Father's Day

Our real life super hero. 

My hubby, Zak.

Even superheroes need time to recharge.

So we thought we'd take this idea from Pinterest and gather together some of our hero's favorite snacks.

So, when he retreats to his secret lair in need of an anecdote to his kryptonite he'll have some nearby. 

Then, back to taming tantrums, one tiny villain at a time.

Campout

These are the pictures the boys brought home from their camp out earlier this month

You remember, the one conveniently scheduled for my birthday.

I really didn't mind.

Belen and I had a unique opportunity to spend a special evening together.

Just the two of us.

And when Saturday night rolled around,

(The day after my birthday)

Zak took me out on a birthday date!

Dinner, birthday burger at Red Robin.

You too can get a free birthday burger if you sign up for their Red Royalty card.

Did you know that they will put a veggie patty on ANY of their burgers?

I did.

It's amazing.

I got the classic burger (veggie patty) with A-1 sauce added.

OH MY!

Then we went to a movie.

While waiting in line to purchase our tickets a gentleman announced, standing nearby, that he had tickets (for the movie we'd wanted to see, in 3-D no less) that he was giving away.

FREE.

We took the tickets.

He walked away. 

We entered, and gave our tickets to the ticket-taker.

He directed us to the correct theater.

We chose seats (there may have been only those two seats left, together even. Lucky us).

We enjoyed our movie,

in 3-D,

FREE!

But I digress.

Here is what the boys did while Belen and I had our girls night:

Early morning by the fire.

Sharing some warmth.

Exploring a cave during an early morning hike.

Just hanging with Dad.

Here's what I heard about the trip

They stayed up WAY late.

Camden slept like a rock.

Not surprising, this kid will sleep anywhere!

Dad didn't sleep much at all.

They woke up at the crack of dawn.

Several hours before Camden normally wakes up.

Camden cried when it was time to break camp and load up the cars to go.

He slept the whole two hour drive home.

Then cried again when he saw me.

AND ran away from me.

I think he would have ran all the way back to camp if he could have.

"Happy FODDER DAY!"

To a terrific Father and husband, 

From a cute little boy who starts crawling around saying 

"DaDaDaDa" 

at least an hour before you get home from work every day. And...

A BIG girl who will do almost anything for you...even let you open your Father's Day Gift 2 days early. 

And a wife who loves you very very much and appreciates all you do for our family.

Thank you,

We love you,

Forever.

Belen's First Fishing Trip!

March 19th

Comparisons

Camden, 4 months old

Zak, 4 months old

Perhaps you will agree with me that the resemblance is pretty strong between these two?

Merry Christmas!

Camden Rhys was born in August. He was 5 lbs 10 oz, 18 inches long. Although he was born one month early, he has grown considerably and he has cute rolls in his legs now. He is a very happy and social baby. He loves to talk, kick, and play.

Belén Olivia turns three in January. She loves to sing and dance and is such a girl. She loves everything pink, eating chocolate, and dressing up pretty. She is very active and social and loves the nursery at church where she can play with her best friends. More recently she has learned to use the potty! Mommy loves that.

Allysia is an aspiring foodie and loves to try new recipes that use lots of fresh, locally grown produce. Allysia and Belén spent most of the summer preparing the new family home for Camden’s arrival. They both had a great time exploring their new town, getting everything ready for baby brother, and spending some special time together. Allysia loves being a mommy for Belén and new baby, Camden. She also loves living closer to her family and best friend who live in Washington.

Zak graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in the spring and started working on a Masters of Accountancy in the summer. He interned at the IRS in the summer also. He went hunting for the first time and harvested a 9-point whitetail buck. He accepted an offer to work for Moss Adams in Washington after he graduates (again) in May 2010

Conversations with a Two-Year-Old

Daddy and Belen are out and about running errands.

Daddy: "Belen, are you a good girl?"

Belen: " No.."

Daddy: "Are you a bad girl?"

Belen:"No"

Daddy: "Are you an okay girl?"

