At Peace

Homeschool is going good. We are figuring out a system that works for us and working out the kinks.

It is funny though - when you tell people you homeschool, you get one of two reactions: either they are interested and ask questions or they judge you and criticize.

I had experieces of both last week.

The first was at Walmart - we went in to buy "P.E." supplies and the checker was asking why we were buying so much "exercise" stuff. I thought "here we go" and told her we did homeschool. She was very nice and said that she thought it was a good idea. She asked questions that I was very happy to answer.

The second was a lady that I called to get more information on a reading program for this summer. She started off asking nicely but quickly turned on me and I didn't see it coming so it took me a minute to hunker down and stand my ground.

What it comes down to is this (and I told that mean phone lady so): no, I am not perfect, no, I am not a qualified, licensed school teacher and yes, I am sure that I am not doing EVERYTHING perfectly that I should but I am a mom that will do anything for my children. I had a child that needed things that not only could public school not offer her, but the experience of being there was making it worse.

Kayla has gone from crying every night at bed time to happily going to bed confident and secure.

SHE is pushing herself out of her comfort box and trying new things that she would never have done before.

A few weeks ago we went to a Strawberry Festival and they had pony rides there. She wanted to do it but was scared. We always encourage and support her and then let her make the choice. I was sitting with a friend in the stands while Kurt was talking with her. I thought there was no way she was going to get on a pony. I looked up and there she was climbing on a pony with a big smile. I asked Kurt what he did and he said he didn't do anything - she decided to push herself.

Two weeks ago she got up and gave the scripture at church in Sharing time (which is a class at church for all the kids 8-12) and a few months ago it was a battle to even get her to go to sharing time, let alone participate.

Yesterday she got up and participated in singing time (during sharing time). Again, she NEVER would have done that before.

She still has challenges and things are hard for her sometimes but we have seen HUGE improvements in her confidence and her willingness to try new things. And that tells me that we made the right decision.

So, mean phone lady, say what you want, judge all you want but I know I am at peace with our decision.

Oh, and by the way, we are totally not doing your program this summer!

Well, I guess we are even!

So Kurt broke the kitchen cabinet

and I did this:

Yep, that is what the top of an umbrella looks like when you run it over with the lawn mower.

Don't ask.

What do you get when . . .

your husband and the puppy make you Mother's Day breakfast?

A broken kitchen cabinet door, of course!

Apparently said husband and said puppy where playing chase. Details are unclear as to who was chasing who but none-the-less, the 80 pound, uncoordinated, doesn't have stopping or slowing-down skills mastered yet puppy, ran into the door - breaking it into two pieces that are being held together by only one tiny connection point.

I tried to get a picture of his accomplice with the broken door but mysteriously the door has disappeared. Hmmmm . . . hiding the evidence!

I did, however, get a very yummy breakfast with strawberries, crepes, OJ and whipped cream. So I guess it was totally worth it! (?)

The Traveling Bug

I have caught the traveling bug.

In my pre-married days, my bestest friend (since 4th grade!) and I used to travel all over the west coast - from WA to So. Cal, to Las Vegas, etc. We went to Mt. St. Helens, Crater Lake, Yosemite, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Redwoods in Eureka, etc. We had so much fun and we got to see some truly amazing and beautiful places! We would laugh, talk, cry, talk, drive, talk and sometimes we would be perfectly content in pure silence. The bond of friendship was amazing!

The other day I actually dug out my old photo albums (you know, those things we had before digital cameras were around and all the pics were on the computer) and was going through our traveling pictures. Ahhhh, memories! So fun!

Then when Kurt and I got married, he became my traveling companion. Usually we traveled to visit family; April in Walnut Creek, Margo in Turlock, Jenny in 29 Palms, Jared in Virginia, Dad in Chico and then in UT.

It seemed like we always were either going somewhere or had a trip in the making but lately neither seem to be happening. Life kind-of gets busy with work and kids, ya know?

Well, I believe I caught the bug when we were invited up to WA to visit Kurt's cousins. I am so excited to go! I have met his Uncle George and Aunt Judie (about 8 years ago) and his cousin Roger (a few years ago) but I have not met anyone else but I feel that I "know" them a little bit through blogging and Facebook. I am so excited to meet them in person! The kids will have approximately, oh, I don't know, totally guessing here but maybe 18 new cousins to play with! We probably won't even see our own kids the whole time we are there!

