Our Lemonade

You know, it's funny. Sometimes you can hear something that would normally make your heart cry. But when you've been waiting for too long without an answer to a question, just hearing an answer- any answer- is good news. It's like getting a fresh pitcher of lemonade. Slightly sour lemonade, but lemonade nonetheless.

While in MN for our first holiday with family in four years, we made the trip to Gillette as we always do. Double duty. Kaija is still in her brace at night and will probably avoid surgery that way.

The real answers? This is the specialist we should be seeing, my instincts were right. Logan's hips have taken the worst turn they could. He needs to remain inactive for 3 months. That's right. A nine year old boy needs to sit still. No running, skating, sledding, ripstick, jumping, twisting, etc. No enjoying his first winter back in snow country. He can walk, bike, swim. Period. He also needs extensive PT. The combination will loosen up his hips to prepare for surgery to rebuild his bone and socket. He will then be in The Dreaded Spica Cast- think armpits to ankles- and a wheelchair for a month. And this isn't guaranteed to work. But if we don't jump at the chance- and immediately- this is the best and only opportunity we have to do the surgery. If his hips do not get loosened in time, he will be in traction for some time. Because he needs this surgery in the very near future. Sigh.


Anyways. I'm oddly at peace with this. I'll admit, I did wrap Logan in my arms and shed a few tears with him as we took in the news at Gillette. I realize I'll probably shed more in the future, but for now my eyes are dry and my heart feels prepared. Maybe it is because I feel so confident in the plan for now. With Dr. N's tips, we were able to alleviate his pain and hips locking up at night. That's why I trust that Dr. N is the specialist we need to see. For all of our hip issues. Shudda trusted my instincts.

We really did have an amazing Thanksgiving, despite it all. And I hope you did, too.
I'm so thankful for family, friends, and answers.

Dang it. That stinks.

Says Izzy every. single. day. when she is getting dressed.
She asks me, "Will it be hot or cold today?"
"Cold, Izzy. For many, many days. It's almost winter."
"Dang it. That stinks. I wanted to wear my pink shorts."
Every day.
I have never denied that we are a certain percentage of redneck. And if you don't stop lecturing me on her choice of words, I'll pull out my handy-dandy duct tape and tape your mouth shut. Heck yep.

Dang it. That stinks that we need to get rid of Harley. Turns out, he thinks he needs to show the neighbor kids that he is more powerful then them and sends them home in tears. I don't need another dog, but I do need those neighbor kids. They keep my kids outside, burning off their energy. He's a really good dog for someone without kids. We decided to keep the kids and return the dog.

Dang it. That stinks that Logan needs to go for an arthrogram and MRI. No answers on the hip issue yet. They need a better look to understand what all is going on and what to do about it. It could be loose bone pieces in the socket that aren't showing up on x-ray. Answers are hopefully coming our way. (Oh, I failed to mention: his most recent x-rays show that his hip took a turn for the worst. The top of the bone has a flat head, instead of being rounded as it should.)

Dang it. That stinks. Kaija, again. This diarrhea better clear up soon.

Thank you.

If I had the courage, bravery, integrity, honor that this soldier has in his pinky finger, I'd be a better person than I am right now. I am honored just to know somebody who fought bravely along side him in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. My brother-in-law Luke. These men are all amazing. We could never thank them enough. They had a camera crew with them for at least part of their deployment. They aired an exclusive on them- (I think it was Dateline, but I can't find it), an article in Vanity Fair and now a documentary. I'd love it if you would support Restrepo- you can like it on FB. :) At least check out these links... thank you.

Pictured above is Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta of the 173rd Airborne. He is the first living recipient of the prestigious Medal Of Honor since the Vietnam War. An amazing person who has made our country a better place! Thank you.

*picture from CNN*

Holidazzle

I might have my Christmas tree up.
What?
You don't know me!
It's not even decorated yet.
Well. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving, so why not?
Christmas is, after all,
the hap-happiest time
of the year!
Oh, how I love it.
And although Thanksgiving usually gets in my way of Christmas, it isn't this year.
Yes, I'm going to love it. For the first time in four years we will be celebrating Thanksgiving (or any holiday, for that matter) the way that it is meant to be celebrated. Big-family style. (insert grin)
It'll be grand. Too much food, hideous amounts of dishes, but lots of people- family and any extra that might not have a place to go. Annette is good like that. I can really appreciate that after our last Thanksgiving. Far too quiet. With just us. I'll admit: it was downright depressing. It was readying us for moving, I think. An obnoxious reminder that we didn't have family there. We're making up for last year, with two Thanksgiving dinners. With family from both sides. (fist pump)
I hope yours is grand!
And for crying out loud- get your tree up! What are you waiting for? Christmas?

Meet Harley.

Just to warn you, I might become one of those really proud, obnoxious dog owners.

(No Kristy, you are not!)

I've never been a dog person. But then again, I've never owned a Boxer.

This is the only dog that I've always wanted.

In fact, owning one has been on my bucket list.

We're taking this one for a "test drive". We were not in the market, but it fell into our laps.

