~If the grass is greener on the other side, then you better start watering yours.~
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2 + 2 = 4
We've Moved!!!
Here in Grandma Diane's rental apartment we are enjoying the summer life:
swimming and playing with the neighbor kids, riding bikes,
and enjoy being part of the wild life.
There are wild turkeys EVERYWHERE here!!! And I'm not talking about my kids.
Carter has learned to ride his bike. He actually did so one day when he and I took a long walk. He picked it up pretty fast, and 3 weeks later he is still perfecting his skills going around, and around, and around. He thinks he CAN'T ride his bike without the knee pads and elbow pads. I mean what I say: one day he forgot to put them on and he was shocked that he didn't fall down without them. But as long as he has them on they will protect him from crashing. I will let him believe this for as long as he chooses.
Our summer is busy busy busy! We have gotten to know the neighbors and their kids quite well. In fact, the kids are so inseparable that we have implemented a flag system. A bracket on the fence dividing our yards holds a flag. Red is theirs, yellow is ours. If we are home and ready to play, we put our yellow flag out. If they are home and ready to play, they put their red flag out. This way we always know that its ok for the kids to be running back and forth. The 4 of them are such good playmates that sometimes the kids disappear outside for an hour or two because they are off playing like crazy bandits!!! Gotta say, I can get used to this...
Jeremy continues to work night shift in dispatch and is very challenged by his position. I am very challenged by it too, and not in an awesome way. It wouldn't be so bad if I could just cook a decent meal! I don't know why, but my brain doesn't understand food and how to prepare it. Nor does my brain understand why in the world anyone would enjoy spending an hour making a mess and another hour cleaning it up EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.I compare my troubles with cooking to simple math:
2 + 2 + 4 + 1 + 3 = 12
therefore;
item in the pantry + another item in pantry + this + that + heat + sauce + side dish + time + temperature +/- bake or fry - ingredient we don't have + substitution = all items being done at the same time that taste great and kids will consider eating
(i don't get this)
And I've even spent 5 days thinking about a possible meal plan to last a week. I got nothin.
I think I need a personal chef. I've offered to have my friends over for dinner if they cook. No takers yet...
Monday, April 11, 2011
How much we love Daddy
Daddy says to Carter: I love you all the way to the moon!
Carter says to Daddy: I love you all the way up to God! Belle says to Daddy: I love you all the way up to....the ceiling fan!
Now THAT'S love!!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Two children each with an ear infection. CHECK.
Friday after picking up Carter from school, he promptly informs me that his ear hurts.
Anyone who has been keeping up with this blog will know from this post that we immediately went to see the Doc. You guessed it -- ear infection! Except this Doc tells us that the ear infections are definitely NOT from swimming, and not to worry. I think I'll believe the second Doc since we do not want to miss any swimming lessons.
We now have enough liquid amoxicillin in the fridge to drown a horse.
And, speaking of horses, Carter and I took Patches to live withAuntie Lynn the other day. No one ever plays with her, or feeds her, or brushes her around here anymore. The poor girl!
Maybe she can go stay at Aunt Sally's for a vacation sometime. The other horses would LOVE her! And I know Dawn, Dani and Jenny would ride her EVERY DAY.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It Was No Accident
Items I have hit with the mini-van while in reverse:
1. Mailbox
2. Pole
3. Small child's bicycle
Yes, it's true. I plowed over Carter's bike tonight. But it was a good thing because I think he learned a valuable lesson. And Carter and I are both lucky because:
1. I didnt hurt the car too badly
2. I didnt hurt the bike too badly
3. There was no child on said bike
4. Carter's bike no longer has functioning training wheels
What a great reason to learn to ride a bike!
Way to go Mommy!
Swimming Lessons Rock!
We love swimming lessons, oh yes we do! Except for when it gives us ear infections...
After our 3rd week of lessons (once per week), Belle tells me that her ear hurts. I've learned that ears are not supposed to hurt, and if a child says their ear hurts, you take them to see the Doc.
NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
**Unless you want to have a sleepless night with a crying child, since laying down makes the ear infection more painful, do not wait until the morning!**
Mommy Instincts are always spot on.
ALWAYS.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Help Wanted
WANTED: Able bodied person to run behind 5 year old boy on bike with no training wheels. DURATION: hours on end, days upon days. REQUIREMENTS: running shoes
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Working Man
OoooHhhh can I hear a "WOOT-WOOT"?!?!?!?!
