days!!!) Luke is enjoying his summer. We are hearing lots of good language, lots of laughing and happy smiles. </div>
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<i>Luke's favorite holiday....July 4th!!</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>He's doing so good this year on the "kid-kid swing' (his words for big kid swing) He is fearless and loves to go really high! He'll be our roller coaster lover for sure!</i></span></div>
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The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-16164774536993648032014-07-16T22:01:00.000-05:002014-07-16T22:04:22.192-05:00Heavenly haircutSo, the boys haven't been thrilled with getting haircuts...well, really...ever! Even when they were little guys and we took them for their first professional haircut, they didn't enjoy it. Tolerate? Perhaps. Enjoy? Definitely not.<br />
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<i>Caleb's first haircut</i></div>
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<i>Luke's first haircut</i></div>
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Since that time, though, Luke has grown to HATE haircuts. We've traumatized a handful of professionals trying to accomplish the task of getting Luke's hair cut (an event that occurs maybe 3 times a year). God bless 'em. Looking back, we should have tipped them waaay better than we did.<br />
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Anyway, we've settled on the fact that Luke's haircuts will just have to be done at home. Maybe you have a child or have seen a child who dislikes haircuts. Luke is about as extreme as it gets. I'm not sure "hate" is even a strong enough of a word. He falls apart. He screams and thrashes and his hands/arms/legs/feet become weapons against the one trying to cut his hair.<br />
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It's a really, REALLY hard thing to do. Rarely do we wake up and say, "Oh, let's give Luke a haircut today." No, it has to like be on the calendar. We prepare emotionally for at least a couple of days. Ha! I know.....it probably sounds ridiculous. Especially for those of you who can waltz into a cute little kids hair salon....plop your kid in a cool helicopter seat, sit back, take pictures and give them them a lollipop at the end. Haha!! This is SO far from our reality.<br />
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We were pleasantly surprised (read: shocked!!) when we gave Luke a haircut this week. And when I say "we", I mean Andrew. The guy has superhero powers. He really is the "Luke Whisperer." :)<br />
We still don't know if it was just the right combination of snacks, videos, tone of voice, lighting, air temperature?? The way Andrew was holding the clippers?? Seriously. you begin to take inventory of every.single.detail so you can (hopefully) replicate the experience next time!<br />
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<i>In progress.... </i> <i> picture break.....</i></div>
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<i> .....almost done!</i><br />
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Whatever "it" was, Luke sat in the chair and never cried once!! No tantrum. No tears. Hardly any objection at all. Almost feels like a miracle!<br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-81798130755895068182014-05-01T01:54:00.001-05:002014-05-03T20:04:25.476-05:00We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God!This won't be a long update, but we want to share some disappointing developments with Luke.<br />
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On April 19th (Easter Eve), Luke had a long, severe seizure. He was at home. Actually, I had just left the house and Andrew was at home with all three kids. Luke had been sort of lethargic that day....didn't seem to feel real well. He took a bath and I had gotten him to bed. It was early.... about 5:30pm. But he was sooo tired. He climbed up into his bed and was asleep by 6pm.<br />
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I checked on him one more time before I left and he was sound asleep. I had been out of the house for about 20 minutes when Andrew called. Never the call I thought I would get.<br />
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There were various indicators that I won't get into...but by Andrew's estimation, Luke had probably already been seizing for 10-15 minutes before Andrew found him. Andrew had to check Luke's vitals more than once. Suffice it to say, it was a really bad seizure....the kind that had Andrew thinking Luke may have passed.<br />
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On the phone, the two of us are frantically saying out loud to each other the directions on how to administer the emergency drug. <i>Why didn't we pay better attention when they were showing us how to use this?</i><br />
We never thought we would have to use it.<br />
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Luke <i>s-l--o-w-l-y</i> started to recover. And by recover I mean fall into a deep sleep.<br />
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And all we could do was weep. <br />
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I guess there's no point in sugar-coating any of it. The truth is, we were heartbroken. And devastated. And so very disappointed. And very scared.<br />
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We eventually got in touch with Luke's neurologist, who said pretty much what we expected. <br />
This is too much. This kind of seizure is taking you into a danger zone. It's too much. "You have to medicate", he says.<br />
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So, we are. Luke's been on a daily antiepileptic drug for about 10 days now.<br />
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"It's the safest one", doc says. <br />
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It also comes with possible, significant side effects. We are waiting that out......waiting to see how Luke will react to it. He hasn't been on any AEDs since he was 1 yr old. And, we don't have a good history there. One drug made his seizures worse. Another one had the potential side effect of causing blindness....but it didn't work anyway, so he wasn't on that long.<br />
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But, I'm reminding myself....that was then and this is now. Luke was having an EnTiReLy different kind of seizure back then. We're in brand new territory now. So, time will tell what will work and what won't.<br />
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I'm still left with the question of why now? As the doctor rattled on about various things that trigger seizures, I'm just staring blankly back at him thinking Luke's had plenty of opportunities to seize over the last four years...and he didn't.<br />
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He's had two surgeries, been extremely sleep deprived (he didn't sleep through the night till he was almost 4... most nights he was awake for 2 or 3 hours stretches), been very sick with high fevers, taken two long road trips to Montana. All of these common triggers never once set off any kind of seizure activity. The EEGs always confirmed it for us. They were perfectly normal.<br />
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Doctors have always cautioned us that with a brain bleed as bad Luke's was, issues can arise throughout his lifetime. Scar tissue develops, things can just change.....<br />
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Why this and why now?<br />
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We don't know. When the seizures stopped in 2010, it was so out-of-the-ordinary. So wonderfully clear that God had intervened. To have gone 4 yrs with no seizures is truly miraculous! <br />
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All we do is continue to trust. God is able and we know He is with us. Thank you for praying with us.<br />
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Luke was really out of it for about 2 days after the seizure. But I was able to catch him in a happy, cooperative mood and he was ready to sing. :) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvBFIwHwB-U&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">This is him singing a kids song, "We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God."</a><br />
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<i>P.S. I'll keep you updated on this site throughout the coming month (and summer months) about how Luke is doing.</i><br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-50516784485266236752014-01-24T21:29:00.001-06:002014-01-24T21:37:06.433-06:00Luke's recent seizureAbout a month ago now, in the early morning hours of Dec. 21st, Luke had a seizure during his sleep.<br />
It presented as a focal seizure. Some irregular breathing, his right leg twitching rhythmically, he vomited all over his bed. All this while sleeping.<br />
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By God's grace, Luke was sleeping on the floor in our bedroom that night. My parents "happened" to be visiting. This was their last night staying with us, after having been with us for a month. So, they were staying in Luke and Caleb's bedroom and the boys were sleeping in our room. I was already in "light sleep" mode, as I had our newborn, Hannah, next to our bed. I wake up to hear Luke breathing loudly....strangely....<br />
I sort of look down at him, confused. Truthfully, a seizure was far from my mind.<br />
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Luke had been seizure free for almost 4 years. 46 glorious months without that beast of a Seizure Monster in our lives. If you've ever seized or seen a loved one seize, you know what I mean when I say Monster.<br />
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I scramble around for my cell phone....eager to get some light on Luke's face to see what exactly he's doing.<br />
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<i>Is he having a bad dream?</i><br />
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<i>Did he catch a cold and get congested during the night?</i><br />
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But, as I put my hand on him to try to wake him up, I felt his leg. <i>Back and forth. Back and forth. </i><br />
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Still confused, I try to arouse him from his sleep. Nothing. Next, I notice he had vomited. At this point, I realized that something pretty major was happening and most likely it was a seizure.<br />
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I start calling out, "Andrew. Andrew. Andrew, wake up! There's something wrong with Luke here. Maybe a seizure."<br />
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Andrew pulls Luke up off the floor and we bring him to the couch to try to get him to wake up and talk to us. Luke is mostly unresponsive to our efforts though. He cried some...but mostly just a whine/groan type of thing. Once he got agitated enough with the bright lights in the living room and our talking to him, then he started fighting us a bit. That's when we notice that the right side of his body was in full paralysis. His right leg and arm were stiff. The right side of his mouth drooping.<br />
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<b>Go time.</b><br />
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"We have to take him now, Kristi!!" <br />
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Your house (or apartment in our case) has that "feel" to it in the middle of the night. I had grown accustomed to it again, having been getting up with a newborn in the night for the last month.<br />
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Dark. Quiet. The hum of the fridge running. Street lights streaming through the window. Peaceful.<br />
Suddenly, in the quietness, there's chaos.<br />
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Talk about scrambling. I run to knock on my parents' door and let them know we're leaving for the ER. Andrew scrambles to find Luke's coat and socks. I'm quietly thanking God that despite laying right next to Luke on the floor, Caleb is sleeping soundly and oblivious to all this madness. I realize that our trip to ER may last for hours and that my nursing newborn will have to come with us.<br />
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As we scramble out the door, the only soundtrack now is the sound of teary, desperate prayers being offered up in the darkness. Not in any language we can understand...but one the Spirit helps us to pray.<br />
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We drove down Lake Shore Drive to downtown Chicago in record time. Probably 14 minutes flat...though it seemed much longer, of course. We arrived at Lurie Childrens Hospital and had attentive staff and a team of people ready to help us.<br />
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Then commences The Great Medical History conversation. It's a doozie! Whenever we're asked Luke's medical history, it was always starts with raised eyebrows and a deep breath. Here we go. Start from the beginning. It's a long story, to be sure.<br />
