WE ARE SLEEPING SO MUCH BETTER ALREADY!

Jim was recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I knew something was wrong one night when I was having problems getting to sleep. I tossed and turned until about midnight and then he started this loud snoring and then what seemed like a minute of no breathing...and then he would gasp/snore and start all over again! That went on for 3 hours. I talked to Katie the next morning about my lousy nights sleep and she told me that it sounded like Sleep Apnea and that it was dangerous! I did some research on the internet, and needless-to-say, I made an appointment with a Sleep Center right away! He had his sleep study on June 21st. He had to go to this center and spend the night hooked up to all kinds of sensors and monitors so they could determine if he had the problem. They even took a picture of him and sent it home with him! To stay on my husbands good side, I will not be posting that picture on my blog!! From our point of view, he failed miserably! Last Friday night was his first night using the CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). That was a pretty rough night. He said he didn't sleep very well, and I was kept awake by the noise! It's now been three nights, and boy what a difference it has made! He slept til his alarm went off and so did I!

SULLIVAN FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT

Katie & Chris had family pictures taken this past Saturday. They turned out so-o-o good, I thought I would post some of them!

Carter...17 days young!

Breanna.....3 1/2 years.

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Friday the 13th was Jennas' lucky day. She got engaged to her long-time friend, Deric Molner. The wedding will be the end of September of this year! I know what I will be doing this summer! Jenna created a blog which you can access from my blog so you can get the whole scoop right from her. Deric will be the 40th member of our immediate family! (Wow! This is getting big!) Congratulations to you both! Mom & Dad love you both very much.

Hugs before I leave!

We posed for one last picture before I left Sunday morning. I spent 11 days and leaving was bittersweet! I'm ready to go home, but I had a great time with Breanna and her baby brother!

I guess I shouldn't get too emotional....they are coming to Spokane on Friday!

Our journey into Old Nauvoo

A few days before the graduation we travelled across the beautiful, flat state of Iowa, crossed the Mississippi into Illinois. Our destination was Nauvoo, where we had a wonderful two days. Located on the banks of the Mississippi in western Illinois, we were able to travel back in time and see what life was like in the 1840's. The early members of the church built this city from a mosquito infested bog into a thriving city in just 6 years.

We visited the blacksmith shop and learned how they constructed the covered wagons that they would travel in when they headed west. I am so thankful for automobiles!

Jim is making rope! We spent a few hours in The Family Living Center where we participated in demonstrations about making tallow candles, making linen from flax, barrel making, weaving, and baking bread in a bustle oven!

This is the Mansion House, the second home that Joseph built for his family. In the 1840's there was another wing built on the back that was rooms for newcomers to stay when they first arrived in Nauvoo. It has been torn down and just the original house remains. We toured the inside of this one.

This is the original homestead of the Smith Family. We were able to go inside this one.

This is the Red Brick Store. It has been reconstructed on its' original site because it was torn down in the mid 1800's and the bricks used for other buildings when the city was moved further up the hill. Downstairs is the General Store and upstairs is a meeting room. It was tricky getting up the steep stairway!

The Trail of Hope is one of the last places we visited. It is on Parley street and the road leads down to the Mississippi. This is the way the pioneers left their beautiful city behind and crossed the frozen river in February of 1845 when the temperature was 30 below zero that first night. As a memorial to those brave souls, there are markers all along the street with journal entries from some of the people. This one in particular was very moving to me.

It was an amazing two days! Some unthinkable things happened to these people, but the spirit that was felt there was truly one of love and hope. I am so glad we made this journey!

Breanna & brother Carter

Carter Roy Sullivan

Today at 12:39 pm the newest member of our family was born! He weighs 7 lbs 6 oz and is 18" long. It was a very easy, fast delivery...much deserved after such a hard pregnancy! Breanna and I got to see him before he was even a half hour old!
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