Everyday Life

OK...so it's been a year...

2010-08-25T11:27:00.004-05:00

....and I forgot my login and password. I am SURE that no one will read this and that is completely fine with me :) ! I just think I need an outlet...so I can just let it out! Here goes nothing....

McKenna is in 2nd Grade! She loves school & her teacher. Terry is still working the 4:00pm - 2:00am shift at Walmart. Hopefully he will be going to first shift soon.

As for me well... I am still working at the church. I also became a Mary Kay consultant. Why? you ask.... honestly I am NOT really sure :)

So yep that is pretty much it.... (no not really I just don't want to bore anyone with the details) Until next time.

(I will try harder to update sooner than a year from now HA!)

Xbox 360....?

2009-06-22T00:10:00.002-05:00

Hello...my name is Jenna and I am a Xbox 360 widow...or should I say a Halo widow!!!!! Oh my you know I love Terry with everything that I am, but COME ON! It might be nice to watch a movie together or something! Just kidding...I mean it could be way worse he could be out all night going to bars and doin God knows what else...so I don't complain....too much ;)

The Weekend..

2009-05-29T12:14:00.002-05:00

I LOVE WEEKENDS...mostly. This is the only time Terry, McKenna and I get to have family time. (since Terry works 3pm - 3am Mon. - Thurs.) It I am always completely exhausted once Sunday night rolls around. We try to cram 5 days of fun family time into 2 1/2 days. UGH! I am so ready for Terry to have a first shift position at Walmart! He has never had a first shift position at any job he worked at! Ok now I am just whining :*( .

Anyway this weekend will be no different:
We are going to Muscatine to see Gracie in her dance recital & hang out for a while. On Sat. Terry is meeting a friend for breakfast, then later that night we are having people come over to video games and have fun. Sunday - Sunday School, Church, Mazzios, nap (hopfully), and just relaxing. I hope :). Throw a few trips to Walmart in there and that is our weekend.

HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU ALL!

Hey Just so you know...

2009-05-19T11:48:00.000-05:00

We are still alive!!! I know I know big surprise that I haven't blogged in a while. Things are so busy and before you know it - IT's MAY!!!!! So here are a few things that are coming up... McKenna is going to finish her Kindergarten year of school in about 17 days! And she is not so little anymore :( But we are ready for new adventures and whatever God has in plan for us WE WILL BE READY! And looking forward to a fun Memorial Day Weekend with ALL the family!

Is It Just Me???

2009-01-19T15:54:00.002-06:00

Is it just me or is the whole country the WHOLE country...world just buzzing for what is going to happen tomorrow??? Whether you are a Obama fan or not you have to agree that it is really amazing that he will place his hand on the SAME Bible that Abraham Lincoln did! I hope that everyone will hold our President up in prayer. It is going to get a whole lot worse before it is going to get better. But I believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Presidential Pledge -

2009-01-19T15:50:00.001-06:00

What will be YOUR pledge????

My Sweet Baby Girl

2008-10-09T01:04:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to My sweet daughter. You turn 6 today and I can't hardly believe it!

You love so many things... Music all kinds but mostly David Crowder* Band. You love Gymnastics, School, and your teacher Mrs. Behne

Things you don't like...

Corn - I don't know what it is about the stuff you just HATE it! Hurting someone feelings - If they cry so do you ;) and seeing anyone in pain. You have such a tender heart and such a heart for eveyone. I love you!

You Are My Sunshine My only Sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away

You are My Sunshine #4

2008-10-09T01:03:00.000-05:00

To get McKenna's full story start at "You are My Sunshine" and go through 2, & 3

You are My Sunshine #3

2008-10-09T00:42:00.000-05:00

When we got home we had a Home Health Care nurse come in she would check McKenna's vitals and most importantly weigh her and guess what?...She continued to gain weight! And grow strong!!! The doctors and nurses were all amazed how well McKenna was doing at home! She did so good that on March 6 Dr. Lawrence took the central line out! They said that she was going to have to have that thing in at least till she is 3 years old! She got it out only months after she had it put in! That right there is the POWER OF PRAYER! Over the years we continued to follow up with IA City and they were always amazed at how well McKenna was doing the doctors couldn't explain it but Terry & I could...and it is simply this McKenna has the finger prints of God all over her! He held her in she went through all her surgeries and all the sleepless nights in PICU. God was there when Terry & I had no other choice but to trust in Him. God was there when Doctors said no way HE said I AM THE ONE AND ONLY WAY! We fully believe that McKenna is a gift from God and she blesses anyone who she come in contact with. This August We went to IA City for a check up sadly to find Dr. Lawrence had moved to another hospital on the West Coast, But we did get to see Dr. Warren Bishop McKenna's gastrointestinal Dr. who has been with us since day one also. And he said "I hate to say this because McKenna is so cute but we don't need to see her anymore!" They released her from ICHC! Dr. Bishop said "Just treat her like any other normal child" We have come full circle...and thank goodness God was with us every step of the way!