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Various people come to talk to us. ER docs. Neurologist. Nurses. We sit and we answer questions. And we watch as they all do their thing...get IV lines in, take vitals, rub Luke's head while talking to our sweet boy. And we cry. Cause we were sure we were done with whole nightmare. I can honestly say, I thought we would never have the Seizure Monster knock on our door again. But, here we were. Answering the same questions, facing the same fears. Despite the four-year reprieve, it all felt too familiar.<br />
<br />
They ordered a CAT scan to rule out a stroke. That came back normal. They monitored his paralysis, his breathing, his blood pressure, his heart rate....the usual. After about 2 hrs. he regained movement on this right side. Luke was sound asleep during this whole time. But we could tell the right side of his face was looking more normal and the hospital staff aroused (read: annoyed) him enough to get him to kick them with his right leg.<br />
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Like most hospital visits, there was mostly just a whole lot of waiting. And praying. And calling. And emailing. <b><i>Thank you so much for those of you who prayed for us that night and the next day....and in the days that have now followed. </i></b><br />
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After 2-3 hours of testing and waiting and monitoring, the ER neurologist finally came in and said, "Well, given your sons history, this is what we would expect for him to do. The infantile spasms resolve and then these kids usually go on to develop a different kind of epilepsy....or many different kinds over the course of their lives. We recommend starting him on Keppra and we'll send someone in here to train you on using diastat, the emergency drug you administer should he ever have a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes and you're waiting for emergency services to get to where you are."<br />
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Of course, it wasn't quite this cut and dry...and she was a kind lady. But, basically, the message was, "Oh, you have had four years of seizure freedom? That's great! But, yeah, it looks like he'll end up doing what we would expect him to do.....seize. So, let's just get him on meds."<br />
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If you've followed our journey, you can imagine how hard that was to hear!<br />
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We wanted to shout, "NO!! He isn't just 'going to have seizures'!! We're not gonna just 'start the meds'!!" <br />
We didn't shout, but we did communicate those feelings to her. We asked if it would be totally unreasonable to not give him the meds for now and to wait to talk to Luke's neurologist and get an EEG first. She agreed that that wouldn't be totally unreasonable.<br />
<br />
Dec. 21st isn't a great time to have a seizure that requires an EEG and follow up with your neuro. It seemed EVERYone we needed to get appointments with was out of town or otherwise unavailable for weeks.<br />
Which is why it has taken us so long to get an update out.<br />
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Here's where we stand now:<br />
<br />
1) We are treating this seizure as "first time offense" so to speak. Because it has been so long since he has seized, we are considering this Luke's first seizure. If any neurologically healthy child seized once, they wouldn't medicate. They would wait and see. That is what we are doing with Luke.<br />
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2) Luke's neurologist, who we really like, agreed to let us hold off on the Keppra (the daily anti-seizure drugs). If you're asking, "Why don't they just give him meds? I've known lots of people who take seizure meds and do just fine." Good question!! The answer is that back in 2009, Luke responded terribly to anti-seizure meds. None of them helped the seizures and one actually made them get worse. They also tend to have pretty intense side effects, none of which you would want to deal with on an ongoing basis. Luke is really beginning to make some great strides in communication and cognitive skills. The seizure meds tend to put kids into a fog....to delay their development. We, of course, are striving to go in the other direction. He is already so delayed in so many areas....a drug that would further delay development doesn't sound like an answer to us.<br />
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3) There are some circumstances surrounding the seizure that make us wonder if it wasn't somehow provoked. He didn't have a fever, but he had been fighting a bit of a stomach bug. He had recently had a flu vaccine (the flu mist). We have had a lot of changes in our family over the past couple of months. The holidays brought lots of changes to our schedule and probably less sleep than normal. Any of things...or perhaps all of them together, could have been just a little too much for Luke, according to his neurologist. Sometimes with kids like Luke, while they don't actively seize, their seizure threshold is low. They would seize more easily than another kid might.<br />
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4) His EEG came back ABNORMAL. We just got this news a couple of days ago and it was disappointing news to hear. Since April of 2010, Luke has had 3 completely NORMAL EEGs. This is the first time it has been abnormal in almost four years. The results of the EEG read that focal discharges were seen in the right temporal lobe. No clinical evidence of seizures was seen. Simply, this means, abnormal discharges were observed, but he didn't physically show evidence of a seizure while he was hooked up to the EEG machine. But he is what they would consider "at risk for seizures". As I said, this is a definite change from the results we just had less than a year ago (Feb. 2013), where the EEG was totally normal.<br />
The EEG findings are a bit strange and don't really coincide with what we saw during his seizure event. His right leg twitched and his right side went into paralysis. Typically, you would think you would see abnormalities on the LEFT side of his brain, in order for his RIGHT side to be effected. So, in that way....we are kind of left guessing. An EEG is a good tool for neurologists to use, but they are always quick to tell us, it isn't a perfect test. We take these results and tuck them away...but are still in "wait and see (and Pray!)" mode. <br />
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5) We haven't seen any other seizure activity since the Dec. 21st event. We thank God for that!<br />
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Here are some things you can pray about. I hope to update here more often about Luke and his progress. It's been a long time since I've done that. For now, here are the best ways you can agree with us in prayer.<br />
<br />
* First, pray that Luke never has a seizure again. As we said in earlier posts about this...We believe Luke was and IS healed of all seizure activity.<br />
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*Please pray that we as parents and all of his teachers, therapists and other school staff will be very attentive to Luke and not miss anything that we should be seeing.<br />
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* Please pray for peace in our hearts. We want to be attentive, but not fearful. Fear is not of God. And, despite the recent events, we want to walk free from fear and continue trusting in our great God!<br />
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<br />
Thank you all so much for your love and prayers. It means so very much to us.<br />
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<i><br /></i>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-9668591248772098462012-10-31T14:11:00.000-05:002012-10-31T14:11:21.212-05:00Go Wildcats?We're on the move.....<br />
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To Northwestern University!! We'll be pioneering Chi Alpha there. We're super excited! I won't go into much detail cause the details are <a href="http://lundgrenfamilynews.com/">here</a>.<br />
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Buuuut...<br />
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I do want to say, that you know you must really be called by God when you're willing to wear purple and cheer for the Wildcats!<br />
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Sweet Lord.<br />
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I did tell God I would do anything for him. <br />
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#rockchalkjayhawk<br />
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P.S. I realize that possibly only my family or people from Kansas will understand this post. :-)<br />
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The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-29354913765183347442012-10-17T15:02:00.000-05:002012-10-17T15:02:06.747-05:00Planes, Trains and Tractors. Oh My!!Caleb and Luke (and their parents!) have had some fun memory-making moments in the last few months.<br />
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The boys got to experience their first train ride in Chicago (technically, just the metro, but when you're 3, it's a train. :) )<br />
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We also visited the fairgrounds here in southern Illinois and the boys got to hop on all the tractors. Pure joy!<br />
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And, finally, we got a visit from Uncle Rob. He flew in to see us. Flew,<br />
as in he was the pilot. How cool is that?!! Pretty stinkin' cool if you ask us.<br />
Enjoy the pictures!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAtjE4_jDQYKvVvXXV8I7TnTxeKXjXdLw4IJ-rUv_UWasOCTpZJ7XisGXEKmSzl3O-_U9q5WdgvRa3KdBuQxKcSpyTcTaxxZ9zAlFb1-BUWH9dKUY5ZktFSmlJbro0B8l-ZWps39648XX/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAtjE4_jDQYKvVvXXV8I7TnTxeKXjXdLw4IJ-rUv_UWasOCTpZJ7XisGXEKmSzl3O-_U9q5WdgvRa3KdBuQxKcSpyTcTaxxZ9zAlFb1-BUWH9dKUY5ZktFSmlJbro0B8l-ZWps39648XX/s320/IMG_0864.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb riding the Metro from Evanston to downtown Chicago</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKGlI95sa_0aULKum7iXiViMUTR9pFcy8xA9EHFIYgnnqRg1ZI-sLiqdWLQ6pvz8-vDU6FJPinWabf61qyFgCKOcsqpXeCvnOpEBMU_Qs0T8uH5IM4iWnIRvyWWz8oq9xOew4eLGGeTmq/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKGlI95sa_0aULKum7iXiViMUTR9pFcy8xA9EHFIYgnnqRg1ZI-sLiqdWLQ6pvz8-vDU6FJPinWabf61qyFgCKOcsqpXeCvnOpEBMU_Qs0T8uH5IM4iWnIRvyWWz8oq9xOew4eLGGeTmq/s320/IMG_0866.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This is sooo cool!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj5HAI49jS4-Y2KSgY-EVl3VprApsw2ZO9VLATYCCSuNU19ACM-i-4PTOFg4iNuMgW3PYx3NzHoT9Ar11eiC1inyp0iBaZul3XxnKt8PqTLWrAmNeUKha_UqL0kzdvnCKlPbaLY_2zOF4/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj5HAI49jS4-Y2KSgY-EVl3VprApsw2ZO9VLATYCCSuNU19ACM-i-4PTOFg4iNuMgW3PYx3NzHoT9Ar11eiC1inyp0iBaZul3XxnKt8PqTLWrAmNeUKha_UqL0kzdvnCKlPbaLY_2zOF4/s320/IMG_0884.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, that Giordano's...don't covet. :) And a sleeping Caleb. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GGpMs7BouWVw44kMCWX6RvMs4iVRn_AuOyqlyXI-P-532c_x9UNyUz7r0vm5orOYHmi4TBTtbOXgr1I2IVQN9KRd6MquFLLYceMAOq0W5nJ8cyfRzk8OuDepmeLLDwFM1ZSnDtgnCbx/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GGpMs7BouWVw44kMCWX6RvMs4iVRn_AuOyqlyXI-P-532c_x9UNyUz7r0vm5orOYHmi4TBTtbOXgr1I2IVQN9KRd6MquFLLYceMAOq0W5nJ8cyfRzk8OuDepmeLLDwFM1ZSnDtgnCbx/s320/IMG_0964.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke standing inside one of the tractor tires at the fair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had so much fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb at the fair</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's Uncle Rob!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeals of excitement happening at this point....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke is headed out to meet Uncle Rob!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VERY windy day, but here we all are!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr_D5mC0Ic8DIfYKjjFunJEByJ9uroDB48uFiw6hKxCtd3Z1X5TMY7wNpLJPwNcNqlTVIS2ULDf7oRGdCPIFha8rzdez4L1L9Z_uUh2mVMlEGZ5HN3cJiK7YQjo4GptrmGlXVutysYKHV/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr_D5mC0Ic8DIfYKjjFunJEByJ9uroDB48uFiw6hKxCtd3Z1X5TMY7wNpLJPwNcNqlTVIS2ULDf7oRGdCPIFha8rzdez4L1L9Z_uUh2mVMlEGZ5HN3cJiK7YQjo4GptrmGlXVutysYKHV/s320/IMG_2140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt5zU5nupB2nYICk7hwuPOR-mR3JhfYiE0v7ktBrmrUEhcjMH3Xqmu3x7ViSZahcgu1SnK-g3Eoa82p_lCcutWODGFCnqfYU4ldXEMFng6BqjGQmLXBwjnaiAbCYMdTBMoYEuMJkba7MP/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt5zU5nupB2nYICk7hwuPOR-mR3JhfYiE0v7ktBrmrUEhcjMH3Xqmu3x7ViSZahcgu1SnK-g3Eoa82p_lCcutWODGFCnqfYU4ldXEMFng6BqjGQmLXBwjnaiAbCYMdTBMoYEuMJkba7MP/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb is really into taking pictures on is own now....