Belen:"Yeah"

Daddy:"Does that mean you are bad sometimes and good sometimes?"

Belen: "Yeah"

Graduate School or BUST!

Zak was invited by the College of Business and Accounting at the University of Idaho to visit campus, attend a few Graduate Accounting classes, and generally get a feel for the town of Moscow. And, since they offered to foot the bill we just couldn't pass it up!

We decided to drive out there after spending Easter in Utah. Belen stayed in Utah with her grandparents while we spent several days touring campus because Zak really wanted me to have the full experience. Not only that but she wont nap in hotels, not a good thing.

Our drive took us from Utah, through Boise, McCall, through the middle of nowhere (though it was pretty...not something that I've been accustomed to after living for nearly 3 years in Eastern Idaho...if you are thinking that I'm being particularly harsh in my assessment of Eastern Idaho please visit Southwest Washington and the Columbia River Gorge...that is where I grew up and is thus my standard by which I judge natural beauty...sorry Eastern Idaho, you could never really compete. You just don't have it in you), past Lewiston, over some mountains and finally, 10 hours later, Moscow.

When we arrived it was dark and had decided to snow a bit which was sad but as we drove through downtown on our way to our hotel I couldn't help but be charmed. The town immediately emanated a quaint, homey feeling. It made me instantly at ease and excited to see what it looked like in the daylight. I didn't take any pictures of my own (I don't know why, my camera just hung out in my purse all week) I am borrowing some from the internet.

Here is a pullback shot of Moscow (including the U of I campus), the surrounding rolling farmlands and treed mountains.

Here is a shot of downtown. Charismatic, old brick buildings appear on both sides of the tree lined, 4 lane street.

I was pretty impressed by the town, there are many parks that looked clean and safe for Belen to play in as well as a community water park, swim lessons, preschool, and other activities that I think Belen and I would enjoy doing together. I was able to locate all my favorite, but hard to find in Eastern Idaho, health foods in the local grocery store. There is also a small hospital and a couple of family practitioners who were recommended to me by people we met through the U of I.

After completing our drive out there on Monday April 13th, Tuesday was the true beginning of our exploration of the University of Idaho Campus and the Graduate Accounting program.

We were invited on a tour of the Business and Accounting building. It is only a few years old and hosts many technological comforts that Zak learned to love while working on his internship in California last summer. He was pretty happy about that! Since the majority of his classes will be held in this particular building it's "comforts" were very important to him. I was just happy that there was a lunch bar area that offered healthy options because I'm sure he is not planning on packing a lunch daily to eat between classes and study breaks.

Together we attended a Graduate Accounting class and that evening were treated to dinner at a local mexican restaurant.

Wednesday Zak attended a couple of other Accounting classes and was counseled on which direction to take with his studies based on his interest in Fraud Detection and Forensics. He was offered a generous scholarship along with a Graduate Assistantship that would require him to work 10 hours a week tutoring other Accounting students. The Graduate Accounting program is only 1 year. I can handle 1 year...especially if it will be paid for!

So, at this point it looks like we will be Vandals in the Fall! Wish us luck!

Happy Graduation, Zak!!

Zak graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from BYU-Idaho on April 10th!

Thursday April 9th was a graduate and family dinner hosted by the Alumni Association. Zak's parents were able to join Zak and I at the dinner.

Zak took me shopping the evening before the dinner and

helped me pick out a new dress for the occasion!

p.s. can you see my baby bump?

Convocation followed dinner that night. Zak was able to walk and receive his hard earned Degree!

YAY!!!....huh?...

Commencement was on the following night, April 10th. None of my pictures really turned out and we got terrible seats so we could hardly see Zak but President Clark spoke. The invited speaker was the newly called and ordained Elder Neil L. Anderson. His talk really struck a chord with me but since I'm pregnant I don't remember what it was about. I did have the foresight to take notes for just this occasion (to share it with you) but I seemed to have misplaced them. I will blog about it if I find it.