Last night was Jer's first night back at work since January 29th! He worked from 8pm till 6am.
I am excited for this HUGE step in the right direction! Although...........
He says it was boring (booo!) and not the easiest on crutches since the building is huge. I suppose the bathroom is not exactly down the hall like at home, and the break room farther away than our kitchen. And I suppose he had to go all the way outside and 100 feet from the building to have a smoke.....He did however sit on his chair, not sure if he was able to put his foot up all night or not.
He also mentioned that he banged his foot on a step. He still has to wear this boot thing, and he still cant put any weight on the foot, but he says the big bang didn't feel very good.
I'm grumbling as I type. It's a catch-22. You want him to get back to work, but you want him to be safe.
Nothing will make him change his mind now that he has had a taste of reality again, either.
However things work out, I know that one day we'll get there. Jer will be walking again within another month I hope.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Little Henry
Today is a day I have dreaded for some time now. It marks the one year anniversary of the birth and death (in my mind) of what was to be a small-little-boy-bundle-of-joy blessing our family. He was to be Belle's little baby brother who she could feed bottles to, and change his diapers, and change his clothes at least 6 times per day. He was to be Carter's little baby brother who he would teach how to love dirt, trucks, and G.I. Joe, and ride bikes, and play all rough and tuff. Today Henry David would be about 6 months old. If you figure in that all my babies have been born early, he'd be about 7 months old.One year ago today, Henry was born at home at only 16 weeks gestation. Jer cut the cord. We held his tiny body in the palms of our hands, named him, and counted his fingers and toes....and sobbed.
My heart was broke two million times between the day he was born, and the day he was buried. Then, my heart was broke only one million times between his burial and yesterday.
Today, my heart will break for him one million times more.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
These Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that many days will go by
before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that many days will go by
before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tomorrow will be 6 weeks from Jer's surgery date, and he is finally going back to work on FRIDAY! The Doc willingly granted him permission to work light duty at a sitting position only. We didnt even have to yell or threaten him, so it was very nice.
Jer starts training in dispatch, and will be working four 10 hour shifts Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, then off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We're not sure yet how long he will train - one week, two, three weeks? - but then after training his hours and days will switch again. He will still be working night shift for a while though.
X-rays today revealed that the foot is still not ready for walking or weight bearing or driving for at least 2 more weeks. Also, his soft tissue wounds are still healing with the scabs slowly getting smaller. There is still one area that we are watching carefully. Doc says he will wait as long as possible before deciding to clean it out and do a skin graft so that IF he DOES have to do it, the graft area will be smaller and more minimal.
Jer asked a few questions about not being able to move his toes much, and the stiffness he is experiencing in his ankle, and the throbbing when his foot is not elevated. Doc said the throbbing will go away when he starts walking, and the stiffness is due the the trauma of the tissues, and that what is left is probably scar tissue. Therapy was mentioned for the first time. He said Jer is getting to that point of starting some therapy, but is not there yet. I wonder how walking will feel with a small plate on the top of your foot...
Next Doc appointment: Two weeks. At this appointment, he may be able to start trying to walk with the walking boot! And there is still a possibility that he may not. Doc will also assess soft tissue wound again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a side note: Got the kids signed up for their first swimming lessons at the YMCA. We start wednesday and go every wednesday at 3:45 for about 6 weeks. In April they start soccer on Saturdays @ 10am at a field near our house. It will be fun watching the kids learn and enjoy these activities!
We are still showing our house at least once a week, however no serious bites yet. I think I might start lighting a fire under our realtor. Not sure what it would do, but it's worth a try. ;)
.....it's just getting difficult to be in this 'middle' place and not knowing where to look for daycare, and where to sign kids up for school. I wish I knew where I was gonna be in 2 months!!!!!! I know where we are going and I just want to get there.
Carter said on Saturday, "Dad, I just wish you can walk with two feet again." Dad said, "Me too Bud." Mom said, "Me three, Bud." And then it went up to twenty some people wishing Dad could walk with two feet again! Haha.
It reminds me to be thankful for all we have, because we have so much despite broken feet and houses for sale.