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ceaaY7DbogODhSHXKrq9dJzhToV0_GfVzupa6vZpmhpws7yy_WsVgUkdsRJXl5Hri86PGWMXYmMaj0KL6P9JTHEamfGI2M4dz7MlWwpIvkUzQKku4o5h9GtPXTDD5R5835rI1mMxsN5/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ceaaY7DbogODhSHXKrq9dJzhToV0_GfVzupa6vZpmhpws7yy_WsVgUkdsRJXl5Hri86PGWMXYmMaj0KL6P9JTHEamfGI2M4dz7MlWwpIvkUzQKku4o5h9GtPXTDD5R5835rI1mMxsN5/s400/IMG_2162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice shot, Andrew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkuOF1iJQkQ0nk-SFfTLq4diTC6gU0YJLcYLi94Kr5uXxTPGH-fvz72-rPT5HgMaIQXwQbVNNfHprllQtAhGj-7egyC-HOPWOchf-PDGrCbYXB28T-23zy6-GWo4M6CxumCPtDomnvQZ8/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkuOF1iJQkQ0nk-SFfTLq4diTC6gU0YJLcYLi94Kr5uXxTPGH-fvz72-rPT5HgMaIQXwQbVNNfHprllQtAhGj-7egyC-HOPWOchf-PDGrCbYXB28T-23zy6-GWo4M6CxumCPtDomnvQZ8/s320/IMG_2171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paparazzi....they never leave you alone, do they??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBjXEhmrq2UV3f0zwwR7BX_6eDLHK7E9_EMsvyhJLTPde331BQJQZijEbxzUnhoH-VF_vvrbTu90yhSPpST8fEzYfZk_zWzSbD4ToONhABXQ9DEvcp8KeRroNVe5k9WQjD6YqPvpR1UPu/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBjXEhmrq2UV3f0zwwR7BX_6eDLHK7E9_EMsvyhJLTPde331BQJQZijEbxzUnhoH-VF_vvrbTu90yhSPpST8fEzYfZk_zWzSbD4ToONhABXQ9DEvcp8KeRroNVe5k9WQjD6YqPvpR1UPu/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to take off...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9bUkAt5GQ7CsxHq7fnXlQSH9nknrO3rOIMeeW-6uEDDAUfSYeUIvYJD-jQmF_I-z5eHMIPNRlO8guronRDcJiOx98uefHHTbLcUWQPSXx7objB4y_zHNEnNP4N0lXu0NkhuZmEERG4Gu/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9bUkAt5GQ7CsxHq7fnXlQSH9nknrO3rOIMeeW-6uEDDAUfSYeUIvYJD-jQmF_I-z5eHMIPNRlO8guronRDcJiOx98uefHHTbLcUWQPSXx7objB4y_zHNEnNP4N0lXu0NkhuZmEERG4Gu/s320/IMG_0894.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just thought I'd throw this one in....This is Luke before his tonsillectomy riding in Lightning McQueen. He loooves Lightning McQueen. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODSMOT5V2MIgL1AIzpZPonG7aroSm4b60BN20PQ7l1MWpLGf36yXHy37BLsjdD-0Ut17e2kKZy9cZMq1CiWsW4wYGismZmRmdvG94OS2AtsIOlWx8W2CIFazSm4AUq5f9LlzBnKBhITVh/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODSMOT5V2MIgL1AIzpZPonG7aroSm4b60BN20PQ7l1MWpLGf36yXHy37BLsjdD-0Ut17e2kKZy9cZMq1CiWsW4wYGismZmRmdvG94OS2AtsIOlWx8W2CIFazSm4AUq5f9LlzBnKBhITVh/s320/IMG_0920.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's Caleb who created his own "Cleaning Machine". Mommy was pleased. ;)</td></tr>
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The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-81444983309056478732012-10-02T14:28:00.000-05:002012-10-02T14:28:02.344-05:00Because I'm Four Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't tell you how many times we've heard the words, "Because I'm four now" since last Wednesday.</div>
The boys turned four years old last Wednesday and boy oh boy, Caleb must feel like a new man! :))<br />
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Here are a few samples...<br />
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"I can fold that for you, Mom, because I'm four now."<br />
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"NO! Let me do it. Because I'm four now!"<br />
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"I'm not afraid of the dark because I'm four now." (yeah, right!)<br />
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"I don't say 'renember'...I say 'reMEMber'...because I'm four now."<br />
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"I can eat all of this cookie because I'm four now."<br />
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I'm sure you get the gist. It's endless. He's SO proud of being 4!<br />
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It's pretty adorable, if you ask me. I'm loving him being 4, by the way. I know, I know.....but what about my baby?? Isn't it sad to see my baby grow up?<br />
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It is. <br />
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It's just I positively LOVE 4 and 5 yr. olds. It's my favorite age!! And, truthfully, 3 was just hard. The "terrible twos" were nothing compared to the threes. So, mostly, I'm sorta glad to be coming out of that stage! <br />
<br />
If kids could go from like 15 months to 4 yrs. old overnight, I might be willing to have 12 more. ;)<br />
It's the 2's and 3's that are killer, I think.<br />
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Well, we had a great time celebrating our big boys!! Here are the pics. Enjoy!! (WARNING: You will be scrolling for a while. You're welcome, grandparents.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnKjkmmOrKpUqCyIst1OG_n877r-2gk5MBLPqmUtqWL550H8pTHKzZPs-gM1qHXwJgEJSoML3nSPXE1R8jAPS5IwZ-91yeoYP1qbf0fP9PFVjD4LPUFUZBAAuFerB1LYn-dQlNU-eadP/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnKjkmmOrKpUqCyIst1OG_n877r-2gk5MBLPqmUtqWL550H8pTHKzZPs-gM1qHXwJgEJSoML3nSPXE1R8jAPS5IwZ-91yeoYP1qbf0fP9PFVjD4LPUFUZBAAuFerB1LYn-dQlNU-eadP/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb opening presents...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrmR-wj7fRluDWC5f9a8dw8o1q5i66_oLsLQ9xBbtsCbiesZ_DPygUmdB4GoGt-Lea0dvVcUiLTycwzH3s_u3FGIKWPfQsUyO2K9b3RBKwmpZYMerim7Ldz1bqr-foxu7eC89lpOiEajV/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrmR-wj7fRluDWC5f9a8dw8o1q5i66_oLsLQ9xBbtsCbiesZ_DPygUmdB4GoGt-Lea0dvVcUiLTycwzH3s_u3FGIKWPfQsUyO2K9b3RBKwmpZYMerim7Ldz1bqr-foxu7eC89lpOiEajV/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look what I got!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-DjkQwswVUjdJ9Sf5sHMiGblk4-128AgN2PConx_QVTr59dvhTmrJLbCa4od8xFUeE5qhSGIcvOlZUjFGf4k8H3y_LLm8s-8QZxvAUwvA4e-QbDi4P3OOAIj_SMklPB9kSLNzZFd8f31/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-DjkQwswVUjdJ9Sf5sHMiGblk4-128AgN2PConx_QVTr59dvhTmrJLbCa4od8xFUeE5qhSGIcvOlZUjFGf4k8H3y_LLm8s-8QZxvAUwvA4e-QbDi4P3OOAIj_SMklPB9kSLNzZFd8f31/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could it be?!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz_6MgofgQ9M1BFtGKO7FLlTWAM1g7Bpei7VssI0D7PmO1zqVDEZ-xfJoTZO_MEkbT9-9akAPEqpiXXL-UEWej4Dp9kdlEa422xf6OrDBS7BlKDHhONWJpUmuV0dRCBSfCAcclwC-f3yB/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz_6MgofgQ9M1BFtGKO7FLlTWAM1g7Bpei7VssI0D7PmO1zqVDEZ-xfJoTZO_MEkbT9-9akAPEqpiXXL-UEWej4Dp9kdlEa422xf6OrDBS7BlKDHhONWJpUmuV0dRCBSfCAcclwC-f3yB/s320/IMG_2212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A playdough factory! Thank Papi and Nama!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5p4xHllJOSceOFxwAd_l-XiemTGZspgfO3yztl7XLCsemCWFM6R350YdVfTpiCe0ElJK4xLw-lMLFd8IspYvGJLlNR-ZdcvjI2obJRrAIsR2xm8UHfvWwEtdFQsGDWZRa8-4j1HPusgv/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5p4xHllJOSceOFxwAd_l-XiemTGZspgfO3yztl7XLCsemCWFM6R350YdVfTpiCe0ElJK4xLw-lMLFd8IspYvGJLlNR-ZdcvjI2obJRrAIsR2xm8UHfvWwEtdFQsGDWZRa8-4j1HPusgv/s320/IMG_2216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's going for the cinnamon rolls...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygIPc0GULbvFqKkZNIT3gGJrwYSiBbdI4G-w7uJBXuI6dvmAxWSLYB20ULN5GAzBDw0DgoEPhvL4uM5LvekJ6rVvbP8MR7GpBUx66vMfGPS2zx5-SNM4sFznEIFHGJRTSI0RiH6db8CtT/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygIPc0GULbvFqKkZNIT3gGJrwYSiBbdI4G-w7uJBXuI6dvmAxWSLYB20ULN5GAzBDw0DgoEPhvL4uM5LvekJ6rVvbP8MR7GpBUx66vMfGPS2zx5-SNM4sFznEIFHGJRTSI0RiH6db8CtT/s320/IMG_2219.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at this bite I'm about to take!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB3c0fwkoxKCKmCz9Fez7iwAlI9JVZNSyg8wBLW5k6yeNXeDvKugbt6Tw7xcJn22cStOcSElBhxlLE3tpw2lh-sKVXSXYGtHEmP4fTbALsidKA_r9Tyt5iNTwLDFWGO2PmHaxKRqVFRcn/s1600/IMG_2221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB3c0fwkoxKCKmCz9Fez7iwAlI9JVZNSyg8wBLW5k6yeNXeDvKugbt6Tw7xcJn22cStOcSElBhxlLE3tpw2lh-sKVXSXYGtHEmP4fTbALsidKA_r9Tyt5iNTwLDFWGO2PmHaxKRqVFRcn/s320/IMG_2221.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmmh.....this is SO good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE_QmzSnvxIEKt4TY6Mqi78n-S9VVF4kfZFgVRuc1l4Xbgi7ivKZzaSxWCzHPsSOu1qPeDtIy9RXox4_fJTahONcaSdJvs5U6tmqP0fp7srFshDBu6Ej742h5CvaBs_Hb_4j_JlGQq2MQ/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE_QmzSnvxIEKt4TY6Mqi78n-S9VVF4kfZFgVRuc1l4Xbgi7ivKZzaSxWCzHPsSOu1qPeDtIy9RXox4_fJTahONcaSdJvs5U6tmqP0fp7srFshDBu6Ej742h5CvaBs_Hb_4j_JlGQq2MQ/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneer Women recipe. They are as good as she claims they are. They are NOT low-calorie. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8MCJsa5Q0B0oy1o6EMO2jAAgTdhIa2Ex74hSHhCWndPk3hVVMBwm4HtUbE5m2Uq5DXumH3XEu3b7A9yLYDrwrMC_OOgn0NPqgLfJiJppMBzlM9eoLI2XrJ2XjiT_VWNp5OW16AhMU_FU/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8MCJsa5Q0B0oy1o6EMO2jAAgTdhIa2Ex74hSHhCWndPk3hVVMBwm4HtUbE5m2Uq5DXumH3XEu3b7A9yLYDrwrMC_OOgn0NPqgLfJiJppMBzlM9eoLI2XrJ2XjiT_VWNp5OW16AhMU_FU/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke remains totally disinterested in opening gifts. Just not there developmentally, I don't think....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQGOHUTkYQ568NxqLLtPwaL8cqG8f9PcTTP_1tAn_ikgTQqclCcWyD7wf9AIjBgEDW2w8um8L2qOhKo6oQyBlAXH1CLpEvKU77G7S5CxUN6NKfq-EGSAIgLwfUhs4bOw-DN52gdvuJKBB/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQGOHUTkYQ568NxqLLtPwaL8cqG8f9PcTTP_1tAn_ikgTQqclCcWyD7wf9AIjBgEDW2w8um8L2qOhKo6oQyBlAXH1CLpEvKU77G7S5CxUN6NKfq-EGSAIgLwfUhs4bOw-DN52gdvuJKBB/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buut at least he's not crying...we've made some progress ....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kCOi2F3Ku58H9R4xiS-SvOQQzhkmG82ce1oNN2mD8Q6TxsUd_iepGZcjCOCa2vdSLvMseWPODPsC9nzrlubJQuSslOLr1j-twwDORMkCApu_Fd0XoIOEAfxNIxqkwWYE4HkDMgow8UU1/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kCOi2F3Ku58H9R4xiS-SvOQQzhkmG82ce1oNN2mD8Q6TxsUd_iepGZcjCOCa2vdSLvMseWPODPsC9nzrlubJQuSslOLr1j-twwDORMkCApu_Fd0XoIOEAfxNIxqkwWYE4HkDMgow8UU1/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once they're opened, he loves seeing what's inside! Cool puzzle! Thanks Nama and Papi. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSVKPrf35tP1PdvM1v2FNH0Y55tQTextfJ6DvAlM9-fowBki1HyVVTy6YqzItCa-oUXtFsSde_fCZ9OcyROdGgmg4FCRZcLkiW8UvxLDB9ApugTp5bIiuHuoIbvK-ncWvbXbBTxRWP9Io/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSVKPrf35tP1PdvM1v2FNH0Y55tQTextfJ6DvAlM9-fowBki1HyVVTy6YqzItCa-oUXtFsSde_fCZ9OcyROdGgmg4FCRZcLkiW8UvxLDB9ApugTp5bIiuHuoIbvK-ncWvbXbBTxRWP9Io/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke loves letters and words!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEyzcCTn8pg1u4n7ommOefG8beUSk8qSlPhFb4I1zW4uKgETsjv9XmJcgTb7TATO2mdz23Bvpyn6MVFosisOu_Zf1HXyDoAbHy04cJ94rlDTYlZRf8i3zAxTjjym6nSvKt3D3qeoboHPY/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEyzcCTn8pg1u4n7ommOefG8beUSk8qSlPhFb4I1zW4uKgETsjv9XmJcgTb7TATO2mdz23Bvpyn6MVFosisOu_Zf1HXyDoAbHy04cJ94rlDTYlZRf8i3zAxTjjym6nSvKt3D3qeoboHPY/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying their birthday morning together...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx1QsahgzzMy_n0_hD-9dN5MH7FBBOJ1BxgdO2-wwtVj7yMrtm9H8oQfymqXW1t5mTDp0HvcnznwhuYC4nAcsDSNzbEyz4Z7LZdaVrH6IonpjgQhthATJYG-0F_9O_JCBkonPOgAqD343/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx1QsahgzzMy_n0_hD-9dN5MH7FBBOJ1BxgdO2-wwtVj7yMrtm9H8oQfymqXW1t5mTDp0HvcnznwhuYC4nAcsDSNzbEyz4Z7LZdaVrH6IonpjgQhthATJYG-0F_9O_JCBkonPOgAqD343/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb LOVES this rescue center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTWiTzOCXGoob9_dAdq50gEq6rWOHZB2U777q2QlIFO5PVwGjgv5jNexoxWCoDXecK3E8YKmt9uJn8VP2RtUQlLDxXetCL2uSb-0clNQ7ILXRjkRc6hUhIafjs4JtM9EWnpCkkz3R4I7E/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTWiTzOCXGoob9_dAdq50gEq6rWOHZB2U777q2QlIFO5PVwGjgv5jNexoxWCoDXecK3E8YKmt9uJn8VP2RtUQlLDxXetCL2uSb-0clNQ7ILXRjkRc6hUhIafjs4JtM9EWnpCkkz3R4I7E/s320/IMG_2267.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He skipped the cinnamon rolls and asked for an apple. Whose child is this???!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ZdVqb8fzngd2MEdhf5GVshwGVkDHQyU3Mjg6AhvoaX9mHjaO4nWeSj9rRurPKiKEYoX03PZIYZUuGKonBvq4-epc3nrdyzGMvbh1LsFL8Cm48Hd_jttNTCAGdxlYzzBjDh40VkLv6QJ/s1600/IMG_2270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ZdVqb8fzngd2MEdhf5GVshwGVkDHQyU3Mjg6AhvoaX9mHjaO4nWeSj9rRurPKiKEYoX03PZIYZUuGKonBvq4-epc3nrdyzGMvbh1LsFL8Cm48Hd_jttNTCAGdxlYzzBjDh40VkLv6QJ/s320/IMG_2270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Aunt Kari is responsible for his healthy eating habits!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz1wV2En7O1X9pMHEd3WrV3E0cxmtiBc-tP4zJzfYNJ4ACyWgLLh_UXD4QxdHRGP0DVKB5DpmCCTt3uqXsHb7lhYl-9F81ZOBP5VndrrROlRWA8gSvzu_CKdpzQBOT4-WIfOMuP9jwvia/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz1wV2En7O1X9pMHEd3WrV3E0cxmtiBc-tP4zJzfYNJ4ACyWgLLh_UXD4QxdHRGP0DVKB5DpmCCTt3uqXsHb7lhYl-9F81ZOBP5VndrrROlRWA8gSvzu_CKdpzQBOT4-WIfOMuP9jwvia/s320/IMG_2280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While tearing wrapping paper isn't his thing, Luke LOVES "reading" his cards..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWXEOMRpNnyRAxPj78nrinWymqw5Bom7XCiallMzRpN44WIHR3FwzXwUWMXT4sBaJSVOL-oHn0yITaSsbb1lr5QFQ5BtZSnBpQoKZJ9Ngumo4A64GklY1ADp5_fNlTSXQr7aRn1fLId4u/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWXEOMRpNnyRAxPj78nrinWymqw5Bom7XCiallMzRpN44WIHR3FwzXwUWMXT4sBaJSVOL-oHn0yITaSsbb1lr5QFQ5BtZSnBpQoKZJ9Ngumo4A64GklY1ADp5_fNlTSXQr7aRn1fLId4u/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He carefully inspects each one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c9wO7jVXe2TtWWNd5LNbLIQANaK9MehOttc8zWQ8upYiUDihRKv7VrNkr4ekYRCWab7tzIMWCo6YeN3TakqcuDwt9mVjq6r6VcN8kmV_NXGn7R4S-kNY3G6WlP-VQTCrOYDLeczXWjXW/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c9wO7jVXe2TtWWNd5LNbLIQANaK9MehOttc8zWQ8upYiUDihRKv7VrNkr4ekYRCWab7tzIMWCo6YeN3TakqcuDwt9mVjq6r6VcN8kmV_NXGn7R4S-kNY3G6WlP-VQTCrOYDLeczXWjXW/s320/IMG_2284.