Blue hair and hay-bales...

How out of place is this? Blue hair and bales of straw.This looks nothing like my daughter, yet it looks good on her.

Sorry folks. No ballerina pictures of Hannah yet. I'm sure we'll get some of her in her tutu as right now it is her favorite item! This is Hannah's way of helping Mom clean. I was going through all of Hannah's clothes and reorganizing her dresser. When I emptied the bottom drawer she climbed right into it, covered herself up, and laid down. She thought it was the most funny thing EVER! She even had to add her pumpkin basket to it.

Dr. Liz Wilson or Alice?

This is Jasmyn this morning. She wanted to be Alice Cullen for Halloween this year. So Dark and early, about 6:45amCST, I was trimming her hair so it would lay properly. Our hair-dresser would be so disappointed! This picture was taken before the make-up was applied and the necklace put on. Needless to say, I think she's cute.
Sorry for the small picture. I wasn't able to get it bigger. This is the look we were trying to achieve. But, I think we ended up looking more like Dr. Liz Wilson (Jennifer Love Hewitt) off of Garfield. What do you think?

Renee Wheeler Photography...

Saturday we had a photo shoot with Renee. These are only a few. It was a very fun experience! Renee does an awesome job! She had a very difficult job. Hannah never sat still or gave her a break! Even in this photo Hannah was fighting Jasmyn to get away and still managed to get both girls smiling!

Jasmyn in a tree. That's right, IN A TREE! It was a great idea...until it was time to come down! She is very afraid of heights. She was laughing at her dad with a pumpkin on his head and one in each hand.

This was snapped while playing "ring around the rosie". Hannah's new favorite thing to do! This was on the "we all fall down!" part. I love the laughter that was captured!
Thank you Renee!

Sketching...

These are two of my current sketches. This one here is Jasmyn...I still have some work to do. I am having a little problem with her lips. I call this sketch "Blooming Daydreams". Jasmyn is a name of a flower(only spelled a little different) and looks a little dreamy in this one.This one I call "Slumbering Gracious Lamb". Hannah is Hebrew for grace...Rae is Hebrew for Lamb...and she is sleeping.

Happy Birthday Dolan!

Happy 45th Birthday to a wonderful Father and Husband!
You always make family time possible even though your schedule is hectic.
You are a great provider.
I am blessed to have my best friend as my husband!
Our children are blessed to have you as their Dad!
You are a blessing to us!

May the Lord continue to bless you throughout your life. May you always look to Him.
We love you!

Introductions...

First introduction: Ava Francis Pelkey

Isn't she a doll?

New Mommy meeting AvaNew Mommy and Daddy getting acquainted
I just love this picture! Jasmyn captured this very well. The love and bliss that is overwhelming meeting the child that God has given to you!
Proud Daddy!A very excited cousin!
I would also just like to say thank you to Allen and Jennifer for allowing us to be present during Ava's birth. What an awesome experience! May you continue to experience the joy moment by moment. Take the time to thank God for the wonderful blessings He has given!

Congratulations!!!

Ava Francis Pelkey was born today @ 4:04 pm MT.

She weighed in at 6lbs 11oz.

19.5 inches long

She is GORGEOUS!

Proud parents are Allen and Jennifer Pelkey.

My brother and sister finally had her after a long wait to meet her!

Pictures will be posted later!

Minden Band Fest & play...

Saturday, October 18th, was the Minden Band Fest. We had the pleasure of going to watch Jasmyn. It was a fun time and the Band did quite well! Hannah loves music to begin with, so this was pure bliss for her. She clapped and waved and made a few new friends there. Hannah got really excited when it was our schools turn to march...she tried to run out there with them. Here is Hannah waiting for the Fest march to begin.

Here they march! The Wauneta-Palisade Marching Broncos!

The band instructor's children (Paul and Miranda) held the Band's banner.

This picture came from Mrs. Behrends. Thanks for the picture! All of mine of Jasmyn are far away!
After the Band Fest we loaded up and went to Kearney to enjoy a nice family day and an early birthday celebration for Dolan! The park and window shopping was a great time! We tried to make it to a pumpkin patch/maze, but by the time we found out where, they were done for the day. So, to the park we went.


Then, to another park!

Differential Diagnoses...

Friday we received a packet from Jasmyn's Neurologist. In it was all the tests and the results. Included also, was the Doctor's Differential Diagnoses. Dolan and I are assuming that "Differential Diagnoses" does not mean that it is their final diagnoses. Either way, it is scary yet reassuring. We know that more tests have to be done and more trips to Children's Hospital are needed.

Differential Diagnoses: Wilson disease

After looking this up we were reassured (after a rather heart stopping realization) that Jasmyn can and will lead a healthy long life with proper treatment and maintenance. We know that God will provide for and take care of her. He has already got us this point where we are no longer in the dark.

Here is a link for those who are curious.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/wilson/

Please note that this is not the final diagnoses, but we are now assured that there is hope.