I have to say that I am so proud of Zak for all his hard work. I am so happy he has found something he loves. I also really felt that the verbal pats-on-the-back that he received from President Clark and Elder Anderson were, in a way, directed at me as well. I too have sacrificed and worked hard to help Zak in any way I could even if that was simply understanding that he needed to spend long hours in the library or keeping Belen occupied so he could study at home. I love that Zak is so focused and driven when it comes to his education and I'm sure he will be the same when it comes to his career. It is one of the reasons I fell in love with him. Seeing all that hard work finally rewarded was an emotional thing for me. The end of a phase in our marriage and the beginning of the next. I'm excited to see where Zak's hard work and drive leads us in the future, as a family.

Coming Soon!

Stay with me...TONS have been happening with our family in the last 2 weeks and I barely have time to sleep these days. You can look forward to hearing all about Zak's Graduation, our trip to Moscow, ID to check out their town, the U of Idaho campus and look into their Master's in Accounting program, a little foray into Spokane to visit some great friends living out there, our new apartment in town (temporary) and Zak's summer job...I think that's it for now. Details and pictures to follow in the next few days. Keep checking back!!!

We REALLY hope you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Or ELSE!!!

Daddy's Little Girl

Belen has always loved her daddy and found ways to show him just how much. Lately she as been exhibiting some real signs of separation anxiety with daddy that has become difficult for the whole family.

At night when it is time for bed, only daddy can put Belen to bed without some pretty incredible tantrums. We have adapted and now make sure we always take Belen to bed as a family with prayer, hugs and kisses, and waves bye-bye.  Zak has even taken to special daddy-daughter relaxing time every evening before night-night time.

Last night nothing seemed to work.  Sunday's are difficult for Belen anyway.  We have church at 1 p.m. which just happens to be right in the middle of her nap time.  We try to get her to take a nap a bit earlier so she at least gets an hour (as opposed to the 2-3 hrs. she normally requires) before we have to leave. Yesterday was no exception however, when we got home Belen refused to take a nap immediately after church (which she normally goes down for easily).  Instead we ate together as a family then daddy and Belen sat together on a chair and after 20 minutes they were both snoozing away.  Belen ended up sleeping for nearly 2 hours not waking up until after 7 p.m. as she sat snuggled up to daddy. We got her ready for bed, made sure she wasn't hungry, and went through our normal night-night routine. Belen happily waved bye-bye as we left her room albeit a bit later than normal due to her late nap otherwise, nothing was out of the ordinary. 

Unlike normal, 20 minutes after leaving Belen in her bed she'd found her way to her bedroom door, slid a hand underneath the door and proceeded to holler, "DA-DEE".

3 more attempts at night-night brought us to 11p.m. and a hysterical toddler. Finally, daddy thought we might try laying her on the couch until we turned out our light (our bed is set up in the dining room adjacent to the living room...long story) but we'd also decided that it wasn't safe to let her sleep all night on the couch because we have to keep our sliding glass door open (it's the only 'window' in the room) for ventilation.  We were afraid she may wake up in the middle of the night and wander outside. But, when the time came she was so tired she didn't protest being placed in her bed.

Bright and early as Zak is getting ready for work Belen began screaming hysterically as she woke up.  All sorts of things went through our minds as we tried to figure out how to help her.  What it came down to was that she didn't want daddy to go to work. She was fine when he was around but when he told her he had to leave she was inconsolable though several minutes after he'd left she was quiet and ended up sleeping until 11 a.m. 

When Zak came home for lunch we went through the same scenario.  Now that I think of it, this has been building for some time. Saturday Zak spent 5 hrs knocking doors for the Yes on 8 campaign here in California, when he got home he wanted to get the car cleaned up for Sunday and was in and out of the apartment for another couple hours doing so. Each time he was in and out Belen took it really hard. Poor girl. I've started telling her that he will be back because he loves her very much.  I hope we are handling this okay. This is our first real encounter with any type of separation anxiety. Belen as always been very laid back in this area.  She still seems to be doing well when we take her to the Nursery at church it's just at night and early in the morning as I'd described.  