A free, purebred Boxer that is house trained? The only drawback: I didn't get to

raise it from a puppy. I did, however, half hope that Z would surprise me with one

for Christmas. As long as he continues to be a good guard dog, plays well with our kids and

their friends...

I think he has a shot at living here. I'll let you know

what we decide!

Oh, he's a good looking dog!

Lessons to learn

Since it is November, I can proclaim loudly about how thankful I am for teachers. Not only because they give me a loooong break each weekday, but also because they are giving me something so priceless. An education for my children. It is not lost on me how important their job is. It isn't just teaching them the ABC's and math facts, it's noticing how each child absorbs them. How quickly they catch on. How fluently they read. If they comprehend what they are reading. For each student in their class. Teachers are amazing. It makes me realize how over my head it would be if I was homeschooling. I don't know about all those little milestones you need to watch for. What's normal, what's not. I am forever grateful that somebody else does.

P/T conferences are always a little emotional for me. I realize I might be strange, but I am always keeping those emotions in check. Always willing my eyes to stay unmisted. My kids are amazing and make me so proud. (I'm so thankful that they got their brains from their dad.) While the transition into this new school was rough for all, me included, this year is phenomenal. We found our sea legs. I didn't really realize until now how difficult it was for my kids to make that change. Was I in denial? or Did I see it for what it was? I had teachers from last year check up with this years teacher. That speaks volumes. Ugh. But we made it. And we're stronger for it.

The only less than happy part was the discussion that I had with Logan's teacher about his hip issues. The poor guy is really going through a rough patch at the moment. I'm not sure if his physical therapy is adding to it, rather than detracting. The pain is so intense at times that it wakes him up at night, screaming. I don't know what hurts worse, his hips or my heart. This tough little guy has yet to complain that he was handed this trial in his life. That is so amazing. Although it doesn't pay to dwell on the fact that he has to deal with it, I won't be mad when it is just a memory.

For today, my sunshine is teachers and those three students that I love so much.

Thank you, veterans!

Including my dad. Yes, there were people on the wall that he knew, sadly.

For those who recognize the people in this picture: I know it seems odd that my dad, my MIL, my SIL, Logan and myself (behind the camera) were in DC at The Wall together. There is a perfectly logical explanation for this: we were there for a graduation of the person that ties us all together. Just so you know.

I got the blues. And the purples.

Oh, that was hard to convince me, wasn't it? I thought it over for a split second. Yes, you can see my coat! Just warn me next time so that I can fix my hair for you.
I had a few requirements as I was searching for my coat:

1.) COLOR 2.) Architectural detail 3.) Something I could dress up or down

Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. This is my backup camera. The other needs to go in for repairs. But sending it off immediately is not how I roll. I heard things get sweeter with time, so I take mine when I feel like it.

The coat as it came.

The coat with my touch.

And, since you were probably wondering: what was hiding under the coat. Purple pride!

The true story of the cheap lady and her husband's dog

Did I mention the $90 coat that I cheaped out on? I figured I could catch it on sale. Boy, did I call that one! I found it on sale for $60, used an online code to get 20% off and then used a $20 coupon I had, also. I got it (with shipping) for around $40.

My dog promptly ripped the packet to shreds. (Because, apparently, the UPS guy did not have the energy to use my front door and ring the doorbell.) The only reason the dog hasn't died yet is because the coat was unscathed. True story. Zane said the dog is "so cute". That's why the confettied package is still on the driveway, while the coat is safely in the house. Another true story. It'll keep him busy while I am wearing said coat out for coffee with the girls tonight. I'm sassy like that. Sassy in my new, inexpensive coat.

eta: Turns out, my kids had far too much energy to expend it in our house. So a certain mom sent them outside to get fresh air and pick up confetti. Z got off easy.

Welcome, Laura, to the blogging world! Check out my talented cousin!

Sugar and spice and everything nice. That's what my day was made of.

Yesterday, It all came up daisies. Or whatever these flowers might be. I want to rewind yesterday and enjoy it for its simple happiness.

After dropping off the kids at school, I filled up my empty tank. Quite literally. I have an 18 gallon tank. I put in 18.03 gallons. That made me happy. I'm glad to know that my vehicle and I have something in common. We can both run on fumes.

That's not even the best part of the day. My husband showed up for a brief period of time during the middle of the day. We never get that lucky because he works too far from home. And. He brought me flowers. That's not even the heart-melty part. He also brought some for Izzy. His girls at home, he says. Pitter, patter. I love getting flowers. Some women claim they don't. I have a hard time believing that. Who wouldn't want to be reminded, every time they see their flowers, that their husband loves them and thinks of them during the day?

And I'm officially done peck-peck-pecking my way through the texting world. I bought a phone with better texting capabilities. If you can't lick em, join em. Yes, Aimee, I was officially waiting to see if this texting thing would really take off or not. You never know.

When I came home from soccer, I heard this little voice in my mostly dark house say, "Mommy, I can't sweep because I'm scawed." There is nothing better than snuggling and protecting your babies after a blissfully happy, yet simple day. And going to bed knowing you can sleep in because the school kids have the day off. I really want to rewind.

You know what else I hate? The dumb trees at Target. They don't move out of your way when you are walking and digging in your purse at the same time. Annoying.