The art Showcase...

This is the showcase I had put together to put Jasmyn's art work in. The best thing about it is that I can change out the artwork regularly. These are just a few of Jasmyn's art pieces. The two in the center are from last year. The bottom right corner is a really good shading to make it look 3D. Right now that is my favorite. Probably because it shows that she can overcome her Chorea. Holding a pencil lightly and getting it to do as she wants has been difficult. The top left was done with real ink, the pen had to be dipped in the ink. Jasmyn enjoys painting and drawing. I have been looking for a piece of art for the family room and haven't been able to find anything that I like. This here gives me the art piece and it can be changed regularly. It was an inexpensive fix that the whole family enjoys.

A peaceful afternoon...

This afternoon was relatively peaceful at Smith Acres. Jasmyn was busy finishing up an art project for school and Hannah was preoccupied. I have recently come up with a way to display Jasmyn's art. While shopping the other day I came across picture frames. One in particular caught my eye. It was a 24x36 wood frame. I picked it up and decided that it would be perfect. I could fit numerous art pieces in it. It would also work to display them for a while then change them out as new ones are acquired. I did have to find a background for it though. A nice piece of leather (tan, with embellishment). It works perfectly and matches the living room quite well! I now have artwork in the main room! I am certain that when Jasmyn gets this latest one back and graded it will be the newest addition to the showcase.
Jasmyn working hard and concentrating.This is what Hannah was preoccupied with. Sleeping! This is what happens when the household toddler refuses to take a nap. First, the grouchiness starts and then, the lack of ability to hold ones eyes open. This was the peaceful moment.

She just has the longest lashes! This picture shows them off well.

Move over Napoleon Dynamite...

Make way for Hannah Rae! Why stop at moon boots when you can go the whole 9 yards? Funny hat, polka dot pants, leopard print vest, and a hoodie!Last but not least, enjoyment that one can dress oneself for going outdoors.

A gaggle of giggly girls...

Better late then never! Jasmyn had a sleep-over Oct. 4th to celebrate her birthday which was the 6th. The house was full of giggles. Here is Jasmyn showing off her necklace she received as a gift from us.The rest of the pictures are just the girls being silly.
This went on most of the night.More goofing around.

They were a fun bunch of girls.

Chorea...

"Jasmyn does not have what is known as 'tremors.' What Jasmyn has is better classified as Chorea," Dr. Arndt, a Pediatric Neurologist, told me Tuesday afternoon. "Chorea is unrhythmic muscle twitches. Please don't look it up or what you may find will lead you to a lot of information that will have you worried. It is better to just understand that Chorea is the description of the muscle twitches."

Those were the key words to set in motion research on my own. I honestly have to say that I am no more scared or at ease, then what I was before looking it up. The doctor was correct. It is a vague classification describing the muscle twitches.
**Chorea sancti viti (Latin for "St. Vitus' dance") is an abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological disorders called dyskinesias. The term chorea is derived from a Greek word χορεία (a kind of dance, see chorea), as the quick movements of the feet or hands are vaguely comparable to dancing or piano playing.

** Chorea is characterized by brief, irregular contractions that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from one muscle to the next.**
I think I may have found the proper web page. This one wasn't full of the usual scary blah information that most tend to have. It was very precise and to the point. It did however, go into more specific types of Chorea, but Jasmyn has not been diagnosed with any of those yet. I say yet because she hasn't been diagnosed with anything to cause the Chorea. We have to go back November 11th, so Jasmyn can have an EEG done. An EEG is an EKG, only done on the head.
As far as what the doctor asked, and thinks, I will give more detail about that later. Some is rather scary and admittedly, I don't even want to think about it. Some time within the week I have to have Jasmyn video taped and send it to the doctor. They want to see her in a more relaxed environment. They also had to draw blood. She really does NOT like needles, and because they needed blood without the use of a tourniquet, it took 5 tries! It was difficult to watch, but because I am the Mommy, I was strong and held her hand. Rather, I should say let her squeeze my hand until it was numb. The whole appointment took approximately 4 hours. They were very thorough and Jasmyn liked them. I will post more when we find more out. Thank you to those who kept Jasmyn in your thoughts and prayers.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy JaSmYn!!!

From the moment you entered this world, my heart was over filled with joy.

You are a blessing.

You have always been beautiful, inside and out!

You have always had a heart-warming smile. A peacefulness that cannot be matched!

Today, you still have all those qualities!

My perfect little girl. You are growing up so fast! May you always choose to walk with the Lord in the years to come. Turn to Him and know that life is possible! You are never alone! I know that you are too big to want your Mommy to hold your hand anymore, but God is there doing it for me.

I love you!

Have a Happy 12th birthday and a Blessed year!

My kids...

This is Jasmyn at the Homecoming game. She is awaiting half-time to play in the band.Hannah being "cheesy" for the camera.
Good morning? It's too early to be good.
Give me a kiss Daddy!