Our Rising Star

So it's not often that I sneak a blog in but I thought it was necessary for me to get the word out about our little Nikki Jean and an honor that has been bestowed upon her this week (and that she was just going to let go unannounced!!).  So on Wednesday, it was announced that she is one of nine Attorneys from her Boston Firm (Bingham McCutchen) listed to "Massachusetts Super Lawyers" Rising Stars list in 2009.  So what is this, you might ask?  "Super Lawyers" is a national publication for the legal profession that conducts a yearly rigorous evaluation process involving peer recognition and achievement in the legal field to select their Rising Stars (....I was curious and decided to look it up......it's a no joke process for sure).  The selection process is entirely independent and candidates are developed through peer nominations and/or research conducted by the publication staff.  Another notable is that no more than 2.5% of all attorneys in Massachusetts are named to the list!

I think that this is a recognition that is well deserved and leaves me awestruck considering that she is earning it while living 3000 miles away, working part time and playing Super Mom to our two little munchkins (and juggling numerous other projects).  I am very proud of her and thought that anyone reading our blog may want to know about this as well.  I've attached a link below to the actual announcement if anyone is interested in finding out more.

Garrett

Nikki Jean Fisher

online at

visit superlawyers.com

A plea for my nephew . . .

We are all aware of the heart-wrenching stories that regularly appear on the Internet and a common first reaction is to question whether the electronic tale has any factual basis. I am hoping you will allow me to share a true story about my amazing nephew, 12.5-year-old Kyle Gehler (in photo with his mom and Eli), who lives in Port Orchard, WA.


Kyle was born prematurely on March 10, 1997 due to under-developed kidneys and decreased amniotic fluid. I was just outside the room when he was born and was fortunate to hear that first, wonderful cry! Just days after his birth, doctors determined that Kyle’s kidneys were operating at less than 10% and diagnosed him with End Stage Renal Disease. The doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital recommended that he undergo a life-saving kidney transplant. Miraculously, one of his maternal uncles was a match and graciously agreed to donate one of his kidneys to his nephew.

On August 2, 1999, Kyle received an amazing Gift ~ a chance for a more normal childhood. Following this gift of a second chance at life, Kyle has had 71 admissions into Children’s Hospital and more than once there has been a fear of kidney failure. Sadly, that fear was recognized this past summer when Kyle was once again diagnosed with complete kidney failure. Kyle is now receiving kidney dialysis to keep him alive. The doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital have once again recommended that Kyle undergo a life-saving kidney transplant and have placed him on the national donor registry. Once a match is found and Kyle receives his new kidney, he will require medication as he will be immune suppressed for the rest of his life.

Although Kyle has medical insurance, it will not cover all of his transplant related expenses. In fact, Kyle’s family needs to raise about $40,000 to cover transplant related expenses. Given that this is a difficult task, they have asked the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for help. COTA is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. Funds are used for transplant-related expenses. The COTA for Kyle Gehler campaign is organizing events and activities to help families like Kyle's.

Although I do not like to ask for money, we need your help to raise funds. Please help us make a second miracle for Kyle by making a generous donation or by volunteering your time and resources to help us raise the estimated $40,000 that is needed.

If you would like to donate, please click on the donate button at the top of the blog or visit http://www.cotaforkyleg.com/ to learn more about Kyle. You can also write a check to COTA (please write in honor of Kyle Gehler in the memo space) and mail it to 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, Indiana 47403. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Thank you for considering a donation that will help make a miracle for my nephew!!!

Shuffle Step

We had dance class again today and "we" is the operative word here ;-)  Yes folks, I got to dance with Alli once again.  For some reason, Alli has reverted to crying when I leave the room so for now, Mommy is a dancing fool!  Fortunately, Mrs. L was willing to keep an eye on Eli for us ~ THANK YOU!!!  Alli definitely enjoys the tapping more than the ballet but is pretty cute at both.  Since I was in there, I figured I would capture the little cutie on film :)  She's wearing her sweatshirt because she was cold.  In other news, she got her H1N1 shot today and her doc has dubbed her "Awesome Allison" because she is so brave and doesn't cry ~ just asks for her sticker!

Practicing "shuffle step" ~ she loved this!

Heal taps ~ another fave of hers

Tapping behind with her toe ~ did well balancing :)

Waving

Marching ~ not one of her favorites but she does it ;-)

Two cute fish

One Very Spooktacular Halloween

This was by far our best Halloween yet!!!  Then again, how it could it not be with these two cuties??? :)  Really, we've been celebrating Halloween since last Sunday but yesterday was definitely our favorite celebration.  G had to go into work in the morning so the kiddos and I decided to get out of the house for a bit too and stopped by to play with Ducky Gramma and Papa.  Then it was home to get ready for our Halloween party with the playgroup (we were hosting so there was some cleaning to do!)  In the middle of lunch, Alli announced that she wanted to go "night night".  I, of course, assumed she was just trying to get out of eating so I told her that she better be sleeping not playing and fully assumed I would her that lovely little voice singing up there.  Guess what, the little turkey slept for 2 hours!!!  She's been hit or miss with naps this week so I guess it caught up with her and she zonked.  Worked well for me.  G got home not long after she went down and was able to help entertain Eli, allowing me to get ready for the party.  Alli was so excited when she woke up to get into her Tink costume.  Not long after, the friends started arriving and all the kids had a great time playing.  Alli even did pretty well with sharing.  She loved having her friends over and keeps asking to have them back over "tomorrow."  The kids played with every toy in the house and had the chance to decorate cookies if they wanted.  Even the food was a huge hit ~ tough to go wrong with pizza and Capri Sun ;-)  Would you believe that Miss Alli wound up eating almost two pieces????  Not all at once but throughout the evening.  When the friends left so everyone could go TOTing, Alli was a bit sad, especially to say goodbye to "Lellanor", who she idolizes ;-) 

Alli Tink was a bit wild before we went TOTing . . .

