Trip to New Jersey and the week of no end.

I took a training class in New Jersey for work and spent a few days in New York here are some pictures from my trip. While I was there Mark had a really bad week. They had switched his pain meds and had him start taking them threw his feeding tube. So naturally he was finally getting them. Well in the passed we was perscribed such a high dosage because they were not helping him. Well because he was taking them threw his feeding tube he was getting them and way to much of them. I was gone and the kids were at different family members houses so it kind of went unnoticed. Good thing we have such great friends and neighbors that stepped in to help him. He ended up flooding the house more then once. There were a few times I almost came home early but those that were watching him told me to stay. Devin Pettit stepped up and with the help of the Elders in our ward made sure that there was someone at our house or at least checking on him at all times. But they didn't know the circumstances and weren't sure what was going on with him, so naturally they were pretty concerned. I didn't really understand what was going on till I got home.

When I came home I ended up having to call the insurance company to come in and help us with the house. We ended up having to replace all of the flooring in our house. Wow, what a project it ended up being. Mark and I were both so overwhelmed with the help that we received. Our ward family and extended family helped us so much, especially my Dad. I think he spent every minute that he could at our home for a few weeks. You could say it was almost like extreme make over. With in a week we replaced all of the flooring in our home, some walls and painted almost every room in my house.

Well to add to the drama I figured out what had happened with Marks medication and was able to get him back to normal or at least some what. He was feeling a lot better. One day I was so overwhelmed with work, the house and trying to get Mark to his doctor appointments. Mark had a doctors appointment and I had a ton to do at work. I came home and he seemed like he was doing really good. He told me he felt good and so I let him drive to his own doctors appointment. Well, I was at work for about 10 min when I got a call. Yep, he had been in a car accident and it was his fault. He couldn't remember what had happened. I felt terrible. I should have just taken him. The truck was totalled but he was okay.

During this long few weeks Mark started to have seizures again. The doctors just put him back on his seizure medication and told me it might take awhile for it to kick in. We had some pretty scary experiences and again we had so many people that were willing to help me and stay with him while I was at work and the kids were at school. There was one that really stood out it was one of his young men. He was getting ready to go on his mission so he was not working and spent a lot of time with Mark. I think they both loved it though.

Legally a family

On September 11, 2010 we were made a family legally. We have had these three beautiful kids for just over a year now. But this was the day that we could now officially say we were the Craguns. Shortly after we brought the kids home Mark started to get really sick again, so he was not able to pass his physical exam, and the Doctors wanted to wait till he was a little better. Well my lawyer finally called and said lets just do it. We would see what the judge said. Well the day finally came and I was so glad that it was one of Marks good days. His Mom and sister Tammy came, my Mom and Dad and also Jessica came and watched. The Judge was so cute with the kids and so was Mark. The Judge ordered that we take the kids for ice cream right after the hearing. Mark was smiling like I hadn't seen him smile in a long time. I don't know if these kids will ever know how much Mark loves them. They truly changed both of our lives for the better.

Niyah turned 8

Well on August 23, 2010 Niyah turned 8. She was so excited to be eight. The year before Montana and Miyuki were both baptized and she just couldn't wait. She wanted to go swimming at surf and swim but I wanted to do something a little more simple so I arranged to have a family party and Uncle Danny's House and it was a blast. I was just really glad it was good weather. It seemed like the weather was terrible the day before and the day after.
Amanda Cragun

Miyuki

Jake and Josh with a basketball game of course.

Mark there with his Jacket on. He was so cold and couldn't even get in the water. But we were blessed that he was able to be there.

Miyuki

Niyah grew out of her bike that she had already so that is what she got for her birthday. She was so excited. Then the tire was flat the next day, and I don't think we have fixed it yet.

Niyah the Birthday girl

Mark eating what he could chatting with my Mom.

Colleen, Addy and Connor. Once you got out of the pool it was pretty cold.

Miyuki after Josh threw her.

Kayden

Josh and Jessica throwing the kids (Kayden)

Sydney doing a back flip.

Sydney, Josh and Jessica

Happy Birthday Niyah Sweaty!! (We forgot a candle so My dad fixed that)

Pics from Lake Powell 2010

Connor, Addy,and Niyah

Trying to Cool down

Niyah is in the red on a boat ride

Me, Addy and Niyah

Me, Addy and Connor

Me and Addy

Enough Jess, with the camera

The Remote control boat a real one isn't enough

Montana Man

Miyuki swimming

Miyuki

Montana trying to get his way without a life jacket

The duck family

This was the kids first year at the Annual Lake Powell Cragun Adventure!!

