Kiddos...

So...I'm kind of ticked at the kiddies at this exact moment, but that doesn't change the fact that they really are good kids...and I am grateful...

This past couple of weeks during my recovery, Malia has been especially clingy. She likes to be with me all the time. The other day, she came up to me and started stroking my face and my hair and asked if I was feeling better. I told her that I was, and she said, "Oh good. I love you mom. You're the best mom in the world." So sweet.

Bella is a very sweet girl, by nature (when she's not sassy). She had a few dollars to spend at the dollar store and she insisted that I take her before Jake's birthday. She then bought Jake and Carter each a birthday present, something for Malia, and something for her. She is very generous with her money, not just this time, but all the time. She always buys something for one of her siblings when she has a few dollars to spare.

Jake went on his first real "scout camp." He's not quite 12 yet, but our friend Jeremy took him with a couple of his buddies. When he got home, he just couldn't wait to sit down and tell us all about it. It was late at night, but I enjoyed listening to his adventures, and couldn't help but wonder when he wouldn't want to sit down and talk to us any more...I know it's coming, but so far, he still likes us.

Malia was very jealous of Carter who was having a sleepover at Sammy's house this week. I do not like sleepovers, and she is so young, I didn't want her to have one. So, I told her she could have a sleepover with me, and she actually agreed! WE watched toy story together and then she slept on the floor in my room. In the morning when she woke up, she climbed in bed with me and we watched cartoons together. Then, we watched Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift music videos together. Again...I know there will come a time when hanging out with me is the last thing she wants to do, but for now, she loves it.

Walking into church today, Malia and Carter were both holding my hand. Carter will be 10 in a few days, but that boy loves his mama. Wonder if that will change soon too!

I'm not supposed to lift anything more than 10 lbs. The boys have been so great about carrying everything for me. They are so sweet about it. Carter even opens the door for me! They are good boys.

Jake got a weight lifting bench for his birthday today. He was so excited. I can't wait to see him lifting those weights...Since I caught him one time lifting weights in his bed, hiding from us, I know he is excited about it. The start of many years of weight lifting, I'm sure...

Carter has been off the pump for awhile while we try to get his blood sugar under control. He is really good about getting shots. When it was time to put his pump back in, he was very anxious about getting that sight in. Apparently, I didn't push it in hard enough, so he basically had a needle poking in and out of his skin until a couple hours later when I took it out completely...poor kid. Later that night, I tried it again, this time getting it in all the way, and when I was done, he said, "Thanks mom" and gave me a hug. He is a champ, that one.

Anyway, my kids are good kids...so sometimes when I'm feeling annoyed with them, it's good to write things down so I remember all the good things that they do...I really am enjoying this summer. It's the first summer when I feel like summer is flying by!

5 days post-op thoughts...

So, I did it. It's done. I am sterile...and happy about it. The day of surgery, we went to Wild Waters to play until I had to leave. Since I couldn't eat or drink, I was a tad thirsty...the idea definitely crossed my mind to just "stick out my tongue" as I walked by the waterfalls everywhere and lap up some of that chlorine goodness...but I refrained (mostly because someone was with me all the time - they might've thought that was gross or something). Surgery was delayed (surprise surprise). The anesthesiologist was like 15, at best. Mom and Rick asked a million questions that I did not think to ask. When they finally took me into surgery, the anesthesiologist started talking to me about Valencia and then I felt "it." I said, "Hey, you drugged me already..." and drifted off to never neverland. I was unhappily woken up too soon by a nurse. I remember eating a cube of red jell-o so I could have some more pain meds but that's about it. I woke up in my hospital gown with a catheter in, at home, in bed. Huh? I remember waking rick up asking for more pain meds and that's about it...til the following day.

Mercifully, friends took my kids the next day so I didn't do much but lay around. At one point, we called the doctor to get different pain meds because I thought my abdomen was on fire...but the rest of the week passed in more or less routine stuff...made it to Bella's performance on Friday, went to Costco and the grocery store on Saturday, same old, same old.

Here's what I learned about having surgery:

1. Get rid of the children! If they're here, they're on me, or hugging me, or stroking my head and being entirely sweet and nurturing and letting me get absolutely zero rest.

2. Invite Nana. She is a great chauffeur. She fills the cupboards with all sorts of goodness (gluten-free and otherwise), she's great company, she'll watch chick flicks, she'll get you good pain meds, and she'll help you take your catheter out. TMI??

3. Hospital gowns are even less attractive in your full length mirror at home.

4. Vacuum before surgery. For some reason, you're not supposed to do it after...and let's just say, it shows.

5. Get moving. No time like the present. Might as well just suck it up and go for it...it doesn't get any easier if you wait.

6. You get to keep parting gifts! For me, it was a catheter, a hospital gown, and some lovely pictures of my "innards!" Who knew? And who wants to see my pics?

And 7. Drugs are good. Very good.

So...who's next? Matty. Hope this advice is helpful.

Charlie loves Josie.... right??

They look like they are playing nice right here... but what is really happening is Charlie is taking away ANYTHING Josie can get her hands on. Then she usually runs away with it and throws it somewhere way out of Josie's reach and range of mobility.

Ummm... I don't even have words for this one. Charlie has Josie at Nerf gunpoint... Can you say anger management issues? She likes Josie, right?
Don't worry about Josie though... she is busy planning her revenge!

CONVERSATION WITH AN 8 YR OLD AFTER THE WORLD CUP

After watching the replay of the World Cup, Husband and I are literally sick to our stomachs over the loss. As the medal ceremony begins this occurs....

Stephen III: Awww, the USA looks sad.

Me: It's because they are.

Stephen III: I hate Japan... We did good at that nuclear bombing of them...

Me & Stephen: (horrified stares... speachless...)

If you must know...TAMMY

I am having a hysterectomy on July 12th...I won't bore you with details...I'm expecting it to go smoothly and recovery should be fairly quick because it's laparoscopic. Mom has generously agreed to come hang out with me for a few days and then all will be back to normal...So...that's it.

In more fun news, we had a great time camping and I will post some pictures shortly...way better than a post about upcoming surgery...

Since I haven't seen any of you in way too long...

I just thought I'd post a couple of cute candids my friend caught of my girls when we were at Adam's softball game the other night. Natty is so big since most of you saw her last so I thought I'd remind you of her impossible cuteness so as to entice you out to TX to visit.







OK, come on out to TX! We'll take your kids to the park for a softball game and take cute pics of them too!

Matty vs. his knee

Well, my money is on Matty, but I'm all for stacking the deck. Surgery for Matty's knee is scheduled for this month so for anyone interested, I think it'd be a great idea to participate in a family fast (if you're capable of such) and/or a family prayer. This Sunday is fast sunday and I for one think Matty and Lisa have more fun places to invest their energy (like their two beautiful daughters and that sweet new baby who's due pretty soon) so let's pray that all goes well for him and that his recovery is quick and complete. We're pulling for you, Matty!

We'd love to include in this fast anyone else in need of medical attention. Ahem. Ahem. So if you or someone you know may or may not be receiving medical care in the near future, please feel free to include his/ her hame in your fast as well. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE....