Our Fun Friday!

It's been awhile since I have written it's been a little crazy around here. I have been feeling very tired, and very weak lately and haven't had the energy to do much. I went to see my docter though and we discovered that my thyroid was coming back slightly high apparently means it's slightly underactive. So because I was feeling weak, dizzy, tired, muscle aches, and depressed. All symptoms of thyroid they made the decision to try me on thyroid medication. I am very happy to report that in less than a week I am feeling less tired, no more dizziness, muscle aches are going away, and the depression is lifting a little but the best part is that I have already lost 3 lbs. Oh ya thyroid makes you gain weight. I also had that symptom. I didn't really have to write that though. I am really excited to be feeling better. The other good news is that somehow I have got my liver enzymes down to just barely above normal. This is a huge improvement from being double of a normal persons. This is a good indicator that the way I have been eating is helping my liver to heal even though I have been gaining weight. Which means I am prolonging my life from the 5 years they were giving me if I changed nothing. So yesterday's doctors appointment for me was very good news.

Nick had a picnic for his Brigade yesterday. They were thanking the soldiers. It was a great picnic except it was very cold. They were serving yummy food, beer, had a live band, were playing dodge ball, volley ball, and tag football. They had playgrounds for the kids, and little activities for them as well. I was really impressed with how our soldiers were being treated. It was very nice to see. The picnic was cut short because it started snowing/raining in the middle of it. Nick and I luckily missed the bad weather because we had to cut out a little early for my doctors appointment anyways.

We were going to go see a baseball game with Mason's scouts but it got canceled due to the bad weather. Luckily the kids school saved the day though because they were having a carnival. So we went to that instead. Mandy and Mia got fake tattoo's and the kids raced on scooters, we had hot dogs for dinner, and did a cake walk. Mandy and Nick won the cake walk and brought home a plates of cookies each. Then we came home and everyone wanted to wrestle mom. It really was a fun family day.

Today we are looking forward to grocery shopping, and visiting Amber. Amber is doing so well right now. We are really proud of her. She is learning some really good skills, and her attitude has been really good. She is currently working on getting a pass right now to come home for her birthday, and it looks like she is going to get it. We are excited about it.

Nick heard again that he would be transferring units but we still don't know which unit or when. It does still sound like he will be staying with infantry though. We were hoping that would not be the case but we are just going to be thankful for what we are getting.

This week at the Madsen's

We went to Utah this last week, and it was so wonderful to see family. I don't remember when my spirits have been higher. The trip went really well even with getting Dysentery. Our family left on Sunday morning, and made it safely to Utah Sunday night. We stayed with Nick's parents, and were so happy to see them. We had some really yummy spaghetti, and watched as Mia picked it apart as usual. We didn't sleep very well that night probably just because we missed our bed so much. We got up the next morning and headed out to my mom's house. I got big hug's from both of my parents, my dad didn't let me go. It meant a lot to me. I really love my parents, and it was nice to feel so loved. We caught up, had dinner, threw a small birthday party for Mason, and Mia. Shannon and the kids showed up for the party, and we had a great time. My mom did these really awesome assesments with Nick and I. I learned a lot. It was hard to have to say goodbye again. I really didn't want to leave. The next day I went to lunch with my brother Jake, and just about everyone showed up. Everyone in my family except my parents were there. My mom hasn't been feeling well though, and I'm pretty sure we wiped her out the day before. My friends even came. It was really awesome to know so many people wanted to see us. I got to see my new neice, and nephew as well. They are so adorable. We then later headed over to my best friend Tammie's house where we just hung out, and chatted like we used to. It felt so nice. Then we went back to Nick's parents house where we had another birthday party for Mason, and Mia. Most of Nick's siblings came, and we had a great time. The next day we hung out with friends from Ogden, and checked on our house. It was really hard to see my house. It made me realize how much I really wanted to be living in it. We went to lunch at Del Taco, and headed to my sister Sarah's house. I had a great time at Sarah's house. My nephew's are just so adorable, and had me laughing, and smiling the whole time. I got to chat with my sister, and spend quality time with her. I loved it. Nick had a great time with her husband Adam. It was later that night that things went sour for me. I woke up in the middle of the night very very sick, and stayed that way the whole night. The next day I begged Nick to take me to the ER because I could not go back to Colorado in that state. The ER informed me I got Dysentery, and had it pretty bad. They got me all fixed up though, and I went back to my wonderful sister's house who had watched my kids for me the whole time I was sick, and slept like there was no tomorrow. The next day I felt like I had been hit by a truck but was well enough to travel home. Poor Mason had to spend his birthday in the car, but I gave him presents and that made up for everything. So as you can see we had a great experience.

A tribute to the two people I lost that touched my life.

I want to pay tribute to two really wonderful people. These two people were amazing people that touched my life in ways that i will never forget. They were both my hero's in different ways. I love them both so very much, and they left a big hole in my heart when they left.

Elizabeth May Qualls

You were always such a wonderful friend to me. I could not be sad around you because you went out of your way to make me laugh. Your laugh was infectious. You always knew when I needed you, and didn't hesitate to drop everything to come to my rescue. We laughed together, cried together, did crazy things together, created the best memories together. When we lived 300 miles apart it didn't matter it only made us closer. You let me be there for you, and you were always there for me. You weren't just a friend you were a sister. You were a family member that I got to choose. You got me through some of the most challenging times in my life. You never let me down. You always knew the right thing to say, and you never turned your back on me even if I did something wrong. I admired you so much. The strength you had while you went through cancer was amazing. You laughed, even when the pain was stremendous, you reached out to comfort people who were afraid, even though you must have been more afraid then us, and needed the comfort even more. You were fearless. I will never forget your courage, I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart. You are an amazing friend, and I will always cherish the wonderful memories you were kind enough to give to me. Thank you for just being you, and for loving me. I love you my Lizzer. I always will, and I will always miss you!