You are My Sunshine #2

2008-10-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

I got to feed McKenna for the first time only 10cc at a time (10cc = 1oz) She started to do better and was doing regular feedings and pooping regular and gaining some weight. On Nov. 15 they said "Are you guys ready to get out of here or what?" UMMM YEAH! We brought our daughter HOME that night! It was amazing to walk in the front door and have our baby with us! Things were going good feed...poop, feed...poop and so on. Nov. 26 we went back to IA City for a follow up appt. and due to her weight loss and her jaundice she decided to readmit her. In complete shock Terry & I followed the nurse to where we became far too familiar with 3JCW pediatric inpatient rooms! This can't be happening again! Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought we are suppose to thankful for having McKenna home not here having crappy hospital food! The doctors said that my breast milk was going through McKenna system too fast and she was not able to get the nutrients that she needed to grow and gain weight. So they put her on Progestimel predigested formula. Let me tell you a few things about this formula 1. It was EXPENSIVE 25.99 for the small can THANK GOD FOR WIC! 2. It STUNK!! Not the normal formula smell this was different I can't explain it just trust me when I say that it stunk. McKenna did not do well with the new formula she would drink it and all of the sudden she would projectile vomit it all back up. I mean it was like a fire hose of vomit coming out of her mouth. It was horriable! So she continued to lose weight so the put her on TPN -which is IV nutrition. She was starting to do better but still throwing up alot of her formula. The doctors decided to put in a central line in so we could give McKenna her TPN at home. Terry & I had to take "Central Line Care" classes we learned how to change the dressing around the central line, how to put new dressings on, how to set up an IV pump and alot of other things. Then we had to have an "Apartment" like run in the hospital (Terry & I were to take care of ALL McKenna's needs the nurses are there in case of emergency but we were to do it all) After we did all of that on Dec. 20 we got to bring our baby home for good this time!

You Are My Sunshine...

2008-10-08T23:58:00.000-05:00

My Dear sweet McKenna turns 6 years old tomorrow! I can't even believe it. For those of you who does not know McKenna's story I would love to share it with you.

