Monday

What we're like is determined by Who we love.

Texas Heat

Anyone for a nice Cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade to quench the heat?
If so let me know and I'll tell you where you can get one in a pretty glass like this.

PKD News

New Role Of Inflammatory Protein In Polycystic Kidney Disease Identified, And A Possible Treatment

PKD Update

We finally heard back from the doctor in regards to the 24 hour blood pressure monitor that Nicholas wore. Unfortunately we have bought enough time and the inevitable is here. His blood pressure is constantly running high and it is time for medication. High blood pressure is the #1 symptom of PKD and also causes quicker kidney damage if left untreated. We will start on a very low dose and then work our way up as needed. He is still scheduled for the MRA on July 15th just four days before his 15th birthday. (WOW) that was fast!!! Nicholas is the type of child who rarely gets discouraged and this new hurdle is no exception. His is thankful that there is medication for him to take. (His mother has learned alot from him and his attitude) Please continue to pray for him during all of these 'new' phases.

Reality

Need I say more?

Bargain Shopping

OK... so a fellow blogger www.rebekahdawn.wordpress.com was recently talking about how much money she saved with coupons, store specials, rebates, etc. I am always up for a good deal so I requested more info. This led me to www.moneysavingmom.com After reading her thoughts and input I decided to give it a try. Yesterday I went to our local library and went through their free coupon exchange box. Today was the big trial day. I did not buy any extras (Sonic, Hospice, Bucee's etc) the only purpose for today was to see if there were really some good deals to be had. First stop Wal-Mart (first picture). My total was $22.07 after cashing in my coupons my total came down to.......$2.32.
Next stop Target (second picture). My total was $24.94 after cashing
in my coupons my total came down to......$3.04. So, my grand total went
from $47.01 down to $5.36. That made me as happy as going to our local
thrift store where I probably would have spent more. I had a lot of fun doing this and will probably do it again sometime. With today's economy I am up for saving all we can. We would not normally buy the kind of cereal seen here but.....it was free so why not.

Welcome New Blogger

Our middle son, Nicholas, has decided to start blogging. I hope you will all welcome him. He will mostly be posting pictures for now. He really enjoys taking pictures and is rarely without his camera. http://www.nicholas-sanchez.blogspot.com/ Now I don't know where I will get the pictures for my own blog (:

Shoes

Who can guess whose shoes these are?

Bucee Up!!!

This is the usual stopping place after church.
Last night we all just pulled in one right after the other.
The green van is us, then the white car is our son Jaime, next comes the Villarreal's and finally Olivia in her nice little Cruiser (HOOOOOONK).
The Cabrera's were on the other side of us but they left before we thought about the picture.

Jaime

This is our eldest (Jaime) with our youngest (Isaiah).













Someone must help dad carry the life support box.







Jaime and his mother. (me)







Jaime and his brother Nicholas.

Thursday's Thought

You cannot teach people anything.

You can only help them discover it within themselves.

PKD Update

We went to Galveston today in order to receive the results of last weeks liver ultrasound. Not really anything that we did not already know. "Innumerable cysts are seen within the liver. Several BENIGN liver cysts without evidence of rupture."
BP 144/88 quite good for me (this is with medication). Thanks for all your prayers.
FINALLY we go to Houston tomorrow to pick up the much awaited blood pressure machine for Nicholas and he will wear it for the allotted 24 hours and we will return to Houston again on Thursday to return the machine for the next person on the waiting list. He is also scheduled for a MRA on July 15th at Texas Children's Hospital.

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

We found this lovely creature in the yard around 6:30 this morning. We promptly lured it into the dog kennel and called the Wildlife Rescue Center. The lady on the phone informed us that it is likely a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. She said that often they leave the nest to early and once they are on the ground their parents are helpless to help them fly.

Nicholas

This is Nicholas. He is our second son. He will be 15 next month. Most of the pictures on my blog are 'Nic's Pic's'. Nicholas has really taken to the camera and is constantly taking pictures. I will post some of his creation shots later.



Nicholas and his mom (me).
Right after coming out of the lake.

Victoria

She actually fell asleep in the hammock.





This is Victoria with her mommy (me).





Here Victoria is having a talk with her daddy before going back to the fun.
I have no idea what they were discussing. None of our children can really swim therefore they must always wear their life jackets while in deep water.




The great outdoors!

The 'butterfly'

Christian

Christian is our outdoor child.
He would rather be exploring than just about anything else.

This was the first fish of the day. No, it is not a butterfly (Catie) it is really a 'tiny' Large Mouth Bass. The fish did get bigger as the day progressed.

Isaiah

Isaiah loved to be in the hammock.
He spent quite a bit of time at the 'sink'.
He did not like the water very much.
He left!?!

More pictures

Getting the fire started

Jaime was tired after the drive.

My husabd and his nephew (Christian) roasting hodogs.

Getting the table ready.

Pictures

Our cabin. Notice the a.c.!!
This was the path from our cabin, it led directly to the lake.
A really nice tree.
A little friend we met on the way.