The Results

Mark received some of the results from his 24 hour heart monitor..........
He experienced over 500 PVC's within the 24 hour period!!! He will have a follow up appointment with our doctor within the next couple of weeks. At that time they will discuss the results further, ie: whether or not certain activities or foods triggered him to experience the "extra beat" and what Mark can do to help regulate it. Mark and I have both read up on the disease and what we can do, but sadly there isn't much. Of course as with most health concerns a healthy diet along with exercise is a must, but otherwise beyond medication his heart will just continue on as is. The good news is that this doesn't necessarily mean he will be more likely to encounter heart disease, or that he will have to cut back on any physical activities. Mark swears that his heart is just skipping an extra beat for me :), but I'll take my chances and have the Doctor give us the final diagnosis!


Alicia

Update on Mark

Just an update on Mark. Our Family Dr. wanted Mark to do the 24 hour heart monitor. So he scheduled the appointment and on Tuesday he headed to the hospital and got all hooked up. He was to go about is daily routine, and document what he did when, and if he was feeling any "extra beats". The results will be forwarded to our Dr., Mark has to make an appointment within the next couple of weeks to talk about the results. Obviously Mark was nervous about what was going on with his heart prior to going to the hospital, but when he arrived at the Cardiology wing to find all of the patient (beyond himself) to be MUCH older then him it scared him. He has been exercising, and eating healthier, and taking his vitamins. He is feeling a bit better, but we will know more once he gets his results back.
In other news with Mark, he won the match play (Golf) yesterday. This is his 2nd time winning it (out of 3) this year!!!!
He won some money, and of course the bragging rights that come along with winning!!!
Congrats Mark!

Alicia

Family Reunion

This past weekend was the 49th Anniversary Anderson Family Reunion (Mark's mothers side of the family). the party was hosted by Scott and Beth Anderson, and they did a wonderful job!
Saturday Morning we headed up to Kingsley, Michigan to the party. Not only was this an opportunity for me to meet some of Mark's family, I was surprised how many of them Mark was meeting for the first time. All three of us had a ton of fun! There was a pig roast, tons of delicious side dishes, and of course some Finnish favorites. The kids (and some of the adults) played Sack Toss, Ladder Ball, basketball and swam. the adults mostly sat around and talked. My favorite part of the reunion was listening to the older generation tell stories of their childhoods, laughing and reminiscing. We can learn so much from them, and it's fun to hear them talk about their memories! I especially enjoyed watching Mark's Grandpa sit and talk with his siblings, So many years of memories, whether good or bad, they are the memories that helped mold them into the people they are today. Family helps keep us grounded, and I think it is important to get together to remind us where we came from. I'm happy we decided to take the trip, it was well worth it!

In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and the bridge to our future.

Alicia

The Extra Beat

Most of the day Monday Mark was feeling as if his heart would stop then jump start back up very rapidly. This feeling was happening most of the day. When we laid down to go to bed the feelings worsened. We decided to take him to the Emergency Room. After EKG's, Heart monitors, IV's, X-Rays and a few other tests the doctor concluded that Mark was suffering from PVC (Premature Ventricular Complexes) A cell in the bottom of his heart was making an extra beat, not painful, but very uncomfortable and of course worrisome. This is not something that Mark has recently developed, he's probably been living with it for quite some time, although something has triggered it to "act up". The symptoms can be triggered by lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, etc.
He had an appointment today with our Family doctor to further examine the causes, and diagnoses. He will have to go to the hospital for a 24 hour heart monitoring.
Although PVC isn't something that will kill you, the thought of him having something wrong with his heart is extremely frightening to us all! I guess all we can do is to keep monitoring it and live healthy lifestyles.

Moonlight Canoe Trip

So last week, I was looking online trying to find an new place to canoe. I had driven past this park / river in Ann Arbor a few months ago and made a note to myself to remember it. To my delight they had posted that they would have a moonlit canoe event going on that Saturday. It rained all day long, poured! We had decided that if it were to stop raining we were going to go out there. It did and so did we (Bryce ended up ditching us so that he could have a sleep over at his cousins). I had never been to Gallup Park before, and was really impressed. It was clean, and beautiful! Lots of areas to fish, obviously Canoe, just sit and watch the water, a beautiful garden area. Mark and I walked the trails for about an hour, and to our disappointment the moonlit canoe trip had been cancelled due to the weather. Although we were bummed about the cancellation, we had decided that we were just happy that we had taken the time to check it out. there are so many beautiful places that God has created for all to enjoy. While walking the trail along the water I felt peaceful, relaxed, happy. The night ended up being a romantic walk with my hubby amongst the trees, plants and water! Just what I needed.
There will be another evening canoe trip on September 19th, the "Fall Equinox Bonfire & Canoe"
We will definitely be attending that event, and I am looking forward to the many memories we will create at this beautiful park!

Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily,

visiting the natural world.

- Catlin Matthews

Alicia

The Joy of Sharing a Book

Bryce read the book Coraline this year, and has requested that I also read it so we can discuss it! (so cute!!!) Beyond me reading book upon book to Bryce when he was younger, we have never shared in reading the same book. It was fun, and I will definitely be looking for other books that will entertaining us both! Anyway, I have about 15 more pages to read, I'll finish it after dinner this evening and then Bryce and I will rent the movie. I have to say, when the movie came out it seemed quite strange to me, not something I planned on seeing. But the book is pretty good, don't get me wrong, it is a strange story, but I'm excited to watch the movie tonight.

“The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.”

-Elizabeth Hardwick

Alicia

The Eyes Have It

It's been awhile since I have written.
Bryce had his yearly eye exam with his pediatric ophthalmologist last week. He had to have surgery on his eyes when he was 4. I can't remember the exact name for what he had, but it was similar to a lazy eye, except what he had deteriorated his vision. His eye muscles were weak, and his left eye had always been the worst. A few years after the surgery, his vision was 20/20 and he no longer had to wear his glasses! (he had been wearing then since he was 15 months). About a year ago during an eye exam through the school, they discovered that his muscles were again weak, and that the vision in his left eye was once again getting bad. I made an appointment for him, and we were told that the vision in his right eye was better than 20/20, but the vision in his left eye was quite bad. Bryce never knew his eye wasn't working correctly, because his brain had totally shut off usage of that eye to compensate for the lack of sight, and he was relying solely on his right eye..... which explained the lack of depth perception that Mark and I suspected Bryce had. Anyway, the appointment went great! With the use of glasses or a contact (that's right.... just one) the muscles have strengthened. He can now see a regular optometrist.
Bryce's health is our number one concern, he has always been a healthy child. I feel that we have some sort of control over his health by the foods that he eats, or does not eat for that matter, the exercise he gets and definitely by the amount of sleep he gets each night. But the health of his eyes scares me, I feel as if I have less control, and vision is such a vital sense! His doctor has been amazing and he really helps put us at ease with the situation. I'm a little sad that in the future we will have to rely on someone else for advice, guidance, and diagnosis. When we walked out of the office, I almost felt as if a chapter was closing in our life.

Alicia

The Relaxation of Pottery????

Yesterday after work, I took my three nieces to this cute paint your own pottery place named Creatopia! We had a lot of fun. Natalie (3 years old) painted a cup with a frog on it, Maddy (6 years old) painted a mirror and Ashley (14 years old) painted a travel mug. My choice was a tea pot. Ashley meticulously painted her cup with different color stripes, Maddy painted a ton of colors then decided to smudge them all together ending with a purplish blue mirror, and Natalie used lots of greens and a few other colors. Every one's pottery turned out beautiful! My sister Amber dropped by and decided to stay...... Thank Goodness!!!! I forgot how much attention a 3 year old required, she was behaving perfectly, but she would need help, or reassurance, or more paint (every 10 seconds :)) and it would have been a struggle for me to keep up with her, so I was happy that Amber stayed to watch and help out! I can't wait to pick out projects up next week and see the finished products!!!! It was nice to spend that time with the girls. Bryce is hardly interested in going to a pottery place at his age, or any other "girlie" activity for that matter. Plus, I get to enjoy a lot of time with my nephews because the boys get together so often for sleep overs or just to play. But I sometimes feel that I am missing out on those special times with the girls, so I was really excited at the thought of us all having some special time together!
Bryce came home from his UP trip yesterday evening. Mark and I could not wait to see him. Although he wasn't gone for more than a few days, it was quiet and boring and un eventful around the house without him. He brings so much light & love into our lives, I wanted to grab him and hug and kiss him, but I had to be cool, he is a 12 year old after all (You know..... a grown up! Ahahahahah). I could tell he missed us too. After the pottery I picked him up from basketball practice, took him to the store to buy some more basketball shorts, then out to dinner. He is so funny, he and I were cracking up the whole time! Mark finished playing golf, then met up with us for dinner. He and Bryce wanted some ice cream, so off to DQ they went while I headed home. I was exhausted after the long day, I gather up some laundry to wash gave the boys a kiss goodnight then off to bed. About 45 minutes later the boys headed up to bed (Bryce snuck into my room asked if I was still awake, gave me a kiss and a hug and told me he missed me...... he does still love my hugs and kisses!!!)