When I was 33 weeks pregnant my water broke (well it didn't really brake it kinda sprang a leak...I know GROSS) I was admitted to the hospital for the first time on October 2nd. They gave me medicine to stop any labor I was having and put me on bed rest. Later that day I had an ultrasound done to make sure her lungs were developed in case I would go into labor. As the technician was scanning my belly to I remember her saying something so vividly..."I can't see her lungs the bowels are in the way". Me being young and naive I didn't give it a second thought, until the doctor came in and was talking to me about the baby. He said that there was a problem with McKenna's bowels they were larger than normal. He said it could be nothing but he would like me to go to University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics for a more detailed ultrasound done and worst case scenario she will have to have surgery after she was born. I was in the hospital here in Burlington for 6 days and Oct. 8th Dad, Shawna, Terry, and I went to IA city to have the ultrasound done. When they were doing the ultrasound they said that they would really like to do an amniocentesis done because with these kind of birth DEFECTS (I hate that word! God does NOT create any DEFECTS!) it is common with Downs Syndrome. After thinking & praying about it we decided to have the test done. Let me tell you that was so scary! After that was all done and over with I was READY to go HOME! Then the nurse comes in and says "It will be a while till your room is ready" WHAY?!? Did you say room. She said "Yeah you will be staying here till you have the baby because she will need surgery after she is born!" I felt like someone just punched me in the gut! I was not prepared to stay. I tought that I was just coming to have a test done get a few ultrasound pics of the baby and go home. STAY? No Way! But that is what I did. I stayed in a hospital room as my family went home to prepare for my lengthy stay. I mean I was looking at a possible 6 week hospital stay! Not fun! I was a mess crying, worried, mad, everything all balled into one. I didn't know what to do I didn't want to be there...not by myself. All of a sudden I felt God say "Pray Jenna, read My word & trust in Me" So I got the Gideions Bible out of the top drawer and I read. I can't remeber what I read but I know I was starting to feel alittle better so I prayed "Lord I don't want to be here but I know it is the best thing for McKenna. Please help me go through this" And he did by giving me LABOR PAINS!!! That's right I went into Labor and they decided that they were not going to try to stop it since her lungs looked fine. So at 1am I called Terry and the answering machine picks up and I am talking into the machine begging Terry to wake up! The poor thing answers the phone and he just got to sleep only 30 min. before. I said well I hope you are awake enough to come to IA City I'm in labor. He said "What? I will be there as soon as I can" And at 11:54am on Oct. 9th McKenna Leigh Lowe enterd the world and stole everyones heart from the very first second! The doctors wisked her away I only got to see her for an breif moment. After everything had setteled down another doctor came in Dr. John Lawrence I felt peace the very first time I saw him he told Terry & I that he was going to be McKenna's surgeon. That is the most terrifing thing to here your baby who is only 8 hours old has a surgeon! He explned everything to us and of course we had to sign those consent forms...you know the ones where in case of death the hospital would not be liable or something like that. Death? What? That is not an opiton here not when my baby is at stake. It seemed like FORVEVR for the surgery was done Terry & I busied ourselves with paper work or anything to keep our minds off of what we might have to face. Hours later Dr. Lawrence came in and said the surgery went GREAT and McKenna is doing just fine!!! We can breath now! Her diagnosis...Jujunal Atrisia (not sure on the spelling but you get the gist of it) that is where the large intestine and the small intestine are not connected. Dr. Lawrence connected them together and now all we do is let her belly heal and wait for her to poop! And that is what we did we waited...and waited....and waited (and prayed I couldn't tell you how many prayers went up to God on our behalf but I do know we felt everyone of them!) when McKenna didn't poop Dr. Lawrence said that they would have to do exploritory surgery to see what happened. So here we were at the same spot we were weeks ago. They did Surgery #2 and determined that scar tissue had grown and blocked the bowel off again. so the took some of her bowel out and put it together again. So we "Stayed the Course" and waited again for her to poop. and guess what SHE DID!

Happy Anniversary Nana & Papa

2008-10-02T23:51:00.000-05:00

Today is Mom & Dad 42nd Wedding Anniversary! I think that is just amazing...but you have to know they are AMAZING people! I don't even know how to put into words what they mean to me! They are not embarressed to show their affection for each other. Do you know one of my favoite images I will have forever...My mom and Dad holding hands as they were wlking down the street not for any reason just because they love each other! To me that is priceless! They truly try to live their marriage as godly as they can. What an example God blessed us with. They are two of the selfless people I know anytime any of the kids need something they are there. And forget about coming in between them and any of their grandkids!!! They will be the first ones to tell you that they waited so long to be grandparents and now that the are the LOVE it!
THANK YOU Mom & Dad for just show your kids and everyone around you how to love unconditionally!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
I LOVE YOU!

Not One But...FIVE!!!!

2008-09-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

Yep Five...MICE that is!!!!!!!!!!! I am completely grossed out and I am hoping that they are all gone now! I think I might have to check into a loony bin if there are anymore.

Tis the Season...

2008-09-26T21:06:00.000-05:00

for MICE!!!! Yuck! We only get one maybe two each year. Well tonight I saw our little friend out of the corner of my eye. It scampered across the room and POOF gone! Until we saw Crash our cat running around the room...she was trying to get the mouse which of course got away. As I am typing this Terry is out getting Glue Traps to catch the nasty little fellow! I hope we get him soon I can't stand the idea of it just running around wherever he wants! NASTY!

Quote of the Day by McKenna

2008-09-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Just a little back info before I tell you the quote of the day...one of Terry's hoobies is Xbox 360 but really he only plays 3 games - Halo 3, Burnout, & Guitar Hero. McKenna love to watch him play the games and she even plays sometimes. On Guitar Hero it has a lot of good songs and Terry downloaded some to his iTunes and out them on CD we were listening to it in the car with McKenna and here is the conversation:

Song on the CD: When You Were Young by The Killers

McKenna: How did that get there

Terry & I: What get where?