If anyone has any ideas or experiences themselves with separation anxiety please let me know what you've done to combat it or at least lessen it's severity. Or, is this just something we will have to wade through?

Happy Birthday, ZAK!

Dear Zak, 

On your birthday, Belen and I would like to thank you for working so hard, and taking such good care of us! We love that you are goofy and love to have a good time but know when to be serious. 

We love that you don't mind ironing your own shirts because mommy hates ironing.  

We love than despite having long days at school and work you never turn down an opportunity to play with Belen when you get home. 

We love that you don't expect mommy to have dinner on the table the minute you get home ('cause it almost never is)

We love that you don't mind cooking for yourself and the rest of the family sometimes.

We love that you will try just about anything, once.

We love that you put so much thought and effort into birthdays and special occasions for us.

We love that even if you hate something that mommy did cook for dinner, you never say you don't like it.

We love that you keep the car clean.

We love that you are the only one on the planet who can get Belen to fall asleep in your arms.

We love talking with you and hearing what is important to you.

We love that you listen.

We love that what is important to us is important to you

We love that you say only, "How can we make that happen," when faced with a challenging goal.

We love how much you love us, and that you tell us often.

We love that you love the Lord and honor your priesthood responsibilities.

We love that you pray for us.

We love your creativity.

We love that you do all you can make sure we are happy.

We love that you don't mind riding your bike to work so that we can have the car, even if we don't often go anywhere in it.

We love that you've decorated our temporary apartment to look much like a missionary's apartment.

We love that you will wash the dishes if mommy doesn't want to.

We love all the many things you do for us that are so numerable they cannot be mentioned here and now just know that we love you very very much and wish you a very Happy Birthday.

Forever,

Allysia & Belen

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Perks

Zak came home from work today with a cool new jacket. Not that the weather out here would dictate the necessity for a jacket....

Who said Accountants don't have a sense of humor?

A Little Clarification Please...

We are in Kansas City, Missouri for a summer sales job. In the fall (we just learned) that we will be in southcentral California for an internship with CBIZ where Zak will be involved in Forensic Accounting. In January, we will return to Idaho for Zak's final semester before graduating with his Bachelor's Degree...next summer, not too sure yet...and Fall 2009 Zak is planing to start Graduate School at Ohio State for one year. It is sure to be a crazy whirlwind that edges me a tad bit outside my comfort zone but we are enjoying the adventure all the same!

In the distance you can see downtown Kansas City..kook at all those treeees!

Yesterday, Belen and I went for a walk around our apartment complex and just by chance met a bunch of other women here with their husbands who are selling also. One woman's little girl squatted down to play with something on the ground inadvertently exposing a bit of her tush. Belen walked right up to her, and pulled the little girls shirt down to cover her tush. I'm so proud! My sweet little modest girl!

Farewell...

Monday, prior to Zak's surgery, he sought a second surgical opinion at the University of Utah. The surgeon wholly supported the need for amputation of nearly half of Zak's finger so the surgery went as scheduled Tuesday morning.  Belen and I were there with him and took some final pictures as we said farewell to the finger that had faithfully submitted to Zaks will until recent months.

Belen giving her daddy some extra cuddles before his surgery.

Belen was watching T.V.

Bye, Bye finger.

The doctor said that Zak's bone was just "mush" and removing it was absolutely necessary.  We hope the surgeon was able to remove all of the infected bone and Zak will have a full and complete recovery.

Today we were able to remove the bandages for the first time to see the surgeons handiwork.

Zak begins removing the bandages.

We had to saturate the dressing with sterile saline 

because of all the dried blood.

and there it is! Zak's new finger!

There is still quite a bit if healing that will need to take place but we were told by both Zak's surgeon and the hand surgeon at the University of Utah that once the finger was removed we would be amazed at how quickly he would heal.  We really hope so. I think Elder Bednar spoke in the April Conference just last weekend, about the blessings that come "after the trial of our faith." I feel that making the decision to go through with the surgery rather than continuing to "wait and see" was hopefully a trial of our faith that will qualify us for the blessings promised.