I am such the planner and want to start my "list" already, even though we have weeks before we go. WEEKS! Hopefully they pass quickly!

It is only a matter of time . . .

before someone joins us in the spa!

One Week

Well, its been one week since my procedure and now it is back to life as normal. Back to work (I missed 2 weeks - one week was for star testing with the girls and the other was recovery week. I am sure there is a load of stuff for me to do this morning but do you like how I am stalling by blogging! The boss isn't here - he he).

Anyways, I am done with "phase 1" of recovery - thank goodness - it was just plain annoying and gross. Glad to be finished with that! "Phase 2" isn't really dr. ordered but he said it would help. And that would be swimming. Hmmmm - still cold and I am a total whimp when it comes to cold water - no thank you! I need to find a really warmly heated pool! Too bad the spa isn't bigger - I am sure laps in the spa just won't cut it!

The scab on my back where the sound waves exited my body is healing nicely. It was about the size of a dime but is getting smaller and smaller. For something so small it sure can itch like crazy!

I am having a hard time meeting my fluid intake goal. I just don't like to drink - anything. Which is exactly why I have kidney stones - I just don't drink enough. I did pretty good the first 4 days but Friday and Saturday were tough ones. Sunday I did ok. Today I have to get my intake back up. Ugh I just feel like my eyeballs are already floating and I just don't want anymore! I feel like Dorie in Nemo "just keep drinking" - that is what I repeat to myself all day long!

My mom was amazing last week. She was there to help with everything: lunch, laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, driving kids around, taking them for ice cream, getting them movies, swinging in the backyard, taking them to her house so I could rest. She was awesome! Thank you so much Mom for all your help! I love you!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all our friends and family!

We hope you have a great day!

Recovery

The procedure went really good and we were very happy with the care I received. I was worried about going under general anesthetics but my anesthesiologist was really good and even gave me some good meds so I didn't wake up getting sick. Nice! I was surprised to find out that I would be intubated and everything. I thought I was just going to be sleeping but nope. Everything went good so no worries (now).

Since I have trouble swallowing pills, they gave me a lovely cherry flavored codeine concoction. I spent the first 2 days sleepy and loopy from that. Day 3 was good but day 4 was a little rough. A stone must have been banging around in my kidney because it ached and was crampy all day. Yesterday was a good day though - actually got dressed in normal clothes AND did my makeup. I must be starting to feel normal again.

The stone was at the bottom of my kidney so all the pieces have to fight gravity to get up and out of the kidney. The dr. said swimming would help with that but maybe he didn't notice that it has been a bit chilly lately. The biggest risk is that a chunk will get stuck on its way out - at which time, I was told, I will drop to my knees in pain. Sounds lovely!

I just wish I knew if it was going to happen and, if so, could I time it so that I am not driving the car or in the middle of the grocery store with 3 kids or something like that. That would be great!

News

So tomorrows the day. Ready or not. And I am not. Only got 2 things done on my list. At least one of them was the laundry. So that makes me feel better.

Anyways, other news besides me and my stone:

On Thursday, Jenny (Kurt's sister) welcomed baby #8 into their family. His name is Braden and he ties the score at 4 boys and 4 girls. We'll have to wait and see if they go for a tie breaker! Welcome to the family Braden and Congrats Truman family! We can't wait to meet you, which we need to do before you move!

One of Kurt's other sisters, Margo, and her husband were down at the end of last week looking at houses. They put an offer on 2 houses, both within 10-15 minutes of our house. They currently live in the Portland area and are being transferred to our area. A few years ago we had 4 of Kurt's family members all within 2 hours of us and then they all moved away pretty close to the same time. We felt very abandoned. Well, we are slowly getting them back - first April and then Margo. We are so excited to have more family so close to us!

Sadly, yesterday, Kurt's Aunt Kay passed away. I met her once at a family reunion when I was pregnant with Hailey so that had to be about 8 years ago. (I tell time by pregnancies - isn't that weird?) She was such a cutie and so sweet. Kurt speaks with such love anytime he speaks about her. He says she always remembered birthdays and holidays and was super thoughtful. We know she will be missed here on Earth but that she is in Heaven with family and friends who love her dearly.