McKenna: That song...It's from your Guitar Hero Daddy!

Ok maybe to some people it's not very funny but to Terry & I we thought it was HILARIOUS! Because the song had only been playing for like 5-10 seconds (seriously!) and she reconized it! She really has a great ear for music! I really hope she does something with music when she grows up! Till then we are going to play "Name That Tune" and watch McKenna kick our butts!

I Know...I Know

2008-09-15T01:59:00.000-05:00

I am not consistent with my blogging... I will try to do better. things are a little crazy around here. McKenna is in school and gymnastics, and AWANA, and Girl Scouts and let me think...That's it (I hope :) ) Me I am still working 2 jobs (hopefully going to just one job here soon) Terry is very busy at Wal-Mart. Weekends are busier than the during the week because that is when we try to squeeze a whole week worth of family time into 3 days. It can get kinda hectic. But that is how we do things. I feel like I am kinda rambling here so I am gonna go now.

Just wondering...Should I be worried that Terry is YELLING at the T.V. because he is playing Halo 3 and they are beating the tar out of him?

Finding Nemo...

2008-08-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

HEY LOOK WE FOUND NEMO!!! :)

HA KAREN!!!

2008-08-26T00:24:00.000-05:00

Hey Karen check this out I actually did some blogging :)! I know I know it's about time. Baby steps that's all I can say.

Sweet Baby Girl

2008-08-26T00:23:00.000-05:00

This is one of the cutest baby girls I have seen. (Well 1 of 4 ;)
McKenna, Lucy, Grace, and NOW Safia!!!
Welcome to the very elite club Safia :)!

Mac & Baby Safia

2008-08-26T00:16:00.000-05:00

This weekend we got to go meet our newest niece and we couldn't tear McKenna away from her. She really loves babies!!!

First Day of Kindergarten.

2008-08-26T00:07:00.000-05:00

This is my baby getting ready to go to school! I can't believe that this day is here. It seems like yesterday that I was at the hospital with her. Here she is looking all grown up. I am not ready for this not even close...but unfortunately there is this little thing called a truancy officer that will prevent me keeping her home :). McKenna on the other hand can't get away fast enough which makes me want to hang on even tighter.

In front of our house.

Outside her classroom which is called "Spunky Monkeys"

Her back pack hook.

McKenna and her teacher Mrs. Benhe

At open house McKenna told me she was a little nervous meeting her new teacher. I was talking to Mrs. Behne and told her that McKenna was nervous, and she leaned in real close to McKenna and said "You know what McKenna I am really nervous too! We can be nervous together." And that was all it took...McKenna was fine!

The BEST thing in Chicago...according to McKenna

2008-08-25T23:53:00.000-05:00

McKenna got to watch her toy being made and every step in the assembly line.
Terry & McKenna love to watch Discovery Channel's How's It Made so this was like
watching the show in real life!

Coming Down the Line

Finished Product!!

Our Summer Vacation to Chicago Pictures FINALLY!

2008-08-25T23:32:00.000-05:00

All these pictures were taken at the Museum of Science and Industry.
We has a great time as a family!

McKenna always cracking me up!

What a pair!

Finally proof I was on the Vacation too :)

My two SILLY clowns!

Lost A Tooth!

2008-08-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

As you can see by the date on the photo I am a little late posting this nonetheless it is defantely blog worthy! Tammy our day care provider was the dentist and pulled the first one out for us! THANKS TAMMY! There was no way I was going to be able to do it :)!

Easter

2007-04-10T10:04:00.000-05:00

We are still recovering from a fun filled Easter weekend and not to mention some colds too:( too. On Friday went went to lunch and spent some time with Terry's folks. And on Sat. we spent the WHOLE day at Nana & Papa's house with all the family (8 adults, 7 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 very cranky cat!) The house was not only full of people but it was full of love also. We always enjoys spending time with family. I will have picture soon.

One More Try

2007-03-30T14:11:00.000-05:00

Here is the picture I was trying to load

Having Some Problems

2007-03-30T14:05:00.001-05:00

Clearly I am having problems... I will try again later.

The People I Love

2007-03-30T11:55:00.000-05:00

These two people I just adore them. They are my world.
I enjoy spending my "Everyday Life" with them!

Hello World!

2007-03-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

I am just checking this out to see which one I like better.