Alicia

Date Night

Bryce is still up north. So Mark and I decided to go out for a nice dinner, just the two of us, (this doesn't happen very often). So I came home from work changed and we were off to Mongolian Barbecue. Dinner was delicious, and it was relaxing just to sit there and chat for a bit. We then went to Murry's Auto Parts store to pick up a new taillight for my car. Then to Home Depot to pick up a couple more cherry tomato plants for our vegetable garden (the ones we bought in May didn't make it through the late frost). Picked up a bottle of wine, then headed home. We planted the cherry tomato plants, Mark fixed my taillight and put in a new filter. Then we decided to watch a movie and have a glass of wine. It was a wonderful, romantic night!! I know this may not seem like the picture perfect night to most people, but Mark and I don't get the opportunity to spend the evening with just he and I very often. Our focus is generally on Bryce, not each other. I really appreciated spending the evening with Mark, he and I being able to focus only on each other for the evening! I think when you have children it's important to experience nights like this to keep the spark alive. To remind you why you fell in Love with that person. So easily we can forget with the hustle and bustle of life how important our loved ones are to us. I love my family very much, and I try to always appreciate every second that God gives me to spend with them!

If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.

Bern Williams

Alicia

Time Flies By

It's amazing how with every year that passes, the time literally seems to fly by! This has been a busy week. So here is a run through the past week or so.....
Bryce had his first basketball game, and he played great, and more important he had a lot of fun!!!!
Mark & I played golf with some friends on Saturday.
Bryce had 3 sleepovers, two with his cousin Michael and another with his cousin Robbie.
Bryce had basketball practice on Tuesday and his second game of the season on Friday.
Mark played golf with his friend Tom on Tuesday.
Bryce had practice for the Plymouth 4th of July Parade Thursday afternoon (although after seeing that he was the oldest by far, and once Bryce found out about the cheers they had to chant, as a family we have decided that Bryce was a little old to participate).
Mark had his golf league on Thursday and also made it to the final round of the match play..... cross your fingers, he has a good chance of winning some money next week!
I enjoyed a night out with some friends from work on Thursday.
Jeffrey, Paula and Wesley traveled up to Michigan to visit our family as well as Paula's family, they arrived early Thursday.
Bryce headed up to the Upper Peninsula with his Uncle Jeffrey Saturday afternoon.
Mark & I attended the Frey concert with Krista & Ryan.
Krista, Paula, Wesley and I attended a boutique event (purses, natural makeup, and baby items) that my friends at Bebeology helped host.
Mark & I played a quick game of golf with his brother Mitchell.
Although all three of us had a good week, I did have some bad news, I found out that my friend / teammate from work Jennifer was being laid off. She is a good friend and I will miss her laughter, goofiness and guidance at work 5 days a week. I wish /pray that she will be able to enjoy the summer with her family and that she will find a wonderful new career!

But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day.

~Benjamin Disraeli

Alicia

Bryce has his first official basketball game tonight. He is so dedicated and is really enjoying himself thus far. He practices for hours a day either at home or up at the court! It makes Mark and I so happy to know that Bryce is a person who jumps at new challenges, who isn't afraid to try anything once, and he usually puts everything he has into it!
So far Bryce has had a busy summer, it's only been a week and he has had 3 sleep overs and has gotten together with his friend Kenneth nearly every day. He's gone fishing, played golf and he's heading up to the Upper Peninsula (right on the Escanaba River) with my brother Jeffrey at the end of the month for some fun & male bonding!
Something about the beginning of summer is enticing! It's not yet to the point that it's unbearably hot, the nights are still cool, and everything is still green and beautiful! I feel very energized, happy, motivated and it feels good!!!

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."

Ada Louise Huxtable

Alicia

Eco Friendly Baby Products!!! Yeah

Be sure to check out this website, it's the best in eco friendly Baby Products!!
"http://www.bebeology.com/"
Friends of mine Brad & Nicole Hoppe started this online based business when they found out they were expecting. The products are awesome. They graciously let me help them work their booth at the Green Street Fair in Plymouth this year.... needless to say, they were a huge hit!

Alicia

Toothies!

In lue of our dentist appointments today, I just have to blog about my love for Tom's of Maine Toothpaste! We have been using it for a few months and I really like it. I know, I know it's just a toothpaste, but this stuff is awesome! Our teeth our squeaky clean after we brush, and it has whitened all of our teeth. In fact, Mark and I have used the Crest White Stips and they pale in comparison to the Tom's complete care toothpaste. We also use the mouthwash...... it taste's pretty gross, but again, it's all natural and I suck it up knowing I'm not swishing around all of the chemicals. In addition to their dental line, we also use the deodorant, my fav is the apricot scented....love it!
Not only are Tom's products great, the company is amazing. 100% of electricity consumption at their factory has been off set by investing in wind energy. They encourage their employees to donate 5% of their paid time to volunteer. They re-use all of their shipping materials, and their products are 100% recyclable!!!!
No, this is not an advertisement for Tom's of Maine, I just wanted to spread the word about what wonderful products they offer.

Alicia

1st weekend of Summer

Well Bryce has now got through his first year of middle school. Hard to believe he will be in 7th grade.It is his 1st weekend of summer and we went on Lk. St. Clair this morning and caught 2 Muskies no keepers we also saw the Red Bull air races taking place on the Detroit River. Bryce will be playing basketball this summer I'll keep the stats up to date, triple double he we come.

Mark

The Rain

When I was younger, I would play out in the rain all day if given the chance. I loved watching it, feeling it, smelling it! When there were storms, my Mom would grab some blankets and we would sit out on the porch together. Yesterday I really wanted to go walking, but because of the rain I had decided not to. I sat there, looking out the window watching the rain and wondered..... when did I become so afraid to go out in the rain? I got up, put on my tennies, grabbed the dogs and walked our 3 miles. I was rejuvenating! I had to stop myself from smiling the whole time.

“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.”

G.K. Chester

Alicia

Turtles

After work on Wednesday, I met mark and Bryce up at the golf course. It was so beautiful outside and it made our family outing that much more enjoyable! Silly Mark underestimated the skill of his wife and son and ended up getting his butt kicked by Bryce and I in a friendly family bet. Before I arrived, Mark and Bryce rescued a Turtle from a hungry Raccoon, they picked up the Turtle put in in the basket in the back of the golf cart and drove it to a nice wooded area. Once I got there we found another Turtle on the path and Mark picked it up and moved it to a safer location. Shortly after our rescue mission we spotted a HUGE snapping Turtle, we stopped and watched it for a bit and then were on our way!
Bryce had an end of year skating field trip for school, and the thought of wearing actual Roller Skates was too much for him to handle! At the moment Bryce doesn't have a pair of roller blades that fit him, so thankfully Uncle Mitchell lent his to Bryce. Bryce and I went outside for a bit for him to brush up on his "blading" skills, I was looking at the open field across the street and there stood a beautiful deer. It was only there for a moment before it darted off out of sight. I feel so lucky that we live some where that we see wildlife so often. I took our dogs for a 3 mile walk yesterday and saw so many bunnies, and a surprising amount of beautiful yellow finch's. Walking along I couldn't help but soak in how peaceful it was, looking at the beauty of every one's gardens in bloom, trees blooming even appreciating how green and lush every one's grass was. I came home feeling refreshed!

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Ann Frank

Alicia

About Us

I have never officially blogged before, but after reading some one else's, I was inspired!!!

I am married to a wonderful man named Mark. He is handsome, inspiring, crazy, loud, smart, hilarious, caring, giving, thoughtful and a wonderful Father. We just celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary, and we couldn't be happier! Mark currently attends Eastern Michigan University and is working on finishing his degree in Teaching. I am so proud of him!
Our son, Bryce is 12 years old. He is probably the most hilarious person I have ever met. He makes us laugh all day long, his views on life are so refreshing, he is definitely wise beyond his years. Bryce plays hockey, this year was his first year running Cross Country (He didn't get his running gene from me!)and he just started basketball.
As a family, we enjoy golfing together, we go on a week long ski vacation up at Boyne every February. Mark and I usually argue as to who Will be preparing dinner, we both love it. We all enjoy Nature and Michigan and try and experience the beauty of our state whenever possible.

We have always been conscious of our mark on the environment, but this year we made a commitment to do as much as we could to help. We have dramatically increased the amount that we recycle. I've read a lot about the damage that we all have caused on our beautiful Earth, and to say the least, it is frightening! Bryce and I just participated in the Rouge River Day Clean Up this past weekend. It wasn't what we expected, but we had a lot of fun. I've made the switch with almost all of our products, cosmetic and other, to more natural (100% natural if possible) eco conscious one's. I have to say, The difference I can see and feel in our face's, hair, and skin is beyond words.

Alicia