Luckily, Barbie Gramma and Pop Pop showed up shortly after to hand out candy so we could all go TOTing as a family, well, Eli was only allowed to go to one house before we took him home to snuggle and snooze.  Alli loved TOTing and even said Trick or Treat and Thank you at the houses.  We decided to skip any house that simply left candy out in a bowl since we don't need that much candy and Alli didn't know the difference at this age.  Something tells me it won't be that easy in a couple years!

Here are a couple shots of our little pumpkins from last night . . .

Needless to say, Alli was WIRED after all the fun and sugar and since it was "Fall back" we decided to let her work out some of that energy before going to bed a little after 9.  It worked since she didn't get up until just a few minutes ago ~ woo hoo!  Even more impressive, Eli slept for 11.5 hours last night.  Talk about a very happy (yet slightly uncomfortable!) Mommy :)  Not only that, he woke happy as could be ~ he sure is E. Z.

Here are a couple comparison pictures of our 'lil pumpkins from each of their first Halloweens.  For perspective, Alli was 9 months old, Eli is 3.5 months old . . . wearing the exact same clothing for their first Halloweens! ;-)  Can we say Skinny Minnie and Chunky Monkey?!?!?! 

Alli is on the left, Eli is on the right . . .

Tinkerbell & the 'lil Fish

Gosh, that sounds like it would make such a cute story ;-)  We had our McCormick Woods Halloween party yesterday afternoon and a great time was had by all.  Both kids looked adorable in their costumes and Alli thoroughly enjoyed all of the sweets!

How cute is this little pumpkin???? 

 This is the same shirt and same costume that Alli wore on her first Halloween,

of course, she was 9 months at the time ;-)

 Although there were many little Tinkerbells at the party, Alli was by far the cutest Tink

with her petite frame, blond pony tail and light up wings!

Pumpkin Time

What to do on a cool, Sunday afternoon?  Carve pumpkins of course!!!

Not just any pumpkins.  No, for the Fishers, they must have a theme.  Can you guess what it will be????

G is hard at work . . .

Eli is wondering what this is all about and if it might taste good . . .

Alli looks pretty happy so far.  Any guesses???

Fish of course!!!  G is quite talented at making the Fisher Family of Four out of pumpkins!

Reflections

This has been a challenging week but God seemed to know that and gave me a some time to read a very helpful book and look at some pictures. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the moment that I forget the big picture. It was not so long ago that I spent every moment praying and begging God to allow us the joy of having children.  Anyone who has ever suffered with infertility knows those prayers all to well.  My prayers were answered in ways that I could never have hoped.  He sent us two angels.  It's funny how quickly you forget the pain and forget to be thankful for the gifts.  Being a parent is the hardest, most challenging job I have ever had, yet it is also the best job in the world.  Yes, my children can be challenging.  Yes, I lose my temper and wonder "why me" at times.  Yet I realized something very important today, I wouldn't change a thing.  This is not so say that I won't have days where I feel sorry for myself but I think I have a better perspective now. . . Just look at these little faces.  I am so blessed!

Cauliflower chips???

How do you get Alli to eat tons (and I do mean handfuls!) of raw vegetables?  Tell them they are chips . . . tonight, we had "cauliflower chips" ;-)  She loved them!!!  The girl is too funny.  She is very much like her mommy in that she is quick to tell us she doesn't like food, long before she sees, smells or tastes it.  Unless it is chocolate that is ~ the girl has a major sweet tooth!  A lie, yes but there are some battles I just don't want to deal with and eating is one of them with Alli. 

We were on our own this evening since G has class Tuesdays and Thursdays so I never quite know how dinner and bedtime will go but both kids were extremely cooperative.  After Eli was down and Alli and I were watching Bedtime Praise Baby, she actually asked for a NutriGrain Bar and proceeded to down it in about 5 minutes.  I swear, some mornings, it takes her an hour to eat one.  Guess she was a hungry gal!

Eli had a fabulous day as usual ;-)  That boy is such a little angel and I feel so blessed to have him in our lives.  He is cooing, smiling and giggling up a storm these days, all of which warm my heart.  Today was another first for him . . . he picked up his lion and hugged it before putting it in his mouth.  This was the first time he ever picked up a toy and stuck it in his mouth.  What a sweetie!!! 

I just love being a Mommy!  These two are the most demanding "bosses" I've ever had but I don't think I have enjoyed life more . . .

My little helper :)

Alli LOVES to help in the yard or with decorating.  We had so much fun planting mums last year that we decided to do it again when it was nice out last weekend.  Hard to believe our little girl has changed so much in a year!

Here's our big girl this year (2009) . . .

And here's our little peanut last year (2008) . . .

Time is going so quickly!!!