OK so summer is coming to an end but that doesn’t mean we’re any less busy.

We’ve been having lots of playdates with kids of family members or friends to keep Mary Elizabeth busy. It’s been a lot of fun. This Labor Day weekend we’re at Aunt Michelle & Uncle Ralph’s house visiting and then will celebrate labor day AND the 1st anniversary of Uncle Daniel & Aunt Amber as well. A big Congrats to them!

September 8th starts PRESCHOOL for Mary Elizabeth. WOW can’t believe it’s here. It’s sad that our little girl is growing up but this will be good for her. I know she will have a great time in school. She loves kids, learns well and enjoys staying busy.
September 8th will be a busy day though because after school we have to head down to the city for her follow up appointment from the Sclerotherapy. This will mark nearly 6 weeks since her surgery. As we’ve seen this is too early to see the final results but we’ll get updates from them and discuss what’s next I suppose. I doubt we will schedule any big surgeries for anytime before the holidays though.

October 2nd will bring Mommy & Daddy’s 10th year together officially as a couple. Sure it’s not our wedding anniversary but it is special to us nonetheless. We are looking to plan a little trip away for maybe the weekend or just overnight with the help of Grandma and Aunt Amber. It’ll be nearly 3 1/2 years since we had time away from the kids so I think we’re overdue. As anyone married or together long enough knows- special time as a couple is needed and we’re looking forward to it. Nothing is set in stone yet but we’re working on details. Anyone that knows us, knows we’ll probably find a concert or something musical to attend. As much as we’ll miss our little ones, it’s a short period of time and well happy parents = happy kids!

November seems to be around the corner too which is so sad because my little baby boy will be turning 1 before I know it. Birthday arrangements need to be made, and we can’t believe we’ll be starting that planning process already! WOW!

And well after that is holidays and the whole nine yards.

As for the stress that came into our lives when I lost my job, we’re working things out as we go. I am looking to watch a couple kids in my home for extra income. This will enable me to still be with my kids. Which has been good for me and them. Also good for Andy since I’m able to get some things done around the house without his help and get his dinner on the table after he comes home- haha.

As always we’ll see what God has in store for us. In the meantime we’ll stay strong and keep on going. Never letting the roadblocks we face stop us. We’re Walking by Faith as we always say. And it’s always been proven that in the end things work out. Ya know, if I didn’t say it before- we’re Blessed Beyond Measure

Sorry we went MIA for a bit. We were even late on updating the photos for the month of July….

But you see, we were a little hectic at the Raia household. Mary Elizabeth has been recovering from her surgery on July 30th.  The time in the hospital wasn’t so bad – she seemed good and her swelling didn’t appear to be too bad either. But as we’ve learned it’s day 2 that shows the most swelling and it’s day 3 that she is the most uncomfortable. Well day 2 showed a lot of swelling but sure enough she was playing and doing alright. Day 3- she was still really swollen of course, but also really uncomfortable and having a lot of trouble. For a few days she was having a really rough time. Her tongue was so swollen she couldn’t eat or talk, and she was having trouble sleeping because of how awful she felt. She was on tylenol with codeine but that didn’t even help totally.

All in all it was not easy but eventually she didn’t need the tylenol with codeine (just motrin) and slowly her swelling came down. As it stands now she does have some swelling but not too much, just some in the areas they injected and her mouth a bit too. But she’s able to eat, talk and sleep. And yes, she’s happy and not uncomfortable. Phew! We really hate seeing her like that so it’s a relief that she’s feeling better.

She will have a follow up visit with the Dr in about 6 weeks and as we know we can see improvements from this surgery up to 3 months from now still. Keep her in your prayers.

In the meantime, enjoy the July photos.