Lane's First Walking Parade

Lane has been in an activity since she was three years old. She has chosen ballet, tap or gymnastics other years. She chose hip hop and competitive cheer this year. She is thrilled to attend with two of her close friends twice a week.
This year she participated in the St. Cloud parade. She had to walk the entire parade route and smiled the entire time. She told me that her feet hurt afterward but I was so proud of my shorty pie for keeping that smile on her face.
It will be fun to see her recital in June and her competitions as this come up soon. She has been working hard to learn new things this year and she's keeping her grades up. I'm a proud mom of my 7 year old!

Eddie

When Andrew and I lived in Daytona Beach, FL, we went to the humane society to adopt our second dog. Brody was in need of a brother or sister while we were at work and we wanted to save a fur-baby. We walked around the sad, gray building looking at all of the dogs and puppies who needed a home and I could have taken them all home.
And there in a kennel looked the most pathetic one of all. We asked if we could take him out and meet him. He kissed our nose and had the most playful manner. He never lost his love of life. He was obnoxious and stubborn, like any Alaskan husky.
We had to bring Brody to meet him. We found out that Eddie was taken away by the county from a woman who beat him harshly. Eddie got away from us in the humane society yard and that should have been a sign to us that he was an obnoxious beast but he was meant to be our crazy boy.
Eddie passed away a couple months ago. He never stopped loving the kids, food, or toys. He always seemed to smile, even in his last days when he was in pain.
We miss him dearly and we are so glad we were able to give him 14 years of love and life on this earth. It never seems like enough time.

Extra Credit - Alex

Alex brought home an extra credit assignment for science class. He has been studying life science in fifth grade. He had the opportunity to make a shirt with different bones and organs on it.
I bought a long sleeve shirt, 3D paint, and fabric paint. We took two days to draw and paint the bones and many organs on the shirt. It only resulted in one meltdown due to miscommunication about the placement of blue bones but we managed to get through the entire project.
When the project was complete. he proudly wore the shirt to school on a Friday. His opinion on the entire thing - It's gross. I highly doubt he will enter the medical field at this rate.

Why?

Gabriel, why do you sit like that? 

I'm sleeping like a bat!  

Ohhhh. I've been wondering for the past ten years!! 

Picture Day!

Picture Day is fast approaching at school and Lane wanted a manicure.  It was very important for her to be completely prepared for her photo opportunity.  Andrew took her to the local salon and she came back with the cutest nails.  She loves them!   She is every bit a girl and ready for picture day. 

Pokemon Go

When Pokemon Go came out it sounded ridiculous.  Who would walk around catching virtual characters with their phone?  Much less become obsessed with the game?!! 

I downloaded the game to show the kids since Alex has hundreds of Pokemon cards from the last couple years.  We figured out how to catch the characters with the help of a friend of mine.  We learned about the pokestops and pokeballs.  

And....  I really like the game.  I like turning the game on in new areas and the blue stops pop up in the horizon and it's exciting, along with new characters.  One of these days I'll take the kids on a walk and we will catch Pokemon together because I've heard of some good spots to go.  Oh the adventures never end at our house. 

But I'm Not 50!

I had an appointment with a colon rectal specialist and he decided I needed a colonoscopy.   I was surprised because I had the age 50 in my head, not 43!  

The location for the procedure called on Monday for my Wednesday time and instructions.  My appointment was at 3 pm.  I was given instructions to go on a liquid diet on Tuesday and start the prep at 2, and to stop consuming everything at midnight

The prep for a colonoscopy is truly awful. The drink is awful.  By the end of the first 16 ounces, I was gagging and thought I was going to vomit.   Then came the explosive diarrhea.  This was all while I had the kids under my care. 

Four hours later I had to drink another round of that stuff.   I had to psych myself up for every single time I had to swallow it down.   It wasn't pleasant at all. 

I was awake throughout the night, making friends with my bathroom like I hadn't in years.  I hoped my gurgling stomach would find peace and allow me to sleep.  Eventually, around four am, I found a slumber, though I was terrified that I would be woken up, needing to run to the bathroom yet again.  Who knew that clear liquid could come out of a person's rectum????!!

It was finally time to travel to the colonoscopy and like everyone told me, the procedure wasn't bad.  I was sound asleep for it.  However, the pain I had from the gasses and air of anesthesia and the procedure were awful.   It took at least 12 hours for the pain to subside.  

I hope the baby polyps that were removed show no evidence of cancer and I can be cleared of doing this procedure again for a long time.  

New Bedroom Look

I surprised the kids with new bedding.  Burlington had a great clearance sale and they could use some updating in their rooms.  It's hit or miss with them.  Lane tends to be picky now at the age of seven and the boys aren't great with change.  

Lane was thrilled with her new Paris bedding.  She's been talking about Paris for a few months and how she wants me to take her there one day.  I hope I get the opportunity 

I switched the plain red beds for some stripes in the boys room.  The boys didn't seem to care either way. I think it's a nice change though 

Dinosaur Party

Our friend's son turned seven and he had a dinosaur party.  She is crazy talented. Here are the dinosaur cookies she made for the party. 

