I Like Them...

I have a new found appreciation for my kids today. I have been following a case of 2 missing boys whose father didn't return them home from the area where we used to live. I kept hoping that they would be found in a neighboring state or the father would drop them somewhere and they would be found. Unfortunately sometimes things don't end well and this is one of those cases. I don't understand the mentality of someone who can hurt a child. To mean it is a sign of someone who is severely broken. This weekend I was able to spend time with my kids and I have decided that I really like them. I know that in the last 17 years or so there have been several days where I was at the end of my patience and felt overwhelmed. But, I would never thought in my worst nightmares of harming them. I just don't understand it. I hope you keep yours nearer to you this week. Have a good week. :)

The Surgery...

I've waited to post this because I thought I could do it and not get all mushy but never mind. 

Catie had her surgery, it went great. She is working hard with her physical therapy and now it's just a matter of time. Time to see how well she heals, time to wait til she walks on it, time for the incisions to heal, time for mom to get over watching her baby be wheeled into surgery and then wait 3 hours. It was rough but there was a giggle to be had that day. Around the 2 1/2 hour mark it was just Mike and I waiting for Catie to come out of surgery and we were way over the time that the dr thought it would take. So, I am pacing, trying to read, do a little embroidery, text, anything to keep me from loosing my mind. Mike, well Mike decided to try his hand at the circular loom for baby hats we were toting around. You see, we are trying as a family, to get several hats done. Mike had finally reached his breaking point and decided to try it. It was definitely a giggle. He couldn't figure out which way it was going and exactly what are we doing with the yarn. He did about 2 or 3 turn and that was enough. This hat may not make it to be donated. This one may be a keeper.....if we ever get it done. As for Catie, other than feeling way to good for her own good. She is recovering better than we could have hoped for but....time will tell. ;)

Ice Is Her New Best Friend...

We are home from surgery. We arrived at 11:00 they pre-oped her, didn't take her into surgery 'til 2 pm and she was in surgery for 3 hours. Her labrium has been debreeded her tendon within her right thigh has been "cut" and the area was pumped full of cortisone. And, while in surgery she was in traction to allow access to the area. We are home. It's tender. The nice recovery room nurse offered ice. Catie - not too sure. Mom advised YES we would love some ice. Ice went on and Miss Catie was amazed at the comfort it brought her. She enjoyed a post surgical red popsicle, was given a dose of pain meds for the road and she decided she was ready to roll. With very little fan fare we were out of there with ice for the road. So, we are home, she has the remote control and dad has gone to rent a movie. All is well, we'll go back to the surgeon on Thursday and start physical therapy in the near future. Oh and she is non weight bearing for approximately 6 weeks.  Pictures to come later. Thank you all for your care and concern. I will do my best to keep you all posted. ;) Jen

Sugery Time

For all of you who have patiently listened to me go on and on regarding Catie and surgery, I thought I would explain the situation since here we are. Surgery Day. Several months ago I noticed she was avoiding climbing the stairs. Wouldn't put her stuff away, wouldn't clean the bathroom, not too shocking but when she avoided going up to get on the computer I knew we had a problem. So, after several tests, several dr and specialist appts. and a couple of months of PT. We determined that she had a hole/tear in the cartilage in her hip. So, try therapy, did and had little to no improvement. So, more tests and determined that they only way to fix it was to do surgery. So, we jumped through a few more hoops and now she will be having arthroscopic surgery on her hip tomorrow to repair the tear. There is also a possibility that they will get in there and have to do other things such as shave the front of the socket and also "clip" the tendon. So, that is where we are at. The bag is packed, activities to keep her busy as she spends the next week recovering have been gathered and set up. So, we are as ready as we will ever be. So, tomorrow morning we will get up and get ready and off we will go to children's hospital. I will keep you all posted. Wish us luck....

The Evils of Facebook

It has finally happened. Due to the badgering of others and the need to spy on my kids I finally broke down and I now have a facebook. Liza spent time this evening helping me get it set up so I don't look like a complete dork. So, as long as Liza's around it will be ok. I think I like my blog better. Facebook is a little too a.d.d. for me. It's abrupt and a little rude for my liking. I will give it a try for a month and see how it goes. 

On other fronts, we are 10 days til surgery. I know Catie is anxious to get it over. I am worried she thinks she will be instantly healed. I keep telling her there is therapy still to come but at this point I  think she is looking forward to being able to be off crutches for more than a few hours. Either way in the end she should be pain free and back to her old self. 