The Saga Continues

Zak was given a very expensive tablet called Zyvox, so he will be taking it twice a day for two weeks.  He will then be given a penicillin-type antibiotic for 4 weeks. And his treatment should be complete.

After viewing some new x-rays that were taken on Wednesday at the surgeons office, Zak has made the difficult decision to go ahead with the surgery to scrape the infection out of his bone. We saw some significant deterioration of the bone, the last joint of his finger is completely gone. This new surgery will take place on Tuesday, April 8th. Our hope is that we can save the majority of his finger, and ensure the infection has been eradicated.

P.S. the culture taken from his picc line site was also positive for staph. A new infection.

Zak's Recovery

Nothing about Zak's "simple" finger surgery has been "simple".  Last week the surgeon took some x-rays to see how the bone was looking and we got a little wake-up call.  The surgery itself was a success in that the bone fused to the correct place (despite the fact that the pin that was sticking out of the end of Zak's finger got caught on something and was pulled right out. Fortunately when he contacted the surgeon he said he was planning on taking it out just 3 days later UNFORTUNATELY Zak had been helping me put laundry away at the time the pin came out...can you imagine...he could have used that against me for the rest of our lives)!

Also, on the x-ray we saw some pretty convincing evidence of serious bone infection.  In case you are wondering what it was we saw, exactly...when there is an infection in the bone, the infection essentially "eats" away at the bone. The severity of the infection really dictates how much of the bone remains as well as whether or not there is enough material left to stabilize the flesh, so to speak. In essence, we saw, where his bone should be (reflecting white on the x-ray) we saw mostly gray and black, meaning, there is not much bone left.  The surgeon said that if this were a larger bone (rather than the end of his finger) they would go in and surgically scrape away the infection but in this case there would be nothing left.  So really, at this point we are waiting and watching to see if Zak can keep the end of his finger.  Zak does have a bit of a sense of humor about it, he joked that if they did have to remove it he would just miss the "S" key when he was typing...

Zak has had a picc line in place for awhile now, it was meant to stay in place for the remainder of his treatment (another 3 1/2 weeks or so) but he developed a pretty bad skin allergy to the adhesive on the surgical dressings that kept his picc line in place. So much so that they had to remove the picc line today, by order of the ER physician because they were concerned about the site becoming infected, I didn't know that was possible being that he's on the ninja of all antibiotics but I assume they know more than I do about the situation.  So, he may have to have a shunt placed in his chest for the remainder of his treatment.

By the way, his finger looks TONS better. I will add a picture probably tomorrow.

Getting Better

I wish I had a more recent photo to include in this post but we just wanted to let our friends and family know that Zak is doing very well.  We saw the specialist yesterday and were told that Zak is on the right medication, the picc line will be placed on Friday, and treatment will continue, on an outpatient basis, for 6 weeks.  The doctor did examine Zak's finger and we were all delighted to see some continued improvement.  We got some lab results back yesterday as well with some very interesting findings.  The most recent results show that Zak's infection is susceptible to every antibiotic as opposed to the first results that reported a resistance to antibiotics. While both the Infectious Disease specialist and the orthopedist find these most recent results inconsistent and troubling, Zak and I feel that a priesthood blessing he'd received, as well as the many prayers offered on his behalf, is the explanation for this sudden turn of events.

We were wrong.

Turns out Zak has a very resistant strain of staph.  Even the main antibiotic they use to treat resistant strains of staph will not work in his case.  We will see a specialist early Wednesday morning to see what happens next but until then the surgeon has changed Zak's medication. They will be taking out his heparin lock (used for short term I.V. treatment) tomorrow and putting in a picc line (used for long term I.V. treatment) instead.  We are told that treatment will take a lot longer than the 10 days we'd anticipated and it is more than likely that Zak will be admitted to the hospital for that treatment.