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's so cute as he opens them and says, "Happy Birthday!"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fz5ZGlNFj8X2wZQYmFB3M9Uf0SgAU_PXW9tFkGl-ac-BLmW03WvHtVwWBszQGIYNDynDA_nvxQdWcEOodpU9lZB7NpKh4NMsgFOoSD4rVLCpXnaTzFmZZCGuqQ82oTxgrCZTewlxOf4-/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fz5ZGlNFj8X2wZQYmFB3M9Uf0SgAU_PXW9tFkGl-ac-BLmW03WvHtVwWBszQGIYNDynDA_nvxQdWcEOodpU9lZB7NpKh4NMsgFOoSD4rVLCpXnaTzFmZZCGuqQ82oTxgrCZTewlxOf4-/s320/IMG_2285.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxHWmR9zRgtvML1xahMVzDkYmZSTeY5wddncrXuzIuLyqZdxNCYMwMMRhugZaMvIo3Z4vX7HJDBoQNKYlf5Wb8UR0ZY4EhHMSv7Qn9ruYfx3Aaj36rblycewSVRWQZfHhk3MglAABaM-B/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxHWmR9zRgtvML1xahMVzDkYmZSTeY5wddncrXuzIuLyqZdxNCYMwMMRhugZaMvIo3Z4vX7HJDBoQNKYlf5Wb8UR0ZY4EhHMSv7Qn9ruYfx3Aaj36rblycewSVRWQZfHhk3MglAABaM-B/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figuring out the playdough factory</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoF56RGG11uAHZis753H64OOVdwubWnaTE3G1h-fgDnjw03BurFpS01BlzWQU7Qxf12Jg6aw3m2Mt28uvBgoWhfF6yDqAij6CwYFjTYURpwEtwaU73gwH8qgprLQhfOuK1Kq2EIKHHDhU/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoF56RGG11uAHZis753H64OOVdwubWnaTE3G1h-fgDnjw03BurFpS01BlzWQU7Qxf12Jg6aw3m2Mt28uvBgoWhfF6yDqAij6CwYFjTYURpwEtwaU73gwH8qgprLQhfOuK1Kq2EIKHHDhU/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Curious George cake. Yes, I made it! :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zULC4QsFLn7LNx2XEVSx6rbFZzH5a-1QJv6ODtI45yqFDCHH1MwdAdU6xQ_z8B2FCTMgFF33bNcws3gHtlm2H6H6G5Ub-n5RaYI2LJYGNMceHH9Y9u0ROBhyphenhyphenjO6D9mQzlEFTlfZ_z0j9/s1600/IMG_2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zULC4QsFLn7LNx2XEVSx6rbFZzH5a-1QJv6ODtI45yqFDCHH1MwdAdU6xQ_z8B2FCTMgFF33bNcws3gHtlm2H6H6G5Ub-n5RaYI2LJYGNMceHH9Y9u0ROBhyphenhyphenjO6D9mQzlEFTlfZ_z0j9/s320/IMG_2306.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decorated table....before the storm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI27B2mxFctM1_k4OE5Kzt62UXytIg7SlY8fYFprmfCQsR9KuabLT81wcM53m8Rt5ygvPYFhUY_Gw4ZvgQPtKiqy2tA1bmqvF-3WEP0iWFmiRuQxLGltfXAW5ckLPVz_Unq1FoEfDioIT6/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI27B2mxFctM1_k4OE5Kzt62UXytIg7SlY8fYFprmfCQsR9KuabLT81wcM53m8Rt5ygvPYFhUY_Gw4ZvgQPtKiqy2tA1bmqvF-3WEP0iWFmiRuQxLGltfXAW5ckLPVz_Unq1FoEfDioIT6/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just had to post another pic of the cake because it survived the torrential downpour! :)</td></tr>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jUpWu8awp3E4m_pmdGO100jrThgPvXWw4UKACbqIhr4CethrlUdqEYDIbb-J1EYUTQVI5Bo3iQCBULVu7fdEGFcDsUSKVbzhWu7thCOuhK60cfAljaP30uJXm5bZn0CxFfy_ArM7nwje/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jUpWu8awp3E4m_pmdGO100jrThgPvXWw4UKACbqIhr4CethrlUdqEYDIbb-J1EYUTQVI5Bo3iQCBULVu7fdEGFcDsUSKVbzhWu7thCOuhK60cfAljaP30uJXm5bZn0CxFfy_ArM7nwje/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the place settings almost blew away, but we saved them with water bottles to weigh them down. Nonna and PawPaw Hoggard got the boys the Curious George stuffed animals. They love them! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS105ABm-4yOwmiSkQDYpS3-56SOAv1iIFxIxz17TxPWJa2s_dbgGLqknLnl2VZtadkp3V5tf5Lz2k7qGrd6ru8OK30Z1D2UXN1d_qyUyrxShbmFmr31zjDpUDJ8ldtS6ZNp0GnA3v1H9/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS105ABm-4yOwmiSkQDYpS3-56SOAv1iIFxIxz17TxPWJa2s_dbgGLqknLnl2VZtadkp3V5tf5Lz2k7qGrd6ru8OK30Z1D2UXN1d_qyUyrxShbmFmr31zjDpUDJ8ldtS6ZNp0GnA3v1H9/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDEfpPN0Pko_IGSEE9DICrcMwZK5FXBlqxatODaw5axOVIgGK5_1hC-W076j4X3rP12xSsYYt_dpxCmBJBNZHPCgpGztd0zaOwdNeFXsWLp2rSFkcfcoQIqHmtrpYBX_D3x3OUimdYiZh/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDEfpPN0Pko_IGSEE9DICrcMwZK5FXBlqxatODaw5axOVIgGK5_1hC-W076j4X3rP12xSsYYt_dpxCmBJBNZHPCgpGztd0zaOwdNeFXsWLp2rSFkcfcoQIqHmtrpYBX_D3x3OUimdYiZh/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to you!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-N3vsGeRtPm3eP1xXXZzxOVC_-bEP6pryRJw0exKT-BSax8qRhr4nd99_U4R53NIgbZ3n4joXTthNCX-4N8sgNtVhPeCHDPg4pxM8ojphlhp5dui-SSPh0ZRsJWlTg5ZDaGZSoVMyI4o/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-N3vsGeRtPm3eP1xXXZzxOVC_-bEP6pryRJw0exKT-BSax8qRhr4nd99_U4R53NIgbZ3n4joXTthNCX-4N8sgNtVhPeCHDPg4pxM8ojphlhp5dui-SSPh0ZRsJWlTg5ZDaGZSoVMyI4o/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">international student friends</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rDpTDxToSjmPBoxskAUP16Jsuc7rtZA8YtxtP2fq9WsQ3NJdfGRfsLIjtansAgtTebXH0vAGgiXZy_NxD4qwNIl3epegS4UdHT3r8mI_yzjpkLusMZsVNbrxraLzLoXAA9CzbXkEoySr/s1600/IMG_2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rDpTDxToSjmPBoxskAUP16Jsuc7rtZA8YtxtP2fq9WsQ3NJdfGRfsLIjtansAgtTebXH0vAGgiXZy_NxD4qwNIl3epegS4UdHT3r8mI_yzjpkLusMZsVNbrxraLzLoXAA9CzbXkEoySr/s320/IMG_2341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke loves balloons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweoX-2Yr4tZpHwEpH1WD2gCfXQqnJeVw57FIQhJCo8BEqR2bjeCR7iXDKSlJ1CAWUIw1_QEkDDgGuZxmrYwueLPvS7MmIEhtoGPDzdL9i7igm2PCA5TwNKr8lFWRHE7NUS372mJO1-uwq/s1600/IMG_2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweoX-2Yr4tZpHwEpH1WD2gCfXQqnJeVw57FIQhJCo8BEqR2bjeCR7iXDKSlJ1CAWUIw1_QEkDDgGuZxmrYwueLPvS7MmIEhtoGPDzdL9i7igm2PCA5TwNKr8lFWRHE7NUS372mJO1-uwq/s320/IMG_2343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow! Look at that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94sY2m7CyhsMXHQc-gunu86j_t1i8ElrzwI8B3WRRkiZdkeJ-f_mug5-0Z47T7vH1sZqjrHZ6FpoGW1EOYt20BLCLCvHu7hMqQJQhNf1Qc7SJLsYs-kIPZRrmxjyn1nzgEVUv-pqyvl8E/s1600/IMG_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94sY2m7CyhsMXHQc-gunu86j_t1i8ElrzwI8B3WRRkiZdkeJ-f_mug5-0Z47T7vH1sZqjrHZ6FpoGW1EOYt20BLCLCvHu7hMqQJQhNf1Qc7SJLsYs-kIPZRrmxjyn1nzgEVUv-pqyvl8E/s320/IMG_2345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Caleb kind of likes that he gets to open all of the gifts!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnfRomNiRdA78TK4qECwtDcrfb85NKsvMy9W8PWc-Fdt4i8MPCikZDMVCGsqNWCjN1Ck1J5Cdy79XpE0ToPKDsx4fSlX2RviYqNyz05niEfwjjK-T5bxK5ltrCHY5z79sQtTqfRBrf253/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnfRomNiRdA78TK4qECwtDcrfb85NKsvMy9W8PWc-Fdt4i8MPCikZDMVCGsqNWCjN1Ck1J5Cdy79XpE0ToPKDsx4fSlX2RviYqNyz05niEfwjjK-T5bxK5ltrCHY5z79sQtTqfRBrf253/s320/IMG_2347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A train from Miss Joann!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQe4R3x7W0WvDrBRUEXRO6r9-VRuF5u0ShlTUf0d3NWo4CqNNBiETVB5xHuy2f5_Ze9NL0b-txr0BBmOXaOKOuNb45G_Wf_Uap-PRi7IMdwTzWwmtXoIhyphenhypheni3u7d_kv8oh1G-iYUiFykv0/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQe4R3x7W0WvDrBRUEXRO6r9-VRuF5u0ShlTUf0d3NWo4CqNNBiETVB5xHuy2f5_Ze9NL0b-txr0BBmOXaOKOuNb45G_Wf_Uap-PRi7IMdwTzWwmtXoIhyphenhypheni3u7d_kv8oh1G-iYUiFykv0/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Trying to calm Luke down and tell him he doesn't have to open the gift. Ha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQiDJdsVovv1Fz-_XGki0tlAq7pX_cF39RErhNGrGj6V7CJxfRK8fQsNtuY_8cCEbVcmUhbE1zhu0EG2TmIROjcOZN_Bl2KwY87pwaC6aqvyl2uoy0NzCqsWpGMxgefTWbag-I3nT9Zf9/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQiDJdsVovv1Fz-_XGki0tlAq7pX_cF39RErhNGrGj6V7CJxfRK8fQsNtuY_8cCEbVcmUhbE1zhu0EG2TmIROjcOZN_Bl2KwY87pwaC6aqvyl2uoy0NzCqsWpGMxgefTWbag-I3nT9Zf9/s320/IMG_2362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor kid. I have to find a way to make unwrapping less traumatic for him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGt9tyyNdGkltTVY1HcB5PjdX33NwTyhU3WftGUFXzT_J12FCCYmzcuWxSZ6cO6VHy7bQej_40FsDbI6xY9O0jvBtteCoWBDgaUkU-3z-ySlJNpSjX1bBXZHSALcjuGcBDKtAgW3OSXoJ/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGt9tyyNdGkltTVY1HcB5PjdX33NwTyhU3WftGUFXzT_J12FCCYmzcuWxSZ6cO6VHy7bQej_40FsDbI6xY9O0jvBtteCoWBDgaUkU-3z-ySlJNpSjX1bBXZHSALcjuGcBDKtAgW3OSXoJ/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love our friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvjCqOaYJhjkNfhLAh7WDo5P7Q8PjqnaOq8jm0rVZrtZzTiC2WfXAriq0FR5xvAMaFfayBHQTUaWd_2X4moh5FB3f32RDwwY_w7Rhm6SmslsoZYAKUjoHXSup1vpFB21euK-4NSCDSo05/s1600/IMG_2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvjCqOaYJhjkNfhLAh7WDo5P7Q8PjqnaOq8jm0rVZrtZzTiC2WfXAriq0FR5xvAMaFfayBHQTUaWd_2X4moh5FB3f32RDwwY_w7Rhm6SmslsoZYAKUjoHXSup1vpFB21euK-4NSCDSo05/s320/IMG_2386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven guests....4 nations! </td></tr>
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The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-7711952285837249632012-09-07T14:56:00.001-05:002012-09-07T14:57:40.828-05:00Pumpkin Spice PonderingsMost of my close friends know that I love, love, love Fall.<br />
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Really I would be just fine skipping June, July and August every year.<br />
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There is so much to love about Fall. SO much. <br />
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This morning Andrew and I squeezed in a quick breakfast date while the boys were at preschool. I scored half price Starbucks on LivingSocial and thought this was the perfect day to get that first pumpkin spice latte of the season.<br />
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I take my first sip and then it hits me....<br />
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Memories. The brain is a funny thing.<br />
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4 yrs ago at this time, we welcomed our 2 lb miracle babies into the world. <br />
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We got loads of support from our friends and family during that time. I think we had dinner delivered to our door for like 6 weeks straight.<br />
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People offered all kinds of help.<br />
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One of the things that I received <i>a lot</i> of were pumpkin spice lattes. It was the perfect little gift....containing caffeine and comfort food qualities. <br />
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And since I looked like this just about always......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEzPO8jzxyo1mIFz_HPcwnP5FJNqkq6kUrAs8fCEOYToMqRLeJSf8ZwTs7DwbUW-Bfg3Dv8nyX9TXeH5E4yd14F_K9ExT9IPnwwkIeDSNz76gT35Hrgumt3S9SY3Q-IeQGQ4qyr6W6Rh5/s1600/29218_390874639279_3001810_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEzPO8jzxyo1mIFz_HPcwnP5FJNqkq6kUrAs8fCEOYToMqRLeJSf8ZwTs7DwbUW-Bfg3Dv8nyX9TXeH5E4yd14F_K9ExT9IPnwwkIeDSNz76gT35Hrgumt3S9SY3Q-IeQGQ4qyr6W6Rh5/s320/29218_390874639279_3001810_a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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..I'm sure my friends were thinking, "Oh Lord...she needs a Starbucks!"<br />
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But smells and tastes are powerful reminders and I think today, my brain didn't really want to remember this. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhhC_Dqag7VxUjzVvAHLtdz-wVMtWnELgIIumd-DAAbgysRLkBUmnh_M3JdQjoyWYkXJ5HSvGYKWms1T-ZQyWf5Zt5u1cYT7jUnvSIbtehTX1sNNQou5u2MD8qd-4ubyCvCtRdEN9x2tX/s1600/29218_390874539279_5165948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhhC_Dqag7VxUjzVvAHLtdz-wVMtWnELgIIumd-DAAbgysRLkBUmnh_M3JdQjoyWYkXJ5HSvGYKWms1T-ZQyWf5Zt5u1cYT7jUnvSIbtehTX1sNNQou5u2MD8qd-4ubyCvCtRdEN9x2tX/s320/29218_390874539279_5165948_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Or this.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXwgLtrtBLC3rX4hcelyEXx3ppCAOSTPSEU7ya_fs4vB2SH7-yjKb8Xupz8Wef5I1fzKH8FaKnLbvlTEhJtRZ3-dmeNlo0p8fphyphenhyphenVV5ywYmNdm0u29oIkNGIBBhyPGAh4frt4iF6iRjhO/s1600/1954_42212144279_4635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXwgLtrtBLC3rX4hcelyEXx3ppCAOSTPSEU7ya_fs4vB2SH7-yjKb8Xupz8Wef5I1fzKH8FaKnLbvlTEhJtRZ3-dmeNlo0p8fphyphenhyphenVV5ywYmNdm0u29oIkNGIBBhyPGAh4frt4iF6iRjhO/s320/1954_42212144279_4635_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rushing Luke off to yet another surgery</td></tr>
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I said to Andrew this morning, "I'm actually nauseous just smelling this." <br />
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I had so many images flash in my mind and even felt some of the same emotions!<br />
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Kind of sad. My beloved pumpkin spice latte may never be the same.<br />
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Thank goodness Eggnog Lattes are just a couple of months away!<br />
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<br />The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-71442519824001795382012-07-17T02:32:00.001-05:002012-07-17T02:36:19.488-05:00Resume PlayI pushed the pause button on this blog some months ago.<br />
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For one, our life as Chi Alpha interns has been pretty consuming. As you know we moved to Southern Illinois, last August to complete a one year internship at SIU in Carbondale. It's been wonderful...just very, very busy. </div>
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So, that's been one reason for the silence here. </div>
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Also though, it's been a year of listening....and learning.... And I've pushed pause in several areas in my life, this blog being only one of them. Not that life has slowed down or stopped in any way. But I think there are seasons when you need to do less talking and more listening. This last year has been one of those seasons. </div>