Jer starts training in dispatch, and will be working four 10 hour shifts Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, then off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We're not sure yet how long he will train - one week, two, three weeks? - but then after training his hours and days will switch again. He will still be working night shift for a while though.
X-rays today revealed that the foot is still not ready for walking or weight bearing or driving for at least 2 more weeks. Also, his soft tissue wounds are still healing with the scabs slowly getting smaller. There is still one area that we are watching carefully. Doc says he will wait as long as possible before deciding to clean it out and do a skin graft so that IF he DOES have to do it, the graft area will be smaller and more minimal.
Jer asked a few questions about not being able to move his toes much, and the stiffness he is experiencing in his ankle, and the throbbing when his foot is not elevated. Doc said the throbbing will go away when he starts walking, and the stiffness is due the the trauma of the tissues, and that what is left is probably scar tissue. Therapy was mentioned for the first time. He said Jer is getting to that point of starting some therapy, but is not there yet. I wonder how walking will feel with a small plate on the top of your foot...
Next Doc appointment: Two weeks. At this appointment, he may be able to start trying to walk with the walking boot! And there is still a possibility that he may not. Doc will also assess soft tissue wound again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a side note: Got the kids signed up for their first swimming lessons at the YMCA. We start wednesday and go every wednesday at 3:45 for about 6 weeks. In April they start soccer on Saturdays @ 10am at a field near our house. It will be fun watching the kids learn and enjoy these activities!
We are still showing our house at least once a week, however no serious bites yet. I think I might start lighting a fire under our realtor. Not sure what it would do, but it's worth a try. ;)
.....it's just getting difficult to be in this 'middle' place and not knowing where to look for daycare, and where to sign kids up for school. I wish I knew where I was gonna be in 2 months!!!!!! I know where we are going and I just want to get there.
Carter said on Saturday, "Dad, I just wish you can walk with two feet again." Dad said, "Me too Bud." Mom said, "Me three, Bud." And then it went up to twenty some people wishing Dad could walk with two feet again! Haha.
It reminds me to be thankful for all we have, because we have so much despite broken feet and houses for sale.
Monday, March 14, 2011
And the Doc says....
Poor Jeremy. Went to see the foot Doc again today. He tore off a VERY thick scab that much resembled a dead oak tree, sent Jer through the roof, and left an oozing crater on Jer's foot. Then Jer and the Doc went back and forth about when he could get back to work. It went like this:
Jer: so, when do you think I can get back to work?
Doc: oh boy, I'd say you're looking at 3 more weeks.
Jer: you know I'd be sitting at a desk with my foot on a chair the whole time, right?
Doc: yeah, well you still have some soft tissue damage that needs to clear up.
Jer: so can I give work SOME SORT OF IDEA when I'll be back? I'll have to start on a Friday and I was kinda hoping you'd let me go this Friday.
Doc: well I'd like to see you back next Monday and we'll see how it looks. I may want to take you down to the O.R. and flush it out and do some grafting, but lets just see what it does this week. I think it will heal on it's own, but we have to watch it.
Jer: when can I go back to work?
Doc: we'll see you in a week, get x-rays, check the wound and POSSIBLY the following Friday I'll let you go back on light duty. Your bones are still not healed so you cant put any pressure on that foot.
Jer: When can I go back to work?
My translation of this conversation: Jer will not go back to work for probably 3 weeks, (if its any sooner we are lucky) and the Doc said possibly next Friday just to shut him up. I would have done the same thing!!!! It was really quite entertaining.
Pictures of the healing craters are available upon request. They are disgusting.
Jer: so, when do you think I can get back to work?
Doc: oh boy, I'd say you're looking at 3 more weeks.
Jer: you know I'd be sitting at a desk with my foot on a chair the whole time, right?
Doc: yeah, well you still have some soft tissue damage that needs to clear up.
Jer: so can I give work SOME SORT OF IDEA when I'll be back? I'll have to start on a Friday and I was kinda hoping you'd let me go this Friday.
Doc: well I'd like to see you back next Monday and we'll see how it looks. I may want to take you down to the O.R. and flush it out and do some grafting, but lets just see what it does this week. I think it will heal on it's own, but we have to watch it.
Jer: when can I go back to work?
Doc: we'll see you in a week, get x-rays, check the wound and POSSIBLY the following Friday I'll let you go back on light duty. Your bones are still not healed so you cant put any pressure on that foot.