My birthday is in a few weeks. I am trying to come up with something to do that "I" want to do. I am not sure at this point what it will be but I do know that with my current work schedule I don't get much free time to myself so I am trying to come up with a plan that includes something I have been missing. At this point, I feel like I am missing just about everything so I'll let you know what I decide.  We went to the local outdoor mall tonight and I found the coolest purse. I want it, I mean I REALLY WANT IT. We will see. It costs more than I would usually spend on a purse. I guess time will tell. 

The weather has been nice the last couple of day. No rain just sun shine. It really stinks. I miss a true strong winter and spring. Oh well, maybe we can go to the beach.... 

So Much To Be Thankful For!

Well, don't get me wrong. But, there is much to be thankful for and right now I have made it my priority to hold that as my focus. First, our tummys are all full. Ok, so Liza wanted as salad after dinner but that's nothing new. Snacking is almost a sport in this house and a salad is healthy so have at it kid.

Our Bishop stood up at the end of Sacrament Meeting today and announced that 4 very lucky families in our ward were going to spend the next 4 days with no gas, electricity or running water. Holy Cow. Honestly I was looking at everyone but him. I have to say there was a bolt of fear that went through most of us sitting in the congregation. But, now that I think about it we wouldn't starve, we have plenty of food, blankets, and I know that there are flashlights in this house that outnumber the residents. Water that is our failing point. We just don't have much stored. I will focus on changing this. Being completely honest, I wonder if anyone would mention if I started to smell bad at work. Luckily, I won't have to find out but this will be the beginning of a new effort to better our supplies. 

OK so here is my week in review by member of the household and since Liza and Grace are terrorizing me I am starting with those goofs. I believe I am being mocked or spells are being cast or something. So, 

Liza- what's new last week? Ok. Play practice - working on the final touches of Pirates of Penzance; no new guys; went to the Vday dance with Liza and had a good time; went to In N Out on the way home and had Animal Fries ( They truly Rock!!) 

Grace- What's new from last week? I didn't do anything. ( That is her most common answer in life, claiming innocence.   The girls are having a group slow dance - heaven help the boy who tries to come between them. Grace did have a Bishop's interview.

Catie - What's new from last week? Brenden. Holy Crap, there's a boy thing goin on with her. He gave her a bear for Vday. Went to her first dance with her sisters and a girl friend and (according to Grace) the cute guy serenaded her with the song Circus from Brittney Spears. 

Mike- What's New. I keep telling you there is nothing new. 

So, Me - Self What's new? Well, I took my last adventure until we find ourselves back on our financial feet. I had bought a ticket to go to the Scrapbook Expo and went with my sister and 2 cousins, Sandra and Marci. Ok, were a strange mix but it was fun. I got to make 5 new projects and saw some really cool products. Catie has a boyfriend and became a Miamaid at church ( 14 to 16 yr old girls). Mike made a really good Vday dinner, Scallops for appetizers, salmon, mushroom rice pilaf, asparagus, salad and chocolate malted crunch ice cream. He even got me a gift. A new journal and the bag from Time Our For Women. It's blue and brown and just the right size for hauling my stuff to and from church or work. Work is work, we did all pitch in and make strawberry shortcakes on Friday. So, overall some things are tougher than others but we look for the positive and stay focused on the goal. Stable employment and financial stability these are the goals for the day, week, month. Enjoy your week all and know that you are missed where ever you are, I am sure I haven't spent enough time enjoying your company.

Happy Birthday to my baby!!

Today my baby turns 14. She has completely entered the age of a teenager. But, funny thing. She is kind, thoughtful, sweet and has a warped sense of humor and a love of all things scary. I was trying to remember the day she was born. It's not like her sisters day, there were no life altering events for the rest of the world. But, funny thing, my third baby, she's the one that has managed to turn my world on it's ear. She is the one that brought about the need for a mini-van, bunk beds, the need to always have a little chocolate around and apples by the bushel.  She is the one that has the most non life threatening health issues. She has had her head put back together after an altercation with a door at a wedding. She has scraped and bruised every inch of her body and in a few weeks she will be my first to undergo surgery. I have been lucky that I have made it this far but I could go longer without this experience, really I could.  You see although her birthday is upon us, it is the impending surgery that keeps me awake at night. In a few weeks she will under go arthroscopic hip surgery to repair her damaged cartilage along with a couple of other things that, truthfully, I just don't know how to explain it without graphics. But, all of this considered she is also the one who when we went to the hospital last week to see my dying aunt, is the one child who with great diligence needed to say her goodbyes face to face. It was impressive and at the same time sad to see someone so young understand and grasp such a difficult situation. So today my baby turned 14. Happy Birthday Bug!