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Kids certainly don't stop their growing though and since this blog is mostly dedicated to the story of our boys and their adventures, it's time to hit "Resume Play" and keep telling that story. </div>
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It's always hard to know where to start when you haven't posted in such a long time. </div>
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It'll take me a bit to get caught up.</div>
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But for tonight, I'll leave you with pictures since they do the talking for themselves. We were so blessed that BOTH boys were able to attend preschool this past school year. Free of charge, by the way! Everyday. For 2.5 hours. And they loved it. I was sort of worried. Since yours truly hated preschool. I matter-of-factly told my parents some 30 (gasp!) yrs ago, "I don't want to go to preschool anymore. They don't learn me nothin' there!". I wondered if the boys would enjoy themselves. </div>
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They really did love it though and still talk about their classmates and teachers, even though we're 2 months into summer break now. </div>
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Enjoy the pics!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAR-W2X9O5-3dGCal2MbZPWLFTV1lKT-qMzEDUXLssPThMHHOupsW-PYEc5KrWlQo2-M883ReaTa78NyPF6jZp2rqJlqEOacVAPKU2622FNzEoG9is6WyZQ-IbJUfLCp2eUslcuGKUdnp/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAR-W2X9O5-3dGCal2MbZPWLFTV1lKT-qMzEDUXLssPThMHHOupsW-PYEc5KrWlQo2-M883ReaTa78NyPF6jZp2rqJlqEOacVAPKU2622FNzEoG9is6WyZQ-IbJUfLCp2eUslcuGKUdnp/s320/IMG_0572.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Walking in on the last day of school! They're wearing their class shirts. :)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOjHCV9QyTMeRA4HF3ZwZzNHOuAR4y9KqgDnjQ-QzHrkSU6gdWGz54g7Iv4Kae0nUOO4GqcuRYe1vgYG0jFNSXWjvgmRJBY4HRdy6D5gX34W-JwtqRejePVG3M4Yhe6I0hs2ByVFv010I/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOjHCV9QyTMeRA4HF3ZwZzNHOuAR4y9KqgDnjQ-QzHrkSU6gdWGz54g7Iv4Kae0nUOO4GqcuRYe1vgYG0jFNSXWjvgmRJBY4HRdy6D5gX34W-JwtqRejePVG3M4Yhe6I0hs2ByVFv010I/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" width="213" /></a></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Luke putting his folder away ALL BY HIMSELF! (yes, his teachers worked REALLY hard to get him to do this!)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbARgVeGf5Uq6W8DnpkeaWRFzLs-tgRZkqwu-QNH0ZVIKJacLmorgHZci6ZMIkj_KUiuBITkVCkVt3W3DJMNEIUDb6uCVvz3JiAuqeCQnMhGKDzMlp6fALSzdwOo-OyWtuPdfrVMEXHSx/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbARgVeGf5Uq6W8DnpkeaWRFzLs-tgRZkqwu-QNH0ZVIKJacLmorgHZci6ZMIkj_KUiuBITkVCkVt3W3DJMNEIUDb6uCVvz3JiAuqeCQnMhGKDzMlp6fALSzdwOo-OyWtuPdfrVMEXHSx/s320/IMG_0744.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Group time. Luke improved leaps and bounds this school year!!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVcOJc6h1IggFq59xL_xBXCk08i3Ds8dRZmO8cMPErxhWU_hga6-VXXo66zDqMIlt7ogWexNZOd-boO0MPxprQV3nTN8n8FiNLAb7gGK36EMXpeN61-VpKsD_OP6sOBuUYSPGIAoqKDhq/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVcOJc6h1IggFq59xL_xBXCk08i3Ds8dRZmO8cMPErxhWU_hga6-VXXo66zDqMIlt7ogWexNZOd-boO0MPxprQV3nTN8n8FiNLAb7gGK36EMXpeN61-VpKsD_OP6sOBuUYSPGIAoqKDhq/s320/IMG_0754.JPG" width="213" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They were singing a song for us parents. The words of the song go "Put your toes to your nose!" Thank to his very low muscle tone, Luke was the best at this!! He thought it was pretty hilarious. And it was. :))</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyATkuqx-eP7tf_30fVWK5t8yZW_EQtUP8gTcoB3CIBC4W831EPK1YIIaBWWk9sfrZI9SYLa-S9PYw0135TnDhAfYMWlIlZBgx12gF-Z8DhOu5uHZY7I_H5LqYinH_6JrMcBje8svMm08/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyATkuqx-eP7tf_30fVWK5t8yZW_EQtUP8gTcoB3CIBC4W831EPK1YIIaBWWk9sfrZI9SYLa-S9PYw0135TnDhAfYMWlIlZBgx12gF-Z8DhOu5uHZY7I_H5LqYinH_6JrMcBje8svMm08/s320/IMG_0747.JPG" width="213" /></a></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Graduation" Day!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_yPuwHTX7US5QN_XUrDqPXkAUotdtgHC-endry6AJIdN2yoeeEvXYPj-JqReR5s8HvvUwD9SOG642EolPeu6_jJYPVp37AxXfGkxwUiLB5mDhDUzwr9Qo6GxkYN2qRjMZgZ8NXiNGaBJ/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_yPuwHTX7US5QN_XUrDqPXkAUotdtgHC-endry6AJIdN2yoeeEvXYPj-JqReR5s8HvvUwD9SOG642EolPeu6_jJYPVp37AxXfGkxwUiLB5mDhDUzwr9Qo6GxkYN2qRjMZgZ8NXiNGaBJ/s320/IMG_0775.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Luke and his teacher (who retired this year after 35 yrs in Special Education) Teachers are saints, I'm tellin' ya!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtrriroAkjcZ4PE6xh9DQBBY38dm0so3a3dTGdVbQgRAWS5JJ3OkzuIyb1pG_pEwR4zRuGTkXAo_PX3b8Acst8sPgtXq6tbWXEfOW7654lVWYQZcRzQYxlUYyz6hYaFb8B-KNfcBYjPzG/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtrriroAkjcZ4PE6xh9DQBBY38dm0so3a3dTGdVbQgRAWS5JJ3OkzuIyb1pG_pEwR4zRuGTkXAo_PX3b8Acst8sPgtXq6tbWXEfOW7654lVWYQZcRzQYxlUYyz6hYaFb8B-KNfcBYjPzG/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caleb writing in his journal.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzRy7CBRC5YmzuLPyd7dl2u4nkeY5MuIWX9OKaTMOz_HaYXBecw6uqhLMLjnW4m04sQG7np3G7IOZjpdtLGgSM5PR5poYCprqKfA_zxGgjhJWxjM-6eThJOh8p-nTsckoo6vvW4KJmuSg/s1600/IMG_6156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzRy7CBRC5YmzuLPyd7dl2u4nkeY5MuIWX9OKaTMOz_HaYXBecw6uqhLMLjnW4m04sQG7np3G7IOZjpdtLGgSM5PR5poYCprqKfA_zxGgjhJWxjM-6eThJOh8p-nTsckoo6vvW4KJmuSg/s320/IMG_6156.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caleb graphing.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXktxwOalff3-WHZSCfqbBeRLZp3vSMnBbHJa_SF0shZbkCTsMlAQlK2crKhww3Zv_heaNZapPTTQHzE1HDojdQK3Tyqv1P7VlZ0FJAxQlryC5Triu60cS5LMkR12YacOXiyPvM8u3vsm/s1600/IMG_6157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXktxwOalff3-WHZSCfqbBeRLZp3vSMnBbHJa_SF0shZbkCTsMlAQlK2crKhww3Zv_heaNZapPTTQHzE1HDojdQK3Tyqv1P7VlZ0FJAxQlryC5Triu60cS5LMkR12YacOXiyPvM8u3vsm/s320/IMG_6157.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caleb--snack time with his friends.</i></td></tr>
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<br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-15957144567579107072011-11-14T13:55:00.010-06:002011-11-14T14:53:46.216-06:00Illinois in the Fall<div>Here are some pictures from last week. Lovely time of year. I just adore Fall!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmJpnhq7a1Xllei-AhLIfP4sZ7b_ueF3BEyfvNPrywm0i-p2X8Fp4vGKLa2gbMXC9X_5_sk3k4oohWNppKQRf-UnLRffciW2wYUzUNNJ_ge4mIVd4C_TE7Zt9OoUo6qwfiZvjw1RABlY9/s320/041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674949663277282546" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Caleb loved being up high in the tree :)</span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjPdfAfi_nQpiS8PEZBLlUKQ1ItUe7Df7m_YZcBwu3AbXJwbgF0yabZrqORWNxoFPRWkfHFWW5M3dIRxKST5hKfVzS8UTb9cYoN9MBBuaWdG_IBeBCyIjfmS0uI3gYihJhUXPt00cAX5r/s1600/039.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjPdfAfi_nQpiS8PEZBLlUKQ1ItUe7Df7m_YZcBwu3AbXJwbgF0yabZrqORWNxoFPRWkfHFWW5M3dIRxKST5hKfVzS8UTb9cYoN9MBBuaWdG_IBeBCyIjfmS0uI3gYihJhUXPt00cAX5r/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674949657856909346" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Cheese!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1HtCgJpOeJjgYW5nBuzSgp97_cYM2W1slZLPE7pQFaU5-3Oh9Egflz7TU2OwfB3HygZ3yi_PmyOFaONawD9IRJiICnZrucHpK4r0GiYcVZFI5j_SY7vFax75w49_DyttYQ4GUo6d58tn/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674948964887280962" /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Luke getting buried in a pile of leaves...and loving it!</i></span></div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_GijJ_al8fzVDYXiBr3NW_185wQW1vnOg44Y9zkaF44hM2lpO5uTrv8OY2boaRMXwZMktAtt-Uu_HvL3O41mRhZ58USQOt2rgcow-RiAFohXhFSVHHeeWu49YqCPgsXqsRaNPwE-pns/s320/025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674948951237068898" /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >They had so much fun!</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s82Hk8SMy21UjCNSIaeuJmQ-3nk2Ck21fGN4QjpGXVBh7WvQ-wXC4kp1Kv_gUpNL0ryUzol3my7hJxs6N_BIq5FotRPsEow399c3SnBtKR51BiSwbLuEc4EPCHUMU39URP9DdrgwG0gr/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674948948291122098" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH13Z_qnDfzG_W4M6N-8lCAfhjJc71asjdtNgHUv8GqPKiiW7n_GYcWKCR3Bfmf5VAR3IDKev8W7molV0_iSIR1Uw5qil9twMwOyS36QaC_NGJY5ia-jHadhvlayEwD8zzP_w4iZvw1-4P/s320/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674947942271413842" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Gather 'em up and then ....</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>TOSS!!</i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s82Hk8SMy21UjCNSIaeuJmQ-3nk2Ck21fGN4QjpGXVBh7WvQ-wXC4kp1Kv_gUpNL0ryUzol3my7hJxs6N_BIq5FotRPsEow399c3SnBtKR51BiSwbLuEc4EPCHUMU39URP9DdrgwG0gr/s1600/028.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClgMZDnrqV4EpAUItRk8ZiO1z2qvka1CKkha8N0QWr6AUYJDLYqFsTA-g-NnhorWKFdgeKizx1v4RzbULI3DkrUdHwMEodqshHNyOZ2mT9jzLr93vVZl0AbZ7JBgxPrJ40L_7catqCKyi/s320/023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674947951721587234" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s82Hk8SMy21UjCNSIaeuJmQ-3nk2Ck21fGN4QjpGXVBh7WvQ-wXC4kp1Kv_gUpNL0ryUzol3my7hJxs6N_BIq5FotRPsEow399c3SnBtKR51BiSwbLuEc4EPCHUMU39URP9DdrgwG0gr/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now for the beautiful colors of Carbondale........</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s82Hk8SMy21UjCNSIaeuJmQ-3nk2Ck21fGN4QjpGXVBh7WvQ-wXC4kp1Kv_gUpNL0ryUzol3my7hJxs6N_BIq5FotRPsEow399c3SnBtKR51BiSwbLuEc4EPCHUMU39URP9DdrgwG0gr/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s82Hk8SMy21UjCNSIaeuJmQ-3nk2Ck21fGN4QjpGXVBh7WvQ-wXC4kp1Kv_gUpNL0ryUzol3my7hJxs6N_BIq5FotRPsEow399c3SnBtKR51BiSwbLuEc4EPCHUMU39URP9DdrgwG0gr/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ></span></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O77rrkfuxye2HhHvSMutSLnP-OXaGXOHhogdOzkJiuIq2j_q28XE1K6iQrnSuBRMcXUoOe4Ni1hSLoww9LUTfysSN3E9p_4_oNkcb3Ho1AA8PxDel5-OZ5VsfGKbRUHKyVxHhfEFucuI/s320/061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674952573993858610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH13Z_qnDfzG_W4M6N-8lCAfhjJc71asjdtNgHUv8GqPKiiW7n_GYcWKCR3Bfmf5VAR3IDKev8W7molV0_iSIR1Uw5qil9twMwOyS36QaC_NGJY5ia-jHadhvlayEwD8zzP_w4iZvw1-4P/s1600/022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIw5c5od_Y3ymxgv8gCV-yAX-HwqfDawio_Oc8ilcDt8pnGB7Ozt3L7X2zOI_5FyBTVxEva0AHEJp5XP67Hz9O0xo9VbtbkUCdmtJKOAIt-WJF3RA13Ehbz5UkaCzQmEkwiM4HBQ42t2V/s320/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674947399555241282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnyjJ3aYUytdG5bK9zHF-XquS7a0CEdPJeO5ejdmLHxKstP_E-7EgK54gKCmpfsE16VKHakUxxRx4seWkxusYPTGAC6qDw0xO8kD_I9u_IL25WpZYfSEA1ZUxthXpUt6PJFhZCz8EcJt5/s1600/017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnyjJ3aYUytdG5bK9zHF-XquS7a0CEdPJeO5ejdmLHxKstP_E-7EgK54gKCmpfsE16VKHakUxxRx4seWkxusYPTGAC6qDw0xO8kD_I9u_IL25WpZYfSEA1ZUxthXpUt6PJFhZCz8EcJt5/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674947388284018306" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCeU8uqJp-2Q04m72ey3wMU02bd3oxuAiHbJ4SGLT-3KFg1xR-U7lCQlvjfr53cipFbwDzP7X5dyZ0bBkTLTMsTl3S_tztUt533b67NIGnrBNbD3SmawtnJ0aia1JoHJYyexVSEyUWoEz/s1600/014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCeU8uqJp-2Q04m72ey3wMU02bd3oxuAiHbJ4SGLT-3KFg1xR-U7lCQlvjfr53cipFbwDzP7X5dyZ0bBkTLTMsTl3S_tztUt533b67NIGnrBNbD3SmawtnJ0aia1JoHJYyexVSEyUWoEz/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674946901593137186" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKImo_1S4JseaLg3dE2hYhsrEOcwdbvlU-YES75jkdqHX-QA9TJWM1evFcmAQ9JbXP6yHosFdKi4SqfMLfHzTnbuODVk8c4qRPfTgg6OMbgUULkHFaL9NEDaZeclG5IjpIAWsWaSddd5Nn/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKImo_1S4JseaLg3dE2hYhsrEOcwdbvlU-YES75jkdqHX-QA9TJWM1evFcmAQ9JbXP6yHosFdKi4SqfMLfHzTnbuODVk8c4qRPfTgg6OMbgUULkHFaL9NEDaZeclG5IjpIAWsWaSddd5Nn/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674946890822951570" /></a></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKImo_1S4JseaLg3dE2hYhsrEOcwdbvlU-YES75jkdqHX-QA9TJWM1evFcmAQ9JbXP6yHosFdKi4SqfMLfHzTnbuODVk8c4qRPfTgg6OMbgUULkHFaL9NEDaZeclG5IjpIAWsWaSddd5Nn/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_CXrUglR5lTO_WZBt9hazNsT3FtjqZt0T4-79qQMltA_Btqiu9RKfEuH7JVT2ZYCHeeifREckmAjzPld9AK4APNqrUQ6UQDH94egHBacG3dBA9FenkAxcqajcyKYytp-eGrvgh-nfgO9/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674946335720607730" /><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn7GhyphenhyphenRoGe8V1cBWR-tkpqTk71poNd5IXBCBD73zTiiEGAP5binQ8AIQGmaAEVNa7oaULN52uFisTHvtFv0pG-rCfJjxzJTyqavX5JAF8zWEjaxIF7wfSD2ZhdaFJEgCC2DPSTWFP8629/s320/052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674952564891559266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Climbed to the top of this water(?) tower--quite the view!!</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-33243232215169461502011-11-11T00:52:00.004-06:002011-11-11T01:41:03.213-06:00One Giant LeapOne small step for most toddlers, one giant leap for Luke!!