Latest and (not so) Greatest

Yesterday was surgery day. Glad to finally have it over with. Unfortunately it was not the small simple tear the Dr. was hoping it would be. Had to actually cut him open. The scope was not enough. They say it was pretty nasty. He also lost some range of motion in his arm due to the injuries so they had to clean up some other stuff too. We now have 18+ physical therapy appointments ahead of us for the next 6 weeks. It feels like we are starting all over. But, maybe it's better this way. Maybe this recovery would have been too hard along with the other recovery he's had. Maybe the shoulder needed it's very own attention, with nothing else holding it back. Sounds good right. Either way, he is in a lot of pain and down from work again. At least this is hopefully it. For the injury part of recovery. We still have some plastic surgery in the future.

Grateful to be on the mend. Hope my poor husband feels better soon! He is amazingly strong and suffers through everything the doctors tell him to do. He is very motivated. We know there is light at the end of this long dark tunnel!

The SITuation

He won't sit in his high chair

He won't sit in his booster chair

Quite frankly,

He won't SIT in any chair!

On this day he chose this stance, but usually, it's just a full on stand.

Meal time is always a challenge when it comes to Jack. He tries to walk around with his food, ya know, towards my yellow couch. Really, the only time he wants to sit at meal time is in my lap when I'm trying to eat. Obviously, he is not lacking for nourishment though, so he must be getting something in along the way! He is our busy, busy boy!

School Days

The first day of school

YAY

We were all excited. The kids couldn't wait.

I had planned to walk them to their lines and get embarrassing

shots while in line (embarrassing for Nathan anyway), but with the

rain there were no lines. So I dropped them off along with the hoards

of other parents and drove away. I decided I would meet them after school

in their lines but apparently Nathans class doesn't line up after school.

Soooo....we couldn't find him. We were some of the last to leave the blacktop

thinking I was waiting for him. Then we checked his class room, then the office,

then the spot they usually wait for pick up. I kinda figured that's where he'd be.

He said he was about ready to start walking home. Well, at least he was

prepared to fend for himself!

They had a great day and I was the only one with homework that night.

All that fun paperwork to fill out

Photo Shoot

Kristen wanted to play photographer the other day. Here are a few shots she got of Samantha and I. Not too bad for a 7 year old. I guess it's a good way to capture my existence

in the family, use the kids :)

Samantha said later that day "Some grown ups call other grown ups sugar plum", and then she laughs! She cracks herself and me up with her little statements on the facts of life.

Nickelodean 'LIVE'

The infamous bucket-o-slime ** We were on the blue team

So, our community had a Nickelodean Live Event on Saturday. Doug and I have decided that if we were in charge, these community events we be way more successful. That said, this event did not go well for us. It was the typical mass of people squished on the grass, those in front begin to stand so everyone else has to stand, and no one can actually see. Except for the girl in front of my kids who stood on top of a stroller! The other huge problem, du! it's August. Only 150 degrees outside. We were too hot for words, squished and the kids unable to see very well. So we watched for a short time, they got there fix, and we were outta there! Along with a few other people who decided to ditch before it actually ended. If it weren't for the heat we could have tolerated the rest, but no. Sorry to say it was not the exciting experience the children were hoping for.

Feelin' Happy

I'm feeling really happy today. Actually, it has been building for sometime now. Sounds crazy, but I have never felt so loved and blessed by my Heavenly Father, my family, my friends and my ward. I know the experiences I've had could come in no other way. I think going through complete depths of sorrow and fear have made the joy and blessings in my life so much brighter. I just feel so grateful for everything. The blessing that was given to me has come to pass in many ways. That is overwhelming to me. It is very humbling.

I got to go on a date with my husband today. So fun. So grateful we can still be together. (thanks 'G'!!!!!!) Love the time we have together as a family. Love our home, it is a sanctuary to me. Love that the kids have such good friends. Love that they start school next week ;). Looking forward to the fall and all the fun that that brings. Looking forward to Doug's surgery next week, hope it brings some healing and pain relief for him. Feel like we are coming to a turning point in his recovery. Despite the struggles we have, I still feel blessed beyond our comprehension.

It's not to say I don't get frustrated. My kids fight, my baby makes me pay big time every time he gets left with a sitter. I could use a little more me time (that's coming soon enough). But hey, I'm also very aware that my path could have been so much worse. So I am grateful to be dealing with what I have and I know it is making us all stronger. I cannot wait for the day when I can be on the other side of things and be a little angel for someone else.

I challenge you, my friends, to find the blessings in your life and to be happy for what you have. To be grateful for the challenges you are given and the opportunity you have to grow from them.

A Tale of Two Shoes

Funny story about these shoes...Heather gave them to me last year. Apparently Lauren didn't like them and or they hurt her feet or something. I saved them for Kristen. Earlier this year I had her try them and she also didn't like them and said they hurt her feet. A few months back I gave them to my friend Stephanie for her daughter. She recently tried them on her and you guessed it, same story. Stephanie gave me a bag of shoes for Samantha and included these in the group. Kristen excitedly asked if there were any shoes in the bag that would fit her and so Samantha handed her these. Kristen was so excited and thought they were so cute, and guess what, they felt great! Do you think she doesn't remember them?? Either way, she has a lovely pair of "new" shoes for school!