Another Summer

Another summer is here and I am updating my blog. I guess I am so busy during the school year that I can't remember to come on here. We had a fantastic vacation this summer. We took the kids to Disney World. Jordis got to meet the princesses which made her very happy. The boys were introduced to roller coasters! Spencer and Eric rode the Hulk at Universal and loved it. Trevor was finally tall enough to ride everything and he had a blast. His favorite was the Aerosmith Rock n Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We stayed at the Nick Hotel, a place the boys have wanted to visit since they were little. It was a fun place. We actually celebrated Trevor's birthday there! It was a great vacation.

We got home and had a sleepover party for Trevor. They swam at the neighborhood pool and had burgers. I think overall he had a great birthday. The morning after the party I was knocked down by Grace, our big 65 pound puppy, and broke my ankle. So on June 18 our summer was over. We went to the ER, got some pain meds, and were sent home to wait for surgery. The following Tuesday I had surgery to have a plate put on my fibula which was broken in 3 places. Six pins were put in the tibia (also broken) and ankle which was dislocated. This has been the most painful experience I have ever had. It trumps childbirth and a c-section. I do not wish this on my worse enemy. As a true Mom, I have managed to get around via a wheelchair and do everything I need to do. Although, I can't drive for 6 weeks.

This experience has been eye-opening for me. I mean, all there is to do it sit around and think about things. Here are some things I have learned about people and life: 1. I already knew this but a reminder is helpful - I have THE BEST husband in the world. He loves me so much that my pain is actually his pain. I almost wanted to comfort him while I was laying the yard in agony because I could see the pain on his face. 2. My kids are amazing. They have all stepped up to help me with anything (including helping me to the bathroom at the beginning). I hate that they had to give up their summer for me but Spencer and Trevor have been my caretakers as well as helping with Jordis. And Jordis is my fashion girl, choosing and getting my clothes together everyday. She also loves filing up my water bottle for me. She has been able to go spend time with both grandparents and had a fun time with them both. I am lucky to have them all!! 3. I have a lot of friends! And its not the people I thought it was. The friends I thought were my friends are not. The ones I expected to be here for me, even offer to help me in even the smallest ways, have disappeared. And others have been calling me and checking on me, going to the store for me, taking me places, etc Even the most unexpected people have cooked dinner for me. Everyone rallying together have made this a very bearable experience. I hate that I have had to go through it but my head has been cleared up a lot!

I know that I still have a long road ahead of me with physical therapy and a lot of frustration. I will never look at another handicap person the same way. I will ALWAYS get the door for someone and IF I have a neighbor, friend, or anyone I know who needs help I will help them no matter what is going on in my life. I will never take for granted my 2 legs again. Just walking to the bathroom is a chore right now. Everything is a big struggle. I will be so thankful to be able to do all the wonderful things I am normally able to do. Exercise is one of those things. I never realized what a blessing it was to be able to go workout. Life will be different - I will have a more grateful attitude now.

A Whole Year Later.....

I just can't believe I haven't posted anything in a year!! Crazy! Just like my previous post, it was a fun summer! We had another fun vacation at The Caribe in Orange Beach. The beach was kind of yucky with the oil in the water. We weren't allowed to get in the water so we spent most of our vacation at the resort in the pools. The kids did not care at all. They had a blast.

Spencer started 7th grade last week and seems to be liking it a lot. I can't believe in 6 months he will be a teenager. A teenager!!! I don't know if I'm ready for that or not.

Trevor started 5th grade last week. I can't believe this is his last year in elementary school. Seems like yesterday he was starting kindergarten. I have been thinking about that a lot since school started - so many people I know have little ones going to kindergarten. Makes me remember when Trevor started and I had such a hard time letting him go. I thought he was my baby and that I was done having one at home. Maybe a part of me knew I wasn't done. And along came Jordis!

Jordis will be starting preschool next week. She is very excited. She gave up her nap this summer. That has been a big change in our household. She was so cranky for a while but is doing great now. Ballet started last week and she loved it so much. I can't wait to see how well she does throughout the year.

Like is just coasting by and we are trying to enjoy every little moment we can. They will be grown up and in the real world sooner than we can blink.

An eventful summer

It is the end of July and I am wondering where the summer has gone! We started it off with a birthday, as always. Trevor's birthday was June 6 so we celebrated with a sleepover party. He has some sweet friends. I can't believe he is already 9 years old. It seems like yesterday we were moving to Florida as he turned one. He is a very mature, funny, and sensitive boy. We went to Longhorn for our little family celebration. He loves steak - rare steak. It grosses me out how he and Spencer like eating it all bloody. The Longhorn staff sang to him. He could have killed us! It was very funny though.

The kids all left the day after his birthday and spent a week with Mimi and Papa. They had a blast with them. We had planned the trip to Florida for that week but had to cancel it for my surgery. We were all disappointed that we didn't get to visit with our Florida friends but maybe we'll make it next year.

Yes, I said surgery. I had a hysterectomy on June 8, also removing my right ovary. This is something I always knew would be in my future. I was 17 when I was treated for my first ovarian cyst. Over the years I had many problems with that ovary, a 3 year long bought with infertility, and many horrific periods in between. After Trevor was born I had many problems and begged doctors to just do the hysterectomy already. While dragging their feet and trying "one more thing first" I miraculously became pregnant with Jordis. Now that I have begun to have the same problems the doctor here in Alabama agreed that it's time to get it taken care of. I am now 7 weeks post op and feel better than I have felt in at least 15 years. I have a new found freedom with my body and am so happy to not feel the pain in my right ovary.

Stephen came to visit for a week. I can't believe how much he has changed!! He is taller than me, his voice has changed and he just seems happy. It did a lot of good for me to spend time with him and see the he is going to be ok.

Spencer is ready for middle school. He and Trevor asked for their own rooms so we moved Jordis upstairs and they have their own rooms downstairs. They are very nice rooms! It turned out great. Spencer is in heaven - happy to have his own space. Trevor likes his room but is really having a difficult time separating. He has ALWAYS been with Spencer since he was 2 years old. It's not an easy thing. I have found him sleeping on Spencer's floor most mornings. It breaks my heart. I hope he gets used to it and starts to enjoy it more SOON.

NOW we are off to the beach!! We leave Saturday morning. I can't wait to get there.

"My name is Jo Jo...."

I guess someone in the family had to have a country name. Jordis has started telling everyone, "My name is Jo Jo!" She has always called herself that and sometimes the boys say it. We correct her but she still insists: "My name is Jo Jo!" She is developing her own personality. She has started dancing like Elaine on Sienfeld, with the leg kick and all! Never a dull moment around here!