Busy, Busy

My kinders have been reciting nursery rhymes.  And considering they don't speak English, it makes it even trickier...haha.  But they were having such a blast, we started acting them out - and the idea just blossomed into a full-blown production!!  (what was I thinking?!?!?!)

My mom and sister have collected clothes that could be used for costumes and my niece, Quinn, is painting the set for me!

We had the nephews over for a campout - tons of fun.  Hotdogs and rice krispie treats were yummy.

Ethan turned 16!!!  Can't believe it.  But he got a cop outfit from his cousins and aunt and uncle and he just loves it.  He also got a lot of superhero stuff, so he was on cloud nine - even if he is a cool 16 year-old.

Fall weather calls for caramel and chocolate dipped apples, of course.  I haven't tasted any yet, because I am trying to stay off sugar (yeah, right.....)  But they sure looked good.

Samantha had her baby, Ace Buchanan, on Ethan's birthday -which was super exciting.  He is a cutie - 10lb 5oz. 

Ethan is super busy - he has swimming three nights a week and weight lifting twice a week.  Which means we are super busy.  Yikes.  There is a reason 16 year olds are supposed to drive, haha, but we will be the drivers for Ethan for many, many years so I guess we just get used to it.

Weather has been warm (not complaining) - and I love the fall colors in this part of Tennessee.

Lovin' it.

Baby Fun

In just a few short weeks I am going to have another nephew!  Yippee - cause for a celebration - especially since it has been over five years since Samantha had her last baby.  Time for new goodies.

This is the only time I have a smaller belly than Sami - of course she gets her maternity clothes at the Junior section in Target, so I don't stand a chance either way.

Mom was the master planner in the affair.  Bless her, she has to come to my house everyday to get Ethan off the bus and she made another trip on Saturday for the party.

Samantha's oldest, Journee, was the only daughter to grace us with her presence.  She is ALMOST 21 and will graduate from nursing school in May.   She cracks me up, I'm glad she came.  Although who wouldn't want yummy food and an afternoon off?

Sami brought the two youngest to hang out with Ethan.  After five girls, she FINALLY started having boys.  This new lil' one will be boy #3 and everyone is excited for him to get here.

Mom picked up five different chicken salads from the Chicken Salad Shop - we had so much food we ended up with a ton of leftovers, but that is how we roll in this family.  We don't want anyone to leave hungry.

I forgot how adorable newborn clothes are.  It seems like when I was having my boys cute boy clothes were not that abundant, but they sure do make cute outfits now.

Sami got a few handmade gifts, like this knitted hat from angora.  It was super soft and the yarn was raised, sheared, spun, and knitted by one of her good friends.  Farmers are amazing.

A handmade blanket....

And quilt.  This is actually the third quilt she got.  I couldn't find my camera when she got the other two.  Sigh.....it's always something.  Which leads me to believe these pics are a little blurry because I couldn't find my glasses.......

It was a super fun day.  It was great meeting Sami and mom's friends.  Now, fingers crossed, maybe the little guy will be born on Ethan's birthday (October 19th!!)

Back Online and....Where is the World is Jordan going??

It can take FOREVER to get services when one moves.  I finally, FINALLY have internet again.  I am too dependent on the web for everything - from shopping to billpay and banking.  Yikes, it is good to be online.

We have moved into our house - after tremendous frustration at our movers for the extremely poor job they did in moving us.  (vent, vent)

But, a week later, we are somewhat out of boxes, can cook in our own kitchen, and realize just how much junk we have.  It is total declutter time.  We left a huge house with tons of storage to a mid-size house with no storage.  I know, I know, I should of looked around some more - but I think I bought it for the acre size back yard that is surrounded by trees and a farm on the other size of those trees.  I can sit on the back porch at night, pretend I am in the middle of nowhere (because you can't see any neighbors from the back yard) and listen to the cows mooing.

That is my idea of paradise.

In other news - Jordan has finally gotten his mission call (after getting lost in the mail for a month).  It got delivered next day after contacting the church and telling them we hadn't received it.  It came right in the middle of the movers unloading - so we had to wait until a quick lunch break to open it:

Jordan's Call

Headin' Out

Yes, that's right, Mother of the Year Award - bring it on.  After all, they were on sale, and they are gluten free.  So why not snack on cheetos as you leave one home and travel to another?

It was, perhaps, the longest drive we have ever taken to Chattanooga.   We knew we would never make that particular trip again and it was endless.

Ethan immediately hooked up with his "buddy."  Never have two friends been more happy to see each other.

"Bro" showed up, too, of course.  The condition of my car after being in his hands for nearly three months warrants its own blog post - if I ever stop seeing red, that is.

This is our new normal - whether at my mom's house, my sister's, or my own.  Cows and horses are in abundance.  Ain't nothin' cuter than babies.

Hello, Chattanooga.

Loading Day

Just shoot me now.

My packers/loaders have not been the most efficient crew I have ever worked with.  They promised me they would be out by Thursday evening.  However, it is nearly seven in the evening and we are not even close.  I had to apologize to the buyers, who are supposed to move in Friday morning.  Grrrrrrr.

They aren't even certain everything will fit on the truck.  We still have a utility trailer and a storage unit to load - after they are done with the house.  Cue explosion.

I overdid it a bit (not on purpose) - but I am a bit sore and stiff in the neck.  I will try to do better today (i.e. Phil will do all the work while Ethan and I chill in the hotel).  Speaking of which.....

It is Special Olympic weekend and the only room available was the hospitality suite, which is bigger than some homes I have lived in.  Ethan is chillin' with the remote.

 Stay tuned, because Ethan is swimming in the Special Olympic State Games today....wish him luck!
 

Because you can't have enough...

You know change is coming when Dad makes it home for the big pack up.

Selfies - the best way to show off your doubles chin(s).

Driving to church in another town today and we had to stop at a light with a gas station on the corner.  How many gas stations do you know that have a subway, baskin-robbins, a MEXICAN restaurant in it?

A sad (happy) fact of moving is that you get frozen burritos and cheese dip for lunch.  Hoorah!

For a family that won't go camping unless we are in a cozy trailer we sure do have a lot of water coolers and ice chests.  Unbelievable.  Sorry, mom, these will have to stored at your place.

All of this packing up gave me weird dreams.  Last night I dreamed there was an attack and we had to leave town asap.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my bugout bags ready and I had to run around collecting what I would need and Ethan was slowing me down.  By the time we got out in the car the sirens were blaring and military was out in the road.

I know.  I am weird.

 Of all the things I could be worrying about right now, I am worried because our 72 hours kits are not put together.

What can I say, I've been up since 2 a.m.

X-Ray

My surgeon report came back P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E.

Yeah!

I still can't lift, but I was allowed to throw my neck brace into the garbage :-)  And, unfortunately, I must avoid sports such as skydiving and rappelling (such restrictions!).  Other than that, I can gradually get back into physical activity and by the middle of July should be back to "normal" activity wise (with the exception of the heavy lifting).

Yeah!

Tomorrow I get to go back to work.

Yeah!

Just because I am fascinated by the plate and screws in my neck ...... for your enjoyment:  my neck, before and after.

It's technically after and before.  Don't those screws look huge!?!

One Week and Counting

Funny thing about time - it never stops.  You think something will never get here and before you know it, it does.

In just a short week my movers will be here!  I go in for my follow up with the doctor this week AND I will go back to work on Thursday.  For four days, but hey, four days of pay is better than not.

So, first things first, I'm Frankenstein:

COMING HOME!  My neck was stiff and sore and I was afraid to move it.

Everytime I go anywhere (I can't drive yet) I have to wear a neck brace.

It took the bandage almost three weeks to come off.  That doesn't look like something that is going to just fade into the background!

Mom has been cleaning out every inch of my house - my movers will have it so easy.  She is taking care of me, the house, the dogs, AND Ethan.  Wonder woman.

Ethan went to the prom and enjoyed every minute of it.  From what I understand, he never left the dance floor.

Ms. Ava, who has been with him for 6 years, was an escort.  Ethan had to take his own gluten-free meal.

Ethan, i.e. Officer McGrath, has been leaving stickers that Officer Davis gave him all around the house (on the walls and the furniture - he must have given him a whole roll).  Can't wait to run into Officer Davis.........

Only one week left!

Post Surgery

After deciding I would have a nervous breakdown from my constant pain if I didn't do something drastic - I was lucky enough to be squeezed in for surgery.

It would mean:
5 weeks off work
No driving for several weeks
My mom would have to be my nurse and live with us for 5-6 weeks.
I would not be able to lift anything, or do any housework or laundry for weeks.
I will not be able to really lift anything or exercise for anything for up to 6 months.

BUT....

If it worked, it would mean I would be pain free.

The doctor informed me on a Wednesday they could do it the following Tuesday (April 19).  Of course, Phil is gone, but mom came up during the weekend and planned to stay long-term.  My work friends assured me all would be well.  I was able to clean the last of my office "just in case" I didn't make it back, and everything just fell into place.

I woke up after the surgery with no more nerve pain.  After 6 months of constant pain I can't even describe how good it felt.

Now, less then two weeks after surgery and just three weeks away from moving, I feel like a new person.  I am finally sleeping again, my appetite is starting to come back, I can move without numbing, constant pain.  It feels WONDERFUL!  I miss school - I miss my colleagues, I miss my kids, I miss being busy.  But after being out for 90 minutes at church today, I came home exhausted.  Apparently I am not ready to get back on my regular, normal schedule - it would seem the doctors know what they are talking about!

And except for the texts I sent to several people after the surgery that are unintelligible, I came out unscathed.  I should have a minimal scar on my neck that will fade into "nothingness."

Google it and see how it works: 

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

Aging Isn't for Wimps

Nearly four months....that's a long time not to check in, but I haven't been well.

It all started exactly two days after I turned

One day I am exercising, lifting weights, eating healthy, on.the.move

And the next.....

I thought it would pass.

It didn't.

I went to the doctor, who put me on steroids.  Didn't help.

Had an MRI.  And more steroids.

Saw a neurosurgeon.  Didn't help.  In fact, he said it was "nothing."  Do some PT.  Here, take these meds, and these meds, and these meds.

It. Was. Awful.

I was in so much pain I had a hard time at work.  Pain in the neck, down through my shoulder blade all the way down my arm.  The meds made me so sick I had a hard time getting off the couch.  Couldn't eat.  Couldn't teach.  Couldn't walk in the kitchen.  Couldn't sleep.  Couldn't think.  Couldn't function.

All I did was cry, and cry, and cry.  I was a mess and I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown.

My "doctor" said I could get cervical epidural steroid shots.  I got two shots, two weeks apart.  With not much relief.

Desperate to have a physician who was competent I found another spine doctor.  He said my shots had been given in the WRONG place.  I only had one shot left.  I got it last Thursday.  I don't know if I'm totally better, but I am off my meds and I walked the last two days and did yoga.  Now I just have to get my strength back.

Things I have learned:

If you question the doctor and he blows you off, find another one.

Chronic pain is the pitts.

Pain meds and I are not friends.

My chiropractor and massage therapists are worth every cent I pay them.

Lifting weights doesn't help if your form is poor.

I am so grateful when I'm healthy!

Growing old is not for the faint of heart.

Hopefully, since it is spring break, I will be able to update a little on what else has been going on at the Casa McGrath.   Now that I'm functioning....somewhat.

Update

Well, I am grateful that all we had to do last night was hunker down in a bathroom.  I am just sick at all of the devastation in a town that was also hit three years ago.  Children, teens, young moms and dads, and grandmas and grandpas all lost their lives.   It has been a very sad day for all of us.  We were so blessed it passed by the north end of Searcy.

A member of our congregation lost his life.

(from the Arkansas Democrat)

"Daniel Wassom was huddled in a hallway of a Vilonia home during the storm with his wife, Suzanne, and daughters Lorelei, 5, and Sydney, 7, neighbors and a relative said. Suzanne Wassom even posted on Facebook about it. At the height of the tornado, a large piece of lumber crashed toward the family. Dan Wassom, 31, who served in the Air Force, shielded Lorelei, taking the brunt of the blow to his neck, said Carol Arnett, Dan Wassom's grandmother.

It was a fatal blow. Lorelei suffered a shoulder injury and was hospitalized. Suzanne Wassom was hit by something in the head.

"Dan always put his family first," Arnett said, wiping away tears. "They're just good people. They love God and their children.""

For those that are able, a fund has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

As with any tragedy, any little bit can help.

How do you spend your Sunday night??

We are hunkered down at the church because of multiple tornadoes headed our way!

Even Axle!

Random Pictures

Yes, lame blog, it is time for a random picture dump.  Meager as it is.

Ethan and his bud, Axle.  He has been with us one whole year (Axle, not Ethan).  He is a great dog, but we really  need to stay on top of the discipline.  It is hard when he is home alone all day.  Poor fella.

Ethan's latest appointment at Children's Hospital.  Eye appointment.  We were gone for six hours that day.  Those appointments are exhausting.

Jordan and his choir teacher, Mrs. N, at Senior cry fest.  Yep, it was a long night.

The 5th Annual 65 Roses Tour was today.  Great success!!  Nearly 200 riders, great weather, no injuries, and Ethan got to start the race!  Honestly, bike rider outfits are awesome.

Imagine riding 65 miles with a good portion uphill.  Now imagine one of those hills is very, very steep....and long....and did I mention steep?  These riders didn't even slow down - they passed every hydration station with a wave.

I hope I get to visit this summer - I think I am really missing three little ones :-(  (And two big ones ;-)