<div><br /></div><div>Caleb's first steps were exciting. I'll never forget them. But it never once crossed my mind that Caleb WOULDN'T walk. There were no tears when he took those first steps. Just lots of smiles and laughter and encouragement. And actually a sigh of relief from this twin mommy who was tiring of <i>carrying</i> one baby on each hip. I remember thinking, "Oh, finally...Caleb is walking. Now I only have to carry one baby."</div><div><br /></div><div>But Luke. Oh, sweet Luke. On Sept. 29th, 3 days after the boys were born, the phone rang in our hospital room. A request was made for us to come down to the NICU asap. We knew something was wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"It's routine procedure for us to scan preeemies' brains 2-3 days after birth to check for brain bleeds."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Andrew and I nod.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"Caleb looks ok. Luke, unfortunately has suffered a brain bleed."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Our hearts drop.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"There are varying degrees of severity when it comes to these things. We rate them from 1 to 4. A Grade 1 bleed is the least severe, often resulting in very little noticeable side effects. A Grade 4 is the most severe. We have to tell you that both sides of Luke's brain have bled. Grade 3 on one side. Grade 4 on the other."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Tears.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"We can't really tell you for sure what this means for Luke long term. We can only say that because he's has suffered a Grade 3/Grade 4 bleed, the chances of long-term complications are greater."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>t</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>e</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>a</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>r</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>s</div><div>trickle down.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"But no one knows for sure. The brain is an amazing thing. So, hope for the best and prepare for the worst."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I'll never forget how sad and just....strange that moment was for us. There we sat in this tiny room...with very disorganized shelves and random stacks of idunnowhat sitting in the corners. The doctor scrambled around for chairs for Andrew and me. The whole setting was just....haphazard. Like a "oh, and by the way.....your son has significant brain damage."</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway....I sort of digress here...</div><div><br /></div><div>The point is, the future was pretty unclear at that moment. And for a long time afterwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you know, just when Luke did start to make some progress around 1 year of age, the Seizure Monster moved in.</div><div><br /></div><div>We sat in a different little room and heard, "This is catastrophic epilepsy. We want you to understand that if these seizures are not controlled, Luke's prognosis is very, very, very, very, very, very, poor." (and yes, he really did use that many "very"s)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, clearly any milestone for Luke is just...well, miraculous. I mean really truly...miraculous.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On October 1st, five days after his 3rd birthday, Luke took his first steps all by himself!!</div><div><br /></div><div>And, oh my, were there tears.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw it coming...the walking I mean.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sort of.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although, not really. We still stood there, holding our breath, wide-eyed...watching our little man take those beautiful steps all.by.himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of you reading know that exhilaration. You "special folks" who have to wait a little longer for your miracle milestones. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a video. It's already very outdated. Luke has taken off!! I'll have to get new video footage soon.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://youtu.be/7s9uNiQAyL0">http://youtu.be/7s9uNiQAyL0</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank God for His work in Luke's life!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-62658723293159237362011-08-05T22:03:00.005-05:002011-08-05T22:49:45.998-05:00Rocking in Grandma's Chair<div style="text-align: left;">Our normally very independent sleeper has changed his tune the last couple of nights.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caleb is known for announcing at nap time and nighttime, "<i>(yawn)</i> oh, I'm soooo tired!" and then promptly going into his room and getting into his bed (BIG boy bed, mind you) and that's the last we hear from him. I know, we're spoiled. Don't worry, Luke isn't a good sleeper at all, so it evens out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But the last two nights, after he's in his jammies and all ready for bed, Caleb has insisted that we rock for a while. How can I say no? He's growing up so ridiculously fast. Way <i>too</i> fast. So, of course, I'm gonna take him up on the rocking idea. He snuggles up into a little ball on my lap and for a few minutes he really does seem like a little baby again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, he wanted to sing while we rocked. So, we did. And when I'd stop, he'd say "More." I had to keep thinking of more songs to sing. Before I knew it, this oldie but goodie, was coming off my lips. <i>God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. He's so good...to.... me.</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I made it through the song twice before the memories overwhelmed me and I was in tears. Suddenly, out of no where, I was remembering my Grandma Hoggard. We'd rock in her green chair. Both of us snug as bugs squeezed side by side in the seat of the chair. And we'd sing. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26KEYB4bYPzOT9QoDxqGQkswWuuS72quNjtcfaEwgdrjj60F-64SK68PASS-tVWp-nZur2mXpp5wjbz5OAlli7Xu1xDMt7tdvolowA5qDP0SSJ5_riYXrSizho-7L8kiVQ5K-dPUaFBwv/s320/imgres.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578172141856194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gosh, I miss her. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She left too soon. 11 years ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know she's the happiest she's ever been. But still, I wish my boys knew her. I wish she could hold them and rock them like she did me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Grandma loved kids. I think she taught the same 4-yr olds Sunday school class for decades. We taught it together for a handful of years. She's always tell me I didn't have to help her with the class. But I always did....because I wanted to. I loved spending time with her. And I loved watching her interact with the kids.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I miss you, Grandma. Some days, I really miss you. And other days, a certain memory will overwhelm me so unexpectedly that my heart will ache from missing you so much. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll always remember how you never turned down my request to rock. You would always smile, pull me up on the green chair, situate me just so and talk and sing and spend precious moments just being with me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's probably why no matter how busy things seem, I can never pass up the chance to rock Caleb and Luke. Cause life's days pass by ever so quickly. And little moments like these are remembered forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-29943485872121610882011-07-29T22:58:00.005-05:002011-07-30T00:01:36.064-05:00Twice As Good<div><br /></div><div>Spent the evening with these gals<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5dquxi3zt9MdA247j7hYjBJj_G8AN-Ik1raGB83HSY5juqVxda4MAtDS80D6Y0R4rTms16q9a0BYF8mLqaltHnxHahYeyCgGW2vSQRU0J-aIgxn1Np04wwJ3c7VYgLZKTTCN_ygIQjO9/s320/002.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634990258144638962" />. I don't know if everyone has a group like this. Tell me, you SN families, do you?</div><div><br /></div><div>This one was formed rather organically, I think. Actually, they were around before Luke and Caleb were ever born. But I didn't know them until the Seizure Monster moved into our house. One of our early intervention home therapists told me about another mom in the the area that she thought I would like to talk to.</div><div><br /></div><div>I still remember that first phone call I made to Robyn (she's the one on the far left in the picture). Nervously, I dialed her number. <i>What should I say? Do I tell her the whole story? Will she even care to know about my story? I mean she probably has her own problems to worry about...she is a special needs mom. ::Ring. Ring::</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I don't know exactly how the conversation started, but I know it included something like "This is Kristi Lundgren. My son Luke is having seizures."</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, on the other end of line....a friend. We'd never met. Never talked before. But I knew immediately this was my friend. "My son was also diagnosed with Infantile Spasms", she said. </div><div>Suddenly, I felt such peace come over me. Another warrior. Another parent who had been in my shoes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know how lonely it can be to be the parent of special needs child?</div><div><br /></div><div>Somedays.....pretty darn lonely. Especially back then. You can't really drop your son off in the church nursery when he's having 120 seizures a day. MOPS? Are you kidding? Playdates? Probably not. </div><div><br /></div><div>My new friend invited me to hang out with her and some of her other mom friends who have kids with special needs. So I did. (wrote about it <a href="http://lundgrenfamilynews.blogspot.com/2010/07/sharing-journey.html">here.</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div>And somehow over the last year and a half they've become like family to me. We all live crazy busy lives (what with doctors appointments, therapy, fundraisers, chasing after our typical kiddos, etc etc) we don't often get the chance to actually get together in person. But we text. And call. And facebook.</div><div>It just feels like home when we're together. Something about fighting the same battle makes you tighter than tight, ya know what I mean? All our kids are different. Different diagnoses. Different needs. Different abilities. But we all know what it's like to have a child who challenges us to be the kind of parent we never thought we could be. We know how to fight. How to pray. How to advocate. How to handle incompetent doctors and nurses. How to appreciate the professionals who are really good at what they do. We know how to celebrate everyday miracles. We know how to gracefully handle the stares of strangers and how to answer their awkward questions. We know there is always more to learn. We know God sometimes DOES give us more than we can handle...but ALWAYS gives us the grace and the friends we need to make it through.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love these ladies!!</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxWHKKLBkz5IQG_jHfMOLjBc7LSRG5t_bq1Cb65XfEDMujtgVb8ePbyAcOxf3Auj9JeSYvZr9NwUIw1cmRMtkIjlWUjUd4p8Lq8gtXApqT9NAh5AbxREXLl-uWhOYOnIcciINHzT2o1ef/s320/010.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635004757359095986" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And will miss them soo much when we move. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love these lyrics by Sara Groves: "Every burden I have carried, every joy, it's understood. Life with you is half as hard...and twice as good."</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for so many great memories and for being there for me when I needed you most!!</div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-4570606571783914572011-07-28T21:41:00.021-05:002011-08-02T16:39:22.124-05:00Special DeliveryI'm not exactly sure why I never mentioned it on here before. But for some reason I didn't. Sure, things have been busy. I don't think that's the reason though. The best reason I can give is that whenever I did sit down to write it out, I always had the thought, "It's not time yet. "The "It" I'm referring to is the Special Needs iPad Give-a-way that we applied for back in February of this year. The give-a-way was hosted over at Marissa's Bunny. Marissa's Bunny, an Infantile Spasms Awareness Blog, had been around a while. I hadn't visited the site much at all.<div><br /></div><div> But another bloggy Mommy (whose son also has lived through the hell that is Infantile Spasms) told me about the give-a-way and I figured we'd give it a shot. I wrote an essay describing Luke's situation and telling why an iPad would be helpful for him. (that's a post all its own. How DOES an iPad help a kid like Luke? Ah...let me count the ways!! Like I said, a post all its own) To our delight, we were notified on Mother's Day that we had been selected as one of 40 families to receive an iPad. We were SO excited! And so amazed by Marissa's Dad (Mike) and his ability to organize something like this, all the while dealing with Marissa's seizures and upcoming surgeries.