Jer: When can I go back to work?
My translation of this conversation: Jer will not go back to work for probably 3 weeks, (if its any sooner we are lucky) and the Doc said possibly next Friday just to shut him up. I would have done the same thing!!!! It was really quite entertaining.
Pictures of the healing craters are available upon request. They are disgusting.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March for Babies
Dear Family and Friends,
As you might be aware, our family has been touched by the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. That's why we have formed a Family Team (Team Conner & Kaylee) to raise money and participate in March for Babies. Please join us in our fundraising efforts today by sponsoring our event.
Our family knows firsthand the challenges associated with prematurity. It is important to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. By raising money, ongoing research to answer these critical questions is funded. When you support our Family Team, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.
Contributing to our team online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage at:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/AnnieShay
Please join us and millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. We need your help. Visit my webpage and sponsor our event, or sign up to walk with us on April 30th!
With your support, there's hope.
Thank You!
As you might be aware, our family has been touched by the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. That's why we have formed a Family Team (Team Conner & Kaylee) to raise money and participate in March for Babies. Please join us in our fundraising efforts today by sponsoring our event.
Our family knows firsthand the challenges associated with prematurity. It is important to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. By raising money, ongoing research to answer these critical questions is funded. When you support our Family Team, you show you care and you give hope for defeating premature birth and other threats to babies.
Contributing to our team online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage at:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/AnnieShay
Please join us and millions of compassionate people across the country who support March for Babies each year. We need your help. Visit my webpage and sponsor our event, or sign up to walk with us on April 30th!
With your support, there's hope.
Thank You!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sight to See
Picture this:
1 Mommy
2 crazy dogs
2 small children who don't like to listen on
2 bikes
walking through the streets of your town.
Yep, this was me today. YIKES!
Needless to say, I had to have a cocktail when we got home.
Now, how was YOUR day????
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 1st Milestones
Monday night we sang Happy Birthday to Simon as he turned 7 years old. And then we threw lots of treats at him. He loved it. Tonight and tomorrow night he will have his cousin doggie friend, Toby, spend the night. What a lucky dog! :)
Monday also marked the 2nd anniversary of my mugging at Kmart. To this day, they never caught the guy, and Carter still brings it up once in a while. He knows that the cops will get that bad guy and take him to jail.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Doc on Monday
Well, we saw the foot doc again Monday. He is doing well and is excited for his vacation next week.
Our appointment this week brought x-rays and more wound washing. The swelling has come down incredibly, and the tissue appears to be healing very nicely. This means no surgery today to pick at it and wash it out!
YAY!
This also means that things are looking like he may not need those skin grafts either!!!
In turn, Jer got sent home with a removable "boot" that slips on over your sock. He can now shower and get the foot wet, but still no weight bearing on his right foot. The boot is nice in a way, but very annoying to deal with. Our biggest challenge is keeping the owies from getting infected, now that it isn't in a cast anymore. They encouraged us to let the air get to the tissue to keep it dry, so unwrapping it while resting is what we are to do.....kinda makes Jer nervous. Still no work for Jer. Doc had to tell him that his only job right now was to sit down and to listen to his wife.
I love this guy!
Our next appointment is in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him again.
Our appointment this week brought x-rays and more wound washing. The swelling has come down incredibly, and the tissue appears to be healing very nicely. This means no surgery today to pick at it and wash it out!
YAY!
This also means that things are looking like he may not need those skin grafts either!!!
In turn, Jer got sent home with a removable "boot" that slips on over your sock. He can now shower and get the foot wet, but still no weight bearing on his right foot. The boot is nice in a way, but very annoying to deal with. Our biggest challenge is keeping the owies from getting infected, now that it isn't in a cast anymore. They encouraged us to let the air get to the tissue to keep it dry, so unwrapping it while resting is what we are to do.....kinda makes Jer nervous. Still no work for Jer. Doc had to tell him that his only job right now was to sit down and to listen to his wife.
I love this guy!
Our next appointment is in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him again.
Monday, February 28, 2011
BUSTED!
I think we have a Cookie Monster in the house. Sorry honey, you are busted. If you look closely, toward the back, you will notice a ziploc baggie containing some highly desirable contents. No WONDER they all disappeared so quickly.
