'Tis the season

It seems that we repeat ourselves each year around this time. School starts up and our kids excitedly go and come back with new friends, new homework, and new colds.

This year has been no different. We're finally on the up swing now, but we've endured a few colds and even the flu over the last month. Karina was hit so hard by the flu that she ended up in Urgent Care and almost the hospital due to her dehydration. We battled with her poor little body a bit and finally were able to keep some fluids in and begin to build up her system again. It's always amazing to me how fast we go downhill with something like that and yet how incredibly long it takes to make up lost ground and get our bodies back to 100%.

Julie has fought through a few colds, too, which is no easy task when you're a pregnant mom already taking care of an extra little one inside of you. But she's battled well and hopefully out of the woods now. She even found the energy in the middle of her cold to perform a lip sync to a song at church with two other gals during a MOPS fundraiser dinner. It was hilarious! They danced and acted out motions to "The Mom Song" by the band "Go Fish."

I, Mark, have seemed to avoid the colds and flu, but unfortunately hurt my lower back at work and have missed a few weeks now. My nemisis has been making 4-5 trips a week to Seattle or Issaquah for doctor and physical therapy visits. Of all the pains, it seems sitting (especially in a car) is one of the worst - there's the drawback to living so far outside the city - long drives to good doctors. But I go back in Tuesday for another update with my doctor to review my MRI, and hopefully the news will be good and I'll be able to get back to work quickly.

That's the quick update. Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful fall leaves like we are!