</div><div><div><div>There are really so many details (and, trust me, even the abridged version of this story is far too lengthy). But basically, the host of the give-a-way, Mike, promised to send an iPad, $500 worth of apps, and a cover. All along there was a ChipIn! box on his site and it was explained to us </div><div>that his (generous) employer was matching the donations, providing the money for the iPads.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was all very believable. To be honest, I never questioned it. I never sent any personal information about our family to Mike that wouldn't be available on Google or facebook or our blog. I think I donated $5. I can't remember. It wasn't much, I know that. I never felt pressured to give. Truly, never felt that there was anything fishy about any of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">(Plus, and I think this is important to note, it was another special needs family hosting the give-a-way. There are a few family blogs on line about Infantile Spasms. These people were our lifeline back in October of 2009. Our docs in town had ZERO answers for us. It's not an exaggeration to say that these families' blogs and youtube videos helped save Luke's life. Our neurologist here in town looked us square in the face and said, "Your son is not having </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span">seizures." (Idiot.)</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">But these families' blogs about their own children with Infantile Spasms urged us to investigate further. We knew there was something wrong. We just didn't know what. This online "family", this network of bloggers, helped us make the decision to keep searching for answers.... to get Luke to St. Louis for a second opinion. Thank God we did. You know the story. He WAS having seizures. And it WAS Infantile Spasms. You begin to feel pretty tight with these peeps. Even if they are only "online" friends. They were there when we needed them and that means a lot. So, what I'm saying here, is that there was a level of trust established there. We had no reason to suspect that one of our own would take advantage of us.)</span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>But, there WAS something fishy going on. First, it was something about Apple's lawyers. And unfinished paperwork. Then, something about the employer. Then, supposedly the iPads</div><div>had been packaged, but not sent. I don't remember all of it. But almost all of June was correspondence filled with one excuse after another. It was frustrating. And getting to be more and more unbelievable. The stories just weren't adding up after a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, during the first week of July, a couple of parents who were also "recipients" of the iPad give-a-way decided it was time to confront Mike and make him tell all of us the truth, the whole truth. There were no iPads packaged and ready to send. That was the truth. I'm not going to get too much into this part of it. Call it fraud. Internet scam. To be honest, I don't really know what happened. Deep down I want to believe that Mike's intentions were good, but that the whole thing, at some point, got out of hand. Who knows? I don't really want to use this blog as a place for speculation and character defamation. Hopefully one day we'll all know the truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth. For now, I know he's been reported to authorities. I'll leave it at that.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You still with me??</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Not long after the truth came crashing down, we were notified by the two parents who had confronted Mike, that plans were already in the making to somehow make all of this right. We were hesitant to carry on with any sort of "give-a-way" Can you blame us? We had just been duped. But we decided it would be ok. If somehow the ship really could get turned around and good really could come out of all of this bad and somehow all of these kids really could get their iPads, then we were in.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The team of people trying to make all of this right are Mission iPossible. Their story is told <a href="http://www.missionipossible.blogspot.com/">here</a>. They have partnered with the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation and are working now to get all of the iPads shipped, as funds are available.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are SO blessed that Luke is the 2nd child to receive an iPad from the Mission iPossible team!! It arrived last Thursday!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz1_A2SeTLRbC1t5F9EYOYmDGEUJR5Cxe89HSdmH2bNj8kJ1EZMbbJPCkU4GbRh7a4JV3D5vPBylgqVmf9n5REDGCCohNKKG9iPiKnDNso1hKdR7TTLgmhUBqxWB4bU-IjSFqpELn8Imn/s320/IMG_7366.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635957362976060050" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The ripping of the wrapping paper</i></div><div><i> was a little much for sensory -processing-challenged Luke. :)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnHCPFYvGjAY8gAvrWH3JvES6yVYM1fxqpTPROsS3TfhYaLxHyAPtreT5F9INIw9cxsN55253Fm4WB3VRdjMTjgIc6VCG9UHmf4CZE487dNSNinnqjZ9zprQYdhDESZMREtzS1iVdUqUr/s320/IMG_7372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635957368003803282" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Oh, it's an iPad....</i></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkGGmUSxuM2ws11Qyd-XdL3KAFxEwjW3uxtkfvNXvZchkhxm_C1Y766liFdvLo66Nx-LcspAlAls8ZDA-T6TKWG0f4euvndzjQwJUcrhcYf2DB5sq6UhAyMNiyXWUqDHhEcUjO63iXgVH/s320/IMG_7394.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635957373206369106" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Maybe this isn't so bad afterall...</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARxTYol9CbDBjEuNbEEO8xnwrf-ET1pQQLheH5Ie3vPSGk1EbIbit7b-v1xzJvlTUnYd5cfsd-2st-WMs7sAVTk5ca2qg2SQHGBu6OgLpIp9ND6uoskXgJqXz3Pt4gcOfwWw5JEPmJ_gA/s320/IMG_7418.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635977807844361538" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hey, look at that!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrkh_e4AFAKlsHZeMrWfXX32becmEVrhM-LU0-jH8SUmo6eiYIchuGtXVGg9Yby0GCT9USNIOu9e7knp-S3Q-0SwHq10zs84VCGY5k_QRXd1gtUCbMxLCZLejuePnl9D77HyPDauKegAR/s320/IMG_7519.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635972346934806002" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>I like this!!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSskYY7GoKZr8E1DFruvFEqDWBg186MQLLNwGdn_U1W3uc6vEOt5nSJSWcwgEE9wqhYX9jYQCbLmuDjPMMAI4SxQzLRRGKixLjkUqJGXeVrm2HlWPinN3zuoZXtZuh6c1uKy4KShTUj9o/s320/IMG_7541.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635972339436767810" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Figuring it out...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTjzR0bTXynVhwPoYPQQFrJ8sdnqgBwiOWAGQtO4BiSWCgasiTfJyTyvIT3qH4qXLTqtlcRMMJP7ltuUTpMZl5QM1yTLG6YRhyTrWZc5jINuSSv6dSx8IWB1GAm71nkL91_Ms2FrvDdk_/s320/IMG_7553.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635972335055123842" /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Daddy showing Luke how it works.</i></div></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>A huge, seriously <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">HUGE </span><span class="Apple-style-span">thank you to the entire team over at Mission iPossible. To Heather, Ken, Darcy and Maureen and the generous donors to made this possible.....you are so appreciated!! Take a peek at the Mission iPossible <a href="http://missionipossible.blogspot.com/">site</a>. These missions are changing the lives of special needs kids. Truly remarkable!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-81142196793510885722011-07-26T11:24:00.009-05:002011-07-26T12:04:10.345-05:00Holder of MiraclesOur fridge has become our "holder of miracles". Maybe you remember<a href="http://lundgrenfamilynews.blogspot.com/2010/03/wanna-see-somethin.html"> this post</a>. <div><br /></div><div>This week we got to add this miracle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM9J84LI0qVKWAUWzulSV1GZ6Ps2Z8n4Z08fPQPAo9Fjg-wuWLbJRHkqi5fLAuZsGC055RFjpNycY4ds1kXlOXZUuiovkLbfGebDEYTpQayaPXLqJOAb6Fy_wBTi9QZ4FjWcVXpNt6J-R/s320/001.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633699393907674530" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Luke's FIRST picture!! Miss OT helped him (hand-over-hand) draw the vertical lines. The rest was all Luke, baby!! That's right. He actually grasped the marker. Looked at the paper. Scribbled on the paper. And <i>looked at the paper while he was drawing!</i> I know, I know. It's doesn't seem like much. But for months we've been trying to get him to even hold the stinkin' marker. Normally, it goes something like this:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>OT</b>: Luke, we're going to draw a picture today. (hands marker to Luke)</div><div><b>Luke</b>: takes marker and throws it across the room.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>or</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><b>OT:</b> Luke, I'm gonna help you draw on this paper today.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>(she continues by hand-over-handing it with him.)</div><div><b>Luke:</b> either cries the entire time or reluctantly lets her help</div><div>him scribble while he looks up at the ceiling, at the lights, at the wall. Zero interest.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But this week something clicked! And all of sudden, he was doing it all on his own and loving it! He hasn't done it since. But, THAT'S OK! Walking out of therapy that day with my two-</div><div>yr old and a piece of paper with red scribbles seemed so "normal", it's enough motivation to keep on trying. And yes, I think this needs a frame!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, there's this:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoyS4ljtr3yoqUPLDrJKHjildevl3zf1ynIqQcvZe6hYTYr4SYKCWIDBMQcPticfLEPvssRKt1U26ECX9zkVP6IvJHiELQG1SAEAbO1twSNw9RzYzu7KuNSI2ApJQZ2PcgmqJU-d4K2ze/s320/005.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633703044847321010" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These are the letters Luke can identify all my himself!! Amazing, right??!! Love this little gadget that I know many of you probably have on your fridge too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWJ2bdErcqINXhUsVt5qVtlRMYcMDiIdeqbCYZ9jYCuJq-q0jSq3wzc6orjSPQdWHXUeyhYXkOQYcpiscH4Srck0MC6UT2JfXFDf0ONwajPZWq9doSUM9VK915LU4U3Jlpc4ZqTHcp-zA/s320/007.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633703427103063234" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>This gives Luke the auditory feedback he needs, plus it doubles as a fine motor activity since he has to work to get the letter to fit just right in there. And, with limited vision, it's definitely WORK for him. But, he's getting there. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's so exciting to see him learning new things. It's slow and steady, but changes are happening. We're grateful!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-85243917104341027532011-07-24T16:16:00.010-05:002011-07-25T21:39:48.028-05:00A Quick RecapI just attempted to do a picture marathon of sorts to show you the highlights of our extremely busy May-June-July. But after clicking, selecting, waiting for about 17 pictures to upload on here, something went wrong apparently and more than half the pics are in cyberspace somewhere. I'm not patient enough to start again. <div><br /></div><div>So, a brief recap.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>May--</b>My parents came to visit from Belgium. We had a great time. The boys were spoiled rotten and some days Caleb still expects to have a doughnut waiting for him when he wakes up in the morning. (Thanks, Dad.) </div><div><br /></div><div>We got to see Andrew's brother land his (training) plane at the Springfield airport!! That was really cool! Rob will be flying jets for the Marines. Proud of you Uncle Rob!</div><div><br /></div><div>We were invited to be guests of honor at the First Hand Foundation Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser in Kansas City. Wow! Do these people know how to take care of families! We felt like royalty. Can't say enough about these kind, generous people. They are the real deal and we are so very grateful for all they've done for Luke to help him reach his potential.</div><div><br /></div><div>We spent a good portion of this month hiding in the laundry room listening to tornado sirens. After we sat (awe-struck) and watched all of the Joplin tornado pics on TV, we realized the laundry room really wouldn't do us any good. Joplin is about an hour from here. My grandparents live there. They're ok. And so is a friend of ours who literally watched her house blow away while she huddled in the bathroom. Truly awful. Between allergies and tornadoes, Spring could easily be my least favorite season.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>June-</b>-Family from Montana came to visit. That was a lot of fun!! The weather turned ridiculously hot and my poor flowers were scorched almost as soon as I got them planted. :(<br /></div><div>We spent lots of time in the water...whether that be at the lake, at our friends' pool or just in the front yard in the little kiddie pool. </div><div><br /></div><div>Andrew left his management job with Verizon in June, in preparation for our new adventure. More on that coming up.......