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.