The kids had a blast on the water slide and bounce house.  

They also loved the Trex piñata.  

It was a great way to spend a September day in Florida! 

Is This Weed?!!

Alex, age 10, asked while on this chair," isn't this the weed chair?" 

We had to turn and look to see what he was referencing.   Apparently when he went on a hike the other day he was pulling weeds and creating things with them and now he thought this chair was a weed chair.   Oh my goodness, it will have a much different meaning one day! 

Lane the Teen

Our nanny, who has been a part of our family for year now, has a new boyfriend   He seems great even though I haven't met him.  Hopefully he stays great in all of our eyes.   One great thing he does is talk to Lane on the phone.  Here is a glinpse into my figure of Lane as a teenager.   Time slow down.   

Skeletons

I purchased a groupon for a skeleton museum and we surprised the kids.  They have over 500 animal skeletons and they enjoyed looking at the displays   They supply the kids with a scavenger hunt and they all completed it.  At the end, they went to a treasure box for a treat for completing the scavenger hunt.

They learned about the beetles that take three days to clean a skeleton and they were fascinated watching the beetles at work.  

St Augustine Day Trip

We took the kids on a day trip to St Augustine.  It's the oldest city in Florida and we've always enjoyed walking around it.  There's so much to look at including the building, water, history, and more.  The kids love it.  We make time to have an early dinner and learn something new.  We also go shopping so there is something for all of us to do. 

The only complaint was it was hot and humid    However, that's to be expected in Florida.  So we trudged on with water in our hands  

Five Out Of Five?

You would think that after all of the MRIs I've taken my children to, I would be used to it by now.  Instead, the anxiety builds and I want to vomit and curl up in a ball.  Or cry and scream at the unfairness of life.  Here I am taking my third child in to see if she is also affected by Chiari. 

Lane has been complaining of headaches for the last year as well as had numbness in her fingers and toes.   She also has a lazy eyes and had surgery for that as a toddler, another symptom of Chiari.  

While I put a brave face on for my children, I'm shaking inside.  The memories of Gabriel barely moving cloud my memory as Lane is smiling in the knocking tunnel.  I want to whisk her out of there rather than hold her feet patiently for the fifteen minutes.  

She did such an amazing job staying still.  Far better than I imagined and I reward her with whatever toy her heart desires afterward.  Seven year olds still pick fiscally manageable items.  

I should know next week if my third child finishes our family of Chiarians or if she escapes it.  Either way, she's one amazing child.  

Back At It

It's been three months since my brain surgery.  I had my first vertebrae, part of my skull, and the herniated cerebellum removed.  The neurosurgeon also opened the dura and placed a patch from my own skin.  I have a small leak that gives me issues some days but overall I feel much better. 

My energy and stamina are slowly returning back and I am back at my normal routine.  I go to physical therapy twice a week when possible.  I've taken over the majority of the household duties and the kid care at this point.  

Now I'm tackling exercise and better eating.  I gained 15 of my 40 lbs lost and I want to lose it again.  I know I can with some effort and motivation.  It just takes healthier habits and I can do it! 

It's also time to plan my bucket list of adventures for the upcoming year.  The kids are back in school on August 10th and that's right around the corner.  Let the adventures begin! 

Followers Wanted

Hey Mom! Take our photo and post it on Facebook.  I look cool with my belt.  Let's see how many followers we can get   - said nine year old Alex.  

I took several photos, some were finally approved by Alex and 11 year old Gabriel.  

Later Alex asked me, "what are followers any way?"   

Young Scholars

Lane was invited to attend the Young Scholars camp this year.  It's a week long program offered by the county for bright and gifted students.  Alex was invited in the past but the transition would have been too difficult for him so I didn't send him. 

Lane's teacher taught her class which made it extra special for her.  She was lucky to get to spend more time with her after the school year. 

The week was based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Science, math, reading, and writing all centered around the book as far as I can tell.  She had a great time and didn't know she was learning the entire time. 

The week ended with a play for parents with a different ending to the book.  Lane was thrilled to be Goldilocks. The kids made their own costumes as well.  Super cute! 

Lane was adamant that she wear blue.  When I goggled Goldilocks images, there she was in blue! 

Groom the dog

Many tasks need to be accomplished before Lane's birthday party tomorrow. Four - seven year olds will be spending the night to celebrate her arrive seven years ago.  What was I thinking when I agreed to this activity? 

Lane offered to groom the dogs.  They look rather shaggy.  I asked her to brush them but she's taking baby wipes to clean them instead.  Doesn't Eddie look thrilled?  Poor old boy is still patient with the kids.  

Fairies

Lane is fascinated by fairies.  It's really fun to watch her eyes light up when she talks about them. My friends older daughter brought art supplies over and made a fairy house with her.  Lane was over the moon excited.  