</div><div><br /></div><div>Luke started to make some great strides in therapy and even took 4 steps all.by.himself! We're still a quite a ways from him walking independently, but getting there I think.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>July--</b>We drove 27 hours one way (I repeat ONE WAY) to Montana. Airline tickets are so stinkin' expensive, so this was the only option really. Actually, though, it wasn't too bad. Andrew and I psyched ourselves up and drove through the night. Definitely the way to do it if you're road-tripping with small kids. No security gates. No panicking about whether or not you're gonna have "those kids" that cry all through the flight. No lugging carry-on baggage through the airport. No unsolicited advice/comments from strangers about traveling with twin 2-yr olds :) See, road-trips aren't that bad. Montana was great! Got to see all of Andrew's family. We found our inner cowboy/cowgirl and went to the Livingston Rodeo!! Watched some amazing fireworks and spent 6 whole days NOT sweating. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>We went up to St. Louis for some more ABM therapy last week. Luke did well. He had settled back into some poor habits since the last time we had been there. So, the therapist focused on those areas. Mainly, loosening up his rib cage and helping him to use his core strength. Core strength is absolutely necessary for balance/walking. While Luke is SO much stronger than he used to be, he still needs to do lots and lots of core strengthening exercises. So, we're workin' on it......</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>As I mentioned earlier, there are a couple of pretty (ok, very!) exciting changes coming up for us. I'll update soon!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-17862501362448404422011-04-25T12:32:00.004-05:002011-04-25T13:35:42.449-05:00Scratch that<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ok, so<a href="http://lundgrenfamilynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/meet-me-in-st-louey.html"> this post</a> has it all wrong. After all my fancy, shmancy diagrams and explanations of Luke diagnosis (as it relates to his eyes), we found out that diagnosis is wrong. Sigh. Two and a half years of thinking it was one thing...now we find out it's not that at all.<div><br />I fill out a lot of paperwork for Luke. I promise you the question "What is your child's diagnosis?" gives me mild heart palpations. (almost as bad as "Can you write your child's medical history on the lines below" or "Is there any other information about your child you think we should know? LOVE that question. Surely you note my sarcasm :D)<br />What is his diagnosis anyway? I'm his mom, I should know, right? I know I can get an "Amen!!" from all of you parents of special needs kiddos out there when I say the word diagnosis can sometimes over-simplify what is the beautiful complexity that is our children. Like once they're labeled, then we can fit them into some kind of neat box for our minds to understand. When really, we (their parents) are spending everyday trying to understand more about them and not just be comfortable with "The diagnosis".<br /><br />ANYway, that's for another post.</div><div><br />But, up until now it's been easy(ish) to talk about Luke's visual impairment diagnosis. His optic nerves are pale in color...i.e. dead. Therefore not transmitting information to the brain...therefore vision is impaired.<br /><br />Yeah, well this little test we did in St. Louis last month told us another story. The nerves are working. 100% baby! On each eye. They<i> look </i>pale when the doctor examines his eyes, but somehow they're transmitting all of the information to the brain. <div><br /></div><div>Mmmh? Interesting. Don't get me wrong...exciting! But, interesting. His behavior still suggests he's not seeing well. So, perhaps it's still a neuro-processing issue? Meaning, because of the brain bleed he's not able to process all of the information that his eyes are taking in. It's possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the eye doctor in St. Louis called recently to tell us 1) the optic nerves ARE working and 2) we need to get him glasses...to which I responded "Huh?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Here in Springfield we've been told multiple times "Luke will never need glasses. None of his vision issues are able to be corrected with glasses." This is the information I've been passing along for two and a half years to all of our well-meaning friends and family who ask "So, can you just get him glasses so he can see better?" Each time I explain that no, glasses won't help Luke....all of his vision issues are in the brain. His eyes themselves are fine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Well, we went and ordered the glasses our new doctor prescribed and they appear to be helping some. He still doesn't engage visually the way a typical child does, but they do help. Easter Sunday was the first day he actually kept them on (thanks to a $1.99 strap from Walgreens) They are far-sighted glasses...mostly for his left eye. They seem to really be helping with his <a href="http://www.lowvision.org/nystagmus.htm">nystagmus</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's "sorta kinda" the update on that. To be honest, the vision part of Luke's diagnosis is confusing. I don't ever feel like I can talk about it very intelligently. But, the doctors themselves seem to change their minds on what exactly is going on. For now, the plan is to wear the glasses as much as possible. And isn't he just so darn cute in them?</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0FVQJ7pnQbOnLfeNEydWWI_OxypCsyZ80XgDLdUPo9H7eqO8LCcdwuw7zznyqbZf_2l1FOvhZneWocC8nlHgItrbdboFPZGNAgTVGdF6IqOqcPlo0NFWoR3Ceg0EDLtD_UvVy0a-CPkT/s320/IMG_6032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599588095701644322" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We'll go back to the eye doctor in June to talk more about various tests we can run, etc. We're really glad to have switched his eye care to St. Louis. They seem to have a better idea of how to treat kids like Luke. Say a prayer for us in these regards. Luke's taught us<i> many</i> things, but one of the things we've learned is that it really is up to us as parents to do the research, ask the right questions and do the advocating. And for that, we needs LOTS of wisdom and strength!! </div><div>God is with us and He gave Luke to us, so I know He'll continue to direct us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-16527312416223074322011-03-15T10:43:00.003-05:002011-03-15T11:25:35.287-05:00Quiet GenerosityFirst of all....they're the ones who made the 24 hour-ish trec (one way!) from Montana to help us take care of the boys. Andrew and I attended a Chi Alpha conference in Illinois this past weekend and childcare for the little guys wasn't provided. So, Andrew's mom and step-dad came and took care of Luke and Caleb for 4 days/3 nights. I mean, I know....grandparents love seeing their grandkids and Montana isn't just over yonder. So, in some ways it's a treat to get to take care of them. But these are TWIN grandsons. Who are 2. One with special needs who requires much more patience at times. Both with coughs and snotty noses and nighttime sleeping troubles. So, you know....not ENTIRELY a piece of cake. :))<div><br /></div><div> I mean just THAT was a big act of kindness and generosity on their part. </div><div><br /></div><div>They headed back to Montana on Sunday and ever since we got back from our trip that same afternoon, I've been finding treasures all over the house.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another tower of diapers and wipes stacked up and hiding in the garage. (if you see my facebook statuses you know diapers have been delivered a time or two in the past. :) )</div><div><br /></div><div>A bouquet of beautiful spring tulips on the kitchen table. </div><div><br /></div><div>I go the pantry to get something out, and find it stocked with more snacks. </div><div><br /></div><div>A freezer full of Elk meat!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I pull something out the fridge and find more food in there than was there when we left for our trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>I load the dishwasher and sitting behind the box of opened detergent, is a big, new box for when this one runs out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just started a load of laundry and found 2 new jugs of laundry detergent waiting to be used.</div><div><br /></div><div>Go to reload the toilet paper holders and find a new 24 pack of toilet paper sitting the closet.</div><div><br /></div><div>I could go on and on......</div><div><br /></div><div>I doubt I've even found everything. Little gifts scattered here and there. Never a mention of anything from them. Never a "Oh, we left you some stuff to help you over the next few months." </div><div>Just a quiet generosity that moves me so much I find myself in tears. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because it speaks of their love for us and ultimately reminds me of God's great love and provision. EVERY need will be met. Every single one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have amazing in -laws!! Not because of the little treasures they left hiding all over the house, but because they demonstrate how beautiful quiet generosity is....and spur me on to the same for others. </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. Elk meat recipes anyone? :)</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S.S. A GIGANTIC thank you to Andrew's sister, Erin, and her family (who live in the same town as us) who helped so much with the boys this weekend and taught Luke new words like "Erin" :) Must get a video of this up here soon. Adorable.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859668102547848142.post-80931550845792641452011-02-24T11:46:00.005-06:002011-02-24T12:19:45.795-06:00Developmental StudyLuke had an initial developmental study done last year at our outpatient therapy center, the Meyer Center. It's been a year, so we had another study done today to monitor progress. <div><br /></div><div>LAST Year at this time, these were Luke's results--he was 17 months old at the time:</div><div>(the age ranges listed represent his "developmental age")</div><div><br /></div><div>Gross Motor Skills: 5-8 months</div><div>Speech and Language: 9-10 months</div><div>Fine Motor Skills: 6-8 months</div><div>Self-Help Skills: 6-8 months</div><div>Height: 31 inches</div><div>Weight: 19 lbs, 10 oz</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>TODAY's results (Luke is 29 months)</div><div><br /></div><div>Gross Motor Skills: 9-12 months</div><div>Speech and Language: 14-16 months</div><div>Fine Motor Skills: 9-12 months</div><div>Self-Help Skills: 12 months</div><div>Height: 35 inches</div><div>Weight: 27 pounds</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>He's made huge gains. I can see on paper that most of the "suggestions" they made for improvement last year, he has now accomplished. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yet...these pesky age ranges. I look at this and just get tired. Twelve months of hard, hard work and endless therapy sessions for only three (THREE!!) months of developmental growth. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Sigh.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>And they, the sweet therapists, try to encourage me......that they are just a LITTLE skewed....the scores, I mean. A visually impaired kiddo is gonna have a hard time pointing at something across the room, so he was docked points for that. And his limited vision also makes utensil feeding a challenge, so he was docked for that. And he's not real interested (ok AT ALL interested) in scribbling or coloring....and again, who knows..maybe it's just because he can't see what he's writing. So, docked points again. And since he's decided he doesn't want to sleep from 2am to 5am every night, he was docked points for that. So, I get that. Not all kids fit neatly into a sweet little "standardized test".</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, it's exhausting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Maybe it's the rainy day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or the lack of sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>But sometimes the thought of "How are we ever going to get Luke caught up to where he needs to be?" just makes me want to go take a nap. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure by tomorrow I'll be back to my "nose to the grind" self. Back to researching what else we can be doing to help Luke. Back to teaching him how to use a spoon, how to cruise along the furniture, how to say his ABCs. </div><div><br /></div><div>But doggone it, Thursdays are usually our day off. The one day we actually don't have to be anywhere for therapy. So, I'm gonna put a movie in, make a cup of coffee, listen to the rain, and just let Luke be Luke today.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Lundgrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01643602285863181640noreply@blogger.com4