Justin Ray Robinson

Oh my dear Justin. How can I ever thank you for everything you have done for me. You have always been such a hero to me. You picked me up whenever I was down, you helped me realize that i deserved to be loved, and that I could be loved. You showed me how to be loved. You always made me feel like I was the most wonderful person on the planet. You just had the ability to build me up. You always accepted me for who I was, I didn't have to change who I was, or act any differently I could just be me, and you were ok with that, even loved me for that. We could talk, and joke about anything. We could make any mistake, and not have to live in fear that the other would judge or be angry. Our relationship was so unique. You always encouraged me to be the best I could be, and always made me feel like I could accomplish anything. You helped me through some really hard times, and allowed me to help you as well. You were one of the loves of my life. Thank you so much for helping me through the 4 months without Nick, and through all the hard times in my past. Thank you for being my best friend for 20 years, and for always being there for me. Thank you for always being willing to help me move, and listen when I needed to talk, and for all your wonderful advice. Thank you for all your love. I love you Justin, and I am devistated by your passing. I will miss you the rest of my life.

Our Christmas Vacation

My wonderful husband came home on my birthday December 12th from AIT which is short for Advanced Individual Training. It was the best birthday present I think I have ever received. He had been gone 4 months to the day. Our reunion went very well, and our relationship only improved with our seperation. We both have a new appreciation, and respect, and deeper love for each other. It was the hardest thing our relationship has ever had to endure but it was also good for us. I'm just so happy to have him back. He has changed a lot. He has a lot more maturity, and his goals have changed quite a bit. The kids are so happy to have him home as well.

Nick received his orders, and was ordered to Fort Carson, Colorado. He was asked to report Christmas Eve. We were a bit unhappy with the date, but it worked out ok. We celebrated Christmas with our families on December 21st, and it was an awesome Christmas. One we will remember for the rest of our lives. Having our husband, and father home made this the best Christmas we have ever experienced. We enjoyed sharing it with both our families.

We spent the morning with Nick's family. We had Christmas breakfast which was super yummy. They made breakfast casseroles. They consisted of hash browns, with eggs, and chunks of either ham, bacon, or sausage. I had never had breakfast casserole before but really enjoyed it. We then cleaned up and listened to the kids sing Christmas carols, play instruments, and then sang Christmas carols all together. Then we opened presents, and called it a day. It was a lot of fun.

The afternoon, and evening was spent with my family. We spent the afternoon taking family pictures. I was really excited about that because we hadn't had a family picture in a long time. Then we had a wonderful family dinner. We had the kids open some presents, and the adults played a white elephant game. Then the kids played a left and right game which my son had a little melt down over so he didn't play. We just gave him his presents. Then we exchanged presents between the family. It was a wonderful day. We really enjoyed that time.

Our families mean so much to us. I am posting our family pics with this entry. I hope you all have a Happy New Year.

The graduation trip

The Graduation trip was great. Nick's requests were that he wanted "married time", mountain dew, and snickers. When we first got to see each other we wern't allowed to touch each other. This was extremely difficult for us both. We went to the hotel first thing. Nick has changed quit a bit. He has matured a lot. He is more sure of himself, has so much confidence, sits perfectly straight and I do mean perfectly straight in a chair, thinks a lot about what kind of image he is setting for others to see, and he really thinks in terms of team, instead of himself. He still has the biggest heart, and he was very happy to see me. Our love for each other only grew stronger with the time that has passed. We spent most of our time in the hotel room, but we did manage to see a museum with big guns, and an old jail. His parents were with us and they are so awesome. I really enjoyed getting to know them even better, and they are a lot of fun. I can see where Nick get's his loving heart, and great personality from. It was very hard to say goodbye again to Nick. That was probably one of the hardest things I have ever been through. I had just seen him again after 10 weeks just to have to let him go. There were a lot of tears on both our parts. Nick got on a bus that next morning at 2am for a 2 hour drive to the airport. His plane did not leave until 11am. They did not give the soldiers any food for the day. He arrived in St. Louise Missouri at 12:40pm. People clapped for all the soldiers as they came off the plane. Nick said it made them all feel good. The airport gave them doughnuts because they were all so hungry. The poor guys had to wait for a bus until 8:10pm that night. Nick finally reached Ft. Leonard Wood that night at 10:35pm. He went through processing and finally was able to sleep at 2am. They had him back up at 6am. It was a long day for Nick. He is doing well now, and he didn't complain at all through that.

Nick's Graduation From Basic Training

Private First Class Madsen Graduated Basic Training October 24th 2008. He went through 10 weeks of gettting yelled at, unrelenting push-ups, running, marching, fighting, shooting, PT, Drill Sargents, Training, and even having to eat with only a spoon because the drill sargents didn't think the platoon ate fast enough! Nick never got in trouble and said Basic was easier than he thought it would be but never wants to do it again. He said the hardest thing he had to endure was being away from his family.

During the Cerimony they called his name and
handed him a diploma, and he shook all the drill sargents hands as
walked across the stage. Then as the platoon cleared out they sang cadence begging the drill sargent to go home
to his wife it was hillarious. It was truely a proud day for Nick, and for all of us.

Nick's Swear in.

Nick's Swear in went really well. It didn't take very long. The Officer talked about how he really looked up to these guys for entering the army during a time of war. He said he didn't know that he would have done that himself. He talked about how that really showed courage and a love for their country. He saluted them both. He talked about his experiences with the Army, and how it has made him a better man, and made him realize that he was part of a team, and what his country meant to him.

Nick swore to serve and protect his country, at the end of it all Nick became Private First Class Madsen. We as his family could not be more proud to call him our husband, and father.