When they were done decorating the coolest fairy house ever - it's a posh mansion really.  The girls placed the fairy house outside. 

Fairies have visited twice and show up when there is a full moon.  Lane has recieved letters from Purpley the fairy, telling Lane about her life and love of summer.   Gems were also with the note and Lane sleeps with the purple one every night.  

Her love of fairies began with the fairy chapter books.  She flew through a book in a day or two and comprehended it well, as soon through her test scores at school.  I'm quite proud of my six year old     

Art Room Reorganized

It's that time of the year to go through school papers and decide what to keep. I decided to reorganize the kids art room.  It didn't look bad when I started, part of my procrastination, but once I dug in, it took most of the day.  Five bag of garbage later and the room is all set for musical and artistic creativity. 

I made sure I completed the organization while the kids were at camp, otherwise every little cap and scap paper needs to be saved.  Apparently they all hold sentimental value until I toss them behind their backs. Sorry kids but I need you to be able to create in that room too. 

Inked

When I was 17, I wanted a dolphin tattoo on my ankle.  A high school classmate got a tattoo and it was terribly infected and the thought of getting my tattoo became a fleeting thought. Though i thought about it off and on.  I wanted the dolphin only because dolphins are such magnificent creatures 

Really, I wanted a more meaningful tattoo.  If I was going to get a permanent piece of art on my body, it better have meaning.  For the last year, butterflies have had meaning for me. Butterflies represent transformation. I've been through an incredible transformation emotionally after all I've experienced.

It finally hit me after 25 years that I wanted a butterfly with a semicolon.  A semicolon represents that my story isn't finished yet.  I chose the colors blue and purple for Chiari and IIH. 

I chose my foot for the location so I could see it   It hurt like a mother.  And it was sore for a couple days like a sunburn. 

5K Insane Inflatables

People would talk about completing 5Ks and I would think "eh, what's the big deal. It's seems like a waste of time and money."  Why did people do them? What was the intrigue? I didn't really get it. 

I kept seeing an ad for a 5k near us with inflatables.  Eight inflatables spread out over 3+ miles   Now that sounds intriguing   

As soon as I was given the green light from my Gynecologist after my hysterectomy in December, I walked longer and ran   Then the end of January, I completed my first 5K with my good friend Meg.   We had a blast climbing over inflatables and maneuvering our way through the course. 

It was much more challenging than I anticipating but it was exciting to complete it.   Meg and I were also picked to start our group and and that was fun to stand in front of them. 😀 

If you're given the opportunity to complete 5k, I recommend it. They are a fun challenge. I will definitely add more medals and tshirts to my collection in the future   I can't have one little medal in my collection 

Influence

When it is my time to pass away, I hope I've made an influence on someone's life. I hope when they think about me, there is a soft spot for me and a bit of happiness. I hope i have given some moments of laughter. I hope i filled their time with joy.  

I hope, in return, my friends and family, th know how important they are to me even when I was rushed with daily life.  Even when domestic life and stressors wore me ou.  Or my chronic pain made me less than I should be, you were a driving force of happiness. I forced a smile and fought through the pain for you.  Thank you for loving me, despite my flaws.  Life is a great gift. Challenge it.  Enjoy it   Embrace it.  For one day, it will be gone. 

Omaha, Here I Come

I'm flying to see the women who held me together during the fundamental years of child rearing.  Those tedious toddler years when daily struggles could be the end of a mother.  Or the excitement of a child's first words and knowing that these women were just as thrilled for me as I was for them when their their child finally used that damn cup and not a bottle. 

If you have a child, you can relate on some level.  These women held me together.  If you're read my blog you heard of them.  They were there for me when we thought my husband had lung cancer, when Gabriel was diagnosed with autism, when Lane was in the NICU and so much more.   They held me together through the years.  When I moved away, I missed them with all of my being. (I haven't missed the snow and ice, let's not go overboard here, people... They need to get sensible and move to Florida) 

So I am looking out the plane on my way to Omaha to see my "sisters" and I am thinking in an not so eloquent way -- fuck.   What if this is it?!  How morbid.  I guess every day could be it but in exactly one month I will place myself under the skillful hands of my surgeon knowing I will have a 60% of not making it.  I'm staring out the window at the clouds and what if this is my last flight?  

I feel so cheated yet so blessed all at the same time.  What a fantastic life I have had   Not many people get to say that.  I've been surrounded by the most loyal and loving friends   They are gorgeous human beings and I am thrilled to be able to spend time with a fraction of the pieces of my Iowa world this weekend. If, by chance, this is my last weekend with them I am so lucky that I get to spend it happy and doing things I love. 

Then i will go back to Florida and spend the next month with people i adore and love them too. I wish i had time to travel to everyone important to me   I'm lucky I have this time.  Not everyone does and not everyone has the 40% in their favor   I'm going to fight hard to keep my body strong and eat some chocolate along the way.