Lake Powell 2010

As a Cragun family we go to Lake Powell every year. Mark and I were not able to go last year and it being the first year that we had the kids we really wanted to be there. So we did everything we could to get there. Mark was feeling really sick and had some doctor appointments that he couldn't miss. I went up at the beginning of the week with the kids and Mark met us up there latter in the week. We left on Monday and drove most of the day to Lake Powell. When we arrived I received a call from Mark saying that his test had came back positive for a brain tumor. I was devastated to say the least. I was glad that we had received at least some type of answer but at the same time it was heart breaking. Mark was very sick that week but he really wanted to be there with the kids. We had talked about him not coming but he insisted. He was really weak and the heat really go to him but he was a trooper. I think it was hard on everyone to see him this way. But at the same time I think it was an eyeopener for the rest of the family to see how sick he really was. The kids had a blast and they were really able to bond with their cousins. Here are some pictures of the kids.

Sorry there may be pictures to come. I have lost my Lake Powell pictures from this year and I am really upset about it. The girls knee boarded and Montana man even got up on ski's this year!!!!

Montana's Birthday April 4, 2010

On April 4th Montana turned 9 years old. We had spent the week with the Winstons and so we didn't get to have to much of a party for Montana. So we had some friends and my Mom and Dad over to open presents. Mark had arranged for Montana to get this really cool bike that he just loves. It was Lincoln Jarmans bike. Montana's favorite thing is to ride bikes so we wanted to get him one that he could use for a while.

updates are coming I promise!!

I will be updating my blog here in the near future I promise. :) There is a lot to update so it may take me a little while.

Being a working Mom

Over the past 4 months I have started working full time. I really enjoy my job and have loved getting back into the hospitality industry. I think it is just my nitch. However, I am starting to get a little jealous of Mark. When we first got the kids I was home in plenty of time to see them come home from school and we spent a lot of time together. I was their favorite :). But now I am feeling like it is starting to change. Since Mark has had his surgery he has not been able to work so he is home with the kids and gets to spend all of the time with them. He is the one helping them with their homework, feeding them and spending the time with them. I am feeling a little left out. Yesterday I had to work all day and I mean all day I was there for 12 hours. I came home to them playing in the yard and having a lot of fun and it made me sad. Is that crazy that it made me sad? I should be happy right? They are playing with their Dad what more could I ask for? Well, I didn't like not being able to be a part of that. It was really hard for me. I want to be able to spend the fun times with them. By the time I get home I have to fix dinner, finish cleaning the house and get them ready for bed. This isn't fair!!!!!

Niyah and Miyuki's 1st Competition

Videos of the kids

This is more for our family in Saipan. I wanted to post some video's of what the kids have been doing. Some of them are older but still cute. You can see with the different video's how much the girls have improved.

Niyah is on the right and Miyuki is on the left they are on oppisite sides. Sorry you can't see Miyuki very well. I was so proud of them. This was their first performance.

My Life!!!

Okay this post may not be very positive but I want to turn this blog into more of a journal for myself. You are all more then welcome to read but please don't judge me. I have had a very overwhelming year with both good and bad and it doesn't seem to be changing any. With that said I do want to say this. I know that when we are suffering we may be nearer to God then ever before, I do know this to be true and have felt Gods hands in many things.
Mark has been very sick for most of our marriage and this has been really hard especially the last few years and even more so in the last few months. I love him more then anyone will ever know. We have had our share and more of rough times together. However I am very grateful for the time we have had together. These last months we have been closer to each other then ever. We have had to endure a lot together, trying to learn how to raise three beautiful children and how to lean on each other when there is no one else there. That is truly how I feel right now, that we only have each other and our Savior.
I have learned in the last few weeks that even those you respect the most can let you down. I may not be the most spiritual person but I do feel that I can feel what is wrong and what is right. (and by the way don't you think I would know my spouse better then anyone else?) Sorry just had to throw that in.
I have been very grateful for all of the help that we have received over time. This has been a long struggle and I know it is not over. I will have good days and bad and so will Mark. I have to just hope that we don't both have a bad day on the same day. :) I am trying so hard to be strong for both the kids and Mark but it is hard someday. I have to say though I have the best kids to be around they are always so kind and caring when I am having a bad day. I don't know how I ever did it without them here. I love them so much! They have brought many smiles to both Mark and myself. While Mark was in the hospital he didn't ever want visitors but he did want to see those kids.
Well I know that my Savior is here and is helping us along the way. I know that some bad things have to happen to maybe push us in the right direction. Good things always come out in the end. I have seen that today.